Push boundaries

THE ARCHITECTURAL DETAILS THAT SHAPE A HOME

DESIGN
DIRECTIONS
YOUR GUIDE TO
EXTENSIONS
AN A-Z OF
ARCHITECTS
CURVES IN THE
KITCHEN

MARCH 2024
 MARCH 2024

102 122

NEWS & SHOPPING

13 OBJECTS OF DESIRE Designs to 53 THE JOY OF… Designer Joy Moyler
inspire, from furniture to accessories revels in the pivotal role of historical
17 THE MARCH EDIT Discover this building design in her work
month’s debuts and decorative trends 54 DECORATOR’S ADDRESS BOOK Find
22 HELLENIC HOMAGE Our pick of the right architectural practice for your
gorgeous Greek-inspired buys project with our directory of firms
28 SOCIAL STRUCTURE Coffee tables 64 DESIGN IDEAS A well-thought-out
with architectural form extension can add space to your home
30 MOVERS & SHAKERS Heaps & and bring the outdoors in
Woods’ creations are anchored in 75 PROJECT ADVICE From planning
Indonesian craftsmanship and tradition stages to completion, experts tell you all
COVER CREDITS TABLE, BAILEY & CO FRENCH ANTIQUES. CUSTOM CHAIRS, SAMANTHA
EISEN INTERIORS. LAVOIE SCONCE, LULU & GEORGIA. LOU LOU ARTWORK, JAI VASICEK

32 SPOTLIGHT ON SUSTAINABILITY The you need to know for extending

ways that architects are paying attention 82 DESIGN RULES Architect Chantal
to the carbon footprint of a building Michelin on innovating with brickwork
34 GARDEN NOTES Stunning sculptural 84 STATE OF THE ART Advice on buying
parks to visit this spring a bespoke sculptural piece, plus six
36 WILD PROSPECTS Urquhart & Hunt’s collectable artists
Adam Hunt on Latin plant names 89 DESIGNER PROFILE Cortney Bishop
on successful synergy in the design process
DESIGN & DECORATING
40 COLOUR OF THE MONTH Embrace HOUSES
the gentle warmth of plaster hues 94 THE GOOD LIFE The renovation of this
45 DECORATING Fabrics and wallpapers Cotswold cottage is a masterclass in
showcasing architectural motifs rescuing a rural idyll

COVER PHOTOGRAPH LISA COHEN

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 5
 144 178

102 HIGHLY EVOLVED Many styles and 154 NEW TRADITIONS Bathroom schemes
clever layout changes influenced the that make the most of period features
smart renovation of this home 160 BEDROOM BATHING SPACES
112 MODERN SENSIBILITY With bold Incorporate this design feature into
materials, this reimagined Georgian your room for hotel-style luxury
house gives industrial a new edge
122 CALM IN THE CITY Impeccable LIFESTYLE
attention to detail is on show in a once 164 TURN UP THE FLAVOUR Nisha
unremarkable London semi Katona gives classic dishes a twist
130 FORCE OF NATURE Modern 171 A GREAT ESCAPE L’Apogée
minimalism and natural warmth Courchevel, an incredible ski-in/ski-out
combine for a cool, relaxed feel in this hotel, located in the exclusive Jardin
glamorous Hollywood Hills home Alpin area of the resort
172 A LOVE LETTER TO… Interior
KITCHENS & BATHROOMS designer Sophie Ashby explains why
142 PROJECT NOTES The latest Cape Town means so much to her
products and designs on our radar 178 MY LIFE IN TEN… Charu Gandhi
144 TAKING SHAPE Curves and sculpted shares her favourite things
shapes bring conviviality to kitchens
150 ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES IN REGULARS
THE COOK SPACE Overcoming design 11 EDITOR’S LETTER
challenges when planning a kitchen 138 SUBSCRIBE TO H&G

TO SUBSCRIBE
Subscribe for six issues for just £22.05 – visit homesandgardenssubs.com/hgmar24
DIGITAL EDITIONS AND PAST ISSUES
These can be downloaded at homesandgardenssubs.com/digital or order print editions at homesandgardenssubs.com/backissue

6 HOMESANDGARDENS.COM
 EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES
121-141 Westbourne Terrace, London W2 6JR
homesandgardens@futurenet.com

Global Brand Director Sarah Spiteri

Editor Jo Bailey
Editorial Assistant Holly Ransome
Group Chief Sub-Editor/Production Editor Jennifer Spaeth
Art Editor Meredith Davies
Contributing Houses Editor Vivienne Ayers
Contributors Amelia Thorpe, Amy Moorea Wong, Arabella Youens,
Emma J Page, Jessica Salter, Kate Worthington, Kiera Buckley-Jones,
Laura Vinden, Linda Clayton, Patrick Hamilton Courtney,
Roddy Clarke and Rory Robertson

DIGITAL
Editor Jennifer Ebert
Head of Interiors Hebe Hatton
Content Editor Zara Stacey
Head of Solved Millie Hurst
Junior Writer, Solved Chiana Dickson
Head of E-commerce Alex David
E-commerce Editors Laura Honey and Emilia Hitching
Head of Gardens Rachel Bull
Deputy Head of Gardens Teresa Conway
Content Editor, Gardens Drew Swainston
News Editor Megan Slack
News Writers Sophie Edwards, Emily Moorman and Lola Houlton
Social Media Editor Anna Aylward

PRODUCTION
Group Art Director Alison Walter
Group Production Editor Maxine Clarke
Chief Sub-Editor Carly Rigley
Senior Sub-Editors Marian McNamara and Karen Wiley
Art Production Director Nicola Tillman
Art Production Designers Chris Saggers and Phil Dunk
Group Production Manager Matt Eglinton
Production Manager William Argent
Senior Ad Production Manager Jo Crosby
Advertisement Copy and Make-up Barry Skinner

SUBSCRIPTIONS
Online orders: www.magazinesdirect.com/XHG
Email help@magazinesdirect.com Phone orders 0330 333 1113
Customer service 0330 333 4333
Homes & Gardens (ISSN 0018-4233 USPS 7458) is published 12 times a year by Future
Publishing Limited, Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. One-year full subscription rates
for 12 issues including postage & packing: UK £69; Europe €141; Rest of world £155.88.
For subscription enquiries please call 0330 333 1113, overseas call: +44 330 333 1113 –
lines are open Monday-Friday 8.30am-7pm and Saturdays 10am-3pm (UK time, excluding
bank holidays) or email help@magazinesdirect.com. The US annual subscription price is
$160. Airfreight and mailing in the USA by agent named World Container INC 150-15, 183rd
St, Jamaica, NY 11413, USA. Periodicals Postage Paid at Brooklyn, NY 11256. Subscription
records are maintained at Future Publishing Limited, 121-141 Westbourne Terrace, London
W2 6JR. Air Business Ltd. is acting as our mailing agent. All prices include postage and
packaging. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Homes & Gardens,
Air Business Ltd, c/o World Container INC 150-15, 183rd St, Jamaica, NY 11413, USA.
DIGITAL EDITIONS AND PAST ISSUES
These can be downloaded at homesandgardenssubs.com/digital or order print editions
at homesandgardenssubs/backissue
BACK ISSUES Visit magazinesdirect.com
EDITORIAL COMPLAINTS We work hard to achieve the highest standards of editorial
content, and we are committed to complying with the Editors’ Code of Practice (ipso.co.uk/
IPSO/cop.html) as enforced by IPSO. If you have a complaint about our editorial content, you
can email us at homesandgardens@futurenet.com or write to Homes & Gardens, Future PLC,
121-141 Westbourne Terrace, London W2 6JR. Please provide details of the material you are
complaining about and explain your complaint by reference to the Editors’ Code. We will
endeavour to acknowledge your complaint within five working days and we aim to correct
substantial errors as soon as possible.
F O R THE FINE ST CONSE RVATORIES,
OR A NGE RIE S AND ROOF LIGH TS

valegardenhouses.com 01476 564433

 CHESNEYS
CIRCULATION
Circulation Manager Justine Lazauskas
(justine.lazauskas@futurenet.com)
Acting Circulation Manager Alys Morgan
(alys.morgan@futurenet.com)

ADVERTISING
Head of Commercial Liz Jazayeri (liz.jazayeri@futurenet.com)
Ad Director Victoria Vatistas (victoria.vatistas@futurenet.com)
Business Director Marina Connolly
(marina.connolly@futurenet.com)
International and Luxury Account Director
Carole Bunce (carole.bunce@futurenet.com)
Head of Project Management Abi Dougherty
(abi.dougherty@futurenet.com)
Insert Sales – Canopy Media Michael Davie 020 7611 1062

SYNDICATION
Head of Brand Partnerships David Abbott
(david.abbott@futurenet.com)
Partner Manager Syndication Efi Mandrides
(efi.mandrides@futurenet.com)

INTERNATIONAL LICENSING
Homes & Gardens is available for licensing. To find our more
contact us at licensing@futurenet.com or view our available
content at www.futurecontenthub.com
Head of Print Licensing Rachel Shaw

MANAGEMENT
Senior Vice President, Consumer Kevin Addley
Managing Director, Lifestyle Jason Orme
VP Marketforce & Subscription Operations Joel Griffiths

PRINTED BY Walstead UK Limited

DISTRIBUTED BY Marketforce (UK) Ltd, 121-141 Westbourne Terrace,
London W2 6JR, mfcommunications@futurenet.com
ISSN 0018-4233

We are committed to only using magazine paper which is derived from responsibly
managed, certified forestry and chlorine-free manufacture. The paper in this magazine
was sourced and produced from sustainable managed forests, conforming to strict
environmental and socioeconomic standards.
All contents © 2024 Future Publishing Limited or published under licence. All rights
reserved. No part of this magazine may be used, stored, transmitted or reproduced in any
way without the prior written permission of the publisher. Future Publishing Limited
(company number 2008885) is registered in England and Wales. Registered office: Quay
House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All information contained in this publication is for
information only and is, as far as we are aware, correct at the time of going to press. Future
cannot accept any responsibility for errors or inaccuracies in such information. You are
advised to contact manufacturers and retailers directly with regard to the price of
products/services referred to in this publication. Apps and websites mentioned in this
publication are not under our control. We are not responsible for their contents or any
other changes or updates to them. This magazine is fully independent and not affiliated in
any way with the companies mentioned herein.
If you submit material to us, you warrant that you own the material and/or have the
necessary rights/permissions to supply the material and you automatically grant Future
and its licensees a licence to publish your submission in whole or in part in any/all issues
and/or editions of publications, in any format published worldwide and on associated
websites, social media channels and associated products. Any material you submit is
sent at your own risk and, although every care is taken, neither Future nor its employees,
agents, subcontractors or licensees shall be liable for loss or damage. We assume all
unsolicited material is for publication unless otherwise stated, and reserve the right to edit,
BATTERSEA • CHELSEA • FINCHLEY • ST. ALBANS
amend, adapt all submissions.
Stockists throughout the UK • chesneys.co.uk • 020 7627 1410
 The efficiency and functionality
of a home are two of the essential
things that architects must consider
when planning and designing a space.
With the busy lives we all lead, a house
needs to work hard for its occupants,
but the projects that often leave a lasting
impression are the ones that embrace
empty space – a deliberate moment of calm
or beauty. Philip Johnson, the American
modernist architect, better articulated it as
‘architecture is the art of how to waste space’. For
our March issue, we examine the ‘art’ of architecture
today. Our houses (from page 93) showcase both modern and
traditional examples of how to thoughtfully push architectural
boundaries. In particular, the carefully considered extension
of a once dilapidated cottage in the Cotswolds (page 94) and the
transformation of a previously crumbling Georgian house into
an ultra-modern showstopper (page 112). For those who are
embarking on a home extension, we demystify some of the
often bewildering terminology and baffling legal requirements
F OL L OW US ON (page 75). Not forgetting this month’s Decorator’s Address Book
Instagram (page 54), which is our pick of UK-based architects to know;
@homesandgardensofficial
X covering a variety of aesthetics, project sizes and budgets.
IN AMPERSAND SEDGWICK FABRIC IN COLIBRI, £160M, ZINC TEXTILE

@homesandgardens
Facebook JO BAILEY, EDITOR
@homesandgardens
Pinterest
@homesgardensuk
TikTok
@homesandgardensofficial

SUBSCRIBE TODAY
Get decorating inspiration
Scan this QR code
every month with our
to enjoy Homes &
Gardens in your fantastic introductory
inbox with our subscription offer. Turn
email newsletter to page 138 for details.

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 11
 NEWS & SHOPPING

1. 2.

4.

3.

5.

6.

7.

OBJECTS OF DE SIRE
P r e t t y p i e c e s t h a t h a v e c a u g h t o u r e d i t o r ’s e y e
1. Lucero ceiling light, from €95, Caravane
2. Scallop edge wall lantern in Bronze Red, £1,068, Hector Finch
3. Cross stitch linen cushion cover, £75, Toast
FEATURE JO BAILEY

4. Wave glasses in Amber, £69 set of two, Fazeek at Coggles

5. Suze Martinez linen, £250m, Adam Bray for Soane Britain
6. Rose risotto spoon in bronze plated in rose gold, €520, Osanna Visconti
7. Edmund dining chair, £695, Oka →

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 13
NE WS & S HO PPI NG

1. 2.

3.

4.
6.

5.

7.

1. Evy linen blanket in Lemon, £260, Brita at SCP

2. Spiral handmade ceramic spoon, £20, Yamine at Glassette
3. Sedgwick fabric in Colibri, £160m, Zinc Textile
4. Momento JH41 vase, £170, &Tradition at Nest
5. Iron and steel candlesticks, £575 set of three, Fourth Street at Net-A-Porter
6. Lin table lamp in galvanised steel, $2,150, Muhly at Claude Home
7. Annetta daybed, price on request, Sandra Benhamou for Studiotwentyseven &

14 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M
 NEWS & SHOPPING

THE MARCH EDIT

New de sig n s a nd ide a s t o i n spi re

TAKE IT OUTSIDE
Embark on a visual journey with the Vacation and Riviera outdoor fabric collections by Zinc Textile.
Shot against the backdrop of the extraordinary Espai Xavier Corberó in Barcelona, the fabrics are
designed to meet stringent performance requirements, promising longevity and practicality. Vacation
features rich velvets and characterful bouclés, while Riviera offers timeless houndstooth and simpler
bouclés. Shown here are bench cover and cushions in Acapulco Outdoor in Coir, £130m; back
cushions in Búzios Outdoor in Carbon, £110m; and sheer in Santorini Outdoor in Chalk, £90m. →
FEATURE LAURA VINDEN

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 17
NE WS & S HO PPI NG

CRAFT WORK
FRILL SEEKER Studio Atkinson presents the Noughts & Crosses
Meet Astrid, the latest pendant from David
collection, meticulously crafted from oak and
Hunt Lighting. Priced at £204, it is available
in 17 delightful colours. Inspired by Dutch handmade in the UK. This collection, inspired by
porcelain light shades, Astrid flaunts playful a vintage bamboo dining table discovered by Susie
fluted edges and graceful curves. There is Atkinson at a French market, has a coffee table,
a twisted braided cable in Oatmeal and a side table, a console table and, shown, a dining
you can choose from metalwork in classic table for £10,400, all inspired by the contrasting
Antique Brass, subtle Butter Brass, or shapes of the original design. The bleached wood
contemporary Chrome. And if you have a
finish showcases the natural grain for a textured,
specific hue in mind, you can take advantage
understated look, while the playful crossed feet
of the bespoke colour-matching service.
and design elements add a touch of whimsy.

TABLE MANNERS
LSA’s Folk collection, featuring the Folk dome
with ash base, priced at £200, is inspired by
Polish craftsmanship. This unique handcrafted FLOOR FILLER
process involves heating coloured glass rods Mosaic Factory has announced its latest tile
collaboration with Portuguese multidisciplinary
before mouth-blowing them into bespoke moulds,
artist AkaCorleone. Paysage Sauvage celebrates
meaning each piece is one-of-a-kind. The
geometric, figurative and abstract shapes
alternating colours are reminiscent of those found across seven decorative tiles. Prices are from
in Łowicki fabrics, typical of Polish costumes. £94sq m, with each tile handmade by skilled
artisans in Tangier. →

18 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M
NE WS & S HO PPI NG

DE SIGN W E E K N E WS
Design Centre Chelsea Harbour once again gets ready
to host Design Week (11 to 15 March) and there is much
to look forward to. Explore the latest showrooms, such
as a new space designed by architect Nick Leith-Smith
for The Rug Company, where you can view the latest
collections, Softscapes and Mohair Ripples, inspired
by the natural patterns found in Japanese landscapes.
Shown is Ori Gold handloom silk, from £2,344. French
brands Casamance and Misia have chosen the Design
Centre as their London home. The new showroom
seamlessly blends the modern textures and patterns
of Casamance’s fabrics, wallpapers and wallcoverings
with Misia’s avant-garde style and glamorous fabrics.
Shown is Adachi panoramic wallcovering, 400x300cm,
£1,932, Casamance. In addition, British luxury bespoke
mattress and bed maker Vispring has announced the
opening of its second London showroom in the South
BRING IT HOME Dome. Explore its range of luxury beds, including the
Arlo & Jacob presents the Archie ottoman – its Classic, Luxe and Original collections, featuring
deep-buttoned detailing and sculpted wooden legs on products such as the Herald mattress, priced from
castors make it a delightful addition to spaces both £2,595. And alongside a series of talks and a full events
old and new. This standout piece, showcased here in program, the Design Avenue will host a line-up of special
Linwood’s Bibi Chitgar Ginger Biscuit fabric, is guests, including the highly anticipated appearances of
available in two sizes and priced from £1,095. Salvesen Graham and Samantha Todhunter. →

SHINE A LIGHT
Interior designer Tamsin Saunders introduces
a limited lighting collection available from
homeandfound.com, a collaborative effort with
her daughter, fine artist Freya Marton. There
are five hand-painted base options – the Polina
lamp, priced at £750, is a tribute to Ukrainian
folk art and named after the artist Polina Raiko.
A portion of proceeds will support the Disasters
Emergency Committee Ukraine Appeal.

20 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M
NE WS & S HO PPI NG

HELLENIC HOM AGE

A ncient-i nspi red desig ns for cla ssica l elega nce

1.

2.

3.

4.

1. Saffron mirror, price on

request, Mark D Sikes
7. for Chaddock
2. Greek Key glass, £83 for
six, The Vintage List
3. Colonna border (on seat),
6.
£58m; Punto border (cushion
edge), £40m, both Maddux
Creative for Samuel & Sons
5. 4. Rousham fabric, £280m,
Luke Edward Hall x Rubelli
5. Callas lamp, $1,600, Alix
FEATURE HOLLY RANSOME

Soubiran at Nickey Kehoe

6. Greek Key rug, £350, Shame
Studios at Pentreath & Hall
7. Hand-painted box, £265,
Eye on Design and Antiques &

22 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M
 NEWS & SHOPPING

FABULOUS AT FIFTY
Graham and Green is celebrating its 50th birthday this
year. Antonia Graham first opened the shop in an old
dairy in Notting Hill in the 1970s. Today, her son Jamie
– who slept under the counter in a handmade basket
as a baby – runs the business with his wife Louise,
importing and designing collections. To celebrate,
they will release limited editions of their bone-inlay
furniture, and throughout April the Notting Hill store
will be temporarily transformed into an Indian Bazaar.

IN THE DETAIL CITRINE

Explore Bagatelle, a tribute to 18th-century
This season’s zingy on-trend shade
PHOTOGRAPHS (GRAHAM AND GREEN) MEL YATES

French elegance, crafted by renowned interior

designer Timothy Corrigan in collaboration with (From top, left to right)
Samuel & Sons. This collection seamlessly melds Astra bedside table in Cowslip Yellow, £1,595,
history with modernity, drawing inspiration from Alfred Newall.
historic documents and showcasing intricate Murano jug in Yellow, £75, Casa Celva.
passementerie detailing, rich hues and textures. Arbor armchair in Ochre, £3,690, by Matthew Hilton
Timothy’s dedication to preserving exquisite for The Conran Shop.
craftsmanship through time is evident in pieces Satellite uplighter in Citrine, from £540, Palefire.
like the Bagatelle Velvet Border in Dewdrop, Yellow lacquered scallop tray, £180, Addison Ross.
£75m, and Bagatelle Border in Fern, £90m. Brera Moda in Lemon (yellow curtain), £94m; Mazarin in
Alchemilla (yellow ottoman), £140m, Designers Guild. →

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 25
NE WS & S HO PPI NG

TAKE IT TO
THE FLOOR
Eco-conscious f loor ing
Brintons unveils the Purely Natural carpet collection
(far below), offering eco-friendly, biodegradable
and plastic-free options. Starting at £60sq m, these
carpets showcase a variety of patterns, plaids and
coordinating plains. Crafted from 100% undyed
British wool with cotton, jute and natural rubber latex
backing, they provide a sustainable flooring choice.
Roger Oates Design’s latest flatweave flooring
collection, New Classics, proudly incorporates 100%
British Traceable Wool, sourced exclusively through
Woolkeepers. Three designs across 14 colourways
are based on the brand’s quintessential patterns –
SWEET DREAMS shown is Cranborne (below left), £149.50 lin m.
Ashford is the new bed by Naturalmat, the Jennifer Manners and Salvesen Graham have
Devon-based organic mattress and bed maker. joined forces once more to create a design that offers
Priced from £1,750 for the single in organic house a fresh take on classical Greek key patterns. Greek
linen, it features a curvaceous silhouette and Cane (below right), a flat-woven rug, reinterprets
oversized headboard piping. Crafted from recycled the key design with a playful twist, incorporating
denim and organic wool around an FSC-certified meandering bamboo canes. Priced at £700q m,
beech wood frame, you can choose Naturalmat’s it’s available from March in five colourways and is
organic fabric or customise with your own. crafted using Jennifer’s /re/Purpose Performance
fibre, made from recycled water bottles. &

FINISHING TOUCHES
British textile brand Tori Murphy embraces
the revival of pelmets, tie-backs and trims to
enhance your window dressings as part of
its made-to-measure curtain service, from
£55. A pelmet helps to elongate a room and
adds a country house finesse to your scheme.
Embellish further with delightful pom-pom
fringing and luxurious velvet piping trim, all
elegantly finished with matching ties.

