Innehållsförteckning för March 2022 från Living Etc

I’m amazed by how often the requirements of a home can change. We’ve already seen the rapid growth in demand for home offices, then for outdoor entertaining spaces and now dining rooms – or areas – seem to be big news. Having just got a puppy, my approach to decor has evolved once again – suddenly I need hooks in places I was keeping clear, there to hang leads and coats for easy access as soon as an accident appears like it might be incoming. Spaces I was imagining might be left open now need to be closed off to stop the dog (Henry, a big cuddly vizsla already twice the size of my disgusted cat) getting his baby teeth into them. It makes me even more interested in our…

With his own studio making sustainably sourced furniture and bespoke commissions, designer Sebastian Cox is pushing the boundaries of what eco decor looks like and means. PIP RICH Having taken on big renovations at the same time, I’ve been watching yours admirably, particularly your ambition not to use a skip. Guiltily, I couldn’t have got through the refurb without one. How did you find it? SEBASTIAN COX It’s meant my project has been really slow, and every decision has been made really carefully. It’s not that we’ve not had rubbish to deal with, but if you get a skip sometimes you can just fling stuff in without thinking about it. Having to handle each bag of waste has meant I’ve been more thoughtful, given surplus materials away on Facebook, and…

There’s something special about the city Christa Peters and her husband Darren Smith call home. Originally from Nova Scotia, Canada, the couple hopped countries, teaching English abroad in cities like Seoul and Dubai, before settling down in Jersey City with their two daughters. ‘Jersey City is definitely where we feel at home,’ says Christa. ‘When Darren first suggested it I thought “no way!” because my only reference at the time was the reality TV show Jersey Shore, but I quickly fell in love with the place. It’s much calmer than New York City – which is only a five-minute subway ride away – and there’s a real sense of community here. ’Before the pair even found this house they knew they wanted Mowery Marsh Architects on board. ‘I wanted a…

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Mesmerising and alchemical, wonderfully chameleon-like and utterly covetable – the art of marbling originated in 12th-century Japan, believed to have been discovered accidentally by someone in the Japanese Imperial family who dropped writing inks in water. It was then used in Europe in the early 17th century to line boxes and decorate furniture with vibrant and saturated pigment-based colours and, eventually, was employed in bookbinding. Ancient marblers were careful to keep their methods secret, but marbling was created by f loating paints in a tray of liquid and laying paper over the top to catch resulting patterns. Today, having found its way into contemporary homes as one of the most popular prints, many of us have been dipping into the trend with pretty occasional tableware and brightly coloured decorative accessories.…

Engineered wood flooring is a real hardwood floor – unlike laminate, vinyl or LVT. It has many benefits over solid wood floors, such as being able to use it over underfloor heating. Engineered wood floors should also not be confused with a ‘real wood veneer’ floor, which is where the top layer is only 1mm or less. When choosing an engineered wood floor, you’ll want to consider some technical practicalities as well as how the floor looks. Ask yourself questions such as: where will the floor be fitted, will it be installed over underfloor heating, will it be laid next to other floor coverings such as tile, and how will this impact the thickness that is needed? Our engineered floors are made from layered sections of solid wood. The top…

A beautifully finished bathroom to get ready in every morning and to wind down in at night really makes a difference to the way you start and end your day. So if you’re planning a bathroom refurb, it’s important to consider a few key things before you start, from space planning and storage to flooring and fittings; it really does make all the difference between a basic bathroom and a beautifully functional and utterly enjoyable space. Use the following steps to guide you through the renovation process. 1 Think through and plan the layout in detail before starting work. Baths, showers and sinks come in a variety of sizes and it’s important to make the right choices for the scale of your bathroom and to ensure you allow enough space…

As trends go, the vogue for colour-blocking with bold hues in the kitchen is not for the timid. ‘This is a dramatic look,’ says Christian Ducker, director of Gundry + Ducker architecture studio. ‘But it also has a practical side, like when it helps to conceal irregular door openings that could be needed to house appliances.’ Helen Parker, creative director of deVOL, agrees that it’s a useful aesthetic tool to elevate the everyday. ‘By colour-matching features such as shelves to your cabinets, they become an integral part of the room – and so much more interesting than just shelves,’ she says. If you still need convincing, take inspiration from Ruth Mottershead of Little Greene. ‘The kitchen is the heart of the home and a space for entertaining friends. It’s therefore…

