Innehållsförteckning för August 2020 från Living Etc

This chapter in history could be called the chapter of home. One of the things I have loved about lockdown has been the renewed focus on how and where we live. Stopping chasing meetings, writing lists and catching planes has given many of us the time/bandwidth to appreciate our spaces. (Of course, I appreciate how lucky I am to have been unaffected in any major way.) For me, home has been a true source of brightness in the bleakness (along with stylist Alex Eagle’s so-named Spotify playlists that I’ve been listening to on repeat). I hope you love the vibrant design ideas in this issue, from the standout bedroom schemes to our round-up of colourful accessories for a simpler refresh. And just as the spotlight has shifted onto our homes,…

decorative vases Sculptural forms that will score serious style points, with or without flowers…

One day we thought, “If we love it that much in Italy, why don’t we move there?”’ says Thomas Siffer, who, with his wife Els Lybeer, relocated to Puglia nine years ago. They had spent the previous 24 months travelling between their Puglian holiday retreat and their hometown of Ghent in Belgium. Ending up in this beautiful part of southern Italy was happenstance. ‘Els had been looking out for a holiday home and bought a property we loved. We didn’t care where it was; it happened to be in Puglia,’ explains Thomas. Then, after a while of calling their holiday retreat home, the couple made an even bigger decision – to build a house. The catalyst for this decision? The pair found a plot in four acres of olive groves…

alone peacock surveys his dreamy dining room landscape, a leopard sits patiently by the fireside and a host of blue dragons frolic their way around the library. Dorian May’s Manhattan apartment certainly has a wild side thanks to her unfettered imagination. Dorian designed the interiors of her Upper East Side apartment three years ago, having returned to New York after living in London for 10 years, but her creative streak runs deep. She started out as a producer in entertainment TV and her career has spanned styling celebrities and having her own fashion label. These days, her work includes writing about the arts for Vanity Fair and lecturing on fashion at New York University. Dorian’s interiors style reflects her diverse background and her opinion that a home should be the…

MODERN RUGS IT’S ALL ABOUT BEING BOLD (AND BEAUTIFUL) TABLE LAMPS LET THERE BE LIGHT… AND HOT SHAPES AND HUES STATEMENT CUSHIONS AN EXPLOSION OF TECHNICOLOR – GLORIOUS LOUNGE CHAIRS RECLINERS THAT ARE HAPPINESS PERSONIFIED…

NEW IN TOWN There’s a recently launched kitchen brand to add to your memory bank – Hush. Mixing traditional craftsmanship with modern manufacturing, its units are painted to spec. Bespoke style at a price that won’t make you wince. Kitchens start at £12,000 (hushkitchens.com) All matt Victoria + Albert Baths is offering a matt finish on its coloured baths and basins – that’s an eye-popping 194 shades created by a catalysed paint, hand-polished between applications. Plus all pieces are scratch and stain resistant. What’s not to love? Amalfi basin in 100% Matt RAL 2012, from £895 (vandabaths.com) Classic cool Move over globe pendants, the conical light is jostling for position above our kitchen islands and tables. The new creamware pendant light by deVOL is handmade with earthenware clay and hand-painted…

EXPERT VIEW Interior design advice Tiffany Duggan, founder of Studio Duggan and Trove “Bedrooms should be ordered and free from clutter. This helps promote a clear mind and a peaceful night’s sleep. Symmetry will aid this; opt for matching bedside tables, lamps and runners on either side of the bed or mirrored artwork. Bed stools also work; we love the Madeleine stools from our line, TROVE, for the end of the bed. Our bedside tables have also been designed to work in perfect proportion with our headboards and beds – which can often be tricky to get right.” A large bed will feel luxurious but shouldn’t be at the expense of the room’s flow. Make sure there is enough space to move freely around the bed and that it can…

get lost What… Omved Gardens Where… Townsend Yard, N6 Why… A former garden centre, this is now a spectacularly beautiful garden just off Highgate High Street. Paul Gazerwitz is responsible for the design – a sinuous path (left) snaking through weeping willows and block plantings of irises, lavender and sage, and wild borders of buttercups, daisies and red campions. Join the mailing list for news of openings and events. park life What… Potters Fields Park Where… Southwark, SE1 Why… Dutch prairie-garden guru Piet Oudolf designed the planting at this sliver of a park near the Thames behind City Hall. It’s at its best in late summer, when the perennials (echinacea, persicaria and eryngium, among others) are hitting their peak, the grasses are starting to flower and the heady scent of…

