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What unites lovers of the classical all over the world is the passion for craftsmanship and everything authentic, for long-lasting values and timeless elegance. LEICHT kitchens are also appreciated for precisely these qualities, but are also distinguished by innovative planning ideas. “In what is almost a contradiction between a value-oriented attitude and the passion for new furnishing concepts, we develop unmistakeable, characterful kitchens,” says LEICHT CEO and Chairman of the Board Stefan Waldenmaier of the innovation which is being presented for the first time at the Küchenmeile A 30 fair. New frame programme - with a modern interpretation Verve is a new frame programme with a light, modern-looking style: alongside the classical frame frieze , the front is emphasised by an external 10 millimetre contour frame which is demarcated from the neighbouring door with a small groove. With Verve, kitchens can be planned very simply and yet with a charming touch of classicism. The individuality of the classic With Verve, LEICHT is presenting an elegant frame programme in a light, modern-looking variant. And in perfect harmony with Verve, the warm “ombre naturelle moyenne” from LEICHT IS REINTERPRETING THE CLASSICAL FRAME FRONT, IN CONJUNCTION WITH LES COULEURS LE CORBUSIER, THE RESULT IS A TIMELESSLY ELEGANT, INDIVIDUAL KITCHEN the colour spectrum Les Couleurs Le Corbusier. The parapet made of characterful genuine wood and featuring an integrated bench seat is room-shaping and inviting. LEICHT is reinterpreting the classical frame front. In conjunction with Les Couleurs Le Corbusier, the result is a timelessly elegant, individual kitchen. 1 PRESS RELEASE Thanks to the high-quality and elegant colour scheme – including the warm “ombre naturelle moyenne” from the colour spectrum Les Couleurs Le Corbusier offered exclusively by LEICHT – there is a harmonious transition to the shelving and wall panel with an integrated bench seat both made from a dark, finely structured genuine wood. The harmonious integration of technical components is also characteristic: the encased extractor thus becomes an aesthetic sculpture. “At LEICHT we enable comprehensive kitchen planning from ceiling to floor, integrating an individual interior and furnishing the kitchen in a very homely way,” explains Stefan Waldenmaier, CEO and Chairman of the Board at LEICHT. The aspects of timelessness an corporate |global news19individuality are elementary for planning The entire interior exudes cosiness and harmony and thus has the appeal of the traditional breakfast kitchen. As an expression of personal style, colour plays an outstanding role which, in the case of Verve, extends beyond the fronts to encompass the worktop with which it forms a harmonious entity. “LEICHT has also opted for the high-grade nuances from Le Corbusier because on the one hand they are timeless and universally valid, and on the other represent a ‘demonstration of individuality’ – to use the words of the architect. Both aspects are of elementary importance for planning,” says Stefan Waldenmaier of the new developments. The colour chosen by LEICHT for the frame programme Verve, “ombre naturelle moyenne”, was described by Le Corbusier as a “shadow colour” and is thus the perfect choice for giving the kitchen a light and subdued look. “In umbra tones, surfaces and objects withdraw into the shadow and thus no longer attract attention. Their presence is decimated: the focus is drawn away to other points,” explained the architect. As an addition to the total of 15 colours from the spectrum of Les Couleurs Le Corbusier, all RAL and NCS colours are available in matt or high-gloss lacquer. Love of detail inside The organisation of the interior can also be coordinated to suit individual preferences – a LEICHT kitchen stands for a love of detail, convenience and ergonomics at the highest level. This means that all utensils are easy to access in the convenient pullouts and are just as easy to put away again. So as not to detract from the overall impression of homeliness and elegance, the appliances are positioned at a perfect height out of the direct field of vision. For more information, visit www.leicht.com

