Innehållsförteckning för August 2023 från Living Etc

@pip.rich I like to think of you on the sunlounger as you read this, or at least a deckchair. Maybe a hammock? This is a month for lazing as much as possible, for utilising the long days to find time to relax. I prefer to spend the summer thinking about projects and improvements I might do in the future, rather than busily ploughing through them now. Yes, I’m putting off my bathroom renovation once again. I just can’t face all the dust and expense and being without a shower. Instead, I’m trying to work out small ways to make my dining room more inviting – I have bought a large rug designed by Iris Apfel from Ruggable to place under the table and it has helped hugely, but something isn’t…

Looking at the collections presented at this year’s Milan Design Week, there was one colour story that surprised us. Normally we’d overlook an acidic yellow with a hint of green – almost a chartreuse – as something we could use at home. But, in Milan, it felt fresh – a truly modern take on yellow that we can see becoming a trend. At Dolce & Gabbana Casa, the bright, lemon-yellow designs – part of a collaboration with Italian ceramicist Antonio Aricò – represent the juice of the citrus fruit; the installation ‘Butterfly Effect’ at Danish design studio H+O’s Milan apartment gallery, shown here, used paint brand File Under Pop’s Lime Juice. It’s got us thinking of the trend for digital colours – saturated, bright and somewhat artificial: a more experimental…

AND RELAX… Catch some shade and chill out on Cassina’s love bed, which is dramatic in scale and elegant in shape. Trampoline sofa, £9,127, Patricia Urquiola for Cassina 1. HEAT UP A firepit that nods to the neutral tones of the bed won’t draw focus but will bring warmth on those cool evenings. Zigzag firepit, £3,096, Kettal 2. SUN SPOT Place this beauty at the foot of the bed – you’ll feel like you’re sunning on the French Riviera. Canaan indoor/outdoor rug, from £995, Jonathan Adler 3. LIGHTS ON This natty little outdoor lamp is a textural nod to the cord wrapping around the bed’s base and top. Illusion outdoor lamp, £180, Cane-line 4. HIGH SHINE Gloss is the unexpected texture the scheme needs, and this table captures the glamour…

bricks are one of the oldest building materials in the world – there’s evidence from archaeological digs of bricks being used to create structures as early as 7,000BC. You might think, then, that bricks are things that have been explored to their full potential, used in every possible way – and the amazing buildings built with bricks around the world seem to be evidence that supports that. However, as ancient as the idea of a brick may be, it’s not immune to the technological revolution happening in design, and architects have begun to explore the connection between this physical building block and modern technology in order to build new, decorative forms that proves brick still has relevance in construction today. ‘The brick is a well-established material that has proven to…

LIVING AREA ‘These decadent pendants feature mouth-blown glass orbs all the way along the three- and five-metre lengths that drop from the ceiling of the double height space,’ says designer Bree. The expanse of glazing opens to a covered outdoor dining space. LIVING AREA ‘The introduction of curvaceous furniture was to help create a more relaxed atmosphere within such minimal architecture,’ says Bree. ‘I also wanted to reflect mid-century moments such as conversation pits and curvy feature chairs.’ KITCHEN A horizontal window gives a glimpse of the outdoors. The Pierre Paulin chairs are a favourite of owner Belinda (pictured). ‘The velvet and sculptural form add that sense of luxe but the chairs don’t take themselves too seriously,’ says designer Bree. until the world finally figures out how to bottle sunshine,…

CALIBRATED COOL Key to Anna’s characterful home is her collection of carefully chosen antiques, decorative finds, wall hangings and art. Green accents inform the restrained palette – think mottled sage onyx goblets and heavy marble bowls; moss-coloured plates; handcrafted mugs and tactile studio pottery; and rich khaki throws used as coverings and floor rugs. LIGHT UP Steel-framed glass doors and a foxed antique French mirror encourage the flow of natural light from the kitchen and garden. Despite appearances, Anna’s ideas are often affordable – the immense dining room table is, in fact, made from two broken table bases, topped with a piece of preloved travertine. ‘At home, it’s about trying to be clever with what we have, reusing and rethinking pieces to achieve a look, but without the price tag,’…

■ Save 40% 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/LETCAUG23 BY PHONE 0330 333 1113 Quote code B89E. Lines are open Monday-Friday 8.30am-7pm and Saturday 10am-3pm UK time OFFER CLOSES 08/08/2023. Offer open to new UK subscribers only. Direct Debit offer is available to UK subscribers only. Pay only £12.50 every 3 months, saving 40% on the cover price. 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…

