Indholdsfortegnelse for Jul-2018 i Homes & Gardens

Scattered around our home are boxes, baskets and bags that I use to store everything from fabric swatches and knitting wool to computer cables and stationery. I realised that I wasn’t alone in my secret love of storage when I joined our decorating team in selecting baskets to feature on page 31. While each of us had a favourite, all of the choices have a smart design that will bring a handcrafted touch to schemes. Whether you’re seeking individual details or inspiration for a whole room, our suggestions for using abstract pattern in vibrant colours, page 59, are brimming with energy for a striking look. Colour is also a defining element of this month’s dream kitchen, page 126, and a creatively transformed attic room, page 134. Of course, now that…

BRIGHT IDEA The oversized proportions of this Saybrook lantern, H91xW50xD50cm, £8,290, by Oomph at Nina Campbell, 020 7352 9518, shop.ninacampbell.com, make it the perfect statement piece. It is available in 18 colours, including Knockout Orange (above), finished with nickel or brass. You can enjoy the latest issue of Homes & Gardens on the go by downloading it at bit.ly/2h6ykdx. PAINTERLY STYLE Taking inspiration from original works of art, the Los Angeles-based design collective Zoe Bios Creative has produced a mouth-watering range for West Elm, 0800 404 9780, westelm.co.uk , which includes bedding, rugs and these stylish outdoor cushions, 51cm sq, £39 each. DESIGNER DEBUT Sophie Ashby is the first British designer to join The Invisible Collection, 07340 002928, theinvisiblecollection.com , an online edit of luxury designs for the home. Her…

The style tag ‘mid-century modern’ is now ubiquitous, loosely describing simple, functional furniture with organic or geometric shapes, made from around 1940 to 1960. The term was popularised in the US after the publication in 1984 of Mid-Century Modern: Furniture of the 1950s by art historian Cara Greenberg. However, we didn’t hear much of it in Britain until Lucy Ryder Richardson (above) and her business partner, Petra Curtis, started holding specialist shows 14 years ago. Lucy had moved into a 1960s house in Dulwich, south-east London, but found suitable furnishings hard to track down. Realising there was a gap in the market, she held an ‘open house’ in 2004, selling imported vintage Danish pieces and British modern design. It was a huge success, inspiring a larger fair the next year,…

How would you describe your Instagram account? It’s a seasonal journey of life here in our small corner of Yorkshire, mainly featuring the flowers I’m using at the time, the landscape, the stories of folk who pass through on their flowery journeys and occasionally a small dog. Who would you recommend we follow and why? My favourites include @matthewcoxetc, to drool over unusual objects, and @Tom375, for photography of rugged countryside that makes you want to pull on your wellies and start walking.…

A sofa upholstered in a multicoloured graphic print takes centre stage in this contemporary living space. Additional blocks of colour work well with the strong linear shapes of dark furniture, while walls in pale grey allow the abstract artwork to sing out in this confident look. The composition of this scheme draws its strength from the considered layering of geometrics, in the form of a monochrome wallpaper and striking curtains, and shots of primary colour in the rug and chairs. A feature wall in a striking wallpaper was the starting point for this vibrant hallway design. Plain upholstery and curtains in complementary shades prevent the look from overpowering, while a textured rug adds depth. Featuring the same design on an extra-wide headboard and the wall behind makes a wonderfully bold…

Amy and Steven Wacaster looked at their forlorn children, Harris, eight, and Gigi, six, as they flew home from a weekend in Florida and knew that the time had come to make a permanent change. ‘Those flights back to New York were always so sad. It was as if we were already missing the vitamin D,’ says Amy. ‘We hadn’t planned to move away from the city so soon, but having a condo in Florida accelerated things. We realised that each time we stayed there, we didn’t want to return to New York.’ PERFECT PLOT They struggled to find their ideal property in Florida, however, so they decided to build it themselves. ‘We wanted a large house, but most of the ones we saw had been constructed during the Nineties…

