Indholdsfortegnelse for July 2025 i Living Etc

By the time you read this, I’ll have just got back from a trip to the American desert, which will include a couple of days in Palm Springs visiting the interior designers Azar Fattahi and Lia McNairy of LALA Reimagined. I won’t get to see the Malibu house they designed that appears on this month’s cover, and from page 38, but I’ll be staying at another one of their projects and they’ve promised an itinerary full of brilliantly ridiculous, relaxedly fabulous and welcomingly glamorous martini moments. I’ve interviewed Azar and Lia a few times over the years and featured their work in Livingetc a lot. What has drawn me to these two creatives is that their designs always look martini-ready, like you could have a really good cocktail in them…

Sometimes you come across a collaboration that feels so natural, so clever, that you can’t believe it hasn’t been done before. So it goes for Ca’ Pietra and fabric designer Zoe Glencross’ new tile range, the Aventuras collection, inspired by Zoe’s travels to Seville, Lisbon, Porto and Palma. Each design draws from Zoe’s signature prints for her fabric collection, translating them to porcelain tiles – and giving the designs a whole new lease of life in the process. We encourage you to experiment with using them everywhere: as borders around a door, as a wallcovering in a living room, even as a headboard in the bedroom. Towing the line between functional and decorative, they’re a beautifully fresh new way to approach interior decor. From £79.46sq m for the plain Field…

Upgrade to a design icon Scandinavian design giant String’s Pira G2 shelving system is an iconic piece of furniture and a testament to how chic modular design is – and the brand just keeps improving it. At Stockholm in February, the newest addition was the walnut and oak magazine shelf, which slots right into the frame ready to display your favourite books and back issues – perfect for eye-catching covers and precious keepsakes too. Pira G2 magazine shelf, from £205, String Fine dining Silver-finished brass is a softer take on the chrome and steel we’ve seen sweep the industry off its feet recently – and of course, it’s being applied by the always forward-thinking designer Natalia Criado on her new ten-piece collection, Escritorio. Also featuring natural stone and latex, the…

ART FORM Look around and you’ll start to notice it everywhere: furniture, more and more, is becoming like art. Designers are embracing the sculptural pieces that are more covetable than ever, and even high-street and mass-market retailers are in on the trend. This Melbourne abode, toured in more detail on page 58, takes it to another level: the entire building is inspired by art galleries, featuring expansive architecture – and, of course, a furniture curation that awes you. DS-266 chair, de Sede. Altar side table, Tacchini. Artwork (on wall), Greg Wood at Otomys. Wood St. floor lamp, BMDO at Oigall Projects…

if ever a front door was a statement of intent, this is it. Gary Li had the opportunity to oversee the design and build of his own home, so it was about more than a fresh lick of paint and a new door knocker. Here the entrance stands more than seven metres tall, with the door itself rotating on a simple central pivot, all flanked by two vertical concrete fins set into glass. To say it’s impressive is an understatement. ‘Throughout this project, we were inspired by the architecture and atmosphere of the best art galleries. I wanted it to be an experience, something bold and expansive,’ explains Gary. Inside, the house lives up to this promise, as you enter into a double-height space with light cascading in from circular…

Colour in interiors is rarely so neatly presented, yet here we are being handed precise, geometric cut-outs of it on a platter. A piece of cobalt anyone? A slice of burgundy? Paired with such a bright, almost forceful white, the hues seem similarly stark, the highly defined edges in the curves of the electric orange chair, the lines of the yellow stool (see it?) and the segmented colourful sections of the rug, as well as the painted surfaces making them seem like elements of the room that could be taken away, swapped in or out like pieces of a puzzle, at a moment’s notice. The whiteness and the pigmented portions seem like separate entities, as they almost don’t interact. They are like yin and yang, working together as a whole,…

PAPER ROUTE You don’t often see kitchen companies branching out into other areas of design – but then, deVOL isn’t your ordinary kitchen company. The brand has been crafting lighting, furniture and accessories alongside its beloved Shaker-style kitchens for a long time now, but 2025 marks a first: its debut wallpaper launch. It’s perfectly pitched for this room, its subtle pattern – inspired by a historical American wallpaper discovered in a New England house – adding detail and charm without overwhelming an already very busy part of the home. There is something classic about it – it draws similarities to Delft tiles – but we can see it being used with all but the most ultra-contemporary kitchens as a way to add softness, a little sigh of gentle relief, to…

