Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2024 i Homes & Gardens

We’re calling our ode to Europe, dedicated to the beauty of continental style, The Grand Tour. After all, Europe is where we – and many creatives – look for inspiration, thanks to its rich history in art, architecture and design. It was during a recent stay in Florence that I was lucky enough to meet some of the local craftspeople, many of their businesses in their fourth, fifth or sixth generation, to discover age-old skills that are still used now. A Taste of Italy (page 38) is about online design destination Artemest, who promotes and celebrates these crafts; keeping them alive for years to come. A Life Less Ordinary (page 118), an uplifting house project in West Flanders, Belgium, by self-taught designer Jean-Philippe Demeyer, is a lesson in breaking the…

LUXURY, high-quality design is an intrinsic part of Italy’s heritage, deeply rooted in its DNA. To this day, Italian design is celebrated for its time-honoured craftsmanship and use of the very best materials. There’s often a buzz in Italy at this time of year, for it is when design enthusiasts flock to Milan for the annual Salone del Mobile exhibition to discover the very best from the design world. It’s a fair like no other; immerse yourself in the enormous exhibition halls, located west of the city centre, where you will be presented with both new and well-established brands and makers. Or sip on an Aperol spritz within the cobbled streets of the design districts, such as Brera, while unearthing an intriguing world of interiors that is hidden behind many…

ACERBIS A Striving to craft revolutionary furniture at the forefront of modernity since 1870, fourth generation-run family business Acerbis specialises in avant-garde storage pieces, many of which have been exhibited at museums including the V&A and the MoMA. Collaborating with trailblazing designers such as Vico Magistretti, Nanda Vigo, Gabriele and Oscar Buratti, and David Lopez Quincoces, the firm is also defined by its lacquer, producing a rainbow of brilliant shades in high gloss. acerbisdesign.com ALESSI ‘A true design work must move people, convey emotions, bring back memories, surprise, and go against common thinking,’ says Alessi president Alberto Alessi, summing up the firm’s unique outlook. Beginning as a workshop for processing metal sheets in 1921, it has since produced everyday objects that blend functionality with creativity, charm and surprise,…

THE CLASSICS When kept architecturally intact, 19th-century French houses often come with an abundance of decorative details. One option would be to embrace neutral hues and let the artistry within these details do the talking but, here, Paris-based designer Laura Gonzalez took the opposite direction, bringing in a mix of colourful prints and cultural influences, including from China, India and, of course, France to her country house near the town of Giverny. A pink and black marble floor and trompe-l’œil marble panels mark the entrance. They were found and repaired during the renovation. Above the door is a bas relief of a dog; it points to the country-house tradition of hanging animal heads as trophies. SUNSHINE STATE OF MIND Panelling and cornicing add texture and shadow which is handy when…

I call it the Hansel and Gretel house,’ says interior designer Ellen ten Hove, in reference to her latest project; a holiday home in Bergen, close to the Dutch coast. The property, built in 1918, certainly has a fairy-tale feel, although a very different one to the original, chocolate-box design that she, and business partner and interior architect, Timothy Luhukay, encountered on their first site visit. Back then, the exterior, although charming, featured garish mustard and scarlet-painted woodwork, while inside the scheme had been unchanged for more than 20 years and felt tired and old-fashioned. ‘The new owners, a young couple with three small children, wanted us to turn it into a cosy but modern family home, where multiple guests could gather, with enough space for them all to stay…

1 BLANKET APPROACH Take maximalist courage from Texan interior designer Michelle Nussbaumer’s kitchen, which is drenched in a patchwork of blue-and-white tiles inspired by the traditional Talavera tiles found in Mexican churches. These naturally crackle-glazed tiles are handmade in terracotta with each one boasting subtle variations and unique characteristics. ‘I love wallpaper, but it’s not practical in the kitchen, so instead I had a lot of fun with tiles and pottery,’ says Michelle. Cabinet curtain in Champa Nalin flax linen, £114 m; vintage Mexican blue Talavera pots, from £195 each, all Michelle Nussbaumer Design. For similar tiles, try Azul y Blanco Talavera, £36.95 for 50, Tumia Tiles. 2 NEW DIMENSIONS ‘Three-dimensional tiles are great because they combine colour, light and shadow and textural qualities in one material,’ enthuses George Bradley,…