Which chemicals are most harmful to wildlife? Neonicotinoids (neonics), which are found in many insecticides, are harmful to bees and can cause infertility and hive destruction. These products are mixed with water, which allows the chemicals to travel through all parts of the plant, including the pollen and nectar. How can you keep pests at bay without using chemical treatments? We control slugs and vine weevil using nematodes. These microscopic worms feed on pests and we buy ours from Green Gardener, greengardener.co.uk. When they arrive, we mix them with water and apply them to pots or the ground. The nematodes then attack the pests underground, consuming their eggs and larvae. We also buy ladybirds in spring – each one will munch through hundreds of aphids in a day – and…

ARCHITECT Dyer Grimes Architects, dyergrimes architects.com. CABINETRY Bespoke Osea kitchen, painted in Rusty Nail and Coal Scuttle, around £78,000, Plain English, plainenglishdesign.co.uk. SURFACES Silestone composite quartz in Lagoon (main worktops); Belgian Blue fossil stone and oiled oak (island worktop), around £12,000, supplied by Plain English, plainenglishdesign.co.uk. Walls in French Grey intelligent matt emulsion, £47 for 2.5L, Little Greene, littlegreene.com. Similar flooring, engineered reclaimed French oak flooring in Renaissance finish, £160sq m, The Reclaimed Flooring Co, reclaimedflooringco.com. APPLIANCES Modern Chalonnais range cooker, £10,420; Classic hood, from £1,280; steel splashback, from £450, all Lacanche, lacanche.co.uk. RC462 301 tall integrated larder fridge, £4,862; RF461 301 tall integrated freezer with ice maker, £5,095; DF260161 integrated dishwasher, £1,056, all Gaggenau, gaggenau.com. SINKS & TAPS Edgworth 1.5 bowl ceramic offset sink, £705, Shaws of Darwen, shawsofdarwen.com.…

What impact is metal architecture having on kitchens? We’ve been working on projects featuring Crittall-style glazing for several years and it’s bolstering the creation of dynamic living spaces. While the look feels new, it is revivalism at its finest. How else are you using metal in your designs? We’re always experimenting with metals on cabinetry, taps, hinges and handles. Metal accents are brilliant for adding a twist to classic designs, playing into the Mark Wilkinson Furniture DNA. Which cabinetry colours and materials work best with metal? Rich-toned metals work well with bold colours. We’re seeing more openness towards strong shades, such as dark green, blue and black painted cabinetry. The choice of timber influences the metal we recommend. Oak has a grain and patina that complements industrial bronze, while dark-stained…

Can you describe the room? CS This is a guest bedroom in my weekend home, an 1830s Greek Revival farmhouse in the Hudson Valley. The attic, which was originally one long space, has been turned into two bedrooms with a bathroom between. The walls sloped down to the floor, so they have been squared off, creating storage in the voids behind, while the window has been replaced with a new triangular design. Below it, the bench seating hides the heating system. What was it like working with another designer on your home? CS Harry is a great friend and this was very much a collaboration. His tastes are funkier than mine, so it was a good combination – I think that the sum of our ideas was better than the…

FITTINGS Leadon freestanding bath in Matt White, from £2,394; Moto floor-standing bath and shower mixer, £840; Giro vanity unit with double basin and double drawer unit in Matt Stone Grey, from £1,345; heated stainless steel ladder rail, £428; Moto Slim 30cm round shower head, £116; Moto 45cm wall-mounted shower arm, £50.40; Hansgrohe Axor Starck one jet baton hand shower, from £72.25; Moto dual control high-pressure shower valve, from £266; Slim40 shower tray, 140x90cm, £218, all CP Hart, cphart.co.uk. Bespoke fitted wardrobes, from £3,000; bespoke glass shower enclosure, from £2,000, both Milward Teverini, milwardteverini.com. SURFACES Mimica Venato matt porcelain tiles, 60cm sq, £59.97sq m, 60x30cm, £53.95sq m; Denim Black porcelain tiles, 60x10cm, £47.93sq m, all Mandarin Stone, mandarinstone.com. Walls and wardrobes in Oak Apple eggshell, £55 for 2.5L, Fired Earth, firedearth.com.…