Detailed finishes can add sophistication and character to your kitchen, making it feel more thoughtful in its design. And that goes for worktop edges, too. ‘Counter edges are an often-overlooked detail, but they have the power to transform a space,’ explains Houston-based interior designer Marie Flanigan. ‘These details add depth and intentionality, turning countertops into statement pieces.’ For interior designer Shona McElroy, of Australian design firm Smac Studio, a decorative worktop edge acts as a way to bring ‘softness and an ode to tradition’ into her designs. ‘In designs that verge on traditional, I think these are a really great way to elevate,’ she says. It can be hard to find details that feel modern while still adding a sense of softness and tactility to your space – but these…

PLAYFUL PIECES I first saw a piece of Katie Moore’s work in McCully & Crane, the Rye-based gallery that I’ve always admired for its brilliant curation. It was one of her conical vessels, and I was really drawn to its outline, how playful its form was. I felt like she was being really experimental and free with its shape, and the effect was gorgeous. I didn’t buy it, though I was tempted, but I made a note to use something by her in the right space at the right time. It didn’t take long. One of her vases was perfect for a project we did in the Barbican. Our brief was to soften the building’s famous hard edges and brutalist lines, and the study of this apartment was particularly dark…

BIG DATE This year marks the 25th anniversary of Armani/Casa and, to celebrate, the brand had a plethora of new launches to admire at Milan. We had a sneak preview of one of them – the Vivace armchair – before things kicked off, and could tell it was something special from the first-look images alone. Crafted from curved wood with upholstery in a silk fabric with an embroidered geometric motif, the chair is oh-so elegant. Its sand and silver tones are offset perfectly by a bamboo-effect frame in a light satin brass finish. If this is what 25 years of Armani/Casa has culminated in, we’re incredibly excited for the next 25. Vivace armchair, price on request, Armani/Casa…

Glimpsing the two wings of the Butterfly chair poking out over the top of a solid wood dining table is such an iconic view,’ says Henry Tadros, chairman of the heritage British brand Ercol. ‘It’s inviting.’ Inviting and instantly recognisable as the chair originally designed by Henry’s great-grandfather Lucian Ercolani in the early 1950s. He was making furniture in answer to the post-war timber rationing mood of utility, inspired by other mid-century greats like his friend Jack Pritchard of Isokon (whose use of bent plywood informed the Butterfly), and creating in a time just before Fritz Hansen brought Scandi style into the greater consciousness. ‘He was very forward-thinking, bringing in colours like a black under framed version of the Butterfly, which was very revolutionary,’ Henry says. It may seem like…

In the contemporary design world, hand-painted murals are big news, as big as the walls they’re being used to cover. Taking the place of panoramic wallpapers, snaking up staircases or streaking across ceilings, they’re being invoked to evoke a sense of pure wonderment. ‘A mural is an amazing way to transform an interior,’ says the designer Rachel Chudley, who regularly commissions whole rooms covered in clouds or woodland scenes or just about anything else for her clients. ‘A painterly mural wallcovering enhances the contrast from arriving inside from the street and says instantly that you have arrived in a special place.’ YOU And that is why they feel so right for now. In a time where every design trend is really focused on ways to make homes more convivial, so…

according to French designer Margaux Keller, there’s nothing more pleasurable than a languid afternoon in rural Provence as an antidote to her busy schedule in hectic Marseille. Relaxation includes shopping at the market, hanging by the pool and prepping relaxed suppers of soupe au pistou for the family, including husband Alban and kids Bettina and Viggo. Fittingly, this holiday escape in Luberon in southern France is as simple as their daily routine. The 18th-century farmhouse has been treated to the gentlest of renovations. Stone walls have resisted the application of plaster, the staircase is little more than flagstones angled one on top of another, original arches lend a monastic air and beams are left untouched. But this isn’t a textbook Provençal escape: not for Margaux the ubiquitous bales of dried…

