Living Etc 08.2022_downmagaz.net_compressed

the best-selling modern homes magazine august2022 SUN-FILLED HOUSES Q OUTDOOR KITCHENS Q WALLPAPERS SUSTAINAB LE DECOR Q FLOORING TRE N DS Q ROOF TE RR ACE S design makes it easy 4the hottest SECRETS TO A buys for a LOW-MAI NTE NANCE HOM E stylish summer TIME-SAVING SMART TECH FOR THE GARDEN small spaces big ideas LAIDBACK LUXURY











august 2022 news & shopping 50 QUEENSLAND VILLA Interior designer Nina 60 Caple has filled this home full of character, natural 15 EVERYONE’S TALKING ABOUT… 70 light and earthy tones that suit the building 79 LYON NEW BUILD Vibrant colour blocks The latest collection from Julian Chichester, 80 and an anchoring green palette connect this contemporary home to its leafy setting contemporary needlework, heritage tiles, 94 LONDON APARTMENT A rooftop terrace 100 with spectacular views is the star of the show atmospheric wall lights, a contemporary take on 104 in this chic urban pad EXPERT ADVICE Make the most of your trims and the resurgence of 60s style outdoor space with a gorgeous city garden NEW YORK LOFT A design allowing for 29 DESIGN RADAR Linda Boronkay’s top pieces flexible configurations enables the space in this 31 PRINTS CHARMING We welcome a new historic apartment to be expansive or intimate generation of designers with African heritages decorating who are finally being able to come to the fore WALL STORY Our pick of wonderful wallpapers for modern interiors 34 THE CONVERSATION DesignerKellyHoppen OUTDOOR ROOM ACCESSORIES: THE EDIT Stylish rugs, cushions and lamps reveals her tricks to make a neutral scheme seem to make your garden a place to enjoy all day long INSPIRATION GALLERY: FABULOUS lively, and how to increase the feeling of light FLOORING Dazzling underfoot designs 36 SIMPLE PLEASURES There’samodern yearningforalow-maintenancehomeanddesigners have come up with new solutions to make life easier houses 40 MELBOURNE COTTAGE A Victorian worker’s home has been creatively reimagined into a unique space full of unexpected delights 48 INSIDER GUIDE Expert advice on choosing a bespoke headboard livingetc.com 7

Head to livingetc.com for daily updates on style, trend news and decor inspiration 112 COLOUR INSIGHT A refreshing and happy 140 smart home shade, pink is just the hue for when you want to 142 115 add a little cheer to your home 144 ROUND AND ROUND Eco-friendly HOUSE STYLE Design guru Minnie Kemp on 148 circular design explained 121 why she loves adorning walls in bright wallpapers THE GOOD LIFE The latest and greatest smart 124 – the bolder you go, the better, she believes 150 tech to keep your garden looking its best 129 152 SWEET DREAMS Expert advice to help 130 design projects 157 you sleep soundly on hot summer nights 132 162 A HAPPY HOME Architect Duncan McLeod 137 RENOVATION NEWS The latest launches and explains how a home renovation can be like expert tips for kitchens, bathrooms and projects 11 therapy, if you ask yourself the right questions OUTDOOR FEATURE OF THE MOMENT… 90 Cutting-edge alfresco kitchens the lifestyle edit TREND FOCUS Deputy editor Busola Evans on the advantages of glass partitions in kitchen designs THE SCENE Set across three floors, Lisboeta THE LOWDOWN ON… adding an outrigger brings Portuguese influence to central London extension in six simple steps TALKING TEL AVIV Tempting hotel options HOW TO… SUPERSIZE A SMALL FLAT in this vibrant city by the coast Big ideas for bijou living spaces COOK Hot smoked salmon, chickpeas and lemon THE HOME FRONT Planning issues are BETTER-LIVED LIFE Designer Ben Pentreath delaying progress on interior designer Rebecca Wakefield’s renovation project and the rest… EDITOR’S LETTER SUBSCRIBE Never miss an issue with our brilliant offer – subscribe today for 55% off 8 livingetc.com