26 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M
NE WS & S HO PPI NG

SOCIAL STRUCTURE
A rchitect ura l cof fee tables roomy enoug h for enter taining

1.

2..

3.
4.

1. Dal Piece, £1,179, Ferm

Living at Nest
5. 2. Fluted Ingot, £2,200,
Galvin Brothers
3. Caterpillar in Ivory,
7.
£4,250, Peter Mikic for
The Lacquer Company
4. Barrel, £1,295, Soho Home
5. Marylebone in Espresso,
£1,595, Oka
FEATURE LAURA VINDEN

6. Zahara in Mojave,
£2,590, Arteriors
7. Abecedario, £890, Forma
and Cemento at Artemest &
6.

28 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M
NE WS & S HO PPI NG

MOV ERS & SH A K ERS

The f u r nit u re bra nd weav ing toget her t ra d it iona l
Indonesian techniques and contemporar y design

From far left: production

samples; Billy coffee table
in rattan; Marta Jurado and
Louis Chagnaud; Nala stool
in teak wood; Zoe mirror
framed in natural rattan

‘WE love to bring nature into living spaces to infuse The couple are now based in Barcelona, but
soul and authenticity – to transport people on a production remains in small-scale workshops in
sensory journey,’ says Louis Chagnaud, co-founder Southeast Asia, resulting in a fusion of contemporary,
of furniture brand Heaps & Woods. It follows, then, bold silhouettes and intricate Indonesian craft. ‘We
that tactile, natural materials take centre stage start with a design idea and, working side by side
throughout its collections, with carved teak, rattan with our craftsmen, find ways to refine techniques,’
and paper cord featuring predominantly. says Marta. ‘ The brand’s sculptural lighting is a
But that’s just half the story – what really instils particular highlight and embodies the founders’
spirit into Heaps & Woods’ pieces is the connection craft-centric approach, exploring the qualities of
FEATURE KATE WORTHINGTON PHOTOGRAPHS JAVI DARDO

to the places they’re made and the people that made rattan, ‘a material often overlooked but brimming
them. ‘Our creations are profoundly anchored in with artistic potential,’ according to Marta.
Indonesian craftsmanship and tradition,’ explains Next, the brand is planning to develop its own textiles
Louis. It’s an ethos that he and fellow founder Marta for its upholstery and lamps using fashion industry
Jurado are clearly passionate about, having immersed waste and recycled plastics. ‘What we are most proud
themselves in it while living in Bali for nearly a of in our business is the combination of craftsmanship,
decade. The pair met there while Louis was studying authenticity and sustainability,’ says Louis. ‘Knowing
Indonesian carpentry techniques and interior designer that our creations are not only beautiful, but also have a
Marta was travelling, and their mutual appreciation positive impact on the world, is what drives us to move
for the region’s artisanal and sustainable making forward and continue to innovate.’ &
practices led them to set up the brand in 2018. ■ heapsandwoods.com

30 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M
 SPOTLIGHT ON SUSTA INA BILIT Y
More t ha n ever before, a rch it ec t s a re bu i ld i ng bet t er by
pay ing at tent ion to the carbon foot pr int of a c on st r uc t ion

IN 2019, the World Green Building Council released indoor air quality and those that are part of a circular
a report stating that the built environment was system rather than a linear one,’ David continues.
responsible for 39% of global-related carbon emissions, ‘Substances such as mycelium, recycled organic
with 11% coming from the materials and construction waste and bioplastics, are all examples of this.’
methods used. In 2022 the Global Status Report for The development of mycelium has been notable
Buildings and Construction was released at COP27, in recent years with designers creating a variety of
revealing that the sector accounted for over 34% of products, such as bricks, cladding and MDF alternatives,
energy demand and around 37% of energy and from the organic material. And, as many experts predict,
process-related C02 emissions in 2021 – a worrying this is just the beginning. ‘In 25 years, every house
sign of slow progress, especially if we are to reach the will incorporate cultures of cyanobacteria, mycelium
UN’s target of decarbonising the industry by 2050. and slime mould,’ states Claudia Pasquero, co-founder
In response, many architects are re-evaluating their of ecoLogicStudio, a London-based architectural
approach by taking advantage of pioneering, game- innovation firm specialising in biotechnology for the
changing materials that are being developed. built environment, ‘as these organisms will be able to
‘The future of materials will be biomimetic,’ purify the air and produce fresh biomass.’ Sugarcrete,
states architect David Hertz of SEA (the Studio of another example of a low-carbon reusable alternative
Environmental Architecture). ‘This means they will to brick and concrete, is made from a byproduct of
be inspired by the structure of nature as well as sugar cane. Developed by the University of East
being self-generating, self-healing and hyper-local London, in collaboration with architectural studio
in their impact.’ Biomimicry, which is the design Grimshaw, this new product is stated to have 15-20%
and production of materials or structures modelled of the carbon footprint of traditional bricks.
on processes and forms found in nature, is a concept
(Below left) Margent Farm in Cambridgeshire is made
many architects are becoming more aligned to. ‘We from natural hemp fibre products – inside and out
are focusing on materials that contribute to healthy (Below right) Margent Farm’s eco-friendly hemp panels

FEATURE RODDY CLARKE PHOTOGRAPHS (MARGENT FARM) OSKAR PROCTOR;

(CORK GARDEN POD) JIM STEPHENSON; (GARDEN STUDIO) TARAN WILKHU

32 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M
 NEWS & SHOPPING

(Above left) A cork-clad garden pod by U-Build and

“THE FUTURE OF MATERIALS
creative studio Name Name (Above right) A garden studio
constructed using U-Build in collaboration with Studio Bark WILL BE BIOMIMETIC, INSPIRED
However, as the development of these materials is still BY THE STRUCTURE OF NATURE
in early stages, and yet to be applied on a commercial AS WELL AS BEING SELF-
scale, architect Wilf Meynell, the director of Studio Bark, GENERATING AND HYPER-
feels that the critical shift needed will come from the
LOCAL IN THEIR IMPACT”
innovation of more established bio-based materials
such as timber, hemp and cork. These materials are DAVID HERTZ, architect, SEA
already being applied to larger commercial projects,
with the recently completed Hemp Hotel in Cape Town,
conceived by local architects Wolf + Wolf, showcasing neutral.’ The studio has also created a modular self-build
the potential of such materials through the hempcrete system which presents another route towards a more
blocks used to create the 12-storey building – currently accessible and circular future for the industry. Titled
the world’s tallest building made from the material. U-Build, modular boxes can be bolted together to
‘We need a transformative shift to reach our global form studios, tiny homes or even proper houses, each
targets, and the materials we use play a massive part made from Finnish spruce plywood that can be clad
in this,’ says Wilf, who has been a champion of in a variety of materials, including expanded cork,
bio-based alternatives since the studio’s inception in created from offcuts from the wine bottling industry.
2014. Using hemp corrugated roof panels (developed As the innovation taking place showcases a positive
by Margent Farm) and Brimstone Ash cladding (supplied sign that change is afoot, the need to quicken the pace
by Vastern Timber who operate using solar energy) in is critical. The UN’s target of 2050 is fast approaching
recent projects, Wilf goes on to explain how multiple and, in revolutionising the built environment, it will
factors determine the environmental benefits of a have a significant impact on these results. There is
material. ‘We have to look at the C02 emissions of each hope that designers and architects are continuing to
material, the biodiversity of forests we source from, break down barriers through a strong commitment
the water usage during production and the logistical to a circular future where balance can be restored,
footprint too,’ he comments, ‘as all materials of the future all through the mirroring of nature’s own complex,
must be able to be proven that they are at least climate yet beautiful, framework. &

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 33
NE WS & S HO PPI NG

GARDEN NOTES
Sensat iona l scu lpt ure park s to v isit this spr ing

1. 2.

3. 4. 5.

Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens (1) near harmonious blend of established and emerging
Penzance, Cornwall, is a unique year-round artists’ work set against the garden’s enchanting
destination with a dramatic landscape that backdrop; among them is Scylla by Giles Rayner
perfectly balances artistry and botanical (shown). The Indoor Gallery will feature a selection
splendour. Thanks to the region’s favourable of smaller sculptures and ceramics, while the
microclimate, you’ll encounter flourishing garden, in the midst of Surrey’s natural beauty,
large-scale exotic and subtropical plants in the hosts workshops, mindfulness events and an
garden, which is also a canvas for the sculptural award showcasing students’ sculptures.
works of more than 40 artists, including five Nestled in 20 acres of picturesque gardens
members of the Royal Academy of Arts. The and parkland surrounding the historic Grade
recently opened Tremenheere Gallery offers an II-listed Thirsk Hall (4), the Sculpture Garden
evolving programme of curated exhibitions with is set to host a diverse lineup of artists in 2024.
works by local, national and international artists. Alongside the outdoor sculptures, which include
Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens (2) is a family- Michael Lyons’ Hornblower (shown), visitors
owned vineyard estate near Horsham in West can explore two indoor spaces, The Orangery
Sussex. The 240-acre grounds boast Grade I-listed and Gallery One. You’ll be captivated by the works
woodland gardens that have seen two years of of artists including Hugo Dalton, Mona Hatoum,
FEATURE LAURA VINDEN PHOTOGRAPHS (1) KARL DAVIES;

restoration (after seven years of closure to the Elpida Hadzi-Vasileva and many more in this
public) and have reopened with the exciting magnificent North Yorkshire venue.
addition of a sculpture park. Here, you can explore Founded by sculptor Simon Gudgeon and his
The Walk of Life, a solo exhibition by celebrated horticulturist wife Monique, Dorset’s Sculpture
South African sculptor Anton Smit (shown is by the Lakes (5) is one of just eight accredited
(2) VELDSKOEN; (5) SIMON GUDGEON

Rulene Speed), alongside homegrown talents. botanic gardens in the UK. From 2 April to 1 June,
This spring’s events range from an Easter wreath- its annual sculpture show, Form, will showcase
making workshop to forest-bathing experiences works by 35 contemporary sculptors, including
and guided walks led by the head gardener. significant new pieces by Simon (whose Search
In April, the Hannah Peschar Sculpture Garden for Enlightenment is shown) and a monumental
(3) will unveil its annual sculpture exhibition, a Icarus sculpture by Nicola Godden. &

34 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M
 WILD PROSPECTS
A d a m H u n t o f Ur q u h a r t & H u n t d e m y s t i f i e s L a t i n p l a n t
names, ex plor ing both the or ig ins and meanings

taxonomy’. Linnaeus developed a two-name

classification system called binomial nomenclature
for all living organisms published in two books,
Species Plantarum (1753) and Systema Naturae
(1758), which are still in use today.
Applying the system to the issue of the bluebell
harebell, we find that in Scotland the bluebell can
either be Campanula rotundifolia or Hyacinthoides
non-scripta. Whilst in England the harebell is
Campanula rotundifolia and the bluebell is
Hyacinthoides non-scripta. Looking further into
the issue, there are several more plants known as
bluebells which goes to show how useful binomial
nomenclature is. Accordingly, the use of Latin in
horticulture is ubiquitous and essential, and it is a
delight to hear the Latin names confidently rolling
off the tongue of an experienced gardener or
nurseryperson. As you can imagine, it is even more
important in the medical world where using the
wrong plant could be dangerous. However, I also
worry that the use of Latin can be a barrier to some.
I know several extremely experienced and capable
THE naming of plants is a fascinating and even horticulturists who find it difficult to come to terms
enlightening subject, it seems to reflect our eternal with Latin, due to dyslexia or confidence and feel
conversation with the natural world and the plants the lack of it, yet they are still excellent growers and
we cherish. Down through the ages plant names have no less love of their craft.

FEATURE ADAM HUNT (URQUHART & HUNT) PHOTOGRAPHS (ADAM HUNT) DAVE WATTS;
have been based on folklore, healing properties, Given the ecological focus of many of our projects,
location and more recently scientific classification. one of the books we use most in our studio is the
There is a beauty and magic to some of the old Collins Wild Flower Guide. It documents every
country names of plants and yet sometimes they are flower known to have been found growing wild in
confusing, too. A well-known example being that the Britain and Ireland. The book is full of information
plant often known as a bluebell in Scotland is called with beautiful botanical hand drawings of each
a harebell in England, with the English bluebell species (always much better for identification
being a completely different plant. This problem purposes than a photograph) as well as distribution,
was well known in the 17th century when it was habit and whether the plant is native, introduced
especially difficult for scientists to know what plant or a garden escapee. As designers, we are used
or animal they were discussing with fellow scientists to using Latin names to accurately discuss and
from other localities or countries who knew them procure the exact plants we need, but intriguingly
(DRAWING) PANTEEK.COM

by different names. Though there were many who the Collins Wild Flower Guide gives the common
worked on developing an infallible naming system, names precedence. I think this is the right way
the most famous was a Swedish biologist called round, it makes the subject of plant names,
Carl Linnaeus, sometimes called the ‘father of daunting as it is, more friendly.

36 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M
 NEWS & SHOPPING

One day, while researching native species of has a plant or two that is especially precious to them
bellflower or Campanulaceae family in the Collins (for me its always been the wood anemone (Anemone
guide, I came across a plant with the common name nemorosa). I also feel that knowing the names of
Venus’s Looking Glass. I was totally intrigued by this each plant is a tall order, whether Latin or common,
name, and I obviously had some time on my hands especially if you are not handling them every day. It
because I started looking further into what was seems to me that as each gardener develops their
behind its name. It seems that once upon a time confidence and style they use a hybrid of various
Venus had a looking glass that only reflected beauty, names and approaches, much like any expert. &
it was one of her most treasured belongings. One day
she misplaced it and despite searching everywhere If you want to read further on this, I can’t recommend
she could not find it. Her son Cupid saw that it had the following two books highly enough: The Naming
fallen to earth and was in the possession of a of Names: The Search for Order in the World of Plants
shepherd so she asked, or maybe ordered, him to go by Anna Pavord and Plant Names Simplified by
down to collect it. Now the shepherd had become AP Stockdale, AT Johnson and HA Smith
rather attached to the mirror since it only showed
beauty and when asked to return it by Cupid he
refused. Cupid snatching the mirror from him and
in doing so dropped it and it broke into a thousand
pieces, each one springing up into a beautiful small
blue bell-shaped flower. Apparently the seeds of
this plant shine bright like mirrors. The Latin name
for the European Venus’s looking glass is Legousia
hybrida and for the Northern American plant by
the same common name is Triodanis perfoliata;
This shows how clearly Linnaeus’ classification
explains which plant we really mean but the
common name has such a story to it why not use this
name if you cannot remember the other. Strangely,
mythology also crept into Linnaean system, too,
for example, the names alchemilla, achillea and
centaurea all derived from myth in pre-scientific
days. Many plants are also named in relation to their
medical effects, proven or not, selfheal, woundwort,
lungwort and boneknit being some examples.
The plant names I grew up with were mostly
common names and they have a heft to them for
me that the Latin names rarely do. Often the best
indicator of where something will grow is its form
and this knowledge comes from experience and from
plants with a similar shape or habit, or from the
Carefully considered botanical drawings of plants are usually
same family will probably behave in a similar way. I better for identification than photographs – illustrations here
feel that all people who garden love nature, everyone include the European Venus’s looking glass and the harebell

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 37
 &
DESIGN &
DECORATING
WITH THE THEME OF THIS ISSUE BEING ARCHITECTURE,
WE PRESENT A DIRECTORY OF ARCHITECTS, A GUIDE TO
EXTENSIONS AND DECOR INFLUENCED BY THE SUBJECT,
INCLUDING WHIMSICAL CITYSCAPE WALLPAPERS AND
THE COLOUR OF THE MOMENT – PRETTY PLASTER

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 39
 C O L O U R O F THE M O N TH

Pretty plaster
R a ng i ng f r om t a up e a nd c r e a m t one s t o
e a r t hy pi n k hue s , t h i s ne ut r a l i s de l ig ht f u l

FEATURE PIPPA BLENKINSOP PHOTOGRAPHS (1) CARLOS SANCHEZ-GARCIA;

‘A modern take on the “true fresh” style of Italian

painting, Buon Fresco creates a wet-plaster
look, capturing the charm of sun-soaked Italy.
This slightly deeper neutral is perfect for
(2) BOZ GAGOVSKI; (3) KANE HULSE; (4) @KITANDCO_

south-facing rooms. It’s also ideal for exterior

spaces where you need something stony and
grounded without too much vibrancy. To bring
this colour to life, opt for natural materials and
rustic textures to create an inviting space.’
ROB ABRAHAMS, co-founder, Coat
Buon Fresco
flat matt, £52
for 2.5ltr, Coat

40 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M
 D ES I G N & D ECORATING

1. 2.

3. 4.

1. ‘The colour chosen for this bathroom is Jonquil by Edward Bulmer Natural Paint. It is a good
yellow-pink that gives cohesion to the room’s architectural elements and is the perfect canvas
for the furniture and wallcoverings.’ CARLOS SANCHEZ-GARCIA, founder, Carlos Garcia Interiors

2. ‘We wanted a warm mood to counteract the hard surfaces in the kitchen. This was achieved
using Little Greene’s Hammock on the walls and a darker colour, Paint & Paper Library’s Mink,
on the ceiling, which helps draw the room in.’ LAURA STEPHENS, founder, Laura Stephens Interiors

3. ‘It was important to make the space inviting and calming. We used Little Greene’s Clay Pale
on the walls and ceiling and Clay Mid for the built-in storage. The zellige tiles have an irregular
gloss finish, adding depth and light play.’ SOPHIE ROWELL, director and founder, Côte de Folk

4. ‘For our guest bedroom, I chose Farrow & Ball’s Setting Plaster to create a dusty pink backdrop
for layering colour and pattern. There’s a softness and timelessness to this pretty shade that
pairs wonderfully with every colour I introduce.’ MEGAN ROBSON, founder, Kit & Co →

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 41
DE S I G N & D E C O R AT I NG

2.

3.

1.

5.

6.

4.

1. Castile Foam Classico chalk

paint, from £65 for 1ltr, Pure &
Original, available at Village Chic
2. Cassiano fabric in Shell,
£42m, iLiv
7. 3. Hearts & Minds wallpaper in
Putty, £160 a roll, Kelling Designs
4. Tempus wallpaper in Plaster,
£880 a roll, Madeaux
5. Jitney estate emulsion,
£54.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball
6. Trapeze border in Natural,
£70m, Christopher Farr Cloth
7. Mosaic glass tile in Sand,
30x30cm, £393.40sq m, Balineum
8. Toile de Terrain in Dune fabric,
£167m, Brook Perdigon Textiles
9. at The Fabric Collective
9. Ikat border in Stucco,
8. T128/05, £34m, Villa Nova &

42 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M
 DECO RATI NG

We built this city

A rch itec t u ra l mot i fs a re big news for fabr ic s a nd
wallpapers – thin k stat uesque columns, g racef u l
arches and more detai led cit yscapes
FEATURE KIERA BUCKLEY-JONES BORDER TUDOR COLUMNS IN CETONA, £134M, LIBERTY

SET THE SCENE

The lakes of northern Italy set the tone for this design featuring traditional lakeside villas complete
with stone colonnades adorned with climbing wisteria. We suggest teaming the sculptural shapes
and sun-bleached colour palette evoking sunny days by the water with curvaceous furniture and
accessories in toning shades for an exciting yet considered decorating scheme.
Villa Como wallpaper, £244 a roll, Osborne & Little →

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 45
DE S I G N & D E C O R AT I NG

SCALE UP SCREEN SHOT

A large room can take a panoramic mural, especially Create impact without the commitment of
in monochrome, so cover the whole space instead redecoration by introducing a screen covered in
of just a statement wall. Despite the scale, this a bold image. Soften the look with coloured
Greek ruin illustration is subtle in its light grey upholstery in a print from the same design family.
sketchy style and is tempered further by the tonal Screen in Piazza Frienze in Grisaille, £1,791 for a three-
paint used on the ceiling and woodwork. panel set; sofa in Modern Toile in Yellow, £297m, both
Rovine wallpaper, £579 per panel (2x3m), Arte Johnson Hartig for Schumacher

MURALS

Rosa, £192m, Turner Gateway to the

BORDER AMSTERDAM WALLPAPER, £219 A ROLL, MIND THE GAP

Adam Ellis Studio Flower-Garden bespoke mural,

£42sq m, Graham & Brown

Buckingham House in Design for a Nobleman’s Villa:

Graphite, £325 a roll, Elevation by John Yenn, £45sq m,
Designers Guild Surface View

46 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M
 STATELY STYLE
Use a trompe l’oeil wallpaper anywhere in your home to give the illusion of a wider space.
The Parisian building facades in this design can be matched infinitely, every 134cm, to suit
your specifications. Elevate your decoration further with a statement chandelier.
Neoclassical wallpaper in Jour, £987 a roll; Stoned Romans fabric (on table) in Olive, £202m; Hedgerow carpet
in Lichen, price on request, all Ken Fulk x Pierre Frey. Similar chandelier, Farfalle, £2,450, Andrew Martin →
DE S I G N & D E C O R AT I NG

ROOF REPEAT TERRACOTTA TOWN

Patterns don’t need to exist in isolation. With this Warm up a cool room with a wallpaper in cocoa, brick
in mind, hang a graphic modern artwork on top and ochre hues. Spaces with dark ceilings – such as
of a mid-scale, densely repeated design in the same those with wooden beams – are lightened with the
colour group for an original decorative approach. white expanse of space within the pattern, while
Chora 23 wallpaper, £234 a roll, CO.DE by Jannelli the palette of warm colours stops it looking stark.
& Volpi at Altfield Vila Viela wallpaper, £469.50 a roll, Casamance

WALLPAPERS

Lisbonne, £59.40 a roll, Peacock Arches, £180 a Emma’s Apartment, £70 Keep on Rollin’, £43 a roll,
Camengo roll, Josephine Munsey a roll, Mini Moderns Lust Home
BORDER JAMES WALLPAPER, £48.40 A ROLL, CASELIO

