News
News
by Erdem Gorgun on Dec 27, 2019
TWO DESIGNING WOMEN TRANSFORM A SHOWHOUSE INTO A FORT MILL SHOWSTOPPER.
Ā Who doesnāt love when a chance meeting leads to an amazing creative collaboration? In this case, it was a festive street party less than two years ago at the Southern Living Home Summit in New Orleans that brought together Cary, North Carolinaābased designer Vicky Serany, founder and principal of Southern Studio Interior Design, and custom home builder Mary Ludemann of New Old. āWe immediately connected and spent the evening discussing building and design as we followed a band marching through the French Quarter,ā Serany recalls with a smile. Fast forward to the fall of 2018, and the pair were in Fort Mill, South Carolina, along with Ludemannās husband and business partner, Troy, visiting the site and reviewing plans for what would become The Bramble, Charlotte areaās first Southern Living Inspired Community, and the 4,200-square-foot Burnham show home. āTroy is a developer and had been wanting to do an intimate, high-end development for some time, he had just been waiting for the right location to come along,ā Ludemann says. Both firms are known for their casually sophisticated, livable designs. Their goal in this home was to push the limits of design andĀ showcase some new ideas while still creating realistic spaces. āOur buyers want right-sized rooms, not a bunch of cavernous spaces,ā Ludemann says. āThey want each room to be thoughtfully planned for the type of living that will go on in that space.ā One look at the result and itās clear that this teamāwith an assist from dozens of participating artisans and vendorsāhit the sweet spot of what gracious living and entertaining in the South looks and feels like heading into the next decade: luxe functionality. While the ubiquitous modern farmhouse remains popular, it is quickly evolving and incorporating other architectural styles like craftsman and European. Buyers still request shiplap, but here itās mixed with bold stone accent walls and modern geometric-print wallcoverings. Thereās also less gray and more jewel tonesāa trend Serany predicted last year. āWe used a warm textural palette with the added drama of the emerald-green color in the main living areas. We saw a lot of emerald green during our visit to the furniture market in High Point and decided it was time to bring this fresh perspective to life,ā Serany says. The key starting point was a fabric by Thibaut called Mitfordāa lively combination of greens, black, and cream that was used for the window treatments and worked to bring natureĀ indoors. Wallcoverings in smaller spaces like the pantry, laundry, and powder room complement this bold pattern. A pair of swoon-worthy emerald-green velvet sofas by Lee Industries anchor the living room, while a soaring stone wall crafted of thin-cut Tennessee Fieldstone by General Shale serves as the perfect backdrop for a conversation around the fireplace. An open floor plan means all eyes can focus on the dramatic kitchen and its eight-foot-wide custom matte, black metal hood with bronze strapping. Seranyās Southern Studio team designed the range wall, and New Old enlisted ModernĀ Aire Ventilating to fabricate it. āIt took eight men to lift and install the hood, and letās just say it was nail-biting to watch,ā Serany admits. The black and antique brass finishes extend to the lighting, fixtures, and hardware. The island, combining custom cabinetry by Walker Woodworking and a waterfall countertop of hand-cut honed Bianco Avion marble, provides plenty of prep space and comfortable seating. Black cowhide counter stools bring in rich texture. Two oversized Hollis Lanterns by Hudson Valley Lighting tie the space together, while a backsplash of white arabesque-patterned tile adds shine and pattern.
Ā Just off the kitchen is every well-appointed homeās best-kept secret: a scullery. A British staple made famous by shows like Downton Abbey, this workhorse is making a twenty-first-century comeback. Large windows and light countertops by Silestone keep it bright, while the cozy feel comes from the stone-toceiling backsplash, graphite-toned cabinetry, and black and white porcelain flooring by Tile Collection. A twenty-four-inch under-counter beverage center by Sub-Zero frees up space in the main kitchen, and a thirty-inch Whitehaven Farmhouse sink by Kohler handles any party cleanup and other behind-the-scenes tasks. Custom shelving in the walk-in pantry, designed byĀ IMPACT Design Resources and stocked by Williams Sonoma, surprises with hanging storage space for kitchen linens, while the laundry room incorporates a built-in dog bed underneath a handy desk that doubles as a folding station. In the master bath, more beautiful details abound, seamlessly blending old and new. A shapely, freestanding soaking tub gets a vintage vibe when paired with a floormount tub filler in champagne bronze. A combination of shiplap and gleaming white tile on the walls and shower extends to the ceiling and provides interest and textureĀ without a lot of color. The charcoal-hued porcelain tile flooring offers a rich contrast. Serany found the wooden chair, which doubles as a towel holder, during a recent shopping trip to the Brimfield, Massachusetts Antique Flea Market. An upstairs guest bath stuns with its sleek pharmacy-style black vanity by Restoration Hardware and a striking abstract wallcovering called Metal Stars by abstract artist Windy OāConnor. Her original pattern continues into the bedroom on textiles for pillows and window treatments. Itās details like these that are meant to inspire, yet still be accessibleāthings people can take away and incorporate into their own homes. āThis home is a style that begs for you to take your shoes off, come in, and enjoy. I think people really like the juxtaposition of the space,ā Ludemann says. āKind of like the oxymoron of New Oldāitās the balance achieved in the differences.
News
by Erdem Gorgun on Nov 29, 2019
WHEN ELTEāS KEN AND RENEE METRICK FINALLY DECIDED TO EMBRACE COTTAGE LIVING, THEY BUILT A CONTEMPORARY RETREAT THATāS AS PERSONAL AND POLISHED AS THEIR ICONIC STORES.
