Innehållsförteckning för June 2023 från Living Etc

We’ve sensed a design moment so big we’ve decided to devote over half the issue to it. Meet minimaluxe, the look and ethos that has been taking shape (curved, irregular, soft) since 2020 and has now become a fully formed aesthetic era. Mid-pandemic, every designer I spoke to began referencing the emotional responses their decor evoked, and that understanding of how a home affects our moods has only increased. Collectively, we all seem to want to be calmed and uplifted. Out of this desire, the look I’ve coined minimaluxe has been born. It’s about paring back the visual clutter in order to celebrate the things that make you feel wonderful – what a luxury it is to be able to see the objets you love most! But it also tends…

For more than 60 years, Rimadesio’s characteristically polished designs have brought new meaning to the word modular. The brand’s collection, ranging from living room systems to sliding doors, walk-in closets and, most recently, the elegant Aliante glass cabinet, is designed to be as customisable as possible. We spoke to designer Giuseppe Bavuso to find out more. What’s it like to design for Rimadesio? My working method starts from analysing the evolution of people’s taste and way of life. It is important to pay attention to changing customs, and the way of living and interpreting domestic spaces. It is from these nuances that new design ideas arise. Technology is also fundamental to Rimadesio: constant research allows us to innovate. Glass is central to many of Rimadesio’s pieces – what do you…

To design a space that’s enjoyable to be in – that makes us feel better, fitter and happier – I look to theories that explain the positive effects of nature on wellbeing, like biophilic design and ART [Attention Restoration Theory]. We feel most optimal in a natural environment, where all our senses are harmoniously stimulated – but in today’s society, we experience an overload of visual stimuli, while other senses are under-stimulated. We need balance – a space in which all our senses are stimulated but everything in a room still forms a peaceful whole. Sound in particular can affect your sense of wellbeing. Many spaces today use concrete, steel and glass – hard materials that create poor acoustics. When the acoustics in a room are bad, and so you’re…

Modern furniture design has undergone its own body-positivity revolution. There’s no doubt that plump, fuller pieces have supplanted boxy, straight-lined ones to become the new cool when it comes to sofas, accent chairs and more. You only have to look at the revival of the 1970s Camaleonda, the uncontested ‘it’ sofa right now, to see the sort of shapes inspiring interiors in 2023. But whether it’s this Mario Bellini classic, Tom Dixon’s playfully named Fat collection, or any other modern design that embraces more curvaceous forms, it’s not a trend that’s limited to the soft elements of your home’s design. We’re seeing it across the spectrum of product design, but there’s one material where it remains a unique challenge to embrace the sinuous shapes that have become one of the…

intentionally shunning every beach house cliché in the book, this home on Australia’s Mornington Peninsula near Melbourne features swooping curves and angles clad in dark wood and a warm palette punctuated with visual pauses and graphic accents. ‘Ours were the kind of clients who don’t succumb to the obvious,’ says interior decorator Simone Haag, who worked with Jost Architects on the project. ‘We happily dispensed with the quintessential white-on-white beach aesthetic, opting instead for a richly toned and multi-layered interior.’ Occupying a prime spot on Sorrento Beach, the house has been designed as both a holiday escape and a permanent home for later life. In a break from the breezy coastal norm, its owners requested a dark and moody interior, as well as a tactile material palette of timber, stone…

Three of the four dominant colours within this bathroom scheme stem from primary colours. Blue, red, yellow (and green): these shades are complementary as well as contrasting. Each category of colours defines its own space and each colour area incorporates related tones. This method of decoration allows for a spotlight on multiple elements within the room, but the intelligent colour choices mean the tension in the scheme is quiet, ultimately creating a balanced and harmonious interior. The deep red floor tiles ground the scheme. They are directional, creating a clear lead to the shower area without being overbearing. Their warmth and their strength of colour relates to the wall tiles – they are a deeper graduation of the same tone – but there is also a colour connect ion with…

