Tabla de contenidos para October 2023 en Living Etc

At the Salone del Mobile furniture fair in Milan earlier this year, the buzz was like a swarm of bees. There was a vibrant hum of excitement, busyness and an eagerness to create something wonderful. It wasn’t the first Salone since the pandemic but it was the first that was a true return to form, with visitors from all over the world and a keenness to go bolder than ever before. Interestingly, because of how long design lead times are, many of the collections were born in Covid times, or borne out of a desire for optimism in a just-post-corona world. Colour was everywhere – mood-boosting moments like sunshine-yellow sofas, kaleidoscopic carpets and an almost fluoro take on lighting shone. Read my full trends report from page 23. All this…

Cheers to this Meet the bar trough, a logical next step to answer the desire we all have to turn our homes into elegant entertaining playgrounds. Part of the Superblocks collection designed by Marcio Kogan for Minotti, the customisable form of this warmly hued wooden cabinet can include a brushed marble basin with ridged sides, ideal for storing decanters and drinks. Putting both the fun into functional and the luxe into minimaluxe – make mine a double. TEN OUT OF TEN The Porada showroom in Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour is one of my happy places. All that smooth, canaletta walnut, those inviting rounded edges, and the elevated marbling of the Ekero collection by Staffan Tollgård always fills me with a sense of wonder. It’s 10 years old this year and…

ONE OF A KIND There’s something rather thrilling about owning a piece that no one else has: a one-off work of art, a rare first edition of a book, or a bespoke item of furniture. The most stylish of homes are made so in part by these custom features, because they’ve been tailored to the unique style and needs of the individual – and therefore have a character you just can’t buy over the counter. That’s what makes this Italian home so, well, cool. It’s filled with one-of-a-kind furniture, like this custom-finish table, that reflects the owners’ keen eye for aesthetics and love of art. Turn to page 60 to take the full tour.…

DINING AREA ‘The dining table was the main source of inspiration,’ says Katie. ‘It was the first thing we bought and originally intended to be our desk, but I thought it was such a dramatic piece it needed to be on display rather than hidden in the office.’ Since starting her design practice two years ago, Katie Harbison has chalked up an impressive array of projects, which traverse the globe from the US to the UK, via Europe, Asia and the Caribbean. Before that she worked internationally for industry titans and built up an impressive reputation. ‘It was time to do my own thing,’ explains Katie, who trained in Dublin, London and Florence, before launching Katie Harbison Design. She and her partner, James Christian, now the company’s commercial director, dreamt…

LIVING ROOM ‘We wanted a couch that would embrace all of the space and give it a rhythm with its singular elements repeated,’ says Federico. DINING ROOM ‘We gave the artist the freedom to design the table and it feels like the pulsing heart of the house – it really works,’ says Federico. the download THE DESIGNER Federico Masotto, who revamped this home for the owner – a woman who used to work in fashion until she recently left for new adventures. This house was one of them. She lives alone and has an adult son. THE PROPERTY A Parisian townhouse built in 1927 in Montmartre for, it is believed, a ballerina, by the Belgian architect Pierre Fouque. The house is set over five floors and has a landmark art-deco…

EASY WIN With terracotta as a textured neutral base, a rug by Matthew himself, featuring a peacock motif, is handed the spotlight in this room. The piece is a masterclass in contrast: warm yellow, vibrant blue and a highlight of white, combined in one decorative pattern for a show-stopping but entirely accessible approach to using this shade. POP ART Layering shades that sit close together on the colour wheel – pinks, oranges, peaches – helps a handful of red accents feel right at home in the living room of Matthew’s London home. The simple square red table draws out the deep hue of the painting for a subtle thread that runs through this soothing scheme. MAX IT OUT Despite its striking pattern, the red and purple wallpaper of this living…

ALBION NORD We developed the Wellington desk as part of our work designing the townhouses at Chelsea Barracks; each piece is based on a narrative thrown up from the rich history of the site. The desk is based on the campaign table, made up of three parts, which allowed the officers to easily disassemble and reassemble it as they were relocated. We worked closely with Stride & Co and Collier Webb to make this piece, celebrating British craftsmanship. SUSIE ATKINSON Susie’s fabulously stylish Dulcie desk is one we often use in our projects. It is exceptionally made and offers a timeless piece that works well with traditional or more modern pairings. We love it because you can choose bespoke leather and timber colours to suit the palette of your space.…

