Homes & Gardens

LIGNE ROSET DESIGN  DECORATING Custom bed, from LManufacturing furniture alongside M&E RF COHU AN ND T £15,600, Hux the River Rhône deep in the Established in 2018 and rapidly HUX French countryside since 1860, rising to become one the UK’s Ligne Roset’s long history has largest online vintage retailers, A specialist in joinery, the team Merchant & Found scours the of expert cabinetmakers, paint- seen it grow from wooden world for hidden vintage furniture sprayers and machinists craft umbrella and walking stick maker beautiful cabinetry, with the brand in the 1800s to today filling over gems (generally) from the following each project through 1920s-1950s. Items can be from inception to installation by 200 stores worldwide with its sourced bespoke from the a dedicated fitting team. Built lovely objects for the home. The brand’s global network, with its storage offering ranging from Jaround a fusion of creative flair award-winning brand is also industrial metal lockers to known for its collaborations with apothecary cabinets and and manufacturing expertise, Hux celebrated designers such as happily embraces new materials, Pierre Paulin, Inga Sempé and Victorian display units. finishes and innovations, as well merchantandfound.com → Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec. as making bespoke pieces. ligne-roset.com hux-london.co.uk Restored 1940s chest C HJI CUHL IEASNT E R of drawers, £1,650, Merchant & Found Starting out importing antique furniture from Asia in 1986, Julian Chichester launched its first interior collection of five designs in 1995 and hasn’t looked back since. Drawing on classical influences with dashes of the contemporary, playful and unexpected, the brand’s style continually evolves. With 30 to 40 items added to the range each year, its storage offering is as broad as it is varied. julianchichester.com H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M 51

Chawton Tall Triple PINCH dresser with ladder, from £15,635, Neptune Seeking to create future heirlooms lovely and long-lasting enough to traverse generations, Pinch was established in 2004. With a quiet, elegant aesthetic, the brand designs poetically, championing the beauty found in simplicity as well as indulging in refined detailing. Each piece is produced by a skilled team in the UK and Europe, where the art of the craft and attention to detail are key. Its cabinetry and shelving can be custom adapted to fit your space. pinchdesign.com NEPTUNE JNOEHVNI LS LOEN RIMADESIO Known for creating classic Beginning its dedicated storage Known for combining Italian luxury furniture with clever twists, journey in 1987, Neville Johnson with internal organisation systems, 1996-founded Neptune is the specialises in creating innovative definition of ‘modern rustic’, its fitted furniture solutions based Rimadesio (the ‘Ri’ and ‘Ma’ designs created to be as at home around centuries of traditional skill coming from the founders’ names) in a farmer’s kitchen as in the and craftsmanship. Turning even living room of a contemporary awkward nooks and strangely adds architectural influences townhouse. Often taking inspiration shaped crannies into something and a splash of glamour to its from antique pieces, its collection covetable, its craftspeople use wardrobes, shelving, walk-in is full of depth and history, spaces and sliding panels. Pieces bringing an understated yet skills passed down through are created from the finest elegant look as well as a time- generations in every bespoke materials, with design based tested simplicity and functionality. piece, which is then precisely, on simplicity combined with Its range of dressers, sideboards, expertly installed with zero fuss. bookcases, shelves and wine racks technical prowess. come in multiple styles, sizes, nevillejohnson.co.uk rimadesio.it configurations and finishes. Cover freestanding neptune.com wardrobe system by Giuseppe Bavuso, price on request, Rimadesio 52 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M

Shaker window seat, DESIGN & DECORATING from £1,500, Sharps STUDIO HÁM SHARPS Studio HÁM is an ever-changing interiors emporium curated by Sharps was founded in 1973 the team behind design firm with a vision to offer customers HÁM Interiors. Full of surprises, more storage than they had ever it encompasses everything from imagined. Its customised fitted vintage finds to an in-house range furniture soon caught on, the brand becoming a household Tmade to custom sizes and name for merging style with finishes. Storage spans antique functionality and its broad bookcases and bamboo chests aesthetic of encompassing both of drawers to decorative vanity the latest trends as well as classic units and painted log baskets. looks. Working with the finest materials, such as Italian wood studioham.co.uk veneer and new technologies including soft close doors, Sharps T RTCEHOEEMBPBAAASNBKYAE T crafts its storage solutions tailored Dedicated to preserving the to individual needs, creating culture of the traditional baskets clever organisation that is both of the Gurunsi community in bespoke and accessible. Bolgatanga, the upper east region sharps.co.uk of Ghana, since 1999, The Baba Tree Basket Company has developed sustainable jobs, fair and meaningful work, and a positive social impact through the art of weaving. babatree.com & Jemima 10 Cows baskets, £185 each, The Baba Tree Basket Company H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M 53



DESIGN & DECORATING The art of interior design Emma Pocock, of Turner Pocock, on adding warmth with rugs, schemes for children’s bedrooms and clever zoning RUGGESTTRIINGGHT Reeds rug by Sebastian PEOPLE’S preference for hard Herkner for The Rug Company floors has really grown in the last adds character 30 years to a much more European YHPARGOTOHP ELLERRAUQ NIBOR HPARGOTOHP RETLAS ACISSEJ ERUTAEF sentiment. I can’t remember the ■Stair runners are an excellent ■We sometimes do layer rugs: last time we put a fitted carpet in place to be as brave and bold as layers of particularly kilim rugs a sitting room, for example, and possible. Often people just run can be fun. But often it’s not you would almost never now have the carpet up the stairs, but this practical – you can end up tripping a carpet in the bathroom. But we feels like a wasted opportunity. over the ends of them. We would still want our spaces to feel cosy You don’t hang around on stairs only very rarely put a rug over a – especially at this time of year. for very long, so you can afford carpet – perhaps a softer rug on ■Rugs, therefore, are completely to be more decorative than you top of a sisal carpet next to a bed critical to the cosiness and warmth would in other rooms. – but on the whole, we avoid it. → of a room. Because they need to be as large as they can be, they are SOURCING RUGS often the most expensive thing to go Wehave designed a range of rugs with Peter Page; they come in seven styles, into that room. You have to allocate and most can be made into stair runners as well.Roger Oates Design does a good bit of budget for them. fantastic flatweaves and Ian Mankin is another reliable supplier.The Rug ■A common mistake is to go too Company has an amazing Tom Dixon design called Form 2. small, so that it ends up being in the middle of the furniture. To really ground a room, a rug needs to be big enough so that all the furniture sits on top of it. It’s very hard to find rugs that are big enough for the kinds of projects we work on – the maximum you tend to be able to buy is about 3x4m – so we almost always end up getting bespoke rugs. ■Rugs can help with zoning areas: they mark a space with their edges. If you have a large open-plan kitchen, for example, a rug in the dining area, along with pendants over the table, can help separate that zone. ■You can either go for something decorative like a kilim rug or a natural rug in a jute or sisal. We often use a big jute rug in a smart room to tone down the formality. H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M 55

