Innehållsförteckning för April 2023 från Living Etc

@pip.rich Originally I’d been playing around with something like ‘the best things come in small packages’ for the main cover line of this issue. But true to the subject’s form, I just couldn’t make it fit! Smaller spaces – be they rooms or corners, as on our cover image – always come with limitations, and often take a lot more thought to get right. When everything slots together, and is configured in a way that finally makes sense, that’s when the magic happens – like in super-stylist Colin King’s NYC apartment on page 44 (and on our cover). It’s home to so many of his treasured objets and is fully functional as a space to live, work and even entertain. He’s managed to include all this while still keeping the…

Not every paint launch can be called revolutionary but Farrow & Ball’s Dead Flat, a new finish which launches this month, is big news in decorating. For starters, it’s wipe clean yet still has that super-matt, super-refined F&B finish we all love. Secondly, it can be used on walls, woodwork and metal, so that will cut down on the number of pots you need to achieve your beautiful new scheme. This is a truly modern approach to texture that minimises imperfections and looks the same in any light. Wow. Seriously. Wow.…

Before the pandemic, I had never worked from home in any meaningful way. Then overnight, I, like many people, became a full-time remote worker – something that has evolved, post-pandemic, into a major shift in my working lifestyle. For that first year, I confined myself completely to working in my home office, a space that we’d recently redecorated and installed a desk in, despite rarely needing this facility before. Fast forward to 2023 and the way I work from home has changed. My approach is much more f luid to where I call a work space – often, the dining table, a spell on an armchair, the sofa, or standing at kitchen worktops while I make coffee. From my colleagues’ shifting video backgrounds, they’re doing the same. A recent study…

LIVING AREA The windows are deliberately left unadorned so the space doesn’t look too ‘decorated’. Bespoke daybed designed with Dobrinka Salzman Gallery and manufactured by Oliver Westermeier Studio. Ottoman, Axel Vervoordt. Bespoke coffee table made using rocks from The Compleat Sculptor and wood from The Hudson Company. Vintage pine stool, Krogenæs Møbler. Urn by Casey Zablocki DINING AREA ‘I designed a large table so I can host plenty of friends and family for food and drinks,’ says Colin. The tongue-and-groove panelling gives character to the space and, now it’s painted to match the plastered wall, feels like the fabric of the room. Walls and ceiling plastered in custom colour by Kamp Studios. Panelling in a custom matt colour (to match the plaster) by Empire State Painting. Flooring, original pine boards;…

HALL The console was commissioned to give the space a unique identity. Mirror, &Tradition. Lamp, Parachilna. Art (seen in mirror), Eric Chaplin LIVING SPACE Sophie worked with the art consultants Cramer & Bell to commission this feature painting. Painting by Peter Matthews. Cookie table, Sister by Studio Ashby. Rug, Studio Ashby and Shame Studios. Pendants, Molo. Chairs are vintage DINING AREA Sophie often sources or commissions work by artists local to the place when working on a project, like these floor-to-ceiling pieces that define the eating area in the open-plan living space. Resin panels by Fleur Simon. Bespoke oak dining table, Studio Ashby. Wall light, Muller Van Severen. Gent dining chairs, Gubi. X-frame bench, Sister by Studio Ashby ‘Start with the art’ has become something of a mantra for interior…

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Beautiful curtains have the power to transform any room. Practically, too, the right curtain can block or complement natural light, help insulate and even impact a room’s acoustics. ‘Curtains are as important as any other piece of furniture,’ says fabric designer Pierre Frey. ‘They bring warmth, presence and softness.’ We’ve delved deeper to help you get the right ones for your home… Find yourself a steel tape measure for the most accurate results when it comes to measuring up. ‘Measuring is actually very straightforward,’ says fabric designer Tori Murphy. ‘You just need to know what pole or track you’ll be using in order to be able to make a start.’ Your curtain should run smoothly, so give your fabric space and make sure the curtain pole or track is positioned…

The advice for choosing a splashback on page 157 is invaluable, and we thought this style suggestion would be useful, too. The amber tones of the rich, grey stone act like highlights for the softer grey of the sink, creating a smoky opulence imbued with the monastic calm of a spa. Which takes us to this year’s biggest mood – that even the most functional spaces ought to be places in which you can relax.…