AARON PROBYN It was only after a successful period designing for brands like Conran, Tom Dixon and Habitat that Aaron Probyn opened his eponymous design studio, first consulting for some of those same brands before launching his own line of products in 2020. His latest collection of graphic dinnerware, NEU, is that most coveted of combinations, form and function – in fact, the design is inspired by such Bauhaus ideals. We particularly appreciate the mix-and-match nature of this collection: choose from matte and glossy stoneware finishes in six soft colours. Punctuated graphic details meet utilitarian, stackable designs for tableware that draws as much attention as the food itself.…

1 HANG TIGHT Freestanding benches need ground support, but built-in benches can float with the right hardware. For the design opposite – a plush semicircle seat inside the home’s entrance – Dublin’s Kingston Lafferty Design chose a cantilevered effect that hides the support structure. ‘What you don’t see in the finished piece here are the metal brackets, which have carefully positioned timber grounds (batons) to be fixed into,’ says Becky Russell, the studio’s CEO, describing the custom-made hardware. ‘Once you have the correct strength of brackets and the correct wall build up, the rest is joinery and upholstery.’ PROJECT BY Kingston Lafferty Design Often as sleek as they are seamless, built-in bench seats have a foothold in the modern architect’s tool kit. Popular as window seats or as dining banquettes…

Hotel Rochechouart, Paris, France IN A SENTENCE An example of art deco opulence, instilled with a fabulous, celeb-filled history – not least thanks to its legendary nightclub. DESIGN DOWNLOAD Set in the artistic Pigalle neighbourhood of Paris, originally opened in 1929 as The Charleston, Hotel Rochechouart hasn’t lost touch with its past. Revived by interior design duo Festen, an art deco staircase is contrasted with a sleek glass elevator; wood, brass and marble take pride of place; bedrooms feature vintage brass lamps and parquet floors; and the walls of the communal areas are lined with black and white photography and landscape sketches. ON THE MENU Why, French classics, of course! Think duck and foie gras pithiviers in Rochechouart Restaurant, or a seafood platter at the Citrons et Huîtres oyster bar…

Stop the noise Quiet luxury, the fashion trend that prioritises understated style, is finding its way into the kitchen. The look focuses on small, subtle ways to make a big impression. ‘Pairing a thick worktop on an island with a slight worktop elsewhere, for example, can result in a premium, eye-catching scheme,’ explains Charlotte Hughes, retail manager at Cosentino UK. Dekton by Cosentino worktops, from £400sq m. PANTRY SHOWCASE Zoning off a pantry with glass partition walls is a popular layout tweak that designers are now embracing. Studio Atkinson demonstrates how it’s done with this space that allows two very different styles – elegant kitchen and utilitarian pantry – to co-exist in perfect harmony. NATURAL GRIP From Gucci’s iconic Bamboo bag to retro furniture, the soft curves of bamboo cane…

For a sociable space, first look at how the architecture might influence the ways people interact, while also allowing the function of the kitchen to remain fluid and usable. In this project there was a wall dividing the kitchen from the sitting room. We removed this and created a new window between the kitchen and hallway, allowing light to stream in and providing a greater sense of scale, proportion and connectivity. An island sometimes creates a visual block that lacks intimacy. Instead, we chose a circular table by Desalto, which is ideal for entertaining in a convivial manner. It easily accommodates six large chairs, which were chosen for comfort. A round table also works well in squarer floor plans such as this, making guests feel central to the theatre of…

Designing a kitchen with multiple layers of interest can be a daunting prospect – people don’t know where to start, and they often stop too soon! Most of my projects begin with a lot of Pinterest image stashing, which is an old-school but effective way to work out the direction I want the design to go in. I also love a mood board, filled with swatches and samples. You only really know if colours and materials will work when you physically put them together. It’s also important to be led by the architecture. For this kitchen in my Wimbledon family home, we lowered the floors to get the cabinets under the window ledges, creating a grander sense of height in the process. This in turn naturally led me towards a…

DARK AND MOODY ‘This house is in the mountains where bright snow dominates in winter, so we created a dark, layered mood to contrast,’ says architect Thomas Griem, founder, TG Studio, who worked with architectural assistant Marco Siviglia on the project. ‘The secret to pulling off a monochromatic look is to add shapes and textures: here, the rectangular vanity unit combines with curves in the mirrors.’ The vanity’s smooth stained-oak frame contrasts with the textured granite top and plaster walls. Bathroom design, TG Studio. 1. LONG DIVISION Designer Stephanie Dunning, founder, Dunning & Everard, cleverly zoned a long, narrow bedroom suite in a listed arts and crafts house. ‘The wall behind the Arabescato marble-topped vanity unit screens the bathroom from the bedroom,’ she explains. Bathroom design, Dunning & Everard. 2.…

