Innholdsfortegnelse for January 2023 i Living Etc

Editor @pip.rich If I was to characterise 2022 in one word – and I was in a good mood – I’d say ‘innovative’. Every designer I’ve spoken to, every big brand we’ve met has had new ideas for making our homes places that work better, look better and – crucially – make us feel better. From paint expert Cassandra Ellis’s embrace of reddish browns to create rooms that give us a hug to Noa Santos’s approach to imbuing every corner with the sensibility of a spa (find out how on page 36), the decor envelope is being pushed further and faster than ever before. From what we’ve seen so far, this pace looks set to quicken in 2023. My mind was gently blown by contributing editor Keith Flanagan’s report on…

1. IN THE ROUND This is a timeless piece made from oak burl that has a wonderfully handy storage space in the centre, meaning it could double up as a secret mini bar as well. Ary coffee table, price on request, Emmanuelle Simon 2. BRANCHING OUT The whimsical creatures sitting on branches are all moulded in clay before being cast in bronze. I know I’d end up hanging my necklaces off the stems to give the piece a personalised touch. Midwinter table lamp, £5,460, Laura Carlin at The New Craftsmen 3. CENTREPIECE These candles, handcrafted in Mexico, have a wide base so they can stand alone, giving a contemporary finish. Paleta candles, £38 for two, NILE at The Conran Shop 4. SEEING GREEN Malachite is my colour of the month…

it’s safe to say that a few cocktails are shaken and stirred at this glamorous west London apartment come New Year’s Eve. With its fumed-oak finish, brass detailing and velvet-lined deep drawers, the bar in the living room is a natural focal point, eclipsed only by a bird’s eye view of the city from two generous terraces. Landmarks including the BT Tower, the London Eye and The Shard are lit up by the city’s fireworks and, unsurprisingly, the apartment’s owner likes to plan a party with a swing as the clock chimes midnight. ‘Yes, this place definitely knows how to be a party pad but, actually, its South African owner is also a family man with three grown-up children,’ explains Michelle Sweeney, the design eye behind the flat’s recent renovation.…

in my job, you always need to experiment to surprise,’ says fashion designer Silvia Mazzoli, who, alongside her husband Gianni Guastella, runs Ottod’Ame, an eclectic and contemporary clothing brand. She’s a woman of her word judging by the unlikely interior the couple have created in their apartment in the heart of Florence’s historic Santa Croce district. ‘Gianni and I were living in the hills outside the city but had always dreamt of having a home in the old centre,’ says Silvia. ‘Then, a few years ago, a chance to make the move presented itself and we took it with both hands.’For a once-pristine building designed in the 15th century by distinguished architect Bernardo Rossellino, Palazzo Spinelli presented very differently when Silvia and Gianni first viewed it. Dormant and decaying, with…

COFFEE TALK Coffee aficionados, this one’s for you: you can now get barista-grade brews at home with La Pavoni’s range of semi-professional coffee machines. The Cellini Classic, Cellini Evoluzione and Botticelli Speciality machines combine timeless style with the brand’s expertise and attention to detail. This is an investment you’ll be grateful for every morning. FORM & FUNCTION You’ll know Caesarstone for its quartz surfaces, but the brand is branching out with a new range of porcelain worktops. Made from ceramic clays and minerals, porcelain is beautiful as well as functional – and chief designer Mor Krisher was keen to embrace its materiality and texture: ‘We wanted the feeling to be natural above all,’ says Mor. Heat-and UV-resistant and easy to clean, there are more than 20 design options to choose…

Since founding her eponymous design studio, Theresa Obermoser has become renowned for her stylish, social interiors, aided in no small part by her award-winning work in the hospitality business. Here, she shares some professional insights. Lighting is super important. It’s one of the most powerful elements in an interior design. We ensure we layer the lighting in every room, from ceiling and wall to floor and table. By doing this you can play around with different combinations to create the right mood for a particular event. Dimmers are a must. And remember: the right lighting can make your guests look like Hollywood stars. Arrange furniture in groupings that allow your guests to either sit or stand in a circle facing each other. Then add in some interactive accessories – think…

