Indholdsfortegnelse for April 2016 i Homes & Gardens

WHEN WE MOVED INTO our present home, one of the factors that sold it to us was its conservatory. I’d always dreamed of having one but the idea of choosing a design that would suit our house was an intimidating prospect. Such a project is not to be undertaken lightly and, unless you are in the business, it’s easy to overlook many of the details that should be considered to achieve the right results. Which is why this month we have put together a feature full of inspirational images and expert advice that will give you a good starting point if you are thinking of adding a garden room to your home (page 177). If that seems too grand a project, there is plenty more in this issue to satisfy…

1| Storm In Quartz 07921001, viscose mix, 136cm wide, £177.60m , Boussac at Pierre Frey . 2| Limewood wallpaper in Fairweather Green, £115 a roll, Liberty. 3| Harris Tweed in Grass, wool, 150cm wide, £68m , Vanessa Arbuthnott. 4| Basket Weave in Green on White, linen mix, 137cm wide, £112m , Paolo Moschino for Nicholas Haslam. 5| Ledbury in Moonlight, linen mix, 139cm wide, £144m , Fleurons d’Hélène at Tissus d’Hélène. 6| Strata Marabout in Tea Leaf 983/56405, polyester mix, £65m , Samuel & Sons Passementerie . 7| Cushy wool 1-1306-031, wool mix, 140cm wide, £84.90m , JAB Anstoetz. 8| Wood in Leaf, cotton mix, 126cm wide, £117m , Brunschwig & Fils at GP&J Baker. 9| Camden Town oak , £93.40sq m , Ecora. 10| Savenel in Aqua, linen mix,…

Recently, there’s been a trend in interior design for bespoke pieces that occupy a unique place in the home. High street stalwart John Lewis, johnlewis.com, has just launched picture framing and reupholstery services – it already excels, of course, in made-to-measure curtains and carpet fitting. However, although many specialist upholstery firms will make designs to a particular size, in a wide variety of materials, how do you find an independent maker to create a special piece, or provide a service that’s a little out of the ordinary? Step forward Cambridgeshire interior designer Yasmin Chopin, whose website, selectamaker.com, is bringing together suppliers of bespoke services for interiors and gardens. “Clients often ask how they can find someone to make a bespoke rug or produce a custom-made piece of furniture” she says.…

This dreamy sky pattern with its vivid kaleidoscope of colour is a dramatic illustration of the current vogue for cloud imagery within design. Big leafy botanicals in all shapes and shades, from the palest neutrals to the boldest greens, are de rigueur in this season’s interiors. From subtle to dramatic, the monochrome trend continues to thrive in a multitude of forms: stylised spots, smart stripes, graphic patterns and painterly effects. Abstract, fragmented shapes combine with regimented geometric patterns to create grid-like repeats, reminiscent of urban architecture such as steel girders and skyscrapers. Whether vertical, diagonal or chevron, stripes have timeless appeal. Mix with florals for a dynamic partnership and arresting results. Bold geometric designs in graphic black and white and sandy ochre draw strong parallels with traditional tribal motifs. Provocatively…

PLAN THE DAY For recipes, see page 203 From a special breakfast through to an indulgent lunch and high tea, these dishes will ensure the perfect Easter day. BREAKFAST Beetroot and potato rosti with smoked salmon and a poached egg. LUNCH Spiced Persian lamb. Baby spring vegetables in an olive oil and lemon stock. Asparagus, ricotta and Parmesan tartlets. HIGH TEA Rhubarb friands. Lemon celebration Easter cake. FURNITURE Eden console table, H77.5xW174x D69cm, £3,763, William Yeoward. WALLS Graceful Green, matt emulsion, £24.49 for 2.5 litres, Dulux. ACCESSORIES Twig wreath, £150, That Flower Shop by Hattie Fox. Large shallow Vence planter, H33x diam40cm, £55; Giant rattan log basket, H68xdiam 69cm, £105; both Garden Trading. Pink washed linen throw, 170x220cm, £175, Holly’s House. Similar basket, White dipped belly basket,…

CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE PROPERTY? It is a striking nine-bedroom Queen Anne-style mansion, set in beautiful grounds in the Worcestershire countryside. The owners used to live in Fulham, southwest London, but moved further north to be closer to their business, which is based in Birmingham. The house had not been renovated for a number of years and the kitchen featured original Sixties white laminate cabinets with aluminium handles, but the owners could see the property’s potential as a lovely family home. “Our aim was to create a family-friendly space with a relaxed, informal feel.” DID YOU MAKE ANY STRUCTURAL CHANGES? The renovation project evolved over about two years, during which time the owners added a rear extension with windows on three sides, providing room for a dining area in the…

