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Now29 Moodboard Channel the spirit of modernism by pairing cobalt and ochre with the palest neutrals

35 Colour Sixties seating updated, geometric rugs and scalloped accessories

36 Form Flos’s nut shaped pendant light, Japandi furniture, stone based tables and a special edition of Artek’s ‘Domus’ chair

39 Cr a f t Bloomsbury inspired quilts, ceramic tableware and colourful glass

40 N ame t o know Byard Works, purveyor of pared back, sustainable pieces

42 The edit Eight mirrors for reflected glory and expert advice on how to pick one

45 Tr end Modern reimaginings of the Memphis Group’s exuberant aesthetic

47 Spotlight Covetable pieces in autumn’s hottest hues

53 Lit t le moments of joy Matilda Goad on the debut of her light hearted collection for Anthropologie

59 My cultural life Osman Yousefzada, designer and artist, reveals his inspirations

6 0 S ocial lif e Painter Christabel Blackburn’s vibrant Instagram inspiration

63 Design DNA Gubi’s re release of designer Joe Colombo’s 1960s rattan series

90

65 Tr e asur ed Furniture brand Pinch’s founders share a model of their home that’s helped them through adversity

67 Fashioning t he fut ur e of home Introducing Ann Demeulemeester ’s elegantly spare furniture range for Serax

72 Books The six best reads to add to your coffee table this month

74 St y le scout Laura Jackson plugs into Copenhagen and Paris’s creative current

76 Icon London’s evolving (and revolving ) landmark, the BT Tower

79 Cr e a tive space MAH launches its new showroom, with emerging artists featuring prominently in the mix

85 Destination Exploring Battersea Power Station’s transformation

90 Industr y index The bold colours and contrasts of Milan’s DWA Design Studio

95 Kitchens Armani’s ‘Atelier’ collection might be the ultimate in couture cookery

98 Ag end a From London Cocktail Week to Amy Sherald at Hauser & Wirth, don’t forget these dates for your diary

101 L ond on Design Festival 2022 Our guide to the unmissable attractions on offer at this year ’s exhibition

Focus

131 L ook up! Ceilings are the new frontier in decoration explore the ways they are ripe for reinvention 139 ...and look d ow n Utilitarian floorcoverings have been given an alluring contemporary spin

This season’s har vest of pat tern and design is a rich one, from the jewels in the latest fabric and wallpaper collections (110) to the new trend for plaid with at titude (119), and freshly released paint shades that will inspire ever yone to make a change at home (128)

Spaces

146 The fut ur e is now Design’s avant garde new mood

158 Ever yd ay d elights A light filled family home in Warsaw is enhanced with playful pops of pattern and colour

172 Form follows function This Milanese live/work space is a testament to the ethical, considered values of its creators, the founders of Formafantasma

180 Per f e c t ly cast In an east London home, the landscape of Northern Ireland provides a tranquil, grounding palette

190 Lif e is f ant astical Bespoke comic book inspired artworks and a neon hued colour scheme ensure this Venetian apartment is unlike any other

196 Rise up! For the architect owner of this high rise space in Antwerp, his brutalist home is his best calling card

208 The ar chit e c t ur e of luxur y From an Aubusson tapestry wallhanging to a Gilbert & George artwork, every aspect of this Milan flat exudes quality

216 Designs f or lif e How the WFH revolution triggered a repurposing of this family house in Canonbury

Great

for

282 St ockists

Where to buy your favourites

290 Ar chive

Style lessons from a 1999 issue

On the covers

Cover In our ‘Spaces’ section (158), this colourful kitchen in Venice, photographed by Helenio Barbet ta, is bursting with creativit y and originalit y

Cover The light dappled bathroom at Flamingo Estate in L A (235), photographed by Mat thieu Salvaing, is the star of our dedicated 64 page special

the future and my home Hope looks to be in somewhat short supply these days Whether it’s the toxic leadership contest to become our next prime minister (neither candidate I’m particularly enamoured with, I must say), ongoing war in Ukraine, endless strikes, rampant inflation and the cost of living crisis starting to bite, another looming Covid surg e on the horizon How quickly that post pandemic positivity seems to have disappeared and here, once again, we find ourselves desperately searching for something to cling to Surrounded by gloom, there’s no merit in looking back regret i

embracing the possibility of change and the fact that things move on, that gives me energy and focus Creating the sense that ‘the future is now ’ provides a welcome distraction; it drives and motivates what I do and what this magazine represents

Where and how we choose to live offers a special sort of solace Simplistically, home is a sanctuary, somewhere you can close the door and protect yourself from the demons amassing in the shadows On another level, it’s also somewhere you can exact instant change Transforming the way rooms look, even in the most minimal way, is empowering, whether it’s painting a banister, hanging a new curtain in a brightly patterned fabric or swapping a lampshade When you feel powerless to change anything in the outside world, interior design projects like these can make you feel euphoric

So, this month, we wanted to create a dopamine hit of an issue, packed with pages of eclectic and inspiring spaces There’s a focus on innovative ways to decorate (clue: overhead and underfoot are where it’s at), our guide to the most luxurious new fabrics, wallpapers and paints, plus a whole host of fascinating individuals who we’re dying to introduce you to If that wasn’t enough, there’s also ELLE Decoration Bathrooms Volume 7, our annual exploration of that retreat within a retreat, the one room where we are, perhaps, most emotionally connected to our surroundings

My advice? Look to the future it’s bright, colourful, crazy and unlike anything you’ve seen before If you search hard enough, you’ll realise it’s already here and that, actually, it is full of hope

Ben Spriggs

Editor in Chief

the

Rodolfo Dordoni,

Call me naïve, but the way I get through turbulent times is to focus on t wo things:

This

Decorate with… the modern modernist

apartment

The inspiration

Designed and built in the late 1920s, Eileen Gray ’s groundbreaking Villa E 1027 found inspiration in its location, perching above the Bay of Monaco on the Côte d’Azur As well as the building itself, Gray designed the furniture, lamps and decorative finishes in the house, which looks like a ship about to set sail The nautical theme is subtly referenced through cream and blue tones, which are lifted by dashes of yellow ranging from soft butter to deep ochre

A diverse palette of textures enhances the sense of calm and intimacy that Gray created in this very personal expression of her design philosophy ultimate proof that modernism needn’t be cold or austere, but full of warmth and humanity

The palet t e

per roll, Villa Nova (villanova co uk)

10 ‘Printemps’ woven piping in ‘Mykonos Blue’, £29 per m, Samuel & Sons (samuelandsons com)

11 ‘Moulay’ tile in ‘Pumice’, £59 28 per sq m, Claybrook (claybrookstudio co uk)

12 ‘Bengali Tonic’ fabric in ‘Blue P062’, £54 57 per m, Sunbrella (sunbrella com)

13 ‘Hyde Park’ fabric in ‘10934 185’, £148 per m, Zimmer + Rohde, (zimmer rohde com)

14 ‘Espira Corka’ flooring, £58 per sq m,

Colour Flooring (colour flooring co uk)

15 ‘Arda’ fabric in ‘Cream’ by Front, £146 per m, Kvadrat (kvadrat dk)

16 ‘Loop Loop’ bouclet te fabric in ‘Col 5 Bount y ’ , £129 per m, Dedar (dedar com)

moodboard

The colour card

1 ‘White 02’, £42 for 2 5 litres, Lick (lick com)

2 ‘Shadow White’, £52 for 2 5 litres, Farrow & Ball (farrow ball com)

3 ‘Lemon Spirit’, £40 54 for 2 5 litres, Dulux (dulux co uk)

4 ‘House Points’, £46 for 2 5 litres, Coat (coatpaints com)

5 ‘Long Acre No 102’, £55 50 for 2 5 litres, Mylands (mylands com)

6 ‘Smalt’, £52 for 2 5 litres, Lit tle Greene (lit tlegreene com)

7 ‘Black Cab’, £46 for 2 5 litres, Graham & Brown (grahambrown com)

moodboard

The int erior

A dding a splash of blue and yellow to a neutral scheme can add instant character Here, we show how the trick is in getting the mix right by layering materials velvet and bouclé, lacquer and leather to build a complementary palette of tones and textures that’s tranquil and cosy yet cool

1 Painting a wall in a bold cobalt creates a visual divide in the Tuscan home of Samuele Failli, with blue ‘Lady’ sofas by Marco Zanuso for Cassina continuing the theme (studio1architet ti com)

2 Don’t just look to walls: the floor is a great opportunit y to play with colour too, as seen in this apartment by Madrid based studio Casa Josephine, where mustard curtains complement the tiles underfoot (casajosephine com)

3 Blue can give the most minimalist space a touch of the contemporar y just look at the inky ‘Von’ chair by Hlynur Atlason for Ercol in this scheme

4 Rhonda Drakeford of Studio Rhonda used chalkier shades to bring depth to this King’s Cross apartment A pair of ‘Chiltern’ sofas from The Conran Shop pair with primrose yellow concrete tiles by Bert & May (studio rhonda com)

The easy updat e

1 ‘Anniversar y Edition 1952’ reclining chair by Robin Day, £2,725, Twent y t went yone (t went y t went yone com)

2 ‘Iso A’ side table by Pool, £330, Petite Friture (petitefriture com)

3 ‘Silai’ rug in blue by Gandia Blasco, £2,780, Heal’s (heals com)

4 ‘Polder Compact’ sofa in ‘Night Blue’ by Hella Jongerius for Vitra, £4,692, Utilit y Design (utilit ydesign co uk)

Ride the wave

Sixties siren

For the grooviest of schemes, choose Zanotta’s re released ‘Karelia’ chair, designed by Liisi Beckmann. An icon of the 1960s, it was one of the first armchairs without structure, made entirely of polyurethane foam In this new edition, the undulating cur ves are made all the more striking by the shimmering, diagonally woven ‘ bioelastic’ fabric . Hooks on the feet allow modules to be joined, creating a continuous seat £1,859 (zanotta it)

Check it out

In collaboration with the renowned Scandinavian artist Evelina Kroon, interior design brand Layered has unveiled ‘A Walk in the Park’, a new collection of four rugs (available in three sizes) inspired by nature’s changes through the seasons With their bold, geometric designs and expressive colour palettes, they ’ll add a modern point of interest to a minimalist room From £1,095 ( layeredinterior com)

Branching out

Patricia Urquiola’s ‘Almendra’ lighting system for Flos is the latest addition to our autumn wish list Its name Spanish for almond is reflected in the design, which resembles t wo shells of an open nut, connected by a central pin where LED bulbs are hidden. T he branch like shape is available in cur ved and linear editions, with three, four or six lights in a range of nature inspired colours; we particularly like the ‘Ocher ’ shade ( pictured) From £2 ,285 ( flos com)

Hear t of stone

Designed for The Conran Shop by the award winning east London design and craf t studio Gareth Neal, this series of tables includes the ‘GN1’, inspired by ancient staddle stones mushroom shaped, car ved pieces of rock historically used as bases for granaries and hayricks and is offered in British oak and American walnut finishes £4,195 (conranshop co uk)

Raw ambition

Copenhagen-based furniture master Frama has teamed up with Japanese fashion brand-to -know Hender Scheme on a collection that sees some of its classic pieces revamped, alongside new designs. Our top picks are the ‘Shelf Librar y Cabinet ’ (£2,254), ‘Adam’ stool (£ 470), and ‘Tasca’ table (£1,416), all pictured (framacph.com).

Knock on wood

The ‘Domus’ chair, originally dreamt up by Finnish designer Ilmari Tapiovaara for Artek in 1946 to furnish a student housing complex, has since been celebrated as a masterpiece of modern furniture In recognition of its legacy, Artek has launched ‘ Wooden Conversation’, a special edition of the chair inspired by the archives that uses two different kinds of wood: Finnish birch and American elm £869 (artek fi)

Artisanal appeal

Toast’s new collection is designed around the theme of ‘a canvas of expression’, taking inspiration from the Bloomsbury Group’s talent for upcycling and decorating everyday pieces From hard wearing chopping boards to painterly jugs, the collection embodies that balance between practicality and panache A prime example is the ‘Firle’ quilt, crafted in Uttar Pradesh from a patchwork of cotton fabrics, then stuffed and kantha quilted by hand £350 (toa st)

Glaze and favour

Australian design studio Marloe Marloe is renowned for its low key, stealth wealth ceramics Now, it has launched a kitchenware collection, created with daily rituals in mind, to include salt pots, a spoon rest and tableware, all of fered in the brand’s signature understated glazes Plates and bowls, from £115 (marloemarloe com)

Glow for it

With its rounded form and glossy finish, the ‘Fonte’ light by Christian Haas ( below) for Favius will add a touch of upscale pep to any side table. T hanks to its ceramic shell (available in three colours) and dimmable bulb, the entire lamp is illuminated when turned on, emitting a sof t glow f rom top to bottom that creates the per fect cosy atmosphere for autumn evenings Approx £660 ( favius de)

name to know

Byard Works

T his new east London based brand uses pared back materials in sustainable designs. We talk to its founder…

Nottingham born Rob Parker used to work in visual merchandising for fashion brands Paul Smith and Fossil Group before he decided to retrain as a furniture maker in 2019 In 2021, he founded his brand, Byard Works, which showed at London Design Festival that year and at Clerkenwell Design Week in 2022 What was behind your decision to found Byard Works? I decided to take the jump when my role at Fossil Group was dissolved visual merchandising is a young person’s game! and retrain in furniture design at Building Crafts College in east London, just before the pandemic It was actually quite exhilarating, because I knew what I wanted to do and where I wanted to go Lockdown provided the time to be creative, to design pieces and g et them m a d e i t f e l t l i k e a g r e a t o p p o r t u n i t y I w o r k f r o m h o m e i n Walthamstow or from my shared studio around the corner, which I really like, as there’s a whole skillset there I can tap into Where did your interest in design come from? My parents have always been passionate about architecture; they inherited that from their own parents I can trace my love of design back to a 1950s yellow plant pot owned by my grandparents it had little metal legs, was very space age and absolutely fascinated me I travelled a lot in my previous jobs and I was always inspired by the architecture of the towns I visited But visual merchandising is very temporary; you’re creating images and displays that will be gone in a week or a month Furniture, on the other hand, lasts for generations

That yellow plant pot belongs to me now, and I’ve named one of my favourite pieces, the ‘Dommett’ cabinet, after my grandmother (it was her maiden name) in return

C a n y o u t e l l u s m o r e a b o u t t h e aesthetic behind Byard Works?

From

The name of the brand is tied to my c h i l d h o o d a n d my d a y s w o r k i n g a t Paul Smith in Nottingham: the original store was on Byard Lane It was a real c o m m u n i t y, w h e r e I m a d e a l o t o f friends, and I wanted a name that would relate to my roots I’ve always liked brutalist architecture, and one of my major influences is the Barbican Centre

The ‘Barbs’ mirror ’s name is a nod to this its scalloped edges take inspiration from some of the building ’s window details The Scottish designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh is also always in the back of my mind when I’m making a piece I do wonder sometimes if he’d have endorsed my work!

What’s coming up next for you?

I’m going to be exhibiting at Surface Design Show in February next year, as part of the ‘New Talent’ section One of my favourite pieces is the ‘Jose’ chair, which is made of birch plywood with a cork backrest it’s just really simple, elegant and comfortable For Surface, I’ll be turning the same concept into a rang e of stools, tables and maybe a sofa or chaise longue Every one of the pieces will be fully recyclable and will feature natural cork, a material I like for its sustainability byardworks com

Mirrors

T he fairest of them all, f rom colour f ul and graphic statements to organically shaped finds

Reflect ed glor y

How do you choose the right mirror? We ask the experts for their top tips

A mirror is perhaps as essential to a striking design scheme as artwork, furniture and lighting and yet, it can so often be an afterthought ‘In terms of things you can buy for your home, a mirror is probably the one that changes the feeling of the space the most,’ says interior designer Beata Heuman Given how impactful they can be, how can you be sure you’re choosing the right one? Heuman’s advice is to consider, first and foremost, the placement of a mirror ‘If you have a lamp in front of one, it reflects the light, meaning you can create another mood and atmosphere,’ she says ‘In my first flat, I didn’t have a massive budget, but I would buy cheap mirrors and put them over doors I still like doing that, as it draws the eye upwards and reflects the room It’s such an effective way of adding depth and height ’ If you’re looking to make a big statement for a relatively low cost, mirrors are an excellent tool As Heuman points out, ‘They can even be a great alternative to artwork, which would normally be more expensive ’ Interior designer Charlotte Rey (one half of the creative studio Campbell Rey) agrees ‘Mirrors are incredibly versatile in size, colour and shape, and easily work for pure decoration,’ she says ‘Mix and match frames, or hang them in a way that makes the room look more spacious for example, in a corner on adjacent walls ’ Look for unusual shapes, frames and finishes that either complement the room, or create a contrasting focal point When it comes to size, Rey advises that bigger is usually better ‘My general rule is to go for a larger size than you think you need a mirror should always feel generous,’ she adds A collection of smaller ones can also be very effective on one large wall Whatever you choose, dot a variety of different shapes and sizes throughout your home; when the need for a refresh strikes, you can swap them around and completely change the look of each space in an instant

1 Large ‘Cooper’ mirror, £1,295, Soho Home (sohohome com) 2 ‘Round Cur ve ’ mirror by Chelsea Vivash, £320, Glasset te (glasset te com) 3 ‘Cosmos’ mirror by Nanda Vigo, £786, Glas Italia (glasitalia com) 4 ‘Coastal’ mirror by Kieran Let ts, £599, Heal’s (heals co uk) 5 ‘Royal Arch’ rat tan mirror, £260, Hastshilp (hastshilp co uk) 6 ‘Duplum’ mirror in ‘Blue Ink’ by Nicholai Wiig Hansen for Raawii, £185, The Conran Shop (conranshop co uk) 7 ‘Stripy’ mirror, from £2,100, Beata Heuman (shoppa beataheuman com) 8 ‘Egon’ mirror by Samuel Accoceberr y, £4,530, Flexform (flexform it)

New Memphis

When the Italian designer Ettore Sottsass founded the Memphis Group in 1980, it was considered one of the most divisive style movements of the 20th century. A mish mash of asymmetrical shapes and primary colours, crafted from materials including terrazzo and plastic laminate, the collective’s work might once have been polarising but, now, not only are the originals being shown the love they deserve (the dedicated Memphis Milano Galleria opened in Milan earlier this year to much applause), but contemporary designers are also finding fresh inspiration in its rule breaking ethos. We welcome the new rebels…

‘Tramonto a New York’ sofa by Gaetano Pesce, from £22,405, Cassina (cassina com)

Add some spice

The approachofanewseasonisinspiring a warming palette

‘H Tartan’ throw, Hermès

The luxury fashion house’s latest collection spans oak framed furniture and lamps made from parachute fabric, but special attention must be paid to its textile offerings, which include this hand woven and hand dyed throw With cashmere appliqué threaded throughout, it is one of the standout pieces and the herald of a new trend for rebelliously modern plaids (see more on p119) Made in Nepal, with a tartan pattern created by fine strips of cashmere that imitate the interlacing of a weave, it’s ideal for draping artfully over any sofa for a soft pop of yellow Price on application ( hermes com)

feature

spotlight

‘Palm Duet ’ chaise longue and ‘Sidelong’ table, Loro Piana

Nothing says new season comfort like Raphael Navot’s designs for Loro Piana This contemporary interpretation of a chaise longue is part of the ‘Palm’ family of furniture, the designs of which are all intended to complement one another Complete with a generous armrest, it’s a masterpiece of straighter lines combined with soft curves, rendered in linen or our favourite ‘Cashfur ’ (pictured), a super soft cashmere and silk fabric woven on knitted looms The ‘Sidelong ’ table in walnut wood follows the chaise longue’s shape, providing the perfect spot for a drink (or two) as you stretch out ‘Palm Duet’ chaise longue in ‘Apricot’, £30,000; ‘Sidelong ’ table, £13,000 ( loropiana com)

feature

‘Matrice’ bookshelf, Fendi Casa

Make your shelving the star of the show even when it’s empty with the ‘Matrice’, a steel framed number with paste dyed glass shelves designed by Milanese favourites Dimore Studio for Fendi Casa Nodding to Frank Lloyd Wright’s functional designs ( but with a thoroughly contemporary twist), the ‘Matrice’ is inspired by Rome and the 1960s, capturing what Dimore founders Britt Moran and Emiliano Salci call ‘the luxurious yet unpretentious aesthetics’ of that decade, with its geometric shapes, glossy surfaces and colour palette of warm brown and orange Price on application (fendicasa com)

W O R D S : N A M E P C T U R E S N A M E spotlight

Little moments of jyo

It is the small things in life that Matilda Goad pays the most a t t e n t i o n t o. ‘ I ’m a g r e a t b e l i e v e r t h a t y o u r s u r r o u n d i n g s should make you feel happy and grounded,’ says the 33 year old d e s i g n e r. S h e l a u n c h e d h e r b u s i n e s s w i t h a s c a l l o p e d r a ffi a lampshade back in 2017 and now operates Matilda Goad & Co with a talented team of five, creating everything from cutlery to lamps and picture frames.

Take the recent launch of her frilled, colour trimmed linen hand towels and bath mats as an example of this approach. ‘They are bestsellers because customers feel that, if they ’re going to have a shower or bath at least once a day, why not have something beautiful rather than everything in boring old white?’ she explains.

Above Matilda Goad sits on a vintage sideboard decorated with her swan planters (from £85) and oval mirror (£384), all from her new Anthropologie collection

British designer Matilda Goad’s new collection for Anthropologie is a versatile offering of accessories and f urniture linked by her colour f ul, light hearted st yle

WOR D S FI O NA M C C ARTHY

Flexibility was the key to much of the thinking behind the range. ‘I like the idea of people adapting the things I design, because we all have different lifestyles,’ says Goad. A bar table resembling a butler ’s tray, for instance, ‘can be styled up as a little drinks station or placed by the bed or sofa’, while the ‘Heart’ chair, inspired by a bistro style design she spotted at a Paris fleamarket years ago, ‘works just as well in a bathroom, piled with books, as it does around the kitchen table’.

T h

swans I’ve collected on eBay ’ might be filled with ice to chill a bottle of wine, used as a fun container for loo rolls, or put to work in the garden. ‘Each piece has a function, but hopefully also makes you smile,’ Goad explains over a cup of tea in her new studio, which is based in the Tay Building in north west London and will open as a showroom ( by appointment only) this autumn.