DESIGN & DECORATING Bobbin Collection VEZROSNAITNIGLE beds by Turner Pocock and ZONING is all about making Chelsea Textiles are playful yet stylish sure your needs are fulfilled and that the whole of the room and, DECOR FOR CHILDREN’S BEDROOMS thus, the whole house works in precisely the ways your family WE think a child’s bedroom bobbin beds that look as stylish needs it to. You can zone entire SEMAJ XELA HPARGOTOHP when they are teenagers as they do rooms, parts of rooms and even should be a place of joy; it’s for smaller children. Twin beds are floors to become multifunctional. somewhere to have adventures, to lovely because they create symmetry ■Examine what you need from use their imaginations, read, and be and can be useful for sleepovers. each room and be really sensitive nice and calm to invite sleep. We try ■ We generally choose neutral to the way you actually live. Often, not to make them too clichéd. bedding, rather than anything we might sit down with a client ■ It’s nice if you can include with cartoon themes or heavy who says they love entertaining; something that can fuel imagination patterns. The bed often gets covered on closer reflection, they might – even if it’s in the smallest way. in teddies and cushions anyway, only entertain once a month, and At home, I painted stripes on my so you don’t need that extra so they don’t need a huge space son’s bedroom ceiling that taper distraction of a fussy design. all of the time – they need it to be into the centre, like a circus tent. ■ Lots of parents ask us to put able to expand and contract. Even though the rest of the room a desk into their child’s room; ■If a room is big, the worst thing is relatively plain, it’s something I don’t really think children actually is to put all the furniture around he can lie on his bed and gaze work in their room until they are the walls, but you’d be surprised up at and dream up stories. teenagers, so don’t feel you need how many people do this. Instead ■ After the child has grown out of to put one in too early on. But if of treating the whole room as one, the toddler bed, their proper bed you have the space, then go for it. think of different areas: perhaps should be an investment. We love you might like to have a puzzle table area or a small dining table WHERE TO SHOP FOR KIDS BEDS that you can have the odd dinner at Wethink the bed should be the main investment: our Bobbin Collection with Chelsea (if you normally eat in the kitchen). Textiles came about because we couldn’t find the style that we wanted. For toddlers’ ■You can turn a large room into beds, Great Little Trading Co has a good range. For bed linen we love Gilly Nicolson. two smaller spaces by positioning 56 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M key furniture in strategic places. For example, a sofa with a bookcase behind it and a couple of lights creates a sort of wall, but one without a solid barrier – so it allows flow through into another space. You can create a sense of privacy and calm, without physical barriers. & SHOPPING KEY ZONING PIECES For lamps, we lovePenny Morrison, Rosi de Ruig and Tyson London. Pooky also has an amazing selection of lighting. For console tables, we tend to buy ours wholesale, but Julian Chichester has some great ones, and for those on a budget try Zara Home.





NESNAH DNIL LLEIRAM HPARGOTOHP SNEUOY ALLEBARA ERUTAEF DESIGN & DECORATING Space odyssey Maximising space is sometimes just a matter of turning unused spots into practical – and pretty – features IN A CORNER Carving out room for a table where floor space is at a premium will often require putting one in the corner. For that to work, there are two rules: firstly, the table should be round both to set a contrast to the right angles of the corner, but also to avoid anyone catching themselves on the table edges and, secondly, to use bench seating. ‘A breakfast nook is such a cosy spot,’ says Tiffany Duggan, founder of Studio Duggan, who created this scheme. ‘We’ve designed lots of these recently and tend to add a pendant light to make it more “hygge”. We often upholster the seat in a hard-wearing fabric such as leather. We wanted this one to feel “loungey”, so we kept the back low and rounded the edges.’ → H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M 59

FORWARD THINKING RETIMRAP DIVAD HPARGOTOHP There’s a danger when designing children’s rooms that, as they grow older, they’ll fall out of love with a scheme. One alternative is to design a room that will stand the test of time, through teenage years to adulthood, which is what interior decorator Lucy Marsh was asked to do by her client. ‘It was difficult as the room is long and thin, so we created a design that looked meant to be, adding shelving, cupboards and drawers to create a flow,’ she says. The paint is French Blue by Edward Bulmer Natural Paint. ‘Blue is difficult to work with, but this shade is warm and enveloping.’ A vertical pattern for the fabric (Scrolling Fern Frond by Soane Britain) heightens the room while curtains add privacy and softness. 60 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M

DESIGN & DECORATING YSSENNEF NAES )DESSERD LLEW( ;MEIRP EILAHTAN )SESU ELPITLUM( SHPARGOTOHP “HALLWAYS AND LANDINGS RISK BEING RATHER EMPTY AND FULL OF HARD SURFACES; THE INSERTION OF A LITTLE SEAT WITH AN UPHOLSTERED CUSHION BREAKS THAT UP” HENRIETTE VON STOCKHAUSEN, VSP Interiors MULTIPLE USES WELL DRESSED BEST SEAT Small built-in desk areas can act Ideally, every dressing room should Architectural features such as as dressing tables, workstations or have good light and a full-length alcoves are ideal for storage or areas to display objects.‘In this mirror. When space is tight, follow seating. Here, interior designer space, the desk helped square off the example of decorator Tamsin Henriette von Stockhausen of VSP the wardrobe-cum-dressing area Johnson and install mirror-fronted Interiors has made a feature of the and the adjacent courtyard,’ says wardrobes. To add a much-needed alcove on a landing by placing an Steve Clinch, head architect at soft touch, Tamsin designed a upholstered seat over the radiator Echlin, who designed this table. bespoke window bench seat. and hanging a painting above. → H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M 61

