Innehållsförteckning för January 2021 från Homes & Gardens

Right now 2021 feels like a year of promise. The promise of an end to the pandemic and a new US President. The promise of family get-togethers, open shops and buzzy restaurants. The promise of life going on. Whatever the new year holds, I find it uplifting to look forwards with hope. So this month’s houses are full of light and colour, we’ve spotlighted new garden design trends and our Great Renovations feature brings together brilliant projects by top designers. I have been spending time planning a personal renovation project, as we are due shortly to start on-site with the redesign of our Georgian terrace. With this front of mind, I am eagerly reading Sebastian Cox’s new column, which charts his overhaul of a Victorian home in Margate. It inspires…

Q Tell us a little about your background. Sustainability is a constant thread that ties my experiences and education together. My background is varied: from facilitating art workshops in the Amazon where I was exposed to traditional skills to living and working in east London and being immersed in the arts culture there. My experiences have shown me the need for long-lasting sustainable design. Initially, I studied art at university, which was concerned with concept rather than craft. I later studied historical woodcarving and gilding at City & Guilds of London Art School, an intense, practical course with a wonderful community of craftspeople. Q Where do you look to for inspiration? I look both back to antiquity and forward to the contemporary. The study and meaning of floral ornament is…

Michael Bruno shares his style inspiration and loves GREATEST SUCCESS Getting the house in the first place. I made a very low offer and I was surprised they accepted it. That was hard to beat. SECRET ADDRESS Red Chair on Warren in Hudson (redchair-antiques.com). It’s an amazing place to shop for vintage chopping boards, hotel silver and beautiful vases. BIGGEST INDULGENCE I bought an extra 80 acres adjoining the property. It’s forest with a brook and a waterfall and wonderful to walk in and look at but unnecessary in any other way. GO-TO COLOUR Dragon’s Breath by Benjamin Moore DESIGN HERO Jean-Michel Frank. I bought his pieces when I lived in Paris. He truly was the first to create original design in furniture. His aesthetic still looks fresh 100 years…

In the excitement of buying our first house in Margate, we dreamed up plans for making our mark on it. But what we overlooked was the seemingly latent stuff which needed removing and disposing of. It seems most interior-design projects start with a skip. Sometimes they necessarily fill with the rotten and decayed, but all too often they are loaded because a house ‘needs updating’. We wondered if we could tackle the conversion of our house without a skip. A skip-less renovation would be an achievement, wouldn’t it? We began by focussing our grand creative plans through the lens of asking ‘to what extent can we work with what’s here?’. Inevitably, even as a skip-less project there would be some trips to the tip, but we could minimise them, repurposing…

ROWEN & WREN Lucy Uren and Graeme Purdy founded Rowen & Wren in 2011 after they couldn’t find the ‘updated classics’ they were looking for. Working from their then cramped one-bedroom flat, which acted as HQ, warehouse and shoot location, the partners in both business and life created an online catalogue of ‘timeless’ pieces inspired by textile designer Lucy’s ‘natural gravitation towards collections of old stuff, from sherry glasses to mantle vases,’ she says. ‘At the time there wasn’t much representation of beautiful old products being updated in new finishes that could be loved for years as future heirlooms.’ Today, that same founding design ethos remains at the heart of all Rowen & Wren designs, from sofas and wall lights to knobs and knockers, much of which is made in…

SECRET ADDRESS I like working with vintage and antique pieces, but it feels important to bring in some contemporary pieces, too. I often look at West Elm for these. GREATEST INDULGENCE Here, definitely the custom-made dining table. GO-TO COLOUR Farrow & Ball’s Ammonite, a very moody white that softens and works beautifully in most places whether historic or contemporary. SMALL CHANGE, BIG IMPACT Painting the basement ceiling in a gloss paint really bounces the light around. FAVOURITE BUILDING The Broad art museum in Los Angeles. It immediately transports you, channelling your views of the city while also directing you to the artwork (thebroad.org). DESIGN HERO The British artist Faye Toogood, who works across a diverse range of disciplines – from sculpture to fashion (fayetoogood.com).…

