Innehållsförteckning för August 2022 från Living Etc

Last month, Tom Dixon told us about the importance of ‘light washing’, using bulbs cleverly to cover your walls in light rather than just beaming down on them from on high. And this month, can it be coincidence that wall lights are becoming ever more sculptural? First Laura Gonzalez was a true highlight at Paris Déco Off with her Bosphore ceramic wall lights. Available in an earthy mix of hues, each ceramic cylinder is a modern take on the bobbin trend, incorporating them like jewels into these covetable shades. Then Laskasas opened a brand-new showroom at London’s Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour, the perfect place to showcase its Jackson’s wall light. Three orbs, melded together, its mix of materials is both beguiling and inviting, the light fanning out from behind in…

FAR OUT The dessert course just got more delicious. The Madcap Geometric dessert plates from La DoubleJ, shown here in the Slinky Verde print, would be fitting for a Black Forest gateau cake. Created in collaboration with Italian porcelain masters Ancap, the plates are finished with a hand-painted 18k gold trim. Try mixing different prints from the collection – there’s no such thing as pattern overload in this era. £90 for two, La DoubleJ SPIRAL DOWN Tell us you’re a maximalist, without telling us you’re a maximalist. The Ludmila pouf by Popus Editions says it all in our opinion. Available in a variety of fabrics, this psychedelic orange and pink colour combination is totally in tune with the liberal and free attitudes of Sixties people. And, with a feather topper…

never have we needed the rich technicolour vibrancy and joyful bold graphics of African-inspired pattern more for our homes than right now. Swathed across fabrics, furniture, ceramics and home accessories, these savoir vivre prints inject an instant burst of energy and happiness into any space, all thanks to a new generation of designers who are finally coming to the fore, being given platforms to reinterpret and reimagine the techniques, stories and symbology of their cultural past to create new designs that feel so right for modern life. Take multidisciplinary London artist Yinka Ilori’s latest homeware collection, which includes place mats, tablecloths, stools and pouffes decorated with a swirl of hypnotic pattern in hues of sunshine yellow, azure blue and candy pink that ‘evoke happy memories of my childhood surrounded by…

from its façade, there is little to indicate that the house known as Il Nido – the nest or nursery in Italian – conceals within itself a mass of contradictions. On a footprint of only 108 square metres, the house has an unexpected vertical axis with a basement dug out of the ancient blue stone of Melbourne and a first floor with city views. Originally a worker’s cottage built in 1885, its character is both humble and yet tells a story of a boomtown founded during a gold rush. It was his Italian ancestry that led the owner Chris De Stratis and builder/director of BelArte Building Group to the suburb of Carlton, where once his grandfather had lived. In revitalising this home for his wife, Tina, and children, Eloise, Giovanni,…

you’d be forgiven for thinking this sun-drenched home was sitting somewhere along the Mediterranean with its mock-Grecian turret, sweeping staircase and Moroccan-style doors. Instead it’s a 1980s villa in Sunshine Beach, a town just north of Brisbane, designed and built by local artist John Cummins and his wife Veruschka, who had modelled it on Mediterranean villas they had stayed in. Interior designer Nina Caple came across the property and was drawn in by its unique style, northfacing light and soaring ceilings. ‘We were looking for a new project and this house had great character,’ says Nina. ‘There are a lot of old beach shacks, terrible 80s architecture and contemporary beach houses around here, but this place had so much natural light and we loved how unusual it was.’ Plus, it…

Julia Thompson is a fashion stylist turned interior designer and founder of Frank Interiors in London. ‘I set up Frank Interiors five years ago. It happened organically – after I had renovated my own home, a friend asked me to design one room, which led to redesigning her entire house,’ she says. ‘For Helen’s roof terrace I brought in garden designer Barbara Samitier who I’d worked with on a previous project and trusted to pick the best plants and complete the look.’ BRING THE INSIDE OUT When you’re working with a wrap-around terrace, as was the case with Helen’s apartment, the phrase ‘bringing the outside in’ couldn’t have been more relevant. With views of the terrace from virtually every room, for me as a designer, it was vital to carry…