“WRAP WALLPAPER AROUND IKAHTATS ANNA )REDNOW LLAMS( ;RIALCNIS LEAHCIM )SELUR EHT DNEB( SHPARGOTOHP YOUR DIVIDING DOORS – IT HELPS DISGUISE THE DOORS AND ENVELOPS THE SPACE TO MAKE IT FEEL MUCH MORE COSY AND WELCOMING” ANNA HAINES, interior designer BELOW STAIRS BEND THE RULES GOOD FIT One of the obvious underused The team at Maddux Creative had This room in the home of interior spaces is the void under a staircase to reconfigure this small bathroom decorator Katharine Paravicini – especially at basement level to create a more interesting flow. measures just 230x200cm. ‘We where there’s no cellar to access. ‘The angled wall with an inset put the bed under the window For a contemporary scheme, take arched niche was created to house with the shelves to the side. The inspiration from this design by the elliptical washstand and arched shelves have a faux back, creating Woodstock Furniture, which medicine cabinet,’ say founders the ideal depth for books and we features floating shelves in walnut. Scott Maddux and Jo Le Gleud. made a shelf for a lamp,’ she says. 62 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M

DESIGN & DECORATING OFFICE HIDEAWAY In recent years, many have been carving out spaces for home offices – and lusting after ideal examples including garden studios or lofts above garages. The truth is, provided there is good light and internet connection, an office can almost be set up in any room, as this scheme by interior designer Anna Haines demonstrates. The bifolding doors down one wall that lead to the plant room of the house are almost undetectable thanks to the use of a pretty wallpaper by Robert Kime. ‘The design creates depth and averts the eye from the different levels,’ Anna says. Anna added an articulated wall light by Hector Finch and a desk light by Holloways of Ludlow. A kilim from Susan Deliss adds warmth and colour. → H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M 63

“FLUTED UPHOLSTERY ADDS COSINESS TO A SPACE – I ALWAYS THINK THAT KITCHENS ARE GREATLY IMPROVED WITH A BIT OF SOFTNESS AND A LOT OF COMFORT” LUCY BARLOW, Barlow & Barlow TOP TABLE UP AND OVER DNOB NAHTANOJ )ELBAT POT( HPARGOTOHP Individual dining chairs will always take up more Bespoke joinery is a good way to zone spaces in an space than a bench, but to move firmly away from open-plan room. In this design by Kate Guinness, furniture reminiscent of uncomfortable school bookshelves create a pause between a bedroom and lunches the best solution is to embrace a dressing room, but the same technique could just as banquette. This one was created by interior design successfully be used to delineate between a sitting studio Barlow & Barlow.Tucked between the wall and dining room. Kate painted the shelves in French and a glass-enclosed pantry, it results in a cosy Blue by Edward Bulmer Natural Paint and sourced nook that’s a perfect spot for dining. the Kantha bedspread through 8 Holland Street. 64 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M

NWORB NOMIS HPARGOTOHP DESIGN & DECORATING MAGICAL DREAMS Built-in bunk beds are one of the best space-saving options for a child’s room – and means they can have sleepovers. The addition of curtains to create cubby-hole bunk beds is also a perfect way to give siblings or friends their own space within the room. Bespoke joinery is a big investment, but ticks so many boxes as a cool way to inject some style into a room. Create a magical environment with furnishings that will kick-start young imaginations, as shown here. Making a smaller space sing with character, whimsiness and fun was all part of this project, says designer Kit Kemp. ‘You’d never want to grow up if you slept in this room with painted bunk beds, lyrical wallpaper and curtains inspired by The Bloomsbury Group.’ → H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M 65

“DRAB CORNERS CAN BE NWORB NOMIS )SNOITIBMA YTFOL( ;HTIMS LEAHCAR )TOPS YSOC( SHPARGOTOHP BROUGHT TO LIFE BY ADDING A POP OF COLOUR, EITHER DESIGNED TO CREATE A TONAL SCHEME OR AS A STAND-ALONE BRIGHT FOR A MORE MAXIMALIST APPROACH” PATRICIA GIBBONS, Sofa.com COSY SPOT JEWEL BOX LOFTY AMBITIONS ‘In this space tucked away off the Cloakrooms are the perfect place Attic spaces are a great choice for open-plan living space and under for bold colour.‘In this home, which a main bedroom as they are often the eaves, we designed a daybed we designed with Nicky Haslam, the lightest room in a typical with the TV on the wall opposite,’ we created bamboo wallpaper,’ townhouse. ‘For this artist’s home, says interior decorator Caroline says Jena Quinn, CEO of Studio we devised a soft, muted palette, Riddell. ‘Not only is the TV hidden, QD. Nicky designed a monogram, which is a perfect backdrop for the but the redundant space becomes which was reproduced on towels owner’s art collection,’ says Katie a cosy area to watch TV or read.’ with Gayle Warwick Fine Linen. Glaister, co-founder of K&H Design. 66 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M