CURVE APPEAL If you’re yet to jump on the curvy white boucle trend, there’s still time – Sofa.com has released the Seattle accent chair as part of its SS23 offering, and it’s the two biggest trends of the last year wrapped up in one package. It’s part of a collection that includes the Alexandria side table, also pictured. Seattle accent chair in Oyster boucle, £940; Alexandria side table, £310, Sofa.com OMBRE OBJET Embrace the trend for multicoloured metallics with the Nuage Abstrait vase by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec for Vitra. The anodised aluminium surface creates an interplay of light and shadow. Nuage Abstrait vase, £535, Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec for Vitra ALL AGLOW With an upturned shade balanced on a stone base, New Works’ Kizu lamp packs plenty of impact…

Spending more time outside during summer normally means picking up on the little things that could enhance your garden parties and add a little ambiance. And top of the list to achieve that? Outdoor speakers. Ideal for boosting barbecues, cocktail evenings and even lazy solo afternoons in the sun, these water-resistant and portable speakers are the perfect addition to your outdoor space during the warmer months. The best outdoor speakers come in a variety of forms, whether that’s standalone wireless devices that can be moved from the house to the garden with ease, or wired speaker systems that are installed permanently around your outdoor space. The most important thing to consider is what kind of experience you want your outdoor speaker system to create. Do you often spend weekends in…

1 SMOOTH OPERATOR In the past, shutting a classic pocket door could cause a racket – the mechanics weren’t exactly smooth and often led to slamming. But the latest innovation making noise is ‘soft-close’ hardware, which slows the door and gently pulls it closed. ‘The system works from the middle of the door, so it closes slowly and without a noise – contributing to creating a space that feels relaxing,’ says Tokyo’s Keiji Ashizawa Design. ‘In addition, suspended sliding doors do not need a groove underneath, making a beautiful continuity of the space.’ GET THE LOOK Project by Keiji Ashizawa Design Now you see them, now you don’t: sliding pocket doors, a Victorian era concept known for their disappearing act, are popping up in our homes once again. Often used…

1 BRIGHTER DAYS A small garden can be considered like a jewel-box powder room – take a bold approach to make it feel more impactful. I painted all the rendered exterior walls in the garden and courtyard in this peachy pink because it’s uplifting whatever the weather and also looks great with greenery. Jess Piddock, interior designer and founder of King Celia Studio 2 DOUBLE DUTY Doubling up on the function of your furniture pieces can boost the usability of your garden without needing the extra space. Think storage benches, nesting tables and outdoor banquettes for the most versatile set-ups. The right furniture, landscaping and lighting are all key to making the most of a small outdoor space. Multifunctional furniture can help you maximise every inch of a small backyard and…

There is no bigger design trend at the moment than the elevation of the great outdoors as an entertaining space. It speaks to how we all want to live – relaxed, comfortable, sociable. And central to this is the rise of the gas barbecue, evolving from a piece of kit that stays covered, to an integral hub that home lives are built around. The place we gather needs to look as good as the food it creates. ‘Gas barbecues are convenient, efficient and ready in a flash,’ says Dan Cooper, head grill master at Weber. ‘If you want to be able to cook outside with relative ease, they certainly do the job. You can get cooking with simply a flick of a switch, which also gives you great control over the…

The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern, Los Olivos, CA IN A SENTENCE An historic home away from home in the bucolic Santa Ynez Valley, with interiors that belie a distinctly Californian way of living. DESIGN DOWNLOAD The inn dates back to 1886, but there’s nothing dated about this rural retreat: the interiors feature whitewashed exposed brick, cosy wooden floors, fresh striped fabrics and luxe brass fixtures. There’s a traditional country pub vibe in the tavern, with patinated leather armchairs and a large stone fireplace. ON THE MENU As well as the aforementioned tavern, which serves Californian cuisine and features a 3,000-bottle wine cellar, you’ll find a European-inspired coffee shop, Western cocktail bar, tap bar and the poolside restaurant, The Shed. IN THE AREA Because of its location, right in the heart…

NEW NEOCLASSICAL Neoclassicism is the trend-defying interior style we’ll never tire of. And though we’ve seen nods to it through designers in recent years – think Luke Edward Hall’s fanciful prints – we’ve never found a brand that fully captures the movement. Until now, that is. New on the scene is Ransom & Dunn, maker of ‘elevated essentials’, whose debut collection, Foundations, features statuesque silhouettes and sensual curves across furniture, objets and accessories. Conceived on the beaches of the Cyclades and Dodecanese islands, you can see the Roman and Grecian influences through the materials – Sienna marble, travertine, ash burlwood – and the grandiose shapes. One to bookmark and return to, we think.…