Cosentino, a global leader in innovative surfaces celebrated the grand opening of its Cosentino Center Malaysia – the largest Cosentino showroom in Asia. The festive event was attended by senior members of Cosentino from the global and regional offices, local architects, interior designers, business partners, and media. At 46,607 square feet, the experiential facility marks the Spanish company’s commitment to bring innovative and inspiring surfaces to the Malaysian market featuring its renowned brands including Silestone, Dekton and Sensa.The Center deviates from the traditional perception of a typical showroom. Over 3,000 slabs are on display in an art gallery format to showcase the variety of surfaces to inspire architects, planners, interior designers and consumers. Networking areas, a fully functioning show kitchen and a bar counter spanning over 5 floors are some of the interactive spaces offered. “We have been looking forward to this moment to be truly present in Malaysia. Cosentino has been in Malaysia since 2014 and finally we have a space to fully engage with our friends in the architect and interior design industry as well as end users. Our vision is to imagine and anticipate design solutions INSPIRING INNOVATIVE SURFACES WITH THE LAUNCH OF COSENTINO CENTER MALAYSIA that offer value and inspiration to people’s lives. We currently distribute our products in more than 110 countries, and we will continue to expand,” said Eduardo Cosentino, Vice President of Cosentino Group and the CEO of Cosentino North America. The launch of Cosentino Center Malaysia marks the transformation of surfaces in Malaysia, be it in homes, offices, restaurants or public spaces. Cosentino carries wide range of quartz, granite, natural stone, marble, limestone, travertine and other different surfaces through its three brands – Silestone, Dekton and Sensa. Mark Collar, General Manager of Cosentino Malaysia stated that, “We believe that there is great potential in the Malaysian market for Cosentino. There is increasing appreciation for quality surfaces in Malaysia due to its functionality and its capability to transform the aesthetics of a space. Guided by the philosophy of constant improvement, Cosentino Malaysia strives to bring top-notch products that create limitless inspiration to homeowners, designers and architects. We are also ecstatic to bring Malaysians together with our experiential showroom. We will be holding frequent cooking events, wine tastings, networking sessions and specialised events for interior designers, architects, as well as the public.” Adding to the celebration of their welcome to Malaysia, the Cosentino Group was recently selected as one of the ‘50 Best Companies to Work For’ by the Spanish edition of Forbes magazine. The study was based on the opinions of more than 8,000 employees of the biggest companies of all industries in Spain, where a stringent and transparent evaluation process took place. The launch also witnessed the introduction of the Dekton Stonika Collection that provides users with high shock and impact resistance without compromising aesthetics, the introduction of two dark, matte shades – Bromo and Milar of Dekton by Cosentino and the launch of Sensa by Cosentino, a protected natural stone with exclusive protection against stain. Introduction of the Dekton Stonika Collection Attendees of the event also witnessed the introduction of the Dekton Stonika Collection - the most advanced offering of Dekton by Cosentino. The ultra-compact architectural surface with advanced technical properties for both interior and exterior application. Having drawn inspiration from natural stone materials, the Stonika Collection comes with sharper designs, resulting in an ultra-realistic appeal due to new findings in the manufacturing process. The collection also offers the best resistance to thermal shock and impact in the market. The Dekton Stonika Collection is available in six different colours, namely Olimpo, Bergen, Arga, Taga, Sogne and Korso. Introduction of Bromo and Milar for Dekton® by CosentinoDekton® by Cosentino also launched Bromo and Milar for the Malaysian market. These two new dark, matte shades come with a soothing elegance that imbue interior and exterior decor with personality. Bromo, with its natural and organic appearance, and Milar, with an aesthetic that evokes old industrial ships located in the outskirts of cities, exude beauty and functionality due to the design and the quality delivered. The excellent feature of the Dekton ultra-compact surface is that it guarantees lasting and unique technical and aesthetic performances for both Bromo and Milar. The two colours are included in the Natural and Industrial colour collections respectively. Launch of Sensa by Cosentino The event also witnessed the launch of Sensa by Cosentino. Sensa® is Cosentino's brand of protected natural stone with exclusive protection against stains. Sensa’s granites and quartzites are subjected to a revolutionary treatment, Senguard NK that makes them highly stain resistant. With a 15-year warranty, Sensa granites offer unique designs that can only be replicated by Mother Nature and they come in ten different colours, namely Black Beauty, Glacial Blue, Orinoco, Colonial White, Indian Black, Ice Blue, Moak Black and Bianco Antico, Taj Mahal and White Macaubas each with a specific finish, suede, polished or caresse. For more information, visit www.sensabycosentino.com