Red can be a tricky colour to pin down, but choose a shade with more traditional leanings like Farrow & Ball’s Incarnadine and it will breathe life into any space. Country homes in particular lend themselves to this warming hue because it brings out the charm in elements like rustic wood, gilded frames and aged leather, and as red is known to stimulate appetite, Incarnadine is ideal for dining rooms. Harmonise with soft creams and greys or make it festive with metallic finishes.…

ENHANCING NATURE  Our gardens have long been our havens, but without a doubt 2020 placed greater emphasis than ever before on the restorative effect of nature and outdoor space. Looking forward to 2021, high on designers’ wish lists are plants that create a haven for birds and bees. This plays to the trend called ‘rewilding’, in which land is returned in varying scales to natural habitats that can provide water, food and shelter to all creatures great and small. Debbie Roberts of Acres Wild suspects that green structure rather than hard landscaping is becoming more important, together with a softer, more natural look. This is demonstrated here in the garden at Blue Doors Lodge in West Sussex, which she created with her partner Ian Smith, its relaxed style blending beautifully…

1 . My design heroine is Mother Nature. We can’t beat the extraordinary complexity of colour, form and material observed in the natural world. 2 . The design rule I promote is to understand the way simplicity involves complexity. It takes time and refinement to create perfect simplicity, be it in furniture or an interior. 3 . My small luxury is Bose headphones. Music while I work is essential. 4 . Jasper Morrison’s shop in London is one I love visiting for the selection of well-designed objects – homeware, tableware, furniture and design books I don’t see elsewhere. 5 . A piece of furniture I’m very attached to is a red aluminium chair by Charles and Ray Eames. My father bought it when I was 12, I ‘stole’ it for…

BON ANNIVERSAIRE To mark 25 years, Caravane has launched a collection that pays tribute to the countries and craftspeople that it has been inspired by over the years. From Moroccan terracotta to Indian hand embroidery, the collection is a true celebration of travel. Pajaro and Suzi cushion covers, £95 each, both Caravane. IN GOOD COMPANY We’re delighted by Cole & Son’s latest collection with Historic Royal Palaces. Called The Great Masters, it pays homage to the artisans, craftsmen and monarchs who shaped the six royal residences (from Hampton Court to the Tower of London). It comprises 17 new designs, including the Verdure tapestry (118/17038), £500 a tapestry or £68.03sq m, Historic Royal Palaces and Cole & Son. MIX & MATCH The Wanderlust collection of tables from Davidson London offers a…

‘This is a menu I would serve in the days following Christmas – when everyone is still gathered together – perhaps straddling lunch and dinner when the light is beginning to fade. It’s simple, honest and comforting food – but still slightly celebratory in feel.’ Skye Gyngell OYSTERS WITH PICKLED ELDERBERRIES AND HORSERADISH The pepperiness of the horseradish and the sharpness of the elderberries are a nice contrast to the briny, cool freshness of the oysters. Shuck the oysters and arrange on crushed ice, add a small spoonful of horseradish cream and top with the pickled elderberries, and serve at once. SERVES 6 12 oysters (allow 2 per person) Crushed ice FOR THE PICKLE 100g elderberries (fresh or frozen) 40g caster sugar 40ml red wine vinegar 40ml water FOR THE…

STAY: NOMAD, COVENT GARDEN The historical former Bow Street Magistrates’ Court building is now a far more glamorous destination thanks to New York-based design firm Roman and Williams. The bedrooms look particularly welcoming, with oversized, floor-standing artwork and, for certain rooms, a copper roll-top bath. The all-day restaurant sits beneath an impressive glass-roofed atrium and serves plates inspired by executive chef Ian Coogan’s Mexican heritage. There’s also a library, serving coffee and wine, and a lounge called Common Decency where you will find an east London-style cocktail bar.thenomadhotel.com VISIT: MAKE HAUSER & WIRTH, SOMERSET You’re likely familiar with Make Hauser & Wirth Somerset, a space dedicated to contemporary art and design. Since its launch in 2018, the gallery has exhibited work by more than 50 artists and makers. This winter,…