Arty, £71.85 a roll, Montacute, £126.75 Urban Planning, Animal Architecture, £225
Casadeco a roll, Zoffany £1,636 a roll, Kravet at a roll, Brand McKenzie
GP & J Baker

48 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M
 GRAND DESIGN
Show off a double-height room with a wallpaper that is equally grand. This classic Fornasetti design dates
from 1955 and depicts Baroque Rome through a mid-century lens. Embrace this merging of styles by
combining an eclectic mix of vintage and antique furniture in your interior scheme.
Fornasetti Riflesso wallpaper in Black & White, £364 a roll, Cole & Son →
DE S I G N & D E C O R AT I NG

ISLAND LIFE LONDON CALLING

This wallpaper depicts the colourful houses found on Houses found in London’s Berkeley Square were the
the Venetian island of Burano, but in this vibrant inspiration of this design. Bring it into a bedroom as
colourway it almost has a South American feel. If you an oversized upholstered headboard, layering the bed
use it on a screen, as seen here, choose one of the in smaller graphic prints for a smart hotel-style
mid-toned pattern colours for your walls. aesthetic worthy of a home in the square itself.
Burano wallpaper in Multicolore, £186 a roll, Rubelli Headboard in Berkeley Square in Navy, £95.50m; throw
in Piccadilly in Blue, £61m, both James Hare

FABRICS

Temple linen, £130m, Tara, £182m, Hadi Fretwork, £171.72m, Pillars in Terra, £168m,
Annika Reed Studio Teherani for Kit Miles Ottoline at The Fabric
Christian Fischbacher Collective
BORDER ALTRONDE WALLCOVERING, £346M, DEDAR

Step in Natural, £100m, Zoe, £152m, Osaka in Spice, £142m, Etto in Indigo, £97.50m,
Kirkby Design Studiopepe x Élitis Larsen Romo

50 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M
 FABULOUS FOLLY
The architecture hidden among foliage in this paper has a mysterious other-worldly quality.
Follow this approach of using it on walls and upholstered seating for a chic private members’
club feel, adding curated artworks with crisp white backgrounds to give a modern edge.
Palazzo wallpaper, £338 a roll; upholstery in Palazzo, £181m, Nobilis &
 D ES I G N & D EC ORATING

T H E J OY O F…

Beautiful buildings
T h i s mont h , ou r c olu m n i s t Joy Moy le r r e c ou nt s how
a r c h it e c t u r e i n f lue nc e s he r a ppr o a c h t o de s ig n

IT IS everywhere you look. Simple, complex, inviting,

or eroding. It can evoke much conversation with its
dramatic flair, or make you feel empty and lost when
something is missing. It offers shelter from the storm,
and envelops the lives we create for ourselves.
It is architecture. The diversity of styles expands the
test of time, across all civilisations. One of my favourite
design library treasures is Sir Banister Fletcher’s
A History of Architecture. You can find me lost in the
drawings, balustrade designs and expanded style
definitions, and I’m always on a quest to discover more.
My primary professional focus is interior design but
it is architecture that brought me here. A trip to Spain
started it all, when a chip of stone from the facade of
Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia hit me in the face. Literally!
Thoughts of studying fashion design soon faded and
my foray into the architectural rabbit hole began.
To date, I love spaces with a historical reference. New
York’s Metropolitan Museum is a favourite structure.
It is a classical beacon, and I am a classicist at heart.
PHOTOGRAPHS (THE OLD BARN) SIMON UPTON; (JOY MOYLER) JAMES MCDONALD; (CAPE COD) JOY MOYLER INTERIORS

A highlight of my career is the opportunity to work

on international projects. One, a golf resort outside
Architecture informed the design of The Old Barn (top left)
Moscow. The building’s architecture was designed by
and Cape Cod project (above) by Joy Moyler Interiors
my dear friend Gregory Tuck and the brief was ‘to create
classical architectural spaces with both contemporary items into a space tells a stronger story when respect is
and traditional interior furnishings, decorative present. I am always led by the people, the culture first.
elements and references’. Happy to say we nailed it! This is not to say I don’t appreciate the cleanliness
Another, the restoration and refresh of a 19th-century of super-modern architecture. Often, it is a breath of
listed estate in Middlesex, England, for a young family. fresh air. A visual cleansing after all the heavy details
The challenge there was holding on to the structure’s that come from neoclassical, beaux arts and Victorian
rich history – original wide plank floors and deep styles can be quite refreshing. Strangely, it can be more
mahogany millwork – while creating timely new time consuming detailing seamless modern architecture,
modern spaces for young children to relate to. as any and all defects show in its crispness.
Both projects excited me a great deal. I love studying No particular architectural style may be a favourite.
the history of a space, the culture, the people, the design But perhaps, if nothing else, it creates interest. A sense
references, the exhibits. It becomes full immersion. of wonder to travel a rabbit hole into inquiry. Perhaps a
My approach is to let the architecture inform the series of ‘why and how’ will create a new path. What fun
interior. They need to be relatable. I do not want to it is to pause and to give in to the things around us. We
design a space in England that does not respect the may see a building every day, then one day it stops us in
history, or a home in Italy that is devoid of its culture our tracks. The sun may hit it differently. And perhaps
and craftsmanship. Integrating traditional and modern we may even get hit on the head by a crumbly bit. &

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 53
 D E C O R AT OR’S A DDRESS B O O K

Architects
In most ca ses, the foundat ion of a successf u l
bu i ld ing projec t is f ind ing t he r ig ht a rch itec t –
h e r e i s a l i s t o f p r a c t i c e s t o ge t y o u s t a r t e d

Coppin Dockray
sensitively renovated
the celebrated Ahm
House in Hertfordshire,
created by Jørn Utzon
in 1961

54 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M
 D ES I G N & D EC ORATING

B R A D L E Y VA N
An 18th-century-
style home in
DER STRAETEN
Hampshire by
Adam Architecture
London
Known for ‘designing the
unexpected’ since 2010,
architecture and interior design
studio Bradley Van Der Straeten
specialises in homes that are
intriguing and colourful. From
extensions and historic and listed
properties to new builds and

A
interior design upgrades, every

C
project is full of distinct character.
b-vds.co.uk

COPPIN
A DA M BEECH DOCKR AY
ARCHITECTURE ARCHITECTS
London
Winchester/London Suffolk, East Anglia Expert at designing new homes on
Founded in 1986, Adam From sustainable homes to sensitive sites and reimagining
Architecture’s mission is to create sensitive conversions, extensions significant heritage buildings,
the listed buildings of the future. to works on heritage buildings, 2012-founded Coppin Dockray
Restoring, renovating or extending 2008-established Beech works on houses created by the
historic and protected properties, Architects works on houses of 20th century’s great architects.
as well as designing new homes every kind, focusing on playful, Bringing their pioneering
for the town and country, the low-energy, contemporary structures back to life, the practice
practice combines the latest designs that carefully relate to produces homes that are relevant,
technology with a classical their environments. joyful and protected for the future.
aesthetic, proving sustainability beecharchitects.com coppindockray.co.uk →
and the traditional aesthetic can

B
complement each other.
adamarchitecture.com A contemporary
build in Kent
FEATURE AMY MOOREA WONG PHOTOGRAPHS (COPPIN DOCKRAY) JAMES O DAVIES; (ADAM

designed by
Beech Architects
ARCHITECTURE) DYLAN THOMAS; (BEECH ARCHITECTS) STEVE TAYLOR PHOTOGRAPHY

BEASLEY
DICKINSON
ARCHITECTS

London
2014-founded Beasley Dickinson
Architects takes a poetic approach
to material, tactility, light and
space, responding to individual
contexts rather than owning a
specific aesthetic. From
contemporary builds to Grade
II-listed updates and seaside
holiday homes, each project is
long lasting and sustainable.
beasleydickson.com

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 55
 Elliott Architects
designed this
home for a
HUDSON
woodland site in ARCHITECTS
Northumberland

Norwich, East Anglia/London

Blending exciting, progressive
aesthetics with the local
environment and an acute
awareness of environmental
responsibility, 2002-established
design studio Hudson Architects

E
specialises in creating distinctive
homes. From converted
agricultural buildings to subtle
barn conversions, expansive
extensions and coastal retreats,
each is intricately integrated into
its neighbouring landscape.
ELLIOTT HOLL A NDGREEN hudsonarchitects.co.uk
ARCHITECTS ARCHITECTURE,
INTERIOR DESIGN

PHOTOGRAPHS (ELLIOTT ARCHITECTS) JILL TATE; (HOLLANDGREEN) ELLIE WALPOLE

HYDE + HYDE
& LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS
Hexham, Northumberland
Working in rural and sensitive
DESIGN
contexts including national parks,
Cardiff/Oxford
areas of outstanding natural
Thame, Oxfordshire/London/ Launched in 2006, Hyde + Hyde
beauty, the greenbelt, the open
Cirencester, Cotswolds Architects creates rich, tailored
countryside and conservation
Founded in 2010, HollandGreen designs imbued with personal
areas, 2014-founded Elliott
combines architecture, interior meaning and poetry. Specialising
Architects is adept at creating
and landscape design to create in exclusive, high-end houses, the
meaningful designs that honour
buildings that considerately brand works on new builds,
their bucolic backdrops,
amalgamate indoors and out. The zero-energy homes and
introducing a highly contemporary
firm is known for sensitively refurbishments, each responding
aesthetic to sensitive historic and
reimagining heritage properties directly to its setting, from the
pastoral settings.

H
while introducing contemporary urban to remote coast and
elliottarchitects.co.uk
and energy-efficient updates. conservation areas.
hollandgreen.co.uk hydearchitects.com

HILLS & CO

The lower Wye Valley

Founded in 2015, Hills & Co
provides contemporary, thoughtful
and sustainable architecture on
a range of scales, including
low-energy new builds, modern
refurbishments, extensions to
listed properties and treehouse
accommodation. With a holistic
‘inside-and-out’ design approach,
the firm’s packages include This cottage in
everything from insulation to Oxfordshire was
paint, with each project reflecting updated by
its heritage and environment. HollandGreen
hillsandcompany.co.uk

56 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M
 D ES I G N & D EC ORATING

I
A 1900s building
ICON in the Wye Valley
ARCHITECTS was converted
by Loyn+Co
Architects

London
Creating homes that are elegant,
practical and sophisticated,
2004-founded Icon Architects
infuses properties with personality.
Working predominately to breathe
life back into period buildings
while adding modern functionality,
the firm emphasises maximising
space and light to create a feeling

J LM
of expansive openness.
icon-architects.com

JA ME S
A RMITAGE LOY N+CO
ARCHITECTS ARCHITECTS M A RY
ARNOLD-
Bath Penarth, Wales FORSTER
Established in 2007, James Aiming to elevate the profile of ARCHITECTS
Armitage Architects’ expertise is contemporary architecture in
in designing period houses as well Wales, Loyn+Co Architects was
as extensions, conversions and founded in 1992 as a specialist in Dunkeld, Perthshire
refurbishments, crafting creating one-off houses that are Introducing quiet, thoughtful
traditional architecture that meets sustainable and tailored specific architecture to rural Scotland and
contemporary needs and creating to their environments. From new northern England, 2016-formed
beautiful buildings to be cherished zero-carbon homes in areas of Mary Arnold-Forster Architects’

K
for generations to come. natural beauty to extensions to projects are based on a rigorous
jamesarmitage.com historic buildings, the firm uses study of their context and site,
local materials to help buildings resulting in restrained and
blur into the environment. beautifully crafted spaces.
loyn.co.uk maryarnold-forster.co.uk →
KONISHI
GAFFNEY
ARCHITECTS
PHOTOGRAPHS (LOYN+CO ARCHITECTS) MEDIA10/MARKBOLTON

Edinburgh
Building with a Japanese
perspective since 2009, Konishi
Gaffney Architects’ work is
beautiful, simple and modest, with
a gentle touch that expresses
quiet beauty and relaxed restraint.
Centred on the emotional impact
Konishi Gaffney
of materials, light and the Architects
connection between inside and updated this home
out, the practice’s portfolio spans with an oak-clad
garden offices to rural new builds. extension
konishigaffney.com

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 57
 D ES I G N & D EC ORATING

N
This London
house by Proctor
& Shaw is full of
NIMTIM sculptural drama
ARCHITECTS

London
Nimtim Architects’ diverse back
catalogue comes from the
2014-founded brand bringing
clients inside the design process
to make decisions and choose
materials. From new-build houses
to extensions and garden design,
sustainability is at the forefront
and each of its eco-friendly
projects tends to be tinged with

P
hints of playfulness.
nimtim.co.uk

R
PIP PROCTOR
ARCHITECTS & S H AW RANDELL
DESIGN GROUP
Cambridge London
Founded in 2014, PiP Architects is Viewing architecture and interior
dedicated to combining design as synonymous, this Chichester, West Sussex
sustainability and contextual 2019-established studio treats a 2008-founded Randell Design
integrity, specialising in one-off building’s outside and inside Group offers a complete in-house
builds and self-builds and the holistically within the design ‘concierge-style’ service,
renovation and extension of process. Creating simple, elegant, incorporating architecture,
contemporary and heritage personal spaces that explore craft planning, interior design and
homes. The practice imbues every and how light falls, the firm works project management. The practice
project with a sense of place, on projects from individual houses creates buildings that respond to
rooting each building within its to extensions and refurbishments, their surroundings, from beach
setting and linking it to the history, all based on natural materials fronts to period neighbourhoods.
context and aesthetic of the area. and sustainability. randelldesigngroup.com
piparchitecture.co.uk proctorandshaw.com
R IC H A R D PA R R
ASSOCIATES

London/Cotswolds
With a portfolio hovering between
(PIP ARCHITECTS) HARRISON BUNNING PHOTOGRAPHY
PHOTOGRAPHS (PROCTOR & SHAW) STÅLE ERIKSEN;

new builds and historically

significant properties, Richard
Parr Associates’ projects are
based upon sustainability and
longevity. Founded in 1994, the
‘modern traditionalist’ practice
A innovative
update to a combines time-honoured
Victorian house materials and craft skills with
in Cambridge by discreet technical innovation and
PiP Architects environmental consciousness.
richardparr.com →

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 59
 D ES I G N & D EC ORATING

S
A low-energy
home in Surrey
by Rural Office

SA N DY RE N DEL
ARCHITECTS

London
Working on homes to suit a
myriad of sites, from expansive
rural settings to tight urban plots,
2010-founded Sandy Rendel
Architects uncovers the unique
physical, environmental and
cultural contexts of each project
to create buildings with diverse A striking build
aesthetics. Merging traditional with rust-toned
RURAL OFFICE construction and craft methods steel walls and
and modern technologies and roof by Sandy

T
Rendel Architects
materials, the result is forward
Carmarthen, west Wales thinking and often unexpected.
Cultivating a reputation for sandyrendel.com
combining the contemporary
with the countryside since
2008, Rural Office brings its S PA S E TAP
balanced aesthetic to farmsteads, ARCHITECTS
sites of significance, country
estates, tiny cabins and new Dorset
homes – generally in rural Combining a traditional and Edinburgh
settings. Reinterpreting and innovative ethos and Working on historic buildings and
modernising rural historic methodology, Spase has a diverse new builds, 2009-founded Tap
architectural language with body of work ranging from Architects specialises in
creativity and flair, the firm looks contemporary new builds to listed conserving, repurposing and
to craft buildings that contribute period homes, often seeing each retrofitting to enhance
to their landscape. through from pre-acquisition to sustainability and improve
rural-office.co.uk handover. The studio passionately environmental performance. The
promotes sustainable architecture studio draws out the character of a
and is a pioneer in carbon zero structure using styles, materials or
RX heritage projects. forms that respond to its context.
ARCHITECTS spase.co.uk taparchitects.co.uk →
PHOTOGRAPHS (RURAL OFFICE) RORY GAYLOR; (SPASE) JONATHAN GOODING

Rye, East Sussex Spase updated

Expert in developing coastal the interior of
homes in varying styles, materials this Grade
and types, 2016-established RX II-listed rectory
in Dorset
Architects prides itself on
architectural ambition. Its
innovative projects are defined
and inspired by the Rye Bay
coastline, from the sandy dunes to
the ancient woodland, each
beautiful, sustainable design
responding to its unique and
alluring sense of place.
rxarchitects.com

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 61
DE S I G N & D E C O R AT I NG

Y
Zulufish’s sleek
YA RD design for a
main bedroom in
ARCHITECTS a London terrace

London
Working mainly on Victorian
properties in conservation areas
as well as new builds and eco
homes, 2014-formed practice Yard

Z
Architects is known for its creative
adaptations of existing buildings,
A London mews infusing a sense of playfulness
townhouse into its designs by pairing colour
refurbishment
and interesting finishes with
by TR Studio
warm, natural materials.
yardarchitects.co.uk ZULUFISH
TR STUDIO
YIA NGOU
ARCHITECTS London
London An interior design consultancy,
Founded in 2015 to create architectural firm and design and
enriching, meaningful spaces, Cirencester, Cotswolds build specialist, 2005-founded
TR Studio places emphasis on Forty-year-old practice Yiangou Zulufish is all about creative and
materiality, craft skill, energy use Architects is highly regarded for intelligent space planning. From
and sustainability. Working across the country homes it designs, simple refurbishments to
buildings such as Victorian from listed buildings to new structural renovations and
townhouses, countryside lodges classical-styled houses and complete transformations, its trio
and modernist houses, each contemporary steel-and-glass of teams offer a wide range of
timeless scheme combines structures. Each project responds skills, experience and ideas for
function with delight, evoking the to its specific site and context, the creating sophisticated and
atmosphere of home with each studio’s back catalogue extensive textured schemes that breathe
carefully considered detail. and fully of variety. life, light and soul into homes.

W
trstudio.co.uk yiangou.com zulufish.co.uk &

WOODFORD
ARCHITECTURE
A ND INTERIORS
(WOODFORD ARCHITECTURE AND INTERIORS) RICHARD DOWNER

Ashburton, Devon
Founded in 2008 to provide an
integrated interior and
PHOTOGRAPHS (TR STUDIO) BILLY BOLTON;

architectural firm for properties in

southwest England, Woodford
Architecture and Interiors’
projects range from refurbishing
listed buildings to creating A former rectory in
zero-carbon houses and new Devon refurbished by
builds. Each property is precisely Woodford Architecture
and considerately detailed. and Interiors
woodfordarchitecture.com

62 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M
DE S I G N & D E C O R AT I NG

D E SI GN I DEAS

Increased interest
A wel l-pla nned ex tension w i l l a dd lig ht , spa ce a nd a
connec t ion to the outdoors but a lso charac ter

BALANCING ACT
While the temptation is often to embrace glass, be mindful of the architecture and setting of a house before choosing
FEATURE ARABELLA YOUENS

a design. The owners of this 18th-century property overlooking a river on the edge of London wanted a highly glazed
extension, but interior designer Nicola Harding thought that it would have been incongruous with the style of the
house, as well as being subject to the glare of the river and too hot summers. Instead, she designed an orangery with
a skylight and an electric blind that filters light throughout the year. ‘The flowing colour palette and natural textures
create a soulful atmosphere that generates different moods throughout the day and into the night,’ says Nicola.

64 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M
 NEW CHAPTER
One way to add an extension that is sympathetic
to the original property yet creates a significant
distinction rather than a pastiche is to follow
the lines of the existing building then bring in a
contemporary flavour. Simon Griffiths, associate
director of HollandGreen, explains how his team
designed this new addition to a listed mill house.
‘Our clients wanted to extend their property while
retaining its character and charm,’ he says. ‘The
idea was to add a 21st-century chapter to the
property’s layers of history. Built with an oak
structure and using local brick and sweet-chestnut
timber cladding, the glazed extension takes in the
countryside views and introduces a new open-plan
kitchen, dining and family space, with a light-touch
PHOTOGRAPHS (NEW CHAPTER) MARTIN GARDNER; (MATERIAL MIX) STÅLE ERIKSEN

glass link to the older parts of the ground floor.’

MATERIAL MIX
Swapping out standard plastered walls for exposed
surfaces or natural materials adds interest to a
new space. However, the danger in this approach
is that it raises the bar in terms of the final finishes,
as any mistake cannot be easily covered up. In
this project by Oliver Leech Architects, the main
challenge was to retain as many surface treatments
as possible, including exposed steel, plaster,
concrete, timber and glass. ‘These provide a
textured backdrop for the house,’ says founding
director Oliver. ‘The plastering had to be planned
meticulously and executed perfectly and the
structural steelwork was also a challenge as every
finished surface had to align and meet perfectly.’ →

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 65
 BACK TO BLACK
Shou sugi ban is the traditional Japanese art of
charring cedar, which was an original way of
preserving wood and making it more durable. These
days, architects and designers are specifying
charred timber of different species such as oak,
Douglas fir and Siberian larch. For a semi-detached
property in Dulwich, south-east London, the team
at De Rosee Sa designed a 56sq m rear extension
featuring an expressive roof form that helps to
define the different functions of the large open-
plan space. ‘The black western red cedar-clad
extension sits playfully within its context and clearly
distinguishes itself from the existing Edwardian

PHOTOGRAPHS (BACK TO BLACK) ALEXANDER JAMES; (GEOMETRY LESSON) ANNA STATHAKI

brick house,’ says co-founder and director Max de
Rosee. ‘The profile of the zinc roof is sympathetic
to the neighbouring extensions on either side by
pitching to meet the adjoining roof heights.’

GEOMETRY LESSON
When planning an extension, particularly for a
townhouse, one of the most common desires is to
gain light. It’s a good idea to think carefully about
how the sun will travel over the day, an approach
“TO ACHIEVE A SPACIOUS taken by the team at Finkernagel Ross. ‘This room’s
INTERIOR, WE MAXIMISED THE design prioritises the optimisation of natural light
infiltration, crafted by considering the angles and
CEILING HEIGHT WHILE BEING orientation of the sun during the day,’ says director
MINDFUL OF NEIGHBOURING Catherine Finkernagel. ‘Consequently, our design
ended up incorporating an angled ceiling, not
RIGHTS OF LIGHT” solely for its aesthetic appeal but as a thoughtful
CATHERINE FINKERNAGEL,
integration of architectural features aligning with
director, Finkernagel Ross the multifaceted considerations for this space.’