WHAT INSPIRED THE SCHEME? The design for this guest bedroom is a tribute to my friend Oscar de la Renta, who sadly died in 2014. He had incredible taste and imagination, which he employed in his fashion empire and in his many homes and gardens. Of all Oscar’s properties, my favourite is in the Dominican Republic; this scheme is inspired by that house and celebrates Oscar’s ability to make guests feel at home. He was a collector with a knack for picking up things that he found interesting or beautiful from all over the world. Nothing particularly went together, but when he combined them it somehow worked. It is that mix of original and understated arrangements that epitomises the glamorous style he achieved so effortlessly. CAN YOU DISCUSS THE FLOOR…

SKY’S THE LIMIT Vast 4m-long panes are a striking feature in this modern garden room by IQ Glass and HÛT Architecture, 020 7399 8680, hutarchitecture.com . Walls painted in off-black help to draw the eye up and outwards, and minimal framework maximises the view. The doors are on a two-track system, with one sliding and the other fixed. A similar glazing package would cost around £30,000. POINT OF INTEREST The triangular façade of this glazed extension by Paul Wiggins Architects, 020 8878 4850, paulwigginsarchitects.com, harnesses space and light without encroaching excessively on the garden. Running the same flooring inside and out helps to achieve a seamless transition, especially when the folding doors are fully open. FULL BEAM Painting the ceiling timbers white gives this room an enhanced sense of height…

1| Traditional Loom style. Butterfly Lounge XL, H94xW75x D86cm, £839, Vincent Sheppard at Interiors by Vale, 0845 872 7626, interiorsbyvale.com. 2| Contemporary leather. Monaco lounge chair in leather, H60xW80xD86cm, £2,563, Röshults at Chaplins, 020 8421 1779, chaplins.co.uk. 3| Good all-rounder. Therese armchair, H85xW69xD69cm, £1,795, Coco Wolf, 020 7262 8614, cocowolf.co.uk. 4| Robustly rustic. Ariel lounging armchair, H70x W86xD72cm, £250, John Lewis, 0345 604 9049, johnlewis.com.…

BEETROOT AND POTATO ROSTI WITH SMOKED SALMON AND A POACHED EGG Makes 6 The beetroot gives this dish a lovely sweet earthy flavour that works well with the horseradish and salmon. For the horseradish cream 1 tbsp horseradish sauce150g crème fraîcheJuice of ½ lemon For the rosti 4 Maris Piper potatoes2 raw beetroots, peeledand grated1 red onion, peeledand finely chopped1 clove garlic, peeledand finely crushed100ml rapeseed oil1 tbsp white wine vinegar6 eggs150g smoked salmonMicro leaves or cress, to serve • To make the horseradish cream, mix the horseradish sauce, crème fraîche and lemon juice together in a small bowl. Season with black pepper, cover and refrigerate. • Cook the unpeeled potatoes in boiling salted water, drain and leave to cool for 10 minutes. Peel and grate into a large bowl.…

1 LICHEN GARDEN ANTIQUES For antique garden ornaments like this beautiful 19th Century limestone statue visit Lichen Garden Antiques. With focal points for every garden, Lichen also sells gates, finials and garden urns, as well as prestigious reclaimed York and limestone flooring for landscaping projects. www.lichengardenantiques.com  01608 678890. 2 THE DINING CHAIR COMPANY Contemporary and traditional dining chairs at competitive prices. Our chairs are traditionally upholstered and made in Britain. We also offer a bespoke service, creating original designs where required. 020 7259 0422 www.diningchair.co.uk 3 NATIONWIDE HOME INNOVATIONS LTD Nationwide Contemporary Verandas, offering a selection of frames and choice of glass or polycarbonate roofing. Combine heating and lighting so that no matter the season, you may relax in comfort. 0800 047 4028 www.nationwideltd.co.uk 4 PULLMAN…

LIGHT FANTASTIC Sustainability, eco-friendly manufacture and effective shipping are themes that designers are keen to tackle – and 25 (above), €249, by Stockholm-based Kovac Family, store.kovacfamily.com, covers them all. Made from 25 pieces of sustainable timber, the lamp folds for easy posting, and all earnings fund a biomimetic project aiming to create electricity-free light based on strategies found in nature. IN THE ABSTRACT Walking on Art, the latest hand-knotted rug collection by Deirdre Dyson, deirdredyson.com, is the perfect hybrid of graphic art meets 20th-century influences, including op art and a taste of the 1980s. We love the complex graduated shading of Up and Over (above). Rugs, from £795sq m. ARTISTIC EXPRESSION One of the world’s leading interiors photographers, New York-based Martyn Thompson, martynthompsonstudio.com, has turned his talents to textile and…

