Innehållsförteckning för March 2024 från Homes & Gardens

The efficiency and functionality of a home are two of the essential things that architects must consider when planning and designing a space. With the busy lives we all lead, a house needs to work hard for its occupants, but the projects that often leave a lasting impression are the ones that embrace empty space – a deliberate moment of calm or beauty. Philip Johnson, the American modernist architect, better articulated it as ‘architecture is the art of how to waste space’. For our March issue, we examine the ‘art’ of architecture today. Our houses (from page 93) showcase both modern and traditional examples of how to thoughtfully push architectural boundaries. In particular, the carefully considered extension of a once dilapidated cottage in the Cotswolds (page 94) and the transformation…

‘WE love to bring nature into living spaces to infuse soul and authenticity – to transport people on a sensory journey,’ says Louis Chagnaud, co-founder of furniture brand Heaps & Woods. It follows, then, that tactile, natural materials take centre stage throughout its collections, with carved teak, rattan and paper cord featuring predominantly. But that’s just half the story – what really instils spirit into Heaps & Woods’ pieces is the connection to the places they’re made and the people that made them. ‘Our creations are profoundly anchored in Indonesian craftsmanship and tradition,’ explains Louis. It’s an ethos that he and fellow founder Marta Jurado are clearly passionate about, having immersed themselves in it while living in Bali for nearly a decade. The pair met there while Louis was studying…

THE naming of plants is a fascinating and even enlightening subject, it seems to reflect our eternal conversation with the natural world and the plants we cherish. Down through the ages plant names have been based on folklore, healing properties, location and more recently scientific classification. There is a beauty and magic to some of the old country names of plants and yet sometimes they are confusing, too. A well-known example being that the plant often known as a bluebell in Scotland is called a harebell in England, with the English bluebell being a completely different plant. This problem was well known in the 17th century when it was especially difficult for scientists to know what plant or animal they were discussing with fellow scientists from other localities or countries…

IT IS everywhere you look. Simple, complex, inviting, or eroding. It can evoke much conversation with its dramatic flair, or make you feel empty and lost when something is missing. It offers shelter from the storm, and envelops the lives we create for ourselves. It is architecture. The diversity of styles expands the test of time, across all civilisations. One of my favourite design library treasures is Sir Banister Fletcher’s A History of Architecture. You can find me lost in the drawings, balustrade designs and expanded style definitions, and I’m always on a quest to discover more. My primary professional focus is interior design but it is architecture that brought me here. A trip to Spain started it all, when a chip of stone from the facade of Gaudi’s Sagrada…

1 THE FIRST STEPS TO BUILDING AN EXTENSION A firm understanding of the ultimate intention of the extension will help to make decisions about everything from size and window positioning to materials and colours, says Chris Pask, director of architecture and interiors firm Charlton Brown. Also, contact your buildings and contents insurer to inform them about your plans to check what is and isn’t covered. 2 WHAT IS PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT? If the project falls under permitted development rights, it’s possible to avoid the need for full planning permission. Generally, single-storey rear extensions can extend out by up to 3m from a semi-detached or terraced house and by 4m from a detached house (based on plans of the building on 1 July 1948). You can also apply for prior approval for…

FASHION and interior design were my inspirations when I was younger. My yia-yia (grandmother – we’re part Greek) was a dressmaker for her community, and my mother is an interior designer who likes to collect 19th-century English and French antiques. I also inherited my father’s entrepreneurship. He was passionate about business and led me into the idea of going to business school. I studied at the University of Georgia and I loved it. It was in 2005, after working in a successful interior design partnership with Yelena Barlow for five years, when I decided I wanted to move back to Charleston and raise my kids here. This was a time when Charleston was still a very traditional part of the Old South. In my opinion, they hadn’t broken out of…