LAIDBACK LUXURY NEWS-STAND COVER PHOTOGRAPHY DAVE KULESZA SUBSCRIBER COVER PHOTOGRAPHY Pip Rich As soon as I saw the image we’ve used for the news-stand cover GUILLAUME GRASSET/LIVING INSIDE RUNNERS AND RUGS BY A RUM FELLOW FOR (the kitchen shot on page 44 for those with the special subscriber ROGER OATES DESIGN, FROM £149.50 A METRE Editor @pip.rich cover), I knew it was perfect for this issue. The sun streaming in, the fruit on the table, its quiet sense of a morning off with no pressing what i’m into this month things to do. That was the vibe I was clamouring for this month – 1 Free-standing towel rails next to the a chance to carve out a moment to restore and revive ourselves from the madness of the last two years. bathtub. Could one single thing make you feel more like you’re in a hotel? As long As ever, design has a huge part to play in making us feel good. The as the towels are neatly folded. curves of that kitchen table draw you in and invite you to sit around it – chin in one hand, mug in the other, nothing but daydreams on your 2 Great House Farm Stores candles. mind. The way the skylight is angled to catch the morning sun seems deliberately enticing, and you don’t have to be a biophilic scholar to In an overcrowded market these stand appreciate the rejuvenating properties of the green picked up in the out and smell summer-fresh. textiles and art. There may be some simple tweaks you can make in your own home to lift your mood – I simply turned the sofa around 3 Alice Hart’s new cookbook – The in our (horrible, condemned) conservatory so that instead of facing the wall it looks out onto the garden, and now it’s my favourite Magnificent Book of Vegetables. Possibly morning coffee spot. Or you could take a slightly more decorative her best for simple yet sensational food. approach, in which case the feature on page 36 about how to create a low-maintenance home will leave you with much more time on your news-stand cover subscriber cover hands to spend doing the things you love. This is also a time of year for planning. In those rare moments off, we naturally start to think about what to do next. Our gallery of the latest flooring trends on page 104 might inspire your next project. I am taken with the 90s-meets-Greco-Roman mosaic in the bathroom by Maddux Creative and wondering if I can get it past my husband. (Doubtful, unless I show him something even less likely to appeal – a sneaky trick I’ve picked up to allow him to feel like he’s said ‘no’ to something.) And I love the stair runners and rugs by A Rum Fellow for Roger Oates Design, above, in a joy-providing rainbow of colours. They’re lovely underfoot, too. The height of laidback luxury. livingetc.com 11

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1 everyone’s talking about... JULIAN CHICHESTER’S NEW COLLECTION The design maestro’s latest collection might just be his best yet ON TOP FORM Whenever Julian Chichester launches new products, we get excited. But, we’re calling it – this launch is the brand’s best ever. It features a lot of fiery red travertine – as seen here in the Grisolles table. There’s also a grand walnut writing desk, a mid-century-meets-modern bedside table and a lamp with a pleasingly chunky spindle base. A stellar line-up from a stellar brand. FEATURE PIP RICH Grisolles dining table, £5,160, Julian Chichester livingetc.com 15

2 everyone’s talking about... H E RITAG E TILE S Tiles with culture are hot – think Victoriana and Spanish encaustic style 12 1 Renowned for its cool collaborations, Villeroy & 3 4 Boch joined forces with fashion’s queen of print Mary Katrantzou to come up with the Victorian FEATURE RODDY CLARKE collection of tiles. The range merges period motifs with contemporary elegance and the extra touches of gold on this design sparkle with opulence and sophistication. Pair with minimalist bathroom fixtures as these tiles deserve the spotlight. From £25 for a pack of four, Mary Katrantzou for Villeroy & Boch 2 Missing the Mediterranean? Bring a touch of it home with the Carmona collection by Bert & May. Referencing the antique tiles of southern Spain, the range is offered in two colourways: Verde and Marron (shown). With the patina and colours reflecting that of original reclaimed tiles, these beauties exude a charm and character we love. Use independently or team with single colour tiles for a more understated aesthetic. From £6.30 a tile excluding VAT, Bert & May 3 The Mediterranean theme continues with Lapicida’s Sineu tile in Sky. Handmade using trad techniques, the tile embraces imperfections to mimic the natural texture of old glazed terracotta ceramics. Part of the brand’s Mallorca collection, the tile’s rusticity is alluring and transports us to a simpler time. £210sq m, Lapicida 4 It’ll feel like summer all year with the vibrant palette of the Cabana Porcelain Sicily tile by Ca’ Pietra. Paying tribute to the vivid patterns found in traditional Caribbean buildings, it’s sure to brighten any space. What’s more, the tile is versatile, too – it can be used outside to tile your patio for enjoying sundowners in style. £89.70sq m, Ca’ Pietra 16 livingetc.com





3 everyone’s talking about... WALL LIGHTS TAKING CE NTRE STAG E Scene-stealing, sensational and stellar pieces are catching our attention Bosphore ceramic wall light by Laura Gonzalez, shown in her gallery in Paris FEATURE PIP RICH PHOTOGRAPH (BOSPHORE WALL LIGHTS) STEPHAN JUILLARD Last month, Tom Dixon told us about the importance of ‘light washing’, using bulbs Jackson’s wall cleverly to cover your walls in light rather than just beaming down on them from on light, Laskasas high. And this month, can it be coincidence that wall lights are becoming ever more sculptural? First Laura Gonzalez was a true highlight at Paris Déco Off with her Stick wall Bosphore ceramic wall lights. Available in an earthy mix of hues, each ceramic light, Contardi cylinder is a modern take on the bobbin trend, incorporating them like jewels into livingetc.com 19 these covetable shades. Then Laskasas opened a brand-new showroom at London’s Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour, the perfect place to showcase its Jackson’s wall light. Three orbs, melded together, its mix of materials is both beguiling and inviting, the light fanning out from behind in a flattering glow. Then there’s the angular beauty of Contardi’s new Stick. The way its angular form illuminates what is near it makes it ideal to place under or next to art. Wall lights are now stars in their own right, just hanging a little lower than you might expect.

