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may 2021

style takes on a new shape & form

world of colour S M A R T PA LE T TE PA I R I N G S FO R E V E RY S PAC E H OW TO P I C K YO U R PERFECT NEUTRAL THE OUTDOOR PA I NT E D IT

design brilliance OUR EXPERT GUIDE TO EXTENSIONS T U R N YO U R GA R D E N INTO A MEADOW THE COOLEST KIDS’ BEDROOMS

fresh perspective

may 2021

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COVER PHOTOGRAPHY JAKE CURTIS

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news & shopping EVERYONE’S TALKING ABOUT The return of rattan, the softly verdant shade of sage and blending your doors into their surroundings.

DESIGN RADAR Interiors pro Linda Boronkay on the beautiful buys she’s got her eye on NEWS Outdoor lounging at its finest, unique wallcoverings and an exciting new collaboration between Farrow & Ball and Kelly Wearstler CATWALK LOOK Mint hues to catch the eye THE EDITED CHOICE Covetable chests of drawers for all your storage needs LIFESTYLE REBOOT Artist Sharon Walters on her life-changing year H OW T O … M A K E S O P H I S T I C AT E D CO LO U R C H O I C E S Clever insights for choosing the ideal shades around the home PALE AND INTERESTING Rebecca Wakefield shares her love of a neutral palette THE EDITED CHOICE Dazzling double wall lights that shine twice as bright NEWS REPORT The future of office design puts our wellbeing first and foremost

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fabulous spaces ROOM OF THE MONTH Sensual shapes, soft textures and power pinks fill this NYC loft space designed by Andrés Reisinger MAJORCAN HOME This striking contemporary building by architects John Pawson and Claudio Silvestrin is a minimalist masterpiece NORFOLK ECO HOUSE The couple behind the Everyman cinema revolution have built a sustainable coastal home filled with serene spaces and saturated colour PARISIAN PAD Playful patterns and artwork bring the fun to this traditional city apartment MELBOURNE HOUSE Interior architect David Flack used bold colour and rule-breaking ideas to refresh the interior of this house while staying true to its 1960s origins DUBLIN TOWNHOUSE The pastel-perfection of the film Marie Antoinette is combined with modernity in Suzie McAdam’s stunning Irish home

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design & decorating DETAIL OF THE MONTH Sacha Walckhoff x Graham & Brown’s graphic wallpaper collection DECORATING From columns to colonnades, we’re embracing the craze for all things classical STYLE FILE: THE EDIT FOR RIGHT NOW Fifty must-have homeware buys PATTERN BOOK Punchy graphic prints COLOUR INSIGHT Expert tips on giving your home’s exterior a stylish new look STYLE COLUMNIST Minnie Kemp reveals how to bring nature and an organic feel into our homes PROJECT INSPIRATION Ideas for kids’ spaces GA R D E N I N S I G HT Using meadow-st yle planting to create an immersive experience GARDENING COLUMNIST Poppy Okotcha on the joy of foraging food for free in her garden CASE STUDY Combining colours in a kitchen KITCHEN AND BATHROOM NEWS The latest products and designs

extend dossier NEWS Advice and buys for home extensions LOOKBOOK Take your project to another level INTERVIEW Architect George Bradley

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the lifestyle edit THE ONE THING WE’RE EXCITED FOR THIS MONTH A fun exhibition by artist Rachel Maclean in the woods of Jupiter Artland IN AND OUT Things to do – at home or outside A FRESH TAKE Alice Zaslavsky celebrates that most versatile of ingredients – the vegetable HOTEL HOT LIST Long-haul retreats and city breaks for when we travel again GLOBETROTTER Sebastian Cox spills his Margate secrets SECRET ADDRESS BOOK Pretty natural wooden lights, sustainably made in the UK

and the rest…

EDITOR’S LETTER HOUSE TOURS OPEN DOOR Join us for live webinar chats about style with four of the biggest names in food and f lowers SUBSCRIBE Sign up to never miss an issue LIVINGETC’S FIRST MODERN HOMES AWARDS Have your house featured in our pages HOW THE EXPERTS DO IT Designer homes from our House Tours Open Door series LIVINGETC.COM and more

fresh perspective Pip McCormac Editor @pipmccormac

what i’m into this month 1

Floozies – the (vegan) stuffed cookies by a former Claridge’s pastry chef. Bulk order the Cinnamon Crunch flavour.

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Neptune’s new Burnt Sienna paint. I think our new kitchen will be terracotta.

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Lucy Rutter’s glorious yellow pottery for Toast. It’s hand-thrown and h a n d - g l a z e d .

I watched Mean Girls again last night. It has long been my favourite film – though perhaps more recently eclipsed by Lady Bird – and I was struck by how so many of its themes have aged so well. We like to roam in packs, don’t we, us humans. To find like-minded types who make us feel part of something bigger. That has truly been what I’ve missed this year – Zoom just isn’t the same.

Thankfully, the design world feels like a community, though a much more inclusive one than Regina George and her Plastics.

Over the last twelve months, I’ve seen the support that the interiors obsessed have given each other on Instagram, the likes and the compliments about decor ideas, whether they’re shared by big names or regular people changing areas of their homes. Being into interiors feels like joining something larger, a club where all we’re interested in is making our lives nicer by filling them with beautiful and purposeful things. This corner we’ve carved out on social media, full of Livingetc readers and contributors and brilliant design ideas, is a happy place, and for that I’m so grateful.

This fresh take on the purpose of design, of being something that brings us together, is the theme of the issue. We’ve flung open the doors of the grand Pitzhanger Manor, Sir John Soane’s country pile, for our decorating shoot on page 112, revealing a space just made for entertaining. We’ve also asked top designers for their advice for smart colour pairings on page 38, democratising their knowledge for you to try at home. Rebecca Wakefield offers insight for picking between mild shades on page 42. Her demystification has helped me in my own house redecoration – I’m delighted she’s in our club, and that you are, too. No Burn Books needed here.

And, for the first time ever, we’ve introduced the subscriber cover (left, with the regular version far left) – a cleaner and lighter-on-words version so you can really enjoy our striking imagery. The bonus of being in our gang.

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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 COMMERCIAL FINANCE DIRECTOR Dan Jotcham COMMERCIAL FINANCE DIRECTOR Simon Fish

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.

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everyone’s talking about...

DISGUISED DOORS Doors – sometimes they can really get in the way of a decorating scheme. Introduce an element of hide-and-seek into your home and have some fun blending them into their surrounds, be it with wallpaper (Manuel Canovas, pictured), paint or other creative means.

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SCULPTED R AT TA N Our obsession with natural materials and craft skills is getting shapely, as weavers go three dimensional with curvaceous cane, rounded rattan and bent bamboo.

Get involved with sculptural lighting (Pooky, pictured) and take what you can into the garden.

S AG E

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FEATURE AMY MOOREA WONG

There’s one decorating tone on everybody’s lips – the softly verdant shade of sage. It brings life to neutrals and chimes with natural materials.

For immediate use with upholstery (Ultrafabrics, pictured) on walls and as curtains.

CHEESE 2 .0

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There was a time when vegan cheese tasted like nothing and had a texture akin to rubber. Not any more: enter Willicroft, which is revolutionising the plant-based cheese aisle. Go for the This is Not Classic Cream Cheese. Can you believe it’s not buttery?

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RED FURNITURE Investing in a large piece of furniture? Follow those in the know, be brave and go for red (MDF Italia at Aram Store, pictured) or reddish tones. The latest in the primary colour palette to enjoy an interiors renaissance, red symbolises power, courage, passion and strength – just what your home needs.

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

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1 B L U E WAV E Unbelievably, this Swedish classic was originally created as a prototype for a school project. Etcetera lounge chair, price on request, Artilleriet

2 HANG COOL This beautiful clear bubble pendant of blown Murano glass is the perfect mix of classic and contemporary.

BALL #002 pendant, £416, Sogni Di Cristallo

3 THE CRAFT Made by hand, this vibrant basket is completely individual and by buying it you are supporting weaving communities in the Bolgatanga region of Ghana.

Basket, £38, Montes & Clark

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4 ALL IN HAND

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With a nod to figural art, this brass catchall helps to chicly organise your vanity.

Modernist hand catchall, $415, Casa Shop

5 E Y E S O N YO U Gergei Erdei is a former womenswear designer for Alessandro Michele. His style is reminiscent of Gucci’s, but he also manages to keep it unique for this investment piece. Grand Tour cushion in Jade, £300, Gergei Erdei

6 A L L AG L OW Not only is this a beautifully scented candle but it can be repurposed as a container for trinkets. Swirl Stack candle, £275, Tom Dixon

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news P O W E R PAT T E R N

bold design A t ex t u r e d m i x of c ot t on a nd l i nen w ith embr oider e d det a i l i ng , C a s a m a nc e’s M a h l a ng u f a br ic i s a b ythe -metre p a r t y, it s joy f ul p att er n i n spi r e d b y the work of South A frican artist Esther M a h l a ng u. C h o o s e f r om fou r c olou r w a y s t o i mbue y ou r home w ith v ibr a nc y. Fr om £145.9 0 m (c a s a m a nc e.c om)

T R E AT YO U R S E L F

super bowl Elevate your fruit in both height and importance with Ayres Estudio’s Tall Lago Vessel – the most modern of platters. The Mexican brand is inspired by the country’s rich natural materials – Yucatán woods, Pueblan marbles, lava rocks – for its collection of contemporary craft pieces.

The architectural bowl is a slick green marble dish poised on arched legs of white marble, each piece handmade in Mexico and no two the same.

Approx £420 (collectoworld.com)

THE FINISHING TOUCH

FEATURE AMY MOOREA WONG

shelf life The gloriously eco-friendly material that is bamboo is back in our homes for good, lending its fast-growing, carbon dioxideabsorbing, hard-wearing goodness to furniture of every variety. With woven bamboo fronts, a combo of open and hidden shelves and a responsiblysourced solid pine frame, Ikea’s Ivar units ticks the storage and sustainability boxes, and can be placed side by side to form a full wall system. £77 (ikea.com)

CRUSHING ON

grass houses Bringing the outside in just got colourful with Osborne & Little’s Kanoko grasscloth wallpaper, which comes in a palette of tones ready to deliver tactility and vividness to a room. Sisal grass is dyed, woven and made wall-ready in a range of 12 shades spanning rich royal blue and deep green to delicate pastels and soft neutrals, to complement any space and have you dreaming rainbow-tinted fields. £195 per 5.5m roll (osborneandlittle.com)

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the catwalk look Capse Flush light in Farrow & Ball’s Breakfast Room Green, £800, The Urban Electric Co

Canevas Geo rug, £2,139, Charlotte Lancelot for Gandia Blasco at Heal’s Carafe in Opaque Mint Green, £58, Maison Balzac at La Gent

Ruché bed, from £3,947, Inga Sempé for Ligne Roset

Power suits in pretty shades of pale green stormed the catwalk at Boss

Ripple square cushion, £88, Jonathan Adler

Asa pouffe, £399, Eva Sonaike

minted Solid Tamsin dining chair, £118, Anthropologie Porcelain wall switch, £79, Katy Paty at Dyke & Dean

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The freshest look from the SS21 runways is also making a splash in interiors and it’s absolutely delicious

FEATURE JO BAILEY

Alberta Ferretti’s show featured lime with an acid-washed twist

FEATURE AMY MOOREA WONG

news

JUST LAUNCHED

wall art Drum roll please for Studio by Fromental, which is harnessing the brand’s expertise in hand-painted wallcoverings for the launch of a collection of ready-made decorative panels – in a choice of 10 expressive designs in 35 colourways – that transform walls in mere moments. ‘We have always wanted to share our love of unique wallcoverings with a wider audience,’ explains Tim Butcher, the brand’s director. Each panel is infused with narrative inspired by contemporary chinoiserie, abstract architecture and Japanese screens, as well as forms from nature. Madame Chrysanthème in Lola, £535 per panel (studio.fromental.co.uk)

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the edited choice

Show Wood four-drawer chest, £499, John Lewis & Partners

MID046 chest of drawers, £2,445, Chelsea Textiles Anuel five-drawer dresser, £1,395, Soho Home

Vortist chest of drawers, £1,095, Oka Avalon monumental double chest, from £3,050, Trove

Pavia chest of drawers, £379, Made

chests of drawers Salina six-drawer wide chest, £1,150, Ercol

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Sleek storage to help with that sudden urge to organise…

FEATURE JO BAILEY

Willow chest of drawers, £795, Loaf

news HOT RIGHT NOW

garden part y Throw open the doors – the sun is here. Or it will be. Either way, get ahead of the game with Emu’s Cannolè outdoor collection by A nton Cristell and Emanuel G argano. It will fulf il all of your outdoor lounging needs with its gently f laring shape, generously plump cushions and steel supports. Mi x and match chairs, tables and sofas. Sofa from approx . £2, 361 (ethimo.com)

THE CORE PIECE

f loor show The Ink Impressions collection by The Rug Company transforms hand-knotted silk and wool into swirling pools of pigment.

The Caldera design takes its tones from the striking colouration of Yellowstone National Park’s iconic Grand Prismatic Spring, a mineral-rich water pool awash with brilliant bands of brightness. Caldera, £990sq m (therugcompany.com)

Find more inspiration on Roost, our new web TV show. Watch it on the Future Homes Network channel on YouTube WEEKEND BUY

Part furniture, part giant board-game pieces, Graham and Green’s abstract metal side tables are inspired by the graphic cut-outs of Matisse. Wonderfully tactile, they’re covered in flat matt powder coating in Rust Orange, Terracotta and Teal.

Get one, get two, or go for the trio and fashion an indoor sculpture trail. £115 each (grahamandgreen.co.uk)

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THE CRAFTED PIECE

a cut above Each knife made by bladesmith Holly Loftus is created to last a lifetime. Made in Deptford’s creative hub Cockpit Arts, blades are hand forged in carbon steels known for retaining their sharpness before being fitted into British hardwood handles. ‘I spend a long time looking for timber with character,’ says Holly, who locally sources woods such as 3,000-year-old oak for her art-like, one-of-a-kind pieces. Chef’s knives, from £330 (loftusknives.com)

FEATURE AMY MOOREA WONG

abstract idea

news THE INDULGENCE

a new leaf SEASONAL BUY

sw ing set Transform your outdoor space into a leafy living room with Ethimo’s Allaperto hanging armchair by Matteo Thun and Antonio Rodriguez. Combining the child-like joy of swooshing through the air with Italian design credentials, its rattan seat is teamed with sleek teak arms and suspended with recyclable polypropylene rope.

From £2,040 (ethimo.com)

M atthe w W i l l i a m s on h a s c r e at e d a v i v id t r opic a l wor ld for B r iti sh f ur n it ur e br a nd R o ome L ondon .

His K aleidoscope capsule collection tr a n sp o s e s si x ne w de sig n s plus th r e e of h i s ic on ic pr i nt s ont o f ur n it u r e. T he c i r c u l a r P r u s c r e en a c t s a s b oth a sp a c e d i v ider a nd st at ement a r t pie c e , p a nel s uph ol st er e d i n pr i nt e d si l k- c ott on e dg e d i n br a s s . P r u s c r e en, f r om £ 5, 5 0 0 (r o omelondon .c om)

STYLE HERO

GOING GREEN

eco bed Taking its cue from the design of contemporary day beds, the Appledore bed by Naturalmat features a tapered headboard standing on a low-slung frame of beech, oak, ash or walnut, supported by short, slender legs. The headboard is filled with an eco-friendly mix of springy organic coir, recycled denim and organic wool, made by hand in Devon and upholstered with in-house linen or any fabric of your choice. Double upholstered in organic house linen, from £1,985 (naturalmat.co.uk)

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Here’s a cabinet so eyecatching it barely matters what you store inside. The panelled doors of the Pollock drinks cabinet by Julian Chichester are dressed in statement high gloss vellum, a thin leatheresque material in an electrifying teal tone, atop a gilded metal base. The nature-inspired pattern almost forms a mirror image, while within there’s a verre églomisé mirrored back, built-in lighting and plenty of space to stash bottles, glasses and cocktail accoutrements galore. £7,689.60 (julianchichester.com)

FEATURE AMY MOOREA WONG

curiosit y cabinet

lifestyle reboot Artist Sharon Walters talks taking a leap of faith, the importance of being visible and not being afraid to fail

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ntil last summer, artist Sharon Walters juggled creating artwork with a part-time job in a local museum. But mid-pandemic, she had an epiphany and decided to concentrate on her studio work full-time. Her gamble has reaped rewards. In just a few months, her hand-assembled collages celebrating Black women have been snapped up by famous names, collectors from as far as New York and the Philippines and Soho House’s new opening on the Strand. All topped off by being commissioned to co-design an ident for ITV, which aired between programmes throughout January. Sharon lives in Hanwell, west London, with her husband, eight-year-old daughter and son, 12.

How has life changed in the last year?