DESIGN & DECORATING Insider insight More space-enhancing ideas from the experts SPACE PLANNING The best way to organise office environment, where ideas for inspiration need to be on standby. But they must be kept tidy: an a house and make use of the space is to write down overflowing mess is the fastest way to make a small how each room is used, says interior decorator Nicola room feel even smaller. ‘One of the best ways to make Harding, founder of Nicola Harding & Co. ‘For a muchused busy room, such as my small home instance, ask how much time is given over to studio, appear less cluttered is by storing things entertaining on a grander scale than at the kitchen cleverly but also creatively,’ says designer Molly table and is it necessary, therefore, to have a dedicated Mahon. ‘I use our handblockprinted storage boxes to dining room or a large sitting room? Another aspect store smaller things – they are cheerful to look at and I ask my clients is about clothes washing. So often, the can fit into smaller spaces or on work surfaces.’ washing machine is crammed into a cupboard in the kitchen where space is at a premium, yet most washing GO BESPOKE Space planning with a budget to is generated upstairs. It’s worth seeing whether there is space on the landing for a washing machine or spend on bespoke joinery is the ideal solution to the whether it could go in the upstairs loo, which is rarely smallroom conundrum. Ceilinghigh shelving or used and where plumbing is already set up.’ shelves that run up and over a door provide useful extra space. Rooms with low sloping roofs also cry out DOUBLE-DUTY ROOMS In small houses, for some clever joinery. Those that are too low to stand in but high enough to accommodate a desk and rooms will often be multipurpose – the kitchen being chair present an opportunity to partition off an office the obvious example as it’s variously used for cooking, space from a bedroom, for example. When designing, entertaining, homework and an office. Building a floortoceiling wardrobes, keep the top shelf open for small desk into a cupboard, which can be closed at the baskets. It will add to a sense of height. Invest instead end of the day is the perfect way to solve this. Utility in lowlying drawers to keep shoes or bedlinen. & rooms – if they exist– are particularly tricky to organise, says Suzanne Duin, founder of Maison “MY PERFECT STUDY NOOK Maison, especially if they also double as a home office. INCLUDES BOOKS, STORAGE, ‘Care needs to be taken to watch the traffic flow POWER POINTS, LIGHTING, A through, especially if it’s also the back access to the GOOD SEAT AND DESK AREA” garden. It’s a lot for one small space to capture so thoughtful storage is vital.’ EMMA PAINTER, interior designer CREATIVE STORAGE Open shelves are a must for easily accessible and useful places to store everyday items – they are especially handy in a home THE SOURCEBOOK: CUSTOM FURNISHINGS SHARPS NEVILLE JOHNSON RIMADESIO FURL This firm doesn’t use With over 30 years in the Founded in 1956 and This company designs carcass frames which business, this company based in Brianza,Italy, ottoman beds,storage means each wardrobe supplies fitted home this brand is a go-to for sofas,wall beds and is bespoke – this can office furniture,library contemporary modular extendable tables, give up to 40% more bookshelves,boot room bookcases, shelving which are all made in room than other fitted storage andwardrobes. systemsand walk-in workshops outside wardrobes. sharps.co.uk nevillejohnson.co.uk wardrobes. rimadesio.it Nottingham. furl.co.uk H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M 67

Little wonders INORAT ODIUG SHPARGOTOHP These exuberant apartments owned by Milanese creatives are fine proof that compact rooms can make a statement PRETTY IN PINK This colour-drenched space by interior designer Nicolò Castellini Baldissera has a stunning ceiling, floor and sofa – the patterns and details are pulled together by the soft colours. ‘One of the benefits of living in Milan is the number of industrious people who can help you realise just about anything. On Via della Moscova I found an antiques shop with a set of silverware, an electrician to rewire my lamps and a fabric shop where I unearthed some silk stripes and blue velvet.’ 68 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M

DESIGN & DECORATING HIGH-IMPACT SURFACES This sweet space by Hannes Peer and Philippe Rinaudo is bursting with small-space ideas, including reflective surfaces, textured wallcoverings and decorative ceilings. The stained-glass sliding doors between the kitchen and dining room were created to imitate a garage door typical in Milanese entryways. HEIGHT OF FASHION Fashion designer J.J. Martin lives here. ‘I began peeking in the doorways of buildings and interviewing doormen; eventually one of them gave me a tip about this place,’ she explained. It was kismet. Entering the 1910 building, there is a palpable sense of grandeur, thanks to its generous proportions and mosaic details. ORIGINALITY ABOUNDS Veronica Etro needed something to suit her effervescent personality: ‘My father always told me I could never make up my mind,’ Veronica revealed, when she began work on the dining room, ‘and so I loved not having to make my mind up with the chairs and the chandeliers! That room is my favourite – like Alice in Wonderland.’ → H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M 69

COASTAL COOL Lapo Elkann immediately recognised the potential this space had to offer. It has the quality of a sailboat: long and narrow, with a terrace that wraps around its entire length. The apartment reflects his unique collecting style, eclectically mixing art, design and a love of objects: ‘I love to find things that are not new.’ ALL IN THE LAYERING Osanna Visconti has embraced the decorative history of the building. Grand rooms with frescoed ceilings boast walls with layers of plaster and accumulated patina. There is a mix of objects, from contemporary paintings to collections of antique blue ceramic plates and warm 19th-century armchairs covered in rich velvet fabric. BOLD HUE ‘I have fallen in love with the unusual orange used in this space,’ says Emiliano Salci, co-founder of Dimorestudio. He has decorated his home with some of his most favourite pieces: a pair of white wardrobes by Alvar Aalto; shelves by Jean Prouvé; a painting by Enrico Castellani and armchairs by Piero Portaluppi. 70 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M

DESIGN & DECORATING DYNAMIC DESIGN ■Adapted from Inside Milan by It is one thing to be born into good taste, as Martina Nicolò Castellini Mondadori and Ashley Hicks certainly were, but their Baldissera (£65, relentless efforts have cemented them as foremost Vendome Press) authorities of what it means to be tasteful. This apartment is a testament to their undaunted creative HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 71 energy. Ashley set to work on trompe l’oeil marble and stonework on various columns and doors and paisley stencils for walls in other rooms. &