C

honed while working as a fashion stylist (Goad’s last job before starting her own business was with the fashion photographer

This month, Goad brings her ‘utility revitalised, tradition r e i nve n t e d ’ et h o s t o h i g h st r e et b r a n d A n t h r o p o l o g i e . T h e n e w c o l l e c t i o n i n c l u d e s r e t r o i n s p i r e d b a r w a r e , l i g h t i n g , c u s h i o n s, m i r r o r s, t u f t e d r u g s a n d e ve n h e r fi r st f o r ay i n t o furniture an occasional table with a sculptural raffia base and a dining chair with a heart shaped back.

resonates with bold combinations of lilac and emerald green

‘ You don’t have to use every colour under the sun to make your home sing,’ adds Goad, who is almost evangelical about the power of accessorising your home ‘ You can have white walls, but layering a bright gingham tray on top of an ottoman or lining a shelf with a row of jewel hued drinking glasses adds character and soul ’ anthroplogie com; matildagoad com

From left Heart backed dining chair, £398; dining table, £698; glasses, £18 each; set of coasters, £42; rug, from £78, all Matilda Goad for Anthropologie

o r b u tt e r c u p y e l l ow t e a m e d w i t h c o b a l t b l u e ‘ I a m a l w a y s b a l a n c i n g w a r m a n d c o o l c o l o u r s t o g e t h e r,’ s h e s a y s A n d l o n g t i m e f a n s o f G o a d w i l l b e h a p p y t h a t t h e d e s i g n e r ’s enduring love of wicker is in the mix too You’ll spot it wound around the stem of a cherry shaped ice bucket or used to top and tail a frosted glass lantern shade

‘Each piece has a function, but hopefully also makes you smile’

Osman Yousef zada

A person of note tells us what they’re watching, listening to and more…

T h i s L o n d o n b a s e d , B i r m i n g h a m b o r n i n t e r d i s c i p l i n a r y a r t i s t ’s p r a c t i c e h a s expanded since he launched his eponymous fashion label in 2008 His work is concerned w i t h t h e r e p r e s e n t a t i o n o f t h e m i g r a n t experience and references contemporary socio political issues themes he explores through moving images, installations, text w o r k s, s c u l p t u r e , g a r m e n t m a k i n g a n d p e r f o r m a n c e Yo u s e f z a d a h a s e x h i b i t e d globally, from the Whitechapel Gallery and L a h o r e B i e n n a l e t o t h e C i n c i n n a t i A r t Museum in Ohio His trio of site specific installations, What is Seen and What is Not, (on display at the V&A until 30 September) were commissioned by the British Council and the London gallery to mark 75 years of Pakistan’s independence

The first band I loved was Oasis (6) Their rich sound became the anthem of a generation especially a working class generation My all time favourite piece of music would probably be Sanson Ki Mala by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (2) It’s a Hindu devotional song, sung by a Muslim I’m currently listening to The Blaze, a French duo Their music is transportative a n d f i t s i n w i t h my d a y d r e a m i n g I l i k e reimagining spaces and worlds in my work, and sometimes the right frequency of music helps me do that

The book that influenced me the most is The Crack Up, a collection of essays by F Scott Fitzgerald I love the language and the beautifully constructed sentences After so many years, it still stays with me

My favourite films are American Beauty and the Studio Ghibli classic Howl’s Moving Castle (4) Both are hypnotic

I’m currently reading a preview book: Mohsin Hamid’s The Last White Man (7) [an allegorical tale that touches on ideas of race, love and loss] I can’t put it down

I’m currently watching Stranger Things, trying to keep up with Gen Z Plus RuPaul’s Drag Race, for when I want to unwind

My best loved quote is, ‘The wound is the place where the light enters you,’ by Rumi

My favourite painting is Chris Ofili’s Blue Devils It’s so mesmerising, the colour play and restrictive palette It’s like taking a walk in the twilight

My favourite galleries are the V&A, Tate Modern and the Ikon Gallery in Birmingham (3) Their programming is always inspiring

My favourite restaurant is 180 House on the Strand (1) or any Soho House, where I usually order the avocado and lettuce salad

The greatest meal I’ve ever had is my sister ’s biryani sublime She and my mum are the best cooks Sorry, I’m biased!

My c o l l e c t i n g m a i n l y c o n s i st s o f my friends’ artworks I normally swap one of my works in return

If I won the lottery, I’d open up an art school in a working class area

M y f a v o u r i t e p l a c e i n t h e w o r l d i s

Zanzibar (5), particularly the old part of the city known as Stone Town It has this special synthesis of Arab, Persian, Indian and European elements

If I could have designed one thing , it would have been the iPhone but I would get it to switch off when it thinks you have used it too much for the day

This year, I’m looking forward to my show at the V&A What is Seen and What is Not and my trip to Ubud in Bali (8) for the literary festival osmanstudio com

social life

Christ abel Blackburn

T his month, we’re looking to this artist ’s Instagram grid, which is a wealth of colour f ul scenes that offer a brighter perspective on life

For a punch of graphic, joy filled art on your walls or feed look to Christabel Blackburn, whose Instagram page is awash with her colourful creations The London based painter has gained favour for her renditions of daily life, winning Sky Arts’ ‘Portrait Artist of the Year’ in 2020 ‘I come

always going to do something in the arts,’ she says ‘I admire Hockney ’s use of colour, and people often compare my work to his, but I always look at contemporary artists like Amoako Boafo and Lynette Yiadom Boakye ’ Blackburn also credits Instagram as an ‘invaluable’ ideas source ‘Not only i

unlimited, but it’s a way to discover new artists and be constantly inspired,’ she says From her studio in Baron’s Court, Blackburn works on shows (such as her most recent at Alex Eagle Studio in Soho) and commissions while listening to music, podcasts and audio books, but admits she has ‘a remarkable ability to procrastinate it’s all part of the creative process!’ This autumn she’ll release a new body of work with affordable art sellers Partnership

exhibition But there may still be surprises around the corner: ‘There are always new things coming up, so I never know exactly how the future looks ’ @christabelblackburn

‘Basket

seating by Joe Colombo

From

design

Even fans of the maverick Italian designer Joe Colombo’s furniture may not instantly recognise this collection as his handiwork Captivated by the aesthetic of the atomic era, Colombo is most famous for his revolutionary pieces in plastic: designs that zinged with sci fi styling and bright colour, such as the ‘Elda’ armchair and ‘Boby ’ trolley This outdoor collection originally created in the 1960s for rattan specialist Pierantonio Bonacina is something of an undiscovered gem

During Colombo’s tragically short career (the designer died suddenly and unexpectedly on his 41st birthday in 1971), he made a big and lasting impression After studying painting and sculpture at the Brera A cademy of Fine Art in his hometown of Milan, he segued into architecture with a stint studying at the Politecnico di Milano It was after 1961, when he opened his own studio, that he began his real mission, though: designing the environment of the future His aim was to create pieces suitable for a new, more adaptable way of living

It is the spirit of innovation and invention that defines his work These qualities are clear in the ‘Basket’ collection, says Ignazia Favata, Colombo’s former assistant and now director of Joe Colombo Studio ‘Despite being rattan, an unusual material for him, they show the same futuristic aesthetic and hyper focus on function as everything he designed,’ she says It is, Favata adds, pointing to a growing desire to connect with natural materials and spend more time outdoors, ‘definitely the right time to let this design back into our lives’ It may be 55 years old, but the range (which includes a two seater and three seater sofa as well as a lounge chair) is still very much of the moment

Some adjustments to the original designs have been made: the once fibreglass structural shell has been replaced with more sustainable steel and the proportions tweaked to suit modern ideas of comfort The changes, believes Favata, are ones Colombo would have approved of ‘If he were still alive and working today, he would be eagerly pushing at the boundaries of sustainable materials,’ she says ‘His focus was on what humans would need to live in the future, not necessarily what they wanted in the present If he could see these pieces being embraced in modern homes, it would be a validation of everything he believed as a designer ’ From £2,299 f or a lounge chair, gubi com

Russell Pinch & Oona Bannon

A model of the home of the founders of f urniture brand Pinch has seen them through dark times. Oona explains all…

Russell always models out our furniture designs; he needs to create in 3D to understand the relationship between shapes and the space they inhabit It’s almost like a meditative state and it’s what gives his work a softness This approach extends to all the major projects in our lives, so, when we were designing our house in the West Country, he made this model to better understand the architect’s drawings and how our furniture would work in the space

It is constructed from balsa wood and Douglas fir veneer I found the dried out weed in a field we always knew the courtyard was going to have a beautiful tree, so that was our shorthand for it! The building has the potential to be quite austere, but is softened by the red Devon stone it’s built from We’re such wood lovers and

were able to go to town here not only with the furniture, but walls, room dividers and staircases, too

The model carried us through the build; when it a felt a bit of an uphill struggle, looking at it gave us purpose It has become something of a charm for me It represents the hope we started out with, the dream, and how, somehow, we made it a reality It also reminds us that sometimes things don’t go according to plan When this house was seriously damaged by flood in 2019 and left uninhabitable, it was the darkest time for us We were totally solo, trying to work out how to rescue our one time dream This model sat in our study in London and reminded us to feel connected to our home and committed to finding a solution pinchdesign com

Fashioning the future of home

Designer A nn Demeulemeester has t ranslated her pared back yet punk y st yle into a for ward looking f urnit ure range for Belgian brand Sera x

From left ‘Elé’ chairs, from approx £745 each; ‘Eloïs’ table, from approx £1,310, both by Serax

If ever the Belgian fashion designer Ann Demeulemeester ( left) and her husband Patrick Robyn ( below right) who is also her long term creative partner have a yen for something new, they simply make it ‘ We are surrounded by things that we made ourselves,’ she says ‘It always starts with the idea of something we would love to have, or that we are dreaming of, or that we want to explore ’

W h e t h e r i t i n v o l v e s t h e d e s i g n e

teaching herself to throw a porcelain bowl or Robyn, a former photographer, g etting out his woodworking tools to fashion a table, the most satisfying moment is, says Demeulemeester, when ‘we discover that not only have we created something that has purpose and meaning for us, but for other people, too’ Luckily for us, this deeply personal approach to design is threaded throughout the couple’s brand new furniture collection, launching this month, which has been made in collaboration with Belgian lifestyle brand Serax

Following the success of Demeulemeester ’s debut home collection of tableware, glasses, cutlery and lighting with Serax in late 2019, h e r e e a c h o f t h e f u r n i t u r e r a n g e ’s 2 5 p i e c e s, i n c l u d i n g s o f a s, armchairs, tables and stools, has been created according to the couple’s own exacting, hand crafted standards

It was during lockdown that the couple thought about making a sofa for themselves, adding to previous designs such as the ‘Cici’ table Robyn had produced to display Demeulemeester ’s porcelain its top covered in a painter ’s canvas (a recurring material in their retinue) Seeing this, Serax encouraged them to keep designing ‘First we made little maquettes like tiny sculptures to understand the shape and form, and then, once the proportions were right, we started to create the actual pieces in real size, working alongside a local carpenter in his atelier,’ explains Demeulemeester

The collection plays with geometric shapes, blocks of colour and symmetrical simplicity While the rounded ‘Boho’ chair is ‘very

sculptural, strong, with a massive volume,’ the needle thin legs of the ‘Eloïs’ table or ‘Elé’ dining chair ‘reminiscent of the legs of artist Louise Bourgeois’s spiders’ provide a noted contrast The ‘Ono’ chair, boxy and solid, with a tilted back and its base slung low to appear as if floating, is perfect for ‘reading, eating, playing and relaxing ’ , says Demeulemeester ‘It was also important for us that this chair be beautiful from all sides seeing the back can be really sexy to me, like with clothes ’

Dedicated to every detail, the couple have even developed their own fabrics, working with Flemish weavers on linens and a special velvet that stays matte and flat when you stroke it Colours are also all hand picked alongside classic shades that include black, white, ecru and grey, there is also a burnt reddish orange (‘ like bringing a beautiful, soft, warm sun into the house’), a luxurious lilac (‘especially sophisticated when mixed with black linen and dark, shiny tulipwood’) and a deep, earthy green (‘the colour of the ferns in our countryside garden’)

Early variations of the salon style ‘Frou’ sofa, with its low backrest and fringed bottom, are already in situ as part of the couple’s recent makeover of the Ann Demeulemeester flagship store in Antwerp (Demeulemeester stepped down as head designer of the fashion brand in 2013 to pursue other interests, but has been brought back in to consult by the brand’s new owner and long term fan, Claudio Antonioli), and even more pieces are making their way into Serax ’s gallery l i k e h e a d q u a r t e r s, a l s o i n A n t w e r p

E a c h d e s i g n c a n b e c u st o m i s e d i n different woods, fabrics and colours a n e l e m e n t o f c h o i c e t h a t w a s v e r y important to Demeulemeester ‘ We don’t all want the same furniture It’s a very intimate thing, so it has to be right for you,’ she explains ‘My grandfather often said that your nest is important I always remember that, because he’s so right ’ From £114 f or a tray, serax com

Opposite ‘Ono 3’ sofa by Serax, from approx £12,680

Above ‘Eloïs’ high tables by Serax, from approx £970 each

A deeply personal approach to design is threaded throughout the collection

From top ‘Wrong’ pendant light, £2,615; ‘Cici’ table, from approx £10,060; ‘Tabu’ stools, from approx £635 each, all by Serax

‘Furniture is an intimate thing, so it has to be right for you. Your nest is impor tant ’

books

1 ‘Shigeru Ban: Timber in Architecture’

Sustainabilit y has been dominating discourse around design recently, but Pritzker Prize laureate Shigeru Ban has always championed it in his work Known for his innovative forms, the Japanese architect is a pioneer in the use of wood and bamboo in contemporar y design This latest volume of his work includes nearly 50 new houses and projects showcasing revolutionar y applications of this most ancient of building materials Riz zoli, £55 (riz zoli com)

Words to live by

2 ‘Punk Ikebana’

Radically reinventing the art of flower arranging is Louesa Roebuck’s mission, and in this book part instructive manual, part fantasy study we get to see how and why The floral designer is known for creating eco luxe arrangements with seasonal flora foraged on the West Coast for clients from Vivienne West wood to Michelle Obama She shows readers how to create their own compositions and appreciate the natural beaut y on their doorstep Abrams & Chronicle, £45 (abrams andchronicle co uk)

3 ‘Place and Space’

From fashion brand The Row’s Melrose Place flagship in L A to the Headspace HQ in Santa Monica, the defining st yle of Montalba Architects, founded by David Montalba in 2004, is a certain ‘pared backness’ a reduction of st ylistic elements to their essence The scale and breadth of the international firm’s output over the past 20 years is showcased beautifully in this book through drawings, floor plans and photography: one for devotees of modern American minimalism Artifice Press, £39 95 (artificeonline com)

4 ‘The Office of Good Intentions. Human(s) Work’

The pandemic prompted many to reassess their relationship with the of fice, so this is a fit ting moment to examine its evolution and imagine its future Architects Florian Idenburg and LeeAnn Suen look at the objects and buildings that have shaped the look of of fices over the past 50 years Taking in Marcel Breuer’s IBM campus and the ‘Aeron’ chair, it’s a fascinating analysis of the way design shapes the relationships bet ween space, work and people Taschen, £40 (taschen com)

5 ‘Move and Art ’

The third book by Malene Birger focuses on the interiors the Danish designer and artist has created for her various homes around the world Birger’s nomadic existence has seen her travel from London to the unspoiled Greek island of Skyros, a large neoclassical villa on Lake Como and finally a traditional finca in Mallorca Each home is decorated in a st yle that’s both rooted in its location and uniquely personal, to ser ve as a refuge and a space that stimulates creativit y teNeues, £75 (books teneues com)

6 ‘Hay’

Published to mark Hay’s 20th anniversar y, this is the stor y of a brand that grew from being a small Danish firm to a globally recognised destination for af fordable, colourful Scandinavian design Packed with plent y to keep devotees happy, it explains how founders Met te and Rolf Hay had a vision to make joyful, high qualit y design available to a wide audience and why they collaborate with creatives who share their values, from Nathalie Du Pasquier to Muller Van Severen Phaidon, £39 95 (phaidon com)

Visionaries on a mission to democratise design and champion sustainabilit y dominate our round up of books to buy

style scout

If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll already have discovered that I’m a true travel nut The fact that we all live on the same planet under the same sky yet have completely different cultures and ways of life will never cease to fascinate me

T h e r e ’s s o m u c h t o b e e x p l o r e d ! A couple of weeks back, I went to a f a v o u r i t e h a u n t , C o p e n h a g e n , to experience something brand new: 3daysofdesign If you haven’t been t o t h e D a n i s h c a p i t a l ’s a n n u a l celebration of its creative talent yet, it really is a must see For me, the D a n e s r e a l l y n a i l d e s i g n T h e y combine texture and materials in an interesting way, but also have a knack for minimalism that never b e c o m e s b o r i n g M y f a v o u r i t e e x a m p l e s o f t h i s j u xt a p o s i t i o n c l e a n l i n e s a n d p l e n t y o f c o l o u r i n c l u d e t h e h o m e o f f a s h i o n brand Ganni’s founders, Ditte and Nicolaj Reffstrup, as well as Hay ’s gorgeous Hay House showroom and The Apartment, a fully shoppable h o m e f r o m h o m e p l a c e t o s t a y

Laura Jackson

Always one to find inspiration in food, highlights from my recent trip were La Banchina a tiny farm to t a b l e r e st a u r a n t s et r i g h t o n t h e water and Osteria 16, a cosy Italian eatery with a really simple stainless steel kitchen I didn’t manage to get a table at Noma, but I did cycle past just to catch a glimpse!

T he Glassette founder and design magpie shares the ever yday details and delights that have shaped her st yle this month…

I c o u l d n ’ t h e l p b u t p o n d e r t h e synergies between these wondrous cities as I walked their streets in s e a r c h o f m o r e l i f e a n d d e s i g n

inspiration (I have started to tell myself that travel is essential for personal and professional growth

a sa y i n g I p r o b a b l y st o l e f r o m a meme ) There are similar design sensibilities between the two you wouldn’t find cottagecore making a mark in either! And, much like Copenhagen, Paris does soft, tonal neutrals very well What sets the Fr e n c h p a l e t t e a p a r t , t h o u g h , i s Paris’ moments of restrained colour

j u st e nv i sa g e t h e b r i g h t r e d o f classic brasserie awnings It’s this distinct colour story that I wanted to recreate in a new range of paints that I have designed for Coat

It was during a stay at Château Voltaire, a short walk from the Musée du Louvre, earlier in the year ( yes, two trips to Paris in a year personal g r ow t h , d e a r r e a d e r ! ) t h a t I fi r st began compiling the colour ideas for this collaboration One of the s h a d e s I s e t t l e d o n i s d i r e c t l y i n s p i r e d b y t h e h o t e l T h i s v i s i t was also when I cemented plans to f i n a l l y g i v e my ow n l i v i n g r o o m (until recently decorated with long loved wallpaper) the face lift it deserved, with the help of the perfect paint shade

And, before I even had a chance to fully sink into a Copenhagen comedown on my return, I hopped onto the Eurostar to continue my European mini tour Paris, for me, always has a romantic pull Desperate to play out my Amélie fantasies in real life, I never need persuading to pay a visit: Paris is always a great idea

I t ’s s o m et i m e s sa i d t h a t c o m p a r i s o n i s t h e t h i e f o f j oy, b u t

What has become clear to me is that hotels and restaurants have a huge impact on my own design choices at home Houses might not receive quite as much footfall as hotels, but I do work my rooms very hard My kids don’t seem to have a problem with bouncing on sofas, and certainly won’t listen to a cry of, ‘No, that’s bouclé!’ Looking to hospitality spaces for inspiration makes practical sense And, with that in mind, I must start planning my next adventure

Left The Scandinavian knack for using bright colour is evident in shoppable stay The Apartment Below Laura and sister Anna in Osteria 16

Above Delicacies on display at Osteria 16 in Copenhagen

Right The interior of Château Voltaire, inspiration for the new paint shade Laura plans to use in her living room

Right ‘Voltaire’ and ‘Tobacconist’ (below) paints for Coat, both £46 for 2 5 litres

Clock wise from top A view of the tower in the 1960s; the revolving Top of the Tower restaurant in its heyday; the interior of the switchboard rooms in 1964; the BT Tower today; a diagram showing the skyscraper’s many original functions

BT Tower

A high tech icon of the 1960s by the Ministr y of Public Building and Works, this cylindrical communications tower holds a surprise

These days, London is filled with skyscrapers, but there w a s a t i m e w h e n t h e c i t y ’s t a l l e s t s t r u c t u r e w a s a 189 metre high telecommunications tower The BT Tower, formerly known as the Post Office Tower, was built in 1964 to improve radio telephonic connections between London and the rest of the UK But it also contained something that other aerial masts did not; on the 34th floor was a restaurant that slowly rotated, so diners could enjoy 360 degree views across the city while they tucked into the favoured delicacies of the time foie gras, onion soup or steak and chips

Commissioned by the General Post Office (GPO), the structure was designed by the government’s Ministry of Public Building and Works, led by architects Eric B e d

a

d G R Ye a t s, a n d st

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S G Silham With its c ylindrical concrete core and steel and glass façade, the tower looked like an ultra slim office block The first 16 floors were designed to house technical equipment, while the uppermost six storeys contained the visitor facilities and a 35 metre high

microwave aerials In a time before the microwave oven had become a mainstay of the modern kitchen, this technology was the height of sophistication and a symbol of the high tech Britain that Harold Wilson’s Labour government was keen to promote

Initially open to the public, the building fast became an icon of the London skyline Visitors were invited to ride an elevator travelling at a rapid 300 metres per minute to reach the viewing galleries Approximately a million people did this in the building ’s first year, including 105,000 who dined in the Top of the Tower restaurant, which was run by seaside resort mogul Billy Butlin This 120 seat venue revolved at a gentle speed of 0 17mph, allowing diners to experience a complete panoramic turn every 23 minutes

The tower’s popularity inevitably led to security issues In 1971, a bomb explosion on the 31st floor, attributed to a far left anarchist group, led to the public galleries being permanently closed The restaurant followed in 1981, after Butlin’s lease expired, and has since only been accessible for special events and private corporate functions But the building has continued to serve an important purpose Today, it is home to the TV Network

broadcasting traffic carriers, and its apex is now wrapped by a 167 metre long LED information screen

Many are hopeful that the restaurant will one day reopen The idea was floated ahead of the London 2012 Olympic Games, and was temporarily made true for a two week period on the tower ’s 50th anniversary in 2015, when 1,400 diners were invited in Regardless, the building still remains a favourite among Londoners, who see it as a symbol of the city ’s Swinging Sixties The

landmark still looks state of the art

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creative space

House arresting

Ar t makes a home, and nobody knows that bet ter than M . A .H founder Laura Fulmine. Opening in time for LDF, her new showroom, The House, is a shoppable glimpse into her world

WOR D S C L AR E SARTI N PHO T O GR A PH Y BE N AN DE RS

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rt lovers will already have heard of M A H What started life as an a r t h i r e f i r m a n d g a l l e r y s p a c e founded by interiors stylist Laura

Fu l m i n e h a s s i n c e e x p a n d e d t o include an exclusive edit of carefully selected contemporary art for Soho House This latest v e n t u r e , t h o u g h , i s a r g u a b l y Fu l m i n e ’s m o st ambitious yet The House is, she tells us, ‘an all e n c o m p a s s i n g v i s i o n ’ S o m e w h e r e f o r h e r t o explore working with designers and makers, as well as the extensive roster (110 and growing ) of artists she currently represents