IF IT'S RARE TO FIND a family that can work together, itās rarer stillto find one that, atthe end of a long workweek, canāt waitto getto the cottage to spend more time together. Ken and Renee Metrick and their sons, Andrew and Jamie, are the third and fourth generation of Metricks overseeing Elte,the wildly successful Toronto-based home decorating juggernautfounded by Kenās grandfather 100 years ago in 1919.Almost a century later, in 2015, the family expanded its refined sensibility withElte Mkt, a sister brand focused on affordable luxury. The Metricks also own kitchen and bath retailer, Gingerās. To putit mildly,the Metricks are devout city dwellers. āWeāre not cottage people,ā says Ken. āSummer for us was tennis and then dinner on the patio at one of our favourite restaurants in Little Italy.ā Renee adds, āWe used to rationalize it saying, āThe cityās so great in the summer ā thereās no one here!āā Elte was also a large part of what keptthem far from cottage country. Renee, who was Elteās principal buyer for years, says theyāre a family of workaholics with Ken, especially, living and breathing the business. Then thereās the factthat retail ā like everything else ā has changed over the years. āWhat used to be working five days a week is now seven days a week,ā she says. āWe never thought we could own a cottage. We were retailers and that meant always being available. Plus, we travel allthe time for work.ā The idea of a family retreat outside the city eventually became more appealing when their two sons grew to take on more responsibility at the company (Andrew is the principal furniture buyer and Jamie handles the buying of rugs and broadloom). āOccasionally, weād visit our friends at their cottages and see what a wonderful life it was,ā says Renee. āAnd with better technology, we realized weād still be able to work at a cottage if we needed to.ā So she and Ken looked at places in Prince Edward County and Niagara-on-the-Lake, butthey were daunted by the drive. Then they found it: a northwest-facing waterfront property on Muskokaās Lake Joseph that was less than a two hoursā drive from Toronto. Ken and Renee hired Kelly Buffey of Akb Architects to design the cottage. They appreciated her clean-lined style and meticulous approach. Their idea was a warm contemporary take on cottage livingĀ with a spa-like ambience. āWe envisioned pods,ā says Renee. āOne for us and one for our kids off a central hallway.ā The cottage would be a one-level structure made up of interconnected wood and glass units, designed to both naturally recede into the landscape and celebrate it by beautifully framing the magnificent views. Fitting like a puzzle piece into the lot, one side ofthe cottage would face the forest,the other, rocky terrain, and yet another would offer unobstructed vistas of Lake Joseph. To begin, Ken and Renee walked the site with Kelly, who examined its angles and where the light fell at different times of the day. āOur priority was to locate the pods to capture the best and longest views from each one through the bay and beyond,ā says Kelly. The finished cottage is all about wellconsidered details. The metal-clad roof has a deep overhang that creates shade while enhancing privacy. Inside, walls and ceilings are wrapped in Thermory ash, an ash thatās been baked to give it a deeply ingrained hue. The interior decoration continues the minimalist outlook to a degree thatās surprising for a family in the home decorating business. Thereās no artwork on the walls and very littleĀ colour. āI wanted itto be spa-like ā serene, without a lot of clutter,ā says Renee. Every bedroom has the same beds and linens; every bathroom has the same vanities and sinks. āItās very us. Weāre aware ofthe beauty of simplicity. We all dress simply, in neutraltones and primarily in black.ā When the family, which now includes Jamie and wife Heatherās nine-month-old daughter, Zena, gathers atthe property, most days are whiled away on the boathouse dock where lounge chairs are lined up to look atthe lake. āAs soon as we get up in the morning, we go down there, put on coffee, sit on the dock and enjoy the views,ā says Renee. āAfter building allthis, we spend our entire time in this six- by eightfoot corner,ā says Ken with a laugh. But keeping it simple has always been part ofthe strategy. āFor us, itās aboutthe serenity and peace,ā says Renee. āBy the time we hit Barrie, the sense of calm justtakes over. Within five minutes of being here, we relax.ā Renee remembers friends saying, āYou donāt want a cottage; itās so much work,ā but these urbanites have absolutely no regrets. āHonestly, itās the bestthing weāve ever done.ā
News
by Erdem Gorgun on Nov 26, 2019
The condo they bought in the heart of Torontoās Yorkville neighbourhood overlooks the jutting, crystal-like exterior of the Royal Ontario Museum. āThey were excited about being less traditional and more contemporary in an urban environment,ā says Colette. With this fresh start, the owners were eager to see the treasures they had accumulated over a lifetime in a completely new light. Colette, who honed her everything-old-is-new-again approach in the U.K. when she was creative director for legendary designer Nicky Haslam, began by visiting her clientsā Montreal house prior to the move. She relished walking through the rooms one by one, reviewing the furnishings and accessories to decide which pieces to bring to Toronto. āI love the challenge of creating a dialogue between then and now, between antique and contemporary things,ā she says. āI find it much more interesting than starting from scratch, which can look like a showroom.ā Since itās not always readily apparent what will sing or fall flat in a new environment, Colette encouraged her clients to bring more than they actually had room for, particularly pieces of art and statement mirrors. The designer says one of the biggest dilemmas when downsizing from a grand old home to a modern 2,517-squarefoot condo is how to create architecture in whatis essentially a box. āWe agreed to keep the spaces quite clean, which allowed the antiques to really sing,ā she says. That meant replacing the orange-tinged jatoba wood floors for more up-todate, rift-cut oak wood flooring and painting the walls white. Beyond freshening up the palette, Coletteās redesign brought new energy to the whole condo. The living room needed a focal point, so she designed a niche on each side of the fireplace inset with verre Ć©glomisĆ© mirrors, and replacedĀ the painted neoclassical mantel with a contemporary plaster version. Colette found that, in the dining area, the clientsā existing chandelier, sideboard and dining set needed some shaking up. āOnce we whitewashed the mahogany Chippendale chairs and upholstered them in a cut velvet fabric, the room looked like a million bucks,ā she says. The family room originally had tall, dark wood builtins and a fireplace, but the owners happily sacrificed them to get an extra two feet of space for lower builtins and an integrated work area. And in the home office, a floating walnut desk lets natural light stream in while floor-to-ceiling storage reveals a Murphy bed that transforms the space into a guest room. The ample cabinets are perfect for stashing essentials. āWhen you come from a house, you have overflow: clothes, linens, photo albums, filing papers,ā says Colette, who ensured everything had a place. But itās the gutsy additions like the Brutalist coffee table in the living room that build a vibrant tension with the homownersā antiques. āThat was a real wild card,ā says Colette. āI knew it would be dynamite. Then I thought, Theyāre not going to get this.ā The designer was thrilled when her clientās eyes lit up when she saw the table. Chalk it up to the rejuvenating power of new ideas.