Hgaorwdednoegsroyowu?r Design ideas from those in the know to make bijou green spaces appear larger and lovelier 1 CREATE A JOURNEY Stepping GNILKCIF NELEH )2( ;NGISED NEDRAG EWOR ETTOLRAHC )3 & 1( SHPARGOTOHP YAWALLA AIZ ERUTAEF Designing a winding or circular route through a stones across small garden will make it feel larger, while increasing a water feature the visual interest. ‘Break up the space with water and add intrigue planting to prevent the eye travelling straight to the back wall, and create a route that offers the longest vistas through the garden,’ advises designer Charlotte Rowe. ‘A water feature across the width of the plot will create a lateral break. Using two surface materials such as paving and gravel, which look and feel different as you walk across them, will also separate different areas and make the plot appear more spacious.’ 72 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M

2INTRODUCE Chequerboard DESIGN & DECORATING PATTERN floor tiles stand The intimacy of a out against lush 4 JUST ADD WATER green plants Water features offer many benefits, their small garden allows pattern and soothing sounds helping you to relax, colour to take centre stage. Kate while the moisture will sustain birds, insects and Gould uses both to enliven her other wildlife. For small gardens and roof terraces, designs and draw the eye into the designer Christine Wilford recommends self- middle of the garden, diverting contained features that you simply plug into an attention away from surrounding outdoor electricity supply. ‘Water bubbles up from buildings. ‘Patterns help to raise the centre and flows over a flat or curved surface, energy levels, but keep your then runs back down into the sump, where a pump designs simple. I never use more recirculates it. They produce a gentle, mesmeric than two colours and prefer sound that’s perfect near seating, and lures people geometric patterns alongside a to seek them out when disguised in a border.’ calming palette of green foliage plants. Laser-cut metal screens H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M 73 add intricate detail and can be used to disguise pipes or cables, or simply as a decorative feature.’ 3LEVEL UP Small sloping gardens offer a range of design opportunities as well as challenges, says Charlotte Rowe. She suggests terracing the garden to form a series of usable spaces large enough for seating and linked via short flights of steps. ‘Include four or five steps between levels, so that you’re not faced with a steep staircase, and make the garden feel bigger by installing them on alternate sides. Squaring up the terraces to the house and including trees and large shrubs in beds between them also helps to make awkwardly-shaped plots look more symmetrical.’

The large 5PRIVACY MOOLB DRAHCIR )01( ;OIDUTS GNIDLOH YRRAH ,HPLAR ANIRAM )9( parasol offers POINTERS ;YCNALC ENIREHTAC )8( ;SLOHCIN EVILC )6( ;RREK SEMAJ )5( SHPARGOTOHP diners privacy Small town gardens and shade are often overlooked from the 6MAKE ROOM FOR upstairs windows of adjacent WORK AND PLAY houses, which Charlotte Rowe Outdoor rooms offer a great way to extend your says can be countered with permanent planting such as trees, living space and because most are low-level temporary a parasol or an awning. ‘In a structures, they generally don’t require planning north-facing garden, the sunniest permission. Designer Matt Keightley recommends spot for a patio is at the end of installing a room at the end of a small plot so it doesn’t the garden, where it will also be dominate the space. ‘Choose a building that’s just large most overlooked. Here, we may enough for your needs, be that an office, gym or sitting use a large parasol that offers room, and paint it a dark colour or opt for a charred shade over a seating or dining timber finish, which will provide a greater sense of area while also masking views depth. Plant shrubs in front to blend it into the setting.’ into that area of the garden. I also use multi-stemmed or umbrella- 74 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M shaped trees close to seating.’ 7REFLECT THE SPACE Mirrors can reflect more light into a small space or fool the eye into thinking the garden extends beyond the boundaries. ‘You’ll need a mirror made from toughened glass that’s at least 5mm thick, mounted on a wall or sturdy surface,’ says designer Chris Harrington. ‘You can use a framed garden mirror as you would indoors, or disguise the edges with planting to trick the onlooker into thinking the reflection is an extension of the garden. Consider what you will see in the mirror, too, angling it to catch the best reflections.’

8INTEGRATE SEATING DESIGN & DECORATING Built-in benches make the most of tight spots where conventional seating won’t fit. Garden 9UNIFY THE BOUNDARIES designer Catherine Clancy recommends a cantilevered Boundaries in a small garden are often feature built into a raised bed or boundary wall. visible from the house, and their design ‘These stylish benches are fixed to a bespoke steel therefore requires careful consideration. Harry Holding frame that’s set into the wall during construction. recommends unifying the look with the same materials For a comfortable seat, it needs to be at least 400mm and colours throughout. ‘Choose durable materials that deep and you can include a bed of ferns and sedges will last, and if dressing them with climbing plants, beneath it soften the effect. A cheaper option is to make sure your structures are sturdy enough to take build a raised bed about 400-450mm high with their weight. A dark colour will make the boundaries wide coping on top that can be used as a bench.’ disappear into the background, helping a garden to look larger, while walls made from local stone can 10LIGHT Lighting subtly develop a sense of place in a more rural setting.’ THE WAY draws attention to Subtle lighting the textured walls H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M 75 and artwork transforms a small garden into a magical space after dark and extends your enjoyment from both inside and out. Designer Rosemary Coldstream suggests illuminating a few key features with one-watt LEDs. ‘Set warm white uplighters at the base of a tree, with the beam angled to illuminate the stems and leaves, or create a sparkling water feature with a submersible IP68 pond light. Just make sure your lights are timed to turn off after a few hours so that they don’t cause light pollution.’ &



& HOUSES THIS MONTH WE TRAVEL TO SINGAPORE AND HELSINKI VIA LONDON AND NEW YORK TO FIND BEAUTY IN HOMES THAT MAY HAVE MODEST PROPORTIONS BUT ARE MAGNIFICENT IN THEIR STYLE AND SUBSTANCE H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M 77

CULTURE CLUB A melting pot of ideas from near and far, this stunning Singapore apartment designed by Elizabeth Hay is an absolute treasure WORDS EMMA J PAGE PHOTOGRAPHY ALECIA NEO SITTING ROOM Simple built-in joinery allows books, artwork and ceramics to sing out in this space, where cane elements add a relaxed note. Armchairs in Olive Sacking, Guy Goodfellow Collection. Coffee table, Elizabeth Hay. Stools, TH Robsjohn-Gibbings. Sofa in Loom Weave, Kit Kemp for Christopher Farr Cloth 78 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M