4 everyone’s talking about... NEW-STYLE NEEDLEPOINT Fusty? Nope – this craft form is back and being seen in all the chicest homes A STITCH IN TIME The current revival of needlepoint is the perfect antidote to mass manufacturing. Case in point is this bespoke cabinet from Hunt & Hope – the vivid colours and modern pattern are thoroughly modern, captivating and unique. Bespoke commissions from £250, Hunt & Hope FASHION STATE LY S E WN FORWARD Named after Joséphine Bonaparte, Gucci unveiled its ready-to-wear Napoleon’s beloved and a patron Tiger collection back in January of the arts, the Joséphine pouf from to celebrate the Year of the Tiger the Rinck x Fromental Ornements and the motif has made its way collection is as artistic as its to the brand’s fabulous furniture namesake. This regal design merges offerings. The Chiavari chair, two different stitch variations and featuring embroidered motifs the intricacy of the craft is clear to hand-stitched using needlepoint see. The wheat crown symbolises the techniques, taps into the cycle of rebirth, much like the craft fashion house’s most treasured behind the pouf: reborn and revived. inspirations – nature – but it’s also utterly elegant with its blue €10,200, Rinck x Fromental, Rinck lacquered frame and brass stud details. This one is sure PET PROJECT FEATURE RODDY CLARKE to catch your eye. Easy tiger! £2,180, Gucci Fancy taking up the craft yourself? The decorative kit by Elizabeth 20 livingetc.com Bradley provides you with the materials to create the Spotted Dog cushion. As lockdown taught us, finding joy in meditative crafts such as needlepoint brings zen moments to our lives. And there’s nothing quite like the reward of creating something yourself. Various colour choices available. £148, Elizabeth Bradley





FEATURE PIP RICH 5everyone’s talking about... MODERN TRIMS Give soft furnishings personality with a contemporary take on edgings BORDER PATROL It’s happening – we’re adopting trims at Livingetc. They may have been discounted as too trad in the past, but the brilliant Samuel & Sons has changed all that with its modern approach to tassels, adornments and finishing touches. We’re drawn to the new Elora border and reckon its swirls – seen twisting up this curtain – will elevate even the dullest corner. Trims! Who’d have thought it? Elora border in Deep Sea, £104m, Samuel & Sons livingetc.com 23

6 everyone’s talking about... SIXTIES STYLE The groovy patterns and colours of the 60s have returned FAR OUT FLOWER POWER The dessert course just got more Florals are the hallmark of this funky decade, delicious. The Madcap Geometric so no wonder the Burst linen velvet in Brick by dessert plates from La DoubleJ, Kirkby Design is a hit with lovers of the 60s. shown here in the Slinky Verde Offered in four colour combinations, this print, would be fitting for a Black playful tapestry-style weave is the ideal Forest gateau cake. Created in solution to your next upholstery project. collaboration with Italian porcelain And, if a sofa in this fabric isn’t enough, get masters Ancap, the plates are matching cushions to go with it. Why not? finished with a hand-painted 18k gold trim. Try mixing different £367.50m, Kirkby Design prints from the collection – there’s no such thing as pattern overload in this era. £90 for two, La DoubleJ SPIRAL FESTIVAL FASHION FEATURE RODDY CLARKE DOWN Santana, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin – we all Tell us you’re a wished we had been at Woodstock. And now, maximalist, without thanks to Mindthegap, we can get another telling us you’re a glimpse into the fashion and trends of the maximalist. The time with pieces such as the Woodstock Ludmila pouf by Popus cushion encapsulating the vivacity of the Editions says it all in counterculture movement. And, if the print our opinion. Available wasn’t a statement enough, the tassels add in a variety of fabrics, further drama. £189, Mindthegap this psychedelic orange and pink colour combination is totally in tune with the liberal and free attitudes of Sixties people. And, with a feather topper for added comfort, it doesn’t put form over function. £451, Popus Editions 24 livingetc.com





7 everyone’s talking about... I N NOVATION S IN ECO PAINTS Ruth Mottershead, creative director at Little Greene, details a new launch idea Re:mix Sunlight, Little Greene Re:mix Nether Red, Little Greene FEATURE PIP RICH What has been the biggest eco get exact versions of some of our most Why didn’t you just resell the paint issue facing the paint industry? popular shades. For example, French that was returned? Logistically, that was Wastage. About 60,000 litres of our Grey in this Re:mix collection is made much harder than it seems. You never got paint was going to waste each year from up of Loft White, Jack Black and Stock- quite enough back of the colour or finish you products returned by customers. We’d Mid. Sage Green was the hardest one were looking for and storage was expensive donate as much as we could, but charities, to get right. and difficult. The benefit of Re:mix, other theatres and schools only wanted so much. than using paint destined for landfill, is that You really can’t tell the difference? it’s a little cheaper – at £28 for 2.5ltr – so is And what was your solution? They’re pretty much spot on! Finish-wise, ideal for anyone who wants to experiment To take the wastage, mix it up and make these recycled paints are a mix of absolute with colour. We’re really excited to have beautiful new paint! It took about two matt, intelligent matt and intelligent solved this problem – all the effort and years of work, but we have managed eggshell, and their sheen level is around 5%. attention we put it into feels worthwhile. to figure out that if you blend certain This means that they are tough and ideal proportions of some of our colours, you for hallways and kitchens. X littlegreene.com livingetc.com 27



