Innehållsförteckning för May 2022 från Living Etc

free gift when you subscribe ■ £19.75 for six issues ■ never miss an issue with every copy delivered direct to your door ■ exclusive subscriber-only cover each month ■ free Aery gift set includes three miniature votive candles worth £36 magazinesdirect.com/letcmay22 two simple ways to subscribe ONLINE AT magazinesdirect.com/letcmay22 BY PHONE 0330 333 1 1 13 QUOTE CODE A26W. Lines are open Monday-Fr iday from 9am-5pm UK time. Offer closes 31.05.2022. Offer open to new subscribers only. Direct Debit offer is available to UK subscribers only. Subscribe and pay £19.75 every six months. We will notify you in advance of any price changes. Please allow up to six weeks for delivery of your first subscription issue (up to eight weeks overseas). Payment is non-refundable after the 14 day cancellation…

A new colour scheme can transform the look of your bathroom – whether you dream of a soothing retreat with spa-like hues or a vintage roll-top bath teamed with a daring palette. Here, the experts offer advice on how to elevate your space with paint. Sanctuary hues ‘While bathrooms can be a hum of activity in the morning, they can also be a space of calm and relaxation at the end of a long day,’ says Patrick O’Donnell, Farrow & Ball’s brand ambassador. ‘With this in mind, consider gentle colours for 2022, such as School House White on your walls. Add in an element of contrast with a pop of colour to your vanity unit – something like Breakfast Room Green,’ he suggests. Go dark and darker ‘Don’t be afraid…

COOL OPERATOR Kitchen appliance specialist Bertazzoni has a new cooling collection which comprises refrigerator, freezer and wine columns. The appliances are available with stainless steel doors or customisable with kitchen panels. Built-in wine columns can hold 80 bottles across two zones spanning 4C to 18C while the refrigerator column is available in 75cm and 60cm widths. The freezer column comes in 60cm and 45cm widths and has no-frost technology. Cooling columns, from £8,000 (bertazzoni.com) Brassed off Luxury bathroom brand Lusso Stone has launched its first collection of hardware as part of a new move to expand into homeware. The range includes door knobs, bars and handles in the brand’s signature brassware finishes – including brushed gold, brushed stainless and matte black. Each piece of hardware is also available in either…

In probably one of my most controversial design moves to date, I am planning to use the current family bathroom as a lobby to the main bedroom. I’ll be squeezing in a tiny separate shower room at first-floor level and creating a family bathroom on the new second floor. This lobby space will form a buffer between the en suite and the bedroom, as well as flooding the hallway with the most wonderful light from the large window, currently a curious ripple effect privacy glass that I cannot wait to obliterate. Yes, I am sacrificing a whole (albeit small) room to create an entrance space; it might seem extravagant, maybe even wasteful. But here’s the thing; if lockdown has taught us anything about our homes, it’s that they can either…

There’s more to having people over than just breaking open the dip. Journalist Fleur Britten investigates the ways design has evolved to allow your home to host the sort of parties you’ve always wanted to attend. An unexpected silver lining of the pandemic has been the opportunity for interiors introspection. ‘People were asking themselves, “What do I miss from the outside world that my home is not giving me?’” says Charu Gandhi, founder of Kensington design studio Elicyon. For some, she adds, ‘That was about bringing the restaurant home.’ Others didn’t stop there – one client has apparently dedicated their entire basement to entertaining, installing a bowling lane, blackjack table, DJ booth and dance floor. Just as bars, restaurants and hotels have endeavoured to create a more homely experience in…

1 GO LARGE WITH STATEMENT HOUSEPLANTS We wanted plants that would frame the bijou Martini bar. Veitchia palms were the perfect choice because they draw your eye to the intricate ceiling and contrast with the elegant mouldings and cornicework of the ground-floor Drawing Room. I love how tropical they feel and the shadows they cast on the ceiling thanks to the lighting set underneath. At home, why go small with plants? Aim to play with scale and go big with statement greenery. 2 GIVE YOUR CHANDELIERS A MODERN TWIST Our Capiz chandeliers were custom-made to fit the intricate floral rosettes in the Drawing Room ceiling. They are made from thousands of lightweight windowpane oyster shells, which emanate a beautiful amber glow in the room and are a nautical nod to…

Your outside space isn’t complete without an area to relax in – and that’s where these brilliant outdoor seating ideas come into their own. Whether you’re a keen gardener and want to enjoy the visual fruits of your labour, or simply love to get out into nature, you need a spot to sit to take it all in. For a space that really works, take time to figure out what you require from an outdoor seating area and what materials would work best. We’ve enlisted the help of industry experts and posed all the important questions to help you do exactly that. ‘As with any interior room, it’s important to consider form and function,’ advises Rebecca Hunt, director of Suna Interior Design. ‘How big is the area you are looking…