HOUSES H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M 79

DINING AREA This space has an international sensibility with cane furniture typically found in Singapore, a Chinese vase turned into a lamp and a tiger artwork sourced in the UK. Dining chairs,TON. Clear lanterns, Rose Uniacke. Console, Elizabeth Hay 80 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M

HOUSES One outcome is guaranteed when accessing a storage closet. Once those changes were design involves a combination in place, Elizabeth set about adding informal layers. of cultural and geographical ‘We didn’t want the schemes to look overly influences: an unexpected, designed,’ she explains. ‘Instead, the emphasis was richly layered look. That’s certainly the case with on cosiness combined with a sense of fun.’ Playful the latest project by Elizabeth Hay – the renovation motifs can be seen throughout, from the built-in of a 15th-floor apartment in Singapore. bunk beds with a smart pink trim in the daughter’s room to the scaled-up chinoiserie wallpaper in the Her clients, a couple with a young daughter, brought powder room. Other details, such as fabric-backed their Malay-British and German backgrounds to the cabinets in the main bedroom and a generous pale drawing board, while Elizabeth – who trained under green bath, bring touches of grown-up glamour. Colefax and Fowler and later Veere Grenney, and set Meanwhile, the designer’s deft mix-and-match up her studio in Singapore over a decade ago – added approach abounds in the rich teal kitchen cabinetry her own international stamp. While a signature style juxtaposed with striking marble, the teak four-poster of classic English prints blended with global elements bed offset by relaxed cane furniture, and the easy softly underpins many of Elizabeth’s schemes, this placing of a classic lamp atop a bamboo console. ‘I couple desired a relaxed, layered aesthetic that guess that’s the essence of English design – it’s homely felt crisp and clean, but at the same time dynamic. and comfortable yet pulled together. It’s an aesthetic ‘To achieve this, I turned to textures, textiles and that’s not afraid to borrow from multiple cultures.’ a slightly more restrained colour palette than usual,’ The clients’ Anglo-Indian artefacts, including an says Elizabeth. It meant blending pared-back joinery expansive armoire in their bathroom, sit comfortably with botanical artwork, cane and bamboo with teak, in the rooms. The kitchen is now two-thirds bigger, and vivid wall murals with terracotta floors. and though space was taken from the sitting room But first, the bones had to be settled. Built in the ‘the relaxed, layered decoration makes it feel larger’. 1980s, the flat had high ceilings and relatively airy But the apartment’s biggest transformation has rooms, but its configuration catered to a time when been in the marriage of cultural references: lush kitchens were thought of as largely ‘back of house’. green fronds cascade down the kitchen table, while This was the least appealing room to the couple, who block-printed fabrics adorn the windows. A chair in disliked its lack of windows and diminutive layout. linen ticking sits on a dense Berber rug and encaustic ‘Reworking the kitchen was key to contemporising tiles blend seamlessly with a bone inlay vanity unit. this home,’ says Elizabeth, who enlarged its footprint This melting pot of ideas has resulted in a collection by carving space from the laundry room and sitting of welcoming rooms, perfectly suited to a growing room, adding arched, black metal-framed internal family with an international sensibility. & windows to channel in light. She also increased the ■ elizabethhaydesign.com size of the main bathroom and turned over a third bedroom to a study, with a hidden book-lined door “I TURNED TO TEXTURES, TEXTILES AND A MORE RESTRAINED COLOUR PALETTE THAN USUAL TO ACHIEVE A LAYERED AESTHETIC THAT FELT CRISP AND CLEAN YET DYNAMIC” H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M 81

KITCHEN DRESSER In the glazed cabinets, an artistically arranged collection of sculptural green and white ceramics creates a striking contrast with the densely veined marble surface below. Surface in Arabescato Corchia marble. Cabinetry in Dragon Feel, Dulux 82 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M

HOUSES KITCHEN Chequerboard flooring, framed artwork, brass highlights and a stunning table centrepiece bring enlivening notes to the newly enlarged space. Lucia triple pendant on rod, Hector Finch. Custom teak table, Elizabeth Hay H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M 83

HOUSES CLOAKROOM UTILITY ROOM HALL CONSOLE ENTRY HALL A scaled-up chinoiserie Although this space Sculptural shapes A softly patterned wallcovering and cane was reduced in size to are the key to this wallpaper and a furnishings bring a accommodate a larger eye-catching hallway generous archway Singaporean air to kitchen, it blends tableau, with its leading to the living this small space. function and style carefully edited room create a Exotic Chinoiserie Blue with plenty of natural trio of objects, welcoming feel. & White wallpaper, touches, an uplifting spiky foliage and Fez Print wallpaper Iksel. Fisher wall light in floral blind fabric and scalloped table edge. in Sea Foam, Guy antiqued brass, Jim a pulley laundry rack. Tall D-end table with Goodfellow Collection. Lawrence, is similar Blind in Moghul Poppy, scalloped frieze, Sibyl Peacock coir rug, Christopher Moore Colefax & John Fowler Sinclair Till 84 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M

STUDY Elizabeth incorporated the couple’s existing desk into this scheme and added oak-backed joinery for depth and texture. A concealed jib door leads to a small store room. For a similar mid-century desk, try 1stDibs H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M 85

HOUSES EN SUITE MAIN BEDROOM GIRL’S BEDROOM materials, textures Symmetry, curves, The bespoke teak bed AND EN SUITE and patterns comes soft textures and was inspired by an An elaborate mural together in Elizabeth’s calming tones conjure antique Anglo-Indian forms a painterly signature layered a serene feel. The version. ‘Leaving it backdrop and gives look. The soft green vanity was custom unadorned and pairing this bedroom a sense and coral tones tie made, while the room it with bamboo tables of fantasy. Ample in with the bathroom was enlarged to fit lends a relaxed feel.’ storage has been for a cohesive feel. a beloved armoire. Wall lined in Pavillion worked in, including D-Dream wallpaper, Belvedere mirrors, fabric in Sage, Veere a four-door wardrobe Iksel. Pink Pradena Vaughan. Vanity, Grenney. Bolster in and open shelving, tiles, Bert & May, Elizabeth Hay Jungle, Bennison Fabrics while the mix of are a match 86 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M