At time of writing, the jury is out on whether this will be one long, hot summer or the sort of year where a high point is Cliff Richard singing under an umbrella. Let’s hope it’s the former, but if not then I know of a solution. Why not adorn the walls of your home in bright wallpaper? Bring the good vibes to you and the rest will follow. I recently discovered Mindthegap, a wonderfully colourful fabric house based in Transylvania. Drench your living room with sunbeams by installing its Gypsy design in the ochre colourway. This bohemian design is filled with folky florals but isn’t overcrowded – there is space between the motifs revealing a textured honeycomb background bringing calm into the room. Pops of luminous reds, orange and…

A handleless design, this cooler stores up to 18 bottles of wine and has sliding wooden shelves and anti-UV glass to protect the wine from sunlight. Smeg Dolce Stil Novo I618NR wine cooler, £2,299 (smeguk.com) This cooler can store up to 19 bottles and has touch control as well as a white LED display. You can also convert it into a can chiller with optional glass shelving. Undercounter wine cooler, £689 (caple.co.uk) Here’s one for true wine connoisseurs. This luxury wine cabinet has two separately controlled temperature and humidity zones and holds 58 bottles. iQ700 wine cabinet, £5,199 (siemenshome.bsh-group.com)…

In years to come, when design historians mull over the evolution of the kitchen, they may well snort with laughter at our current obsession with open-plan kitchen-diners. While a wonderful idea in theory, lockdown exposed the open layout’s big weakness – combining the cooking, dining and living areas into a larger, more sociable space can actually close off a range of possibilities. The reality of open-plan living means a loss of privacy and lack of versatility in using the space for different purposes. As a result, ‘broken plan’ layouts – where spaces are divided without the use of solid walls – are soaring up the interiors wish list as traditional walls make way for a far more interesting alternative: glass partitions. Glass partitions are popping up in many new kitchen…

1 blending in ‘Built-in components should be visually restrained and not bulky. In this design, the grid of off-white wooden cupboards gives the room a sense of calm and at the same time refers to the charm of historical fixtures in a modern guise.’ Lea Korzeczek, creative director, Studio Oink 2 go bespoke ‘My number one tip for maximising storage in a small apartment is to commission made-to-measure cabinetry. Tailored to the dimensions of your space, the cabinetry can be designed to work round any quirks, such as a sloping ceiling or an awkward corner.’ Irene Gunter, interior designer and founder, Gunter & Co 3 get specific with storage ‘Do not waste space on things you do not need or will not use. Our trick is to approach every project with…

Though heatwaves may feel like they’re occurring much more often these days, in the UK they’re still uncommon enough that we don’t really make adaptations to our homes for unusually hot weather. And that’s exactly why it hits us so hard whenever the mercury rises to anything over 22 degrees. Unlike regularly warm climates, we’re unprepared when it gets very hot. Air conditioning doesn’t come as standard in our homes, so when a heatwave does descend we’re often left desperately seeking ways to stay cool. While high temperatures might zap your energy and cause your attention span to dwindle during the day, it’s at night where it can cause real problems. ‘A hot room or environment lowers the quality of your sleep significantly,’ explains Dr Michael Breus, otherwise known as…

Our process at Studio McLeod has been referred to by clients as ‘architectural therapy’. I think this is because we’re having conversations about their lifestyle, happiness and stress, rather than diving into what the building will look like. In short, we’re asking them considered questions and listening carefully to their responses for answers that might unlock their happiness and their home’s potential. Then it’s our job to see possibilities rather than obstacles. When looking for design solutions we aim to identify, challenge and push past obvious ideas that might be limiting. We enjoy the excitement that great ideas generate as much as the design process. The reaction from clients when you create or transform something they hadn’t thought possible is pretty special. Your home, in simple terms, should help you find…

ON TOP FORM Whenever Julian Chichester launches new products, we get excited. But, we’re calling it – this launch is the brand’s best ever. It features a lot of fiery red travertine – as seen here in the Grisolles table. There’s also a grand walnut writing desk, a mid-century-meets-modern bedside table and a lamp with a pleasingly chunky spindle base. A stellar line-up from a stellar brand.…

