Innholdsfortegnelse for October 2024 i Living Etc

Admittedly I’m writing this in the dog days of August, but the first notes of crispness are crackling in the morning air, hinting at an autumn that, by the time you read this, will be well underway. And with it always comes a chance to reset, to put into practice any new intentions made over the summer, and to start, push through and finish any projects well before Christmas puts everything big on hold. This season will be embodied by smartness – a little flick like the upturn of a trench coat collar that gives some extra finesse. This smartness is in the more formal approach to dining that we saw in Milan earlier this year (full report on the trends from Italy on page 22) and it’s in the…

draga Obradovic and Aurel K Basedow have been busy. The design duo behind Draga & Aurel have made a name for themselves with their bold and ethereal resin pieces, and have collaborated with some big brands in the interiors world. We spoke to the pair to find out more. How would you describe what you do? We’re artists, designers and artisans: we experiment a lot in our atelier in Como, getting our hands dirty with materials and colours. We strive to always surprise, never to be banal. Our work focuses on the concept of transparency, and our material of choice is epoxy resin, a fluid substance that gives us the widest freedom concerning colours. More recently, our research journey has brought us to Lucite, an acrylic resin that we’ve explored…

After living in a one-bedroom apartment in the quaint city of Hoboken, New Jersey — situated on the Hudson River across from New York City — for several years, Maggie and Ryan were on the hunt for a place with more space to grow their family. They had considered moving to the suburbs but were never really convinced. ‘We liked having a place to escape the tall buildings of the city, but not so far out that our commute was consuming,’ says Maggie. ‘We would often walk around Hoboken remarking on the beautiful brownstones. One day during lockdown, we passed a fully renovated home for sale. Out of curiosity, we looked it up and although it was out of our price range, we couldn’t believe how much lower prices were…

my favourite part of designing a home is the styling and accessorising,’ says Ryan Saghian. ‘It’s adding those finishing touches that make it personal and inviting.’ Ryan is a rising star in the world of Los Angeles interior design and, at the age of only 32, has a roster of celebrity clients – most of whom he can’t name, but including people such as Paris Hilton and Matt Sorum of Guns N’ Roses. ‘My age has been a bit of a hindrance in the past,’ says Ryan, ‘but in this case it was a positive because the sports star owner of this house is only 28 and we speak the same lingo.’ Ryan had worked on the home of the star’s agent and she introduced them. The owners – he…

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1 NEW LEAF Harvest, a textile and wallpaper collection by Zak+Fox, ricocheted throughout the interiors industry last season, and not only because of its pitch-perfect patterns – its story happened to strike a chord. The studio’s founder created the collection after experiencing heartache, including the loss of his beloved Shiba Inu; the result was a relatable series inspired by change itself. And now the collection is experiencing new growth with a fresh batch of nine more nostalgic and nature-inspired wallpapers. The Manzana design, pictured here, with branches of crisp apples (some whole, some bitten) is a clever way to incorporate age-old stripes (with a touch more flavour). 2 SOLID GROUND One NYC rug company I’ve long admired is Cold Picnic, owned by partners Phoebe Sung and Peter Buer, who first…

Picture a regular window and you’re bound to think of a rectangle. But sometimes the right window for your space doesn’t require any right angles at all: porthole windows have come full circle as a means for whimsical and shapely facades, and the architectural feature is even popping up across interior walls. ‘I think round windows are a trend as there is a boom in curved and organic shapes in both architecture and interior design,’ says Antonio Mora of Madrid’s Studio Noju, noting that the motif is not new but has returned in great force. Traditionally installed on ships, portholes are compact, bringing light and air into cabins without weakening the vessel’s structure. Over the years, especially in art deco and mid-century architecture, their circular forms were introduced at home…

