Indholdsfortegnelse for March 2020 i Homes & Gardens

I feel as if I’ve learnt a lot editing this issue. Not just because it’s my first time stepping into Editorial Director Sarah Spiteri’s shoes while she’s on maternity leave (I am pleased to report she’s doing well), but because of all the new names that pepper the pages. We pride ourselves on championing makers early in their careers and this new designer-themed edition includes a diamond icon, used to highlight the faces and products that are unfamiliar now but are clearly ones to watch. Similarly, I’ve added a lot to my proverbial Rolodex thanks to the Secret Address Book supplement you’ll have found alongside the main edition. A pooled resource of every under-the-radar independent British maker, designer or store that the team – and some friends of H&G –…

Anyone who has seen the film Crazy Rich Asians will know that today’s Singapore is a city of designer shopping malls and cloud-grazing tower blocks. But strewn among the modernity, you can still find echoes of its past. When the Brits colonised the city state in the 19th century, they cleared the jungle to build bungalows and villas for civil servants and soldiers, and many of these properties still survive today. Despite their heritage, these houses (now owned by the government) are not listed. So when Elizabeth Hay signed the lease on her Edwardian harbourside villa, she had free rein to do what she liked to it. She shares the four-bedroom house with her husband and three children, and, as an interior designer, it was inevitable that she would want…

ROUND NUMBERS  Traditional style is reinterpreted with a demilune table in light oak enhanced with vibrant accessories. STAND OUT Dynamic silhouettes in bold colours against a deep, muted backdrop offers a strong, uplifting look for this season. TONAL HARMONY A daybed arranged with curated cushions becomes artwork in its own right and complements the trio of paintings that form a pleasing focal point above. DIRECTIONAL MOOD Elegant statement pieces with a handmade, considered feel are key to a design-led interior. Here, showstopping sculptural lighting is accompanied by an inviting sofa based on the classic campaign design. THE ART OF DISPLAY  Earthy ceramics are in abundance this season, embracing our wish to connect more with nature and the elements. PERFECT PAIRING Textural woven ikat designs are transformed into contemporary framed artwork.…

Set high on a hill above Dartmouth, Devon, with views towards the sea and the rolling wooded hills, is a home that takes inspiration from its location. That sense of being rooted in nature – its colours, textures and the ever-changing play of light – is at the heart of a comprehensive redesign carried out by Jess Gibbons and Kat Turner of Field Day Studio. ‘We wanted to reflect the house’s wonderful views of both the land and the sea,’ says Jess. In part, this is expressed in the colour palette: ‘We blended softer pastels with earthier, more dramatic deep tones to help the scheme feel organic and natural,’ she adds. For this project, the designers used colours by Paint & Paper Library. ‘Their pigments seemed to perfectly capture the…

GO-TO COLOURS Sherwin-Williams’ Urbane Bronze or Benjamin Moore’s White Dove. GREATEST INDULGENCE Calacatta Gold Borghini marble. We used it in several places throughout the home, particularly the kitchen. SMALL CHANGE, BIG IMPACT Adding Hygge & West wallpaper above the wainscot panelling in the dining room. GO-TO BRAND Verellen. ADMIRED DESIGNER Kelly Wearstler. INDULGENCE YOU’D NEVER FORGO Shopping at Barneys in NYC. LAST PURCHASE FOR YOUR HOME The Stave dining table from Blackcreek Mercantile & Trading Co. FAVOURITE INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT Jersey Ice Cream Company @jerseyicecreamco.…

A new school was the prompt for an architectural journey that would eventually reward couple Ebbi and Affi Parsian with the home of their dreams. ‘Our twin daughters had secured places at a school in north London, so we thought it would be prudent to move closer. And Ebbi was eager to return to the road he had grown up in,’ says Affi. When an arts-and-crafts-style home on said road came on the market, the couple moved quickly, not realising that renovating the property, which hadn’t been updated in over 40 years, would prove a mammoth task. They enlisted architects Catherine and Felix Finkernagel of Finkernagel Ross and ambitious plans for an extraordinary new house were drawn up. ‘The house was very traditional and broken up into lots of dark…

A shade that’s always been popular in the world of interiors, soft blue is set to be spring’s colour du jour. Powder Blue, the offering from Crown, has the quality of being both soothing and invigorating and offers plenty of design versatility. Used with crisp white, it creates a calming coastal feel, while as one block of colour it can be an enveloping breath of fresh air. Of course, its natural home is with other pastels, such as barely-there lemon and delicate pink, but for a more contemporary edge earthy shades like rust and terracotta will make this colour sing. Walls and woodwork in Powder Blue matt emulsion, from £14 for 2.5ltr, Crown…