1 MARVELLOUS MOVING PRINTS Motion is the influence behind some of the best new-season textiles TAKING FLIGHT What’s more beautiful than starling murmurations? Not much, according to fabric specialist Villa Nova who has collaborated with potter Kyra Cane for a collection of ‘engaging and uninhibited textiles’. This design captures the motion of twisting and turning in the sky, while mimicking the natural fluctuations of shadow and shade – a true delight. 2 SPHERICAL LIGHTING Whether singular or in groups, globe lights are taking centre stage DIVINE DROPLETS Looking like a raindrop caught in motion, the Blow pendant lamp by Italian brand Bontempi Casa is delicate, elegant and bang on trend. There are two size options to choose from – small and medium – and we like both, especially when they’re…

home profile THE OWNER Rosh Mahtani, founder of Alighieri Jewellery, lives here with her partner, designer Fred Rigby, who runs a furniture and interior design practice. THE PROPERTY A two-storey flat occupying the ground and basement floors of a Clerkenwell residence. On the ground floor there’s an open-plan kitchen-diner and living room, with a bedroom, bathroom, office and courtyard garden in the basement. the blueprint from growing up in Zambia and reading French and Italian at Oxford to establishing a demi-fine jewellery brand rooted in literature and art, Rosh Mahtani, creative director of Alighieri Jewellery, has now created the most elegant and zen-like home in the middle of the city. ‘I absolutely love how hidden away my little square is; an oasis in central London. I can walk to work…

home profile THE OWNERS Kate Clare and her partner Gavin Sumner, along with their young baby. Kate founded Loud Architects, a creative architecture and interior design studio based in east London, in 2017. Gavin is the co-founder of Scalewise.com, which helps technology start-ups build their businesses. THE PROPERTY A renovated Edwardian terrace house in east London. The ground floor has a hallway, WC, bike cupboard and formal sitting room. At the rear is a large kitchen, sitting and dining space with a bar. On the first floor is the main bedroom and bathroom along with a guest bedroom and en suite. The second floor is a loft extension where both Kate and Gavin have studies along with a gym room and bathroom. the emotive pull of Kate Clare and Gavin…

THE NEW-SEASON DROP HAS FOUR KEY LOOKS THAT EMBRACE COLOUR AND PATTERN – IT’S TIME TO BE BOLD WITH POWER PRINTS AND HEROIC HUES…

1 the key to success Inevitably, you’ll want somewhere to drop your keys as you walk in. To stop this becoming a messy bowl filled with ephemera, designer Christina Nielsen’s go-to is a console with storage underneath, such as drawers or a small basket. ‘You can even create a skirted table so the storage is hidden,’ she says. 2 eye-catching ‘The entry is the moment a home introduces itself,’ says interior designer Kevin Isbell. ‘When designing a hallway, begin by thinking about which wall your eye first lands on when you walk into the home and start there. I like to anchor that wall with either a console table or a chest of drawers with a lamp on top and artwork above. Alternatively, you could place a cabinet there for…

Back in the 17th century, an orangery was a room or extension where orange and other fruit trees and exotic plants were protected during the winter months. Essentially they were a very large form of greenhouse or conservatory, but a brick structure with large glass windows rather than fully made from glass. Orangeries became associated with intricate architecture and grand, period homes but towards the end of the 19th century, orangeries gave way to fully glazed structures, like the conservatories we know today. Orangeries are seriously back in fashion and range from traditional Georgian-style designs with ornate windows to completely contemporary builds. Architect Sophie Goldhill shares her advice for planning one from start to finish. 1 The first thing to consider is the location of your proposed orangery. How it…

Like all areas of sustainability, there is a lot of confusion about what is, or isn’t, eco-friendly. And when it comes to flooring, there are differing claims and opinions all the time. So we’re classifying eco flooring as being sourced from a natural material and not made with chemicals. It should be sustainable and renewable – such as wood, cork, sisal or Tencel – but there are now some vinyls on the market that have eco credentials, too. ‘It is super hard because there are multiple factors to consider,’ says Ed Grant of Kite Flooring. ‘From how it’s grown or made to how it’s transported, how it’s installed, how it’s maintained and how it’s disposed of at the end of life.’ As weighing all that up feels like a lengthy…

1 My most important tool for making people feel comfortable at a party is a tape measure – you can only have comfort and ease when you have room (at the dinner table, the ideal distance between people is around 55cm). So many good dinners are ruined by a table that is too big or too small. 2 If you want people to feel their best selves, lighting is everything – you want everyone to look like they’ve been dipped in honey. Overhead lighting and modern bulbs can be quite unforgiving so when in doubt, take it down a notch. Better to be too dark than too bright. I love to have as much candlelight as possible and use a lot of hurricane holders – glass sleeves over the candles…