design radar Award-winning interior designer and ultimate tastemaker Linda Boronkay on the pieces catching her eye this month 1 1 FINE ART 4 2 5 3 Inspired by 20th-century painters, Héloïse Bariol’s ceramic dishes are 6 little pieces of art in themselves. Une Assiette ceramic dish, €30, livingetc.com 29 Héloïse Bariol 2 ALL FRILLS Evoking the fascinating world of sea creatures, this ceramic shade is a homage to the movement and flow of jellyfish. Striped Jellyfish light by Flora Wallace, £440, The New Craftsmen 3 GLOW UP A chic pair of mid-century-style candlesticks. Cast metal candlesticks with mother-of -pearl inlay, £45, Oren 4 NO WASTE Designed in reaction to the waste problem made by mass manufacturing, Piet Hein Eek’s scrapwood table combines recycled wood, offcuts and reclaimed materials. Pan table, $21,465, The Future Perfect 5 CURVE APPEAL Danish artist Cathrine Raben Davidsen’s lamps with their subtle curves are so elegant – I think they’re beautiful. Blue vessel lamp, $2,125, 1stDibs 6 AND RELAX All natural and fully recyclable, this CBD rescue balm is kind to the environment and will contribute to a less anxious and more balanced life with just a little rub. Rain Coat CBD balm, £50, Rain



prints charming A new generation of designers with African heritages are finally getting the platforms they deserve – and the result is just the burst of sunshine we need n ever have we needed the rich technicolour vibrancy and Designer Yinka Ilori with joyful bold graphics of African-inspired pattern more his vividly hued, limited- for our homes than right now. Swathed across fabrics, furniture, edition, hand-painted ceramics and home accessories, these savoir vivre prints inject an square plywood instant burst of energy and happiness into any space, all thanks to stools, £540 each a new generation of designers who are finally coming to the fore, being given platforms to reinterpret and reimagine the techniques, stories and symbology of their cultural past to create new designs that feel so right for modern life. Take multidisciplinary London artist Yinka Ilori’s latest homeware collection, which includes place mats, tablecloths, stools and pouffes decorated with a swirl of hypnotic pattern in hues of sunshine yellow, azure blue and candy pink that ‘evoke happy memories of my childhood surrounded by the bright pattern and colour of the fabrics worn by my British-Nigerian family,’ he says. FEATURE FIONA MCCARTHY PHOTOGRAPHS (YINKA ILORI) ANDREW MEREDITH; The patterns themselves reflect stories, too, from the dots and LEFT Crimson glazed (XANTHE SOMERS LAMP) PARTNERSHIP EDITIONS arches of IJO (the Yoruban word for ‘dance’) to the repetitive floral stoneware floor lamp, ODODO – ‘a reference both to the beauty of natural flora but also £3,200, Xanthe Somers at to that feeling when you give or are given a bunch of flowers and the Partnership Editions THIS joy that that evokes,’ Yinka explains. While his studio in Park Royal IMAGE Jowi, Cappa and is like a Willy Wonka factory of design with its glossy yellow floors Weego printed velvet and block-coloured walls, at home he keeps things more neutral to cushions, from £80, Amechi allow the pops of colour from art and rugs to feel even more bright. This idea of storytelling and the fusing of cultures lies at the heart of patterns from makers inspired by their heritage in African countries. For example, the backstory for each of Yinka’s patterns ‘is meant to instil a sense of optimism and joy, to act in their own small way as a distraction to the dark times that we’ve faced over the last few years,’ he beams. Similarly, the progress of a nation from colonialism to mid-20th century independence told via its cloths and fashion is the theme of the V&A’s Africa Fashion exhibition opening this month. There is a fine line between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation, and while many international brands have long been “The beauty of African prints is that they can look elegant and sophisticated or bold and vibrant” livingetc.com 31