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Q What’s the perfect pink paint and how do I use it? The perfect pink has a yellow base that gives it warmth. Farrow & Ball’s Setting Plaster is so popular, as it goes quite fleshy. We’re moving towards a more subtle way of using it, just on ceilings, with a more muted yellow-beige on the walls. It’s very glowy, and the pink ceiling makes the whole room feel warm. A way to make a statement without the pink dominating the room. We also really love Mylands’ BYR 201 pink, which is a bright and intense but without being too bubblegum or sweet. We covered a whole reception room in it, but that only really worked because the space was so large. For a more regular-sized room we’d probably have…

COSY UNDERFOOT Holmes Bespoke has achieved new levels of rug artistry with the Hidden Gems collection, where each new rug (there are nine designs in total) is crafted from sumptuous silk and New Zealand wool and inspired by the beguiling qualities of nature’s most exquisite gemstones. The nuanced Fire Opal seen here might just be our favourite. Fire Opal rug in 2x3m size, £8,400, available by bespoke order at Holmes Bespoke Reflect on this Adding a certain cachet to a living room scene, the new Savoy mirror by Julian Chichester cuts a clean and unmistakable art deco design line. The frame is crafted in aged brass and complemented with high-gloss parchment panels adorned with geometric patterns and intricate detailing paying homage to the movement’s unique elegance and characterful cues. Savoy…

THE FIZZ FACTOR As a route to cutting down consumption of single-use plastic bottles, Smeg’s new Soda Maker has to be good news. Use it to create up to 60 litres of sparkling water from a single screw-on canister without batteries or electricity. Available in four colours – Storm Blue, Emerald Green (shown), Black and White – it’s pretty good looking, too. Soda maker, £149.95, Smeg ALL THE TRIMMINGS Ca’ Pietra’s new Ornamento trim range is the perfect excuse to spur some DIY action. These decorative trims, made from wood and resin composite, come in six styles – Bamboo, Bobbin, Rope, Coil, Luxe and this gorgeous Scallop. Supplied uncoloured, they can be painted to complement existing schemes or create bold contrasts. Use them to add a flourish to tiling, shelving,…

NEPTUNE Where it was once difficult to find any kind of free-standing kitchen furniture that didn’t look, well, a little out of place, now the options are much better. Leading the charge with a new collection is Neptune with five designs – including two dressers and a range of islands and chopping blocks. Each piece is created to fit seamlessly into an existing kitchen or as a starting point for a new one.…

NEW OUTLOOK Things have changed – plasterwork is not just small, old-school, dust-covered detailing that disappears into the room any more. Today’s cornicing (the decorative mouldings that run along the seam between walls and ceilings) and plasterwork (a broader term that includes features such as ceiling roses, wall panelling and ornamental reliefs) come in all shapes and sizes, from the classical to the creative. ‘Cornices and other plaster details have evolved far beyond their traditional, elaborate styles – there are now plenty of modern options for those who prefer a more streamlined aesthetic,’ says Greg Natale, director of his eponymous Sydneybased architecture and interior design firm. ‘You can achieve a decorative effect without leaning too heavily into traditional styles, which can feel too ornate for contemporary homes. Clean designs add…

FIRE WORKS You know you’re in safe hands going to a restaurant that Afroditi Krassa has designed. Always smart but with a relaxed charm. Her most notable places include Dishoom, the Savoy Grill and now HUMO in Mayfair, which has just been given a Michelin star. Look up at the smoke effect on the ceiling, enjoy the gilded accents and the plump cushions. Sit in leather tub chairs at the bar, watch the team prepare dinner on a wood fire and revel in the sheer luxury of being this well looked after. Brand new head chef Robbie Jameson has injected a sense of freshness into the flavours – expect citrus and summer fruits dancing across the perfect smokiness. humolondon.com…

Paros, Greece IN A SENTENCE Less tourist-trodden than close neighbours Mykonos and Santorini, this superlative Cycladic island blends slow living with understated luxury, drawing discerning travellers with its plethora of paradise beaches and off beat, arty feel. WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU’RE THERE To experience the beautiful ambrosial coastline, visit lively villages like Naousa, with its gorgeous fishing port and distinctive island architecture, or opt for more secluded swimming spots like Laggeri and Ampelas. ​ The island enjoys rich cultural history, famed since antiquity for Parian marble, the pure white kind of which the Venus de Milo is composed – you can visit ancient quarries in Marathi, close to the island’s port Parikia. Other inland highlights include the hillside village of Lefkés, once the capital of the island where you’ll…