Protecting walls from stains and splashes, or careless spillages made by over-enthusiastic chefs, the kitchen splashback presents a prime opportunity to make a decorative feature out of a functional necessity. More and more, our splashbacks are taking centre stage and making a statement. From elegant marble veining to textured tiling, options are limitless. We’ve done some digging to make sure you get your design right. The most popular sizes for splashback panels are 75x60cm, 90x75cm and 100x75cm. Bear in mind any electric sockets and obstacles like cabinetry when plotting your splashback measurements, and take the splashback higher up the wall near the hob and sink; leave around 10cm between the hob and the splashback. ‘Other than that, there’s no right or wrong in terms of height,’ says Oliver Webb, director…

Open-plan living has gone hand-in-hand with a growing obsession with wellness, for good reason. It has the effect of making all spaces feel bigger and brighter. Open concept offers a more cheerful outlook than smaller, darker rooms, whether in the glow of summer or the gloom of winter. But, while we’ve been (largely) convinced on the open concept’s advantage for the heart of our home – our kitchens, living spaces and dining rooms – it’s an idea that’s been less adopted in other spaces, such as the bedroom. Could that space not benefit from this same uplifting quality, too? Maybe the more appropriate question is, what’s the right project to take a space like a bedroom and make it open plan? ‘It’s really about what you’re going for,’ New York-based…

WunderLocke, Munich, Germany IN A SENTENCE Your all-in-one apartment/office/wellness space and the perfect base for exploring one of Germany’s most exciting cities, designed by Livingetc favourites Holloway Li. DESIGN DOWNLOAD London-based studio Holloway Li has a penchant for colourful but understated interiors, so expect cool palettes, super rich materiality and artistic influences: the interior was partly informed by Kandinsky’s Blue Rider movement. HOTEL HIGHLIGHTS Too many to mention: a cocktail bar, co-working space, gym and yoga studio, and heated outdoor pool are some of the features you can enjoy. But it’s the Mural Farmhouse they’re really proud of – a restaurant and bar serving up farm-to-table food, created by the founders of local Michelin-starred restaurant, Mural. IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD Don’t miss the opulent Nymphenburg Palace and the contemporary art museum…

Homes were all of a sudden more expensive and less spacious. People wanted a fresh aesthetic, but didn’t always have large budgets. A sense of flexibility and a yearning for a new way of life was in the air. No, we’re not talking about the mood of the last few months, but of the 1950s, when mid-century modern style was first created as an answer to the zeitgeist. And with so many clear similarities in the collective consciousness, it’s no surprise that pieces from that era feel exactly right for now, which is why Carl Hansen & Søn is re-presenting three much-loved classics, newly dug out of the archives. We’re particularly interested in the nesting tables from 1952: multi-functional, space-saving and – with their elegant legs – quite beautiful tools…

create a cohesive colour scheme ARCHITECT JOSH PIDDOCK OF STUDIO MERLIN EXPLAINS HOW TO DEVISE A CONSIDERED PALETTE Colour is a very personal subject, so the most important thing to remember is that there is no right or wrong answer. For me, the main rule is to create a specific ‘colour syntax’ that fits with your chosen concept. I create two piles within a palette; the ‘always colours’ and the ‘temporary colours’. You need a mix of each to come up with a unique scheme. I then create a set of rules about where each type can be applied and how much of each is the right amount for a space – it’s like syntax in linguistics. Within a home there are always going to be different areas where colours…

LIVING AREA Seating is relaxed – there’s even a built-in bench by the window. When closed, the curtains look like art thanks to the pattern. Jasper sofa, Love Your Home. Helibronn rug, Soho Home. Custom curtains, designed by Lucy Bathurst at Nest Design. Warm Honey artwork by Heath Wae, The Dot Project. Cushions, Also Home and Molly Mahon KITCHEN The aesthetic is inspired by classic New York bars. Designer Pandora wanted a clean-lined feel that focuses attention on the rich materials. Custom cabinets; Portoro granite worktops; island, all Pandora Taylor. Afteroom stools, Menu. Ivy 3 pendant light, CTO Lighting if your first impression of this apartment is of sleek, sophisticated New York club vibes, then interior designer Pandora Taylor has done her job. With a kitchen that doubles as a bar…

