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june 2022
C U R AT E D H O U S E S ■ B O L D B AT H R O O M S ■ S TA I R C A S E D E S I G N ■ D E C O R AT I N G W I T H G R E E N ■ I N D O O R P L A N T S ■ R U G S
D E CO R H E AT S U P style it out C R E AT E T H E P E R F E C T OUTDOOR BAR PLANTING TRENDS S M A L L G A R D E N S, BIG IDEAS E X T E R I O R PA I N T S
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weekend ✱ updates
PLUS NEW RULES FOR COLOUR DRENCHING
HOT INTERIORS
from sun-filled homes to cool city schemes
ALFRESCO TA B L E S C A P E S: T H E U LT I M A T E SHOPPING EDIT
june 2022
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COVER PHOTOGRAPHY DOUGLAS FRIEDMAN
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news & shopping
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EVERYONE’S TALKING ABOUT… Chic wickerwork pieces, the latest rug designs, the hottest shades of the season, Luke Edward Hall’s new lifestyle brand, desirable curvy seating and furniture with a heavy Italian influence DESIGN RADAR Linda Boronkay’s top pieces THE CONVERSATION Designer Brigette Romanek on how to evoke the feeling of Hollywood light here in the UK
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fabulous spaces
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CALIFORNIAN HOUSE Once owned by a prohibition gangster, this 1920s gem is now the perfect summer retreat SOUTH LONDON SEMI Rustic textures and bespoke designs were key to creating this home’s tactile aesthetic and sense of warmth INSIDER GUIDE Top tips on picking the right frame for your artwork JERSEY CITY HOME Interior designer Arianna De Gasperis gave new life to this historic home on the East Coast while introducing English influences
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LONDON TERRACE The owners chose strong but harmonious hues in a contemporary update that honours the bones of their Victorian home EXPERT ADVICE Boost your home’s kerb appeal with a newly painted exterior CAMBRIDGESHIRE RENOVATION Designer Rebecca Wakefield’s simple, stylish interiors work perfectly with this home’s old and new architecture
decorating
WHERE THE HEART IS Take inspiration from this country cool Connecticut home OUTDOOR DINING: THE EDIT Our pick of tumblers, carafes, plates and tablecloths INSPIRATION GALLERY: DECOR UPDATES Quick refreshes to add colour and pattern to your home COLOUR INSIGHT Advice on using green and the best combinations to try HOUSE STYLE Design guru Minnie Kemp on why a rug should be one of the last finishing pieces you choose for a room
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design projects
RENOVATION NEWS The latest launches and expert tips for kitchens, bathrooms and projects TREND FOCUS Deputy editor Busola Evans on the re-emergence of colourful sanitaryware THE LOWDOWN ON… the ins and outs of building a new staircase OUTDOOR FEATURE OF THE MOMENT… Glorious garden bars GARDEN INSPIRATION Balance strong shades with pretty pastels HOW TO… ENHANCE A COMPACT GARDEN Expert ideas on making the most of small and narrow outdoor spaces THE HOME FRONT Interior designer Rebecca Wakefield is planning a loft conversion and talks through her design obstacles
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smart home
GARDENS THAT GIVE Planting for a biodiverse garden will aid wildlife and your wellbeing KEEP IT CLEAN Top tips on using an air purifier as part of your smart system QUIET PLEASE Ensure your home is a peaceful sanctuary with tips and tricks to reduce noise …AND RELAX Prospect-refuge theory can enhance your wellness at home, too – here’s how
the lifestyle edit
THE SCENE The Isola by San Carlo restaurant brings sunny Sicilian style to London BARCELONA FOREVER The most gorgeous hotel options in the Catalan capital COOK Kale with tomatoes, creamed mozzarella and wild rice BETTER-LIVED LIFE Designer Yinka Ilori
and the rest…
EDITOR’S LETTER SUBSCRIBE Never miss an issue with our brilliant half-price offer
Pip Rich
D E CO R H E AT S U P
Editor @pip.rich
what i’m into this month 1
Designer Laura Gonzalez’s furniture collection – a highlight of Paris Déco Off.
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Bontempi Casa’s Bonnie sofa. The cushions are so soft, allowing you to sink into them in exactly the way a sofa should.
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HERCULANEUM GROTTO DINNER PLATE IN SAFFRON, £85, GERGEI ERDEI
Black olive trees, indoors, and the way they let the light stream softly through their elegant branches.
news-stand cover
subscriber cover
A wise colleague once told me that life was not about waiting for summer. This was in the middle of January, reminding me to bake cinnamon rolls, hunker down, make the most of now and not yearn for the future. And she was right. Yet this year I’ve been desperate for summer to arrive. That feeling of long lunches, longer days and even longer glasses of iced tea. Slubby linen, bowls of peaches, floors cool underfoot – all the ways design and decor can help you to relax. I don’t think I’m the only one. Just back from Paris Déco Off, where major international design houses were showing their latest collections, the biggest trend was for fun. Daring colours, exciting prints, a sense of why on earth not? From the animal-themed murals at Arte to the to twinkling dawn sky wallpaper at Fromental, adding extra layers of beauty and excitement are the order of the day. And I reckon this will be the summer of the outdoor bar. Inspired by the feature on page 133, I’ve already knocked up a makeshift version, with delightful string bulbs festooning the surrounds and comfortable seating at the ready. Last year, we were shoulders deep in brick dust and builders and had only one plug socket providing power through extension cables to the whole house (we always had to choose between the kettle or the camping hob, never both at the same time). So this year I’m allowing myself to sit back and enjoy – I hope you’ll be able to, too. That doesn’t mean to say I’m taking on no mini-challenges. I love Hugh Metcalf’s selection of weekend overhauls on page 106 and I’m planning to embrace trimmings. They’re not an area of design I’ve given much thought to, but seeing Samuel & Sons’ new offerings in Paris proved to me how quickly they can elevate a space. As a brand aesthetic, Livingetc errs towards the less decorative, but could this be the start of a sea change in style? Either way, I’ll be making no big choices this month, focusing instead on what to have from the garden bar. Decor is heating up, but I’ll be staying cool.
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ma nagement
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Sarah Spiteri EDITOR Pip Rich DEPUT Y EDITOR (PRINT) Busola Evans DEPUT Y EDITOR (DIGITAL) Hebe Hatton GROUP CREATIVE DIRECTOR Emma Williams GROUP CHIEF SUB-EDITOR/PRODUCTION EDITOR Jennifer Spaeth HOUSES EDITOR Rachel Christie INTERIORS EDITOR Emma Thomas CONTENT EDITORS Hugh Metcalf and Aditi Sharma Maheshwari SENIOR EDITOR (DIGITAL) Lotte Brouwer CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Linda Boronkay, Fleur Britten, Minnie Kemp and Rebecca Wakefield EDITOR IN CHIEF – NEWS Rebecca Knight EDITOR IN CHIEF – AUDIENCE Amy Cutmore EDITOR IN CHIEF – ECOMMERCE Lindsey Davis VIDEO PRODUCER Matt Gibbs GROUP ART DIRECTOR Alison Walter ART EDITOR Meredith Davies SENIOR DESIGNER Chris McPhail GROUP PRODUCTION EDITOR Maxine Clarke HUB CHIEF SUB-EDITOR Carly Rigley SENIOR SUB-EDITORS Marian McNamara and Karen Wiley HEAD OF ART PRODUCTION Nicola Tillman ART PRODUCTION DESIGNER Chris Saggers
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everyone’s talking about...
LU X E OUTDOOR LI G HTI N G
The design that’s in the spotlight embraces the past and the present S U M M E R G L OW
FEATURE RORY ROBERTSON PHOTOGRAPH BERNARD TOUILLON
No one wants the party to stop when the sun goes down and there’s a wealth of illuminati to keep the fun going, but we have our eye on the Lucerna lamp by design wiz Luca Nichetto. It takes its name from ancient Roman oil lamps, but uses the latest LED technology and incorporates a dual system of chargeable battery and pull-out cable in a protective casing. It’s a design classic in the making.
Lucerna lamp, from £680, Luca Nichetto for Ethimo
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everyone’s talking about...
W I C K E R WO R K
A slew of modern reinterpretations have put this aesthetic front and centre Wickerwork, the art of weaving with natural rattan, reeds and certain bark material, is quietly but firmly back on the design map. And not before time. As people seek out products which hold a story and that carve a sustainable stance in the interiors marketplace, wickerwork pieces offer both elements of chic status and eco-friendly ethos. From high end to high street, it’s making its mark.
TRUE CLASSIC
A range that’s sure to catch the eye, the Bohemian 72 collection was first designed in 1972 by Gabriella Crespi. Gubi is now teaming up with Archivio Crespi to put the collection back into production. With a small edit of products, each piece is constructed from the trunk of rattan and represents all that’s cool about 1970s wickerwork design. Bohemian 72 collection lounge chair, £1,999, Gabriella Crespi x Gubi at The Conran Shop
70 s V I B E
Le freak, c’est chic! With a full-on retro 1970s look and great price tag, we think this gorgeous rattan chair offers up a real interiors steal. It’s the linear, angled backrest that really does it for us. It arrives flat-plack but is easy to put together and just think how cool you’ll look lounging in it. Rattan lounge chair, £149.99, H&M Home
Offering up a finer and more delicate aesthetic, this beautiful bed slides more into wickerwork detailing territory, but with its rich black frame surround it’s still firmly in designer-piece zone. It’s available in various sizes, including single, double, king-size and super king, and we would also like to draw your attention to the equally pleasing rattan chest of drawers in the picture. Rattan double bed frame, £629; rattan tallboy chest, £699; both John Lewis & Partners
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ON THE BEND
Rattan is known for its ability to be steam-bent and moulded into some really quite surprising shapes and forms. And the Brooks coffee table, designed by Celerie Kemble for Arteriors, demonstrates the material’s flexible characteristics in the best light. Constructed with antique brass finishing details and with what is described as ‘Toasted Honey’ natural colouring, this piece could be a living room centrepiece. Brooks coffee table, £4,012, Celerie Kemble for Arteriors
FEATURE RORY ROBERTSON
SWEET DREAMS
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everyone’s talking about...
IRREGULAR RUGS
Who says they must be square or rectangular? It’s time to rip up the rule book These striking rugs have all been designed to own the floor. Not only do most have an eye-catching print, they’re also shaping a new outline in design, quite literally, as they all sport an unconventional silhouette. Whether you’re going curvy, geometric or angular, these designs offer some ‘out-of-the-box’ thinking – and we’re ready to embrace it.
SHAPE SHIFTER
A true stunner, this hand-tufted and very multi-national rug was made from New Zealand wool and bamboo in India. It is GoodWeave certified, meaning the artisans who crafted it are supported and celebrated. Mala rug, £2,443 for 185x275cm size shown, A Rum Fellow
FLOOR ART
Designer Denis Guidone took inspiration from the changing seasons for the organic shape of this beauty. So, if you were wondering how to make a room with a garden outlook a little more special, this, we suggest, is your solution. Natsu rug, £1,265, Denis Guidone for Ligne Roset
ANOTHE R DIME NSION
FEATURE RORY ROBERTSON
As always, the devil is in the detail, and we love that this pure new wool design incorporates a multi-pile tuft effect that gives the look of pattern on top of pattern. It’s available in three sizes to suit your scheme. Mural rug in Forest, from £688, Brink & Campman at Amara
DIAMOND CUT
With its obtuse angles, this rug by Dainelli Studio for Gallotti&Radice is made of a single colour (either grey, white, or rose pink) – however, because the velvet-like, low-pile textured panels are stitched in and run at different directions, it appears, to the naked eye at least, to boast changing tonal hues. A multifaceted diamond effect, if you like. Resia rug in Simply White, price on request, Studio Dainelli for Gallotti&Radice
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P L U M P E D - U P S E AT I N G
The new mood is overscaled, slouchy, curvy and tremendously chic
Designers are demonstrating how a more relaxed style of seating can combine the comfort factor and everyday practicality with highlevel refinement and ultimate style desirability. It’s the Italian designers, of course, who are leading the way with this look – and giving us reason to start shopping…
1 The notion of indoor/ outdoor living always becomes a buoyant topic of conversation during the warmer summer months. While rattan might be the original style go-to, we can’t help but sit up straight at the sight of this: the Marenco Outdoor, a revised edition of the original Mario Marenco design by Arflex. Available in an armchair, two-seater, three-seater and pouf, it’s a celebratory piece for Arflex as it marks 50 years since the first Marenco model hit the furniture design scene. Marenco Outdoor, from €4,167, Arflex 2 If space isn’t an issue, then use it to your advantage and opt for this curvy statement number. There’s something of an art nouveau style-whisper here and we love it. Designed by
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Francesco Binfaré, this sofa not only looks good but it’s clever, too. The patented smart cushion allows the inclination of the backrests to find the best angle for relaxation, and the armrests have been specifically designed so that you can rest your head. We’re sold! Grande Soffice sofa, price on request, Francesco Binfaré for Edra 3 Sitting pretty on gold-toned feet and with a distinctive cherry fabric upholstery, this rounded Bontempi Casa design, Sunset, is high on our want list. It’s both a thing of beauty but – importantly – practicality, too. Customise it with decorative cushions in Velvet Supreme Scarlet and… relax. Sunset sofa, 2.5 seater with 160cm chaise longue, £6,019.56, Bontempi Casa
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FEATURE RORY ROBERTSON PHOTOGRAPHS (2) ALESSANDRO MOGGI
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everyone’s talking about...
MEDITERR ANEAN GOOD VI B E S
Beautifully crafted pieces in white and intense blue are pure joy I TA L I A N S T Y L E
FEATURE BUSOLA EVANS
With its crisp yet classic colour combination, Dolce & Gabbana’s Blu Mediterraneo collection evokes the feeling of lazy summer holidays. You can enjoy that vibe all year round thanks to pieces that make a statement but remain effortlessly chic. Take your pick from the Giacinto armchair, the stylish Atena coffee tables and the metal structured Era lamps.
Giacinto armchair; Atena coffee tables; Era table lamps, prices on request, all Blu Mediterraneo collection at Dolce & Gabbana
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everyone’s talking about...
OCEAN HUES
It started on the catwalk and now these colours are heading home S U R FAC E SHIMMER
Named after the spiky plant, the Yucca wallpaper design from Sanderson offers a striking pattern for walls. Using special surface inks, it shimmers in the light and is available in four tempting colourways – we are sold on the Sky/ Green but there is also Botanical Green, Grey/ Silver and Charcoal/Gold. Yucca wallpaper, £75 a roll, Sanderson
INTO THE B LU E Lalique is regarded as one of the biggest names in the world of artful, handcrafted crystal design. Now on our lust list is the Mossi vase (a flagship Lalique piece first designed by founder René Lalique himself in 1933) in the new Blue colour. Mossi vase, £2,250, Lalique
The depth of colour in the Lume tiles by ceramic and porcelain specialist Marazzi is something to behold. The tiles have subtle colour differences and a lovely patina, so they will most definitely bring rich tones to a splashback. There are several colourways, but we think this one is absolutely beautiful. Lume tiles, price on request, Marazzi
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TROPIC THUNDER
A design based on the original Klee cabinet, this chest is a rather mouth-watering piece of furniture that sports eyecatching teal-toned vellum drawers, framed rather beautifully in either dark smoke or ebonised oak. It’s the aquatic illusion of the drawer facades that transport us to a tropical coastline, and what’s not to love about that? Klee chest of drawers, £3,897.60, Julian Chichester
FEATURE RORY ROBERTSON
AQ UA FA N
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everyone’s talking about...
L U K E E DWA R D H A L L
The artist and designer on bringing his theatrical look to a new lifestyle brand To say multidisciplinary designer Luke Edward Hall keeps busy is an understatement. As well as working on interior design projects, he also exhibits his artwork with an Athens-based gallery and regularly collaborates with ceramic, porcelain and fabrics companies. Now he has turned his distinct whimsical and colourful style to Chateau Orlando, his new clothing and lifestyle brand. We caught up with him to discover more…
Luke loves clashing references together
What was the inspiration behind your first clothing collection, Postcards from the Castle? I love knitwear and have a big collection of vintage pieces so we have kicked off with a knitwear collection for spring. My vintage pieces inspired our boxy shapes and oversized collars. The collection was inspired by an imaginary trip to a medieval castle and its garden, as well as my own garden at home in Gloucestershire. Colour is the key thread that runs through all of my work, and pattern is important, too; our spring collection features lots of bold geometrics. How do you envisage people wearing these pieces? I can imagine people wearing them to a garden party, to a picnic, but also to a city museum. I’m really excited about seeing how people choose to style them. I like to throw a vest over a shirt or T-shirt, and they’re not too heavy, meaning they work well layered under a jacket. Tell us more about the homeware pieces yet to drop. We are planning on releasing more homeware as part of our autumn/ winter collection. Think cushions and blankets. For spring we produced a couple of trays and a limited-edition poster, designed by me in celebration of our launch in Paris.