Dramatically. The pandemic brought home to me that life is short and if you want to do something, you should do it now. Since I went full-time, I’ve had commissions, started selling limited-edition prints and have a product design project, which is out later this year. To be able to dedicate my time to my work is a dream come true.

FEATURE BUSOLA EVANS

What are the biggest changes you have had to make to your business?

Hiring an assistant. Also prior to lockdown, the process to purchase my work was quite convoluted. Now all my limited-edition prints are available to buy directly from my website, alongside a selection of originals.

What is your advice to someone starting a similar business to yours?

Try lots of different things. Think carefully about what you’re trying to achieve and don’t be afraid to fail. Trust your gut instinct and choose your own path.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Sharon Walters; Abstract Colour; Sunkissed

What inspires your work?

Images of Black women. So often our stories lack visibility in the mainstream.

My work addresses this through my collage series, entitled ‘Seeing Ourselves’, which consists of more than 250 collages. Each piece is a meditative reaffirmation of our right to take up space and create new spaces to be seen and heard. The work of artist Deborah Roberts also inspires me greatly.

Three stores you rely on are…

IBA ColourView, a family-run company which produces my artwork on beautiful

archival quality art paper for my limited-edition prints; Greenka for amazing houseplants and Papillon Deli in Ealing for its delicious homemade lasagne and Oreo cupcakes, which the kids love.

What is the biggest business lesson you’ve learnt in the past year?

Accepting that I need help in running my business. Trying to do everything myself was becoming exhausting. Employing someone has been a total game changer.

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londonartist1.com

The pandemic brought home to me that life is short and if you want to do something you should do it now livingetc.com

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news THE SMART KIT

stone age

No more will shelv ing be overlooked in favour of what sits on it; Menu’s Plinth shelf is here to steal the show. Desig ned

by Danish powerhouse Norm A rchitects, chunk y block s of white veined Grey Kendzo marble are aff i xed to the wall either horizontally to house multiple objets and book s, or vertically as columns to hold single prized items. Or don’t put any thing on them at all and admire their minimal sculptural beaut y. £329.95 each (menuspace.com)

THE QUICK CLICK

high and dr y Join the queue for The Flower Drop, a monthly release of sustainable flowers in the style of the moment – curated dried bunches. Each month the brand releases 30 everlasting assemblages – pastels and neutrals one month, wild neon the next – ready to be popped into a water-free vase and endlessly enjoyed. £27 (@the_flowerdrop)

THE COOL CRAFT

french fancy If you like your seating the same way you like your pastry – beautiful, generously proportioned, buttery soft – then it’s time to order Gubi’s Croissant lounge chair. Originally conceived by Danish architect and designer Illum Wikkelsø in 1962, ultra-smooth leather or fabric is meticulously folded and piped into an organic horseshoe shape, supported by sleek oiled walnut or oak. Leather lounge chair, from £4,217 (chaplins.co.uk)

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A celebration of Britain’s design talents, new interiors store Derwent House has gathered a beautiful edit of the finest independent homeware makers local to its HQ in Witney, Oxfordshire, as well as further afield. Browse handmade furniture, lighting, textiles, ceramics, glassware and more.

Emma Lacey Rainbow mug, from £38; milk jugs, from £48 (derwenthouseliving.co.uk)

FEATURE AMY MOOREA WONG

I N T E R N AT I O N A L DESIGN

home grow n

news

THE POWER COUPLE

FEATURE AMY MOOREA WONG PHOTOGRAPH JOYCE PARK

farrow & ball x kelly wearstler The sun-drenched tones of the American West Coast are coming to walls around the world with Kelly Wearstler’s collaboration with Farrow & Ball. The California Collection comprises eight dusky hues (seen left), from the fresh green Palm named after the trees dotted through LA, to mid blue Hazy, based on Malibu’s morning light and Terracotta, used on the wall here, referencing the region’s rooftops.

‘The collection is informed by colours that are the backdrop to my daily life,’ interior design queen Kelly tells us. ‘I wanted to evoke the beauty of the Californian landscape and bring hues found in our natural environment into the home.’

The collaboration is the first time the iconic paint company has worked with an external colourist in its 75-year tenure.

The new palette also complements the brand’s existing range of 132 curated shades, all sustainably created in Dorset with a water base, low VOC and in a recyclable tin.

‘2021 is the year for optimism and change,’ says Kelly. ‘This is the year of using colour to get creative and reinvent our environment. Colour is so powerful, it can transform the feeling or mood of a space and bright tones introduce an uplifting feeling – don’t be afraid of experimenting!’

Estate emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr (farrow-ball.com)

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how to... make sophisticated colour choices Top designers share their perfectly grown-up pairings and clever insights for picking the right – and most fabulous – finishes

Create a scheme full of depth by playing with the same colours in different finishes and materials

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bright work

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context is key

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metallics rule

If going bold on the walls feels too much, choose strong colours on furniture pieces instead. Rich shades like dark inky blues or teal greens add depth when combined with the textures of fabrics, and vibrant complementary colours can then be added through cushions or artwork.

Clare Altarafi, interior designer and founder, Clare Elise Interiors

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well balanced In monochromatic schemes, ensure you have enough contrast in your palette. Aim for a balance of light, mid and dark tones.

If you have painted your wall a light colour, then bring darker shades into the floor covering, furniture or accessories.

Victoria Covell, interior designer and founder, Victoria Covell Interiors

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When applying colour to walls, ensure you choose the right finish If there are a lot of rustic materials in the space then a limewash gives you that textured look.

In a modern architectural setting, go with a modern matt emulsion to provide a clean aesthetic to the space. For an older building, an estate emulsion provides a super matt, chalky finish to complement the architectural details.

Margot Tsim, interior designer and founder, Margot Tsim Interiors

Often an afterthought when devising an interior scheme, metal finishes can make all the difference to the look and feel of a space. Decisions in hardware, brassware or lighting can alter, rebalance or unify a space and its palette. If you’ve opted for a natural or warm oak floor, a series of sunny brass pendants will echo this from above, binding the scheme together.

Sarah Mailer, interior designer and director, Sarah Mailer Design

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matchy-matchy

FEATURE RODDY CLARKE PHOTOGRAPHS (WELL BALANCED) JACK GRANGE

The devil is in the detail. Aim to incorporate accessories that match the hues and undertones of the focal piece in the room. And when it comes to neutral colour schemes, don’t feel the need to add lots of colour to brighten it up.

Tolu Elizabeth Ash, interior designer and founder, Elizabeth Ash Interiors

Details can make the difference in bringing a colour scheme together

Here, beautiful wood pieces ground the statement hues

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Subtle colour details such as opting for deep plum instead of charcoal grey can make a big difference

6 go deep A deep plum or black with a red undertone makes for a warmer and more striking alternative to the popular deep charcoal greys and blue-blacks. Use it on your staircase, feature window or woodwork to bring elegant definition to a space. It adds warmth to cooler palettes, and pairs beautifully with pink and nude tones.

Andrew Jonathan Griffiths, interior designer and founder, A New Day

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towards the light

When choosing colour be led by the amount of natural light within a room.

Careful consideration around the depth of tone in a paint colour can effectively allow the mood of the room to evolve throughout the day in the changing light. A favourite is Paper & Paint Library’s Desert Rose, which in certain lights appears a soft pink and then shifts to a warm grey in others.

Sophie Coller, managing director, Kitesgrove

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rule of three

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pastel plasters

I like to look to nature for inspiration.

Landscapes, pebbles on a beach or bold peacock feathers can provide the stimulus you need. From this, focus on three colours – two which contrast and a more neutral shade. The tonal colour can be used as a base for the room with the bolder hues creating focal points through accessories, such as lampshades.

Rina Patel, interior designer and founder, Vastu Interior Design

While natural materials bring a tactile and warm connection to a space, they also provide a unique colour palette.

For example, clay plaster is available in a variety of pastel shades from firms like clay-works.com. They can be applied in three-dimensional finishes, such as a ribbed effect, which delivers further depth and contrast.

Mustafa Afsaroglu, interior designer and co-founder, Taner’s Sons Design Studio

pale and interesting Rebecca Wakefield, creative director of Studio Fortnum, explains why working with a subtle palette can be the definition of thoughtful design

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hen I was growing up my parents always generously agreed I could design my own bedroom. Looking at my design practice Studio Fortnum and its studied palette of neutral tones, you might assume I went for white. But no, I chose all pink, floral on floral and lime green and orange walls with a zigzag border, a stage I now think of as my jazzy phase. Perhaps it stands to reason that I have been running from that colour clash in every room I’ve designed ever since.

Generally I find colour overwhelming. I shy away from the use of bold or bright shades and centre schemes around calmer, more organic and earthy tones. I’m inspired by places like the hotel Heckfield Place, with its mix of natural materiality and gentle shades, all soft and beguiling.

I think it’s more challenging – and generally just more interesting – to keep colour pared back and work from a subtle palette. Studying architecture, I learned to choose a colour based on what the site, surroundings and period of the property best required. A sense of sympathy and acknowledgement of the building itself is so important when choosing colour schemes and designing.

The interior architecture and furniture layout of a room have to be thoroughly considered because when you opt for a soft colour palette you can run the risk of leaving an interior feeling quite naked; you can’t rely on distracting the eye with bright tones. One of my first questions when starting a new project is ‘what direction does the room face?’. I’ve learnt that subtle colour shades can be so susceptible to difference in natural light – a neutral shade can look really greeny in one room, and in another room really pinky. It’s largely dependent on whether it’s north, east, south or west facing, and the other tones we are working with, for example flooring.

I always aim to make sure the room is painted in a mist coat of white before testing colours on each of the

walls. Then, paint a large test patch of colour on top of the white to test its true shade. Revisit the room throughout the day, to check how the changes in daylight affect the colour options. Far from being a simple choice, you see, using a soft colour palette is a bit of an art form. If it’s pared back then it must be beautifully executed. I think designers like Heidi Caillier nail the combination of subtle colour and pattern.

Her work with colour is simple, but so rich – it’s divine.

My current go-to colour groups that I use in client projects veer toward the rusts, blues and greens, and I would say that when I’m choosing from within these colour groups I opt for the less saturated end of the spectrum.

These are the colours which I think feel more natural, calm and, importantly, bring the outdoor elements that I get really inspired by, into the space.

Materials are another big factor when I’m curating a space. You just have to look at my desk, which currently has a natural sheepskin draped over the chair.

I take comfort from the organic feel of the sheepskin, and it’s got a soft colour glow to it. I love to specify natural wood, marble, moleskin, leather, shearling and sisal in my designs –you can find a lot of beautiful tints in these natural tactile materials so it works twofold.

Colour, you see, comes in many forms, and it doesn’t always have to be bold paint. There is a richness to the tones in plants and foliage that can’t be created in man-made decor. The structure, rawness and organic shapes of plants give them the edge over flowers. I wish I had known this when, back in my childhood bedroom, I’d gone for that all-over pink. I wish I’d appreciated the harmony that a considered neutral scheme can bring you.

All that counts is that we move into summer feeling rested, comforted and refreshed. Neutrals can do that for you, making them the true colour group of the season.

My passion for

colour is stronger than ever, but I

increasingly find

my inspiration in what I’d call the organic shades

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studiofortnum.com

Large handcarved bowl from Southern Ethiopia, £190, Larusi

Rebecca gets inspiration from Heckfield Place and its English country home take on colour

Rebecca admires Heidi Caillier’s design look

FEATURE RORY ROBERTSON PHOTOGRAPHS (HEIDI CAILLIER) HARIS KENJAR

“I try to pare back the use of bold or bright shades and centre schemes around calmer, more earthy tones” Heritage parquet, HP003 Chateau, from £49.99m, Kersaint Cobb

Lily of The Valley artwork, 2020, Alice Watt Little Petra chair in Sahara Sheepskin, £3,980, &Tradition at Amara

Shaded White; Deep Reddish Brown estate emulsion, both £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball; Ho Ho Green intelligent matt emulsion, £53 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene

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the edited choice

Double Tokyo wall lamp, £521.50, Maison Sarah Lavoine

Rarni double wall light, £195, Nkuku

Belgravia wall light, £239.99, Dowsing & Reynolds

Funambule two-arm wall light, £120, AM.PM at La Redoute

Curved opal wall light, £79, Houseof

Large Huck wall light, £660; Empire shades, £132 each, all Porta Romana

double wall lights Shine twice as bright with lamps in modern and metallic finishes Tiber double wall light, £1,176, Hector Finch

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Asymmetric wall light, from £94, Spark & Bell

FEATURE JO BAILEY

Clemente double sconce, £683, Aerin at Circa Lighting

news report If you’re being pulled back to the office, you may find it very different from the one you left – a space with your wellness at its core

FROM TOP Squire & Partners took a dilapidated building in Brixton and turned it into a vibrant home for its architectural practice; TRX suspension training bands allow McKinsey’s employees to burn off excess energy in its new Doha offices; Studio Aisslinger designed the new LOQI offices in Berlin last year to enable social distancing; a profusion of plants brings biophilia centre stage in JamesPlumb’s office for lighting company PSLab

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“Office design can only be successful if people want to be in the space and enjoy using it”

FEATURE KATE BURNETT PHOTOGRAPHS (SQUIRE & PARTNERS) JAMES JONES, (JAMESPLUMB/PSLAB) RORY GARDINER

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ffice buildings and studio spaces are big business, consuming large chunks of a company’s balance sheet. So it’s no wonder their future is a hot topic – the industry is flooded with speculation on what happens next. It’s clear that some kind of physical connection is key to maximising the creative potential of any team but we now know this doesn’t have to be five days a week, eight hours a day.

One thing is sure, architects and creative thinkers are already leading a significant design shift that reflects new ways of thinking about corporate culture, human nature and productivity.

An increased focus on employee wellbeing – physical and mental – is being seen at every level, from fledgling start-ups to multinationals.

‘We’ve just finished the McKinsey office in Doha, Qatar,’ says Pallavi Dean, founder and creative director of Dubai-based design practice Roar. ‘Features include walk-and-work desks with treadmills; sit-stand desks at every workstation; a TRX stretch-and-strength zone, and a dedicated space for nursing mothers.’

‘Far fewer desks will be needed,’ says Tim Gledstone, partner at Squire & Partners, an award-winning architecture practice and office specialist. ‘As satellite workspaces migrate into suburbs, sustainable commutes need to be supported in working spaces with well-designed showers, cycle stores and lockers.’ Architect Ben Allen of Studio Ben Allen focuses on long-term health. Allen knows this approach works: ‘Our offices for engineering firm Cundall were designed to the WELL standard for health and wellbeing, with more light, greenery and better materials resulting in a 30% reduction in sick days.’

James Russell of JamesPlumb says that a successful workspace must also positively channel the company’s identity. James and his partner Hannah Plumb trained as artists and decided to steer clear of formulaic design for their first office project by choosing unusual shapes and materials. ‘We tailor each project to the client by digging deeply into their DNA and listening to their needs,’ he stresses. ‘The aim was to allow the hospitable nature of PSLab to flourish and give them a space to share their expertise. We feel a design can only be successful if people want to be in the space and enjoy using it - it is a balance of form and function. It’s the experience that counts. And hopefully that feeling translates into a happier, more motivated team.’

HOUSE TOURS

OPEN

DOOR

House Tours Open Door: the entertainers edition J O I N U S F O R L I V E W E B I N A R C H AT S A B O U T S T Y L E W I T H F O U R O F T H E B I G G E S T N A M E S I N F O O D A N D F L OW E R S

“Foliage makes the house feel lived in and alive” WILLOW CROSSLE Y

“You’d be surprised at how calming bright colours can be” JASMINE HE MSLE Y

“I love old things for their history and uniqueness” SK YE McALPINE

PHOTOGRAPHS (WILLOW CROSSLEY) PAUL RAESIDE; (JASMINE HEMSLEY) NICK HOPPER; (NIKKI TIBBLES) NATASHA MARSHALL

After our latest webinars featuring some of the biggest American interior designers, this month we’re focusing on experts from the worlds of food and f loristry.

Once a week, our editors will be coming live to a Zoom near you, interviewing cookbook authors Skye McAlpine and Jasmine Hemsley and florists Nikki Tibbles and Willow Crossley about how they’ve decorated their own homes, with the chance for you to pose your own questions too.

“I like to surprise people with unexpected decor choices” NIKKI TIBBLES

They will talk you through all their decor decisions, sharing their tips for entertaining, dressing spring tables and their favourite styling secrets.

Starting on 4 May, you’ll get to take a virtual tour of their inspirational homes and discover the insider knowledge they have for creating convivial spaces, for bringing a glorious sense of occasion to the everyday.

Tickets are from £10, and include exclusive access to these big-name foodies and florists, as well as a presentation pack of their homes to peruse at your leisure, plus a digital subscription to Livingetc. Join us for lunch at theirs, from the comfort of your screen.