66 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M
 D ES I G N & D EC ORATING
PHOTOGRAPH CHRIS WHARTON PHOTO GRAPHY

LOOK UP
Using a staggered plan for an extension avoids ending up with a rather soulless, large box space. Sometimes, the
quest for extra square feet can override the crucial consideration of how the room will be used. In this house in
Highgate, north London, a bespoke bookcase and bench seat area help to separate the snug and courtyard from the
kitchen beyond. ‘The design of the ceiling reflected the original extension roof form,’ explains Lizzie Fraher, design
director of architectural practice Fraher & Findlay, who designed and made all the custom joinery in this project.
‘The pitched roof enabled us to have high-level glazing to bring in lots of natural light throughout the day.’ →

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 67
DE S I G N & D E C O R AT I NG

INDUSTRIAL ACCENT
Making the most of an existing window will help ensure as much light as possible enters an extension. Sometimes it
PHOTOGRAPH CHRIS SNOOK

pays to glaze the entire aperture, even if that means investing in glass for an unusually shaped opening. ‘The design for
this Victorian building emphasises the expression of architectural form and an underlying rationale derived from the
original building’s use as a postal sorting office,’ says Matthew Withers, director of Stylus Architects, who designed
this scheme for clients in London. ‘A key objective was to retain as much of the building’s original fabric as possible,
while incorporating insertions such as the five-metre-high arch, which harks back to its industrial heritage.’

68 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M
 RAISE THE ROOF
In some places, particularly in an urban context and
often in conservation areas, there might be limits
on boundary wall heights for extensions. One way
around this problem, subject to agreement from the
relevant authorities, is to use glass as a material to
create the additional ceiling height in lieu of a solid
wall. This is the method used in this extension in
Brockwell Park, south London. Not only does it not
impact on the neighbouring property but the raised
glass ceiling floods this space with light. In this design
by architecture practice Studio Elephant, interior
designer Lizzie Green says that the minimal glazing
PHOTOGRAPHS (RAISE THE ROOF) CHRIS SNOOK; (STRONG CONNECTION) VALE GARDEN HOUSES

allowed her to ‘push the dial’ with print and colour.

The vibrant floral fabric on the banquette against
neutral walls serves to highlight the light in the space.

STRONG CONNECTION
An orangery can be an elegant way to knit two
separate buildings together while maintaining
a traditional aesthetic. With underfloor heating,
automatic roof blinds and top-quality materials, the
glazed addition feels integral to the house rather
than an afterthought. The result often not only
makes better sense of the available floor space but
also manages to look handsome. ‘A classic orangery
design with a manicured garden creates a delightful
symmetry to behold,’ says Lisa Morton, director of
Vale Garden Houses, who designed this structure.
‘This orangery is used as a dining room which
also forms a link to other rooms in the home. The
informal styling of the room seamlessly connects
indoors with the surrounding gardens.’ →

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 69
 DOUBLE ORDER
With a careful approach, and a team that has
experience of negotiating with local planning
officers, it is possible to extend in every direction,
even in a conservation area. This side, rear, second-
storey and basement extension almost doubled the
footprint of the original house in Barnes, south-
west London. Completed by Jo Cowen Architects,
it accommodates a larger kitchen, four new
bedrooms and two bathrooms and a substantial
wine cellar in the basement. ‘The width of this
detached property allowed for a new large lateral
living space to the rear,’ says Carlota Tarragona,
associate director. ‘The kitchen and living areas

PHOTOGRAPHS (DOUBLE ORDER) DAVID BUTLER; (SEASONAL COLOUR) ALEXANDER JAMES

are defined each side of the impressive wrap-over
roof light, which allows for clear views directly to
the garden space from the central hallway and
staircase. The bespoke pivot and sliding doors
provide direct connection to the beautiful garden.’

SEASONAL COLOUR
Replacing a solid wall with one made entirely of
glass will have dramatic results – especially when it
opens a spectacular view. In this scheme by Pringle
“THE INTERIORS (ABOVE) & Pringle, the glazing has been taken all the way up
DREW ON THE COLOURS OF to the gable, allowing the owners of the house to
take in the constantly changing sea views off the
THE LANDSCAPE WITH ITS RED Isle of Arran in Scotland. ‘The owners have a love for
SAND AND GREENS AND BLUES mid-century design and colour so we brought the
two together with a layout that maximises the view,’
OF THE LAND AND SEA” says co-founder Sophie Pringle. To make the most
SOPHIE PRINGLE,
of the space, zones have been created with a quiet
co-founder, Pringle & Pringle breakfast corner alongside comfortable seating.

70 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M
 D ES I G N & D EC ORATING
PHOTOGRAPH HUGH HASTINGS AND CSA

OLD MEETS NEW

Many historic houses bear the signs of numerous building projects over the years. Before the listings process began in
the 1950s, owners were at liberty to add and subtract as they saw fit. These houses tell a tale, and many conservation
officers are keen that any new addition doesn’t interrupt that narrative. Here, the team at CSA Architects designed
an open-plan family living space to reconnect the house with the garden and wider landscape while preserving the
character of the building. ‘The steel and glass extension, while being virtually invisible itself, reveals the existing brick
chimneys and traditional timber frame, rather than hiding or mimicking them,’ says director Louisa Meek. →

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 71
DE S I G N & D E C O R AT I NG

WOOD WONDER
PHOTOGRAPH JIM STEPHENSON

When designing guest accommodation or a home office the ideal solution is often an addition that is separate but
linked to the house. This double-storey retreat, which has been added onto a stone-built cottage in Devon, achieves just
that. Designed by Studio Weave, and called Made of Sand, it can be used as an overflow from the house or inhabited
separately thanks to a kitchen and distinct entrance. It strikes a strong note with its geometric timber facade of western
red cedar panel slivers with large glazed apertures. Studio director Je Ahn says: ‘The contrasts between materials,
old and new, in and out, are foregrounded to create a distinct sense of rest and relaxation in the new spaces.’

72 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M
 TRADITION KEEPING
Listed country houses require a sensitive approach
when permissions are sought for extensions. In
some cases, it’s important to be led by the existing
architecture in designing something that is
sympathetic to the fabric and heritage features of
the original property. The team at David Salisbury
designed this classic wooden-framed orangery
for an old rectory in the Cotswolds. With its stone
base, slim fascia and elegant glazing pattern, the
result is a timeless and bright living space that
injects lots of natural light into the house. ‘A timber
orangery that complements the existing wooden
windows of the house helps to create a joined-up
look,’ says creative director Karen Bell.

POINT OF VIEW
Dissolving the space between inside and outside is
one of the aims of a glazed-based garden room.
Minimal sightline glazed doors play a leading role in
bringing the outside in and vice versa. ‘I inherited
this extension when we bought the apartment,’ says
Georgina Cave, founder of Cave Interiors, which she
runs with her daughter, Anouska. ‘While it played a
PHOTOGRAPHS (POINT OF VIEW) PAUL MASSEY

role in my love for the property, it had single-glazed

bi-fold doors, posing environmental concerns and
disrupting the beautiful view of the garden and
church beyond.’ To correct this, Georgina replaced
it with fixed glass on one side and double-glazed
sliding doors on the other. ‘Now it functions as both
a dining room and a cosy living space. It remains
warm in winter and opens in summer, providing the
perfect indoor-outdoor living experience.’ &

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 73
 D ES I G N & D ECORATING

The roofline
echoes the gables
of the house
in this design
by Eastabrook
Architects

P R O J EC T A DV I CE

Extensions: the facts

T he i n s a nd out s of pl a n n i ng a n a dd it ion
FEATURE ARABELLA YOUENS

c a n s e em d a u nt i ng, but ou r e x p er t g u ide w i l l

help m a ke t he pr o c e s s go s mo ot h l y

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 75
 Extension to a HollandGreen
London Victorian brought modern
house by Oliver glazing to this
Leech Architects listed farmhouse

1 THE FIRST STEPS TO

BUILDING AN EXTENSION
A firm understanding of the ultimate intention of the
eight weeks for a response. Unlike a normal planning
application, the council can’t refuse the certificate if
it complies with permitted development requirements.
extension will help to make decisions about everything
from size and window positioning to materials and
colours, says Chris Pask, director of architecture and
interiors firm Charlton Brown. Also, contact your
4 SECURING PLANNING
PERMISSION IN LONDON
If the building isn’t listed or in a conservation area
buildings and contents insurer to inform them about (see below), it’s still a good idea to talk to the local
your plans to check what is and isn’t covered. authority to get pre-application advice, if the extension
is remotely controversial in design or size. Also, talk

2 WHAT IS PERMITTED
DEVELOPMENT?
If the project falls under permitted development
to neighbours to sound them out (before entering into
a party wall discussion). Look for a precedent in the
area that could mean the project is in good standing.
rights, it’s possible to avoid the need for full planning ‘Regular dialogue with the local planning officers and
permission. Generally, single-storey rear extensions use of digital technologies is the key to our successful
can extend out by up to 3m from a semi-detached or planning outcomes and the reason for our 100%
terraced house and by 4m from a detached house success rate for new builds and extensions across
(based on plans of the building on 1 July 1948). You can London,’ says the team at Studio Elephant.
PHOTOGRAPHS (OLIVER LEECH ARCHITECTS) STÅLE ERIKSEN

also apply for prior approval for rear extensions up to

6 or 8m in length (depending on whether the house is
detached or not); these can’t exceed 4m in height. 5 LISTED BUILDINGS
‘The single most important thing you have to
do before embarking on a project for a listed house

3 LAWFUL DEVELOPMENT
CERTIFICATES
When extending under permitted development, it’s
is to demonstrate that you fully understand the
building,’ says Dr Simon Thurley who sits on the
advisory board of RedBook, a consultancy that advises
still advisable to apply for a lawful development on high-value property projects. ‘Normally this is
certificate to document that the project was legal done by commissioning a conservation survey
at the point of construction. Once this application which lays out the history of the building and what
is validated by the council, it could take around is important about it. Ultimately, your conservation

76 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M
 D ES I G N & D ECORATING

officer will be concerned to ensure that no harm is

done to the significance of the building. However, harm 9 BOUNDARY WALLS
Each borough has a limit on boundary wall heights
can be traded against benefits, especially those that are for extensions to protect the impact on natural light to
seen in the wider context of the whole scheme.’ neighbouring properties. In some cases, it’s possible to
get around this by proposing added wall height in glass,

6 CONSERVATION AREAS
The main hurdles here often involve stringent
planning restrictions, with a focus on maintaining the
as Studio Elephant did recently for a project in London.
‘When combined with daylight and sunlight analysis,
we could prove to the council that not only did this
neighbourhood’s architectural integrity, explains Greg meet the minimum requirements for light levels to the
Walton, director of Studio McW. ‘Collaborating closely neighbours’ property but significantly bettered them.’
with local authorities and parish councils, who act as
statutory consulates in small countryside conservation
areas and make all manner of decisions on issues 10 HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?
It’s hard to generalise as there are so many
that affect their local community, and gaining their variables including size, design complexity, location
support gives the best chance of a planning success.’ and quality of materials. As a rough guide, expect to
pay from £40,000 to £100,000 for a single-storey rear

7 PROJECTS IN SCOTLAND
There are nuanced differences between securing
extension rising to £150,000 for a double-storey one,
according to Resi Design. For a terraced house, where →
planning for a listed building in Scotland compared
with England, explains Matt Loader, director of
This project by
Glasgow-based architects Loader Monteith. ‘Scotland Studio McW is in a
has its own legal system, and planning laws are conservation area
administered by different authorities. The planning
process for listed properties may involve consultation
with Historic Environment Scotland, which plays
a key role in safeguarding the country’s historic
environment.’ Having said that, Matt agrees that
it goes back to understanding why the property
is listed and what makes it important: ‘Solid research
will stand you in good stead.’
PHOTOGRAPHS (STUDIO MCW) LORENZO ZANDRI; (LOADER MONTEITH) DAPPLE PHOTOGRAPHY

8 PARTY WALL NOTICES

Party wall agreements are required if the property
shares a boundary with another household (either
a wall or an outbuilding), and this is particularly
common in an urban context. If the proposed extension
impacts on a party wall, or there is a plan to excavate
within 3 to 6m of the neighbouring property, then
permission needs to be obtained from the affected
households before construction begins.
The best approach is to start the process early with
open communication, says David Hartley, senior
architect at Own London. ‘Nobody wants to start a
construction war with neighbours.’ He advises that a
reputable party wall surveyor be appointed to the project Extension of a
crofter’s cottage
team as early as possible. ‘This will also identify potential
in Scotland by
risks to existing structures given the inclusion of the Loader Monteith
new,’ adds Philippa Waldron of CC Construction.

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 77
 Huntsmore. ‘It’s ultimately cheaper to do this at
planning stage than having a cost overrun halfway
through the build.’ It also avoids the disappointment
of making unaffordable choices, adds Chris Pask.

13 WHAT ABOUT A
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER?
A structural engineer is needed as they will specify and
set out all the steel and support structures required,
says Eamonn. ‘This is the key structural information
a contractor will need to both quote for a project and
build it.’ If the design involves exposed structure,
oversized door or window openings or floating corners,
a good engineer’s advice is invaluable, says Chris.

14 AND AN ARCHITECT?
If the property is listed or in a conservation
area then you should use an architect, as they should
Light-filled
have a working relationship with the planning officers.
extension
constructed For others, it’s a question of choice. Architects’ fees
by Broseley range from 5 to 12% of the construction costs for design
stages, however they play a crucial role. Not only are
they trained to make the most of a space but they’ll be
access might be more complicated, it recommends up to date with construction methods and the latest
budgeting £1,200 to £3,300 per square metre. building regulations. ‘As we move closer to an era of
low-energy homes, these factors are becoming more

11 SNAGGING PROCESS
It’s a good idea to hold back money from the
important,’ notes Sharon Godsmark of EP Architects.

building for a short period of time after completion.

This will allow a gap to check for minor faults that need 15 WHO MANAGES THE BUILD?
There are three main options, explains Eamonn:
correcting before the project is signed off. The figure ask the architect to act as a contract administrator and
varies by project but it’s usually between 5 and 10%. It’s design coordinator; hire a project manager to oversee
notoriously difficult to get builders back to fix minor all aspects; or hire a design and build company. The
errors or faults once they’ve been paid in full. most expensive route is to hire an independent project
manager. Appointing a design and project management

12 DO I NEED THE SERVICES OF

A QUANTITY SURVEYOR?
team (sometimes called the turnkey model) will mean
there is cohesion between architects and constructors,
PHOTOGRAPH (BROSELEY) EMMA JOHNSON PHOTOGRAPHY

Engaging a quantity surveyor for a cost plan is a who can smooth out problems before they develop on
‘prudent exercise’, says Eamonn Agha, founder of site. ‘By leveraging the expertise of a single integrated

“A FIRM UNDERSTANDING OF THE ULTIMATE INTENTION

OF YOUR EXTENSION WILL HELP TO MAKE DECISIONS
ABOUT EVERYTHING FROM SIZE AND WINDOW POSITIONING
TO THE CHOICE OF MATERIALS AND COLOURS”
CHRIS PASK, director, Charlton Brown Architecture & Interiors

78 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M
 D ES I G N & D ECORATING

team, clients can enjoy a more cohesive and transparent as it offers traditional construction methods and ages
process,’ says David Hartley. ‘But if these groups aren’t gracefully for a timeless classic extension,’ says David
independent of each other, it can feel like there’s no one Handley, commercial director of Prime Oak.
representing the client,’ cautions Eamonn.

16 FINDING THE RIGHT BUILDER 20 GLASS BOX ADDITIONS

Rooms made entirely of glass create a constant
The oft-repeated advice is to source quotes from visual connection to the garden. Even in listed houses
two or three builders and be sure to know exactly what or conservation areas, planning officers often favour
is included in the quoted price. Sandy Mitchell, founder expanses of glazing. ‘The simplicity of the design doesn’t
of RedBook, likens the process of appointing a team to alter the character of the original building,’ explains
being a director casting actors for a film. ‘Use a contractor Dan Smith of glazing specialist Minima Sliding. ‘They
with a strong track record in your area and project are regarded as lightweight additions and, as a result,
type,’ advises Philippa Waldron. ‘Recommendations are we’ve had lots of success using our minimal sightline
important, and gut instinct rarely fails and transcends sliding doors in projects in protected areas.’
the cost-quality-time pyramid,’ she adds.

17 MODERN EXTENSIONS 21 THE RIGHT SCALE

In highly populated areas, complex planning
‘We believe a well-executed, contemporary policies and conservation guidelines will inform what
extension usually works better than a mock period one,’ can and can’t be built. Look at the local authority’s →
says Simon Griffiths, associate director, HollandGreen.
‘With this approach, you are respecting the original A contemporary
property and creating modern additions that are addition to a
sensitive to the building’s identity.’ Contemporary traditional home
by HollandGreen
extensions to historic homes can be a harmonious
marriage of tradition and modernity, agrees David
McGahon, director of Studio McW. ‘This is particularly
apt when the intention is to preserve the historical
essence while meeting the needs of modern living.’

18 TRADITIONAL DESIGNS
It’s perfectly possible to add an extension that
looks immediately settled by using traditional building
methods and materials. The key is to find an architect
with the skills and knowledge of how old buildings were
constructed. The leading classical architect Hugh Petter
of Adam Architecture added an extension to his listed
cottage. ‘Although the new work is only a few years old,
it looks as if it has always been there and the whole
PHOTOGRAPHS (HOLLANDGREEN) MARTIN GARDNER

building has been carefully overhauled to make it more

thermally efficient,’ says Clive Aslet in Living Tradition:
The Architecture and Urbanism of Hugh Petter.

19 OAK-FRAMED STYLES
A large part of the appeal of oak frames is
the flexibility of design – the construction system can
This Prime Oak
create a wealth of different styles, and they can also be
orangery creates
quick to build. ‘Oak is often the preferred material for a timeless look
properties with restrictions such as listed buildings,

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 79
 Schüco’s doors
and windows
are thermally
efficient

Huntsmore
matched the
rooflight lines to
windows for an
ordered feel

design frameworks as a first step. In Central London, doors are good options, says Eamonn Agha, adding
the scale often needs to remain in keeping with the that ‘modern architectural glazing also juxtaposes well
original fabric of the building and the neighbouring with Victorian architecture’. Bear in mind, roughly 30%
properties, says David Hartley. Be careful with lower- of heat loss takes place through the frame.
ground floor extensions being too cavernous. ‘While
adding space and light into a build is a goal, going too
deep can result in a structure that feels disproportionate 24 GABLED OR FLAT ROOF?
A generous ceiling height can make or break
and disconnected from the original context,’ he adds. an extension project, believes the team at Charlton
Brown. ‘Gabled, folded and other pitched roofs can

22 GLAZING CONSIDERATIONS
Any new extension will need to comply with
yield unexpectedly tall spaces in an extension that open
dramatically, however, their external appearance on
building regulations that specify thermal performance single-storey extensions can be clunky if they’re not
requirements, says Duncan Grover, head of product treated with care,’ says Chris Pask. ‘Flat roofs can be
management at Schüco UK. They state that the glazed designed to show off their beams to break up an
areas shouldn’t exceed the sum of 25% of the floor area expansive flat ceiling and gain some additional height.’
of the extension and the total area of windows and
doors that were removed or are no longer exposed due
25 DOUBLE-STOREY DESIGNS
PHOTOGRAPHS (SCHÜCO) BEN BLOSSOOM; (HUNTSMORE) CHRIS SNOOK

to the extension. ‘However, another approach allows you When planning a double-storey extension,
to look at the weighted U-value of all thermal elements, the potential increase in cost could be a concern but,
which gives more flexibility on glazing, providing you as Simon Griffiths explains, it needn’t be. ‘A significant
choose highly thermally efficient systems.’ The team at part of the cost of an extension is the ground works
glazing specialist IDSystems anticipates more glazing such as laying the foundations, drainage and the slab,
technology developments to include smart glass that so a second-storey extension is cheaper per square
changes from light to dark in response to temperature foot than a single storey.’ It’s at planning where the
and micromirror glazing, which provides free solar heat challenges lie, as ‘a second-storey extension may
in winter and prevents overheating in summer. create overlooking issues with your neighbours’.
In towns and cities where gardens are small, building

23 CHOOSING ROOF LIGHTS

If you want a traditional design throughout,
upwards allows homeowners to expand without
sacrificing outdoor space, adds architect Oliver
roof lanterns, orangeries or panellised part-glazed Leech, founder of his eponymous practice.

80 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M
 D ES I G N & D ECORATING

26 CLADDING OPTIONS
Cladding plays an important role in how the
wood burners), commencement for unvented hot
water cylinders and commencement for any specialist
new addition can lift the existing building and how it systems, explains Philippa Waldron.
relates to the setting. From wood and stone to metals
such as zinc or Corten steel, there are many options
beyond brick. Bear in mind the changes that occur as 30 SCOTLAND SIGN-OFF
‘Obtaining a building warrant (Scotland) or
materials age; for example, untreated Siberian larch building regulations approval (England) is crucial, but
wall cladding will develop a silvery hue. Sometimes the specific application and approval processes differ,’
planning restrictions mean the external palette material says Matt Loader. ‘In Scotland, the building warrant
is limited to what was previously on site, says Oliver. is issued by the local authority, while in England it’s
An innovative material is cork. ‘Cladding an extension granted by the local authority or an approved inspector.
inside and externally with naturally stained cork achieves Additionally, Scotland has a unique Certification of
all required U-values without the need for additional Design (Building Structures) process.’ &
expanded foam insulation,’ says Nimtim Architects.