LESS IS MORE When contemplating how to dress a fireplace, ask yourself: how do I want the space to make me feel? If the answer is calm, introduce one special object. ‘To balance a statement feature, such as a fireplace, you must enhance rather than overwhelm the remaining space,’ says Charu. ‘We chose to accent with a vase filled with tall stems to offset the traditional design of the fireplace.’ Vase, antique; see Maud & Mabel for contemporary alternatives. Try Jamb for a similar fireplace ART HOUSE It’s tricky to incorporate large art into a home without it dominating or creating a corporate-like space. Give a large piece space to breathe above a console or dining table, then add an upholstered piece of furniture like a pouffe for warmth. ‘Particularly…

As Fiona Blanchot opens her Rolodex overleaf to share where she gets coffee tables that make a scheme sing, we were reminded of this showstopper in an apartment by Sissy + Marley. The New York-based studio understands that the best way to tackle a neutral scheme is go for architectural shapes. It’s hip not to be square.…

One of our favourite lighting brands has does it again with a wonderful collaboration that seamlessly fuses luxury with practicality. Flos’ Gustave – a portable table lamp by designer Vincent Van Duysen – is a rechargeable, waterproof and cordless piece that can work as easily outdoors as it can indoors. While small in size, it is in-built with a smart lighting diffusion technology that helps homogeneously illuminate a wide surface stretching up to a metre with no glare: the perfect addition to a dining table. Incidentally, the lamp is named after Monsieur Gustave H, the famous concierge from Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel, one of Vincent’s most cherished movies.…

TRUE STRIPES Hem’s playful striped grinders add a sculptural edge to a tabletop or kitchen shelf – we’re big fans of mixing and matching for a fun look. Made from beech wood and hand-painted, each piece has its own character. Molino grinders in Green/Magenta and Honey/Blue by Fabien Cappello, £125 each, Hem SUSTAINABLE SEATING As far as materials go, cork is incredibly underrated. Water-resistant, antimicrobial, biodegradable and sustainable, it’s hard to think of a better material to introduce to the bathroom – and that’s just what Italian bathroom brand Agape has done with two new designs by designer Marco Carini. The Rendez-vous bench and the Vis-à-vis stool (pictured) are intended to provide seating and make the bathroom a relaxing place to be. Both pieces are made from recycled cork…

FINE ART On discovering frescoes on the ceiling, Turinbased architectural practice R3architetti decided to make it a feature of this apartment in a mid-19th-century building. The architects were called on to recover surviving elements of the original layout; the discovery of artwork when they removed a number of false ceilings was a bonus. A translucent polycarbonate partition separates the living and sleeping areas, while the kitchen sits under a ceiling made deliberately lower than the vaulted areas. NEW NOSTALGIA Modernity and nostalgia sit side by side in this apartment in São Paulo, renovated by Flipê Arquitetura. The existing space was fully open-plan, which gave the architects free rein to create a layout that caters to the owners’ routines. The clients wished to combine a contemporary space with their love of…

TEXTURAL OPULENCE Where else but in an architect’s own apartment could you see a space quite like this ultra-luxe Antwerp penthouse? Bruno Spaas bought the apartment, in a building created by Swiss architects Diener & Diener, as a blank canvas – one in which he could experiment freely with new ideas. The result is a highly textural space that maximises the expansive city views using distortion-free mirror and high-gloss surfaces, balanced by a pale natural stone floor that covers all 350 square metres of the apartment. Bruno created a largely open-plan layout to encourage a sense of flexibility and free circulation; only ceiling-to-floor glass doors divide each room and provide privacy. Building on the penthouse’s stone foundations, the kitchen islands, bathtub and foyer bench are custom-made from Belgian terrazzo –…