BOOK ONLINE NOW AT LIVINGETCEVENTS.COM/HOUSETOURS

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FEATURE MARY WEAVER PHOTOGRAPH @REISINGER.STUDIO

All items designed and made

by Andrés for Reisinger Studio

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

Barcelona-based designer Andrés Reisinger was seriously thinking pink when he created this loft-style concept for a NYC client.

Inspiration for the walls and furniture came from the organic colours and sensual shapes inside our bodies – thought-provoking livingetc.com

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Caroline and Hans Neuendorf’s stunning Majorcan home is totally timeless thanks to its designers – architectural maestros John Pawson and Claudio Silvestrin PHOTOGRAPHY Neus Pastor X

STYLING Leonor Bonnin WORDS Jo Leevers

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C O U R T YA R D The entrance is via a vertical slit in the 12m high walls. ‘There are echoes of Egyptian architecture and of Spanish and Moorish courtyards,’ says Caroline.

home prof i le THE OWNERS Caroline and Hans Neuendorf are art dealers and Hans is the founder of artnet.com.

THE PROPERTY A home in Majorca designed by John Pawson and Claudio Silvestrin in 1989. The house is set within a high-walled courtyard and the ground floor has a kitchen, dining room, shower room, living room and an outdoor terrace that overlooks a long swimming pool. Upstairs is the main suite, three guest bedrooms and two bathrooms, with bedrooms leading onto a balcony that overlooks the courtyard.

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T E R R AC E The long raised pool extends 40m from the terrace and, in July, the full moon rises directly above the water. ‘It’s magical,’ says Caroline.

Table by John Pawson and Claudio Silvestrin

KITCHE N Caroline and Hans found the house’s minimalism calming and refreshing, in contrast to the overstuffed interiors of the 1980s. ‘Back then, expat houses here were faux fincas stuffed with objects,’ says Caroline.

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The house has been designed so there is a constantly changing interplay of light, colour and shadows throughout the day.

In the rugged red-earth landscape of southern Majorca, a world away from the beaches and bustle of Palma, there stands a pink-tinted building that has become an icon to students of architecture. But back in the late 1980s, it was a different story. ‘Fellow expats used to travel to see our house as a form of entertainment,’ remembers Caroline Neuendorf.

‘They would make a day of it, coming to see this crazy house and laughing at how it didn’t even have furniture.’

But a lot can change in 32 years. Those critics have long since eaten their words, while its architects, John Pawson and Claudio Silvestrin, have become two of the biggest names in contemporary design. ‘Back then, minimalism wasn’t part of everyone’s vocabulary,’ says Caroline. ‘But my husband Hans is a visionary man. He brought Pop Art to Germany and spotted artists such as Cy Twombly and David Hockney early in their careers. He instinctively knows when to take a chance on someone. ‘The couple were introduced to John Pawson in 1983 via mutual friends in the art world. There followed a visit to London, where they saw one of John’s projects. ‘It was an apartment with black wood floors, white walls and almost no furniture. That uncluttered freedom was a revelation.’

Hans and Caroline commissioned John to design their art gallery in Frankfurt, then their own apartment before mentioning they had recently bought some land on Majorca.

John and Italian rising star Claudio Silvestrin, who he was collaborating with at the time, came on board. ‘That was the start of an adventure for all of us,’ says Caroline.

The pink is unexpected, given John Pawson’s renowned preference for lighter shades of pale, but Caroline explains

that the colour and finishing touches show the hand of Claudio Silvestrin. ‘In this part of Majorca, you have the blue of the sky, the cream of the local Piedra de Santanyi limestone and the red, red earth. This house uses materials that are rooted in the landscape,’ she says.

Another surprise is the lack of art on the walls. ‘My life has been art, art, art, but this is such a clean, spiritual space that I just don’t miss it. It acts as a palette cleanser,’ explains Caroline. Also, she points out, the house provides its own version of abstract art. ‘It has been designed so there is a constantly changing interplay of light, colour and shadows to watch throughout the day.’

The furniture was largely designed by the Pawson/ Silvestrin duo, with a few hand-picked extras: ‘They chose everything to suit the house, right down to the Wedgwood china and the cutlery.’ It has all remained in situ with one exception – the mattresses, which proved a touch too purist. ‘They were made of horsehair, which was incredibly uncomfortable,’ says Caroline, who quietly updated them.

‘John and Claudio come to stay every year and haven’t mentioned missing them,’ she smiles.

Travel restrictions permitting, Caroline likes to visit the house every month, to check everything is as it should be. ‘I want visitors to experience the house in the same way that we have,’ she says. ‘If you approach it in an accepting way, spending time here is an almost sacred experience.’

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For more information and to enquire about rentals, visit neuendorfhouse.com or Instagram, @neuendorfhouse

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GARDEN The pool is surrounded by groves of almond trees. ‘When we came here, Majorca was not at all fashionable,’ remembers Caroline. ‘We were introduced by the artist Peter Phillips and we fell in love with the island’s unspoilt beauty.’

DINING ROOM

KITCHEN

the blueprint MAIN BEDROOM

BEDROOM

BALCONY

TE R R ACE

LIVING ROOM

GROUND FLOOR

BEDROOM

BEDROOM

FIRST FLOOR

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MAIN BEDROOM The sequence of skylights runs above this room, its large en suite and a guest bedroom.

Table, John Pawson and Claudio Silvestrin. CH24 Wishbone chair

by Hans J Wegner; Anglepoise lamp, both The Conran Shop

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home truths FAV O U R I T E P L A C E F O R B R E A K FA S T ?

Caroline: On the terrace overlooking the pool. And at the end of the day, I love drinks on the rooftop watching the red sun dip below the sea’s horizon.

BEST TIME TO BE I N M A J O R C A? High summer: it can’t be hot enough for me. The house is built so that natural breezes flow through, so we’ve never had air conditioning.

OUTLOOK ON LIFE? Remain positive, non-judgemental and open to whatever comes your way.

S I G N AT U R E S C E N T ?

For me, it’s long been Chanel No 19.

In the house, locally made Flor d’Ametler soaps help the scent of Majorcan almond blossom to linger all year round.

ART GALLERIES ARE ... …a sanctuary, a place to return to for inspiration. If you revisit a favourite painting at different times in your life, you always discover something new.

The same is true of music or re-reading a much-loved book.

W H AT W E R E YO U WEARING IN THE EIGHTIES? Hans introduced me to couture, so I was head-to-toe in Chanel, with a dash of Versace. I’ve kept it all so my daughter can wear it as ‘vintage’ – shoulder pads and all.

B AT H R O O M Openings and windows have a near-monastic feel. ‘If you want to find it, there is a spirituality to this house,’ says Caroline.

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Piedra de Santanyi stone basin

by John Pawson and Claudio Silvestrin. Tap, Vola

Lisa Lipscomb and Daniel Broch, pioneers of Everyman cinemas, built an eco seaside home that’s beautifully bold both inside and out PHOTOGRAPHY Jody Stewart X

bright young thing

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STYLING Lisa Lipscomb WORDS Kathryn Reilly

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home prof i le THE OWNERS Lisa Lipscomb, interior designer and hairstylist, her husband, Daniel Broch, founder of the Everyman cinemas, their daughters Myla, 19, and Edith, 16, plus dogs Maple and Chilli.

THE PROPERTY A low-energy, sustainable, new build on the Norfolk coast.

The house is arranged around a courtyard comprising the main building, an annexe and a carport. The ground floor has a large kitchen/dining/living space, dining room, bedroom with en suite, gym, cinema and the ‘sea room’, which projects out over the landscape. The first floor has a master suite with balcony plus three further en-suite bedrooms and a library.

THE SEA ROOM ‘I looked for colours that were adventurous but timeless,’ says Lisa.

Walls in AD 12 Uranus by Alcro.

Sofa by Bonaldo. Cushions, Jeanne Laine

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‘It’s like a jigsaw puzzle,’ says Lisa Lipscomb, of the home designed around a courtyard with interconnecting spaces that she and husband Daniel built from scratch on the Norfolk coast. They created it as a blank canvas, then as the house evolved, Lisa became more and more brave with colour until she reached the harmonious palette you see today – where hues flow into one another organically.

The couple’s passion for design began when they bought the Everyman cinema in Hampstead 20 years ago. ‘We took it from cheap seats and popcorn to a boutique movie experience,’ says Lisa. The thrill of that achievement partly inspired the idea of creating a new home on the coast. ‘A house like this wouldn’t work for us in the suburbs,’ she says, ‘it was important to have a connection with the sea. Coastal living was something I’d been dreaming of since childhood.’

Nine years ago the family bought this 16-acre plot where the land extends down to the marshes by the sea with a 1960s house on it. They lived in the existing house for a year to get to know how the light fell at different times to help determine how their new home would flow. The structure of the new, low lying to embrace the flat landscape, sustainable house, in cross-laminated timber, took just three weeks to complete but the interior took a bit longer to come together. ‘There was a time when we were living in one bedroom with a ladder to the floor below and typically it was when it was freezing cold with howling winds,’ says Lisa with a smile.

As she got to know the house, Lisa developed ideas about colours – how they made her feel and how they would work in such a big space. ‘I discovered a fabulous Swedish paint company called Alcro who specialise in intense pigments and

I used their paint a lot,’ says Lisa. The building itself stands powerfully on the landscape outside and Lisa wanted its braveness to be reflected inside. ‘Now it’s finished it doesn’t seem like such a big deal, but at the time it was a huge commitment to get it right,’ she says.

She describes her approach to design as ‘emotional’ and a large part of her decision-making process is instinctive. ‘I knew pretty early on that I wanted to create a flow of solid colours,’ she says. ‘I wanted them to take me on an adventure and at the same time they needed to be future-proof and timeless.’ Now the space is about shades that feel inherent to the house, like they were meant to be there. Sometimes intense, they also have a serenity about them as they glide from room to room. Although the house is largely open-plan it has a warmth about it thanks to its wooden structure, atmospheric lighting and layers of textures used in the furnishings. Little has changed from the initial plans, except for an extra bedroom on the ground floor, carved out of the gym and cinema area. The family refer to this area as the ‘fun zone’ and they enjoy it at every opportunity.

As well as continuing in their film-related business (the latest venture being a platform for film colourists called Filmworkz), Lisa has other plans brewing. ‘I feel like we’ve got a few more houses in us,’ she says. But for now, the family are appreciating every moment of where they are. ‘We live in the most remarkable place. We literally watch the sea coming in and out. And I get to see the place afresh when I see other people looking at it – their jaws literally drop.’

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See Filmworkz at filmworkz.com

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H A L LWAY The clean architecture of the house – here looking from the entrance into the ‘sea room’ – is enhanced with polished fumed oak panels and a strongly pigmented paint from Sweden.

Walls in Tangruska (greenyyellow) by Alcro and Blakeney Blue by Neptune

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LIB R ARY ‘This breakout space is where we work,’ says Lisa.

Saarinen Tulip dining table and chairs, Nest

“I’m addicted to moving stuff around. We live differently in the summer so I like to create a different vibe for different seasons”

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KITCHE N Stainless steel and brushed copper pair with charcoal-stained ripple sycamore and fumed oak.

Kitchen, designed by Simon Thomas Pirie

the blueprint GYM

CINEMA ROOM

KITCHEN

BALCONY

BALCONY

LIBR ARY BED ROOM SEA ROOM

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BED ROOM BALCONY

GROUND FLOOR

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BED ROOM

DINING ROOM

FIRST FLOOR

BALCONY

LIVING ROOM

MAIN BEDROOM

BED ROOM

BEDROOM This space is pure joy with its uplifting colours and patterns.

It may be a bold scheme, but the prints are classic and will prove to be ageless.

Wallpaper by Arne Jacobsen.

Cushion and throw, Jeanne Laine

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BEDROOM The headboard fabric was bought in Kenya.

Walls in Lin, Alcro. Rug, Ian Snow

home truths W H Y D I D YO U C H O O S E T H I S S P O T ?

P E R F E C T P L AY L I S T ?

I grew up spending every holiday in a caravan at Brancaster.

It’s got to be Rollo Armstrong’s The Last Summer, which features his

I feel really at home here. I am Norfolk and Norfolk is me!

sister Dido and Sister Bliss from his old band Faithless.

W H O P L AY S T H E P I A N O ?

E V E R Y H O M E S H O U L D H AV E A …

We all dabble but I have a client who’s a phenomenal pianist – he makes it sound extraordinary. We swap a haircut

Bar! Our home bar has certainly come into its own over the last year.

It’s always well stocked with tequila.

for a recital. I definitely get the best deal.

SPECIAL MOMENT?

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S U M M E R M AG I C ?

We threw a party for my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary and

Big, blue skies put your senses

it was very special to get everyone together. There were

on overload.

lots of different ages and lots of dancing.

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shake it up Dashes of pattern, playful pieces and unexpected colour lend a light-hearted touch to Alexandra Paoli’s classic apartment PHOTOGRAPHY Frenchie Cristogatin X

STYLING Alexandra Paoli WORDS Rachel Leedham

DINING ROOM Bespoke items, including the chair covered in vintage textiles and the plates commissioned by Alexandra, deliver personality.

Chair, Nathalie Gagneux Créations. Plates, Bea Yato and Fornasetti. Umbrella pendant light, Honoré

LIVING ROOM The doors and frames were picked out in grey-black paint to bring a punchy edge to the traditional architecture.

Overmantel in Vert Lichen, Ressource. CH07 Shell chairs

by Hans J Wegner, Skandium.

Sheepskin chair, Maison de Vacances. Riviera cushion (on chair), Elitis. Wooden candlesticks, Alcide & Leonie.

Rug, Les Tapis Sauvages

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home prof i le THE OWNERS Alexandra Paoli, who works in advertising and runs her own interior design firm, and her husband, Jean-Louis, who works in financial PR. The couple share their home with Alexandra’s children, Eugenie, 22, and Théo, 19, and two of Jean-Louis’ three children: his son Noé, 23, and his daughter, Swanne, 15, who joins them every other week.

THE PROPERTY A second-floor apartment in an 1892 Haussmannian building. It has an entrance hall, dining room, living room, kitchen, main bedroom, three further bedrooms, two bathrooms and two cloakrooms.

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KITCHE N ‘Jean-Louis and I like to have coffee here,’ says Alexandra, who bought the bench, originally from a carriage of the Paris Métro, from an antiques dealer friend.

Bench and chair, both Atelier 42 Cyrille Bonnifet. Vintage table, La Pagaille de Lulu. Pendant light and wall tiles, Leroy Merlin

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‘I move things around all the time – the kids joke that they leave in the morning and return to a different home in the evening.

It was the brightness of this flat that encouraged me to use colour,’ says Alexandra Paoli of this Parisian apartment in a Haussmannian building, whose location on the corner of two streets means that it is flooded with light from three sides.

She continues, ‘When we bought it two years ago, the rooms were so beautiful that I knew that I wanted to introduce contrasts, such as picking out the doors in a grey-black and the living room fireplace in mossy green; it’s such a classic apartment that I felt I had to shake things up a bit.’

Alexandra and her husband Jean-Louis, who works in financial PR, share a blended family of five children aged from 15 to 23, three of whom live with them full-time while a fourth comes to stay every other week. The family moved to this vibrant area of the 8th arrondissement – close to the village-like district of Batignolles – from a house on the other side of Paris. ‘Our previous home had such different proportions that we more or less started from scratch with the furniture,’ says Alexandra, who loved the fact that all the apartment’s original features had been carefully preserved.

‘The entire building has belonged to the same family of architects since it was built and they hadn’t tampered with it. My only complaint is that we have the antiquated arrangement of the kitchen at the opposite end of the flat to the living spaces. At a later stage, I plan to revise the layout.’

For 20 years, Alexandra has worked in advertising, creating campaigns for luxury watch and jewellery brands.

Two years ago, this dynamic tour de force launched her own interior design company, Maison Particulière, which she runs in parallel to her advertising work. ‘Call it my mid-life crisis but this is something I have always longed to do. And

the two roles are more similar than you might think – both involve weaving a narrative,’ she insists.

There are certainly many stories to the pieces she and Jean-Louis have sourced for their home, from the huge green ceramic heads in the entrance hall – ‘we spotted them in an emporium in Marrakech and we knew we had to buy them’ – to the arresting portrait of a woman in the couple’s bedroom.

‘We visited the artist’s studio in a monastery in Noto, Sicily, and I’ll never forget the experience: there was classical music playing and all these beautiful, serene canvases leaning against the walls. It was one of those pinch-me moments.’

Textiles warm up the spaces, including vintage Moroccan rugs and sheer linen curtains that dress the four-metre-high windows. ‘I was wondering how I’d dress all these windows,’ says Alexandra, who found an off-the-peg option by AM.PM at La Redoute. Another savvy buy was an exotic wallpaper inspired by the work of Henri Rousseau, which Alexandra elevated by placing it in a gilded frame.

‘People often ask me where I found that picture,’ she laughs.

