London Design Week ‘24

What a week! And what a perfect way to usher in the spirit of Spring. The Design Centre Chelsea Harbour is always full of inspiration but there’s something special about the buzz of seeing new collections and going to different talks that makes it a must in the calendar.

This year, I had the pleasure of sharing a few of my favourite LDW highlights in the countdown having recently featured in the ‘Ones To Watch’ edit of their VI Journal publication.

I also expand on my love for Collier Webb, specifically my personal connection to their new ‘Cedric’ collection. Named after Collier Webb’s founder, Cedric Collier, it’s inspired by rural Sussex, the county home to Cedric’s first small workshop and now their large foundry where each piece is meticulously handmade using old fashioned methods. It features walnut, a species of tree that has grown locally since Roman times, and cast, gently aged brass which to my eye gives it the perfect mix of elegance and rugged beauty.

Each light is named after a village Cedric held dear and given my own Sussex roots many of the place names evoke particular memories for me. Perhaps most of all, Cooden, the village my mum lived for many years which sits right by the coast and has a quaint Miss Marple feel with its low, wide, interwar houses, mock Tudor beachfront hotel, Tennis Club, Golf Club…and nudist beach (which may not be very Marple but seems somehow noteworthy!)

A few of my other favourites…

Birdie Fortescue’s beautiful rugs!

Eva Sonaicke’s eye-catching fabrics…(George loved them too!)

Ian Sanderson’s timeless Asian inspired fabrics

And more gorgeous rugs at Bombay Sprout!

Samantha Todhunter’s utterly elegant and girly silky seats.

Schumacher’s trimmings and Springy blooms!

How to Create a Cosy Autumnal Cocoon

It’s hard to believe we’re already in the middle of November. The holidays are nearly upon us, the weather is getting brisk, and now is the time we begin to retreat indoors, spending more of our day inside than out. What better time, then, to finally create the cosy, inviting space you’ve always wanted in your home? A room where you can spend an afternoon curled up under a thick throw, reading a good book. Or sit snugly with your family while you stream your favorite shows. Or perhaps it’s a welcoming space where you envision your nearest and dearest drinking, laughing and chatting around the warm glow of a fireplace or wood-burning stove. 

For those wanting to undertake a redesign in their home, I offer these three different room concepts as inspiration. Each one is unique in look and purpose, yet with each, sumptuous atmosphere and timeless elegance converge to create an intimate and enchanting haven.

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Adult’s Snug

This luscious interior screams “I’m a grown-up retreat.” The inky, rich hue of the ceilings, shutters and skirting envelopes, not overpowers, thanks to all of the delightful detailing that compliments it. There’s the accent wall of classically patterned wallpaper, which adds subtle shimmer to the space. Lighter upholstery on the couch and a stunning silver plaster mirror strategically placed above the fireplace draw in more light, offering a perfect counterbalance to the moody dark paint. Elegant brass fittings and accessories, which punctuate the space, provide comforting warmth and understated, and unexpected, gleam as well.

Soft shapes and tactile fabrics–a round wood coffee table, plump, full cushions and lush, fuzzy throws—not only invite touch, they beckon (dare I say, even summon!) one to linger there in comfort. All that’s left is the fireplace to be lit, and the room becomes an invitation not just to see, but to experience and enjoy for hours on end. 

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TV Room cum Study

Even on dark, cold, gloomy days, this sunlit room will uplift anyone’s spirits. The rich, yellow walls are perfectly tempered by the neutral sand and coral tones of the upholstery so you can bask in the yellow glow while still feeling grounded in an earthy warmth. The exposed honey-coloured oak flooring adds to that sense of grounding. A deep, plump sofa practically compels you to curl right up on it for hours of repose and relaxation, while a plush square ottoman is large enough to serve as a resting place for feet as well as for remotes and other TV room or study essentials. 

Decorative tiles around the fireplace add a dash of whimsy, creatively framing the traditional focal point of the room. This room draws upon and takes inspiration from sunnier parts of the world, like the deserts of India, so whether the fireplace is lit or not, it remains a sanctuary that balances the energising energy of the sun—which we all need during these short days!—with calming colors and details evocative of the sand and earth. 

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Living Room

Thanks to the bold use of rich jewel tones, stepping into this otherwise minimalist room is like walking into a sumptuous sanctuary.  Lush red velvet curtains and same-coloured panelling are the room’s focal point, creating a dramatic backdrop to the calming pop of grape-coloured upholstery that graces a plush loveseat and sofa. Layered lighting, from the starburst chandelier to the elegant library sconces to a gold-based table lamp, was carefully chosen to illuminate the room in a cascading warm glow. 

