august
2024

LEADING BY DESIGN

DREAM
BIGGER
E X T E N S I O N , B AT H R O O M A N D
F L O O R I N G T R E N D S T H AT W I L L L A S T
DESIG N E R - PICKE D DECOR TO
B R I N G T H E H O L I DAY F E E L I N G H O M E
O U T D O O R S PAC E S
YO U ’ L L U S E A L L Y E A R

august 2024
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EVERYONE’S TALKING ABOUT… The trend for solo
spaces, zesty yellow, garden paving and more

64

JOHANNESBURG NEW BUILD A moder n ist
bungalow designed around the trees on its plot

INTERVIEW Iconic furniture brand B&B Italia

76

DESIGN REPORT Creatives are embracing the joy of
adding indoor swings into projects

CÔTE D’AZUR APARTMENT Contemporary cool
interiors bring a luxe feel to this pad in a former hotel

86

HERO PIECES Designers share the travel destinations
that inspire them – and how to get the look at home

BANGKOK HIGH-RISE DUPLEX A tranquil, city
centre home that pays homage to chic 1970s design

96

LONDON FLAT Damaged after water ingress, this
home has been designed to stop it happening again

OF THE MOMENT Playful scallop details on curtains
EMERGING IDEA Eco-conscious outdoor furniture
LIVINGETC DESIGN, DIRECTED Linda Boronkay
on using room divider screens as pieces of art

houses

4

40

AMSTERDAM CANAL HOUSE Clever contrasts
blend happily together in this 17th-century home

52

MENORCAN HOUSE T h i s st yl i sh eco ret reat
celebrates the natural materials of the island

livingetc.com

108

decorat i ng
COLOUR DECODED A striking abstract artwork is
the centrepiece of this standout kitchen-diner scheme

110

PLAY IT COOL A ‘dark white’ palette is perfect for
those seeking a pared-back and elegant interior

116

LOOKING UP Use papers, fabrics and painted murals
on ceilings to take the decorating focus to new heights

118

THINK LIKE A PRO Expert advice on how to pick the
right colour for your project

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY WARREN HEATH/BUREAUX

11

news & v iews

CONTENTS

122
125
126
130
134

137

sou rcebook
LITTLE BLACK BOOK Sources for chic accent tables

150

ARCHITECTURAL INSPIRATION Our gallery of
striking ideas for modern extensions

160
162

ARCHITECTURE NEWS Curved contours

GLOBAL OUTLOOK Design news from the USA
THE BIG TICKET Outdoor swimming pools
THE SPOTLIGHT: WHAT TO BUY NOW The hottest
new pieces on our shopping list this month
ON THE RISE Leather craft and marquetry specialists

clever

168
174

IN THE KNOW The latest launches a nd looks in
kitchens and bathrooms

178

139

HARDWARE SHOPPING Upgrade your cabinetry
with stylish pull handles and cabinet knobs

142

DESIGN FEATURE OF THE MOMENT Bespoke
vanity areas with sculptural sinks

147
148

SECRET ADDRESS BOOK Spa-style showers

6
104

DESIGN NOTES Hallway f looring ideas

l i fes t y le
GREECE IS THE WORD Four idyllic hotel stays
SEE YOU IN ANTWERP Europe’s underrated design
destination is packed with arts and culture
NEXT BIG THING Mexican artist Ana Leovy

a nd the rest
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O F TH E M O M E NT Doorless showers ma ke
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EDITOR ’ S LE T TER

DREAM
BIGGER
It’s officially sunlounger month and I’m hoping you have
nothing more taxing on your to-do list than choosing between
a nap and another cocktail. Traditionally, this is the month
I use to idly plan the rest of the year, thinking of the projects
in my work and home life that I’ll turn to once the weather
cools. And having finally – finally! – finished my bathroom
renovation, perhaps I’ll start contemplating (how I might
possibly be able to afford) an orangery…
My bathroom project was fraught. It ended up being

Pip Rich

completed over ten weeks later than planned, a big delay for a

Executive Editor
@pip.rich

relatively small space. Supplier delays, tradespeople dramas –
you name it, I went through it. So if you have a renovation of your
own coming up, let me share my survival guide. Don’t attempt to
do two bathrooms at once. I thought there might possibly be an
economy of scale, but everyone I know advised me not to. I could
have coped with one week of showering at the gym, but ten? If
you’re an interior designer – or using one – have a look at
Portaire (or get your designer to). It’s a directory of trusted
suppliers that streamlines the process and minimises setbacks.
You could also take a peek at the handy new online tool
renovatewithreno.co.uk, which I used for my bathroom. It’s
brilliant – an easy-to-use program that guides you through
the process, decoding what your tradespeople need to know
and helping you visualise the finished room. It kept me on
track when the whole project was going hay wire and, yes,

PHOTOGRAPHS (MAIN IMAGE) JON DAY

helped me to dream a little bigger.

W H AT I ’ M I N TO T H I S M O N T H

1

Matching House of Hackney paints to its beautiful
wallpaper designs and trying to decide on the perfect
pairing for my dining room.

2

Gessi taps. I was introduced to the brand at
Clerkenwell Design Week and fell hard. They look
like jewels – the ultimate bathroom adornment.

3

Artist Emily Forgot’s use of bold colours and her
belief that bright shades can be soothing too.

Scan this QR
code to enjoy
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8

livingetc.com

ME TIME
There is a trend in interiors at the
moment towards solo spaces – niches
and furniture pieces carved out for one
person to enjoy, but luxuriously, with
more space to stretch out than a
standard armchair or daybed can offer.
Ethimo taps into this desire for retreat
with Hut, which it describes as ‘a nest
on a human scale’ – a cushioned seat
surrounded with Accoya wood slats that
provide enough privacy without being
too antisocial and allows you to stay
connected to the outdoors while giving
you a sense of shelter. Of course, you
could curl up here with a loved one for
socialising on a more intimate scale –
but why share when you could have
this all to yourself?

Hut by Marco
Lavit, price on
request, Ethimo

DESIGN IS HAVING FUN – FROM INNOVATIVE OUTDOOR FURNITURE AND
INDOOR SWINGS TO DECOR ATIVE SCREENS , SCALLOPS AND MORE
X

livingetc.com

11

e v e r y o n e ’s t a l k i n g a b o u t . . .
X

yellow furniture
The interiors world can’t get enough of this sunny
shade – dopamine-boosting design never looked so good

CONSIDERED CURVES
R O U N D TA B L E
The vibrant yellow of the Flute coffee
table by Mash.T Design Studio brings
a fresh zest to the terrazzo trend,
which has now been popular for
several years. Founded by designer
Thabisa Mjo, the South African studio
is turning heads across the globe with
this table, which references Thabisa’s
much-loved Tutu light. From £885.03,
Mash.T Design Studio

If you’re seeking out design that looks good while
being responsibly produced, the Knotty series by
Dutch studio The New Raw is for you. This bench is
made from recycled plastic while alluding to the
organic forms of liquid rock. The Rotterdam-based
workshop has harnessed the power of technology to
create its unique designs, such as this vibrant, digitally
woven ‘fabric’. Price on request, The New Raw

block part y
With its simple form, the Arco coffee table works well
in minimalist settings. Complemented with a birch
burl veneer, the contrasting lacquered yellow finish
is vivacious without being gaudy. £3,280, Moritz
TA K E A S E AT

Bannach for Bannach at Monologue London

The beechwood Bullnose chair
by Marco Campardo for Hem is
available in lounge and dining
configurations and is crafted
from repeated iterations of a
single shape. Alluding to a
bullnose trim, Marco’s creation
works in all settings and is also
offered in black and natural
wood. From €449, Marco
Campardo for Hem

FEATURE RODDY CLARKE PHOTOGRAPHS
(TAKE A SEAT) GEORGE BAGGALEY

X

glowing up
A clever rechargeable bulb is the easy answer
to our lighting prayers – three cheers to Pooky
We really are quite taken by Pooky’s new cordless range of lamps for the sheer
versatility it offers to the home. You can use the rechargeable bulb at the
centre of the concept, Genesis, in suitable fittings including table lamps and
wall lights, so you can do away with pesky wires in favour of a neat, streamlined
lighting solution. Genius! Invest this season and use the handy bulb for portable
lighting for summer picnics and alfresco dinners that stretch long into the
evening. Twinky larger rechargeable wall light in antique brass, £120, Pooky

livingetc.com

13

e v e r y o n e ’s t a l k i n g a b o u t . . .
X

summery paving
Take inspiration from the Med for outdoor
flooring that feels sunny all year long

There’s something about the combination
of limestone and terracotta paving in this
shot from Artisans of Devizes that instantly
whisks us away to the Med – the wash of
sunshine helps too, of course. The set-up
is part of its new-season launch, which
includes f ive crea my limestones in
seasoned and tumbled finishes that are
perfect for use indoors and out (because
you know linking the two makes for a more
spacious-feeling home). The terracotta tiles
are another new addition to the collection.
We’re so ready to bring a bit of this holiday
spirit into our own gardens this summer.

14

livingetc.com

PHOTOGRAPH SIMON BEVAN STYLING HANNAH FRANKLIN

Romaine Limestone,
£130m2; Wansdyke
Exterior Terracotta
(in front), £144m2,
both Artisans
of Devizes

e v e r y o n e ’s t a l k i n g a b o u t . . .
X

spherical feet
Forget tapered legs on furniture – round is the shape
of things to come as these designs show

H AV I N G A B A L L
Who said functional objects had to
be boring? You’ll want to get the party
started with these playful planters
that bring joy to interior and exterior
settings. Available in a range of
colours, the Boule planters by Axel
Chay for 13 Desserts make the
perfect home for your florae
while creating an eye-catching
ornamental display. Constructed
from steel with a lacquered finish.
€850, Axel Chay for 13 Desserts

marble mar vel
Commanding attention in any space, thanks to its
prominent silhouette and the polished Dark Emperador
marble, the Oxley coffee table by Soho Home is a
masterpiece. Inspired by the aesthetic of furniture seen
within Soho House Hong Kong, this majestic design
has five large marble spheres acting as the base. It
creates a gorgeous centrepiece around which you can

FEATURE RODDY CLARKE

create a cohesive interior scheme. £3,995, Soho Home

ANOTH ER S PH ER E
With its wool fabric and curvaceous silhouette, the Rupert armchair
by Bryan O’Sullivan seamlessly merges form and function. Set on
solid oak wooden spheres, the chair creates a striking statement
wherever it’s placed. Available with a matching ottoman, you can
put your feet up and relax in style. It might be summer right now
but come autumn, this piece is ideal as fireside seating. Armchair,
£8,400; ottoman, £2,400, both Bryan O’Sullivan

livingetc.com

17

e v e r y o n e ’s t a l k i n g a b o u t . . .
X

powder blue
Join the blue brigade – this ethereal pastel has made its way from
the catwalk to the home and we are forever grateful

Där Ruan
bobbin wall
mirror, £150,
John Lewis
& Partners

Swirl suspension
light in Sea
Blue, £592.90,
LZF Lamps

Barro cups in Light
Blue, £29 for set of
2, Hay at Selfridges
Linje fabric
table lamp,
£129, Heal’s

Teklan Frame wool rug
in Mulberry Sky, from
£580, Layered Interior

Fendi’s baby blue
two-piece paired
perfectly with
bold orange
accessories

The shade took
a romantic turn
with this flowy
number at
Ermanno Scervino

Perch slipper
armchair in
Blue Checkmate
Cotton, £1,595,
NiX by Nicola
Harding
Post coffee
table in Ice
Blue, £655,
Ferm Living

18

livingetc.com

Sadie cushion in Blue
& Beige, £137, Christina
Lundsteen at Couverture
& The Garbstore

FEATURE AMY NEASON PHOTOGRAPHS
(FENDI) VICTOR VIRGILE/GAMMARAPHO VIA GETTY IMAGES; (ERMANNO
SCERVINO) ESTROP/GETTY IMAGES

Phantom dish in
Soft Blue, £190,
Ursula Futura at
Earl of East

interview
X

enduring style
B&B Italia has pioneered modern Italian furniture design since 1966
– but its latest collection feels as fresh as ever

f

or Salone del Mobile in April,
B & B It a l i a d e s c r i b e d i t s
presentation as an ‘anthology’
that, in pa r t, rev isited the bra nd’s
historic collections while also launching
new pieces, including those pictured on
this page. We spoke to CEO Demetrio
Apolloni (right) to find out more.

Allure O’ Dot table
by Monica Armani

FEATURE ELLEN FINCH PHOTOGRAPHS (SOFA AND TABLE) GIONATA XERRA

With your recent show in mind,
why is it important to look back –
as well as forwards – at design?
The title of B&B Italia’s presentation
was The Collection. Our goal was to trace
the path of the brand’s designs, including
t he her it age made up of record s,
innovation and projects that have often
revolutionised the concept of living.
Alongside new products, we displayed
some of the most distinctive creations.
Are there any past pieces that
you think particularly represent a
moment of change in how we live?
B&B Italia has always understood and
even anticipated trends, responding to
transformations in taste and living
needs. Some products, such as Serie Up
by Gaetano Pesce, Camaleonda and Le
Bambole by Mario Bellini, are a perfect
expression of their time. They have also
survived the test of time, experiencing
a great revival in recent years.
With curved sofas being the trend
in recent years, it is refreshing to
see the new Dambodue. Why did
you opt for such strong lines?
While presenting linear geometries, this
seating system is surprisingly cosy and
comfortable, thanks to its generous

Dambodue sofa
by Piero Lissoni

Omoi armchair by
Naoto Fukasawa

shape and richly upholstered back and
armrests. It is a luxury proposal, but
with a silent and understated presence,
as very elegant pieces should be.

of our internal R&D centre – the heart of
the company – which has achieved a very
strong reputation in terms of research,
technology and innovation worldwide.

We find there’s a playfulness to the
Omoi and Narinari chairs – what
was the idea behind the designs?
You are referring to the unusual shapes
and vivid, bright colours of the new
Omoi and Narinari armchairs. Their
unique style, elegance and originality
are the result of the extraordinary work

What three words would you use
to describe the new collection?
Timeless, innovative and contemporary.
Our mission has always been to create the
most original, iconic and enduring design
to inspire people around the globe.
X

bebitalia.com
livingetc.com

19

Lee Broom’s
Hanging Hoop
chair in a living
room created
by Anne-Marie
Barton of
AMB Design

d e s i g n re p o r t
X

good mood swings
Designers have turned indoor swings into a micro-trend, one that embraces joy
and happiness and hangs wellness principles in the centre of your home
FEATURE Pip Rich

g

w y net h Pa lt row ha s one.
The iconic interior designer
Brigette Romanek has one
( hav i ng f i rst i n st a lled t he one i n
Gwyneth’s before wanting one herself).
Beyoncé sat in a Lee Broom one for a
music video. We’re talking swings, and
swinging is back with a vengeance not
seen since its 1970s heyday, except this
time it’s a design trend, not a lifestyle
one. Designers have been adding indoor
swings into projects with increasing
regularity, and they’ve been spotted
hanging out in some of the most beautiful
new homes of the year.
Why? Quite simply, because they’re
f un, a joyous addition that can lif t
your spirits as they lift you off the floor.
‘They help you to relax,’ says Brigette.
‘They put a smile on your face. To me,
they’re another form of wellness, able
to put you into a trance. Close those eyes
and sway. Gwyneth Paltrow has had one
for years and always loved them – you
can’t beat swinging in front of that view.’
D e sig ner A n ne -Ma r ie Ba r t on
incorporated Lee Broom’s Hanging
Hoop chair (that of the Beyoncé music
vid fame) in a project recently, and
agrees they’re a dash of pure hedonism.
‘Swings add an air of informality and
play to a space,’ she says. ‘That’s why
we love them.’
At t h is poi nt , you’re probably
wondering how practical they could
possibly be, but Brigette baulks at such
a pedestrian question. ‘That doesn’t
matter!’ she says with undisguised glee.
‘And that’s what I love so much about
design – it’s what works for you in your
home. It also ser ves a f unction [of

relaxing you], as good design really
should.’ Admittedly, they’re not for the
faint-hearted. ‘When a client comes
to me w ith the idea of a sw ing, my
ph i losophy about t hei r projec t is
enhanced and I know who they are

b a s e d o n t h a t s t a t e m e n t ,’ a d d s
Anne-Marie. ‘It says: “I have courage”.’
Lisa Furuland Kotsianis is practically
an ambassador for swinging. The founder
of Lalande Living, the lifestyle store that
designs and sells happily unnecessary
h

Aqva swing
armchair,
Monica Gasperini
at Artemest

livingetc.com

21

de sign re port
X

heig htened sensor y
experience.’ She uses
her indoor sw ing for
reading, meditation,
l i s t e n i n g t o mu s i c
or for enter t a i n i ng
g uests. ‘They inv ite
conv iv ia lit y du r i ng
gatherings,’ she says.
‘In my home I have

dedicated half the lounge
to a cent ra lly placed
sw i ng wh ich I t reat a s
an ethereal installation.’
Her guests, she says, are
entranced, keen to have a
go, instantly at ease and
Milos swing,
Lalande Living
primed for a rela xed
evening of conversation.
And while Brigette
may be less concerned
with the practicalities, Lisa promises
COMFORT AND FUNCTIONALIT Y IN A HOME
swings are actually not as tricky as you
might imagine. ‘You need less space than
A R E N OT E N O U G H – W E N E E D M AG I C F O R
you think,’ she assures. ‘Half a metre can
A H EIG HTEN ED SENSORY E XPERIENCE
be enough. Of course, the more room
you have, the more you’re able to swing,
but a gentle mot ion st ill evokes a
wonderful sensation.’ She counsels
The swing in
designer Brigette
that depending on the home’s structure
Romanek’s
you may have to strengthen the ceiling.
own living room,
made by Thomas
‘It will need to be hung from a bearing
Hayes Studio
element so it can hold an adult.’ And
of course, position it away from your
most precious and well-loved valuables.
Convinced? Then the way to do a
swing is to embrace its eye-catching
beauty, and to be as daring and playful
as you can. Lalande Living’s swings
come embellished with ebullient leather
tassels; Lee Broom’s is padded with a
rich seat cushion and can be specified
in a ny materia l you li ke; Briget te
Romanek picked a colour story for hers
(created bespoke by Thomas Hayes
Studio in beige, cream and gold) which
she says is ‘soothing and felt calm’.
W hile many hanging chairs are
made for rocking gently, Lalande’s are
like those you’ll find in a playground.
‘To own a swing is to feel pure joy,’ Lisa
says. ‘There is no such thing as an age
limit to use one. Trust me, it ’s the
same as swimming in the ocean, feeling
the breeze, those ex periences that
make you feel happy. Life is too short
not to provide that emotion within the
walls of your own home.’ A way to get
high – in all senses of the word.