Light on design At London Design Week in March, we visited the Visual Comfort & Co showroom to have a go at cutting our own glass – and, of course, marvel at the new Waterford x Visual Comfort & Co range. The collection of chandeliers, pendants, wall sconces, floor lamps and rechargeable lamps combines Visual Comfort & Co’s lighting expertise with Irish company Waterford’s legendary crystal craftsmanship, resulting in a series of pieces that truly sparkle. Copper Coast 12in rechargeable accent light, £1,999, Waterford x Visual Comfort & Co Candle corner: mood-boosting fragrances It’s the collaboration we never knew we needed: this month, Jo Malone London and Little Greene team up to create five special-edition candles, encased in the paint brand’s iconic prints and colours, to capture five different moods.…

Just dropped: embroidered linens We’re seeing more and more embellished table linens on offer, but the collection that’s really caught our eye is Les Fruits by Bed Threads. Made from 100% flax linen, the fruit-shaped coasters and embroidered placemats and napkins feel oh-so summery – perfect for alfresco tablescapes. From £20 for a set of four coasters, Bed Threads Switched-on style We fell in love with Lam Lighting’s porcelain collection when it launched among the chaos of 2020, and now the southeast England brand is premiering its first lighting controls with a range of switches in solid brass and Limoges porcelain. Designed to fit into a standard electrical back box, the design will develop a rich patina over time – after all, these pieces are made to last for years. Four-gang…

PIP RICH I always think of you for a clever use of bold colour, so I wanted to ask about your mostly white beach house project – such a different vibe. TAMSIN JOHNSON I feel the ‘white’ effect is actually most relevant in the beach house setting as nothing captures the airy freshness of the coast better. You want a very fresh space that pumps and breathes air and light, and a soft white is most apt I think, especially with the shiplap ceiling and bleached timber floors. PR Your projects that are more ‘signature Tasmin Johnson’, with your use of hues like yellow or red and luxe materials, are very enriching to be in. What mood does this pared-back palette create? TJ The aspect is completely seaward and if…

a space designed for both serene relaxation and sophisticated entertaining, this holiday home answered the needs of an Australian couple seeking sanctuary from their bustling city lives. Calling on innovative designer Jase Sullivan to revamp it has resulted in a masterful blend of comfort and style, which has imbued the house with a feel-good atmosphere that truly epitomises the concept of escape. Built in the 1970s, the property had gone through several renovations before facing its latest iteration. ‘The clients absolutely loved the location being so close to the beach and Byron Bay village, but they really didn’t like the design of the house and didn’t know which creative direction to take it in,’ says Jase. ‘When I was engaged to do the project, I presented the idea of giving…

it’s always fascinating to see how an interior designer decorates their own home. With no client and no brief to curtail them, you can observe their true tastes – and where they go when their creativity is given no bounds. Take this family home in Hudson Valley, set on a 12.5-acre plot in beautiful rolling hills, two hours upstate of New York City. It bears all the hallmarks of Studio DB founders Britt and Damian Zunino: the upscale modernity and the urban glamour they’re known for. However, being the weekend home they built from scratch for themselves and their four kids to unwind in, it feels like their aesthetic but with its shoulders dropped. A decorative exhale ready to take in that next lungful of clean, country air. ‘I view…

CHECKING IN It’s safe to say that grasscloth wallpaper is having a renaissance thanks to a new wave of products that celebrate the textural and richly layered nature of this wallcovering. Mark Alexander is one of the brands championing the look with its new collection, which brings together geometric motifs and organic shapes in a range of screen-printed designs made from botanical fibres like abaca, raffia, jute and arrowroot. We particularly love this small-scale pattern reminiscent of the brand’s Woodblock prints – and of the chequerboard trend that we’re still very into right now. Tama wallcovering in Paprika, MW155/06, £514 a roll; chair in Crosshatch Check in Brush, M436/06, £225m; cushion in Madison in Sienna, M407/24, £179m, all Mark Alexander…