Once again, brass and gold accent pieces add to the feeling of warmth. Each metal has a natural sheen that catches and reflects light, and unlike silver or chrome, which typically impart a cool, modern feel, these help create a timeless, cosy atmosphere to any room. The textured, smoked oak flooring is as deep and rich as the colors above it, and was carefully chosen to provide a sophisticated foundation that at once balances and ties together the vibrant tones in the room. At the heart of the room is a wood burner stove that provides genuine warmth on chilly days, as the space itself invites you into its luxurious embrace.

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Love, A.x

FOCUS/23- Conversations in Design

Chelsea Design Harbour is always full of inspiration but during FOCUS/23 it really came alive in a burst of colour and creativity.

On the last day of the design show I shared the Main Stage with colour guru Sophie Robinson and industry doyen Frank Ponterio in an aptly named talk ‘Create in colour: self-expression through design’. Hosted by Carole Annett, Interiors Editor at Country & Town House,each of us reflected on how to identify and design with colours that speak to your individuality.  

Not afraid to differ, whilst we agreed on many things, we disagreed on a few too! Sophie has a ban on black, whilst I love at least a touch of it in almost every room for depth and contrast. Frank is all for letting his client’s art collections take centre stage and embracing tonal colour palettes that show off the art works whereas I’m more inclined to pull colours from art works and weave them through the wider scheme. Sophie can’t stand pure white ceilings whereas I feel despite their reputation for being a bit dull they can be just right in certain spaces. It seems my main rule, is that there are no strict rules only guidelines which can be fun to subvert at times and prudent to follow at others!

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3 Different Approaches to Colour…

From Left to Right… Anouska Tamony. Sophie Robinson. Frank Ponterio.

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As well as broad agreement on the importance of evaluating the fundamentals of a space (e.g. size of room, height of ceiling, aspect and static features) before all else the one overarching theme that shone through is the importance of understanding. So much of the work we do as designers is about seeking to understand what our clients want, physically, aesthetically, emotionally, and even dare I say it psychologically! Sophie put it brilliantly when she described us as ‘detectives’ because in a way that’s what the design process is about, curiosity, probing and a few ‘ah hah’ moments of discovery when after evaluating the clues you hit upon just the right thing! It’s also about gently encouraging people to explore just outside their comfort zone and using the foundation of understanding to challenge people to push that little bit further to create a home that sparks joy as well as comfort. And of course, the subject of mediation came up by which of course I mean the delicate art of helping couples with commonly differing tastes and preferences find the sweet spot that satisfies them both!

For those undertaking a project solo I would recommend following the same process (maybe that’s my rule!) when trying to identify colours for their own home:

Seek Understanding

What are the fundamentals of the space?

What colours are you naturally drawn to?

What mood do you want in the room?

Aim- shortlist colours that you’re naturally drawn to that also evoke the feel you want to conjure in the room and assess which of these will work with the fundamentals of the space

Challenge Yourself

What do you admire in other’s homes but are a little nervous to incorporate into your own?

What features could you take inspiration from whilst being true to your own style?

How expensive and/ or difficult would it be to undo?

Aim- figure out what bolder, braver decisions you love in inspirational homes (e.g. statement curtains, a dark painted ceiling, patterned wallpaper) and decide on where and how you could include these elements in your own home. Weigh these decisions against the cost and difficulty of undoing things if you changed your mind to find design choices that match your appetite for risk.

Mediate (Compromise!)

Perhaps the hardest one if you’re part of a partnership and you both have strong and at times differing opinions!

Where a space is widely considered one partner’s realm it’s usually agreed to be fair for that partner to lead on design choices but in spaces that are equally enjoyed, I’d recommend asking these questions:

What elements in the room do I care most about?

What elements in the room do I care least about?

Where are the crossovers?

How can we find a middle ground?

Does this mean both compromising or conceding one element to ‘win’ another?

Aim- work together to figure out where you can compromise or concede for win-win outcomes. With generosity of spirit, a little diplomacy and a bit of head scratching there’s always a way to bring two people’s personal style together to create a mutually expressive home.

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Some of my discoveries at Focus/23…

 

Sanderson

Sanderson’s new Disney inspired collection features lots of nostalgic wallpapers and fabrics that would be perfect for a nursery or young child’s bedroom.

The Bambi and Alice in Wonderland patterns are particularly sweet!

Trowbridge Art

Lots of eye catching prints and heaps of customisation available to tailor artworks to interior schemes. I particularly liked the Astrological Maps and Audubon prints for their large scale and versatility.

Floren

So many gorgeous hand sewn lampshades in a medley of different colours and patterns. Some made from vintage sari silk, others from decorating fabric, all distinctive.