How important is material to your furniture and accessories? A piece of work constitutes technique, idea and material in equal measure. I believe materials have emotive qualities and that the material used in the creation of a design affects its presence and meaning. Where do you find ideas? My inspiration comes from things that surround me – architecture, everyday objects and the natural forms of our bodies. I’m most interested in that moment when a work stands between abstract and narrative, when it’s ambiguous but recognisable. Are there any places in particular that have influenced your work? Historical local craft in Poland, where I’m from, has a big influence, but equally I find ideas in pieces from Japan, Africa and central Asia, due to the directness of…

How has your mixed heritage influenced your work? In Venezuela my influences included Amazonian culture, 20th-century modernism and the best of Danish interior design. From my American father I learned a love of the great skyscrapers of Chicago, his hometown. What is the unifying link between your sculpture, ceramics and mobiles? My experience and my interests. I’m doing my best to blur the distinctions between sculpture, furniture and ceramics. Can you tell us about your recent projects? I’ve just made three large pots for Kit Kemp’s second Firmdale hotel in New York and a large installation, a pendant sculpture called Shall I Pour?, for Russell Sage’s Grainstore restaurant. I also have a residency at Margarita Island this summer, where I can live and work in a studio…

“When I showed the Simple Shade collection at Decorex 2015 the response was amazing. People immediately wanted to touch the lights and talk about their acoustic qualities and calming effect,” says Naomi Paul, who makes elegant hand-crafted lights from crocheted wool. Naomi is just one of a generation of designer-makers creating and feeding an appetite for natural materials. Others include Bethan Gray, whose studded leather side tables were rapturously received at the same event; Sebastian Cox, who recently made waves with an all-wood kitchen for deVOL; and Paul Cocksedge, who last autumn launched a collection of fused copper and aluminium furniture called Freeze. So what is it that we can’t resist about natural materials? Is it simple physical pleasure? There is no joy in running fingers along a plastic moulded…

For a pretty spring update, introduce seasonal flowers and cheerful Easter motifs to a shelf display edged with decorative scalloped trim cut from thin card. FURNITURE Aveburn side chair in Charcoal Wash, H96xW50x D55cm, £737, William Yeoward. FABRIC Chair in Squirrel and Hedgehog, linen, 137cm wide, £56m, Sanderson. PAINT Walls in Card Room Green, Estate Emulsion, £39.50 for 2.5 litres; woodwork in Green Smoke, Dead Flat, £55 for 2.5 litres; both Farrow & Ball. ACCESSORIES Cotton throw in Blush, 170x137cm, £80; Hare Bunny sculptures, from £20 each, all Nôm Living. Standing block print, 16.5x12.5cm, £18.50, Cox & Cox. Linen Stripe Black dinner plates, diam28cm, £17 each, John Julian. WM Bartleet & Sons Rabbit jelly moulds, H11xW19cm, £9.95 each; Comptoir de Famille Animal Rabbit Motif bowls, £15 each; Rabbit jelly mould,…

1| Heavyweight champion. The Classic Ostrich egg, 1.1kg, two thick milk chocolate eggshells filled with 27 pralines, caramels and truffles, £75, Hotel Chocolat, 0344 493 1313, hotelchocolat.com. 2| Salt and sweet. Signature sea-salted caramel egg, 90g, decorated in gold and served with an egg cup and spoon, £19.95, Paul A Young, 020 7437 0011, paulayoung.co.uk. 3| The taste of luxury. Le Lapin, 800g, milk chocolate figurine with two drawers containing 30 mini Easter eggs and 30 caramel animals, £105, Marcolini, 020 7486 7196, marcolini.com.…

The Capability Brown Festival 2016, capabilitybrown.org, is running throughout the year – peaking in August, Brown’s birth month – with openings, events and activities. All will provide access to the numerous Brown-designed sites around the country, including those not normally open to the public, as well as offering a wide and inspiring range of opportunities to learn more about the landscape architect and garden designer who has shaped the way we think about nature and the land. DID YOU KNOW? Brown learned his trade as chief gardener at Hampton Court Palace, hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace. This April, see The Empress and the Gardener exhibition at the palace and discover how the designer influenced Catherine the Great of Russia’s English gardens in St Petersburg. The show will also include the first public display of…