Q What first sparked your interest in gardening? My family have been avid gardeners for generations, so the seed was sown at a young age and I vividly remember my first taste of planting was a strawberry plant. In keeping with the family tradition, I also got my two-year-old her first strawberry plant this summer and she was still talking about it weeks after it had stopped fruiting. Q How did The Balcony Gardener come about? When I first moved to London I had a flat with two very small balconies – it was a contrast to the large garden I was used to growing up and I wanted to recreate a piece of that in my new home. When it came to populating the space with plants and furniture,…

MOST SUCCESSFUL PART OF THE PROJECT The kitchen. I’m so happy we put it in the middle room so often underused in Edwardian houses. SECRET ADDRESS Nushka in Portobello Road. GO-TO COLOUR SC240 from Papers and Paints. I used it here for the walls of our hallway and stairs. WHERE DO YOU FIND INSPIRATION Travel (except in 2020!), nature, magazines, books. FAVOURITE INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT Adam Bray for beautiful design inspiration with a side of excellent humour.…

WELCOME GUESTS Set a console table near the door so family and friends can help themselves as they enter the room. A sprig of fresh, fragrant herbs, such as rosemary, hanging from ribbon above the table adds the perfect aromatic accompaniment to port and cheese. Decant port or sherry into a contemporary glass decanter, choose simple glasses and offer a bowl of nibbles. Put lighted candles in tall candlesticks at one end, so guests don’t burn themselves when they’re reaching for the food. ‘Keep lighting romantic – low glows that brighten as the day extends into night,’ suggests designer Matthew Williamson. ‘It is surprising how wonderful illuminating candles can be.’ SPARKLING CENTREPIECE Christmas is the perfect time to have a floral focal point, whether it’s designed by a florist (such…

“ENSURE LIGHTING CAN BE ADJUSTED TO SET A MOOD – YOU WANT TO BE ABLE TO TRANSFORM YOUR KITCHEN INTO A SOFTER SPACE, TOO” DESIGNING THE KITCHEN DO... ■ Invest in two dishwashers, if you can. It’s wonderful to have one to stack the detritus before a dinner party and one for glassware only. ■ Avoid cabinets on the walls if you’re going for a country feel. An old dresser is far more welcoming. ■ Buy the best cooker you can afford; I am an Aga man, but I also do love La Cornue. ■ Find confidence with colour; there are some wonderful shades out there for cabinetry. ■ Avoid shiny unit doors with no handles – you’ll be fighting a constant battle against smears and greasy fingermarks. DON’T... ■…

THE SKI RESORT: ST ANTON AM ARLBERG, AUSTRIA How will we do socially distanced skiing? How long will queues be at the resorts? There are lots of question marks over this winter’s ski season. Perhaps 2021 is the year to appreciate the mountains rather than haring down them on crowded slopes. Enter the village of St Anton am Arlberg in Austria, where speedy chairlifts provide access to over 200 miles of runs and plenty of off-piste routes. It’s a resort rich in Alpine beauty, full of local life and off-piste options, such as horse sleigh riding and curling. In the resort itself, Ullrhaus is a new family-run hotel opened by St Anton locals Franziska Alber and Michael Gfall (theaficionados.com/hotels/austria/tirol/st-anton/ullrhaus). It has all the usual Alpine trappings – glowing fires, a…

AS the owner and creative director of Parisian design firm Casa Lopez, Pierre Sauvage is a man in the know when it comes to stylish interiors fit for entertaining. In his beautiful new book, Be My Guest: At Home with the Tastemakers, he shares his love for art de vivre by taking us into the exquisite homes of 20 leading names from the fashion, interior design, beauty and art worlds. It’s a starry list, including Martina Mondadori, Aerin Lauder and Carolina Irving, to name just a few. Discover how each host entertains in their city apartments, country chateaux and seaside villas, some lavish in style and others rather rustic but each with a unique aesthetic and distinctive approach. As well as magnificent photographs that capture extravagant floral displays, art-filled living…