Located on Vyner Street in east London, The Ho u s e w i l l o p e n a s a l i v i n g a n d d i n i n g r o o m initially, but will then be transformed every six months into a brand new space ‘In the future, it might become a library, where people can come i n , s i t a n d r e a d b o o k s , ’ s a y s Fu l m i n e ‘ I t i s a revolving, evolving room ’ The complete edit of furniture, art and more will also be available to purchase on The House’s dedicated website

U n u s u a l l y f o r t h e f o u n d e r, w h o g e n e r a l l y begins with artworks when creating an interior, for The House it was the architectural features, the shell of the space, that served as her starting point After all, it’s the one thing that won’t be changing First, she approached linoleum flooring e x p e r t S i n c l a i r T i l l , c o nv i n c i n g t h e b r a n d t o create a completely bespoke floor inspired by the striking marble entryways found in Milan Then came a collaboration with furniture firm Sedilia exclusive versions of its ‘Roll Top’ sofa and chair, upholstered in unique colourways of Pierre Frey fabrics and a dining table by Fred Rigby The latter also created a made to order fireplace, an organic, sculptural piece that will be another permanent fixture here

A l t h o u g h T h e Ho u s e a f f o r d e d Fu l m i n e t h e opportunity to explore collaborations outside of the art world, artists are still very much central to her thought process ‘I realised I could push them into an interiors world that they would probably not have ventured into themselves,’ she says This is not a cold, white gallery space but a real, layered room, making it easier for people to imagine works residing in their own homes And it’s not just an outlet for creatives already available through M A H Gallery Fulmine has approached artists who are lesser known in the UK, starting with French painter Hermentaire, whose Mellow Big Djambo canvas hangs in the living room

Asked about plans for the future, she is excited but also a little cautious ‘I would love to do talks and a supper club, but everything here is very precious It’s pretty much all one offs Spill red wine on the sofa and that’s it,’ she quips with a wry laugh For now, though, The House will be open Monday to Friday every week a must visit for anyone seeking inspiration or that one special future heirloom thehousebymah com

Living room (previous page) Laura Fulmine stands beside the bespoke fireplace by Fred Rigby Studio, above which hangs French artist Hermentaire’s Mellow Big Djambo Pieces on the fireplace include (from lef t) a ‘Hand Sculpture’ by Julie Nelson (price on application), ‘Mr Picasso’ (£800) by Abigail Ozora Simpson and the ‘Capsule’ sculpture by Julie Nelson (£1,150) The standing white ‘Totem’ sculptures are part of a collection by Frédéric Texier (from £1,800), and the wall lights are from the ‘Nodular’ range by Julie Nelson (£950) The product of The House’s collaboration with Sedilia, the ‘Roll Top’ armchair is an exclusive design, upholstered in Pierre Frey fabrics (£12,108) Displayed on the ‘Moon’ cof fee table (part of the permanent display at The House) is a selection of vintage glassware (from £200) and a ceramic goblet by IA AI Studio (£125) Also seen here is the bespoke linoleum flooring by Sinclair Till customised versions of this design are available, price on application

Opposite To the side of the living room installation sits another exclusive ‘Roll Top’ design by The House and Sedilia this time a sofa, upholstered in ‘Zeppelin’ and ‘Teddy Mohair’ fabrics by Pierre Frey (£19,906) The rug is the ‘Ot tone’ (£422) from The House’s exclusive collection with Sinclair Till London based artist Alexandria Coe painted A Fresco of Women (£4,000) which hangs above the sofa, beside a ‘Lampe Simple Éclairage’ floor Lamp by Frédéric Texier (£1,000) Above The ceramic ‘Bastet’ lamp by Dea Domus (£1,850) and a vintage glass bowl (£200) sit on top of a console by Frédéric Texier (£1,550) The art work above is Big Djambo N°6 by Hermentaire (£8,300) and the ‘Black Hourglass’ sculpture beside is by Abigail Ozora Simpson (£10,500) Aeand created the bespoke hand painted screen (far right), price on application

O C TO B ER 2 022 E L L E D E C O R AT I O N C O U K 81 creative space

creative space

Dining room The House is the exclusive distributor of Tubes Radiatori’s sculptural radiators in the UK, including this red ‘Origami’ design (£2,996) Fred Rigby created the exclusive ‘Sail’ table (£5,800) in collaboration with The House, and the custom coloured burgundy ‘Loop’ chairs (£750 each) Vintage glassware (from £150) sits on the table, and the ‘Totem M’ sculpture is by Frédéric Texier (£1,550) See Stockists page for details

is truly an ‘all-

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Power play

Before it fell into disrepair, Battersea Power Station was a London landmark.Now, it ’s about to enjoy a renaissance as the capital’s newest design hotspot

WOR D S C L AR A STRU N C K

When it comes to ticking off London’s most notable design districts, Battersea Power Station might not spring to mind But from this autumn, expect that to change for good Once responsible for supplying a fifth of London’s electricity ( before it was decommissioned in 1983), this historic, Grade II listed building

renovation The previously derelict shell has been transformed into a complex of shops, apartments, restaurants and a h

station’s design history, while bringing it into modern day usage

Previous page, right and below The façades of Prospect Place; the wide ranging views from one of its luxurious apartments

‘It has been a privilege to restore this i c o n i c b u i l d i n g , n o t o n l y s a v i n g a n d c e l e b r a t i n g t h e o r i g i n a l f e a t u r e s b u t c r e a t i n g c o n t e m p o r a r y i n t e r v e n t i o n s that will bring the structure alive again,’ declares Sebastien Ricard, director at W i l k i n s o n E y r e , w h i c h h a s l e d t h e a r c h i t e c t u r a l r e f u r b i s h m e n t . T h i n k exposed brickwork and large bowstring trusses, counterbalanced by a clear, top lit void, balustraded galleries, restored skylights and even a glass chimney lift, which will take visitors over 100 metres a b o v e g r o u n d f o r a p a n o r a m i c v i e w of the city. There have also been some additions to the original structure. Electric Boulevard, a new pedestrianised high street for the capital that runs from the south of the power station, takes centre stage and will offer a mix of offices, shops, bars and restaurants, plus a slick outpost of design led hotel Art’otel this time masterminded by Jaime Hayon.

Several renowned industry names have lent their expertise, designing and creating new buildings for the site To the east of Electric Boulevard lies Prospect Place, a collection of swish apartments with a rippled, white façade designed by Frank Gehry the first housing project realised by the architect in the UK, which also c

garden To the west of Electric Boulevard

Partners, which includes more than 100 a

largest roof gardens

The project has seen a real dedication to honouring the landmark building ’s h

chimneys have been completely rebuilt using the same methods with which they were first constructed, while nearly two million bricks for the renovation have b

Above left, above right and below A room in the Bat tersea Art’otel; the hotel’s exterior; an apartment in the Switch House East section by Michaelis Boyd architects

Prospect Place is the first housing project by Frank Gehr y to be realised in the UK

Above and below

brickmakers who supplied the materials d u r i n g t h

i n i t i a l c o n st r u c t i o n i n t h

early 20th century ‘The new interventions are sympathetic with carefully chosen palettes of materials, textures and colours,’ says Ricard ‘ Where possible, we have allowed the original fabric of the building to tell its own story ’

It may nod to its architectural roots, but the new Battersea Power Station is undoubtedly forward facing in its design A host of international brands are busily setting up shop in the old Turbine Halls A and B, both of which have been restored to their original art deco and brutalist splendour respectively The old control

synchroscopes still on show have been turned into bars and events areas ‘These

Britain’s industrial heritage, which allow you to take a step back in time,’ says Simon Murphy, CEO at Battersea Power Station Development Company

It’s a move that’s set to put Battersea on the map again, ready to power London or its cultural side, at least once more batterseapowerstation co uk

Above and below One of the towers holds a glass lif t that gives its occupants a panoramic vista; an aerial view of the entire Bat tersea Power Station project

DWA Design Studio

T he Milan based interiors wizards whose contemporar y spaces focus on strong colours and memorable contrasts

Above, from left Frederik De Wachter and Alberto Artesani Below left A graphic artist’s atelier in Milan by DWA Design Studio

Who are they ? Based in Milan, Belgian Italian duo Frederik De Wachter and Alberto Artesani are the co founders of DWA Design S t u d i o, a m u l t i d i s c i p l i n a r y p r a c t i c e t h a t creates everything from apartments and h o t e l s t o w o r k s p a c e s a n d s i t e s p e c i f i c installations Their shared sensibilities led to the studio’s formation in 2005, and it now has brands such as Salvatore Ferragamo, Airbnb and Atelier Swarovski on its client l i st ‘ We b ot h l i ke t o l o o k a t a n o ny m o u s design and craftsmanship,’ says De Wachter, who studied interior architecture at Ghent University before focusing on temporary installations ‘Travel’s a great inspiration,’ adds Artesani, who trained as an architect at the Polytechnic University of Milan and mainly designed fashion retail spaces early in his career ‘A simple detail on a Greek country house can inspire us as much as a famous building,’ he says What’s their style? Fearlessly blending o l d a n d n e w b e f o r e a d d i n g a w e a l t h o f unexpected contrasts, the duo’s interiors are a continuous dialogue between different inspirations ‘ We like to mix high and low, s i m p l e a n d c o m p l e x , m i n i m a l i s m a n d a b u n d a n c e , p u r e l i n e s a n d e m b e l l i s h i n g details,’ explains De Wachter Their spaces also reveal a dynamic approach to colour,

industry index

inspired by their design hero Le Corbusier (‘ he combined composition, material and colour like no other ’) and by the Spanish architect and designer Patricia Urquiola, with whom they created the Room Mate Giulia Hotel in Milan ‘Her use of pattern and colour has been a definite influence on us,’ says Artesani

What are their recent projects? DWA’s residential work includes an apartment in G h e n t t h a t w a s i m a g i n a t i v e l y c o nve r t e d from two school classrooms Divided into night and day zones using panelling made out of Danish fir, the streamlined interior complements the hug e windows on both sides of the space ‘ We love to use plywood

From top Caf fè Populaire, a pop up bistro designed in collaboration with Lambert & Fils for Milan design week in 2019; ply wood details in an apartment in Ghent (previously t wo school classrooms); the interior of the new workspace for Convivio, with its Silipol floor

Exper t advice

DWA Design Studio on how to create eye catching, memorable interiors

We like to use colour to make our spaces impactful One way to do this is to use a strong shade to emphasise a particular zone

For example, in an apartment we designed in Milan, the entrance isn’t physically divided from the rest of the space but, thanks to stripes of oxblood red paint, it feels separate There’s a misconception about dark colours in small spaces We’ve designed some wonderful small bathrooms using dark tones on the walls and ceilings; they bring depth to a space One of our favourite restaurants in Milan has a dark terracot ta ceiling it inspired us when we were choosing the ceiling colour for the womenswear floor at La Rinascente in Rome

Using tiles beyond the bathroom or kitchen brings an interesting note to an interior For the ELLE Decor Italia and Airbnb Plus apartment we designed in Milan, we used cream relief tiles by 41zero42 to create a headboard for the bed

Think about using materials that create contrast. Using an industrial choice like ply wood or galvanised metal in a period building will enhance its character In the Artist House we designed for Airbnb in Civita di Bagnoregio, which was an ancient building, we used scaf folding tubes for the legs of a terraz zo table

industry index

for its natural patterns it adds warmth a n d h a s a c o n t e m p o r a r y f e e l , ’ s a y s D e Wa c h t e r I n c o n t r a st , t h e st u d i o ’s A r t i st House for Airbnb in Civita di Bagnoregio, a 13th century village in central Italy, saw them renovate an ancient stone house with bright colours and adaptable rooms During the pandemic, they designed a Milan office for real estate company Covivio ‘The timing i s r e f l e c t e d i n t h e p r o j e c t , w i t h o u t d o o r spaces used for gathering and work,’ explains De Wachter The interior is inspired by the post war Milanese buildings visible from the roof terrace, while the lobby floor is made from Silipol, a terrazzo style material used by architect Franco Albini on the walls of the Milanese metro stations

What are they currently working on? A new womenswear floor for La Rinascente, the department store in Rome, which includes different design concepts for each clothing category ‘It had to be flexible, but without compromising the overall aesthetic appeal,’ says De Wachter The studio is also currently r e n

a

g a 1 9 4

a

n L a k e C o m o, which is proving equally challenging ‘The building site is only accessible on foot via a narrow pathway,’ notes Artesani

They say: ‘ We both love the element of surprise the small details that can reinvent objects, freeing them from their ordinary functions ’ d

a i t

From top The bedroom of a Milan apartment designed in collaboration with our sister title ELLE Decor Italia for Airbnb; the oxblood red striped hallways from the same project; the in progress new womenswear floor in department store La Rinascente

The lit tle black book

Ever y project has its own unique list of suppliers and craf tspeople. Part of making it special is finding the right mix

Art The Wrong Shop, founded by British designer Sebastian Wrong, is a great place to buy af fordable art Among the best things we ’ ve found are works by Pierre Charpin and Nathalie Du Pasquier thewrongshop co uk

Lighting Canadian brand Lambert & Fils has beautifully designed lamps that are made by hand It collaborates with emerging designers and the focus is on dramatic contemporar y forms lambertet fils com

Craft British designer Jasper Morrison’s store, Jasper Morrison Shop, always has a good selection of anonymous designs and craf ts, including household essentials such as tableware and kitchen utensils jaspermorrisonshop com Taps Italian company Quadro Design is one of our favourite places to source stainless steel kitchen and bathroom taps Its pieces are beautifully made and it pays at tention to sustainabilit y, with designs that use purified water and limit consumption quadrodesign it

Like the exquisite stitches of a couture g own, a kitchen crafted by Armani’s artisans was always going to be a thing of beauty Since 2008, a fruitful partnership between Armani/ C a sa a n d Mo l t e n i & C h a s p r o d u c e d k i t c h e n s u n d e r t h e Armani/Dada label Now, for the first time, Armani/Casa launches a limited edition design that is tailormade by its master craftspeople a couture kitchen, if you will This latest foray into kitchen design was shaped in part by the pandemic and the new ways many of us began to use these functional spaces for working, studying and socialising as much as cooking and eating Giorgio Armani explains:

Haute in here

T

he new limited edition ‘Atelier ’ concept by Armani/Casa is the ultimate couture kitchen

Giorgio Armani and an ‘Atelier’ configuration

kitchens

‘Observing how everyday life is changing h a s g i v e n m e t h e i n s p i r a t i o n t o r et h i n k the kitchen, the focal point of the home, as a space for exchanging ideas and spending time together ’

Unveiled during Milan design week at the l u x u r y l i f e st y l e b r a n d ’s f l a g s h i p st o r e i n Corso Venezia, the ‘Atelier’ system elegantly pushes the boundaries of what a kitchen can be ‘It was born from the desire to restore contact with nature,’ he continues, ‘ bringing it into the home through the use of unusual materials and an innovative configuration ’

The distinctive island has an olive wood structure, while vertical surfaces are clad in woven wicker Not typically associated with kitchen design, these materials were a c o n s c i o u s a n d t i m e l y c h o i c e ‘ W i c k e r symbolises craftsmanship and tradition,’ declares Armani ‘It possesses remarkable flexibility, resistance and lightness, as well a s b e i n g s u s t a i n a b l e , a q u a l i t y t h a t t h e A r m a n i G r o u p h a s a l w a y s c o n s i d e r e d o f u t m o st i m p o r t a n c e A s f o r c h o o s i n g t h e olive wood, it is indeed further recognition of the Made in Italy tradition ’

The furniture in the collection could easily slip into a living room scheme, or be taken

Above, left and below Materials not t ypically associated with kitchen design, such as woven wicker and olive wood, combine with simple, pared back outlines in the 22 pieces that form the ‘Atelier’ system

outside to a veranda. The simple, pared back shapes curves, cubes, intersecting planes and the palette of precious materials express Armani’s signature sense of relaxed glamour and the brand’s timeless design philosophy. As he puts it, this is a limited edition range in which ‘comfort, functionality and timeless elegance coexist in perfect harmony ’ .

The collection of 22 pieces will be avail able exclusively in a selection of Armani/ C a s a b o u t i q u e s f r o m e a r l y 2 0 2 3 ( p r i c e on application). ‘It is a versatile project,’ observes the designer, ‘made from exquisite m a t e r i a l s w i t h t h e sa m e c r a f t s m a n s h i p as an haute couture creation, designed for a clientele that appreciates uniqueness.’ armani.com

‘Obser ving how ever yday life is changing inspired me to reimagine the kitchen’

Turner Prize 2022, Tat e Liverpool

T he Turner P rize is awarded to a British artist for an outstanding exhibition or other presentation of their work. T his year ’s winner will be announced in December at a ceremony in Liverpool You can see the work of the four shortlisted artists Heather Phillipson, Ingrid Pollard, Veronica Ryan and Sin Wai Kin at Tate Liverpool to make your own decision. 20 October 19 March 2023 (tate.org.uk).

Bonhams Pop x Culture sale

Kickstarted by artists such as Peter Blake, Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein, pop art burst into life in the 1960s and rapidly influenced ever y part of societ y and culture This sale allows you to take home a piece that captures the irrepressible spirit, which was taken for ward by Keith Haring, Jean Michel Basquiat and Banksy 20 October (bonhams com)

BFI L ondon Film Festival

Grab your popcorn the BFI London Film Festival is back, with a compelling programme of fresh British and international films, talks and a healthy dose of red carpet glamour The festival reaches far beyond its South Bank home, with screenings in cinemas across London, nationwide and on BFI Player 5 16 October (bfi org uk)

Dates for dyour esign diar y…

T here’s plent y to satisf y appetites both cultural and gastronomic this month as the new season kicks off with a plethora of openings, exhibitions and festivals.

L ondon Cock tail Week

Amy Sherald at Hauser & W ir th

Known for her portraits of former First Lady Michelle Obama and Breonna Taylor, Amy Sherald is one of the most significant artists working in the United States today This exhibition of new paintings both monumental and small scale at Hauser & Wirth’s London base is her first solo show in Europe and one of the must sees during Frieze 12 October 23 December ( hauserwirth com)

Spotlight at Frieze Mast ers

As the world famous art festival returns to Regent’s Park, the Spotlight section celebrates turning 10 by focusing on pioneering women artists of the 20th centur y Frieze Masters asked Camille Morineau, co founder of AWARE, to curate the exhibition Artists include Orlan and Sonia Balassanian 12 16 October (frieze com/fairs/frieze london)

Rambutan, Borough Market

underground

London Cocktail Week

October

She’s kept Londoners cool all summer long with her cult sof t ser ve ice cream flavours. Now Cynthia Shanmugalingam’s debut restaurant will open in October, dishing up village st yle Sri Lankan food inspired by her Tamil roots. Interiors are influenced by the post colonial st yle of Minnette de Silva, Sri Lanka’s most famous female architect. Rambutan, 10 Stoney Street, London, SE1 9A D (@rambutan ldn).

‘Soheila Sokhanvari: Rebel Rebel’, The Cur ve, Barbican Centre

Described by curator Eleanor Nairne as a ‘daz zling reimagining’ of the galler y, Soheila Sokhanvari’s installation features miniatures of feminist icons from pre revolutionar y Iran and a 90 metre hand painted mural 7 October 26 Februar y 2023 (barbican org uk)

The eco -friendly estate

Bill Amberg Studio has been crafting industry leading leather products, interiors and furniture for more than 30 years Now, the brand is teaming up with Knepp Estate in West Sussex, known for its groundbreaking rewilding project, to design and make ‘ Unique’, a sustainable furniture collection for the estate’s new café and farm shop, on show at Bill Amberg Studio in the Park Royal Design District The pieces are made using materials sourced from the estate, including leather, produced from the free roaming longhorn cattle and deer, which, due to its unusual firmness, informs the structured designs of the new ‘Knepp Tub’ chair and ‘Rivet’ stool ( billamberg com)

London Design Festival 2022

T he famous , cit y wide celebrat ion of talent ret urns for its 20th anniversar y f rom 17 to 25 September with a new roster of exhibit ions , installat ions and f resh ideas . Here are the highlights not to be missed …

WOR D S C L AR A STRU N C K

The colour

design

Bethan

The new exhibition

T he latest addition to the LDF calendar is ‘Material Matters’, an exhibition based on the acclaimed podcast of the same name by the writer Grant Gibson Taking place f rom 22 to 25 September across five floors of the Bargehouse at Oxo Tower W har f, the event will bring together more than 40 world leading brands, designers and makers to celebrate the importance of materials. Look out for installations f rom leading galler y Ruup & Form and Zena Holloway, who grows grass root into wearable art (materialmatters.design).

The for ward-thinking fair

It ’s the UK’s longest -running design trade show, and Design London (formerly known as 10 0% Design) is back in Nor th Greenwich from 21 to 24 September. This year the destination has doubled its floorspace, meaning even more room to discover cut ting- edge pieces and at tend the thoughtprovoking talks programme, ‘Discussions at Design London’. Hay is joining for the first time, with the latest extension of its outdoor range, ‘Palissade’ by Ronan and Er wan Bouroullec, while Kohler – following its stunning installation in Milan – will take over the front of the venue in collaboration with Lois O’Hara (designlondon.co.uk).

Three of the best collaborations

As the old adage goes, t wo heads are better than one…

Barber Osgerby x Fredericia

Danish furniture makers Fredericia are partnering with Barber Osgerby the first time the brand has teamed up with a British design studio The collection, on display at its showroom, will include a chair and an extendable dining table in a range of materials and finishes (fredericia com)

Jan Hendzel Studio x the Town Hall Hotel

The London based furniture maker has reimagined the design of two apartments at the Town Hall Hotel in Bethnal Green as a tactile, gallery like experience The new collection for the Grade II listed space will feature floor and wall mirrors, coffee tables and chairs ( janhendzel com)

Muller Van Severen x Viaduct

Clerkenwell design studio Viaduct is curating and hosting a show with dynamic Belgian duo Muller Van Severen called ‘Now and the Future’, which features well known pieces alongside new furniture, including a range of colourful cabinets with reeded glass doors, launching in November (viaduct co uk)

The grand showroom opening

When it came to choosing a location for Vitra’s new UK flagship store, the brand had to think big. After all, the sheer volume of covetable furniture classics and future icons the brand sells is dizzying. Luckily, it found the perfect new home: Tramshed, a former power station on Rivington Street in Shoreditch. Opening during LDF, the space debuts with an exhibition of work by Jean Prouvé, including new additions to the collection (vitra.com).

The printable pieces

Meet the f uture of f urniture design at Park Royal Design District, courtesy of Blast Studio. Founded in 2018 by Paola Garnousset, Martin Detoeuf and Pierre de Pingon ( finalists of the 2022 Loewe Craf t P rize) to explore how nature and technolog y interact, the studio has turned its hand to a new collection of 3D printed lamps and tables, produced using waste coffee cups and clay. T here’s also a live 3D printing per formance, for those who’d like to explore the science behind the production ( blast studio com)

The festival hub

Now entering its 13th year as the official centre of LDF, the V&A is showcasing several projects linked by the idea of transformation ‘R for Repair ’ , led by DesignSingapore Council and National Design Centre (Singapore), sees broken household objects handed to designers to be repaired and creatively reworked ‘Plasticity ’ a monumental sculpture designed by Niccolò Casas and made from marine waste collected by Parley for the Oceans (pictured) explores the remodelling of debris into art Meanwhile, Canadian artist Omer Arbel is presenting ‘Material Experiments’, which will see the John Madejski Garden turned into an immersive glass blowing studio, with one of Arbel’s sculptures taking centre stage (vam ac uk)

The must -see installation

Rotterdam based designer Sabine Marcelis will bring ‘S wivel’, a colour f ul seating installation, to central London’s St Giles Square. We talked about the project, her inspiration and why she loves LDF...