The secret of strong bathroom design is to use only three or four materials, no more. Usually, that will be stone, timber, glass and metal – so, for example, if stone is used, I’ll want to allow it to sing, so I don’t use tiles as well. I’m always looking to create a sense of calm and strength in the design, and too many elements simply become distracting. Whether I’m asked to create a very functional space or a spa-like, meditative bathroom, both require a certain simplicity. Even if it is intended as an opulent space in a grand house, I’ll look at how I can strip back the design and minimise the elements. This is my golden rule. Then you can bring in one beautiful feature, such as a…

HIDE AWAY With the interiors trendometer ever swinging towards the bohemian and craft-focused, we were delighted to see Baxter drawing on artisanal processes for some of the key pieces in its Milan showing. Rope weaving is one of those processes, interpreted by the luxury Italian furniture designers in the form of the Miss Rope chair and the Mr Hide screen, pictured. The latter in particular caught our attention: Baxter describes it as a ‘miniature architectural marvel’, enhancing a space while dividing it, and we couldn’t agree more. It’s a charming, textural and feature-worthy addition to a living space.…

The merging of the worlds of fashion and homeware is big news these days. In just a few years we’ve seen the birth of Dolce&Gabbana Casa, Laura Jackson’s Glassette, Loewe’s best-selling candles and Henry Holland’s ceramics. There’s definitely an appetite for this kind of creative partnership – and so we’re lapping up the news that beloved paint brand Farrow & Ball has collaborated with designer Christopher John Rogers on a capsule collection of exuberant pattern and colour. Carte Blanche boasts four neutrals, eight statement hues (think vivid blue, verdant green and cheerful pink) and three playful wallpaper prints with a focus on individual style. Our current favourite? The muddy yellow-green Hog Plum – though it’s difficult to choose just one.…

it’s impossible to notice that AI has, seemingly all of a sudden, become a part of our everyday lives, and it’s not without its controversy. The reaction to AI’s emergence in the creative sector seems to split the camp: half viewing it as an opportunity, the other half as a threat. It’s not unfounded. We’ve already seen instances where AI design has been used to replace the need for digital artists, but whether as a exploratory idea or a cost-cutting measure it’s not so clear. However, in design, whether architecture, product or interiors, AI hasn’t been received with the same pushback as in sectors like digital design and illustration. For example, at this year’s London Design Biennale, a collection of AI-generated, 3D printed decor pieces were displayed, designed without human…

DINING ROOM The main entertaining space is one of the few rooms with pale walls, allowing the daring colours of the furniture to do the talking. the download THE OWNER/DESIGNER Interior designer Maria Vittoria Paggini uses this as a bolthole for her working life, a place to stay when she’s in Milan during the week. As well as running her own practice, she has collaborated with brands such as Filippo Salerni and Oltrarno Design. THE PROPERTY A recently renovated historic home in the centre of Milan. It has a generous entrance area, leading off that is a living room, dining room and additional dining/office space. A hallway leads to the main bedroom, two bathrooms and the kitchen. inside this Milanese abode there is a vivid sparkle of a perpetual motion,…

■ Save 40% on the cover price ■ Beautiful interiors inspiration inside every edition ■ Never miss an issue of Livingetc with the luxury of home delivery two simple ways to subscribe ONLINE AT www.magazinesdirect.com/LETCOCT BY PHONE 0330 333 1113 Quote code C33D. Lines are open Monday-Friday 8.30am-7pm and Saturday 10am-3pm UK time OFFER CLOSES 09/10/2023 Offer open to new UK subscribers only. Direct Debit offer is available to UK subscribers only. Pay only £24.99 for your first 6 issues, then after your trial period ends, your subscription will continue at the price shown at the point of purchase. 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…

The living room in this bright Helsinki apartment is like a visual sweet shop. Where to look first? The eyes dance and dart all over the space designed by creative director Annaleena Hakola, exploring and not knowing where to start, which is all part of the room’s fun, joyful feel. While on first impression this may come across as a wild party of pigments, it shows us how balanced the colours are – every shade supporting and harmonising with each other, be they big blocks or smaller flashes of brightness. Pale blue walls oversee everything, supported by a classic emerald and a generous sprinkling of other simple, solid shades. While they may range from gentle to vivid, what ties every piece of colour in the room together are their strong, solid…