It is the unexpected juxtapositions – think a yolk yellow vase next to a lichen green chimney breast or a powder pink silk cushion on a sapphire blue velvet bedspread – that really bring this apartment to life. ‘I’m not one for tonal compositions, but I would argue that there is a certain harmony to the combinations: the colours play off against each other and throw each piece into a different light,’ observes Alexandra. She adds, ‘Most importantly, though, the colours bring us joy – which is what a home should do.’

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the blueprint

LIVING ROOM

H A L LWAY An artwork made from old signs captures Alexandra’s love of the unusual.

Artwork, Fernando Costa

MAIN BEDROOM

DINING ROOM

BED ROOM

B AT H

BED ROOM

MAIN BEDROOM ‘The scale of the room required big pieces of art,’ says Alexandra of this print.

Zhao print, Alfonz Concept Store. Rug, Maison Blaoui

WA R D R O B E

BED ROOM

KITCHEN WC

WC

B AT H

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MAIN BEDROOM The couple turned the apartment’s third reception room into their bedroom, contrasting its grand features with a resolutely contemporary portrait.

Painting, Sergio Fiorentino.

Velvet bedspread and red velvet cushion, all Le Monde Sauvage.

Patterned L’oiseau cushion, Elitis

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home truths B E S T T H I N G A B O U T PA R I S I N THE SPRINGTIME? Walks in the Tuileries Garden off Rue de Rivoli.

NOE’S BEDROOM Painting the alcove in a dark hue has emphasised the room’s soaring ceiling.

Bedspread and pink cushion, Gilberte with Love. Table lamp, Artemide

SECRET ADDRESS? Borgo delle Tovaglie in the 11th arrondissement – a concept store full of wonderful things for the home, plus an amazing restaurant serving delicious Italian cuisine.

C H A M PA G N E O R C O C K TA I L ?

I don’t drink alcohol so it would be a mocktail.

W H AT M U S I C A R E YO U LISTENING TO? Benjamin Biolay and Grand Corps Malade (Mais je t’aime)

W H AT D O YO U C O L L E C T ?

Ceramic heads from Ortigia in Sicily – they refer back to an old Sicilian legend of love, betrayal and revenge.

FAV O U R I T E I N S TA G R A M ACCO U NT ? @beayato.

H O W D O YO U R E L A X ?

Cooking for my tribe or curled up with a book.

FA S H I O N W E A K N E S S ?

Long dresses from Ba&sh… I must have more than 40.

B AT H R O O M A throw with an ethereal print hides the pipework beneath the washstand.

Phantom throw in Ink, Le Monde Sauvage

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modernism

reinvented Interior architect David Flack has honoured the exterior of this 1960s house while updating the inside with bold, brave choices X

PHOTOGRAPHY Anson Smart WORDS Karine Monié

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home prof i le THE INTERIOR ARCHITECT Flack Studio, led by multifaceted designer David Flack, extensively renovated this house for an art collector couple and their two young-adult children.

THE PROPERTY A modernist home in Melbourne, Australia, designed in 1963 by architect Michael Feldhagen and renovated in the 1990s by architect Peter Corrigan. It was recently remodelled by Flack Studio. The lower ground comprises the two children’s bedrooms and en suites, the laundry room, wine room, music room and boiler room, while the upper ground is home to the double living room, dining room, kitchen, main bedroom suite, two further bedrooms, one with en suite, a study and a cloakroom.

ENTRANCE HALL ‘It was important to open this space up to the adjoining living room,’ says David. The same floor tiles are used throughout to help unite the spaces.

Custom terrazzo tiles, Terrazzo Australian Marble. Vintage Bonacina cane chair, Angelucci 20th Century. Vintage Bonacina cane table, Castorina & Co. Yellow Boxinbox table (left)

by Philippe Starck for Glas Italia, Space Furniture

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LIVING ROOM ‘We wanted to ground the space with simple timber-lined ceilings that give warmth,’ says David.

Sofa, Wood Marsh Architecture.

Alvar Aalto 400 Tank chair with a zebra fabric by Artek. Red 520 Accordo coffee table, Charlotte Perriand at Cassina. Ombre rug, designed by Flack Studio, manufactured by Halcyon Lake

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‘A rule breaker that respects the art form of interior design’: this is how David Flack – founder and director of Flack Studio – describes this home originally designed in 1963

by Michael Feldhagen and located in a suburb of Melbourne.

Since its renovation in the 1990s by architect Peter Corrigan, the house had been kept intact. Its current owners – an art collecting couple in their fifties with two children in their twenties – wanted a bold refresh.

‘We hit it off with our clients instantly,’ says David. ‘They gave us a clear brief for function. For the design, however, they were adamant in wanting to give me as much creative freedom as possible.’ David reconfigured the floor plan to accommodate a new entry foyer and designed a parents’ wing as an urban retreat. He doubled the size of the kitchen, which celebrates a mash up of striking materials – American oak panelling, bronze handles, Calacatta Viola marble surfaces and an impressive pleated bronze extractor hood.

In the living room, David added large openings to join two small rooms together, filled with bold pockets of colour and layers of textures. One end enjoys vibrant seating in shades of blue and purple, which sits alongside a zebra covered chair and red coffee table, all resting on an ombre rug. The other end is a little more subdued but equally playful with grey sofas and glossy yellow and purple coffee tables.

‘The layout is sophisticated in gesture yet flexible enough to respond to contemporary living,’ he says. ‘Although our renovation was extensive, it was important to ensure it felt empathetic and lightly touched – as if we’d never been there.’

In all his projects, David reflects his strong interest in materiality and an elegant, some would say, masculine

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aesthetic. This home was no exception. ‘The walls were all restored to their original, high-gloss epoxy render in a taupe white,’ he reveals. ‘From here, the tones of the hard materials used throughout our joinery and stone surfaces give a graphic definition and tactility with colour, depth and movement.’ In the different areas, marble, terrazzo and timber were chosen to beautifully age over time without being too precious. ‘We always aim to create spaces that feel relaxed and timeless,’ says David. ‘This is achieved by listening to the architecture; it will tell you what it needs. We don’t force design onto a space; the space tells us what the design needs to be.’

In this home where visual surprises adorn every corner, extravagance and restraint blend in seamlessly. ‘The couple see interior architecture as art and allowed the project to fulfil its potential,’ says David, who drew inspiration from the owners’ art collection and modernist Australian architects from the 1960s. ‘Our client’s family once had an art gallery and had a rich cultural connection to Australia’s art and history.’ These influences are particularly visible in the dining room, where two vividly coloured paintings by renowned Australian artists Howard Arkley and Darren Wardle are the stars of the show.

‘This project was a journey of discovery,’ David notes.

Intimate and audacious at the same time, the home was designed as a love letter to its inhabitants and the city that has hosted (and will continue to host) all their memorable moments, while aiming to continue to ‘feel relevant in another 50 years’, David says, hopefully.

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LIVING ROOM ‘The clients’ brief was for a home of equal parts extravagance and restraint fulfilled via luxurious materials and surprising fittings and finishes,’ says David.

Purple Boxinbox coffee table by Philippe Starck for Glas Italia.

Find a vintage cane chair like this one at 1stDibs

KITCHE N ‘This is a cook’s kitchen,’ says David. ‘It has to perform while looking like a jewellery box.’

American oak panelled units with Eveneer Havana stained finish and bronze handles, Calacatta Viola marble surfaces and a pleated bronze extractor hood, all by Flack Studio

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DINING ROOM With its white walls and light furniture ‘this room acts as a breath’ between more vibrant spaces, says David.

Artwork, Darren Wardle (left) and Howard Arkley (right). Vintage chairs by Ettore Sottsass, sourced at Castorina & Co. Light, Damien Langlois-Meurinne for Pouenat

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G U E S T B AT H R O O M Apricot terrazzo gives a nostalgic nod to the house’s 1960s origins.

Bespoke terrazzo, designed by Flack Studio with Terrazzo Australia Marble. Mandarin Stone does similar

MAIN BEDROOM With its soft colours and textiles, this space is a restful retreat from the vibrancy of the rest of the house.

Husk bed by Patricia Urquiola for B&B Italia. Find similar bedlinen at Caravane

M A I N B AT H R O O M ‘In this small, compact room, it was important to uphold a philosophy of interiors as art,’ says David.

Lapis blue marble, Vicstone.

Brushed brass tapware, Astra Walker. All joinery by Flack Studio

houses the blueprint KITCHEN BEDROOM

DINING ROOM SCU LLE RY

BEDROOM LIVING ROOM S T U DY

LIVING ROOM

DRESSING ROOM

MAIN BEDROOM

UPPER GROUND FLOOR

BOILER ROOM

STORE

T H E AT R E / MUSIC ROOM

BED ROOM EN SUITE

STORE

WINE ROOM

BED ROOM

LOWE R G ROU N D FLOOR

home truths I F YO U H A D T O P I C K O N E BOLD COLOUR FOR AN ENTIRE R O O M W H AT W O U L D I T B E ?

You’ll always find red and green in my projects.

COUNTRYSIDE OR CIT Y? I grew up in the country and live in the city – but the countryside will always win.

WAT C H A M O V I E O R READ A BOOK? I love documentaries, so I’ll be on the couch.

I F YO U C O U L D D E S I G N T H E H O M E O F A C R E AT I V E M I N D W H O W O U L D YO U C H O O S E ?

Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera.

T H E O B J E C T YO U D R E A M OF BUYING? I’d love the Chandigarh chair by Pierre Jeanneret.

T H E O B J E C T YO U C O U L D N ’ T LIVE WITHOUT? I was given a book on Gio Ponti from my first design mentor. I pick it up every time I need inspiration.

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boudoir chic

Designer Suzie McAdam’s Marie Antoinette-meets-popart Dublin townhouse is a vision of beautifully executed eclecticism X

PHOTOGRAPHY Ruth Maria Murphy WORDS Serena Fokschaner

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FA M I LY R O O M Suzie creates spaces with unique identities. Here, the pastels, gilt and glamorous features were inspired by Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette film.

Vintage coffee table found at Clignancourt in Paris. Antique French sofa in Fearless by JP Demeyer. Vintage 1970s chair in a Pierre Frey bouclé. Vintage wall light and pendant found at a dealer’s in Milan; try Pamono.

Black and white artwork by Angela Chrusciaki Blehm

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home prof i le THE OWNERS Suzie McAdam, interior designer, and her husband Barry Byrne, who works in pharmaceuticals, their son, Sebastian, now one, and Mischkko the husky dog.

THE PROPERTY A 19th-century terraced house in a suburb of Dublin. On the ground floor is the main bedroom suite, three further bedrooms and two bathrooms. The first floor has a family room, dining room, kitchen and living room.

The home she shares with her husband Barry and their baby son, Sebastian, in a seaside suburb of Dublin is a playful case in point.

The double-fronted Victorian house is a two-minute walk from the harbour – ideal as both Suzie and Barry are keen sailors – but there was much work to do. ‘In the 1930s the then owners added an ugly side return that obscured the sea views from the back of the house. This had put other buyers off, but I sensed that the place had amazing potential.’

They lived in the house for three years before work started. ‘That was important because it gave me time to work out which rooms we wanted to spend most of our time in,’ says Suzie. Collaborating with local architect Courtney McDonnell, she drew up plans to simplify the layout and capitalise on its hillside views. Then the builders arrived. Down came the back of the house and in came the new doubleheight extension. The new rooms, with their wide picture windows, have a deliberately modern feel. ‘We’ve conserved all the original features, but I felt it was important to make a distinction between the contemporary and Victorian elements,’ says Suzie.

In the more formal family room she added the mouldings – ‘a simple, effective device’ – to define the space, where a petite French sofa is clad in a surreal print. ‘It’s not hugely comfortable; but I think it’s important to have something that inspires you, even if it’s not practical.’ The sconces are by the Italian designer Venini. ‘We were on a boat in Greece a few years ago, in the middle of a storm, when the dealer WhatsApp’d me the photos,’ says Suzie. ‘I was meant to be hauling the mainsail but I said yes. I knew I’d find a home for them.’

Barry vetoed the use of pink onyx in the kitchen, but did let Suzie use it with abandon in the main bathroom downstairs. Next door, the bedroom pays unabashed homage to her favourite film. Sofia Coppola’s pastel-hued Marie Antoinette was the catalyst for the toiledraped bed and silk curtains, reminiscent of a courtesan’s ball gown.

For Suzie, the romantic atmosphere is a distillation of her approach to homes. ‘It’s about surrounding yourself with the things you love.’

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DINING ROOM Suzie chose the wallpaper for its gently-hued patina and reupholstered the vintage chairs to offset the 1930s table.

Wallpaper, Watts of Westminster. Dining table, Pamono. Vintage chairs in Okinawa Saphir by Pierre Frey.

Dog sculptures by Troy Emery

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H A L LWAY Period details were restored in this magnificent space, which now features contemporary art.

Pendant, Aerin Lauder. The artworks are framed Pierre Frey fabric panels

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KITCHE N Suzie wanted some whimsical flourishes in the cook space, too, cue the magical wall lights.

Kitchen, Newcastle Design.

China wall lights, Magic Circus Éditions. Marble, Miller Brothers

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LIVING ROOM A cosy dining area was included in the extension. ‘I wanted the new part of the house to be a complete contrast to the original Victorian architecture,’ she says.

Wagasa pendant, Thonet.

Table, vintage Saarinen.

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home truths MORNING OR EVENING PERSON? I have always been an absolute night owl, until the arrival of my baby.

BEST PODCAST? Business of Design is like a masterclass in interior design.

FA I L - S A F E D I S H ?

My go-to supper is Dublin Bay Prawns sautéed in butter and garlic with egg tagliatelle, plus chunks of Parmesan.

B O O K YO U ’ V E R E A D R E C E N T LY ?

I’m a design book addict – my most recent addition is May I Come In?

by Wendy Goodman.

S I G N AT U R E S C E N T ?

What I find most intoxicating is the aroma of peat burning on an open fire mixed with mahogany furniture polish. I’d actually love to make a candle to replicate that.

M A I N B AT H R O O M Suzie sacrificed a utility room to indulge in this space – the marble bath is so weighty that the floor had to be reinforced.

Bath, Hurlingham Baths. Flight wallpaper by Phillip Jeffries. Wall sconces, Kelly Wearstler

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MAIN BEDROOM The lyrical and magical collide in a room inspired by Suzie’s love of historic Irish houses.

Bed canopy in Electric Dreams

by Dedar. Bedside table, dressing table and stool, all Maison Dada. Artwork, Slim Aarons for Getty Prints

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the blueprint BED ROOM

BED ROOM LIVING ROOM

KITCHEN

BED ROOM

MAIN B E DROOM

GROUND FLOOR

DINING ROOM

F A M I LY ROOM

FIRST FLOOR

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Secret Mountain wallpaper in Black and White, £65 a roll (graham brown.com)

design & decorating FEATURE AMY MOOREA WONG

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

Walls in need of some razzmatazz? Look no further than Graham & Brown’s collaboration with designer Sacha Walckhoff. The Paper Games collection celebrates the art of paper cutting in bombastically graphic glory, all playful geometrics, sharp edges and striking colour combos livingetc.com

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grand reveal From stripes to colonnades, we indulge in the magnificence of the current neoclassical revival, inspired by the characterful details of Pitzhanger Manor, Sir John Soane’s country estate X

PHOTOGRAPHY Jake Curtis STYLIST Alyce Taylor

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SHOOT ASSISTANTS ANGELICA BRYANT AND ISABELLA CHARLSWORTH

decorating

MAKE AN ENTRANCE Grecian shaped vessels form an impressive installation.

Animatic table, £4,716, Amy Somerville. From left, porcelain amphora, £1,300, Paolo Moschino for Nicholas Haslam. Pichet Pelican, £460, Jean Roger at The Invisible Collection. Vase on Blue Rectangle and Vase on Orange

Sphere, both price on request, Wedgwood x Lee Broom.

Roman plinth, price on request, Modern Art Hire

I N T H E D E TA I L Sculptural furnishings echo the decorative ceiling.

Abacus modular sofa, £11,432, Porada. Barrel coffee table, £995, Soho Home. Ivy 3 pendant light, £3,402, CTO

Lighting. St Tropez rug, £2,790, Eileen Gray at Aram Store. Kim Bartelt painting, price on request, Cadogan Contemporary. Bent armchairs, £850 each, Fred Rigby Studio.

Linen cushions with black trim detail, from £50.06 each, Maison Casamance. Cushions in Drum, £135m, Neisha Crosland for Christopher Farr Cloth. Decorative head, £595, Lassco. Plinth, price on

request, Modern Art Hire. On mantelpiece from left, Tasso vases, from £218 each, Ligne Roset. Faux French marble triumphal arch, £350, Parvum Opus at Pentreath & Hall.