inspired by African textiles, it’s wonderful that makers with links FROM TOP Garret chairs PHOTOGRAPHS SOHO HOME (BEN ANDERS);(XANTHE to African nations are finally getting to tell their own stories. Rising upholstered in Panama SOMERS SCULPTURE) PARTNERSHIP EDITIONS London-based, Cameroon-born star Amechi Mandi has looked to Okan fabric, £995; Kirdi glass beadwork for inspiring his own collection of cushions Nepalese hand-knotted alongside ranges for Heal’s and wallpaper designs for Dado Atelier. Okan rug, made in For his latest designs, Amechi has incorporated naïve motifs of flora collaboration with and fauna into his now signature electric patterns, printed onto GoodWeave (a non-profit luxurious fabrics such as velvet, to lend his designs a contemporary, organisation dedicated to accessible feel. ‘There’s so much potential in all forms of African ending illegal child labour craftsmanship for the interior space – I want to bring the backstory in the rug-making industry), of these African crafts into people’s homes, to start conversations, £3,410, both Eva Sonaike x and make them new and fresh for another generation.’ Soho Home. Jabula Hoopoe Leaves wallpaper in Spring A myriad of African influences, from its political history told Green, £127 a half metre, through cloth to capturing the colours and motifs of its breathtaking Ardmore for Cole & Son. architecture, nature and landscapes, can be found in the wonderful Ododo pouffe, £595, Yinka hand-built and painted figurative lamps and curly mirrors made Ilori. Glazed stoneware by Zimbabwean-born, Peckham- based ceramics newcomer sculpture, price on request, Xanthe Somers to Cole & Son’s recent Jabula wallpaper collection Xanthe Somers at – resonating with decorative patterns inspired by the shells of a Partnership Editions leopard tortoise and the feathery crowns of exotic hoopoe birds – designed in collaboration with South African ceramicists Ardmore. And French designer India Mahdavi has reimagined London restaurant Sketch’s formerly pink Gallery restaurant into a sensual, sophisticated space by taking cues from the esteemed British-Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare’s vibrant masks and framed quilts. Ghanaian woven basket lights by Inès Bressand hang above Senegal-based Aïssa Dione’s pared-back ‘Ghana’ cotton and raffia weaves, which are used to cover the Yinka tub chairs. ‘I love what Aïssa does,’ says India of the Dakar-based designer whose revival of traditional Mandjaque weaving techniques has also been used by Hermès, Christian Lacroix and American architect Peter Marino. ‘This specific nuance of yellow reminds me of the African sun’s radiance and brightness – a glow that feels like it’s irradiating from the inside,’ she enthuses. Eva Sonaike, a Livingetc favourite and one of the first designers to champion African-inspired prints in interiors when she started her brandin2009,hasreworkedherIjobaandOkanprints, inspiredbytheAburi botanical gardens in Ghana, in chic shades of chocolate, green and indigo acrosshand-knottedrugs, cushions, travertinelampsand furniture for a new Soho Home collection; her forthcoming autumn collection will draw inspiration from the striking architecture of Kano, in northern Nigeria.‘I have always wanted to make an impact with the African print, to make a statement about the combination of colours and the boldness of its bright and vibrant patterns,’ she says. ‘The beauty of African prints is that depending on how you utilise colour, they can look very elegant and sophisticated, or they can look bold and vibrant. This is how I want to inspire people.’ 32 livingetc.com



the conversation Designer Kelly Hoppen is famed for championing neutrals but, as she tells our editor Pip Rich, there are a few new tricks to stop beige ever seeming boring k elly Hoppen has designed homes for some of the eras when it comes to what goes into the room. A modern biggest stars in the world, from Victoria Beckham red chair or footstool and then an old tapestry on the wall. to P. Diddy. She is credited with constantly reinventing how PR I really like yellow too. Not a shade I’d ever have gone to use neutrals, and her most recent project is collaborating for a couple of years back, but now I have a yellow sofa. It with Celebrity Cruises on their new Celebrity Beyond ship. plays into the mood I think people are after now, of a home PIP RICH Kelly! Last time we spoke was at your London that always feels like a holiday. I’m trying to design a space home and I was marvelling then at all the little tricks you’d in which I can walk barefoot, in which I can sit on cool used to make a neutral scheme seem lively – essentially linens, in which there always seems to be a source of light. what you’re known for. I am going to assume the answer is Not so easy in the UK but yellow works well for this. yes, but I take it you’re still into neutrals? KH Yes. And to increase the feeling of light, don’t cover KELLY HOPPEN I’m very lucky in that my jobs are all windows! The British are keen on thick curtains but I don’t around the world. I’ve got 42 projects on the go right now think you should have anything at all or, if you do, then and I’ll slip from an Indochine strip it right back to a sheer and floaty design moment in Vietnam to doing Think of beige fabric. Then you’ll get the evening light P. Diddy’s home in LA. I’m like creeping in. London is so grey, anything Mrs Doubtfire, I’m always dipping in you can do to counteract that is useful. PR I also think not cluttering the wall as the perfect baseand out of all these fantasy moments. But the similarities are that everyone too much is a good way to enhance the feeling of light, an approach you take colour, like whenalways wants their spaces to make them feel good, to allow them to have you’re putting on in many of your projects. an experience, rather than to get KH For a long time I’ve thought you caught up looking at each individual should never have anything on the walls but large pieces of art that you can move your make-upitem in a room. So, yes, neutrals are the easiest way to do this. around if the mood for change takes PR Taupes, beiges and whites have a wonderful ability you. Adaptability is key for any design. In fact, being able to be dressed up or down, in a way, to be soothing or to change a space as the way you live alters is key. Life isn’t enlivening depending on how you style them. But I said rigid and if you want to move a wall or add a partition to at a reader event recently that I strongly believe beige is create a new zone be empowered to just do it! back and everyone laughed! PR So much of how we live has changed in the last two KH People have been laughing for 43 years, but beige has years. I’m so drawn to curves now because I want a space never left us. Think of it as the perfect base colour, like that feels soft on the eye, not a factor I’d considered before. when you’re putting on make-up. You apply it first, then KH People are rightly focused on comfort now, I agree. layer other things on top. It’s ideal for this. And the easiest way to do that is to make sure you have the PR What shades are you into layering on top at the moment? right sofa cushions. You want ones that squash and not KH I really like yellow and pops of red. Emerald greens bounce back up so can you can sit back into them. Again, and whites and then black for the floors. In a recent project it’s about nothing in your life being too rigid. And isn’t in Sydney I used poured resin for the floor with inlays of that a wonderful approach to take? gold strips – it looked a little like an earthquake and was so X beautiful. I’m using cork a lot, and I’m tending to use a lot Kelly Hoppen has just finished designing the new Celebrity of blonde woods as the perfect base layer, then playing with Beyond ship for Celebrity Cruises, celebritycruises.com 34 livingetc.com