1 SERVED IN STYLE In a London home, Yellow Cloud Studio reimagined the kitchen serving hatch with a timber volume inserted between the cabinetry and adjacent dining room. ‘It achieves a level of separation between each space, while acting as a storage and display unit, and hiding the structural and mechanical elements of the building.’ Eleni Soussoni and Romanos Tsomos, directors, Yellow Cloud Studio 4HAPPY RETURNS 2 TWO IN ONE In creating an extra bedroom in a small side extension, the architects realised they could make the space feel larger with a bifolding wall opening that can be left open when the room is not in use. ‘It creates a flexible space that can be used as both a home office or a third bedroom. By itself, it provided little…

PICTURE PERFECT It’s no good designing an ordinary home when the world outside your window is as idyllic as this. Protecting the unrivalled beauty of the landscape was paramount to the planning of Villa Grieg, a project by Saunders Architecture. Set among the trees, overlooking Lake Nordås in Bergen, Norway, the site offered an opportunity to design a truly modern building that preserves the natural character of its surroundings. There’s little in the way of artificial landscaping; the house floats on metal stilts, except for a music studio tucked away under a sculptural, sloping roof at a lower level. A large ribbon window stretches along the length of the build, enhancing the views over the lake and its collection of small islands. An exterior clad in Kebony wood tempers the…

What, you ask, is the decor mood for next year? Based on all the trends, colours and materials and shapes and ideas we’ve seen, every designer just wants you to have a good time – to be able to curl up in your home with your favourite people but to feel smart while doing so. From the glamour of Gwyneth Paltrow’s marble bar to designer Noa Santos’s decree on page 36 that every room should feel like a spa, the home is set to be where the party’s at. Poliform’s new Brera sofa sums this mood up nicely – an arching curve that lets you lean back while drawing you and your guests together by its crescent shape.…

The trend for decorating with green is going nowhere in 2023. If anything, it’s only growing, as verdant as a well-kept lawn. The latest palette to catch the eye is olive with an uplifting sage green, seen in the marbling of tables at Porada, in the patterned fabrics of Casamance and now in the new set of colours at Livingetc Style Award-winning eco paint brand Graphenstone. There’s a softness to the shades that catches the light in the most wonderful ways, shimmering like leaves in the sunshine during the spring that’s on its way.…

The metaverse, so far, has largely sat in my consciousness alongside cryptocurrency and NFTs. It’s something that I know is happening in the background and that many people are incredibly passionate about, but if you were to ask me what it’s really about, I couldn’t tell you. However, recently my ears have pricked up at mentions of the metaverse in design circles. While Mark Zuckerberg’s recent reveal of his avatar that looked like 10-year-old computer game graphics didn’t convince me that the metaverse was something that demanded any of my attention, hyper-realistic images of ethereal, other-worldly architecture and interiors being ‘built’ for virtual worlds has highlighted that this is fast becoming a platform for a new and invigorating exploration of design. However, with no plans to inhabit a virtual world…

New York-based designer Noa Santos is the founder of international studio NAINOA. His emphasis is on creating homes that feel luxurious yet relaxing and using a blend of opulent materials with more affordable decor. PIP RICH I’m very excited by how many times I spotted the phrase ‘Coming Soon’ on the projects section of your website next to teaser images, as I always get so inspired by your work. W hat moods and materials can we expect to see next? NOA SANTOS Thank you! There’s a huge trend post-Covid for homes that also function as retreats – and our work has a spa-like quality to it I think. We use lots of natural stones and plasters, unintentionally developing this style that seems to resonate with people wanting a place they…

BROOK PERDIGON TEXTILES At Brook Perdigon Textiles the creative pot is always stirring. Designers paint sketches, hand-carve blocks or hand-cut stencils before transferring each pattern into an original fabric design. The studio regularly collaborates with local artists and printers, and each collection that emerges tells a fascinating story of shared cultures, thoughts and ideas. The latest offering – Indos Field wallcoverings and fabrics sheds light on the Indonesian archipelago, where traditional textiles represent the islands, people and cultures of the region. Each product is inspired by esoteric Indonesian patterns and ancient Greek designs, resulting in charming, organic shapes. Now, allow your walls to do all the talking.…