On table from left, Jemima, £702, Modern Art Hire. Toppu vase high, £57; Toppu pot small, £44, both OYOY Living Design. Plaster cast of a Greek ionic capital, £115, Lassco.

Kontur vase, £34, Skandium

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GREEN FLASH A little dash of jade brings this workspace to life, while an elegant desk makes the space feel truly creative.

Cortes desk, £4,560, Julian Chichester. Sable chair, £1,596, Ochre. Fans rug, £1,080sq m, Deirdre Dyson. Pesa marble bookends, £75 for a set of two, Blomus at Amara.

Books, stylist's own. Swirled

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glass paperweight, £35, Oka. Bust, price on request, Modern Art Hire. Cep lamp, £1,530 Collier Webb. Recycled glass tumbler, £8, Montes & Clark

G AT H E R R O U N D Sweeping circles draw you in, creating a zone within a dining room that is both convivial and glamorous.

Vintage marble dining table,

£1,300, AU Bespoke. Dunloe chairs, £595 each, Soho Home. Bronte pendant light, £2,784, Porta Romana. Red metal side table, £115, Graham and Green. Zig Zag candlestick, £300, Jermaine Gallacher. Plate stand, £120, Nénuphar; V vase, £260 and Vase 50, £360, both Jean Roger, all available at The Invisible Collection

decorating

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decorating

SEEING DOUBLE The sheen on these softly cushioned chairs makes their classic yet contemporary stripe design feel twice as nice.

Folding screen, Versus designed with Sam Baron, €781, Pierre Frey. Pillow chairs X The Artichoke, $3,000 each, ASH NYC; upholstered in Regimen, price on request, Dedar. Lamp by Valerie

Objects, £1,400; Dot table

by Reda Amalou, £995, both Silvera. Mohair stripe jade rug, £990sq m, The Rug Company.

Glass tumbler, £8, Montes & Clark. Resin box, £165, Paolo Moschino for Nicholas Haslam

MARBLE ARCH Hand-painted, stone-effect walls create an exquisite backdrop for this sleek, contemporary console with

its gentle arched form – a perfect perch for ceramics.

Anio console table, £1,495, Oka. On table from left, sweets jar, £900; tall striped vase £900, both Christopher Riggio.

Inka bowl, £19, OYOY Living Design. Resin boxes, from £165 each, Paolo Moschino for Nicholas Haslam

With thanks to Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery

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PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

that sunshine feeling D R E S S YO U R W I N D OW S W I T H G L O B A L - I N S P I R E D FA B R I C S F R O M O U R E XC L U S I V E C U R TA I N A N D R O M A N B L I N D S C O L L A B W I T H H I L L A R Y S

Impala Ink curtains, £185 127cm x 137cm including measuring & fitting

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Serra Ochre Roman blind, £199 65cm x 75cm including measuring & fitting

B

ringing the beauty of far -flung destinations into our homes is a wonderful way to experience vibrancy all year round. Richly patterned fabrics inspired by warmer climes are transportive, giving your space a holiday vibe, imbuing it with happiness and sunshine. And the Livingetc curtains and Roman blinds collection at Hillarys, offering an edit of 21 prints, will whisk you away in an instant.

Taking style cues from around the world, the collaboration brings a fresh and exciting dimension to an already stunning design offering from Hillarys. With large-scale animal prints, seen on the cushions in the window seat, exotic ikat design, expressive markings and artisan colour-clash embroidery, it’s the perfect mix for creating a trend statement with your windows. In bold colours including cobalt blue, deep amber and citrine, the collection’s patterns create a dramatic maximalist look balanced with the pick of linen-look plains –a swathe of Serra Ochre Roman blinds, seen above, looks absolutely divine. Take it a step further by clashing them with a cushion in Kovu Mirage, which looks especially wild and wonderful.

If you need advice, you’re in great hands with Hillarys. Now celebrating over 50 years of expertise, Hillarys offers exceptional service and knowledge in blinds, curtains and shutters – and its national network of advisors are always as dedicated to quality as they are to style. Local to every area, they’ll guide you through the latest designs, provide budgeting options and help you with colour samples and swatches. From measuring through to fitting, you can trust that an order from the trend-led Livingetc x Hillarys collection will be expertly finished to the highest standard and fit perfectly.

View the Hillarys x Livingetc collection at hillarys.co.uk or call 0800 587 6480 to book a free home appointment

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Livingetc’s first Modern Homes Awards Have the chance to win one of our chair designs for Love Your Home and have your house featured in our pages

w

e know our readers take our interior advice and translate it into multiple wonderful ways. From where you tag us on Instagram to the emails we receive, we always like seeing how you interpret style. So in pursuit of the UK’s most beautiful homes, we would like to invite you to enter our first Modern Homes Awards, and have the chance to win one of the smartly beautiful (if we say so ourselves) Howie chairs we designed for Love Your Home.

We would be happy to receive entries from both passionate homemakers and skilled professionals – as long as we are able to feature the house in these pages, then we would love to get a glimpse.

Enter on behalf of yourself, or because you wish to recognise the incredible work of someone else.

From clever placement of furniture and smart colour pairing to inspiring use of texture or a beguiling mix of styles brought artfully together, we’re fascinated by the way you bring your flair to your designs. We’re after homes that have a cohesive feel, and are looking for spaces that inspire and feel full of Livingetc personality.

And, in addition to a magazine feature, one winner will receive a Howie chair from our collection for Love Your Home, finished in buttery soft leather, ideal for mixing into a modern scheme. The capsule range, including the enveloping curves of the Hepworth sofa, armchair and bed, is our take on modern design that might inspire yours. Good luck!

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One winner will receive a Howie chair by Livingetc for Love Your Home. See the whole collection at love-your-home.co.uk

enter online at L I V I N G E T C . C O M / N E W S / R E A D E R - H O M E - AWA R D S You need to have the following information to complete your application: Q A description of the house (about 300 words), mentioning general location, house style, key design elements and if you worked with a designer or architect.

Q A minimum of 10 images per entry.

You can enter several times for different projects. Images will need to include all the key areas.

Q Let us know if it has been featured in another magazine publication elsewhere before.

For full terms and condition, please see futureplc.com/competition-rules

Q

Please ask permission from the homeowner.

style file: the edit for right now IF YOU ONLY BUY ONE THING THIS SEASON, MAKE IT ONE OF THESE

FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS

50 PIECES – ALL OF WHICH EQUATE TO HOME HAPPINESS

Espresso cup and saucer, £14, Casa Cubista at Lusophile

Egg bowl, £24, Vivense London

Palermo round board, £49, Hunter & Co

Elzora bowl with handles in Chalk White, £12, Habitat

Bally X Marcolin eyewear, £170, Bally

Desert lounge chair in Poppy Red/Sand, €269, Ferm Living

Terracotta jar, £27, MH Living

Wooden coffee measuring spoon, £22, Kinto at Kin

Lakadema leopard bookends in Dappled Cream, £70, Oka

Thrift seeds, £2.50, Mini Moderns

Citrus squeezer in Amber Glaze, £35, deVOL

Sphere mini vase in Terracotta, £35, Kagu Interiors

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Duplum mirror in Freesia Yellow, £185, W.A.Green

Brompton desk light in Antique Brass, £140, Neptune

Samara pineapple storage jar, £30, Abigail Ahern

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Ceramic tartan egg cup, £27, Matilda Goad

Mini pop bowl, $795, Kelly Wearstler

No.2 pendant in Brass, €200, 101 Copenhagen

Hargreaves desk, £299, Swoon X John Lewis & Partners

Bouquetière vase, €185, Jean Roger

Caracas tripod floor lamp, £1,295, Jonathan Adler

Dry your eyes mate bouquet, £45, Fluoresse

Penguin salt and pepper shakers, £22.99, Hannah Turner

Cane and cotton ceiling lamp, £145, Rose & Grey

Penn table lamp in Black Marble, £69, Lights & Lamps

Leinikki double gauze patchwork quilt, £360, Projektityyny at Liberty London

Lambswool throw, £125, Celtic & Co

Glass coupe, £585 each, Laurence Brabant Editions at &You

Balm Dotcom in Wild Fig, £10, Glossier

Metal napkin rings, £6.99 for two, H&M Home

Cavalla throw, £395, Heti’s Colours

Recycled cotton boob rug, £16, Ian Snow

Melange dessert plate, £14, Hotel Magique for Anthropologie

Toulouse side table in Raspberry, £195, Ceraudo

Preserved lemon and chilli olives, £6.50, Ottolenghi

Beeswax dinner candles, £15 for two; celebration candles, £22 for two, all Wax Atelier at Toast

Shapes pastel bowl in Multi, £48, Minx Factory at Goodhood

Ere jacquard cushion cover, £75, Yinka Ilori Store

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Sara terracotta speckled glaze vase, £40, Soho Home

Large plant pot in Mole Dot, £34.99, Dbkd at Beards & Daisies

Tore bookends, £69 each, Ligne Roset

Vintage style foxed wall mirror, £28, Rockett St George

Dipped planters in Natural and Green, £40 for two, Cox & Cox

Cashmere merino hoodie in Sage Marl, £69, Piglet X WoolOvers at Piglet

Modernist teapot, £240, Sister at Studio Ashby

Bougainvillea spiral napkin in Olive, €22, Issimo X Lisa Corti

Metalware file box, £52 each, Very Good & Proper

Hikers notebook, £8.50, Isabelle Feliu at Stems Wilder

Baby Baggu reusable bag in Rainbow Metallic, $14, Baggu

Jose terrazzo pillar candle holder in Black and Blue, £18, Habitat

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PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

palette perfection W E A S K E D T H R E E C O L O U R E X P E R T S T O P L AY W I T H T H E H E R I TAG E B Y D U L U X PA I N T R A N G E , R E S U LT I N G I N A M O D E R N D E C O R M A S T E R C L A S S

in the pink INTERIOR DESIGNER E VA S O N A I K E C R E AT E D A N ELEGANT SCHEME WITH POTTERS PINK, DH INDIGO AND ALABASTER WHITE Why pink? I love pink. It’s such a beautiful colour, but princess tones have given it a bad rep. I wanted to show it can be grown-up and Potters Pink spoke to me straight away. It’s dusky, with a sensual, powdery undertone.

How did you come up with this pairing?

Because there is a touch of purple in the DH Indigo, it sat with the pink perfectly. Then the Alabaster White inside the fireplace was softly confident – it’s bold but it doesn’t overpower the pink of the walls.

How does it make you feel? Refreshed and hopeful, like early summer was in the air.

COPENHAGEN ROUND TABLE, £599, HAY AT AMARA; CHAIRS, SWEETPEA & WILLOW; FLOWERS, HOME FROM HOME NW7

The elegant Potters Pink on the walls is enlivened

by DH Indigo on the fire surround and the Alabaster White within

What was your biggest take away from the day? That the Heritage by Dulux paint range has a broad colour card. I’ve never seen a blue like this and will definitely use it again. I’ve just tried Potters Pink in my daughter’s bedroom, too, and I love it so much. The paint isn’t too thick so it’s easy to use. And, as a bonus, it doesn’t smell!

For inspiration and to shop the Heritage range, open the Pinterest app, tap the camera icon and point your phone at this pin code.

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PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

feel the blues STYLIST MARIANNE COTTERILL CHOSE DH OXFORD BLUE TO MAKE A SPLASH Why did you go for this colour? Blues have a tendency to feel cold, but this particular shade was really rich and regal. It was the perfect blue as it has so much depth to it. As a backdrop, it felt really versatile – I could have gone for black accessories to make the space really moody, but the bright pieces I’ve used instead pop excitingly and are instantly cheerful, making the blue feel somehow more sunny.

What effect does colour blocking the DH Oxford Blue have on the space? I’m lucky to have high ceilings, and when you get a really big expanse of colour it just seems much more spherical, more encompassing. This paint shade’s strength is in its purity, and by going large with it, I’ve created a space people walk into and say ‘wow.’ Despite being so dramatic, it’s actually quite peaceful.

What did you make of the paint’s finish? The Velvet Matt finish was so rich and luxurious. It really enhanced the colour and made me love it even more.

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Marianne used DH Oxford Blue to give her walls a rich, sophisticated feel

‘By going large with this shade, I’ve created a space people walk into and say “wow”’

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

With Waxed Khaki on the lower half of the wall and Stone Green above, the softness of this scheme is given energy by the flash of Coral Pink

green and serene S T Y L I S T S A R I TA S H A R M A WRAPPED HER BEDROOM I N WA X E D K H A K I A N D STONE GREEN WITH A PEPPY CORAL PINK STRIPE Why did you go for these colours?

Bedrooms should be relaxing, and the smart grey tones in these greens feel soothing. Using the paler shade on the ceiling has a cocooning effect, and even in a low room you can still take colour up.

Why the pop of coral? The great thing about the Heritage by Dulux paint range is that you can take any colours from it, put them together and they’ll work. I was inspired by the tones in a sunset, adding terracotta, pinks and gold to the earthy greens.

How would you recommend people use this range? The paint has a velvety softness, a subtlety that works beautifully in an older house or in a new build you’re trying to add character to. It was a dream to style with – I’m a convert!

Velvet Matt is approx £41 for 2.5ltr (pricing is at the sole discretion of the retailer). Buy a tester from the Heritage by Dulux range, delivered to your home, at duluxheritage.co.uk.

Follow Heritage by Dulux on Instagram, @duluxheritage

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decorating

pattern book

FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS

T H E L AT E S T WA L L PA P E R S A R E N O S H R I N K I N G V I O L E T S – T H E Y ’ R E D O W N R I G H T DY N A M I C I N A W O N D E R F U L L O O K AT M E WAY

FROM TOP LEFT Taps into the trend for forms with stunning arching curves.

Doors in Terracotta Dore, £43.35 a roll, Caselio Comes in monochrome, crimson and steel grey colourways, too. Stripey Zig Zag Birds in Teal, £95 a roll, Kirkby Design x Eley Kishimoto Wallcoverings The earthy, organic colours are hot right now.

Rhythm and Lines wallpaper, €70sq m, Florence Bamberger at Yo2 Standout shapes mimic tissue paper floating in the air – marvellously whimsical and wondrous.

Saturday in Multicolore, £548 per panoramic panel (300x140cm), Liz Roache for Pierre Frey Expressionism for your walls. Silk scarf in Cuisse de Nymphe, £2,104.60 per 6m panel, Porter Teleo at Asteré

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colour insight FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT – SO LET THE EXPERTS H E L P W I T H W I S E A DV I C E O N PA I N T I N G YO U R H O U S E

Creating contrast with light and dark colours is a popular look. ‘This highlights the structure of the house, creating clearly defined lines by contrasting light and dark. In turn, this draws the eyes to the specific details on the house that would be lost if all were the same or similar colour,’ explains Megan Elsey, product manager at Ronseal. ‘Look at the colour wheel to see which colours contrast and complement.’

Opt for colours that sit happily in their environment. ‘Pastel hues such as soft pinks, lemon or powder blue can feel more sympathetic to a countryside or coastal property. Or, if you’re looking for a more reserved finish, consider drawing on tones from nature,’ suggests Helen Shaw, UK director at Benjamin Moore. ‘For those in suburban period properties, opting for deep rich colours for woodwork can look fantastic against a crisp white wall or the original brickwork.’

‘It’s important to think about the natural light when deciding on an exterior colour,’ says Georgina Burnett, interior

specialist at Brewers Decorator Centres.

‘Consider which direction the house faces and work with light. East or north-facing walls will reflect a cooler light in contrast to the warmer tones reflected on south or west-facing facades.’

‘Exterior masonry paint is suitable for most exterior walls – except fletton brick and highly alkaline or porous surfaces. Check with a professional if you’re not sure what your walls are made of,’ advises Patrick O’Donnell, brand ambassador at Farrow & Ball. ‘If your exterior substrate is lime plaster, you’ll need limewash to allow the surface to breathe.’

What finish do you want for the exterior of your home: smooth or textured?

‘Masonry paint with a smooth finish is quick and easy to apply, making it a good choice if you’re looking to paint a large surface area,’ explains Natalie Johnson, buyer for outdoor paint at B&Q. ‘It’s also suitable for painting rougher surfaces such as pebble-dash and allows for a polished look.’

When you’re painting exterior render, you can use the same techniques you’d use for interior plaster. ‘Use a roller together with a brush – it saves lots of time,’ says Alex Austin James from paint brand Lick. He continues: ‘When painting pebble-dash, use a large roller with a thick pile, so the roller fabric can get in between the craters, as well as a stiff four-inch brush to get into the tricky bits and cut around the windows.