SIZE AND SCALE When selecting a new headboard, it’s essential to know the height of the divan as well as that of the mattress: ideally the headboard should sit snugly on the back of the divan and be cut back for the mattress, believes Emma Deterding of Kelling Designs. ‘We usually go about 160cm from the floor; too high and they can start to look like tombstones especially on single beds.’ In smaller rooms, play with scale, recommends Tiffany Duggan of Trove. ‘Opting for an oversized or playful shape can actually make a small room feel larger.’ SHAPE AND DESIGN The range of off-the-shelf headboards has mushroomed in the past few years, with manufacturers producing ever more interesting shapes and sizes. Look to boutique hotels for inspiration when exploring brave…

DESIGNER Hollie Bowden, director, Hollie Bowden, 020 7059 9879, holliebowden.com. THE PROPERTY A two-bedroom Victorian maisonette in west London. DESIGN BRIEF The newly married owners wanted something more bespoke and better suited to their home’s heritage than the simple but rather soulless bathroom the developer had installed. ‘They travel a lot and wanted to harness the glamorous sophistication they’ve enjoyed at designer hotels,’ says Hollie. DIMENSIONS 3x2m LAYOUT One guest room was sacrificed in this previously three-bedroomed property in order to create a more spacious master suite with walk-through dressing areas. ‘The bathroom has a fairly straightforward layout, with a bath and shower at each end and the vanity unit and WC between,’ says Hollie. ‘The space is quite tight so every element had to be well considered and we…

DESIGNER William Rudgard, senior designer, Martin Moore, 0845 180 0015, martinmoore.com. THE PROPERTY Six-bedroom period-style new build in Surrey. DESIGN BRIEF The grandeur of this house called for a kitchen with generous proportions and gravitas. Designed for a busy family of five who love to entertain, it had to support multiple cooks and multiple uses with maximum ease. DIMENSIONS 9x5m LAYOUT Building from scratch meant all rooms could lead to the kitchen, making it the literal heart of this home. ‘The glass section was purely about the view across the garden to fields and woodland beyond. We planned the layout to ensure the countryside could be enjoyed from anywhere in the kitchen,’ says William. Early ideas for a single vast island were replaced in favour of two more practical units.…

FURNITURE Bespoke kitchen in smoked oak and mirrored glass, starting at £65,000, Gunter & Co. Nina bar stools upholstered in Morris 11 Ocra by Living Divani, £837 each, Chaplins SURFACES M426 Calacatta Lusso quartz, £199.99sq m, Classic Quartz Stone. Stainless steel worktops, from £650sq m, supplied by Gunter & Co APPLIANCES EB 333 90cm built-in oven, £6,781; 400 Series 90cm gas hob, £4,117, both Gaggenau. DA 3698 Slimline Telescopic cooker hood, 90cm, £2,229, Miele ACCESSORIES Colt pendant, £2,220, Bert Frank…

1stdibs 1stdibs.com 8 Holland Street 020 7430 0150 8hollandstreet.com A New Tribe 07815 534545 anewtribe.co.uk A Rum Fellow 020 8245 6779 arumfellow.com Abode 01226 283434 abodedesigns.co.uk Alan Oliver alanoliver.co.uk Aleta 020 7228 9676 aletaonline.com Amadi Carpets 00 1 3106595353 amadicarpets.com Amara 0800 587 7645 amara.com Amy Kent 07979 594651 amykent.co.uk Ananbo ananbo.com Andrew Dominic 00 27 021 447 1574 andrewdominic.co.za Andrew Martin 020 7225 5100 andrewmartin.co.uk Another Country 020 7486 3251 anothercountry.com Anthropologie 0800 0026 8476 anthropologie.com Aram 020 7557 7557 aram.co.uk Arte 0800 500 3335 arte-international.com/en Arteriors arteriorshome.com Artisans & Adventurers 020 7739 9008 artisans-and-adventurers.com Arundel Eccentrics Antiques 07973 968446 arundeleccentrics.com Assouline assouline.com Atelier Cabinet Makers 01963 220147 ateliercabinetmakers.com Atelier Vime ateliervime.com/en B&B Italia 020 7591 8111 london.bebitalia.com B&Q 0333 014 3098 diy.com Balineum 020 7431 9364 balineum.co.uk Barneys 001 888 222 7639 barneys.com Be Still Ceramics bestillceramics.com Beata Heuman 020 8741 0102 beataheuman.com Benchmark 01488 608020 benchmarkfurniture.com Benjamin Moore 01753 575756 benjaminmoorepaint.co.uk Bert Frank 020 8737 0512 bertfrank.co.uk Blackcreek Mercantile…