Tell us more about ‘Swivel’: what’s the intention of the installation, and what do you hope visitors will take away from it? ‘Swivel’ is a large scale outdoor public seating scheme for Londoners to enjoy throughout the seasons. There will be 10 unique seats that will swivel, the aim being to inject St Giles Square with a bit of fun and colour. It’s a space of transition, with different entrance and exit points. I wanted to keep that feeling of movement, while simultaneously allowing people a moment of rest. I hope it surprises visitors and gives a moment of joy and pause in this busy city.

What gave you the idea for ‘Swivel’? Ben Evans (LDF’s director) and I had been talking for a while about doing a project together, and I love the festival’s public spirit ethos. When the St Giles Square location presented itself, it felt such a great fit. The site is actually very significant, as the installation will be in dialogue with the local architecture including the brutalist, Grade II listed Centre Point, one of the city ’s first skyscrapers. The form of the swivel chairs definitely is a nod to brutalist architecture, but with a colourful twist. How do you choose materials for an installation like this? I love to work with natural stone, and chose travertine, quartzite and marble as it would offer a surprising juxtaposition to the surrounding concrete and glass buildings. Each seat will have a distinct colour and will feature unexpected hues and patterns. I’ve used harder, less porous stones so that they can live outside for a long period of time. sabinemarcelis.com

The furniture debut

Design partnership Holloway Li unveils its much anticipated debut f urniture collection with the launch of the ‘T4’ series. T he light weight modular sofa, produced by Uma, will be on show at T he Market Building in Clerkenwell. Inspired by the cur ved interiors of London buses, the collection comes in ‘Melon Yellow’, ‘Blush Pink ’ and, our personal favourite, ‘O verground Orange’, as seen in Alex Holloway’s own apartment head to elledecoration.co.uk for the f ull tour ( hollowayli.com).

The group ef fort

When SCP founder Sheridan Coakley discovered an ash tree in his garden was suf fering from ash dieback, he asked a set of creatives (including Max Bainbridge, Mat thew Hilton and Faye Toogood) to make objects from it. The result is the ‘One Tree’ exhibition, at the SCP showroom on Cur tain Road, which will display a range of pieces celebrating this versatile natural material (scp.co.uk).

Molteni&C

‘Make yourself at home’ is the theme of Molteni&C and Dada’s new collection, presented at the Brompton Road flagship store via an exclusive installation dreamt up by Vincent Van Duysen. And we don’t mind if we do, when that home contains the monochrome edition of the ‘Hector ’ bookcase, the ‘Cleo’ sofas and coffee tables and the ‘ Yoell’ armchair (pictured). Topping off the spectacle will be pieces from the Cadogan Contemporary gallery (molteni.it).

Cassina

Italian maestro Cassina has a host of collaborations at its showroom in the Brompton Design District, including those with Gaetano Pesce (‘Tramonto a New York’ screen, pictured) and Formafantasma, and will be launching an accessories range (cassina.com).

Second- chance Salone

L ee Broom

British wunderkind Lee Broom’s ‘Divine Inspiration’ lighting collection took Milan by storm, with ethereal pieces inspired by everything from Roman temples to stained glass For LDF, the whole collection (six designs available in multiple configurations) will be presented at Broom’s showroom in the Shoreditch Design Triangle as an ode to 15 years of the brand Our eyes are on the limited edition ‘Requiem’ designs (pictured), made by hand draping fabrics dipped in plaster through and around illuminated rings, tubes or spheres ( leebroom com)

B&B Italia

The iconic ‘Le Bambole’ armchair has been a constant presence in the B&B Italia catalogue for half a century and is one of the brand’s best loved designs For Milan, designer Stella McCartney put her own stamp on the classic, covering a one off version of the chair in a hand drawn fabric from her spring/summer collection At LDF, the new range, revisited by designer Mario Bellini, will be on show at the B&B Italia store in the Brompton Design District The collection includes the ‘Bibambola’ two seater sofa, the ‘Bamboletto’ double bed and a three seater sofa with a deeper seat, earning it the name ‘Granbambola’ ( bebitalia com)

Tom Dixon

Celebrating its 20th year, Tom Dixon presents the second edition of ‘TWENTY’, an exhibition that kicked off in Milan and features 20 new designs. As it’s also LDF’s 20th birthday, this is a match made in design heaven. Drop by the brand’s Coal Office hub (in the King ’s Cross Design District) for events, talks and previews, and to see mirrored chandeliers, latex chairs and giant mycelium sculptures. It’s not to be missed: this will be the last chance to see the exhibition in Europe (tomdixon.net).

Missed out on Milan? Make a date to see these highlights f rom the fair at LDF

Earlier this year, Salone del Mobile Milan’s international furniture fair celebrated its 60th anniversary, with the world’s best brands showcasing incredible new designs If you missed out on a trip to the design capital, luckily, some of the highlights are heading to LDF We’ve rounded up the top moments to catch second time around

Dip into Decorex

Decorex, the annual design festival at Olympia London, has been attracting the most respected names in the industry for almost half a century A key date in the calendar of designers, interiors insiders and tastemakers alike, Decorex 2022 held from 9 to 12 October is set to be an unmissable treasure trove of more than 200 exhibitors

This year, Decorex is collaborating with English designer Bethan Laura Wood, who has reimagined the exhibition’s visual presence, creating an abstract pattern representative of the event’s vibrancy and energy In terms of exhibitors, look out for new, independent British homewares brand Granite + Smoke its sustainably made blankets and cushions in soft, ethically sourced Scottish lambswool and cashmere feature graphic designs that can’t fail to delight We’d also recommend a trip to Frato, the luxury Portuguese interiors company, to inspect its range of modular walk in cupboards and the brand’s first foray into bathroom design

Belgian wallcovering expert Omexco NV will exhibit its ‘Atelier ’ collection, a tactile tribute to craftsmanship, alongside the ‘Moonstone’ collection, which features designs that glisten like the semi precious stone Make sure you also fit in a trip to Vincent Sheppard its ‘Norma Lounge’ (a circular, dark stained oak frame chair) is the last word in style meets comfort And, of course, the regular Decorex talks programme will be back, with more than 70 speakers offering new design tips, insights and perspectives

A brand new feature for this year is ‘Decorex Diningscapes’, which draws on the growing trend for lavish tablesettings Five exquisitely orchestrated room sets, crafted by top designers such as Christian Bense and ND Studios, will each present a uniquely dressed dining area centred around linens and tableware to inspire your next dinner party And if all this works up an appetite, this year ’s iconic Decorex Bar is designed by Carden Cunietti in ‘La Dolce Vita’ style, complete with striped awnings and a chequered floor don’t miss the chance for a snack and an aperitivo between exhibitor visits (decorex com)

A tablescape by Christian Bense

Meet the diamonds of the season

G et read y to decorate with our guide to the best fabrics , wallpapers and paint palet tes , plus a look at the new collect ions and collaborat ions you need to know about

Opposite, from left ‘Detour’ wallpaper in ‘Beige Olive’, £219 per m, Arte (arte international.com). ‘Metal & Velvet’ lounge chair, £525, Six The Residence (sixtheresidence co uk), upholstered in ‘Ice’ velvet fabric in ’Fern’, £95 50 per m, Kirkby Design (kirkbydesign com)

Above, from left ‘Boa’ fabric in ‘Cumin’, £135 50 per m, Black Edition (blackedition com) ‘Il Fumoir’ fabric in ‘15492 983’ by Ardecora, £185 per m, Zimmer + Rohde (zimmer rohde com) ‘Loose Check Panel’ fabric in ‘Brown’ by Miles Redd and David Kaihoi, £818 per panel, Schumacher (fschumacher co uk) ‘Muoto’ cushion in ‘Stucco’, £150, Black Edition (blackedition com)

Above, from left ‘Pailou 02’ fabric in ‘Petal’, £94 per m, Madeaux (madeaux.com). ‘Ezra Stripe’ fabric in ‘Red’, £72 per m, Jane Churchill (janechurchill com) ‘Pollen’ fabric in ‘Orange’, £78 per m, Andrew Martin (andrewmartin co uk) Opposite, from left ‘Buz z ’ wallpaper in ‘White Flock’, £138 per roll, Erica Wakerly (ericawakerly wallpaper com) ‘Pila 47’ chair, from £1,788, upholstered in ‘Dappled Brick’ fabric in ‘Silver’ (outside, signed), £166 per m, and ‘Antinous’ fabric in ’Sky Blue’ (inside), £140 per m, both by Luke Edward Hall, all Rubelli Casa (rubelli com) ‘Der König’ wallpaper in ‘Light Blue’, £195, Mind the Gap (mindtheg uk)

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Rebellious plaid

Shared by royal residences and punk provocateurs, this storied textile is staging a quiet comeback. Today, it ’s once again hip to be square

In 16th century Scotland, tartan was a family crest in fabric form. Limited to whatever plant dyes could be drawn from the local landscape, the coloured bands in warp and weft would serve as signifier for your kin or clan; a sign that you were, quite literally, cut from the same cloth.

A cousin to modish chequerboards and ginghams, plaid derives its name from the Gaelic plaide, meaning ‘ blanket’. Banned for a century due to ties with the Scottish military forces, the word emerged when British and American textile manufacturers seized on the pattern’s rebounding popularity in the 1800s. Tartan’s fortunes had turned: Queen Victoria soon bedecked Balmoral in checked drapes and upholstery, and a photograph of the current Queen in the 1970s ( below) shows a plaid carpet still underfoot.

As an emblem of nobility (an official royal tartan is strictly off limits to commoners), it was naturally ripe for subversion. The same decade the Queen was pictured in her plaid clad study, its place in punk history was cemented by Johnny Rotten and his tartan suits. Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren were the pair responsible, as much inspired by the romance of Scottish lore as anti establishment feeling. It was an exercise Westwood would describe as ‘seeing if one could put a spoke in the system’. Soon came Alexander McQueen, whose controversial 1995 show was a reckoning with England’s historic treatment of its northern neighbour. And how could we forget the subtext of the Burberry check, finally reclaimed after years in the fashion wilderness?

So can we credit today ’s plaid revival in the home to pomp or punk? Warm with a touch of whimsy, it’s a pattern primed for a mash up in Hauser & Wirth’s Scottish hotel The Fife Arms, you’ll find a Picasso hung on a tartan wall. New coffee table tome Tartan: Romancing the Plaid lauds the pattern’s ability to create ‘instant heritag e’, though emphasis is placed on how evolving colours have transformed the textile just think of Alicia Silverstone in that bright yellow plaid suit for cult 1995 film Clueless.

The design’s unrivalled provenance has an enduring appeal. It’s little wonder that today ’s creatives are drawn to the weighty tweeds still spun in Scottish and Irish mills, their history speaking to an ongoing thread of craftsmanship that transcends trends. The pattern also nods to a wider shift towards a layered, lived in aesthetic in Gen Z vernacular, famously fond of a suffix, cabincore has displaced the frothier cottagecore. And anyway, who needs hygge when you can have a fling with the Highlands look?

Top left to right A plaid 1970s suit by menswear brand Cricketeer; the famous Burberr y check; California girls do preppy plaid in Clueless (1995)

Above A model on the cat walk for Vivienne West wood in 1999 Below The Queen in her study at Balmoral Castle in 1972 Below right Vivienne Westwood

Above Johnny Rot ten ( John Lydon) of the Sex Pistols Below The Fife Arms in Braemar, Scotland Below left Alexander McQueen and Sarah Jessica Parker wearing the designer’s family tartan at the 2006 Met Gala

Brand to know Johnstons of Elgin

‘The hardest part of the entire process,’ says Ben Pentreath of his new capsule collection with Johnstons of Elgin, ‘ has been limiting our choices to just these weaves, so infinite were the possibilities ’ The British designer pored over the Scottish woollen mill’s colour archive, eventually selecting a vibrant palette of shades used during the 1930s and 1940s As well as a check, the range of lambswool fabrics and throws is available in a stripe and houndstooth pattern From £98 per metre ( johnstonsofelgin com)

2

Brand to know Sequana

French fabric house Pierre Frey has snapped up this Irish brand, whose founder Mary Shaw produces traditional tweed fabrics inspired by what she calls ‘the nuances of greens found in the Irish landscape, fruits in the autumn, bark and algae’ What appealed to Pierre Frey ’s creative director Patrick Frey, though, was the originality of the yarn: ‘Donegal wool is composed of small dots of bright and contrasting colours, irregularly and finely scattered all over the surface The mottled effect is at once rustic and chic ’

From £177 per metre (pierrefrey com)

Double

t

The new... collection

A summer of frustrated travel plans hasn’t stopped the design team at Black Edition being influenced by far flung locations Wallcoverings ( below) and fabrics from its newly launched ‘Tabala’ collection carry motifs of rippling waves and towering bamboo And it’s not just the patterns: some of the materials feel a little tropical too think wallpapers printed on richly textured woven raffia and grass cloth Design director Emily Mould (right) tells us

s s e a s o n ’s f o c u s w a s o n ‘ c o m b i n i n g s o f t n e s s a n d structure’ That is why, as well as the exotic, abstract art was a major inspiration Bold brushstrokes can be seen in the natural forms of the ‘Jackson’ fabric, while geometric shapes create sumptuous repeats elsewhere

Black Edition is one of six brands (Romo, Kirkby Design, Mark Alexander, Villa Nova and Zinc Textile are also run in house) in the Romo Group a British family business n

o n Fo

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R o b

n

Mo

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set up a small furniture business in Nottingham in 1902 but changed tack as the region gained a reputation for upholstery When demand for lace started to fall away in the early 20th century, many East Midlands based makers refocused their attentions on a growing trade in fitting out luxury ocean liners and railway cars Supplying fabric became Romo Group’s (then called R Mould Ltd) main business and, since the 1980s, flagship brand Romo

has taken charge of its own designs through an in house studio Black Edition joined the group in 2013 as a design led offshoot to cater for high end contemporary interiors

Changing with the times keeps Black Edition ahead of the design curve Digital printing and spray dyeing are two notable new techniques in its toolbox both are used to give fabrics a rich and intense colour ‘Mysa’, a textured wallcovering from the new collection, is a good example of how the brand puts the latest material innovations to playful and memorable effect Parts of the paper are painted with a heat reactive ink that puffs up into ‘cloud like foam’ These raised details are then printed with a metallic foil to give the whole wall a luxe appearance Fabric, from £105 50 per metre; wallpaper, from £515 per 10m roll, blackedition com

The new... collaboration

‘There’s a natural relationship between music and weaving,’ explains Selby ‘A mathematics behind both that’s to do with numbers and beats, light and dark, juxtaposing patterns and playing with scale ’ While jazz and blues were references for previous Osborne & Little ranges (the brand itself was born in Swinging 1960s London), the earlier jive scene has lent its name to this collection, inspiring designs with new depth, energy and structural complexity

Among the six lively fabrics being released, ‘Mambo’ has rhythmic stepped patterns with the look of an optical illusion, while ‘Carioca’ is derived from Selby ’s creative process The artist starts all her fabrics by wrapping a small piece of card or wood in yarn, bringing colours forward and back to explore ‘ how the horizontal and the vertical might interact’

Selby says the three collections for Osborne & Little are distinct, but have a unity that comes from their handwoven starting points From there, ‘it’s about exploring new colour palettes, shapes and weaving techniques, always trying to push forwards and create better textiles than we’ve made before ’ From £75 per metre (osborneandlittle com)

Textile artist Margo Selby’s latest designs for Osborne & Little are joyously upbeat

When Peter Osborne saw Margo Selby ’s ‘ Vexillum’ s e r i e s , h e k n e w t h e t i m e w a s r i g h t f o r t h e i r third collaboration The co founder of premium fabric and wallpaper brand Osborne & Little was among the visitors stunned by Selby ’s dizzyingly complex large scale artworks on show at the Collect contemporary craft and design fair in 2020 Each is a geometric constellation of stripes handwoven by the artist in 9,000 strand sections

Known for her precise weaving, intuitive use of colour and modernist influences, Selby pushes bold concepts in her artwork that can also be applied in the design of furnishing fabrics Following her last collections with Osborne & Little, ‘Ragtime’ (2016) a n d ‘ Me m p h i s ’ ( 2 01 9) , ‘Ji v e ’ c o m p r i s e s s i x n e w musically inspired fabrics that layer stripes, colour and pattern in surprising and offbeat ways

From left ‘Carioca’, ‘Bossa Nova’, ‘Mambo’, ‘Motown’ and ‘Gavot te’ fabrics, all by Margo Selby for Osborne & Lit tle

The new... frontier

Raf Simons’ lauded textiles for Kvadrat have been transformed into a whole new concept for the Danish brand homeware and accessories

Fashion collaborations are usually fleeting, but Raf Simons and Kvadrat have a committed relationship that goes back eight years The esteemed fashion designer and Prada co creative director has masterminded seven collections with the Danish fabric experts The long lasting success of the partnership is down to a mutual love of craft, quality and testing the limits Simons’ vision pushes Kv a d r a t t e c h n i c a l l y, a n d u p h o l st e r y ’s r i g o r o u s d e m a n d s h ave inspired him to innovate and expand his aesthetic possibilities The designer has described the process of translating the colours and texture of tweed or bouclé into dense weaves suitable for furniture as ‘painterly ’ , with practicalities sparking his creativity

The latest collaboration, the Kvadrat/Raf Simons ‘Shaker System’, is yet another creative leap a surprising one, which sees them both exploring new territory It is not a fabric collection but, instead, a minimalist set of everyday essentials and homeware motivated by today ’s nomadic lifestyles Curated edits of home and personal accessories hang from an upholstered aluminium bar, one designed for each room For entrances, there’s a grouping of cap, keyholder and tote bag For the living room, it’s a lambswool throw, leather magazine strap and mirror tray

The system owes its utilitarian nature to the space saving ‘Shaker’ peg rail, but the curated sets of products look more like futuristic survival kits, reducing furnishing down to core functions ‘I hope it’s inspiring for people who like to buy small objects with the same mindset as buying a chair,’ says Simons There are 25 accessories in total, which have a strict colour consistency in off white, pink, green or black The palette comes from Kvadrat’s satin surfaced ‘ Vidar 4’, a fabric that Simons has recoloured and expanded specially

f

Matchesfashion (matchesfashion com)

Brushes with genius

T here’s no simpler or more satisf ying way to update a room than to give it a f resh lick of paint, and this season, there’s a kaleidoscope of new palettes available to suit ever y st yle and taste. Let us help you find the per fect selection for your home’s big ref resh…

1 For iconic status

The name Farrow & Ball is practically synonymous with sophistication, so there will be many decorating fans intrigued to hear that 11 new colours are being added to its roster The clean blue of ‘Kittiwake’ (seen here) is bound to become an instant classic, while the dark, iron hued ‘Hopper Head’ will make those of a bolder persuasion swoon From £52 for 2 5 litres (farrow ball com)

5 For understated cool

The ‘Waving & Smiling’ collection, a range of 12 new paint colours by Atelier Ellis, is designed to make a house feel homely, and is inspired by positive emotions Highlights include the lilac ‘Lemoine’, the blue ‘Chambray’ (above) and our favourite ‘Cass’, a use it ever y where neutral named af ter the brand’s founder, Cassandra Ellis ‘We believe colour can help us to better understand what home is,’ she says From £51 for 2 5 litres (atelierellis co uk)

6 For fashion kudos

2 For high- end glamour

You may not own a French mansion but you can decorate your house like one, thanks to the British designer Tim Gosling, who has joined forces with eco paint expert Graphenstone to launch the ‘Restoration Chateau’ paint collection Rif fing of f traditional Gallic motifs, colours include the delicate ‘Traditional Bayeux Lace’ (right) and ‘French Trellis Green’, as well as glorious plum and pink shades From £23 50 per litre (graphenstone ecopaints store)

3 For countr yside colour

Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler has long been seen as the leading authorit y on the English countr y house aesthetic, and now the brand is lending its expertise to the world of ready made paints ‘Our colours promise longevit y, ’ says the design director Emma Burns of the initial release, which comprises seven shades ranging from the bright terracot ta of ‘Saf fron’ to the rich brown of ‘Bark’ (below) From £28 per litre (sibylcolefax com)

4 For cit y slickers

Paint & Paper Librar y is adding nine fresh new shades to its ‘Original Colours’ collection this month There’s something for ever y space, from ‘The Long Room’, revived from the archives (below), to the diluted rose of ‘Ruse’ But we ’ re picking ‘Mchanga’ as our favourite: a red earth shade, inspired by Tanzania’s river sands, which will pack a serious punch in small areas From £54 for 2 5 litres (paintandpaperlibrar y com)

Laura Jackson, our ver y own ‘st yle scout’ and the founder of homeware brand Glasset te, has teamed up with Coat paints on a capsule collection of six sumptuous shades inspired by ‘the joy of meandering in Paris’ (find out more about her colour journey on p74) The palet te runs from fresh neutrals to darker shades we love ‘Café Flore‘ (below) and ‘The Tobacconist‘, a deep and bronz y green From £46 for 2 5 litres (coatpaints com)

‘Chambray‘ by Atelier Ellis

‘Bark‘ (on door) by Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler

‘Traditional Bayeux Lace‘ by Graphenstone

‘The Long Room‘ (on walls) and ‘Roben’s Honour‘ (on units) by Paint & Paper Librar y

‘Café Flore‘ by Laura Jackson for Coat

Look up!