It’s a bold set of materials for a young family to navigate,’ says RÓisín Lafferty of Kingston Lafferty Design. ‘Especially the steel staircase. But the three kids living here say it’s the best house ever to play hide and seek in.’ Despite the endorsement, RÓisín, who was brought in to design the interior of the crumbling Georgian house in County Wicklow, recalls that the clients hadn’t anticipated the amount of work involved in such an extensive renovation. ‘The property was open to the elements, so there was a lot to do. But they came to us with a very clear idea of the direction they wanted. And that was raw and industrial.’ While a less consummate designer may not have relished such an unexpected brief, it’s one RÓisín understands intimately.…

FIRED EARTH X DESIGNERS GUILD Drawing on three popular pattern archives, Designers Guild’s highly anticipated tile launch with Fired Earth is even more colourfully creative than we hoped. As a soft-focus twist on tie-dye, this Shibori tile offers a restful way to bring modern geographic pattern into a bathroom and comes in four colours (shown in Duck Egg and Cobalt). The two further designs in the collaboration are Jaal, an Indian block print, and the 1920s-inspired trellis print Laterza. All three designs are printed on 20x20cm low-maintenance porcelain tiles, from £79.80sq m. STONE ZONE West One Bathrooms’ sourcing team has honed in on yet another rarefied find in the form of the Bathroom Collection from renowned, Belgium-based stone specialist Il Granito. Consisting of seven hand-carved vanity units, plus a bath,…

1 FOCAL FIREPLACE ‘Having a fireplace in a bathroom adds wonderful character to the room,’ says Mary Graham, co-founder of Salvesen Graham. This bespoke fender, upholstered in Soane’s Old Flax, is a lovely detail that recalls bygone days. ‘The fireplace reflects the tone of the room, intentionally bringing in a new layer to the scheme and creating an inviting environment with a classical feel,’ adds Mary. 2 PANEL SHOW Wall panelling may be on trend now but its origins in homes from the Tudor period onwards makes it a strong choice for traditional bathroom decor today. ‘In a bathroom with high ceilings, panelling can help break up the walls and add visual interest,’ says Jamie Bebbington, managing director, Aston Matthews. ‘Try tongue-and-groove panelling for a country cottage effect, while square…

1. If I can, I love to have a weekly massage at home; it’s my way of decompressing. It’s oddly unpleasant the first time, but you get addicted to it. 2. I love a coordinated suit in a statement colour; I have a red velvet suit from Wyse, and a lavender and a lime one. I find it very visually powerful. 3. I love galleries, particularly, at the moment, the National Portrait Gallery; it’s done a really great job of the refurbishment. 4. The River Cafe has been home to many happy memories, but the other place my husband and I like to go to eat is the Mercato Mayfair. Now, it’s a cheap and cheerful restaurant, but it’s an old, decommissioned church and we actually got married there. 5.…

TAKE IT OUTSIDE Embark on a visual journey with the Vacation and Riviera outdoor fabric collections by Zinc Textile. Shot against the backdrop of the extraordinary Espai Xavier Corberó in Barcelona, the fabrics are designed to meet stringent performance requirements, promising longevity and practicality. Vacation features rich velvets and characterful bouclés, while Riviera offers timeless houndstooth and simpler bouclés. Shown here are bench cover and cushions in Acapulco Outdoor in Coir, £130m; back cushions in Búzios Outdoor in Carbon, £110m; and sheer in Santorini Outdoor in Chalk, £90m. FRILL SEEKER Meet Astrid, the latest pendant from David Hunt Lighting. Priced at £204, it is available in 17 delightful colours. Inspired by Dutch porcelain light shades, Astrid flaunts playful fluted edges and graceful curves. There is a twisted braided cable in…

‘A modern take on the “true fresh” style of Italian painting, Buon Fresco creates a wet-plaster look, capturing the charm of sun-soaked Italy. This slightly deeper neutral is perfect for south-facing rooms. It’s also ideal for exterior spaces where you need something stony and grounded without too much vibrancy. To bring this colour to life, opt for natural materials and rustic textures to create an inviting space.’ ROB ABRAHAMS, co-founder, Coat 1.‘The colour chosen for this bathroom is Jonquil by Edward Bulmer Natural Paint. It is a good yellow-pink that gives cohesion to the room’s architectural elements and is the perfect canvas for the furniture and wallcoverings.’ CARLOS SANCHEZ-GARCIA, founder, Carlos Garcia Interiors 2. ‘We wanted a warm mood to counteract the hard surfaces in the kitchen. This was achieved…