Intrepid British botanical artist and explorer Margaret Mee made 15 trips to the Amazon during the Fifties and Sixties and you can view the results of her adventures in the Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art at Kew. The region’s extraordinary plant life is depicted in her delicate paintings, alongside expedition artefacts such as maps, paintbrushes, paint pots and sketchbooks. Until 29 August; included in Kew admission, adults, £15; concessions, £14. Contact 020 8332 5655, kew.org.…

STAY You would be hard pressed to find anywhere in the world more beautiful than The Siam, thesiamhotel.com. Every detail is perfection and the atmosphere of bygone travel pervades. Double rooms from £381 a night. Boutique Cabochon Hotel, cabochonhotel.com, is also a special place. Tucked away in a quiet side street, it’s decorated in a charming colonial style and has an excellent restaurant. Doubles from around £80 per night, including breakfast. Loy La Long, loylalong.com, a romantic old teak hotel on stilts over the Chao Phraya River, is another favourite. Doubles from £50 per night. EAT Sukhumvit Soi 38 is famous for street food – see which stalls are busy and order whatever looks good. You can also download an app called Street Food Bangkok, which features plenty of useful…

THIS MONTH, we admire a cleverly reworked 19th-century home that’s the ideal family space (page 84) and a unique New York loft with a covetable collection of treasures from around the world (page 92). Chalky hues and antique finds are a beautiful pairing in a Milan apartment (page 103), while a Sicilian house offers decorative charm in spades (page 112). A town garden is a vision in green (page 120) and a roof terrace (page 128) has been transformed into a sanctuary for birds and bees.…

North of central Milan is a little-known area called Isola (meaning island) that is divided from the rest of the city by the railway line. Its geographical isolation has slowed development, preserved old buildings and, until recently, kept rents low, thereby attracting artists and artisans whose workshops and studios are to be found dotted among the traditional restaurants and cafés. Andrea Daneri and his partner Giulio Guazzoni are long-term residents of Isola and, since 2001, inspired by the area’s village-like intimacy and creative atmosphere, owners of a floral design shop serving local residents and businesses, such as Bulgari Hotels, Chanel and Tod’s, with flowers presented in their trademark minimalist style. MODERN SEDUCTION The couple’s previous home was a loft apartment, where “everything was in a single space”, but their desire…

CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE PROPERTY? This five-bedroom house in Surbiton, southwest London, was built sometime between the late Georgian and early Victorian eras and, architecturally, it represents a little of both. It is owned by Edward Foy, founder of juice company Press London, who bought it for its size, good commuter links and potential as a family home. WHAT WAS THIS SPACE LIKE ORIGINALLY? The house hadn’t been renovated since the Seventies and it only had two bathrooms. We combined two of the bedrooms to form a master suite with a walk-in dressing room and generous bathroom. Wide double doors that are designed to be left open connect the bedroom to the en suite. The spacious room has high ceilings and a large sash window that overlooks the 140ft garden.…

“Large groups of plants and repeated key species draw the eye through, while a backbone of evergreen shrubs adds structure.” WHAT WAS THIS SECTION OF THE GARDEN LIKE BEFORE IT WAS REDESIGNED? This is part of a much larger landscape and was a building site when I first visited. It had previously been a farmyard and the large agricultural sheds that had stood here had been demolished. The clients were keen to turn the whole site into a classic English country garden to complement their Grade II-listed farmhouse, with beautiful planting and space for entertaining and shooting parties. HOW DID YOU TRANSFORM IT INTO A GARDEN? The size of the estate allowed us to create a garden of many parts, so as well as these borders there is a croquet…

• Before you choose a design, it is important to note that it can be hard to create a full-use living space with a completely glazed extension. Even with advances in glass technology, this style of building can struggle to stay cool in direct sunlight. • The definitions of conservatory, garden room and orangery are subject to interpretation. I would call a heavily glazed building a conservatory and a partially glazed building a garden room or an orangery. Garden room has become a popular term in recent years – I’d say that if you use it as a space to enjoy the garden all year round, it could be called a garden room. • A well-executed orangery can have advantages over a conservatory. You’ll enjoy similar light and views but,…

• Single-storey structures such as conservatories don’t normally require planning permission as they come under “permitted development”. However, the rules of local authorities vary and you should check before beginning any project. • Legislation has recently been introduced that allows larger home extensions than before. This will be in force until 30 May 2019 and applies to the projection of extensions at the rear of a house, including conservatories. • If you need to submit a planning application, my advice would be to make a preliminary enquiry with your local authority to find out what you can and cannot do, especially if you live in a listed building or terrace. This will save time further down the line. • New doorways between the house and structure must be approved by…