ITALIAN JOB If you thought the above was a wallpaper you’d be mistaken – they are wall tiles. Florim, a renowned producer of ceramic surfaces, has created large wall tiles using some of the decorative motifs from Rubelli’s most iconic designs. The two well-established Italian brands have collaborated to launch I Filati di Rex, a reinterpretation of master weavers’ skills. I Filati di Rex in Vague Scarlatto (above), 120x280cm, price on request, Rubelli at Florim. HANDSOME HUES As spring nears, so does our desire to redecorate. Inspired by the hard-wearing exterior paints of Scandinavia, paint manufacturer Fenwick & Tilbrook, have launched a range of 120 sophisticated colours for interior and exterior. The range includes Chanterelle (above right) and Temple Linen matt emulsion, £25 for 2.5ltr, Fenwick & Tilbrook. WYE NOT…

BOBBIN BEDS Elizabeth found the vintage bobbin beds at an antiques shop and repainted them to contrast with the wallpaper. They often pop up at antiques dealers (try Decorative Collective). Contemporary furniture maker Alfred Newall of The London Workshop is launching a range of bespoke bobbin bedsteads in early 2020, thelondonworkshop.com. WHERE TO SOURCE ORNATE WOODEN BEDS Beds with ornamental features have a certain presence and accordingly make a great focal point within a room. TILED FLOORS Using a mix of contrasting tiles and finishes, Elizabeth brought new life to her tired bathrooms. For a similar look to the plain, lustrous tiles on the walls, try Froyle Tiles, froyletiles.co.uk. For colourful, encaustic floor tiles in simple block colours, try the Cement Tile Workshop, cementtileworkshop.com, or Popham Design, pophamdesign.com. WHERE TO…

DISCOVER: OUT OF THE BLUE: 50 YEARS OF DESIGNERS GUILD From humble roots as a single concession on Chelsea’s King’s Road, to an international powerhouse of all things colour, pattern and joyful exuberance, Tricia Guild’s interiors empire has been reshaping Britain’s timid approach to colour for five decades. This new exhibition at the Fashion and Textile Museum on Bermondsey Street delves into Tricia Guild’s multifaceted world, uncovering her global inspirations, inimitable techniques and the work that’s gone into anticipating the style choices of decorators and homeowners for the past half century, ftmlondon.org. VISIT: TILLINGHAM WINES AND FARM Seventy acres of meadows, pastures and woodland sets the scene for Tillingham, an East Sussex vineyard and farm with an ancestry reaching back to the 13th century. Despite the site’s considerable heritage, modernity…

RENOWNED for crafting interiors with clean lines within a warm and earthy palette, New York- and Hamptons-based interior designer Robert Stilin approaches his projects with a distinctly curatorial approach, mixing fine antiques with signature artisanal designs from different periods and places. More than a dozen of his finest interiors feature in his latest book Robert Stilin: Interiors . They range from a townhouse in Park Avenue and an apartment in Greenwich Village to a 19th-century farmhouse and a reimagined beach house in the Hamptons. Early on, the volume also explores Robert’s own New York City dwelling, delving into the intriguing and multi-layered decor that he calls a ‘personal amalgamation of the things I’m most passionate about – great art, furniture and books’. Along with 25 years of running his own…

GO-TO COLOUR Slipper Satin by Farrow & Ball. It’s both warm and fresh so it makes a reliable neutral. BIGGEST SUCCESS In this project, reconfiguring the ground floor so that each room has a specific purpose and individual character. ADMIRED DESIGNER Rose Uniacke – such an inspiration for enduring elegance and simplicity. SMALL CHANGE, BIG IMPACT Painting the woodwork the same colour as the walls for a more modern feel.…

The houses in the streets either side of Ladbroke Grove are some of London’s finest and most elegant examples of mid-19th century architecture, and it was for one such house that interior designer Flora Soames was able to flex her creative muscles. Commissioned by an Australian husband and American wife, Flora’s brief was to combine both their tastes and influences, while also curating furniture and artwork. Structural and floor-plan changes had already been made to the property in the preceding months, so when Flora became involved her requirement was purely to decorate the house throughout. ‘It was a wonderful job to do,’ Flora recalls. ‘Those houses have fantastic proportions and this one was unusually broad, so I really enjoyed working on such a grand scale,’ she adds. With a background…