Brickwork can be dealt with in the same way as pebble-dash – a thick-pile roller is your saviour!’

the edit Gravel Ultra Smooth masonry paint, £33 for 2.5ltr, Sandtex

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Yellowcake exterior eggshell, £30 for 750ml, Farrow & Ball

Yellow 02 exterior, £38 for 2.5ltr, Lick

Canton 94 masonry paint, £71 for 5ltr, Little Greene

Teal Voyage Weathershield smooth masonry paint, £41.21 for 5ltr, Dulux

Blue Danube Aura exterior flat, £29 for 0.94ltr, Benjamin Moore

FEATURE SOPHIE BAYLIS

When it comes to exterior colours, consider the architectural elements of your home in the same way that you’d look at interior paint colours alongside curtain fabrics and furnishings. ‘Do you have red or yellow-toned bricks? Limestone or granite walls? What colour are your roof tiles?

Build these into your design scheme to ensure your paint choices are complementary,’ advises Ruth Mottershead, creative director at Little Greene.

decorating

Door in Drawing Room Blue exterior eggshell; porch in Pitch Blue exterior eggshell, both £30 for 750ml, Farrow & Ball

style columnist MINNIE KEMP IS FEELING THE POETRY OF NATURE IN FULL BLOOM – AN AESTHETIC SHE WILLS US ALL TO BRING INDOORS

The humble hedgerow/ along Great Britain’s country lanes/ conceal all manner of treasure. Like my attempt at the Japanese haiku, there is more to our bushy friends than meets the eye. To the untrained eye a hedge could be mistaken for a straggly green cloud or an impenetrable sawtooth avocado… but be patient and this natural wall will come alive. In my opinion, the best interiors are much like the understated hedgerows blooming this month.

Unpretentious yet filled with surprises, simple yet rather complex and tricky to achieve.

To create a soft textured and organic feel in any room, try using Brunschwig & Fils’ Wood Birch wallpaper. This ingenuous design looks just like the natural bark of an old tree and could easily be mistaken for specialist paintwork.

Its calm matt finish will give you a blank canvas to be more experimental with colourful upholstery fabrics and furniture pieces. Use Papers and Paints’ Deep Celadon Green to finish architraves and window reveals – this rich earthy tone can be used to continue this natural story.

Silk Avenue has created Turbie, a 100% jute Soumak rug that is quite beautiful – the original colourway supports an almost brush-like mixture of soft teals and navy blues.

I arranged a meeting with managing director Jeff Holtgen to experiment with some specialist samples using a mix of

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE Turmeric Poppy and Cornflower cushion by Lora Avedian; Wood Birch wallpaper

by Brunschwig & Fils; Bookcase, Gingerbread collection, by Paola Navone for Lando

forest green, olive and lime threads. The end result feels like walking on a fresh mossy undergrowth in a midsummer night’s dream… it will bring warmth to any space.

That said, breaking up a room and achieving balance is no easy feat. Paola Navone has created the Gingerbread collection for Italian furniture company Lando; part of the set is a wonderful solid wood bookcase, supported by ceramic vases that can be custom coloured to match the rest of your room scheme. This can be used to corner off a banquette seating area, split a bedroom and living room in a studio space or to create a study nook. I prefer to keep the shelves clear for a clean, contemporary finish.

Meanwhile, Brazilian designer Domingos Tótora uses the unusual medium of recycled cardboard to produce the most beautiful one-of-a-kind pieces. I would certainly include his Agua coffee table or Leiras lounge chairs in any scheme for unbridled elegance.

The cacophony of colour seen in nature right now, from bluebells and snake’s head fritillaries in meadows to marsh marigolds by riverbanks can be replicated within the home.

Diaphane Candle Co has made the most wonderful scented Tree of Light beeswax candles, perfect to complete a spring tablescape. I also love Lora Avedian’s Turmeric Poppy and Cornflower cushions, hand-stitched and inspired by English gardens – a must -have this spring.

Yet the truth of the matter is, no matter how hard we try, nothing can really top the real thing. Vincent & Stubbs Flowers is a wedding and party florist. Poppy Vincent can transform a space with bespoke flowers, wild and fabulous, softly romantic. She has also just launched a new line of 100% cold-pressed, fresh, light poppy oil, POP. After the year we have had I know I could certainly do with a few extra essential nutrients. So seek out nature, I implore you, and let it make you feel poetic, in your interiors or otherwise.

“The best interiors are much like the understated hedgerows blooming this month” livingetc.com

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project inspiration G R O W N - U P C O L O U R S , M U R A L S A N D T O N A L G R A D U AT I O N – THIS IS HOW THE PROS DO KIDS’ ROOMS

Cupboard love Seven-year-old Natalia’s bedroom is a tricky shape: ‘It’s long and narrow with a tall sloping ceiling,’ says Ursula Wesselingh of children’s interiors specialists, Room to Bloom. By building a cabin bed at one end, Ursula improved the room’s proportions, making the most of every centimetre. ‘There are pull-out wardrobes, plus a sleepover bed in the drawer underneath. On the inside of the bed, we incorporated shelves for books and knick-knacks.’ The added benefit is the rest of the room now feels airier, with plenty of space for play. (room-to-bloom.com)

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design Pitch and tone

FEATURE KARA O’REILLY PHOTOGRAPHS (CUPBOARD LOVE) ROOM TO BLOOM; (PITCH AND TONE) FARROW & BALL; (PRACTICALLY PERFECT) GUNTER & CO; (OLDER AND WISER) KITESGROVE

This nursery has been created using different tonal paints from the same colour family – in this case, modish pinks. ‘Even if you keep walls neutral, as here, energy can be added by painting the floor or ceiling in a playful hue,’ says Joa Studholme, colour curator, Farrow & Ball. ‘Using a tonal palette plays to this room’s architectural features and feels graphic and modern. To add depth, a vibrant floor paint has been used; it’s not only practical but also gives that element of surprise.’ (farrow-ball.com)

Practically perfect Interior designer Irene Gunter created this nursery for her two-year-old son, Oscar, and focused on practicalities: ‘The room is triple-aspect, so we fully insulated it to ensure it wasn’t cold, but made sure it was wide enough to fit in a double bed later,’ she says. ‘The wall stickers create a flexible backdrop that we can transform as Oscar grows up.’ (gunterandco.com)

Older and wiser This older child’s bedroom by design studio Kitesgrove features colours chosen to work as the kid grows up. ‘Using colours found in a key fabric – such as this headboard – in other elements of the room results in a balanced look,’ says Clara Ewart, head of design. She also believes in trying out antiques in a child’s room: ‘Although considered more suitable for a “grown-up” interior, there are some styles that lend themselves to children’s spaces. Scandinavian furniture, for example, can have playful elements.’ (kitesgrove.com)

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Room to grow The brief for eight-year-old Tom’s room was, ‘a bedroom he could grow into with space for a desk, an extra bed for sleepovers, but also a sense of fun,’ says Fiona Parke, director of Johnston Parke Interiors, who designed it. Hence the bunk beds painted in Paint & Paper Library’s statement Blue Blood, which works both now and looking forward: ‘I don’t like kids’ rooms to be too childish – they grow out of them too quickly,’ says Fiona. ‘But there should always be something they’ve chosen, whether a colour or their bed, so they are excited about the new room.’ (johnstonparkeinteriors.com)

Animal magic

PHOTOGRAPHS (ROOM TO GROW) ALEXANDER JAMES/JOHNSTON PARKE INTERIORS; (ANIMAL MAGIC) DESIGNED BY WOULFE/NICK SMITH

This room was created by interior designer Brian Woulfe for twin boys – who are currently sharing a bedroom and using this space as their playroom, with a view to it being swapped back into a bedroom when the twins are older. ‘It was important for us to get the colours right for this playroom and homework area,’ says Brian. ‘Green is found to improve a child’s reading speed and comprehension, as well as helping to reduce anxiety. The space currently works for playtime, reading and homework, while the trundle bed makes it perfect for play dates and sleepovers.’ (designedbywoulfe.com)

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garden insight M E A D OW - S T Y L E P L A N T I N G I S AT T H E H E A R T O F H E N R I E T TA M U R R AY- W I C K S ’ AWA R D - W I N N I N G D E S I G N

My approach to garden design is all about how a garden makes you feel when you’re in it.

This garden in Esher, Surrey has two parts – an upper area with a central lawn and a strong structural framework connecting to the formal style of house, and a lower garden that has a softer feel with a swimming pool that is surrounded by meadow-like planting for an immersive experience.

I wanted someone in the pool to feel enveloped by soft natural planting, almost as if they were swimming on the hillside with plants above their head – this meant lots of grasses that would move in the wind and then a series of tall spires that would pop up through the grasses at different times of the year.

Mukdenia rossii ‘Karasuba’ produces clusters of white flowers in spring

This bed is mainly a sunny hotspot so the plants have been chosen to thrive in these conditions. The melianthus is perhaps the most demanding, as it grows to a very dramatic size each year but can be frost-tender so could be mulched at the base for winter to help protect it.

I always encourage clients to go for the largest tree they can fit into their space and budget. Here I chose Amelanchier lamarckii underplanted with Mukdenia rossii ‘Karasuba’, which has rich foliage all year round when planted in a partially shaded, sheltered spot.

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Euphorbia x pasteurii is fast-growing and provides bold, architectural foliage throughout the year

The design sees plants almost appear to have emerged randomly through the grasses

FEATURE HENRIETTA MURRAY-WICKS PHOTOGRAPHS (MAIN IMAGE) YURI BUCKERIDGE/LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATES; (PLANTS) ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

The idea was always to have a mainly grass framework of Sesleria autumnalis to evoke this natural, meadowy feel. Pops of colour come from plants that almost appear to have emerged randomly through the grasses – the alliums give a really strong hit of colour against the green grasses in summer and leave a sculptural flower head to enjoy during the cold months. Allium bulbs are planted in autumn, but you can buy plants right now to go straight into the soil.

design

“I wanted an immersive experience where you’d feel enveloped by soft, natural planting with lots of grasses that would move gently in the breeze”

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gardening columnist HORTICULTURALIST POPPY OKOTCHA LOOKS BETWEEN THE WEEDS TO

PHOTOGRAPHS (GROWING SPINACH; PILEA) ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

FORAGE A FEAST THAT ALSO DELIVERS GOODNESS TO THE GARDEN

Springtime is like a big green sigh of relief. In the depths of winter, this new world of green seems an impossible fragment of the imagination and yet every year winter gently surrenders and spring bounds in like a miracle of fresh, juicy, green life. Each year is the same as the last and I think it’s more beautiful than any years that have gone before.

that they store in their leaves. Nettles are particularly good for nitrogen, which supports leafy growth, while comfrey (whose roots can plunge an incredible 2m) has potassium, crucial for fruiting and flowering. Cultivating a patch of comfrey and nettles by the compost station is a brilliant way to grow your own nutrients – soil conditioner keeping the earthworms fed.

Right now in the garden it’s a curious contrast of abundance and scarcity. We are settling deep into ‘The Hungry Gap’ and yet all around us is green and alive. The Hungry Gap is a moment through the seasons when gardens and farms in the UK offer near nothing much substantial for the kitchen.

Our winter crops like kale come to an end as temperatures warm. The plant stops producing lush, yummy foliage and instead puts its energy into flowering and setting seed, while crops for spring and summer, like broad beans, peas and new potatoes, have not quite got off the ground yet.

As a veggie grower, it can be easy to forget the plants we don’t lovingly tend to, and now is the time to look for unexpected pleasures. Foraging food for free from my own garden is a joyful reminder of the abundance of nature. Step out of the veggie patch, and your city gardens if you are an urban dweller, and The Hungry Gap is not a gap at all. As well as those wonderful nettles, look for Alexanders, wild garlic, three-cornered leek, Jack-by-the-hedge, field sorrel and hawthorn leaf buds.

Swarm hedgerows, parks, messy borders and abandoned gardens. I make a point of welcoming these weeds in the spring as early food and forage for me and many other creatures, too. Incredibly low-maintenance – you’ll have a harder time getting rid of them than getting them to survive – they’re also a sign that summer’s larder is on its way. Stick nettle curry, wild garlic capers and wild salads on your menu, grab a fork and enjoy.

In this in-between time, this is the month to enrich your compost, a green plan for the summer months ahead. I’m chopping armfuls of comfrey and nettle to add to my heap, both are bursting with goodness to enrich. Their roots mine the soil, pulling up nutrients and minerals

“Foraging food for free from my own garden is a joyful reminder of the abundance of nature”

THINGS TO DO THIS MONTH IN THE GARDEN 1 Prepare homemade organic fertiliser from nettles, comfrey and elder leaves.

Submerge leaves in water, weigh down, cover and leave for three days to two weeks, stirring occasionally. Dilute and water into your plants and seedlings.

2 Get your compost going with all this fresh green growth. Be sure to add browns, too – cardboard works great.

3 Make successional sowings of veg about every two weeks to avoid gluts or shortages.

INDOORS 1 Ensure seedlings you’ve started off inside are getting enough sunlight.

2 Water your houseplants more and feed them as daylight increases.

3 Buy organic ginger root, soak in water overnight and plant in compost. Pop it somewhere toasty, keep it moist and forget about it.

They can take weeks to show signs of life, but make beautiful edible houseplants.

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case study F O L L OW I N G A F E W C O L O U R R U L E S E N S U R E S T H I S B R I G H T LY C O L O U R E D

The colour on the laminate pressed on to birch plywood doors is longer lasting than painted finishes

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FEATURE LINDA CLAYTON PHOTOGRAPHS MALCOLM MENZIES

K I T C H E N F E E L S F R E S H A N D FA S H I O N A B L E Y E T R E A S S U R I N G LY G R O U N D E D

design

need to know THE PROPERTY A five-bedroom, semi-detached Arts and Crafts house in Dulwich Village, London.

DESIGNER George Glasier, co-founder, Pluck Kitchens, 020 7095 1795, pluck.kitchen.

KEY FEATURES Bespoke kitchen

cabinetry in Ritzy and Brockwell Moss laminate, from £15,000, Pluck Kitchens. Worktops in Fusion Wow Light Brazilian quartzite (island), £1,200sq m, and Bianco Macaubus Brazilian quartzite, £850 sq m, Gerald Culliford. 400 Series combi-steam oven, £3,212; 400 Series

combi-microwave oven, £3,342; 400 Series warming drawer, £1,026; CX482100 frameless induction hob, £4,523, all Gaggenau. Samsung RF56J9040SR fridge-freezer, £2,499, John Lewis & Partners. Engineered Russian white oak flooring, from £120sq m, Siberian Floors

Being brave with colour isn’t always easy when you’re talking about big investments like kitchens, so the owners of this space sought professional advice.

Garden-inspired green tones led the initial design consultations with the team at Pluck Kitchens. ‘Using green across the whole space could have felt quite overwhelming, so we used 3D visuals to show the benefit of introducing a second, warm tone,’ recalls co-founder George Glasier.

The resulting shades selected – a coral called Ritzy and soft green Brockwell Moss – are bold but they also follow classic rules of colour theory, which is why the combination works, says George. The key is to select one colour that’s more dominant – here, Ritzy leads and Brockwell Moss is used as an accentuating, support shade.

Adding a third colour or texture, in this case the timber handle recesses, softens the two tones and prevents a ‘stripy’ look. The open shelves are Pluck’s Spoke design, conceived as an alternative to floating shelves.

Using the same shade on the kickboards pulls the whole colour scheme together

The island is the centrepiece of the kitchen. ‘It also has to act as a connector between the different areas of the room, tying together the ‘serious’ side of the kitchen with the opposite wall run, which is a space for entertaining,’ says George.

Incorporating a structural pillar into one corner of the island prevents it from becoming an obstacle

Made from ash with laminated birch plywood shelves, the open shelving provides shape and texture

There are two types of Brazilian quartzite worktop; a calm, plain stone on the perimeter cabinets to balance the aptly named Fusion Wow on the island.

‘The impact of the island could be diluted if the other worktops were the same, plus it helps draw the eye to the centre of the room,’ explains George. ‘Going all-out on wild worktops can work too, but here the ratio feels right.’

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

Luxe light The best-selling Flume collection from lighting brand J. Adams & Co has had an exciting update.

Thanks to its new IP44 rating, the elegant wall light is now suitable for use in the bathroom. What’s more, it comes in an additional finish, nickel, a first for the company which primarily works with brass and bronze. Flume double wall light, £930 ( jadamsandco.com)

S U R FAC E S U P E R S TA R Looking to add some eye-catching form to your kitchen? A marble splashback with pronounced natural veins can add impressive beauty to the simplest design, creating a focal point and sense of movement that is hard to beat. Here, the dramatic natural beauty of Calacatta Viola honed marble slab beautifully sets off the sage green cabinetry.

Calacatta Viola honed marble, from £522sq m (mandarinstone.com)

As well as being eco-friendly, The Used Kitchen Company can help save up to 70% off the price of a new kitchen. Head to theusedkitchencompany.com

FEATURE BUSOLA EVANS

Future proof If your home technology still leaves a lot to be desired, it’s time to raise your game.

Scavolini has unveiled its new smart bathroom collection, the first furniture designed with built-in Amazon Alexa so that you can control appliances, music, lights and other compatible devices.

