Innehållsförteckning för August 2019 från Living Etc

I have just discovered the Islamic Gardens at the Aga Khan Centre in King’s Cross. They are six architecturally striking outdoor spaces, including rooftops, terraces and a courtyard, which opened last summer and provide the perfect place for contemplation in the heart of our busy metropolis. I strongly recommend a visit if you ever need a moment of quiet. Combine with a coffee and croissant at Heatherwick Studio’s Coal Drops Yard for a truly design-led escape. As you see, pure escapism is the theme of this month’s Livingetc. The houses we show, from Margherita Missoni’s out-there pad in Varese, Italy, to the party palace in LA (on the cover), are brimming with dreamy new ideas and energisingly fresh perspectives. I think they each incite leaps of imagination and celebrate the…

THE NAME TO DROP analogia project It’s not often a window display has the power to stop you in your tracks, yet if Analogia Project is the guru behind the glass, chances are it’ll be pretty special. Take its 2018 installations for Hermès’ Japan stores – each a visual triumph of luxury leather goods and silk scarves set against graph paper, protractors and other tools straight out of a maths class. More recently, visitors to May’s floral spectacular Chelsea in Bloom might have noticed windows at Lema transformed with a canopy of dried lavender. Yet for the dynamic duo – one part designer Andrea Mancuso and one part architect Emilia Serra - their installations, furniture and interior designs are about offering a window back onto the world, ‘exploring the everyday’…

STAIRCASE ‘The design is a bit like a corkscrew, drawing you up to the opening in the roof,’ says Gert. The staircase was designed by Thomas Geerlings (with input from Gert) from Framework Studio and custom-made in plaster with oak steps home profile THE OWNERS Property developer Gert van der Linde and his wife Cathelijne, director of The Hermitage in Amsterdam and their children, Titus, 16, and Mathilde, 14. THE PROPERTY A modern townhouse in Amsterdam’s financial district. There is an open-plan ground floor with kitchen, dining room and living area. The first floor has a sitting room, study area, and bedroom with en suite. On the second floor are two further bedrooms with en suites. SITTING ROOM Room-height oak doors lead into the room, which is lit on one…

1 BEST FOR BALEARIC DRIFTERS 1 Perfect for taking it easy. tassel fringe hammock, £59, ella James 2 This customisable tote is anything but square. straw shoulder bag, £210, Rae Feather 3 Gorgeously distressed, pottery-effect tableware that doesn’t break. result. peccioli melamine dinner plate, £40 for four, oka 4 S’mores at the ready… Zen firepit, £2,599, ak47 Design at houseology 5 Be barefoot and fancy free. natural moroccan bamboo rug, £125, Rockett st george 6 Let your cup runneth over. seagrass carafe, £45, oggetto 7 The blueprint for comfort – and the tie-dyed look is making a serious comeback for spring/summer 2019. mesmerise watercolour outdoor cushion, £79, penelope hope 2 BEST FOR LOUNGING HIPSTERS 1 Sure to shine bright, even when grilling in the rain. everdure by heston Blumenthal Cube…

First impressions Much more than a must-have for finding your keys at night, door-side lighting can also help bag a wow moment before guests have even stepped foot in the house. Interesting shapes and intricate surfaces are key; we’re big fans of the paper-like folds of Vibia’s origami outdoor wall lights. Origami LED lights, from £347 each, Ramón Esteve for Vibia at Clippings (clippings.com) Balcony boxes are the urban dweller’s best friend. From Ferm Living and Herman Studio, the Bau series is all steel surfaces, fluted lines and classic shades. Mount en masse for an instant oasis. Bau balcony box, £74.70 (finnishdesignshop.com) Street smart Knock knock, who’s there? find out even when you’re away with arlo’s audio Doorbell. once pushed, it’ll call your mobile, letting you respond remotely via two-way…

“Kerb appeal is so important and can affect how you and your guests feel about your home. What you see around the entrance becomes the first statement your home makes, both about you and your design choices. Obviously the front door makes a huge impact, and it’s essential to consider a colour that you love as you’ll have to look at it every time you enter or leave your home. So choose a shade that makes you happy as soon as you walk through the door. Remember that gardens change during the year, fading or blooming with spring flowers and autumn leaves, so you need a paint colour that looks good all year. Paint pieces of paper and stick them to the front door so you can see how they…