FASHION FORWARD Gucci unveiled its ready-to-wear Tiger collection back in January to celebrate the Year of the Tiger and the motif has made its way to the brand’s fabulous furniture offerings. The Chiavari chair, featuring embroidered motifs hand-stitched using needlepoint techniques, taps into the fashion house’s most treasured inspirations – nature – but it’s also utterly elegant with its blue lacquered frame and brass stud details. This one is sure to catch your eye. Easy tiger! £2,180, Gucci A STITCH IN TIME The current revival of needlepoint is the perfect antidote to mass manufacturing. Case in point is this bespoke cabinet from Hunt & Hope – the vivid colours and modern pattern are thoroughly modern, captivating and unique. Bespoke commissions from £250, Hunt & Hope STATELY SEWN Named after Joséphine…

What has been the biggest eco issue facing the paint industry? Wastage. About 60,000 litres of our paint was going to waste each year from products returned by customers. We’d donate as much as we could, but charities, theatres and schools only wanted so much. And what was your solution? To take the wastage, mix it up and make beautiful new paint! It took about two years of work, but we have managed to figure out that if you blend certain proportions of some of our colours, you get exact versions of some of our most popular shades. For example, French Grey in this Re:mix collection is made up of Loft White, Jack Black and Stock-Mid. Sage Green was the hardest one to get right. You really can’t tell the…

Designed to add a touch of drama to the bedroom, the headboard range by Andrew Martin offers a variety of eye-catching designs. The brand – founded in 1978 – continues to be a go-to destination for the design cognoscenti. Crafted in the Cotswolds, each headboard has its own character and can be personalised with upholstery in different shades, patterns and textures. Much of Martin Waller’s inspiration is derived from his own travels and here he explains why bespoke headboards are the way to go. Headboards can be a relatively inexpensive way of completely transforming a bedroom. With the rise of the boutique hotel and its trending look in residential design, the headboard has taken centre stage in bedroom interiors. Bedrooms should be as individual as the people that inhabit them…

Graphic shapes, angular lines and plenty of colour have always been a draw for Géraldine and Thomas, two forward-thinking lawyers who recently moved to this new build with their blended family of four teenagers and a toddler. That move was a chance to make their mark on a contemporary building that nestles in a wooded hillside just a short hop away from the centre of Lyon, with expansive views across the river Saône. At first sight, their home offers up an intriguing sense of theatre, thanks in part to its trompe-l’œil-effect finishes, bold shapes and futuristic furniture arrangements, all signature flourishes of French interior designer Claude Cartier, renowned for her stylistic approach. ‘We designed this home as though we were creating a series of theatre sets, because the graphic architecture…

“This patchwork tile design allows you to fashion a floor that is truly unique” “Geometric tiles create a timeless look, especially in a monochromatic colourway”…

FROM THE ARCHIVE Christopher Farr Cloth has created a range of wallpapers from the archive of late abstract artist Sandra Blow. Produced as non-woven and grasscloth wallcoverings, the collection offers a textural finish. I have just used Ocean Squares in a project in Palm Springs and its painterly repeat makes any space feel larger. christopherfarrcloth.com PERFECT FINISH I have just used Adam Bray’s Brown Paper Stripe in Yellow for a refurbishment room at the Soho Hotel. Designed for Hamilton Weston, I absolutely love the textured finish and think it’s beyond chic. This would also look good below a dado rail with a bold canary yellow paint colour above. hamiltonweston.com…

The climate will affect the choice of materials you will want to use in an outdoor kitchen. If you’re living in Britain you will need materials that can deal with bleaching and heat from the sun, as well as items that cope well during the damp wet winter months. The best layout depends on what type of chef you are. If you wish to keep guests or children at bay, an L or a U shape with a counter works well. This helps to create a division between workspace and entertaining space. Cedar and teak are popular hard-wearing timber for outdoors. However, we like to use sustainably sourced iroko timber. This African hardwood is a fantastic alternative to teak, particularly for outdoor furniture, as its naturally high oil content makes…