BOX OF TRICKS The uniformity of the tiling on the Open Cube by Studio Cubbe is very pleasing and the design itself is perfect for compact homes as it is both a table and storage. We’d use it either as a bedside table or next to the sofa in the living room and we’d put books in the cubbyhole. The contemporary tiled aesthetic is very chic, but what else would you expect from a French atelier? The Open Cube comes in different colours and forms so you are spoilt for choice. €560, Studio Cubbe building blocks Inspired by the facades of tiled buildings, the Welcome dining table by Matthew Raw is an elegant statement piece complete with an English oak tabletop. Also captivated by the pottery fragments found when mud-larking…

SCREEN TIME In selecting the homes for any issue of Livingetc, we’re always looking for spaces with genuinely clever ideas – the touches, big and small, we never thought of doing before. This raffia screen, created by artist John-Paul Philippe and commissioned via Cristina Grajales Gallery for the living room of this Miami home (take the tour on page 54), got us thinking – what better way to softly separate a space than with a special work of art? Paired with carefully curated pieces, including two 1930s vintage armchairs by Jindřich Halabala, a Mitchell Denburg rug and that glorious Egg Collective coffee table, it’s a space divider with a twist – and one we’re keen to try in our own homes, natch.…

TERRACE COOK SPACE The outdoor kitchen and wet bar are in the lounge area so that the cook can hang out with guests before everyone moves to the dining table. TERRACE DINING AREA An arbour provides useful shade on hot summer days, as well as some privacy from the overlooking buildings. The low-slung lights help zone the space. LIVING SPACE The furniture mix was put together by Studio DB, who wanted to create a simple backdrop to the family’s busy life. The custom-designed modular sofa allows people to use it in a variety of ways. DINING AREA Widening the opening to the terrace was a genius decision and brings the outdoors in. WE USUALLY OPT FOR MORE COLOUR BUT HERE, WITH THE VISUAL IMPACT OF THE OUTDOOR SPACE, IT FELT…

This scheme is made up of predominantly diluted colour. Due to their soft strength and natural undertones, these shades are gentle, tranquil, earthy and comfortable, and the combination of these colours, alongside the off-whites and neutrals within the scheme, provide for an especially restful interior. Although the blue carpet is more saturated than the green sofa, the two colours share similar pigmentation. Both colours are soft, each allowing the other to play a role. The blue of the carpet is strong enough to ground the scheme, yet gentle enough to ensure the green of the sofa doesn’t get lost. The temperature and strength of each tone is what makes these colours work in harmony and the neutrality of the green means it is especially versatile, allowing the two different elements to…

WORLDLY GOODS If anyone can bring Mexican design to the forefront of the interiors world it’s the architect Lorena Vieyra, whose recently launched platform, OMET, is our new favourite destination for picking up treasures. The e-commerce platform features a curated edit of Mexican and Latin American craftsmanship; the amazing inaugural collection includes works from sculptor Pedro Reyes, multidisciplinary designer Héctor Esrawe, ceramicist Lili Cortina and Lorena herself. The pieces are expertly crafted and the materials – lacquered volcanic stone, travertine, onyx and fused glass – are locally sourced. This is slow design at its finest.…

1 TRUE BLUE A blue upholstered bench stool introduces a new shape and colour to this dining room scheme designed by Kerv Interiors. The choice of a stool, rather than a contrasting chair, feels intentional – defining the stool as an accent piece clearly distinguished from the matching chairs around the other sides of the table. When you’re choosing chairs to go with your new dining table, you run the risk of an interior design phenomenon we refer to as ‘chair jumble’. It can occur when you’re trying to squeeze too many chairs around a table – especially with round or oval tables where it isn’t so obvious how many chairs they should have. The problem it causes is more visual than practical, though you should really allow for a…

THE SIMPLE LIFE Inspired by the hold minimaluxe has on us, we’re looking for fresh ways and clever new products to help our bathrooms feel more restful, less cluttered and generally much nicer places to be. So, of course, it’s only natural that VOLA is our first port of call for minimalist hardware that manages to make being functional an art. This set-up features its elegant heated towel rail, but we’re quite taken with the entire scene: delicate curved bath mixer, concrete surround and a single wooden stool placed just so.…

ZONE IN A bench/sofa presents an opportunity to zone a garden, using the lines created by furniture to make more intimate areas within a larger space, like in this garden by Ellie Mroz Design. Think of your garden like an open-plan interior layout: designers often use the backs of sofas to help create cosier seating areas in big spaces. ‘Think of it as a series of outdoor rooms,’ explains Stephanie Dale of architectural firm Studio Webster Dale. ‘This can make [a garden] look and feel much larger – even on a small plot. You might have seating around a firepit, or an eating area. Small vignettes of carefully positioned furniture can create moments that invite exploration.’ FULLY FLUSH A natural and obvious solution to the question of where your bench…