A familiar face in the world of celebrity chefs, Tom Kitchin has been on our TV screens for years as an expert on foodie favourites such as MasterChef and the Great British Menu. His eponymous restaurant The Kitchin is a leader of the pack on Edinburgh’s gastronomy scene, and has held a Michelin star since its opening in 2006. We caught up with Tom to find out more about Scotland’s capital, his hometown. Interior design hotspot? Nordic Living by Biehl in Bruntsfield (mynordicliving.co.uk). My wife loves this shop and they have some beautiful Danish designs. Best place for a lazy sunday brunch? The Little Chartroom on Leith Walk (thelittlechartroom.com). I like to sit at the bar and watch the chefs at work. The owners Roberta and Shaun have created a…

ROLLING SHEPHERD’S HUT Climbing the few short steps at the end of my garden into my modern shepherd’s hut by Houtt Cabin Co, I am instantly transported to a serene and peaceful escape from my busy work and family life. A picture window frames the surrounding landscape, providing a close connection with nature. Crafted with a folding desk and an integrated double bed, the space can also accommodate relatives when they decide to pop round unannounced. No names necessary – they know who they are……

1 THE PALOMA It’s the mescal/tequila cocktail that’s pushed gin off the top-tipple spot. Made with pink grapefruit juice, fresh lime, soda and agave syrup; not averse to basil, lavender or avocado twists; and undoubtedly this summer’s ‘it’ drink. Looks good on the’gram, too. 2 MINTY HUES Get your interiors Wrigley’s Extra-fresh. Swing by Greek Street-eatery Lina Stores for reference (and to-die-for ravioli), consult Tuscany’s Monteverdi hotel and take notes from pretty much any Ladurée store. The paint shade? Mylands’ chic and cheerful Mint Street does what it says on the tin. 3 FLOWER PRESSING Once twee, now trendy, thanks to JamJar Flowers – which recently created stained-glass windows using a collection of pressed perennials at Sketch – and Studio Ashby – commissioner of a beautiful bespoke table by botanist…

CRUSHING ON Sebastian Herkner Is the German designer the most in-demand man in interiors today? You’d be inclined to think so; this year alone, Herkner’s name has appeared top-of-the-bill at the likes of Thonet, Pulpo, Zanotta and Dedon, applying his creative talents to everything from outdoor sofas and glass side tables to bathroom tiles and whisky tumblers. Yet put all these pieces together in one room and you probably wouldn’t suspect that they share the same designer; Herkner’s style is at once traditional and forward-thinking, full of colour and flair yet also refined. It’s perhaps this eclecticism that won him Designer of the Year at Paris’ Maison et Objet this January. The ultimate object of our affection? The Kontur LED light for Spanish brand Vibia. Half bent metal shade, half…

Come and join us as we peek through the keyholes of some of our favourite homes. Livingetc House Tours is returning for its seventh year, and it’s your chance to step into the pages of the magazine, be inspired by some incredible interiors and meet some of the design talent behind them. Due to popular demand, and the huge success of the summer event, Livingetc House Tours is once again taking place over two days, on Thursday 26 and Friday 27 September 2019. This autumn edition of the tour will give you exclusive access to six stunning Livingetc style homes. Once inside the houses, you’ll be able to explore them at your leisure, picking up plenty of inspiration and insider tips. Livingetc House Tours is tailored specifically to keep travel…

1 lighting OUTSIDE ILLUMINATION FOR EXTRA SPARKLE As we focus on stylish and mood-enhancing tech to complement the look and feel of the inside of our homes, outdoor lighting is catching up. Tony Woods, director of Garden Club London, says, ‘As clients are increasingly treating their outdoor spaces as an extension of their interiors, they are ultimately looking for the flexibility to change the atmosphere of their “outdoor room”. This means using a combination of everything from festoon lights and storm lanterns to outdoor lamps and LED lighting strips. Most of our clients like to have dimmable lights to change the mood of their outside space and Philips’ new Hue Lightstrip Outdoor lighting is proving to be one of the most popular. You can use the app to control the…