RED LIGHT A trio of pendants overlooking an island is a fail-safe option but why not add more impact with a single, eye-catching piece? Bert Frank’s Kernel pendant features four opal glass spheres within a matte lacquered rectangular shade and comes in a selection of colours, seen here in Oxblood. From £1,494, bertfrank.co.uk OH VANITY Small spaces do not need to compromise on style. Fact. But if you need any further proof, cast your eye on Drummond’s new Lea Vanity, its most compact design yet. A perfect example of considered scaling down, it loses none of the luxury notes that Drummond pieces are renowned for. From £4,392, drummonds-uk.com SHIMMER AND SHINE Hot off the success of its Astonian Copper bath collection, Aston Matthews has added a polished version to the…

I want nothing more than this column to be a good dose of reality. So often I log into Instagram to find that an influencer has effortlessly relocated countries with various children in tow, has instantly purchased a complete wreck (with great bones and period features still beautifully intact) and then proceeded to renovate the entire house within what seems like days while also miraculously conjuring up a new homeware line. How?! Here is my current reality. The planning permission we submitted has received push back from the council; the front dormers and the height of the rear extension are the contentious elements. Scrambling against the clock to try and revise the plans, without compromising the internal spaces and general style, is demanding. I find this challenging as an interior…

THE CASHMERE MATTRESS, FROM £1,350, NATURALMAT With mohair and lambswool versions for firm and medium mattresses, Naturalmat’s cashmere-filled mattress is their softest sleep. NO.3 THE SUPERIOR, PRICE ON REQUEST, SAVOIR BEDS This mattress and topper is filled with horse tail hair, a hair pad and layers of cotton and wool for a heat-regulated sleep. WENSLEYDALE MATTRESS, FROM £3,200, BUTTON & SPRUNG Filled with natural materials, from thermo-regulating Herdwick wool to cotton that wicks away moisture and sweat.…

1 INTRODUCE TEXTURE TH ROUGH LIGHTING The lights are from Pooky – and the idea behind their pleated element was simple. We wanted to bring a more domestic and warm feeling to the space. Fabric is important, but we didn’t use it much in this project so these lights play a significant role in warming up the space. It was essential to avoid direct lighting – so nothing shines in your eyes. It’s best to have different layers of lighting, primarily if you use textures on the walls. Wash the wall with a certain light from above and have an accent of lights. 2 LET PANELLING HIGHLIGHT A WALL OF ART The panelling is a theme that runs consistently throughout the space. We painted it in Little Greene’s Pleat –…

1 Renowned for its cool collaborations, Villeroy & Boch joined forces with fashion’s queen of print Mary Katrantzou to come up with the Victorian collection of tiles. The range merges period motifs with contemporary elegance and the extra touches of gold on this design sparkle with opulence and sophistication. Pair with minimalist bathroom fixtures as these tiles deserve the spotlight. From £25 for a pack of four, Mary Katrantzou for Villeroy & Boch 2 Missing the Mediterranean? Bring a touch of it home with the Carmona collection by Bert & May. Referencing the antique tiles of southern Spain, the range is offered in two colourways: Verde and Marron (shown). With the patina and colours reflecting that of original reclaimed tiles, these beauties exude a charm and character we love. Use…

BORDER PATROL It’s happening – we’re adopting trims at Livingetc. They may have been discounted as too trad in the past, but the brilliant Samuel & Sons has changed all that with its modern approach to tassels, adornments and finishing touches. We’re drawn to the new Elora border and reckon its swirls – seen twisting up this curtain – will elevate even the dullest corner. Trims! Who’d have thought it?…

1 FINE ART Inspired by 20th-century painters, Héloïse Bariol’s ceramic dishes are little pieces of art in themselves. Une Assiette ceramic dish, €30, Héloïse Bariol 2 ALL FRILLS Evoking the fascinating world of sea creatures, this ceramic shade is a homage to the movement and flow of jellyfish. Striped Jellyfish light by Flora Wallace, £440, The New Craftsmen 3 GLOW UP A chic pair of mid-century-style candlesticks. Cast metal candlesticks with mother-of-pearl inlay, £45, Oren 4 NO WASTE Designed in reaction to the waste problem made by mass manufacturing, Piet Hein Eek’s scrapwood table combines recycled wood, offcuts and reclaimed materials. Pan table, $21,465, The Future Perfect 5 CURVE APPEAL Danish artist Cathrine Raben Davidsen’s lamps with their subtle curves are so elegant – I think they’re beautiful. Blue vessel…