Heav y petal

In this San Francisco listening room by Chad Dorsey Design, a rich cinnamon palet te creates a cocooning feel, but the abstract floral ceiling is the unique focal point The dreamy pat tern is Porter Teleo’s hand painted ‘Pétales’ wallpaper in ‘Burnt Umber’, which pulls of f the visual trick of making the room feel cosier while adding a touch of organic lightness (chaddorseydesign com)

W hen Agatha Christie instructed her decorator to cover her London flat ’s ceiling in wallpaper, he looked at her askance. She stood firm in her decision and why not? A centur y later, designers are showing what can be achieved when you choose to get creative with the ‘fi f th wall’. Be inspired to do the same it ’s the new decorative f rontier…

WOR D S PH O E BE FR A N G O U L

Deep purple

Cloudbusting

Interior designer Rachel Chudley papered the walls and ceiling of this entrance corridor in Fornaset ti’s classic ‘Nuvolet te’ design, which hints at the sky visible from the windows in the rooms beyond ‘The monochrome intensit y of being surrounded by this wallpaper works in contrast to the open feeling of colour and light in the adjoining rooms, ’ says Chudley ‘Walking through a dark corridor makes the view at the end even more spectacular’ (rachelchudley com)

The right lines

Milanese decoration workshop Pictalab’s ‘Tatami’ fibreglass paper proves that a decorative ceiling can make a subtle statement. Inspired by traditional Japanese woven straw flooring mats, the design’s strong black lines outline the edges and structure of the room, including the gently vaulted ceiling The ef fect is relaxed but controlled (pictalab com)

In this apartment in a listed building in Zürich, Atelier Zürich’s studio director Sabine Herzog explained how wrapping the kitchen in House of Hackney’s opulent ‘Mey Meh’ wallpaper created a cosy mood Painting walls and cabinetr y in tonal shades emphasises the enveloping nature of the print and the all encompassing atmosphere of decadence (atelierzuerich ch)

Outside the box

A trompe l’œil fresco creates the illusion of beams on the ceiling, adding character and balancing the proportions of this Pierre Yovanovitch designed space at the Quinta da Côrte hotel and winer y in Portugal The sof t tones and simple geometr y of the design create a pleasing contrast with the whitewashed walls and terracot ta floor (pierreyovanovitch com)

Bet ween the lines

Making waves

BelarteStudio’s ‘Cur v y ’ wall mural is one of the Swedish brand’s most popular designs, both in private homes and public spaces all over Europe The wallpaper is seen to maximum ef fect when the broad bands of colour are allowed to wiggle their way up onto the ceiling, as seen in the vintage store Vix Deco in Gothenburg Alice in Wonderland surrealism meets 1960s psychedelia (belartestudio com)

Neon dream

The so called ‘Rainbow Room’ at Bradford Shellhammer’s Rode Barns estate in Stuy vesant, New York, is crowned with a technicolour mar vel of a mural that cleverly makes a virtue out of the pitched roof The Bauhaus inspired design was painted by Rode Barns’ first artist in residence, Luis Urribarri (luisurribarri com)

Katie Sarokhanian calls this her ‘quarantine mural’: during lockdown, she transformed her home’s entr y way with a couple of cans of lef tover paint she had in her shed The artist and designer picked up her brush and simply painted free form lines across the walls and onto the ceiling, drawing the eye upwards (katiesarostudio com)

Heavens above

The soaring ceiling of this living room in the Manhattan apartment of the brand consultant Michelle Harper takes on a celestial qualit y, courtesy of a mural by the artist Ramon Canet The ethereal swirls of yellow and blue are echoed by the contemporar y art on the walls below, creating a juxtaposition bet ween the classical features of the space and the modern furnishings

…and look down

Forget any 1980s associations with g ym halls and office blocks: linoleum along with its cousins vinyl, rubber and resin is back in fashion and eschewing its formerly lacklustre reputation. From graphic layouts to bright colours, by way of the classic checkerboard pattern, this new wave of utilitarian flooring is hardly recognisable. We look at the designs putting a f resh spin on these once maligned materials

WOR D S C L AR A STRU N C K

Boldly bespoke

Pat terned lino can be a cost ef fective option for a statement floor, but many of the tile ef fect designs on the market are too old fashioned for a modern scheme. Sidestep the problem by making the most of lino’s versatilit y and create your own composition (linoleum experts Forbo’s ‘Aquajet’ cut ting technology makes any bespoke project possible) Dimore Studio did just that at its showroom in Milan, installing a bold, blue pat terned floor that breathed new life into an other wise period space Founders Brit t Moran and Emiliano Salci drew inspiration for the design from both the grandeur of art deco motifs and the utilitarian feel of public places, such as schools, canteens and corridors (forbo com; dimorestudio eu)

The bright side

If there’s one rule for using plain coloured lino in your house today, it’s this: go bold Joyful hues mean you can take advantage of its durabilit y while injecting an unexpected pop of vibrancy into a room Ease yourself into the trend with china blue vinyl from The Colour Flooring Company, as seen in the kitchen of this Victorian house in New Brighton designed by H Miller Bros (right), which also has drawers lined in the same material: a clever way to unif y the space, while also immensely practical for cleaning. Alternatively, go as vivid as you dare, taking inspiration from the crimson epox y resin floors that run throughout this home in rural Denmark (above right), designed by the architect and owner Jeppe Utzon, which add a touch of playfulness to the ply wood walls and pared back furniture For dark spaces, we’d recommend following in the golden footsteps of the Walthamstow house designed by owner Natasha Landers (above): its sunflower yellow rubber floor feels contemporar y and homely at the same time (hmillerbros co uk; coldwetanddark com; @untillemonsrsweet)

Piece of fering

Combining lino with terraz zo another 1980s throwback firmly back in the design scene ’ s good graces can have truly stunning results Take this apartment by architectural studio Mops, in which confet ti pat terned linoleum creates a luxurious look without the hassle It’s worth noting that lino is usually much cheaper than traditional terraz zo, so it’s ideal if you ’ re looking for the ef fect on a budget (mops studio)

Checks appeal

Checkerboard floors have a distinguished design histor y and have appeared ever y where from ancient Egyptian temples to 15th centur y mansions Linoleum iterations, however, have traditionally been the preser ve of American diners, chefs’ kitchens and commercial bathrooms But no more: designers such as Luke Edward Hall and Beata Heuman are employing checkerboard lino in a kaleidoscope of colours, put ting a whimsical t wist on a classic In this Not ting Hill townhouse, Heuman used blue and white linoleum from The Flooring Group in the kitchen and dining room for a low cost retro look it was installed on top of the existing tiles, saving time and money for a practical but surprisingly upscale finish (beataheuman com; theflooringgroup co uk)

Linoleum

Lino is made from a mixture of natural materials such as cork, linseed oil and ground stone on jute backing, making it af fordable, hard wearing and eco friendly Tr y Forbo: its lino flooring under the Marmoleum brand is made from 97 per cent renewable materials. Har vey Maria is great for dif ferent coloured tiles mix and match for an unusual checkerboard design (forbo com; har veymaria com)

Inner circle

If colour and pat tern aren’t enough to sway you in favour of this t ype of flooring, consider texture Studded rubber can look almost industrial or add a pleasing point of interest In this Melbourne home (lef t) designed by Kennedy Nolan, the strip of cobalt blue in the kitchen lif ts the dark, terraz zo tiled floor, black tiles and dark wood cabinets in the rest of the room Meanwhile, the red studded rubber in this Bratislava lof t designed by Gut Gut (above) flows from the foyer to the kitchen through to the shower room It gives continuit y to this open plan space and is a highly functional choice, especially for a wet room: rubber is both waterproof and allows for under floor heating (kennedynolan co au; gutgut sk)

Firm footing: the knowledge

Vinyl

Unlike lino, vinyl flooring is manufactured in layers from synthetic materials, such as PVC It’s slightly more durable than linoleum and more resistant to water, scratches, stains and dents, making it a good choice for households with pets or children Amtico has 25 shades, from tourmaline green to terracot ta (amtico com)

Rubber

For serious resilience, look to rubber, which is waterproof and slip resistant, making it a great option for bathrooms Studded st yles are becoming increasingly popular The Rubber Floor Store has a wide range of colours, including a light yellow and a cool blue. For solid hues, The Colour Flooring Company stocks ever y thing from pale bone to bright pumpkin (therubber floorstore co uk; colour flooring co uk)

Resin

There are three main t ypes of resin flooring: epox y, methyl methacr ylate (M M A) and polyurethane, poured onto a concrete surface which then hardens to form a sturdy layer A resin floor is more flexible than vinyl, so it won’t crack. Choose from a variet y of pat terns, including terraz zo It’s imper vious to water it can even withstand power washing Chasing Space is the brand to know (chasingspace co uk)

T hough they may look similar, these floor t ypes are far f rom the same Here, we break down the differences and introduce the best brands for the job

Thefuture is now

Tired of ret ro reinvent ions and in need of change, the design world is embracing an era of new f ut urism. Taking inspirat ion f rom f ree thinkers like Zaha Hadid (the late architect ’ s ROCA London Galler y is our locat ion for this shoot), avant garde forms , metallics and text ure are set to dominate

This page, from left Untitled (2021) silicone art work, £5,880, Manon Steyaert (manonsteyaertart com) ‘Big Vase’ by Max Lamb, £2,600, Mint Shop (mintshop co uk) ‘Aalto’ vase by Alvar Aalto for Iit tala, £168, SCP (scp co uk) Slump sculpture by Lucy Hardcastle, £250, Select Works (select works com) Opposite, from left ‘Creatura VI’ rug, approx £3,180, Mira Sohlén (mirasohlen com) ‘Slit’ polished brass side table by Hay, £395, SCP (scp co uk) ‘Julep’ armchair by Jonas Wagell for Tacchini, upholstered in ‘Cat T Thesium 22’ fabric, £3,327, Tollgård (tollgard com) ‘Slit’ polished steel side table by Hay, £395, SCP (scp co uk) Moln sculpture (on table) by Lisa Reiser, approx £585, Hem (hem com) ‘Chiara’ floor lamp by Mario Bellini for Flos, £1,680, Aram Store (aram co uk)

From left Medium salad bowl (on shelf), £235, Michael Ruh (michaelruh com) ‘Vuelta’ table lamp by Ferm Living, £189; metal vase, £59, both The Conran Shop (conranshop co uk) ‘Dolls’ chair by Raw Edges, £13,900, Louis Vuit ton (louisvuit ton com) Shape Shif ter XV sculpture by Beatrice Galletley, £585, Select Works (select works com) ‘Merge Double’ side table by Ok Kim, £6,000, Mint Shop (mintshop co uk) ‘Droplet’ lacquered table by Zaha Hadid for Roca, price on request, Zaha Hadid (zaha hadid design com) ‘Handkerchief’ vase, £99, The Conran Shop (conranshop co uk)

Slip sculpture by Lucy Hardcastle, £250, Select Works (select works com) ‘Aalto’ vase by Alvar Aalto for Iit tala, £168, SCP (scp co uk) Cuenth2101 sculpture by Roger Coll, £2,600, Thrown (throwncontemporar y co uk) ‘Dudet’ small armchair by Patricia Urquiola, upholstered in ‘Look Bianco 13L010’ fabric, £3,264, Cassina (cassina com) ‘Anais’ pouf by Draga & Aurel for Baxter, £4,915, Silvera (silveraltd co uk)

This page, from left ‘Himani E’ rug by Baxter, £7,710, Silvera (silveraltd co uk) ‘Rondo’ mirror (on floor) by Zieta, £2,284, SCP (scp co uk) ‘Ruf f’ armchair (t wo pictured) by Patricia Urquiola, £2,620, Moroso (moroso it) ‘Moon Rock Sinop’ table, £12,600, Studio Furthermore (studiofurthermore com) Recycled glass platter by Sophie Rowley, £420; Polygon 5 sculpture by Enrico Donadello, £649, both M AH (mah galler y com) ‘Huvi’ wall hanging by Melissa Sammalvaara, approx £4,160, Lokal (lokalhelsinki com)

Opposite, from left Glass, £280 for a set of four, Michael Ruh (michaelruh com) ‘Opus Mini X XIII’ wool tapestr y, approx £375, Mira Sohlén (mirasohlen com) ‘Five Circles’ tray by Muller Van Severen for Valerie Objects, £443 for a set of five, Viaduct (viaduct co uk) Tall silver spoon, £185; small silver spoon, £145; small gold plated spoon, £120, all by Kei Tominaga for Flow Galler y (flowgaller y co uk) White ‘Oval’ plate by Nina Malterud, £1,200; ‘Taroko Mist Vessel II’ bowl in ‘Lavender’ by Celia Dowson, £395; ‘Folded Silver Tray ’ by Kei Tominaga, £400, all Flow Galler y (flowgaller y co uk) ‘Crown’ chair upholstered in ‘Argo 0735’ fabric by Raf Simons for Kvadrat, £2,704, Massproductions (massproductions se)

This page, from left ‘Semis’ rug, £2,877, Kvadrat (kvadrat dk) ‘Game of Stone’ table, £2,730, Mint Shop (mintshop co uk) ’Lightline’ table lamp by Lucie Koldova for Brokis, £580, Silvera (silveraltd co uk) ‘M MPM’ blue tinted aluminium side table, £1,200, James Stickley (jamesstickley co uk) Power Plinth sculpture by Jonatan Nilsson, approx £500, Hem (hem com) ‘Fold’ chair by Busk+Hertzog for Sof tline, £1,532, Macinteriors (mac interiors co uk), upholstered in ‘Constellation’ fabric in ‘Steel’, £133 50 per metre, Kirkby Design (kirkbydesign com) Polygon 4 sculpture by Enrico Donadello, £649, M AH (mah galler y com)

Opposite, from left ‘Paper Sof t wall’ folding screen (seen at back of shelf), approx £2,925, Molo, (molodesign com) Neon light sculpture by Jochen Holz, £1,950, SCP (scp co uk) Vase wrapped in ‘Argo 2’ fabric by Raf Simons, £499 per metre, Kvadrat (kvadrat dk) ‘Nuage’ small vase by Ronan & Er wan Bouroullec for Vitra, £140, Silvera (silveraltd co uk) ‘Seyun’ chair by Zaha Hadid, price on request, Karimoku (karimoku com)

This page, from left ‘Space Lava Vapor’ tall vase, £1,620, Studio Furthermore (studiofurthermore com) ‘Shimmer’ tealight holder in ’Olive Green’, £65, Zaha Hadid (zaha hadid design com) ‘Peach’ vase, approx £420, Enrico Donadello (enricodonadello studio) ‘Lapp’ platinum vase by Zaha Hadid for Rosenthal, £789, Tat ta Home (tat tahome com) ‘Rotunda’ vessel by Morgan Stockton, £420, M AH (mah galler y com)

Opposite, from left ‘Tapa’ poufs by Mac Stopa, £1,904, Now y St yl (now yst yl com) ‘Ploum’ sofa by Ronan & Er wan Bouroullec, upholstered in ‘Moby Safir’ fabric, from £5,695, Ligne Roset (ligne roset westend co uk)

‘Pilot’ square cushion by Raf Simons, £236, Kvadrat (kvadrat dk) ‘Stroke’ round cushion in ‘Kingfisher’, £262, Kirkby Design (kirkbydesign com) ‘Resia’ rug by Dainelli Studio, £7,620, Gallot ti&Radice (gallot tiradice it) ‘M MPM’ coffee table, £1,400, James Stickley (jamesstickley co uk) ‘Nib’ vase by DBKD, £9 50, Aram Store (aram co uk) ‘Linea Alusta’ ceramic object by Naoto Niidome, approx £350, Lokal (lokalhelsinki com) ‘T’ vase by Marie Christine Dorner, £136, Ligne Roset (ligne roset westend co uk) ‘Eve’ pendant light by Zaha Hadid, price on request, Lasvit (lasvit com) ‘T V Relax’ armchair by Luigi Colani, £6,295, Now y St yl (now yst yl com)

Ever yday delights

‘Too old, too elegant, too boring, too complicated…’ When planning the st yle of this family home in Warsaw, Mar ta Chrapka, founder of interior -design firm Colombe, discarded many ideas in search of the per fect blend of unpretentious, fun and liveable. By adding framed pops of vibrant pat tern to a simple white palet te, she has landed on a look that ’s guaranteed to make family life more fun

PHO T O GR A PH Y K A SIA GATKOWSK A/PH OTO FOYE R

Living room The light in this space is maximised by the white walls, with sections covered in ‘Art y ’ linen fabric by Pierre Frey Marta used fabric here because this abstract pat tern only came in a vinyl wallpaper and she preferred the linen’s finish. Details are important to Marta, and her studio of fers an upholster y ser vice as well as carpentr y and metalwork The powder blue sofa and armchair are Mario Marenco’s ‘Marenco’ for Ar flex; the side table is the ‘Lato’ from &Tradition; and the ‘Kool’ rug is by Elitis The cof fee table and the chandelier are vintage pieces, and the wall light is the ‘Neon Simple’ by Magic Circus Editions

Office Glazed doors, painted in Farrow & Ball’s ‘Emerald Green’, separate this quiet study area from the kitchen and dining area on the same floor. Elitis’ ‘Waiting For Eve’ wallpaper makes for an inspirational backdrop to the ‘62 Desk’ by Greta M Grossman for Gubi and the vintage chair and table lamp The vase is a piece by Malwina Konopacka

Kitchen Pink flecked terraz zo flooring complements the yellow colour scheme in this room for zellige tiles similar to those on the splashback, tr y Emer y & Cie Colombe designed the bespoke cabinetr y, as well as upholstering a vintage chair in Pierre Frey fabric The floor lamp is from HK Living and the side table is the ‘Bolöh’ by Sklum Dining room Colourful vintage glassware and decorative pieces from Hay add vibrancy to the vintage table and chairs. The focal point of the space, however, is the bespoke brass mirror created by Colombe The wooden parquet flooring is from Polish firm Chapel Parket tr y Ted Todd and for similar pendant lights, tr y Sklum

Considered moments of creativit y and flair lif t an other wise white scheme in this home that displays a restrained approach to colour and pat tern

T V roomThe layout of this home meant that it wasn’t possible to combine the t wo living areas into one open plan space, so Marta celebrated the separation instead, adding glazing to the arched door ways She covered t wo chairs one vintage, one an Ikea staple in Dedar’s ‘Tiger Mountain’ (nearest) and a Pierre Frey bouclé, while the footstool, another Ikea piece, is dressed in Pierre Frey’s ‘Les Noix’ fabric The sofa is by Fogia and a ‘Shuf fle’ side table by Mia Hamborg for &Tradition sits bet ween the armchairs on an ‘Oman’ rug by Elitis Designed by Colombe, the wall of shelving has a mid centur y aesthetic, while the pendant light is by Serge Mouille

Hallway Built in the 1950s, in a district of Warsaw known for its modernist buildings, this home retains many original features, like this arched door way leading to the stairs Marta has echoed the shape with a bespoke mirror on the cupboard door The blue wall hung shelf is a custom Colombe design, as is the lamp Main bedroom ‘Be Bop A Lula’ fabric by Dedar has been used to upholster the bed, its floral pat tern purposefully clashing with the woollen throw by Carina Seth Andersson for Arket The bedside table is a vintage find, topped with a ‘Tynell’ lamp

by Paavo Tynell for Gubi

There’s a play fulness to the use of fabric in this home. Not only is it used like wallpaper on panels, but also to add a matchy-matchy joy to furniture and accessories

Main bedroom At the foot of the bed sit a vintage chair and floor lamp, both covered in Pierre Frey’s ‘Shaman’ fabric Bathroom Compared with the colour and pat tern throughout the rest of the home, this bathroom is an oasis of monochrome calm, featuring mosaic like tiles from Ce Si The pendant light is the ‘Umbrella’ by Oi Soi Oi, and for a similar claw footed bathtub, tr y Aston Mat thews

Bathroom Farrow & Ball’s ‘Aranami’ wallpaper decorates the wall panels outside this space that’s tiled in a simple design from Ce Si The tap is from Bruma and the basin from Catalano, while the lighting is all vintage from 1st Dibs Kids’ bedroom Part of the brief for the design of this home was that the rooms should be able to adapt with its growing occupants At present, the t wo youngest children share this bedroom, with its panel of Maison C’s ‘Tancho’ wallpaper above the beds; but in the future, the adjoining playroom will be used to create separate spaces Much of the furniture in this room is vintage, except for the yellow bed the ‘Odde’ by Polish brand Wood Szczescia and the HK Living pendant light See Stockists page for details

Form follows function

The founders of Formafantasma recently made the decision mto ove back to their native Italy, creating a live/work space athat’s testament to their ethical, considered approach to design

Formafantasma founders Andrea Trimarchi and Simone Farresin

may be most renowned for their d e s i g n s i n w o o d f o r t h e d u o ’s ‘Cambio’ exhibition, at London’s Serpentine Gallery in 2020, they m e m o r a b l y r e m a d e I k e a ’s £ 2 9 ‘Bekväm’ stool in seven different v a r i e t i e s o f t i m b e r t o h i g h l i g h t the material’s ethical pitfalls At the m o m e n t , t h o u g h , t h e y a r e b u sy learning everything they can about wool This fresh interest is for a new exhibition, ‘On Wool’, scheduled to open at Oslo’s National Museum early next year Here, again, they hope to open people’s minds to the wider ramifications of the interiors world not just ecological, but also social and political ‘As designers, it is our role to question this moment in time,’ says Simone, ‘to ask how it can shape our discipline ’

It is the pursuit of this mission t h a t h e l p e d A n d r e a a n d S i m o n e narrow down the location of their n e w h o m e w h e n , i n 2 0 1 9, t h e partners in life and work decided to move from Amsterdam, where they had lived for the past 14 years, back to their native Italy Choosing to settle not in Florence (where the pair were both born and studied) but Milan, they eschewed the design capital’s grander buildings, looking instead to the trendy district of Via Padova on the outskirts of the city, a n d t h e i n d u st r i a l s u r r o u n d i n g s of AssabOne This vast and unique space, a former printing factory, is run by founder Elena Quarestani as a not for profit organisation

Portrait Simone Farresin (lef t) and Andrea Trimarchi stand in front of the AssabOne building, home to their new live/work studio The cultural hotspot’s façade is decorated with a colourful mural by Nathalie Du Pasquier, one of the founding members of the Memphis design group Court yard This shared outdoor space at the heart of AssabOne is a place to share ideas over a cup of cof fee in the sunshine

housing art and design exhibitions that focus on positive chang e, as well as the studios of several brands ( Fo r m a f a n t a s m a i n c l u d e d ) t h a t share its ethos

‘ We transformed the warehouse i n t o a h y b r i d , o p e n p l a n s p a c e where we could meet and work with o u r c o l l a b o r a t o r s,’ s a y s A n d r e a , introducing the modern, 280 square metre studio that is also the couple’s home A healthy work life balance i s m a i n t a i n e d w i t h t h e h e l p o f bespoke maple wood cabinetry and desks by Sicilian custom joinery atelier DiSé These stylishly divide the space, which has no internal walls, separating extensive collaborative w o r k a r e a s f r o m m o r e p r i v a t e , relaxing corners It’s a set up that feels very prescient, with people still looking for ways to inconspicuously s q u e e z e o f f i c e a r e a s i n t o t h e i r homes In recognition of this (Andrea a n d S i m o n e a l w a y s h a v e t h e i r fingers on the pulse), Formafantasma will slowly be releasing the ‘Assab’ collection via DiSé’s website

I t i s t h e m a t e r i a l s p a l ett e t h a t i s t h e b i g g e s t c l u e f o r w h e n t o d ow n t o o l s a n d u nw i n d , t h o u g h The wooden divider that forms the back wall of the living area is clad in sage green fabric by Vincent Van Duysen for Sahco the softness acts a s a v i s u a l c u e , s i g n a l l i n g t h e n e e d f o r c a l m M e a n w h i l e , o n the mezzanine level, the couple’s bedroom is an oasis of pared back serenity: a spot above the hubbub to reflect on the ideas of the day