• During the summer when I’m entertaining at home, I usually start with lunch in the garden and simply bring out more and more candles as evening descends. • I always use a tablecloth and napkins in cotton or linen. I have a selection of designs and colours to choose from depending on the look I want to create. • I like to introduce colour to the table with glassware and candles, and I always use an abundance of fresh flowers to bring the whole scheme together. • Weatherproof cane furniture is a must for the garden because it can be left outside all year. It is substantial in weight but not so heavy that you can’t move it around easily should you need to. • Create lovely areas of…

WHO SUPPLIES COLOURED LEATHER FOR UPHOLSTERY? Where can I buy faded mid-green leather for my dining chairs similar to some I saw on upholstered benches in a London hotel? VM, London W10. The type of leather you are looking for is known as uncorrected or aniline, meaning the characteristics of the natural hide are visible through the surface colour. Leather is sold by full hides and these measure from 40 to 60sq ft. The leather on the benches that you admired could well have been Mont Blanc in Celadon, £23.85sq ft, from Altfield, 020 7351 5893, altfield.com. Whistler Leather, 020 7352 4186, whistlerleather.com, also offers the mid-green options Cordoba Fern, £20sq ft, and Bilbao Green Tea, £19sq ft. You could also take a look at Alma Leather, 020 7377 0762,…

A  Abigail Ahern 020 7354 8181, abigailahern.com. Absolute Upholstery 07970 062159, absoluteupholstery.co.uk. Also Home 01483 608611, alsohome.com. Amara 0800 587 7645, amara.com. Amy Kent 07979 594651, amykent.co.uk. Amy Somerville 020 7586 2211, amysomerville.com. Anthropologie 0800 0026 8476, anthropologie.com. Aram 020 7557 7557, aram.co.uk. Aria 020 7704 6222, ariashop.co.uk. Arteriors Home arteriorshome.com. Artisans & Adventurers 020 7739 9008, artisans-and-adventurers.com . Ashley Wilde 01707 635201, ashleywildegroup.co.uk. B  B&Q 0333 014 3098, diy.com. Balineum 020 7431 9364, balineum.co.uk. Beaumont & Fletcher 020 7352 5594, beaumontandfletcher.com. C  Camengo 0844 369 0104, camengo.com. Caravane 020 7486 5233, caravane.fr. Casamance 0844 369 0104, casamance.fr. Christopher Farr Cloth 020 7349 0888, christopherfarrcloth.com. Clock House Furniture 01620 842870, clockhouse-furniture.co.uk. Colefax and Fowler 020 7244 7427, colefax.com. Coral & Hive coralandhive.com. Cox & Cox 0330 333 2123, coxandcox.co.uk. CP…

We love this beautiful painterly rug from the new Watercolour collection by Coral & Hive. Designed by artist Claire Oswalt and skilfully woven in South Africa on traditional looms, this ombré pattern is made from karakul wool and mohair for true luxury underfoot.…

What inspired this collection? While on her honeymoon last year, Laura visited Grottaglie in Puglia, and met the Fasano family, the main producer of the bright and figuratively painted ceramics for which the town is known. She brought back about 50 pieces, which we’ve used at our supper clubs, as we love the handmade quality and vibrancy. So Italy and ceramics were very much in mind when Habitat approached us about creating a second collection with them. Habitat had worked with the Fasanos before, so they contacted the family, and they agreed to collaborate with us, too. How did you develop the designs? We wanted to take the traditional figurative and paint splatter ideas and give them a colour twist. While the Fasanos are famed for using cobalt blues, we…

Can you tell us about your background? I graduated in 2008 with a degree in theology and English literature, then I worked in financial communications, which made me realise how I didn’t want my life to be. After that I spent time in Kerala, writing a children’s book, which was where I found the incredible temple umbrellas and brought some back to London. I couldn’t finish the book and, needing something to do, I became a cheesemonger for Neal’s Yard Dairy. It was the first time I’d ever sold a physical product and was a lovely job, matching people with something they’d enjoy. How did you make the umbrellas into a business? I left Neal’s Yard, convinced I could continue writing, but it didn’t happen. Then back in India for…