The importance of synchronising our circadian rhythm (the internal process that regulates the sleep-wake cycle) with natural light isn’t just about encouraging a good night’s sleep – it helps regulate many biological processes, such as hormone production, digestion, mental health and the reproductive system. Ideally, you want to wake early in the morning and decrease your activity in the evening, and not be exposed to blue light at least two hours before bedtime. Prolonged exposure inhibits the production of melatonin, the hormone that makes you feel sleepy. Ideally, you should have a window in every room so that you can follow the natural path of the sun. Electric lighting has only been around for a hundred-odd years – your body has evolved to the rhythm of the sun. Your daytime…

1 ADD A LAYER OF RED TO WARM UP A SCHEME The vibrant red fabric is Plush Velvet III Paprika by Warwick. The marble also has streaks of red and orange, so it was the inspiration for the choice. As it is such a large dining room, we felt the space needed a pop of bright, warm colour. Deep blue velvets and wools were also used down the central spine seating to provide a simple visual structure. This paprika colour can dominate a room, so you will need to use the colour carefully, sparingly and in proportion to the space. 2 REPURPOSE LIGHTS FO R A BRASSERIE-LIKE VIBE The basic lighting framework already existed, but there were elements that did not work. We manufactured hundreds of long, slim sections of…

Apart from my French bulldog Peggy, the one thing that makes me feel good when I step through my front door at the end of the day is the scent. I think smell is so emotive and important for making your home feel homely and welcoming. My husband David works from home so he will normally have the candles going before I get back. We love Diptyque – we usually have Figuier downstairs and Tubéreuse upstairs. We love collecting art. It injects colour and personality into spaces, which is why we like to keep a neutral backdrop. Our working lives tend to be quite busy so we like the colour palette at home to feel quite sanctuary-like. We used to have Farrow & Ball’s Elephant’s Breath in our bedroom and…

Now more than ever there’s an importance to cleansing and having a space that’s private in the home, and this is fascinating from a design perspective. As a result of the pandemic, being clean has become a government issue as well as a private one – cleanliness and hygiene are the big topics that will follow us into 2022 and beyond. The bathroom is a hyper-functional space that’s becoming increasingly cherished as a place for retreat and regeneration. It used to be seen as something secret and hidden, but it’s following the kitchen in becoming a place that you’re proud of, that you invest in and that you want to have attitude. The bathroom is a difficult challenge in terms of materials and shapes because of its wetness and heat.…

TICKET TO RIDE Being taken on a trip around the world sounds perfect, right? That is what’s on offer with the new Gitane collection from wallcovering specialist Arte. Tibetan tigers, woven baskets from Zimbabwe and Italian flower fields are just a few of the beguiling options. However, it’s the lavish palm-filled Emperador design that’s providing us with future getaway inspiration.…

Nigerian-born, London-based Tejumola Butler Adenuga is a rising star. Some of his recent works (notably A Ceremony Within, 2021) focus on the celebration and importance of black faces and bodies, which have historically been absent in the western narrative, and he has also taken a prime spot at the ‘Member Market’, part of the new Soho Home retail experience set within a former chapel on the King’s Road. Tejumola’s focus? Lighting inspired by his native Nigeria. We find out more… Tell us about your new lighting at Soho Home. The Jesmonite Arch Lamp developed as a commission for a private client which then morphed into a collaborative launch with Soho Home. From all of this came the birth of the Lamp Atelier, a celebration of the relationship between celestial spaces…

1 SUNNY DELIGHT A yellow fabric immediately brightens up any space. This buttery hue design by Tibor is a favourite of mine for its texture and subtle shade. Princess Citron Yellow fabric, £180m, Tibor 2 IN STORE A beautifully crafted leather basket with decorative toggles would be a versatile addition to any room. Hubbard basket III, £2,880, The Backward Vendor 3 LIGHT UP The Palm series draws inspiration from beach modernism, using interesting textures and elegant shapes that evoke a sense of escape. Palm sconce in Plum, $3,000, Blue Green Works 4 CRAFT WORK Handwoven, hand-painted and hand-embroidered, I love the authenticity and honesty in the crafting of this stunning cushion. Louhi cushion, €135-€160, Lrnce 5 LEOPARD PRINT Hung as a tapestry on the wall, slung over a sofa or…