Jungle Keva Tulum, Mexico The concept behind this Mexican hideaway resort was simple: make it feel like a village. An uncomplicated brief it may be, but a difficult one to translate when this ‘village’ must also accommodate sleek infinity pools and double-height bedrooms. Tulum-based Jaque Studio oversaw the construction of just four guest lodges here, carefully placing them within dense, verdant foliage without the need to cut the jungle back. While the warren-like, twisting pathways give you the transporting feeling of exploring a hidden Mayan village, the villas are all cool, clean, modern luxury. A hint to the natural surroundings is revealed with local building techniques: dried palm leaves covering the roofs and walls finished in a traditional stucco made from local tree resin. IN THE KNOW Pack your floatiest…

1 BREAKFAST Now back as the most important meal of the day, purely for the indulgence. Order a Breakfast Box from 26 Grains; try The Good Egg’s Chocolate Tahini Babka kit; or buy Matilda Goad x Matches Fashion tableware (pictured). 2 GREEN MARBLE Making a name for itself in bathrooms, where you’ll need little more to achieve spa-like serenity. The best applications we’ve seen include a powder room by Flack Studio and Alternative Bathroom’s so-convincing-you-might-think-it’s-real Aqualunae wallcovering (pictured). 3 CHINTZ 2.0 If nostalgia best sums up the current interiors mood, then chintz is the print of the moment. And while you can’t beat Colefax and Fowler (check out its Jardine line, pictured), try both Ottoline and Cole & Son for more graphic iterations. 4 WAYNE PATE The DJ/graphic designer turned…

pleats please Channel the SS20 catwalks via delicate folds and fluting for a look that’s both playful and powerful…

RE Based in Corbridge, a village in the Tyne valley west of Newcastle, RE hides its treasures in a converted workshop behind a filling station. Opened over 17 years ago by Jenny Vaughan and Simon Young, their aim was to sell ‘an eclectic mix of the RAre, REmarkable, REcycled, REscued and REstored – furniture and objects’. Products are sourced with consideration for environmental and social impacts, including REgd., an exclusive range of products designed in-house and made by local craftspeople or trusted partners around the world. re-foundobjects.com Sunbeam Jackie This company operates from a 12th-century grain store in Cornwall and its one-of-a-kind parasols put all other umbrellas in the shade. Made to order from a pretty pattern book of floral fabrics, including brands such as Liberty London, William Morris, Sanderson…

it’s graceful and has grand rooms, but that’s not why this house is special to me – it’s special because we raised our children here,’ says Meredithe Stuart-Smith of her Regency home in Gloucestershire. ‘It’s elegant and grown-up, but it’s not so precious that tons of kids couldn’t pile in – it hits all of our needs.’ Creating such environments, ones that appeal to different generations, is something that comes naturally to Meredithe: she’s the owner of Meri Meri, a children’s partyware brand that’s both magical and stylish, pleasing parents and children alike. Born in America, Meredithe relocated to the UK after marrying her British husband James in 1997. After a two-year search, they discovered this Grade II-listed property, built in 1840, then split into two dwellings in the 1950s,…

‘The shade of raspberry dictates the mood of a room,’ says Victoria Yardley, managing director of Victory Colours. ‘A pinker hue can be young and vibrant, whereas a darker more reddish tone can be atmospheric and moody. Either way, raspberry makes for a bold, rich and luxurious interior.’ The key to picking the correct shade is to consider how the room will be used. ‘Bedrooms lend themselves well to deeper raspberry tones, as these create a cosy feel,’ says Helen Shaw, director at Benjamin Moore UK. ‘Alternatively, a brighter raspberry will bring positive energy to a space. It’s perfect for social areas such as dining or living rooms.’ Aspect is another factor to think about. ‘The lack of light in north-facing rooms can bring out cooler tones from your colour,’…