27
Spase architects
SUSTAINABLE EXTENSIONS focus on
Find an architect with a good knowledge of sustainability
listed buildings and renewables – the two are often in their designs
considered not to work together but they do, explains
Stefan Pitman, founder of Dorchester-based
architectural practice Spase. ‘Insulation of the existing
building is important and the new and old structures
need to be considered differently in this respect. It’s
essential to consider the insulation and thermal
performance of the old building for the renewable
heating technology to work efficiently,’ he says. ‘There
are modern high-temperature renewable technologies A loft conversion,
that can be incorporated in the design where such as this one
by Broseley, is a
insulation of historic fabric is more problematic.’
great solution in
a townhouse

28 LOFT CONVERSIONS
One of the most popular ways to create more
space, particularly in a townhouse, is to go up into the
roof. The associated costs will depend very much on
the roof itself, according to the team at Econoloft, who
quote Velux-window conversions (which maintain the
original shape of the roof) starting from £35,000,
PHOTOGRAPHS (BROSELEY) EMMA JOHNSON PHOTOGRAPHY

rising to £55,000 and more for a mansard roof which

changes the shape to allow for maximum headroom.

29 COMPLETION CERTIFICATE
It’s crucial to have a completion certificate
issued to demonstrate that the extension meets all
building regulations when it comes to selling the
property – the conveyancing solicitor will need this as
part of the paperwork. The build will be signed off once
a collection of certificates has been submitted including
electrical, gas safe, Oftec (for oil boilers), Hetas (for

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 81
 In this London
project, the rear
facade was
reimagined to
include striking
arched brickwork

DESI GN RULES

Material matters
A rchitec t Cha nta l Michelin f rom Flower Michelin
o n ge t t i n g i n n o v a t i v e w i t h b r i c k w o r k

FEATURE JESSICA SALTER PHOTOGRAPHS (MAIN IMAGE) STÅLE ERIKSEN; (OPPOSITE PAGE) GRANT DONALDSON

82 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M
 D ES I G N & D EC ORATING

BRICK is often the key fabric of a house, and so it provides

an enormous opportunity whether you are starting a project
from scratch, refurbishing or renovating. It’s a material
imbued with such a long-standing history, as well as being
incredibly hardwearing, adaptable and often very beautiful.
■ There’s an amazing history to brick that I love: it is one of
the oldest building materials dating back to 7,000BC in
southern Turkey and around Jericho. I love that we are still
using something to build and shape our homes that our
ancient ancestors also used (albeit production methods
have moved on from sun-dried mud bricks) – there’s an
incredible connection to the past.
■ For us as architects who do a lot of refurbishing and
renovations, the first thing we do is draw on the contextual Make a
references of the property, whether it’s a Grade II listed statement with
building or a 1970s property. How you adapt or interpret the non-matching
brickwork
brickwork is integral to the design, but you don’t need to
stick to the original: it can be reimagined in a different way.
■ Brick has so many palette variations: it depends on the type ■ When considering extensions that join
of clay and the fuels used to fire them, so every brick-making onto existing brick houses, it’s important
region has its own identity. The colour that you choose to use to reference the existing building, but not
depends on different considerations: what is already there, create an historical pastiche. What we do is
and whether you want to match it, or contrast it, as well as use the original building – or features from
the interiors that it will frame and look in on, and the garden it – as a reference point to reimagine a new
design that it looks out at; we consider all of these as one at space. For example, we were working on a
the start of a project. beautiful Georgian terrace recently that
■ The way you position the bricks can have a huge influence had stepped brick chimney detailing; we
on how a facade of a building looks. We have been working took that as the inspiration for a stepped,
on a large brick Victorian house where we’ve added an extra vaulted roof for the extension. It ties the
elevation, also in brick, but a slightly different brick to the old and the new together, without trying
main house, and then changed the direction when we laid it to copy the original directly.
onto the terrace: it creates a continuity whilst at the same ■ The other wonderful element to brick is

time noting the difference. that because it’s so robust and durable it
■Size matters: you can vary shapes and sizes to add interest. can be reused. You can take down bricks
We’re also working on a project where we have introduced in a wall, clean them up if you need to and
some special bespoke shape and size in order to get these reuse elsewhere, so nothing is wasted. &
beautiful corner junctions and detailing around the windows.
■ You can also introduce other materials when you’re working STOCKISTS
with brick, such as stone insets and panels, particularly around We use a variety of places: Petersen-Tegl is a
design-led Danish company with brick colour
glazed openings. It provides another layer of interest.
blends like no other and Ibstock has a large
■ Thresholds are hugely important; they are the moments range of standard and handmade bricks. Using a
where materials join or external and internal spaces meet. company like London Reclaimed Brick Merchants
There are more than you might imagine, for example on the is a great way to create less expensive cut and
bonded brick specials such as angled corners.
facade, there are junctions where brick meets a window. You
Albion Stone has provided beautiful Portland
have to think about what to do there to either invite a pause, stone pieces for our brick projects. London Stone
or to encourage continuity. carry clay pavers for floors, terraces and gardens.

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 83
 S TATE O F THE ART

Up on a pedestal
T he i n s ide wor d on a c q u i r i ng t he p er fe c t
b e s p oke s c u lpt u r e , plu s s i x c ol le c t a ble a r t i s t s

FEATURE PATRICK HAMILTON COURTNEY PHOTOGRAPHS OLLIE TOMLINSON

An Act of Making
by M.A.H. Gallery at
Pearson Lloyd, works
by Ruby Kinnear-Jones

84 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M
 D ES I G N & D ECORATING

SCULPTURE is often thought of – alongside more about the artist. Site visits will generally be at
oil on canvas paintings – as being the highest form your expense for the artist’s time and travel – or if not
of visual art and it is certainly one of the most convenient, dimensions and a video call go a long
intimidating to get to grips with, especially as a way. Studio visits, for any vaguely serious collectors,
first-time collector. Deciphering whether or not a are a real privilege: ‘This is a chance to get to know
piece will work at home can be tricky, but if pulled the artist, what inspires them and exactly what the
off well, art in three dimensions can have presence work involves – all important information when
and drama like nothing else. One way to ensure commissioning such a special piece,’ says Laura. ‘A
your new acquisition will sing is to commission visit may also give you a deeper understanding of what
something bespoke for your requirements. you want and can imagine working in your own home.’
The first step is finding an artist whose work you When everyone’s on the same page about what
adore, then it’s time to get in touch. ‘Some artists form the commission should take, the final steps
have gallery representation and prefer that they are nailing down price and timings with the artist
handle this kind of communication, but others are or gallery, and then waiting for that first exciting
not attached and you could reach out to them glimpse of the finished piece. While the idea of
personally,’ says Laura Fulmine, interior stylist and commissioning something as rarefied as a work of
founder of M.A.H Gallery. ‘Lots of artists use sculpture may seem unnerving or even extravagant,
Instagram as a platform and correspondence can with a little effort and consideration, it could well
be as easy as writing them a quick message to see if be the final perfect puzzle piece for your home. →
they are open to the idea. It doesn’t have to be as
daunting as you think.’ However you choose to get
An Act of Making
the ball rolling, it’s best to go in with a good idea of by M.A.H. Gallery at
what you’re looking for. Try to come equipped with Pearson Lloyd, works
a cheat sheet of answers to the questions of size, by Morgan Stockton,
colour and timings that will certainly be asked. Abigail Ozora
Simpson, Julie Nelson
Those new to commissioning often wonder how
and Peter Evans
collaborative the process will be, and how much
it will be tailored to their needs. ‘Many artists will
take commissions as long as there aren’t too many
restrictions, the process is smooth and the artist
feels they are still able to retain creative control,’
says Laura. It’s important to remember
commissioning is not art-on-demand, and the
piece needs to be an honest expression of an artist’s
oeuvre. ‘I would advise bringing images of the
artist’s past sculptures and having a placement in
mind for your piece and photos of the area you can
share. Artists work in very different ways and it’s
best to ask about their process before starting out.
If you like to know exactly what is going on with
detailed updates, then you need to find an artist
who is happy to work in this way.’
Sometimes a meeting of minds is the best path
forward, whether that be a site visit for the artist to
understand your space or a studio visit for you to learn

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 85
DES I G N & D E C O RAT I NG

3.

5.
1.

2. 4. 6.

MATTHEW SIMMONDS A gifted sculptor 1 Matthew Simmonds Tetraconch II 2 Adi Toch Shrouded,
buried for 5 months 3 Morgan Stockton Rotundas 4 Ikuko
working with beautiful stone of all kinds, Matthew
Iwamoto Ghosts From The Sea 5 Abid Javed Soma
Simmonds carves miniature architectural wonders into collection 6 Malene Hartmann Rasmussen Viper Weave 8
chunks of rock. Some are faithful models of real medieval
buildings, but many are imagined spaces dreamed up IKUKO IWAMOTO The queen of porcelain
from a lifetime’s interest in the marvel of stonemasonry. spikes, Ikuko Iwamoto’s intricate pieces showcase an
mattsimmonds.com almost obsessive attention to detail. The artist’s work
has become increasingly sculptural and conceptual,
ADI TOCH Celebrated metalsmith Adi Toch many of her pieces now blending ceramic components
was a finalist in the inaugural edition of the Loewe with reclaimed wooden objects. Ikuko is represented
Craft Prize, and her handsome pieces sit in impressive and regularly exhibited by Cavaliero Finn Gallery.
collections such as those at the V&A and Fitzwilliam cavalierofinn.com
Museum. Particularly interesting is her use of nature
in order to finish her work. A recent show at Sarah ABID JAVED The inspirations of Abid Javed’s
Myerscough Gallery showcased works that had been sensuous pieces come from his dual work as a
buried to render their attractive, aged patinas. research scientist in the field of biology. Internal cells
sarahmyerscough.com and molecules find physical form as fluid, alien-like
objects that retain a slight sense of familiarity.
MORGAN STOCKTON Though Morgan select-works.com
Stockton’s clever combinations of metal and glass
PHOTOGRAPHS (2 AND 6) SYLVAIN DELEU

feel contemporary and forward-looking, their creation MALENE HARTMANN RASMUSSEN

is rooted in the artist’s exploration of her own The fantastical conjurings of Malene Hartmann
heritage, chiefly her ancestor’s ties to Birmingham’s Rasmussen are as if plucked from the zaniest of fairy
manufacturing industry and her great-great- tales. Though her sculptures may seem spontaneous
grandfather’s work as a glass-blower. These stylish and childlike, they’re executed with remarkable skill
pieces sit comfortably in almost any interior space. and are visually powerful within the home.
mah-gallery.com tinmanart.com &

86 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M
 D E S I GN ER P RO FI LE

Cortney Bishop
Ad mired for creat ing modern inter iors that make people feel at
ea se, this talented creative tells us the secrets to her success

FASHION and interior design were my

inspirations when I was younger. My yia-yia
(grandmother – we’re part Greek) was a dressmaker
for her community, and my mother is an interior
designer who likes to collect 19th-century English
and French antiques. I also inherited my father’s
entrepreneurship. He was passionate about business
and led me into the idea of going to business school.
I studied at the University of Georgia and I loved it.
It was in 2005, after working in a successful
interior design partnership with Yelena Barlow for
five years, when I decided I wanted to move back
to Charleston and raise my kids here. This was a
time when Charleston was still a very traditional
part of the Old South. In my opinion, they hadn’t
broken out of traditional design and there were
very few designers who I saw as being relatable,
but there was also a renaissance of people moving
to Charleston from big cities like New York and
they wanted more of a modern aesthetic. I think
that’s what we do. We are providing a more organic,
modern approach that is artisan-driven, and I was
able to fill a niche that I feel was much needed. our work at The Cape on Kiawah, a beautiful
Two of my favourite projects are Kirb Appeal oceanfront development that we have worked on with
and Work Hard Play Harder, both of which are on East West Partners. We’ll be delivering its beach club
Kiawah Island, and both of which I worked on with alongside six oceanfront residences. In addition,
the savant architect Mark Maresca. I think he sees there are two other homes on Kiawah Island that
the level of connection that we can bring from a I am working on, and I’ll also be unveiling my work
FEATURE RORY ROBERTSON PHOTOGRAPHS (PORTRAIT) SULLY SULLIVAN

palette of materials. He was so accepting of my on 71 Wentworth, which is a historical landmark

ideas and this helped us to have a close synergy. If building that we locally refer to as the ‘Crown of
you have respect for one another it creates a great King’. There are 12 beautiful residences that we
partnership. For example, his trim on Work Hard have designed within this jewel of a building. &
Play Harder was another level. When you look at
the details – the spindles and the staircases and all ■ cortneybishop.com
of the exterior tradition – if Mark hadn’t put this
trim package together, I wouldn’t have been able
to be so creative. He trusted me to paint it all in After relocating to Charleston, South Carolina, in
Ball Green and it turned out to be quite incredible. 2005, Cortney began designing homes in the area
At the moment half of my team is designing and and, due to the success and demand for her relaxed
the other half is working on album, which is my new and modern aesthetic, founded her own full-service
e-commerce platform. This spring we will be revealing interior design firm, Cortney Bishop Design, in 2007.

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 89
 L A DOLCE VITA
BRING THE AMALFI COAST CLOSER TO HOME WITH
FURNITURE VILLAGE’S LATEST COLLECTION

The Lounge Co. Romilly

sofa in Golden Spice,
£1,595; Nordic Oak coffee
table, £389; Ives rug in
Natural, from £99, all
Furniture Village

90 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M
 H &G P R O M O T I O NAL FE ATURE

Furnitureland Hamilton Remi alcove shelving oak,

sideboard, £699; Delaney £449; Furnitureland Hamilton
lamp, £249; The Lounge Co. rectangular extending dining
Romilly footstool in Golden table and four wooden chairs,
Spice, £429; all Furniture Village £1,199, all Furniture Village

AS the days grow longer and the promise of summer strikes an artful balance between the classic and the
starts to bloom, now is the time to reset the mood and contemporary, lending itself to multiple aesthetics, as
give spaces a gentle refresh. Whether it’s introducing a does its zesty ochre upholstery.
dash of uplifting colour, a selection of pretty accessories Offering much more than furniture, Furniture Village
or a hero piece of furniture, Furniture Village is a one-stop has an array of accessories to add personality and flair
style shop, with an abundance of beautiful pieces to help to spaces. Indeed, the Lemon Grove collection is a
you create a unique and elegant home. masterclass in the art of layering, seamlessly blending
A case in point is the Lemon Grove look from the its dual influences by mixing materials and tactile
brand’s spring/summer collection, which draws textures to create a wonderfully warm welcome. Think
inspiration from both the bucolic English countryside jute and chunky woven rugs, wicker accessories and
and the sun-drenched slopes of Italy’s Amalfi Coast. textiles in an assortment of prints. Pick patterns that
It’s an inspired reimagining of the current interiors trend vary in scale and shade but feel tonal to recreate the
that takes its cue from nature, effortlessly combining the effect. Finally, glazed ceramic pieces and stone lamps
freshness of the Mediterranean coastline with traditional recall the classical shapes of ancient pottery and inject
English design details for a cosy yet revitalising interior. an extra slice of la dolce vita.
The Lemon Grove look, shown here, features several The beauty of this eclectic look is how easy it is to make
investment pieces from the brand’s own furniture it your own. And with Furniture Village’s wide offering
collection. For example, it includes designs from the of collections and brands all under one roof, designing a
Hamilton collection – a range full of timeless appeal distinctive and stylish home has never been more effortless. &
with its American oak and whitewashed finish and
FEATURE KATE WORTHINGTON

modern-country style. In addition to ranges created by

its in-house design team, Furniture Village is also home WHERE TO BUY
to a host of esteemed brands such as Ercol, Calligaris Visit one of Furniture Village’s
and The Lounge Co. The latter’s Romilly sofa is key 50 nationwide stores, or for more
to the Lemon Grove look – its beautiful silhouette inspiration go to furniturevillage.co.uk

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 91
 &
HOUSES
EACH STUNNING HOME THIS MONTH IS
A TESTAMENT TO THE POWER OF IMAGINATION
WHEN IT COMES TO BUILDING AND RENOVATING –
THE END RESULTS SHOWN HERE ARE
TRULY INSPIRATIONAL

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 93
HO US ES

THE GOOD LIFE

Serendipity brought one designer to a derelict
Cotswold cottage, but it was her talent that
transformed it into this dream rural idyll
WORDS AND STYLING ALI HEATH PHOTOGRAPHY BRENT DARBY

94 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M
 EXTERIOR
The new extension has
metal-framed doors that
seamlessly connect the
living area to the terrace.
Doors, The Cotswold
Casement Company.
Cladding, Linnell Brothers;
in Matt Black barn paint,
Bedec. Vintage dolly tubs
and troughs, Rutland
Garden Classics. Thatch
roof, Grant Batchelor

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 95
FAMILY ROOM
The TV is cleverly inset
behind a wall hanging
above the woodburner.
Woodburner, Direct Stoves.
Chair and sofas, Osborn
Interiors. Console, Chelsea
Textiles. Pots, The Old
Flight House. Lime Plaster
wall finish, Lime Green

KITCHEN
With lots of decorative
details, this has been
designed to feel like a
living space rather than a
purely functional room.
Sink tap, Samuel Heath.
Stools and chopping
boards, Osborn Interiors
 HOUSE S

KITCHEN
Mesh decorative inserts
bring warmth to the
island and chime with
the curvaceous lamps.
Mesh inserts, Phillip
Jeffries. Lamps, Porta
Romana. Island door
hardware, House Of Eroju.
Beaded tall vessels,
Osborn Interiors

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 97
DINING AREA
Steps from the kitchen
lead up to this space. A
window seat provides a
place for contemplation.
Paintings, Art Untamed.
Wooden plinths and
candleholders, Decara
Home. Cushion fabric,
Osborn Interiors. Flooring,
The Main Company
 HOUSE S

B ee Osborn’s love of old buildings has

spanned the past 35 years with nine
renovation projects of her own. For
the past seven years, her passion
has focused on transforming two derelict Cotswold
cottages into homes that blend historical architecture
with new contemporary structures. ‘Since my youngest
contemporary wood-clad exterior elevations so long
as they sat within the parameters of the original
cottage walls,’ says Bee. To elevate a feeling of space,
Bee dug down two metres and created a retaining
wall along the boundary as the foundations for a
capacious family room and kitchen. This leads up to
the adjoining dining room, in what was the original
daughter moved to a school in the Cotswolds, this area kitchen. Surrounded by metal-framed glazing on the
has become our home, and rethinking these beautiful south- and east-facing sides, it has doubled their
old buildings has been a labour of love,’ says Bee. original 1000sq ft living space, optimised light and
First it was The Old Post Office, which Bee renovated created a connection to the newly landscaped terrace.
and sold, before turning her attention to The Old With a sense of tenacity in the face of planning
Bakery, built in the 1500s. Both properties had been delays, Bee has transformed cold and draughty into a
left to decay as their previous long-term owners moved thermally efficient home, reinstating the thatch and
into care. ‘I found this house for sale by chance on a opening fireplaces, while adding woodburners and
diverted road trip to my studio in Chipping Norton,’ modern conveniences that juxtapose beautifully with
says Bee. ‘A falling down, two-up-two-down cottage, the historic architecture. Natural materials balance
hidden by brambles, but on a plot with huge potential.’ high with low – plank-clad walls are paired with
Fast forward two years – 15 months of which was more affordable painted floorboards and soft natural
spent living in a ‘craned in’ shepherd’s hut in the plaster walls that evoke a sense of calm and luxury.
garden, a customised beauty Bee added to the site to Low-level lighting adds atmosphere, while hotel-
be close to the build and save on rental costs – she is spec fixtures from Samuel Heath create a sense of
now reaping the rewards of her vision. And the hut, welcome escape in the bedrooms. ‘It was a priority
complete with woodburner, shower, kitchen and that each bedroom had its own bathroom – in the
outdoor bath, now forms a fourth bedroom retreat. two old cottage bedrooms, I have squeezed in a micro
Bee’s start point for the redesign was that at home, shower and a roll-top bath; and in the new main
luxury lies in the simple things: feeling connected to suite, my end-of-bed roll-top bath feels decadent.
natural materials within the building and to nature The integrity of materials and handmade designs are
outside. Along with the ability to accommodate her investments that will stand the test of time.’
partner, three daughters and their respective husbands This house marks a new phase for Bee, and a desire
and partners comfortably into the home. This craving to enjoy life’s simple pleasures – hardworking spaces
to connect altogether in a more cosy, intimate way that prioritise quality over quantity and the freedom
means Bee has worked hard to optimise footage. to enjoy the people and things she loves. &
‘A series of dilapidated garden buildings provided
permission to extend the cottage with new, ■ osborninteriors.com

“I WANTED THE COTTAGE TO FEEL CALM, COSY AND

NURTURING WHEN NOT ENTERTAINING AND UPLIFTING
AND COMFORTABLE WHEN FULL OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS”

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 99
MAIN BEDROOM DAUGHTER’S BEDROOM
The rustic wood panelling Beautiful original
conceals the entrance features, some dating
to the shower. back to the 1500s,
Sisal carpet, Sandringham feature here.
Carpets. Wall cladding, Bath, BC Designs. Tap,
The Main Company. Vanity Samuel Heath. Blind and
unit, Osborn Interiors. cushion, Osborn Interiors
Wall light, Porta Romana.
Chest, Lots Road Auctions

DAUGHTER’S BEDROOM MAIN BEDROOM

A simple hanging The end-of-bed roll-top
pendant adds another bath heightens the
layer of texture. feeling of glamour,
Bedhead, pendant and luxury and comfort.
suitcases, Osborn Interiors. Bath, BC Designs. Stool,
Radiator, The Cast Iron Station Mill Antiques.
Radiator Company Lamp, Osborn Interiors.
Artwork, Netta Carey.
Woodburner, Direct Stoves
 HOUSE S

MEET THE OWNER/DESIGNER

Bee Osborn shares her style inspiration
BEST ARCHITECTURAL FEATURE
The spice cupboard in the sitting room. Years ago, the
cottage was a pub and the cavity behind the cupboard
door was home to spices sold in the pub.
BIGGEST INDULGENCE
The Samuel Heath kitchen and bathroom taps.
GO-TO COLOUR Alfie’s Tail
by Fenwick & Tilbrook.
SMALL CHANGE, BIG IMPACT Inside
the cottage it would be the reclaimed cladding in
Cotswold Fleece by The Main Company.
YOUR STYLE IN THREE WORDS
Calm, organic, luxury.
AN INDULGENCE YOU WOULD
NEVER FORGO A real fire.
WHAT’S NEXT Never say never to another
cottage renovation! Preserving the heart of these
special Cotswold villages has become important to
me. If they are not looked after, they will disappear.