Caitlin Parker-Brown and her husband Tim had just moved into their Sydney semi that had taken them seven months to remodel when the world began to lock down two years ago. It was good timing. The WFH directive meant the couple were able to spend more time there than they had anticipated, but it also allowed them to appreciate how every detail of Caitlin’s design made the house function so well for their growing family. ‘We just felt so lucky that we were able to spend all the lockdowns in our beautiful new home,’ says Caitlin. The family’s engine room, unsurprisingly, is the light, bright and – thanks to Caitlin’s exactingly designed custom storage – spacious kitchen-diner. ‘Tim and I both appreciate good food and find joy in cooking, so…

the first thing Andy French did when she moved into her London home was to have her art collection hung by art installers. Hasty move? Not for Andy. She wanted an instantly friendly home for her and her two daughters following a recent separation. ‘Surrounding ourselves with familiar pieces meant we had a happy haven that felt like ours,’ says Andy, who tasked 01 Art Services with finding the right spots for everything. However, she knew the house’s grey palette wouldn’t sustain her art’s vibrant, upbeat melody for long. ‘Although I’d found the right locations for my art, I knew they could look even better with the right backdrop,’ says Andy. Fortunately for the time-poor busy mum, her friend was interior designer and colour connoisseur Brooke Copp-Barton, whose love of…

Maximalist or minimalist, there is a wallpaper design to suit everyone’s taste. Wallpaper is a brilliant way to add interest to your home and help distinguish areas, giving them purpose and personality, while belonging to an overall scheme. Open-plan living remains a top priority for many, but adding wallpaper is a smart way to create a distinct area, adding instant interest and cosiness, especially in larger spaces. For a dining space that is part of the kitchen, you can zone it with a decorative wallpaper; it introduces an air of formality to contrast with the harder-working kitchen. If you’re easing yourself into the world of wallpaper, perhaps start with the smallest room of the house – the cloakroom. There are no rules here; go bold and give the mini space…

sculptural shapes Strong circles make a statement, becoming conversation pieces for people to gather round soft waves Gentle undulations are peaceful and invigorating, the design equivalent of a day at the beach graphic edges Be bold and embrace the jutting curve, adding a powerful sense of drama to your home cloud forms Floating on plumped-up pillows of comfort, the most mellow take on the trend makes life a dream…

1 say yes to amazing adjustable furniture Consider furniture that won’t date and grows with your child – investing in a contemporary furniture set that will last until the teenage years is a smart move. Look for junior beds that become full adult-size single beds or beds with adjustable heights to make the transfer from cot to bed that much easier. This avoids the need for frequent replacing. Grace Tindall, founder, Scandiborn 2 heritage prints heroes Using classic fabrics in pretty florals alongside a minimal palette gives a children’s room longevity and a sense of timelessness. Wiltshire Blossom in Lichen (not shown) is a super versatile fabric. This much-loved Liberty print can be used beautifully not only for upholstery and blinds, but also curtains and drapes, and teepees and dens…

I have a little theory about kitchens that has played out in my mind for a while now. I reckon if you were to carry out a survey of people who decided to forsake all other stones and splash out on marble worktops, there would be a significant number suffering from ‘marble remorse’. This regret does not stem from the fact the cost probably burnt a hole in their pockets, or the discovery that marble really does have a propensity to chip and stain without care. No, the remorse, I believe, would be because the choice simply wasn’t bold enough. While a classic white marble is nothing to be sniffed at, it is striking veining running with wild abandon through the piece that can have a real showstopping impact. Dramatic…

It’s important to always have a vinyl and stylus cleaning kit to hand to keep your collection in the best condition. You’ll need a specialist anti-static brush for the vinyl and some kind of mild alcohol spray and cloth. A stylus cleaning brush is also useful and is like the world’s tiniest toothbrush. Most record shops will sell you a record cleaning kit. Wipe off any excess dust before playing a record using an anti-static vinyl cloth. Get rid of dust on the stylus before playback using that tiny toothbrush-like brush. A bad sound is most likely caused by a worn or dusty stylus. This also means damage to your records. Stop as soon as you can and clean both stylus and record. If it persists, replace the stylus, or…

Journalist Fleur Britten investigates an area of life we could all improve, and the innovative solutions created to help us. Imagine if burnt toast and soggy bottoms were consigned to history. Well, with the arrival of the smart kitchen, that much could be possible. Already there are Wi-Fi-enabled fridges that you ‘open’ virtually from the supermarket, hobs that automatically cool down when things boil over, and extractors that respond to the air quality around your hob. There’s also a huge array of smart countertop appliances – kettles that can heat water to a specific temperature (great if, for example, you’re a fan of green tea, best brewed at 80°C), ice cream makers that appreciate the difference between sorbet and gelato, and perhaps the most useful, bean-to-cup coffee machines that can…