News
by Erdem Gorgun on Nov 25, 2019
here was a time in my life when all I desired was an entirely white home ā white floors, white walls, white furniture, even books sheathed in sleeves of white paper. It was an aesthetic Iād seen successfully carried out in magazines by artistic homeowners often living in New York City lofts with soaring factory windows. When we bought our first house in Toronto, we decided to live in the space for a few months before taking on a major renovation. The walls were a deep burgundy and the floors were a dark-stained, cheap parquet. Prior to moving in, I persuaded my husband to give everything a coat of white paint ā including the floors ā so at least the house would feel bright and clean. Three coats later, the place gleamed and my design fantasy to live in an all-white home was starting to take shape. I bought a white sofa, plucked out my whitest bound books and invested in lots of affordable white vases. The look should have started to come together, but no matter how many white things I threw into the space, it wasnāt quite right. Then one day, while studying a photo of a pristine white loft, it dawned on me: the whole reason theĀ space worked was because of the gritty, downtown Soho envelope that surrounded it. It was the tension between the austere architecture and the graceful white furnishings that made it sing. In this issue, we have four homes where talented designers have played against expectations to create stunning spaces with that perfectteeter-totter effect. In Palm Beach, we step inside a landmark 1920s Mediterranean Revival house belonging to Maxine Granovsky Gluskin and Ira Gluskin that has been updated by New York firm Haynes-Roberts with a gutsy mix of mid-century, disco-chic Italian furniture thatfeels entirely appropriate. Closer to home, retailers John Baker and Juli Daoust-Baker, inspired by Paul and Linda McCartneyās mid-life flee to a country estate in Scotland, renovated a centuryold stone house in the country and setto work doing whatthey do best ā applying their distinct, paredback Scandinavian-Japanese aesthetic to their rural digs. In Caledonia, Ont., a Victorian-era farmhouse with gingerbread trim and peaked roofs belonging to Judy and Michael McPhee was given a modern treatment with coats of white paint and a mix of down-to-earth honest pieces (think Windsor chairs) and contemporary furniture. And finally, we tour a soaring, downtown condominium with a decidedly contemporary vibe that delights and surprises with antique furniture updated in playful prints and an enviable art collection. Each ofthese homes responds to the architecture ofthe space butin a way thatis slightly unexpected. Instead of filling rooms with furniture ofthe same vernacular or era,theyāve played againsttype and the resultis glorious. I hope you enjoy these homes as much as I do.
News
by Erdem Gorgun on Nov 23, 2019
Kim Dawson worked tirelessly to turn a garish property into a serene home, ideal for a Scandi-style Christmas.