Emerald Kelly is still green is inspired by an ideal the blend partner of East for beige. meets West FTT-011, Mylands Kelly is enjoying using hits of yellow, like in this project of hers PHOTOGRAPHS (PORTRAIT) DAVID VENNI A pop of “In a recent project I used poured red is the resin for the floor with gold strip inlays perfect accent. – it looked a little like an earthquake” Onda pouf, Mixing eras Poliform sums up Kelly’s style. Linen by Mindthegap Black floors with pale walls is one of Kelly’s go-tos. Railings, Farrow & Ball livingetc.com 35

simple pleasures A few design tweaks can make your home lower maintenance, your life easier and your decor more beautiful, too. What’s not to love? High-shine porcelain tiles are a low-maintenance material. Design by Ravi Vazirani 36 livingetc.com

Take a pause, dear reader, and tell us what constitutes the Advances in smart tech are keeping our homes clean, too. Robot perfect decor for you? Sure, everyone loves spaces suffused with vacuums are hugely popular, but what about building one into your luscious hues, the softest fabrics, perhaps a few design classics house? The emergence of central vacuuming systems has been or artful modern pieces. But isn’t there one more factor that game changing –suffused into the structure of the home and with elevates a space into a dream home? access through duct and pipes installed inside walls. British brand VacuSystems works by having a centrally located motor, which Design has recently taken on a new appreciation for how it needs to produces a vacuum capable of removing dust, dirt, metal, food and be liveable and pragmatic as well as beautiful. A space that doesn’t plastics. The only external element, a discreet hose connected indoors get consumed by the daily wear and tear, stains or bruises, but can be easily hidden away – the collected dirt goes into an outdoor re-emerges every day like a phoenix from the ashes. We believe a happy unit which is a removable bag. Perfect! home demands little, replenishes itself and gives aplenty. Essentially, Regular readers will have spotted the we’re now looking to decor to be low-maintenance in order to give resurgence of cork, newly beloved us more time to spend on enjoying it, less on sprucing it back up. for its sustainable credentials. But we The secret to a low-maintenance space think its rise is also in part to how is the culmination of elements that not only look plush, but are also high in low-maintenance it is. ‘Designed to practicality and grow with you over time. ‘A home can be made of shiny, be extremely tough, its surface finish plasticised objects and surfaces, but sterile, polished materials [that have can protect the floor from the rigours been in vogue a long time] demand constant care and attention in order to of modern life,’ says James Scully, maintain their beauty,’ says Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen, founding partner at Norm Architects. Or in other words: collectively, we’re tired, and founder of Recork. ‘It doesn’t shed any need materials that are inherently durable and require little upkeep. microfibres, which means it is naturally Take kitchen countertops, for instance. Caesarstone reports anecdotally that more of its customers are turning away from its antimicrobial and hypoallergenic and white marble-like surfaces that have been fashionable for a decade, and looking to darker, flecked surfaces, implying that our love affair therefore doesn’t harbour dust,’ he with the (highly stainable) stone may be over as we look for a kitchen that takes less work to maintain. Step forward American brand Caesarstone’s 5121 says. If you are, however, unsure of this Cupron, who has developed a surface embedded with copper ions Layalite quartz flooring material, interior designer which claim to stop pathogens from spreading, reducing the need worktops get Ravi Vazirani suggests eschewing the to overly clean. Or Caesarstone’s recently launched 5121 Layalite better with age classic wood floorboards and embracing quartz which stays perfect for generations to come, not requiring the sealing and maintenance of stone or wood. ‘Oversized veined stone or porcelain instead: ‘Marble or tiles work well,’ he says. ‘They streaks spread out over the surface, revealing mottled grey and ochre markings,’ says Mor Krisher, Caesarstone’s head of design. do not collect dust, ideal in a home that has pets and children.’ ‘What’s more, this quartz surface worktop is durable, flexible, FETURE ADITI SHARMA MAHESHWARI scratch resistant and beautifully sophisticated.’ Structural ideas aside, let’s take a moment to focus on interior PHOTOGRAPHS (MAIN IMAGE) PANKAJ ANAND decoration. Linen and velvets are notorious with regards to their upkeep, especially if you need to dry clean them often. Thankfully the world of microfibre – a durable fabric, which much like leather, ages better and looks smart – has moved on to feel as elegant as linen. Natuzzi’s Softech fabrics are completely stain-resistant while Love Your Home’s cream boucle can withstand even coffee. Washing it is as painless as a damp towel and a bit of blotting with soapy water. One hundred points for convenience! As we move towards busier timetables, the need for a home that is high on style and low on work is increasing, and significant innovations in this area are marking this brand new lifestyle. Once you get on board, we do expect you to enter your home, head straight to your lounger and spend several hours of rest without a worry in your mind. Sit back and relax, you deserve it! livingetc.com 37



houses 4 Loft living in NYC, chilled spaces in Oz and it’s an elegant life in London and Lyon livingetc.com 39

ggenaermatieon The architect behind the renovation of this Victorian worker’s cottage looked to the past and the future to give it a magnificent and multifaceted new identity X PHOTOGRAPHY Dave Kulesza STYLING Fenton & Fenton WORDS Juliet Benning 40 livingetc.com