ADAM ARCHITECTURE Winchester/London Founded in 1986, Adam Architecture’s mission is to create the listed buildings of the future. Restoring, renovating or extending historic and protected properties, as well as designing new homes for the town and country, the practice combines the latest technology with a classical aesthetic, proving sustainability and the traditional aesthetic can complement each other. adamarchitecture.com BEASLEY DICKINSON ARCHITECTS London 2014-founded Beasley Dickinson Architects takes a poetic approach to material, tactility, light and space, responding to individual contexts rather than owning a specific aesthetic. From contemporary builds to Grade II-listed updates and seaside holiday homes, each project is long lasting and sustainable. beasleydickson.com BEECH ARCHITECTS Suffolk, East Anglia From sustainable homes to sensitive conversions, extensions to works on heritage buildings, 2008-established Beech Architects works on houses of every…

BRICK is often the key fabric of a house, and so it provides an enormous opportunity whether you are starting a project from scratch, refurbishing or renovating. It’s a material imbued with such a long-standing history, as well as being incredibly hardwearing, adaptable and often very beautiful. ■ There’s an amazing history to brick that I love: it is one of the oldest building materials dating back to 7,000BC in southern Turkey and around Jericho. I love that we are still using something to build and shape our homes that our ancient ancestors also used (albeit production methods have moved on from sun-dried mud bricks) – there’s an incredible connection to the past. ■ For us as architects who do a lot of refurbishing and renovations, the first thing we…

WOW WALLS If you have the opportunity to start from scratch, a soaring brick arch is a compelling way to introduce architectural character, as demonstrated in this striking build by Thompson Custom Homes, with interior design by Lucas/Eilers Design Associates. ‘The brick arch, embodying both form and function, serves as a visual anchor, grounding the room with its timeless appeal,’ says founding partner, Sandra Lucas. ‘The custom zinc vent hood adds individuality, while the reclaimed street pavers, laid in the original style, without mortar, offer distinctive character.’ The bespoke cabinets and island worktop were milled from reclaimed oak, infusing the room with a warm ambience. SWEEPING STATEMENT Working curves into a small kitchen can provide valuable spatial gains. In this compact kitchen with limited wall space, a sweeping curved peninsular…

FOCAL POINT BATH A beautiful freestanding bath in your bedroom can create a sense of luxury and accentuate the role of the space as a relaxing retreat, just like a glamorous boutique hotel room. ‘When you think about incorporating the bath into the design of the bedroom, consider the placement of the bed and the tub as the two main features that need to work together, providing you with a totally private, calm space in which to unwind at home,’ advises Lizzi Catchpole, head of design, Catchpole & Rye. ‘You could use windows to create a frame around the freestanding bath or make it a focal point in a cosy corner.’ Another way of highlighting the bath as an eye-catching feature in a bedroom scheme is to mount it on…

FABULOUS AT FIFTY Graham and Green is celebrating its 50th birthday this year. Antonia Graham first opened the shop in an old dairy in Notting Hill in the 1970s. Today, her son Jamie – who slept under the counter in a handmade basket as a baby – runs the business with his wife Louise, importing and designing collections. To celebrate, they will release limited editions of their bone-inlay furniture, and throughout April the Notting Hill store will be temporarily transformed into an Indian Bazaar. IN THE DETAIL Explore Bagatelle, a tribute to 18th-century French elegance, crafted by renowned interior designer Timothy Corrigan in collaboration with Samuel & Sons. This collection seamlessly melds history with modernity, drawing inspiration from historic documents and showcasing intricate passementerie detailing, rich hues and textures. Timothy’s…

