Indholdsfortegnelse for November 2023 i Homes & Gardens

ON looking at her work, it may come as something of a surprise to learn that Australian designer Rachel Donath isn’t yet three years into her design career. Having previously worked in the corporate world, the extended Covid lockdowns gave her the opportunity to reflect. ‘It was a no-brainer for me that I needed to give design a red-hot go – it’s where my heart has always been,’ she says. She describes her aesthetic as ‘somewhere between minimalistic, interesting and classic’, and her collection features furniture, lighting and accessories made from a sophisticated palette of thoughtfully chosen materials. From the crisp-cornered burled oak Bohan lamp (one of the brand’s bestsellers) to the curvy Verde marble Barre coffee table and the woven rush and oak Cono chair with its striking conical…

‘Historically associated with wealth and opulence, gold hasn’t typically been chosen for bedrooms for risk of appearing garish, but its warm tones create a gentle, glowing atmosphere ideal for an intimate and sophisticated space. Design studio Sella Concept drenched this room floor-to-ceiling in FTT-001™ to great effect; it’s a space that feels modern but enticing.’ DOMINIC MYLAND, CEO, Mylands…

ATELIER VIME Housed in an historic mansion in Vallabrègues in France’s Provence, at the centre of the village’s centuries-old wicker working culture, today Atelier Vime creates characterful pendant, wall, and floor lights handmade by wicker and rattan artisans. It also offers a wide collection of vintage lighting made from wicker, rattan or cord. ateliervime.com BOCCI An experimental design studio and maker based in Canada, 2005-founded Bocci has a team of glassblowers, metalworkers, sculptors, designers, architects, chemists and engineers. The firm aims to capture materials mid-transformation – such as in the act of cooling, exploding or changing form – so each light forms almost of its own accord. bocci.com CHARLOTTE PACKE LIGHTING STUDIO Crafting light since 1990, designer and artist Charlotte Packe is inspired by the force…

LOOKING UP Painting the ceiling in a small bedroom can have a dramatic effect. In this guest bedroom, which has no real view and limited natural light, interior designer Nicola Harding wanted to do something impactful to compensate. Although a common fear is that painting the ceiling in a deeply saturated colour will close in the room, it can actually make the space feel larger by blurring the lines and edges. Then it’s a question of adding the decorative details. ‘The blue and green ceramic lamp, set against the crimson wallpaper and paint, adds the perfect contrasting pop of colour that also ties back to the antique bedside table,’ explains Nicola. The wallpaper is a Tile design by Galbraith & Paul. HOTEL CHIC For larger guest rooms, take a cue…

ADD A FIREPLACE Nothing beats a roaring fire for hunkering down on colder days. While you may not want one in a kitchen designed purely for cooking, a fireplace can provide much-needed snugness in an open-plan space. Imagine drinking hot chocolate at the island or hosting a dinner party with the lights low and flickering flames in the background. In this kitchen designed by Garde Hvalsøe, a panoramic woodburning stove allows the warmth and comfort to be enjoyed from both kitchen and living areas. The hearth’s rustic exposed brickwork adds a layer of natural texture, ensuring the hygge aesthetic burns on, even when the fire is out. MIX IT UP Bold colour mixes and material mash-ups can triumph in the bid for cosy. ‘Getting the right balance can be harder…

UNIQUE AESTHETIC One of the best ways to introduce individuality to your bathroom is to use antique and vintage pieces. ‘Bathrooms are important spaces, where we spend a lot of time,’ says interior designer Sarah Vanrenen. ‘We always try to make them look beautiful and comfortable and treat them like any other room, incorporating pictures and paintings, soft furnishings, wallpaper and antiques. Of course, we don’t hang masterpieces in a bathroom, but if the space is properly ventilated, there shouldn’t be any problems.’ It’s also common sense to avoid using antiques in areas of the room where they are likely to be splashed. REPURPOSING FURNITURE Upcycling a vintage chest of drawers, washstand or table can create a distinctive – and sustainable – vanity. The piece needs to be in a…