Mama Roma A high-energy stay with plenty of playful touches, this 217-room property has just landed in Rome and is part of the Mama Shelter group, a family-founded company disrupting the hotel scene with its eccentric, fun and accessible approach to hospitality. Located in the Prati district on the banks of the River Tiber, Mama Roma features a bold and exuberant design throughout with neon signs, mosaic floors, maximalist textiles and walls adorned with geometric artwork by graphic artist Beniloys. All rooms boast king-size beds, 55-inch smart TVs and organic bath products from French cosmetic brand Absolution. The hotel is home to the brand’s first-ever spa, complete with an indoor swimming pool, sauna, hammam and fitness centre. It also boasts a magnificent rooftop, an island bar and glorious views of…

With many of us spending an increased amount of time at home, we have begun to demand more from our spaces – many rooms have needed to become adaptable to a variety of uses, but none more so than the living room. Now, it is not only a place to relax and unwind in after a day at work, or gather together with friends and family, but also a place that we might turn to as a part-time office or even to exercise; we require furnishings that need to suit a multitude of purposes, which makes it a complex – but exciting – space to design. After the last year of spending so much time in our homes, we are longing for wide open spaces, and a reconnection with the…

Is it supposed to look like that? Yes, it is. Lighting has been turned upside down, quite literally, as a sea of designers unleash glassy luminaries that – on first appearance – might appear askew. Designs which are expertly executed, chic and will most definitely stir up conversation in the room. With a twist of mid-century aesthetic thrown in for good measure, topsy-turvy glass lighting is the in-look right now, but which designs stand out and cut the most significant design dash?…

All eyes are on this lively furniture look. The defining characteristic? It’s the bulbous but beautiful sculpted curves. Mix this with a playful colour palette and perhaps a multi-texture make-up and – voila – the result is an aesthetic that oozes a confident and carefree attitude. Those who have a preference for discretion and hushed interiors might want to look elsewhere because these boisterous creations are never going to sit quietly in the corner (although a neutral colourway could appeal). In the best sense, prepare to reconnect with your five-year-old self.…

CHRISTIAN WATSON Cork featured prominently in Christian Watson’s handmade furniture collection that debuted during Design London last September. A traditionally trained furniture maker with an eye for sleek, chic contemporary silhouettes, Christian brought together sustainable Portuguese cork and recycled metal for his Severus lounger, Littleton armchair and Timperly dining chair, made to order in his Wandsworth studio. ‘Cork is a beautiful material to work with because it is pliable, strong, highly elastic, durable and waterproof,’ he enthuses. The stark, striking metallic lines of Christian’s pieces have been softened with seating sculpted from thin layered sheets of cork, ‘adding texture, warmth and colour,’ he says. ‘It’s a misconception that cork is soft – people expect it to flex and move with the body when they sit in it, but actually it’s…

Curated, vintage-filled homes are fast becoming the interior look of the moment. I think it’s always a good idea to mix and match different styles and eras as it makes an interior feel collected and lived in. At the start of a project, the clients and I go through a process of looking at different pictures they have torn from magazines or pinned to boards and usually these images paint a pretty clear picture of the colours they gravitate towards. There are colours that I’m naturally drawn to (I’m a sucker for reds, blues, greens and mustards) but really, colour schemes are generally determined by the client; it’s their home so I like to work with colours that make their hearts sing. That said, I have noticed a movement towards…

Caple’s French Door CAFF42 fridge freezer has a ‘holiday mode’ so you can switch off a single compartment that’s not in use, £1,651…

SHINING LIGHT After years of lagging in the style stakes, bathroom lighting is thankfully out of the design doldrums. Take the new Alrik wall light from Där Lighting for instance – the mix of ribbed glass opal shade alongside matt black metalwork oozes art-deco style and works well to update any space. Alrik wall light, £54, darlighting.co.uk GENTLE WAVES The wave is the new stripe and the Ric Rac collection by interior studio Samantha Todhunter Design for Bert & May sets the tone. Inspired by Spanish dancing skirts Samantha used to make as a child for school, the tile comes in two designs – a border style and a diagonal look, both with an array of beautiful laying possibilities. The Ric Rac collection, from £7 per tile, bertandmay.com SO VEIN…