Luke’s designs, from left to right: Jacquard and Trellis vests; Large Whippet tray, all Chateau Orlando
Any new collaborations in the pipeline? I am working with Rubelli on a range of fabrics, and I’ll be launching a new collection with Ginori soon, too. As for Chateau Orlando, watch this space! X
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FEATURE RORY ROBERTSON
How do you generally like to work? My studio is in the countryside, on a farm not far from my home. I need to be surrounded by my collected bits and pieces: books, flowers from my garden, postcards, letters, old pottery. I see my work as a form of storytelling, and to help create my stories, I take inspiration from things I have gathered over time.
design radar Linda Boronkay, award-winning interior designer and tastemaker, on the pieces catching her eye this month 2
1 T R E A S U R E B OX
With striking intaglio wood carvings and a lift-off lid at the top, this beauty is designed with the same sculptural spirit as a classic Sardinian chest. Ancas sideboard by Chiara Andreatti and Pierpaolo Mandis, €12,700, Pretziada
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2 G E T YO U R COAT A playful brushed-metal crown coat rack hand-forged by an artist from Nijmegen in the Netherlands in the early 2000s. Crown coat rack, £120, A Life Less Ordinary
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3 IN THE RING
Designed to bring character to a plate setting, these wrap around a napkin and reveal a long and elegant torso. Body napkin rings trio, £85, Anissa Kermiche
4 L I G H T T H E WAY Not only does each lampshade have its own quirks, each utilises roughly 1.8kg of orange peels and sequesters 0.9kg of carbon – incredible! Obscure lampshade (medium), £270, Biohm
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5 T O DY E F O R
A hand-tufted work of art that gives a classical pattern a modern twist. Each rug is dyed individually, which means each one is unique in colour. Alexandra Karpilovski Tie Dye Blue rug, £1,173, Dusty Deco
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6 B OW L E D OV E R
Cast from recycled aluminium, this makes a pretty table adornment. Bowl candleholder in Blackened Aluminium, €65, Ferm Living
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the conversation Beyoncé and Gwyneth’s designer Brigette Romanek tells our editor Pip Rich how to get the feeling of Californian light and talks good-energy decorating
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A-based designer Brigette Romanek is known for her relaxed yet glamorous decor. She has created schemes for Beyoncé and Gwyneth Paltrow and has recently designed furniture for Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams. PIP RICH Do you remember the last time we spoke? I was at home with builders literally coming in and out of the room, knee deep in renovation, and we chatted about creating good energy in a space. It changed the way I went on to decorate. Is positive energy still something you think about? BRIGETTE ROMANEK Yes, of course! I believe with all my heart that we’re enhanced by our surroundings and if I can bring beauty into people’s lives then that creates good feelings. I now think about energy more than ever – I’ve seen it with clients and with myself. When people leave a room they don’t remember every piece of furniture or every object, but they do remember how they felt in that space – that energy lingers with them. I always want people to feel like when they walk into one of my rooms they’ve been invited to a party! PR How would you create a scheme that fills the visitor with good vibes? BR It starts with a conversation about textures and colours and finding the harmony between the two. The pieces you choose need to create no conflict with each other, to flow. You can do this by looking at the space between them and the shapes in the air around your furniture. By introducing gentle curves that complement each other, and spacing them apart so their outlines have room to breathe, it will all come together. PR Does that spacing come naturally to you or is it meticulously planned? BR I always like to do plans. Before you put any pieces together, get a floor plan and lay your furniture out in terms of the dimensions. I know it feels like a pain in the butt but look at the room’s walkability. If you get the ability to travel seamlessly through a space right, the stars align and you’ll make as few mistakes as possible. Sometimes it can be
easier to break the room down into sections – I like to create vignettes all in one room. That way, your eye travels to lots of different areas and each one feels like its own little world. PR The house you designed for Gwyneth Paltrow is full of those vignettes and the height of a new trend we’re clumsily calling ‘Spanifornian’, which is a blend of Spanish palacio and airy Hollywood light. How can we bring that look back to UK climes and dimensions? BR Yes – British weather can lend itself to looking a bit heavy, so find a white with a blue undertone. It brightens even in dull light. I also think it’s about using organic shapes, introducing an asymmetry that is unexpected and pleasing to the eye. I really like the curved sofas by Pierre Augustin Rose as they take the formality out of a room. Why should a coffee table be rectangular? Curved edges have more heart and soul. PR I agree! There is a conviviality to the way curves interact that you don’t get from lines. Another thing I love about your decor is the airiness that elevates each room. Are there any particular colours that you are into at the moment that help you achieve this? BR I’m almost overwhelmed when it comes to colours right now! I love yellows and rusts and pale greens with muted blues. I like to take a lavender and mix with a little grey. I’m a big fan of Donald Kaufman’s paints - they are so beautiful and rich that they look like they have the sun in them. Somehow, they make a room feel kind. PR I love the idea that a room can be kind. Isn’t that what every scheme should strive to be? BR Yes! Which is why you should never design in a vacuum. It goes back to the plotting stage – pay particular attention to where the windows are and where the light comes from. I created a bathroom in Malibu that, because of its skylights, I was able to do in bottle green, which enhanced the sense of nature beyond. Consider a room’s surroundings first.
Why should
a coffee table be
rectangular? Curved edges have more heart and soul
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The indoor trees in Brigette’s own home are part of her signature style
DKC Roman Lavender matte base emulsion by Donald Kaufman Color
280 sofa by Pierre Augustin Rose
The bathroom Brigette designed where its scheme was based on its surroundings Some of Brigette’s designs for Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams Another design by Brigette for Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams
Greenwich Time marble matt emulsion by Mylands
“I always want people to feel like when they walk into one of my rooms they’ve been invited to a party”
DKC Yellow Meringue matte base emulsion by Donald Kaufman Color
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desert sunshine to cool British skies, ✱theseFromhomes make the most of the light
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california dreaming
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houses Capturing both the laid-black and glam vibes of Palm Springs, this Lucas Interior-designed home is absolutely fabulous – inside and out X
PHOTOGRAPHY Douglas Friedman WORDS Karine Monié
T E R R AC E
The sleek lines of the new verandah punctuate the landscape in the most striking way. Mistral chaise lounges, Roda via Niche Beverly (fabric from Perennials Fabrics). Lumbar pillows in Holland & Sherry fabric by Satellite Sewing. The Others lanterns, Stephen Burks. Vintage Moroccan rug, Kat + Maouche
ENTRANCE
The house represents classic elegance in the Old Las Palmas neighbourhood in Palm Springs. The objective was to stay true to the charm of the 1930s Spanish mission-style aesthetic but with unexpected pattern and colour
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T E R R AC E
A firepit keeps things hot on cold desert nights. Sofa, Holly Hunt (fabric by Perennials Fabrics). Table, Dos Gallos. Dot side tables, Christophe Delcourt. Kay chair, Gloster. Fire table, Stoneland USA. Floor tiles, Mosaicos Oaxaca
MEDIA ROOM
Echoing the outside, the wallpaper also brings a moody luxury to this lounging space. Wallpaper, Flie Paper. Photograph, Curtis Speer
home profile THE OWNERS Craig Hartzman and James John and their dog Winnie Bear. Together for 35 years, the couple has two grown-up children who live elsewhere. Craig and John run a family business in the northwest specialising in construction and development.
THE PROPERTY A Spanish mission-style home located in the Old Las Palmas neighbourhood of Palm Springs, California. The single-story house is approximately 400sq m and has four bedrooms and six bathrooms.
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ocated in what was a Hollywood stars’ playground in the 1920s and is still en vogue today for celebrities and discerning travellers alike, this Southern California property has quite a pedigree. Set against the backdrop of the San Jacinto Mountains and surrounded by the desert, the area is lined with grand Spanish and modernist homes once enjoyed by Elizabeth Taylor, Judy Garland and Cary Grant, among others. But that’s not all. This particular house also has its own story: ‘Originally owned by Abe Bernstein – leader of the infamous prohibition-era Purple Gang – it was a place to entertain and embrace the spirit and lifestyle of Palm Springs,’ says David Lucas, creative director at Lucas Interior. Couple Craig Hartzman and James John first fell in love with the neighbourhood before finding their dream winter escape from the rain and cold of the Pacific Northwest, where they live several months of the year. ‘We kept walking the streets looking for the perfect house or at least project,’ says Craig. ‘It was really about location.’ Built in 1928, the house had very good bones, but other than that everything else had to be transformed to fit the owners’ needs and bring the property back to its former glory. ‘It had lost all its character throughout the years,’ notes James. ‘Over the years, several remodels led to a major disconnect between interior and exterior,’ says David. ‘We set out to develop a program centred around the clients’ lifestyle that focused on maintaining key elements that felt architecturally true to the original structure. We opened up the perimeter walls and added floor-to-ceiling steel and glass pivot doors.’ Outside, by adding a covered lanai for entertaining, Lucas Interior changed the original L shape to a U footprint that organises the spaces around a central pool and terrace. ‘This is our favourite spot to read, gather with friends or just hang out,’ says James. ‘We put a fireplace in the middle and it is a focal point, along with an alfresco dining space and lounge area.’ The different materials were selected to give the feeling that they could have been in the home for some time, including the new timber beams, custom rugs and more than 20 different tiles — many of them custom from Morocco and Mexico. ‘We had an idea of doing it all in different tiles and it could have been a mess, but with the help and guidance of Lucas Interior, who usually don’t design like this, I believe we pulled it off into a fascinating space,’ says Craig. The project took approximately two years to complete and it was worth the wait. Fresh, inviting and unexpected, the interiors are filled with durable textures and bespoke furnishings. ‘While their other properties incorporate more muted palettes, Craig and James wanted this vacation home to explore colour, pattern and the art of the mismatched,’ David explains. ‘The interior definitely reflects us as a couple,’ says Craig. ‘We had a vision but we could never have pulled it off without the genius work of our interior designers who listened to us and brought our ideas to fruition. It’s a perfect entertainment house along with being an intimate space just for us.’ X
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LIVING AREA
The gorgeous pattern on pattern works because of the common blue and ochre theme.
Custom wool and silk rug, Driscoll Robbins. Custom curved sofa with wood base, BC Custom Upholstery using Mokum Alpaca Velvet in Ochre. Custom round wood coffee table, Custom Wood Interiors. Dot side tables, Christophe Delcourt at Avenue Road. Inner Beauty floor lamp, Phase. Pelican chair, Design Within Reach. Lens side table, Holly Hunt. Willow round table lamp, Jayson Home
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DINING AREA
The bar space pays homage to the home’s wood-beamed ceilings beautifully. Custom table, Custom Wood Interiors. Era armchairs, Design Within Reach. Rug, Armadillo. Michele Russo painting circa 1970. Cement floor tiles, Granada Tile. Matrix brushed granite countertop, Stoneland USA. Oak casework perforated metal screen, McNichols Co
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“Our home is lived-in yet a bit of a statement – it reflects our individuality and taste” X
KITCHE N
Black-and-white tiling is both modern and classic. Dalen lanterns, Gregorius Pineo. Custom island, Custom Wood Interiors. Wall tiles, Mosaicos Oaxaca
the blueprint
BED ROOM
MAIN BEDROOM
KITCHEN LIVING/ DINING AREA
MEDIA BED ROOM
GYM BEDROOM
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MAIN BEDROOM
Through the doors is an outdoor lounge area complete with hanging sofa that has views of the mountains beyond. Custom rug, Marc Phillips. Custom headboard and bed platform, Village Interiors & Jonathan Pauls (with Townsend Leather). Artwork, Luc Bernard Open No. 5 from Open Series 2015
GUEST B AT H R O O M
Each of the visitor bedrooms is unique with en suites decorated using different tiles. Bench, Tirto Furniture. Decorative tiles, Granada Tile. Hexagon tiles, Tabarka Studio
home truths G O -TO D E S I G N B R A N D? We are not really into brand design names of furniture and so forth, but leave that up to our trusted designers. We let them know our aesthetic and ideas and they seem to always find the right product.
FAVO U R I T E C O L O U R F O R A WA L L? Always white as I like the blank colour to showcase our art. In this home, however, we did use a lot of photography wallpaper we had commissioned, along with walls of tile.
BEST PIECE OF FURNITURE? The beautiful semi-round ochre wool couch that our designers really pushed us to put in the home. We never would have done that if they didn’t insist. It is a nod to old Palm Springs style.
B I G G E S T D E S I G N M I S TA K E ? I honestly can say we did not make a design mistake anywhere. We have talked about it and both agree that if we did it again we would not change a thing.
I D E A L D E C O R AT I O N M AT E R I A L? We have tiles everywhere and they really stand out in the home.
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natural touch
Interior designer Andrew Griffiths brought the feel-good factor to this home with a palette of delectable tactile materials PHOTOGRAPHY Anna Stathaki
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STYLING Anna Sheridan WORDS Jo Leevers
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Textures enhance this room, from reeded surfaces to ripple-riven tiles and herringbone flooring. Tiles, all Mandarin Stone. Bespoke cooker hood in antiqued brass, A New Day. Island, collaboration between livingetc.com 47 A New Day and Hølte with worktops in Verde Alpi terrazzo
home profile THE OWNERS Sarah Heritage, a lawyer, her husband Sid Vijayakumar, who works in tech, and their children Luc, two, and Elin, nine months.
THE DESIGNER Andrew Griffiths, interior designer and founder of design studio A New Day.
THE PROPERTY An Edwardian semi in south London. There is a kitchen, play area, dining room, living room, utility room and WC on the ground floor and three bedrooms (one en suite) and a family bathroom on the first floor. A further bedroom suite is in a loft extension.
DINING ROOM
‘This space rises to the occasion for entertaining but for everyday family life, it’s also very relaxed,’ says Andrew. Bespoke cabinetry, A New Day; painted in Topi by Paint & Paper 48 livingetc.com Library. Table, Habitat. Chairs, West Elm. Carver chair, Hay
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From rustic herringbone flooring to a wall of textured tiles that catches the light in a beguiling way, rich textures were key to creating the natural mood of this family home. For its interior designer Andrew Griffiths, founder of A New Day, these were just two of many tactile elements that came together to foster the look his clients were after. ‘I began the design process by asking them how they wanted to feel as they walk in the front door,’ he explains. ‘They said they wanted a sense of warmth and ease and these textures all help influence how this house is experienced.’ Andrew was hired by Sarah Heritage, a lawyer, and Sid Vijayakumar, who works in tech, who were upgrading from a two-bedroom apartment in Dalston, east London. They had just started a family (son Luc is now two and new baby Elin is nine months old), so this home represented an exciting new stage in their lives. In anticipation, Sarah had gathered together an impressive stash of images she’d saved from Pinterest, Instagram and magazines, so she could show Andrew the styles she loves. ‘Sarah has a wonderful eye, but she was suffering from a common complaint these days – inspiration overload,’ Andrew jokes.
This meant that, at first, Andrew acted as an editor as well as an interior designer, whittling down these initial ideas and then creating a fresh and cohesive look that’s all his own. ‘I strived for a style that would suit the bones of the house and work for how Sarah and Sid wanted to use their family home,’ he explains. Andrew came on board once Shacklewell Architects had completed the initial drawings, which opened up the ground-floor rooms to create three connected spaces. To complement this new flow, Andrew sourced herringbone parquet flooring in a weathered, matt finish. ‘Lots of people think it’s reclaimed blocks. It isn’t, but that’s exactly the feel I wanted,’ he says. On the ground floor, natural textures continue with tiles that have a wonderful putty-like finish, a cooker hood clad in antiqued brass and chunky woven rugs. Together with a few choice pieces of vintage furniture, it adds up to the relaxed mood that Sarah and Sid were after. It’s significant that the new layout places the kitchen at the centre of the ground floor: ‘It’s quite literally the heart of the home,’ says Andrew. Unusually, the dining room is located at the front and the living room
is at the back, overlooking the garden. ‘The layout breaks with convention, but it works brilliantly. Everything radiates off the kitchen and the living room feels like a serene space to retreat to at the end of the day.’ Andrew’s bespoke touches play to the strengths of this new layout, including a kitchen island – although Andrew almost hesitates to use that word to describe it. ‘It’s more narrow than a standard island and quite elegant, with a curved and fluted cut-away section for seating,’ he says. Upstairs, the clever design ideas continue. A supersized headboard makes the main bedroom feel larger, while the adjoining skinny room was turned into an indulgent en-suite bathroom, with glossy deep blue tiles adding a glamorous note. While the palette in the main bedroom errs towards cosseting, earthy tones, the children’s rooms dip into dreamy blues and mellow yellows, creating spaces that Luc and Elin won’t outgrow for a long while yet. And throughout the house, Andrew has worked in bespoke hidden storage. ‘I wanted spaces to be beautiful but practical.’ he says. ‘This is a home that can adapt as their family grows.’ X
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LIVING ROOM
The sofa’s deep ruby shade is luxe and it echoes the blush tones of the vintage coffee table. Sofa, MeliMeli. Try Vinterior for a 50 livingetc.com similar coffee table. Artwork, @Studio.Lawrence
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LIVING ROOM
Andrew (pictured) suggested putting this space at the back so it had access to the garden. Lamp, Loaf. Rug, Nordic Knots. TV (on wall),livingetc.com Samsung Frame. 51 The chairs are vintage
LIVING ROOM
The pretty pastel colours on the alcove storage and ceiling feel fresh. Chair, Lots Road Auctions. The Frame TV (on wall), Samsung
the blueprint
BEDROOM
SECOND FLOOR
BEDROOM MAIN BEDROOM
BEDROOM
FIRST FLOOR L A U N D R Y/ UTILITY
DINING ROOM
P L AY AREA
LIVING ROOM
KITCHEN
GROUND FLOOR
home truths DREAM HOME? A Georgian townhouse that needs bringing back to life.
I N T E R I O R S B R A N D T H AT I M P R E S S E S YO U ? Hølte (holte.studio), who I worked with on this project, are doing great things with sustainable kitchen design.
D E S I G N CL A S S I C YO U ’ D LOVE TO OWN? It’s more a future classic, but I long for lighting by Apparatus Studio.
FAVO U R I T E C O L O U R C O M B O ? The kitchen’s earthy tones with the warm glow of brass.
IN DESIGN, WHERE DO YO U S P LU RG E ? The things you touch most – and lighting.
A N D W H E R E D O YO U S AV E ? By avoiding waste. Buy once, buy well.
B E S T PA R T O F TH E R E N O VAT I O N P R O C E S S ? The moment when you see a client get excited by
H A L LWAY
Period features stand out against the more minimal modern details. Bench, Zara Home. 52 livingetc.com Mirror, Heal’s. Lantern, The White Company
your thinking – and the feeling of potential when a house is stripped back to its bones.
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MAIN BEDROOM
A geometric headboard dazzles. ‘Its oversized width tricks the eye so the bed area feels more generous,’ says Andrew. Bespoke headboard in Check Stripe, George Spencer Designs. livingetc.com Walls in Joa’s White, Farrow &53 Ball. Bedding, Zara Home
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B AT H R O O M
‘We went for strong geometric lines, crisp outlines and free flowing marble patterns,’ says Andrew. Floor tiles, Otto Tiles & Design. Lenton tiles (on bath surround); Parlato Calacatta Extra wall 54 both livingetc.com tiles, Parkside. Bespoke basin, Morris Concrete Designs
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displaying artwork I N S P I R E D BY H OW A N D R E W G R I F F IT H S S T Y L E D SA R A H A N D S I D ’ S H O U S E ? A R T CO N S U LTA N T LO U I SA WA R F I E L D S H A R E S H E R I N D U S T RY K N OW- H OW FO R F R A M I N G , H A N G I N G A N D G E T TI N G D E TA I L S R I G H T Framing is one of those dark arts and the longer I am an art consultant the more I realise how little I know. With over 15 years in the business I have developed a deep respect for framers. I have gone from seeing them as a high-street service to understanding and appreciating them as artists and artisans in their own right. I select my frame for any particular project with as much care as I select the artist. Here are my tips to pick the perfect frame: Go to the best framer you can find and lean heavily on them. Tell them about your project – show them photos, take fabrics. A good framer will use any number of things as a jumping off point – get them to help and advise you. Don’t be afraid to have some fun. Put a clean modern photo in a huge ornate frame. Use bright-coloured slips to give a little flash of colour as you turn your head. Think about the room as well as the artwork. A lovely project I did recently was to frame a simple Athena poster from the 1980s, Tennis Girl, for a family with a strong sense of humour and a connection to the tennis world. We colour matched the frame to the paint in the panelled room and then for a dash of style, Mike at Ingleheart Picture Framing found an old tennis racket and colour matched the slip for a pop of vintage cool. It has turned a cheap poster off eBay into one classy picture.