The modern appetite for glass box extensions and homes with vast swathes of glazing might be great for creating a connection to the great outdoors and flooding spaces with natural light, but there’s one big drawback if poorly conceived. Overheating. Some time ago, I visited a London home with a brand new fully glazed side return extension on a hot day in July, where the owner was clearly finding out first hand that overheating hadn’t been part of the calculations. It’s no secret that we’ve been experiencing record-breaking temperatures during the summer months, and those homes with majority-glass extensions designed by architects who haven’t weighed up the risks of overheating will suffer most in a heatwave. Fortunately, overheating is now a part of Building Regulations in the UK, meaning a…

The great thing about outdoor cooking is that there’s something for everyone. You might be happy to simply stoke coals over a charcoal grill. But if you want something more precise, barbecues now come with smart technology, making it easier to monitor food and get the best cook, without having to nanny the grill all day. It’s a convenience that you’ll have to shell out for, as the best smart barbecues usually come with a high price tag; however, there are ways to embrace smart grilling at different levels. We’ve rounded up the cleverest ideas in grill tech so you can elevate your barbecue skills. CLEVER EGG Ceramic barbecues like the Kamado Joe and Big Green Egg are the secret to smoky, juicy meat. They retain heat in their chamber…

TABLE MANNERS Part of a collaboration launched at this year’s Stockholm Furniture Fair, the Paper table by Bang Universe x Vajb stood out for all the right reasons with its vivid palette and novel design aesthetic. Featuring pink tufted legs set against a high-gloss orange lacquered wooden frame, it’s a maximalist’s dream. If that’s a little too much colour to commit to, start with the Paper lamps – part of the same collection. Handmade in Stockholm. Kr 35,000, Bang Universe x Vajb DOES IT ALL Presented in a showcase titled ‘Objects with a Hidden Agenda’ as part of the Alcova exhibition at Milan Design Week, this tufted stool by Swedish atelier Chef Deco merges form and function with its clever camouflage design. Cora Hamilton and Emilie Florin, the creative duo…

this year, Hästens celebrated 45 years of its iconic Blue Check design. As the manufacturers of the world’s most expensive beds – with fans such as musician Drake, for example – what’s the story behind such an investment product? We spoke to CEO Jan Ryde at the company’s factory and HQ in Köping, Sweden, to find out. Why do you think good design is so important when it comes to sleep? People are paying more attention to the relation between sleep and health, and they are willing to invest in themselves in this field by choosing high-quality sleep products. Every detail of a Hästens bed has an intent, refined over 170 years to enable people to fall asleep quickly and stay asleep. Horsetail hair, for example, creates millions of springs that…

LESS IS MORE Try not to overload your sofa – the best way to achieve an expensive look with round cushions is to do less. ‘A round cushion elevates the space as it looks more like a design thought or a custom accent,’ says Crystal Sinclair. The living room scheme by STUDIO LIFE/STYLE, left, pairs round and square beautifully. MATCHY MATCHY This Upper West Side apartment, left, by New York designer Crystal Sinclair uses round cushions that match the sofa in textile and colour. ‘It really elevated the sofa, which is vintage,’ Crystal explains. ROUND ROUND So called ‘boba’ designs – spherical and architectural cushions that make a real statement on a sofa – are playing out as a part of this trend. In this minimalist living room design by…

TERRACE ‘Thanks to the sliding doors of the veranda, we live simultaneously inside and outside,’ explains Sophie. ‘I chose the same tiles in the kitchen and on the terrace – but in a different colour – so we have the feeling that there is no separation between the two spaces.’ POOL AREA ‘I painted the front door blue to reflect the colour of the water in the pool and the view of the sea,’ says Sophie. Equally suited to the sunny setting are the complementary yellow and white striped doors under the steps, where the beach towels and children’s water wings are stored. So often a milestone birthday sparks big life changes. In the case of Sophie Ferjani, it was her husband Baligh’s 40th that prompted the pair to leave…

PAINT IN PERSON Having sampled Beginnings, the poetic collection from handmade paint brand Atelier Ellis, we’re enchanted by the considered palette pictured here. But don’t take our word for it – the brand’s four-storey townhouse on Bath’s Walcot Street, featuring a flagship store, studio space and bespoke design room for one-to-one colour consultations, is open now, and the immersive layout means you can see the paints up close and personal. If you’re not in the market for paint, it’s worth a visit anyway – founder Cassandra Ellis has decorated the space with antique and artisan furniture, including Japanese Tansu cabinets and gilded Italian desks. Plus there are seasonal exhibitions celebrating the work of artists from around the world.…