1 ‘My favourite new plant for a large pot is Hydrangea ‘Runaway Bride Snow White’ (left). Compact and ideal for containers, it has six beautiful white blooms along each of the branches, not just at the tips as with other hydrangeas. Keep your pots well watered for the best results.’ Harriet Hardiman, director of Hayloft Plants, hayloft.co.uk 2 ‘As wild-flower meadows disappear from the countryside, small patches in urban gardens (below, left) offer bee and butterfly nectar pots to replace lost habitats). In my garden, I used a perennial meadow mix from Meadowmania (meadowmania.co.uk) and add yellow rattle annually. This suppresses the rampant grasses, allowing the wild flowers to flourish.’ Mandy Buckland, Greencube Design, greencubelandscapes.co.uk 3 ‘Use your patio to increase biodiversity by planting in the cracks between paving stones.…

“Sleep impacts every cell in your body and every neurological connection, so if you don’t sleep well, it will affect your physical, physiological and cognitive performance – it could not be more important. Getting a good night’s rest doesn’t have anything to do with a number. It doesn’t matter how many hours your sleep tracker says you logged, when you nod off within half an hour and when you wake up feeling refreshed, that’s a good night’s sleep. It is often psychological when you struggle to sleep well – your mind affected by your mood and your surroundings. Make time to wind down in the evening and follow a routine. Repeat three to five simple things such as having a specific tea, smelling a scent or reading a book every…

PANEER-STUFFED PADRON PEPPERS serves 4 as a nibble 200g padron peppersRapeseed oil, for frying FOR THE PANEER 2 litres whole milk 4tbsp lemon juice FOR THE STUFFING 1 small onion, very finely chopped1 green chilli, very finely chopped3tbsp finely crushed cashews1½tsp cumin seeds, toasted and roughly ground1½tsp chaat masala, plus extra for sprinkling1tsp dried mango powderLarge handful of finelychopped corianderJuice of 1 limeSea salt and black pepper, to taste 1 1 Begin by making the paneer. Pour the milk into a saucepan and bring to the boil, then take off the heat and slowly pour in the lemon juice, stirring all the time. It should begin to curdle immediately. Leave to stand for 20 minutes. 2 Pour the curds into a muslin-lined sieve set over a bowl, letting the whey…

former interiors editor Karen Roos is queen of the horticultural hotel, presiding over both Babylonstoren and The Newt – two working agricultural estates in South Africa and the UK beloved for their outdoors-first, back-to-nature attitude. We caught up with Karen to talk all things Cape Town, her favourite city. First things first, where should we stay? Try the Dorp hotel in the Bo-Kaap neighbourhood. Perched up on the slopes of Signal Hill, the property was designed by hotelier and owner Gail Behr (dorp.co.za). Where to go for a glass of South African wine? Head to Publik on Kloof Nek Road, a bar that specialises in independent, artisan-made South African wines (publik.co.za). The buzzy table to book in advance? A short drive from Cape Town in Paternoster is Wolfgat, an eatery…

hot seats Smart chairs for work and for play CRUSHING ON seasonal serveware Ceramics are, quite literally, blooming to life this season with floral pieces from artisan makers all celebrating nature’s finest creations. Rachael Cocker’s bold, gestural style has been translated to plates and platters via freehand slip decorating – the process also favoured by Katrin Moye, whose wheel-thrown ceramics are an ode to English delftware and the Bloomsbury aesthetic. For a more modern feel, look to JJ Martin, whose Milanese brand La DoubleJ offers porcelain plates stamped with gloriously colourful prints and 18K gold trims. Ceramics, from top, left to right: White Flower and Grey Flower plates, £75 each, Rachael Cocker at The New Craftsmen. Wildbird plates, £220 for six assorted, La DoubleJ. Siirtolapuutarha plate (underneath), £26, Marimekko at…