DAUGHTER’S BEDROOM
Like all the rustic
schemes throughout, this
one is utterly elegant
thanks to the simple
colour palette.
Bedhead, pendant light,
chest of drawers and
lamp, all Osborn Interiors.
Mirror, Station Mill Antiques

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 101
 HIGHLY
EVOLVED
A range of influences defined the aesthetic of
this Australian home, while astute layout
changes have made it even more smart
WORDS JULIET BENNING PHOTOGRAPHY LISA COHEN

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

SITTING ROOM
The doorway and window
were architecturally
softened with arches
while antique French
beams from a wrecker’s
yard lend an aged feel.
Lemmy sofas, Jardan.
Vintage floor lamp, Tigmi
Trading. Sunlover painting
by Richard Dunlop. Table,
Bailey & Co French
Antiques. Custom chairs,
Samantha Eisen Interiors.
Sculpture (on floor in hall),
Vampt Vintage Design

H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M 103
 KITCHEN
The American white oak
of the island was bush
hammered to give it an
authentic timeworn look.
Original limestone flooring
with Tumbled Crema
Marfil and Tumbled Nero
Marquina custom hexagon
tile inlay, Teranova. Bar
stool, Tigmi Trading

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

T he call of rural Australia has always

been strong for interior designer
Samantha Eisen and her family.
She grew up playing at her
grandparents’ home in the countryside and her
own children love riding and being outside. It
was during the lockdowns in 2020 that she and her
influence of old Hollywood properties. Many flavours
have come together here,’ Samantha notes.
The inherited layout had also been rectilinear and
symmetrical, giving a rigid and orderly impression,
she continues. ‘It was begging for a different geometry
and softening. It also needed history and something
raw. I didn’t want it to feel like a new build trying to
husband Anthony began to imagine a different way be old, so I added a patina. The walls have render and
of living that would combine working in Melbourne’s texture to bring a more organic shape and tactile
central business district with a more outdoorsy sense. All this gave way to a more contemporary feel.’
upbringing for their daughters, Amber, 20, Brooke, Picking up her cue from the surrounding grasslands
17, and Maddy, nine, along with Nala, the family’s and coast, Samantha chose greens and blues as the
dog. Just an hour’s drive from the city in Tuerong, dominant tones, adopting mostly white walls to act as
a horse farm proved to be the answer. a neutral backdrop to the evolving layering. But she
‘The country house had to appeal to all of us, at all also felt the tug of nostalgia when designing for her
our different stages in life. With the two older girls family. ‘I thought a lot about my grandparents’ home.
moving towards independence, it was important They had 1960s wallpapers and pattern and bright
for it to be a magnet to bring us together,’ Samantha green carpet with pops of colour. For me, it created
says. ‘Here we’re on a peninsula surrounded by a visual memory. I think subconsciously I’m always
water and vineyards but there are also many returning to the prints of my childhood, patterns
equestrian properties, which is what attracted that stay with you. When people leave this house, I
us, as Brooke is a keen rider.’ Victoria has more want them to have a visual memory and for it to have
inclement weather than much of Australia, she adds, an impact that differentiates it from other places.’
so they also wanted a home for all seasons: ‘One Despite the combination of styles and influences,
where we might light the fire even at Christmas in exercising restraint was also high on Samantha’s
the middle of summer and one that would be great agenda. ‘I didn’t want a house that was overdone as
for scorching hot days when it feels really arid.’ it needed to be a retreat. I felt there was a sweet spot
Their chosen house was styled after a French or of patterns and layers that mustn’t overpower so that
Italian villa, and Samantha was eager to give it a spaces had a lofty, clean, fresh feeling,’ she explains.
new language that would make it contemporary and Above all, the home is an unbridled expression
relevant. ‘It had amazing bones, lots of charm and of Samantha’s unique taste. ‘Being my own client
great proportions, but it felt a bit dated and out has allowed me the canvas to do everything I’ve
of place in Australia’s rural landscape. It’s now ever fantasised about without limitations.’ &
transformed into something quite unique as I was
inspired by haciendas and the Latin American ■ samanthaeiseninteriors.com.au/

“I LOVE HOLLYWOOD HOMES AND THAT SPANISH

INFLUENCE – I DUG DEEP INTO THOSE HACIENDAS
AND REALLY WANTED TO BRING THAT LANGUAGE IN”

H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M 105
 STUDY
The graphic cornice above
custom shelving is a
simple but effective
decorative detail.
Otis Charcoal timber
desk, Jardan. Dux
Sam 1974 dining chair,
Fred International. Lucy
Montgomery Pinstripe
Border rug, Cadrys.
Custom joinery in Pumice,
Porter’s Paints

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

THEATRE ROOM
By painting the walls
and ceiling in the same
moody hue, Samantha
has created an ambient
space for relaxation.
Walls in Current Red,
Porter’s Paints. Wulff ATD2
lounge chair, &Tradition.
Custom sofa, designed
by Samantha Eisen;
upholstered in Colette linen
in Brick, Kerry Joyce. Capri
Stone tables, Few & Far

H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M 107
 MAIN EN SUITE STEAM ROOM
Tumbled stone flooring An antique Moroccan
adds texture to this stone basin forms a focal
space, which is softened point in this room, where
by the curves of the bath. marble tiles complement
For a similar bath, try The polished concrete walls.
Water Monopoly. Farley Marble basin, Fossil
limestone seasoned Vintage. For similar
finish floor tiles, Calacatta marble tiles,
Ca’ Pietra, are similar try Starel Stones

MEET THE OWNER/DESIGNER

BUNK ROOM Samantha Eisen shares her style inspiration
Samantha used sisal
carpet as a base layer
GO-TO COLOUR FOR THIS
for a softer rug and PROJECT Green, to bring in the outdoors.
floral quilts to strike BIGGEST INDULGENCE The outdoor
a nostalgic note.
wellness spa and retreat.
Custom scalloped rug,
Cadrys; find similar at SMALL CHANGE, BIG IMPACT Putting
Jennifer Manners. Quilts, a window at the end of the entrance hall.
Canvas + Sasson
FAVOURITE FABRIC DESIGNER
Kelly Wearstler. She brings things together in an
unexpected combination of styles and eras.
INSPIRING INTERIORS I love Axel
Vervoordt’s designs. He achieves that pared-back
look but with a sense of history and warmth.
PLACE YOU’D LIKE TO BE LOCKED
IN OVERNIGHT Stone Creek Camp in
Bigfork, Montana, by Andersson/Wise architects. It’s
a wilderness retreat with warm, cave-like spaces that
open to spectacular views of nature.
WORDS TO LIVE BY ‘There are no secrets
to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work
and learning from failure’ – Colin Powell.

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

MAIN BEDROOM
The walls are free of
decoration in this
pared-back and calming
scheme where soft
fabrics and the warmth
of wood dominate.
Hampton canopy bed,
Early Settler. Flint Tiger’s
Eye sisal carpet, Knotistry,
is similar. Joe loveseat,
MCM House; find similar
at Love Your Home

H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M 109
 MUD ROOM
The combination of
chequerboard tiles and
striped walls enlivens
this practical space.
Cambridge Stripe
wallpaper in Olive green,
Cole & Son. Majorca square
tiles in Mint and White,
Teranova. Terracotta
Oatmeal Syrian tiles,
Jatana Interiors Tiles

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

POOL PAVILION
Blue shutters, stone
walls and terracotta roof
tiles evoke the feel of
a Mediterranean villa.
Ord modular sofa, Eco
Outdoor. Bohemian 72
chair, Gubi. Leroy coffee
table, Rachel Donath

WELLNESS CENTRE OUTDOOR DINING

Outside the sauna, Wooden struts provide
the garden door leads a frame for future vines
to a hot tub sunk and the glass pool guard
below the decking. allows for uninterrupted
For a similar antique views from the house.
chair, try 1stDibs Bronte dining table and
bench seats, Eco Outdoor

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 111
 COURTYARD
The two fragments to this
house, old and new, are
pronounced yet subtly
linked with overlapping
materials and style.
Windows, Crittall Windows.
Exterior in Off-Black,
Farrow & Ball

MODERN
SENSIBILITY
A crumbling Georgian house that was once
exposed to the elements is now an arresting
home that merges the old and the new
WORDS RUTH CORBETT PHOTOGRAPHY BARBARA CORSICO/LIVING INSIDE

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

ENTRANCE HALL
The mild steel staircase
has a raw beauty that
complements the stone
portal it is encased in.
Custom console, Christoff
joinery. Flexible light,
Morghen Studio. Artwork
by Kirstin Arndt, Green On
Red Gallery. Marble portal,
Miller Brothers. Manetti
wall lights, Eichholtz

H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M 113
 KITCHEN/LIVING AREA
The glass panels in the
ceiling are the floor of the
landing above, while the
mirrors are the surface of
a hanging lighting block.
Custom coffee table,
Kingston Lafferty Design.
Rug, Rugvista. Pendant
(over island), Giffin Design

KITCHEN PANTRY
During the renovation, Behind a hidden door
some walls were in the run of units in
replaced with glazing. the kitchen is this
J’adore quartzite island, practical space
Miller Brothers. Stool,
Mater at Lost Weekend.
Vase, Crea-Re Studio

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

KITCHEN
The exposed stone wall
brings a rustic element
that contrasts with the
sleek surfaces.
Blackened oak timber
cabinetry doors and
stainless-steel splashback,
Christoff joinery.
Tap, Quooker

H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M 115
 KITCHEN/LIVING AREA DINING AREA
The sofa is the perfect Banquette seating helps
piece on which to relax to define this space in
by the fire, while taking the open-plan scheme.
in views of the outside. Custom table with oak
Camaleonda sofa, B&B stained top and steel-clad
Italia at Minima. Cowrie base, Christoff joinery
chair, Made in Ratio. Luna
pendant, LampTwist

MEET THE DESIGNER

SITTING ROOM RÓisín Lafferty shares her style inspiration
A sinuous light
doubles as an
FAVOURITE PIECE OF
art installation. ARCHITECTURE The Oval by Tadao Ando
Flexible light, Morghen at the Benesse House Museum in Naoshima, Japan.
Studio. Antique writing The use of concrete, which dresses the building in
desk, Acquired.ie
the purest and simplest form, is something I love.
GO-TO COLOURS I did a paint collection
with Fleetwood Paints. Inisbofin, an island off the
west coast of Ireland rich in greenery, inspired the
colour Bofin Fern. Another favourite, Old Fashioned,
an amber, earthy in tone hue, evolved from drinking
many a cocktail during Design Miami.
DESIGN HEROES Fiona Lynch, Vincenzo
de Cotiis, Dimorestudio, Apparatus. I connect with
their designs; theatrical in style, experimental
materiality, brand identity as a total.
SMALL CHANGE, BIG IMPACT Zoning
spaces. This can be achieved through a change of
material, a floor coving or a new paint colour, and
can divide an area so that it serves a specific function.
YOUR STYLE IN THREE WORDS
Explorative, timeless, considered.

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

SITTING ROOM
A bronze mirrored wall
cleverly conceals the TV.
The fire is two-sided
with the dining space
(left) on the other side.
Aztec sofa, Montis at
Minima. Concrete table,
armand&Francine. Shaggy
Labyrinth rug, Dusty Deco

H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M 117
 STAIRS
The slit steel staircase
leads to the ceiling-
height, stainless-steel
pocket doors of the main
bedroom suite, to which
most of the first floor
has been dedicated.
Manetti wall light,
Eichholtz

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

I t’s a bold set of materials for a young

family to navigate,’ says RÓisín Lafferty
of Kingston Lafferty Design. ‘Especially the
steel staircase. But the three kids living here
say it’s the best house ever to play hide and seek in.’
Despite the endorsement, RÓisín, who was brought
in to design the interior of the crumbling Georgian
and the landing above it, and a cantilevered, mild
steel block to define the dining zone. ‘The clients
wanted an open-plan design, but for us that needed
to be very cleverly considered. Open plan can easily
end up as a vast space filled with things, whereas we
have created zones that instil a sense of discovery
as you meander through them. The more time you
house in County Wicklow, recalls that the clients spend in the house, the more you experience that.’
hadn’t anticipated the amount of work involved in More such interjections can be seen in the main
such an extensive renovation. ‘The property was bedroom. ‘We got to merge what would have been
open to the elements, so there was a lot to do. But separate rooms, so instead of designing a walk-in
they came to us with a very clear idea of the direction wardrobe and en-suite bathroom, we made a series
they wanted. And that was raw and industrial.’ of mirrored cubes that contain the WC and storage,
While a less consummate designer may not have that didn’t detract from the wonderful architecture.’
relished such an unexpected brief, it’s one RÓisín The result is that one can fully appreciate the beauty
understands intimately. ‘Industrial is an overused of the space, the windows, the cornicing and so on,
word that brings to mind restaurants, cafes and Tolix from every perspective, while it’s possible to still fully
chairs. That look was very much of a time. What we’ve circulate the room, unimpeded by extraneous fittings.
done here is to hone in on what “industrial” actually RÓisín was influenced as much by what’s outside
is, and bring it back to its true, stripped-back rawness.’ the house as what was inside. ‘I love the crumbling
Acres of raw steel, honed stone and mirrored cubes old brick and stone outhouses surrounding the main
now populate the interior, which features what RÓisín building,’ she says. ‘We took those earthy elements
describes as ‘letterbox view points’. These sightlines and colours and used them throughout the house, in
are especially evident in the living and dining spaces, part as a reflection of the exterior.’
where the block of the chimney breast reflects the The brief for a raw, industrial finish has been
block of the dining bench, as well as the lighting block delivered and rapturously received. But it’s refined:
emanating from the ceiling. ‘Whether you are standing there’s nothing glitzy about it. RÓisín sites its
at the island or sitting on the sofa, you have total deliberate imperfections within a very streamlined,
visibility, but you still feel independent and cocooned,’ very sharp layout as key to its success. It’s a project
RÓisín says. ‘The main thing was creating the right that has brought joy to both client and designer.
sense of proportion and a sense of place. A room needs ‘Sometimes, I ask the design team if they could have
anchors if the people in it are to feel comfortable.’ the keys to any one project, which would they choose?’
Given free rein to do as she wished throughout RÓisín muses. ‘This one would definitely be mine.’ &
the interior, RÓisín devised a number of arresting
interjections, such as a glass floor between the kitchen ■ kingstonlaffertydesign.com

“ALTHOUGH THE LAYOUT APPEARS OPEN-PLAN, CAREFULLY

INTERJECTED FORMS HAVE BEEN INSERTED TO SUBDIVIDE
IT TO CREATE FUNCTIONING AND INDIVIDUAL SPACES”

H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M 119
 MAIN BEDROOM
Lime polished plaster
walls echo the Georgian
building’s origins, linking
the past and present.
Custom made end-of-bed
bench, Kingston Lafferty
Design. Benitier pendant,
Gong. Jacaranda Kheri rug,
Cremins Moiselle. Bed
base, Tiny Swan

MAIN EN SUITE
MAIN BEDROOM
The reclaimed wooden
A centrally inserted
floor and solid carved
block divides the
travertine vanity with
functions of the suite
natural jagged edges sit
into bedroom, walk-in
below a custom storage
wardrobe, WC cubicle,
unit made from stone,
dressing area and
brass and mirror.
bathing area, generating
Lia pendant light, Kaia
spaces within a space

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

MAIN EN SUITE
The shower space is
situated behind the bed.
Water Lilies marble
cladding for shower wall,
floor and bench, Miller
Brothers. Metal custom
shower screen, CDS
Architectural Metalwork

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 121
 CALM IN
THE CITY
Turning a post-war London semi into a serene
space that has the laid-back charm of properties
in sunnier climes took clever planning
FEATURE VIVIENNE AYERS PHOTOGRAPHY CHRIS SNOOK

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

KITCHEN
The cabinetry, made from
engineered hand-aged
oak, celebrates the
beauty of wood. Concrete
worktops link to the
new metal-framed
windows and doors.
Bespoke cabinetry,
The Main Company.
Wall tiles, Arcturus Stone.
Flooring, find similar at
Artisans of Devizes

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 123
HO US ES

DINING AREA
The oak rafters and steel
beams of the extension
were left exposed as they
are part of the home’s
new rustic aesthetic.
Bespoke table, The Main
Company. Chairs,
Eichholtz. Pendants,
HKliving. Console and
table lamps, Home Barn

124 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M
SEATING AREA
Relaxed linen sofas
emphasise the informal
feel while the built-in
shelving feels part of
the architecture.
Sofas, Maker&Son.
Curtains, The Want Room

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 125
 STAIRCASE
During the renovation,
the stairs were flipped
from one side of the
house to the other
to allow a direct view
from the entrance to
the garden. The new
sculptural design
combines the clay
plaster and wood used
elsewhere in the house.
Clay plaster, Mud Finishes

“PIGMENTED CLAY PLASTER

WAS USED ON THE WALLS TO
LINK WITH THE EXTERNAL
RENDER AND PROVIDE A
TEXTURAL BACKDROP”

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

W hat was once a rather

unremarkable post-war
semi in north London is
now a statement home that’s
a heady fusion of Miami art-deco villa and Santa Fe
adobe Pueblo with a hint of bohemian Ibizan beach
house – all inspired by the homeowner’s travels. entrance to the garden. ‘As it’s in the darkest part of
Interior designers The Want Room and architecture the interior, we wanted something soft that bounces
practice Delve were engaged to bring the owner’s vision natural light up and down the house,’ explains
to life. Not only was she keen to inject individuality Edward. The eye-catching sculptural staircase
and create a sustainable house but, as a gardener, she extends to the top floor, providing vertical
wanted to cultivate a garden oasis and maximise the movement, and combines the clay plaster and
views of it from the house. ‘The existing house didn’t wood used elsewhere in the house.
have much character,’ reveals Edward Martin, director The core of the home is the open-plan kitchen-
at Delve. ‘It hadn’t been updated since it was built. dining-living space at the back. ‘We exposed all the
There had been a few ad-hoc additions, but internally ceiling joists, oak rafters and steel beams as we didn’t
it was a rabbit warren of different-sized rooms with want a single white painted ceiling with a room of
little flow, and there was no real link to the garden that size,’ says Edward. Complementing the ceiling,
from the main areas.’ Extending and reconfiguring bespoke cabinetry by The Main Company
was the priority, with the emphasis on creating an emphasises the natural beauty of wood. Crafted
indoor-outdoor feel. A rendered extension was built using engineered hand-aged oak, the cabinetry is
at the side and back, with pitched roofs blending topped with a concrete worktop for an industrial
with the local vernacular, and a hip-to-gable loft twist. The same wood was used throughout the living
conversion was undertaken. space and also in the separate boot room and utility.
When it came to the interior, the client wanted to Continuing the theme of incorporating as many
create a soothing and relaxing space, incorporating natural materials as possible, Rakhi brought in
natural materials that would age beautifully over natural fabrics including relaxed linens and wools
time. Black metal windows and doors are married and woven ceiling pendants. Carefully considered
with limestone floors downstairs, reflecting the mix forms play a key role, too. ‘We introduced rounded
of black and white that’s a feature of art deco, but in tub dining chairs and curved furniture in the snug to
a softer, more muted Ibizan palette. Pigmented clay create the feeling of organic spaces and evoke a less
plaster was introduced on the walls throughout the formal sensibility,’ says Rakhi. Against this calm and
house to link with the external render and provide serene backdrop, artwork from the homeowner’s
a textural backdrop. ‘It gives a beautiful cohesive travels takes pride of place. ‘Our brief was to make
look that runs all the way through,’ explains Rakhi the interior feel as if you’re in a different part of the
Kapila-Nowell, co-founder of The Want Room. world,’ says Rakhi, ‘and it definitely has that look.’ &
The staircase was flipped from one side of the
house to the other to allow a direct view from the ■ thewantroom.com; delvearchitects.com

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 127
HO US ES

MAIN BEDROOM
A small half wall either
side of the bed is a
beautiful detail.
Curtains in Romo fabric;
bespoke cushions, all
The Want Room. Bed
linen, Soak&Sleep

BATHROOM
Simplicity evokes
MEET THE DESIGNER
a spa-like feel.
Bath, Livinghouse. Taps, Rakhi Kapila-Nowell shares her style inspiration
Lusso. Flooring, Domus BEST ARCHITECTURAL FEATURE
The stunning metal garden doors.
BIGGEST SUCCESS The use of space in the
kitchen/dining/living area and marrying old and
new. Our client had a number of sentimental objects
that had to be integrated with the new design style.
GO-TO DESIGN DETAIL The perfect
colour palette can create a flowing, cohesive look.
SMALL CHANGE, BIG IMPACT
The lighting – from statement pieces to ambient
designs – has been transformative.
DESIGN INSPIRATION Different cultures
and environments through our travels. Architecture,
colours and design elements from around the world.
I KNOW I’M A CREATIVE BECAUSE…
I find innovative solutions to challenges.
SECRET ADDRESS Home Barn.
HOW MY HOME MAKES ME FEEL
Peaceful and calm.