SWEDISH SOJOURN Blending heritage with modernity, Cathy Nordström presents Karin’s Collection, a homage to the pioneering textile work of Karin Larsson, who, along with her husband, Carl, an eminent figure in Swedish art, is renowned for establishing the quintessential Swedish aesthetic. This collection, inspired by Karin’s life at her summer house, has fabrics from £175m and cushions from £168. Cathy’s hand-drawn designs – Karin’s Portiere (used here in the Sundborn colourway for the curtain), Karin’s Dress and Karin’s Rölakan – creatively reinterpret Karin’s style. SMALL WONDER The Drop-Leaf Table, £3,665, by Chelsea Textiles, echoes the ingenious 1956 design by Peter Hvidt and Olga Mølgaard-Nielsen and offers a unique blend of functionality and style. Joining the brand’s Mid-Century Modern range, the table is crafted from sustainably sourced teak with aged brass…

TWIST ON TRADITION Whether used for curtains, upholstery or even as decorative table linens, vibrant embroidered fabrics bring a tactile dimension to interiors. New from Manuel Canovas, Margaux pays homage to the traditional Suzani textiles created by the nomadic tribes of Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries. A joyful fusion of kaleidoscopic colour and decorative adornment, the fabric features a range of embroidery techniques – including flat satin stitch and crewelwork – to create enhanced depth and movement. Tablecloth in Margaux in Fuchsia, £150m, Manuel Canovas CURTAIN CALL Taking its name from the Samode Palace in Rajasthan, India, this fabric is a richly embroidered paisley floral. It is available in three colourways, plus there is a coordinating wallpaper. Why not double up for a maximalist look? Curtain in Samode F7893-01,…

OFTEN the first port of call for buyers both green and practised, auction houses are prime hunting ground for those seeking to add new treasures to their collections. Despite the fact most of us have already dipped a toe or two into the frenetic world of auctions, there still remains a certain mystique around how to get the most out of sale day. It all really starts with good research and preparation, according to William Summerfield, head of sale and specialist in modern British and 20th century art at Roseberys. ‘Most auction houses now have a significant online presence, and this provides a useful tool for the first-time auction-goer. You’ll be able to find easily accessible catalogues, and at Roseberys we also have an online calculator that helps in understanding…

We wanted to create a home that makes you feel like taking off your shoes,’ says Andrew Trotter of this 17th-century baroque building. Located in the Apulian town of Soleto in Italy, it had lain untouched for 20 years. Then Andrew, a self-confessed restoration addict, spotted it and decided to revive it, along with his long-time friend and associate Marcelo Martínez. With a background in magazine editing and interior design, British-born Andrew and Spanish-born Marcelo bring a uniquely European sensibility to their projects, born from an eye for seeing the beauty in everything. So when it came to restoring their own Italian escape, the key was to conceive schemes that looked as though they had always been there. ‘When we first saw the house, it seemed that time had stood…

CLEAN AIR Combining extraction with a high-performance air sanitisation system, the Mythos T-Shape Air Hub eliminates more than vapours and the lingering odour of food: it also effectively removes up to 99.99% of bacteria and viruses through a separate air stream and two dedicated UV-C lamps. Featuring three speeds plus an intensive setting, it costs £1,075, Franke. FRESH TASTE The QVac system is designed to keep food fresher for longer by vacuum sealing all kinds of ingredients and prepared dishes, as well as marinating meat, fish and vegetables and re-sealing bottles. Flush-mounted into the worktop or surface-mounted as you prefer, the system is supplied with smoked-glass vacuum boxes, which are freezer and dishwasher safe, bottle rings and seals, and three different sized vacuum bags for food. £394, Bora. SMART WASHING…