Multidisciplinary artist Lora Avedian graduated from the Royal College of Art in 2017 with a master’s degree in mixed media textiles. She uses classic embroidery to add intricate embellishment to artefacts and is influenced by nature, folk costume and story telling. “I like to use embroidery as a way of drawing. I regularly employ a technique called couching in which a continuous line of a material can be arranged across a base fabric and stitched in place to create a pattern. Nature is a huge inspiration for me, especially flowers. As part of my research for a piece, I tend to do a lot of drawings that eventually translate into embroideries. The story of an object and its history are things I find fascinating. Antique textiles hold a special appeal…

THIS MONTH, reversing an open-plan layout creates more personal space in a Victorian family home (page 70), while classic features help a Florida new-build achieve a heritage look (page 80). A once characterless London flat is enlivened with bold colour (page 90) and a Portuguese villa embraces natural materials to echo its surroundings (page 96). Outside, explore a 21st-century pleasure garden (page 108) and create a haven for wildlife (page 118).…

DAY ONE YOUR FIRST LESSON From Pisa airport you’ll be transferred to your villa on Flavours Holidays’ private Tuscan estate just 30 minutes’ drive away. Once there, you’ll enjoy welcome drinks before your first cookery lesson with a local chef, in which you’ll prepare and enjoy a wonderful evening meal. DAY TWO PRIVATE WINE TASTING Following breakfast, you’ll have your second hands-on Italian cookery lesson, followed by lunch. This afternoon you’ll visit a local winery for a private tasting session, before returning to your villa for a dinner prepared by the chef. You’ll also join Giancarlo and Katie Caldesi for drinks and a special culinary Q&A in which they’ll both share their love of Tuscan cuisine and answer all your foodie questions. DAY THREE DISCOVERING FLORENCE After breakfast you’ll spend…

How can I make my garden suitable for dogs and cats? Dogs will always take the shortest route through a garden, so do not install a flowerbed where they will be tempted to run straight through it. Grow vegetables and fruit in raised beds or net them to prevent dogs from destroying the crops, and surround the garden with hedging to stop pets from escaping. Remember that cats are natural predators and will kill birds, so ensure all feeders and nest boxes are out of harm’s way. Which features should I consider if I have a horse? A number of plants are poisonous to horses so it is best to keep the animals in a separate paddock, bordered by a post and rail fence or wide hedge that they cannot…

SMOOTH OPERATORS Say goodbye to intrusive handles with the Vario 400 series from Gaggenau, 0344 892 8988, gaggenau.com/gb. Each integrated fridge, freezer and wine cabinet features simple push-to-open doors that reveal gleaming stainless-steel interiors illuminated by warm white LEDs. MIX & MATCH The B Solitaire module by Bulthaup, 020 7495 3663, bulthaup.com, already has the interior design crowd in a tizzy. Featuring an aluminium frame, which can be customised with shelves, pull-out trays and a worktop in solid oak, steel or glass, it costs from £5,000. GRATE SHAPE Effortlessly grind spices such as nutmeg, cinnamon and more with the latest razor-sharp offering from US company Microplane, microplaneintl.com. The unambiguously named Spice Mill, £24.95, includes a small airtight compartment on top to keep the flavours fresh. Dishwasher safe, it also has…

Can you describe the project? This is the living room of a Grade II*-listed early Georgian house in west London. When my clients bought the property, all the architectural details had been destroyed; we had to gut it and reinstate the original layout. We didn’t want to slavishly reproduce a Georgian interior, so we have hinted at the era with details such as the fireplace, which features a simple painted timber surround that befits the relatively humble nature of the building. Did your client provide a specific brief? The owner wanted her home to be like the blossom in Japan when it is just opening: subtle, lovely and understated. She didn’t want anything that jumped out. She loves grey, and while we couldn’t create an entirely grey house, I suggested…

FURNITURE AH Breckenridge étagère side table, $2,885; similar bench, Louis XVI style bench, $4,200 (plus shipping), both Christopher Spitzmiller, christopherspitzmiller.com. FABRIC Cushions and window seat in Fireworks in Red on White, £164m, Hinson at Donghia, donghia.com. WALLS Fireworks wallpaper in Red on White, £110 for a 4.6m roll, Hinson at Donghia, donghia.com. FLOOR Hudson Bay Blue floor and patio enamel paint, £67 for 3.79L, Benjamin Moore, benjaminmoorepaint.co.uk. ACCESSORIES Natalie lamps in Cardinal Red lacquer, £895 each (excluding shades), Christopher Spitzmiller for The Lacquer Company, thelacquercompany.com. Bedlinen with triple line embroidery and band details in Real Red, Leontine Linens, leontinelinens.com.…