PHOTOGRAPHS (LEFT) MICHAEL CLIFFORD

but decor- and soul-enhancing home
products like plinths, obelisks and, yes,
swings, extols the virtues of having one.
‘I’ve always loved the act of swinging,’
she says. ‘They’re gravity defying; it’s
incredibly calming and a totally joyous
thing to do. You know, comfort and
functionality in a home are not enough
– we need magic, we need art for the
pu r poses of decoration but a lso a

hero p iece s
X

holiday at home
Four creatives reveal the travel destinations they’ve been inspired by –
and how you can get the beauty of these places without stepping on a plane
FEATURE Rory Robertson

Spa and hotel Mii
amo is nestled
within Sedona’s
Boynton Canyon

a merica n
d rea m
Utzon stool,
£1,099, Fritz
Hansen

Alarik rug in
Aged Terracotta,
£1,495, Oka

Acoma Pueblo
hand-coiled
Eye Dazzler
pottery, £743,
Paula Estevan
at Pueblo
Direct

PHOTOGRAPHS (MAIN IMAGE)
DOUGLAS_FRIEDMAN

Striped cashmere
blanket, £3,055,
The Elder Statesman

Gomma chairs, from
£2,615 each, De Pas,
D’Urbino, Lomazzi
at Zanotta

PA R I S - B A S E D I N T E R I O R
D E S I G N ER C H LO É N ÈG R E
FELL I N LOVE WITH TH E
L ANDSCAPE AND ST YLE OF
T H E A R IZO N A D E S E R T
I went to Arizona for a family road
trip in winter. The sun shines all
day there with a distinctive
bright and intense desert light –
because the sun is quite low, that
light appears warm and it creates a
very particular atmosphere. I loved
the contrast of colours and materials
between the matt ochre of the earth and
the intense brilliant blue of the sky. On
top of this, the graphic plants add a
vibrancy to the landscape. I was taken
with the Native craftsmanship, too:
ceramics and felt blankets with graphic
patterns, stripes and bold colours.
A hint of Arizona interior
i n s pi r at ion c ou ld mea n
adding a Native-inspired
plate, a cool statement piece of
rattan or wood furniture, or updating
an existing piece of upholstery with a
Manuel Canovas trimming, such as
the Louison trim design. Since
returning, I’ve been working on a
selection of material for our
furniture launch in Paris Design
Week – an earth-coloured sofa
with generous trimmings and
fringes, and a rattan armchair
with big stripes – and I think
you’ll see the influence. 
h
livingetc.com

25

h e ro p i e c e s
X

Aso Oke fabric
– a cloth
handwoven
by the Yoruba
people of
West Africa

notes f rom
n igeria

Triangular stacking table
set, £1,750, Miles Redd at
The Lacquer Company

Ignis IX vase,
£2,550, Bisila
Noha at Thrown
Contemporary

Raft bench,
£700,
Tejumola
Butler
Adenuga

26

livingetc.com

Mallaig Natural jute
and cotton rug,
£695, Soho Home

FOR ARTIST TEJUMOLA BUTLER
ADENUGA , NIGERIA’S OGUN
STATE HAS AN IRRESISTIBLE
PULL – HERE’S HOW TO BRING
IT MINDFULLY TO YOUR HOME
I grew up in Ogun State. The aesthetic
appears as a blend of Yoruba culture and
modernit y – it ’s a great f usion and
inspiration for a contemporary interiors
palette. You will find a focus on locally
sourced materials like wood, clay and
handmade textiles. This defines homes
and also public spaces, too.
If you were to try and transplant the
essence of Ogun State I’d suggest a
d el ic at e b a l a n c e of h o m a g e a n d
ad a pt at ion . It ’s a l l a b ou t s u bt le
references. Imagine introducing weaved
mat f looring that ’s reminiscent of
traditional craftsmanship. A nod to
mud-pla ster i ng of fers a t act ile
connection between the nature and the
landscapes of Ogun State. Other elements
might include bamboo and cast iron.
Be mindful that there is a wider
global influence to be found there, from
Portugal, England and Holland – so it’s
OK to curate a blended style palette with
i n f luence s f rom ot her
c u l t u r e s , t o o . It i s
important to stay away from the more
stereotypical motifs. They carry deep
cultural meaning – instead I would
suggest lacing your scheme with light
touches of the locality, including a few
key pieces of artwork from local artisans.

PHOTOGRAPHS (ASO-OKE FABRIC) THOMAS COCKREM/
ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

700 pendant light,
£435, Original BTC

h e ro p i e c e s
X

Mosque
minarets
in Dakar

set for
senega l

PHOTOGRAPHS (DAKAR) VÍCTOR SUÁREZ NARANJO/GETTY IMAGES

HEAD FOR THE COASTAL CITY
OF DAKAR TO BE BEGUILED BY
BEAUTIFUL CRAFTSMANSHIP
A N D B O L D T E X TI L E S , SAYS
DESIGNER TOLA OJUOLAPE
I wa s cu r ious to go to a n A f r ica n
francophone country, and Dakar, the
capital of Senegal, offered a combination
of a vibrant, creative city, island escapes
and a depth of history. The Dakar Art
Biennale was also a draw for me.
There’s a feeling of warmth there
that comes from the tactile finishes of
the buildings and the contrast of the
colours in the textiles. When it comes to
the interiors, I think that the aesthetic is
historically inspired by the natural
landscape. The colour palette is warm,
leaning into the terracotta hues that are
visible throughout the city and beyond.
I particularly loved the approach to
upcycling metalwork I discovered. The
contemporary craft scene is championed
by designers like Ousmane Mbaye, and
tex tile designers such as A ïssa
Dione and Leonie Textiles. I think a
successful way of interpreting the
look in a design might be to pick up
on some of these contemporary
t ex t i le s a nd apply t hem ont o
furniture. This way you can create
something modern whilst
appreciating the craftsmanship
and materiality, but, importantly,
avoid creating anything that looks too
stereotypical or clichéd.
h

Stigido
walnut side
table, £445,
AM.PM

Yabane Brgt
fabric in Dark
Green, €395m,
Aïssa Dione
for Okujun

Mario Sabot
armchair, £2,343,
1stDibs

Malagoon
cushion, £48,
Goodhood

6 door enfilade, price on request, Graphik Collection
by Ousmane Mbaye Design

27

hero p iece s

h e ro p i e c e s
X

Events venue
Artchimboldi
Menorca, designed
by local architect
Emma Martí

Eclipse
mirror, £1,255,
Dominic Schuster

MENORCA IS AN ISLAND
G EM FO R D E S I G N ER JAM E S
TH U RSTAN WATERWORTH –
AND THE SOURCE OF PLENTY
OF DESIGN CUES

Flow cement
tile, £118sq m,
Mosaic Factory

PHOTOGRAPHS (ARTCHIMBOLDI
MENORCA) POL VILADOMS

0110 17th-century
Spanish baroque
walnut desk,
£3,250, Thurstan

Peonia sofa in Burt by
Yarn Collective,
£8,753, Wilkinson &
Rivera at SCP

spa n ish
st yle

Barbara lamp in
Biscuit with
Bongo shade in
Flint White,
£1,261, Porta
Romana

I first visited Menorca on a family
sailing holiday in my mid-teens and I
have been going out there w ith my
friends and family every year since.
There is a beautiful juxtaposition of
pared-backed rawness and
ut t er b eaut y acro s s t he
island. It draws me back time
and time again, and I think it is so
special – I proposed to my wife and
got married there.
The interiors feature terracotta
f loors, exposed timber beams,
white walls and rustic finishes.
There is a restrained approach to
the amount of furniture and the
detailing – the pieces you see are
beautifully simple.
Introducing soft palettes with the
occasional punch of colour can work
wonderfully in the UK, and is something
I have consciously employed in a number
of different projects that I have worked
on. The key is to curate an interior where
you can feel comfortable barefoot.
Remember also when buying furniture
that choosing an antique piece rather
than a replica will create an authentic
feel. Something as easy as ruthlessly
decluttering a space goes some way to
cultivating Menorcan style.
livingetc.com

29

of the moment
X

sophisticated scallops
We’ve long been in love with this trim detail – and on window dressings
its undulating edges make the views more marvellous

DEFINING
MOMENT
In Louisville, Kentucky’s Hotel
Genevieve, designed by
Bunkhouse and Rohe Creative,
the scallop edges of the sheer
curtains are outlined by a dark
border to add definition to the
window dressing. It’s a subtle
approach to this use of the
pattern, adding a delicate hint
of playfulness to the room
without drawing focus from
the other shapes.

30

livingetc.com

PHOTOGRAPHS (DEFINING MOMENT) NICK SIMONITE; (FRILL SEEKER)
ANSON SMART STYLING (FRILL SEEKER) STEVE CORDONY

FEATURE Ellen Finch and Oonagh Turner

FRILL
SEEKER
Added to curtains, the
gentle undulating frill of a
scallop trim gives modern
window treatments a
hint of whimsy. In this
space by Sydney studio
Arent&Pyke, an opaque
red trim adds contrast
to the sheer neutral
curtains, helping to soften
the harder materials
of the architecture – and
drawing on the other red
accents in the room. 
h

of the moment

SHAPE UP
Kemble Interiors went all-out
on the scallop detailing for
this room in The Colony Palm
Beach Hotel, using it to line the
bottom of the wicker pelmet
and carrying the motif over to
the ceiling as a border. ‘Using
wicker as a window topper
is unexpected and fun,’ says
founder Mimi Maddock
McMakin. ‘We paired it with
a geometric curtain panel for
an especially whimsical mix.’

32

livingetc.com

PHOTOGRAPHS (SHAPE UP) CARMEL BRANTLEY; (NEW WAVE) LAUREN MILLER

X

N E W WAV E
Ontario’s Hotel Julie is no
stranger to this pretty pattern:
s c a ll o p m otif s fe atu re
throughout the property’s
rooms, crafted by interior
design studios Stay Here and
Twenty-Two Twelve, including
on headboards and mirrors.
But it’s this curtain pelmet that
stands out for us: the loosely
wavy edge, combined with
the dramatic domed shape
and opaque velvet fabric, give
the scheme a sense of
grandiosity – but in a brilliantly
fresh and contemporary way.

e m e rg i n g i d e a
X

the green outdoors
You can lounge in the sun with a clean conscience thanks to innovations in
alfresco furnishings – the next wave is built from sustainable materials

t

here’s a reason why designers
like to use plastics for outdoor
furniture. They’re durable enough
to weather the elements and lightweight,
so it can be easily moved and stored. And,
it’s important to point out, the materials
they are using are recycled and often
recyclable or biodegradable themselves.
But more than practicality, there’s a
design story behind these pieces.
Outdoor furniture brands have, as of
late, been presenting recycled plastic in a
more design-forward light. ‘It’s not a new
trend, but one we’re seeing more [in the]
ma i n s t rea m ,’ says Br ia n K i ng of
US-based Loll Designs. ‘A product that is
made from partially recycled plastic that
can, in turn, be recycled at the end of its
life, is something that consumers are

more conscious of as we all try to limit
our environmental footprint.’
These pieces tend to be made from
HDPE or PP pla st ics, wh ich have
characteristics that ensure they suit life
outdoors. Lindsay Schleis of US brand
Polywood, which recreates the look of
wood from sustainable plastics, says the
benefits of HDPE are many. ‘Furniture
made from recycled HDPE plastics is
easy to clean and maintain, and very
durable,’ she says. ‘Unlike wood that can
rot and splinter, or metals that are prone
to rust, these materials are resistant to
the elements. [Using] recycled material
also lessens the impact of deforestation
that traditional wood may contribute to.’
Still it should be acknowledged that
this is a material that doesn’t look like

Alder, a new collection
by Patricia Urquiola and
furniture brand Mater,
introduces recycled
plastics mixed with coffee
shell and wood waste

34

livingetc.com

wood, despite being charming in its own
way. If you’re looking for a more textural
approach , t here a re ot her bra nd s
pushing forward material mixes that
incorporate recycled plastics, but seek to
escape the ‘plastic’ look.
Danish brand Mater’s new Alder
collection, created in collaboration with
Patricia Urquiola, is made from a new
biodegradable version of its material
Matek. ‘Our planet ’s resources are
not infinite, and we need to rethink
antiquated ways of production,’ says
CEO Ketil Årdal. ‘Biodegradable plastic,
in this case sugar cane, is a renewable
source that can be harvested 1-2 times
a year. It absorbs carbon dioxide while
growing and can be decomposed by
living organisms in the same way as any
other natural material.’ The design is
built around 94% recycled aluminium,
and designed to be deconstructed so the
individual elements can be recycled.
It’s not just hard materials that are
b ei ng r ei m a g i ne d f r om r e c ycle d
materials. Textiles made from plastic
waste aren’t a new phenomenon, but
they’ve come a long way from the first
outdoor rugs. The likes of Gan’s Mangas
Outdoor collection, also designed with
Patricia Urquiola, is a seating and rug
collection inspired by woolly jumpers. It
brings a tactile quality to the designs,
recreating the look of the brand’s indoor
version – but the outdoor upholstery is
made from 100% recycled PET instead.
Innovations in these materials has
transformed the outdoor landscapes of
our homes, meaning we can introduce a
sof tness and comfort that ma kes a
garden more of a joy to spend time in.

PHOTOGRAPHS (RIGHT) ANGEL SEGURA LOPEZ

FEATURE Faiza Saqib and Hugh Metcalf

Inspired by the comfort
of woollen jumpers,
Gan’s Mangas Outdoor
collection is handmade
from recycled PET

divide and conquer
Designer Linda Boronkay has fallen for the joy of screens, using them as
hero pieces instead of just zoning devices, as she tells our editor Pip Rich

A bathroom at
Osborn House
hotel, where Linda
used a screen as
decoration as well
as for serving the
functional purpose
of privacy

LI N DA B O R O N K AY You know,
room dividers have been on my mind a
lot recently. We’re working on a project
where I’m using one less to zone a
space, more as a piece of art – it’ll be
the backdrop to the sofa in the living
room. I’m thinking of it as a 3D piece
of art that adds an extra layer to the
look and feel of the space.
PIP RICH And unlike a piece of wall
art, which tends to stay f ixed once
it is up, I suppose it ’s rea lly ea sy
to move around, allowing you to play
with the space a little more?
LB Exactly. My mum has a vintage
collection of screens, and we had them
behind the TV, in the corner, not working
a s you’d ex pect a room d iv ider to
traditionally. But they’re so elegant and
versatile, coming in rich patterns and
tapestries, and are a wonderful way
to add some detail to, say, a smaller
room that might not have any period
charm to it. It can transform your decor,
in the same way as getting just the
right cushion can.
PR Where’s the screen from that you’re
using in your project?
LB We’re working on a bespoke one
by the artist Gergei Erdei, who has
recently been experimenting a lot with
screens. For this home, I was going to
use a wallpaper or a tapestr y and I
thought, you k now what? A screen
would be so much more versatile – and
just as beautiful.

PR Are you thinking of screens as solely
decorative, or will you be harnessing
functionality too?
LB Totally both! When I was designing
Osborn House [a hotel in Australia], I
used screens in some the bathrooms
in the suites, to create a bit of privacy.
PR You once told me that curtains were
a good starting point for a room, when
I came to you struggling to choose
them. Do you think screens could be
equally as good? Would you build a
scheme around one?
LB You certainly could, if you had a
screen already that had emotional
significance. My favourite of the ones
my mum ow ned was made of lit tle
pictures of birds, and was like a mosaic,
it was so characterful and decorative. It
could easily have been a hero piece.
Funny you mention curtains, as I think
of screens as having the same warmth
and effect on a space, making it more
intimate, but curtains aren’t flexible in
the same way. That said, I love using
curtains as room dividers, to soften and
give an acoustic feel, or we use a lot of
indoor plants in the same way. Ficus
lyrata trees are particularly good as
they have smaller leaves than many
trees, so don’t take up too much room.
PR For me, room dividers are about
being held – they offer enclosure. I also
see this vibe reflected in the rise of the
reading nook, and in colour choices
people are making. Do you agree?

LB Absolutely – the beauty of screens
or plants comes when they’re not full
height, so they don’t stop light flowing
and in fact just create another level
for the eye to dance across. In today’s
societ y, people have a n issue w ith
commitment, partly because of social
media and seeing new ideas all the
time, and partly because ideas just
seem to be changing so fast. So to my
mind, a screen is the perfect thing for
t hose t hat f i nd it ha rd to ma ke a
decision, You can simply move it around
when you want a change.

X

U P YO U R S C R E E N T I M E
Constellation screen, price on request,
Anton Laborde x Friedmann & Versace

Lempicka screen, £1,595, Oka

Côte Sauvage folding screen, £7,470,
Métaphores at The Invisible Collection

Paravent screen, price on
request, Anais Vindel

PHOTOGRAPHS (MAIN IMAGE) ALAN JENSEN

Four of the best that are also works of art

livingetc.com

37

FA N C Y T H AT

PHOTOGRAPH WARREN HEATH/BUREAUX

The August issue is one of our
favourites for which to pick out
houses because, with any luck, it’s
the one you’ll be reading poolside
somewhere sunny and warm. That
means escapism is very much the
order of the day – and on that, we
can deliver. Still, we want the homes
we feature to have real-world
inspiration, too – ideas that you
can pull out and add to your own
mood board. In this new-build
modernist bungalow on page 64,
the burgundy-hued window
frames do just that, delivering a
dose of colour to the inside and
outside, adding a ton of wonderful
character and making the natural
surroundings pop. This is the kind
of daring we need to push us out
of our own project comfort zones.