MARTELO AND MO We’re always trying to find more affordable bedsides that have attention to detail and quality of materials, so for that reason we work quite a lot with makers on bespoke pieces. We regularly work with Martelo and Mo: they’re one of our most trusted suppliers and we can count on them to build pieces to the highest of standards. They’re a London-based couple with a small joinery shop, and they work with beautiful timbers: on one project, they designed a piece with beautiful brass joins on the top. 1STDIBS OR VINTERIOR Bedside tables are quite hard to source – there’s a lack of variety out there until they become very costly – so we often source vintage pieces. Vintage Italian bedside tables are great for attention to…

If the haute showers we’re showcasing on page 134 are anything to go by, bathrooms are having their moment in the spotlight right now. And the latest project from bathroom designer Ripples is proof that your space needn’t be huge to make a statement: with the right design, any shower can be made fabulous. Here, a niche carved out under a slanted ceiling provides storage and a place to sit; gold brassware and zellige tiles add luxury.…

1 TURN TO STONE If tiles aren’t luxe enough for your bathroom, consider using marble and other natural stones to clad a built-in bath to elevate the look. ‘We are seeing more of an interest in marble for bathtubs. The natural surface movement and veining in the marble accentuates the shape of the tub and brings a sense of history to the design.’ Barbara Sellick, founder and director of Waterworks 2 TOTAL LYTILE For a Los Angeles home, the designers at Working Holiday Studio used the same green tiles across the walls, floors and the built-in bath panel and sides, reducing the materiality of the space. ‘We consider ourselves somewhat minimalists and for this project specifically we wanted to embrace the monochromatic look as we wanted to create a serene…

Tenuta Negroamaro, Puglia, Italy IN A SENTENCE A secluded sanctuary with a very Puglian take on slow living. DESIGN DOWNLOAD London interior designer Olga Ashby is the mastermind behind this boutique hotel’s design – the very epitome of warm minimalism. Each of the lodgings – pool and garden suites and the traditional trullo – uses organic fibres, and scent is incorporated into the design for a holistic experience. The intention, according to Olga, was to make guests feel like they’re at a close friend’s house, not a hotel – albeit a close friend with really, really good taste. IN THE GROUNDS Experience slow living Italian style with activities designed to reconnect you with nature. There’s a farm, where you can forage, feed the animals or collect honey; a vineyard, perfect…

WELL ROUNDED It’s all too easy for a white palette to feel stark and characterless – but not for this project in Huangmuchang Village, on the outskirts of Beijing, created by architects Atelier d’More. Instead, the facade is softened by the gentle curves of the walls and windows. The latter’s generous size frames a courtyard in which the designers have placed playful concrete partition walls – a decorative addition to an otherwise minimal landscape. It’s the flow of the lines that make this residence feel warmer than its concrete parts – and eventually, the addition of trees in the centre of the partition walls will provide a welcome nod to nature and an accent of green against a pared-back architectural palette. d-more.cn…

As we turn our attention towards our gardens, terraces and balconies, we shouldn’t forget to treat these spaces like we would those inside the home. That means considering elements like colour, scale, functionality and texture. We can help with the latter in the form of Belgian artisanal pottery maker Domani and its collaboration with architect Vincent Van Duysen (who our editor, Pip, is in conversation with on page 32). Melides encompasses the very best of both names, combining Domani’s craftsmanship with Vincent’s ability to engage the senses. Think organic shapes, soothing palettes and highly textural finishes. ‘The planters come from an initial idea of a simple shape that emerged in my mind,’ says Vincent. ‘The shape curves gently, creating a form that bears reference to nature. The exterior, as if…

I’ve always been fascinated by scent: it transports me to another place and helps me feel relaxed. The scent you should choose depends on how you want to feel. If I’m working from home and want to be energised, I’ll choose an uplifting, citrus-based scent; in the evening, I prefer something woody. We use Chinese cedarwood as a base for a lot of our blends: I find it really grounding. At the moment, my favourite combination is cedarwood, neroli and jasmine with a hint of lime. The most popular way to scent a home is a candle because you get the glow of a flame, but I prefer an oil burner – I find it scents a large room much better. I don’t love burning scents in kitchens and dining…