HOW BEST SHOULD I LIGHT MY DRESSING TABLE? We have recently built a new extension and this has resulted in rearranging our bedroom furniture. I have placed my dressing table in front of the window where it will receive good natural daylight, but I also want it to be illuminated after dark. As the electrics are being installed now, what is the best way to light the table for applying make-up in the evening? BW, Haslemere, Surrey. Lighting designer Sarah Roberts from John Cullen Lighting, 020 7371 5400, johncullenlighting.co.uk, advises that the simplest way to light a dressing table at night is to place a table lamp on either side, as this will spread light across the face. Make sure you select a lamp shade that allows light to show…

A Abbott & Boyd, 020 7351 9985, abbottandboyd.co.uk. Alice Peto, 020 8992 6431, alicepeto.com. Alma, 020 7439 0925, alma1938.com. Altfield, 020 7351 5893, altfield.com. Amara, 0800 587 7645, amara.com. Andrew Kornat Designs, 07738 080098, andrewkornatdesigns.com. Andrew Martin, 020 7225 5100, andrewmartin.co.uk. Anthology, anthology.uk.com. Anthropologie, 0800 0026 8476, anthropologie.eu. Atkin and Thyme, 0844 409 9834, atkinandthyme.co.uk. B Balineum, 020 7431 9364, balineum.co.uk. Beacon Hill, 020 7352 0931, beaconhilldesign.com. BoConcept, 020 7388 2447, boconcept.com. Broste Copenhagen, 0045 36 39 03 00, brostecopenhagen.com. Burleigh, 01773 740740, burleigh.co.uk. C C&C Milano, 020 7751 4554, cec-milano.com. Camengo, 0844 369 0104, camengo.fr. Caravane, 020 7486 5233, caravane.fr. Casadeco, 0844 369 0102, casadeco.fr. Casamance, 0844 369 0104, casamance.com. Charlotte Storrs Stoneware, 01235 520395, charlottestorrs-stoneware.co.uk. Chelsea Textiles, 020 7584 5544, chelseatextiles.com. Chocolate Trading Co, 01625 508224, chocolatetradingco.com. Christian…

What initially attracted you to this field? Design came naturally to me. Even as a child, I was fortunate enough to have contact with many different worlds and special objects in which design played an important role. Why have Spanish designers come to the fore in recent years? Europe’s borders have become less relevant, hence well-known designers such as Patricia Urquiola and Jaime Hayón owe a lot to Italy’s approach to furniture design. Where do you start with a piece? Sometimes I work around the materials; other times, it’s the production methods, or I create something I need for an architectural project. What remains constant is the language. What do you currently find exciting in design? I have always been attracted to metal (Brasilia table, above),…

What makes your store different? The Future Perfect is part contemporary gallery and part high-end production. I think what makes us different is the effort we put into collaborating with designers on collections that you won’t see anywhere else. Tell us about your latest collaborations. Fragments by Lex Pott – including the Layered shelf, which features five different types of marble from around the world – and the Contrepoids dining table in marble that I created with Pool, a design duo in Paris. The piece was two years in the making, but worth the wait. Whose work do you currently admire? Christopher Stuart, a recent addition to our roster and one of the most exciting new designers working today. I also admire the work of lighting designer…

MARBLE Band Two Tone coffee table, H42xdiam100cm, £4,320, Bethan Gray, bethangray.com. WOOL Sonne pendant, H72xdiam42cm, £1,440, Naomi Paul, naomipaul.co.uk. PORCELAIN Porcelain fruit stand, H16xW23xD16cm, £265, John Julian at The New Craftsmen, thenewcraftsmen.com. MARBLE Marble table bookmark, H27.5xW11.5xD30cm, £480, Paul Cocksedge, paulcocksedgestudio.com/en/ WOOD Hamylin chair, H74xW60xD57cm, £2,620, Gareth Neal and Bill Amberg Studio at The New Craftsmen, thenewcraftsmen.com. GLASS Incalmo water glass, H11xdiam7cm, £100 a pair, Jochen Holz at The New Craftsmen, thenewcraftsmen.com. WOOL Chalk rug, 244x305cm, £7,702, Kate Blee at Christopher Farr, christopherfarr.com. WOOD Oak and hazel sideboard, H80xW110xD35cm, £1,495, Sebastian Cox at Heal’s, heals.com. STONEWARE Horizontal Hakeme platter, diam30cm, £200, Akiko Hirai at The New Craftsmen, thenewcraftsmen.com.…