houses LIVING AREA Encased in glass, the staircase appears to float upwards and allows light to circulate. Betsy armchair in Caramel velvet; Retro dhurrie in Rose & Mustard; Woodrow oval coffee table, all Fenton & Fenton. Light by Mark Douglass Design, assembled by BelArte

home profile f rom its façade, there is little to indicate that the house known as Il Nido THE OWNERS – the nest or nursery in Italian – conceals within itself a mass of contradictions. On a footprint of only 108 square metres, the house has an unexpected vertical Chris De Stratis, director of axis with a basement dug out of the ancient blue stone of Melbourne and a first BelArte Building Group, his floor with city views. Originally a worker’s cottage built in 1885, its character is wife and business partner, both humble and yet tells a story of a boomtown founded during a gold rush. Tina, and their children, Eloise, six, Giovanni, four, Massimo, It was his Italian ancestry that led the owner Chris De Stratis and builder /director of BelArte Building Group to the suburb of Carlton, where once his three, and Sonny, one. grandfather had lived. In revitalising this home for his wife, Tina, and children, Eloise, Giovanni, Massimo and Sonny, Chris’ intention was to receive the THE ARCHITECT wisdom of an older generation of craftspeople. Enza Angelucci, the founder of Angelucci Architects, was the creative mind behind the architectural Enza Angelucci, director of transformation and witnessed this intergenerational strategy. ‘I came to site Angelucci Architects. one day and there was this collection of older retired Italian tradesmen who were passing on their knowledge. They were teaching Venetian plastering and THE PROPERTY terrazzo tiling. It marked Chris out as someone for whom building is a passion.’ A cottage built in 1885 in Enza contributed a new layout that preserved the ornate façade conceived Carlton, Melbourne. On the by the early Melbourne settlers and added a new flank which, the house being on a corner plot, can be seen from the pavement perpendicular. ‘I’ve always ground floor is the main felt it’s more appropriate to differentiate between a contemporary addition bedroom with en suite and and the original fabric, creating a readability between the two. Often you find dressing room and a family modern architecture in the style of a “black box” but here we used a Belgian bathroom. A central living coffee-coloured brick that differs to the original red brick. Scalloped Welsh space opens onto an internal slate tiles were handmade to offer continuation with the corrugated iron roof.’ courtyard and kitchen. The playroom and utility room are ‘The house is small,’ Enza says, impressing the need to fill it with light and in the basement. On the first functionality. At its core, a courtyard with bifold doors offers a connection with the sky and the street outside through a new arched doorway. ‘The courtyard is floor are two children’s pivotal – it cools the space down and ensures that it never feels claustrophobic. bedrooms and a bathroom. In a similar way, the kitchen and children’s bedroom windows allow in light There is also a roof terrace. and create sight lines and views of the neighbours that help the house to feel larger,’ Enza says. ‘With their basement play area, the children have a very vertical experience of the house and are continually running up and down.’ In contrast to the original orthogonal walls, the new sections have curvaceous tiled walls and oak joinery that lend a softness to the interior. In the main bedroom, the original plaster detailing has been retained and in the kitchen a high ceiling pays tribute to those of the Victorian era. Along with the ‘heritage overlay’, biophilic design was at the forefront of Enza’s thinking. ‘There are plenty of blues and greens and we’ve reflected nature with warm timbers.’ The family settled in their newly renovated home in August 2021 and it has already formed a lasting impression on the children. ‘On a recent visit to the practice, Eloise drew the house from her eyes with the façade and all the tiles swirling. It was amazing. It’s a house that has resonated with a lot of people and that to me is what’s important,’ Enza concludes. X belarte.com.au; angelucciarchitects.com 42 livingetc.com

houses COURT YARD Sleek glass doors fold right back to open this space up to the living area, while a big picture window gives the courtyard bar access to the kitchen. Tiles, Formed by Fire. Teak wood high stools, Sklum

KITCHEN The banquette seats the family of six. The intricate tiling has the effect of a beautiful wallpaper. Table and banquette by Angelucci Architects, made by BelArte. Tiles, Artedomus. Chairs, Fenton & Fenton. Artwork by Sam Iurada (left) and Whitney Spicer (right)

houses BASEMENT “I’ve always felt it’s more appropriate to Exposed brickwork and a ceiling differentiate between lined in timber bring warmth to this subterranean space. a contemporary addition and the Pea Pepa dhurrie; artwork; original fabric, Cuban inlay side table and creating a readability armchair, all Fenton & Fenton. between the two” Source a terracotta wine rack at Weston Mill X livingetc.com 45