GREAT TASTE Little Greene plans to keep us all cosy this winter with its latest paint collection. Sweet Treats is an edited capsule of nine warm colours inspired by delicious desserts and confections, including Galette, Ganache and Affogato (used here on the walls). ‘Rich, warm colours based on umber and ochre deliver cocooning and restful spaces, while deeper caramels are perfect for sumptuous schemes,’ explains creative director Ruth Mottershead. Mix in the fact that brown is a superbly practical colour to live with and it sounds like a recipe for success. Absolute matt emulsion, £54.50 for 2.5tr, Little Greene. FABULOUS FIRST With a plethora of sensational homes, hotels, bars and restaurants in its design portfolio, Bryan O’Sullivan Studio is bringing its blend of sophistication and irreverence to its first collection…

WHEN a young Michael Cohen spent the summer working at his family’s passementerie showroom in New York back in the nineties, he wasn’t sure the world of tassels and trims was for him. ‘I just didn’t understand why people were so fanatical about trims. I remember thinking, “I’m not going to work in this business”,’ recalls Michael. Now the president of the company and the third generation of the family to run the business, which designs and sells exquisite trimmings, braids, cords, borders, tassels and more, his passion for the brand couldn’t be more evident. ‘I feel so fortunate to be in this industry and do what we do – making the world more beautiful through our products.’ Established over 75 years ago by Michael’s grandfather (who was his namesake),…

We are delighted to welcome Joy Moyler – the US-based interior designer and creative mastermind behind the Dining Room at this year’s WOW!house event at Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour – as our new H&G columnist. In this series, she will share her insights and experiences. Sometimes it hits you immediately. Sometimes it’s quiet. Sometimes you have to walk around the room, touching things before you know for sure. But you can feel it in the air. It has a personality all its own. I’m talking about luxury. It’s a feeling, an experience – when not just materials but details come together in a way that makes a space different from all others. Luxury takes time, details take time – that’s the real difference. It’s what separates a good room from…

LINDA BORONKAY ON PAINTINGS Framing is one of the most overlooked aspects of displaying paintings: done right it can elevate a basic work of art into something special, but get it wrong and even the most impressive pieces can end up looking flat. ‘Framing is your chance to give a painting its finishing touch,’ says interior designer Linda Boronkay, ‘In a room with many period features, I’d opt for something minimal.’ Consider placing bold canvases in simple, snugly fitting tray frames rather than carved gilt ones – the sleek finish this gives can add drama and modernises more traditional works. Linda also says it is worth bearing in mind at which stage of the design process you start incorporating canvases: ‘Some make the mistake of thinking of paintings as a…

BATHROOMS According to interior decorator Bee Osborn, all guest bedrooms should have a private bathroom. ‘I feel guests can only be truly comfortable if they have their own spaces and aren’t plodding up and down corridors.’ These needn’t be large, she adds. ‘With clever planning, you can create a shower in one wardrobe and a loo in another. I will eke out every square inch of available space to make this happen.’ Don’t forget to provide lovely soaps and shampoos for guests, too. SINGLES OR DOUBLES When it comes to beds, Mary Graham and Nicole Salvesen of Salvesen Graham are unequivocal. ‘We love a twin guest room, especially during Christmas and for family gatherings when you’re trying to fit as many people into the house as possible,’ they say. ‘Not…

MANY OPTIONS From a cupboard to a full walk-in room, larders (or pantries, as they are also known) have become an increasingly popular addition to kitchens of all sizes. ‘They offer really good use of space, as hidden away discreetly behind doors all sorts of nooks and crannies can be used, including high-level shelves all the way to the ceiling,’ explains Magnus Nilsson, lead designer at Blakes London. ‘By creating a dedicated space for food and small appliances, they allow surfaces within open-plan kitchens to remain clutter-free, easier to keep clean and hygienic, and ready for socialising.’ Where possible, Magnus favours glazed pantry doors and screens to allow light to flow through and offer greater depth to the space, often opting for panes of fluted glass to obscure the view,…