128 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M
 BATHROOM
During the renovation,
a nook was created for
the vanity and it provides
discreet storage.
Bespoke vanity with Corian
basin, Riluxa. Footstool,
Soho Home. Flooring,
Sconces, Astro Lighting.
Mirror, Heal’s

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 129
HO US ES

FORCE OF
NATURE
This Hollywood Hills home showcases
light-filled spaces that link to their beautiful
natural surroundings with the use of an earthy
palette and materials like marble and wood
WORDS KARINE MONIÉ PHOTOGRAPHY NILS TIMM

130 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M
ATRIUM
‘The idea for this space
was to cultivate a central
oasis within the home,
bringing the outdoors in.
Enveloped in abundant
foliage and natural stone,
it is a luminous focal
point that seamlessly
connects all areas of the
house,’ says owner and
designer Michael.
Landscape by Joel Galarza
HO US ES

KITCHEN
The oversized island is
made from Calacatta
Paonazzo – it contributes
both a glamorous and
natural look to the room.
Custom kitchen and
furniture by Studio OSKLO

LIVING AREA
Glazing – including
double-height windows
– plays a big part in
bringing the outside in.
Mid-century camel mohair
chairs, similar 1stDibs.
19th-century Oushak rug,
Lawrence of La Brea

132 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M
DINING SPACE
Although minimalist,
this scheme feels
luxurious with natural
materials like the ribbed
wood of the joinery and
the boucle on the chairs.
Niehao dining table in oak;
Bunny dining chairs, all
Studio OSKLO, Artwork,
Tamara de Lempicka
MAIN BEDROOM
‘This space is a blend
of mid-century modern
aesthetics with Old
Hollywood glamour,’
says Arya.
Custom travertine coffee
table and rounded sofa,
Studio OSKLO
 HOUSE S

B eing architects, interior designers

and homeowners all at once,
Arya and Michael Martin – who
founded and lead Studio OSKLO
– naturally put their skills to work on their own
Los Angeles house. Known for muted palettes
and moody, minimalist interiors, the couple tackled
panelling wraps the second-floor terraces to create
privacy,’ says Michael. The limestone promenade
leads to a zero-edge pool, private dining garden with
fireplace and a spectacular granite rock formation
inspired by the luxury hotel Amangiri in Utah.
Inside, the plaster is also mostly white, except in
the taupe cloakroom and the TV room with its oak
this project with their signature aesthetic. panelling. Carved from a two-ton block of Paloma
It took three years of planning and construction to limestone from Italy, the sitting room fireplace took
create this new property that sits in one of the most 16 men to assemble on site, while the Calacatta gold
coveted areas of the city. ‘This house is situated in marble bar warms up the space. Calacatta Paonazzo
the Hollywood Hills, above Beverly Hills and within marble gives the kitchen a vintage feel. Meanwhile,
striking distance of Sunset Boulevard, in the private each bedroom has a different palette for more
community of Doheny Estates,’ they say. Among the personality. Boucle, velvet, mohair and linen
neighbours are a host of A-list Hollywood stars. The complement each other in the different areas.
location, however, is not the only impressive element. Irani carpets add a personal touch from Arya’s
The design, too, stands out. Architectural columns family, dialoguing with pieces by designers including
– typical of Los Angeles homes from the 1960s and Vladimir Kagan, Gio Ponti and Rick Owens, as well
1970s – conceal a series of interconnecting terraces as collectibles found in Madrid, São Paulo and
from every living space nestled in the four-sided Marrakech. Much of the furniture was also custom
symmetrical structure. Encapsulating a central atrium made for the project by Studio OSKLO, ‘yielding
with a second-floor overlook that brings greenery gentle abstract shapes and textures,’ says Michael.
to the home, walls of rift oak intersect with matt Inspired by their trips to Japan in 2021 and 2022,
plaster detailing. Large, retracting glass panels and the couple sourced accessories from Tokyo, conveying
oversized corridors add a feeling of openness while an Eastern aesthetic to quintessential Los Angeles
offering places from which to admire the black olive city views. Pottery, 19th-century bronzes and clay
trees, grasses and aged stepping stones. collectibles enliven built-ins, shelving and tabletops.
‘We knew we wanted to create a modern estate The Tamara de Lempicka artwork in the dining
mixing contemporary and mid-century architecture,’ room and the 1960s-era bronze bust on a pedestal in
says Arya. Letting the surrounding natural landscape the second-floor hallway are two favourites of Arya
define the design direction, the couple created an and Michael, who put their soul into this home,
earthy palette that echoes the tone of the granite carefully considering every piece, from the grandest
hillside at the rear of the property. On the exterior, feature to the smallest detail for a tasteful result. &
the white and cream tones soften the columns,
which receive direct sun. ‘Hinoki-inspired wooden ■ osklola.com

“THE LANDSCAPE HELPED TO DEFINE THE DESIGN

DIRECTION OF THE HOUSE – THE PALETTE AND MATERIALS
ECHO THE TONE OF THE GRANITE HILLSIDE AT THE REAR”

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 135
 MEET THE OWNERS/
DESIGNERS
Arya and Michael Martin share
their style inspiration
BEST ARCHITECTURAL
FEATURE The atrium.
GO-TO COLOUR Camel.
DESIGN HERO Sergio Rodrigues.
SMALL CHANGE,
BIG IMPACT Lighting.
DESIGN INSPIRATION
UPSTAIRS HALLWAY Old Hollywood glamour, cultural influences
‘This space encircles the and a timeless aesthetic.
atrium,’ says Arya. The
glazed door leads to YOUR STYLE IN THREE
the balcony (right) and WORDS Textural, timeless
brings even more light in. and sophisticated.
Wood panelling and a
1920s French sculpture
add just enough
decorative detailing

BEDROOM
‘The ambience is
timeless and inviting,’
says Arya. Furnishings
close together feel
cocooning. The side
dresser is a design from
the 1960s and the chair
is another vintage piece.
Bed by Studio OSKLO
 HOUSE S

UPSTAIRS BALCONY
Glazing above means this
is an all-weather space.
Twelve-piece sectional sofa
in outdoor boucle, Holly
Hunt. Four outdoor chairs
by Studio OSKLO

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 137
 SPECI A L
OF F E R
SU BSCRIBE A N D
S AV E 3 0 %

138 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M
 SUBSCRIBER BENEFITS
■
Br i l l ia nt va lue: Pay £22 .05 ever y 6 mont h s
■
St u n n i ng i nt er ior i n spi rat ion a nd
ex p er t i n sig ht s
■
Never m i s s a n i s s ue w it h t he lu x u r y
of home del iver y
T W O E A S Y WA Y S T O S U B S C R I B E

Onl i ne at
w w w.ma ga z in e s d i r e c t . c o m / HGM A R2 4
B y p ho ne 0 3 3 0 3 3 3 1 1 1 3
Quote Code C73P. Lines open Monday-Friday 8.30am-7pm and Saturday 10am-3pm (UK time)
(IN AMPERSAND) SEDGWICK FABRIC IN

T&Cs: Offer closes 5 March 2024. Offer open to new UK subscribers only. Direct Debit offer is available to UK subscribers only. Pay only £22.05
COLIBRI, £160M, ZINC TEXTILE

every 6 months, saving 30% on the cover price. Savings are based on the annual subscription rate. We will notify you in advance of any price
changes. Please allow up to six weeks for delivery of your first subscription issue (up to eight weeks overseas). For full terms and conditions,
visit www.magazinesdirect.com/terms. For enquiries please call: +44 (0) 330 333 1113. Lines are open Monday-Friday 8:30am-7pm and
Saturday 10am-3pm UK time (excluding Bank Holidays) or email help@magazinesdirect.com. Calls to 0330 numbers will be charged at no
more than a national landline call, and may be included in your phone provider’s call bundle.

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 139
 &
KITCHENS &
BATHROOMS
A CLOSE LOOK AT USING ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS
IN THE COOK SPACE FOR DECORATIVE AND FUNCTIONAL
PURPOSES, WHILE ON THE BATHING FRONT THE
FOCUS IS ON ALL-IN-ONE BEDROOM SUITES AND
EXQUISITE TIMELESS SCHEMES

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 141
 PROJECT NOTES
THE LATEST LAUNCHES AND BEAUTIFUL BUYS
DELIVERING LUXURY TO KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS

FIRED EARTH X DESIGNERS GUILD

Drawing on three popular pattern archives, Designers
Guild’s highly anticipated tile launch with Fired Earth is
even more colourfully creative than we hoped. As a
soft-focus twist on tie-dye, this Shibori tile offers a restful
way to bring modern geographic pattern into a bathroom
and comes in four colours (shown in Duck Egg and
Cobalt). The two further designs in the collaboration are
FEATURE LINDA CLAYTON

Jaal, an Indian block print, and the 1920s-inspired trellis

print Laterza. All three designs are printed on 20x20cm
low-maintenance porcelain tiles, from £79.80sq m.

142 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M
 K I T CH ENS & BATHROOMS

BIJOU BAKING
La Cornue’s new compact range cooker
proves that good things come in small
packages. The Castel 60, from £17,500, is
aimed at city apartments and second homes
and is the first La Cornue cooker to feature a
four-zone, touch-control induction hob.
Available in 40 enamel colours (shown in
Lichen), as well as metallic and bespoke
STONE ZONE options, it sports the brand’s vaulted oven
West One Bathrooms’ sourcing team has honed in on that promises even air circulation.
yet another rarefied find in the form of the Bathroom
Collection from renowned, Belgium-based stone
specialist Il Granito. Consisting of seven hand-carved
vanity units, plus a bath, the collection is stunning.
Stone options include Calacatta Viola, Verde Alpi,
and Nero Marquina, while the cabinet interiors can
be crafted in black laminate, oak, walnut or cedar.
The design shown is Ophélia, from £42,978.

IN THE FRAME
Committed admirers of Crittall should take a
FULL STEAM AHEAD look at Falmec’s newest addition, Matrix, a
Salter’s new air fryer adds steam functionality framed ceiling extractor with industrial design
to the mix for even healthier meals. The 6.5ltr cues. Smoked glass shelving helps keep the
capacity XL Digital Steamer & Air Fryer, £149.99, structure light and unoppressive, while powerful
allows you to steam and air fry separately or in recirculating filters allow easy installation
tandem, locking in nutrients and then browning without the need for ducting. Built-in sensors
for succulent results. Supplied with a 1ltr
constantly monitor the air for pollutants and will
water tank and non-stick cooking tray, it has a
run automatically until cleared, promising a
60-minute timer and intuitive digital display.
contaminant-free kitchen. From £3,000. &

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 143
 TAKING SHAPE
FROM DYNAMIC ARCHES TO SOFTLY SCULPTED CABINETRY,
USE CURVES TO BRING MOVEMENT TO THE KITCHEN
FEATURE LINDA CLAYTON PHOTOGRAPH STEPHEN KARLISCH

WOW WALLS
If you have the opportunity to start from scratch, a soaring brick arch is a compelling way to
introduce architectural character, as demonstrated in this striking build by Thompson Custom
Homes, with interior design by Lucas/Eilers Design Associates. ‘The brick arch, embodying both form
and function, serves as a visual anchor, grounding the room with its timeless appeal,’ says founding
partner, Sandra Lucas. ‘The custom zinc vent hood adds individuality, while the reclaimed street
pavers, laid in the original style, without mortar, offer distinctive character.’ The bespoke cabinets
and island worktop were milled from reclaimed oak, infusing the room with a warm ambience.

Try Ca’ Pietra for similar reclaimed terracotta pavers, from £180sq m. Interior design by Lucas/Eilers
Design Associates. Design and build by Thompson Custom Homes

144 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M
 K I T CH ENS & BATHROOMS

SWEEPING STATEMENT CIRCLE OF LIGHT

Working curves into a small kitchen can provide Make bold moves with outsized lighting sporting
valuable spatial gains. In this compact kitchen strong circular silhouettes. Originally imagined
with limited wall space, a sweeping curved for the Jules Verne restaurant at the Eiffel Tower,
peninsular provides substantial storage architect Aline Asmar d’Amman installed two
opportunities, alongside an abundance of style. custom pendant lights in her own apartment in
Topped in seamless stainless steel with a flush- the French capital. ‘Suspended from the tall
mounted hob, the gentle curve encourages ceiling, they amplify the curve allure of the Black
smooth passage through the room. ‘The curve Marquina kitchen tabletop below. The contrast
provided an opportunity to use a standout finish of black and white infuses the space with
on the cabinetry with an exquisite book-matched personality and a very Parisian aesthetic,’ explains
Riven Walnut veneer,’ adds Ben Hawkswell, Aline, founder of Culture in Architecture.
senior designer, Roundhouse. ‘Laid horizontally ‘The role of lighting in a space is not only a
to highlight the length of the curve, the functional element, but a transformative
fluctuating grain flows from side to side, one, capable of accentuating architectural
emphasising the natural patterning.’ features and creating a sense of drama.’
PHOTOGRAPHS (SWEEPING STATEMENT) MARY WADSWORTH; (CIRCLE OF LIGHT) MATTHIEU SALVAING

Urbo cabinetry in Matt Lacquer and Smoked Custom pendant lights designed by Aline
Walnut, from £35,000, Roundhouse Asmar d’Amman, Culture in Architecture. For a
similar kitchen, try Benchmarx’s Eton Serica
Matt Black handleless range, from £12,000 →

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 145
 THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX HALF TIME

Adding a shapely breakfast bar to your island unit The smallest architectural curve can be all it
will instantly invigorate a regular rectangular takes to balance the linearity of sleek modern
design. ‘Bowed or curved breakfast bars are cabinetry. ‘In this kitchen designed by Aude
perfect for creating a more sociable, relaxed Interiors, the incorporation of a half-arched
seating arrangement in the kitchen. It allows walkway and brushed copper tapware introduces
everyone into the heart of the cooking zone, curvature that enhances the spatial fluidity of
interacting with the hosts, without being in the the design,’ notes Luli Farrell, co-founder, ABI
way and it means they can more comfortably face Interiors. The same space without that simple
each other when socialising, contributing to a half-arch overhead would look far less interesting,
more convivial atmosphere,’ says Richard Moore, and the narrow double-galley layout even
design director, Martin Moore. For a clear skinnier. ‘This simple addition creates a more
distinction between zones and to accentuate balanced feel and is crucial for a seamless flow
the curve, Richard recommends using in the overall aesthetic,’ agrees Luli.
different worktop materials for the breakfast
bar area and main island.

PHOTOGRAPHS (THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX) DARREN CHUNG; (HALF TIME) TARI PETERSON

The New Deco kitchen starts at £45,000, Elysian kitchen mixer tap in Brushed Copper,
Martin Moore £117.99; Penelope kitchen sink drainer in
Brushed Copper, £99, ABI Interiors. Project
by Aude Interiors

146 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M
 K I T CH ENS & BATHROOMS

END GAME
Ending a run of base cabinets on a curve creates a softer stopping point and removes the danger of
sharp corners in busy family kitchens. ‘A curved end unit will gently lead you through the space,
helping create a sense of flow,’ says Emma Sims-Hilditch, creative founder, Sims Hilditch. ‘As a
design feature, it can be used at one end of a cabinet run or both ends, which will make the kitchen
feel more free-standing.’ Storage-wise, Emma suggests using a curved end unit to store small
appliances or vases. ‘Open curved end cabinets are also good for displaying decorative kitchen
serving bowls,’ she adds.

The Suffolk kitchen in Flax Blue, from £30,000, Neptune. Project by Sims Hilditch →

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 147
KIT CHEN S & BAT H RO O MS

CURVE APPEAL
‘While horizontal curves are great for improving
circulation in a kitchen, vertical curves can elevate the
aesthetics of beautiful cabinetry,’ says Katie Glaister,
founder of K&H Design. ‘Scale and proportion are
key, and it pays to find a bespoke maker to achieve
the high levels of craftsmanship required for perfect
curves.’ The arched detail in this kitchen is inlaid on
rectangular doors to access the full storage within.
Bespoke hand-painted Shaker kitchen, from
£60,000, designed by K&H Design in collaboration
with and made by Kate Feather Kitchen Design

COSY CORNER
Hugging the wall, the serpentine shape of this built-in
seating is more interesting than a straight execution
could ever be. ‘The curve softens this corner, creating
PHOTOGRAPHS (CURVE APPEAL) BIRGIT MONS

an intimate spot to enjoy a coffee while taking in the

view through the windows at the opposite end of
the room,’ says Charlie Smallbone, founder, Ledbury
Studio. ‘Using a curve is the best way to maximise
spatial restrictions. Curves also add aesthetic appeal.
The elliptical walnut and aged brass table and
matching curved banquette seem to invite you in!’
A Ledbury Studio kitchen starts at £70,000 &

148 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M
 ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES
I N T H E C O OK S PAC E
WORK WITH THE ONES YOU HAVE OR INTRODUCE SOME FOR CHARACTER

SKYLIGHT SCENE In new extensions and Harvey Jones. ‘A faux chimney breast with mantel
larger kitchens, skylights are often used as a way can be a good way to frame a range cooker with the
of bringing natural light into the rear of the space, added benefit of concealing a built-in extractor hood.’
often some distance from the windows of the external Creating a focal point with a mantel shelf will also
walls. Pam Baker, senior designer, Martin Moore, offer opportunities for attractive displays, while side
recommends working together with your architect pilasters can be used for small cupboards to house
on their size and location. ‘Pay careful attention to spices and condiments, handily close to the cooker.
the relationship between the skylights and their
position in relation to your planned kitchen furniture SITTING PRETTY Sometimes the obvious
to ensure a balanced look and to allow for tall wall for a run of cabinetry ends at a window. Rather than
cabinetry,’ she advises. A good solution can be abruptly stopping the sweep of furniture, with wasted
to position the skylight centrally over a walkway space at the end, Kasia Piorko, founder of Kate Feather,
between the wall run and island to allow for excellent suggests making a feature of the area with a window
illumination in the working area of the room. seat. ‘Soft seating in a kitchen is always desirable,’
she says. ‘Creating a spot to look out of the window on
PANORAMIC GLASS Wide, full-height to the garden brings calmness to the design.’ A drawer
glazing introduces plenty of natural light and creates or cupboard below a bench seat can provide a little
a stunning indoor-outdoor effect. ‘However, good extra storage, while a wall light can make the most
planning is required to create ample storage and of the space for reading in the evening, as well as
practicality without compromising the view or the accentuating the seat as a feature of the room.
aesthetic impact of the windows,’ says Richard Atkins,
director, DesignSpace London. ‘The layout is best SLOPING SOLUTIONS A sloping ceiling
arranged so that key elements, such as the sink or can present challenges in designing a practical kitchen.
cooking area, face the view.’ As the glazing limits the ‘You may need to consider custom cabinets that fit
amount of potential space for cupboards, Richard under the slope or in awkward corners to take full
recommends positioning cabinets against one solid advantage of available space,’ says Rhiannon Phenis,
wall, parallel with an island, as a great way to ground head of design, Sola Kitchens. ‘Also think about
the kitchen and create a functional galley space. painting the entire area in the same colour, which
has the effect of making the steep angle disappear
PERSONALITY PIECES One way to add and a tricky space feel instantly more harmonious.’
personality to a kitchen space, such as a new-build Rhiannon also recommends choosing a hob with a
FEATURE AMELIA THORPE PHOTOGRAPHS (HARVEY JONES, SOLA KITCHENS AND

extension, is to build a faux chimney breast. ‘This can built-in extractor system (also known as a venting
add definition to a kitchen design and break up an hob), as flush-fitted ceiling and suspended hoods
expanse of wall,’ says Melissa Klink, creative director, are unlikely to be possible under an incline. &
MARTIN MOORE) DARREN CHUNG; (KATE FEATHER) BIRGIT MONS

SOURCEBOOK: MINIMALIST EXTRACTORS

BORA ELICA MIELE WESTIN

The M Pure venting Designed for building into The DA 2808 ceiling At the press of a
hob, £3,276, is a a chimney breast or wall extractor, £2,829, is button, the Lisser
flexible choice with unit above a hob, the Fold designed to flush-fit extractor, from £2,654,
different cooking zones, built-in extractor hood, discreetly into the ceiling, rises from the worktop,
complete with built-in from £288, is a cost- and comes complete with then quietly retracts
extractor system. effective choice. LED lighting. once cooking is done.

150 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M
 K I T CH ENS & BATHROOMS

Arbor kitchen
with faux chimney Bespoke kitchen
breast and mantel, in Washed Oak,
from £30,000, from £35,000,
Harvey Jones Kate Feather

Bespoke Bespoke New Deco

Scandinavian kitchen in Moth
kitchen, from Grey and Damson,
£45,000, from £45,000,
Sola Kitchens Martin Moore

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 151
 NEW TRADITIONS
WHETHER YOU LIVE IN A PERIOD PROPERTY OR A MODERN
HOME, CLASSIC DETAILS CAN ELEVATE A BATHROOM’S DECOR

1 FOCAL FIREPLACE
‘Having a fireplace in a bathroom adds wonderful character to
the room,’ says Mary Graham, co-founder of Salvesen Graham.
This bespoke fender, upholstered in Soane’s Old Flax, is a lovely
detail that recalls bygone days. ‘The fireplace reflects the tone of
the room, intentionally bringing in a new layer to the scheme and
creating an inviting environment with a classical feel,’ adds Mary.
Walls in Lilac Pink emulsion, £60 for 2.5ltr, Edward Bulmer
Natural Paint. Bespoke fender upholstered in Old Flax in Old
Gold, £180m, Soane Britain. London freestanding bath,
£6,837.28, C.P. Hart. Project by Salvesen Graham.
 K I T CH ENS & BATHROOMS

2 PANEL SHOW
Wall panelling may be on trend
now but its origins in homes from
the Tudor period onwards makes
it a strong choice for traditional
bathroom decor today. ‘In a
bathroom with high ceilings,
panelling can help break up the
walls and add visual interest,’ says
Jamie Bebbington, managing
director, Aston Matthews. ‘Try
tongue-and-groove panelling for
a country cottage effect, while
square beaded panels work
well in a grander setting.’
Rimini cast iron bath, £2,600;
Tradition unlacquered brass
bath filler, £1,415; Tradition
unlacquered brass basin taps,
£1,284; Venice basin on brass
stand, £1,247, all Aston Matthews.

3 ARTISAN TILES
FEATURE LINDA CLAYTON PHOTOGRAPHS (FOCAL FIREPLACE) SIMON BROWN; (PANEL SHOW) JAKE EASTHAM

‘Traditional-style tiles, especially

ones that are handmade, hand-
painted and full of unique
character, are a great choice in
older properties,’ says designer
and colour consultant Emma Diaz,
who chose these classic Delft-
style tiles for the bathroom in her
Cotswolds cottage. ‘The uneven
finish of handmade tiles naturally
softens the space, no matter
what colour or design you use,
and feel more harmonious in
their surroundings compared to
uniform, machine-made tiles.’
Wilding collection handmade
wall tiles, from £260sq m,
Marlborough Tiles. →

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 155
 4 FABULOUS
FRAMING
Listed period properties with
awkward architectural elements
can rarely be altered. Rather than
attempt to ignore the low-slung
dormer window in this en suite,
West One Bathrooms has used
it to frame a beautiful designer
bath. ‘Do consider head height
– a basin wouldn’t work here, but
the Mastello bath, sat at a rakish
angle allowing a peep to the
flamingo behind, looks stunning
as you step into the room,’ says
head of design, Louise Ashdown.
Mastello bath by Antonio Lupi,
from £8,330; Samuel Heath
Landmark freestanding bath
shower mixer in City Bronze,
£8,968; bespoke waterproof
wallpaper, from £250lin m, all
West One Bathrooms.