1| All seasons Conisbrough indoor/outdoor dining table in pine and resin, H75x W260xD100cm, £2,575, Oka, oka.com. 2| Oval office Cuil table in Scottish oak, H75x W220xD140cm, made to order, £5,600, Azelle Design, azelledesign.co.uk. 3| Clear & simple Hebden dining table in oak and glass, H74.5xW230xD90cm, £867, Neptune, neptune.com. 4| Industrial heritage Bedrock Plank C table in walnut and iron, H76xW260xD90cm, £5,119, Riva 1920 at Heal’s, heals.com. 5| All sewn up Vintage Singer table in ash, glass and iron, H75xW190xD90cm, £1,895, Rockett St George, rockettstgeorge.co.uk.…

The House Clinic service is free to all Homes & Gardens subscribers. There is a £12 fee per query for non-subscribers, who must send their query and payment by post. EMAIL Subscribers, send your query, subscriber number and address to hgcontactus@timeinc.com. POST Send your query, subscriber number or payment and an SAE to Homes & Gardens, 161 Marsh Wall, London E14 9AP. Please make cheques/postal orders payable to Time Inc (UK). We are unable to answer more than one question per reader each month. Celia Rufey can also help you create an individual design for any room in your home, with ideas for colours, fabrics, paint, wallcoverings and flooring. For full details, visit our Facebook page at bit.ly/2e5tpsu .…

1 | Traditional curves with a modern twist. Torassa chair in Distant Dawn by Robert Allan, H82xW77xD86cm, £3,395, Soho Home, 020 3819 8199, sohohome.com. 2 | Perfect for adding a slice of summer style. Limon clutch, H16xW28cm, £70, Kayu at Net-a-Porter, 0800 044 5700, net-a-porter.com. 3 | A fruity little number for the dinner table. Pineapple jug, H20cm, £98, Designers Guild, 020 7351 5775, designersguild.com. 4 | Inspired by the lemon trees of Provence. Grove Citron wallpaper, £50yd, Wayne Pate + Studio Four NYC, studiofournyc.com. 5 | A whimsical touch for added character. Cactus lamp, H50.5xDia15cm, £350; card shade, £126, Hector Finch, 020 7731 8886, hectorfinch.com. 6 | Softly woven braid for decorative accents. La Perle in Mediterranean, 4.3cm wide, £22m, Gert Voorjans for Jim Thompson Fabrics, 020 7368 7700,…

Where did the Long Barn story begin? I met my business partner, Richard Norris, at a consumer exhibition in London. He was a Winchester-based horticulturist with a passion for lavender, and had set up a fledgling toiletries company that he was trying to run part time. I was a marketing director for food and drink brands, and he asked me to join him. I thought that, as I do this kind of thing for other people, maybe I should try doing it for myself. So I decided to leave corporate business and give it a go. How did the business develop? Richard’s idea was to create a brand based on the old English lavender growing industry. People tend to think of it as French, but there’s a huge tradition of…

We take it for granted these days that our gardens should be beautiful, stylish, usable extensions of our homes. Until the 1960s, however, our attitude was very different. Large or small, country or urban, the garden was somewhere to practise horticulture and show off our ability to tame nature. Flowers had their place, trees had theirs, and edibles were cultivated in a plot hidden away. In 1962, however, Architectural Design magazine draughtsman-turned-garden-designer John Brookes broke new ground, literally and metaphorically. He built an RHS Chelsea Flower Show garden that was intended not just to be admired, but was structured like a sitting room. The gardener could practise his or her craft and then sit down and enjoy looking at and being surrounded by it. In John’s first book, Room Outside…

