Indholdsfortegnelse for November 2025 i Homes & Gardens

This month sees the return of our annual Design Awards – a celebration of the projects and products that define excellence in interiors today and the creativity shaping how we live tomorrow. It is also the moment when we bring our winners together for a celebration – a chance to mark their success, connect with peers and share in the spirit of innovation. What makes the occasion so special is witnessing established designers and renowned brands in conversation with emerging talents; that exchange of ideas and energy is a powerful reminder of the inspiration that comes from gathering in person and experiencing the design community at its most vibrant. It also gives the Homes & Gardens team the opportunity to discover the next generation of names to know. Among them,…

JUDGING PANEL…

Inspired by a fine original Edo painting, this stunning wallcovering captures the ephemeral beauty of Japan’s iconic cherry blossoms…

BLUE WITH RASPBERRY PINK Bold colour pairings provide an invigorating escape from the outside world. Coming from opposing ends of the spectrum, blue and red (or pink) are ideal for creating a high-contrast scheme where the warmth of one juxtaposes the coolness of the other. Here, Tiffany Duggan, founder of Studio Duggan, teamed a deep blue-grey tone on the walls of the sitting room with a vivid raspberry pink rug from Jacaranda Carpets. The glossy cream bookcases bring a grounding neutral to the space. ‘You can’t go wrong with pale blue and deep pink,’ says Tiffany. ‘Dark brown, or a moody baby pink, also works.’ DUSKY PINK AND MALACHITE GREEN Rooms lacking natural light look best in deep, rich shades if they are used only in the evenings but a…

this house may be deep in the heart of Texas, but it was inspired by the English countryside,’ says designer Meg Lonergan. ‘I love the welcoming, cottagey feel of English country homes and wanted to bring that warm, intimate atmosphere to these Texas-sized spaces.’ Her client, Brook Novelli, was of the same opinion. Hugely knowledgeable about interiors, she took the designer selection process particularly seriously, interviewing many candidates across the state, before being seduced by Meg’s layered, soulful approach. ‘Our client’s mother had been an interior designer herself; she was raised around antiques and pattern, and exposed to beautiful textiles and art, so we had plenty to live up to with this project,’ Meg explains. Extending across 8,000 square feet, on a large plot close to Houston, there was a…

1. SHINING EXAMPLE Table lamps are an unexpected but increasingly popular addition to kitchen lighting schemes, offering both softness and style. ‘Lighting is all about layers,’ says Courtnay Tartt Elias, creative director at Creative Tonic Design. ‘And I think it is important not to forget table lamps!’ In this kitchen, a custom-made Murano glass lamp adds a warm morning glow and a touch of decorative flair. ‘They’re a wonderful way to add colour, pattern, height and interest to a countertop,’ says Courtnay. And as for the cord? ‘You can cut it to length or tuck the excess neatly under the base.’ Rechargeable options are also increasingly available. Custom-made lamp in Murano glass, from Sourced by Janet Wiebe 2. REACH OUT Articulated wall lights are a smart solution in kitchens, especially…

SERENE ELEGANCE Based in Los Angeles, British-born Jake Arnold creates serene, understated interiors which quietly sing with sophisticated colour palettes and textural contrasts. ‘A dream bathroom is a sanctuary, a place where function meets stillness and ritual,’ he says. ‘I approach the design in the same way as I would any other room in the home, by layering materials, using unique sources of light and creating dynamic moments through interesting layouts.’ He favours a free-standing bath as a sculptural centrepiece, veined marble, travertine or onyx surfaces to enhance luxury, and flooring in reclaimed stone or handmade tiles to add texture underfoot. ‘Light changes the way we feel, so I want it adjustable, depending on the time of day or ritual,’ he says of his preferred combination of hidden LEDs, soft…

1. Bonnington Square in London was badly bombed in the war and left derelict. The squatters who reinhabited it evolved into the most amazing housing cooperative with enchanting communal gardens. My dad’s deli, Italo, sits at the heart of this. It’s a very special place, which to me exemplifies all the things I think are most wonderful about London. 2. When I was a kid, my parents would take me and my brother up to spend the whole of the summer holidays on South Uist in the Outer Hebrides. I now take my kids. It’s so beautiful and wild. 3. Tim d’Offay’s beautiful shop, Postcard Teas, in Mayfair is an incredible place to spend time, drink delicious teas and bask in the amazing aura of his knowledge, enthusiasm and reverence…