Almost forty years since its debut, the TOTO WASHLET toilet system has become a mainstay of lavatories around the world thanks to its pioneering integrated self-cleaning wand, efficient operation, and sleek styling. To celebrate the WASHLET, TOTO Asia Oceania will host a roadshow event from 17 to 23 June at the Waterway Point Main Atrium, Level 1. The event will introduce the latest WASHLET models and educate consumers on the line’s unique hygienic benefits.The event will introduce TOTO’s origins and history, along with the WASHLET’s latest features and functions. A mock-up room demonstrates how TOTO’s expert technicians can quickly install WASHLET models in HDB and BTO settings alike.Along with an opportunity to learn about WASHLET and experience its revolutionary approach to personal hygiene, the event also makes it easier than ever to bring one home. A roadshow exclusive: the most popular WASHLET models will be available at deep discounts. Model TCF6630SP will be available for just S$570, a 60% discount from its usual retail price; other models will start at just S$837, a 40% discount.Since the first WASHLET found a home, more than 50 million units have been sold. Along with introducing visitors to the WASHLET’s proud history, the roadshow event will unveil the next generation of lavatory luxury, the TOTO Neorest NX II.The Neorest makes a compelling statement simply as a piece of furniture. Its soft elliptical contours and tankless profile are inspired by the natural beauty of pebbles shaped by water. The simple elegance of its design belies a wealth of sophisticated features including automatic open/close with automatic flushing, an integrated WASHLET personal cleansing system complete with warm-air dryer, an instantly heated seat, and soft backlighting for night-time use.But the NX II doesn’t stop with a top-flight array of amenities. Its approach to sanitation is built around the Actilight, an integrated UV light that works in concert with electrolysed water and the bowl’s titanium dioxide/zirconium glaze to continuously break down waste particles within the bowl, even when it is not in use. A premist applied while the seat opens prepares the bowl for efficient flushing, and electrolysed water sanitises the bowl after flushing.At USD$13,000, the Neorest NX II may not become the immediate and enduring sensation that WASHLET has proven to be. But as the pinnacle of TOTO’s engineering art, it shows us what lavatories are capable of, and where lavatory technology is headed.For more information, visit www.toto.com

AN A-LINE SKIRT can be ho-hum, but snipped out of a splashy print and it suddenly has attitude. That ’s one way of looking at this grand apartment in Toronto’s Yorkville neighbourhood. Here, riotous colour, lively prints and art mingle for the ultimate in city living. “I would describe it as traditional elegance with a twist,” says the homeowner of the condo’s design.She downsized from a veritable Shangri-la, a midtown house where she had lived for 20 years, which was filled with art and antiques. “It was a magnificent home with 150-year-old oak trees, a great garden and a swimming pool,” she says. The new digs, then, had to be up to snuff, both in terms of style and scope. At 3,800 square feet with two terraces  one terrace is a party-sized 800 square feet the airy condo elegantly meanders across half of one storey of a boutique building. The home has sizable rooms and, with its coolly crisp white interior, it’s the perfect showcase for the owner’s sizable art collection. The smart layout caters to the way rooms are most often used, with the living room, dining roomand den separated from the bedrooms by a long hallway. Sleek and spacious, the two-tone kitchen in the centre of the condo can handle a crowd — very important for the occasional shindig thrown here. Designer Christine Johnson, a long-standing collaborator of the homeowner, started with the layout so the space was exactly the way they wanted it. Then, she chose materials and pieces to create rooms that felt intimate and inviting. “The owner wanted colour and she wanted contemporary, so we did a very open space,” says Christine. “Vast rooms are tricky; you have to make sure the space has an inviting and comfortable feel. We made it cosy through textures and colour.”Two vibrant yellow rugs, for instance, are eye-catching in the living room. Colourful stripes on mid-century modern Milo Baughman lounge chairs and playful raised dots on dining seats are decorating details that achieve a laid-back luxury.   