NEW CLASSICS A new product launch from Carl Hansen & Søn is always cause for celebration. The pioneers of Danish mid-century furniture design have wowed us with several fresh releases over the last few months – not least the AH Outdoor Series that charmed us at Stockholm Design Week – and their new iterations of two classic pieces, the PK1 chair and the KK66870 coffee table, are the latest items to be added to our forever wish list. We’re particularly taken with the coffee table – it’s an example of seemingly simple design with a twist in the square shelf that sits underneath the circular top, offering a subtle shapely contrast.…

Door handles are a seriously underestimated decorative addition in the home. The hardware you choose throughout your space should be as equally considered as the doors themselves. ‘Internal handles are often overlooked – but they’re really like mini pieces of art for your doors,’ says James Dowsing-Reynolds, co-founder and designer at Dowsing & Reynolds. The main choice is between door knobs, levers and pull handles. All come with their distinct charms but have subtle differences. Lever door handles are usually on a full backplate or a rose – they’re your traditional ‘push down’ handle. Knob handles are great stylistically for older homes or spaces with a traditional, rustic aesthetic. Pull handles tend to be long and narrow, and they’re used for heavier doors. ‘There’s no right or wrong style, but your…

Be it looking for inspiration online or flicking through an interiors magazine, the way we consume interior design content makes it largely a visual medium. However, when you’re actually experiencing your home, it’s about so much more than sight alone. Touch, hearing, smell – all have a role in how our brains decipher a space and how our homes make us feel. This idea is the backbone of an interiors movement often referred to as sensory design. ‘A sensory approach to interior design combines materials, colours, fragrances and sounds to drive emotions and connect humans with their environments,’ says Franky Rousell, founder and CEO of international interior design studio Jolie, which specialises in sensory design. ‘Life is multisensory. All of your senses work together to inform how you experience an…

JOIN THE CLUB If we lived in Vienna, we’d happily spend all our time at Am Hof 8. The new social hub was brought to life by Theresa Obermoser and inspired by London’s rich history of members’ clubs, but with a Viennese twist. We’re talking a palette of luxe velvets, glossy decorative tiles and jewelled hues; in the shared spaces, artfully arranged seating areas are lit by pools of light from elegant lamps. There’s a bistro, a rooftop bar, a fine dining restaurant and a handful of gorgeous guest suites. Until we can arrange a permanent WFA (work from anywhere) situation, we’ll be getting our fill from the club’s Instagram feed.…

IN THE RIGHT VEIN Maximise the impact of a striking stone, such as Arabescato Corchia, with an integrated apron-front sink. ‘It turns a necessary object into a sculptural centrepiece,’ says interior designer Kaitlin McQuaide, owner, McQuaide Co. ‘While the raw beauty of a stone sink is undeniable and it will never rust or dent, marble is porous and requires re-sealing, so we tend to recommend them for light use.’ For daily use, consider a washing-up bowl or line the base in stainless steel. Kitchen design, McQuaide Co. SHADOW PLAY Don’t overlook the impact of perfectly pitched shadow lighting. As well as creating a relaxing feel, hidden LEDs can be used to show off materials, such as this striking Jade Onyx. Luxury kitchen specialist Extreme Design incorporates concealed lighting in its…

The modern classic look is appealing because it is easy and comforting. Easy because nothing is too perfect, so signs of life don’t spoil the aesthetic, which is what can happen with a super-slick, contemporary kitchen. Easy also because, in the right setting, it has a quality that won’t date. So, if you invest in a well made version, it should last for as long as you need it to. It is comforting because it feels reassuringly familiar. It also needs to have integrity and be authentic. This kitchen does that because of its beautifully crafted elements, from the joinery by British Standard and the antique table to the earthenware flea-market finds. The modernity comes from the simplicity of materials and lines – aim for cosy, but not cluttered. This…