5 CURTAIN CALL
The unexpected use of sumptuous
full-length curtains with deep
pleats and a traditional pelmet
brings the grandeur of an historic
hotel bathroom to this en suite.
‘Exclusively used by a careful lady
owner, we went against all the
rules and chose luxurious silk
curtains but in a family bathroom
we’d recommend the amazing
outdoor fabrics now available –
PHOTOGRAPHS (FABULOUS FRAMING) PAUL CRAIG; (CURTAIN CALL)

try Pierre Frey – that no longer

feel like woven plastic and are
soft and warm,’ says Nicky Mudie,
director, Violet & George.
SARAH HOGAN; (PAPER PERFECTION) SIMON BROWN

Usk bath, from £4,710,

Drummonds, with specialist
marbled finish by Rock ‘n’ Rolf.
Curtains in Verel De Belval silk
by Métaphores (discontinued),
Abbott + Boyd. Project by
Violet & George.

156 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M
 K I T CH ENS & BATHROOMS

6 PAPER PERFECTION
‘Wallpaper is so effective on slanted ceilings.
I think it is a very English thing, that adds
even more comfort and cosiness to walls that
already have character,’ says interior designer
Sarah Vanrenen. ‘This is the principal bathroom
in a 15th century manor house and we wanted
to make it really luxurious. The clients had a
wonderful art collection, so we hung some
lovely paintings to add to the splendour.’
Jaipur wallpaper in Blue/Vert, £139.99 per
2.8m panel, Antoinette Poisson. Project by
Sarah Vanrenen. →

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 157
KIT CHEN S & BAT H RO O MS

7 SALVAGE HUNTERS
Lean into the authenticity of a
traditional home by sourcing
antiques for every element, right
down to the accessories. In this
period home, anything new was
vetoed, and even the flooring
was reclaimed from a nearby
nunnery. ‘Antiques and montage
pieces make a bathroom feel
less utilitarian and more like a
comfortable room that happens
to be for bathing,’ says Henriette
von Stockhausen, creative
director, VSP Interiors.
Antique bath sourced from The
Water Monopoly. Try Lorfords
Antiques for a similar vintage
mirror stand and rug. Project
by VSP Interiors.

8 RICH TIMBERS
Popular in the early 20th century,
bringing furniture in dark wood,
such as rosewood and mahogany,
into the bathroom lends a
richness and texture that’s
perfect for paying homage to a
period setting. ‘The dark wood

PHOTOGRAPHS (SALVAGE HUNTERS) PAUL MASSEY; (RICH TIMBERS) STACY ZARIN GOLDBERG
vanity grounds this bathroom
to the historical elements of
the home and creates a warm
atmosphere,’ agrees Tanya
Smith-Shiflett, founder of Unique
Kitchens and Baths. ‘The linen
closet is a vintage piece that
adds richness and provides that
traditional element that only
vintage pieces can achieve.’
Ragnvi wallpaper, £111.72 a roll,
Sandberg. Bespoke vanity in
maple with Espresso stain by
Winsome Interior Design.
Morris small lantern, from
£605; Katie small Acorn wall
sconces, from £407 each,
Visual Comfort & Co. Project by
Unique Kitchens and Baths. &

158 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M
 B E DR O O M B A T H I N G S PAC E S
CHIC HOTEL ROOMS HAVE THEM – HERE’S HOW TO INCORPORATE
THIS LUXURIOUS DESIGN FEATURE INTO YOUR HOME

FOCAL POINT BATH A beautiful MULTI-ZONE SOLUTION Another

freestanding bath in your bedroom can create a sense solution for a multipurpose all-in-one bedroom
of luxury and accentuate the role of the space as suite is to link the sleeping and bathing areas with
a relaxing retreat, just like a glamorous boutique a dressing zone, as Richard Atkins, director of
hotel room. ‘When you think about incorporating DesignSpace London, explains. ‘In one of our
the bath into the design of the bedroom, consider the recent projects, we positioned the bath, basins
placement of the bed and the tub as the two main and dressing table at the end of the room that has
features that need to work together, providing you a large window overlooking the garden, as this is
with a totally private, calm space in which to unwind the area where most time would be spent. The
at home,’ advises Lizzi Catchpole, head of design, shower and WC are at the darker, more private
Catchpole & Rye. ‘You could use windows to create end, with wardrobes running the length of the
a frame around the freestanding bath or make room to provide generous storage space.’
it a focal point in a cosy corner.’ Another way of
highlighting the bath as an eye-catching feature SPLIT SPACE Flooring can be used to signal
in a bedroom scheme is to mount it on its own the different zones of a bedroom suite, from rugs
platform, creating an elevated, stage-like effect to provide softness underfoot by the bed to durable
which also acts to zone the bathing area – with the and water-resistant options in areas likely to get wet
added benefit that pipework can be hidden below on regular occasions. ‘Floor tiles are available in a
the platform, which may be important if there is range of materials – many designs are incredibly
no existing plumbing in the bedroom setting. hardwearing, working well as a continuation
from the bedroom into the shower area,’ says Lee
PRIVATE AREA If you have a larger bedroom Thornley, founder of Bert & May. A colour scheme
scheme, it may be possible to zone an area to create that runs throughout the suite will help to create
an entire bathroom space. ‘One smart solution to a natural sense of flow and cohesion.
maintain privacy while preserving the aesthetics
and functionality of the room is by installing a FABRICS AND FURNISHINGS
sliding door to the bathing space,’ says Charlie ‘Generally, if the room is of sufficient size and there
Smallbone, founder of Ledbury Studio. ‘Whether is good extraction, steam from the shower (or bath)
you prefer a fully enclosed space or just a partial is not a major concern for clothing,’ advises Richard
separation between the two areas, a sliding door Atkins. The same applies to fabrics, such as those
allows for adjustment of the level of privacy that used for curtains – good ventilation is key, although
is required.’ Charlie also suggests tucking a outdoor (performance) fabrics are also an option
WC into its own private cubicle, so that it is not if you are concerned, since they are moisture and
visible from the sleeping zone. stain resistant and easy to clean. &

SOURCEBOOK: SHOW-STOPPING FREESTANDING BATHS

BC DESIGNS C.P. HART DRUMMONDS WEST ONE

Marrying classic and Made from Lumenit The Wye bateau BATHROOMS
FEATURE AMELIA THORPE

contemporary form, the translucent resin, the cast-iron bathtub comes Designed by Norm
Portman bath is available Relax Design Lua bath, in a hammered brass Architects, the Arc bath,
in Silk Matt White or a £11,250, is available in outer finish, £15,200, £8,099, is a circular
choice of eight colours, five colours including and it’s sure to create an model made from
from £4,450. blue and liquorice black. eye-catching effect. matt solid surface.

160 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M
 K I T CH ENS & BATHROOMS

The 1,700mm Custom Shaker

copper bateau bath wardrobe doors in
in polished copper Little Greene Pearl
finish, £9,000, from Colour, DesignSpace
Catchpole & Rye London; bathrooms
from £12,000

Arabescato marble Bedroom suite

and walnut vanity in including sleeping
a bathroom, part of a and bathing areas
bedroom, by Ledbury by Studio Ashby
Studio; bathrooms
from £70,000

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 161
 &
LIFESTYLE
SIMPLY DELICIOUS RECIPES THAT GIVE CLASSICS A TWIST,
THE ALPINE HOTEL WE LOVE, CAPE TOWN CALLS WITH
AN INSIDER’S GUIDE TO THE CITY, PLUS WE SPEAK
TO DESIGNER CHARU GANDHI ABOUT HER
FAVOURITE THINGS

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 163
 Turn up
the f lavour
In her new book, cooker y author
Nisha Katona g ives classic dishes a t w ist
w ith sur pr ising and bold ing red ient
combinations that w ill tantalise
your ta stebuds – enjoy

164 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M
 LIFE STYL E

BENGALI HASH BROWNS

SERVES 4
Vegetable oil, for frying ■ While the onion is cooling, peel mixture (each about the size of a
1½ tsp panch phoron/Bengali five spice and grate your potatoes and tip them golf ball) and roll into balls, then
2 small onions, finely sliced onto a clean dish towel. Gather up flatten them a little to form patties
650g potatoes (a floury sort will work
the edges of the towel and squeeze of an even thickness. Once the
well for extra crispiness)
2 green chillies, finely sliced (leave the over the sink to remove any excess oil is hot and shimmering, and
seeds in) moisture from the potatoes, then working in batches, cook several
1 small egg, beaten add them to a large bowl. of the patties in the hot oil for a
Salt and black pepper
■ Tip the cooked onion into the few minutes until browning well
Raita and/or chutney, to serve
bowl, followed by the chillies and underneath. Once cooked on the
■ Heat a sauté pan (or a deep beaten egg. Season generously bottom, flip them over with a
frying pan) over a low–medium and mix everything together. spatula and cook until the other side
heat and add 2 tablespoons of ■ Wipe out the frying pan with a is well browned. Remove them from
oil. Fry the panch phoron and bit of paper towel. Add more oil to the hot oil and leave to drain on
onions for 10 minutes until the the pan to a depth of about 1cm paper towels while you fry the rest.
onions are soft and beginning to and heat over a medium-high heat. ■ Serve hot with raita or chutney

caramelise. Leave to cool. Scoop amounts of the potato for dipping. →

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 165
 PUTTANESCA CAPER

SERVES 4
2 x 50g cans anchovy fillets in olive oil
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, plus a
drizzle for the capers
1 tsp fennel seeds
1 tsp dried chilli flakes
7 garlic cloves, finely sliced
160g pitted black olives
2 x 400g cans plum tomatoes in juice
300g dried spaghetti
50g drained capers
A large handful of fresh parsley
leaves, roughly chopped
Sea salt and freshly ground
black pepper
Parmesan, grated, to serve

■ Pour the olive oil from the anchovy

cans into a sauté pan. Add the 3
tablespoons olive oil, along with
’NDUJA MUSSELS
the fennel seeds, chilli flakes, garlic
SERVES 4 and a good pinch of salt. Cook over
1kg fresh mussels sure the mussels cook evenly, until a gentle heat for about 10 minutes
25g butter all the mussels have opened – give until the garlic is lightly golden.
4 echalion shallots, finely sliced
it a minute or so longer if they ■ Add the anchovies and olives to
A few fresh thyme sprigs
2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped haven’t. Discard any mussels that the pan and stir in, breaking up the
80g ’nduja (from a jar) are still closed after this time. anchovies a little with the wooden
3 chargrilled red peppers (from a jar), ■ Taste the cooking broth and spoon as you go. Then add the
drained and chopped season with salt and pepper tomatoes and increase the heat to
250ml white wine
(remember the ’nduja will medium-high. Cook for about 15
Sea salt and freshly ground
black pepper probably be salty, so you may not minutes, stirring frequently, until the
A small bunch of fresh flat-leaf need much salt), then stir in the sauce is rich, glossy and thickening.
parsley, chopped parsley. Serve with lemon wedges ■ Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti in
Lemon wedges, to serve
to squeeze over and chunks of a pan of salted water until just tender.
Crusty bread, to serve
crusty bread to mop up the ■ Add a drizzle of olive oil to a

■ Wash and debeard the mussels. delicious broth. frying pan set over a high heat.
If any are open, give them a few Pat the drained capers dry with a
taps with a knife – if they don’t paper towel, then add them to the
close they are probably dead, so pan. Cook for a couple of minutes
discard them. until you can see them popping.
■ Heat the butter in a large pot Tip them onto a plate lined with
with a lid over a low-medium heat. fresh paper towels and pat dry.
Add the shallots, thyme and garlic ■ Once the pasta and sauce are both

and sauté for a few minutes until cooked, taste the sauce and season
the shallots are tender. Add the with salt and pepper. Transfer the
’nduja and peppers to the pan and pasta from the water using tongs
cook for another few minutes until and stir it into the sauce until well
the ’nduja paste has melted down. coated, then stir in the parsley.
Add the white wine and the ■ Serve the pasta in bowls with the

mussels and pop the lid on the pan. crispy capers sprinkled over the top
Steam for about 5 minutes, shaking and grated Parmesan on the side for
the pot halfway through to make people to add to their own bowls. →

166 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M
 LIFE STYL E

COOK’S NOTE
Puttanesca is already a pretty punchy
spaghetti dish, but here the flavour is even
more intensified with some crispy
fried capers and fennel seeds

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 167
 PEANUT &
GOOSEBERRY FOOL
SERVES 4

400g gooseberries, topped and tailed

100g caster sugar
200ml double cream
100ml thick Greek yogurt
50g crunchy peanut butter
A few roasted, salted peanuts,
roughly chopped, to serve

■ Put the gooseberries in a saucepan

with the sugar and cook, stirring
frequently, over a low heat, until they
have broken down and are mushy
– about 10 minutes. Remove from
the heat and leave to cool, then
THE MOUNTFIELD BUTTERSCOTCH BRUSSELS place in the refrigerator to chill.
■ Once your fruit mixture is cold,
SERVES 4
put the cream into a bowl and
500g Brussels sprouts, large and caramelise, then tip them into
whip until at soft peak stage. Be
ones halved the bowl with the shallots. Repeat
1 tbsp olive oil, plus more if needed very careful not to over-whip it
with the rest of the sprouts and the
160g smoked pancetta lardons as it will keep whipping as you
3 echalion shallots, sliced into fine rings remaining 1 teaspoon chaat masala,
fold in the other ingredients.
1 red chilli, cut into fine rings adding a little more oil if you need to.
■ Fold the yogurt into the cream,
2 tsp chaat masala ■ Reduce the heat to low–medium
30g tbsp soft light brown sugar then swirl in the gooseberry purée.
and add the sugar, butter and cream
25g butter ■ Put the peanut butter in a small
to the pan. Cook, stirring continuously,
60ml double cream bowl and microwave for a few
A handful of flat-leaf parsley leaves for a few minutes until the
seconds. You don’t want it hot or
Sea salt butterscotch is beginning to thicken.
it will melt the cream, but just
■ Tip the shallots, pancetta and
Parboil the sprouts in a large pan loose enough to stir through.
sprouts back into the pan with the
■

of salted, boiling water for 2-3 ■ Place a good dollop of the fool
butterscotch and cook for a minute,
minutes, or until tender. Drain and into four glass serving dishes.
stirring the sprouts into the glaze to
leave to steam dry in the colander. Spoon an equal amount of the
coat them well. Season well and serve
■ Meanwhile, heat the oil in a frying peanut butter on top of each, then
with fresh parsley over the top.
pan and fry the pancetta over a high top each with another spoonful of
heat until golden and crispy. Remove the fool. Swirl very gently, then
from the pan with a slotted spoon, sprinkle with the peanuts and
leaving the fat in the pan. Reduce the chill before serving. &
heat a little and add the shallots. Cook
for a few minutes until beginning to
caramelise, then stir in the chilli and
Extracted from
give that another minute to take off
BOLD: BIG
the raw flavour. Remove the shallots FLAVOUR
and chilli with a slotted spoon, TWISTS TO
again, leaving any fat in the pan. CLASSIC
■ Increase the heat to high, add
DISHES by Nisha
Katona (30,
half the sprouts and sprinkle over
Nourish Books).
1 teaspoon chaat masala. Fry over a Photography by
very high heat until they begin to char Martin Poole

168 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M
 LIFE STYL E

COOK’S NOTE
The rich peanut butter is a great foil for
the sharp gooseberry and you get little
pops of peanut from the crunchy spread

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 169
 LIFE STYL E

A great escape
L’A p o g é e C o u r c h e v e l ’s c o s y i n t e r i o r s w i l l
tempt comfor t-seekers of f the slopes
THE lure of L’Apogée Courchevel both baths and walk-in showers
to keen skiers is clear: location. with steam facilities, which are so
Nestled right in the heart of the welcome at the end of a day on
exclusive Jardin Alpin, with fine the slopes; and then there are the
views of the resort beyond, this private heated balconies offering
ski-in, ski-out hotel even has its own spectacular views over the resort.
40-metre private conveyor belt to Downstairs, the plush common
transport guests smoothly off the areas, including the decadent
slopes and into the smart ski room. Cigar Lounge, are contemporary,
Once inside the hotel’s chic but cosy comfortable and wood-clad.
interiors, conceived by distinguished Brand new this season is the Italian
designers India Mahdavi and Joseph restaurant Gennaro’s, with interiors
Dirand, guests might question the created by internationally acclaimed
FEATURE LUCY SEARLE PHOTOGRAPHS ROMAIN REGLADE

wisdom of hitting the pistes again. designer Francis Sultana. Outside,

The luxurious yet informal suites Le Bar de L’Apogée is a cool, laid-
– the largest in the resort – are back après-ski outdoor terrace that
furnished with bespoke pieces, transforms into a smooth cocktail
custom-made by local craftspeople; scene with singers and DJs at
the bedrooms feature soft wool plaid night. Then there’s the spa by La
carpets, cashmere, leather and Prairie. Like all spas in the Oetker
velvet-upholstered furniture in the Collection’s hotels, Spa L’Apogée
rich jewel tones that so often feature is second to none, with a pool,
in India’s projects; the large Fior di whirlpool bath, hammam, sauna
Bosco marble-clad bathrooms have and salt sauna. Bliss. &

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM 17 1
LIF ES TYLE

A love letter to...

Inter ior desig ner Sophie A shby ex plains why
C a p e To w n h a s a p e r m a n e n t p l a c e i n h e r h e a r t

I NEVER feel more alive than when I’m in South ■ What if the World, Reservoir Projects and Blank
Africa. For perspective and to understand our place on Projects are some of my long-time favourite galleries.

FEATURE EMMA J PAGE PHOTOGRAPHS (PORTRAIT) KENSINGTON LEVERNE; (STERREKOPJE) EMMA JUDE JACKSON
earth, it’s good to be regularly awed by nature and ■ The Delaire Graff Estate in Stellenbosch (above

nowhere does that for me like this part of the world. My centre) is the farm I grew up on. Since then, it’s been
mother is from Fish Hoek, Cape Town and so we spent designed by David Collins Studio as a place to stay.
three years of my childhood living there. I go back at For a hotel spot right in the middle of town, try the
least once a year, and I’m already plotting my next bush One&Only Cape Town (above right) – it’s perfect for
trip with my own family in the spring. young children. And therapeutic farm retreat
■ For me, a trip to South Africa is all about the Sterrekopje in Franschhoek (above left) is one of the
landscape. Swimming with the penguins at Boulders most magical places I’ve ever spent the night at.
Beach near Simon’s Town is a must; it’s one of my core ■ For the best fish and chips on the beach (or crayfish

childhood memories. Do drive to Cape Point, too. The and chips if you want to upgrade), head to Kalkys.
colours and smells of the Fynbos (a belt of natural Clarke’s Bar & Dining Room is a classic that never fails
shrubland) are what I see when I close my eyes and for simple, delicious food and great coffee. And though
think of South Africa. Head to the Scone Shack there, it’s a day trip from Cape Town, Wolfgat in Paternoster
an off-grid little spot serving wood-fired scones and was the setting for one of my most memorable meals.
homemade jams. We also love to watch the sunrise on ■ Chapman’s Peak Drive is one of the most beautiful

Lion’s Head, between Table Mountain and Signal Hill. coastal roads in the world. You’ll stop multiple times to
■ I enjoy shopping in Cape Town. I pick up clothes for take photographs but don’t forget to enjoy the scale,
my daughter Gaia at fashion brand Good Good Good. volume and colours of the landscape in real time too,
Mungo in Bo-Kaap is great for towels and throws, while rather than through a lens. &
I love to browse the statement jewellery at Pichulik. ■ studioashby.com

172 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M
 Charu Gandhi
MY LIFE IN TEN...
THE FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF ELICYON SHARES HER FAVOURITE THINGS

1. If I can, I love to have a weekly massage at home;

it’s my way of decompressing. It’s oddly unpleasant
the first time, but you get addicted to it.

2. I love a coordinated suit in a statement colour;

I have a red velvet suit from Wyse, and a lavender
and a lime one. I find it very visually powerful.

3. I love galleries, particularly, at the moment, the

National Portrait Gallery; it’s done a really great job
of the refurbishment.

4. The River Cafe has been home to many happy

memories, but the other place my husband and I like
to go to eat is the Mercato Mayfair. Now, it’s a cheap
and cheerful restaurant, but it’s an old, decommissioned
church and we actually got married there.

5. I love the revival of the King’s Road, it’s so much fun

pottering around the shops. We had previously always
bought chocolate from Läderach whenever we came
across a shop, so we were ecstatic when it opened near
us. Our weekend treat is to buy a big slab of chocolate.

6. Every summer we go to Ibiza, it’s our happy place.

Somewhere we often return to is Santa Gertrudis,
which is a really sweet little village. We tend to rent a
big house, and friends and family come out and stay.

7. The one thing that I’ve lusted after forever is a piece

by the contemporary Indian jewellery designer Viren
Bhagat. We’re doing a special project for him at the
FEATURE JESSICA SALTER PHOTOGRAPHS (PORTRAIT) JAKE CURTIS;

moment, and I just love his work.

8. I love it when you bring florals into a space because

it creates a more ephemeral atmosphere. I’m really into
(NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY) JIM STEPHENSON

the florist Frida Kim and I also love Design by Nature.

9. I love giving gifts – it gives me a lot of joy - and I’m

very into beautiful gift wrapping. I go to V V Rouleaux
for wrapping paper, ribbons and tassels.
From top: Charu Gandhi;
10. Two of my favourite perfumes are Bibliothèque by Velvet blazer and
Byredo and Carnal Flower by Frédéric Malle. I like trousers in Raspberry
from Wyse; jewellery
strong smells that remind me a little bit of my Indian
by Viren Bhagat; the
heritage, such as tuberose and jasmine. & National Portrait Gallery

178 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M
9000 9032