The den’s regal purple drapery is dynamic and different. On the chairs the owner has had forever, hypnotic fabric is a fun upgrade.Grey sofa, South Hill Home; rug, The Rug Company; drapery fabric (throughout), Primavera Interior Furnishings; left painting by Jean-Paul Riopelle; right painting by Paul-Émile Borduas. Likewise, two once-taupe French armchairs now sport a jewel-tone woven print inspired by Paul Klee. “One of the best things Christine did was find that patterned fabric, because I tend to go for geometric things,” says the owner. “Christine said, ‘You’re going to kill me: it’s unbelievably expensive, but I know you’re going to love it.’ And I said, ‘I don’t care what it costs; that’s what we’re doing!’”Adding to the off beat opulence are minimalist architectural details: f loating oak-clad walls in the den, stately limestone-look columns in the living area and a ripple-walled foyer featuring pieces of wood that are laminated together to look like they’re f loating. Since moving, the homeowner has never looked back. “I adore the apartment,” she says. “When you’ve lived in a large house with a garden that’s half an acre, it’s not easy to move into something smaller. But I had my first party at the apartment last September, and I had 110 people for cocktails, no problem.” We’ll toast to that!     

A LANDMARK 1920's HOME IN PALM BEACH IS REDONE IN A GIDDY, GUTSY BLEND OF PAST AND PRESENT. FROM THE OUTSIDE, the Palm Beach, Fla., house that Maxine Granovsky Gluskin shares with her husband, Ira Gluskin, is a throwback to the oceanfront enclave’s old-school opulence. Built in the 1920s by renowned American architect Addison Mizner, the landmark has a Mediterranean Revival style that perfectly preserves the glamour of an era when Vanderbilts, Rockefellers and Astors f locked to the area for sun and fun. Inside, however, the transformation that took nearly two years to complete is an awe-inspiring blend of conservation and contemporary chutzpah. The couple, who have enjoyed living in Palm Beach for 13 years, were attracted to the home’s prime location along the ocean and its extensive grounds. “We first saw it at night with the garden softly lit and hurricane candles around the pool,” says Maxine. “It was very romantic.” The previous owners, however, had a very different aesthetic. The interiors were dark and in a style that felt too rooted in the past. “I wanted to give the house a much more updated, modern   Maxine Granovsky Gluskin stands under an Allegro Assai chandelier that brings contemporary verve to the loggia. Chandelier, Foscarini.  feel while still keeping the beautiful elements of the architecture and the design,” says Maxine.She interviewed five designers before committing to the New York firm Haynes-Roberts, whose partners were familiar with the nuances of Palm Beach style. More importantly, they instinctively understood how to translate Maxine’s vision, which she sums up as a certain “relaxed formality.” The renovation included recolouring the original cork and composite f loors in the living and dining rooms, enlisting an artisan to resurface the walls with Marmorino plaster, introducing light into rooms with bright white and barely-there shades and hunting for vintage furniture and accessories. No matter how major or minor the decision, Maxine was involved.“It’s Maxine’s amazing attitude and positivity that makes you say, ‘OK, let’s do this; let’s keep going,’” say the designers. And seizing on this confidence, they arrived at a unique spin on the glamour and grandeur inherent to the home’s history and setting. “There’s an urbanity to some of the pieces because you’re in a place where it’s about sophistication and elegance — the old Palm Beach,” say the designers. But, then, this is new Palm Beach. A slightly later mid-century inf luence — think 1960s and ’70s — comes through, particularly in the lighting, which expresses personality and modernity in equal measure. “It’s a  little more playful-chic, an almost Italian inspiration in terms of interiors,” say the designers. From Maxine’s perspective, the point was less about an aesthetic statement than enjoying a home that would feel at once family-friendly (their many grandkids visit often) and suited to their passion for contemporary art. “Everything, I think, is very carefully considered,” says Maxine.As the former president and current honorary chair of the Art Gallery of Ontario board of trustees, Maxine also drew on her considerable understanding and appreciation of art to establish an added layer of visual interest and storytelling within the house. Whereas some pieces were already part of their collection, others