MEET THE DESIGNER Elizabeth Hay shares her style inspiration SMALL CHANGE, BIG IMPACT A coloured skirting board is a great way to add interest to a scheme in an understated way. I ADD INTEREST TO COMPACT SPACES BY… using wallpaper. For the tiny powder room, we chose an overscaled chinoiserie design by Iksel. YOUR STYLE IN THREE WORDS Layered, multinational, fresh. GO-TO DESIGN DETAIL Layering. DESIGN INSPIRATION Travel, colour and nature feed into all of my projects. OBJECTS ON YOUR COFFEE TABLE Kate Malone ceramics, a book by Cath Kidston and fresh flowers. THIS YEAR I’LL BE… working on projects in the US, Asia and Europe, plus launching a new metal enamel lamp base. GIRL’S BEDROOM Bunk beds with a smart pink trim have been built into this space, which also includes a desk area. ‘We designed a scheme that she can grow into,’ Elizabeth says. Chair in Bujosa, The Mews. Curtains in block-printed fabric, Namay Samay. Joinery, Elizabeth Hay H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M 87

88 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M

HOUSES LOIGFHBTENINEGSS The owners of a turn-of-the-century apartment in Helsinki have created schemes that are serene, atmospheric and full of quiet beauty WORDS JULIET BENNING PHOTOGRAPHY KRISTA KELTANEN SITTING ROOM Sheer cream-coloured curtains framing the elegant windows diffuse the daylight, giving it a warm filter. Curtains, Kvadrat. Walls in Light Blue,Farrow & Ball. Coffee table, Art N Deco World. Armchairs, Eichholtz. Artwork, Gabriella Le Blanc Art

LIVING AREA The units conceal plenty of storage with the marble top matching that of the kitchen opposite. Cabinetry in Pointing, Farrow & Ball. Worktop in Bianco Lasa marble, source at Imperial Marble & Granite Importers

HOUSES DINING SPACE A round table with modern curved chairs and a glass chandelier make an eye-catching focal point at the centre of the apartment. Table, Andreu World. Chairs, Studio Bañon. Chandelier, Studio Laurin H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M 91

KITCHEN A wide counter accommodates cabinetry on two sides. The oversized lamp provides sculptural interest, as does the extractor. Units, Premiumkök; source similar at deVOL; painted in Light Blue, Farrow & Ball. Pipistrello table lamp available at Made In Design

HOUSES A nnu Nykänen and her husband been white, to restore the original colour. We Stefan Söderström had little changed the kitchen and invested in a few new reason to move from their cabinets at the entrance and in the dining room.’ central Helsinki apartment but Annu was eager to avoid the ‘all-white’ look just two blocks away an extraordinary opportunity favoured in Scandinavian countries. ‘I visualise arose. ‘An apartment came up for sale on Bulevardi. It’s colours once I’m in the actual space and think of one of the best-known streets in Helsinki,’ says Annu, what would work best for it specifically. Typically, who runs interior design firm Lova Co Interiors. ‘It’s I avoid strong colours but here I wanted a subtle in the middle of the city yet only a few hundred metres scheme with different levels of depth, warmth and from the ocean. It also has a feeling of spaciousness, cosiness. For this I used a cream shade with some being 20 metres wide and tree-lined. At both ends contrast in the pale blue in the kitchen cabinets and are green spaces and the traffic isn’t heavy,’ she adds. living room. I’ve always preferred natural materials While their former apartment was satisfactory, like linen, stone, marble and wood, which retain Annu and Stefan, a partner in a global management their value long into the future.’ Annu opted for consultancy, craved move living space in a calm rounded shapes in several of her furnishings, setting away from the city noise. ‘There were several providing relief from the stricter forms of modernist things that really drew us in. The apartment is in a furniture. ‘The seasons contrast dramatically in beautiful old residential building dating back to Finland. In the summer, the sun sets only for a few 1905. The exterior is pale orange and the whole style hours so the apartment is constantly full of light. is decorative with arches and small statues. It’s During the winter the situation is flipped, so I light situated on the top floor overlooking the inner plenty of candles,’ Annu adds. garden making it very peaceful. It has 3-metre high At the heart of the home is the dining room from ceilings and windows on both the north and south which the other rooms lead off. This centre point sides. We loved the arch in the main space and the allows a strong flow and social connection between old fireplace was another feature that we fell for. It rooms rather like a hotel suite. The arrangement is just felt like us from the very beginning,’ Annu says. perfect for intimate, close living with minimal need Despite being in a good condition upon buying the for privacy. The sweeping arch, high ceilings and apartment, Annu quite naturally decided the move large windows lend a palatial and elegant grandeur. would be an opportune moment to flex her creative Sharing the apartment with their King Charles muscles. ‘It had been renovated a year previously. Spaniel, Maple, Annu and Stefan primarily use their Despite this, we decided to embark on a three-month home as a place of refuge and relaxation. ‘We do have renovation to make it more representative of our friends over but mainly it’s just for us three and own style yet retain the spirit of the building. We currently it’s our favourite place in the world.’ & added mouldings to all the ceilings and walls and ■ lovacointeriors.com redecorated. We also sanded the floors, which had “I LIKE TO COMBINE DIFFERENT FORMS AND MATERIALS BUT, ABOVE ALL, I ALWAYS WANT TO ACHIEVE A SENSE OF HARMONY” H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M 93