When Kim Dawson first viewed a handsome Edwardian house in her dream location, she was unfazed by the multicoloured, dated interior, realising that with vision and determination, it could be totally transformed ā just in time for Christmas. āIām sure many people would have been put off by the riot of colour that confronted me when I walked in,ā says Kim. āThe house was completely over the top, decoratedĀ in all colours of the rainbow dominated by yellows, reds and purples.ā Despite this being the first property she had looked at, Kim was smitten with the high ceilings, the generous proportions of the rooms and the potential to restore the original period features that had unfortunately vanished over the years. āEven though it was the middle of summer, I imagined the house decked out for Christmas,ā says Kim. āI put an offer in that day and, 10 weeks later, after a hugeĀ amount of effort, we were in and ready for the festive season.ā Back in 2012, Kim and her partner, David Priestley, had been living in Battersea. āIt was a great spot, adjacent to Battersea Park, but we felt it was time for a change,ā says Kim. Looking online, Kim searched in Putney and Barnes. āNothing appealed until I spotted this house, just a stoneās throw from where my parents had danced the nights away when they were courting,ā she adds. Kim hurriedly arrangedĀ a viewing and, from the moment she set foot inside, sensed the house was right. With excitement palpable, Kim called David and asked him to view it as soon as possible. āThankfully, David loved the house just as much as me,ā says Kim. āThe owners must have been thrilled since we were their first viewers and put an offer in immediately ā just hours after the For Sale sign went up.ā Knowing that a move was imminent, Kim had already lined up a recommended builder. āIād seen the standard of his workĀ in other homes and was confident heād be more than capable of tackling this fairly major renovation within our desired 10-week deadline,ā she adds. Having sold their Battersea home, the couple moved into rented accommodation nearby while the work started. āThe house needed a substantial overhaul to create a better flow and restore the character,ā says Kim, who managed the project. One of the first jobs was blocking up a doorway into the sitting room. āThis meantĀ we could reclaim a wall where we could position a sofa,ā Kim says. āWe created two defined areas in this large space ā one for simply unwinding or socialising, and another for watching TV.ā A visit to a Chesneys showroom inspired Kim to buy a cream woodburning stove and elegant new fireplace. She was also tempted by another woodburner to create an attractive focal point in the kitchen. In the sitting room, Kim tracked down a ceiling rose that was a perfect match forĀ one that was missing, and also sourced new cornicing to complement. On the upstairs landing, uneven floorboards and the ceiling were taken out and replaced. Bathrooms were updated, tall cupboards that she couldnāt reach were removed and a door leading from a guest bedroom into the second bathroom was blocked up. Finally, with all the structural changes completed, it was time to decorate. New carpets were laid and the walls painted in muted shades of cream and grey, injectingĀ an air of calm into the new-look home, which now features a raft of eye-catching and quirky items collected during the coupleās extensive travels. āIt was a whirlwind journey to get the renovation done in time,ā says Kim. āI had to make lots of decisions quickly but I enjoyed every single minute. I was thrilled when it all came together in time for Christmas. I love our home and, as many people have commented, it lends itself particularly well to the festive season.
News
by Erdem Gorgun on Nov 21, 2019
THE HOMESPUN BEAUTY AND HISTORY OF ANTIQUE FRENCH LINENS CHARMED THIS VERMONT HOMEOWNER, WHO USED THEM TO CRAFT HER HOMEāS UNIQUE DECORāAND HER HER LIVELIHOOD.
WHEN WENDY LEWIS HAD HER SON, ETHAN, AND 18 months later her daughter, Innogen, she was overcome with such a profound feeling of love that she vowed to surround them with beauty and history. But the photographer and amateur genealogist didnāt know precisely how she would express her love tangibly until she pulled a piece of 18th-century printed cotton from a pile of textiles at an antiques store in the French countryside. āIt was as if the heavens opened up with an answer,ā Wendy says. āIt was the most beautiful thing Iād ever seen other than my children. I thought, This is it. What do I have to do to be involved in this?ā Today, as the owner of Textile Trunk, Wendy works from her home in Charlotte, Vermont, and imports thousands of vintage French textiles every year then sells them online or at the Brimfield (Massachusetts) Antique Show. Ethan is 17 and Innogen is 15, and they eat breakfast on chairs covered in antique grain sacks marked with the logos of poppy and millet farmers. They wipe their hands on 18th-century napkins. āItās normal for them,ā Wendy says. āThey take for granted that they are surrounded by some of the most beautiful art in the world. And I love that I can give them that.ā She found the historic structure that would showcase her livelihood and her passion in a Federal-style house that dates to 1790. The houseās tall windows and high ceilings felt like the French interiors she was familiar with while living in Europe for 12 years, although it hardly looked like a showcase of anything except 1980s wallpaper. āThe bathroom had blue metallic ducks on the walls, and every room was so dark,ā she says. āBut I knew I could bring it back to neutral.ā Once Wendy stripped the wallpaper and painted the walls chalky white, ecru, and grayāshades picked from the backgrounds of her favorite textilesāthe light poured in. She also painstakingly brightened some of the floors during a week when the kids went to camp. āI got my kneepads out, took a bucket of water and added linen-colored paint to it, swished it around, and then went for it,ā she says.Ā
It took about two years for Wendy to get the house to be what she wanted because sheās deliberate and methodicalāand very hands-on. She scraped the orange paint off the glass of a salvaged door she found in Philadelphia then installed it in her dining room. A single light bulb hung from the ceiling of her bathroom for five years until she found the exact antique milkglass fixture she envisioned. āIf itās not right, itās not going in my house,ā she says. āI would rather have nothing than something that I think doesnāt belong.ā The thrill of the hunt is also a strong motivator. āItās easy to order something new from a catalog, but knowing Iāve found something imbued with history that may be one in a million gives me a tremendous amount of joy,ā she says. The house is essentially a canvas for her rotating, expanding collection. āI wanted my textiles to be the show,ā she says. āWhatever I wantāblue this month or linen next monthā they drop onto this stage.ā An old ladder propped against the bathroom wall is an obvious easel, but she also changes up the linens that drape her sofa, bed, and dining table. AlthoughĀ she sometimes sews pillow covers from pieces, most textiles are kept in their original condition and hung or draped in a temporary fashion. Her curtains are antique linen bed sheets that she simply clips to the rods. Wendy curates her private collection, pieces of which fill the weathered cupboards tucked around the house. āThey are the pieces that fascinate me,ā she says. āMaybe I want to know more about their origin. Or maybe theyāre ones I want to use on the changing stage of my house.ā Most of the antique linens she imports are offered to customers. Whether itās through online interactions or in person at antiques shows, Wendy delights in seeing the look of wonder that once crossed her face in France decades ago. āAll of the stories of my customers now become part of the history of these textiles,ā she says.
News
by Erdem Gorgun on Nov 15, 2019
Geri OāToole and Cathal Glynn pooled their skills to turn a derelict cottage into a bright family home.