WILD FOR WOOD Hardwood flooring gives a luxurious and timeless finish, while also being durable, warm, stylish and water-resistant. However, it’s not waterproof and should be maintained with a proper finish to avoid moisture damage. Think about the lightness of finish and the pattern you wish to lay it in, from herringbone to diagonal. Reclaimed, recycled and environmentally sustainable choices are popular for hardwood flooring. Design, Fisher & Paykel and Bert & May. PERFECT PORCELAIN ‘Porcelain is undoubtedly the most practical floor option for kitchens – designed to be stain-and water-resistant, once laid it will simply need a hoover and a mop,’ says Rob Whitaker, creative and product director of Claybrook. ‘As many of us opt for a kitchen and dining zone in one, the floor area requiring coverage has…

OLD MEETS NEW Redhill Barn is part of an effort to regenerate the site of a former threshing barn and cow byre, built in 1810 in Devon. TYPE was enlisted to transform it into a family home, preserving its character by designing around the original structure. ‘The project reflects our holistic approach, which includes working with the landscape, building, interiors and furniture design, and all the details, from how individual stones are placed to the shape of the door handles,’ says Tom Powell, director at TYPE. REGENERATED DESIGN Situated on a former farmland site in Balwyn, in Victoria, Australia, Kenny Street House is a reimagining of its predecessor’s agricultural origins by Anthony Chan of Chan Architecture. Internally, the new structure features a double-height social space for the family of four;…

How would you like to live in a house with no utility bills? Right about now that probably sounds good – especially given how volatile energy prices have become. That’s why homes that don’t rely on the grid for their energy demands are becoming big business at the moment – and are a focus for housebuilders and architects alike. While sustainable, green builds have long been the marketing tool of choice, in a recession we can see the idea of ‘no-bills’ living taking precedence. Fortunately for our ever-beleaguered planet, they are usually one and the same. Last year, housebuilder Ilke Homes announced that it was teaming up with Octopus Energy to build the UK’s first homes that promise zero energy bills for their residents. The modular housing company aims to…

Passalacqua, Lake Como, Italy IN A SENTENCE A historic private villa that has been transformed by famous Como hoteliers the De Santis family into a one-in-a-million hotel, the little sister to the nearby Hotel Grand Tremezzo. DESIGN DOWNLOAD With an attention to detail that’s staggering, the well-crafted interiors are the right side of ostentatious. The terrace is the hotel’s honey pot, with its original greenhouse and JJ Martin parasols. IN THE GROUNDS You can lose hours discovering the acres of manicured terraces, featuring olive groves, cedar trees, mimosa, jasmine and more. HISTORY LESSON The story is ancient and full of romance. Today’s incarnation was built in 1787 and restored for a mere €20m, and in a mere three and a half years (the family bought the hotel in 2018). LITTLE…

ROUND THE BEND Playful and polished, flexible and finessed, the Cirkus chandelier by AGO makes a striking statement with its varied palette and curvaceous silhouette. Finding the perfect balance between beauty and function, the Korean lighting brand also offers a wall and track rail lamp in the same collection. The U-shaped modules can be moved in different directions. CENTRE STAGE A theatrical spectacle and a shimmering feast for the eyes, the Silo Atelier chandelier by Lambert & Fils commands attention in any space. While referencing the archetype of a traditional chandelier, this design presents a magnificent alternative. It is composed of a mix of 12 existing and custom Silo models by the Canadian lighting atelier, comprising 30 light sources in total. Shown here in the Glossy Oxblood finish, it can…