1. DIAMONDS FOREVER Laminam is our ‘one to watch’ for porcelain – it’s the new go-to worktop material for anyone seeking an easy life without fretting about scratches and stains. Design enthusiasts should check out the newly launched Diamond series, shown here in Calacatta Black, from £410sq m. Boasting subtle white veins and soft hints of beige, it comes in impressive 3.2m-long slabs for minimal grout lines and is available in a special Starlit finish, which gives a subtle glow that’s neither too glossy nor too flat. 2. SOAP STARS Automatic detergent dosing may not save the planet single-handedly, but it’s just one more way dishwashers are winning from an eco-stance. Miele is on the case with its AutoDos system, which automatically adjusts detergent levels and ensures only the precise…

My approach to bathroom design is rooted in creating spaces that are not only functional, but also visually stunning. I believe in the power of colour, texture and materials to transform spaces into personal sanctuaries. I usually start with the layout. It is important to consider the flow and functionality, ensuring that the design meets the needs of my clients. I then move on to creating a storyboard of materials and finishes, as this helps me visualise how different textures and colours will come together to create a harmonious space. A bathroom is so often the room where you will both start and end the day, so it is important that it feels invigorating and uplifting. I achieve this by carefully selecting high quality materials that exude opulence and sophistication.…

If asked to describe our approach to bathroom design, we would say that we tend to create bold and elegant statement spaces that are discreetly luxurious, without veering into ostentation. The main way that we achieve this is by using contrasting colours, patterns and textures. We also ensure that we use high quality materials. When it comes to marble, for example, we liaise closely with the quarry in Carrara, Italy, and hand-pick every slab, working with skilled artisans for their outstanding craftsmanship. It is important to have a contrast between materials – such as marble and brass accents, as we did in this apartment in Paris. We aim to create a juxtaposition of tactile properties to catch the light and build depth in a bathroom. Here, we wanted to make…

on reflection Extruded from aluminium and welded to create a seamless finish, Wästberg’s w223 Pawson lamp in collaboration with John Pawson is an understated yet classic design. Its curved and angular form adds a sculptural touch to its presence while the light casts across surfaces offering a unique interaction between shadow and reflection. Also available in marble, it’s perfect as a bedside accompaniment or to create a cosy ambience in the living room. £474, John Pawson in collaboration with Wästberg IN SUSPENSE An ideal mood lighting solution, the stainless-steel lamp by Polish designer Witold Szostak of Szostak Atelier works particularly well positioned above a coffee table or hung over a kitchen island. With a unique suspension function that allows the light to be directed towards the ceiling, it’s a versatile design…

SIT PRETTY Part of the latest collection to launch from the esteemed Italian-born multidisciplinary architect and designer Achille Salvagni, the Gae chair is pretty on its Midas feet and swathed in Toyine Sellers fabric upholstery. Gae armchair, price on request, Achille Salvagni Atelier…

CREATE A HEALTHIER HOME Purva Chawla, materials expert and co-founder of MaterialDriven, on creating an enhanced sensory interior The connection between food production and interior design is growing closer as designers embrace materials made from food by-products and waste. From apple skins to coffee grounds and coconut husk, commercially viable products such as tiles, flooring, composite boards and upholstery will only grow in popularity as innovation continues and our need for circularity increases. Besides tackling the challenge of waste, these materials bring a distinct aesthetic to a space with a unique narrative behind them. Incorporating subtle technologies that allow the interior environment to be as natural and harmonious as possible is a growing trend, bringing all the effects and benefits of advanced technology but with a near-invisible appearance. For example,…

NICE TOUCH Italian design favourite Studiopepe is back with a new collaboration – its fourth collection with contemporary wallpaper brand Wall&decò, no less. The latest designs for the Essential Wallpaper Collection – which also features new products by Zanellato/Bortotto – appeal to our desire for heightened interiors that span all of our senses with embossed and 3D textures that beg to be touched. Studiopepe has contributed two new patterns inspired by Japanese paper folding techniques; Fukuro, featuring the abstracted silhouette of an owl, and Hoshi – ‘straw’ in Japanese – with its delicate canes woven into a decorative geometric formation.…

ITALIAN RETRO What better way to open a section filled with inspiration for projects big and small than with possibly the most joyful tile collaboration we’ve seen this year. Inspired by the clean lines of 1970s Italian design, as well as her childhood memories of Malta and Rome, Suzanne Sharp – CEO of The Rug Company – designed this collection for bespoke decorative tile specialist Mosaic Factory. Handmade in Tangier, Morocco, the designs feature delicate patterns in earthy colourways that lend walls and floors a warm, familiar but entirely contemporary finish.…