Design is in Geri OāTooleās DNA. Her father set up a furniture retailer in Limerick named Browsers, which Geri runs today, and her late mother was an interior designer for the business. Geriās childhood was steeped in swatches, mood boards, antiques and fortuitous saleroom finds. āI used to work in the shop during the holidays. I just loved being there,ā says Geri, who now also runs her own interior design business, Geri Designs, from the shop. She found her match in her husband Cathal Glynn, a joiner whose skills proved useful when the couple bought a ramshackle, single-storey cottage in Castletroy five years ago. āMountshannon House was built in the 18th century and burned down in the Twenties. Our house was built on the estate after the fire,ā explains Geri. āThe property was derelict when we first saw it. But we like a challenge, so we bought it.ā The couple ā who have a four-year-old son, Finley ā have transformed the house, knocking through to create an open-plan kitchen-diner/living area on the ground floor. They extended up to the roof space to create an additional floor with two bedrooms and a bathroom. āWe didnāt need planning permission because we stuck with the original footprint,ā says Geri. Instead of adding a third bedroom upstairs, Geri reconfigured the floor plan to include a vaulted ceiling, adding unexpected drama to the living area downstairs. She designed the new staircase using urbanĀ materials that contrast with the wide oak beam, salvaged from a hotel in Cork owned by Geriās father, and exposed brick walls, which lend a rustic warmth to the area. āI wanted to balance the clean lines and modernity with natural materials ā I donāt like too much perfection,ā says Geri. Cathal made sash windows using the original weights, and the existing brick fireplace downstairs was restored. āWe tried to preserve as much of the old building as possible. I love these original features; they give the house soul,ā says Geri. An understated palette underpins the calm, light feel of the home. Monochrome tranquillity abounds upstairs, where a roll-top bath sits against walls papered in a motif of swirling clouds. āI love the way the wallpaper makes me feel as though Iām floating up on high.ā The pale backdrop is warmly sprinkled with antiques and heirlooms gathered by Geri and Cathal over the years. Silvered mirrors illuminate the sitting area, soft Persian rugs adorn the floors, and modern artworks by Irish artists, such as Markey Robinson, enhance the rooms. āThe way we decorate has changed so much. People used to stick to one look, but nowadays weāre more open to mixing and matching,ā says Geri. Nearby, a set of dilapidated outbuildings are in need of attention. Geri and Cathal have various ideas: the barns might become a holiday rental, or a workshop. Whatever their decision, one thing is clear: a transformation is in store.
News
by Erdem Gorgun on Nov 14, 2019
Magnus Pettersen and Ella Jones gave a tired Victorian property a contemporary twist with a clever use of vibrant colours and natural materials.
When Magnus Pettersen and Ella Jones upsized from a small modern townhouse to a larger London property, they were looking for a project. The couple, who met 10 years ago, had completed three renovations before buying this three-bedroom Victorian terrace. āIts converted loft, extended kitchen and big garden were huge draws for us,ā explains Ella. They also loved the location on a tree-lined road. āItās very peaceful and close to lots of green space,ā she adds. Used for shared occupancy for years, the house was severely neglected, with strippedout period features and a confused groundfloor layout. āThere was a bathroom in the middle of the sitting room,ā Ella recalls. Magnus is an award-winning product designer and Ella is a fashion designerĀ working for global brands, so they brought a strong creative vision to reimagine the property. They lived on-site throughout the year-long renovation, acting as interior designers and project managers. Magnus and Ella worked alongside their builders, who were also able to complete all of the carpentry to a high standard. Knocking down the internal walls at ground level turned small rooms into bright, open-plan living spaces. The couple were keen to lay concrete flooring, so they dropped the floor level at the front of the house to meet the kitchen, where there had been a step down. They also moved the kitchen units and added double doors out to the garden and a skylight window above. To fit the supporting beam for the window, they had to move the staircase. āThe old stairs were rickety and falling toĀ bits,ā explains Ella. So the couple designed a new staircase for the builders to make. āThey also made the kitchen unit doors that we planned to look more like furniture than a fitted kitchen,ā explains Ella. Keen travellers Magnus and Ella have filled their home with treasures from their trips and many of their interior ideas come from abroad. Throughout, beautiful Moroccan rugs add warmth and texture. The rugs are all from Ellaās extensive collection, which she sells in her east London shop, A New Tribe. A visit to Japan in 2017 influenced their design of the wood and reeded glass partitions that partially divide the kitchen and sitting room, while also framing the area by the front door where the hallway originally stood. āThe reeded glass panels are a nod to mid-century open-plan homes and createĀ a subtle division with a lighter effect than solid walls,ā says Ella. Inspired by the Swiss-French architect, Le Corbusier, the couple planned their colour palette using his Colour System, where every hue can be combined. The vivid blue wall in the kitchen-diner helps to zone the space and contrasts with the earthy neutrals, greys and blacks used elsewhere. On the first floor, they turned a bedroom into a bathroom, removing the ceiling to fit a pitched roof and adding a large window. The bathroom walls were finished with the tadelakt-style lime-based plaster typical of Moroccan bathrooms, and the pair designed a reeded glass shower screen to echo the ground-floor partitions. āCompletely transforming a property is so satisfying,ā Ella says. āBut it was such hard work. Next year weāre planning a holiday instead.
News
by Erdem Gorgun on Nov 13, 2019
Victoria Gedgeās goal was to preserve her homeās history while making it practical for modern living.