SECRET ADDRESS We sourced a lot of pieces from Monologue and The New Craftsmen. We take a holistic approach, so incorporate vintage and artisan furnishings and antiques. GREATEST INDULGENCE The fully bespoke staircase made by Littlehampton Welding. They have a strong sensitivity to detail. GO-TO COLOURS I would say the deeper colour ranges at Farrow & Ball and Little Greene are favourites. NEXT GAME CHANGER IN DESIGN Wellness-focused interiors involving lighting, materials, air and sound quality. ADMIRED DESIGNER Vincent Van Duysen. His work is the perfect mix of minimalism and warmth.…

THE CONNOR BROTHERS burst onto the art scene in 2013 as Missouri-born twins Franklyn and Brendan Connor. Raised within a secret cult, they ran away at 16 and travelled America on freight trains before settling in Brooklyn. Two years later, the truth came out – the pair, Mike Snelle (left) and James Golding – are childhood friends based in Hackney. Here, they tell us more... What is the story behind your style? It’s a mix of dark humour and philosophical insight. We moved in together in 2012, during which time we talked about our troubled pasts. Mike has suffered from severe depression since childhood while James has battled with anxiety and addiction. We began making collages out of counter-cultural comics from the 1970s and Mills & Boon covers. It was…

KATE SAVILL AND TAMARA BRIDGE Kate Savill (left) and Tamara Bridge met as fellow finalists in the RHS Young Designer of the Year competition in 2015, where they both won Gold, and Tamara was announced as the overall winner. They went on to join forces to work on different projects, combining Kate’s background in fine art and Tamara’s training as an arborist and horticulturist. The pair’s collective style is naturalistic and feminine, and their collaborative projects include The Jo Whiley Scent Garden and The Warner Edwards Garden at RHS Chelsea. They were recently crowned winners in Channel 5’s The Great Gardening Challenge, and you can see them at RHS Chelsea in 2020. PROJECT HIGHLIGHT This border was designed by Tamara for a private client. ‘The brief was to create a…

FITTINGS Bespoke vanity unit and mirror cabinet in marble and glass, around £15,000, Hollie Bowden. Clara rectangular basin, £314.40, Waterworks. Paris bath without feet, £6,942, The Water Monopoly. Three-hole basin mixer, from £1,170; wall-mounted bath/shower mixer, from £1,716; Chessleton shower control with china handles, from £1,896; Grand hand shower and wall bracket, from £426; Grand wall-mounted shower arm, from £540; Grand shower rose, from £450, all in nickel, Drummonds. SURFACES Arabescato bookmatched marble, from £479sq m, Lapicida. ACCESSORIES Bespoke full-height shutters, made to order, The New England Shutter Company…

DESIGNER Scott Nicholson, head designer and managing director, Chamber Furniture, 01959 532553, chamberfurniture.co.uk. THE PROPERTY Six-bedroom, detached Victorian home in Kent. DESIGN BRIEF This kitchen was designed first and foremost for parties. Dining space for 14, plus additional bar stools, was an essential, alongside a cocktail bar that’s as glamorous as any you’ll find on a night out in town. DIMENSIONS 8x7m LAYOUT An ambitious extension with 3m-high ceilings and wall-to-wall Crittall glazing secured this family of five more than enough space to entertain. ‘The biggest challenge in such a large space was to create furniture that was perfectly balanced – choosing something too minimal would make the room look stark and empty, but too extravagant would make it feel crowded and overpowering,’ explains designer Scott Nicholson. STYLING Marrying materials…

CABINETRY The New Classic range painted in Martin Moore’s Soft Grey (main units), and Slate (island). Kitchens start at £35,000, Martin Moore. Construction by Clark King, interior design by Marisa Hessian of Mosaic Home SURFACES Island worktops in Bianca Eclipsia Quartzite, £800sq m; Cooker run and breakfast cabinet worktops in Steel Grey Granite, £400sq m, prices include installation, Martin Moore. Toughened Really Rough Antiqued Hand Silvered glass splashback, £936sq m, Opticolour. Montpierre Tumbled Limestone flooring, £106sq m, The Stone Gallery. Walls painted in Urbane Grey (225) and Inox (224) intelligent emulsion, £45 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene APPLIANCES ICBDF48CG dual fuel range cooker, £21,000, Wolf. Bespoke Westin UKS00066295 extractor with external motor, price on request, Martin Moore. 2xBI630DNS1B warming drawers, £549 each; SN658D02MG fully integrated dishwasher, £759; CI24RP01 A Cool 610mm…