SET THE SCENE The lakes of northern Italy set the tone for this design featuring traditional lakeside villas complete with stone colonnades adorned with climbing wisteria. We suggest teaming the sculptural shapes and sun-bleached colour palette evoking sunny days by the water with curvaceous furniture and accessories in toning shades for an exciting yet considered decorating scheme. SCALE UP A large room can take a panoramic mural, especially in monochrome, so cover the whole space instead of just a statement wall. Despite the scale, this Greek ruin illustration is subtle in its light grey sketchy style and is tempered further by the tonal paint used on the ceiling and woodwork. SCREEN SHOT Create impact without the commitment of redecoration by introducing a screen covered in a bold image. Soften the…

BALANCING ACT While the temptation is often to embrace glass, be mindful of the architecture and setting of a house before choosing a design. The owners of this 18th-century property overlooking a river on the edge of London wanted a highly glazed extension, but interior designer Nicola Harding thought that it would have been incongruous with the style of the house, as well as being subject to the glare of the river and too hot summers. Instead, she designed an orangery with a skylight and an electric blind that filters light throughout the year. ‘The flowing colour palette and natural textures create a soulful atmosphere that generates different moods throughout the day and into the night,’ says Nicola. NEW CHAPTER One way to add an extension that is sympathetic to…

SCULPTURE is often thought of – alongside oil on canvas paintings – as being the highest form of visual art and it is certainly one of the most intimidating to get to grips with, especially as a first-time collector. Deciphering whether or not a piece will work at home can be tricky, but if pulled off well, art in three dimensions can have presence and drama like nothing else. One way to ensure your new acquisition will sing is to commission something bespoke for your requirements. The first step is finding an artist whose work you adore, then it’s time to get in touch. ‘Some artists have gallery representation and prefer that they handle this kind of communication, but others are not attached and you could reach out to them…

Being architects, interior designers and homeowners all at once, Arya and Michael Martin – who founded and lead Studio OSKLO – naturally put their skills to work on their own Los Angeles house. Known for muted palettes and moody, minimalist interiors, the couple tackled this project with their signature aesthetic. It took three years of planning and construction to create this new property that sits in one of the most coveted areas of the city. ‘This house is situated in the Hollywood Hills, above Beverly Hills and within striking distance of Sunset Boulevard, in the private community of Doheny Estates,’ they say. Among the neighbours are a host of A-list Hollywood stars. The location, however, is not the only impressive element. The design, too, stands out. Architectural columns – typical…

SKYLIGHT SCENE In new extensions and larger kitchens, skylights are often used as a way of bringing natural light into the rear of the space, often some distance from the windows of the external walls. Pam Baker, senior designer, Martin Moore, recommends working together with your architect on their size and location. ‘Pay careful attention to the relationship between the skylights and their position in relation to your planned kitchen furniture to ensure a balanced look and to allow for tall cabinetry,’ she advises. A good solution can be to position the skylight centrally over a walkway between the wall run and island to allow for excellent illumination in the working area of the room. PANORAMIC GLASS Wide, full-height glazing introduces plenty of natural light and creates a stunning indoor-outdoor…

BENGALI HASH BROWNS SERVES 4 Vegetable oil, for frying1½ tsp panch phoron/Bengali five spice2 small onions, finely sliced650g potatoes (a floury sort will work well for extra crispiness)2 green chillies, finely sliced (leave the seeds in)1 small egg, beatenSalt and black pepperRaita and/or chutney, to serve ■ Heat a sauté pan (or a deep frying pan) over a low–medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of oil. Fry the panch phoron and onions for 10 minutes until the onions are soft and beginning to caramelise. Leave to cool. ■ While the onion is cooling, peel and grate your potatoes and tip them onto a clean dish towel. Gather up the edges of the towel and squeeze over the sink to remove any excess moisture from the potatoes, then add them to…

I NEVER feel more alive than when I’m in South Africa. For perspective and to understand our place on earth, it’s good to be regularly awed by nature and nowhere does that for me like this part of the world. My mother is from Fish Hoek, Cape Town and so we spent three years of my childhood living there. I go back at least once a year, and I’m already plotting my next bush trip with my own family in the spring. ■ For me, a trip to South Africa is all about the landscape. Swimming with the penguins at Boulders Beach near Simon’s Town is a must; it’s one of my core childhood memories. Do drive to Cape Point, too. The colours and smells of the Fynbos (a belt…