The one thing Victoria Gedge noticed when she viewed her future home for the first time was its smell. āI said: āWe must buy it, because it smells like a National Trust propertyā,ā she says. āMy husband Dale replied: āDamp is what you can smell,ā but I was sold.ā They were looking to upsize after their wedding in 2013, as their current home could no longer provide enough storage to suit their needs. The couple were keen to remain in the same area of Norwich, but were on the hunt for a house with three bedrooms and a hallway entrance. āThe type of property we had in mind isnāt hard to come across in Norwich, however there werenāt many within our price bracket,ā says Victoria. āEach one we viewed required a compromise of either size or location, until ā unbelievably ā we found our dream home right around the corner for an affordable price. It seemed too good to be true.ā Victoria and Dale made an offer the very same day, but it had already been sold. Disappointed and disheartened, they put their search on hold and even considered a loft conversion in their current home instead, but the universe had other plans for them. āBy chance, we were walking along a tiny one-way street near the city centre one day and saw a āFor Saleā sign poking out of the bush in a front garden,ā Victoria recalls. āWeĀ went straight on Rightmove to see the price, but it was way over our budget. We viewed it anyway, and I fell completely in love with it.ā Dale needed a little more convincing, though the promise of a games room in the cellar sealed the deal, and after some negotiating they managed to secure the house. But the excitement ā or, more accurately, drama ā was far from over. Victoria and Dale moved in just before Christmas to no double glazing and just a smattering of radiators. āI remember being completely freezing while wrapping gifts, and using candles to try and heat the living room,ā says Victoria. The house required seemingly endless work, and being Grade II listed only made matters more complicated. Consent was required for many a project to begin, while some renovations were off the cards altogether. The chimney, which Victoria had planned to restore in order to install a log burner, was a gust of wind away from collapsing onto the roof, and a leaking tap in the upstairs bathroom saw the entire room and ground floor hallway flooded. By far the biggest challenge was renovating the cellar. To solve its damp issues, the couple decided to get the room tanked, but despite being given the go-ahead in advance, a conservation officer ā who turned up at the house unannounced after the procedure ā informed them that they needed toĀ apply for listed building consent, which would see work put on hold for six weeks. āDuring that time we had some extreme rain and the tanking failed,ā says Victoria. āThe new floors had wet patches and the plaster was soaking, but the company completely washed their hands of it. I think my tears could have flooded the rest of the house.ā With basement woes eventually resolved and an extension underway that meant rejigging their brand newkitchen, Victoria took on the master bedroom. āAs I was deciding on what to do with the floor and furniture, Dale was flying out to Sierra Leone as an NHS medic to assist with the Ebola crisis,ā she recalls. āI decided that I could at least have the bedroom completed for when he returned.ā Friends and family popped by to pick up a paintbrush and pour cups of tea, and the room quickly came together. Restoring their charming home has been a labour of love, and while the house isnāt quite finished, it has a whole new identity that is classic in style and sympathetic to its history. Plus, both Victoria and Dale adore it. āA house which throws as many curveballs as this one could test any relationship, but weāve laughed and cried our way through the renovations together, and have come out the other side still as happy as we were when we purchased it,ā says Victoria.
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by Erdem Gorgun on Nov 05, 2019
AFTER WORKING AND RAISING A FAMILY OVERSEAS, CAT AND SIM PRESTON FELT THE CALL OF THEIR RURAL ROOTS AND FOUND THE PERFECT ENGLISH FAMILY HOME IN THE COTSWOLDS.
It was a case of going back to their roots when Cat and Sim Preston bought a beautiful converted mill in the Cotswolds. Originally from Wiltshire, the couple lived in London and then overseas in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Chicago and Hong Kong, as they brought up their three children, Jake, Josh and Hana. But when Jake was about to start his GCSEs, he decided he wanted to go to school in the UK. āIt gave us the impetus finally to move back home to England,ā says Cat. She began looking for properties online and soon spotted an idyllic converted grain mill. āThis house jumped out at me,ā she says. āI fell in love with it at first sight. Added to that, Sim is a geographer at heart and we were looking for something with water ā this was perfect as thereās a mill stream in the garden.ā Sim came back to the UK with Jake when he started school and they took the opportunity to view the house. āThey filmed it on their phones so I could see it,ā says Cat. āWe took the plunge and put in an offer. Then I visited and, fortunately, it was just as gorgeous as I had thought.ā The 400-year-old house had been a grain mill until 1959, then stood empty for 10 years until it was bought by an architect and converted into a French country-style family home. āThe house still had many of its original features,ā says Cat. āThe previous owners had retained them when doing the conversion, so the bedroom had beams with pulleys. It had been restored with great attention to detail, which we loved.ā The family now had a base and over the next two years they renovated the house. āWe were living in Hong Kong still,ā says Cat, ābut we came back most holidays. Friends recommended builder Dan Eaves of CJ Holme who did a fantastic job project managing the work.ā The renovations included installing a new heating system, putting in three new bathrooms and building a conservatory at the back of the house. In addition, a barn and outbuildings were converted into guest accommodation. āThe result is an upside-down guest house, with two bedrooms downstairs and an open-plan living room and kitchen upstairs that take in the view across the meadow. We wanted the barn conversion to feel like part of the main house and be in keeping with it,ā says Cat. So stonemason Jim Clayton built new walls that matched the originals, while Dan Eaves sourced reclaimed oak for the framing. The family home was then redecorated throughout. āI wanted to get as much light in as possible, and I kept the palette neutral to complement the Cotswold stone,ā says Cat. āI like to keep the look simple but add colour with abstract paintings. My mother-in-law Sue Preston is an artist and my friend Kirsten Coltart is an interior designer, so they helped with the aesthetics.ā āItās been fantastic to create a family home in the UK after living in Asia for so long,ā says Cat. āWeāre country people at heart so itās great to get back to our rural roots.