A CURATION OF THE BEST DESIGN AND HOME IDEAS Meet the maker London-based decorative artist Meg Boscawen is known for her captivating hand-painted murals and furniture, bringing a multidisciplinary approach shaped by her background in textiles. Can you tell us about your background? I studied textiles at Leeds University, gaining insight into pattern, form and placement before discovering decorative art. After training with Lizzi Porter and Alistair Erskine, I fell in love with transforming spaces and the joy of client reactions. Where do you turn for creative inspiration – nature, history, architecture or personal stories? I find inspiration in everyday details — shadows, leaf formations and natural patterns. Nature is my strongest influence, especially seasonal changes. Researching plants for murals lets me explore them in depth and I love how…

A ARTEMEST Bringing together a vast selection of Italian artisanal experts across its digital platform, Artemest is the place to source objets d’art. Mirror studios to look out for are Specchi Veneziani, Ongaro & Fuga and Fratelli Tosi. Specchi Veneziani is led by master glassmaker Paolo Zornetta, while the Murano glass furnace Ongaro & Fuga was founded in 1954 by Franco Fuga and his wife Tullia Ongaro. This globally renowned company is preserving heritage, but with a contemporary eye. Fratelli Tosi dates from the early 1900s and is famous for its Venetian mirrors (below) and Murano glass furniture. artemest.com C COX LONDON Thanks to its team of highly skilled specialists, Cox London handcrafts furniture, lighting and interior art from its north London workshops. Made in a variety of materials, from…

Slow and soulful’ is how interior designer Eris Koutsoudakis of Meraki Design describes the sentiment behind the renovation of this west London Victorian townhouse and that’s just what its busy owners craved. Parenting three teenagers, travelling frequently, plus, for one, a career as a professional flamenco dancer, meant that creating a home that enabled respite was key. ‘We wanted a space that was relatively minimalist but also warm,’ says one of the owners. ‘For us that meant a fusion of Japanese and Mediterranean influences.’ As it turned out, few duos could be better placed than Eris and her co-founder Maria Kachramanoglou to deliver that vision. The pair, both born in South Africa to Greek families, have a style that is known for its gentle tactility, belying a forensic approach to…

“Sheffield Park and Garden is 120 acres of visionary landscape design in East Sussex. Formed under the influence of Capability Brown and Humphry Repton, it features four tranquil lakes and a significant collection of trees and rhododendrons. In the early 20th century, Arthur Gilstrap Soames, the garden’s last curator, pushed boundaries with experimental planting of species from around the world. It is Grade I-listed, the highest designation for parks and gardens in England. I have worked here for just over four years. I started my horticultural career as a volunteer before taking on an apprenticeship at Wakehurst. I grew up in Suffolk – my love for the outdoors and wildlife started in our back garden, where I’d lose time watching tadpoles transforming into frogs or crafting wands from twigs. The…

THE POWER OF PERSONALITY Known for her exciting use of colour and spirited approach, interior designer Lonika Chande says she prefers a kitchen to feel as if it has evolved over time, with a lived-in ambience. ‘Pieces with personality and a story are at the top of my list, such as the beautiful, glossy hand-painted tiles from Balineum – they help to create a kitchen that is filled with colour, warmth and materials that age well,’ she says. While Lonika also emphasises the need for practicality, with robust appliances that meet the demands of a busy household, she enjoys adding joyful hues to enhance the kitchen’s welcoming feel. ‘I also love the relaxed, sociable feel of a round table and, if there is enough space, I would include an armchair…

AS SOON as I was introduced to this unspoilt stretch of coast in North Wales more than a decade ago by my wife, Amy, I knew it would draw me back year after year. With beautiful scenery, dog walks on the beaches and hills, plus ease of switching off amid nature, this area is now a regular fixture for family getaways. ■ We always head to Abersoch (above right) and rent a different home-from-home there each time, usually through Abersoch Retreats. During autumn and winter, the beach is blissfully empty and perfect for long walks and collecting shells. Dolphin sightings are common too. ■ The best coffee, cake and ice cream pit stop is Two Islands, right in the centre of the village. Blades is another good deli and coffee…

Jessica Summer Montecito, California might seem a little off the beaten the track for a UK-based interior designer, but a homeowner over there sought out Jessica Summer, founder of her eponymous studio, because she ‘loved English antiques and the pared-back British look’, Jessica says. In fact, that sums up Jessica’s approach – after working for six years at Rose Uniacke’s studio she has a fine understanding of historical furniture and how to balance colour and pattern with texture. The rest of Jessica’s projects are in the UK, often period homes, which she takes as the starting point for her upscale contemporary schemes. ‘We do a lot of research on the panelling that would work for a house of that era, or the joinery that would have been used, and find…