Dandy Plus bathroom, from £5,000 (scavolini.com)

BOWLED OVER One for your radar… The Way We Live London is a hot new independent lifestyle brand that creates beautiful handcrafted basins that make a statement. The founder Sarah HornerSigre started the business at the end of last year after the pandemic put an end to her career in events. Their loss is our bathrooms’ gain and we are ready to tap up the pretty Nyla with its soft petal shape and dusky pink backdrop. Nyla basin, £380 (thewaywelivelondon.com)

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how the experts do it H O U S E T O U R S O P E N D O O R , I N PA R T N E R S H I P W I T H L G S I G N AT U R E , WA S F U L L O F D E S I G N I D E A S A N D D E C O R I N S P I R AT I O N F R O M T H O S E I N T H E K N OW. A F T E R T H R E E S E R I E S O F W E B I N A R S , W E L O O K B AC K O N S O M E O F T H E B E S T

PHOTOGRAPHS FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM

“The white paint I’ve used throughout acts as a ‘red thread’ to connect each space”

REBECCA WA K E F I E L D The interior designer and creative director of Studio Fortnum shares her love of neutrals on page 42, and in her webinar she talked about the very specific shade of white she used on every wall in the house.

‘Farrow & Ball’s Shaded White is my red thread,’ she said, perhaps slightly ironically. It was chosen for its freshness and softness – it’s not too brilliant that it dazzles in the light. ‘Running throughout the home, it’s the one thing that links the entire design together.’

DAV E B E N N E T T Fashion marketing consultant Dave inherited an oddly shaped extension on the back of his Victorian townhouse, but he found ways to use it to his advantage.

‘The dining space is the only place in the home with any pattern,’ he said. ‘And we like the idea of using a design like this in a small corner.

It’s one end of the kitchen, but marking it off with the wallpaper helps it feel like a separate section.

Before, this was just a damp, unloved corner.’ The pretty green design also brings the outside in.

“I love the contrast of the rough brick on the walls with smoother finishes like concrete”

DAV I D M O N E Y With his own architecture practice, David’s approach to his house was much more about its use of materials than many of our interior design guests. Ply is a big feature. ‘I realised when working on projects for clients that I often prefer the house when it’s half finished,’ he said. ‘I like that the smooth ply lives with the original rough walls quite happily in here.’

But with its lightweight material, is it a practical material to use in a home?

‘Oh, absolutely,’ David said. ‘As long as it’s not in too high traffic an area, it’s actually very hard-wearing.’

“There is an algorithm to room design, in the way accent colours pick each other up”

ANGELA SIMPSON One half of the design agency Simpson & Voyle, Angela talked us through a house she designed for a north London client. ‘There is a real mix here,’ she said of a scheme that includes high-street and investment pieces, vintage and new, gleaming metallics and aged wood.

‘But it all hangs together. In the main living room, the blue is picked up by the sofa, rug and vases, the yellow that’s also in the rug links to the artwork.’

Colour wasn’t Angela’s only trick though.

‘You can also use shape as a way of linking things together. In the hallway, there is a big, round mirror which complements the orbs of a ceiling light, both contrasting with a blocky cabinet and the rectangular space they’re in.’

A N I TA G R O S S M A N Luxury hotels and travel were the decor inspiration for photographic agent Anita, who created a spa-like bathroom in her bedroom. But although all that marble looks beautiful, there are practical considerations that need to be taken into account when renovating an old house. ‘The floor joists had to be redone,’ she said, a caveat to anyone considering refurbishing a Victorian home. ‘The flooring around the bath was especially reinforced. This place used to wobble when we bought it.’ It has since become her favourite spot in the house.

TO WATCH VIDEOS OF ALL THESE HOMEOWNERS TALKING THROUGH THEIR DESIGNS AND DECOR CHOICES, GO TO LIVINGETC .COM

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DESIGN DOSSIER

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Our expert extension guide – from inspo to how to

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EXPERT VIEW

How to find an architect for your project

P L AY F U L T O U C H Whoever thinks you should play it safe in a kitchen extension hasn’t seen this by DF_DC architects. Designed with a young family in mind, this open-plan space features a swing in the middle. What do you think?

FEATURE YVETTE MURRELL PHOTOGRAPH (CONCRETE JUNGLE) RORY GARDINER

Cordula Weisser, founding director of ZCD Architects Bring an architect on board as early as possible, even if it is just to get some initial advice.

In my opinion, one of the most important aspects of a project is the brief writing stage.

An architect can help you to determine your core needs and spatially realise them.

Search fairly locally – if you’re in Manchester, don’t choose a London architect. The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is an invaluable place to start. I also find that a lot of people are led to us via Instagram these days.

Talk to around three architectural firms. Find out how the practice works, and how busy they are. It’s also important to find out their sustainability credentials. Ask them to talk you through a project and how it evolved – this way you can see how they problem solve and what they get excited about.

I think most architects will agree, we relish the opportunity of an unusual project. It’s important to establish that enthusiasm and find someone who won’t be put off. Go for a small firm, so you can guarantee the director’s input.

Then it is really just down to your gut feeling. Depending on the size and complexity of your extension project, first meeting to completion lasts at least a year on average, so make sure you like and feel confident with the firm and the architect you will be working with.

news

Advice and buys for excellent home extensions

Designed in collaboration with Sebastian Herkner, Ligne Roset’s Taru daybed is perfect for lounging in your new extended living space.

Taru daybed in Steel Blue, £3,207; footstool, £928 (ligne-roset.com) livingetc.com

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EXPERT VIEW

Creating a light-filled space Ally Dowsing-Reynolds, co-owner at Dowsing & Reynolds The first thing to ask yourself is, how will you use the extension? Think about its use for daytime and evening – these can be two very different spaces. Having multiple light sources gives you a wider range of uses for the extension at all hours of the day. Your choice of designs will depend on what you are using the space for, as this will help you determine where functional ‘task’ lighting and decorative ‘accent’ lighting is needed.

Create layers with multiple light sources throughout the space that you can control on dimmer switches.

It’s also been shown that people congregate around light sources, so clever placement of lighting can provide anchors for people to be together in a large space.

Lots of natural light in a south- or west-facing extension might seem like the dream scenario, but can fall into the trap of getting too much glare. Get blinds fitted within the panes of bi-folding doors, or simply fit two sets of curtains – one thinner option to reduce the glare but not block out light completely, and one thicker design to help keep the cold out at night.

Style them together and they’re not just a practical choice but a design focal point too.

Painting a room white doesn’t always have a brightening effect on the space.

In some north-facing rooms, it can feel overly clinical. Instead, consider what colours you have used for the rest of your home already, or look in your wardrobe and see what tones you naturally gravitate towards. Dark colours bring depth and I love how they look different against the changing daylight hours and then again in an evening against lamps and pendant lights. If you’re tempted, try painting one wall and live with it for a few days, see how it makes you feel.

PA P E R IT ‘Now more than ever I’ve felt the ethereal beauty of the great outdoors,’ says Nina Tarnowski, founder of Woodchip & Magnolia. ‘Our new collection of paint and paper, Petrichor, draws inspiration from my morning runs through the countryside.’ And it will do wonders for your extension. Floresta wallpaper in Pink/Gorse, £85 a roll (woodchip andmagnolia.co.uk)

Follow through Suitable for both indoor and outdoor settings, Ca’ Pietra continues the terrazzo trend with the new large format Piazza Porcelain collection, which comes in six options – four patterned and two field tiles.

Piazza Geo Anthracita porcelain tiles, £70sq m (capietra.com)

HOLDING PAT T E R N Choosing a flooring for your new extension is one thing, but deciding on a laying pattern has the potential to really elevate the final look.

These American Oak and Aged Oak designs from Amtico’s Signature range work well in a parquet format.

From £70sq m (amtico.com)

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3 WAYS TO DO

Dining Sophisticated round wood designs for a kitchen-diner extension, from top: MENU Androgyne dining table in dark stained oak, £3,095 (amara.com) Walnut pedestal dining table, £599 (johnlewis.com) ODA table in ash veneer and iron, £1,129, (brostecopenhagen.com)

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VIRTUAL REALITY Almost as good as the real deal, HI-MACS’ new virtual showroom experience allows you to browse surfaces in-situ, all from the comfort of your own home. From kitchen islands and worktops, you can even play around with different colours and finishes through the screen. (himacs.eu)

GLASS HOUSES Extensions can often deprive the rest of the house of light if not planned well.

Here, a glazed surround helps brighten the Roundhouse kitchen. Kitchens from £30,000 (roundhousedesign.com)

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LITTLE BLACK BOOK GLAZING SPECIALISTS

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Fabco Sanctuary Experts in steel windows, this West Sussex-based company has a strong team of designers to help you on your project. This is glazing that makes a statement, on everything from partitions to shower screens. You can even visit the factory and see your designs being made. (fabcosanctuary.com) Express Bi-Folding Doors The brand manufactures and installs three different aluminium bi-folding door systems, each with their own features, benefits and price points, as well as sliding doors and glass roofing systems. (expressbifolds.co.uk) Architectural Bronze Casements Whether you are restoring a historic property or building new, you can find bespoke bronze windows, doors, screens and secondary glazing, all handmade in Lincolnshire-based workshops. (bronzecasements.com)

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DESIGN DOSSIER: EXTEND

Natural beauty White oiled Douglas fir paired with pale buff bricks keeps the look light and spacious in this extension.

‘The design focused on the expression of natural materials that would complement and respect the original Victorian house,’ explains Oliver Leech, director of Oliver Leech Architects. ‘The ruggedness of the internal brickwork sits wonderfully alongside the smooth matt walls and ceiling, and polished concrete worktop.’

FEATURE YVETTE MURRELL

GET THE LOOK Design by Oliver Leech Architects

lookbook

Take your space to another level with these add-on ideas

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Through the roof A big challenge when building an extension is marrying old with new.

Here, the visual design of the rooftop deck blends the boundary between indoor and outdoor. ‘Getting the new roofline to run parallel with the old proved tricky,’ says Yvonne Meng, director at Circle Studio Architects. ‘We spent time on site with the builder to line up the extension and the rafters of the existing house were measured and individually reset.’

GET THE LOOK Circle Studio Architects’ loft conversion features Eco Timber charred timber cladding and is painted in Capital Blue by Dulux

Bar service Garden rooms have seen a huge surge in popularity, providing a separate space from the rest of the house to accommodate a home office, a relaxing retreat, a sociable bar space – or even a combination of all of the above. Here, a family with three children wanted to create a space that could adapt as the family grows. The garden room functions as a bar/entertaining space for the adults, as well as an office area when needed.

GET THE LOOK Garden room project

by AO Architecture

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Sky high A double-height extension can be a show-stopping piece of architecture when light is allowed to flood through. The idea for this particular project came from the homeowner’s love for the outdoors and taste for Nordic design. The focal point is a spacious doubleheight kitchen-diner at the rear of the property, which was created from the interplay of interlocking volumes made of frameless glass panels and linear timber panels. The cladding extends partially over the glass, patterning the light and providing shade.

PHOTOGRAPHS (THROUGH THE ROOF) MARTINA GEMMOLA; (SKY HIGH) ANDY STAGG

GET THE LOOK Project by Paul Archer Design

Home stretch When it comes to designing a kitchen in your extension, it’s important to focus on functionality, as Daniel Bowler, director for Eggersmann UK explains: ‘Think about layout – how do you plan to use the space?

Open-plan layouts are great, but you will want to zone each area. Include an island to separate the kitchen from the living area, creating an informal dining space without blocking out light.’

GET THE LOOK Eggersmann kitchen in a project by Such Designs. The total project cost around £100,000

DESIGN DOSSIER: EXTEND

Nestle in One of the most popular places for an extension on British properties is the unused side passage.

Here, a basement flat has been extended to add a galley kitchen, bathroom and an additional bedroom.

But its most intriguing element is the exterior design. ‘The garden side is expressed as a semi-circular gable with a circular window “eye” and cedar shingle feathers,’ says architect Christian Ducker of Gundry Ducker. ‘This conceals sloping roof lights that run the length of the extension.’

GET THE LOOK Side-return extension by Gundry Ducker

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Under the weather Animated by the sun and the rain through a carefully sculptured structure, this striking extension was designed to be enjoyed all year round. The curved section of the roof is cut in plan to allow maximum light into the courtyard, following the path of the sun across the site, and the roof is a thin 110mm structural shell perforated with round coffered skylights that echo the wave pattern of raindrops landing in the pool.

GET THE LOOK Two-storey extension and house restoration

by Tonkin Liu

Inner circle The secret to a creative extension? ‘Use low-cost materials to create fun, playful shapes, and combine this with some bold materials and as much natural light as you can get your hands on,’ says Will Fisher, co-founder of FAB Architects. ‘Gain as much extra internal height as you can.

Whether it’s by pitching a roof or simply maximising the ceiling height, this extra sense of space turns a normal extension into something special.’

GET THE LOOK The Green House by FAB Architects features ply batons and industrial polycarbonate dome skylights to create a twin-pitched extension.

It cost around £120,000

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Urban legend This 1980s end-of-terrace house has been extended to reactivate the unused spaces in the walled courtyard garden. The garage has been converted into a bedroom, connected to the house via this single-storey courtyard extension with an interesting glazed facade.

‘We used corrugated aluminium to emphasise the pitched forms of the roof, while the material reflects the surrounding urban London landscape, vegetation and sky, changing with the light,’ says Johan Hybschmann, who is a partner at Archmongers Architects.

PHOTOGRAPHS (UNDER THE WEATHER) ALEXANDER JAMES; (INNER CIRCLE) GARETH GARDNER; (URBAN LEGEND) FRENCH & TYE

GET THE LOOK This extension project is by Archmongers Architects

Dramatic turn DESIGN DOSSIER: EXTEND

With the help of a good architectural designer, you can take inspiration from almost anywhere. Mat Barnes, director of Studio CAN, exposed steel beams as a nod to the lighting rigs of theatres in this creative extension. ‘The crumbling walls leading to the extension reference the dealer’s flat in Trainspotting.

I thought it was a perfect way to retain a memory of the state we found the house in,’ says Mat.

PHOTOGRAPH JIM STEPHENSON

GET THE LOOK Edwardian semi-detached house project

by Studio CAN. Worktop and unit fronts made of recycled chopping boards and milk bottle tops, Smile Plastics

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Side return extensions are a response to what we’re inheriting as a housing stock in this nation, says George Bradley, one half of Bradley Van Der Straeten Architects. The UK is filled with very similar typology of Victorian terraces, which is where side returns are most commonly added. Hats off to the Victorians, but we think this design needs a reinvention to accommodate contemporary living.

One key aspect to any good side return is the ceiling. Often people think about getting a larger footprint, but a side return extension also provides an opportunity to do something different in terms of light, and a lot of that comes down to how the ceiling is treated. A well-designed ceiling encourages you to look up, notice the sky and feel more in tune with the outside than you would in a typical box room.

FEATURE YVETTE MURRELL

Planning starts with your living habits. Many of our clients are people with children and the way

they want to live is an open-plan concept. They want to be able to share the same space, rather than some being hidden away in a separate kitchen while the rest of the family is spending quality time together in the living area. Everyone’s requirements are different though, which is why our side returns look so different from one another – different ways of living can be translated into very unique projects.

Work with an architect who is willing to push your design. Taking a step back and having a conversation with an architect or a designer who can expand your mindset beyond the typical side return can be invaluable. That person can bring something else to the table that you might not have considered before. A builder will rely on the things they know, whereas an architectural designer can take a solution to another level. Find the right match for you by looking on the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) website.

Have the party wall built astride the boundary, if you can. You can save around 150cm of floor space compared to if you only build up to the boundary. The key to note here is building astride the boundary is to the neighbours’ advantage, because when they come to build an extension themselves, they get to use the wall, too.

interview

Architect George Bradley on the perfect side return

Start with your dream, and work out a plan from there. One of our favourite side return extension projects is called Bladerunner House.

Here, the homeowners had a love for the Brutalist architecture of the Southbank Centre in London, so we incorporated concrete blades to divide up the large roof light in the side return, framing the light beautifully. Another standout extension project for us is Vault House – a truly stunning example of how sculptural vaulted ceilings can help create form, volume and light.