Bontempi Casa is a keystone of contemporary Italian furniture design, with its instantly recognisable pieces – like the Artistico dining table and the Kuga chair – appearing in beautiful homes around the world. We spoke to managing director Michele Bontempi about what good design means – and what’s next for the brand. Why do you think good design is so important? A good design lasts over time, can overcome fashions, adds value to the product and enhances its aesthetics and structure. Good design is also crucial to being competitive in the market. What is at the forefront of your mind when you design a new piece? Beauty, functionality, durability. For our projects, we look for solutions that guarantee efficiency but are also pleasing to the eye. We want our furnishings…

fanny Rossi and her family first fell in love with the charming French ski resort of Megève six years ago. ‘The children were amazed by the horse-drawn carriages and the magical Christmas lights,’ she says. ‘The resort is very family-friendly and festive; although, actually, it is just as pleasant to visit in the summer as it is during winter.’ Their fondness for the village prompted them to buy their own place there. Located in a listed building, this apartment, with its beautiful volumes and magnificent views over mountains, was perfect. ‘I could immediately see myself here,’ says Fanny. It had been renovated 18 years previously, although she felt it had not been ‘at all optimised – there was lots of unused attic space.’ For her revamp, Fanny teamed up with…

ever since Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen and his wife Christine bought this house in a small fishing village north of Copenhagen, it has become a magnet for festive celebrations. ‘With its old-world charm, big fireplaces and ornamental mouldings, the house is the perfect backdrop for creating a traditional Christmas atmosphere,’ says Jonas. It was these details that drew the couple in – surprising even to them, given Jonas is one of the design world’s key proponents of contemporary minimalism in his roles as founder of Norm Architects and design director of Danish homes brand Menu. ‘This house just had something I can’t really describe. At first I found it rather ugly from the outside and the inside was more than worn, but it had an abandoned beauty that we both thought wasextremelypoetic,’…

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GALVIN BROTHERS Choosing a sideboard is about form and function – what else will it relate to in the space and what purpose does it need to serve? The material is also key – as a large piece, it has to work well with what else is there. We have used pieces by the Galvin Brothers, who are Yorkshire-based makers, on a number of projects. They create quality furniture with simple forms and an eye for detail – and the designs look great in both town and country settings. We’re big fans! PINCH DESIGN I love the beautifully made furniture by the husband and wife founders of Pinch. I’ve used this sideboard (above) on a number of projects. Pinch is also very flexible when it comes to bespoke items –…

TIMELESS DESIGN Danish design company Bolia delivers refined Scandinavian style in spades, and the new sofas in its AW22 collection – Veneda, Caro and Malin – are no exception. All three styles are timeless and sophisticated, but we’re particularly taken by Veneda, which takes inspiration from contemporary English design. The result: a sleek, elegant piece with strong modern lines and a minimalist finish that will add sophistication to any scheme. Veneda sofa, price on request, Bolia GLOW UP Artist and designer Luke Edward Hall has done it again: his second capsule collection of candles with designer porcelain brand Ginori 1735 has flown right to the top of our wish list. For each of the five scents – which are inspired by Luke’s favouritedestinations – there are matching accessories, including plates…

For those with their ear to the ground, you’ve surely heard the chatter about conversational seating – layouts that bring us closer, if not face to face, are all the rage as we distance ourselves from the Zoom era. But there may be no architectural feature more on the nose than the conversation pit. Otherwise known as sunken living rooms, conversation pits were a hallmark of mid-century modern interiors in the United States when entertaining at home was at an all-time high. Often located within a living room, they were built below the floor, a few steps down, and lined with built-in seating. Today’s architects and designers embrace the feature for many of the same reasons conversation pits were popular in the first place: they bring a cosy dynamic with…

Fitted storage is a practical solution for often awkward spaces, from custom-fit wardrobes in the eaves of a loft to kitchen cabinetry that makes the most of nooks and crannies. Its sole purpose is to be nifty, nimble and bespoke, so while you might not have given much thought to handles, the hardware you choose should be an equally measured consideration. ‘Think of your cabinet hardware like jewellery,’ says Xander Shreenan of Dowsing & Reynolds. Whether it’s a glimmer of gold on a closet bar or a bronze edge pull for ease of use, we’ve run through the differences out there to inspire your fitted storage solutions. Cabinet hardware for compact fitted storage should be a little smaller than door hardware. ‘It’s one of those pieces of detail that really does…