A Absolute Flowers & Home , 020 7286 1155, absoluteflowersandhome.com. Adrian Sassoon , 020 7581 9888, adriansassoon.com . Altfield , 020 7351 5893, altfield.com . Anglo Technical Textiles , 0845 835 0210, anglotechnicaltextiles.co.uk . Annaleena , 0046 73 600 4626, annaleena.se . Another Country , 020 7486 3251, anothercountry.com . B Bethan Gray , 020 3214 3150, bethangray.com . Black Edition , 01623 750005, romoblack.com . Botanica Home , etsy.com/uk/shop/BOTANICAhome . Brintons , 0800 505055, brintons.co.uk . C Camden Arts Centre , 020 7472 5500, c amdenartscentre.org . C&C Milano , 020 7751 4554, cec-milano.com . Caroline van Hoek Gallery , carolinevanhoek.be . Carpenters Workshop Gallery , 020 3051 5939, carpentersworkshopgallery.com . Casamania , 0039 0423 6753, casamania.it . Cassina , cassina.com/en . C Best , 020 7720 2306, cbest.co.uk…

1|Embrace the look with a tropical wallcovering. La Havane COS83, £136 a roll, Nobilis, 020 8767 0774, nobilis.fr. 2|Whimsical lighting for a playful touch. Palmetto lamp, H54xW41xD11cm, £125; Rectangular natural linen shade, H24xW45xD29cm, £36; both Oka, 0844 815 7380, okadirect.com. 3| Fashionable contemporary style. Beetle lounge chair in Mauritius in Ciel by Pierre Frey, H82xW72xD63cm, £1,374, GamFratesi for Gubi, 0045 3332 6368, gubi.dk. 4|A bold design for children and grown-ups alike. Tiger rug, hand-knotted Tibetan wool, £775sq m, Edward Barber & Jay Osgerby for The Rug Company, 020 7229 5148, therugcompany.com . 5|Creating a statement with flora and fauna motifs. Qalakabusha sofa, H85xW220xD95cm, £5,650, Ardmore at Porcupine Rocks, 020 7351 2584, porcupinerocks.com. 6|Fruity little number bursting with colour. Manaos beach towel, 100x180cm, £90, Christian Lacroix at Designers…

Known as a go-to source for modern designer furniture, Chaplins is now applying its expertise to a dedicated store for outdoor furniture in northwest London. Managing director Simon Chaplin tells us more Why open an outdoors shop? It’s something that we have wanted to do for some time. If you’re used to being around well-considered, beautiful design, your appreciation for it doesn’t change just because you’re outside. We also felt that there wasn’t really anywhere to see high-quality classic and contemporary garden furniture in one place. What will we find in the store? We’ll have something for every style and size of garden, from poolside loungers to compact designs for urban balconies. It’s about having pieces for the many ways in which people use outdoor spaces. There will be around…

What’s your background? I studied illustration at Camberwell College of Arts, specialising in printmaking, and began working at Paupers Press fine art studio in Hoxton. I wanted another outlet, so I took a pottery class taught by Nicola Tassie. As soon as I got on the wheel, I was addicted. What is it about pottery you love? What interests me about art is the refinement of process, whether it’s printmaking or pottery. There are so many variables that can affect an outcome. I like to zone in on specifics, like the curve of a handle. It’s a pleasure when the results are used, and seeing pieces on people’s kitchen tables is really satisfying. How did you hone your style? Last year I went to New York to work for a…

THE SOFT OPTION We’ve seen metal and leather shelf brackets, but now the merino wool version has arrived. Available in turquoise (above), black and grey, they cost £39 a pair and are designed to support a shelf measuring up to L80xW20xD2cm. Contact DesResDesign, 01386 257654, desresdesign.co.uk. FAUX GOOD Just when you thought porcelain tiles couldn’t offer up any more innovative looks, along comes Denim, a new textured collection from Mandarin Stone that mimics the weave of fabric. Tiles come in four sizes and five different colours – blue, grey, taupe, white and black – and you can easily create a unique patchwork pattern or a more uniform look. The range is also available in a striking geometric shaped design. From £47.93sq m. Contact 01600 715444, mandarinstone.com. ANOTHER DIMENSION Four years…