FEATURE RACHEL CHRISTIE
Always use ‘art glass’. This not only has some UV protection but it is non-reflective and you can actually see everything that is framed. I promise you that there is nothing more annoying than seeing your reflection in a picture that you have carefully chosen. Art glass paired with a simple handmade frame can be super sleek and beautiful. Think about conservation. For projects that are extremely high end with valuable artwork I only go to one framer – Darbyshire . These guys are the absolute best for conservation framing and are used by a lot of London’s top galleries. You would be amazed about how important every little bit of glue, board and paper is and how it can affect an artwork over the years. If you are investing in something of value, then these are your people.
picking the perfect frame Here are four great options to get you started, from professional framers to buying online
SIMPLE STYLE
As a big fan of its pared-back style, Louisa highly recommends bespoke framers Cooke’s Framing, based in southeast London. The owner Ash explains that ‘the fundamental purpose of a frame is to protect and conserve the artwork. And in my opinion a good frame does so while enhancing the aesthetic value of the artwork rather than distracting from it.’ From £150 +VAT.
PA I N T E D WO O D
If you lack the time or funds for a professional framer, then eFrame makes it easy to custom frame just about anything online – whether a photo, a piece of art, a map or a poster. ‘Enter the size of your picture, choose a design, customise it and eFrame will deliver,’ says Paul Lowther, director of growth. From £15.74 for a 15mm-wide wood madeto-measure frame with a paint finish.
V I N TAG E F I N D
‘We believe in everything vintage stands for; from its character to the benefits that shopping vintage has for our planet,’ say the experts at Vinterior. ‘However, we also know that visiting fairs isn’t always possible and searching takes time.’ Vinterior is an online marketplace that brings sellers together, so it’s the perfect site to find unique frames. Golden frame of Restoration period, £425.
BESPOKE OPTION
‘Our role is to enhance artwork using the most suitable design and preserve them using conservation and museum quality materials.’ says Tim Blake, framing consultant at Darbyshire. ‘The choice of frame can be influenced by the period the work was made and also the intention of the artist. The most important thing is that a frame does not overshadow or damage an artwork.’ From £185 +VAT.
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city sanctuary
Arianna De Gasperis’ brownstone has a very British aesthetic and it’s blissfully peaceful and pared-back
PHOTOGRAPHY Nicole Franzen X
STYLING Katja Greeff WORDS Karine Monié
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LIVING ROOM
‘This is probably the most refined and elegant room in the house – and that was the goal while designing it,’ says Arianna. Nickey Kehoe chair upholstered in Rose Uniacke velvet. Custom travertine console table. Fly coffee table, &Tradition
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DINING ROOM
This space may be pared-back but the walnut wood has a wonderful, nuanced moodiness to it. Enfield Shaker table by Mjölk. Chairs by Hvidt & Mølgaard for &Tradition. Hutch, Thom Fougere
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Arianna loves the neutral yet rich feel of the cabinetry’s olive hue. Cabinetry, deVOL. Surfaces, Honed Arabascato Corchia marble. Sconces, Jamb London
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a home profile THE OWNER Interior designer Arianna De Gasperis – founder of And Studio – and her husband. The couple have two dogs, Stewie and Ozzy.
THE PROPERTY A classic 1850s Victorian brownstone located in Jersey City, on American’s East Coast. The ground floor comprises the entryway, living room, dining room, powder room and kitchen. On the first floor is the main bedroom and bathroom, a guest bedroom and bathroom and an office space.
KITCHEN
BEDROOM
the blueprint
OFFICE DINING ROOM
LIVING ROOM
MAIN BEDROOM
lot of people buy historic homes and then take away the character of what used to be there,’ says Arianna De Gasperis. The interior designer, however, did the complete opposite for her own home in Jersey City’s Van Vorst Park. From Canada and with Italian origins, Arianna studied at Parsons School of Design in New York City where she decided to settle down and launch her practice, And Studio. When it came to finding a home, she and her husband (and their two dogs) fell in love with a Queen Anne Victorian brownstone built in 1852. ‘We moved into the property in August 2019 and started the renovation at the end of February 2020, a week before the pandemic hit,’ Arianna remembers. While the transformation was taking shape, the couple lived in the garden apartment of the home, which allowed them to follow every step of the process closely. ‘The vision was to preserve and amplify the space’s character while layering in modern functionality and warmth,’ the interior designer says. To achieve what she wanted, she began by elevating many of the home’s original details, including the oak herringbone flooring, crown moulding, stained-glass windows and wooden staircase, while the walls – finished with textured diamond plaster – were done in collaboration with Jersey Ice Cream Company. ‘Inspired by the tactile utility of London townhouses, we sought to create a home that felt wholly authentic, a balance of nuanced detail and open space,’ Arianna says. The olive green kitchen now features a more functional layout and aesthetically English style with its Shaker details and custom carpentry handcrafted in the UK by deVOL. ‘I love this space so much. It is where my husband and I, and our dogs, gather daily and spend most of our time.’ In the cosy living room, Arianna custom upholstered a pair of Nickey Kehoe English roll arm chairs with the Rose Uniacke velvet in Gingerbread. ‘The richness of the colour is grounding,’ she says. ‘The one-of-a-kind travertine console in the living room is another of my favourites. I think it is important to bring natural materials into a home to accent the soft materials and wood floors.’ With the bay window facing west with a view of the park, Arianna particularly enjoys spending time in the seating area of the main bedroom. ‘It is where I gravitate to the most in the afternoons,’ she says. ‘The sun comes in golden and it is extremely peaceful.’ Finding the perfect illumination (natural and artificial) for each one of the nooks in the house was key for the interior designer. ‘Every single light fixture in the home was carefully chosen,’ she explains. ‘I look at them as little sculptures that sprinkle the home with light.’ Thanks to her precise approach and clear vision where texture and patina create depth, Arianna achieved a sense of timelessness throughout. ‘Our home is our safe space,’ she says. ‘We are extremely fortunate to be able to live in such an incredible neighbourhood and home. Here, we feel calm and that was the goal from the beginning.’ X
and-studio.com GROUND FLOOR
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FIRST FLOOR
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home truths I NTE R I O R S B R A N D YO U LOV E ? Atelier Vime.
FAVO U R I T E C O L O U R F O R A WA L L? Textured plaster or an off-white like Farrow & Ball’s Drop Cloth.
DREAM PIECE OF FURNITURE? All the 19th-century Japanese storage cabinets at Galerie Half.
BIGGEST DESIGN REGRET? Second-guessing your gut and going with the safest option.
B E S T D E C O R AT I O N M AT E R I A L? Antique and vintage light fixtures.
E S S E N T I A L D E C O R AT I V E ACCE S SO RY I N YO U R H O M E ? Dimmable lamps with warm light bulbs.
MAIN BEDROOM
The crumpled linen and diamond plaster walls bring delightful texture to the sleeping space. For a similar upholstered bed, try Loaf
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houses GUEST BEDROOM ‘This room makes me feel like I am in the countryside; I was influenced by my love for Little Women,’ says Arianna. Wallpaper, Morris & Co
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M A I N B AT H R O O M Arianna ensured that all the lighting is dimmable here so the space is truly relaxing.
Shower door, custom steel. Easton Classic exposed thermostatic system shower; Henry gooseneck tap, both Waterworks
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PHOTOGRAPHY Anna Stathaki WORDS AND STYLING Mary Weaver
soul heart &
John and Anna’s modern-meets-traditional home has real character with its fabulous fusion of rich colour, dramatic touches and total classics 70
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KITCHE N
The panelling is practical to protect the wall but it also makes a dramatic focal point. Panelling and shelf in Rusty Nail gloss, Plain English. Antique table, Streett Marburg. Orange velvet fabric, Kirsten Hecktermann. Lamp (under livingetc.com clock), John Zoffa. Cabinetry 71 (left), Plain English
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home profile THE OWNERS Anna Ferguson, who is a partner in a private equity fund, and her husband John, a consultant dermatologist, and their three girls, Audrey-May, seven, Margaux, five, and Dittany, four months.
THE PROPERTY A Victorian terraced house in southwest London with three floors plus a loft extension. On the ground floor is a living room, playroom and large kitchen-dining room that opens onto the garden, plus a WC. On the first floor is a study, girl’s bedroom, nursery and a family bathroom. The top floor holds the guest bedroom and a bathroom, plus, in the loft extension, the main bedroom with an en-suite shower room.
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LIVING ROOM
A whimsical pendant, bold stripes and a hit of vibrant green keep the classic scheme modern. Walls in Bassoon; floors in Pompeian Ash, both Little Greene. Sofa and linen chair (at back), both Sofa.com. Ceiling pendant, Pinch. Rug, Retrouvius. Marble coffee table, 1stDibs. Art, livingetc.com Stephen Thorpe. 73 Curtains, Volga Linen
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the blueprint BEDROOM S T U DY
BEDROOM
MAIN BEDROOM
BEDROOM
SECOND FLOOR
FIRST FLOOR
LIVING ROOM P L AY R O O M
KITCHEN/ DINING AREA
GROUND FLOOR
‘ I th i n k a n appreciation of a rt, colou r a nd desig n is i n my DNA , says Joh n Ferg uson, who g rew up i n Scotland ‘with a mum who made our house beautiful partly due to the influence of the Swedish artist Carl Larsson, who she loved. And my grandparents lived near Dundee and had many ties to the local artists.’ John has now put that appreciation to work in the beautiful home he shares with wife Anna and their three girls – Audrey May, seven, Margaux, five, and Dittany, four months. ‘It was always John’s dream to design a tailor-made family home for us,’ says Anna. ‘He’s been passionate about interiors all his life.’ Before moving here, John and Anna had lived in rented properties where they had to compromise on design. So when it came to the revamp of their first home owned together, a Victorian terrace in south London, they were excited about putting their own stamp on it .They bought the property in 2015, in quite a dilapidated state (the washing machine and tumble dryer were in the old outside loo) and the garden was a mud pit – ‘but it had a weeping birch tree, which was one of the things that attracted us to the house,’ says John. After some initial refurbishments to make the ground floor liveable, they researched ideas and saved for a major refurbishment, calling in architect Billy Sinclair of Sinclair Studios. ‘Billy was recommended by a friend and very good at understanding what we wanted and being able to work with our ideas,’ says John. Unfortunately work began just before lockdown in 2020, which meant it dragged on for a year rather than the planned six months. The couple’s idea was for a modern update with a side extension, loft conversion and colourful interior that enhanced the original Victorian bones of the house. ‘I wanted to avoid the side-return
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extension jarring and looking like a glass box add-on, but rather an integral part of the house,’ says John. To this end, he used panels of glass, metal-edged in a garden-green shade to unite the inside and outside, rather than large panes. ‘I found an image of a botanical garden in Geneva with a nice pattern of metal-framed glazing and I thought it was a reasonable template for us to copy.’ To make their quite dark house as light as possible they installed an interior window between the playroom and entrance hall and when it came to the colour scheme they weren’t afraid to go bold. ‘We tried to ensure that colours were complementary even though they were strong choices, we didn’t want them to clash too much,’ says John. They chose Plain English, along with the company’s off-the-shelf brand, British Standard, for their kitchen and used their colours as much as possible. ‘They have good, curated colour palettes and we borrowed from the work they had done,’ says Anna. ‘It was a great help in establishing shades that work together.’ Decorating their home has been an interesting learning curve for the couple, who discovered that sometimes it’s fine to break the rules. ‘I found that you can purchase some items of furniture because you love them, then make sure the room fits them, which is what we did with the kitchen table,’ says John. ‘It may sound counter-intuitive but so long as you alert the architect and the builder it can work.’ And by going with their hearts, the couple have created a harmonious home that perfectly suits their growing family. X
sinclairstudios.co.uk
S T U DY
This room was transformed from a bedroom to an upstairs lounge/ study in order to escape from the children’s chaos downstairs. Panelling in a rich red gives it a luxe library look. Linen sofa, Caravane. Floor lamp, Viaduct. Artwork by Christina livingetc.com Thwaites. Find a 75 similar rug at Rugs of London
MAIN BEDROOM
Located in the new loft, this space feels part of the Victorian home courtesy of the architectural details and reclaimed flooring. Ceiling window, The Rooflight Company. Flooring, Hargreaves Reclaimed Flooring Bed, Compasso Design, Milan. Bedside table, Feather & Black. Lamp on table, Hay
EN SUITE
‘This room reminds us of the bathrooms in an old lodge we stay in on the west coast of Scotland, which has lovely original panelling, says John. Sink and taps, Victorian Plumbing. 77 livingetc.com Mirror, Retrouvius. Wall light, Hector Finch
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home truths D E S I G N CL A S S I C YO U WO U LD LOV E TO OWN ? I would like to be rich enough to have a massive collection of antique busts.
L E S S O N S L E A R N T F R O M T H E R E N O VAT I O N ? However much you plan there is always something unexpected to deal with. In this case, our builders ran out of money so we had to complete the work without them!
A N Y T H I N G Y O U ’ D D O D I F F E R E N T LY N E X T T I M E ? Probably skip a bit on the brassware. We have a lot of expensive light switches and sockets in brass, but I think they have less impact on the overall finished room than you think.
DESIGN HERO? Artist Carl Larsson. I grew up looking at pictures of his interiors and have these imprinted on my mind because my mother loved his work.
THE SECRET OF A HAPPY HOME? One that is thought through so it functions for all the family, with private areas and comfortable spaces like a large kitchen where everyone can be together and children can have their fun.
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EXPERT ADVICE
painting the exterior CO LO U R WA S U S E D B E AU TI F U L LY I N S I D E AND OUT IN ANNA AND JOHN’S HOME – A R C H IT E C T B I L LY S I N C L A I R TA L K S G E T TI N G T H E O U T S I D E R I G H T As the director of Sinclair Studios, a RIBA chartered architectural practice based in London and Bristol, I specialise in residential projects. For the John and Anna’s house refurbishment, we created an interior sympathetic to its Victorian heritage, while introducing reclaimed and handmade finishes and bold colour. The result is a unique, character-filled home. Depending on whether you live in a 19th-century townhouse or a 1970s semi, paint colour is the perfect tool to emphasise age or contemporise your home. These tips will give you the knowledge and confidence to make your house stand out with pride on your street.
IMPORTANCE OF MATERIAL Depending on whether your windows are steel, timber or uPVC, the type of paint and application process varies substantially. For example, the most robust way of finishing a steel or aluminium door is via a process called powder coating, where the frame is dipped or sprayed with a magnetically charged colour powder. This produces a smooth finish which can be matt, satin or gloss. Timber, on the other hand, is traditionally hand painted leaving brush marks which, if done well, produces an authentic texture. However, if you intend for a more contemporary look, then spray painting the timber will provide a cleaner, sharper finish. UPVC windows can also be painted as long as you use the correct primer to provide a good key for the paint.
and traditional ideas. Our project in south-west London is a good example of this, where the Victorian front door is painted in a bright orange but in a traditional gloss paint finish. This acknowledges the age of the house while adding a playful contemporary twist. IS PERMISSION NEEDED? In general, you don’t need planning permission to paint the exterior of your home. However, if your house is listed or in a conservation area, a world heritage site, an area of outstanding natural beauty, and/or national park then there may be restrictions. These restrictions will vary depending on the land designation and therefore it’s always worth approaching your local council for advice before undertaking decoration work. Likewise, if your property is leasehold, then you will need to consult with the freeholder and obtain permission before starting work. GO DARK Paint colours always look paler in natural daylight than they do under artificial lighting. So stick colour charts on the outside walls and test out several different colour samples before making a decision. And lastly, don’t be scared to go one shade darker.
PERFECT FINISH When choosing a finish for your windows and doors, start by considering the surrounding palette of materials. Is the house built from stock bricks, stucco plaster, stone or timber? A contemporary approach is to match the colour and paint finish of the sinclairstudios.co.uk windows to that of the wall. This provides a uniform effect. On the other hand, by using different but complementary colours and paint finishes, this will make your house look more refined and elegant. The most interesting projects often play with both contemporary
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“Make your house stand out with pride on your street”
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FEATURE RACHEL CHRISTIE PHOTOGRAPH ANNA STATHAKI
BACK TO BASICS When renovating windows and doors, the only way to achieve a good finish is to first strip off the existing paint or varnish, and get back to the base material. Although it’s tempting to paint over existing paint, this will likely make any new layers more susceptible to flaking in the future. Before applying the finishing paint, make sure to apply a primer, as this provides a flat and stable foundation. And remember to stick to the same brand of undercoats and finishing coats, or the final colour could vary significantly.
PHOTOGRAPHY Anna Stathaki X
WORDS Rachel Christie STYLING Kate French
a little bit
country
When Heide and Nick swapped London life for village life, they asked our columnist Rebecca
Wakefield to give their new home a modern edge
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FORMAL LIVING ROOM
The two chairs, two wall lights and the art hit a contemporary note in this otherwise classic country house scheme. Walls in Down Pipe, Farrow & Ball. Fireplace, Chesneys. Archie ottoman, Arlo & Jacob. Vintage chairs, Vinterior. Rug, Knotistry
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c home profile THE OWNERS Heide and Nick Miller. Nick is a mortgage broker and Heide works in e-commerce. They live here with their one-year old daughter Phoebe and dog Pedro.
DESIGNER Rebecca Wakefield, founder and director of London-based Studio Fortnum. She is passionate about creating stylish, calm and unpretentious interiors with an emphasis on textures and materiality.