Palácio Príncipe Real IN A SENTENCE A 19th-century palácio, surrounded by leafy gardens of jacaranda and lemon trees, in the heart of one of the city’s loveliest districts. DESIGN HIGHLIGHT The interiors were conceived by the British owner Gail Curley. She revives and celebrates the spirit of the original building, with its blue and white tiles and Moorish stucco work, all the while overlaying energetic colours and luxurious fittings. The pièce de résistance? The ornate central staircase in original woodwork. DON’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT Your favourite swimsuit. In the garden is an Asian-style infinity pool, the perfect place to cool off after a hard day’s sightseeing. IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD Buzzy restaurants and concepts stores are ten a penny. The Botanical Gardens are just at the top of the road, while…

World-renowned creative genius Matthew Williamson started off as a fashion designer in London in the 1990s, dressing Kate Moss, Jade Jagger and Alek Wek. He gradually and naturally switched to interiors, and now creates commercial and residential spaces, still known for his trademark brights. He sells a charming mix of antique and modern pieces via his own website and this month launches a collection of bed linens, soft furnishings and accessories for John Lewis & Partners. PIP RICH Hi Matthew, how’s life in Spain today? MATTHEW WILLIAMSON It’s good thanks. I’m sitting on my terrace, drinking coffee, looking at the sunshine. “It’s true I’m no minimalist but I think of my look as organised bohemia, which is calming” PR It sounds so peaceful – which fits with my image of…

Fred Rigby Studio is an independent London-based furniture and interior design practice, characterised by organic shapes, natural symbolism and earthy materials to provide a strong connection to nature indoors. In Rosh’s central London home, the designer has done what he does best and has used pared-back earthy tones and materials to make the space sing. ‘When designing in general I like to think about how someone will use and travel around a space, creating key vignettes and touch points to enhance them and the space and providing moments to wow guests or customers,’ says Fred. I WANTED TO OPEN UP THE SPACE to catch as much light as possible. As the living space was on the ground floor and bedroom and bathroom were in the basement I removed everything that…

home profile THE DESIGNER Nathan Cuttle, founder of interior design practice Studio Nato, who revamped the house for a young professional couple. He works in social media, she’s a lawyer. They are expecting their first baby and have two French bulldogs. THE PROPERTY A classic, late-19th century ‘Italianate’ four-storey brownstone. The lower ground floor is a separate flat that the couple rent out. On the raised ground floor is a through living space/dining area/kitchen, which leads to an outdoor terrace. On the two floors above are four bedrooms, two bathrooms and plenty of closet space – two of the bedrooms have been rearranged as home offices. think of a house in NYC and chances are first thing that springs to mind is a classic brownstone – much like this Brooklyn…

A space that conjures feelings of magic and adventure is one we would all like to create for our children. Growing up, my two sisters and I shared a room in the attic. I had an antique pine single sleigh bed that made hilarious/unfortunate – let’s call them ‘raspberry’ – sounds when you moved. For a long time my only goal in life was to turn the bed into an actual sleigh, drawn by 12 majestic huskies. The curtains in the room had a soft pencil pleat pelmet made up in ivory linen with a denim blue border and mesmerisingly shiny tortoiseshell buttons that ran down the vertical leading edge. Once, I picked off a few and tried to pass them off as pound coins to buy a white chocolate…

Do a feature wall, 2022-style Don’t worry, Changing Rooms-esque statement walls are not back. Instead, calming Scandi blonde wood panels are making an appearance – slim, the size of floorboards, fixed vertically. ‘Why not try a contemporary wood clad feature wall?’ says Alexandria. ‘It’s a surprisingly effective way of changing the architectural aesthetic of a living room, creating a focal point and adding texture.’ It’s also relatively easy and inexpensive to achieve. Create some light relief Textured wallpaper is a simple way to evoke the feeling of period details where there are none. Lincrusta’s trad-sounding damask and dado panels feel hugely of the moment, and can be painted over very easily. ‘I particularly love seagrass and linen papers,’ says Alexandria. ‘They look like fabric on the walls and tend to…

“The extension is both sympathetic to and purposefully contrasting the original Victorian house” “It’s possible to create an urban extension with the calming feeling of a rustic farmhouse”…

I’ve always had an ambivalent attitude towards kitchen islands – the traditionally designed ones at least. Before pantries stole their thunder, islands were the dream element in kitchen design, however I never fully understood the fascination. Yes, islands can be a great way to incorporate storage, the sink and the hob, but many take up too much floor space. Islands are also sold to us on the premise that they make convivial gathering spots but I beg to differ. Surely no one has had their best meal sitting, feet dangling, on high stools lined up in a row. And neither does it encourage inclusive chat. I would almost always favour a kitchen table over an island but if you need additional prep space and storage, free-standing table islands are seeing…