HAN D - P I C K ED FO R TH EI R G O O D LO O K S AN D C L E V ER I D E A S , TH E S E H O M E S
W ER E D E S TI N E D TO B E D R E A MT A BO U T FR O M TH E S U N LO U N G E R
X

livingetc.com

39

TALES OF THE
UNEXPECTED
Seventeenth-century origins meet vibrant contemporary
design in a cleverly reimagined Amsterdam canal house

X

PHOTOGRAPHY Kasia Gatkowska/Photofoyer
WORDS Mary Weaver

40

livingetc.com

HOUSES

GARDEN ROOM
‘The table is a sculptural
ceramic, blurring the line
between form and function,’
says Thomas. ‘We designed
the shelves at Framework
with a blacksmith who
made them in hand-beaten
stainless-steel to contrast
with the original beams.’
Mantelpiece, Framework
Studio; tiles, Eva Crebolder.
Vintage mirror, Turner. Twist
table, Floris Wubben x The
Future Perfect. Rick Resin
chair (left), Joris Poggioli.
Similar 1980s blue chair,
Vinterior. Mobile and white
sculptures are vintage.
Various vintage sculptural
pieces (on shelves),
Florence Bamberger
and Coco de Mer

HOUSES

‘ We decided to create this house purely to suit us,’ says
designer Thomas Geerlings of his 17th-century canalside home in A msterdam. I didn’t want to think about
its future value, nor whether it would be trending on
Instagram – it was just about what we loved and what
were crafted by companies that have been working with Thomas
we needed.’ His wife Danielle, who runs a fashion agency, was
for 15 years, from when Framework Studio started as a one-man
totally in step with this vision. ‘In fact, she was the main
band. Now it employs a team of 20 architects and designers,
inspiration – she wanted a home that was outspoken and
work i ng on projec t s at home a nd
f la mboya nt , not a ll good t a ste,
internationally. ‘We have learnt together
tone-on-tone colours,’ he adds.
about the limitations and possibilities of
Thomas’ skill is in bringing to
materials and techniques – even more so
life the intrinsic history of a building
THE DESIGNER/OWNER
on this project as it was personal,’ he says.
a nd merging it w ith unex pected
Thomas Geerlings, creative director and founder of
Despite having been used as a series
materials, artefacts and furniture
architecture and interior design firm Framework
of warehouses and most recently a set of
to create a whole that is harmonious
Studio. He lives here with his wife Danielle, who
runs fashion agency New Market, and their
offices, the five-storey house was still
yet deliberately a little off kilter. ‘A
daughters
Doetse,
13,
and
Bonnie,
eight,
plus
relatively untouched, with original
space should ma ke you question
dog
Vos,
a
Basset
Fauve
de
Bretagne.
details waiting to be explored and others
things,’ he says, ‘and confront you with
that needed to be reinstated. During the
the unexpected.’ There is a thread
THE
PROPERTY
renovations the family were living in
r u n ning th roug h the house that
A canal house dating to the 1640s, previously used
their previous home just three doors
reflects the way the couple see life:
as a shoe, then a wine, warehouse. The area it is in
down [featured in Livingetc, February
colourful, with dark undertones; edgy
was undesirable until the 1980s when it was then
2019], which meant Thomas could be
and exciting, yet comfortable for
revitalised and became fashionable, attracting
very hands-on. ‘So much history of the
family life with their two daughters,
families, rather than offices, with its vibrant mix of
house was revealed,’ he says, ‘such as
Doetse and Bonnie. ‘It’s somewhere
boutique hotels, bars and restaurants. The house
finding doors behind plastered walls
between a gallery and the house of a
has been restored to reflect its origins with
that would not have been touched for
hoarder,’ Thomas jokes. In fact, it’s
contemporary additions. Set over five floors, the
lower ground holds the kitchen-diner, a laundry
decades or even centuries. It brought
a home of clever contrasts, where
room, a study, a gym and a guest room. On the
about an even greater respect for these
ancient and modern, eccentric and
ground floor is the living room and garden room,
historic buildings and made the work a
classic, blend happily together; where
connected
to
a
terrace.
The
first
floor
has
the
main
real labour of love.’
17th-century ceiling beams blend
bedroom and en suite. The children’s rooms, which
And far from pushing himself out of
w ith 1970s a r tefacts, industria l
are mini stand-alone ‘apartments’, are
his comfort zone, Thomas says the house
shelving with soft, floaty drapes.
sited on the second and third floors.
is his comfort zone. ‘It is a reflection of
A n e a s y- on -t h e - e ye c olou r
me and my family, a place to ma ke
palette, with textured paint (mixed
memories and keep memories. And most of all a place we want
with silver sand) for the walls, and neutral floors in stone, oak
to return to when we’re not there.’
planks and terracotta tiles, allows the furnishings and finishes to
be outspoken with dazzling custom ceramic pieces as furniture
X
and talking-point artwork and sculptures. Many of the fittings
framework.eu

the dow n load

42

livingetc.com

GARDEN ROOM
‘The beams are late
17th-century and were
discovered behind a partly
painted plastered ceiling
that had no substantial value,
so we exposed and restored
them,’ says Thomas.
Similar stone flooring,
Cullifords. Bespoke shelves,
Framework Studio.
Vintage Jindrich Halabala
chairs; covered in mohair
fabric, Pierre Frey. Side
table, Rodrigo Pinto Studio.
Sculpture (on table) by
Thomas Kiesewetter, Saatchi
Gallery. Curtains, Dedar

HOUSES

LIVING ROOM
The ceiling dates from 1910,
while the intricate carved
double doors were salvaged
from the house of the
Brazilian artist Athos Bulcão.
Thomas’ studio designed
the graphic fireplace.
Bespoke fireplace,
Framework Studio. Art
(above fireplace) by Dirk
Vander Kooij. Bespoke sofa,
Framework Studio. Specchio
di Venere glass coffee table,
Glas Italia. 1930s chair,
Fundamente. Floor lamp,
The Future Perfect

DINING AREA
Thomas designed the black
leather bench seating to curl
around the table.
Hanging lights, PSLab
Antwerp. Artwork, by
Noémie Goudal. Dining
bench, Framework Studio.
Table, Ado Chale. Vintage
dining chairs, Morentz.
Sculpture (on table), Pulpo.
Similar terracotta floor tiles,
Claybrook Studio

livingetc.com

45

HOUSES

K I TC H E N
‘We designed the units with
a spray-painted, chiselled
effect to add texture and
depth,’ says Thomas.
Bespoke cabinets,
Framework Studio. Cabinet
knobs, Maison Vervloet.
Kitchen appliances,
Gaggenau. Similar stone,
Cullifords. Within 15 Minutes
artwork by Alma Haser.
Vases, The Frozen Fountain

46

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S T U DY
Large-scale furniture
adds a sense of drama
to the home office.
Artwork by Patrik
Grijalvo. Similar B17
Bibliothèque shelving
system by Pierre Chapo,
1stDibs. Vintage table by
Pierre Chapo; vintage
chairs, all Morentz.
Snoopy table light, Flos

livingetc.com

47

HOUSES

DAU G H T E R ’ S
ROOM
The children have the
freedom of mini ‘apartments’
with living areas that give
them independence.
Liquefy table, Patricia
Urquiola at Glas Italia.
Rational Jigsaw chairs,
Studio Julien Manaira. PXL
table light, Zero Interior.
Artwork (on wall) by Phillipe
Vogelenzang. Curtains,
Nobilis. Similar wide oak
flooring, Havwoods

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MAIN BEDROOM
A bespoke headboard
provides a place to display
pieces Thomas and Danielle
have collected over the years.
Similar vintage chairs by
Guillerme et Chambron,
1stDibs. Small side tables;
bespoke headboard, all
Framework Studio

HOUSES

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MAIN
B AT H R O O M
‘We think of this more
as a living room where
we can relax, bathe and
catch up together,’
says Thomas.
Reflex bath, Antonio
Lupi. Bespoke oak
cabinetry and vanity,
Framework Studio. Taps,
Gessi. Vintage wooden
stools, Fundamente.
Curtains, Pierre Frey.
Artwork (in mirror) by
Martin van Wordragen

S H OW E R
Dramatic stones and
textures combine for an
invigorating experience.
Bespoke shower,
Framework Studio.
Shower fittings, Gessi.
Similar stone, Cullifords

HOUSES

F
O
A
K
G
C
E
O
home have made a stylish yet sustainable

retreat using the island’s signature stone

S

R

The owners of a Menorcan

PHOTOGRAPHS Greg Cox/Bureaux
X

WORDS Robyn Alexander/Bureaux and Rachel Christie
PRODUCTION Sven Alberding/Bureaux

EXTERIOR
The gardens surrounding
the farmhouse create a
dialogue with the natural
landscape beyond,
anchoring the building in
the local countryside.
Garden design,
Eugenia Corcoy

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D I N I N G S PAC E
‘Breakfast at Son Blanc
Farmhouse is laid-back and
homely,’ says owner
Benedicta Linares Pearce.
‘Guests can get chatty
around this walnut woodtopped table made by a
local carpenter.’
Dining table, Gavila. Cadiero
chairs, Midi. Pendant light,
VanVilt. Glass jug, Polspotten

HOUSES

enorca’s autochthonous limestone,
known as marés, is a beautiful natural material that varies in
colour between ochre and white and is seen everywhere on the
island – from the ancient structures left behind by the Talayotic
culture to everyday farm buildings. When Benedicta Linares
Pearce and Benoît Pellegrini acquired this abandoned rural
property, they knew that its renovation would require sensitivity
in terms of preserving the marés stone and also in bringing this
beautiful old house into the 21st century. ‘We decided to leave the
facade unprotected with the marés stone on show, as the
farmhouse is all about working with local materials and this
limestone is, undoubtedly, the island’s star one,’ they say.

T E R R AC E
Around 300 days of sunshine
a year on Menorca means
that shaded outdoor dining
areas are essential.
Table, La Redoute.
Genoa armchairs, Cesare
Ehr for TrabÀ at Artemest.
Natural coconut-fibre shade
sail, La Scourtinerie

Born in Menorca, but having lived in London, Benedicta had
long wanted to fully reconnect with her place of birth, while
Benoît – having visited the island many times – also felt its pull.
Looking around for the best team to help them create their luxe
eco retreat, the couple met Anne-Cécile Comar, an architect and
co-founder of the French architectural practice Atelier du Pont,
who, due to many visits, also knew the island well. ‘We discovered
a common fascination for nature, traditional architecture and the
powerful link that Menorcans have for their island,’ explain the
couple. ‘Our priority was to generate as little environmental
impact as possible, not only with the construction but in the
day-to-day running of the farm and retreat.’
These ideas chimed perfectly with the way Atelier du Pont
approaches its projects: creating buildings and interiors that take
inspiration from their contexts, both in geographical and cultural
terms. From the start, the farmhouse was conceived to respect
the traditions of its place and to tread lightly on the earth.
From the use of marés, which is easy to chisel, sculpt and
polish – and much of which was sourced at the farm itself – to the
inspiration taken from the traditional architecture and crafts of
the island, the emphasis throughout is on a locally focused,
sustainable and bioclimatic design approach. ‘We want only to
have European-made items, ideally artisanally, to stay as local,
natural and to have as low an environmental impact as possible,’
say the duo. Traditional processes such as using cork for
insulation and finishes like whitewashing are complemented by
contemporary sustainable systems, including geothermal heat
pumps and rainwater harvesting.
For the interiors, artists and artisans were commissioned to
create site-specific works and bespoke pieces of furniture. This
layer of handmade craft and art – incorporating tactile natural
materials such as wood, cotton, clay, wool and coconut fibres – is
where sustainability meets a deliberate simplicity of forms and
materials. This creative and collaborative approach has resulted
in a finished property that has a unique look and feel. ‘We are so
proud of the journey and the outcome: a self-sufficient eco-retreat
with crops, livestock, fruit and vegetable gardens that feed our
restaurant and special spaces for a real community to grow
around,’ says Benedicta. The result is a quietly luxurious country
house that facilitates lazy days of sun-drenched ease and
reconnection with the natural world.
X

sonblancmenorca.com; atelierdupont.fr

K I TC H E N
‘This was designed with
bespoke marés limestone –
carved by local specialist
stonemasons Fuguet, based
in Alaior – and pinewood
joinery,’ says Benedicta.
‘The volcanic stone island
is a reclaimed piece.’
For a similar island slab,
try Calacatta Lilac polished
marble slab 1413, Starel
Stones. Citeaux Classic 150
range cooker, Lacanche. For
similar lights, try Cromia
large brown pendant by
Plato Design, Artemest

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HOUSES

BAR
‘This is our honesty bar,
made from lava stone and
sourced from Évian in
France,’ says Benedicta.
‘The charming textured
wall plaster treatment
was created on site by
the crafter-builders using
a metal ‘comb’.’
Bar stools, Eloi Schultz.
Pendant lights, Contain.
For a similar sculptural
wall sconce, try the
Louis wall light by
Serax at Heal’s

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SITTING ROOM
The custom-made fireplace
was carved from a single
block of marés stone. ‘It’s
all about textures here – the
sconces, barrelling plaster,
panelling on the walls and
chiselled stone fireplace,’
says Benedicta.
Palma sofa, Pierre Frey;
upholstered in bouclé,
Dedar. Burnt wood coffee
table, Vincent Vincent.
Rug, Karpeta. Fly
lounge chair, Space
Copenhagen at &Tradition

the dow n load
THE OWNERS
Benedicta Linares Pearce, a
hotel developer/owner, and her
husband Benoît Pellegrini.

THE PROPERTY
A 19th-century farmhouse on a 130
hectare estate. With the help of their
architects, Atelier du Pont, the couple
have turned it into a retreat comprising
three sitting rooms, a kitchen-diner, a bar
area, 14 double bedrooms, a restaurant, a
wellness studio, a yoga deck, a pottery
workshop and a farm barn.

S TA I R C A S E
‘Atelier du Pont designed
the undulating, sculptural,
organic form of the stone
staircase that connects the
two floors,’ says Benedicta.
For a similar wall sconce, try
the Kiro ceramic wall light,
Dyke & Dean. Sculpture
(under the staircase) by
Adriana Meunié and Jaume
Roig. Virgin wool hanging
fabric piece, Perrine Paris

HOUSES

S E AT I N G A R E A
An informal lounge space on
the landing at the top of the
stairs is furnished with a
built-in couch, typical of
traditional Menorcan
buildings. ‘We have three
separate seating areas, so
different groups can get
together at the same time,’
says Benedicta.
Custom built-in sofa;
upholstered in Marina, Élitis.
Set of three Isole side
tables, Flores Design at
The Invisible Collection

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59

HOUSES

B AT H R O O M
‘Inspired by Moroccan
Bejmat tiles, we wanted
to find local stone and
craftsmen that could make
our very own Menorcan
version,’ says Benedicta.
For similar floor and bath
tiles, try Bejmat terracotta
tiles, Otto Tiles & Design.
Brooklyn taps, The
Watermark Collection. Try
the 100% French flax linen
waffle bath towel in Rust,
Bed Threads

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BEDROOM
‘The linen and cotton
artwork – with materials
sourced from the
Guadalquivir Valley in
Andalusia – is hung as a
bedhead and imitates
Menorcan dry stone walls,
also known as paret seca,’
says Benedicta.
Custom artwork by Mariona
Cañadas and Pedro Murúa.
Sculptural bedside
pedestals by Núria Efe.
Canevas Geo rug (in
foreground), Gan at Heal’s.
White linen sheet set,
MagicLinen. Cushion covers,
Flores Textile Studio

HOUSES

EN SUITE
Raw and porous on the
outside and sealed on the
inside, the terracotta clay
basins bring a fresh aspect to
the material from which they
have been created.
For a similar terracotta clay
basin, try the Millie basin,
Nood Co. For a mirror with
this look, see the LHYZF
oval ceiling mirror, Ninth
Avenue. Brooklyn taps, The
Watermark Collection

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BEDROOM
Separating this space from
the en suite, the custom
terracotta headboard/screen
is inspired by lattices – it
functions as both a light filter
and a material link between
the two areas. ‘The tile
arrangement was designed
to let the light through and
create geometric shadows,’
explains Benedicta.
Terracotta tile headboard/
screen, Ceràmica Cumella.
White linen sheet set,
MagicLinen. Cushion covers,
Flores Textile Studio. Chair,
Heaps & Woods

HOUSES

O U TS

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IDE I
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S E AT I N G A R E A
An outside entertainment
zone includes, as architect
Gregory puts it, ‘some 70s
influences’ – such as the
sunken lounge. The change
in volume, emphasised by
the skylight above, gives this
space a very different spatial
quality from the rest of the
house, opening it to the sky,
even as it is sheltered from
the sun and rain.
Cushions, Blake Matthew
Design and Up-cycled. Vase
(on table in dining area),
Rialheim. Glazing in Red
Wine RAL colour

HOUSES

POOL
The bedrooms open
directly onto the deck and
swimming-pool courtyard,
creating a resort-like feeling.
Graffiti mural art (on the
water tank) by George Mars
from Kudos Creative.
Loungers, Panda Beanbags;
similar, Cox & Cox

HOUSES

fter several years of searching unsuccessfully for
a new house, Johannesburg-based couple Toni and Graeme
Twidale eventually found a plot of land freed up by a subdivision
and filled with beautiful, established, indigenous trees. At that
moment, Toni says she realised that what she wanted more than a
house was to live among the trees. ‘I wanted to see green all the
time,’ she says. ‘I wanted the outside in.’
So they decided to build a house that would be all about those
trees. The couple enlisted the help of architect Gregory Katz,
well-known for his creative, often unconventional, approach. His
brief was a bit of a ‘mathematical puzzle’, he says: how to fit the
dimensions of a house between the trees? In the end, he devised
an arrangement by which he slipped two long, slim ‘bars’ between
them, with alternating strips of open space for the driveway and
entrance, central courtyard and swimming pool. The two wings
are connected by what Gregory calls an ‘umbilical cord’: a glazed
corridor that steps down slightly with the slope of the site.
The tree branches reach up and over a flat concrete roof
planted with wavy grass, essentially lifting what would have been
on the ground up a level and adding to the overall sense of
greenery. ‘When you drive in, you see the grass on the roof and it
looks like the house is underground,’ says Toni. Floor-to-ceiling
sliding glass walls let the garden in and transform the house into
something more like an outdoor pavilion. At points, the trees are
so close they seem as if they’re inside; sections of the eaves had to
be cast with cut-outs through which branches could grow.
Nevertheless, Gregory thinks of the design as following a
fairly typical double-storey model – just flipped on its side. All the
rooms have lovely natural light, although the deep eaves keep out
sun in summer and shield the windows from thundershowers.
And every room opens out onto the garden. The result is ‘almost
like a resort’, says Gregory – a real suburban sanctuary. ‘Jo’burg
has the most amazing country feeling in its suburbs.’
While the configuration of the house might have been
dictated by necessity, Gregory found opportunities to exercise
his creativity within its constraints. ‘Restraint is actually a good
design principle,’ he says. ‘You’re not overconsuming; you’re not
overdoing things.’ Instead, the restrictions compelled him to
design every aspect of the house ‘with care and thought’. It’s an
approach that puts a different spin on the old modernist maxim
that ‘less is more’. Rather than leading down a path towards stark
minimalism, in Gregory’s hands it becomes a tactile, expressive
approach. Superficially, this house might look like a homage to
mid-century modernism, but it is actually a complex and original
response to Johannesburg suburban life. And, like all the best
modernist designs, deceptively simple-looking.

EXTERIOR
The brutalist-looking concrete
stair leading to the roof was
designed by Gregory. This
space is planted with herbs,
botanicals, blueberries and
citrus to create a ‘gin garden’

the dow n load
THE DESIGNER
Architect Gregory Katz, who was tasked by
Toni and Graeme Twidale to design them a
home that would fit around the many trees
sited on its Johannesburg plot. The couple live
here with their son Jamie, 12, their
Shih Tzu Bokkie and Oggy the cat.

THE PROPERTY
A single-storey, two-winged new build
designed to slot between plentiful established
trees on a sloping site. One wing houses the
entrance, the garage, a WC and the open-plan
kitchen/bar/dining/living area, leading to an
outdoor sunken seating area. A glass corridor
leads from this part of the house to the lower
private wing where there are four bedrooms
and four en-suite bathrooms, with a
swimming pool tucked beyond.