THE PROPERTY An 18th-century home with new extension. There are four bedrooms, three en-suite bathrooms and a family bathroom upstairs. Downstairs, there is a living room, two utility rooms, kitchen with a snug area/playroom, reception room, boot room and cloakroom. There is also a garage with a en-suite bedroom above it.
ambridgeshire natives Nick and Heide Miller always knew they’d probably leave London and settle down nearer their parents on the outskirts of Peterborough. In what would end up being perfect timing, the couple began their move in 2019 just before Covid spread across the country and enticed city dwellers to move out in search of more space. ‘I’ll always remember the day we viewed this house,’ says Nick. ‘Heide and I had our hearts set on another house in a different village. We looked at this house online but we weren’t impressed with the pictures. We were even bickering about the other house, which we loved but we couldn’t see how we’d make it work, on the way to this viewing . Then we pulled up on the drive here and we both just fell silent. We knew straight away it was the one.’ Heide adds, ‘we wanted to be able to create an extension for a big kitchen/living space and we couldn’t have done that in the period properties we were looking at. This house was not the prettiest but it had the most potential.’ When the couple got the keys, they instructed architecture and design practice Studio McW and interior designer Rebecca Wakefield of Studio Fortnum to work on the project. ‘I had worked with Studio McW previously, so they mentioned me to the clients,’ says Rebecca. ‘Ironically, the clients already knew me as we’d grown up in the same town and hung out as teenagers! It was wonderful to work with people I knew as I already had a decent grasp of their personalities – really helpful when designing their forever home.’ Rebecca wanted the transformation to feel sympathetic to the 18th-century building, but add elements of modern living, lots of light and a large kitchen. ‘We used a restricted palette to let the architecture and spaces talk for themselves,’ she says. ‘The clients like storage for everything, with plenty of negative, unfurnished areas to create the feeling of generous, airy space. We took inspiration from light and dark, so the house has areas that are moody where we used inky blues and blacks to create a more grounding, interesting feel. This, combined with the bright kitchen and neutral bedrooms, feels like a happy yin and yang balance which is harmonious with the old versus new architecture of the house itself.’ Nick was keen on a modern and slick look, whereas Heide has more traditional taste with an eye for antiques. Both aesthetics were combined, adding in family heirlooms alongside contemporary pieces to create a layered look. ‘We’ve built a house to host in but we’ve not had the opportunity to yet,’ adds Heide. ‘We love entertaining and because of Covid we haven’t managed to. Now that we’re getting our lives back, we’re looking forward to finally sharing it with family and friends.’ X
studiofortnum.com; studiomcw.co.uk
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SNUG
‘This area just off the kitchen is divided by Crittall doors, which have steel panels at the lower half to hide toys on the floor; it also avoids sticky fingerprints on glass,’ says Rebecca. Armchair, Soho Home. The rug is a vintage kilim. Black side table, La Redoute. Lamp, Pooky
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KITCHE N
Tongue-and-groove panelling introduces texture and creates a hidden door that leads upstairs. Flooring, Havwoods
the blueprint BEDROOM
DRESSING ROOM
FIRST FLOOR
MAIN BEDROOM
BEDROOM
BEDROOM
FIRST FLOOR
C L OA K R O O M
Graphic tiles make a punchy statement here. Tiles, Bert & May. Walls in De Nimes, Farrow & Ball. Tap, Crosswater
KITCHEN/ DINING ROOM
RECEPTION ROOM LIVING ROOM
SNUG/ P L AY R O O M
GROUND FLOOR
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houses KITCHE N
‘I love that the clients were open to using concrete for the worktops. It could look rudimental, but with the oak floor and sleek units it’s added an organic form that contrasts beautifully,’ says Rebecca (pictured). Kitchen designed by Rebecca; cabinetry, Puccini Kitchens. The contractors made the worktop. Long John light, Rubn. Playchair stools, Holloways of Ludlow
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H A L LWAY
‘The set of botanical pressings makes the most awesome feature here,’ says Rebecca. Art, JamJar Edit
“I think we’ve achieved a happy yin and yang balance with the old and the new sitting together beautifully” X
MAIN BEDROOM
One cosy corner is dedicated to reading and chilling out. Armchair, Oliver Bonas
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BEDROOM
This space manages to be pared-back but luxe with rich wood tones and dark hues bringing a lavish feel. Art, Etsy. Panelling in Dock Blue, Little Greene. Wall light, Circa Lighting. Lamp, Pooky. Lampshade, Munro and Kerr x A Considered Space. Bed, La Redoute. Throw, Toast. Bedside table, Mufti. Curtain fabric, Merchant & Mills
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houses N U RS E RY
A bed canopy delivers a dash of fairy-tale magic. Canopy, Scandiborn. Lampshade, Matilda Goad. Wall light, La Redoute. Rug, Urbanara
home truths W H AT W O U L D YO U D O D I F F E R E N T LY N E X T T I M E ? Heide: I’d hire a professional project manager. Nick: Build a bigger utility.
D E S I G N ITE M YO U ’ D LOVE TO OWN? Heide: An Eames lounge chair.
BEST COLOUR COMBO? Heide: The pale pink and mustard tones of the nursery. Nick: I love our living room colour, which is a dark grey blue.
D E S I G N I N S P I R AT I O N ?
N U RS E RY
Pink walls and vintage furniture combine for a warm, elegant feel. Walls in Cuisse de Nymphe Emue, Edward Bulmer Natural Paints
Heide: Rebecca, of course. But also our parents – how they lived and how we grew up. Nick is one of six siblings so it’s in our bones to like big, busy tables. Nick: We love hosting. We have lots of parties. The layout of the house was always driven by the want to host parties.
FAVO U R I T E R O O M ? Heide: The kitchen. Especially now, when I get back from work and I can see Phoebe finishing her supper at the table with the playroom behind with her toys everywhere. It’s a nice place to walk into because I can see so much. Nick: The front hallway.
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decorating ✱ New palettes to go with green, alfresco
dining and decor overhauls to do in a weekend
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where the heart is
British-born Hilary Robertson shares her Connecticut home, Tater Hill, as part of her new book, Nomad at Home – she describes the interiors as European modern country and a mix of all the places she has lived and loved X
WORDS & STYLING Hilary Robertson PHOTOGRAPHY Dana Gallagher
HOME OFFICE
The two-room guest house embraces the white-on-white look of the main house. I work at the painter’s table and love staring at the trees. The painting in monochrome is by Alistair 88 livingetc.com McCowan. The chubby chair is by Jack Rabbit Studio, a great place I discovered in Hudson, New York.
D E C O R AT I N G
OR ANG E RY
Our last project in the renovation was this space, where we committed NY sacrilege and painted over the brick walls with home-made white limewash. We did keep the wonderful brick floor, which was relaid perfectly by another friend, Jesse. The orangery can be anything we want it to be; sometimes it’s a dining room, but it also works as an extra bedroom 89 or workshop.livingetc.com We change it around all the time but the jungle of plants are always happy here.
D E C O R AT I N G
KITCHE N - DINE R
I prefer kitchens that don’t scream ‘kitchen’, so this unfitted white oak cabinetry was the ideal solution. It is composed of separate pieces of free-standing furniture by Coquo and marble tops made by my husband. We added the oak screen to create a pantry that hides a multitude of sins/ stuff. We left the slate flagstone floors in the kitchen untouched. We designed a 2.5m kitchen table for the friends we would invite and enlisted our friend Casey to make it.
AT T I C B E D R O O M
The bedroom, tucked below the rafters, is just big enough for a bed and a desk. Nomad elements include a papier mâché elephant, an ad hoc desk made from an old door perched on trestles and a chair by León León.
B AT H R O O M
The main bathroom, somewhat Japanese in atmosphere, was a labour of love. With walls clad in cement board, and an elongated trough sink made in Petit Granit, it took us a while to decide how to 92 it but livingetc.com tackle as we are ‘soakers’ we prioritised a concrete egg-shaped tub with a view.
D E C O R AT I N G
Nomad at Home by Hilary Robertson is published 12 July 2022 (£35, Ryland Peters & Small). Photography by Dana Gallagher © Ryland Peters & Small
BEDROOM
I like to dress the bed in different layers of wool and linen in shades from the garden outside – rust, charcoal, cinnamon.
D E C O R AT I N G
outdoor dining: the edit SET THE SCE NE FOR SU MME R SOIRE ES – THESE PIC TU RE- PE RFEC T ACCESSORIES WILL CRE ATE A TAB LESCAPE OF DRE AMS
Betty’s Friend tumbler, £48, The Glass Studio at Liberty
FEATURE AMY MOOREA WONG
Bubble glass tumbler in Amber, £6, John Lewis & Partners
Twist tumbler in Pink, £35, Nina Campbell
Limfjord glass, from £11.90, Broste Copenhagen
Speckled glass in Brown, £14.95, Graham and Green
Striped Murano glass, £80, Sunnei at Farfetch
Dimpled glass in Charcoal and Blue, £15, The Conran Shop
Tortoise drinks glass in Blue, £45 for a set of four, Klevering at Earl of East
Tumbler, £80 for a set of six, Studio Xaquixe at Revolution of Forms
Hexagonal tumbler, £175 for a set of two, Stories of Italy at Selfridges
colourf ul tumblers From jewelled tones to bold stripes, this season’s drinkware is as bright as it is beautiful livingetc.com
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D E C O R AT I N G
Pion white carafe, £19, House Doctor at Tikamoon
Faro carafe in Tortoiseshell, £151, Pigeon and Poodle at Amara
Millefiori Murano glass carafe, £119, Rebecca Udall at Glassette
Yvette decanting carafe, £29.50, Bloomingville at Nordic Nest
Green Murano glass carafe, £395, LA DoubleJ
Firefly carafe, £1,200, Bonadea
Rattan covered carafe, £42, Månses Design at The Conran Shop
High Rise pitcher, £82 (with cup), Keiji Takeuchi for Ichendorf Milano at SCP
Coucou carafe, £90, Maison Balzac at Pentreath & Hall
Shadows carafe in Bonsai Green, £145, Klimchi
st ylish carafes Bot tles begone! There is only one vessel to use for your summer drin ks and it ’s awash w ith elegance 102
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Ammazulu plate, set of 4, £70, Lisa Todd Designs
Oiva Unikko plate, £19.40, Marimekko at Finnish Design Shop
Livia dessert plate, £14, Anthropologie
ABCDior Summer dinner plate, £650 for four assorted, Dior
Art Deco Garden bread plate, £127, André Fu Living at Amara
Scalloped dinner plate, £225 for six assorted, Wicklewood
Herculaneum Grotto dinner plate in Saffron, £85, Gergei Erdei
Olney side plate in Flax Blue, £60 for six, Neptune
Birds hand-painted dinner plate, £96, Les Ottomans at Liberty
Decorative porcelain plate, £148, Fornasetti at Farfetch
pret t y plates Floral or just fancif ul, this enticing selection w ill ensure the dinner ware is just as appealing as the food livingetc.com
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Ruffle Check tablecloth, from £78, Alice Peto at The Mews Fabrics & Furnishings
D E C O R AT I N G
Naturally dyed and hand-painted linen tablecloth, £295, Ellen Mae Williams Athens Scallop tablecloth, £65, Artemis Deco
Daisy Meadow tablecloth, £390, Velvet Linen
Cherry Blossom tablecloth, £260, Bertioli by Thyme
Sensu cotton tablecloth, from £120, Mila-London
Gingham Ruffle linen tablecloth in Dusty Pink, £189, Rebecca Udall
Garland Floral tablecloth, £100 with six napkins, Wicklewood
Totto Stripe tablecloth, £102, Tori Murphy
pat terned tablecloths Lif t the mood w ith a beautif ul covering, be it a delicate print or an eye-catching gingham 104
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D E C O R AT I N G
inspiration galler y: decor updates COOL AND QUICK REFRESHES TO BRING COLOUR , PAT TERN AND ST YLE HOME
All the trimmings Sometimes, a small element of a design can set the tone for redecorating an entire space, and it’s this trimmed voile that shoulders a lively reimagining of this garden room by design studio Arent&Pyke. ‘Pattern and repetition are balanced by block colour in a feast of materiality,’ say designers Juliette Arent and Sarah-Jane Pyke. ‘The window treatment features a bespoke leading edge trim, giving weight and whimsy to the curtain.’ GET THE LOOK Bishop stool in Red by India Mahdavi
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Top to toe
projects
There’s a buzz around the idea of ‘colour drenching’ at the moment – that is, painting everything in a room the same, from ceiling to woodwork and walls. Whether you do this in a simple neutral or a bold hue, the effect is the same, making a room feel bigger by reducing visual clutter and adding a contemporary feel by breaking the shackles of the ‘painted walls, white ceiling’ decorating rut of the last few decades.
FEATURE HUGH METCALF PHOTOGRAPHS (ALL THE TRIMMINGS) ANSON SMART STYLING STEVE CORDONY; (TOP TO TOE) MARGARET DE LANGE
GET THE LOOK Walls, ceiling and woodwork in Old Ochre from Pure & Original
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A new classic Where trending paint effects have previously come and gone by means of maximalist spaces (lest we forget the rag-rolling phenomenon of the early 2000s), limewash paints have been more widely adopted by minimalists – a way to add texture to walls and play with negative space more purposefully without a room feeling blank. They offer a richness and depth of colour that’s beyond the means of a standard emulsion and, once you’ve got the hang of it, they’re still relatively easy to apply. GET THE LOOK Walls in Marrakech Walls in Polar Blue; ceiling in Classico in Polar Blue, both from Pure & Original
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“Limewash offers a depth of colour that’s evocative and characterful”
PHOTOGRAPHS (A NEW CLASSIC) MARGARET DE LANGE STYLING KIRSTEN VISDAL CREATIVE DIRECTION DAGNY FARGESTUDIO VISUAL MANAGER IRIS FLOOR; (PAINTERLY PRECISION) INGER MARIE GRINI
D E C O R AT I N G
Painterly precision Rather than wallpapering, there’s a trend for commissioning local artists to design bespoke murals to bring pattern to your walls. In this kitchen design by Hamran, a joyful colour palette of green and blue imagined by Dagny Thurman-Moe, creative director of Koi Colour Studio, lends the backdrop for an ethereal mural, hand-painted by Norwegian illustrator Ingrid Rognstad. GET THE LOOK Bespoke livingetc.com over-veneered ash kitchen 109 cabinetry designed and built by Hamran
Checkmate A game of chess inspired interior designer Tim Veresnovsky to create this chequerboard doorway in a St Petersburg apartment, using just paint. ‘After the project was finished, I looked at the doorway and I wanted to make it something dynamic,’ explains Tim. ‘The next day I bought paints and painted the chessboard – the result was better than I expected, and now the room plays out completely differently.’ GET THE LOOK For similar Kurt Østervig dining chairs, try 1stDibs
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PHOTOGRAPHS (CHECKMATE) MIKHAIL LUSKOTOV; (MODERN RUSTIC) LUCAS MADANI
D E C O R AT I N G
Modern rustic
Paper dreams
Encaustic tiles are great for adding texture to a bathroom or kitchen, so why not consider them elsewhere in the house? They’re a no-brainer for behind a home bar, for example, but this rural French holiday home, created by design studio Hauvette & Madani, also proves tiling has a place as a general wallcovering in living areas, too. Tiling the fireplace brings another texture and adds a soft focal point to this rustic but contemporary sitting room.
Where paint goes, wallpaper follows, and wall-to-wall-toceiling papering is one of the freshest ways to apply pattern to your home. This scheme mixes two colourways from the same wallpaper collection, with a visual break courtesy of a picture rail. Combined with a papered ceiling, this idea flatters the proportion of the room, while creating a cave-like cosiness.
GET THE LOOK For similar encaustic tiles, try White Zellige, £128sq m, Otto Tiles & Design
GET THE LOOK Moy wallpaper in Lime above rail; Moy in Pompei below, both Little Greene’s National Trust wallpaper collection
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Looking up
Colour combo
Ceilings have great potential as a canvas for creative decorating, and while you may not have plans for painting the next Sistine Chapel, simple additions of colour and pattern are a smart and less labour intensive way of making a splash in a room. Inside Apartment, created by French interior designer Claude Cartier, is a radical example, where yellow horizontal stripes meet blocks of bold green, echoing patterns and colours used in the furnishings of the space.
Replacing grout is much easier than retiling a wall, and an adventurous choice of grout can turn even a simple tile into an interesting design detail. ‘In a bright and colourful bathroom such as this, we used yellow as a strong contrast to the turquoise tiles, which also highlighted the square shaped tiles giving a retro vibe to the room,’ says West One Bathrooms designer Susan Roach. For a softer approach, try a tonal combination over the stark contrast of greyscale grout colours.
GET THE LOOK Dentelle rug from CC-Tapis’ So Much Fun collection
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GET THE LOOK Rho basin by Kast Concrete, available from West One Bathrooms
PHOTOGRAPHS (LOOKING UP) GUILLAUME GRASSET; (COLOUR COMBO) PAUL CRAIG
D E C O R AT I N G
Panel show Even for the DIY naive, wall panelling is a surprisingly easy job to do yourself – especially as many home improvement stores stock ready-to-go panel kits. While contemporary slatted styles have become more pervasive, you can still innovate with a classic Shaker style. Look beyond the heritage colours traditionally linked to the style and explore an unexpected and invigorating palette. GET THE LOOK Panelled wall in Soft Pink; other wall in Yellow Finch; accent shelf in Chili Pepper, all Benjamin Moore
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colour insight: how to use green A FAV O U R I T E T O D E C O R AT E W I T H , T H I S V E R D A N T H U E G O E S W I T H M A N Y S H A D E S B U T T H E S E C O M B I N AT I O N S R U L E
Yellow is the perfect partner to this green in a114 roomlivingetc.com by NAINOA. Try Myrtle Green from Mylands for the look
D E C O R AT I N G
Out of all the cooler-toned colours, green is one of the easiest and most versatile to work with. But it’s what you pair it with that can make it truly come alive. Happily, green is at the centre of the colour wheel, meaning you can combine it with both warm and cool hues. Greens with a blue base are impactful, so introducing soft tones of clay white and chalky grey brings a calming feel. Greens with a yellow undertone, such as olive, pop alongside gold or bronze, enhancing their warmth. Essentially, almost anything looks good with green – but don’t let that overwhelm, as these perfect pairings will help you edit the choice right down.