OTTOLENGHI FOR SERAX With each collection we create with Ivo Bisignano and Serax, we continue to tell the Ottolenghi story through dining pieces for the home. The new Sicily collection is bold and bright. The vases look wonderful on a summer table, with or without flowers – at home, we use one of them as a vessel for wooden spoons and spatulas. I love that this collection is rooted in Ivo’s Sicilian upbringing, with the essence conveyed through a fun and modern medium. ARTINLIFE VIA EBAY [My husband] Karl uses eBay all the time as it’s a brilliant way to find vintage and antique pieces. Once upon a time you’d go to the auction houses, but today you can also find it all online if you look hard enough! He…

CLEO BARBOUR STUDIO Art is, of course, subjective, but we can’t help but be drawn to artist Cleo Barbour’s vibrant works. Her mixed-media style combines photographs, paintwork and hand-embellished stitching within digital collages – meaning each piece has a layered quality that’s often missing from your average high-street prints. Her most recent travel-inspired designs – taking in Miami’s South Beach – combine dreamy escapism with an ornate, art deco-esque finish. The perfect pick-me-up, then, once you’re back from your summer hols and a reminder that there’s a world of inspiration out there waiting to be explored.…

STORE AND ORDER Sussex-based furniture maker Pilgrim is inspired by the bucolic beauty of the county’s countryside and the result is a collection of simple, authentic cabinetry. New to the range is a Shaker-style sideboard, pictured here in Harebell Pink, handmade to order by founder Paul Staden. Shaker sideboard in Harebell Pink, £3,295, Pilgrim LIT TLE WONDER Amongst all of the news at Salone, we were quite taken by Confetto – the oh-so-subtle small tile collection from Marazzi. The 15x5cm tiles are a smarter, very Italian take on a metro tile; the square tiles are the perfect pick for a splashback. Both are handcrafted and semi-matt. If you need more texture, look to the structured tiles with their lovely oval indentation. Confetto collection, price on request, Marazzi STEP RIGHT UP…

OUTDOORS IN If you’re aiming for seamless indoor/outdoor living, your chief design goal might be to blur the boundary between the house and garden as much as possible. Incorporating a selection of plants and flowers around the window is a quick and easy way to achieve this effect – and it won’t break the bank if you stick to something small and contained like a window box. ‘We always try to introduce plants around a feature window to add to the indoor/outdoor symbiosis,’ says Timna Rose, founder and creative director at London’s Studio Atara. In this space by Washington designer Lisa Staton, a single potted plant provides an easy link with the foliage through the bifold window. LAYER UP There’s a raft of design tools you can use to draw…

MARBLE MARVEL It was the challenges presented to Conrad Architects by the local council that led to the impressive marble facade of this Melbourne home. With restrictions on height, huge blocks of stone across four split levels help to emphasise the vertical proportions of the building. The acid-etched Grigio Orsola marble continues inside; the result is an elegant, minimalist work that certainly delivers the architectural impact it aims for. GREEN DREAM Green marble is an unexpected accent to the light oak and lime plaster material palette of this renovated Islington townhouse, designed by Unagru Architecture. The stone highlights key threshold areas: the first step of a wooden staircase, for example, and this elegant upstand, which offers a quiet contrast to the reclaimed brick. It’s a reference to the London architect…

TABLE FOR TWO Eline is the new Hoxton restaurant we’re queuing up to try and not just because the face behind the design is Louise Curnuck, interior consultant at Bert & May and co-founder of design group Not Limited. The building might be a new build, but this eatery has plenty of charm – not least in the soft neutrals and deep greens of the colour palette, the simple beech tabletops and the large-scale patterned floor, made from – what else? – Bert & May tiles. Owned by chef Alex Reynolds and his partner, Maria Viviani – and named after Alex’s late French grandmother – the restaurant showcases the best in French cookery, seasonal produce and natural wines. Race you to a table.…

BESIDE THE SEA The dunes of Camber Sands beach played a starring role in the design of this East Sussex home, forming a landscape around the property that makes its pink microfibre concrete facade all the more marked. It’s the easy pink pigment that makes this home so special, changing as it does with the natural light – a nod to pink plastered Mediterranean beach houses, as the designers, RX Architects, explain. But there are subtler details too, informed by its exposure to winds and moving sands: flush windows and a lack of guttering, for example, that give the structure its smoothness. It takes something special to pull the focus from the beauty of a coastal setting like this, but this manages to do just that. rxarchitects.com…