X

gregorykatz.co.za
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67

HOUSES

K I TC H E N
Owner Toni is a keen cook
and a baker, so this space is
not only beautiful but highly
functional. The leathered
granite of the island adds to
the rich textural palette that
runs through the house.
The parallelogram-shaped
skylight is also a visual pun
on the shape of the block of
light that an ordinary
skylight casts.
Similar leathered granite,
UK Stone. Similar black
units, Sola Kitchens. Similar
cement floor, Concrete
Flooring Solutions

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DINING AREA
The floors are simply cement
screed and the ceilings raw
concrete. The cylindrical
feature houses the fireplace
but, as Gregory points out, it
also plays a structural role
in supporting the large
uninterrupted ceiling, which
he notes required some
‘structural gymnastics’.
Dining table, chairs
and bar stools, all
Houtlander. Rug, Yudu

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HOUSES

L I V I N G S PAC E
Gregory has been deft in the
way he has brought natural
light into the interiors. In this
area, skylights at the edge of
the room wash the interior
walls with light from above.
He used black bricks for a
feature wall in which he has
included little receded
display spaces.
Custom sofa and coffee
tables, Blake Matthew
Interior Design. Similar rug,
Nordic Knots. Similar velvet
cushions, Andrew Martin.
Large abstract artwork (on
the wall) by Gregory Katz

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CORRIDOR
The house has been nicknamed
the ‘Wing Wing’ home because
of its structure: two wings
enclosing a central courtyard
and connected by a minimalist
glass corridor. This acts as a
decompression zone between
the living and dormitory areas.
The bright orange of the
floor-to-ceiling doors
complements the brickwork.
Similar doors, Urban Front

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HOUSES

MAIN
BEDROOM
The simple, low-slung,
multi-functional bed unit
and floor-to-ceiling built-in
cupboards receding into the
background keep the space
serene and uncluttered.
Custom bed and storage,
Gregory Katz. Similar
bedding, Secret Linen
Store. Similar variegated
rubber plant (Ficus
elastica), Hortology

THE DESIGN PRINCIPLE OF THE HOUSE IS REPETITION
A N D D I F F E R E N C E – T H E M AT E R I A L S R E P E AT B U T
H AV E B E E N U S E D I N D I F F E R E N T WAYS
X

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B AT H R O O M
The walls are covered
with vertical brick tiles in
slightly different shades,
exemplifying Gregory’s use
of repetition and similar
materials throughout
the house.
Try Ca’ Pietra for similar
wall tiles. Similar brushed
brass fittings, Just Taps.
Similar mirror, Heal’s

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HOUSES

JA M I E ’ S
BEDROOM
A feature wall behind the
bed has been clad in cork,
adding a warmth and tactile
dimension to the interior –
and revealing Gregory’s
preference for using
natural materials.
Similar cork wall, Floors
To Walls. Similar bedding,
Secret Linen Store. Similar
reading lights, Pooky

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A PLACE
IN THE SUN
An apartment within a former luxury hotel celebrates
– and updates – the style of France’s Côte d’Azur
B A LC O N Y
X

PHOTOGRAPHY Frenchie Cristogatin
WORDS Kate Jacobs

‘This terrace has been kept
entirely in its original state,
with the terrazzo flooring
inspiring the colour scheme
of the furniture,’ says owner
and designer France.
Bistro table, Ardamez.
Beaux-Arts chairs, Maison
Louis Drucker. Giardino jug,
Alex and Trahanas, is similar

DINING AREA
‘We wanted to create
something rather minimalist
with rounded, comfortable
shapes,’ says France. The
chandelier is a creation of
a local artist. Covered in
plaster, it truly captures the
spirit of old Provence.’
Custom dining table,
Bleu Gris. Fat dining chairs,
Tom Dixon. Hortensia
armchair, Moooi. Custommade pendant light, Picasta.
Paradox vases, Jonathan
Adler. Carnaval de Nice
lithograph by César
Baldaccini, Passion Estampes.
Plinth, Audo

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HOUSES

K I TC H E N
‘To integrate the cook space
seamlessly into the main
living area, we used the
same walnut timber that we
used for the library section
and the same Calacatta
Viola marble as the
fireplace,’ says France.
Kitchen, Bleu Gris. Fat bar
stools, Tom Dixon. Mandarin
Stone sells Calacatta Viola
marble. Quatre Saisons
Printemps island worktop,
Mineral Expertise

HOUSES

an a hallway ever really be truly ‘compelling’,
something that stops you in your track s a nd pulls you
onwa rds? French interior desig n duo Bleu Gris – a ka
France Bittel and Olivier Chanard – have nailed it in their
own apartment in the heart of glamorous Nice. Upon arrival
you are greeted by a seductive, curving space, with light bouncing
off the bronze-toned walls, a colour echoed in the bold,
geometric-patterned stone floor. ‘We created a curved wall and
dressed it in bronze metallic fabric, reminiscent of the luxury of
old apartment entrances,’ explains France. A sculptural bench
provides the cool, contemporary twist that sets the tone for
the rest of the apartment.
The curving corridor, which enabled the couple to make more
space for three en-suite bedrooms, leads visitors towards the
main space – once chopped into two rooms, now zoned into
living, dining and kitchen areas. ‘The idea was to bring this
curving bronze element right into the living room – it’s the
backbone of the apartment,’ says Olivier.
In moving here, France and Olivier were fulfilling a
long-cherished ambition. ‘Living in one of these former luxury
hotels, nestled in the heart of a park in the city centre has always
been our dream. We had been searching for an apartment in
this palais for a long time,’ says France. ‘To find one with a bow
window and view of the gardens was incredible.’
The belle époque charms of the building – with its impressive
volumes and vast windows – inspired the couple to create a space
that’s a contemporary reinterpretation of the era. They were
able to take a guilt-free approach to their design because the
apartment had lost much of its original character and period
detail via several renovations since it was built in 1889. So they
recreated coffered ceilings to define and structure the open-plan
space of the living areas, while concealing the air-conditioning
system. ‘We took care to work with materials that existed at the
time of the building’s construction,’ explains France. For the
living space, the couple opted for a Versailles pattern oak parquet

f loor, while deeply veined Calacatta Viola marble features
throughout the apartment to create a sense of coherence.
Colours throughout take their cues from the materials and
the Mediterranean coast setting, ‘evoking the shades of the south,
such as brown, sage green and Klein blue. These are our colours
– both calming and energising,’ says Olivier.
Opening off the main space, there’s a charming balcony that
the couple have decked out in a classic Côte d’Azur cafe style, as
well as a year-round sunroom – a bow-fronted niche in the living
area where the couple have brought nature inside via a willow
leaf mural. ‘I’ve always dreamt of having hand-painted ceilings
such as you see in palaces. The idea here was to treat them in a
more contemporary manner, to let the leaves overflow from the
frame and seem alive,’ explains France. ‘It’s a place where we
can settle in the armchair to enjoy the warmth amidst the plants
and read a book, and in summer we can open it completely and
add a table to have lunch in the sun.’
X

bleu-gris.com
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79

the dow n load
THE DESIGNERS/
OWNERS
Partners in both life and work, France Bittel and
Olivier Chanard co-run interior architecture practice
Bleu Gris – specialising in residential and commercial
spaces – as well as boutique gallery @cobalt_nice,
offering mid-century-inspired and custom-made
furniture. They live here with their daughter Ornella,
13, and their French bulldog Orage.

THE PROPERTY
Located on the second floor of a belle époque
building, formerly a grand ‘palais hôtel’, it’s set within
its own park in Nice’s desirable Cimiez district.
Entering the apartment via a striking curved corridor,
the three en-suite bedrooms lead off to the left, with a
guest cloakroom on the right. The corridor opens into
the main space, with a living area to one end –
complete with sunroom annexe – a central dining area
and a kitchen at the other end, off which is the
unobtrusive laundry room. There’s more space to sit
on the balcony overlooking the palais gardens.

HOUSES

LIVING AREA
‘The atmosphere we brought
to this room is soft and calm,’
says France. ‘Neutral tones
were favoured, with the idea
that colour would be
brought in through materials,
like the wood flooring and
the violet marble.’
Camaleonda sofas, B&B
Italia. Briël side tables,
Eichholtz. Ghost wall lights,
Entrelacs. Seated Nude rug,
cc-tapis. Custom grey side
table, Bleu Gris. Flair
metallic wallcovering,
Nobilis. Mural (just seen,
right) painted by
Lucie Dimbare and
Nicolas Blazicevic

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HOUSES

H A L LWAY
‘The space was
restructured to enlarge
the bedrooms,’ says
France. ‘The bronze
wallcovering, along with
the curve, directs light
into the corridor. A bench
signed by Daniel Arsham
adds a gallery-like touch.’
Snarkitecture Broken
bench, Gufram. Flair
metallic wallcovering,
Nobilis. Caged wall
lights, Buster + Punch.
Custom-made Unseen
chandelier, Studiopepe.
Similar tiled floor,
Floors of London

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MAIN
BEDROOM
‘We liked the idea of a
lacquered wooden
headboard in a sage green
colour, with a certain
thickness to allow for
placing objects on top, such
as the lithograph by Franck
Lebraly, a Cannes-based
artist,’ says Olivier.
Custom headboard, Bleu
Gris. Plinth, Audo. Walking
on Clouds rug, Moooi

HOUSES

MAIN
B AT H R O O M
‘This space was designed
to be rather dark and
monastic, with the use of
the Calacatta Viola
marble, a curved design
in the shower, walls
painted in a laurel-copper
colour and soft lighting –
all contributing to a
relaxing atmosphere,’
says France.
Callipyge WC, Trone.
Volante shower
hardware, Neve. Similar
Calacatta Viola marble,
Mandarin Stone

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HOUSES

TOP OF
THE WORLD
High above the busy streets of Bangkok, two talented
designers have created a tranquil retreat that nods to
chic 1970s style and makes the most of the views
X

WORDS Emma J Page
PHOTOGRAPHY Thanawat Phetchan/Thanawatchu

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LIVING AREA
Wrapped in a pink velvet,
the sofa is offset by burgundy
armchairs. ‘We anchored the
space with a custom rug with
soft lines, textural variations
and blush tones,’ says the
designer Paula.
Camaleonda sofa, B&B Italia.
Rio coffee table, Charlotte
Perriand for Cassina. Ivory
Barba armchairs, Fogia.
Burgundy Alky armchairs,
Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima
Castelli. Lilas Mosaïque
bench, Gallotti&Radice.
6 Lune ceiling lamp, Angelo
Lelii for Arredoluce.
Bespoke rug, Studio 1:10

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OUTDOOR
S E AT I N G A R E A
‘We incorporated moments
of greenery around the
terrace because we wanted
to bring nature into the
apartment,’ says Paula.
Lounge chairs; side table,
all Kundesign

HOUSES

hat do you do when halfway through a modern-minimalist renovation
your party-loving clients announce both a wedding and the arrival of a baby? It was quite a
change of course for interior designers Paula Barrionuevo Paez and Joko Tandijono, but one
they took in their stride. ‘The couple love entertaining at home, so we had created a karaoke
room for them upstairs,’ recalls Paula. ‘The TV was already chased into the wall when we
realised we’d be turning it into a nursery instead. But it was a happy challenge to take on.’
This Bangkok duplex, with its striking cityscape, had long been due an overhaul.
Located in what Joko terms a ‘modern-tropical’ building, with a ground floor foyer clad in
dark wood, it felt dated and cramped when the couple bought it as their first home. ‘The
culture here is to live quite privately and discreetly,’ says Spanish-born Paula. ‘There’s not
always a connection with the natural world, and interiors tend to favour dark finishes and
screened-off spaces. We suggested injecting the apartment with a lighter, more European
feel, which the couple favoured, having spent some years studying and living abroad.’
So out went the cherrywood flooring and a huge kitchen island in a comprehensive
renovation that saw the duplex space reappraised with a fine-tooth comb. The staircase
was opened up to incorporate a wine nook; the terrace became an extension of the living
space and one of the three bedrooms was reworked, making way for a larger main bedroom
complete with study area and separate dressing room.
A keen feel for materiality keeps the revamp interesting. Downstairs, an interplay of
white hues is complemented by dusky pinks and deep burgundy tones, while vibrant
Calacatta marble, brass and overscaled lighting provide gravitas. ‘The previous kitchen
island was tall, lumpy and not very practical,’ says Paula. ‘Instead, we opted to install a
marble bar shelf, spanning the width of the window, so the couple and their friends can
enjoy the view over a drink.’ Combined with three lacquered burgundy stools designed by
Paula and Joko, it’s now one of the owners’ favourite zones.
Of course, living in a high-rise presented unique challenges when it came to selecting
furniture. ‘We knew we wanted to design a statement marble dining table,’ says Paula.
‘However, there was no way we’d be able to transport one seamless slab into the space.’ Their
solution was to commission three separate, double bullnose-edged slabs of Calacatta
marble, whose joins are so expertly fused that they are nearly invisible. Likewise, the
cocooning wall panel behind the bed required some ingenuity: using a painted effect on
Italian plaster with curved edges in solid wood, it is designed to mimic travertine for a
cosseting yet tactile feel.
Rounded silhouettes are a recurring motif, chosen for their softening effect. ‘We really
wanted to pay homage to 1970s design, so we opted for curves,’ says Paula, who anchored the
living space with the pink Camaleonda sofa by Mario Bellini, complemented by Charlotte
Perriand’s Rio coffee table. ‘Those shapes work in a smaller space, as there are no hard angles
to trip over.’ Lighting reinforces that feel. ‘There’s a bit of a passion for crystal pendants in this
city, but we steered the couple towards simple shapes, such as the Cloud chandelier by
Apparatus, which works brilliantly over the dining table because it’s playful and visually
lightweight.’ A lot can change in a year and this renovation was a rebirth in more ways than one.
Home to a new family member, as well as a new look, its transformation is complete.

the dow n load
THE DESIGNERS
Paula Barrionuevo Paez and
Joko Tandijono, co-founders of
Bangkok-based interior design
practice Studio 1:10, who reworked
this city centre high-rise duplex for
a couple and their newborn baby.

THE PROPERTY
A contemporary 24th- and 25thfloor duplex in central Bangkok,
designed by architects Kerry Hills
and Ed Tuttle. On the lower floor
there’s an open-plan living, dining
and kitchen space, plus powder
room, wine niche and outdoor
terrace. The upper floor houses
the main bedroom, with two
separate walk-in closets, an
office, a nursery and two
en-suite bathrooms.

X

studio1-10.com
livingetc.com

89

HOUSES

L I V I N G I N A H I G H - R I S E P R E S E N TS C H A L L E N G E S W H E N I T CO M E S TO
F U R N I T U R E – FO R T H E K I TC H E N TA B L E W E CO M M I SS I O N E D T H R E E
S E PA R AT E M A R B L E S L A B S T H AT W E R E T H E N F U S E D TO G E T H E R
X

OUTDOOR
DINING
T E R R AC E
‘With a great view over the
city below, this is the perfect
space for alfresco entertaining
and dining in the cooler, drier
months,’ says Paula.
Roll chairs, Kettal. Lotus
table, Kundesign. Ceramic
vases, H&M Home. Tribute
travertine wall sconces,
Kelly Wearstler

90

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DINING AREA
‘We fell in love with the
whimsical chandelier – it
feels like a sculpture and
it finishes this space,’ says
Paula. ‘The owner had her
eye on these chairs from
the start. Taking our cue
from the couples’ vibrant
personalities, we opted
to upholster them in a
houndstooth fabric.’
Cloud 25 chandelier,
Apparatus. Botolo dining

chairs, Arflex. Bespoke
honed Calacatta marble
dining table; bespoke
Calacatta Viola marble
splashback and worktop,
all Studio 1:10. Bespoke
kitchen cabinetry, Studio
1:10; painted in Holland
Park, Mylands. Hardware,
Buster + Punch. Tap, Gessi

HOUSES

O U R C H O S E N PA L E T T E I S L A R G E LY W H I T E H U E S CO M P L E M E N T E D BY
D U ST Y P I N K A N D D E E P B U R G U N DY FO R A TO U C H O F G R AV I TAS
X

‘FLOATING’ BAR
‘This concept was conceived
during our initial visit to the
apartment,’ says Paula. ‘It
serves as a dynamic setting
for lazy weekend breakfasts
overlooking urban Bangkok.’
Bespoke Calacatta Viola
bar; burgundy lacquered
bar stools, all Studio 1:10

MAIN
BEDROOM
The curved, full-height
headboard is actually
Italian plaster and wood
edges painted to look like
travertine by a local artisan.
Clip bed; Skin night tables,
all Ditre Italia. Leplì bench,
Poltrona Frau. Getlucky
small armchair, Patricia
Urquiola for Moroso. Bolle
pendants, Gallotti&Radice

livingetc.com

93

HOUSES

MAIN
B AT H R O O M
A palette of whites helps to
create a serene area in which
to wind down after a busy
day. ‘The Bianco Perla white
marble was chosen for its
clarity,’ says Paula.
Bespoke vanity units;
floating shelves and hanging
mirrors, all Studio 1:10. Taps,
Inciso collection by Gessi.
Freestanding bath, Villeroy &
Boch. Hardware, Buster +
Punch. Flauti wall light,
Giopato & Coombes

94

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FORCE OF
NATURE

LIVING AREA
‘A balance needs to be
struck around the use of
glass in an extension –
between bringing in sunlight
but not so much that you’re
boiling hot in summer. I think
we achieved that,’ says
architect Charles Wu.
Vintage CH25 chair, Carl
Hansen & Søn. Plant stool,
Another Country

96

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HOUSES

An unexpected flood into what was already a dark basement flat
prompted a new vision, full of light, natural materials and foliage
X

PHOTOGRAPHY French+Tye
WORDS Fleur Britten

livingetc.com

97

HOUSES

the dow n load
THE DESIGNER
Charles Wu, founder of architecture and interior
design practice Polysmiths, was asked to revamp
this home after a flash flood. The owner, Christoph
Halstenberg, is a journalist and content
creator who had relocated to London
from his native Germany.

THE PROPERTY
This 800-square-foot basement flat is part
of a Victorian townhouse, built in the
1830s, in north London. It comprises an
open-plan kitchen/dining/living area,
two bedrooms and a bathroom.