COLOUR OF THE MONTH OLIVE GREEN…

YOUR home should be filled with joy. You probably don’t want the whole house to look over the top, but there are lots of ways to add little elements into an interior that provide moments of fun. ■ Think about how you want to live in the space, how you entertain, how you interact with friends plus hobbies that you have as that can bring about interesting ways to add playful features. For example, we had a client who wanted her kitchen to feel like a bar for when her friends came over in the evenings. It’s your space. ■ The easiest way to incorporate fun is with paint as cheerful colours can uplift the soul. I love colour, but always try to use it in a sophisticated way. There…

Ensconced in a blissful setting near the end of the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, one of Australia’s most iconic locations, this idyllic early 20th-century weatherboard homestead boasts an unexpectedly English interior. ‘I’m greatly influenced by English design,’ says Melbourne-based interior designer Lucinda Kimpton of Kimpton Interiors, who crafted the elegant schemes and whose signature style is classic contemporary. ‘Many Australian designers lean more to a minimalistic look, but there’s a small group of us who design in a more classic style.’ The clients are Anglophiles and, having visited some English country houses on a recent trip to the UK, were very inspired by English decor, so, naturally, they approached Lucinda. Initially, the design process focused on working within the existing footprint. However, it soon became clear that the house…

HELPING HAND For an eco-friendly way of getting rid of food scraps, consider adding a worm composter to your garden, such as this 14-litre terracotta one from Chimney Sheep, £60. Bury it in the earth with the lid above ground level and in a few months the worms will have worked their magic and you’ll have potting compost. Form meets function French designer Godefroy de Virieu devised this unusual, multipurpose hand tool with a small city garden, with no room for a shed, in mind – thinking that tools which are likely to be left out on view should be beautiful. The Lucane tool comes with a lifetime guarantee and a wooden base it can be displayed on. It is available from French urban garden supply specialist Bacsac, €79. The…

GREEN WITH ENVY Prized for its superior durability, quartzite is a beautiful natural stone and Cosentino’s latest launch is extra alluring. New to its Sensa by Cosentino range, Itara is a striking emerald green quartzite, veined with soft waves of white and copper that lend incredible depth and movement. Intensely polished using the brand’s exclusive Mirage finish, the surface shimmers with vibrant colour and a mirror-like brilliance. As practical as it is luxurious, Itara is treated with Senguard NK anti-stain technology and backed by a certified 15-year warranty. Itara quartzite, from £200sq m, Sensa by Cosentino. SHIFTING SHAPES Antonio Lupi has done it again – this time with Oasi, a striking bath designed by celebrated industrial designer Mario Ferrarini. Combining sculptural clarity with comfort, it’s crafted from Cristalplant, a durable,…

TREASURE HUNT Sourcing art from auctions, antiques centres and flea markets brings a sense of history and the thrill of unearthing forgotten treasures. ‘Our creative workshop has a selection of artwork from both emerging and established Australian artists as well as vintage pieces,’ says Tess Glasson, marketing director, Alexander &Co. ‘It’s this mix of contemporary work and traditional styles that creates a truly eclectic and curated space. A bathroom is not a typical place for artwork, but it adds interest and a moment of reflection.’ Vintage oil painting, Montmartre Store. Custom-made concrete vanity unit, Concrete Bespoke BEAUTIFUL VIEW When a bathroom lacks a beautiful view, art can step in to create atmosphere. ‘The client was keen for all the bathrooms to feel like furnished rooms,’ says designer Christian Bense. ‘This…

MUSHROOM AND LEEK SOUP WITH PINE NUT BUTTER SERVES 4 1 onion, finely diced1 leek, trimmed and thinly sliced60g butter3 garlic cloves, finely chopped3 thyme sprigs, picked leaves800g mushrooms, any type, thinly sliced2 bay leaves, scrunched a little2 tbsp plain flour800ml vegetable or chicken stock3 tbsp pine nuts250ml double creamSalt and freshly ground black pepper½ small bunch of parsley, finely chopped, to serve ■ Cook the onion and leek in half the butter in a large saucepan over a moderate heat for 10 minutes until softened, then add the garlic and thyme and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add the mushrooms and bay leaves and cook for 8-10 minutes or until the liquid cooks away and they begin to sizzle in the butter. ■ Sprinkle the flour over the…