MATERIAL WORLD With countless renovated terraced houses in the city, Architecture for London wanted theirs to stand out – to become an example of how such popular renovations can be done sustainably. The material palette avoids energy-intensive steel and cement-based products in favour of stone, timber and lime plaster; insulation, triple glazing and improved airtightness contributed to the home’s low energy status. It even has an integrated preheated filtered fresh air system that delivers significant savings on energy costs. TOPSY-TURVY With views across the flat fenland landscape, it’s not surprising that Mole Architects’ client chose this spot in Ramsey Heights, Cambridgeshire, for her self-build passive house. The house was built with a passive house timber frame system and triple glazing, making it well insulated, with solar shading from the overhanging…

what not to miss NEW DIRECTION FOCUS/23 There are over 120 showrooms taking part in Focus, as well as pop-up guests, like our editor Pip Rich, who’s hosting a panel on how to grow your brand and connect with clients (21 September at 3pm). Tickets are available on the link below, and you’re guaranteed to leave inspired. Elsewhere, expect to see vibrant tones in the form of playful colour pops and savannah sunsets. Design hallmarks from the past are also making a return: there’s a new-found interest in deco details, the charm of country house redux and the homespun simplicity of Americana. 18-22 Sept, Design Centre Chelsea Harbour, Lots Road, SW10. dcch.co.uk/focus BRAND SPOTLIGHT DECOREX Continuing the design festivities, Decorex is back for 2023 with over 250 brands on display,…

IN THE ABSTRACT There is something intriguingly abstract about Glen Iris House, designed for a Melbourne client by Pandolfini Architects. The patinated copper screen stretching across the ground floor of the front facade gives little away of what sits behind it. Above it, a cantilevered addition, balancing on a column of concrete blade, is clad in terracotta tiles, laid vertically to flow in the same direction as the screen beneath. With angular geometry and curved cutouts, this feels like a playful exercise in placing shapes; step inside, though, and you’re met with a palette of oak, travertine and polished plaster, along with the grand concrete arched supports that give the barn-like kitchen-dining space structure. It’s art on the outside and a soothing, tactile and highly stylish living space on the…

Above all, a kitchen should be a functional area that makes the best use of space, while ensuring it is elegant and sophisticated. It is also crucial to adapt this function depending on who is going to be using it. For this kitchen in my family home, I wanted to have a cosy seating area for informal and everyday dining as well as a great space to cook in. So, when we were considering the layout, I wanted to include an island to make it a more convivial and relaxed space. The sawn oak used for the cupboard units and the custom dining table acts as a material link throughout the house, creating a cohesive aesthetic. I find that the pale oak brings a warm element that also lifts the…

Colour brings personality to the kitchen. As the heart of the home, and essential to our family, who love to cook and entertain, this kitchen in my own Dallas home needed to truly stand out. Creating a vibrant colour palette is different from approaching a more neutral scheme. When going bold you have to start with the colour you want to showcase then balance it out with complementary colours that are more soothing. In this case, I love yellow and wanted the island to be the focus. By bringing in the pale blue tones, the yellow is softened. The space was a renovation and already had this deep ceiling cove. I wanted to give the cove purpose and make it interesting. I found the Fornasetti Arance wallpaper by Cole &…

Textural design While a freestanding bath will always introduce a sense of luxury, the three-dimensional texture of the Geo tub, £4,181, from Adamsez ratchets up the level of impact and enhances its role as the central feature of a bathing space. Made from high-performance composite stone resin, the bath is available in tactile matt and gloss finishes to accentuate the effect of the faceted exterior. TWO-TONE TAPS The vogue for brassware in a variety of metal finishes shows no sign of abating – and now manufacturers are taking the trend to new heights by combining two finishes in one design. Alexandra Champalimaud has designed the Estrela collection for THG Paris, blending art deco inspiration with luxurious detailing. Estrela basin mixer in nickel with Matt Graphite inlay cross handles, £3,498. STATEMENT…

Materials can be used to create the mood of a bathroom and evoke a sense of calm relaxation, which is why I often choose elegant, natural stone. It can draw you into a room, feels so beautiful to touch and sets the scene for a tranquil experience. In this bathroom in a chalet in the Swiss Alps, we have used Calacatta marble. The central panel has a practical role, as it screens the shower and WC, but it’s also like a piece of art bringing natural beauty into the room. It has been book-matched – the slab is cut in such a way that the two adjoining surfaces mirror each other. This accentuates the drama of the veining and is evocative of the mountain setting. For me, it is the…