What is striking upon entering this stucco-fronted house in the heart of Chelsea is that there are very few right-angled piece of furniture in sight: the hallway console has a gently rounded marble top; the formal sitting room’s voluptuous sofas are teamed with equally shapely coffee tables and much of the bespoke cabinetry displays subtle curves. Even the shower in the master bathroom has a beautiful bowed glass screen, designed to echo the lines of the vanity unit on the opposite wall. Irene Gunter of interior architecture firm Gunter & Co, the designer behind this extensive renovation, is a great advocate of curves. ‘They relate to the concept of biophilia; human beings respond much better to soft shapes rather than harsh lines and corners, so introducing rounded forms contributes to…

‘ Ialways used to pride myself on living all over the world. You cannot tie me down, I’d say,’ Katherine McConnaughey explains from her Connecticut home. A few years since retiring from a 33-year career as a flight attendant, both she and her husband David, the CEO of a media firm, have finally put down more permanent roots. ‘I’ve planted my great-grandma’s irises and a lilac that was given to me when my dad passed away. These are plants that have always moved with me and now we’re here, we’re never leaving.’ The couple, who have ‘lived in Manhattan since forever’ and raised their daughter Caroline there, discovered the appeal of the region on visits to friends. ‘We wanted to simplify. It’s incredible how people live out here. They’re so…

MOST SUCCESSFUL PART OF THIS PROJECT Restoring symmetrical beauty to the exterior of the house, and moving the kitchen and dining areas to the first floor to create a bright, open space with double doors opening onto the terrace. GREATEST INDULGENCE The outdoor pool and sauna. YOUR STYLE IN THREE WORDS Cosy, bohemian, happy. SECRET ADDRESS Petersham Nurseries, for culinary delights and for pieces for the home. FAVOURITE INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT @eyeswoon WORDS TO LIVE BY ‘To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong’ – Joseph Chilton Pearce.…

AS the days shorten and Arctic winds blow in from the north, the garden falls into its annual slumber and the long wait for spring begins. But just as memories of summer have faded, fresh green shoots appear on hellebores, followed by exquisite flowers in jewel-like colours ranging from glittering whites and yellows to deep purples and reds. Hellebores are used to create a continuous flower display from December to May. Owner of Ashwood Nurseries John Massey recommends the sparkling white Helleborus niger Ashwood Strain and one of the many H. x hybridus Ashwood Garden Hybrids for flowers before Christmas, with ‘Penny’s Pink’, sporting marbled, pink-flushed foliage, following on in February. Award-winning designer Rosemary Coldstream (rosemarycoldstream.com) advises planting Lenten roses (H. x hybridus) in a raised bed so that you…

Framing her door in bold black brought definition to the entrance of Athena Calderone’s Brooklyn townhouse 1 . THIS is the entrance to our house in Brooklyn’s Cobble Hill. It’s the eighth house that my husband [music DJ Victor Calderone] and I have bought and renovated. When we bought it in 2015, the house had been divided into several apartments and was in need of some love. The project took three years to complete and we now think of it as our forever home. 2 . Working with the architect Elizabeth Roberts, we removed the wall between the staircase and the living room to maximise the feeling of space. This is the parlour floor, which has an open-plan living room with a dining room and kitchen. 3 . I’VE BALANCED…

GG STOKES grew up in the Cotswolds and moved to the capital to study at the London College of Fashion. She pursued a successful career in fashion styling, photography and creative direction, working on fashion shoots for various glossy magazines. Now a talented artist, her connection to this elegant imagery continues to influence her beautiful oil paintings. How did your style develop? I’ve been creative for as long as I can remember. I did fine art at school and was taught how to paint but I’ve always been obsessed with images of all kinds, particularly photography. I’m interested in the past and the visual documentation of it, whether that’s images of David Bowie and Elizabeth Taylor from the 70s or war photography by Lee Miller. My love of fashion photography…