Working from her studio in Fulham, west London, Pippa Caley creates intricately embroidered textiles inspired by the organic forms and vibrant colours of the natural world. Her bespoke fabrics are defined by their detailed pattern, texture and bold colourways, bringing life to furniture, framed panels, headboards and cushions. Tell us a little about your background. I grew up on a Yorkshire farm and was influenced by my surroundings from a very early age. As well as making things with colourful yarns, my grandmother was an artist and would always encourage me and my sisters to express ourselves through painting in her loft studio. My passion for textiles developed from those formative days and has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. A cross-stitch needle…

With its billowing clouds of deep blue flowers, Ceanothus is familiar in British gardens as a striking ornamental plant. However, in its native habitat, this member of the Rhamnaceae, or buckthorn, family is a tough, scrubland survivor, able to thrive in poor, dry soils. It is found mainly in western North America, and particularly on the hillsides of California’s Pacific coast, hence its common name, Californian lilac. Ceanothus produces beautiful, dense clusters of tiny flowers in blue as well as purple, pink or OPPOSITE white. However PAGE Caption , it is to most come recognisable in its blue forms and certainly one of the best blue-flowering shrubs, available in shades from pale and powdery to rich, intense cobalt. The blooms can also carry a subtle honey scent that attracts bees…

WHAT IS YOUR STORY? I’m originally from Essex, but moved to the US 28 years ago to design kitchen showrooms for a German company. I set up my own business in 1992 and my bespoke cabinetry quickly gained a following. Four years ago, I opened my first showroom outside America, in Cannes, France, and now I’m thrilled to have another in London. WHY DID YOU CHOOSE CHELSEA HARBOUR? Our US showrooms are mainly in design centres and we have built up a strong relationship within the interior design and architect community, so it makes sense for us to be located at the Harbour. CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE BRAND’S STYLE? I think of us as rooted in traditional style, but not fussy traditional. We are understated, elegant and fresh. The collections…

CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE SPACE? This is the sitting room of my apartment, which occupies the first floor of a lateral conversion of two 18th-century Grade II-listed buildings in Marylebone, west London. The interiors were in a terrible state, so I had to start from scratch, re-plastering and reinstating the floor, joinery and cornicing. Even the ceiling had to be replaced. WHAT WAS THE STARTING POINT FOR THE SCHEME? We already owned various pieces of art, including the Sandra Blow painting above the fireplace, and I think these subliminally informed the decoration. Wherever possible in my projects, I like to cover the walls in fabric to add another layer of luxury and texture, and here I used cotton in a greyish blue that appears to throw the artwork into relief.…

From its origins three decades ago as a terracotta tile supplier, Fired Earth has grown to become one of Britain’s leading homeware retailers. Offering products ranging from tiles, paints and wallpapers to bathrooms, kitchens and wood and vinyl flooring, it is now the first port of call for anyone embarking on an interiors project. With this in mind, Homes & Gardens has teamed up with Fired Earth to give readers an exclusive 15 per cent off its exquisite collections. Its bathroom range, which features classic and modern pieces, has something to suit all styles of interior, while its extensive collection of floor and wall tiles includes simply coloured and exotically patterned designs. So whether you’re planning a major renovation or are simply looking to freshen up a room, Fired Earth…

• Conservatories are unlike any other room in the home, so you need to take a different approach when decorating. Primarily, the high levels of glazing can result in UV damage inside. Using low-e glass will reduce the UV and IR light getting through, while fitting blinds to both the roof and sides will also help to combat effects of the sun. • When choosing upholstered furniture, it is wise to opt for neutral fabrics in materials blended with polyester, nylon or acrylic, as they are less prone to fading. If you are determined to go bright, check the fabric’s light-fastness grade with your supplier; the top grade is eight, with anything above five being acceptable. Alternatively, introduce colour with cushions, which can be easily replaced if they get sun-bleached.…

COMPACT DESIGNS 1| Chiswick, H77xW89xD44cm, £389, Atkin and Thyme. 2| Aalto, H80xW90xD35cm, £220, Cox & Cox. 3| Sculpted Geo, H85xW103xD39.5cm, £499, West Elm. 4| Etna, H85xW83xD20cm, £1,030, Roche Bobois. 5| Accents in Black, H70xW110xD26cm, £399, Content by Terence Conran at John Lewis. 6| Rivulet, H80xW140xD26cm, £545, Oka. 7| Wall, H60xW90xD30cm, £256.60, Broste Copenhagen. STATEMENT PIECES 1| Lyle, H87xW144.5xD49.5cm, £2,750, Pinch. 2| Také, H80xW135xD40cm, £776, Caravane. 3| Ruffin, H77xW170xD51cm, £795, Graham and Green. 4| Edith, H77xW138xD41cm, £1,295, Andrew Martin. 5| Brunel, H75xW125xD30cm, £425, Heal’s. 6| Hanover in Florentine Gold with Calacatta marble top, H76xW145xD45cm, £4,596, Tom Faulkner. 7| Tarporley in White Oak, H86.5xW154.5xD53.5cm, £5,925, William Yeoward. 8| Garcon, H83xW129.5xD38cm, £2,280, Julian Chichester. 9| Dinn, H80xW150xD50cm, £1,595, Jader Almeida at The Conran Shop. WHERE TO BUY, PAGE 206…