GET AWAY FROM IT ALL Overlooking the main harbour of the idyllic Eilean Shona island located just off the west coast of Scotland is The Sail Loft – a charming cottage which is part of a luxury wilderness retreat by ‘accidental hotelier’ Vanessa Branson. The cottage has all the cosy amenities you’d want from an autumn getaway – think Nordic sauna, copper roll-top bath and wood-burning stove, as well as a balcony to admire the views of Castle Tioram. Plus, if you’ve been keen to try out a Hästens bed, the main sleep space is kitted out with the Swedish brand’s high-end Drēmər model – and having tested out quite a lot of these beds, we can say with confidence that you’re in for an incredible night’s sleep.…

RICH STORYTELLING Amelia Dennigan has such a gift. For her brand, Acru, she embroiders cushions and wall hangings, each thread a different colour, combining for an overall magical effect. The shapes she creates, the light she harnesses and the narrative she tells all come together to give her work so much depth. Her approach is reminiscent of the surrealist greats such as Dali and Magritte. As with their art, you find unexpected objects placed together – in Amelia’s pieces there will be vases with fruit, monkeys on rugs, snakes being chased through the clouds by swans – and her highly creative mind shines in every stitch. I’m collaborating with her to upholster a chair for one of my clients – it’s clear already that it will become a piece of…

Our brief was to design a conceptual kitchen for a family who were keen to be daring with their design. The project was a collaboration with laminate specialists Laminex, so naturally it features many of their surfaces. Neutrals are used a lot when we think of laminates and this was an exciting opportunity to use other colours and textures – and to try colour combinations that we wouldn’t normally use. The kitchen is the heart of the home, and we were keen to push this idea with sculptural elements and a series of free-standing joinery pieces, so this feels like an extension of the living room. Laminate has an amazing ability to curve, so we explored and pushed this idea to create many curved sculptural forms within the design. The…

1. HIDDEN ASSET Surface is a new concept in kitchen wall extraction that’s designed to blend into the background, while doing a superior job of syphoning away steam and cooking odours. Clad in your material of choice, to match the worktops or merge with the splashback, Surface becomes virtually invisible. Unwanted cooking smells are subtly channelled away through a slot in the wall and all functions are managed simply by tapping the touch controls or via a remote control. From £2,000, Falmec. 2. TOP GUN A tap that delivers boiling water alongside regular hot and cold should be a given when choosing your next kitchen, but in which finish? The word on the street is loud and clear: gunmetal is trending, and leading boiling tap brand Quooker is hot on…

As part of the renovation of this north London home, we completely reconfigured the first floor, opening up a small bedroom and bathroom at the rear of the house to create one generously proportioned en suite to the principal bedroom. The same parquet flooring runs throughout to create a sense of flow. Bathrooms can feel cold and stark, whereas they should be warm, cosseting and nurturing spaces, something my clients feel keenly. Here they wanted a grown-up, beautiful room, which felt more like a living space than a typical bathroom, so it made sense to think in terms of antique pieces and colour to inject personality. We chose Solstice by Atelier Ellis to paint the walls, as it is a soft, warm and faded pink that creates a cosy feel…

ALL HAIL THE STUDIO CHAIR If you haven’t already bought into the design sensation that is the Studio chair, get ready – the newest iteration of the collection by Buchanan Studio is out and it’s extremely persuasive. It sees the iconic striped and shapely chair joined by a series of new finishes, including Cowhide, Zebra and Teddy, as well as the debut of the Studio footstool – so you can double the comfort levels of this cosy set-up. Sharp yet informal, sophisticated yet playful, this is the series that delivers on balance – and a whole lot of fun.…

PIP RICH Irene, I’m always inspired by your very thoughtful approach to design. What is informing your decor decisions at the moment? IRENE GUNTER I’ve been thinking a lot over the past few months about what makes people feel at home, and how I can harness that sense to create better spaces. What I’m finding to be more interesting than aesthetics, and asking people what colours they like visually, for example, is to ask them lots of other weird and wonderful questions instead. Things like what time they wake up, what they do the moment they wake up, what they do when they come home – if they need a space to dump their things while they say hello to kids or pets or grab a drink. It helps me…

when I first saw this lovely space, it already contained several moments of joy, from architectural details to the way the light streamed through the living room windows,’ says interior designer Anna Møller. ‘My job was to enhance them. It was all about creating rich, cosy spaces that expressed a tension between graphic lines and soft, sinuous curves.’ Anna’s clients, a family of four, already lived in the 1930s building and jumped at the chance to upgrade to a home with a more generous footprint. ‘We wanted a space where we could all eat together, a separate TV room for laid-back movie watching and two bathrooms so as to avoid traffic jams in the mornings,’ says the wife, a fashion designer. ‘We knew we could do something clever by rationalising…

thoughts of the Great American coastline are evocative of so many things (especially for those who don’t live in the States): palm trees, golden sands, Barbie-fied rollerskaters in Day-Glo Lycra. Or, if you’re Molly Kidd, chief creative and principal designer of the Pacific Northwest-based studio Light and Dwell, an earthier palette comes to mind. ‘If you drive through the mountains or along the coastlines up here, everything is moody in its tone,’ she says. ‘Even the sand is brown. And it all feels more grounded than you’ll get on the southwest coast – more relaxing, in a way. Those colours tend to translate into the homes and the projects we do.’ No neater summation will you find of the kind of work Light and Dwell produces. Its palettes are based…

FRINGE BENEFITS As we head into autumn, we turn away from the breezy nature of summer textiles – all slubby linen, gentle cottons and light neutrals – towards something a little heavier, richer, perhaps darker. We’ve had this image from Manuel Canovas’s 2024 collection pinned to our mood board since we spotted it earlier this year because it encompasses everything we want from this season in our homes: comfort, cosiness, but with a playful edge. Take cues from this fanciful fringing and find ways to add new layers of texture to your cosiest rooms. Just because the nights are drawing in doesn’t mean we can’t still find joy in design, after all.…

TAKE A SEAT One of the best things to come out of this June’s 3daysofdesign in Copenhagen, in our opinion, was Danish design company Fritz Hansen’s new Monolit chair. The key to any good dinner party is to keep the guests seated long after the food is polished off – and that won’t happen without some supremely comfortable dining chairs. These rounded, cushioned and upholstered ones feel loungey but sophisticated, enveloping but uninhibiting, and the monolithic shape taps into the trend for ultra simple forms – and comfort came first in the design, too, with a taller-than-usual seat height and small cut-outs to make movement freer and easier. You’ll be eating, chatting and game-playing long into the evening with these.…

NEW HUES Earlier this year, Atelier Ellis reformulated its true matt emulsion to a bio-based formula – an exciting step for an independent paint brand already leading the way in breathable and low-VOC products. Suitable for lime and gypsum plaster, washable and safe for all rooms – including kitchens and bathrooms – it’s a must-buy for eco-and safety-conscious decorators. True matt emulsion, £60 for 2.5ltr FEET UP We’re seeing a move towards a smart, sophisticated and ‘tailored’ mood in interiors – think rich woods, indulgently dark hues and smooth lines. Galvin Brothers has the look covered with its new pieces, including this footstool, made from stained ash with brass splines and a suede cushion. Spline footstool, £1,950, Galvin Brothers COOL DOWN Tap into the still-strong trend for cool metals with…

DOUBLE DUTY Tasked with creating a garden pavilion that could provide shelter and the occasional overnight stay without being closed off to the outdoors, Prague architectural studio Byró Architekti dreamed up a folding panel that opens one side of the building to the elements. Converting from cosy cabin to sun shelter, it’s a structure for all weathers and multiple purposes – and finished with a Shou Sugi Ban cladding technique that complements original wooden cottages nearby, it feels perfectly at home in this lush green space. IDEAS FACTORY Proof that even a simple structure can embrace interesting architectural forms, the studio of Peckham-based architectural practice ByOthers is something of an experimental project. It’s the testing site for many of the firm’s ideas – concrete-free construction (the structure has a lightweight…

a global outlook SOFA STUDY Following its preview at 3daysofdesign, Vitra’s new Anagram sofa system by Panter&Tourron will be on display at the company’s showroom, Tramshed, in an installation titled A Landscape of Anagram. While offering visitors a moment of respite, the presentation will allow guests to get to know Anagram – a sofa that can be reconfigured time and again, adapting with the user’s needs. Grounded on circular principles, it pays homage to the future-focused vision of the Swiss design duo and Vitra’s timeless creativity. 16-21 Sept, Tramshed, 32 Rivington St, EC2A; vitra.com ARTISANAL CRAFT Following the opening of its first UK showroom, Jaipur Rugs will be displaying new designs from its Manchaha initiative, a project enabling its artisans to weave without specific designs and therefore allowing them to…

Asymmetric edge Thin on the working side and thick at the bar area, this asymmetric waterfall worktop disrupts our sense of balance – in a good way. It draws the eye to specific areas, creating focal points and enhancing overall flow and energy. Cesar Maxima 2.2 kitchen, from £50,000, Espresso Design. Project by Bolero Estudio. CRAFT REVIVAL Rupert Bevan’s Needlepoint Henri bar stool has been designed in collaboration with Henri Fitzwilliam-Lay. It was inspired by Josef Albers’ Homage to the Square paintings. The cushions are by needlepoint specialists Hunt & Hope made from English Appletons wool, while the steel frame is handcrafted in Shropshire. Available in four colours: blue, red, yellow or green. £3,100. DREAM TEAM Bert & May x Henry Holland Studio Pour Collection is the hot new tile drop…

One of my favourite clients to date, the owner of this ground-floor flat in Highgate is a remarkable woman. Recently widowed in her early 60s, the move was a major downsizing project. She wanted to preserve some of the grandeur and precious memories from her old family home, but keep it fun and playful. Her children and grandchildren often visit, so it had to cater for at least 12. Above all, she did not want an ‘old lady’ kitchen! We began by pushing out at the side and back to create a bigger footprint. With no other reception rooms, the kitchen had to cover relaxing and dining, which inspired the idea of a kitchen that doesn’t feel like a kitchen at all. The island is styled as a beautiful piece…

ANNIVERSARY EDITION The boundary-pushing Starck Barrel vanity and basin has been reinterpreted to celebrate its 30th anniversary. Using patented C-bonded technology, the basin is fixed to the vanity almost seamlessly, so the material thickness of the ceramic sink is hidden and visually reduced to a precise rim. Available in a wide choice of ceramic colours and furniture lacquers. Shown in Graphite Satin Matt, £4,365, Duravit. New classics Interior designer Steven Gambrel has collaborated with Drummonds to create the Colvin collection of timeless storage and accessories, available in a choice of nine finishes. ‘I’ve always loved hardware,’ he says. ‘I see it like jewellery.’ Colvin mirror, £7,458, and single shelf, £3,144. For more on Steven’s approach to design, turn to page 15. Curve appeal Matki’s new EauZone Dome wet room panel features…

This en suite was part of a project in a Georgian house in north London. We knew the clients loved colour and were prepared to be adventurous, so it made sense to embrace interesting hues from the outset. In bathroom design, we tend to choose one element that is going to be the feature of the room: here the swirling multicoloured wall tiles create that striking element. We spotted the tiles by Portuguese company Mambo Factory at a trade fair, being used there on furniture, but we persuaded them to supply some for this room. Their psychedelic design is strong, but they also have a certain warmth and harmony, which works incredibly well in creating a cocooning effect here. Some of the curved lines of glaze are raised, which adds…

1. CIRCULAR ECONOMY Leading bathroom manufacturer VitrA has created a 100% recycled ceramic washbasin – said to be the first of its kind in the world. Made using broken and discarded ceramics, along with other waste materials from the manufacturing process, the result is a basin that is fully recycled apart from the glaze. The product is available in five contemporary shapes, all rendered in a robust textured matt taupe. Shown is the Circle recycled washbasin, £350. 2. SPA SOLUTION Renowned for its luxury home spas, Italian manufacturer Effe has long promoted the benefits of heat therapy on our wellbeing. The company has now unveiled its new Logica Plus system, a high-tech indoor spa that combines a sauna, hammam and shower in a single unit. Constructed from lightweight aluminium, heat-treated…

add flavour Let’s raise a toast to the Breakfast collection by Henry Holland Studio, reminding us of the nostalgic charm of a classic British fry-up. The Tomato salt and pepper shakes are inspired by the tomato sauce bottles found in roadside cafes, bringing a playfulness to a casual tablescape. Pair with a checked tablecloth and other items from the range to embrace the theme. £65 each, Henry Holland Studio FORMAND FUNCTION This Bistrot cutlery set by Sabre brings utilitarian chic to the table. The sleek but bold acrylic handles are available in multiple colourways, while the exposed rivets add a neat industrial touch. The set comprises a knife, fork, teaspoon and dessert spoon; a 24-piece cutlery set is also available, alongside matching serving utensils. It’s a great way to bring the…

ONE OF A KIND We’re very much about the joy of the mix here at Livingetc. The best homes we see are those whose owners aren’t afraid to combine multiple styles, time periods, warm and cool colours, all in the pursuit of a home that feels entirely their own. An eye for harmony and an ability to draw together pieces from apparently disparate areas is something the most stylish creatives possess. Parisbased designer Fabrice Juan is one of those people – and this apartment he designed for an American couple is a celebration of beauty across the eras, with rooms combining references from the 1940s, 1960s and beyond. Turn to page 72 for the full story.…

no redeeming features,’ is how Irish interior designer Ryan Rankin – whose CV includes Studio Ashby and Stella McCartney – describes the bungalow that was his starting point for a client’s new weekend retreat in Ireland’s County Kerry. The setting, however, is ‘fabulous’, he adds. ‘The house is anchored by dominant natural architecture’ – a lough, mountains and a rich natural palette. It was those views that set the new aesthetic tone and to optimise them, Ryan installed some vast picture windows (even in the bedrooms, they’re two metres long). ‘It’s like looking out at a painting,’ he says. Then, in order to ‘hero’ those views, Ryan wanted a simple interior that wouldn’t detract from them. Plus, the family really wanted a sanctuary away from their busy London life, so…

This palette needs some kind of trophy, managing to achieve the almost impossible in that it’s simultaneously subtle and showstopping. A quietly theatrical combo of mint green, saffron yellow and (perhaps most surprising) richest grape/violet/amethyst purple, the tones harmonise despite seemingly having nothing in common, creating a multifaceted symphony of interiors deliciousness. ‘The mix of bold and vibrant colour is inspired by various 20th-century art movements, particularly the exuberant geometric shapes and bright colours of Memphis and the refined elegance of art deco,’ explain Raphaël Le Berre and Thomas Vevaud, co-founders of Parisian interior architecture firm Le Berre Vevaud, who designed the space. Is it just me or is that mint green wall a little off-kilter? Hanging just off-centre on the detailed wall and door, the slab of colour feels more…

GONG These lights are very eclectic. We use two specific silk designs over and over, especially in bedrooms – the Arch and the Benitier, which looks like an upside-down sea urchin. They’re made in Asia and have a fairly long lead time, so you have to place your order quickly, but it’s absolutely worth it. PINCH We use Pinch often. I was the brand’s first employee, so there’s a bit of a personal connection – the founders and I are still friends. We use its pendants all over the house – not just in the bedroom, where we tend to go for softer materials, but also above dining tables. It’s a great way to create an atmosphere: they tend to be more statement-like because of their scale. PALEFIRE STUDIO Palefire’s…

DOOR PRIZE Perhaps you haven’t given much thought to your home’s internal doors – unless they’re truly awful, they tend to fall far down in the list of priorities for a renovation. But they can play a big part in brightening a room, making a space feel larger and offering an instant facelift – especially when they look as good as Lualdi’s minimalist Rasoline 55s swing door. Combining the lightness of aluminium with the light-reflecting quality of a mirrored finish, this design is elegant and understated – perfect for an elevated bathroom scheme.…

TRY BEFORE YOU BUY When choosing a tub, designers agree that size and shape are very much down to personal preference. If you like to recline, then an upright design might not be for you; however, if you’re short on space then you may have to compromise with a bath that offers less room. It’s also worth noting that some models will look upright externally, but feature a gentler incline within. ‘I advise that clients try sitting in a tub before buying,’ says interior designer Kay Westmaas. ‘For example, a petite client of mine found a deep bath very uncomfortable whereas it was fine for her husband, who was much taller.’ FORM AND FUNCTION Architect Robert Edmonds, co-founder of San Francisco firm Edmonds + Lee Architects, states that the key…

The Twent y Two, Mayfair IN A SENTENCE Opulent, creative and unashamedly maximalist, this is the not-so-secret hideaway and members’ club we all want access to. DESIGN DOWNLOAD Natalia Miyar has brought her signature blend of colour and materiality – she drew inspiration from the Parisian-esque exterior of the building for the interior scheme, blending classical French influences with a contemporary saturated palette. The result is a richness that makes everything feel indulgent – from soaking in a roll-top bath to falling asleep in a velvet-clad bed. ON THE MENU The hotel’s in-house restaurant has a pasta offering not to be missed – but the bar is equally the star of the show. We were at a nearby design event before checking in and everyone there was planning to head…

Simple, elegant and as much storage as possible was the mantra for this kitchen, which was quite the challenge given we couldn’t expand the space. As it’s on the lower-ground floor of a Victorian home in west London, I was also keen to avoid a gloomy “basement” atmosphere. The owners fell in love with this pretty house in an ideal location for them, but the proportions were a little tricky. Pitched between the conservatory and a small family room, the kitchen was a bit of a thoroughfare, and the original white units rather blank and unremarkable. To start, we sought out storage opportunities beyond the kitchen, commandeering some space under the stairs for anything not required daily and designing a large dresser-like cabinet in the conservatory/dining room for china, glassware…

LAYERED TEXTURE Design studio Albion Nord drew upon a ‘kitchen garden’ aesthetic for this townhouse in London’s Chelsea Barracks, featuring a bespoke kitchen from Halstock. ‘Using natural materials, rustic pots and large arrangements of foliage, we worked to seamlessly blend the kitchen with the outdoor terrace,’ says creative director Camilla Clarke. A mix of materials, from handmade plaster pendants and leather stools to a marble island and bronze extractor, creates contrast and a rich, textured feel. RED THREAD The directive for this kitchen in Sydney was to make the home feel concentrated, dense, comforting and richly detailed, with a mood like that of continental parlours and hotels. ‘The owner was seeking a sanctuary from a very busy life, so it needed a little escapism,’ explains interior designer Tamsin Johnson. ‘I…

This principal bathroom is in a new town house in Dallas, Texas. It didn’t have any personality, so we invented our own design language, inspired by the early to mid-20th century combinations of marble and plaster that you see in beautiful lobbies in Milan. The drama of the stone and its natural beauty creates strength and sets the tone of the room, with the substantial bathtub and vanity made especially for the project. We combined darker Purple Haze marble with Fantastico Viola around the bath and on the walls, and Arni Fantastico for the floor, sourced from BAS Stone in New York. The darker, richer marble acts as a frame to the lighter stone, defining the edge. The vanity celebrates the idea of a block of marble and the heft…

STANDOUT SHADE Architect Crina Arghirescu Rogard designed a large cubical tub, sculpted in resin, for this New York apartment. ‘I always prefer to use striking tones,’ she says. ‘Yves Klein blue is a perfect example; the colour has depth and is visually impactful.’ No less than 10 resin samples were required to achieve the perfect blue for the bath, produced in collaboration with Brooklyn-based designer, Quincy Ellis of Facture. The walls are finished with a Marmorino lime plaster, applied manually to create a discreet texture. MODERN ROMANCE For their own bathroom at home, Chris and Nicola Cox, sculptor-makers and co-founders of Cox London, opted for an early 19th-century Italian marble basin in the shape of a scallop shell, and created its elegant base. ‘The gilt and bronzed iron stand and…