ENTRANCE HALL STUDY MEET THE OWNER/DESIGNER High-shine tiles rebound A rattan mobile pendant light from the living light fills the room with Annu Nykänen shares her style inspiration space. The monochrome shadow play after dark. It scheme is a chic nod to chimes with the rattan MOST SUCCESSFUL ASPECT OF the art-deco period. radiator covers used THE PROJECT Making the apartment feel like Walls in Shadow White, throughout the apartment. Farrow & Ball. Console Market Set pendant light, it truly reflected us. It was hard work but worth it. table, Tine K Home. Table available at Lights.co.uk. lamp, Ruth & Joanna. Walls in Shaded White, SECRET ADDRESS I love Studio Laurin for Penfold footstool, Farrow & Ball. Table, Gubi. Swoon, is similar Esko Pajamies chair, Lepo antique and vintage finds. It’s where we bought our lovely Murano chandelier for our dining area. GO-TO COLOUR Cream. SMALL CHANGE, BIG IMPACT Restoring the mouldings made a big impact. GREATEST INDULGENCE IN THE PROJECT Sanding the floors and bringing back the original wood. TIPS FOR FITTING EVERYTHING IN A SMALL KITCHEN Make the island deep enough for storage on both sides. You can also store crockery in a cabinet in the dining room. YOUR STYLE IN THREE WORDS Elegant, timeless, art deco. DESIGN HERO Christian Liaigre. His work is absolutely marvellous. 94 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M

HOUSES BEDROOM The mirrored panelling helps make the room appear larger. Side table, Slettvoll; source similar at Rockett St George. Oka’s Fyli table lamp is a good alternative. Curtains, Kvadrat. Headboard, Melimeli

ALL-STAR CAST Viola Lanari’s London flat is full of dramatic touches that include exquisite plaster pieces produced by her and wonderful eccentric finds WORDS EMMA J PAGE PHOTOGRAPHY HELENIO BARBETTA/LIVING INSIDE SITTING ROOM ‘I wanted to fill this space with warmth as it has a cold light, so I chose a card coloured paint,’ says Viola. Walls in Cardboard Box (SC556), Papers and Paints. Zigzag drinks table, Jermaine Gallacher. 1970s rug featuring Mah Jong players, The Saleroom 96 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M

HOUSES SITTING ROOM A defunct fireplace serves as the perfect spot for a montage of items, including a wall-mounted vintage mirrored lampshade. A plaster piece by Viola makes an impromptu frame for a monoprint by Jermaine Gallacher. Vintage iron chairs in Aqua20 printed linen, Viola Lanari H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M 97

DINING AREA ‘I experimented with two sofas in the sitting room but found a foldable dining table for better flexibility,’ says Viola. The bench fabric depicting autumnal fruits was a car-boot sale find. Flower wall light, Viola Lanari. Zigzag candle holder, Jermaine Gallacher 98 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M

HOUSES If you visit Viola Lanari’s southwest London depended on it’ once struggling onto a bus with a chair flat, it’s more than likely you’ll find something covered in German stamps from 1952 that she picked pressed into your palm as you leave. Full of up in Battersea. ‘It’s a very unexpected finish for such curios, plaster pieces, fabric swatches, pinned a utilitarian piece and I love that juxtaposition,’ she artwork and car-boot finds, items have a habit of says. ‘I like developing an archive of core pieces.’ finding their way to the right owner after a sojourn Plaster prototypes abound. The two flower lights here. ‘I enjoy gifting objects,’ says the designer, known secured with drawing pins to the living room window for her delicate plaster flower wall lights, sculptural pane are the first that Viola designed, after her career furniture and latterly, printed textiles. ‘A friend of mine changed course when she produced lamp bases for a recently left with a Victorian perfume bottle shaped like pop-up store. A console table, made in plaster and a ladies shoe. Nothing is intended to stay permanently.’ structurally supported by a chicken-wire base, has spawned further, more refined iterations for selling The Milan-born designer, who began her career in that are now finished in wax for gloss and longevity. the decorating departments of a clutch of British ‘These early pieces are works in progress and I like that interiors magazines, describes her two-bedroom I can see my mistakes in them,’ she says. ‘Over time, my Victorian flat as ‘a sketch book – designed to evolve.’ work has become more artistic and less craft-based.’ Discarded fabric remnants from shoots, gifts from Reflecting that evolution are Viola’s collaborations fellow designers, roadside treasures and antique with Porta Romana and Balineum, for whom she mirrors are loosely curated into appealing vignettes designs resin finished wall lights. ‘You have to be that are rotated frequently. ‘I like that British sense responsive to the material,’ she says of plaster. ‘You add of informality and eccentricity,’ says Viola. ‘Milan and set, add and set, in a process of trial and error.’ may be thought of as Europe’s design capital, but it An air of creative impermanence runs through these doesn’t yet have a strong upcycling culture. I’m drawn schemes, inspired by Viola’s time spent styling shoots. to the more loosened up approach to interiors here.’ Lately, she’s been drawn to interiors that allow That preference is evident in a series of unexpected breathing space around her designs, and is currently choices, from the dramatic mirrored vinyl walls and contemplating a move to a bigger flat. ‘That might be ceiling in the entrance hall (‘I love tricks of the eye a sign my style is growing up,’ she says. ‘My home will and playing with reflections’) to the emerald guest always be a testing ground, though. Creating vignettes bedroom or the living room doorway, adorned with from disparate pieces is endlessly fascinating.’ & painterly flourishes by stylist Maude Smith in a nod to ■ violanari.com the Bloomsbury Group. Surprisingly, Viola thinks not much of her Italian sensibility is evident here; rather, her family have long been influenced by English decorating. ‘One of my grandmothers had a shop in Milan selling British silverware; another used to come to the UK and go rummaging in antique markets,’ she says. ‘And my mother has always made lampshades.’ That love of treasure hunting became an imperative when Viola arrived in London 15 years ago. She frequented car-boot sales and markets ‘as if my life H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M 99

SITTING ROOM Viola made the plaster of Paris console table by hand, loosely inspired by Asian design. Above it hangs a vintage Japanese tapestry hand-painted on velvet with a devoré technique. Viola bought it in Zernez, Switzerland. Living room door artwork, Maude Smith 100 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M