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by Erdem Gorgun on Oct 26, 2019
A large single-storey extension and some careful replanning has unlocked the potential of Lizzy and Ricky Stringerās terrace.
Like many London buyers, Lizzy and Ricky Stringer could only step up the property ladder by taking on a project. Having already moved the bathroom upstairs and created a bigger kitchen in their previous home, they were keen to renovate again on a larger scale when a Victorian villa came up for sale in Dulwich. āI looked past the dated decor and noticed the high ceilings, generous room sizes and beautiful wide staircase,ā says Lizzy. āI knew we could strip everything back and start again.ā As they wanted to get the work done straight away, the plans were drawn up during the buying process. āWe submitted them the day after we exchanged contracts,ā says Lizzy, āand the builders started upstairs while we waited for planning permission.ā Luckily, the couple were able to rent a friendās flat nearby for four months, visiting the site three times a week. Work started in summer 2018, with damaged picture and dado rails replaced and reclaimed fireplaces sourced for the bedrooms, while new wood-effect sash windows replicated the originals. āUnfortunately, the only thing that is original is the brown stone fire surround in the snug,ā says Lizzy. The rear section of the house has been remodelled by knocking together the kitchen and dining room, demolishing the lean-to and extending into the side return and rear garden to create a 30ft kitchen-diner with a new utility room and downstairs cloakroom. In the master bedroom, the original floorboards were restored and a reclaimed fireplace was installed, along with panelling and bespoke alcove wardrobes. āWe tried to bring it back to the period,ā says Lizzy. āOur builder did a great job with the panelling, which he recreated from Pinterest pictures I showed him.ā Reconfiguring the layout of the bathroom, which had a shower over the bath, proved challenging. āWe spent a longĀ time in there with the builder and a tape measure but couldnāt work out how to fit in a walk-in shower and a freestanding bath,ā says Lizzy. āIn the end, we had to move the door.ā When it came to the decor, Lizzy describes her style as classic London chic. āI love places like Soho Home, so have bought pieces from its collection, such as its Burleigh pottery,ā she says. āThe neutral tones at Daylesfordās cottages and spa retreat have also given me ideas for the soft greys and whites in the sitting room. However, I think you can go a bit more dramatic in smaller spaces like Iāve done with the bathroom.ā Although the project was completed on time, there were several issues that pushed the couple over their budget. āWe had to replace all the rotten joists and flooring in the hallway and sitting room, and it cost extra to reroute the pipework to a new manhole cover in the garden,ā explains Lizzy. āWe also invested in a new front door as the stained glass fell out of the flimsy original one, and we spent a bit more than initially planned on the kitchen and on good-quality windows.ā Despite the overspend, the couple are pleased with their finished home. āI love how quiet and private it is at the back of the house, and the new space is great for New Yearās Eve parties and summer barbecues,ā says Lizzy. āWeāre lucky enough to have parking, which is unusual for London, so itās ideal for commuting. The area is lovely with lots going on, so we donāt see ourselves moving anytime soon.
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HOUSES KITCHENS & BATHROOMS ISSUE
by Erdem Gorgun on Jun 17, 2019
In the home, no two spaces are as firmly engraved with the examples of day by day life as the kitchen and washroom. These are center points in which customary tasks happen, where we can loosen up and facilitate the day's anxieties, or on account of the kitchen, where we associate with loved ones over a common feast. It bodes well for their plan to mirror the characters of the property holders ā with hues, unique alcoves and usefulness made to feed a feeling of self and bolster what it implies for the person to feel "at home." Created by Australia's driving planners and fashioners, the ventures in this issue of Houses: Kitchens and Bathrooms are mixed with the character of the general population who occupy them.It's been a delight assembling this issue and exhibiting the various items and tasks. Here are only two models. Golden Road has redesigned a loft for a customer who is leaving on another section throughout everyday life (page 76). Among the lavishly designed components is the ensuite bowl ā its pink terrazzo a gesture to the customer's pink-confined displays. Kennon Studio has adopted an alternate strategy with Spanish Mission House (page 90). The controlled highly contrasting plan is intended to give an exquisite system to the property holder's very own capably hued works of art. Brimming with new thoughts for kitchens and washrooms with character, this issue is certain to rouse the formation of your own spaces for self articulation.