IN recent years, iconic British paint manufacturer Farrow & Ball has widened its appeal with the launch of Dead Flat – a paint finish said to be the mattest on the market – as well as various collaborations, including a recent launch with interior designer Kelly Wearstler. This autumn, Farrow & Ball joins forces with renowned American fashion designer Christopher John Rogers, pictured, to develop Carte Blanche, a collection that incorporates both paints and wallpapers – a first for the brand – designed to be combined seamlessly together or as a standalone paper or colour. Christopher brings his unmistakeable joy for colour and pattern to this collection. Born and raised in Louisiana, he was enamoured by art from a young age, finding inspiration in everything from Ellsworth Kelly to the…

COVERING over a fifth of the city’s land, London’s urban forest consists of 8.4 million trees and, according to the Mayor’s London Environment Strategy, it’s set to increase another 10% by 2050. However, while this is positive progress, around 5,000 trees are felled each year across the capital. Cut down due to urban development or falling naturally because of disease and weather-related incidents, the majority are incinerated or used for biomass (which releases carbon back into the atmosphere), with only a minimal percentage being repurposed into design-led projects. With complicated factors such as costs, logistics and the lack of centralised structure preventing an increase in saving such a valuable resource, designers and smaller organisations are working hard to showcase the opportunities it can bring. Fallen & Felled, one of the…

DESIGN AWARDS 2023 THE PROJECT AWARDS UK RESIDENTIAL PROJECT OF THE YEAR GLOBAL RESIDENTIAL PROJECT OF THE YEAR COMMERCIAL PROJECT OF THE YEAR BATHROOM OF THE YEAR SMALL GARDEN OF THE YEAR KITCHEN OF THE YEAR LARGE GARDEN OF THE YEAR FABRICS & WALLPAPERS BEST FABRIC COLLECTION BEST ARCHIVE REIMAGINING FABRIC & WALLPAPER COLLECTION BEST CO-ORDINATED FABRIC & WALLPAPER COLLECTION BEST PRINTED LINEN COLLECTION BEST EMBROIDERY FABRIC BEST SEMI PLAIN/PLAIN FABRIC BEST WOVEN FABRIC BEST PRINTED FABRIC BEST TRIMMING COLLECTION BEST OUTDOOR FABRIC BEST NEWCOMER IN FABRICS BEST WALLPAPER DESIGN BEST INNOVATION IN WALLPAPER BEST PATTERNED WALLPAPER COLLECTION BEST NEWCOMER IN WALLPAPERS PAINT BEST PAINT COLOUR BEST PAINT COLLECTION BEST PAINT FINISH FLOORING BEST FLOOR COVERING (RUGS) BEST FLOOR COVERING (CARPETS) BEST FLOOR COVERING (RUNNERS) BEST HARD FLOORING FURNITURE &…

DELIGHTFUL DECOUPAGE This torn, layered decoupage-style wallcovering is thoroughly modern, yet it has a characterful, handmade feel. It has been curated from a collage of recycled corrugated paper pieces which have then been scanned and digitally printed onto paper. A striking first impression for any space, this contemporary take on a trompe l’oeil is destined to be a conversation starter. Tear wallcovering in Cartridge WK823/01, £220 a roll, Kirkby Design SHEER FINESSE Big window surfaces often require extra thought when making the rest of the room feel cosy. A woven sheer can help to increase the comfort level as it allows you to create diffused light; useful for when it’s bright, this gives the option to seek shade. This woven design – called Bandalo by Zimmer + Rohde –…