FEATURE HEBE HATTON PHOTOGRAPH (KITCHEN) MEGAN TAYLOR
Green and yellow Adjacent to each other on the colour wheel, yellow and green are harmonious and easy to live with. It’s a look that feels fresh and invigorating. Yellow and green schemes have an affinity with nature, suggesting leaves and flowers. The trick is to use yellow sparingly, with just a few accents next to green and one other neutral hue throughout most of the space. Bring in pops of yellow – a sofa or even just cushions. curtains and prints. ‘When pairing colours, we strive for a similar base – so there’s a relationship between shades,’ says Noa Santos of NAINOA, who designed the space opposite. ‘In this case the colours, though different, feel like they are a part of the same family because they are both pigmented with grey.’
Green and pink can be nurturing, as seen in this deVOL kitchen. Farrow & Ball’s Setting Plaster echoes this hue
Green and pink A modern classic combination. Green and pink are complementary colours, sitting opposite each other on the wheel. This means that the scheme is high impact. Get your proportions right for a restorative space – a generous amount of green against touches of pink is gorgeous. ‘A popular trend is painting the cabinets green and then pairing them with pink walls,’ says Tash Bradley, colour specialist at Lick. ‘This feels truly nurturing and is therefore perfect for a kitchen, which you want to be the heart of the home.’ Nature-inspired patterns, such as florals or botanicals, are particularly effective when decorating with this combination. ‘One of my all-time favourite colour schemes is a sage green with an earthy pale pink,’ says paint and colour expert Annie Sloan. ‘These hues are all luxuriously rich and soothing, inviting you to be cosy and relaxed in your home.’ Green and orange There are of course more punchy variants of this combination – tangerine with chartreuse, emerald with bold terracotta, we always recommend adding a touch of these into bolder schemes to break up the colours. ‘Pairing green with a vivid orange will give more energy to a space; contrasting complementary colours emphasises the qualities of each and creates a statement look. I’d use black, too, to make a bold mid-century modern scheme. It’s calming because it’s strong and looks very put together,’ says Annie Sloan. Paired with orange, green takes on an energy of its own. Zoffany’s Huntsman Green is a good match
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room with a view A L L E Y E S W I L L B E O N YO U R W I N D OW AT T I R E W H E N YO U G E T A N E W - S E A S O N U P DAT E W I T H H I L L A R Y S
116 Linen livingetc.com Serenity and Serenity White voile curtains, Hillarys
PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
T
he right window treatment can totally transform a space, delivering colour, pattern and tons of style or just a softer mood that reflects the change in seasons. There’s the practicalities, too, such as letting in more light (yes, please), offering shade or providing privacy. Whatever the reason for updating your window attire, Hillarys has a striking selection of made-to-measure blinds, curtains, shutters and even awnings in a multitude of styles – from the classic to the contemporary.
LO O K S FO R A L L S E A S O N S A summer switch to soft sheers will create a laid-back vibe, while elegant shutters will see you through every season. Perhaps blinds are what you’re after? In which case, choose from roller, Roman, pleated or Venetian. Trouble sleeping? There are blackout fabrics or thermal linings that can help control light or heat. If your preference is for curtains, these are offered with poles, tracks and tie-backs, plus all the fabrics are rigorously tested to withstand UV light and changes in temperature. Impressive, right? A M A Z I N G CO L L A B O R AT I O N S With over 50 years of experience, Hillarys’ team of local advisors can guide you to the tones, textures and styles that will suit your space. And with on-trend colours and designs, including collections by Abigail Ahern, Margo Selby and, yes, Livingetc, plus quality performance materials (including moisture-resistant or anti-glare properties if required), it’s simple to find a stylish solution for your windows, roof lights or glazed doors. AT YO U R S E RV I C E Book a free in-home appointment and a Hillarys advisor will show you samples in situ. Alternatively, order online in advance to consider and discuss on the day. Most importantly, Hillarys’ advisors take precise measurements of your windows, to ensure a perfect fit and to provide bespoke quotes for your favourite styles. Valid for 12 weeks, there’s plenty of time to make a decision. Once you’ve chosen your blinds, curtains or shutters – or a combination of all three – they will be tailor-made for your home, fitted by Hillarys’ local advisor and all the products are guaranteed for your peace of mind. All you have to do is sit back and enjoy the new-season style they’ve ushered in. It doesn’t get better or simpler than that.
Serra Ochre Roman blind, Livingetc x Hillarys
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Find out more about Hillarys made-to-measure products and expert in-home service at hillarys.co.uk
Mahale Ink and Eivissa Amalfi (right) curtains, Livingetc x Hillarys
Vedra Amarilla curtains, Livingetc x Hillarys
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D E C O R AT I N G
COLUMNIST
house style A R U G S H O U LD B E O N E O F TH E L A S T P I E CE S YO U CH O OS E FO R A RO O M , S AY S M I N N I E K E M P – B U T T H AT D O E S N ’ T M E A N I T ’ S A N A F T E R T H O U G H T. . . For such a simple, decorative piece, there is a lot resting on a rug. And no, I don’t just mean the furniture you’re putting on it. I always think the rug you choose is a careful balancing act. It should be a statement piece, breathing extra colour and life into the space, but it also has to be pared back and not fight with the myriad textures under which it sits.
to adapt this bold design into a rug. Who better to call than The Rug Company to help bring our drawings to life?
Within my design process, the rug tends to be one of the last things I think about. Once I have the scheme and a strong idea of its tones and its story, then the rug can come to life as the through-line of the decor reveals itself to me. One of my favourite tricks is to base my rug on one of the fabrics already in the scheme. This way, I know the rug will harmonise with the rest of the room.
In all elements of my design work, texture is key. It creates depth and intrigue and this is especially important for a rug. Play around with tufted and knotted techniques; your pile thickness will also change a design completely. Rugs are expensive and if the area is high traffic there is no use installing a white hemp rug, go for wool with a darker base colour and a flat pile or a fitted sisal rug.
PHOTOGRAPHS (FLOOR SHOW) SIMON BROWN
When you sit with your scheme in front of you, it’s usually quite clear which fabric or pattern could become the rug design. I tend to choose the most graphic fabric in the room, so the rug has weight and presence. At home I have an open-plan ground floor. The kitchen splashback is made up of tiles created in collaboration with ceramic artist Katrin Moye. The tiles are inspired by photographs I took while travelling in Papua New Guinea. When Katrin sent me the first samples I knew instantly I wanted
Depending on the size of the room the real creativity comes when playing with scale. It’s amazing how a pattern will change and go from traditional to contemporary by simply increasing the scale and blowing up shapes.
One of my favourite tricks is to base my rug on one of the fabrics already in the scheme
Admittedly, designing a rug isn’t for everyone. There are amazing suppliers like Vanderhurd, Christopher Farr, Tim Page and Pierre Frey that have stunning rug designs ready to order. And, hot off the press, Kit Kemp Design Studio has collaborated with Annie Selke on a new collection of rugs. We designed the range over Zoom during lockdown and it’s so exciting to see the pieces come to fruition. We hope they bring you joy and a splash of colour to your life!
MINNIE’S SHOPPING PICKS OF THE MONTH FLOOR SHOW The Graphic rug by Kit Kemp Design Studio for Annie Selke is really a piece of artwork. Its bold, colourful design isn’t too in-your-face and will really ground any space. Use this in an entertaining space as a statement piece – it will be sure to impress your guests. kitkemp.com; annieselke.com
NEW BEGINNINGS And this is where my own rug design began. Katrin Moye sells her ceramic work through The Shop Floor Project but is also available for commissions. She is so inspiring to work with and is an amazing illustrator and colourist. katrinmoye.co.uk; theshopfloorproject.com
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PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
a feast of colour R E S TA U R AT E U R R AV I N D E R B H O G A L H A S P I C K E D A D E L I C I O U S LY E VO C AT I V E PA L E T T E F R O M T H E D U L U X H E R I TAG E R A N G E – H E R E S H E R E V E A L S T H E I N S P I R AT I O N B E H I N D I T
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y palette evokes a sense of my heritage,’ says chef, restaurateur, food writer and Dulux tastemaker Ravinder Bhogal when asked about her colour choices. ‘The palette conjures my family home in Kenya and the maternal kitchens I grew up in and also the sumptuous ingredients I love to use – from pomegranates to saffron and pistachios.’ That’s the beauty of the Dulux Heritage range – the colours in the 112-shade strong collection are beautifully emotive. They are formulated with the finest ingredients to give you an easy-to-apply, perfectly smooth finish that has a sumptuous, velvety-to-the touch feel. All of the colours – from pale to dark tones – are an absolute pull on the senses, transporting you to memories of the past and evoking feelings in the present. They are visually gorgeous and totally tantalising. For Ravinder, it’s her love of food and her family heritage that has inspired her colour choices – turn over to get inspo for your palette and to find out more about the Dulux Heritage Evoke Your Senses series.
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The Dulux Heritage colours Ravinder chose are Coral Pink (main walls), Veranda Green livingetc.com 121 (accent wall) and Potters Pink (fireplace)
PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
PURE COLOUR PERFECTION Inspiration for a colour palette can come from many things – and the most unusual of places. For Ravinder, it was her childhood in Kenya that influenced her sumptuous dining room scheme and over the next two issues you’ll meet more Evoke Your Senses tastemakers to find out how they created the perfect colour combinations by drawing on evocative memories and sensations. You’ll realise that’s easy to do when you delve into Dulux Heritage’s palette of beautiful and timeless colours, which has been masterfully curated by Dulux colourists, reflecting over 90 years of experience. The Dulux Heritage paints are made with the finest ingredients that deliver on performance as well as beauty. They play right into the senses, leaving a wonderfully velvet matt finish that is so perfectly smooth to the touch it’s practically strokeable. Yet, thanks to Dulux’s expertise, these luxury paints are washable, too, so you can easily wipe away everyday stains and spills.
Ravinder’s scheme is rich and luxuriant
Explore Dulux Heritage’s beautiful and timeless palette of colours
RICH, LUXURIOUS AND EVOCATIVE For Ravinder, the gentle touch of the Dulux Heritage velvet matt paints brings her childhood in Africa, as well as her Asian, African and Middle Eastern cooking, to life. And her colour palette is a celebration of all of this, a reflection of her past days and life with her family in her younger years – and her love of food. ‘Rich volcanic red soil, a pistachio terrazzo floor, the guava tree that bore fruit with custardy pink interiors,’ she says. ‘All these colours signify happy times – a familiarity and a sense of nostalgia.’ A WARM EMBRACE Ravinder has created a perfect scheme in her dining space with rich layers of colours that sum up her decor style beautifully. ‘I love the layered bohemian look that shows a life well lived,’ she says. ‘I celebrate maximalism – hundreds of books, heirlooms, antiques, candles, artwork and treasured objects from my travels. I like homes that look lived in.’ Her colour combination of Coral Pink, Veranda Green and Potters Pink elevates and showcases this love superbly. We’ve all grown more attached to our homes in the last couple of years, turning to them as our sanctuary during difficult times. You can celebrate that love of our homes through the wall paint you choose. ‘I would seek out warm colours that give a cosseted feel,’ says Ravinder. ‘I like tones that make me feel happy and uplifted; your colours should nurture you. I want something that feels like a hug on a wall.’ And with the Dulux Heritage range you can have that. See more of our tastemakers’ palettes in upcoming issues and find inspiration for your palette at duluxheritage.co.uk. You can also buy a tester pot at the website and it will be delivered to your home. Dulux Heritage velvet matt is approximately £41 for 2.5ltr (pricing is at the discretion of the retailer) and is available at Homebase and independent retailers.
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to garden bars and small ✱spaceCheers updates to ease you into summer
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R E N O VAT I O N N E W S I N N OVATI V E I D E A S FO R K ITC H E N S , B AT H R O O M S A N D P R OJ E C T S
Upper hand
A rain showerhead is all well and good but it needs a hard-working handheld sidekick to make a shower truly complete. The new Bournbrook is good looking enough to take centre stage – the minimal design adds a modern edge while the slider rail turns into a focal point. It’s available in three finishes: chrome, matt black and the ever-popular brass. Bournbrook handheld shower and slider rail, £395 (claybrookstudio.co.uk)
S I M P LY T H E B E S T
One of the big trends in kitchen design is, ironically, the anti-kitchen look. The first rule? Look for cabinetry that works just as well in any other part of the home. Enter Italian brand Cesar and its clever modular wall system Dressup, designed by Garcia Cumini, which can be configured in any combination for any room. Its versatility makes it ideal for open-plan living. Cesar Dressup, price on request (cesar.it)
Caple’s new Blackmore sink is finished by hand and comes with a lifetime guarantee, £382 (caple.co.uk)
ON THE CU RVE
FEATURE BUSOLA EVANS
Dark side
Known for its solid brass hardware and electrical accessories, Heritage Brass has now introduced an elegant matt black finish. Covering 36 products to give depth, it includes cabinet pulls and knobs alongside switches and sockets. Vintage Matt Black electricals, from £24.47 (m-marcus.com)
Give your bathroom walls a spring refresh with these new large format decorative tiles from Original Style. This charming range is designed and printed in Devon by skilled artisans and the delicate palette and gentle curved design bring softness into any space. The tiles also come in coordinating plain colour options, which give the chance to create a truly unique look. Living collection, £94.95sq m (originalstyle.com)
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Pluck has expanded its offering with the launch of the Brixton dresser, named after the south London spot where the brand has planted roots. A modern twist on a traditional favourite, it is made to order and available in any of the brand’s 16 colours, including the most recent additions, Milton Blue and Regent Red. Although 1.8m wide, its size can be tailored to requirements and you have a choice of five woods. The Brixton dresser, £8,000 for the one shown, prices vary (pluck.co.uk)
EXPERT INSIGHT
hob extraction
James Rayner, bespoke product manager at Westin, on finding the best choice for your kitchen
3 of the best BRASS DOOR KNOCKERS
Hand cast in solid brass, this dropped handle style knocker is inspired by Regency style and is perfect for period homes. Melton door knocker in antiqued brass, £66 (jim-lawrence.co.uk)
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If you are looking for a door knocker with a more contemporary note, this one offers a fresh spin and comes in a variety of finishes. Door knocker in polished brass, £65 (beardmore.co.uk)
With its clean lines and sharp edges, this will appeal to modernistas everywhere. A period front door will make an intriguing contrast. Campbell Hex door knocker, £59.95, (plankhardware.com)
Extraction is vital if you plan to cook. A properly specified cooker hood based on your individual circumstances and cooking preferences should get rid of smoke, fumes and moisture and, just as importantly, ensure that the whole home is free from odours. Firstly, look at where you would like the hood to be situated in the kitchen. For best results and ease of extraction, a hood against an external wall with the shortest duct route is best. Island extraction remains a firm favourite, but knowing which hood will work best for you can be tricky. If you regularly cook intensively, a conventional downdraft – which is usually built into a unit behind the hob and rises when switched on – may not be right for you, as it is a local solution designed to take as much of the fumes as possible as soon as it leaves the hob. Fine for everyday low intensity cooking, but on the occasion that you cook a steak, a curry or a stir fry, it may fall short. A ceiling hood can be a better option as this is an environmental solution and allows the air to move naturally before extracting. There is one tip that works across the board – turn your hood on 10 minutes before you start cooking. This creates a current for the air and aids extraction massively. For built in (to furniture or a mantle) hoods, always try to overlap the hob size. For an 800mm wide hob, for best results use a 900mm hood. Try to stick to minimum distances between hob and hood of 650mm for induction, and at least 800mm for gas hobs. The key is to cover as much of the hob as possible, ideally 50mm shorter than the front of the hob. Ceiling hoods are a little bit different as if they are positioned in the highest point in the room, they will collect everything although not as ‘instant’ as an over-hob hood. A lot of hood manufacturers recommend a maximum height of around 2.7-2.8m. Westin has no maximum height efficiency. As long as the hood is in the highest point in the room, with no vaulted sections or areas where the air can escape into, the hood will collect everything, even at 3metres plus. Gone are the days when a cooker hood would be stainless steel only, and purely there for function. Nowadays a hood needs to work well, and look good doing it. At Westin, we offer a unique bespoke service. Painted hoods have always been popular. We have also seen a rise in metallics such as brass and bronze, and especially antique variations of these, a trend that doesn’t show any sign of going away any time soon. X
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TREND FOCUS... C O L O U R E D B AT H W A R E O U R D E P U T Y E D ITO R B U S O L A E VA N S O N H OW B AT H R O O M S A R E D ITC H I N G W H IT E F IX T U R E S A N D F I N A L LY E M B R AC I N G B R I G H T H U E S When it comes to past decor choices, arguably none has been the subject of more derision than the 70s avocado suite, largely seen as the trend taste forgot. But fast-forward to 2022 and it’s having the last laugh. It seems that at the time when the design-savvy are becoming more experimental, white bathroom fixtures are just a bit, well, dull. Whether its powder blue, flamingo pink or a sorbet lemon, the colour revival in bathrooms has been gradual but determined and every leading brand I have spoken to has seen an increase in sales. Of course, there have been designers on board this train for a while. India Mahdavi’s collection for Bisazza back in 2018 was full of playful exuberance, with fixtures in striking strawberry, pistachio and blueberry. More recently, Luke Edward Hall looked to pastel bathware from The Bold Bathroom Company when designing Hotel Les Deux Gares in Paris. And in his Bath, basin and mirror in Strawberry by India Mahdavi for Bisazza
typical maximalist style he didn’t stop there and instead chose to double the impact by colour clashing with equally vibrant wall tiles. One of my favourite baths (I have a few...) is the Rockwell at The Water Monopoly, which comes in, among other colours, a very enticing willow green, plus you can match or clash the bath’s bun feet. And Devon & Devon’s Hollywood bath, found at West One Bathrooms, offers glossy and matt finishes in a staggering 500 colours. If you are still nervous about ditching the white pieces, start off easy. Painting the exterior of a free-standing tub is a gentle way to tap into the trend or go for a statement basin instead – Kast’s concrete basins are a good entry point. If you want to go the whole hog but on the tentative side, choose colours that add warmth but feel easier to live with like a creamy latte or a barely-there pink. Or just bite the bullet and go for the avocado.