98

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K I TC H E N /
DINING AREA
‘We wanted to conceal
the visual noise of the
kitchen, so we used
walnut-veneered cabinets
and dark appliances,’ says
Charles. They blend into
the background.
Black-lacquered CPH table,
Hay. Vintage chairs, Ercol.
Vintage green chair, Knoll.
Semi white pendant, Gubi.
Beau 100 pendant, Design
For The People. Porcelain
worktop, Mandarin Stone.
Walls in soft grey limewash
paint, The Traditional
Paint Company

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99

LIVING AREA
‘The new pitched roof
of the extension brings light
in diagonally and more
deeply, but also creates an
architectural language for
the extension,’ says Charles.
Mags sofa, Hay; upholstered
in two tones of green fabric,
Kvadrat. Similar sisal rug,
The Cotswold Company.
Panier coffee table, Kartell.
Billy bookcases, Ikea.
Jute pouffes, John Lewis
& Partners. Glo-Ball
pendant light, Flos

HOUSES

H A L LWAY
‘We used stained
plywood to reflect light
from the skylight – it
created a bronze effect,’
says Charles.
Antique table, client’s
own; for similar, try
Selling Antiques.
Portable Bellhop
lamp, Flos

he flat was not in a nice state when I first saw it,’ says
architect Charles Wu, founder of the award-winning design
practice Polysmiths. ‘The floorboards had curled and it smelled
of damp – it was a real mess.’ Just a few weeks after its owner, a
German journalist, moved in, a flash flood forced him to move out
again. However, this misfortune turned out to be a blessing
because the work needed on the dated, gloomy flat had to be
actioned sooner than originally planned. ‘The client bought it
thinking he could live there for a bit,’ explains Charles. When the
f lood struck, the owner took the opportunity to do a full
renovation – and, of course, some essential flood-proofing.
The end result – which included an extension half-sunk into
the garden, bringing lush greenery right up to the windows – is,
says Charles, ‘like being in a hut and living outside’. Indeed, the
property is named Walden after the book by the 19th-century
American naturalist Henry David Thoreau, which documents
his two-year experiment living in a cabin in the woods.
Nature has informed the decorative brief, too. ‘All the
materials we used are real and honest – wood, steel, glass. They’re
all close to the elements,’ says Charles. However, perhaps the best
natural ingredient here is sunlight – but that wasn’t the case
initially. ‘The flat had a deep and narrow floor plan and is 12m
from front to back,’ says Charles, ‘so the middle got really dark.’
He installed a pitched roof with three angled skylights, bringing
light much more deeply in while also adding privacy (previously
the neighbours had a direct view into the basement). And around
the windowless bathroom in the middle, Charles installed a glass
brick screen that borrows natural light from the living area.
To ensure that the flat is now flooded with sunlight only,
Polysmiths implemented various flood-proofing strategies. For
starters, that verdant garden is designed to provide drainage. The
builders removed the thick London clay soil surrounding the
foundations and filled the space with topsoil, which, says Charles,
‘is easier for water to run off’. Underground French drains, storm
valves and a pump were also laid, while external walls were
tanked and treated with damp-resistant slurry, then painted with
breathable limewash. The garden is now planted with longerrooting vegetation to soak up more water. The plants have
another role, too. ‘We planted things that smelled good, such as
roses, lavender and jasmine,’ says Charles. ‘When the client
opens the window, his head is at the same level as them.’ Another
thoughtful touch that marks the extent of the flat’s transformation.

GUEST
BEDROOM
‘Double doors connect
the two bedrooms and
we painted the rooms
the same colour, so that
when guests aren’t
around, the client can
make use of both
spaces,’ says Charles.
Haru sofa bed, Made
at Next. Artwork by
Sabine Wild, Lumas

X

polysmiths.com
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101

HOUSES

B AT H R O O M
‘We decided that this room
would be the cosy, quiet
space, so we went for
black tiling,’ says Charles.
‘And because of its low
headroom, we used
reflective, bronze-coloured
panels so that the ceiling
doesn’t feel so close.’ And
light comes in from the
living area through the
opaque glass brick wall.
Rectangular ceramic
basin, VitrA. Rectangular
LED mirror, Victorian
Plumbing. Hoxton Black
Gloss metro tiles,
Mandarin Stone. Glass
bricks, Glass Blocks Direct

102

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THE
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A M A Z I N G A PA R T M E N T S ,
BIG IDEAS FOR BEDROOMS,
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TH E MOST OF E VE RY INCH

H OW T O D E C O R AT E T O DAY

CO LLEC TO R ’ S COVE R

march
2024

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2023

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C E L E B R AT E
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N EW DECOR TRE N DS FOR KITCH E N ,
D I N I N G A N D B E D R O O M I N S P I R AT I O N

THE

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TRENDS
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W E K N OW H OW YO U ’ L L B E
D E C O R AT I N G T H I S Y E A R A N D B E YO N D

THE YEAR
O F CO S Y
D E C O R S C H E M E S T O WA R M YO U R S O U L
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105

FA R AWAY
FA B R I C S
The nomadic lifestyle provided
inspiration for Fischbacher 1819’s
collection presented at Paris
Déco Off earlier this year – and
it feels just right for summer. The
fabrics (and wallpapers) that
make up Nomadic Journeys take
their cues from global sources
– Qashqai, for example, pays
tribute to the rich textile tradition
of the nomadic community
from which it gets its name. The
brand describes the collection
as ‘[telling] stories of freedom
and journeys to remote places’,
and that’s the kind of vibe we can
get behind – we love the basketweave pattern and powdery blue
palette of Quipu, pictured here.

Quipu in 701, £162m,
Fischbacher 1819

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livingetc.com

107

colour decoded
As with all successful schemes, there’s much more going on beneath the surface of this
space than first appears –Livingetc’s colour expert Amy Moorea Wong reveals all

This kitchen-diner
designed by Kate
Guinness introduces
bold colour through
movable pieces

D E C O R AT I N G

PHOTOGRAPH (MAIN IMAGE) JAMES MCDONALD

It’s the artwork that propels this room
into the realm of dictionary-definition
‘colourful’. The blocky, abstract jigsaw of form
(a commission by John Goodison) is the dining
space’s centrepiece, the tonal, almost-bright, hues
linking and pulling together the other colours
on its periphery and neatly sewing the scheme
together. It establishes a balanced triangle of
concentrated boldness with itself, the blue-tealnavy kitchen (Edward Bulmer Natural Paint’s
Azurite) and the rich red Wishbone chairs. As well
as exploring new shades – lime, ochre, orange, all of
the blues – the art’s shapes include soothing neutral
tones that nod to the room’s natural elements,
amping things up and
packing a punch while
smoothlyslottinginlikethe
final piece of the puzzle.
So, let’s start at the
beginning. Picture it
empty, a sea of soft suede
surfaces (walls in bespoke
Tawny at 50% by Edward
Bulmer, ceiling in Off
White 9 by Papers and
Paints) – where to even
start? Would many of us
think of reds, blues, a
brazenly multicoloured
artwork? ‘The paint and
the stronger tone of the
k itchen ca me f irst in
conjunction with the floor. From there, textiles and
furniture were overlaid, with the commissioned
artwork coming last,’ explains the space’s creator
Kate Guinness, founder and director of Kate
Guinness Design. ‘The earthy, nutty wall and ceiling
shades generally keep the room feeling calm, while
the kitchen gives a kick of energy.’
In some ways, it’s the neutral walls that
feel like the most daring move. Colour is
so often set against paler shades that slink into
the background or additional colour/pattern,
whereas here the gentle neutral is a surprising key
player. The walls resonate with the deepness of the
brighter hues, working with the darker timbers to
add a honey-like warmth to the area while enriching
the colours as if dousing them in evening sunlight.

Have you noticed anything stripy? Despite
its large size, it takes a while for the rug to emerge
and it’s hard to focus on it with all the surrounding
excitement. Its pastel tones quietly clash with
the rest of the palette, not quite sure what to do
encircled by chunks of such vividity. Here, its strips
of grey-blue, lemon and rose become neutrals,
working with the paler natural materials – tabletop,
woven seats – and the walls to integrate into the
space. Meanwhile the rug’s heaviest blue effortlessly
pulls the kitchen colour scheme into the dining
area, linking the two zones while allowing them
their own personality. What a subtle, delicate dance.
I love the unexpected
red theory as much as
the next guy (which very
basically comes down to
add i ng a da sh of noncoordinating red to the
home) and while I tend to
be wary of trends – damn,
that decadent cherry tone
of the Wishbones looks
majest ic! Red is of ten
a colour that comes top
of I’m-scared-of-that-inmy-home list; these chairs
are a lesson in how to get
over that. Knock back the
brightness of colouringpencil red to something
more palatable and think
instead of Merlot, ruby and brick. Come over to the
dark side – it’s easier, and it looks really good.
Much of the colour here is movable. As it’s
so all-encompassing, it’s hard to accept that all (bar
the kitchen, sure) can be whipped away in a matter of
minutes. In fact, when you distil it, the dining area’s
impressive palette is led by the artwork, chairs and
rug plus some small bits. It’s the scale of each of the
three main components that fills the room with a
rainbow – the artwork is huge, dominating the
wall, the chairs are generous (and there are a lot of
them), and the rug is the biggest the space can take.
Let’s call it... supersized colour minimalism.
X

Amy Moorea Wong is a design journalist and
author. @amy_moorea; amymoorea.com

BRONZE RED,
LITTLE GREENE

FADED TERRACOTTA,
FARROW & BALL

GOLDEN SQUARE,
MYLANDS

HUMBLE, COAT

OFF WHITE 9,
PAPERS AND PAINTS

MARBLE TOP,
CROWN

AZURITE,
EDWARD BULMER
NATURAL PAINT

livingetc.com

109

D E C O R AT I N G

play it cool
Just a shade off grey, ‘dark white’ is the nuanced colour designers
are turning to for light, luxurious and elegant spaces
FEATURE Faaizah Shah

EXPENSIVE
TA S T E
A dark white backdrop allows
warmer washes of beige and
brown to stand out in this
London apartment by Elicyon.
The aim, says founder and
director Charu Gandhi, was to
ensure that ‘the quality of the
spaces speak for themselves’
– something that this particular
shade of white can deliver well,
thanks to its ability to make
spaces feel more expensive.

PHOTOGRAPHS (EXPENSIVE TASTE) MICHAEL SINCLAIR

For similar paint, try
Cloud White, Atelier Ellis

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LIGHT AND
SHADOW
This airy dining room showcases
the duality of dark white. As the
light shines into the space, areas
of white feel crisp and bright;
elsewhere, they feel softer and
serene. ‘Balanced layers of colour
are key at the moment, so bright
white trim is less in favour; use
a white that is complementary
to your wall colour, or indeed
a “darker” white on the walls
themselves,’ says Joa Studholme,
colour curator at Farrow & Ball.
Walls in Blackened, Farrow & Ball
h

COOL
WELCOM E
Hallways are a natural fit for a
dark white palette, thanks to
their tendency to be smaller
and, quite often, darker. Using
a cool-toned white with a hint
grey can help enhance the
moodiness of this area – and
as shown here in a project by
Maddux Creative, can make a
rather grand design feel even
grander. The ceiling is kept a
purer white for a traditional
look, while accent furniture and
sculpture in woods and black
draw on this muted palette.
Walls in Slate, Paint &
Paper Library

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livingetc.com

PHOTOGRAPHS (COOL WELCOME) MICHAEL SINCLAIR; (MUTED MONOCHROME) FRAN PARENTE

D E C O R AT I N G

MUTED
MONOCHROME
Shades of black, grey and
white decorate this Upper
East Side apartment created
by contemporary interior
designer Ryan Korban. The
curated choice of colours
creates a wonderful sense
of depth. Used on the
panelled walls, a cool white
offers a counterpoint to the
black accents, says Ryan:
‘It balances that sense of
drama without feeling dark.’
Walls in Strong White, Farrow
& Ball. Framed photograph by
Ruvén Afanador 
h

COLOU R CODE
Dial up this evocative base
with tones and textures
that complement or contrast
its coolness. This elegant
Fifth Avenue residence
by interior designer Ryan
Korban presents synergies
between the softness of a
muted pink and the sharp
nature of dark white. The
white tempers the sweetness
of the shade while the pink
brings levity and colour to
this space. ‘I have always
been drawn to that last
shade of white just before
grey,’ says Ryan. ‘To me,
it evokes such emotion.’
Walls in Strong White,
Farrow & Ball. Painting
by Marco Lorenzetto

D E C O R AT I N G

DAS H OF
DRAMA
Austin-based studio Cuppett
Kilpatrick offers a charming
example of how dark white
can be used in conjunction
with traditional elements such
as panelling. The dark wood
grounds the scheme while
refreshing doses of white bring
light into the room. ‘Crisp white
paint and accessories contrast
with the warm wood,’ says
founding partner Tim Cuppett.

PHOTOGRAPHS (COLOUR CODE) FRAN PARENTE; (DASH OF DRAMA) CUPPETT KILPATRICK

For similar paint, try Gauze,
Little Greene

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D E C O R AT I N G

looking up
Ceilings adorned with papers, fabrics and painted patterns were everywhere at New York’s
design week – this trick makes rooms feel larger and infinitely more interesting
FEATURE Julia Demer

1

2

1 A L L T H AT G L I T T E R S
For the maximalist or the unconventional, ceiling wallpaper
is the next frontier. First, it offers extra surface area to play
with – why should walls be the limit? Second, it’s unexpected,
almost undetectable upon entering a room. For her bathroom
in the Kips Bay Decorator Show House in New York this year,
interior designer Vanessa Deleon used a gold wallcovering
with multilayered metallic leafing by Phillip Jeffries on the
ceiling: it offers a reflective contrast to the dramatic emerald
walls and draws the brass fixtures from Kohler into the space.

2 TO U CH - M E TE X TU R E
Look to wallpaper to deliver texture to your ceiling – be it
the layered metallics shown on the left or, in the case of
Jeremiah Brent’s room for Kips Bay, the soft, soothing look
of suede. Suited to bedrooms, living rooms and dining rooms
– all places you want to invite this sense of sumptuous
luxury – it is an unexpected choice. But as Jeremiah’s scheme
with its white walls and floor paired with a deep brown faux
suede wallcovering from Phillip Jeffries shows, it makes
quite the style statement.

3 P A I N T E R LY A P P R O A C H
Like a wall mural, a decorative ceiling increases the perception
of height and, if done right, makes the room feel larger rather
than closed in. One fearless execution came from Barbara
Ostrom of Barbara Ostrom Associates. She’s the type of
creative who cheekily pairs an accent chair made of plush
stuffed animals with real hides on cushions and stools. For
her safari-themed design week exhibit, flying cranes formed
a circle against an abstract sky backdrop.

PHOTOGRAPHS NICKOLAS SARGENT

3

117

think like a pro
It’s not just interior designers who are skilled at picking the perfect palette – architects
are in on the act, too, and Richard Parr knows just how to get the ideal shade

The living room of
Richard Parr Associates’
Oxfordshire project, where
each colour was ultracarefully considered

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D E C O R AT I N G

Colour is something that evolves and
emerges throughout a project – it’s
not something that is arrived at by me
putting paint swatches on a table and
j u s t c h o o s i n g m y f avou r i t e o n e .
Everything we do is meshed together,
a nd I’ll consider the colour of the
building’s brick, the way the light falls
and what’s outside the window before I
choose. The result is a shade that creates
exactly the mood you were setting out for
– and how we came to create a colour
called People’s Red for our studio, which
played off the bricks to perfection and
we used on interior tiles.

PHOTOGRAPHS (MAIN IMAGE) BROTHERTON-LOCK; (RIGHT) GILBERT MCCARRAGHER

Colour is not flat - and that’s why I’m
against paint samples. It’s never static,
but changes throughout the day, and you
need to consider the emotional response
you get from it rather than the solely
visual one. I choose colour like I’m
cooking – if I’m making a recipe and
throwing in ingredients you’re aiming
for harmony, but every now and again
you add vinegar or spice – a contrast.
The same can be said for a paint palette
– shades that blend, but then have one
h
or two moments to lift them.

Tiles glazed for
Richard’s studio
in People’s Red, a
colour he created
specifically for
the space

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D E C O R AT I N G

The limewash was
chosen because
it was able to
complement the
many variations in
the concrete floor

The cladding
was stained
rather than
painted to lead
to true colour
homogeneity

W H E N D E C I D I N G O N A PA L E T T E , I ’ L L C O N S I D E R T H E
C O LO U R O F T H E B U I L D I N G ’ S B R I C K S , T H E WAY T H E L I G H T

Be open to being inspired by nature –
it’s where a lot of the best colours are. We
have a project in Suffolk, and as I walked
along the shoreline I collected a jar full of
sand, shell fragments, bits of brick and
porcelain that had washed up. It wasn’t
tasteful, necessarily, but it was interesting,
the colours that came from the shells and
the glazes. We extracted those hues and
used them to inform the project. It came
right from the local vernacular.
Start with your most difficult corner,
a nd work f rom there. In our
Oxfordshire project, it was trying to find
a hue that worked with the poured grey
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concrete on the floors, a surface as varied
as a cloud-filled sky. Once we found the
right lime plaster it was easy to build a
harmonious scheme from there, getting
the trickiest bit out of the way.

bits with little natural light – in Penny
by Benjamin Moore. It’s somewhere
bet ween r u st a nd och re a nd ver y
heart-warming when shafts of light
happen to hit it.

You can create a soothing scheme that
isn’t light – most people’s mistake is that
they equate ‘soothing’ with something
being not noticeable, and err towards
bland so as not to create a reaction. Pure
white is a non-colour and can be harsh –
instead richer colours tend to be more
soothing because they make you feel
warm. I painted my own home’s interior
– the landing and stairwell and those

Sometimes, painted surfaces won’t
give you the finish you’re after. Spray
can be too flat, hand-brushing can have
too much texture. In our Oxfordshire
project, we used a deep stain on the
exterior timber as I wanted it to be a
homogenous colour. It took a lot of effort,
but the result was a wonderful evenness
that still showed the woodgrain through.
Attention to the detail here was key.

PHOTOGRAPHS BROTHERTON LOCK

FA L L S A N D W H AT ’ S O U T S I D E T H E W I N D OW

Clockwise, from far
left: Camille Walala’s
Pink Noise rug; Henry
Holland’s I Feel Love
rug in Orange; Kitty
Joseph’s Chroma
rug in Green; John
Booth’s Giovanni rug
in Blue. all from 10x10
series, from £395,
Floor_Story

MAKE A SPLASH
With design names including Henry
Holland, Camille Walala and 2LG on
the roster, is it any wonder that 10x10,
the new series by east London rug
dealer Floor_Story, is an explosion of
colour? Celebrating a decade of
collaborating with talent from the
world of art, craft, print, fashion and,
of course, interiors, the collection
is a design event in itself. It’s also just
really fun. Keep an eye out for Kangan
Arora’s bold geometrics and Diane
Bresson’s playful abstracts – these
pieces were meant to inject your
home with vibrancy and dynamism.

W H E R E TO FI N D A M A ZI N G ACC EN T TA B L E S , T H E H OT P I EC E S A R R IV I N G
F R O M A M E R I C A , O U T D O O R P O O L I D E A S , M O D ER N M A R Q U E T RY A N D M O R E
X

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little black book: accent tables
FRENCH DESIG N ER SOPHIE ROUSSEL LOVES ARTISANAL DESIG NS –
S H E T E L L S U S W H E R E S H E S H O P S F O R S I D E TA B L E S W I T H G R A V I TA S

FEATURE ELLEN FINCH
PHOTOGRAPHS (SOPHIE ROUSSEL PROJECT ) HARRY CROWDER

A Sophie Roussel
project featuring
an Ado Chale table
– ‘a Belgian artist
whose studio was
down the street
where I grew up’

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PROANTIC
A platform with a beautiful array of dealers, Proantic is a
dream for antique furniture. I love to source from them as I
find mixing modern and vintage pieces a great combination
for any space. An 18th-century accent table with a modern
Italian sofa can do wonders for a living room.