There’s a cheerful bustle about Copenhagen, especially here in Østerbro, with its cafes and independent shops, but step off the street and into this tall period townhouse and there’s a noticeable change of pace. The atmosphere inside is one of calm and peace – think soft, neutral tones, invitingly tactile textures and gently diffused daylight filtered through hand-crafted linen curtains. The idea behind this home-studio-gallery is a simple one: to celebrate and showcase the work of its artist owner, Hollie Maddox. Finding a shared aesthetic with interior designer Kate Imogen Wood, Hollie asked Kate to help transform what was then a very ordinary house. Taking cues from Hollie’s art, Kate set about creating a look that’s sculptural, textural and honours handmade imperfection. ‘We focused on texture rather than colour to…

THE COLOURS USED WERE CHOSEN AS THEY EVOKE THE WARMTH AND BLUE SKIES OF THE MEDITERRANEAN WE WANTED TO CREATE A THEATRICAL, FRIENDLY AND SUNNY UNIVERSE it took six months of full-on house-hunting before Amélie and Adrien came across the unusual apartment that was to become their family home. It was its atypical style that convinced them it was the one for them: ‘We felt the existing volumes gave us many possibilities and we really liked the beauty of the building itself and its courtyard,’ remembers Amélie. Not only that, but despite being situated in a lively area in the centre of the French capital the apartment is protected from the hustle and bustle of the busy streets below, offering its owners a tranquil haven – as well as a…

■ Save 35% on the cover price ■ Beautiful interiors inspiration inside every edition ■ Never miss an issue of Livingetc with the luxury of home delivery two simple ways to subscribe ONLINE AT magazinesdirect.com/LETCJUN23 BY PHONE 0330 333 1113 Quote code B68D. Lines are open Monday-Friday 8.30am-7pm and Saturday 10am-3pm UK time OFFER CLOSES 04/06/2023. Offer open to new subscribers only. Direct Debit offer is available to UK subscribers only. Pay just £12.50 every three months. Savings are based on the annual subscription rate. 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.…

LEADING LIGHT It will come as no surprise that the indoor version of Calypso – the spirited, art deco-style light by Contardi – is a bestseller, and we predict the new outdoor version will meet the same fate. With a facade made up of geometric black-and-white patterns and South American-inspired colours, it will look exquisite over an outdoor table. Calypso outdoor pendant light, €980; XL version, from €1,300, Contardi MEGA SCULPTURAL When it comes to garden furniture, Ethimo can do no wrong in our eyes. We’re obsessed with the Italian brand’s modular seating, that zeitgeisty striped fabric – and now the Bold table, which is just the right amount of chunky, with three heavy legs and a slim, seamless top. Choose from ivory, stone or concrete shades. Bold table, price…

SURFACE LEVEL It’s always exciting to hear of a new launch from Cosentino and the Dekton Pietra Kode surfaces collection doesn’t disappoint. It’s a reinterpretation of three Italian stones: Vicenza, Travertine and Ceppo di Gré. ‘I spent a lot of time decoding each stone’s history in Italian architecture and reimagined them in a contemporary design with all of the benefits of Dekton,’ said designer Daniel Germani. Shown is the timeless blue-grey pebble pattern of Ceppo Kode. Dekton starts from £450sq m, Cosentino FEEL THE HEAT If you see radiators as a grudging necessity at best, Bathroom Design Studio London’s options might just persuade you otherwise. The new Montecarlo by Tubes collection is designed to heat a bathroom, dry towels and act as open storage, all while making a statement in…

It’s easy to sign off a kitchen design on good looks alone, but if you do that it won’t be until you come to actually cook or clean up in your new room that you might discover it isn’t the most practical of spaces. Of course, with a good kitchen designer on your team that won’t happen – but if you’re going it alone, or you just want a steering hand in creating your new space, there are a few tricks to good kitchen design that are helpful to know. First of all, it’s worth interrogating the layout – after all, there’s not much you can do to change this after your new cabinetry has been installed. While there are certain ‘rules’ many designers follow, you’ll come to find that…