O N M Y R A DA R THIS MONTH... TWO-TONE WONDER Looking for an unusual over-the-island light? The answer may lie with this pendant by David Hunt Lighting featuring a decorative design with an edge hand-painted to create a two-tone scallop. Fill your boots with designs in contrasting shades of blue and white, olive and pink, red and pink or blue and green. Or for something unique, you can go bespoke. Scallop pendant light, from £390, davidhuntlighting.co.uk ALL BRASS If you are feeling pleased with your bathroom’s brass finishes, why not complete the look with a brass bath? The busy bees at BC Designs have created one in a classic shape from brass sheets. But there’s an added twist: the exterior can be painted in a variety of colours. The bath is available in two sizes – 1500 and 1700mm – so it is ideal for smaller bathrooms. Brass boat bath, from £4,990, bcdesigns.co.uk
HOLD ON When it comes to good design, we all know that it is the small details that make the difference. So how does your loo roll holder stand up? Hmmm, thought so. But we judge not. Head to Oliver Bonas (yes, you read that right) for this elegant brass holder – it’s a finishing touch your bathroom will thank you for. Chloe brass toilet roll holder, £29.50, oliverbonas.com
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TH E LOWDOWN ON … B U I L D I N G A N E W S TA I R C A S E F LI G HT O F STAI R S G E T TI N G I N TH E WAY O F A D R E AM R E N OVATIO N? ARCH ITEC TU R E FO R LO N DO N ’ S AM R IT MARWAY TE LL S U S H OW TO G O AB O UT CR E ATI N G A N E W O N E
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Look closely at your layout. Where do you arrive when you reach the last step on your existing staircase? It’s usually better to line your staircase along an external wall so you are not using up the centre of a room as circulation space. There may be instances where a central location for a staircase is desirable, such as a sweeping spiral or helical statement staircase within the centre of the floor plan.
Straight or winding steps? Once you have established the location of a new staircase there are a number of factors that have to be considered in its design. The shape of the staircase is dictated by the number of steps that are required between the two different floor levels. Measure the height between the two floors and divide this into an even number of steps. Make sure you have enough space for the head height, the width and the length of the stairs. Calculate the number of risers and treads that you need and sketch out the stairs in elevation from the side profile. Check to make sure that the rake or angle of the stairs is under 43 degrees. The guidelines for designing new stairs can be found in Planning Portal’s Building Regulations Approved Document Part K on staircase design.
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Consider the staircase material, whether that’s timber, metal, stone, concrete or glass. Timber staircases are by far the most cost-effective option to add to a property. A good joinery outfit should be able to put this together for you. If you are going with a traditional timber staircase your joinery firm will visit and carry out its own survey and drawings. But if you are looking at using alternative materials you will have to ensure that the components
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of the staircase are robust, including how it is supported structurally and how it all connects together, and you will need a structural engineer involved to help with the design.
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You can employ an experienced contractor who will be able to source their own specialist stair manufacturer and joinery outfit. Once your architect has provided a design intent drawing, the specialist joiner will carry out a measured survey on site and work out how the stairs will work including meeting all building regulation standards that are required.
We would not recommend that homeowners attempt a staircase construction without some professional input. There are a number of rules and regulations not to mention consultants involved depending on the complexity of the stair design and location. This potentially includes an architect, a structural engineer, a stair manufacturer and, in some cases, especially within listed buildings, you will need consent from the local authority before you make any changes to an existing building. Any works carried out are then certified by a building control officer who will ensure that the stair design and construction adheres to the strict rules outlined in the building regulations documents.
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The key benefit of a new, bespoke design is that you can be incredibly creative with how you want the finished result to look. Whether that’s a modern glass or powder-coated steel sheet balustrade or something classic and curved, you’re going to get something truly unique and beautiful. Moving the staircase might seems like a daunting prospect but often it can be a cost-effective way of optimising space or creating a big impact on an awkward layout. Consider practicalities such as the fact a standard open-tread staircase probably won’t work in a house with young children and that a landing must be provided at the top and bottom of a staircase – this is usually a little wider than the width of the staircase – and, if you’re after a contemporary look, think about how you can incorporate staircase lighting into the design. X
Amrit Marway is an associate director at Architecture for London (architectureforlondon.com), an award-winning architectural practice dedicated to the creation of inspirational architecture and interiors.
FEATURE RACHEL CHRISTIE PHOTOGRAPH MARY WADSWORTH
Designing a staircase might seem like a mountain of a job but the upheaval can be worth it. Don’t get us wrong, it’s definitely not a simple endeavour: you’ll almost certainly need professional help and it will be an investment. But what it does do is offer the opportunity to completely alter your home’s entrance, potentially turning it into an enviably striking one. Changing the staircase can improve a bad layout and turn a standard interior into something stunning. To begin, think about whether a new staircase will actually change your space for the better – will it improve the layout, could it add value and is it doable? Amrit Marway, associate director at Architecture for London, shares her tips for embarking on a new staircase adventure.
Designed by Studio Spiteri, this striking staircase features a hand-carved oak handrail that curves from the top to the bottom of the house without breaks. Metal spindles allow the dramatic rail to take centre stage
“Traditional craftsmanship combined with modern design creates a dramatic staircase that flows through the house and brings light and air to every floor” GEORGE SPITERI, FOUNDER AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR, STUDIO SPITERI
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O U T D O O R F E AT U R E O F T H E M O M E N T. . . G A R D E N B A R S A N I C E - CO L D R O S É O R A C H I L L E D M A R G A R ITA? W H AT E V E R YO U R TI P P L E O F C H O I C E , E N J OY IT O U T S I D E BY I N S TA L LI N G YO U R V E RY OW N D R I N K S ZO N E
FEATURE RACHEL CHRISTIE
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Marazzi Cementum stoneware is a great option if you’re considering installing an outside bar. The concrete-effect flooring replicates the inspiration material’s sensation and aesthetic, but with anti-reflective glazes to make it ideal underfoot where there might be spillages due its anti-slip, soft-touch matt surface. Plus, because it can be used both indoors and out, it’s the perfect choice if you want to continue your kitchen flooring into the garden, creating a smooth indoor/outdoor flow. Space for a pool to accompany your bar? Even better. livingetc.com 127
GET THE LOOK Cementum concrete-look flooring, Marazzi
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If budget isn’t an issue, then it’s worth considering a custom-made bar. ‘A bar could be used as a breakaway space in a separate area of the garden where you can relax and entertain friends,’ say the landscaping experts at Landform. ‘Inspired by the gardens of Hotel Alma in Barcelona, this garden features a bespoke multifunctional bar surrounded by generous planting. The bar area offers a serene oasis in the middle of the bustle of urban living, complete with low seating summer lounging. 128 forlivingetc.com
GET THE LOOK Landform garden bar designed by Rhiannon Williams
projects Summer is finally here and we’re all aiming to make the most of our outdoor space. Whether you have a tiny roof terrace in the middle of the city or rolling acres in the countryside, it’s worth thinking about adding a garden bar to get the party started. From a trolley you wheel out on occasion to a full-on built-in option designed by the experts, a garden bar will add fun to your space and keep friends and family well-watered – plus, many designs look pretty chic, too. ‘Creating an outdoor bar area is a great way of entertaining within the comfort and intimate setting of your own garden so it should be a practical and relaxed zone that allows you to host parties with ease,’ advises Francesca Birch, designer at Danetti. So what makes the perfect bar? According to Francesca, it’s all about storage and clever planning. She suggests shelves to keep all the essentials to hand, coupled with some discreet storage to hide away those less glamorous-looking elements, such as a bin for all the discarded corks, limes and bottles.
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PHOTOGRAPHS (BESPOKE BAR) RACHEL WARNE
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‘You’ll want to ensure you have access to everything you need so a storage unit to keep glassware and drinks on will ensure you are able to enjoy your evening without the need to go indoors constantly,’ says Ben Stokes, founder and interior designer, KAGU Interiors. ‘Consider how you and your guests will interact with the space – a bar that incorporates seating is an interactive, comfortable and social set-up that you can enjoy late into the evening.’ You’ve thought about the finer details, but where do you put your bar? If your garden space is limited, you may not have much choice, but if you have the space, you may want to place it further away so it’s less an extension of your home and more a destination in its own right. Bear in mind though that the further you are from the house, the more useful storage and appliances such as a fridge can be. By nature we use things more if they are convenient, so ensure a set-up that makes using your garden bar a pleasure, not a chore.
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If your outside space is on the small side, shared with someone else or you’d rather not have a permanent structure up, then have your bar ready on a trolley and wheel it out whenever you fancy an alfresco drink. ‘The only thing better than happy hour at home is happy hour in the garden with the sun shining! It is the perfect place to sit, relax and enjoy a couple of cocktails.’ says Jane Rockett, co-founder of Rockett St George. ‘Remember to have fun with your display and introduce gorgeous glassware, favourite bottles of booze, and perhaps even a few plants to help your bar blend into the garden.’
Pollyanna Wilkinson Garden Design is a multi-award-winning design practice led by Polly Wilkinson. Polly suggests that an outside bar can be something as simple as some shelves with surrounding units for prep to the ‘whole shebang’, including a sink, tap, fridge and multiple cooking appliances. ‘There is nothing like an evening drink outside, but you need to be able to see what you are doing – ideally, run electricity for lighting around the bar if you can, so you aren’t prepping with a torch in your mouth,’ she says. ‘Plus, consider the work surface and floor surrounding the bar so it’s easy to clean up any food and drink spills.’
GET THE LOOK Rattan bar trolley, Rockett St George
GET THE LOOK Garden design, Pollyanna Wilkinson Garden Design
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GARDEN I N S P I R AT I O N G O S T R O N G A N D S O F T FO R A P L A N TI N G PA L E T T E T H AT ’ S B LO O M I N G B E AU TI F U L The new inspiration for summer planting is a mix up of pastel tones – such as baby pink, powder blue, mint green and pale peach – alternated with shades from a more vivid orange, red and yellow colour palette. Alongside softening pastels, 2022 is all about hot and fiery colours, with the light yet warm tone of coral red playing a key role in bridging the gap between the two and bringing everything together. ‘Some hot colours, like reds, can be very dominant, so by introducing pastel hues alongside it can help to balance these colours so that the overall effect is pleasing to the eye,’ says garden designer Naomi Ferrett-Cohen. Green is another key element. ‘It’s so exciting that the new trend is to use hot, fiery tones,’ says Naomi. ‘But it’s also important when using these strong colours to offset them with lots of green. The planting palette should create a diffused and soft look, so use grasses intermingled with hot colours to create a tapestry effect.’ Another great thing about this trend is that you can happily mix bolds and pastels without having to choose one or the other. ‘Traditional planting schemes can lean towards softer tones of planting that make us feel relaxed,’ says Jonathan Woolfenden, head of design at Bowles & Wyer. ‘Bringing bright colours into that palette introduces a pleasing contrast.’
FEATURE SARAH WILSON PHOTOGRAPHS (MAIN) RHS/SARAH CUTTLE; PAUL UPWARD/BOWLES & WYER
The new trend is an excellent way of adding excitement to planting schemes, too. ‘Playing on this juxtaposition in planting design creates focal points that draw the eye, and brings fantastic rhythm to larger borders,’ explains Jonathan. Where fiery colours are used alongside softer pastel tones in a planting mix, the eye jumps around, creating a feeling of energy and excitement.
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THIS IMAGE Fiery planting featuring red hot poker ‘Tawny King’, Helenium ‘Moerheim Beauty’ and Echinacea ‘Salsa Red’ is balanced with pastels in Naomi Ferrett-Cohen’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show garden LEFT Red-orange geum stands out even more when grown with contrasting mauve plants
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The fun starts when you learn how to mix bolds and pastels in your planting to create a unique look
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HOW TO...
E N H A N C E A CO M PAC T G A R D E N SLIMLINE AND SMALLISH OUTDOOR SPACES ARE PART OF URBAN LIFE – THOSE IN THE KNOW SHARE CLEVER IDEAS TO MAKE THE MOST OF WHAT YOU HAVE
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up and over With just three metres of garden width to play with, landscape designer Margie Grace of Grace Design Associates managed to construct a two-person-wide walkway by creating a covered canopy of figs trained on a series of metal arches. It also cleverly provides privacy from the neighbouring house.
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In a slim space, going tall with planting is a sure way of making it still feel lush. ‘Columnar arborvitae have an upright, narrow habit that does not impede on the roof deck space or make it feel overly crowded,’ says the landscape designer Amber Freda. These taller evergreens also offer privacy from an adjacent roof, she explains. In front of the arborvitae, Amber added creeping Jenny, purple petunias and Mexican feather grasses in order to give the planters a more lush-looking appearance. Opposite those planters, she created a mix of blooming plants including ‘Tardiva’ hydrangeas and catmint, and evergreens like boxwoods and junipers, along with some wispy-looking Maiden grasses for texture – the idea was that the garden resembled ‘something between an English garden and a meadow’.
When gardens aren’t wide, landscape architect Renée Byers likes to create a progression of spaces all at differing levels, so ‘each level is a separate experience,’ she explains, and, ‘each garden room is linked to the next with grade changes’. At the back, she might create a formal paved garden for cocktails, while the middle parterre is left quite clear in order to preserve the sight lines, with low planting in the first section. By adding steps up to each area the width – or lack of it – doesn’t feel like an issue because you’re adding height instead.
FEATURE FLEUR BRITTEN PHOTOGRAPHS (4) ROGER DAVIES
A lush arbour adds height and privacy to a space
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Embedding a garden with lush planting will create the illusion of thick forestry – if you can’t see the edges who is to say how wide it is? Here, designer Judy Kameon of Elysian Landscapes used junipers, cordylines, pindo palms, agaves and pittosporum. The verdant outlook breaks up any long lines.
The gravel strikes a balance between nature and urbanity
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Laying wood horizontally elongates an area. Fence in Classic Woodstain in African Walnut, from £36 for 2.5ltr, Sadolin
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When city space is very limited, creative gardening is called for. ‘Rather than putting planters on the ground, which can make the space feel more congested, build window box-size planters into the top of the fence,’ suggests Amber Freda. She recommends boxwoods and sweetflag grasses, which can withstand winds that might whistle across them, and would add low-voltage uplights placed between them, ‘for a beautiful night-time ambience’.
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‘In a narrow garden, it’s important to consider both visual and physical movement through the space,’ explains Julie Farris. ‘How one moves through a garden is really important to how you actually feel in the garden.’ In the design of Julie’s own rooftop terrace the walkway becomes the ‘spine or organising element,’ she says, ‘and creates a feeling of length and prospect in either direction.’ Her walkway connects to two lounge areas that have been designed to work for family time now as well as when the kids are older, so teenagers can hang out with their friends and the adults with theirs.
hide in plain sight ‘I like fences that provide a backdrop so the garden can take the foreground,’ says Julie Farris of XS Space. The horizontal lay of this wood ‘lends a more modern feel and elongates the space,’ Julie says, suggesting slats are laid with narrow gaps to optimise airflow through the garden. As the light comes through the gaps, it creates the illusion of floating panes, without affecting privacy.
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winding down
A really narrow garden is a bit like a ‘railroad flat where one room leads to the next’, observes the landscape designer Todd Haiman. That straight line that runs through the garden needs to be broken up, he says – his design solution was to ‘create a sensory and experiential journey through multiple spaces, whereby the visitor has larger and smaller spaces, and wider and tighter paths, which tend to affect the pace and speed at which they move through the space.’ Todd took the opportunity to create a ‘circuitous path to meander through’ by planting shrubs and hedges to create a winding, rather than straight-edged shape.
PHOTOGRAPHS (9) MATTHEW WILLIAMS
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‘In narrow gardens it’s really about adding less,’ says garden designer Julie Farris, ‘as elements like paths and plants can become magnified.’ In this Brooklyn space, a graphic, wooden-slatted fence frames the area, while spherical planters draw the eye to two different focal points.
The pale limestone paving helps to create a sense of expanse
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projects COLUMNIST
THE HOME FRONT R E B E C C A WA K E F I E L D I S P L A N N I N G A L O F T C O N V E R S I O N A N D I T ’ S D E S T I N E D FO R H E R T WO S O N S – T R O U B L E I S , T H E Y ’ R E G R OW I N G FA S T But beyond that, I need to be mindful that they will inevitably grow into prepubescent boys, who, let’s face it, will need regular showers. The main obstacle with loft bathrooms is, of course, the ceiling heights. The shower and basin need to be where you have the most head height, the bath and loo can be under the eaves to some extent. so it’s vital to design in elevation here as working in plan can be misleading. After much jiggerypokery, I’ve just about squeezed both a tub and shower into the space, catering for the now and the future, I hope.
With two small children who constantly appear to be physically attached to my extremities, it seems unimaginable that one day they will want to be as far away from me as humanly possible. Sob! But there we have it, I’m a realist. The top floor extension I plan to create is therefore going to serve as their space to grow into, with two bedrooms and a shared bathroom.
PHOTOGRAPH (REBECCA) HANNAH LOVEMORE
However, it’s never quite as simple as that. Because of the layout and the planning restrictions on windows, we had toyed with a Jack and Jill style bathroom with doors from both bedrooms, but I just couldn’t commit. As I recall from my own childhood, there’s enough to argue with your sibling about, without adding the opportunity to walk in on them mid-shower. The bathroom needs to function for the present; both kids sharing a bath before bed, the space to have a tap in the middle to avoid arguments of who goes the ‘spiky end’ and my ultimate design hack of choosing a smaller than standard bath to ensure it fills quickly and uses less water. Now, more than ever, with bills rising and eco concerns growing, the way a bathroom will draw on your amenities is a factor to be considered right at the very start of any project.
Loft conversions always throw up obstacles, so you’ve got to work out your non-negotiables and your compromises
Loft conversions always throw up design obstacles; and as with any project, you’ve got to work out your non-negotiables and your compromises. As I’ve said previously, I’m a sucker for the light and views in this house and although it’s a huge risk, we’ve submitted planning permission for two dormers to the front of the house, one to the bedroom and one to the bathroom. I’m being a realist in this area, too, and it’s highly likely this will be rejected by the council, but I’d kick myself for not trying and, in the unlikely event that we do get it, I can sleep easy knowing that the boys will be cherishing the views and sunset each evening, because of course they won’t be in a TikTok vortex.
R E B E C C A’ S B U Y S O F T H E M O N T H UP THE WALL To add charm and some character to the loft rooms, I’ll be panelling the walls and potentially ceilings, too. The English Panelling Company offer pre-made sheets of MDF panelling in various styles and designs. This wall, peg rail and unit are painted in Pleat, with the inner shelving in Heat, both Intelligent Satinwood by Little Greene.