INVISIBLE COLLECTION
This is my all-time favourite company to source from.
The furniture is of incredible variety and quality. The
showrooms change regularly and champion different
designers. Accent tables are a fun item to look for, and
you can find everything from lacquer to wood, bronze
to ceramic or glass. My last purchase was a trio of
tables with a blue resin top for a project in Athens.

PHILIPPE HUREL
Founded in 1911, this company is one of my most adored sources
for tables. It offers a classic, timeless design, made in France, with
a very modern, fresh look. I especially love the pieces that mix
wood with leather or parchment. The Tobias table (shown) is a
favourite and has been installed in a couple
of projects, switching finishes every time as
most of its products are customisable.

PROMEMORIA
A staple in Italian design, you can
never go wrong with Promemoria.
They are exceptional craftspeople:
the Francoise table (shown) is a
timeless classic and my go-to. They
are cabinetmakers originally so their
woodwork is impeccable, but I
am especially drawn to the way
they work with bronze. These
are pieces you will keep forever, and
pass on to future generations.

AT E L I E R S M U Q U E T
A few projects require custom-made
furniture and Ateliers Muquet is my
go-to. They are exceptional artisans
working at the highest level of woodwork,
as well as creating bespoke materials and
decorative panels. Last year, I could not
find an accent table for a chalet and
collaborated with them to create a
wooden one with a resin and chrome top.

H O M O FA B E R
I try to source locally and promote new artisans wherever I have a project. This
platform champions artisans and craft all over the world by creating guides for an
array of towns that list all the local artisans from each area. You will find everything
from renowned artists to small independent designers selling beautiful pieces.

X

T H E L I V I N G E TC T E A M R E C O M M E N D S
EDRA
The Cicladi side tables by
Jacopo Foggini are the
ultimate sculptural pieces – a
stroke of genius from this
treasured Italian brand.

JULIAN CHICHESTER
Ever-present on our list of
makers, Julian Chichester is
our choice for unusual accent
tables in finishes from dark
bronze to teal vellum.

JONATHAN ADLER
Bold, playful and always
interesting, the range of
accent tables – including
Coliseum, right – is incredible.
Every design makes us smile.

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global outlook: interiors report
O U R N E W YO R K E D I TO R K E I T H F L A N AG A N H E A D E D TO T H E H I G H P O I N T M A R K E T
H O M E WA R E S H O W I N N O R T H C A R O L I N A TO F I N D O U T W H AT ’ S H OT R I G H T N O W

1 B RIG HT S POT
While natural and neutral palettes still
have a hold on the market, splashes of
colour were all the more exhilarating to
spot. One of the brightest launches was a
playful collaboration between New York
designer Sasha Bikoff and Abner Henry,
an Amish furniture company based in
Oh io. T he Da r iu s a r moi re wa s a
personal favourite with its two-tone
cer used wood f ront a nd colou r f ul
interior like a box of Crayolas. The best
part? The collection is customisable –
every piece can change size, colour and
finish. They’re calling it functional art;
I’m calling it a whole lot of fun.

2
1

PHOTOGRAPHS (3) COURTESY OF JAIPUR LIVING; (4) VISUAL COMFORT & CO

2 STO N E AG E
It was hard to miss the sheer amount of
lighting incorporating stone throughout
High Point Market this year–especially
illuminated stone, which can emit an
almost ethereal glow. Milky and opaque,
these stones were of ten encased in
metallic bases, brackets and bezels for a
mixed material experience that levelled
up the whole look. The debut that caught
my eye came from San Francisco-based
designer Noz Nozawa, who partnered
with Corbett Lighting on a striking
collection inspired by antique jewellery.
Metallic silhouettes nod to anything
from stackable rings to swooping chains
– emulating pieces Noz wears herself – in
fixtures like the Lariat chandelier with
alabaster tubes or the Riviere sconce
with an onyx disc shade, all casting a
moody and ambient quality of light.

3 PLUMPED UP
There are simply some home items that
you’ve got to feel to believe. That’s my
takeaway after visiting Jaipur Living’s
show room. The company, based in
Atlanta and known for hand-knotted
rugs, has raised its level once again with

3
4
a new Fine Fibers collection crafted
with luxurious materials like Mongolian
cashmere and New Zealand wool. I’d
seen photos of the line before visiting
and loved what I saw, but trust me, the
images hardly compare to seeing and
touching these rugs in person.

4 L I G H T FA N TA S T I C
We tend to think of light fixtures as
f i xed object s. But the categor y of
c o r d le s s , r e c h a r g e a ble l a m p s i s
certainly on the rise. One brand leaning

into the movement is Visual Comfort &
Co, which recently cut the cord for about
30 of its bestselling designs, offering
p or t a ble ver sion s w it h bu lb -l i ke
modules that pop in and out of full-sized
lamps (the charge lasts upwards of nine
hours and the docking stations are
ha ndsome). It mea ns that updated
designs, like this Tiglia lamp by Kelly
Wearstler, can be moved around the
home, placed anywhere regardless of
whether a socket is nearby. Lamps with
legs? It’s a new dawn for lighting design.
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the big ticket: outdoor pools
D I V E I N TO A WO R L D O F P O O L PA R T I E S A N D M O R N I N G D I P S W I T H
Y O U R O W N P R I VAT E L I D O – S U M M E R S J U S T G O T S U N N I E R

‘Pools allow for a multitude of
possibilities,’ says Hillary Littlejohn,
principal of her eponymous design

Shallow steps lead down
to a pool tucked under a
stairway in this São Paulo
project by architecture
firm Entre Escalas

studio in Dallas, Texas. ‘They ca n
become focal points or supporting actors
positioned as water feat u res w ith
swimming capabilit y. A pool of ten
grounds a large expansive space like a
lawn or large terrace; infinity pools
direct your eye towards a horizon.’
If you’re convinced of the benefits
of an outdoor pool, the first step in
the design process is to visualise – and
rationalise – how you’re actually going
to use it. ‘Is it for swimming laps, family
playtime, relaxing in, lounging beside in
the summer?,’ ask Emma Ward-Lambert
and Magnus Ström of Lymington-based
Ström Architects. ‘Is it intended as a
feature of the landscape, something to

enjoy looking out over, or more of a
private retreat? Are you working with
existing garden and house features and
styles? These factors play a crucial role
in determining how to landscape around
it – the level of privacy desired, how
important shade or orientation are, how
much time will be spent around it rather
than in it, whether it needs to interface,
complement or contrast with existing
features and materials.’
Next, think about placement. In
the UK, says Pawel Nawojczyk, director
of architecture at London design firm
SHH, that means ‘looking for the largest
a rea w ith least obstructions [a nd]
ensuring the most use of the sun, e.g.
away from trees’ – as well as considering
implications on adjoining structures,
underground services, geotechnical
characteristics and hydrology. Allowing
for a decent amount of space around a
pool is always advantageous. ‘I am
perplexed when people choose to nudge
the pool six feet from the house when
they have an expansive backyard,’ says
Hillary. ‘At the other extreme I recently
witnessed a pool built into the side of the
house with zero ledge and the effect was
striking. [It] seemed to float.’
Consider, too, the architecture
surrounding the pool, and how it
might be complemented. ‘Design the
pool in harmony with surrounding
st r uct u res, such a s i ncor porat i ng
features like pergolas, decks or built-in
seating areas,’ say Huzefa Rangwala and
Jasem Pirani, directors of Mumbaibased architects MuseLAB. ‘For our
Hacienda project, we constructed a 75foot-long vault using custom formwork.
This allowed for the roof of the pool to
integrate with the architecture of the
home.’ Consider, too, how the pool is
h

FEATURE ELLEN FINCH PHOTOGRAPHS (ENTRE ESCALAS) PEDRO KOK;
(SANDBOX STUDIO) KATHERINE LU

Thanks to the characteristically up-anddown nature of British summer weather,
a swimming pool isn’t necessarily at the
top of most people’s project wish lists –
until, that is, we visit a hotel or rent a
private villa abroad and realise what
we’re missing. An outdoor pool can be a
beautiful addition to a garden landscape
and a design feature in its own right. ‘A
swimming pool provides a dynamic
ae s t het ic fe at u r e t o a home a nd
surrounding landscape,’ says Luke
Carter, director of Sydney and Canberra
architectural practice Sandbox Studio.

Australian firm Sandbox
Studio’s Curl Curl house
includes a pool that
mimics the curves of the
roof that extends over
the decked area parallel

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Luke also suggests incorporating a
shallower ‘beach’ zone or bench seating
within the pool.

viewed from within the house. ‘If there
is a striking panorama, then perhaps the
pool empha si se s t h i s by r u n n i ng
laterally across the viewing plane,’ say
Emma and Magnus. ‘If the pool sits next
to a living area, then it may be worth
considering a lifting pool floor that can
double as a terrace for entertaining. If
the house is elevated, then we may create
an infinity edge to intensify that sense of
the view extending.’

Mosaic tiles
emphasise the
architectural
structure that
surrounds this
indoor-outdoor
pool design (top)
by Bombay-based
design firm
MuseLAB

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A project by
Oliver Segura
Arquitectura
and Cebrià
Arquitectura
includes a pool
with a moveable
floor that can be
raised to create a
patio space

If your pool is for casual use rather
than exercise, consider having fun
with shape. ‘Rectangles and squares are
timeless and offer a clean, modern look:
they are ideal for lap swimming and
fit well in contemporary settings,’ says
Pawel. ‘Curves add visual interest and
can make a statement; they can also
surround sunken sitting areas including
fire pits. Infinity pools are striking when
positioned to overlook scenic views. For
a more natural, organic look, consider
freeform shapes. These pools often
mimic the appearance of natural bodies
of water with curves and irregular edges.’

Pawel recommends a level of
contrast for safety reasons (so that
those with poor eyesight can see where
the pool begins). ‘Dark pools provide a
striking statement while lighter colours
make the water very inviting with the
light reflections painted by the sun,’ he
says. ‘Ultramodern pools can bring in
exposed glass walls and stainless steel;
sleek designs might call for large-format
tiles; a more characterful pool will
benefit from smaller mosaics that add
sparkle and colour, [and] a more rustic
pool could benefit from a plaster finish.’
And of course, there are a few final
details that will help maximise your
enjoyment of your pool. ‘Lighting is
always important, and not just the
ubiquitous single light in the deep end –
[it’s also] lighting just under the bullnose
around the perimeter,’ says Hillary.
‘Finally, and most importantly, heat the
pool! It might seem counterintuitive but
if you want the pool to be utilised it
should be warmed to 78-85 degrees
Fahrenheit [25-29 degrees Celsius].’

PHOTOGRAPHS (MUSELAB) ISHITA SITWALA; (OLIVER SEGURA)
MARIO MARTÍNEZ AT LATENART; (MESURA) SALVA LÓPEZ

Finishes can also help your pool
design make more of a splash. ‘We
frequently use stone paving for pool
surrounds, but this is often not suitable
for below the waterline – in these cases
we opt for porcelain tiles that resemble
the stone,’ say Emma and Magnus.
‘Another option, for a minimalist and
seamless aesthetic, is microcement. We
specified a product called Baxab on a
project in Barcelona, where the interior
floor, terraces and pool were all finished
in a beautiful, smooth, pale microcement
that gave a faultless, uniform surface.’

Barcelona-based
architecture firm
Mesura employed
earthy terracottatoned tiles to line
the pool of its
Casa Ter project

the spotlight: what to buy now

C O N S C I O U S LY C H I C

ST YLISH STRIPES

Yarn Collective is a great example of
a bra nd pioneering responsible
design. Its new collection of textiles
is made from materials selected for
their renewable and biodegradable
qualities, but the rich colour palette
takes things to the next level. Think
earthy olives, deep burnt reds and
creamy neutrals. Throw in Iris
linen satin in Olive, £166m; bolster
cushion in Flock wool velvet in
Olive, £284m, Yarn Collective

Loving String is fast gaining
traction for its colourf ul
cotton lampshades. So we
wanted to spotlight one
of its cheer y pieces for
when your home needs an
injection of sun. Cozzie
lampshade, from £65,
Loving String

S E R V I N G LO O K S
Mango wood
Lisbon Foliage
round platter,
£28, John Lewis
& Partners

Set your alfresco table and
style up those salads with our
pick of the best new plates
and serving platters.

KEEP IT SIMPLE

Elizabeth
serving platter,
£205, Carolina
Irving &
Daughters
Laguna dinner
plate, £160 for
set of 4, Skye
McAlpine Tavola

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This natty little stool is a recent launch
from Fredericia, the Danish design
brand and our current Scandinavian
obsession. It ’s part of the Pioneer
Collection in collaboration with Maria
Bruun, a series of sculptural stools in
solid wood – proof that simple is often
best when it comes to furniture pieces.
From €709

FEATURE ELLEN FINCH PHOTOGRAPHS (HOME GROWN) KEV HISCOE, STYLING RUTH WEBBER

AN EDIT OF THE BE AUTIES ON TE AM LIVINGE TC ’S SHOPPING LIST

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M A R V E L LO U S
M A R Q U E T RY
T her e ’s b e en a lot of t a l k a b ou t
marquetry recently, including in this
very magazine – and there’s a good
reason, because this technique makes for
fascinating pieces. Shepel Furniture is
worth investigating for standout pieces,
from cabinets to coffee tables. Soho side
table, £6,370, Shepel Furniture

A SHADE BETTER
Sparkling new brand Plia Parasols
makes hardwood garden parasols
with canopies sewn in Cornwall –
and you can choose your own
upholstery fabric for your bespoke
piece. For those of us who find it
tricky to find parasols that fit our
interior style, this is an exciting
launch – we can’t wait to get our
hands on one. From £1,045

H O M E G R OW N
P L AY F U L
PAT T E R N
As long-time fans of artist
a nd de sig ner A n n i k a
R e e d ’s w o r k , w e ’ r e
delighted to say that her
new wallpaper collection,
Dancing Queen, definitely
lives up to expectations.
Inspired by the rhythmic
elegance of dance, the six
colou r f u l desig ns feel
joyf ul and lively – just
what we want from our
home s . C r o s s St it c h
wallpaper, £170 a roll,
Annika Reed Studio

If you’re af ter beautif ul f urniture, new
Yorkshire-based brand FORM is one to add to
your little black book. Its collection includes
furniture, lighting, rugs and accessories. The
Jaipur sofa, inspired by an Anglo-Indian sofa
that founder Matt Dixon spotted on his travels,
is our pick. Jaipur sofa, £4,995, FORMh

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FUN TIMES
K it Kemp’s New Forest
collection for Annie Selke is
a lot of fun: inspired by the
national park, it’s packed
with pattern and colour,
each piece infused with Kit’s
playful hand. Knight Wood
linen cushion cover in
Olive, £125; Spring Bush
embroidered cushion
cover in Green, £150, Kit
Kemp x Annie Selke

L I G H T TO U C H
deVOL always delivers on classically elegant lighting and
the new Heirloom wall light is no exception – it features a
curved brass arm that angles slightly upwards to allow light
to shine out, rather than straight down. It’s a simple trick
that makes the world of difference when it comes to setting
ambience in a room. Heirloom wall light, £320, deVOL

S E T I N S TO N E
We came across Studio Gaïa at Maison&Objet in January and
haven’t been able to stop thinking about the brand since: its
furniture is crafted from beautiful stone. They are investment
pieces, but if your budget can stretch, you’ll love them for decades
to come. Frida side table in Onyx, €3,400, Studio Gaïa

AND RELAX…
Caravane’s Princesse divan remains one of the brand’s most iconic designs, and we’re revisiting it for its casual take on
a piece: cushions appear stacked effortlessly, one on top of the other, lending a nonchalant vibe to any room it’s set in.
It’s perfect for 2024’s easygoing and informal mood. Princesse à Paris outdoor couch in Curcuma, €4,640, Caravane
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L A D O LC E V I TA
Paint brand Graphenstone collaborated with
Kate Watson-Smy th of Mad About the
House to create the paints for her new home
in Turin, inspired by Italy’s romantic shades
– but w ith the sof tness of the British
countryside, too. Available to buy online.

S L E E P S O U N D LY
If you’ve always wanted a Hästens mattress but can’t quite
stretch to the high price points, we’ve got news for you:
the Swedish brand is reintroducing the Marquis bed, the
entry-level piece, which has all the hallmarks of a Hästens
product – quality craftsmanship, natural materials and
exceptional comfort – but with a lightweight design and
a lower price point. From £3,500

S C U L P T U R A L P I EC E
The rounded base and smoked glass top of the Bell coffee table, a recent
addition to Australian design house The Wood Room’s collection, caught
our eye the moment we spotted it – it’s the sibling of the brand’s Bell table,
which has been commissioned by numerous leading interior designers for
their projects. Customisable to any dimension and made to order with a
range of timbers. Price on request

F LO R A L A R R A N G E M E N T
There’s something so charming about decorative
tiles and we have our sights set on Botanica, the
new collection by Neisha Crosland for surface
specialist De Ferranti – delicate and whimsical,
they depict floral forms in elegant colourways.
Can Can tile in Clementine; Florissa tile
in Blue, £25.92 each; Tulip (Lined) tile in
Jade Pink, £37.44, available at De Ferranti
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SOURCEBOOK

on the rise: leathercraft and marquetry
E A C H I S S U E , W E C H AT W I T H A N I N D E P E N D E N T C R E AT I V E M A K I N G
A N I M PAC T – A N D S U G G E S T A F E W OT H E R S TO G E T TO K N OW

Abstract marquetry artist Carl Fox finds
himself in a creative sweet spot. Not only
does he love his craft, he is pushing
the boundaries in what is arguably
unventured artistic and design territory.
‘I don’t know many people who do what I
do,’ he says. ‘My work combines leather
and wood marquetry and parquetry on
the same boards, so I’ve had to develop
my own processes to be able to bring the
two materials together.’
From first picking up leathercraft
in 2020, Carl was swiftly recognised
and awarded a studio space by The
Leathersellers and Cockpit studios
a year later, and was the recipient of the
2023 QEST Carpenters’ Company
Scholarship, which allowed him to train
with experts from the world of woodwork.
His inspiration stems from modernist
and brutalist design, and he finds joy
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in abstraction. Leather and wood, he
says, ‘are materials destined to be used
together: they invite you in to touch them’.
Within the past year, Carl has moved
to a larger studio and his work has grown
in scale as a result. Some of these pieces,
showcased at Collect in March, combine
veneering techniques used in cabinetmaking with leatherwork. They explore
‘complicated fa milial connections
within the queer community’ – an idea
close to Carl’s heart. The series includes

h is f i rst collaborat ive piece w it h
printmaker Rosanna Bishop, who screenprinted her designs onto leather hides.
‘The addition of pattern and print really
helped to add a new dimension,’ he says.
What’s next for Carl? ‘I would love to
introduce ceramic elements to my work.
It’s a tricky concept to be complementary
to my practice – but I’ve never been one to
shy away from a challenge!’
X

@carlfox_artist; paulovulpes.co.uk
X

T H E L I V I N G E TC T E A M R E C O M M E N D S
ANTON LABORDE
French visual artist Anton
Laborde’s work spans 2D
panels and 3D furniture
designs. He hand-colours
sheets of precious and
semi-precious wood
himself, before collaging
together. @antonlaborde

ELAINE CHAN-PERRYMAN
The Amsterdam-based
maker employs labourintensive methods – pattern
cutting, hand-carving and
traditional hand-stitching
– to curate her geometric
and sculptural receptacles.
@atelier_wolfson

VALENTINE HUYGHUESDESPOINTES
This passionate diver’s
recent work, Archipelago,
involved crafting a deep
sea life scene (or ‘mural’)
out of leather scraps and
upcycled materials.
@valentinehdespointes

FEATURE RORY ROBERTSON

C A R L F OX

A STEP AHEAD

PHOTOGRAPH AMY ADAMS OF NO ORDINARY SPACE

Interior designer Amy Adams of
No Ordinary Space has come up
with an ingenious way to stop the
water sloshing that is the bane of
most wetroom owners, while not
ruining the flow of her beautiful
bathroom projects – and that’s to
double down on the use of tiles.
Making a feature out of the step
between the shower space and
main floor area by cladding it in the
same ridged surface as the walls,
this subtle demarcation is a
considered and beautiful solution.