Lee Miller is one of my heroes. If you are ever in Sussex you must visit Farleys House where she and surrealist artist Roland Penrose lived from 1949. Among many other talents, Lee was a fantastic cook and often held incredible surrealist dinner parties with guests including Man Ray, Max Ernst and Joan Miró. Behind the simple white Aga in the kitchen is a tiled splashback with a smiling face embedded within – a piece of work by Picasso himself. Installed off-centre, its magic lies in the surprise – it is unexpected, utterly charming and, of course, unique. The same unassuming magic can be created easily in your own kitchen, even if you don’t have access to your own Picasso! Both deVOL and Neptune kitchens are full of character, providing…

Churchill hit the nail on the head when he famously noted that ‘we shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us’. I have always been a floor plan addict. I thrill and obsess over the multitude of options and arrangements any one building contains, knowing that each iteration will give a different approach to how the space is lived in. To me, it’s a computer game; Tetris-ing rooms together, unlocking various possibilities until I complete the level. Obliterating every wall is too easy; to become a master player I must lay my tetrominoes wisely, creating more interesting layouts. I am the broken plan’s most devoted cheerleader. I often find open-plan spaces overwhelming – too vast to be cosy, too large to zone, too stark to feel ambient. We humans are programmed…

We all know the power of a good night’s sleep – and one way to help a mood-boosting slumber is sleeping on a mattress made with natural, responsibly sourced, recyclable materials. The reason? Many mattresses are made from synthetic materials which can not only have an adverse impact on our sleep but can contribute to long-term health problems as well as adding to landfill. Thankfully, many companies are waking up to the importance of good-quality eco-friendly mattresses and there’s now a variety of choices on the market, away from the more common foam-based offerings. ‘Foam is made from chemicals, which are not only bad for the environment, but also proven to be carcinogenic,’ says Adam Black, co-founder, Button & Sprung. ‘We believe that a natural mattress is essential for a…

1 Designing the perfect smart kitchen comes down to how you cook, what you do and don’t want to have on show, and how to make it ergonomic for you. If you’re into gadgets, it can be easy to accumulate a lot of appliances, which will make your kitchen look very fussy, so you have to try to find new spaces for the tech. It’s helpful to break up the kitchen into separate zones – you might want to have a working area on one side, where your fridge, sink and oven are reasonably close together, and an entertaining area on the other side. Kitchen islands work really well to break up the space; we’re also doing a lot of breakfast bars, complete with boiling water taps and coffee machines…

serves 4 400g pork mince2 cooked beetroot, peeled and coarsely gratedLarge handful of soft herbs, such as flat-leaf parsley, dill, basil, finely chopped1 egg, beaten60g fresh white breadcrumbs1 fat clove of garlic, peeled and crushedSalt and freshly ground black pepper1 bunch spring onions, trimmed2 red chicory, cut into wedgesOlive oil, for fryingSqueeze of lemon juice200ml soured cream4 flatbreads Frying the meatballs in batches will ensure they are golden all over and cooked through 1 For the meatballs, mix the pork mince with the beetroot, half the herbs, the egg, breadcrumbs and garlic. Season then shape into 16 even-sized balls and chill for 10 minutes. 2 Toss the spring onions and chicory with a little oil. Heat a griddle or heavy-based frying pan over a high heat and cook until charred…

1 metallic flooring You’ve heard of cities paved with gold, but what about using metallics to cover your homes, too? Gleaming new floor tiles from Minoli add lustre underfoot, encapsulating both the desire for a luxe sense of colour and a look that feels more sleek and chic. It’s an extension of the vogue for gloss ceilings in dining rooms, used with the understanding that extra shine makes everything seem more captivating. ‘Think earthy tones, like turmeric and amber,’ says Damla Turgut, founder and creative director of Otto Tiles & Design, of the way in which golds and coppers can evoke a sense of warmth and familiarity. 2 tawny tones Rich indeed, these burnt copper hues might be all too easily described as brown or orange but, in reality, they’re a…

The kitchens of 2022 will feel like another extension of our homes, in the sense that they will feel like a room, an additional living space within the house rather than a utilitarian place to prepare food in. This will see more refined materials, art and antiques move into the space as it becomes less focused on pure function. The rising kitchen trend I am particularly drawn to is the geometry of framed cabinet fronts. The framework creates an opportunity to add to the story, creating interest – I would take them even further by placing decorative metal mesh in the inserts to add a bit of sparkle and panache. We are still reeling from the effects of the pandemic and our souls are in deep need of soothing, as…