were acquired with the rooms in mind. A hot pink, silver and white sculpture by Ugo Rondinone lives on the landing, a text-based painting by Gary Simmons hangs in the dining room, a provocative Wolfgang Tillmans image is in the living room, and a Suzan Frecon painting adorns the front hall. Throughout, the house conveys a subtle yet impressive air of connoisseurship. Maxine feels the deference that comes with living in a house that’s nearly a century old that has withstood hurricanes and owners’ whims alike. “The house is really solid; you feel that as soon as you walk in,” she says. “It’s also nice to know that you’re the keeper of the house for a little while, and then it will pass on to someone else.” The next generation of storied sunseekers should be so lucky.  

Designer Brian Gluckstein outdoes himself with a must-see showhome that holds the promise of life well lived. Low-set wainscotting and full-length drapery emphasize the great room’s lofty ceiling. “I like high ceilings and love to incorporate at least one in every design,” says Brian. High-contrast trimon the off-white coffee tables and armchairs evokes the signature piping of a timeless Chanel jacket. Sofa, GlucksteinHome; armchairs, cube tables, throw pillows, art (right), Gluckstein Design Planning; drapery fabric, Threadcount Textile & Design; rug, Elte; photographic art (left) by To ny Ko u ko s; wall and trim colour, Distant Gray (OC-68), ceiling colour(throughout), Decorator’s White (CC-20), Benjamin Moore.  Like the glamorous lead in a classic Hollywood film, this year’s Princess Margaret Cancer Centre Home Lottery Showhome makes an alluring first impression: it greets you in a dramatic fashion and dazzles you with gorgeous looks, but is careful not to give away too much, too fast. From the extra-tall foyer just inside the front door, a tiger-print rug worthy of Lana Turner can be glimpsed in the home office across the hallway. “It’s similar to a carpet I had in my New York City apartment years ago,” says designer Brian Gluckstein. The scene beckons visitors forward until the 6,700-square-foot home’s elegant main f loor is revealed through a procession of grey-trimmed archways. “The house is quite open, but I didn’t want you to see everything as soon as you walk in,” says Brian. In design, as in the movies, a little mystery goes a long way. Set on a corner lot in a leafy neighbourhood of south Oakville, Ont., the five-bedroom, two-storey house is loosely inspired by French Normandy style. In less than eight months, Brian expertly tempered the interior’s open layout by creating defined living spaces with purpose. He pulled in some walls (to create a centre courtyard) and pushed out others (the great room is generously sized and self-contained), varied ceiling heights and balanced bright, lofty spaces with cosy, moodier rooms. Nearly every surface received its own treatment, from washable murals in the kitchen to a grey wall covering on the dining room ceiling to graphic f loor tiles in the foyer. Grey-washed white oak f loors with a scraped finish quietly tie together the showstopping elements. TOP RIGHT: For the home’s French Normandy–inspired exterior, architect Richard Wengle chose an aged brick that looks like lime has seeped through over time. Construction,PCM Project and Construction Management; landscape architecture, Strybos Barron King Landscape Architecture.  EVERYONE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT The tiger-print rug“It adds whimsy and drama, and brings in the black that’s the accent colour in the space. I wanted that wow factor,” says Brian.  The cumulative effect of these many thoughtful moments is at once modern and traditional, open and inviting. The home’s easy f low, plush conversation zones and dreamkitchen make it ideal for gatherings and entertaining — a good thing, since the house will soon welcome more than 70,000 visitors. This is Brian’s seventh showhome, and he remains committed to providing the imminent crowd and, ultimately, the lucky winner, with lots of fresh inspiration. “I want people to leave with ideas they can replicate at home,” he says.There’s also plenty to simply fantasize about. One of this year’s drool-worthy spaces is found on the lower level: the wellness spa is kitted out with a side-by-side dry sauna and wet steamroom, a DXV tub with a waterfall feature, a massage room and a spinning studio, all enclosed by terry cloth drapery and glass doors. Taking a seat in the steam room looking out at the spa, Brian says, “This is my favourite space. It’s what I want in my basement — and everyone who comes down here says they want one, too.” Already planning next year’s showhome, Brian wonders aloud how he’ll top this. 