01 Teel bowl blender Phoenix Tapware's Teel gathering, including blender taps, shower blenders and outlets, is an examination of geometry and equality. The thin tapware social affair is open in four fruitions: 'Chrome,' 'Brushed Nickel' (imagined), 'Weapon Metal' and 'Matte Black.'phoenixtapware.com.au 02 Oliver cast-iron paw foot bathThe Oliver cast-iron snare foot shower from Highgrove Bathrooms is as indisputable in looks everything considered in feel; its thick, quality material has favored warmth upkeep over standard acrylic tubs, thinking about longer loosening up. The shower and feet touch base in a variety of striking tints. highgrovebathrooms.com.au 03 XSquare bathroom furnitureDuravit and maker Kurt Merki Jr have made a furniture range organized expressly to enhance the contemporary DuraSquare washbasins. The X Square range incorporates a striking rectilinear chrome diagram, which mirrors the geometry of the basin.duravit.com 04 Fantini Acquadolce shower roseDesigned by Italian organizer Franco Sargiani, the Fantini Acquadolce two-work shower climbed from Rogerseller celebrates "unmistakable delight." The smooth shower rose offers a luxurious precipitation sway from 168 foe of limescale gushes similarly as a central haze function.rogerseller.com.au 05 Pebble gathering Danish maker D Line has collaborated with Bjarke Ingels Group to make a contem-porary course of action of bathroom additional items charac-terized by carefree, bended shapes and material materiality. The Pebble gathering consolidates a restroom brush, shower rack, towel rail and more.dline.com 06 Aio Aurajet twin showerMethven's Aio Aurajet twin shower is directly available in 'Matte Black.' This striking consummation makes for a part point that can change a typical white-washed bathroom into a mind boggling space. Aio's stand-out brilliance formed showerhead makes a rich fan-like spray.methven.com
07 Metropolitan surfaces accumulation Inspired by the harsh, unpolished materials found in mechanical engineering, Caesarstone's Metropolitan gathering incorporates seven solid look completes, perfect for restroom spaces. The 'Vaporous Concrete' complete (imagined) radiates physicality, profundity and movement.caesarstone.com.au 08 Neb shower and bowl Designed by Benedini Associati for Agape, the Neb gathering incorporates a smooth bath and bowl that have amazingly slim profiles, made conceivable gratitude to the bio-based material Cristalplant, an Italian-made material with a smooth surface reminiscent of normal stone.artedomus.com 09 In-Wash Inspira toiletIn-Wash Inspira by Roca is an imaginative can highlighting a coordinated water spout for individual cleanliness. The "brilliant" latrine likewise has flexible water and gaseous tension, a LED night light, an auto cleaning spout, client location innovation and more.roca.com.au 10 Drain completes Stormtech's metal, copper, bronze and matt-dark completions for waste frameworks offer imaginative alternatives to architects, specifiers and customers. Accessible over Stormtech's range, the completions can give a smooth and glowing completion to any contemporary design.stormtech.com.au 11 Purist washroom accessoriesPurist adornments by Kohler are intended to bring a completing bit of style and extravagance to the restroom. Counting a towel bar, towel ring and robe snare, the frill accumulation arrives in a scope of valuable metal completions ā rose gold, brushed bronze and brushed nickel.kohler.com.au
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Concentrate ON: AFRICAN DESIGN
by Beau Ueland on May 28, 2019
We are excessively familiar with seeing structures that are 'enlivened' by different societies as opposed to very them yet this is evolving. Ikea has collaborated with 10 African fashioners and specialists for its Overallt gathering of furni-ture, materials and adornments, propelling this month. The Swedish brand has worked legitimately with creatives from nations including Ivory Coast, South Africa and Senegal, who have contributed pieces that mirror their individual societies. Senegal's Bibi Seck is behind a plastic and steel hassock, while Nairobi-based Bethan Rayner and Naeem Biviji structured a bended eucalyptus seat (beneath). Additional proof of the innovative blast right now in progress on the landmass is the option of Africa By Design, which advances set up and developing fashioners, as a dealer on the online store 1stdibs, giving crafted by 30 originator another and great interna-tional reach. ikea.com | 1stdibs.com | africabydesign.org
Place OF FINE ART
Ten years back, antiquarian Tamsin Wimhurst ran over a charming terraced house in Cambridge. Inside an unremarkable outside, the two-up, two-down was an Arts and Crafts wonder, the dividers and roofs canvassed in wall paintings hand-painted by its past proprietor, David Parr. Working for FR Leach and Sons, Parr, a brightening craftsman who lived in the house from 1887 to 1927, completed commissions for planners from William Morris to George Bodley and turned his aptitudes to his own home in his extra time. When he passed on, his granddaughter Elsie moved in and turned into the structure's overseer. Tamsin purchased the house from Elsie in 2013 and set up a magnanimous trust to help its protection. 'We know such a great amount about Morris yet next to no about the tradesmen who made his plans,' she says. Because of a National Lottery Heritage Fund allow, the house's more than multi year conser-vation ā including noteworthy structure consultants, beautiful craftsmen and a group of volunteers ā is currently finished and it is open for guided visits. davidparrhouse.org
Mat REVIVAL
One of our preferred disclosures at Maison&Objet in Paris recently was a scope of brilliant workmanship deco-propelled hand-tied floor coverings by French brand Maison Leleu. The structure house, known for its rich furnishings, lighting and materials, was established in 1910 by Jules Leleu, however collapsed in 1973 when it was not paid for a huge commission. It has now been restored by the organizer's extraordinary granddaughter, Alexia Leleu, who has revised unique floor covering plans from the document. She additionally plans to reintroduce furniture and lighting. Watch this space. maisonleleu.com
ALESSANDRO MENDINI
The Italian postmodern planner and engineer Alessandro Mendini kicked the bucket in February, matured 87. While his name may not be outstanding in the UK, his effect on the contemporary structure world has been felt for over four decades. A significant number of Mendini's most remarkable works were delivered in the Eighties, in-cluding the 'Proust' easy chair, which he structured in 1978 for Studio Alchimia. Today 'Proust' is created by Cappellini and accessible for Ā£10,000 (underneath left); Magis additionally makes a plastic open air form for about Ā£780. A unique seat got $62,500 at a Phillips sell off in 2016. Progressively well-known (and moderate) are the kitchen adornments, for example, corkscrews (beneath right), Mendini intended for Alessi, with whom he teamed up for a long time. cappellini.it | magisdesign.com | alessi.com
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