Office Custom designed for this space, the ‘Assab’ collection by Formafantasma and DiSé includes shelving, stools, desks (both large and wall mounted) and a statement bookcase/room divider Accompanying these maple wood designs is a ‘Fauteuil Direction Pivotant’ of fice chair by Jean Prouvé for Vitra and ‘Leggera’ chairs by Gio Ponti for Cassina, plus a series of Jasper Morrison’s ‘Glo Ball’ pendant lights that are suspended from the warehouse’s towering original raf ters. On the lef t side of the room stand t wo stools the ‘Sponge’ and ‘Wolf fish’ from Formafantasma’s ‘Craf tica’ collection, created for Fendi in 2012

The detritus of the creative process of fers tantalising glimpses of projects past and future

Throughout the public and more private areas of the studio, you will see a smattering of design classics pieces by creators that Andrea and Simone respect, many of whom s h a r e t h e i r a e st h et i c a n d et h i c a l values There’s lighting by Jasper Mo r r i s o n a n d Ko n st a n t i n G r c i c , as well as Achille and Pier Giacomo

C a st i g l i o n i , a n d f u r n i t u r e by t h e likes of Gerrit Rietveld and Jean Prouvé Then, there’s the detritus of the creative process small paper p r o t o t y p e s a n d p l a n s p i l e d o n b o o k c a s e s a n d t a b l e s o f f e r i n g t a n t a l i s i n g g l i m p s e s o f p r o j e c t s past and future As well as creating l i g h t i n g f o r F l o s , g l a s s w a r e f o r Nude and Lobmeyr and, this year, new work for Bitossi, Cassina and M i l a n e s e t a p b r a n d Q u a d r o, t h e s t u d i o i s i n c r e a s i n g l y t a k i n g o n research projects Currently, the p a i r a r e d o i n g a d e e p d i v e i n t o the sustainability of the forestry industry in Finland a step on from their investigations for ‘Cambio’ in collaboration with furniture brand Artek The title of that exhibition c a m e f r o m c a m b i u m , t h e L a t i n word for ‘a change’ And it’s clear that Formafantasma’s new home, a bustling hub alive with ideas, will continue to be a force for just that f ormaf antasma com

Storage Custom made maple wood lockers blend into the background in this studio/home, while the table displays small protot ypes from Formafantasma’s ‘Autarchy’ and ‘Delta’ collections Kitchen But ter yellow cabinetr y by Ver y Simple Kitchen is crowned with a worktop made from ‘ExCinere’ tiles by Dzek, glazed with volcanic ash and designed in collaboration with Formafantasma. Decorating the shared space is a ‘Tacchia’ lamp by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Flos Living area In a change from the abundance of pale maple wood elsewhere in the studio, this corner ’ s bespoke divider is clad in a layer of sage green ‘Moiré’ fabric by Vincent Van Duysen for Sahco The sofa is the ‘Sesann’ by Gianfranco Frat tini for Tacchini, and the ‘Noctambule’ floor lamp is by Konstantin Grcic for Flos

Detail Looped above the workspace, the ‘Wireline’ pendant light by Formafantasma for Flos is one of the first things you see on entering the studio. It illuminates more designs (chairs and a tessellated shelving unit) from the ‘Assab’ collection by the studio in collaboration with DiSé

Newly formed T hree designs by Formafantasma, available now

‘FFQT’ taps for Quadro

There’s an elegant simplicit y to Formafantasma’s work, and that qualit y is evident in this most practical of collections for the bathroom, the shapes of which are derived from the intersecting cur ves of perfect circles From approx £845 (quadrodesign it)

‘T Shelf ’ for Hem

The culmination of five years of research and development, this aluminium shelving system is manufactured using ‘Hydro Restore’ a combination of recycled pre and post consumer scrap and primar y metal From £886 (hem com)

‘Post Scriptum’ vases for Cassina

Hand drawn using ceramic chalk crayons, the modern interpretations of graffito decoration on these vessels were inspired by Formafantasma’s explorations of ceramics brand Ginori 1735’s extensive archives From £399 (cassina com)

Bedroom Not content with creating all of the bespoke wooden furniture for the downstairs studio space, Formafantasma and DiSé also designed the bed, table and stool in this room, tucked under the warehouse’s white ceiling trusses

The tall ‘Luminator’ lamp is by the Castiglioni brothers for Flos and the ‘Zig Zag’ chair is by Gerrit Thomas Riet veld for Cassina See Stockists page for details

P E R F E C T L Y C A S T

Moss coloured lime plaster walls and blackened terracot ta f loors bring the nat ural beaut y of Northern Ireland to this sanct uar y like home in London’s Walthamstow

Dining room A beautiful vintage Charlot te Perriand dining table stands in the middle of the open plan dining space, surrounded by secondhand chairs from France The paintings (see next page) are by David Hardy at Partnership Editions, while the bowl on the table is from Ferm Living Heav y, pink bouclé curtains for similar fabric tr y Kvadrat sof ten the connection bet ween this space and the garden beyond Garden Floating steps conceived by garden designer Miria Harris lead the eye into this slice of urban green space She also sourced the vintage Niels Gammelgaard garden chairs and table, as well as a selection of pots from Ferm Living and Hoxton Gardenware

WOR D S H AN N AH N E W TO N PHO T O GR A PH Y C L AI R E WO RTHY/N E W TO N + WO RTHY

Growing up, Julie Harkin could often be found walking the wild coastal paths around Derry or exploring Northern Ireland’s gorse covered valleys For this casting director, who was nominated for an Emmy Award last year for her work on British series I May Destroy You, being immersed in nature is a well trodden route to calm It is not surprising, then, that when beginning to contemplate the design of her Victorian home in London’s Walthamstow Village, which she shares with her husband and young son, she decided to start by looking at the garden

Enlisting the help of landscape designer Miria Harris right from the start of the project allowed Julie to emphasise her aim of creating a home that is linked to its surroundings ‘It is quite rare to be involved at this stage,’ admits Miria, who designed the front garden first, allowing it to ‘set the tone’ That way, she adds, ‘the house would respond to the garden, not the other way around’

Inside, the decision was made to excavate and lower the existing ground floor, creating an extra 40 centimetres of ceiling height that, combined with a new side return extension by the architure firm Neighbourhood Studio, ensured the open plan kitchen and living area was blessed with as much light as possible Previously a cold, dark space due to the walled courtyard to the rear, the room now works in harmony with the outside The floating steps in the garden lead the eye out past the sliding doors, creating what Miria

d e s c r i b e s a s ‘ a s e x y, g e n t l e t e a s e , s l ow l y r e v e a l i n g t h e g r e e n , pale pink, white and bronze tones in the planting that reflect the delicate palette that’s been used inside’

For this, Julie sought the help of her friend Sarah Ellison, an interior designer at Frank & Faber The pair worked together to select colours, with the upstairs remaining light and bright ‘Farrow & Ball’s “School House White” for the walls and woodwork, with curtains in the same colour,’ explains Sarah while downstairs is cosier and more textural Finished in lime plaster that has been tinted a rich, mossy green, the living room has the atmosphere of a secluded and shaded forest glade The flooring here is inspired by Julie’s childhood holidays, which she often spent staying in ancient stone cottages in Donegal with her family Dedicated to finding the perfect tiles, she spent weeks carrying samples around in her handbag ‘I would randomly pick options out of my bag to c o n s i d e r t h e s h a d e s, a n d e ve n v i s i t e d t h e A e s o p st o r e i n B a t h to ask about its floors,’ she recalls, having eventually settled on a black terracotta brick, produced by Claybrook in a bespoke shape

‘I really wanted to create a nurturing environment,’ Julie explains ‘A space that is very welcoming I feel loved and cared for when I come home This is a safe haven of wellbeing away from the rest o f t h e w o r l d ’ m i r i a h a r r i s c o m ; n e i g h b o u r h o o d s t u d i o c o m ; frankandf aber co uk

B E I N G I M M E R S E D I N N A T U R E I S A W E L L T R ODDE N R OU T E T O C A L M A N D T H E S E C R E T

T O T H I S HO M E ’ S S T Y L E

Portrait Homeowner Julie Harkin sits on the staircase that leads down into this home’s extension by Neighbourhood Studio Kitchen Situated bet ween the snug and the dining room, this space is defined by t wo solid forms: the black steel island by Sola Kitchens and a large ‘Cone’ pendant light by Rose Uniacke An ‘Applique à Volet Pivotant’ wall light by Charlot te Perriand for Nemo Lighting illuminates the countertop, which is decorated with accessories that keep to this home’s natural palet te For similar, tr y the selection of wooden chopping boards by Selw yn House at Toast and Leach Pot ter y ’ s ceramic pestle and mortar

Snug Lime plastered walls in mossy green, paired with woodwork picked out in Farrow & Ball’s ‘Studio Green’, give this room at the back of the open plan kitchen/dining space a cosy feel The sofa is from BoConcept, while the rug and marble cof fee tables are all vintage tr y AU Bespoke for similar There are some classics on display in this room, too, from the ‘IC T1’ table lamp by Michael Anastassiades for Flos to the black ‘Togo’ armchair by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset and ‘Flag Halyard’ rope chair by Hans J Wegner for PP Mobler The bespoke wallhanging is a piece by Sussy Cazalet

Living room This formal space at the front of the house, painted in ‘School House White‘ by Farrow & Ball, boasts an original Victorian fireplace decorated with a ‘Pond’ mirror from Ferm Living The ‘Avio’ sofa is a design by Piero Lissoni for Knoll and the sculptural ceramic side table is by Studio Floris Wubben Hanging above is an abstract work by artist John Blackburn In the corner of the room by the window sits a cream ‘Camaleonda’ chair by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia The curtains are from Romo and the ceiling light is a vintage piece by Gaetano Scolari

Photographer Frank Harkin, Julie’s father, took the picture of Derr y that hangs on the wall

‘ I F E E L L OV E D A N D

C A R E D F O R W H E N I C O M E HO M E . T H I S I S A S A F E H AV E N O F W E L L B E I N G ’

Bathroom Oak joiner y, combined with a thin countertop of Calacat ta marble and textured white metro tiles tr y ‘Pot ters Glaze’ by Claybrook lend this space an understatedly luxurious, natural feel For similar basins, tr y Dyke & Dean Main bedroom ‘Harlosh’ bedside tables by Pinch sit either side of the bed, with ‘Hector’ wall lights by Original BTC placed above The large art work is by Formworks, while the forest green linen curtains were purchased at Romo The ceiling light, with its decorative glass discs, is a vintage find discovered by homeowner Julie In the corner of the bedroom (above lef t) a mid centur y chair is placed beside a minimal floor lamp See Stockists page for details

L i f e i s f a n t a s t i c a l

High up in a Venet ian at t ic, t ucked beneath the raf ters , hides a colour f ul and creat ive home unlike any other

Terrace The artistr y begins on the terrace, where some of this home’s bolder colours are picked out, Mondrian st yle, in the floor tiles from Mosa The cof fee table is the ‘Alanda’ by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia, and the chair is the ‘Trieste’ folding design, created by Aldo Jacober in the 1960s for Baz zani Two Teste di Moro vases from Sicily stand guard at the door to the open plan living area Kitchen Drawn by artist Vava Dudu before being realised in 15mm thick Plexiglass by Prefor, the decorations crowning this colourful kitchen set it apart as the focal point of this home The cabinets are bespoke, topped with a lime green Corian worktop and splashback, and the white leather curtains that hang on either side are also a custom design, adorned with more illustrations by Vava Dudu The candy pink tap is an Arne Jacobsen design for Vola

Eve r y t h i n g a b o u t t h i s h o m e i s u n e x p e c t e d n o t l e a s t o f a l l , i t s o w n e r s. Tw o Pa r i s i a n a c a d e m i c s living in Venice, they have, according to architect and mastermind of this p r o j e c t Fe d e r i c o M a s o t t o , ‘ v e r y serious jobs’, but their pied à terre is the polar opposite of boring. ‘They are both extremely open, free and w i l d , v e r y w i l l i n g t o h a v e a b s u r d a d v e n t u r e s , ’ c o n t i n u e s M a s o t t o, who reveals that the inspiration for the bold, out of this world scheme was the work of French cartoonist Moebius (otherwise known as Jean Giraud), a contemporary of Hergé, best known for his science fiction and fantasy work of the 1970s and 8 0 s. T h e o w n e r i s a f a n , a n d i t i s t h e f a m o u s i l l u s t r a t o r ’s b l e n d o f p s y c h e d e l i a a n d s u r r e a l i s m t h a t i n f l u e n c e d t h e d e c o r a t i v e c h o i c e s h e r e . Mo st n ot a b l e i s t h e k i t c h e n ( p a r t f u n c t i o n a l s p a c e , p a r t a r t installation) that is placed under the highest point of the attic’s sloping ceiling. Drawn by artist Vava Dudu, a f r i e n d o f b o t h M a s o t t o a n d t h e owners, this focal point is ‘a big totem’ with shapes and characters (all cut from Plexiglass) layered on top of one another. Everywhere, the palette is plucked from Moebius’s work saturated purples, pale, delicate pinks, sky blue, bright yellow, lime green. It’s undeniably a lot of colour and pattern for a space that measures just 70 square metres, but step out onto the terrace and you are met by the beautiful Venice skyline. With views this vast, you need the imagination to match. f edericomasotto.com

Living room Architect Federico Masot to chose a folding ‘Antella’ table by Kazuhide Takahama for Cassina in this room for practical reasons, but also because its black lacquered finish reminded him of the gondolas that can be seen on the canal outside It has been paired with an ‘Up 2000’ sofa by Gaetano Pesce for B&B Italia and a ’Triple Play’ side table, created by the same designer in 1995 for Fish Design The yellow bar cart is the ‘Boby 2’ by Joe Colombo for B Line Underfoot, vinyl flooring from Forbo has been selected, its slightly iridescent finish reminding Masot to of the ever changing skies outside

The colour card

under the lowest part of

shade of yellow, while the custom headboard has been covered in a mirrored laminate Silk from Libert y has been used to create the throw on the bed and the curtain that conceals the contents of the wardrobe The desk chair is another ‘Trieste’ design by Aldo Jacober for Baz zani, and the lights include the ‘Arianna’ pendant light by Piero Brombin for Artemide (suspended low beside the bed) and t wo opaline table lamps from the 1970s, picked up at auction Bathroom Made from ‘Mint Ice’ coloured Corian, this bespoke shelving unit squeezes as much storage space as possible into this awkwardly shaped room The basin is from Flaminia and the tap is another bright Vola design by Arne Jacobsen The wall light is the ‘Glo Ball’ by Jasper Morrison for Flos

See Stockists page for details

RISE UP!

T he architect owner of this apart ment in A nt wer p is on a mission to convince people of the beaut y of concrete, using his own home as a showcase

WOR D S C L AR E SARTI N

PHO T O GR A PH Y TIM VAN DE VE LDE

Ar c h i t e c t B r a m Va n C a u t e r, t h e co founder of Antwerp based Studio Okami, was still an intern when he first set foot inside Riverside Tower, the brutalist 20 storey apartment block that holds a certain mystique in the city, and pledged that one day he would live there ‘There were all these crazy stories about who might live at the top,’ he recalls with a smirk This is no dystopian tale in the vein of JG Ballard’s High Rise, though Instead, the tower, designed in the 1970s by Léon Stynen and Paul De Meyer as a tribute to the work of Le Corbusier, is a thriving community Not only does Bram own this 230 square metre duplex a vast open plan testament to his love of concrete but his studio s p a

n d D o r i s ’s a r t gallery, Soon, and even his sister are all housed on various floors of the same building

‘Some people say concrete is too grey, but it’s beautifully textured, and there are different shades in it that change with the light,’ argues Bram ‘It’s never actually grey!’ It is these subtle nuances that he has e

highlight with a bold yet considered

hy polyurethane floors to the green

staircase, every hue was selected to soften and elevate And it’s a tactic that works, with Bram regularly inviting new clients to his home to convince them of what’s possible when working with this oft maligned material studiookami com

Dining room The ‘Long’ table by Muller Van Severen was the first piece of furniture in this home and is a natural focal point in the open plan space The chairs are by Van Severen’s father, Maarten Van Severen the ‘ 03’ for Vitra On the other side, closer to the vast window, sits a ‘BQ01’ bench, originally designed by architect Wim Quist for the Kröller Müller Museum in the Netherlands Above it all hangs a ‘TRN’ pendant light by Pani Jurek

i

Kitchen Based on the look of the ‘Haifa’ cof fee table by the late French designer Michel Boyer, the kitchen island in this space is a bespoke creation as are the matching wall hanging cupboards (just out of view) that take inspiration from the work of the American artist Donald Judd Accessories in this home are as minimalist as the set ting, including this coloured cookware by Terra Cot to to the lef t of the stove on the island The actual art comes from Bram’s partner Doris’s galler y, Soon, and includes abstract pieces by Roberto Simoni (on the back wall) and Giancarlo Benedet ti Corcos (opposite)

Staircase This power coated metal statement piece is a bespoke design by Bram that was produced by Stiel Atelier There was no way to crane lif t any thing into this home, so ever y segment of the staircase had to be carefully planned to fit the dimensions of the building’s freight lif t, and then assembled on site ‘People of ten worr y about how our dog, Señor Peña, copes on the stairs,’ says Bram, ’but he is used to them We carr y him up most of the time!’

DESIGNED AS A TRIBUTE TO LE CORBUSIER, THE TOWER IS A THRIVING COM MUNIT Y

Living room In keeping with the architectural sparseness of this space, furniture is kept to a minimum In this room, that means just one large ‘DS88’ modular leather sofa, designed in the 1970s by Swiss brand De Sede Art works add further interest to the concrete shell of this home a wallhanging by Alexandra Puscas is draped across the back wall, while the piece on the lef t is by Luis Xertu

Office By removing the wall that separated this area from the adjoining living room, architect and homeowner Bram has made a bright and inviting place to work when the couple are not at their showroom and studio, both located in the same building The red chair in the corner is the ‘Bold’ by Big Game for Moustache, while the desk chair is the ‘EA337’ by Charles and Ray Eames for Vitra The desk and sideboard are vintage pieces by George Nelson Hallway A wall of built in cupboards, with MDF fronts by Innovus, ensures that all clut ter is hidden out of view

Bedroom Knocking down sections of the walls on the upper level has created a lof t like mez zanine for this home’s one bedroom The bed itself is an old Ikea design, while the chair to the side is the ‘Diamond’ by Harr y Bertoia for Knoll A piece by the Finnish artist Tuukka Tammisaari hangs above the headboard See Stockists page for details

Kitchen Ceppo di Gré that most Milanese of stones, mined a short hop from the cit y decorates the floors, and has also been used to create a bespoke island and countertop created by Luciano The architect/owner also custom designed the brass sliding doors that can hide this space from the adjoining dining room Nathalie Du Pasquier’s Rubber Glove art work hangs on the wall

The architecture of luxury

Inspired by the modern mar vels of the Milanese sk yline f rom Pala zzo A port i, recently renovated by A ntonio Cit terio, to Gio Pont i ’ s Pirelli Tower that can be spot ted through the window, this apart ment belonging to architect Luciano Giorgi is a dist illed take on Italian decadence

Dining room A collection of Andrea Branzi’s ‘Picassi in Coccio’ vases are displayed on the table, designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Spa Also created for Tecno Spa, the ‘S83’ chairs are by Eugenio Gerli The pendant light is the ‘Lyndon’ by Vico Magistret ti for Oluce, and the tall cabinet behind is a bespoke brass and leather piece designed by Luciano

PHO T O GR A PH Y HELE NIO BARBET TA/LIVING INSIDE ST Y L I NG C H IAR A DAL C ANTO

Dining room Life Head, a work in 16 parts by British artists Gilbert & George, dominates this space The wooden ‘925’ lounge chair is a piece designed in the 1960s by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Poggi, while the wall light is the ‘Bacchet ta Magica LED’ by Mario Nanni for Viabiz zuno Living room Two tones of grey lend this space an urban feel, with the ceiling’s oval shaped decoration inspired by the form of the table by Osvaldo Borsani in the dining room

The leather ‘Coronado’ sofa is a 1960s design by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia, the daybed by the window is a 1930s piece by Mario Chiat tone, upholstered in ‘Adamo & Eva’ fabric from Dedar, and the t wo 1950s ‘Catilina’ chairs are by Luigi Caccia Dominioni for A zucena The floor lamp is another configuration of the ‘Lyndon’ by Vico Magistret ti for Oluce and, in the other corner of the room, there’s a hanging stainless steel art work The Shells by Thomas Julier, from Karma Galler y in Zurich The glass ‘Trilogy’ table by Gabet ti, Isola and Drocco for Arbo displays pieces by Francis Upritchard, Carla Accardi and Goshka Macuga

Portrait Homeowner and architect Luciano Giorgi sits in a ‘Catilina’ chair for A zucena in front of the bespoke bookcase he designed, combining brass with woven leather The More Poetry is Needed print is by Jeremy Deller Living room Photographer Zoe Leonard’s ’Bubblegum’ series hangs above the ‘Coronado’ sofa by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia. The cof fee table is the ‘Cicognino’ by Franco Albini for Poggi, the carpet is a Chinese design from the 1920s, and the table in the corner, with a car ved ceramic base, is a 1950s piece The bronze reliefs above are by Günther Förg

Bedroom In the ultimate cultural clash, a 17th centur y Aubusson tapestr y has been paired with camouflage wallpaper custom made with the help of Italian artist Francesco Simeti The bedside lamp is a 1950s design by Raimondo Garau, updated with a Ser vomuto lampshade Bathroom Art works by Alessandro Ceresoli, Oliver Osborne, Patrizio di Massimo and Lucio Fontana decorate the custom made camouflage print wallpaper beside the entrance to this ensuite Inside, marble ef fect tiles by Lea Ceramiche (in t wo opposing monochrome colour ways) are contrasted by the rust coloured ‘Madison’ carpet by Ruckstuhl in the bedroom The sanitar y ware is from the ‘Gardenia’ collection designed by Antonia Campi in the 1960s See Stockists page for details

Designs for life

Homes should adapt and change as we do, so when a global pandemic st ruck , London based designer

Irenie Cossey decided the t ime was right to rethink her surroundings

‘Most people went out and stockpiled flour and yeast I rang Twentytwentyone to ask if they had any ‘Tip Ton’ chairs in stock,’ r e c a l l s I r e n i e C o s s e y, w i t h a l a u g h S o m e p e o p l e t h o u g h t h e r

priorities were weird, but the designer, who also launched Irenie Studio in 2020, knew that lockdown would mean the whole family would be working (and studying ) from home It was this same turn of events that prompted her to give her renovated Victorian house in Canonbury, north London, a big refresh

She added a new curtain to divide the living room from the busy open plan extension containing the family kitchen and dining space a hub of activity for Irenie, her architect husband A dam, and their three children, Olivia, Jake and Clara and updated the d o w n s t a i r s b a t h r o o m , a s w e l l a s o n e o f t h e e n s u i t e s N o t a l l of the adjustments were purely practical, though There has also been a subtle shift in the look and feel of this home Moving away from its original minimal aesthetic, which she describes as ‘a white box with bright, lacquered blocks of colour’, Irenie has re calibrated the space to be ‘more acoustically sound and softer ’