SLOPING OFF Lighting in attic rooms – a space with a compromised head height – is always tricky. I tend to veer towards a combination of 5amp sockets for lamps with flush-mount ceiling fittings that give off a decent amount of light while looking pretty. I particularly love the Littleton Diffuser from And Objects.
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your space, make the air you breathe ✱moreSoundproof fresh and find new ways to relax
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GREEN LIVING
gardens that give P U T B I O D I V E R S I T Y AT T H E F O R E F R O N T WH E N P L A NTI N G YO U R P LOT
There are compelling reasons why it pays to be mindful with planting – and the good news for those of us who like easy-care gardening is that there are simple ways to a wildlife-friendly space.
be full of nectar and pollen.‘We are getting weather that wakes up the bees earlier, so early flowering winter cherries, hellebores, single snowdrops, winter aconites and crocus can be crucial,’ says Arthur.
‘The climate emergency and increasing urbanisation is driving a biodiversity crisis, with many species in decline, particularly insects,’ says garden designer Tom Massey. ‘We can all help by providing habitat and food sources in our gardens to support local wildlife.’ This means choosing flowers and planting not just on good looks alone – considering instead their shelter-giving properties, potential for habitat and the food they provide, whether flowers, berries or fruit.
The easiest thing you can do to help? Mow the lawn less – a win-win for reticent gardeners and bees alike. Campaigns such as No Mow May are highlighting the benefits of keeping taller grass during key times of the year. ‘You can embrace a long lawn by mowing around its edge with a path through to give it a purposeful look,’ says Arthur. ‘With a taller lawn, you’ll hopefully get things flowering like clovers and buttercups in the first year of ditching the mower. Then you can mow it in autumn.’
If your gardening style is less hands-on maintenance and more hands-on drinking negronis, easy-care wildflower meadows are a good choice for a habitat that’s attractive to bees. This is because they have open flower varieties, which are fuller of nectar and pollen than double petalled flowers. Wildflowers can suit more styles of garden than you’d expect, says gardener and author Arthur Parkinson. ‘Wildlife gardening has a stigma of being messy – where you let it all go wild. This has its place, but providing flowers for insects can still be formal,’ he says.
Not every garden has the space to dedicate to lawn, especially in cities where outdoor space is in short supply. That’s not to mention that if you decide to build an extension, outdoor room or even pave to create a new patio, it’s usually at the expense of your garden’s green spaces. However, ideas such as window boxes, green roofs and vertical gardens can offer a way of ‘re-greening’ these small spaces, introducing planting to otherwise underutilised surfaces. ‘When it comes to planting a green roof, you want high impact and low maintenance,’ says Ben Stein of Hos Landscapes. ‘Bright and colourful sedums are a resilient, drought-tolerant species which can be bought in rolls.’ They’re also loved by pollinators, including bees. As well as creating a habitat for insects, green roofs can help reduce the ‘urban heat island’, helping to better regulate your extension’s internal temperature and can also reduce the strain on drains and reduce the risk of flooding. Vertical gardening includes plant walls, which can be packed with plant varieties, but there are simpler ways to take your quest for a biodiverse garden perpendicular that are less scary in terms of upkeep. ‘Green walls are expensive to install and high maintenance as they need constant irrigation,’ says Tom Massey, ‘but climbers such as ivy are a great alternative.’ Ivy will flower in early autumn with nectar-rich blooms.
PlantBox living wall installed by A Greener London
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Planting for a biodiverse garden doesn’t just benefit fauna. ‘Studies have shown that access to nature, particularly in cities, aids wellbeing and calm,’ says Rachael Davidson, director of HÛT Architecture. The dopamine hit of seeing a garden full of colour and buzzing with life is something hard to replicate, plus it makes for an amazing resource for educating children and getting them engaged with the natural world.
FEATURE HUGH METCALF PHOTOGRAPH (FRAHER & FINDLAY) ADAM SCOTT
You should also plan for an array of flowers across all seasons. Early winter, mid-summer and autumn are important times for gardens to
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“Planting for a biodiverse garden doesn’t just benefit fauna…it aids wellbeing and calm”
A wildflower planted roof, specified by Fraher & Findlay
TECHNOLOGY
keep it clean A PURIFIER CAN HELP WITH A HOME’S AIR QUALIT Y BEFORE IT BECOMES AN ISSUE
With it came a new hypersensitivity to the content of the air we’re breathing in, something that can only be a good thing when looking at our holistic health. ‘Clean air helps to promote deep sleep, and people who live in areas with higher levels of air pollution are 60% more likely to sleep poorly than those living in areas with cleaner air,’ says Daniel Johansson, chief technology officer at Blueair. Studies also show that better air quality can also improve productivity and general wellbeing. Air purifiers are a practical solution to combat poor air quality, and they may be set to be a future essential for every home. A scientific study from 2020* outlined that the right kind of air purifiers with a high clean air delivery rate (CADR) can make a useful contribution to reducing concentration of particles in a room, including a notable airborne virus we’ve become intimately acquainted with.
purifier’s auto mode is designed to manage the air quality in your home without you having to operate the machine,’ explains David Hill, a design engineer at Dyson, ‘so it’s only on when it needs to be. Auto mode will help allergy sufferers stay on top of allergens in their home, whatever the season.’ Daily routine The ability to control your purifier by an app isn’t just the preserve of top-of-the-range devices any more, meaning you can turn air purifiers of all price ranges on and off remotely, and often schedule them, too. Ikea’s Starkvind air purifier, for example, which retails from just £129, can be controlled through the brand’s Home smart app when combined with its proprietary gateway hub, and has options for scheduling the purifier just as you would your smart heating. Plan for it to run when people are likely to be in the house, as well as in a bedroom during the night, though on a quieter setting.
Welcome home Some purifiers, like Blueair’s HealthProtect and DustMagnet models, don’t even need programming to benefit from the smart home treatment. These models have a Welcome Home feature, which uses geofencing technology based on your location to turn the purifier on and off. ‘Basically, your air purifier goes into Whether you’ve got hay fever, allergies, asthma or any other kind of ailment that might be affected by air quality, the problem is that by the standby mode when you leave your home and turns back on as you time your symptoms flare up, it’s already too late for an air purifier to approach home,’ explains Blueair’s Daniel Johansson, ‘ensuring your home is filled with clean air when you arrive.’ help. But what if you could adopt one more seamlessly into your home’s smart system to tackle air quality problems before you feel their Chain reaction It’s also possible to automate your air purifying effects? Here’s how best to automate an air purifier in a smart home. system using a separate monitor, meaning that if the indoor air quality worsens, you have better control over its output than simply Plug in While there might be a million and one uses for smart plugs using the auto mode. Using an IFTTT (If This Then That) applet to automate your smart home, they’re not the best fit for an air purifier. Only certain models will work with them – and on the smart allows you to set up relationships between different smart devices, home IQ scale, these tend to be ‘dumber’ devices with single settings. meaning that if an air quality monitor picks up a reading past a predetermined limit, it will ask your air purifier to step it up a gear. The way to tell if a smart plug is an option for you is to check whether the purifier turns on automatically when you plug them into the wall, Samsung’s SmartThings system is IFTTT compatible, meaning its purifier can be connected to the applet, while an air quality as a smart plug can only feed electricity to the device, not actually monitor like Awair can be used as a trigger for this routine. switch it on. If you can find one that works, smart plugs make the automating process easy, as they tend to be compatible with a variety of smart home assistants. Stay ready Many air purifiers do their best work when left switched on all day, especially those with an auto mode that ensures the device changes its output depending on what’s going on in your home. ‘Your
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“Auto mode will help allergy sufferers stay on top of allergens in their home, whatever the season”
FEATURE HUGH METCALF *GESELLSCHAFT FÜR AEROSOLFORSCHUNG, UNDERSTANDING THE ROLE OF AEROSOL PARTICLES IN SARS-COV-2 INFECTION
While hay fever sufferers might always have one eye trained on the pollen count, for the rest of us, air quality has often been a case of what we can’t see can’t hurt us. And then the pandemic happened.
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EXPERT INSIGHT
get the most from your air purifier
David Hill, a design engineer in Environmental Care at Dyson, offers his expertise
Ikea Starkvind table with air purifier
Keep windows closed as purifiers work most efficiently in a sealed environment. Though indoor environments can readily trap outdoor pollution and viruses, opening a window to increase ventilation means poor air quality from outdoors can come inside, particularly if your home is in a city location with high traffic flow or at times of the year where there may be high pollen levels. This can also mean that your purifier will take longer to work. What’s more, opening windows can impact the temperature of a room, affecting the comfort levels. Purifiers only filter one room, so you should use it where you spend the majority of your time at home. When positioning the machine, make sure there is at least a few feet of clearance on all sides so that the air can circulate effectively. Use auto mode as it enables the machine to react when it senses a pollutant. Often for allergy sufferers, the presence of pollutants isn’t known until the symptoms start, but this preventative measure ensures the user doesn’t need to pre-empt pollution or allergen levels increasing in their home. Replace your filter when recommended to ensure optimum performance. On Dyson connected purifiers you can check the status of your current filter using the LCD screen or the Dyson Link app. Use purifiers year-round as every season is allergy season. This won’t be a surprise to you if it seems like your sniffing, sneezing and suffering never ends. The onset of your stuffy nose, watery eyes and fatigue could come at any time of year, depending on what you’re allergic to and where you live. Cooking or lighting a candle or fire can release harmful elements into the air from combustion, while VOCs are emitted from common household items like cleaning and beauty products. Formaldehyde is a lesser-known pollutant but is prominent in indoor environments and can off-gas over time. Sources include paint, wallpapers, foam insulation and new furniture. Get to know the screen display so you can take an active role in monitoring your home’s air quality. The Dyson Air Quality Index is displayed with a rating from Good to Very Poor, the latter of which means that your purifier is detecting a very high level of microscopic particles and VOCs, and should be run at a high speed or set to auto mode. X
dyson.co.uk
Dyson Purifier Hot + Cool Formaldehyde
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LIVE BETTER
quiet please W H E T H E R I T ’ S C L E V E R I N S U L AT I O N OR MUTED APPLIANCES, REDUCING N O I S E AT H O M E W I L L R E A P B E N E F I T S
Depending on where you live, how much building work your neighbours are currently undertaking and whether it’s lawnmowing season, there’s a barrage of sound beyond your four walls – and beyond your control – determined to distract you from the task at hand. Sound is the poor relation in the conversation we’ve started about wellness in our homes – falling by the wayside for the more Instagrammable plant rooms and garden yoga studios. But can you say you’ve never been negatively impacted by noise in your home before? It’s something that deserves our attention – after all, wellbeing is a multisensory affair. ‘Because sound is invisible it is often overlooked,’ explains Poppy Szkiler, co-founder of Quiet Mark, a scheme that awards certification to products that are both quiet and help improve a building’s ‘acoustic comfort’. ‘Yet, the fundamental impact noise has on all the physical rhythms of our bodies, our hormones, heart rate and brain waves, is so profound and inherent to our wellbeing, it should also be central to the design process of the buildings we live in.’ Addressing your home’s relationship with noise is a game of two halves – it begins with the fabric of the building itself and ends with what we put in that building. There are parallels between the quest for a quieter home and a more thermally-efficient one. Though something like a Passivhaus, a high-spec eco build, focuses on strict guidelines for airtightness and a home’s heating requirements, these properties also have a better acoustic barrier than your everyday house almost by accident. ‘By default, the detailing of the thick
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walls and triple glazing means you’ve got a very quiet internal environment,’ explains Mike Jacobs, co-founder of wellness architecture practice Kiss House. ‘Yet, there’s no consideration beyond that of the acoustic separation between rooms or even floors of the building – and this is what we think is really important in making us as humans feel at ease in our homes.’ Using acoustic insulation between walls, floor joists and on the ceiling isn’t something that’s covered by standards such as building regulations, but can have such an effect on the levels of comfort you feel in your home. Even something as simple as watching a film late at night or Naturewall’s not having to creep up to bed in case you SlatWall has a felt disturb the rest of the house is a weight backing lifted thanks to soundproofing measures, and is rated Class A making your house a more pleasant place for sound to spend time in. absorption Of course, the idea that acoustic comfort isn’t just something that you achieve by blocking out the outside world is something you already know very well. We all learned the hard way during the pandemic – and anyone who has adopted working from home for any period of time will be acutely aware that when it comes to some of the most disruptive noise, the problem is coming from inside the house. Appliances, for example, are one of the biggest offenders when it comes to noise, especially for those who work close to the kitchen. Kettles, washing machines and fridges can all be particularly distracting, and while it may seem like a minor inconvenience, it can quickly snowball. ‘Those noisy distractions which zap our productivity mean that we spend more time completing certain tasks, resulting in longer work hours and leading to increased stress levels,’ says Simon Gosling, host of the Quiet Mark podcast. ‘Related anxiety can keep us awake at night, impacting our sleep health, preventing us from recuperating and feeling well.’
FEATURE HUGH METCALF
Listen, do you hear that? If you’re taking a quiet moment out to sit down to read a magazine, then hopefully not. Realistically, a completely silent home is somewhat of a rarity, and one of those things that you never have exactly when you need it.
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“Noise has a fundamental impact on the physical rhythms of our bodies” Textile wall hangings, like this design by Studiopepe for 151 livingetc.com cc-tapis, help to absorb sound
“How sound travels through your home might be architectural at its core, but interior design has a part to play” It’s a significant consequence of not paying attention to the specifications of your purchases. Most appliances come with a decibel rating that should inform part of your shopping process, but you can also look out for products that have undergone acoustic testing from Quiet Mark for a shortcut to a quiet appliance. The ideal appliance would be under 50 decibels when in use, which is quieter than a conversation, but it’s not possible for every bit of tech in your home to achieve that. A washing machine’s spin cycle, for instance, will reach much higher levels, with potential of an additional rattling noise depending on what you’re washing. If possible, keep washing machines and dryers behind integrated doors or, even better, in a separate utility room. If noise is considered negative for our homes, sound is the flip side of the coin – something positive and to be celebrated. But, once again, its intangible nature makes it hard to get to grips with. What does a home with good acoustics even sound like? ‘It’s about creating a comfortable environment where sound becomes something you don’t need to think about,’ explains Cat Hoad, director of Absolute Project Management. She is also a founding member of Interior Design Declares, a global petition movement that advocates a pledge for design professionals to commit to building homes with residents’ wellbeing at its core. ‘Ideally, sounds created within the home won’t be too noisy or echoey, you can hear people speak effortlessly and enjoy music without it being muffled or “clang-y”,’ she explains. How sound travels through your home might be architectural at its core, but interior design has a part to play. A balance of soft
finishes throughout will help with sound absorption, so shouldn’t be overlooked, even in a minimal or industrial decorating scheme. Using timber and plasterboard for walls will also counter the echo potential of the likes of floor tiles and polished concrete floors. ‘You can even consider textile wall hangings,’ suggests Cat, ‘as a means of introducing pieces of art into the home, as well as a useful soundproofing measure.’ These thoughtfully considered interior elements are becoming more of a standard as we focus increasingly on wellness in the home, and you might be surprised at some of the areas in which acoustics are being considered in product design. Lighting, for example, might not be an instantly obvious area in which to explore acoustic comfort aside from ensuring fixtures and switches aren’t buzzing annoyingly. Yet, they’re well placed to go into bat for bettering your home’s soundscape, as sometimes they are the only presence in a room’s airspace that will dampen noise. Shape and material – felt has great acoustic properties, for example – all play a part in this. Beyond fighting the good fight to make things sound better in your home, you can also introduce new sounds that offer positive connotations. Biophilic design is another multisensory practice, and the likes of birdsong and the sound of running water appeal to our evolutionary instincts. Whether it’s in a garden or through an open window, these sounds also train the ear away from peripheral noises, such as the distant hum of road traffic or voices carrying over fences. This is natural white noise that’s easy to encourage with a simple water feature or a couple of bird feeders. At last, something worth listening out for.
3 of the best Q U I E T WA S H I N G M AC H I N E S MIELE WER 865 WPS PWASH & TDOS, £1,999, MIELE.COM A-rated for acoustic airborne emissions, this Miele washing machine is one of the quietest on the market, with a maximum volume of 68 dB during its spin cycle.
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LG TURBOWASH360™ F6V1009BTSE, £1,049.98, LG.COM Quiet Mark approved, this sleek, internetenabled washing machine has a maximum volume of 42 dB when washing, and up to 73 dB during a spin cycle.
SAMSUNG WW90T684DLH, £579, SAMSUNG.COM Choosing an internetenabled washing machine with a quiet wash and spin cycle also means you can set it to wash during the day when you’re out of the house.
smart home Menu’s Dancing pendant, £688, is made from felt, a brilliant sound absorber
EXPERT INSIGHT
sound-masking in a garden Landscape designer Georgia Lindsay on the benefits of running water
Handwoven wall art by Catarina Riccabona, £2,150, The New Craftsmen
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I always try to encourage clients to use water in their gardens even if it’s the simplest bowl. Aside from its beautiful reflective qualities, for me the real power lies in its sound. It’s transformative in any garden but especially in urban environments where we need to mask noise from neighbouring gardens and the hum of the city. The gentle trickling sound of water instantly pulls the focus away from distant sounds and centres you within your garden. A water feature needn’t be anything elaborate – it can be a small trough or container with a basic pump to circulate the water. The bubbling pool will resonate its soothing qualities drawing you in.
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I love to nestle a water feature well within the planting, creating some mystery – the sound enticing you to explore further to search out the source. Place it a comfortable distance away from the seating area to ensure it’s not dominating and drowning out conversations.
Dualit’s Classic kettle, £149, has a Whisper Boil feature
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In a world dominated by technology it’s incredibly grounding to take the time to be present in your garden. The rhythmical, meditative qualities of water enhance your wellbeing. Water will also help to bring wildlife into your garden, which will further enhance your soundscape. Try to ensure there are convenient perching places to help birds and butterflies keep hydrated.