The office workplace has evolved. Most of us no longer sit at a desk for eight hours, but instead can choose from a variety of breakout spaces that aren’t just glass cubes; we may even work in the office cafe. Our view is that the home should offer different working options too, whether it’s an armchair for making phone calls, a window seat for reviewing a document on a tablet or a standing desk with a stool so you can choose to sit or stand. At home, it makes sense to decant things from one open-plan space shared by everyone into other areas. It’s important to create visual interest, as you need to have things to look up at for stimulation or to create visual relief. This could be a…

The concept of ‘zen tech’ might seem sacrilegious to purists, but they’re clearly not the ones struggling to find their inner calm. For those of us who do, the amount of hours lost to thinking about how badly we’re meditating while trying to do it doesn’t bear thinking about. The new generation of ‘mind machines’, however, promises to get us there faster, deeper, better, often even without needing us to ‘learn’ how to meditate (and many come with extended return policies, enabling you to try before you buy). ‘There’s massive potential when you bring human technology and manufactured technology together,’ says Chris Connors, meditation teacher and founder of the meditation app OPO. There are even situations where nature can’t compete, he adds – for example, listening to sounds. ‘Nature can…

My kitchen makes me feel instantly at home. It is open to the hallway so you see it straight away. In winter there is usually a roaring fire and I have lots of table lamps rather than overhead lights. There are no high-up wall units so it doesn’t feel terribly fitted and it really lifts my spirits. It’s all shades of green. I think the colours we find in nature are the ones most comforting to live alongside. I use Pure & Original paint, which has one of the highest concentrations of natural colour pigments. The wall colour in the kitchen is Sea Moss, a soft green, and there’s a pink, Old Rose, in the living room. Having that colour thread that runs through the house helps pull it together…

We could all benefit from more time spent in nature and if your ideal outdoor scenario involves a glass of rosé and a plate of crudités, then these alfresco dining ideas provide the perfect way to get a little more acquainted with the natural world outside your door. When creating an outdoor dining space, consider what you have to work with, what you can change and what is possible. ‘Whether your space is compact or spacious, you can design something that will work for you,’ says Rebecca Hunt, director of Suna Interior Design studio. ‘Take the same approach as you would if it was your living or dining room – space plan, select furniture and then add in the personal touches.’ Taking time to curate a cohesive look will enhance…

As the days get warmer, the desire to not just entertain but prepare meals outside becomes stronger. Outdoor kitchens have long been a mainstay in hot climates, but the trend is becoming increasingly popular in cooler countries like the UK. We already know the joy that comes with a summer barbecue, but why stop it there? The move to enjoying a full kitchen experience alfresco is happening. This means almost as much planning as you would undertake for an indoor kitchen and you will have to consider every element, from cabinetry and worktops to sinks and storage. Thankfully, it doesn’t need to cost a fortune and there are options ranging from a bespoke installation with high-end appliances to simple off-the-peg designs. Here, experts give advice on how to create the…

BEETROOT FRITTERS WITH RADISH AND NIGELLA RAITA serves 6 FOR THE FRITTERS 450g raw beetroot, peeled and coarsely grated [about 4 large]2 tbsp chopped dill or fennel1 garlic clove, crushed1 ½ tsp fennel seeds1 ½ tsp coriander seeds30g plain flour or chickpea flour2 medium eggs, beaten1 tbsp Greek yoghurt2 tbsp olive oil FOR THE RAITA 200g Greek yoghurt1 tsp nigella seeds100g [8] radishes, finely slicedA small bunch of mint or coriander, finely choppedFennel or dill sprigs, to serveExtra virgin olive oil, to drizzle 1 Toast the fennel and coriander seeds in a pan over a low heat until fragrant and slightly darker in colour. Crush in a pestle and mortar. Set ½ tsp crushed seeds aside. 2 To make the raita, stir the reserved ½ tsp crushed seeds into the…

To me, entertaining outside is a vital part of life – it’s our relationship with the wider landscape, be it urban or rural. I prefer rectangular tables for dining. I love textiles on a table rather than hard surfaces, so I use a lot of our Lario linen, which comes in an array of colours. I take around three colours, often blue, green and one other, then mix them up with two sizes of place mats and napkins. I enjoy mixing pattern and plain, sometimes florals and stripes or ombre, and I generally prefer a range of place mats, rather than a tablecloth, which can feel a little heavy in the sunshine. At the moment, I’m loving marble prints, which I pair with corresponding plain linens. I like outdoor dining…