1 Go outside and take a long look at the front of your property. Try to view it with fresh eyes. What do you see? Be honest. Then you can start planning. ‘Walk around and find an area with houses that are similarly aged and styled – see what resonates and which homes feel welcoming, and borrow those ideas,’ says John McDavid, director of property agent Aucoot. 2 Use your front door as a way to express your personality. ‘Choose bold hardware, or contrast fixings with a tone that matches the paintwork – a nickel finish looks fantastic with anything,’ says Willow & Stone’s Sarah Wilshaw. ‘Don’t be fooled by a cheaper product with an inferior metal body, plated in a thin coating of chrome; deterioration won’t take long once…

makes 10 2 avocados, stones removed and flesh scooped out200g frozen blueberries10 soft dates, pitted250ml milk of choice2tbsp lime juice150g nut butter of choice (optional) Create your own variations with your favourite fruit; just remember only to use a little liquid and to add avocado to get that lovely creaminess 1 Put all of the ingredients, except the nut butter, in a blender and mix until completely smooth. 2 Divide the smoothie between 10 lollipop moulds and top each one with a tablespoon of the nut butter (if using). 3 Cover with the lid, insert the lollipop sticks, pushing the nut butter into the middle of the mould, and transfer to the freezer for 8 hours, or until frozen. 4 Devour straight away or store in the freezer to have…

‘For a sophisticated and luxurious feel, concentrate on mid- to dark-teal tones, which can beautifully envelop a room,’ says head of Zoffany studio Peter Gomez. ‘The deeper the colour, the greater the dramatic effect.’ ‘Teal’s vibrancy can bring new life to tired furnishings, so it’s the perfect shade for upcycling projects,’ advises Sue Kim, senior colour designer at Valspar. ‘Try refreshing kitchen cabinets by painting them in a rich hue and pair with marble-effect countertops for striking results.’ ‘A strong colour in its own right, teal can be made even more eye-catching if combined with another bright, contrasting shade, such as a zingy yellow or red,’ suggests David Mottershead, MD at Little Greene. ‘Why not paint a stripe of a contrasting colour along the top of the skirting board or…

it’s safe to say that interior designer Russell Sage doesn’t really do minimalism. ‘I’m driven by a love of materials, but also showmanship,’ he says of his studio’s style, which he once described as ‘slightly eccentric, full of stories and pleasing details that people warm to’. This is a man who has no problem working with saturated colour in big spaces, the legacy of growing up in his parents’ Somerset pub. ‘Everything was painted dark red – the ceiling as well – so I’ve never been scared of colour,’ Russell recalls as we sit in his west London studio, the rather nondescript meeting room made far more enticing with an unexpected mix of antique table and chairs. He’s also a designer who doesn’t think twice about filling every nook and…

Petal power For instant kerb appeal, a few window boxes or planters with blooms that are tonally similar go a long way. Choose the right plant for your home’s aspect – hellebores love the shade of a north-facing wall, as do many colourful clematis. For sunnier south-facing properties, consider thyme, sage and lavender. Great and small Don’t overlook your alcove; give it a lick of paint in a punchy hue and create a feature out of it. This is especially effective when used to zone spaces, giving them a distinct identity or purpose. Go as wild as you dare with the colour – the beauty of an alcove is that it’s contained, so it will never feel too much. Material mash-up Contrasting different materials on your façade feels modern and…

visit What… The Potter’s Space, a new exhibition by British ceramicist Jennifer Lee. Where… Kettle’s Yard, a former home-turned-gallery space in Cambridge. Why… Jennifer’s smooth stoneware vessels won the prestigious Loewe Craft Prize last year, catapulting her onto an international stage. This show examines 40 years of her career as a maker, in the enchanting surroundings of Kettle’s Yard, and is an ode to all things 20th-century art, design and craft. drink What… New kid on Chelsea’s block, the Belmond Cadogan Hotel. Where… Five minutes from Knightsbridge and Harrods. Why… after a five-year refurbishment on the previous property that stood here, Belmond has reimagined the Cadogan as an elegant, contemporary townhouse boutique hotel. adam Handling is overseeing the new restaurant space, most exciting of which is the pretty bar finished in…