Take a pause, dear reader, and tell us what constitutes the perfect decor for you? Sure, everyone loves spaces suffused with luscious hues, the softest fabrics, perhaps a few design classics or artful modern pieces. But isn’t there one more factor that elevates a space into a dream home? Design has recently taken on a new appreciation for how it needs to be liveable and pragmatic as well as beautiful. A space that doesn’t get consumed by the daily wear and tear, stains or bruises, but re-emerges every day like a phoenix from the ashes. We believe a happy home demands little, replenishes itself and gives aplenty. Essentially, we’re now looking to decor to be low-maintenance in order to give us more time to spend on enjoying it, less on…

IT’S A FEELING Albion Nord is a London-based residential interior design studio that creates bespoke headboards for its projects. ‘A bespoke piece is a great way of elevating and complementing an existing scheme,’ says creative director Camilla Clarke. ‘Consider texture to be as important as colour and pattern. Interiors are all about evoking the senses and texture is a vital ingredient appealing to both sight and touch. Try mixing different textures such as natural linens with soft velvets or robust leathers with thick wools.’ Prices vary with each project. TALL AND HANDSOME ‘Designed to mimic the form of horns, ornate Lucifer is perhaps the boldest headboard in our range,’ says Martin Waller. ‘It is also available in Friendly Folk, a folk-inspired pattern from our Kit Kemp collection, which would make…

Sometimes you just know when something is right and you dive right in – that is what happened to the owner of this amazing central London penthouse apartment. As a top exec – she is CEO of the British Retail Consortium, the trade body serving the retail industry and its customers – Helen Dickinson is used to making big decisions in snappy style. And she did just that when purchasing her beautiful sixth-floor penthouse apartment up among the clouds in the heart of the City of London. ‘I bought it off-plan in 2018, a decision based on a glossy brochure and seeing just the structure of the building,’ she says. Helen had been looking off and on for about five years for her dream home and this apartment with its…

■ £29.94 for 12 issues ■ never miss an issue with every copy delivered direct to your door ■ exclusive subscriber-only cover each month magazinesdirect.com/letcaug22 two simple ways to subscribe ONLINE AT magazinesdirect.com/letcaug22 BY PHONE 0330 333 1113 QUOTE CODE A58A. Lines are open Monday-Friday from 9am-5pm UK time. Offer closes 01/08/2022. Offer open to new UK subscribers only. Twelve month subscription for £29.94, saving 55% on the full subscription rate of £66. This price is guaranteed for the first 12 months and 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). For full terms and conditions, visit www.magazinesdirect.com/terms. For enquiries please call: +44 (0) 330 333 1113. Lines are open…

A refreshing, happy and bright colour, pink is just the hue for when you want to add cheer to your home. In fact, pink paint has seen a huge resurgence in the last few years, taking over restaurants, stores and now homes. While it may be true that colour trends go through their ebb and flow, there’s no question that pink is having a long-lasting moment. To make the search for the right paint a little less daunting, we found the best shades to begin your first dalliance with pink. A true all-rounder Did you know that pink is not featured on a traditional painter’s colour wheel? That’s because it’s made from red yet it has its moniker. Pink is a mixture of primary colours and this is why it’s…

IN THE HOOD Bored of the same old cooker hood designs? Falmec has launched a new collection of textured extractor hoods for those on the hunt for something more unique. The Cover is a slim and compact wall-mounted model in a tactile finish that comes in a variety of earthy colours. The unique clay resin is extremely durable and highly resistant to heat and scratches and features include electronic control and a removable and washable metallic grease filter. Cover in Sand Clay, from £1,100 (falmec.uk) Jet spray The Solstice is one of five new taps in the Riobel kitchen and its mix of good looks and clever engineering is sure to enliven the experience of washing up. Already a success with designers and architects since its launch in its native…