“This nook sits at the entrance to a hotel suite in La Residencia in Majorca and was designed by Matthew Williamson. It’s the fantastic fabrics, tiles and molten metal finishes that make it feel so special – and the seating (made of bricks and plaster) is suitably louche”…

A stunning showcase for their eclectic collection of contemporary design and African art, Trevyn and Julian McGowan’s villa near Cape Town is first and foremost a family home. ‘It is actually a very lived-in house,’ insists Trevyn. ‘It just happens to be filled with a big collection of art and design.’ South African-born Trevyn met her British husband Julian in London, and the couple moved back to South Africa in 2004 to bring up their family and renovate a farm homestead in Wilderness National Park. Now a lively clan of seven, with offspring ranging from seven to 25, the family moved to Cape Town six years ago when Trevyn spotted this house on a website. ‘I hadn’t gone more than 10 foot into the house and my heart exploded,’ recalls…

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LIZZIE DESHAYES CO-FOUNDER, FROMENTAL Founding partners Lizzie Deshayes and Tim Butcher created Fromental with a mission to make the world ’s most beautiful hand-painted and hand-embroidered wallpapers, fabrics and accessories. The patterns they create are often vast and sweeping, huge scenes that encompass entire walls, taking in mountain vistas, jungle tropics and kaleidoscopic geometrics. Since launching in 2005, their work has covered huge swathes of places as glamorous as the Mandarin Oriental on Lake Como (with a champagne and teal chinoiserie) and The Goring, where a monochromatic yet painterly English country scene envelops its front hall. Combining the finest skills with luxurious fabrics, Fromental’s distinct style blends traditional high-end craftsmanship and artistry with a forward-thinking approach to design and creative techniques. The Fromental office is as vibrant as you might…

Creative background? I studied at L’École Supérieure d’Art in Annecy, then the École d’Arts Appliqués in Lyon. Describe your style. My work is hand-drawn. It’s a mix of art nouveau, Pre-Raphaelite, with a touch of 1980s glamour. And your design process? I draw a figure inspired by an iconic female form, a heroine or a character in a book. Then I collect fragments from magazines to create a collage effect. Why the female form? I see different codes of beauty within it that inspire me – a wit, a certain mannerism, a unique imperfection, a smouldering look or a trailblazing attitude. Favourite colours? Grey and mustard. Person you’d most like to meet? Jean Paul Gaultier. Influences? My French roots, fashion, the 1920s and artists Erté, Alphonse Mucha, William Morris and…

“Many of our new favourite haunts may have been closed, but that hasn’t stopped us from taking inspiration from their interiors. Take this chic lobby at hotel Locke at Broken Wharf – a clever composition of natural colours, materials and textures that’s giving us both fresh and cosy vibes”…

Brunch with Bill Granger Restaurateur, food writer and the man who brought avocado and eggs to the UK Eggs should always be on the menu, as well as avocado and bacon (unless it’s specifically for vegetarians). Have something simple like toast, butter and jam that people can get stuck into – this is great for the kids. Decide on two main dishes, a savoury and a sweet, and then throw in some other bits in between. For example, avocado and poached eggs with cut lemons, chilli f lakes and some fresh coriander. And then perhaps have a couple of platters of freshly prepared fruits, fresh yogurt, toasted seeds and nuts. The great thing about brunch is that it’s always been a global offering. It celebrates flavours and styles from around…

RESTAURANTE PONTO FINAL, ALMADA, PORTUGAL I am happiest when feasting alfresco on fresh seafood with panoramic sunset views (I don’t ask for much). So when friends gushed about this waterfront restaurant, I had to get to the Ponto, pronto! A short ferry ride from Lisbon across the River Tagus, cheerful yellow tables and chairs cluster precariously on the river’s edge, and there is nowhere better to enjoy the catch of the day than at the end of the jetty. Of course, you may get a little wet from the salty splash of the surf, but isn’t that part of the fun?…