Although the lush green countryside of Val d’Elsa is only around five miles from the tourist hotspot of San Gimignano, this Tuscan valley has a feeling of tranquillity. It was this sense of peace that enticed Gary and Marie Zwerling to set up home in the area known for its undulating landscape and hilltop villages. Having regularly visited Italy for 40 years, the couple prefers this little corner of the world to any other. ‘We’ve travelled a good deal but we’ve always liked Italy best and, within Italy, Tuscany is our favourite place,’ says Gary. ‘We love its natural beauty and the gentle pace of life. The people are extremely friendly, and we both love Tuscan food and wine. For us, it is the epitome of relaxation.’ HOME FROM HOME…

Just over an hour’s drive south of Lisbon, the beaches around Comporta are a pristine wilderness with miles of sand dunes and rolling surf. ‘We started visiting Portuguese friends here and fell in love with the area,’ says Charlotte Chateauneuf who, with her husband, Jean-Christophe, moved from France to Lisbon 11 years ago. ‘Life here moves at a different pace; it allows us to really slow down,’ she says. Two years ago, the couple, who have two young children and work together as property developers, had the chance to buy a plot of land in a small village ten minutes from Comporta. ‘It has uninterrupted views across the dunes and we can always hear the ocean, even though we cannot see it,’ says Charlotte. ‘The only other sounds are the…

• Return British Airways flights from London Heathrow to Pisa. • Three nights’ accommodation in a Flavours Holidays Tuscan villa. • All meals listed in the itinerary, accompanied by a selection of local wines. • Exclusive talk and Q&A with Giancarlo and Katie Caldesi. • Demonstration of one of the Caldesis’ favourite Tuscan recipes and book signing. • Two hands-on cookery lessons with Flavours Holidays local chefs. • Private wine tasting at a local winery. • Visit to Florence to see the famous food market and lunch at a trattoria. • Local transport in a private minibus. • Services of a Flavours Holidays host. THE DATES 7-10 October 2018. THE PRICE £999 per person including flights. No single supplement. HOW TO BOOK Call 0131 341 5271 and quote reference TSCALDESITUSCANY.…

How can I include perennial wildflowers in established beds? Many garden plants are bred from native perennial wildflowers and named varieties of these will attract bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects. Try varieties of Digitalis purpurea (foxglove), Geranium pratense (cranesbill) and Achillea millefolium (yarrow), and choose single rather than double flowers to attract pollinators. Avoid using the actual wildflowers, as they will grow too vigorously for most gardens. Can I create a perennial wildflower lawn in my small garden? Leave a patch of lawn to grow a little longer and you will be surprised by how many wildflowers, such as daisies, selfheal, clover, yarrow and buttercups, pop up among the grass. Mow around the edge of the longer grass to create a crisp shape and increase the range of wildflowers…

What inspired the initial design? The clients travel a great deal for their work, particularly to the United States. This heavily influenced many of their design choices, from the outsized, industrial-style appliances to the overall sense of sun-filled spaciousness. They are also avid supporters of modern art, which steered us towards the bright colours and contemporary feel of the scheme. Did you make any alterations to the space? The original kitchen in this Victorian property was a small galley space that led into an equally tiny conservatory. The footprint of the new kitchen encompasses the previous one plus a large extension with Crittall glazing. The planting in the garden was inspired by the wild plantings of New York City’s High Line, an elevated park that runs close to the clients’…

1| Tough stuff Traditionally cut and welded for strength, this stainless steel sink, from £539, Perrin & Rowe, 01708 526361, perrinandrowe.co.uk, is part of a smart new five-piece collection. 2| Slim line The Era sink, £1,076, from KWC, 01793 754130, kwctaps.co.uk, sports an ultra-thin 4mm rim for slick in-top installation, as well as some rather elegant accessories. 3| Warm tone A specialist PVD (physical vapor deposition) copper finish makes this Mode3415/R/Co sink, from £552, Caple, 0117 938 1900, caple.co.uk, the perfect partner to brass taps.…