SORBETTO AL POMODORO (TOMATO SORBET) SERVES 6-8 600g large vine tomatoesJuice of 1 lemon200g caster sugar4 slices of red chilli, plus extra to garnish12 basil leaves ■ Place a clean, empty plastic container in the freezer (unless you have an ice cream machine). ■ Using a sharp knife, make a small cross-like incision on the base of each tomato, then plunge them in boiling water for about a minute to soften the skins. Drain and carefully peel away the skins. ■ Cut the tomatoes in half and remove the seeds with the help of a teaspoon, catching the juices in a small bowl under a sieve. Discard the seeds. ■ Place the tomatoes with their juice in a blender. Add the lemon juice, sugar, chilli slices and basil leaves and…

BOTANICAL CHEER The Botanica champagne coupe glasses, designed by Alessandra Baldereschi for Ichendorf Milano, available at Farfetch, combine exquisite craftsmanship with the beauty of nature. Priced at £141 for a set of six, each is hand-made and flame-worked, embodying meticulous attention to detail and artistry in its floral-stemmed design. CRAFT WORK Neatsmith is a family-run cabinet-making business specialising in designing, manufacturing and installing bespoke wardrobes, home offices and living spaces. Pictured is the Fluted Glass with Shadow Oak Bar, starting at £2,400lin m. Explore the offerings and take a closer look at the impressive craftsmanship at the newly opened Guildford showroom, the latest of six locations. POT TWISTS The Marseille-born interiors brand Honoré’s latest creation is the Torsade cache pot. Inspired by the intricate twists of wrought-iron furniture from the…

209 BENTWOOD ARMCHAIR, 1900 By Gebrüder Thonet (now Thonet) An evolution of the company’s earlier 214 chair, no. 209 is made from just six steam-bent solid wood parts, making it a masterpiece of engineering and enabling it to be produced economically at scale. Its curves have influenced countless designers, including Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier, who used it in several of his buildings and remarked that the chair ‘possesses nobility’. 1. RED AND BLUE CHAIR, 1918 By Gerrit Rietveld; manufactured by Cassina Red and Blue chair blurs the lines between art and furniture. A member of the Dutch De Stijl movement, Gerrit broke away from traditional design, creating a new style of construction with non-intersecting horizontal and vertical planes. 2. BIBENDUM CHAIR, 1926 By Eileen Gray; manufactured by Aram Wittily named…

ANYONE who knows me is aware of my love for Europe and its design influence. My love swells the second a trip is booked and ticket is in hand. Fantasies quickly emerge of old-school 50s and 60s air travel. You know when people dressed up in their best suits and dresses, all intent to arrive at their destination fresh-faced and looking runway ready? Well, times have changed, and most arrive these days in tracksuits and trainers. But the excitement of stepping off of a plane in Europe holds the very same cache for me. I quickly sign up for the thrill and excitement of discovering new places. Particularly those off the beaten path. The best are those discovered purely from wandering, from chatting with a stranger over coffee. I am…

WE always start with the architecture of a space. It’s important to start with a well-proportioned room, otherwise, whatever you put on display, the result is unlikely to be beautiful. There has to be harmony between the architecture and the interior design. ■ The objects that one chooses to surround oneself with in the home are very important. They can be something you bought just because you loved it, something that reminds you of something, or an object you were given. It doesn’t matter about the monetary value of the item; it’s how it looks and makes you feel. Our objects often have a deep psychology attached to them. ■ That being said, not everything has to have pride of place. We do sometimes deal with clients and have to…

Once the home of a French film star, this grand art deco villa with its striking pink facade in the south of France was the epitome of faded glory when bought by the present owners. They commissioned Cave Interiors, who had worked on their London project, to restore it to its previous splendour. ‘It was very much about renovating and bringing it back to what it would’ve been in its heyday,’ says Georgina Cave, the studio’s creative director and founder, who worked on the villa with her daughter Anouska and their team. ‘Most of the original features were missing so we reintroduced panelling and cornicing.’ They also opened up window arches and designed the new fanlights in the salon, introducing them over internal doors in other areas such as the…