houses home truths A DEFINING FEATURE OF CONTEMPORARY AUSTRALIAN ARCHITECTURE? Enza: The landscape and bringing the outside in. Early homes were built for British weather but we’ve adapted for our outdoor life. FAVOURITE HOTEL INTERIOR? I love the FCC Angkor by Avani in Cambodia. It’s completely connected to nature and sits within a tropical paradise. DESIGN RULES YOU LIVE BY? Architecture should be fun and maximise views and air flow. AN ICONIC PIECE YOU WOULD LOVE TO OWN? Eileen Gray’s black lacquered wood screen from 1922. DESIGN HERO? Eileen Gray – her work was beautiful and she made great headway as a female in the architecture profession. Her E-1027 house has always been a great inspiration to me. THE TREND THAT WILL ENCAPSUL ATE THE 2020S? Colour and pattern. the blueprint BASEMENT LAUNDRY BEDROOM P L AY R O O M BED ROOM BASEMENT FIRST FLOOR ENTRANCE HALL KITCHEN INTERNAL STU DY/ COURT YARD DRESSING LIVING AREA BED AREA ROOM GROUND FLOOR BASEMENT BEDROOM B AT H R O O M ROOF TERRACE Resilient polished cement has The sculptural window brings Tightly packed tiles resonate This is the property’s second underfloor heating – the heat will another layer of decoration. with the narrow strips of timber outdoor space and it has rise and benefit the whole house. on the panels outside. far-reaching views of Melbourne. Artwork by Andrea Shaw Mondo bench and (left) and Nunzio Miano Tiles, Artedomus. Art and Source similar colourful artwork by Amber Kingi, (right); velvet headboard, sculptures, Fenton & Fenton. stools at Sklum Fenton & Fenton Fenton & Fenton DR bathtub, Agape 46 livingetc.com



houses A custom FEATURE RACHEL CHRISTIE PHOTOGRAPH (TOP IMAGE) DAVE KULESZA headboard INSIDER GUIDE in Chris and Tina’s bespoke headboards home CHRIS AND TINA CHOSE CUSTOM picking the right one DESIGNS FOR THEIR ABODE – MARTIN WALLER, FOUNDER OF ANDREW Like the sound of a one-of-a-kind headboard? M A R TI N , I S A FAN A N D K N OWS E X AC TLY Here are some options to choose from WHY THEY ARE A GREAT WAY TO MAKE A UNIQUE STATEMENT IN THE BEDROOM IT’S A FEELING Designed to add a touch of drama to the bedroom, the headboard Albion Nord is a London-based residential interior design studio that range by Andrew Martin offers a variety of eye-catching designs. creates bespoke headboards for its projects. ‘A bespoke piece is a The brand – founded in 1978 – continues to be a go-to destination great way of elevating and complementing an existing scheme,’ says for the design cognoscenti. Crafted in the Cotswolds, each creative director Camilla Clarke. ‘Consider texture to be as important headboard has its own character and can be personalised with as colour and pattern. Interiors are all about evoking the senses and upholstery in different shades, patterns and textures. Much of texture is a vital ingredient appealing to both sight and touch. Try Martin Waller’s inspiration is derived from his own travels and mixing different textures such as natural linens with soft velvets or here he explains why bespoke headboards are the way to go. robust leathers with thick wools.’ Prices vary with each project. Headboards can be a relatively inexpensive way of completely TALL AND transforming a bedroom. With the rise of the boutique hotel HANDSOME and its trending look in residential design, the headboard has taken centre stage in bedroom interiors. Bedrooms should be ‘Designed to mimic the form of as individual as the people that inhabit them and a bespoke horns, ornate Lucifer is perhaps headboard makes this concept a reality. the boldest headboard in our range,’ says Martin Waller. ‘It is Don’t be afraid to choose a quirkier or more eccentric style as also available in Friendly Folk, a this only adds character. Headboards can be considered as an folk-inspired pattern from our alternative form of artwork – the right choice can bring the same Kit Kemp collection, which would colour and individuality as a carefully chosen piece of art to a make a wonderful centrepiece. bedroom. Consider a beautifully intricate and richly coloured This is a headboard your eyes are fabric like Iznik Cobalt – it works particularly well against plain immediately drawn to when you white walls – in a curvaceous shape to see exactly what we mean. enter the bedroom.’ From £1,310 When deciding on a custom headboard, the colour, the pattern, GET PERSONAL the shape and the finishing details, such as studs and piping, all play their part in shaping the finished look of the piece – and the Trove is a home and lifestyle overall feel and personality of the room it is going into. For example, brand designed and curated by a bright pink contrast piping could be matched to a pair of pink interior design firm Studio Duggan. lampshades either side of the bed to inject a large dollop of fun The debut bedroom collection into a scheme, or you might opt for smart polished chrome studs embodies Studio Duggan signature against a grey weave to create a more sophisticated look. As the style. Featuring a diverse range of famous saying goes, it really is all in the details! headboards, Trove creates a look that appears to have evolved and Your headboard will be the focal point of your bedroom so matured over time, with carefully remember that size matters here – the bigger the headboard, the edited customisation available to bigger the impact you will create. I’d recommend the height be personalise your home. From £1,350 at least 1.2m above the mattress level, but to make the biggest impression, don’t be afraid to go right up to ceiling height. METALLIC TOUCH Bethan Gray’s first bedroom furniture range is decorative yet comfortable and functional. The British designer has married clean-lined silhouettes with handcrafted construction. ‘As one big open space, a headboard makes the most of the pattern and the metallic overlay really does shine,’ says Bethan. As each piece is made to order, it can be customised as required. From £6,000 48 livingetc.com



catschuthne ROOF DECK Long lunches and evening dinners by the fire take place here. The fireplace was crafted by a local builder. A pergola area provides shade if things get too hot. Loop chairs by Gloster. The coffee table was made out of recycled w4h6arf tliimvibnegr.eDtce.cckoinmg, Millboard