FURNITURE Simpliciter sofas, from £4,468 for a two-seater including slip covers, B&B Italia, bebitalia.com. Marble coffee table and burr walnut cabinet, Martin Hulbert Design, martinhulbertdesign.com. Antique armchairs, The Decorative Antique and Textiles Fair, decorativefair.com. FABRIC Curtains in Skittery Linen in Northern Semi Grey, £49.43m, Lewis & Wood, lewisandwood.co.uk. WALLS Khaki Mists 4 mixing matt, £27.56 for 2.5L, Dulux Trade, duluxtradepaintexpert.co.uk. ACCESSORIES Murano glass Mizar six-light chandelier, €7,300, Seguso, seguso.com. Barton ceramic vase lamp base (on cabinet), £558; Bedford drum shade in Lily Linen, £98, both Vaughan, vaughandesigns.com. Rectangular linen cushion covers in Plaster, £40; square linen cushion covers in Blue Grey, £50 each, all The Conran Shop, conranshop.co.uk. Antique Maharajan Sarouk rug, Sharafi & Co, sharafiandco.com.…

Can you tell us about the project? The property is a mews house in London, and the bathroom was last renovated in the Nineties. It was totally clad in bland beige tiles, with a bright green vanity top. We altered the layout by swapping the positions of the shower and the toilet, so the toilet is no longer the main focal point when you walk in the room. Positioning a sculptural freestanding bath under the window means it is the bath that now first catches your attention. Why did you choose marble-effect tiles? The clients wanted a chic boutique-hotel style bathroom that would sit well within their period home but also be easy to care for and long-lasting. To achieve the luxurious look of marble without potential maintenance problems, we…

MELLOW MOOD Even at the height of summer, be sure to use warm, ambient light in the evening. Candles on the table are an obvious choice, but this Moorish-inspired courtyard provides additional subtle sources with covered wall lights and a single spot in the walkway. “For a summer table, I love to mix sweet peas and roses in beautiful old glass bud vases. Matilda Goad has some Murano glass options that I’m besotted with.” WILLOW CROSSLEY , floral and interior stylist, willowcrossley.com. IN THE ZONE Instead of hanging artwork on a large expanse of wall, think about installing built-in storage, with shelves for displaying books and glassware, as a focal point. In larger rooms, carve out a cosy area with an upholstered banquette and dining chairs, as Fiona Andrews…

• The key to a successful kitchen, dining and living space is getting the layout right from the start. Rooms that are too big can look disjointed and unwelcoming, while small, crowded rooms can feel overwhelming. • Ideally, you want to create three interlinking zones for cooking, eating and relaxing, which can have either a sofa or window seat. In smaller spaces, it’s a good idea to opt for built-in seating. Think about catering for all ages; where possible, we always include two comfortable, upholstered armchairs at either end of the table to suit older guests. • Unless your appliances are real statement pieces, hide as many of them as possible. This will help the kitchen to function as a living area too. • Dishes piling up on work surfaces…

THE LEMONADE TREE Serves 5-7 Among foragers, the plant that produces crimson-red sumac berries is often known as the lemonade tree. Ground sumac will add a distinctive lemon tang and a beautiful pink colour to your drink. 1.14L still water 200g granulated sugar 20g ground sumac 105ml freshly squeezed lemon juice (from about 3 lemons) Ice cubes, to serve (optional) • To make the sumac syrup, bring 240ml of the water, the sugar and ground sumac to a simmer in a saucepan over a medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves. Leave the syrup to cool to room temperature. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve lined with a coffee filter, reserving the liquid and discarding the solids. • In a pitcher, stir together the syrup, the remaining 900ml water and…

Just steps away from Santa Barbara’s waterfront, you’ll find the Hotel Californian, offering the perfect antidote to busy Los Angeles. Built in 1925 as part of the new wave Spanish Colonial Revival, the hotel has been sensitively reworked by sought-after British designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard. Step inside and a richly decorated Mediterranean oasis awaits. In keeping with its heritage, Bullard has created a characterful signature look with inviting modern Moorish influences. NEED TO KNOW The 121 guest rooms start at $360 a night. Sample the gourmet Goat Tree café, the Blackbird restaurant’s Mediterranean menu and the Moroccan Spa. Relax by the rooftop pool with views of the Santa Ynez mountains. Visit Lotusland Botanical Garden, local wineries and the famous Rincon surf beach. Hotel Californian, 36 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA…