Innholdsfortegnelse for January 2025 i Living Etc

As a 90s teen I’m very excited about the return of the decade’s style. It’s a chance to right some wrongs, to forgo the baggy trousers and the curtained haircut I clung to so dearly and instead pick out the cool minimalism that came with the rise of brands like Ikea and Tom Dixon and Habitat’s resurgence. Because what this aesthetic does so beautifully is create the perfect backdrop for a party. Gleaming silver, artfully curated tableware and room to dance on a metallic coffee table. If that doesn’t sound like a look that’s exactly right for right now then let me direct you to our cover shoot, from page 10, that sets the tone for the year ahead. Our January issue always straddles a couple of moods – celebrating…

the architectural interior designer Tola Ojuolape is about to make 2025 her year. ‘I’ve been busy, trying to get to the next level, to reach success,’ she says, of a hustle that, from the outside, looks to the world like she has already achieved it. She set up her own studio in 2021, having previously worked for the primarily commercial design agency Blacksheep on hotel projects, and then grabbed attention with her overhaul of The Africa Centre in Southwark. Daubed in textural finishes and using designers and makers from Africa and the diaspora, it’s a soothing haven that at once champions the culture of the continent it’s named after and also cemented Tola as a force to be reckoned with. ‘I was surprised how visible it made me,’ she says,…

A STUDY OF BEAUTY Home office inspiration comes in the form of this charming design by London-based studio Banda. The dusky olive hue feels inviting and serves as the perfect backdrop for the sculptural desk and lighting. ‘This olive colour is Rooftop Garden by Benjamin Moore,’ says Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, the studio’s founder. ‘Its dark, muted tones provide enveloping privacy for this studious work area, which provides a striking contrast to the light and sociable free-flow areas of the apartment.’ GOING SOLO In Milanese and South Korean duo Gori & Yoon’s Milan apartment design, a green sofa takes centre stage. ‘The touch of green gives elegance to the composition,’ says Elisa Gori, one of the studio’s co-founders. ‘The result is just a touch of colour that recalls nature.’ LIGHT AND…

CHILD’S PLAY We’re as guilty as anyone of paying much more attention to interior design for adults than we do for children. Yes, we’re always talking about striking a balance between rooms that feel chic but are still practical for family life, for sticky fingers and the occasional smashed vase – but what about kid-oriented decor that evokes their playful side and encourages imagination? Enter this corner of the kitchen in the vibrant Haarlem home we tour on page 62, featuring a dedicated custom-made children’s table. It’s a reminder that kids’ spaces can be incorporated into ‘grown-up’ schemes in a way that feels fun, but still stylish – an approach we’re always happy to see done well.…

WHEN THE OWNERS TALKED ABOUT MINIMALISM, THEY DIDN’T MEAN HARD EDGES AND A STARK WHITE BOX Soft minimalism is a good way to describe the aesthetic of this beautifully restored Grade ll-listed house built in 1863. Its current caretakers, Joe and Johanna Jones and their two-year-old son, Eliot, were keen to honour its history with a gentle restoration that would make it function in an energy-efficient way now and for the next 100 years. ‘When I first met them,’ says interior designer Andrew Griffiths of A New Day design studio, ‘what really came through, along with their eco-awareness, was that they have a love of a cleanliness and simplicity of design. But when they talked about minimalism, they didn’t mean hard edges and a stark white box. They wanted something…

You don’t see a glossy aubergine bannister every day, especially one set against soft pink walls. Talk about a curveball. The soothing tones of Edward Bulmer’s Jonquil layer the space with a subtle delicacy, the pale rosy hue balancing the opulence of Farrow & Ball’s deep purple Brinjal. ‘For a “grown-up” pink, we paired Jonquil walls with the rich shade of Brinjal to add sophistication and warmth,’ says Romanos Brihi, co-founder of London-based interior design firm Studio Vero. ‘It feels playful and inviting, yet dramatic.’ You don’t see glossy aubergine window frames, architraves and skirting boards too often either, yet here we are. The tone has leapt from the staircase to the usually understated elements of the room. ‘We wanted the woodwork to make a statement,’ says Romanos. ‘Working with…

TOP TABLE One of the many standouts of the Tenuta Negroamaro hotel that Olga Ashby designed in Puglia was the cocktail napkins. In perfect oatmeal linen with succulent motifs, they enhanced the martinis-by-the-pool vibe. And now she has created her own line of table linen you can buy – a collab with Henriëtte – a collection adorned with motifs of sunrises or wheat. And all in that off-white that makes settings look so smart yet inviting, this time speaking of martinis-before-dinner-at-home.…

SIX DOTS DESIGN Sleek aluminium is Joseph Ellwood’s material du jour. Made in his London studio, his furniture and objects look a bit like they’ve been pulled from the house in the mid-90s film Casper – what’s not to love? @six_dots_design MODULAR BY MENSAH British-born Ghanaian designer Kusheda Mensah bowls us over, firstly with her debut abstract furniture collection, and now with Un-hide: Reframing Luxury, a bold interactive seating idea. @modularbymensah TEUN ZWETS Design Academy Eindhoven graduate Teun Zwets releases the potential that lies hidden in the discarded. His striking Splitted furniture pieces are coated in a thick high-gloss layer or bright metallic colour. @teun.zwets…

EFFE In the last few years, home saunas have become must-haves for those with the budgets and space for them – chalk it up to our increased interest in wellness and the benefits of this particular practice for our overall health. Thanks to Effe, it’s now easier than ever to incorporate this feature into your home – the brand offers a range of saunas and hammams, as well as other spa-esque additions like sensory showers and mini pools, all designed as luxury additions to a bathroom or elsewhere. Its latest launch, the Logica Plus, is an all-singing, all-dancing combined sauna, hammam and shower, but the brand offers more minimalist designs, too – such as the Aladdin, pictured here, with its aesthetically pleasing oak or wenge cladding and a mirrored fascia.…

THE RIGHT LIGHT We were like kids in a sweet shop at Porta Romana’s Chelsea Harbour showroom at London Design Festival back in September, running from new launch to new launch to marvel at the brand’s endlessly creative ways with lighting and other furnishings. But it was the Ophelia floor lamp, with its Medusa-like six arms, that made us stop in our tracks – this is a work of art if ever we saw one. Delicate, sculptural and bold all at the same time, it sets the tone for a new season of majestic beauty and brilliant artistry, and a subtle, golden light.…

The material CLAY PLASTER Thanks to its breathable qualities, organic aesthetic and air quality-enhancing properties, the use of clay plaster is once again on the rise in both interior and exterior settings. With experts such as Clayworks manufacturing unique blends of unfired clays with minerals and pigments to create a superior, non-toxic finish, the multiple benefits are attracting the attention of interior designers and architects. Bryan O’Sullivan applied it to the walls and ceiling of his showroom, while architectural studio Hutch used it in a recent barn project, combining it with local elm joinery for an earthy interior palette. The result of centuries of knowledge and experimentation, it is set to become a regular feature in our future-focused living spaces. The colour RICH BROWN Exuding an organic luxury, brown has…

LAY IN LUXURY This four-poster from The Original Bed Co, covered in Johnstons of Elgin’s new wool felt, is a zingy choice for a bedroom – but one that adds serious richness. Reims bed, The Original Bed Co, £1,027 for a King size; covered in Rowan wool felt; bolsters in Gun Club wool tweed and Spice wool felt; cushions in (from left) Saddle, Rowan and Whisky wool felt, all £177m, Johnstons of Elgin 1 FAB FRILLS Complementary colours green and aqua sit opposite red on the colour wheel, creating a vibrant contrast. Striped Frill Olive cushion, £40, John Lewis & Partners 2 IN LINE The stripe of this lamp mirrors the graphic lines of the bed – offset by a curved base. Gravity lamp, upcycled marble edition, £799, Space Copenhagen…

PIP RICH I once heard you describe your work as looking like a relaxing weekend – what a beautiful description and one I’d love to emulate. What does that look and feel like in practice? ZOE FELDMAN Our work is meant to be lived in. You know, sometimes design can be quite precious, and ours isn’t – but that doesn’t make it any less beautiful. I like floors to creak a little, for kitchens to look used, for it not to cause anyone to freak out if something gets spilled. Decor is a liveable experience and your home should be a workhorse, working hard to be a space in which you can be your most relaxed self. PR And what are you doing to spaces to allow them to work…

This is a holiday home with hedonism built in. From the outset, where the owners would be having their gin and tonics was as much of a priority as how design studio The Vawdrey House was going to make their cavernous bungalow feel cosy. And the owners now have options – several, in fact. They could be propped up on a stool at the kitchen island, made from Richlite (a paper-based alternative to stone) and raw brass. They could be at the Pinch dining table just across the open-plan floor space, light bouncing off the glossy black tiles on the showstopping, four-metre, double-sided fireplace. They could be grabbing their second drink from the wet bar on the nearby wall, which, if they follow it along, leads to the lounge area…

MORE MINIMALUXE More than a year since we coined the term, minimaluxe still holds sway over how we want to decorate. You might be drawn more to moody hues or colourful palettes these days, but the tenets of the aesthetic – a centring of the senses through tactile materials and a focus on interiors that calm and uplift – live on. Hudson Weaves, the new collection from Jane Churchill, draws on this design moment with its mix of textured fabrics in geometric patterns and warm tones – these are textiles you want to run your hands over. We encourage you to explore the collection and get creative with it.…

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THORP OF LONDON Previously Bernard Thorp, Thorp of London is a fantastic supplier for when you’re struggling to find exactly the right thing. Its wide range of styles are made to order, so you can customise colours and the ground fabric. One of my favourites is Stellar, which I used at our Hampstead penthouse project. I also like the Junction Stripe fabric (1). NEST DESIGN For something really special I head to Nest Design for bespoke curtains. The brand specialises in patchwork making, using different fabrics to create something unique. Often the designs reflect the interiors, whether an arch motif found in the property or continuing a line of tiles or marble in a bathroom. I first used Nest Design in our Bermondsey penthouse project (left), where we had some…

FANCY FRILLS For those who prefer their tablescapes with all the frills, Lemieux’s first tableware collection is hard to beat. There are three designs within the launch, created in partnership with Stone Lain, and our favourite has to be Dhalia – a dainty scallop-edged creation that feels fancy but playful, available in three shades. Dhalia stoneware salad plate, $79.99 for four, and dinner plate, $119.99 for four, both in Camel, Lemieux et Cie PLAY TIME Add a little whimsy to your table in the form of this slippery new addition to Laetitia Rouget’s collection. Of course, the best way to build on the scheme is to add in a few of the French artist’s cheeky plates – our pick is the Food Porn dessert plate – and some natty embroidered…

DESIGN DESTINATION 2024 marked an exciting move for Danish design brand Vola as it opened its new showroom on Margaret Street, in the heart of London’s Fitzrovia. But this is much more than a place to see the brand’s sleek products, from taps to towel warmers, in the flesh – the showroom will also host talks, masterclasses and training sessions for architects, interior designers and others in the field. Pay it a visit if you’re in the market for a bathroom refresh – you’ll be able to fall in love with the brand’s design-forward pieces and gain inspiration for your own project all at the same time.…

Installing a kitchen island is a luxury in and of itself – it means you have square footage to spare. But an island that doubles as a table, with built-in seating no less? These days, that’s living large. It’s not just about extra function. If the kitchen is the heart of the home, adding seating in the island (an especially clever space-saving idea) is above all an expression of our changing lifestyles. Beyond creating space for food prep, the multi-functional kitchen island responds to the new ways we eat and socialise. ‘We know that many meals will be eaten there rather than in a formal dining room, so we want to embrace that and design around how our clients actually live,’ says New York designer Sarah Zames, founder of General…

BON APPÉTIT There’s something very nostalgic about the beautiful interiors of Henri, the Parisian-inspired restaurant at the Henrietta Experimental hotel in Covent Garden. The Experimental Group has always had an eye for playful design – not least the Cowley Manor Experimental in the Cotswolds – and Henri is the latest part of the brand’s ongoing partnership with interior designer Dorothée Meilichzon. She’s brought her signature whimsical flair to the restaurant – think art nouveau-accented French brasserie meets traditional British pub – and the dark wood panelling, leather and velvet all contribute to that vibe. And then, of course, there’s the food. The menu celebrates Parisian classics through chef Jackson Boxer’s lens: think fried pieds de cochon, steak frites and Grand Marnier souffle, all to be enjoyed in these exquisite surroundings.…

REIMAGINED BEAUTY Celebrating the work of Finnish designer Yrjö Kukkapuro, Zurich-based gallery THE D.O.N.U.T.’s exhibition saw designers reimagine his A-504 chair. Two of the chairs featured a bespoke embroidery created by London-based artist John Booth and are available via auction with a donation going towards Planet Kukkapuro – the legacy programme of Yrjö Kukkapuro. CHF 3,917, John Booth x Yrjö Kukkapuro SUPER-SIZED Maximalist in size, colour and comfort, the Sowden Maxi Club chair by George Sowden makes a statement for all the right reasons. Produced exclusively by SCP, it is part of a collection conceived by George, one of the founding members of the Memphis Group, featuring unique combinations of bold hues. Handcrafted in SCP’s Norfolk factory, it is made using 100% natural materials. £5,381, George Sowden x SCP Floor…

the idea of designing for wellbeing really came to the fore of the design conversation a year or so ago – around the time we coined the term ‘minimaluxe’ to describe a new, more holistic way of decorating. French fabric and wallcovering brand Camengo knows the value of placing the focus on feelings: its AW24 collection, Evanescence, took the idea as a starting point for its soothing palette and cosseting textures. We spoke with brand manager Emilie Sénéchal to find out more. Camengo has always managed to create designs that embrace bold pattern while still feeling refined. What’s the key to striking this balance? It’s part of our promise to find the perfect balance of a bold, easy-to-live-with interior. Our aim is to create harmonious, inspiring settings. Delicacy is present…

if you’re the kind of international couple – he’s from London, she’s from Sydney – who travel regularly for work and pleasure, perhaps there’s a risk that coming home might feel a little anticlimactic. Luckily, this couple’s interior designer, Sébastien Caporusso, was on hand to ensure that their new house, a 1950s villa in a bustling neighbourhood near the centre of Brussels, had a welcoming holiday-home vibe, ‘as if they are always on vacation when they come back here,’ explains Sébastien. The project takes its design cues from the building’s heritage. ‘I really liked the 1950s modernist style of the house and wanted to create something in the same spirit: light and fresh, open and comfortable, balancing the past with something more contemporary,’ says Sébastien. He began by adding some…

EASY DOES IT Double drenching is about combining two or more related colours on as many surfaces as possible to create maximum impact, but for a gentler take, borrow from New York interior designer David Lucido and stick to a soft shade on the largest surface, pairing it with a bolder hue in a smaller dose. Here, a chartreuse rug helps keep the scheme mellow. INTO THE BLUE For this media room, LA interior designer Oliver Furth drew on the blue colour spectrum: notice how different shades that might not necessarily be paired together work alongside each other, thanks in part to the patchwork fabric on the wall. One of the advantages of double drenching is that it allows you to embrace stronger colours in other elements of the room…

JANE CHURCHILL Our go-to for bright, peppy fabrics that add a punch of colour and a whole lot of joy. This Bodhi print is a case in point – best used anywhere you need a jolt of energy. CASAMANCE The French fabrics and wallcoverings brand excels in standout patterns you won’t find elsewhere – perfect for living and dining room drapery. ÉLITIS We’re always charmed by the designs offered by this French editor of fine fabrics and wallcoverings – the Prestige pattern is a favourite from this season.…

JOSH PAGE STUDIO For furniture maker Josh Page, the art of imagining and making his unique designs comes naturally. ‘I’ve always been a maker,’ the 34-year-old says. ‘My dad is a carpenter and my grandfather was a woodturner. I grew up making all sorts of things in Dad’s shed, from go-karts to model boats.’ Josh now runs his made-to-order furniture design business from a log cabin at the bottom of his garden in Kent. One of the biggest turning points in his portfolio is the Picasso chair, a wonky-framed perch inspired by cubism and, in particular, the seat in the artist’s Femme Assise Devant la Fenêtre. ‘Picasso’s work is so confident, playful, ever-evolving,’ says Josh. ‘He uses so many mediums and methods. It’s something to strive for, to be that…

ABSOLUTE CORKERS! Go on, get those corks a-popping – Alessi’s iconic Alessandro M. and Anna G. his-and-her corkscrews, designed by Alessandro Mendini in 1994, have just had a joyful do-over that’s worth celebrating. Three new artists were invited to create fresh patterns for these best-selling corkscrews, which are now made from AlkiPaper, a very innovative bio-composite material. Our top pick is this Parade pattern in the graphic style of Milanese designer Arthur Arbesser. Anna G. and Alessandro M. corkscrews in Parade, £85 each, Alessi ALL THE TRIMMINGS Sure, you may love the vibe of bronze this year, but what if bold black or shiny silver feels more ‘you’ in 2026? Neff’s Flex Design system allows you to switch up your appliance’s trim and handle finish to suit your mood. The…

FIRST STEPS According to the experts, flooring is a good place to begin when choosing kitchen materials. ‘We usually start with the floor and ideally matching worktops, as these have a tight set of performance and aesthetic parameters, depending on the project and client preferences,’ says Ben Ridley, founder of Architecture for London. ‘Joinery and cupboard front materials generally have many more potential options and can therefore be selected later to complement other elements, once the flooring and worktops are agreed upon.’ STRENGTH AND BEAUTY ‘Above all, kitchen floors need to be hard-wearing,’ advises London-based interior designer Alex Dauley. ‘A high-traffic area used for cooking requires a floor that is resistant to stains and moisture. I love to use engineered wood, porcelain tiles or a natural material like limestone or…

Le Mas Candille, MOUGINS, FRENCH RIVIERA IN A SENTENCE Mougins has long been the source of inspiration for many a creative – and now, this five-star hotel and spa can be your base for exploring the Alpes-Maritimes. DESIGN DOWNLOAD Interior designer Hugo Toro has brought his signature rich palette and layered materiality to Le Mas Candille, transforming it into a chic escape with just the right amount of retro appeal. ON THE SPA MENU The Glow House is one of the features of which Le Mas Candille is most proud. Centred around Clarins’ Glow range, you can enjoy plant-based treatments and LED technologies, as well as a sauna, hammam, Kneipp cold pool and a private swimming pool. IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD If you can tear yourself away from the hotel’s many…

ART OF GLASS Emsie Sharp once told me that, after her stint working in the famed glass factories of Murano in Venice, the trouble with the Italian glass industry was that they liked everything to be perfect. And that delight in the imperfections is what makes her designs so beautiful, so individual and so clearly handmade. I’ve bought various pieces from her over the years – lamps, coloured wine glasses, tumblers – and each one has the look and feel of a piece of sculpture. I’m drawn to her way with colour. Each blue seems to glint, each cranberry is so deep, the yellows shimmer with a gold-like magic. And all the other shades in between are an artistry in their own right. I’m drawn to her lamp bases because…