Highlight your prep area with a hard-working wall lamp…

1 . It’s hard to choose but I would say Andy Warhol is my all-time design hero for breaking boundaries. 2 . One small luxury I can’t live without is flowers; their colours, smells and shapes bring my home to life. 3 . A fabric I’m mad about is Le Manach Palmyre from Pierre Frey. It’s a floral in harmonious colours. So comforting. 4 . My favourite garden in the world is the one at Babylonstoren in South Africa. You are encouraged to walk barefoot across the thyme lawn and enjoy its fragrance. 5 . Everyone should watch out for the Brixtonbased artist Katy Stubbs. Her food ceramics are brilliant, smart but also very amusing. 6 . The last book I read – and loved – was The Big Book…

ANTIQUE FURNITURE & ACCESSORIES ANTON & K Customers around the world can vouch for Karen and Anthony Cull’s talent for tracking down antiques that have a loved and lived-in patina. They focus on 18th-to 20th-century European pieces, with Swedish finds a speciality. The business centres on online sales but you can visit the warehouse, outside Winchcombe, by appointment; check details online. antonandk.co.uk AVW ANTIQUES Hertfordshire is where you are most likely to find Alexander von Westenholz but he also has a presence in London at 299 Lillie Road. Taxidermy is his thing – ‘good quality, clean and simple, Victorian or Edwardian’ – but furniture, books and prints are also favourite finds. Little Bakesware, Widford, Ware, Hertfordshire SG12 8RP avwantiques.co.uk BROWNRIGG This formerly Sussex-based business has settled in well to its…

Product designer Sam Lander has come a long way since college and his innovative designs are now being snapped up by forward-thinking customers and retailers Q How did you start? I began using concrete while at Manchester School of Art, where I studied three-dimensional design. The idea of a material that doesn’t involve a secondary process like heat, but relies on a chemical reaction was appealing, as was the fact you can pour it straight into a mould. It’s also more structurally robust than other materials, such as plaster. It makes you think of something solid and hardwearing, but also dull and grey. I wanted to change that perception and produce colourful, lively pieces. Q You use a surprising technique to create your basins – can you tell us about…

SECRET ADDRESS Topsham Quay Antiques Market in Devon: three levels of antique bargain hunting galore. SMALL CHANGE, BIG IMPACT Transforming our garage into my home office. When you’re juggling business and three children, not having to commute to work really helps on a busy day. MUSEUM TO VISIT The Tokyo National Museum is filled with so many wonderful treasures, from ceramics and paintings to kimonos and antique textiles. I especially loved the miniature paintings in little clam shells. STYLE INSPIRATION I’m always looking for interesting textiles and design on our travels around Asia. In Bhutan, everything was exquisitely hand-painted and the textiles were to die for – so intricate and woven out of wild silk. AN INDULGENCE YOU WOULD NEVER FORGO Essential oils. I love making up my own scents…

DATE SLICES MAKES 12 BARS (OR 24 MINI BARS) 340g pitted dates 50g caster sugar 100g plain flour 160g wholemeal flour 160g jumbo oats 50g desiccated coconut 1tsp salt 190g sunflower margarine or unsalted butter, cold, plus extra for greasing ■ Preheat the oven to 180C/Gas 4. Grease and line the base and sides of a 30x20cm traybake tin. Put the dates and caster sugar in a pan and just cover with water. Cook until soft (about 10 minutes), stirring occasionally. Be careful not to let them catch on the bottom of the pan. Put to one side. ■ Mix all the dry ingredients in a bowl. ■ Add the sunflower margarine or butter and rub in with your fingertips to form a crumble. Put half the crumble mixture into…

Interior designer Cortney Bishop is the first to admit that a monochrome palette is usually associated with very crisp, contemporary and sometimes slightly cool spaces. But in this oceanside home on Kiawah Island, South Carolina, Cortney has brought out the softer side of black and white, deftly mixing in natural weaves, warm wood and personal mementos to create a relaxed yet tailored home. Cortney, founder of Cortney Bishop Design, created the interiors for a couple and their four children who live in New York and use this retreat as a weekend escape. The overall design dovetails Cortney’s unique finds (by creatives from cabinetmakers to weavers) with mid-century furniture the pair already owned. ‘We share an appreciation of the artisan, crafted aesthetic and love of quality,’ says Cortney. From the timber…