Wall and edges of the step
clad in Zen Marble Reed
mosaic tiles, Ca’ Pietra.
Floor clad in pattern 10433
in colours G41 and G33,
Granito range at Mosaic
Factory. Design by Amy
Adams, No Ordinary Space

SU M M ER PROJ EC TS I NS PI R ATIO N – S MART KITCH EN AN D BATH ROO M B U YS ,
FAB FLOO RI N G , E XCELLENT E X TENSIO NS AN D OTH ER ARCH ITEC TU R E N E WS
X

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CLEVER
IN THE KNOW

kitchens & bathrooms
T H E L AT E S T L A U N C H E S , L O O K S A N D I D E A S E X C I T I N G U S N O W

FLOCK
TO IT
Word of Anthropologie’s
latest tea towel drop is
always cause for giddy
e xc i t e m e n t (w e ’ r e
kitch e n n e rd s a n d
owning it). This season’s
collab with LA-based
print and textile designer
A l e x a n d r a Fa r m e r
doesn’t disappoint. Part
of a wider picnic-ware
collection, this cheery
100% cotton number
p ro m ise s to b ri n g
summertime inside. The
Flock tea towel, £22,
Anthropologie

NAKED IN THE CITY
PROTEC T
YO U R A S S E TS
Perfectionists, lean in: Rutland London
has developed a clever coating that
harnesses molecular technology to
protect its metallic finishes, so they’ll
stay box fresh for years to come. Shown
here in Heritage Bronze, Protect+ is
available on a wide range of metallic
finishes including brass, nickel, copper
and gold. Peabody heated towel rail,
£3,882, Rutland London

Norfolk-based country mouse Naked
Kitchens has ventured to the Big Smoke with
the opening of its first London showroom in
west London. Showcasing eight kitchen
designs within 3000sq ft, it’s an immersive
space in which to touch, stroke, slam a few
doors and get a feel for the quality furniture
this maker can deliver. We’d recommend
booking an appointment online to be sure
of the team’s undivided attention. Naked
Kitchens, 10 Bloomsbury Way, WC1A 2SL

FEATURE LINDA CLAYTON

SMITTEN
B Y S AT I N
While super polished and flat
matt are lovely, satin is the
new brassware finish that
suits all, according to Grohe.
Unveiling its new satin finish,
the German brassware
behemoth waxed lyrical about
satin’s silken touch and timeless
appeal. In Satin Steel or Satin
Graphite, the finish is available
across the Allure and Atrio
collections. Allure 3-hole basin
mixer in Satin Graphite, from
£1,700, Grohe Spa
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CLEVER

GO GREEN
We’re green with envy over Quorn Stone’s
latest ‘fake it ’til you make it’ porcelain
launch. Featuring verdant green veining
flecked with greys and reddy-rust tones, it
faithfully replicates exotic Malachite marble
without the maintenance headaches real
stone presents. In a matt or polished finish,
these 60x60cm tiles are suitable for floors
and walls – do both for a trendy colourdrenched look. Lucca Malachite-effect
porcelain tiles, from £49sq m, Quorn Stone

FULL
EXPOSURE
Bring some old school cred
into your bathroom with ABI
Interiors’ fab new exposed
shower set. In moody matt
black, this transitional piece
straddles the trad/modern
divide with serious style.
Striking on its own, or as part
of a wider collection that
includes accessories for all
your needs, it also comes in
brushed brass, brushed nickel
and chrome. Kingsley
Provincial shower set, from
£304, ABI Interiors

BRAND
TO K N OW
It may be the newest
bathroom brand on
the block but Nôsa is
already big news.
Literally, in the case of
this glorious Dia150cm
freestanding bath in
fluted stone. Handfinished and supplied
with a lifetime
guarantee, it’s just one
of many unusual
pieces that are worth
checking out from this
new contemporary
bathroom specialist.
Chloe freestanding
fluted stone bath,
£1,997, Nôsa

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DOUBLE DUTY
If lack of space is the only thing thwarting your air-fryer
owning ambitions, the new trend for including air-frying
powers on built-in ovens could be your salvation. Miele
leads the way with its AirFry function, which combines
Fan Plus with Top Heat to create crispy yet moist fodder.
H2766-1 BP oven with AirFry function, £1,449, Miele

H A R DWA R E S H O P P I N G

pull handles

Te
£ 3 rra ri u
5.9
9 , Dm C h
ow r ysl
si n e r h
g&
a
Re n d l e
yn o ,
lds

Brass Wiggle handle,
£45, Bias Editions

Linear L-bar handle in Black, £30, Buster + Punch

IN-350
handles in
Copper, €8.65
each, Didheya

Swell aluminium handle,
£31, Superfront

I T ’ S T H E L I T T L E T H I N G S T H AT C O U N T – A N Y O F T H E S E
S T U N N E R S W I L L U P G R A D E Y O U R U N I T S N I C E LY

Harris cup
handle in
Brushed
Gold, £25,
Lusso Stone

Bamboo handle in Cherry,
£26, Matilda Goad & Co

Begripa half round
handle in Yellow,
£6 for two, Ikea

of t
i n S re
e
l
a
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h a n H a rd w
r
a
T-b
ank
gle . 9 5 , Pl
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i
S q u c , £ 27
Lil a

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nd f t
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o
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ab . 9
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T il m £
f ro

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H A R DWA R E S H O P P I N G

cabinet knobs
A F E W P O L I S H E D P I C K S T H AT A R E B O T H
U N D E R S TA T E D A N D T H O R O U G H LY C H A R M I N G

Hegman 60mm
round pull in Ash,
£12, ABI Interiors

MIX straight knurled
cabinet knob in Satin Nickel
plate, £51.72, Armac Martin
Milliner
furniture knob
in Antique
Brass, £13.20,
Corston

Key handle
in Yellow,
€15, Toniton

Wiggle knob,
£8 for two,
Anthropologie

Stoneware door
knobs, £4.99 for
two, H&M Home

Half Moon
cabinet knob,
from £31.06, Croft

30mm Forged Ball
handle in Matt
Black, £12.34,
Jim Lawrence
Beetham solid brass
and leather furniture
knob, £11, Meraki

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D E S I G N F E AT U R E O F T H E M O M E N T

vanity areas
P U L L I N G F O C U S F R O M S TA T E M E N T T U B S , T H I S S P A C E I S G O I N G
B E S P O K E W I T H S C U L P T U R A L B A S I N S A N D C A P T I VAT I N G C A B I N E T R Y
FEATURE Keith Flanagan

1

CLEVER
There is a perfectly plain reason to customise your vanity area:
it is often the focal point of modern bathrooms, whether you like it
or not. From countertops to sinks and cabinetry (not to forget a
bathroom mirror), the amount of details concentrated in one
space can create an altogether eye-catching design moment.
‘It’s worth using the excuse to create something beautiful, and
there are endless possibilities in combining elements that must
exist next to each other to create a functional bathroom interior,
and which can be composed to create a unique combination of
textures, shapes and solids,’ says designer Katarzyna Baumiller.
Designers f lex dramatic materials like marble to craft
sculptural bathroom sinks in fascinating shapes and colours,
or bespoke bathroom storage ideas that maximise space and
usher in textural surfaces beyond the reach of store-bought
solutions. Throw in a dazzling mirror and flattering lighting,
and your vanity area is guaranteed to take centre stage.
‘We have definitely seen a trend where people want to adopt
a more luxurious, hotel-like approach to the vanity area,
especially in cloakrooms,’ says Liz Ride, associate director at
Studio Tate, noting how these compact spaces represent an
affordable place to splurge on high-end materials and fittings –
a small area with major wow-factor potential.
And for many designers, the vanity area is just another way to
create an experience, a design moment that gives us pause. ‘Our
time in a bathroom is usually solitary, quiet, and contemplative –
whether we are in our own home or someone else’s – so those
occasions are prime times to reflect on a piece of consequential
design,’ says designer Dylan Farrell.
Going bespoke? These crafted vanity areas bring a new layer
of attraction to these next-level bathrooms. 
h

PHOTOGRAPHS (1) BROCK BEAZLEY PHOTOGRAPHY;
(2) THOMAS DE BRUYNE; (3) FELIX FOREST

1 F I X AT I N G
FIXTURES
Playing with balance and levels,
designer Kate Cooper used a
clever bath tap to mix up the
traditional set-up, ultimately
creating a vanity area that gives
levity to hefty materials. ‘I
wanted to use a floor-mounted
bath filler that spilled into a
pedestal style basin, and the
idea of doing a stone floating
vanity was then brought to
life,’ says Kate, noting how the
tap arches over a custom pink
marble bench. ‘I love to have
more fun in a cloakroom as it’s
always great to surprise people
when they walk into a space.’
PROJECT BY
Kate Cooper Interiors

2 P O W E R P L AY
Bespoke aesthetics are on full
display in this material-rich
bathroom, where a custom
oval-shaped mirror shines
alongside a green marble arch
that frames the entire vanity.
But what don’t you see here is a
single power outlet. ‘Installing
electrical outlets at strategic
locations makes it easy to plug

2

3

in electrical appliances such
as hair dryers, electric razors or
electric toothbrushes,’ says
French studio Caprini & Pellerin
of its disguised and tailored-toperfection vision. ‘We always
make sure that they are hidden
in the cabinets.’
PROJECT BY Caprini & Pellerin

3 ACED BASE
Conceived by New York and
Sydney based designers Dylan
and Nicolette Farrell of Dylan
Farrell Design, this geometric
base was achieved wit h a
simple twist: the shape
matches pentagonal floor tiles
beneath it. ‘If you want to make
for an interesting shaped
va n i t y wi t h o u t b l owi n g a
budget, try and reduce the
amount of functions required,’
recommends Dylan. ‘ For
example, if you need toilet
paper storage, attempt to find
it in an adjacent location, like a
wall niche, medicine cabinet or
basket. This way there are less
moving parts to be addressed
when considering atypical
shapes, materials or finishes.’
PROJECT BY Dylan Farrell Design

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PROJECT BY Katarzyna Baumiller Studio

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PHOTOGRAPHS (RAD SHAPE) AGNIESZKA MURAK/ALICJA T./PHOTOFOYER;
(MAIN DRAW) CARA WOODHOUSE INTERIORS

RAD SHAPE
While many modern vanity areas are shaped around rectangular or square cabinetry, this playful design gives the concept a twist – a
rounded base floats above the floor, reflecting similar curves in an arched mirror installed above. ‘I like to surprise with a clever combination
of shapes,’ says designer Katarzyna Baumiller, who also plays with materials, colours and textures to create vanities that are altogether
unique. ‘I think it’s important not to be afraid of non-obvious combinations, because it pleases the eye and inspires.’

CLEVER

M A I N D R AW
The vanity area can seem daunting with so many crucial elements – sinks, mirrors, millwork, hardware and more. But designer Cara Woodhouse
believes that if you can dream it, or draw a picture of it, you can find someone to build it. ‘Don’t be afraid to go for it and try to create something
different,’ she says. She designed this abstract double vanity in dramatic green marble. ‘People get very overwhelmed by custom pieces, but
don’t! All you have to do is draw a sketch, show an image of something that inspires you and find a local fabricator or millworker to create it.’
PROJECT BY Cara Woodhouse Interiors 
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WORK OF ART
Choosing a dramatic material is one of the easiest ways to make a statement. ‘Materiality is key – as cloakrooms tend to be smaller it’s a
great area to splash out on a fabulous feature stone or a specialist wall finish,’ says designer Liz Ride. But the material does not stand
alone in this interior: Liz made the most of a sculptural sink by placing a full height mirror alongside it, plus an adjacent marble shelf.
‘Ideally, storage is concealed, towels and soap are accounted for, and areas for display or decoration are integrated.’
PROJECT BY Studio Tate

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PHOTOGRAPH ANSON SMART

CLEVER

SECRET ADDRESS BOOK

spa showers
I F W E L L N E S S I S O N YO U R M I N D, M E E T T H E B R A N D D E L I V E R I N G
A THER APEUTIC (AND ST YLISH) SHOWER EXPERIENCE

DORN B R ACHT

PHOTOGRAPH ROBERT RIEGER

The concept of a spa bathroom is
gaining traction in interiors – after
all, who wouldn’t want one of their
ow n? F u r t her i ng t he c au s e i s
Dornbracht, which launched the
Aquahalo sculptural experience
shower at Milan in April. Designed
with reference to crystal chandeliers,
it fe at u r e s t h r e e f low m o d e s ,
including a spot for light and water
integrated into the ceiling. It aims to
deliver a meditative and invigorating
experience within the comfort of your
own bathroom – and having seen it in
person, we can confirm it’s definitely
one of the most beautiful showers
we’ve laid eyes on.

Aquahalo
shower, price
on request,
Dornbracht

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OF THE MOMENT

doorless showers
T H I S D E S I G N C H O I C E C R E AT E S A N I L L U S I O N O F E X T E N D E D S PA C E
– B U T TH ER E AR E TH I N G S TO CO N S I D ER B EFO R E TRYI N G IT O U T
FEATURE Aditi Sharma Maheshwari

1

CLEVER

2

1 N AT U R A L W O N D E R
The airy feel of this doorless shower in a bathroom for Studio
Andrew Trotter’s Casolare Scarani project is enhanced by the
curved architecture and plaster-like wall finish. Of course,
creating a scheme like this requires a certain amount of room but
the concept can work in smaller bathrooms. ‘In larger spaces,
leveraging the expansive nature can create a luxurious spa-like
retreat for bathing,’ says Severine Tatangelo, founder of Studio
PCH. ‘Conversely, in smaller areas, doorless showers can augment
the perception of openness and light.’

3

PHOTOGRAPHS (1) SALVA LÓPEZ; (2) BARBARA KRAFT;
(3) MADELINE TOLLE STYLING (1) GERMÁN VÁZQUEZ

2 T WO ’ S C O M PA N Y
‘Doorless showers offer practicality across various settings,
seamlessly integrating into diverse spaces ranging from compact
studio apartments to expansive en-suite bathrooms,’ says
Severine Tatangelo. ‘Embracing minimalism and a contemporary
aesthetic with clean lines, they lend an air of sophistication. In
this space, we enhanced the room by incorporating a teak tub
alongside custom-coloured concrete walls and floors, elevating
the ambience with refined elegance. It’s prudent to include a glass
shower panel splash guard to uphold practicality.’

3 ALL IN ONE
In small bathrooms, you can also include a free-standing bathtub
in the shower area, as design studio Union of Art did here. Because
the feature holds so much space within the room, choose
interesting shower wall materials and eye-catching hardware to
create a modern look. Glass bricks are on trend and fun;
alternatively, consider a cloud-like plaster finish, or a seamless
marble surface that adds an elegant edge.

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A R C H I T E C T U R A L I N S P I R AT I O N

modern extensions
W I T H S T R I K I N G U S E O F C O L O U R , M AT E R I A L S A N D S H A P E , T H E
L AT E S T D E S I G N S A D D S O M U C H M O R E T H A N A N E X T R A R O O M
FEATURE Aditi Sharma Maheshwari

CLEVER

‘Light is a crucial consideration when it comes to planning
an extension. Introducing natural light where possible is
a must and this can be done in a variety of ways, from roof
lanterns and flat Velux windows to sloped glazing, which
gives a contemporary feel. A good extension design
will take into account how the light moves, changes and
lessens over the day and factor in where to boost natural
light and where to introduce light fixtures.’
Sara Thompson of Thompson Clarke Interiors
‘Panoramic rear glazing can be used to bring the outside
in, but if your plot is narrow or north-facing you could
think about a full-on glass box. However, it is important
to design the extension hand-in-hand with what the
room is going to be used for, so that walls can be planned
to house kitchen units, for example, and services such
as electrics can be positioned in the right place.’
Richard Atkins, MD of DesignSpace London

PHOTOGRAPH STÅLE ERIKSEN

‘The flow between new and old spaces in a double-storey
extension should be as natural as possible for a successful
design. Ensuring floor levels in the extension match
those of the original property will make the new rooms
feel like part of the old house. Similarly continuing
mouldings, skirting boards, door furniture and colour
schemes will create a harmonious flow.’
Pereen d’Avoine, founder of architecture studio
Russian for Fish

A B OV E A N D B E YO N D
A sculptural ceiling in natural wood is an eye-catching
contrast to all that glass, while a coffered design will bring
down the height of the room for a cosier feel. ‘This ceiling
is made from beautifully grained Douglas fir and the lattice
structure is exposed to create a feature that demarcates
the sitting room within the open-plan living space,’ says
Will Gamble, director of Will Gamble Architects.
GET THE LOOK Similar corner sofa, Hay. Coffee table,
Another Country 
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FRO M TH E TO P
Push the limits of your interior with a cleverly designed skylight that does much more than usher light into the room. ‘This skylight is the
centre point in the house and draws movement towards it from the entrance. It is angled to enable views of the green roof from the living
spaces and acts as a beacon of light from which the other rooms radiate,’ says Oliver Leech, founder of Oliver Leech Architects.
GET THE LOOK The dining table is a vintage French oak kitchen table. Vintage Red Carimate carver chair by Vico Magistretti

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PHOTOGRAPHS (FROM THE TOP) JIM STEPHENSON; (COLOUR BLOCKS) JENNIFER HUGHES

CLEVER

COLOU R B LOCKS
Dare to define your extension with multiple colours. ‘Here, the upper band of windows was organised around the two sets of sliders below.
The palette was a fun collaboration with the homeowner. Hoping for a bold but non-primary tone, we chose softened hues that stayed
darker than pastels and more towards a mid-century colourway,’ says Colleen Gove Healey, founder of Colleen Healey Architecture.
GET THE LOOK Panton chairs in White, Vitra 
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OVER ARCHING APPE AL
If redesigning the ceiling is on the cards, consider a vaulted roof that adds endless style. ‘This roof was born from the need to achieve a
dramatic, playful space with the best possible ceiling height, while fitting within local authority planning constraints. The ribbed timber
structure has solved so many problems for this site and it looks cool, too!’ says Shaun O’Brien, director of Roar Architects.
GET THE LOOK Similar dining set, Wayfair

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PHOTOGRAPHS (OVERARCHING APPEAL) CHRIS WHARTON; (ECO CONSCIOUS) FRED HOWARTH

CLEVER

ECO CONSCIOUS
Looking for a standout material that combines great looks with strong eco credentials? ‘Cork was chosen for this extension due to its
sustainable properties – being fully recyclable and regenerative – but it is also a highly insulating material with natural tactile qualities, and
it complements the light Victorian brickwork of the original house,’ says Alex Raher, director of Delve Architects.
GET THE LOOK Outdoor table, Hay. Stools, Arnold Circus
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WI N DOW TO TH E WO R LD
‘We wanted to design a window with more than one function – and a place that would be easy to go out through, the way kids do in country
homes. That’s why we created this soft seating area, so you can see the landscape and enjoy the natural light pouring in, while also feeling
the breeze. Plus, the small wooden door allows you to jump outside at any time,’ say Anna and Eugeni Bach, founders of A&EB.
GET THE LOOK Similar radiator, The Radiator Company. Similar light shade, Ikea

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PHOTOGRAPHS (WINDOW TO THE WORLD) A&EB; (BUTTERFLY EFFECT) RICHARD CHIVERS

CLEVER

B U T T E R F LY E F F E C T
Give your exterior a unique expression by echoing nature’s beauty. ‘The butterfly roof is visually striking,’ says Daniel Woolfson, director
of DHaus. ‘For this project we developed a custom-shaped brick that mimics the angles on the butterfly roof on the street. We wanted this
concept not just at roof level, but in the way the bricks were set out, creating amazing shadows and reinforcing the V in elevation.’
GET THE LOOK Dining table, Adventures in Furniture. Kitchen island, Materialise Creative Design 
h

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PHOTOGRAPHS (IN THE PINK) LORENZO ZANDRI; (RED ALERT) ANDY STAGG

IN THE PINK
To give your extension a seamless look, think about using a unified material to create an uninterrupted visual effect throughout. ‘Playful
landforming was essential to unlocking the potential of this home, connecting the spaces inside the house to a challenging steep upwards
sloping garden. The creative use of a limited material palette [focusing on dusty-pink pigmented concrete] allowed us to create a cohesive
home that feels contemporary and characterful,’ says Ben Hayes, director of Unknown Works.