Part of that process was selecting pieces by brands and creatives she has collaborated with, including Universal Design Studio and Barber Osg erby It was the latter ’s ‘Primavera’ tiles for Mutina (a project she consulted on) that she picked for the ensuite’s upgrade Their muted, flecked tones are a departure from some of the brighter original choices in the house, such as the bold red carpet that runs like a ribbon between every floor Souad Larusi is also a friend, and textural finds from her well known rug brand can be found on the floor in most rooms, as well as on one wall

T h e s e a d d i t i o n s, a l o n g w i t h t h e m a ny s m a l l e r t w e a k s t h a t occurred during those long lockdown days, are all driven by Irenie’s a st u t e c u r a t o r i a l e y e I t ’s a t r a i t t h a t s h e m a y h a v e i n h e r i t e d from her mother, whose many collected curios and silver trinkets, taken from Irenie’s childhood home in Dublin, can be found in t h e m o d e r n v i t r i n e s t h a t d e c o r a t e t h e d i n i n g a r e a R e g u l a r l y rotated, the displays in these museum like cases could be seen as a metaphor for this home as a whole: much loved, full of treasures and constantly evolving irenie studio

Exterior Extending this Victorian propert y to the rear and filling in the side return has created a large open plan kitchen and dining area, perfect for family life Wide bi fold doors ensure the garden is just as much a part of the space The outdoor table is the ‘Tibbo’ by Barber Osgerby for Dedon and the red chairs are the ‘Tribeca 3665’ by Pedrali

WOR D S C L AR E SARTI N

PHO T O GR A PH Y J I M STE PH E NSO N

Dining room A ‘Home’ table, designed by Barber Osgerby for Isokon Plus and big enough to function as an ad hoc workspace as well as a place for family meals, is the focal point of this room The black chairs are by Artek, and the lounge chair in the corner is an original Hans J Wegner design for Carl Hansen & Søn, sourced from The Modern Warehouse in east London, where homeowner Irenie also bought the mid centur y sideboard and Beni Ourain rug Flying Dumbo by the artist Nick Archer hangs on the wall above a ‘Snoopy’ table lamp by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Flos The bamboo pouf is a Sika Design picked up from Mr All Sorts, just of f London’s Essex Road

There has been a subtle shif t in the feel of this home, moving from a minimalist look to a ‘more acoustically sound and sof ter space’

Living room Separated from the small study area and the open plan kitchen beyond by a curtain made from Raf Simons’ blush pink velvet for Kvadrat, this room is now more peaceful Seating includes a sofa from SCP and t wo white armchairs the nearest is the ‘Balzac’ by Mat thew Hilton and the other is the ‘Pelican’ by Finn Juhl. In contrast to the more modern items in this house, the chandelier is a design from Waterford Cr ystal, taken from Irenie’s family home in Dublin Other contemporar y classics include a ‘Tulip’ table by Eero Saarinen for Knoll and an ‘Akari’ paper lamp by Isamu Noguchi for Vitra The rug is one of this home’s many vibrant Larusi pieces Kid’s bedroom In son Jake’s room, a mirror by Hay sits behind a ‘Stool 60’ by Alvar Aalto for Artek, used here as a bedside table The yellow lamp is the ‘Bellhop’ by Barber Osgerby for Flos The carpet in the hall outside, described by Irenie as ‘deep, raspberr y red’, is from Dutch brand Mid and it acts to connects the pops of bright colour in the home

Kid’s bedroom One of the ‘Tip Ton’ chairs by Barber Osgerby for Vitra that Irenie panic bought at the start of lockdown, this mango coloured example sits at the foot of the bed, which is draped in a green throw from Toast. The rug is a Larusi design, and the bedside table is another ‘Stool 60’ by Alvar Aalto for Artek, topped with a ‘Snoopy’ light by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Flos A selection of ceramics from Studio Arhoj is arranged on the chest of drawers a vintage find Ensuite Newly renovated, this space is a marriage of muted ‘Primavera’ tiles, designed by Barber Osgerby for Mutina, and a zest y orange vanit y unit designed by Irenie and made by Paul McCormack joiner y The sink is by Cielo and the taps are from Vola Beside the bathroom door, a String shelving unit of fers plent y of storage for a young collector

are all

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Main bedroom The bed and vanit y unit in this room at the top of the house are both vintage, as is the desk, which has been paired with a ‘Diamond’ chair by Harr y Bertoia for Knoll, seen here in a bespoke grey finish The rug is from Larusi, and the pendant light is the saucer shaped ‘Bubble’ by George Nelson for Herman Miller

Bathroom Enlivened by a cobalt blue blind made from Raf Simons’ fabric for Kvadrat the same as in the adjoining bedroom this is a calm space The white tiles are from Villeroy & Boch, the basins are the ‘Scola’ design by Duravit and the taps are from Vola The wooden bench a vintage piece found at London store Fandango and a ‘J16’ rocking chair by Hans J Wegner for Fredericia add some sof tness to the room

See Stockists page for details

As life has swer ved back into the fast lane these past months, finding time to rela x has become more important than ever. And the bathroom is the ideal place to retreat to when you need a little self care. W hether you dream of spending hours luxuriating in the tub, like author and journalist Pandora S ykes ( p254) and Flamingo Estate founder Richard Christiansen ( p258), or simply crave a colour f ul spruce up of your morning routine, we have the new launches, expert tips and inspiration to suit ever y st yle.

Contents

237 N ews

From statement sinks and a water saving shower to the best new tiles, and even a treat for your four legged friend

252 Br and t o know As Drummonds reveals its latest collaboration with designer Marc Newson, we look at the firm’s history and future 254 S o ak up t he ex perience

Author and journalist Pandora Sykes shares her obssession with the joys (and occasional pitfalls) of the hotel bathroom

256 Book a fi ve st ar bathroom

Choosing where to stay on your next break? We reveal our edit of the hotels with the most Instagram ready ensuites

258 Bat hed in glor y What does it take to build a ‘cathedral to bathing ’?

Richard Christiansen, founder of Flamingo Estates, tells the story of his big bathroom project

262 S plash out now Small changes can make a big difference, and these accessories are all sure to brighten up any bathroom in an instant 269 S o fr esh, so cle an Be inspired by these showstopping and trend setting bathrooms created by some of the world’s top designers

Above ’DIN’ tiles by Konstantin Grcic for Mutina (mutina it)

Basin instincts

Designed to delight the senses or soothe the mind, these pieces are sure to elevate any morning ritual

1 ‘Athene’ basin, Kreoo As its my thological name suggests, the design of the ‘Athene’ washbasin by Italian marble masters Kreoo is as strong as the Greek goddess of protection and war Honed from a choice of 10 varieties of the luxurious stone, the shapely column is corseted by thin metal strips in chrome, bronze or a lacquered finish that emphasise its smooth silhouet te £10,566 (kreoo com)

2 ‘Dicroico’ basin, Artelinea Like the sheen of oil on water, the rainbow like panels of Artelinea’s new basin appear to change colour when viewed at dif ferent angles The latest innovation by the for ward thinking Italian glassware company, this freestanding form by product designer Davide Vercelli plays with light and perspective and uses a unique film in the glass lamination process that enhances the interplay of colours £3,840 (artelinea it)

3 ‘Roll Ball’ basin, Serafini Taking the concept of the bathroom as a meditative space to the next level, this basin features a solid marble sphere that, with a gentle push, rolls around a groove in the tactile car ved bowl Developed by designer Mark Mitchell to engage the senses and create a sense of peace through interactive physical sensation, the ball also functions as a plug Ever y element of the design can be customised in a wide range of stones and finishes £3,685 (serafini com)

Game of thrones

French brand Trone is disrupting the world of toilet design Founder and CEO Hugo Volpei explains why loos deser ve to be made with love

I founded Trone (French for throne) four years ago The idea came to me after a visit to Sketch in London The bathroom experience was amazing but the toilet itself was still boring and white I wanted to transform an object that had never been desirable before, and to make you want to go and buy a toilet on a Saturday afternoon in the same way you might purchase a table, a lamp or go hunting for a sofa

For ‘Icone01’, our first model, we chose to make the water visible, both for aesthetic reasons and to make people aware of their water consumption Our customers are very varied We supply private individuals who appreciate design and innovation, as well as many restaurants and hotels In London, you can find our toilets at Ave Mario in Covent Garden and at Cédric Grolet at the Berkeley Hotel, and they ’re in The Vices Hotel in York, too

Over the next 12 months we plan to release a basin and some bathroom accessories, as well as a beautiful new ‘ blue flake’ glaze We’ll also be launching our first collaboration with an artist, which we’d like to do on a regular basis Our first showroom in Paris is due by the end of the year, and we hope to open a pop up in London in early 2023 trone paris

Spa experience

Plentiful bubbles and a relaxing massage? No, we don’t mean a dream day out we’re talking about a dream bathroom experience from shower experts Kelda ‘BubbleSpa’ uses patented technology that mixes air and water to create a multitude of perfectly crafted, 20mm bubbles, which mimic the gentle finger tapping motion applied in Swedish massage

What’s more, a fraction of the water of a traditional shower is dispensed, saving money and the planet too From £1,499 ( keldashowers com)

Grecian decadence

Inspired by Greek architecture, the new ‘Heritage’ bath by Patrick Norguet for Inbani features vertical grooves intended to create a sense of rhy thm and sensualit y Part of a complete bathroom collection, the tub is available in R AL, NCS and UHS colours Price on application, West One Bathrooms (westonebathrooms com)

Awash with space

Practical planning

Located at Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour, House of Rohl is a creative hub showcasing products f rom Victoria + Albert Baths, Shaws, Perrin & Rowe and Riobel Here, brand manager Emma Joyce shares her expert tips and practical tricks…

A bath is like a bed: one size definitely does not fit all. Visit a showroom, kick off your shoes and get into the bath before you buy it.

Freestanding baths can be a smart choice for small bathrooms. They create a more spacious feeling overall than built in tubs. Victoria + Albert Baths offers a range of freestanding, compact versions that allow greater design flexibility, even when floor space is limited.

If possible, position your bath beneath a window.

Our customer research always reveals people’s love for natural light. A tub by a window maximises that exposure while encouraging relaxation.

Consider task lighting next to a mirror for applying make up or shaving, and mood lighting for unwinding in the tub. The choice of IP rated fittings for bathroom use has grown enormously, so almost any style can be sourced.

The materials you choose will affect the ambience. If you’re after a relaxing, spa like feel, go for matt finishes that diffuse light when choosing your taps and other hardware. Look out for innovations.

For instance, overflow holes in baths can be unsightly and are the hardest element to clean, but Victoria + Albert baths’ range of ‘IntelliDrains’ use patented technology to adjust the water level automatically.

If streamlined looks are what you want from a shower, Matki’s new ‘Eclipse’ range fits the bill. Designed with an almost frameless appearance to maximise the sense of space, its components are made of chromed solid brass or silver aluminium for a feeling of exceptional qualit y. Available as a recess shower door with inline panel or a corner model, it can be fit ted to shower trays and wet floors. From £922 (matki.co.uk).

The total look

Boffi’s streamlined collection of units offers solutions for ever y bathroom layout

Simplicity is quite literally the key with the new ‘RIG’ system from Boffi. An acronym of Rudimentary Interior Geometry, the bathroom version of this modular collection can be configured to incorporate basins, storage, mirrors, light bars and towel rails, and as an against the wall or island style structure. Choose from a wide range of finishes and materials including lacquer, wood, Corian, lava stone and Carrara marble. Price on application ( boffi.com).

Retro revival

‘A s spot ted at Salone del Mobile in Milan this year, the retro -revival trend borrows from the 1970s, combining modern interpretations of its bold shapes, colours and pat terns,’ says Yousef Mansuri, director of design at CP Har t. ‘Embrace fier y reds, oranges and ochre, and sof ten these with brown and caramel tones for a nostalgic yet contemporar y look’

1 ‘A xor One Colours’ tap by Hansgrohe, price on application, CP Hart (cphart co uk) 2 Toolbox by Arik Lev y, £29, Vitra (vitra com) 3 ‘Monaco’ bath, £3,622, Victoria + Albert Baths (vandabaths com) 4 ‘Mustard Stripes’ tiles, £154 80 per sq m; 5 ‘Cross Stripe Burgundy’ tile, £152 40 per sq m, both Ot to Tiles (ot totiles co uk)

6 ‘HV1’ tap, £557, Vola (vola co uk) 7 ‘Omar’ vase, £70; 8 ‘Omar’ bowl, £65, both by Raawii at Net a Porter (net a porter com) 9 ‘Componibili’ cabinet by Kartell, £96, Heal’s (heals com) 10 ‘Oval Couture’ bath by Bet teLux, £10,501, CP Hart (cphart co uk) 11 ‘Tape’ tile by Raw Edges for Mutina, £165 per sq m, Domus (domusgroup com)

12 ‘Brixton’ towels, from £12, Christ y (christ y co uk)

13 ‘Punto’ tile by Ronan and Er wan Bouroullec for Mutina, £525 per sq m, Domus (domusgroup com) 14 ‘Plural’ washstand, £3,004, VitrA (vitra co uk) 15 ‘The Dots’ hook by Muuto, £32, Utilit y Design (utilit ydesign co uk) 16 Robe, £155, Tekla (teklafabrics com)

Tiles with st yle

Mosaics, architectural simplicit y and transportative texture we have them all

1 ‘DIN’ tiles, Mutina A recent winner of an ELLE Decoration International Design Award, this collection by Konstantin Grcic of fers a new take on traditional mosaics Named af ter the acronym for Deutsches Institut für Normung the German Institute for Standardisation the range has four grid based formats in eight shades, as well as six special tiles to cover three dimensional angles, making them suitable for a wide range of applications From £290 per sq m, Domus (domusgroup com)

2 ‘Marmosaico’ tiles, Bisazza Inspired by the floors in iconic buildings designed by the likes of Piero Portaluppi and Gio Ponti, this marble range by Carlo Dal Bianco for Bisaz za is a tribute to early 20th centur y Milanese architecture The 10 geometric pat terns are formed using tesserae hand cut from precious stones by Bisaz za Atelier artisans and are named af ter locations including Montenapoleone, Solferino and Brera From £790 50 per sq m (bisaz za com)

3 ‘Luminous Lume’ tiles, Marazzi No prizes for guessing why this collection by Italian ceramics brand Marazzi is named ‘Luminous Lume’ The ultra glossy, uneven surface of each tile accentuates the depth of colour and reflects light, making them an excellent choice even in small or windowless bathrooms Shown here is ‘Beige’, one of the six new and intense colours in the 12 shade range £96 96 per sq m, CP Hart (cphart co uk)

Illuminat ed thinking

Derbyshire based lighting company Curiousa & Curiousa is now of fering a selection of its hand blown designs with IP rated fit tings, making the pendants and wall lights suitable for use in bathrooms and wet areas Shown here is ‘Cocoon’, an envelope of clear glass that surrounds elegant, brushed brass components with a handcraf ted walnut stem These can also be made in a selection of 21 colours and assembled with various flexes and fit ting finishes £1,265 (curiousa co uk)

Catch the wave

The landscapes of the Mediterranean inspired Roca’s newest bathroom collection. Named ‘Ona’, meaning ‘wave’ in Catalan, it includes sanitaryware, furniture, brassware and these handy accessories. In a palette of natural greens, greys and warm timbers, the designs are made from a variety of technologically advanced materials and with the utmost respect for the environment. From £12.30 for a soap dish (roca.com).

Man’s best friend

W hether you’ve a cavapoo, a cockapoo, a labradoodle or a lurcher, the new ‘Furly’ dog shower is designed to make those post walk washdowns as swif t and f uss f ree as possible Featuring three spray options, for paws, legs and coat, the sof t, brush like nozzle creates a stroking sensation while cleaning and massaging at the same time. Gentle and quiet, the ergonomic design adapts to suit the body of the dog and can be fitted to any standard shower connection £14 4 , Ripples (ripplesbathrooms com)

New-world vintage

Cheers to the fact that only discarded material f rom the production of wine corks is used to make the new ‘ Vis à vis’ stool f rom Agape. Ground into small pieces then bonded with natural cork resin, the light weight and durable composite has been used by the Italian designer Marco Carini to create a neat, f unctional, water resistant stool per fect for bathroom use. £660 (agapedesign.it).

Clean up

If you have to clean the bathroom, you may as well do so in st yle with the latest addition to the Dipt yque range a luxurious multi surface cleaner Ecocert certified, the vinegar based formula comes in a refillable glass bot tle and has a clean, aromatic fragrance with notes of lavender, cedar and fig tree Suitable for all washable surfaces, it’ll up your scrubbing game a serious number of notches £32 (dipt yqueparis com)

Kast a spell

Already the go to manufacturer for colour f ul concrete basins, Kast has expanded its range to include a selection of customisable taps T wo years in development, the ‘Alto’ collection, which comes as wall mounted, deck mounted and monobloc mixers, is available in brushed brass, sof t black and sof t white metal finishes, with the option to choose f rom 28 colours for the concrete elements. Be adventurous with contrasting shades or select the same shade as your basin for a bold, cohesive look. From £846 ( kastconcretebasins.com).

brand to know

Drummonds

With products that combine classic aesthetics with state of the art f unctionalit y, this luxur y bathroom company has come a long way since its reclamation roots

When Drummond Shaw founded his eponymous architectural salvag e company back in 1988, he may not have envisag ed a collaboration with one of the world’s most influential industrial designers almost 35 years later Yet 2022 saw Marc Newson, whose clients also include Apple, Louis Vuitton, Montblanc and Cappellini, launch an innovative range of bathroom fittings w

a customer and I’ve been speaking to him for about 14 years,’

‘I said we should do something together and eventually the time was right, so he created this incredibly refined collection that sits perfectly within our range ’

The evolution of the company from a small salvage yard to the specialist supplier that it is today has been careful and considered Shaw, who originally launched the business after developing a passion for reclamation when seeking out items for his own restoration project, went on to explore traditional manufacturing techniques after struggling to find everything he needed ‘That side of the company actually started with a tiny foundry casting brass door furniture, and subsequently expanded to include bathrooms,’ explains Lentaigne ‘He’d seen so many items fall out of fashion, be ripped out of properties and destroyed, that the brief was twofold: products had to be classic and timeless, while also functional, durable and robust ’

Now purely a bathroom specialist, Drummonds has mastered a host of traditional techniques, including dry frit enamelling where iron baths, such as the ‘Bute’ (from £8,352 as pictured below), are heated to over 800 degrees before being sprinkled with glass powder to create an extra durable surface and lost wax casting, an ancient method where molten brass is poured into a mould created using a wax model ‘It’s hugely labour intensive, but we combine it with modern components so that pieces work incredibly well while maintaining classic integrity,’ says Lentaigne That high functionality developed still further when the company, whose English aesthetic proved popular in America, needed to meet that country ’s strict regulations ‘ We opened a store in New York and had to adjust our stock to sit with US standards, which was very hard work,’ says Lentaigne ‘But it actually improved the performance of our products ’

Collaborations with interior designers Martin Brudnizki and Susie Atkinson followed (see below), and the company ’s range of freestanding showers remain as popular as ever Going forward, a boutique hotel in New Orleans with a top secret American name is in the pipeline, while a collaboration with London based designer Suzy Hoodless is due at the end of the year ‘It’s amazing when we meet like minded people to work with,’ says Lentaigne ‘I’m never not excited to see what they bring to the table ’ drummonds uk com

Collaborative ef for ts A closer look at three of Drummond’s big name collections

Marc Newson

Comprising the composite marble ‘Coln’ bath (above, from £7,320) and ‘Bibur y ’ taps and showers that echo vintage industrial fittings, Drummonds’ latest collaboration pairs Newson’s design skills with its manufacturing expertise

Martin Brudnizki

Swedish interior designer Martin Brudnizki worked with Drummonds in 2015 to produce an elegant range of brassware and sanitar y ware, including the ‘Best wood’ taps (£1,674 as pictured), that of fers a contemporar y take on their classic look

Susie Atkinson

Drummonds’ 2020 collaboration saw the designer reinterpret a classic cast iron slipper tub The ‘Whitewater’ bath (from £5,802, as pictured) features tapered feet, contoured sides and a rising edge for the ultimate fusion of comfort and st yle

You can tell everything about a hotel from its bathroom: its attitude to cleanliness, its generosity, style, humility. For one tiny room, it can reveal an awful lot. I find this particularly true because I love a bathroom. I don’t have an ensuite at home, so it’s always a treat to be able to teddy bear roll from my bed to the loo. In the words of King George V: ‘Always go to the bathroom when you have the chance ’ Now that I have small children, I like a bathroom even more I am like Mrs Large, waddling there for a good soak In a hotel, I marinate at least twice a day, since I will have rid myself of my tiny elephants (the finer things in life are wasted on them and, quite frankly, I baulk at booking a suite)

My heart sinks when I enter a beautiful bathroom without a tub, which happens more often than not these days Baths are space hoggers and distinctly old school commodities I’m a true Brit in that sense I’ll always take a bath over a shower, something Americans find as baffling as we do their bathroom to bedroom ratio (See Selling Sunset for more details ) ‘Soak in your own filth?’ many an America has said to me, alarmed, when I profess a love of steeping myself like a prune

For me, quite clearly, what makes a bathroom is a bath I don’t care how big the room is or if there’s wall to wall marble But what makes a good hotel bathroom is, I have discovered, a distinctly personal question Some don’t give two hoots about a tub ( Weirdos ) For them, it’s the freebies: the natty little shower caps (my mum collects them and pops them over leftover plates of food), the teeny tiny toothpaste, the shower g el that somehow smells so much better than normal For others, it’s the proportions: a rainforest shower, a bathrobe so voluminous you need to turn the cuffs over twice Others love the whimsical details: a towel shaped like a swan or rose petals in the bath the bathroom equivalent of a note from the manager encouraging you to have a beautiful day At its most basic, people like their bathroom to be clean and functional You’d think that was a given, but I just got back from a seaside rental where the loo seat was broken, there was mould on the shower wall and the paint was peeling off around the window in sheets

Soak up the experience

Hotel bathrooms can be the best thing about your holiday but, as journalist and broadcaster Pandora S ykes has discovered, for ever y spa like delight there’s a cautionar y tale

Having canvassed around for bathroom anecdotes, it turns out I was getting off lightly. I have been regaled with some truly revolting responses, including duct tape in the honeymoon suite and a used condom in the basin. Other smashers included a bathroom in Lima where dark brown water gushed out of the taps, a ceiling yellow f r o m c i g a r ett e s m o ke ( R I P s m o k i n g r o o m s ) , s h ow e r grouting turned black with mould and a ‘show ’ toilet in the Philippines that was not plugged into the plumbing a bucket was provided instead I think often, mainly to torture myself, of my friend’s honeymoon horror story, where the loo was next to the bed (no door), which made for an extremely romantic bout of food poisoning When the journalist Lauren Bravo stayed in an establishment d u b b e d ‘ B r i t a i n ’s w o r st h ot e l ’ , s h e f o u n d t o ot h p a st e s m e a r s o n t h e c u r t a i n , w o o d l i c e c r aw l i n g o u t o f t h e broken bath panel and no soap Honestly, given the tales I’ve heard in their droves, things could have been worse