MOST SUCCESSFUL PART OF THE PROJECT Identifying my clients’ unique, fresh aesthetic and feeling that I was able to deliver an interior in line with this. SECRET ADDRESS I’m a huge fan of Soane Britain. They have an extraordinary scope for custom-made furnishings at a very high quality. GREATEST INDULGENCE The two bathrooms with de Gournay wallpaper. We also worked with a specialist decorator on gold and silver leaf detailing in other parts of the house. GO-TO COLOUR I think Paint & Paper Library’s Slate series is very successful with London light. SMALL CHANGE, BIG IMPACT The simple yet strong accent of the block red runner ascending the stairs. FAVOURITE BUILDING I love the scale and architecture of The Wolseley in Piccadilly. It was firstly a car showroom, then a…

“MY FAVOURITE THING IS THE DISPLAY OF TULIPS IN POTS, PARTERRES AND MEADOWS, PARTICULARLY THE DARK ‘BLACK JACK’, ‘BURGUNDY’, ‘QUEEN OF NIGHT’ AND ‘MASCARA’, ALL OF WHICH ARE EVEN MORE BRILLIANT WHEN BACKLIT” For Angel Collins, moving from the only home she had ever known was tempered by the prospect of creating a romantic new garden to envelop the old stone vicarage she and her wine-merchant husband, Ben, found in a rural Warwickshire village. Angel’s ability to marry house and site, especially in large country gardens, shines through her own garden’s design. ‘The elevated site has the potential for incredible countryside views and, in the evening, as the sun dips, it is dramatically backlit,’ says Angel. The overarching premise of her design was to exploit these natural qualities. The perimeter…

CREATE A COCOONING EFFECT A subtle nod to the cosseting feel of a traditional half tester is a headboard that is winged at both sides. Take this a step further and, when commissioning a bespoke design, think about extending it beyond the width of the bed to create a niche that is generous enough for a bedside table. In a large bedroom, this is a discreet way to up the comfort factor without disturbing the clean lines of a pared-back scheme. Upholster the headboard in a fabric that matches the wall colour for a seamless finish. With neutral schemes, use texture and material to generate warmth and interest: here, a stitched bedspread in navy contrasts with an ebonised wood nightstand to help balance the effect. USE A ROOM’S EXISTING FEATURES…

INTO THE BLUE Classic kitchen specialist Tom Howley has introduced a warm shade of indigo, Periwinkle, to its paint collection, shown here on Hartford furniture. There are now 17 showrooms across the UK, with the latest, in Winchester, opening later this spring. Kitchen prices from £20,000. SHINING LIGHT The Double Tiber pendant on a rod is designed for use over an island or table, and its drop, width and number of swirled mirrored-glass shades can be customised to suit your requirements. From £1,296, Hector Finch. GOOD EFFECT Made from recycled glass and inkjet printed to create a realistic marble effect, complete with subtle colour variation and veining, Malmo mosaics would make an eye-catching splashback. Shown here in Willow Leaf, Scallop, Hexagon and Picket shapes, prices from £99.26sq m, Fired Earth.…

FURNITURE Walnut, liquid metal and lacquered cabinetry, kitchens start at £40,000; Marble and walnut dining table, £4,500, all Chamber Furniture SURFACES Iconic White quartz, from £400sq m, Silestone by Cosentino. Crema Marfil marble (on table), from £400sq m, Chamber Furniture APPLIANCES 400 Series single oven, £4,595; 400 Series steam oven, £4,530; 400 Series induction hob, £4,240; Vario 400 Series fridge freezer, £9,003, all Gaggenau ACCESSORIES Cherner bar stools, £816 each, The Conran Shop. DCW éditions Here Comes the Sun 250 pendants, £238.71 each, David Village Lighting…

Q What counts as neutral these days? Someone told me recently black was now a neutral – heaven forbid. I just want a calming palette for my bedroom. Any ideas? Pat, Somerset LONG gone are the days when neutral – the magnolias and the beiges – was seen as the boring choice; now almost any tone can be classed as one. Yes, black can be a neutral, sort of, if you are bold enough to use it as a backdrop for vibrant shades. What it seems you’re after, though, is a shade that soothes your soul. Try a cool grey-based neutral for a contemporary Scandi feel, or softer green-, yellow- and red-based neutrals for a heritage aesthetic. This bedroom is painted in Farrow and Ball’s French Gray – see how…