CLEVER

RED ALERT
Increase the functionality of your home by adding a dormer extension. ‘What was once an awkward leaky attic has been transformed into
a spacious light-filled loft with an impressive view of the neighbouring park,’ says Richard Gill, director of Paul Archer Design. Its deep red
colour stands out from the tone of the original house adding an attention-grabbing modern flourish.
GET THE LOOK Cladding and window frames in polyester powder coating colour RAL 3013 Tomato Red

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ARCHITECTURE NEWS

curved contours
ROUNDED EDGES CAN BE VERY ALLURING – AND THESE
S H A P E LY D E S I G N S C E R TA I N LY H A V E U S C A P T I V A T E D

FULL SWEEP
With its sweeping roofline
spanning the length of the
structure, Brown Hill House in
Victoria, Australia, is a truly
elegant piece of architectural
design. Architects Eldridge
Anderson planned the
structure to echo the natural
way that the site falls away;
stepped floor-to-ceiling
windows all the way along
maintain this shape while
allowing a generous amount
of light to flood the interior.

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CLEVER

AT O N E W I T H N AT U R E
What you see here is the back of Tiara House in Melbourne,
Australia. It’s a thoroughly modern addition to a late 1800s
Victorian terrace – and it holds its own against the typically
ornamental frontage thanks to the way FMD Architects
has played with shape and texture, combining the organic
nature of the curved sliding door with a ribbon-like upper
level clad in floating timber battens.

AT T E N T I O N T O D E TA I L
The devil really is in the detail in the renovation of this
Federation house in Tasmania. Local studio Licht
Architecture drew inspiration from the archways of
the existing veranda in designing a new addition to
replace a lean-to. We love the way the facade references
the decorative details of Federation architecture in a
suitably contemporary way – an example of how old and
new can feel perfectly at home together.

FEATURE ELLEN FINCH PHOTOGRAPHS (FULL SWEEP)
BEN HOSKING; (ATTENTION TO DETAIL) ANJIE BLAIR;
(AT ONE WITH NATURE) DIANNA SNAPE; (SOFT SERVE)
SIMONE BOSSI STYLING (FULL SWEEP) JESS KNEEBONE

SOFT
SERVE
Once the entrance hall of
a Basque villa in Biarritz,
France, this apartment –
the result of a project
that carved the property
into separate dwellings
– takes its shapely
inspiration from the
Atlantic Ocean, which can
be seen from the large
bay window. Designed
by Toledano + architects,
the inside is entirely
drawn in curves, including
a mezzanine level that
sweeps around the
atrium, letting that
aforementioned window
and its spectacular views
take centre stage.

Herringbone
flooring in
European oak
defines this
hallway designed
by Pernille Lind

CLEVER
DESIGN NOTES

hallway flooring
T H E E X P E R T S O N W H AT Y O U N E E D T O K N O W
B E F O R E I N V E S T I N G I N T H I S K E Y F E AT U R E
FEATURE Tessa Pearson

S M OOTH TR ANSITIO NS

CHAR AC TER REFERENCE

London-based interior designer Pernille Lind
advocates using flooring to emphasise a hallway’s
function and position in the house, marking it out
as a space of its own. ‘You can choose to combine
subtly contrasting flooring materials to highlight
moving from the hall to a connecting space, or use
the same material but change the pattern or
direction in which it’s laid,’ says the designer, who,
in her elegant seaside project, transitioned the
soft-hued chequerboard entrance hall into a
neighbouring boot room by removing one of the
tile colours for a simpler aesthetic.

A statement hallway has the potential to shape the experience of a home from the
moment you step through the door, so it’s the perfect place to inject some
personality. When Nicole Dohmen, founder of Amsterdam studio Atelier ND
Interior, was tasked with putting the soul back into a 1920s townhouse, she
devised a multicoloured herringbone marble floor for its hallway. ‘I wanted the
entrance to make an impact and decided to do something bold with the flooring,’
she states. ‘I love to use soft colour in hallways, and selected the same size tiles as
the timber parquet in the kitchen, but in 10 different shades of marble. The tiles
h
were all waste material, so we loved being able to implement them in this way.’

PHOTOGRAPHS (MAIN IMAGE) JOACHIM WICHMANN; (RIGHT) SPACE CONTENT STUDIO

M AT E R I A L M AT T E R S
Sophie Rowell of Côte de Folk, an interior design
studio on the Kent coast, recommends cork as an
ideal floor covering for hallways. ‘I use it a lot in my
projects; it’s sustainable, durable and waterproof.’
Sophie adds that she usually lets the period of the
property guide the material choice. ‘In a modern
home, sleek and minimalist polished concrete or
cork might be preferable. In contrast, for a
traditional home, hardwood floors or patterned
tiles could be more fitting.’

Atelier ND
Interior used
coloured
marble tiles
to transform
this entrance

S PAC E E N H A N C E R S
If you’re working with a narrow or awkwardly
shaped hallway, spatial constraints might affect
the feasibility of your chosen flooring design. ‘In the
large villa where we installed the coloured marble
floor (right), we were able to make the hallway into
a really impressive space, but a lot of Dutch houses
have much smaller entranceways, which are often
used for storing strollers and bicycles, so cosiness
and practicality are the key considerations,’ says
Nicole. For small spaces, Sophie recommends
flooring options that can visually expand the area,
such as pale wood or stone, and larger planks or
tiles to avoid too many joins or grout lines. If your
hallway extends around corners, Pernille suggests
choosing a non-directional pattern to add a more
cohesive feel to the space.
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163

CLEVER

Cork forms a
characterful
and practical
floor covering
in this home
designed by
Côte de Folk

FI R S T I M P R E S S I O N S
‘It’s safe to say that I do think a lot about the
entrances to buildings and spaces,’ says Pernille,
whose approach draws on both her Danish and
Asian heritage, and prioritises craftsmanship. ‘The
entrance hall informs the initial impression you
have of a house, so the space cannot be overlooked.
That said, it can have a very unique aesthetic.’ In one
of Pernille’s recent projects, she designed a bespoke,
two-tone sandstone f loor, which was laid in a
diamond chequerboard pattern and transformed
the entrance of a coastal home in Devon. ‘One of
my favourite books is called Entryways of Milan,’
she says. ‘It’s a great source of inspiration.’

As proved by the eye-catching tiled entrances found
in many period homes, patterned floors are a timeless
choice for hallways. ‘I love the classic black and white
diamond-laid pattern found in many traditional
hallways and entryways,’ says Pernille, who devised
a subtle take on this motif with the sandstone floor
she installed in her Devon project. ‘Patterned floors
can also help to disguise wear and tear,’ she adds.
When it comes to choosing a design, she stresses
the importance of scale, and how that relates to the
size of your space. ‘It’s about balancing proportions
with the kind of impact you want to achieve.’

HARD KNOCKS

CHAIN RE AC TION
If you plan to use the same flooring throughout connecting spaces – which can
work well in smaller homes – don’t underestimate the impact your hallway design
will have on elements elsewhere. ‘Flooring plays a pivotal role in every aspect of
the house and is frequently the starting point for our decision-making process,’
says Sophie. ‘In a recent single-storey project, I used a cork hallway floor to
establish a striking focal point upon entering, while maintaining the playful
atmosphere we aimed to cultivate throughout. The decision to install that flooring
set the tone for all subsequent choices within the project, influencing everything
from the zellige tiles around the fireplace to the wallpaper in the second bedroom.’
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If you’re leaning towards natural stone or marble for
your hallway, you’ll need to be realistic about how
much foot traffic your floor will get over the years.
‘The family who owns the Amsterdam villa has kids
and dogs, so the hallway needed to be resilient,’ says
Nicole. ‘We made sure not to polish the surface of the
marble too much, so that it will be more resistant to
dirt and scratches.’ For stone floors, a sealant is
required for protection. Pernille states that lighter
tiles in particular need regular maintenance to
avoid too much staining or discolouration, and
advises that if you’d prefer something more practical,
a darker stone, such as granite, could be a better fit.

PHOTOGRAPHS (LEFT) CHRIS SNOOK; (RIGHT) JOACHIM WICHMANN

PAT T E R N P O W E R

Pernille Lind
designed a
bespoke
chequerboard
floor for the
entrance to this
coastal house

ALL THE STYLE , TRENDS AND INTERIORS INSIGHT
YO U N E E D T O S TAY A H E A D O F T H E C U R V E
F O R WA R D -T H I N K I N G I D E A S F O R E V E R Y R O O M
T O K I C K- S TA R T YO U R N E X T P R O J E C T
P LU S D E S I G N N E WS , E XP E R T A DV I C E ,
S H O P P I N G A N D T H E L AT E S T I N N O VAT I O N S

PHOTOGRAPH MARY WADSWORTH

DA I LY I N S P I R AT I O N
AT L I V I N G E TC .CO M

ALL G REEK TO US
We’re taking you for a spin through
some of our favourite Greek stays
in our travel pages this month, but
if you can’t make it to the sunnier
climes of Corfu or Santorini, may we
recommend Gaia, the hottest Greek
restaurant in London? Located on
Mayfair’s Dover Street, the interiors
more than nod to the quintessential
Mediterranean look; windows are
lined with ceramic and terracotta
pots and vases, sections of the dining
area divided with domed arches and
the bar is finished with hand-tiled
mosaic flooring. The fish counter
display hints at what’s to come from
the menu: seafood is plentiful here,
as are traditional meze dishes such as
taramasalata and smoked cod roe.
Start (and finish) with one of the
herbaceous cocktails – close your
eyes and imagine you’re perched at
a table overlooking the Aegean Sea…

G R E AT H OTEL S FO R A S U M M ER H O LI DAY I N G R EEC E , A D E S I G N LOVER ’ S
G U I D E TO A N T W E R P A N D A N E M E R G I N G A RT I S T TO H AV E O N YO U R R A DA R
X

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167

GREECE
IS THE
WO R D
You almost can’t go wrong with a Greek holiday – the
weather, the food and scenery hit all the right notes – so buy
a ticket to perfection by picking one of these four hotels

LIFESTYLE

Nobu Hotel Santorini
THE USP
Luxury in the middle of an idyll, where Japanese fusion food,
astrology-based massages (personalised to suit your star sign)
and fiery sunsets are all on the menu of the day.

T H E D E TA I L S
Perched on the northeast tip of the island, Nobu Hotel Santorini
is a slice of peaceful island life. The sunloungers face the ocean
with a view that tumbles away down the hill between you and the
sea – a scene that could only exist in this paradise.

WHY CHOOSE THIS ONE
If you thought Japandi was a good look, you’ll love Aegeandi, the mix
of pared-back Greek architecture with equally blissful Japanese
materials. The world-famous cocktails will make sundown your
favourite moment, and kids are only welcome if aged over 14.

DON’T MISS
A hike with Santorini Walking Tours. Take in the beauty of the
island, while earning that extra mezcal and mandarin smoker.

FIND OUT MORE
santorini.nobuhotels.com 
h
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169

The Wild

Sani Resort

THE USP

THE USP

Mykonos may be where the world’s most glamorous like to gather,
but this moment of rustic calm is a best-of-both bridge to retreat
from after a day on – or looking at from the lounger – yachts.

A world of its own on a peninsula jutting out of mainland
Greece. Ten pools, such as the one in the image on the right, 40
restaurants and seven kilometres of sun-kissed shoreline.

T H E D E TA I L S

T H E D E TA I L S

A clifftop hotel styled to pared-back perfection, these carefully
curated rooms and suites overlook an infinity pool and the hotel’s
own secret cove of a beach. Pack plenty of swimwear outfits for
this spot, you won’t need very much else.

Flanked by deep blue sea on either side, the Sani Resort contains
everything you need. More restaurants than you could hope to
eat at if you stayed there for a month, it’s pretty much a whole
universe, with a pool to suit every mood, five spas (yes, truly),
and 10km of forest trails if you get the itch to explore. You won’t
have to think about anything more strenuous than where to
choose for lunch.

WHY CHOOSE THIS ONE
As the hotel’s name suggests, this is a jumping-off point from the
party scene Mykonos is known for, a base from which to explore
nearby islands with no inhabitants, ancient ruins and water so
clear it shines in all that sun.

T he hotel ha s it s ow n on-site t aver na , a homely haven
where hea lth food is the order of the day.

Last month saw the opening of the brand new Sani Asterias
Beachfront Residential Suites, upping the ante of refinement
in an already well-polished offering. The resort takes any of
the guesswork out of the holiday experience – you know each
meal, each spa treatment, each pool is going to be top notch.

FIND OUT MORE

FIND OUT MORE

thewildhotel.com

sani-resort.com 
h

DON’T MISS

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WHY CHOOSE THIS ONE

livingetc.com

PHOTOGRAPHS (SANI RESORT) HEINZ TROLL

LIFESTYLE

LIFESTYLE

Ikos Odisia
THE USP
An all-inclusive hotel in Corfu for people who don’t do all inclusives
– where luxury never ends and your every wish is catered for.

T H E D E TA I L S
You think you don’t like all inclusives? You’ve clearly not been to
an Ikos. There are a few scattered across Southern Europe, and
each one has a host of Michelin-starred restaurants, a fleet of
picturesque pools and staff that couldn’t be any more helpful.
This particular resort in Corfu, snug on a peninsula looking
out into the ocean, is the ultimate in fly-and-flop locations – go,
be pampered and experience the sheer joy of stepping straight
from your breakfast table and into the sea.

PHOTOGRAPHS HEINZ TROLL

WHY CHOOSE THIS ONE
Family-friendly, you’ll love Ikos Corfu if you just want to truly
switch off. The five à la carte restaurants provide just enough –
but not too much – choice, allowing you to have an experience that
works for you. And the kids club runs from 8am until 6pm.

FIND OUT MORE
British Airways Holidays curates seven-day trips including
flights from London Gatwick Airport, britishairways.com/corfu
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173

LIFESTYLE
Museum aan de
Stroom, MAS, in
the Eilandje district
of Antwerp

S E E YO U I N
ANT WERP
GO FOR…
The sheer number of artsy museums and galleries. Antwerp is one
of those underrated cultural hotspots with a rich history of fashion
and interior design. Start with the Royal Museum of Fine Arts,
KMSKA – on Thursday evenings it turns into a live music venue so
stick around for that. Also visit Valerie Traan, the home and gallery
of Veerle Wenes – it helped launch Muller Van Severen back in
2011 – and the architecturally impressive Museum aan de Stroom.
Finally, Rubens House opens its new gardens this summer, with
planting chosen in collaboration with fashion’s Dries Van Noten.

just to ma r vel at it s 3D protot y pi ng tech nolog y. A nd
Kloosterstraat is the place to be for interiors enthusiasts.

E AT AT…
August, the hotel and restaurant reimagined by none other than
Vincent Van Duysen back in 2019. The restaurant boasts a glass
roof, hand-painted tiles and furniture made by Van Duysen for
Molteni&C. And the menu? Seasonal fare with an inventive twist
– we guarantee you’ll try something new and delicious here.

DON’T MISS…
S TAY F O R …
The shopping. Oh, the shopping! At St Vincents, everything on
display is for sale – it’s the place to go for collectible design.
Bakermat is a fabric shop and virtual textile library, worth a visit
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Kanaal, just under a half-hour drive from Antwerp centre. It’s a
residential, commercial and cultural hub set within a converted
industrial distillery and houses Axel Vervoordt Gallery as well as
permanent art installations, an auditorium and lush gardens.

PHOTOGRAPH MARCIN ROGOZINSKI/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

Europe’s underrated design destination should be in your travel
sights – it’s packed with arts, culture and interesting things to do

LIFESTYLE

NEX T BIG THING
Our favourite designers pick a name on their radar that ought to be on yours too. This month,
designer Justina Blakeney puts the spotlight on Mexican artist and illustrator Ana Leovy

Feb Was Red
by Ana Leovy

‘I first came across Ana’s work on Instagram five years ago as I
was looking for artists to feature in our online shop. I immediately
loved her sense of colour and rhythm and there is a feeling of
freedom to her work that made me happy. I often get the sense that
I want to leap into her paintings and attend the parties and places
and meet the people she paints. It feels like there is a strong
narrative behind each piece and I can easily make up stories
about the characters and relationships within them as there is a
whimsicality and dream-like quality that really draws me in.
‘She was a featured artist in our online store for several years
and we have incorporated her work into multiple design projects
over the years, too. I would love to purchase an original piece from
her someday! While I see her style evolving over time, she stays
true to her own aesthetic and vibe. I find her work and hand to be
instantly recognisable – iconic, even. When I come across artists
who exude who they are in this way, there is an ephemeral quality
that makes the work both relatable and timeless.’
X

analeovy.com
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Perspectives
by Ana Leovy

FEATURE RODDY CLARKE

CO LO U R FU L STORIES

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