RAISE A GLASS Pull up a chair and pour yourself a double. The 88 Secrets bar cabinet (pictured in the background) brings the glamour with its nod to Italian design paired with opulent rose metal and a sumptuous palette. This beauty will elevate your entertaining game, providing a stylish space from which to prepare and serve drinks. Customisable finishes are available so you can create a truly individual piece. From £25,000, Scarlet Splendour GET YOUR GROOVE ON With curves in all the right places, the Arch cabinet by CoucouManou has caught our attention. Its grooved details and three vibrant colours mean it’s a tone-setter for your home. We also love that it’s made using Valchromat, which is formed from waste wood and natural dyes. From £1,675, CoucouManou A WALK ON…

Founded by Arianna Lelli Mami and Chiara Di Pinto, the Milan-based design, architecture and creative agency Studiopepe has embarked on cross-brand projects spanning furniture, surfaces and accessories. Next up: a lighting collection with Italian brand Contardi. What is good design to you? Long lasting, honest and aesthetic. Inspiration can come from everyday life, but then you see what echoes in your background, what is part of you. The goal is to be receptive. What were the origins of your collaboration with Contardi and how did you find the process? The collaboration was fluid from the beginning. Our Stick collection takes inspiration from an archetype of light, ‘the prism’, which is used to study light refractions. Our idea was for the product to be very simple in shape, yet very refined…

At first glance, this palette is simply blue and red, yet the scheme has been smartly put together using tonal variations of both of these colours. Doing so is an effective way of adding layers to a scheme – playing with light to create interest and movement without the need for a new colour. To create a sophisticated finish, pick out architectural features using a colour scale and paint the walls, ceiling and skirting in variations of the same hue. Although red features heavily in this space, the muted, natural wood tone of the back wall ensures that it doesn’t feel too dominant. The brighter red accents are a stronger version of the wall colour – they add vibrancy. These shades tie the room together, each reacting with their counterpart…

BUCHANAN STUDIO I don’t know if it’s cheating to choose an ottoman – we just love a cosy living room and so often choose one instead of a coffee table as it means you can put your feet up. We’ll often still dress it as if it were a coffee table and layer it up with books and candles, but it just gives you a softer edge. I have a crush on the new Buchanan Studio ottoman. They did a striped chair that was very of the moment, and now this ottoman version. I’m a big fan of stripes in general. TAT LONDON If we were going for a vintage piece, the team would typically look at Vinterior or 1stDibs, which are perfect if you want something a bit weird…

MIRROR MIRROR The fluid, irregular shape of Porada’s Gong mirror, paired with a solid ash frame, makes this piece rather special: simple, but confident enough to make a statement – particularly as it stands confidently against the wall. Another design win from this Italian brand. Gong mirror, price on request, Porada GOLDEN AGE New for SS23, Heal’s is launching a number of collaborations, including a collection of lighting, textiles and accessories with Barcelona design studio Golden Editions. Golden Editions works with Ghanaian artisans to create beautiful woven products, and now it’s bringing its distinctive style to the design giant, including the block patterned Kente cushion (pictured), £109, Golden Editions for Heal’s DREAM COLLAB Turner Pocock’s collection with Julian Chichester is the collab of the moment. Launching during London Design Week,…

1 BRING THE INSIDE OUT In this apartment in Barcelona with a covered terrace, Marta Castellano-Mas created an outdoor living space with indoor furniture. ‘It is a covered terrace, and that permitted us to have furniture that is not properly outdoor and facilitates f luidity between the interior of the house and the exterior.’ Marta Castellano-Mas, interior designer 4GO 2 COMFORT ZONE ‘Creating comfortable spaces, whether inside or out, starts with flexibility. Incorporating a seating area on a balcony that is easy to use with multiple seating options is key for outdoor use. The ability to cosy up and move around with the wind or the sun is important. Soft textiles that feel good on your skin are a must. A heating source and a shade, as needed depending on…

The first sign of spring is always London Design Week, where new patterns, prints and directions burst into view like blossom on the trees. It’s where we scout out trends and inspiration that informs the rest of the year, and it’s open to anyone. Head to Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour between Monday 13 and Friday 17 March to tour over 120 showrooms, see the installations, hear the talks with the best minds in decor, and leave with an armoury of new ideas. More information at dcch.co.uk…