The most wonderful time of the year is finally here and we’re not talking about Christmas. Sizzling season is upon us and we’re basically eating and drinking in the garden for as long as we possibly can. So if you’re completely dedicated to alfresco life, then perhaps it’s time to consider an outdoor kitchen this summer? There are several things to think about when planning an outdoor kitchen, from plumbing and electrics to worktops and flooring, so it’s important to factor everything in as early as possible. ‘Budget is, of course, a factor to consider from the outset, as it will impact every element of the plans you make,’ says Duncan Aird, founder, Outdoor Kitchen Expert. ‘Depending on the scope and specification, a budget of around £45,000 is a solid…

An outrigger is the smaller rear projection of a traditional Victorian house, often containing the kitchen on the ground floor and a bathroom and small bedroom on the first floor. Often, an outrigger loft extension is undertaken alongside a larger loft extension on the main roof as part of what is sometimes called an L-shaped loft extension, but it can also be added retrospectively. This new space is often turned into a spare bathroom, children’s bedroom, office or dressing room as the size tends to be smaller than the main loft and the ceiling height is lower. An outrigger extension is a great way to add room to a property and increase its value. However, they do need to respond to a number of constraints. David lists those restrictions here,…

Smart plugs are often used indoors, but did you know that you can also get an adapter to add smart control to your outdoor sockets too? A smart plug or adapter is a must-have for transforming your garden and getting the most out of your outdoor space. The Gardena Smart Power Adapter in particular is a simple solution for integrating your garden lights and other electric devices into your smart system, so you can simply and conveniently control your garden at the touch of your smartphone. All you have to do is plug the adapter into an available wall socket and you’re ready to go. Controlling outdoor lighting is a big benefit to using a smart plug, especially when you’re retrofitting plug-in lighting rather than mains-connected and controlled designs. This…

1 Light and dark are strong cues in telling your body when it’s time to wake up or go to sleep. An increase in daylight hours – which is great for spending time outside – means it comes as no surprise that many of us struggle to adjust to a new sleeping pattern during British Summer Time when the mornings are brighter and the evenings are lighter. 2 Keeping your bedroom dark is the first thing to consider. You can use heavy, lined curtains or blackout blinds to block out morning light that might wake you early. An eye mask can also be an additional tool to eliminate light enabling you to sleep, or if you’re travelling take a portable blackout blind. 3 Closing curtains or blinds in the early…

Soho House IN A SENTENCE The international behemoth brings plush palettes and plusher fabrics to the part of Tel Aviv that currently feels the most vibey. DESIGN HIGHLIGHT As with any Soho House, there are design ideas to steal. This offering focuses on a blend of subtle duck egg blue walls and peachy textiles, while the pool towels – each house has a signature design – are a pleasingly 1970s retro orange and black stripe. DON’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT An alarm clock. The pool (left) gets its best sun in the morning, which seems like a shame until you realise how hot it is at midday and how pleasant the shade becomes. Still, you won’t want to miss out on coffee and a peaceful dip before everyone else is up.…

serves 4 Knob of butter1 tbsp olive oil2 tins chickpeas, drained and rinsed2 preserved lemons, insides removed and finely sliced1 tbsp rose harissa300g hot smoked salmonJuice of a lemonSprinkle of saltSprinkle of pepperPinch of sugar2-3 tbsp extra virgin olive oilGood handful rocket leavesSmall bunch parsley, finely chopped Always warm through your chickpeas, even if the dish is served at room temperature, as it brings out their nutty flavour 1 Heat the butter and olive oil in a frying pan at a low heat and add the chickpeas, preserved lemon and harissa. Toss together with the seasoning until the chickpeas are coated and warmed through. 2 Tip the warmed mix evenly into four serving bowls. Tear the hot smoked salmon into chunky strips and pile on top of each serving. 3…

The one thing that instantly makes me feel at home is walking through the door and being attacked with love by our three dogs – we have one Labrador and two corgis. We rent a flat in London and have a home in Dorset. We also have a cat who lives in Dorset and never leaves there. I feel ingredients that make people happy at home are not necessarily commodities. It’s to do with a sense of security. While we do surround ourselves with objects we love, they are more representative of memories or people, like a card from a friend pinned on a fridge door. The colour palette in my homes changes because I can be quite experimental. Recently we painted our bedroom in Dorset a white from Dulux,…