On the flip side, a glorious bathroom is something to behold (the bathroom selfie is a classic for a reason) My favourite is at Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica, where there’s a little hatch you can open to chat through while your paramour slumbers in bed, and Ventana Inn, with its sensational views of Big Sur Unfortunately, these are the two most expensive hotels I have ever st a y e d a t , w h i c h s h ow s t h a t a w o n d e r f u l b a t h r o o m doesn’t often come cheaply Soho House’s proliferation of Cowshed products and outside baths are an oldie but a goodie, as is, I find, a bath in the bedroom It sounds s i m p l e i n p r a c t i c e , b u t o n l y w h e n y o u h a v e g u t t e d a bathroom yourself do you realise the complications o f g e t t i n g p l u m b i n g i n t o t h e b e d r o o m I a l w a y s appreciate it so much more I have been told that other gems include the Omni Parker in Boston, the Ritz Paris (‘gold swan taps and a television!’) and Anantara Naladhu in the Maldives (again, I’m noticing a theme here: good bathrooms cost hefty whack)

I think the best way to approach a hotel bathroom, to avoid disappointment, is to lower your expectations t o k n e e h e i g h t I s t h e r e l o o r o l l ? A f u n c t i o n i n g l o o? A basin? Hurrah! Anything on top of that is a delight

escape

Book a five -star bathroom

You’ll remember these spa like sanctuaries located in some of the world’s best hotels for all the right reasons. And perhaps even take some inspiration home…

1 Nobu Ryokan, Malibu

If the thought of showering under California skies makes your heart sing, add a stay at this hotel to your bucket list Designed by Studio PCH and Montalba Architects, the converted 1950s beachfront property combines the minimalist aesthetic of traditional Japanese inns with the carefree spirit of its SoCal location Think contemporary decor and handcrafted teak soaking tubs chosen to balance the flow of energy malibu nobuhotels com

2 25hrs Hotel, Copenhagen

Renowned London based Swedish interior designer Martin Brudnizki worked on the concept for this hotel brand’s latest outpost, located in a former porcelain factory The antithesis of typical Scandinavian style, its colourful bathrooms eschew pared back neutrals, instead sporting graphic patterns and punchy colours that serve as a visual dopamine hit 25hours hotels com

3 Proper Hotel, Santa Monica

Designer Kelly Wearstler was determined that guests should feel a connection to this hotel’s laidback location Taking inspiration from palm trees and the beach, its bathrooms combine organic materials and earthy colours to create an easygoing sensory experience that will delight surfers and style seekers alike ‘ When you come to California, it’s just super relaxed and friendly,’ says Wearstler ‘It’s cool ’ properhotel com

4 Hotel Saint Vincent, New Orleans

Award winning studio Lambert McGuire Design was responsible for the restoration and redesign of this hotel, a 19th century red brick building in the city ’s Lower Garden District that was once home to an infant asylum. Those days have been firmly placed in the past thanks to the addition of maximalist bathrooms featuring glossy scarlet tiles and custom designed marbled wallpaper. saintvincentnola.com

5 Dá Licença, Estermoz

This bijou hotel in the historic Portuguese city was conceived to make visitors feel instantly at home ‘There’s a minimal and monastic side to Dá Licença,’ explain creatives Vitor Borges and Franck Laigneau, who were responsible for the design, ‘ but it is never less than cosy and inviting ’ Serenity awaits in its bathrooms, with vintage furnishings and baths hewn from stone that pay homage to the region’s marble rich terrain dalicenca pt

6 The Standard, London

Housed in a brutalist building that was once home to Camden Council, The Standard takes its cues from the 1970s and, according to designer Shawn Hausman, the ‘naughtiness of King ’s Cross’ Suites feature terraces with soaking tubs overlooking St Pancras train station, while bathrooms are clad in stripy tiles guaranteed to offset London’s sometimes grey skyline standardhotels com

Bathed in glor y

WOR D S C L AU D IA BAI LLI E PHO T O GR A PH Y M AT TI EU SALVAI N G

Not many people can claim to have a bathing cathedral in which to take their daily soak, but then not many people are as passionate about taking a bath as Richard Christiansen The owner of Flamingo Estate, a verdant, seven acre plot tucked away in the heart of Los Angeles, he worked with French architects Karl Fournier and Olivier Marty of Studio KO whom he first met while working with André Balazs at Chiltern Firehouse to realise his ultimate bath house dream ‘ When we began, they asked what was important to me, and I said t h e o n l y t h i n g i s t h a t I w a n t a n i n c r e d i b l e b a t h t u b,’ e x p l a i n s Christiansen ‘After two decades living in New York, most of that t i m e w i t h a w i n d ow l e s s, s h a r e d b a t h r o o m , I p r o m i s e d my s e l f that when I grew up I would build myself something amazing I take a bath religiously: it’s the place I think, and I spend at least an hour in there a day, so we decided to create the most glamorous outhouse ever It’s a bit of a walk down the garden path, and it’s a place to really worship bathing my secret little hideaway ’

The collaboration with Studio KO was, says Christiansen, the most joyful experience, and the resulting structure is a world away from the white painted or pale wood building that one might expect Instead, a monolithic, raw concrete structure houses a steam room, a hammam, a toilet and a mini bar, as well as a huge concrete bathtub, custom made to comfortably fit Christiansen’s 6ft 3in frame

From left The stained glass windows of the bath house; Richard Christiansen; the Flamingo Estate gardens, which are irrigated using run of f water from the bathroom

For Richard Christiansen, owner of LA based garden hideaway Flamingo Estate, bath time is more than a necessit y it ’s a personal religion…

‘There were many hours where I just laid in various moulds to find a tub that was big enough for me and someone else my height, so we could sit at each end with a glass of wine,’ he says ‘And we simplified, simplified, simplified, so it’s just the bath next to a fireplace It is wonderful in winter, when you can light a fire and let the day melt away There’s no colour, no fabric, no distractions and no decoration other than the stained glass windows that pivot open on to the garden so that you can hear the birds and smell the flowers I love the idea of bathing next to nature, and it’s positioned so that, when the sun comes up over the mountains, light shines directly in ’

Water used for bathing is recycled to irrigate the garden, a process w h i c h a l s o l e d t o t h e l a u n c h o f t h e F l a m i n g o E st a t e b a t h r o o m collection that sits alongside a full range of locally sourced organic fruits, vegetables, flowers and pantry products ‘In the beginning, I noticed things at the end of the pipe were dying and, when I looked at the label of my fancy body wash, I realised it was killing my roses,’ explains Christiansen ‘So we started making soap and shampoo long before it was part of the business ’

Indulgent it may seem, but for this bathroom lover, it takes the place of more conventional luxuries ‘Someone said the other day, “Richard, it’s so outrageous that you have a bathing cathedral,”’ he says, laughing ‘But I don’t own a car I ride my bicycle everywhere and I don’t own a television either So, while everyone else obsesses over vehicles and TV, I obsess over taking a bath This is my hobby, and I’m going to own it, because it’s my favourite thing in the world ’ flamingoestate com; studioko fr

Opposite and above The custom made concrete bathtub is positioned to catch the light that falls through the stained glass windows

‘I think in the bath and spend at least an hour in there a day, so we decided to create the most glamorous outhouse ever ’

Splash out now

From left ‘Canova’ stool in pink by Constance Guisset for Moustache, £183, Made in Design (madeindesign com) ‘Wall vase’ , from £50, Pansy Shop (pansy shop com) Bamboo comb, £6 78, Dille & Kamille (dille kamille nl) ‘Grib’ toolbox by Ferm Living, £52, Heal’s (heals com) ‘Inu’ bath brush by Zone Denmark, from £9 79, Dot Maison (dotmaison com) ‘Resurrection Aromatique’ handwash, £29 for 500ml, Aesop (aesop com) Hand towels [from top] ‘Marshmallow’ towel in yellow, from £21 26, Crisp Sheets (crispsheets com) ‘Waf fle’ towel in ‘Dust y Rose’ by Ferm Living, £19, Nordic Nest (nordicnest com) ‘Red & Rose’ towel, from £55, Tekla Fabrics (teklafabrics com) ‘Lilac’ towel, from £21 26, Crisp Sheets (crispsheets com) ‘Soho’ bath, price on application, Jee o (jee o com) ‘Home Ribbon’ yellow bath towel, from £14 27, Vandyck (vandyck nl) ‘Morning Blue’ towel, £38 36 for t wo, Kepri (kepricot ton com) ‘Guest’ brown towel, £5, Sissy Boy (sissy boy.com). ‘Interior Reflections’ candleholder, £25 60, Studio Their & van Daalen (thier vandaalen webshop com) ‘Twisted’ candle in lilac, approx £20 21 for six, Anna + Nina (anna nina nl) ‘Arcs’ vase by Muller Van Severen for Hay, £120, Selfridges (selfridges.com). ‘Crush’ light by Forever Studio in ‘Carousel’, £482, Crisp Sheets (crispsheets com) Aquarelle’ shower curtain by Hay, £45, Selfridges (selfridges com)

T he lit tle things can make a big impact in your bathroom, so throw awa y those t ired towels in favour of these graphic, colour f ul opt ions , paired with the coolest accessories , soaps , scents and more…

PHO T O GR A PH Y N O O RTJ E K N U L ST

ST Y L I NG N O O RTJ E D E K E I JZE R

From top ‘Bad London’ bath, price on application, Jee O (jee o com) ‘Black & Blue’ bath sheet, £55, Tekla Fabrics (teklafabrics com)

‘Vernis à Ongles’ nail polish in ‘413 Ellen Blush’ by Gucci, £34, John Lewis & Partners (johnlewis com) ‘Pure Color’ lipstick, £26, Estée Lauder (esteelauder co uk) ‘Arcs’ small candleholder by Muller Van Severen for Hay, £24 65, Made in Design (madeindesign co uk)

‘Twist’ candle by Hay, £25 for six, Selfridges (selfridges com) ‘Tann’ toothbrush in ‘Lavender’ by Hay, £4, I You All (iyouall com) ‘Arancia di Capri’ eau de toilette, £88 for 75ml, Acqua di Parma (acquadiparma com) ‘White with Blue Stripes no 23’ shelf, £331, Studio Their & van Daalen (their vandaalen webshop com)

Bamboo comb, £6, From Earth to Earth (fromearthtoearth com) ‘Canova’ small bowl by Constance Guisset for Moustache, £33, Made in Design (madeindesign co uk) Toothpaste by Aesop, £10, Cult Beaut y (cultbeaut y co uk)

‘No 3’ shampoo bar, £5 95, Dille & Kamille (dille kamille nl) ‘Purfect’ mirror in orange by &Klevering, £39, End Clothing (endclothing com)

‘Stripes and Stripes’ bath mat by Hay, £45, Selfridges (selfridges com)

From left ‘Jee O’ toilet, price on application, Jee O (jee o com) ‘Stripes and Stripes’ bath mat by Hay, £45, Selfridges (selfridges com) ‘Marble’ soap tray in ‘Nude’, £34 13, Studio Ceciel Berden (cecielberden com) ‘Balancing’ shampoo, £29, Mr Smith (mrsmithhaircare nl) Blue soap dish by OBA Studios, £25, Pelican Stor y (pelicanstor y com) ‘Alpine Glow’ shampoo bar, £18 51, Beaut y Disrupted (beaut ydisrupted com)

‘Cur vature’ brass hook, approx £30, Ferm Living (fermliving com) ‘Terraz zo ’ storage jar by HK Living, £15 50, Mon Pote (monpote co uk) ‘Catchall Templo’ pink soap dish by Octaevo, £25, Libert y (libert ylondon com) ‘Compile’ toilet paper holder in ‘Lemon’ by Emiel Remmelts and Noortje de Keijzer, £141, Emiel Remmelts (emielremmelts com)

‘Frot te’ slipper by Hay, £20, Goodhood (goodhoodstore com)

Sofresh, so clean

Be inspired to think beyond the basic and be expressive in your bathroom design with surprising colours, lu xurious f inishes and all the f iner details you need to make it work

WOR D S C L AU D I A BAI LLI E

Think pink

Barcelona based design practice Cierto Estudio was tasked with the renovation of Casa Hope, a propert y originally designed in 1988 by the architect Antoni Roselló Til Part of the redesign involved embracing a bold new palet te that included mint green and fearless swathes of pink as seen in full splendour in this bathroom, encased almost entirely in candy coloured mosaic tiles (ciertoestudio com)

For similar, tr y ‘Mat t Sof t Pink’ mosaic tiles, £7 99 for 30cm x 30cm, Tiles Direct (tiles direct com); ‘Accents’ mirror, £53 99, Victoria Plum (victoriaplum com)

Great expectations

Located in an original 1920s building in London’s Mar ylebone, this elegant ensuite is one of a pair in an opulent pied à terre designed by Maddux Creative The unif ying theme for both was intricate, Jean Cocteau inspired mosaic floors, polished plaster walls and sof t coloured sanitar y ware The cur ved shower screen is a bespoke addition, intended to evoke a feeling of the era ‘ s glamour (madduxcreative com)

Giulia Manzoni will create a bespoke mosaic floor, from £1,200 per sq m (manzonigiulia com)

Natural Plastering can install plaster in a bathroom, from £5,000 (naturalplastering co uk)

For a shower screen like this, contact Fish Fabrications, which can custom make similar from £6,000 (fishfabrications co uk)

Well rounded

This project by Australian practice Studio Bright in Melbourne saw a Victorian terrace with a 1980s renovation transformed using a smart and considered palet te The bathroom’s coherent, grey/green colour scheme extends to the round mosaic tiles an ideal choice for cladding cur ved edges as well as the grout, basins, storage and shower curtain, resulting in a calm look

For similar tiles, tr y Original St yle’s ‘Mini Penny Round’ mosaic tiles in ‘Light Green Gloss’, approx £120 per sq m, Tile & Stone (tileandstoneonline co uk) ‘Dioscuri’ wall lights by Artemide, from £122, Holloways of Ludlow (hollowaysofludlow com) Kast’s ‘Oska’ basin is a good match for this one, £1,500 (kastconcretebasins.com)

What we do in the shadows

Designed to feel luxurious and nocturnal, this striking bathroom is in Alexander House, the Bondi based headquarters and purpose built live/work space of Australian design and architecture firm Alexander & Co Polished plaster and stone were just some of the materials chosen to foster an imperfect, ‘found’ feeling Here, they come together as honed mosaic tiles, black marble and a custom rendered wall finish (alexanderand.co).

For similar tiles, tr y ‘Lemon’ marble tumbled mosaic tiles, £9 99 per 30 5cm x 30 5cm sheet, Topps Tiles (toppstiles co uk) Diespeker & Co has a wide selection of marble, price on application (diespeker co uk) Sphere 8 can supply and fit plaster walls, from £1,716 per sq m (sphere8.com). The chair is a vintage piece by Shigeru Ban tr y 1st Dibs (1stdibs com)

Passion project

Huma Qureshi, the author of Things We Do Not Tell The People We Love, designed this playful bathroom in her 1960s London propert y; her vision was for the house to resemble a mid centur y villa in the South of France Yellow floor tiles feature throughout, as does a bold chequerboard pat tern, which can be found in dif ferent colours in the other bathrooms, creating a strong sense of continuit y

‘Cesano’ tiles (on wall), £51 per sq m, Grestec (grestec co uk)

The doorframes are painted in ‘Red Ochre’ water based eggshell paint, £44 per litre, Edward Bulmer Natural Paint (edwardbulmerpaint co uk) ‘Perugia’ terraz zo tiles (on floor), from £91 per sq m, Ot to Tiles (ot totiles co uk) Vintage ‘Crayonne’ mirror by Habitat tr y eBay for similar

Endorphin boost

Joyful, uplif ting and full of character, this bathroom is a masterclass in combining colours guaranteed to give dull mornings a lif t The work of Texas based studio Garza Interiors, its sits within a recently refurbished mid centur y home As well as creating a more functional layout, the studio installed a thick Calacat ta Viola marble countertop with integrated basins and red drawers that of fer plentiful storage

For similar, tr y Calacat ta Viola marble, £990 per sq m, Cullifords (geraldculliford co uk); ‘Blue Skies’ tiles by Mar vel Tiles, £26 95 per sq m, Walls & Floors (wallsandfloors co uk) The vanit y is painted using ‘Aura’ in ‘Navajo Red’, £34 75 per litre, Benjamin Moore (benjaminmoorepaint co uk)

Bathe -in wardrobe

With the lines bet ween living, sleeping and bathroom spaces becoming increasingly blurred, it’s important that fixtures and fit tings are multifunctional, st ylish and blend seamlessly bet ween zones Ticking all the boxes is this modular shelving from Danish design brand Garde Hvalsøe Best known for its hand craf ted kitchens, the firm recently extended its range The system, which can be freestanding or wall mounted, is the perfect choice for a sleep/bathe scenario and sits particularly well with this bath from Agape.

‘Pilaster’ modular shelving system in maple wood, from £4,700, Garde Hvalsøe (gardehvalsoe dk) ‘Cuna’ bath, price on application, Agape (agapedesign it)

The stripe is right

Hand painted terracot ta tiles custom made in Mexico were used to clad this small but perfectly formed shower space at Hôtel Peter & Paul in New Orleans The work of multidisciplinar y design firm Ash NYC, the hotel is housed in a former school building, where each floor features a dif ferent palet te These colours were inspired by Greek and Russian religious art work found by the team at European fleamarkets, while the stripes, of ten used in Ash NYC projects, are a nod to the colourful awnings in the cit y ’ s French Quarter (ashiscoming com)

For a good selection of Mexican tiles, from 90p each, head to Milagros (milagros co uk) The shower fixture is from the ‘Highgate’ range, from £732, Water works (water works com)

Natural beaut y

The half Japanese, half Scandinavian st yle known as Japandi was the brief for this calming bathroom in Paris’s 17th arrondissement. The French architect and designer Felix Millor y combined a creamy travertine basin with slat ted pale oak panelling, creating a light filled, harmonious space Stainless steel touches in the form of slender framed mirrors and co ordinating mixer taps add a contemporar y edge (felixmillor y com)

For similar, tr y ‘MGS’ single lever mixer tap, £698, CP Hart (cphart co uk) This vanit y is bespoke, but you can find similar in Vaselli‘s ‘Le Cave’ range, price on application (vaselli.com). For a selection of slat panelling suitable for bathroom use, tr y Charles & Iv y, from £85 per sq m (charlesandiv y co uk)

The missing link

Australian interior designer Greg Natale chose the glamorous Bisaz za ‘Chains’ mosaic to clad this bathroom suite in an art deco, Melbourne based project The owners, who run a luxur y jeweller y and watch business, fit tingly requested a palet te of jewel like tones, which is realised here as glossy, lacquered doors The vanit y units and side table are custom made in Calacat ta Viola marble that pairs perfectly with the deep red finish (gregnatale com)

‘Chains’ mosaic, £1,584 per sq m, Bisaz za (bisaz za com) For Calacat ta Viola marble, tr y Cullifords, £990 per sq m (geraldculliford co uk) ‘Helio’ wall lights by Utu Soulful Lighting, price on application, Do Shop (do shop com)

Landscape artistr y

Soothing embrace

Located within a historic 17th centur y mansion on the Seine, this exquisite bathroom is part of a restoration project by the Italian interior designer Fabrizio Casiraghi, created for, and together with, Bastien Daguzan, the now CEO of fashion brand Jacquemus The black tiled walls pay homage to Villa Necchi Campiglio, the Milanese mansion designed by Piero Portaluppi, and cur ved fit tings were chosen to contrast against the glossy black, giving the impression of an abstract 1950s painting (fabriziocasiraghi com)

For tiles like these, tr y ‘Prismatics’, £49 95 per sq m, Walls & Floors (wallsandfloors.couk). The ‘Oval Silhouet te’ bath by Bet teLux has a similar design (minus the bespoke screen), £4,898, West One Bathrooms (westonebathrooms com)

For a basin in this st yle, tr y the ’Victorian’ range, from £268, Burlington (burlingtonbathrooms com)

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S T Y L I S H I N T E R I O R S

A R M I N E L A K E

R O B E Y S

Would like to introduce the new Rais ‘Caro’ wood burning stove, with its beautiful oval design with a light and elegant appearance it is ideal for smaller places Even though small in size, ‘Caro’ offers a spectacular view of the flames through the wide side glass panes and the glass door bringing a cosy ambiance to your room Available in various colours, handle and front or side glass options This can be viewed at www robeys co uk and is available through their network of retailers throughout the UK Call 01773 820940 for more information

R O B

C O L L I N G B O U R N E

Rob is a London based printmaker working with monoprinting He mainly prints from hand torn paper stencils incorporating chine collé and other techniques He embraces the degradation of the paper plates as they curl and crease to trap ink in unexpected ways robcollingbourne co uk

E M I LY A S T B U RY

Looking for something to adorn your interiors? Whether it be your personal space or a new business area

Emily is a British print designer who works independently to create bespoke artworks and patterns for interior spaces Emily ’s designs will create a statement in any space using bold themes and colours to create luxurious artworks for your space @eastrosurfacedesign emilyastbury@hotmail co uk

D AV I D S T U D W E L L

David Studwell often uses figures that are synonymous with certain eras, in particular the swinging sixties Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor and Steve McQueen all crop up in his prints, evoking a strong sense of nostalgia

His work has been exhibited in London and the USA David’s work hangs in private collections worldwide and has been collected by Kate Moss, Nile Rodgers and Sheryl Crow

Title: ‘Elton John: Home Run Dodger Stadium 1975’ Screen print Edition of 50 95 x 63cm £1,650

Visit: www davidstudwellgallery co uk or email david@davidstudwellgallery co uk

Upcyling Fur niture with a new look

Clair’s passion is giving a new lease of life to any room, her quirky and unique fur niture designs are restored and finished to the highest quality using professional materials

The perfect addition to any home and can be upcycled to match your own home décor style

August 19 9 9

T he past teaches us about the f uture, so we’ve delved into the ELLE Decoration archives to find wisdoms that can be applied today

With the London Design Festival set to celebrate its 20th anniversary later this month (see our guide, on p109, for the highlights not to be missed), we thought now was the perfect time to reflect on the wealth of design talent we have in the UK ELLE Decoration has always aimed to promote the innovations and excellence of the creatives who call these islands home As previous Editor in Chief Michelle Ogundehin puts it so well in this ‘Best of British’ feature from the past millennium, packed full of recognisable names (including an exceedingly fresh faced Tom Dixon!), ‘they all contribute to the cultural melting pot that we call Britain and help to make it a better place to be’

Now the head of an eponymous studio, which this year celebrated its very own 20th anniversary with a retrospective exhibition, ‘TWENTY’, Dixon (who in 1999 was head of design at Habitat) talked to us about the positive effects of having older role models in the industry They, he says, ‘ have a real wealth of experience’ Dixon was described back then as a maverick (and photographed with Nigel Coates, once dubbed the enfant terrible of British architecture), and it’s fair to say he hasn’t lost his rebellious edge over time And that can only be considered a positive It’s often by breaking the rules an idea at the very root of the British design identity that we push for progress Today, there are so many new designers (not just in London, but across the UK) ready to break boundaries and forge real change in the industry We look forward to continuing to tell their stories