If you thought the advent of the minimaluxe aesthetic meant throwing out all notion of colour, think again. There’s no overstating the power of a bold rug – its ability to finish off a scheme with a bang, tying disparate furniture pieces together or delivering colour to a subdued set-up. And Fabrice Juan’s collection for Tai Ping is all that, bringing the French designer and architect’s signature graphic and colour-rich style to the carpet specialist’s repertoire with stand-out geometric shapes. The 14 designs are inspired by mid-century creatives like Geneviève Claisse, Jean Dewasne and Pierre Cardin. We’re particularly taken by Angelo I, with its easy clash of cobalt blue and burnt orange.…

Interiors relate to the body and mind in a very immediate way due to their scale and functionality. In my mind, materiality and tactility have the ability to ground, to bring the user to the ‘here and now’ through the immediate experience of space and object. I aim to create spaces that are balanced and carefully curated to achieve the sense of being at ease. I remove all that is unnecessary, stripping the room down to its essence, and the lighting, doors, fixtures and storage become part of the structure. Everything you can touch gets a lot of attention, adding warmth, a sense of personality and presence. I am also conscious about using materials that age beautifully – in that way, the space evolves in time together with the user,…

Iconic designer Vincent Van Duysen founded his architectural studio in Belgium in 1989, coining a look that has taken on a universal appeal that we are now calling minimaluxe. He recently made headlines by working on Kim Kardashian’s incredible home. PIP RICH One of the easiest ways to characterise your designs is by the materials you choose – so many of them natural. Stone, wood, linen… why are you drawn to them? VINCENT VAN DUYSEN Natural materials are the focus of my creations. They instil a sense of serenity and wholeness. I think a significant part of the emotion in my work comes from my consideration for the materials within a space. PR I understand that – I have a real emotional response to your work, a sense of being…

We’re really quite enamoured with this living space by Australian architectural and interior design studio Hindley & Co, which combines two key ideas we’re focusing in on this issue: the rise of purple tones (check out that delicate lavender ceiling) and the subtle effectiveness of repetition in design. It’s the symmetry of the doors, the way they mimic the arch of the niche in the wall, the placement of the burnt orange accent chairs just so… it’s everything we love about decorating right now, all in one image.…

This month we’re spotlighting our favourite outdoor buys on page 124, but first we wanted to take a moment of pause indoors with the Heal’s SS23 collection. Summer at Heal’s is all about conjuring harmony in your home with a mood board of mixed materials, organic shapes and uplifting prints. The palette is confident yet soothing: think almond, peach, auburn and stone accented with green, freesia, amber and blue tones. Its dinnerware collection is particularly delicious – a feast of fresh colours and joyful patterns – and the perfect setting for a summer of salads, sorbets and sangria.…

There’s no denying that freestanding or designer built-in tubs have a knack for stealing the spotlight in bathroom design. But as homeowners continue to seek a daily spa-like experience at home, the shower is coming to the fore – often bolder and bigger than ever before and with no shower curtain in sight. ‘Most of our clients shower more frequently than they take a bath, so it feels only natural that we design a shower that can accomplish the experience that was previously the responsibility of the tub: imparting a feeling of zen, and being a real design moment within the larger bathroom,’ says Susannah Holmberg, an interior designer based in Salt Lake City, Utah. We’re seeing showers now as bespoke environments, with dramatic features that make walk-ins a standout…

The joy of the design world is that just when we’re on a comedown from Milan, another date enters the diary – and we’re on the hunt for inspiration once more. This month sees the return of Clerkenwell Design Week (23-25 May). There is a scaled-up programme that includes more than 600 events, exhibition venues spanning international design, luxury interiors and outdoor furniture and the exhibitor list of our dreams – Sebastian Cox, Ethimo, Arte and Christian Watson are just a few of the names we’re particularly excited about. More details at clerkenwelldesignweek.com.…