TO make an interior exciting, you need to create sensations, and that’s where mixing materials comes in. Every material has a different power and energy intrinsic within it; when you mix say fabric and wood, or metal and glass, that’s when you can create a sort of magic. ■ Start thinking about all the materials you will use in a space, from the hard items like stone or wood to soft furnishings, at the very start of the project; they’re part of the whole concept. The materials you use help you set the tone and mood. ■ The floor is the easiest place to start. I love stone, particularly patterned stone, for an entrance hall, and wood in other rooms. I’m not a fan of carpets, but rugs do help…

I’M currently in Capri, where I have just opened my latest interior project. I’ve been working on a hotel called La Palma. Historically, it’s Capri’s first hotel, built in 1822, so it’s rather a jewel. The lovely thing about La Palma is that it has a very quiet sense of understated luxury. Ultimately, I want guests staying here to feel comfortable and relaxed. While this has always been a consideration with my designs I can reflect and acknowledge that - aesthetically - La Palma might be one of the strongest examples of quiet luxury that I have curated to date. The key to being understated is to avoid it looking over-decorated. It’s a bit like when a lady wears a very simple dress but it looks amazing. It can be…

PRETTY IN PINK As it symbolises romance, hopefulness and positivity – Italian designer Marc Sadler pitches pink as the perfect kitchen colour choice as we enter 2024. To mark the relaunch of Sadler’s hugely successful SEI Kitchen, Euromobil has added pink to the 50+ colour palette in the form of soft pink lacquered doors and this joyful Palladium Arte natural quartzite surface. Originally created in 2018, the SEI Kitchen is famed for its ultra-thin (6mm) countertops, sides and shelves, which provide a very sleek, crisp look. The addition of pink aims to allow warmer, gentler iterations, reflecting demand for soothing, livable contemporary spaces. Euromobil kitchens start from £35,000 at Espresso Design. SITTING COMFORTABLY Get comfy in the kitchen with the latest addition to Oka’s popular Vasa chair range, dedicated to…

1 FRESH DIRECTION Moving the bath away from the walls is a simple but effective way to achieve a relaxed atmosphere. An angled bath installation can also help break away from a boxy layout. In this Umbrian home renovated by Retrouvius, the bateau bath was angled to access the enviable countryside views while luxuriating in the tub. A marble-clad freestanding tap plinth effectively deals with unsightly plumbing and provides somewhere to place toiletries and refreshments. Project by Retrouvius. Try The Water Monopoly for a similarbath, like the Lonsdale, from £7,740. 2 TILE STYLE Take a panelled bath from basic to brilliant with an artful approach to tiling. ‘I like to look at the walls and floors as a blank canvas and create a “frieze” or “carpet” to fill the…

ENCASED by the county’s famously broad, beautiful skies and just a few miles from some of England’s most expansive beaches, my childhood home still feels endlessly captivating. These days, family holidays involve swimming, crabbing, picnicking, exploring and plenty of beachside dining. ■ My family owns a set of barns dating back to the 1850s – a former stable, dairy and lambing shed in the North Norfolk vernacular style. Last year, we refurbished them, creating a rural bolthole surrounded by sweeping fields and wildflower meadows (above right; book a stay at barshambarns.co.uk). In my view, there’s nowhere else that delivers quite as much all year round. ■ Take a picnic down to the ford on the River Stiffkey. Also on the doorstep, Holkham Beach is unbeatable for its expanse – all…

1. About 20 years ago, we bought an old farmhouse outside Toulouse, deep in the countryside with a beautiful pool. I love swimming and find it very meditative. It also allows my imagination to run free. 2. Reading has always been a pleasure. I buy a stack of books from Daunt Books, a mix of favourite authors such as Barbara Pym, Elizabeth Strout, David Sedaris and then some to challenge me. 3. As I get older, I’ve started to look after my skin better. It’s a ritual I really enjoy. The make-up that makes total sense to me is Jones Road – What the Foundation is what I have been looking for all my life. 4. I love oddball movies and gripping television; my husband is really good at winkling…