LOUNGE LOVER The living room is the focus of Sourcebook this month, and you’ll find our pick of the latest buys on page 126. However, we wanted to spotlight one new range in particular: the Essence collection from Laskasas. If you’re not too familiar with the Portuguese brand, it’s a great introduction as it embodies Laskasas’ core values – purity of form and materials, inspiration from nature and a connection to Portuguese heritage. Our highlight is the low-slung Amália sofa, inspired by Japanese futons – we can just imagine relaxing on it in a sunny spot. Amália sofa, from £4,960, Laskasas…

JAKE GARFIELD Since 2016, print artist Jake Garfield has been carving his own path in the art world. ‘I work across printmaking, drawing and painting: each brings with it a different way of working, a different thought process and a different aesthetic,’ he says. ‘One thing they all share is a colour palette of earthy reds, dusty peaches and deep greens. Pattern and mark-making are important aspects – creating visual textures that run along the surface of the picture.’ Working from his studio in Tufnell Park, which he shares with his wife and fellow artist Bobbye Fermie, Jake’s work draws on art historical and pop cultural references. ‘My latest series is a response to Pierre Bonnard’s 1931 self-portrait Le Boxeur (portrait de l’artiste), while there are also references to things…

Q&A Charlie Smallbone, founder of London-based luxury kitchen brand Ledbury Studio, on how to choose and maintain the material Q What sets aged brass apart? Aged or antique brass is a finish that has been intentionally distressed using hammers and heat to achieve a time-worn look. This process darkens the metal and creates subtle variations, giving it depth and character. In contrast, standard brass is bright, polished and has a more uniform appearance. Brass naturally oxidises and the finish dulls as further patina develops, which is ideal for those who want a lived-in look and accept that natural materials alter with use. The ageing process can be adjusted to create a subtle or more pronounced patina, which will either be allowed to continue to evolve naturally or it can be…

ROOTED IN NATURE Despite its modern looks, this property in the inner Melbourne suburb of South Yarra feels as though it could have been here forever, thanks to the way the garden appears to grow on and around the house. Designed by Oliver Du Puy Architecture & Interiors, the upper floor features hidden window box-like planting that helps to blur the boundaries between home and garden, while large custom steel doors open up to a gorgeous landscape by Kate Seddon. This project is seriously impressive. IN HARMONY Australian studio Victoria Merrett Architects presented a masterclass in harmonious extensions with this house in Melbourne, which uses brick and timber to create a new structure that integrates seamlessly with the existing building. The new and old parts of the home actually sit…

Gran Hotel Mas d’en Bruno PRIORAT, SPAIN IN A SENTENCE A stay steeped in history and architectural beauty in the midst of Priorat’s vineyards – the perfect place for oenophiles to holiday. DESIGN DOWNLOAD Barcelona-based studio Astet is the brains behind the design, drawing on the region’s history of winemaking for its signature rich burgundy hues and pairing the original stone masonry with contemporary oak and marble. ON THE MENU The main restaurant, Vinum, offers a refined tasting menu with wine pairings by the hotel’s sommelier – a must-have while you’re in the region. Beforehand, stop by Bruno’s Bar for an aperitif (and perhaps an appetiser or two). HOTEL HIGHLIGHT Naturally, you’ll be drawn to the hotel’s outdoor pool, but take some time to explore the indoor pool and spa,…

CARL ELDHS ATELJÉMUSEUM Lögebodavägen 10 Visiting here is like stepping into an artist’s mind. It’s a cosy little wooden house on a hill that was once artist and sculptor Carl Eldh’s studio. Sunlight pours through the massive windows, illuminating unfinished sculptures in a way that makes them seem alive. I feel there’s something incredibly intimate about this place and I think of it often, especially while I’m designing. NORDIC KNOTS Birger Jarlsgatan 58 Hands down, this the most stunning showroom I’ve ever seen. It’s a grand old cinema that’s been converted into a flagship for Nordic Knots rugs. How they preserved the cinematic history of the building while expressing the brand’s vision is so inspiring. I took a little tour of the place and when I asked one of the…