GREEN DREAM Snap up the new colourway of the iconic Eos outdoors collection by Case this spring. The simple but lovely lightweight aluminium furniture designed by Matthew Hilton is now available in Brewer Green, exclusively at Heal’s. A versatile but interesting shade of mossy green designed with the help of the experts at Coat Paints, the colour is named after Cecil Brewer – architect of the flagship Heal’s shop and its renowned spiral staircase built in 1916. The pieces start at £200. AND RELAX… This lounger, priced at £1,200, will become your go-to spot for afternoon sunbathing in the warmer months. Handmade by artisans at Susie Watson Designs from sustainably sourced hardy teak wood, it’s ideal for the outdoors and will age gracefully. The curved arms give it a classical…

1 RIPPLE EFFECT Spanish designer Fernando Caruncho was ‘challenged to integrate the garden, architecture and landscape’ at his home-studio in Madrid. ‘The plan was very simple, perhaps even minimalist: two small cubes surrounded by a garden,’ he says. Fernando creates ‘a spatial continuum’ between the rectilinear forms of the buildings and a series of gravel circles, one with a small round water ‘fountain’ at its centre. Ripples radiate across the gravel as water is perceived beyond the boundaries of the pool. The perimeter planting, in the form of evergreen boxwood and shade–giving trees, is capable of withstanding inhospitably dry conditions. The design is powerful, uncluttered and emphatic – and water is central. 2 PEACE OF MIND Ingeniously simple, Alice Meacham’s garden design ‘creates a pause in a steeply-sloping garden, providing…

RICH LAYERS Lucy Hammond Giles’ signature design approach leads to a kitchen that’s warm and inviting Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler’s associate director is known for her comfortable, colourful, playful interiors, and her layering skills are legendary. ‘Kitchens are functional rooms with lots of hard and wipeable surfaces – it’s important to balance that with the softness of organic materials: wood on the floors and for tables and chairs,’ she says. ‘Rugs, curtains and blinds add a layer of warmth, both acoustically and in terms of pattern. And good lighting is crucial for atmosphere – wall lights are perfect and allow the touches of warm brass to glow.’ PARED-BACK & UNEXPECTED Angus Buchanan’s ideal kitchen balances durability and function with personality and fun With years of experience in high fashion,…

I HAVE always been drawn to artist Vilhelm Hammershøi’s minimal and theatrical work, which radiates a sense of peace thanks to his approach to space, colour, shadow and light. For years, he worked in a street called Strandgade in Christianshavn. I live just a few minutes’ walk from his former home and atelier. My own studio, housed in a former art museum, still retains its original skylights and wooden floorboards, and is a daily reminder of how history and modernity collide in this compact and creative city. ■ I love strolling along Strandgade with my dog, Lille, admiring its beautiful 18th-century houses and courtyards. From there, I often continue past the Opera House and enjoy the sparkle from the three magnificent light sculptures by contemporary artist Olafur Eliasson. ■ I…

1. I love the La Galerie Italienne in Paris because it has an amazing selection of artists, including Ugo Schildge, whose work I really admire. I appreciate the way he blends bodies and vegetation in his art. 2. I usually take my almond milk cappuccino to go from my favourite coffee shop, Noir Coffee. I am also addicted to the restaurant Noura’s Lebanese pastry. 3. I recently redecorated my office and used it as an opportunity to look at Pierre Frey’s new Soleil Levant collection. I also personalised my chair with the Threshold printed linen in Carbon from Schumacher. 4. My favourite dress is a vintage black Dior evening dress, bought by my mother and something I will keep forever. For day-to-day life, I love Pierre-Louis Mascia’s kimonos, Forte Forte’s…