The light-filled extension at Vault House

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Jupiter Artland’s beautiful landscape will host Rachel Maclean’s latest artwork, due to be unveiled on 8 May

the lifestyle edit Don’t adjust your glasses: Upside mimi

down mimi

FEATURE RORY ROBERTSON

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

is the first

permanent exhibition from artist Rachel Maclean at Jupiter Artland, outside Edinburgh. Rachel will install a toy shop under the trees, which upon entering will reveal itself to be flipped upside down. Intrigued? Us too! livingetc.com

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in and out T H I N G S T O D O , S E E A N D H E A R – AT H O M E O R O U T S I D E

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THE PODCAST

All ears

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THE EXHIBITION

Work of art

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BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead is hosting the first significant showing of work in 14 years from British Indian artist Sutapa Biswas. It will highlight the contribution that Sutapa has made to the Black Arts Movement in Britain and what has been described as the ‘shifting of post-war British art’. Running alongside this display will be an exhibition of Sutapa’s work at Kettle’s Yard in Cambridge, scheduled for later this year. baltic.art; kettlesyard.co.uk; @balticgateshead; @kettlesyard

THE NAME TO KNOW

Home grown Xanthe Gladstone is our ‘one to watch’ when it comes to the world of home-grown produce and food sustainability. A rising star, her Instagram is a hub of mouth-watering recipes featuring the produce she cultivates herself. What can we say? It’s a nourishing feed of inspiration and happiness. Discover more at @xanthegladstone or find out about Xanthe’s catering services and food sustainability consultancy at xanthegladstone.co.uk.

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FEATURE RORY ROBERTSON PHOTOGRAPHS (1) KINVARA GLADSTONE; (2) NWANDO EBIZIE PHOTO BY THOMAS SG FARNETTI. PORTRAIT COPYRIGHT DIMITRI DJURIC; (3) SUTAPA BISWAS, SYNAPSE II, 1990–92, BLACK AND WHITE HAND-PRINTED PHOTOGRAPH. COPYRIGHT SUTAPA BISWAS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, DACS 2021; (4) ED DABNEY; (7) MIKE PORTLOCK

How we interact has changed significantly, thanks – but not really thanks – to the pandemic.

Artist and podcast curator Nwando Ebizie’s For All I Care series aims to improve the situation and allow us to feel good with a collection of fascinating conversations. The goal is to make us ‘reimagine care and healing through art, health and science’ – and it’s scintillating stuff.

Available wherever you get your podcasts.

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THE PL ACE T O S TAY

Urban oasis Kingsland Locke is the fourth London location to be unveiled by the Locke chain, and this time they’ve gone to Dalston. It’s essentially a hotel, but levelled up, as all rooms come with their own kitchen and living space and, with its industrial-meets-plush decor it could soon be the new neighbourhood hub. We love the sound of the sleek, contemporary tiled bar, the LeBab Kebab menu and the Shaman coffee hatch on the ground floor. Oh, and did we mention there’s a KRAFT microbrewery on-site? Kingsland Locke prices start from £115 a night. lockeliving.com

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THE BOOK TO READ

Lazy gardening Miniscapes by Clea Cregan (£10, Hardie Grant), is filled with advice and helpful tips for establishing a thriving ‘micro garden’ of your own.

It details everything you need to know from getting started through to planning your design. Forget box sets, gardening in miniature is the new hobby du jour.

THE NEW APP

On the tiles Otto Tiles & Design has quite the collection of terrazzo, encaustic and ceramic tiles to choose from. If you’re struggling to envisage them in your space, Otto makes it easy with its new augmented reality mobile app. It allows users to see any of Otto’s wall and floor tiles, digitally rendered and available to configure and preview, all without even needing to leave your home. Simply use your phone’s camera to get accurate measurements of the space you want to tile, and trial different tiles and patterns by selecting different products via the app. You can use it for walls and floors, indoor and outdoor surfaces. Safedistanced shopping from your sofa? This is timely technology indeed. ottotiles.co.uk

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THE NEW EXPERIENCE

On the town One of central London’s most significant buildings – One Marylebone – is set to transform into a food, music and entertainment hub. The former church, designed by Sir John Soane in 1826, commands its very own ‘island’ at the foot of Regent’s Park. What better venue to host Chameleon, a new multi-experiential offering from renowned restaurateur Alex Ghalleb. The menu has been curated by Israeli chef Elior Balbul, the culinary brains behind the Alenbi restaurant in New York, so we’re already sold. chameleon.london

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a fresh take

BUTTERED NUT SQUASH

serves 2 1 butternut squash 1 tsp muscovado sugar 1 tsp salt flakes 4 tbsp olive oil, plus an extra tsp

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Preheat the oven to 190C/Gas 5, with a baking tray inside. Slice the squash in half and scoop the seeds out. Use the hollow as a bowl to make a paste with the sugar, salt and 2 tbsp olive oil, then rub into the squash halves.

100g macadamia nuts 80g butter 50g Kalamata olives, unpitted 1 handful of fresh sage leaves, plus extra to garnish

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Pull the hot baking tray out and line the base with baking paper. Drizzle 2 tbsp olive oil across the middle of the baking tray and place the squash halves face side down on the oil.

Roast for 40-50 minutes. With 15 minutes to go,

lightly crush the macadamia nuts using a rolling pin. Tip into a cold frying pan. Add the butter and remaining 1 tsp olive oil and place over medium heat. Squash the olives to pop out the pits. Toss the pitted olives and the sage into the butter mixture and gently sizzle for about 2-3 minutes.

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When the squash is ready, pile the nut mixture into the hollows, drizzling any leftover buttery sauce around the squash.

Garnish with extra sage, season and serve.

FEATURE SAMUEL GOLDSMITH PHOTOGRAPHY BEN DEARNLEY

A L I C E Z A S L AV S K Y ’ S N E W B O O K I S A N O D E T O T H E H U M B L E V E G E TA B L E – T H E W O R L D ’ S M O S T V E R S AT I L E I N G R E D I E N T

SAFFRON ORZO WITH CHARRED DELI ARTICHOKES

serves 4 80ml olive oil 6 cooked artichokes with stems, halved lengthways (jarred is fine) 2 French shallots, finely chopped 1 bunch of parsley, stems finely chopped, leaves chopped 330g orzo 750ml vegetable stock A good pinch of saffron threads 2 tsp finely chopped preserved lemon

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Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large frying pan over high heat. Add the artichokes cut side down and cook, without touching, for 4 minutes, or until charred and golden. Drain on paper towel.

Pour in the stock and bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to low. Add the saffron, then cover and cook for 12-15 minutes, or until the orzo is cooked through. Stir in the preserved lemon.

Add the remaining oil to the pan over medium-low heat. Add the shallots and parsley stems and cook for 4 minutes, or until softened. Add the orzo and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes, or until glossy and slightly toasted.

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Place the artichokes on top of the orzo, face side up. Cover and cook for 3 minutes to warm through. Transfer to a serving dish and scatter with the chopped parsley leaves and hazelnuts. Serve warm or cold.

60g hazelnuts, lightly toasted, then roughly chopped

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BURNT SHALLOT AND CRISPY BROCC ORECCHIETTE

serves 4 300g orecchiette 1 head of broccoli, florets roughly grated, stalk finely chopped 6 French shallots, skin on, halved lengthways, roots and tops trimmed 1 tbsp olive oil 200g finely grated Parmesan, plus extra to serve Zest and juice of 2 lemons Chilli flakes, to taste 2 garlic cloves, crushed (optional)

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Bring a large saucepan of well-salted water to the boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the packet instructions, adding the broccoli stalks in the last minute of the cooking time. Reserve 170ml of the pasta water and drain the rest.

BROCCOLI STEAKS WITH TKEMALI

serves 4 2 heads of broccoli 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling 1 handful of walnuts, some grated with a Microplane, some finely chopped A sprinkle of Parmesan FOR THE TKEMALI SAUCE 500g damson plums or sour equivalent, halved and pitted 1 tsp celery seeds

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Cut the broccoli heads along the sides to create a flat surface, then cut into ‘steaks’ about 2cm thick. Drizzle oil on a tray and toss the steaks to coat. Set aside.

Preheat oven to 190C/Gas 5. Place the plums on a lined baking tray, drizzle with olive oil, then place in oven for 15 minutes. Put plums and rest of tkemali ingredients in a blender and blitz to a purée.

5 garlic cloves, roughly chopped ¼ tsp cayenne pepper ½ tsp ground coriander 1½ tbsp red wine vinegar, plus a little extra if the plums aren’t tart enough for your taste

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Heat an ovenproof chargrill pan until searing hot. Working in batches, chargrill the broccoli for 2-3 minutes.

Transfer to a baking tray and bake for 15-20 minutes. To serve, spoon the sauce around a platter, then arrange broccoli on top. Drizzle with oil and add the walnuts and Parmesan.

Serve warm or at room temperature.

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Meanwhile, pop the shallots, cut side down, in a large saucepan over medium-high heat and leave to darken and soften as the pan heats up – this will take about 8-10 minutes. Pick the shallots out with tongs, squeezing the flesh free of the skins.

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Add the olive oil to the pan, then sprinkle in the grated broccoli to let it crisp up. Once crisp, remove half the grated broccoli and reserve. Return the shallots to the pan with the remaining grated broccoli. Pour the reserved pasta water to deglaze the pan and infuse the flavours further. Sprinkle in the Parmesan and bring to the boil, allowing the liquid to reduce and thicken to a sauce. Add the pasta, along with the lemon zest, lemon juice, chilli flakes, plenty of freshly cracked black pepper, and the crushed garlic, if using. Stir to combine.

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Divide among serving bowls, scatter with the reserved broccoli and extra Parmesan and serve immediately.

This recipe is made extra delicious with the addition of some pan juices from a roast chicken

In Praise of Veg: A Modern Kitchen Companion by Alice Zaslavsky (£25, Murdoch Books). See more at inpraiseofveg.com

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hotel hot list W E ’ R E F O C U S I N G O N FA R - F L U N G R E T R E AT S A N D J E T- S E T T E R B R E A K S IN A PIQUE OF DREAM-FILLED SPRINGTIME OPTIMISM

Like something straight out of a vintage spy movie, this ambitious project could easily stand in as a Bond villain’s top secret jungle lair. Art Villas is a labour of love by Filip and Petra Žák, a formerly Prague-based couple who sold their business and started work on building their dream home in the rainforest near Uvita, a coastal town in southern Costa Rica. The idea grew from family home to hospitality experience, and now encompasses three distinct elements with their own strong identities. The main villa is a five-bedroom mansion perfect for living out those evil genius daydreams, Atelier is a smaller though still architecturally impressive option, and finally Coco, the most intriguing, offers four one-bedroom sleep pods, nestled directly amongst the verdant canopy.

IN THE KNOW Explore the famed whale’s tail-shaped beach during low tide at nearby Punta Uvita.

Book it Five-night minimum stays are from £450 in a Coco pod or £2,750 for the main villa .

FEATURE PATRICK HAMILTON COURTNEY PHOTOGRAPHS (ART VILLAS) BOYSPLAYNICE; (AUSTIN PROPER) THE INGALLS; (CIRCULO MEXICANO) COURTESY OF DESIGN HOTELS™

Art Villas, Costa R ica

The Johri, Jaipur, India A jewel box in more ways than one, this perfectly formed boutique hotel is tucked away among the winding paths of Johri Bazaar in Jaipur’s historic Old City. The handsome building it occupies, a traditional 19th-century haveli, was until recently a family home of the Kasliwals, legendary for centuries as India’s premier jewellers under the famed Gem Palace name. Working with hotelier Abhishek Honawar and his wife, embroidery expert and designer Naina Shah, the transformation to luxury accommodation is complete, and the results are every bit as opulent as you’d expect from a family of master jewellers.

Against a natural backdrop of limestone and terracotta tones, you’ll find framed textiles, lively murals and bedrooms inspired by the colours of India’s bustling gemstone trade.

IN THE KNOW Pack a big shopper, you’ll immediately want to go exploring what the bazaar’s traders have to offer.

Visit the iconic red and pink sandstone Palace of the Winds.

Book it Suites from around £220 a night.

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Austin Proper Hotel, Texas, USA Developing a recognisable design language is not an easy task, particularly in the oversaturated world of hotel interiors. With their fourth opening in Austin, the Proper hotel group and iconic designer Kelly Wearstler, pull it off with aplomb. While each property has its own distinct aesthetic, there is a consistent thread that pulls the hotels together as a family. It can be seen at the Texas outpost through Kelly’s continuing use of a neutral palette; masterfully done and never dull, her balmy beige backdrops set a relaxed stage for design classics and colourful art. If wow-factor spaces are your thing, make a beeline to The Peacock restaurant, where daring design and Mediterranean mezze come together in a marriage of bold, modern grandeur.

IN THE KNOW Eat at Franklin Barbecue, a standout restaurant in a city renowned for its barbecue credentials.

Explore the city’s gallery scene, whether it’s the colossal Blanton or Women & Their Work, a non-profit arts organisation.

Book it Rooms from £225 a night.

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Circulo Mexicano, Mexico City, Mexico If ‘warm minimalism’ were a hotel, it would be this one. We love the vibe here: pared-back and completely free of visual distraction, but without any sense of cold sterility. The decor of the Mexico City house-to-hotel conversion is subtle, but the details count. The walls of the 19th-century building are white, but not plain emulsion white. Instead, they have a textured plaster finish that gives spaces instant depth. Furniture in the 25 bedrooms and communal spaces is simple and in nude woods, mainly inspired by the simple utility of Shaker design, while decorative touches include artisanal Mexican textiles and woven palm. Head up to the fabulous rooftop pool where city-wide views and a bar serving local mezcals await.

IN THE KNOW Visit Pastelería Ideal – this pastry shop is a local institution.

Discover the many landmarks on your doorstep in the Centro Historico neighbourhood, from the Templo Mayor ruins to the Palacio de Bellas Artes cultural centre.

Book it Rooms from £135 a night.

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globetrotter S E B A S T I A N C O X S P I L L S H I S M A R G AT E S E C R E T S

Where to go for a drink? Kent is becoming really known for its wine. A crisp glass of North Downs white from Little Swift, a wonderful wine bar right by the main sands, is pretty unbeatable.

The buzzy table to book in advance? Angela’s, on The Parade, between the Old Town and the main sands, is exceptional and was recently awarded a Michelin Green Star. Sustainable seafood with Kent’s best produce and natural wines in a cosy bistro. I have frequent dreams about their turbot and bisque with roast potatoes. See if you can sit around the back for a super cosy experience. If you can’t get into Angela’s, it has a sister restaurant called Dory’s on the seafront, serving small plates of the same impeccable quality.

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Sebastian Cox

Where is great for the ’gram? The painter JMW Turner visited Margate to paint, claiming ‘the skies over Thanet are the loveliest in all Europe’. If you’re lucky enough to be in Margate on a day that gifts a ‘Turner sunset’ over the sea, you’ll be posting sunsets all the way home.

Turner Contemporary art gallery Dory’s seafood bar

Margate harbour and sea at sunset

Best gallery? It would be remiss not to mention the Turner Contemporary. This gallery is really the institution that set Margate on its recent gentrified trajectory.

I remember spending time here around its opening in 2011 and the anticipation of the change it might bring to the town was, well, the talk of the town. A decade on and it’s clear that art can revitalise a place. As well as its sea-oriented architecture and varied exhibitions, it has a brilliant gift shop, too.

App to download before we travel?

If you’re curious like me, you’ll want a ship tracking app like FleetMon. There can be dozens of ships anchored off the coast , and it’s fascinating to know where they’re from and what they carry.

Dome in the Shell Grotto

Don’t leave without visiting?

Shell Grotto. It’s the most baffling set of underground caves, decorated with 4.6 million shells. Discovered in 1835, nobody really knows who built it, or why.

ALAMY STOCK PHOTO; (DORY’S SEAFOOD BAR) AMS IMAGES/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO; (DOME IN THE SHELL GROTTO) HELENITA/STOCKIMO/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

First things first, best time to visit?

Covid permitting, seaside towns around the UK suffer from seasonal trade, so a stay in Margate outside of summer helps the businesses here hugely. Unlike a lot of coastal towns, much of Margate is open year-round so a visit off-season can be just as rewarding, with spectacular sunsets and windy walks, followed up by a cosy meal in one of its amazing eateries.

The shop you couldn’t be without?

Margate has plenty of vintage shops and there’s a fun architectural salvage place called Scott’s, but if you want to bring home something literally made of the sea, head to Haeckels and splash out on some mindblowingly innovative skincare products.

FEATURE YVETTE MURRELL PHOTOGRAPHS (TURNER CONTEMPORARY ART GALLERY) ADY KERRY/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO; (MARGATE HARBOUR) KEN LLOYD1/STOCKIMO/

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ritish furniture designer and craftsman Sebastian Cox set up his award-winning workshop studio in London, making bespoke fine furniture and homeware with a nature-first perspective.

We caught up with Sebastian, who now has a home by the coast, as he settles into life in Margate, Kent.

Little Swift wine bar

secret address book The Livingetc team flicked through its Rolodex to find the sustainable product designer you need to know BRIGHT CORNER

FEATURE PIP M C CORMAC

We should probably start with the eco credentials of Bright Corner, but it’s hard not to be diverted by the cuteness of founder Chloe Harrison’s work. Take this tent light that looks like an upturned book, a warm glow radiating through its cutaways. Made from FSCapproved birch ply and created when Chloe couldn’t find a sustainable light to go in her baby’s nursery, this is kid-friendly design at its most adult-pleasing.

Star tent light, £82, brightcorner-shop.com

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