WOODLAND BULBS BUY 25 bulbs of any variety for £14.99. BUY 50 bulbs of any variety for £19.98, SAVING £10. BUY 100 bulbs of the Woodland Bulb collection (25 of each) for £29.99 (RRP £59.96), SAVING £29.97 or BUY 200 bulbs of the Woodland Bulb collection (50 of each) for £49.99 (RRP £119.92), SAVING £69.93. As all bulbs are supplied in the green – which means not as dry bulbs, but plants that have been cultivated and lifted in full leaf – you can look forward to a display from the first season. Closing date 31 March 2016. THE WOODLAND COLLECTION English bluebells These nodding violet-blue flowers are ideal for wild and low-maintenance gardens. Height 25cm, spread 8cm . Double-flowered snowdrops Dainty upward facing white blooms with green markings in…

If there is a consistent theme in this fourth edition of Trends , it is the growing focus on the materials that offer us a sense of place in the world. “Natural materials are a multisensory experience. They give us something unfathomable that chimes with our humanity,” says textile artist Kate Blee on page 46. But it isn’t just materials that connect us to the natural world. In The Designer’s Mind on page 30, Deyan Sudjic says that “handmaking and skill are fundamental aspects of what it is to be human”. As our feature on wood craft on page 41 demonstrates, a combination of natural materials and skill is a happy marriage that celebrates the lack of consistency in both the human hand and the materials themselves. In 2016, it…

Why the move from fashion to furniture? I first trained as a fashion and children’s illustrator, which led me to create my own fashion brand, Boyd. I see furniture as yet another adventure in my creative journey. Who or what are your key design influences? I like simple geometrics, stars, stripes, grids and triangles, but my influences are extremely eclectic. I love Italian designer and architect Giò Ponti, the architecture of Oscar Niemeyer, Anni Albers’ graphics, the artist Barbara Hepworth, Émile Gallé’s glass, Keith Murray’s white pottery and the illustrations of Edward Ardizzone and Ernst Haeckel. What materials are you currently looking into? Lacquer, whether block colour or lacquered wood, appeals to the simpler side of my designs. And exploring ways of translating fabric embellishments onto furniture,…

Keti, how did you and Nata become interested in design? When I was little I would play a game in which I’d create an imaginary house in my play area. Both Nata and I knew we wanted to be interior designers before graduating from high school. When we met while studying at the Tbilisi Academy of Arts, we realised we shared the same aesthetics and objectives. What themes carry through your work? Our designs reflect our attitude; we want to capture the simple bliss of life. Clear paths in life bring us to a solid state of mind. You quote the Dalai Lama on your website. Do you see yourselves as peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers or lovers? Design is not what we do, but what we love…

Great design can change lives, communities and organisations for the better,” states the Design Council in its report, The Design Economy. It also says that design is making us considerably richer – to the tune of £71.7 billion. This is the first time that the Design Council, which aims to promote British design and design partnerships, has taken on such a comprehensive evaluation of our design and economic landscape. As John Mathers, chief executive of the Design Council, explains, the council thought it was necessary for the government and the rest of us to truly appreciate the importance of design to our economy, particularly in such straitened times. “We thought that design to some people – including some sectors of government – is still seen as something you add on…

ABOUT THE BIID Founded in 1965, the BIID, biid.org.uk, is the pre-eminent organisation for professional interior designers in the UK. Under the guidance of its president, Daniel Hopwood (above), it is committed to fostering creativity and competence in its members through facilitation of best practice, support, development opportunities, education and training. “This year’s conference gives us a unique opportunity to dissect the complex concept of identity in interior design,” says Daniel Hopwood, president of the BIID. “We are looking forward to a hugely engaging, informative and entertaining day, and we hope it will help our profession to create projects that have a sense of place.” An impressive line-up of speakers from different disciplines will explore how people, cultures and contexts intersect and influence our interior environments. The theme of identity…