Fill a Freedom Project 4 bookshelf by Riva 1920, £9,000, Heal’s, with sound absorbing books
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There is good reason why ambient meditation music contains water and birdsong to assist in deep contemplation. You can encourage more birds by planting hawthorn, honeysuckle, rowan and shrub rose to name but a few options. You will be rewarded with a symphony of sounds to transport you. What better way to enjoy your garden than surrounded by the fundamental sounds of nature? X
georgialindsaygardendesign.com Karndean’s Korlok flooring has a rigid core with Quiet Mark approved acoustic properties
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time to take it outside I T ’ S O F F I C I A L LY B B Q S E A S O N A N D T H E R E ’ S A N E W M U S T- H AV E F O R G R I L L I N G P E R F E C T I O N – A W O O D F I R E D D E S I G N T H AT L O O K S A S G O O D A S I T C O O K S
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PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
WORDS LIZZIE HUDSON PHOTOGRAPHS (INSET IMAGE) BAKER & EVANS; (MAIN IMAGE) JAKE CURTIS
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or a grilling experience like no other, say hello to Weber’s all-new SmokeFire Wood Fired Pellet, Stealth Edition. Awarded the Red Dot Product Design Award for 2022, this exciting grill brings new, improved performance and features that centre on exceptional wood-fired flavour through low and slow smoking that will give you an outdoor culinary experience like never before. But this isn’t just a functional piece of kit, this is a barbecue that not only delivers superb cooking results, but looks striking, too – making a design statement in any garden. Its sleek, distinctive, all-black aesthetic is a style triumph to behold.
More than being an intelligent product with smart-phone connect technology, the SmokeFire, Stealth Edition is exceptionally good-looking. ‘We took inspiration from fashion trends,’ says Alex. But it’s not just a barbecue that’s been painted black, oh no. ‘With SmokeFire, Stealth Edition, we wanted to make sure we didn’t have just a one-dimensional product,’ he adds. ‘We wanted to add depth. That’s one of the things you see in fashion, with black on black.’ For Weber, Alex tells us, that means black on black with different treatments of gloss and matt. ‘It’s not like we just spray-painted the whole thing black, there are layers; creating those different layers through texture and material change.’
TRUSTED EXPERTISE Weber’s credentials as a leading barbecue manufacturer are deservedly earned thanks to decades of experience. This year, the brand celebrates its 70th anniversary since founder George Stephen created a barbecue by cutting a metal buoy in half and poking holes in it to cook on. Since that spark of ingenuity, Weber has amassed an impressive portfolio of products through the years, evolving with each and every new design. Today, it launches the SmokeFire, Stealth Edition – a thing of beauty.
CO O K I N G P OT E N T I A L In terms of performance, the SmokeFire, Stealth Edition is the first all-in-one pellet grill of its kind. With the Weber Crafted Gourmet BBQ System you can roast, steam, sear and even stir-fry. ‘A lot of the competition out there was pellet smokers. What we sought to do Weber’s sleek new SmokeFire Wood Fired was give versatility for the consumer Pellet Grill, Stealth Edition to grill as well,’ explains Alex. ‘We wanted to make sure that we could reach high temperatures so the consumer can also sear a steak without having to modify the grill at all.’ So what are pellets exactly? They’re compressed wood particles, sourced sustainably from managed forests, that will give your cooking a unique smoky flavour. It’s quick, too. ‘You can go outside, turn a dial and in 10 minutes can cook wood-fire, wood-flavour food.’ With the Weber SmokeFire, Stealth Edition, you get confident cooking with unparalleled flavour. Summer is looking good.
V I S UA L A N D T E C H T R I U M P H From a style and design point of view, Weber has come up trumps, creating a beautiful porcelain-enamel barbecue that showcases the brand’s innovation and skill. ‘What we strive to do as a design team is highlight those moments that consumers have pain with, then eliminate them,’ says Alex Mecker, Weber’s senior industrial designer. An example could be that barbecues don’t usually deliver an even temperature. Weber’s SmokeFire, Stealth Edition, however, will give you the confidence that the food you cook outside is cooking to the perfect degree – 315°C to be precise.
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There are two models to choose from and pricing starts at £1,799. For stockist information and to find out more, visit weber.com
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…and relax B I O P H I L I C D E S I G N E R O L I V E R H E AT H O N T H E I M P O R TA N C E O F C H I L L - O U T Z O N E S
Biophilic design is an evolutionary design ethos which suggests that for hundreds of thousands of years humans have existed in very close connection to nature as a means to survive, thrive and flourish. Even now, our reactions to spaces are based on this evolutionary backdrop – a sort of genetic inheritance. Prospect refuge theory is based on the idea that humans sought out spaces that enabled us to look out over landscapes with a point of prospect, allowing us to see potential threats such as predators, but also to spot opportunities, while having the refuge to feel safe, protected and therefore relaxed. If you imagine humans would have sat in a cave overlooking a landscape, surrounded on three sides with a single point of focus, we would have felt safe knowing that nothing was behind us. It’s relevant today as we still feel that sense of security when we’re looking down onto a space from appointed safety where nobody can see us. In terms of refuge, if you’ve got something behind you, you don’t feel anyone’s going to creep up on you. We need to find areas in the home where we can disconnect and just have a five-minute breather.
FEATURE HUGH METCALF PHOTOGRAPH PETER LANDERS PHOTOGRAPHY
These ideas can be translated into the home and I think it’s probably more important than ever, throughout the whole of human evolution, right now, because we’re so bombarded with requests for sensory stimulation. Our homes are being invaded with more requests for our attention, so I think it’s crucial to find opportunities to give you that sense of a prospect and refuge and allow yourself the opportunity to stop, to relax and to recuperate. It can be as simple as having a little sofa next to a window, and actually one of my favourite kind of prospect refuge devices is the window seat. There are different types of prospect — long, open, uninterrupted views; elevated views that you can look down over spaces; and big expansive views where you get that overarching sense of everything, that can all play a role throughout your home. It’s good to have something to look at, such as the gentle movement of nature, whether that’s water, trees, plants or grasses out in your garden. It’s a biophilic design principle we call ‘soft
fascination’, that sense of movement we find in nature that just demands an effortless attention and allows you to drift off for a moment. Daydreaming isn’t a bad thing – you shouldn’t expect the human mind to be engaged for 12-16 hours a day, it was never designed to be as active as contemporary society demands. Open-plan living spaces are a bit of a bugbear of mine. I think a living room should just be a refuge space that nobody walks through, somewhere you can just recoup without the risk of somebody barging through to get to the kitchen. Using refuge principles, a relaxing space shouldn’t be used for your home’s circulation. Having some control over your environment and honing these prospect refuge spaces is a good idea. For your view, you might consider blinds to control the light or control the view, while artificial lighting that can be dimmed will make it more comfortable. Even down to the idea that you have a blanket for if you get cold – all these help to increase the sense of place, giving you a sensory invitation to go and use the space. X
Oliver Heath is the author of Design a Healthy Home (DK Books) and founder of biophilic design practice Oliver Heath Design, oliverheath.com
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july 2022
Don’t miss next month’s issue – on sale 2 June
PHOTOGRAPH YANN DERET
Get set for style with punch, from colour-pop houses and beautiful bedroom ideas to decorating with murals and our edit of amazing products from independent makers
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the lifestyle edit
Design hacks from a glam new hotspot, where ✱to stay in Barcelona and Yinka Ilori’s home comforts
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the scene
ISOL A BY SAN CARLO IS THE EPITOME OF COLOURFUL SICILIAN ST YLE – GREG AUSTIN AND ANDY GOODWIN FROM FETTLE DESIGN STUDIO SPILL ITS DECOR SECRETS
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CLASH COLOU RS FOR A STRIKING PA L E T T E
The outdoor yellow benches were made bespoke for the project to our design. We chose yellow as a complementary contrast to the pink of the building and greens in the awning and planting. Inside, the yellow palette continues. We used Farrow & Ball’s Babouche after taking inspiration from grand Sicilian houses and native fruits of the island. Yellow and pink would work well in a kitchen or bathroom. Both are fresh, clean hues but don’t look too stark.
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lifestyle
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C R E AT E CONTR AST WITH STRIPES
FEATURE MEGAN SLACK PHOTOGRAPHS HELEN CATHCART
Stripes are quite a typical Italian characteristic you see in awnings. In Isola’s case, it provides a visual contrast against the strong colours we chose for the walls and floors. We used stripes again on the banquettes, complemented with the green leather seats. You can recreate this look by pairing colourful furnishings with a bold wall. If you’re not feeling up to a strong wall colour, you could still create the same effect with a striking colour scheme in your furniture – as well as artwork on a more muted background.
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G O F O R A B R I G H T FAÇ A D E The design was inspired by the traditional villas in Sicily. As part of our research, we found buildings in a soft pink shade. It was important that the exterior of the building contrasted with the predominant colour of the interior but was still tied together with the same language and vibrancy. We used Rose Bay by Fired Earth, which is welcoming and inviting. In a garden, we suggest using a warm shade with lots of plants. Adding mirrors is also a great trick to make a space feel larger.
INVEST IN MARBLE F O R A D R A M AT I C FIRST IMPRESSION
Polished marble is a common feature of grand Italian homes. We typically use both polished and honed marble in our projects, but for Isola we wanted the reflectivity of polished marble to elevate the space. It can work great in a residential setting, although you need to be mindful of where you use it, perhaps not in a bathroom or a space where there is water, but it would look particularly striking in an entrance hall. Isola by San Carlo, 3-8 Barrett Street, London, W1U 1AY, sancarlo.co.uk/ restaurants/isola-london
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barcelona forever
F O R T H I S M O N T H ’ S G U I D E , W E W H I S K YO U T O T H E C ATA L A N C A P I TA L – T H E E N E R G Y- F I L L E D C I T Y T H AT ’ S A T R O V E O F C R E AT I V E I N S P I R AT I O N A N D C U L I N A R Y W I Z A R D R Y. T H E H O T E L S A R E N I C E , T O O
lifestyle
El Palauet IN A SENTENCE
Six luxurious apartments, each with two bedrooms, located along the tree-lined shopping hub of Passeig de Gràcia, with personal assistants on hand to ensure any and all of your needs are met.
DESIGN HIGHLIGHT
This Gothic-fronted property – built in 1906 – is bedecked with original features, from ornate ceilings to stained glass windows. These details form a backdrop for the uber chic interiors. Think steel chairs, modern tables and Arne Jacobsen egg armchairs.
FEATURE SARAH SPITERI
D O N ’ T L E AV E H O M E W I T H O U T
Cotton House IN A SENTENCE
An impeccably designed modern hotel in a historic setting.
DESIGN HIGHLIGHT
The 19th-century building was originally a private palace before being converted into the headquarters of the Cotton Textile Foundation. It has been restored by the celebrated local designer Lázaro Rosa-Violán, who effortlessly blends historic detail and modern design. We love Cotton House’s common spaces, in particular the charming interior patio, with its chic furniture and lush vegetation. At weekends, it hosts a designers market.
The fam – despite their smart appearance, these suites are child friendly (they can accommodate up to three comfortably). Little people are welcomed with recommendations of popular family sites and a toy.
D O N ’ T L E AV E H O M E W I T H O U T
IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD
IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD
WHERE TO CLICK
WHERE TO CLICK
Gaudi’s treasures Casa Milà and Casa Batlló are on your doorstep.
elpalauet.com – book through welcomebeyond.com
A love of fashion. In keeping with the building’s textile history, the hotel offers alterations – linking up with the most prestigious tailor in the city. You can also get bespoke clothes made.
Cotton House is in smart Eixample, blocks from the Gothic Quarter.
hotelcottonhouse.com/en/barcelona
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The Edition
Soho House
IN A SENTENCE
IN A SENTENCE
DESIGN HIGHLIGHT
DESIGN HIGHLIGHT
DON ’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT
D O N ’ T L E AV E H O M E W I T H O U T
Smart rooms in an utterly brilliant location, souped-up with four excellent in-house bars and restaurants.
Don’t let the plain exterior fool you – inside you’ll find chic cream decor, walnut-panelled walls, oak floors, high ceilings and striking modern art. The rooftop terrace is an urban oasis of white fabrics and jaw-dropping views.
Your dancing shoes – you are in stumbling distance of the city’s buzzing bar and resto scene, and you can end the night at either the Punch Room bar or in the basement cocktail den-cum-club.
IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD
Beside the Picasso Museum and the Gothic Cathedral, adjacent to the Santa Caterina Market and steps from Plaça de Catalunya, Passeig de Gràcia and Barceloneta beach…
WHERE TO CLICK editionhotels.com/barcelona
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Members-club style, service and sass in a striking building in the Gothic Quarter.
All the gorgeousness you’d expect from Soho House – a modern country spirit and luxuriously comfortable furniture – but with a dose of Catalan flair thanks to Hector Restrepo Calvo, a Barcelona-based architect brought in for the project.
Sunnies and a swimsuit. The bewitching rooftop pool is heated and open year-round (plus the beach is in walking distance).
IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD
The hotel is a two-minute walk to the bottom of La Rambla (and the Drassanes metro station), and a 10-minute walk to the cathedral. You’re also right on the port.
WHERE TO CLICK
sohohouse.com/houses/soho-house-barcelona – you do have to be a Soho House or Soho Friends member to book.
Nobu Barcelona
The Wittmore
IN A SENTENCE
IN A SENTENCE
DESIGN HIGHLIGHT
DESIGN HIGHLIGHT
D O N ’ T L E AV E H O M E W I T H O U T
D O N ’ T L E AV E H O M E W I T H O U T
A 259-room hotel designed for sophisticates – this is coined as a luxury lifestyle experience, whatever that means…
With design by the Rockwell Group, expect Japanese minimalism but with oodles of comfort and the odd splash of colour. The rooms offer breathtaking city views.
Making a reservation at the top floor restaurant, now considered a major player on the local foodie scene. It stays true to Nobu’s philosophy of locality, making references both to classic Catalan cuisine and the brand’s Japanese DNA.
IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD
An adults-only retreat tucked away down a quiet street in the midst of the bustle of the Gothic Quarter.
Patterned wallpaper, red velvet, dark wood panelling, sultry colours and mid-century furniture – the vibe here is very clubby. The rooms look on to the inner courtyard, giving a very private feel.
Something a little smarter to pull on in the evening – although the Barcelona vibe is informal, you may want to dress up a little for the chi-chi bar and restaurant. The crowd here is attractive and trendy.
IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD
You’re a step away from the hotspots, so instead live like a local and enjoy exploring the largely tourist-free nearby areas of Sants and Hostafrancs, with their buzzy markets and sun-filled squares.
This is the most sought-after location in Barcelona, its creative beating heart and you can lose hours wandering the charming streets. You’re also only a few metres from the sea (the hotel also has a bijou rooftop pool worth knowing about).
WHERE TO CLICK
WHERE TO CLICK
barcelona.nobuhotels.com
wittmorehotel.com – book via mrandmrssmith.com
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cook
K A L E W I T H T O M AT O E S , C R E A M E D M O Z Z A R E L L A A N D W I L D R I C E
serves 4 Olive oil 1 small onion, cut into thin slices 2 garlic cloves, minced Salt and freshly ground black pepper 60ml white wine 180g wild rice, soaked overnight in 1ltr water A 230g bunch kale, mid ribs stripped, dried well and cut into 6mm ribbons A 230g ball fresh mozzarella 60g soured cream 1 lemon, zest and juice
RECIPE TAKEN FROM RUFFAGE ©2019 BY ABRA BERENS. PHOTOGRAPHS BY EE BURGER. ILLUSTRATIONS BY LUCY ENGELMAN. USED WITH PERMISSION FROM THE AUTHOR AND CHRONICLE BOOKS, LLC. VISIT CHRONICLEBOOKS.COM
455g cherry tomatoes, halved
Soaked rice will cook much more quickly and will ‘pop’ when cooked, improving the texture
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Heat a glug of olive oil in a pan. Sweat the onion and garlic with a pinch of salt until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the white wine and cook until reduced by half. Add the wild rice and the soaking liquid and cook until tender, about 45 minutes. In a mixing bowl, sprinkle the kale with a pinch of salt. Massage the kale until it is dark green, limp and tender in mouthfeel.
Tear the ball of mozzarella into rough chunks. Add to a bowl and combine with the soured cream, lemon zest and juice, a good pinch of salt and a couple of grinds of black pepper. When the wild rice is cooked, drain any residual liquid and let cool. Toss the tomatoes, kale and wild rice together with a couple glugs of olive oil and a pinch of salt. Taste and adjust the seasoning as required. Dot with the creamed mozzarella and serve.
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lifestyle
better-lived life
D E S I G N E R Y I N K A I L O R I O N T H E S I M P L E P L E A S U R E S T H AT B R I N G J OY
My biggest home comfort is my sofa. It’s big – an off-white eight-seater from Andrew Martin. Why is it so big? Well, I have a large family so it brings everyone together. And it’s incredibly comfortable, too. There’s nothing better than coming back from a long day at work and jumping on it to relax and watch TV. My colour palette at home is surprisingly minimal. My studio is colourful so that separation between studio and home is quite important for me. I want a place of calm, solace, reflection and relaxation. My walls are white, but I have colourful artwork and rugs. I basically bring in the colour through my objects. One of my favourite pieces is a pair of vintage lamps which I bought from The Old Cinema in Chiswick. They’re French-inspired with beautiful ornate details on the base. People may think I am quite modernist but I do really like vintage pieces and collectibles. Two Columbia Road in east London is a great shop for picking up good pieces.
Swirl Flower painted plate, £295 for set of 2, Emporio Sirenuse at Matchesfashion
Aami Aami cotton cushion, £95, Yinka Ilori
I spend a lot of money on plates and vases. For good plates I would head straight to Matchesfashion – they have a huge selection including one-offs and those that are hand-painted. My mother had a cabinet full of glassware, which was her pride and joy, so I think I’ve adopted the same love of collecting. The last interiors piece I bought was a wooden chair by Max Lamb. It’s very solid and deep when you sit on it. It practically holds you in. I’ve also got a Philippe Malouin table for the kitchen. Around it I have my Square stools (seen top left) – I like to use pops of colour to help uplift a space.
Lounge chair by Max Lamb for Vaarnii, £2,520, Twentytwentyone
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Bougie scented candle, £45, Comme des Garçons at Selfridges
I am happiest at home when I am eating! My dish of the moment is goat meat pepper soup. I order it or my mum cooks some and brings it round. Food is the centre of everything. It’s all about conversation and making memories. X
yinkailori.com
FEATURE BUSOLA EVANS PHOTOGRAPHS (YINKA ILORI) ANDREW MEREDITH; (LOUNGE CHAIR) JUSSI PUIKKONEN
Scented candles give me a sense of luxury. I like Comme des Garçons’ Bougie, Diptyque candles and also ones from an independent brand called Oré mi, which is inspired by Nigerian heritage. Growing up in Nigeria, candles were always quite symbolic and often used in prayer so I do think there is something rather powerful about them.
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