Jackie Di Cara has long lived by the design motto, “If it’s not beautiful or useful, it has no place in your home,” but walking the walk got substantially easier recently when she rebuilt her home around the concept. In 2016, when their son, Dane, was a fast-growing toddler, Jackie and her husband, Nino (he owns a publishing company focused on electric vehicles), finally gave up on their “cool and happening” St. Lawrence Market condo in Toronto and moved out to a more kid-friendly neighbourhood near the lake and local shops and cafés. But the charming wood and cedar-shingled two-storey home they bought — built in 1895 as a quaint holiday cottage just outside the city was dark, cramped and poorly laid out. So, they embarked on an eight-month reno that saw them gut the interior  “Literally nothing remained; we stood in the basement and could see the sky” and add a third-f loor principal suite, taking the 1,500-square-foot living space up to 2,200. Jackie spoke to us about the pitfalls of being both homeowner and designer on the project, and about how she builds (and maintains!) her decorated minimalist look. Clean-lined elements such as the new staircase and flat-front white oak built-ins are the architectural underpinnings of Jackie’s modern redesign.Cabinetmaker, Kattlus Cabinetry & Millwork; engineered hardwood flooring (throughout), Silverwood Flooring; pendants by Pablo Bola, GR Shop by Gabriel Ross; faucetby Waterstone, Roman Bath Centre; black bowl,Elte; lamp (on countertop), Kelly Wearstler.  Question: What inspired your aesthetic for the new spaces?JACKIE DI CARA: In part, this design is the culmination of research I’ve done for clients — all those pent-up design ideas I never got to express. I’ve always been inclined toward relaxed, contemporary interiors, so the shell of the house — the built-ins, the staircase, the fireplace — is clean and simple but with some warmth. It’s a bit Scandinavian, and a bit Californian, too. Q: What were your steps in developing the design?JDC: It started with the materials. I knew everything was going to be light and fresh with hits of black. Light Scandinavian f looring, and light wood for the kitchen cabinets, built-ins, and even the window trim. Then, I designed the millwork. In a contemporary house, there’s not a lot of trim, so the millwork creates the architectural character. Especially the staircase you don’t get more minimalist than that. With a clean shell, I can rotate my personal items and have those be the stars. I think of the look as decorated minimalism  Q: You moved the staircase. Why?JDC: It chopped the house in half it was in the middle, cutting from one side to the other. Now it runs up one side, which let us do an open-concept layout on the main f loor and create a light well. Q: How does the light well work?JDC: There’s a skylight on the third f loor and an open space running alongside the new stairs fromthere, down to the basement. It does a great job of brightening the space, even on overcast days. It’s my husband’s favourite part of the reno! Q: What else was on your reno wish list? JDC: Open-concept family living on the main floor, with the kitchen in the centre. A third-f loor master retreat. We both wanted a fireplace. I love the aesthetic of a three-sided glass fireplace, and Nino loves the practical side: if there’s a blackout, we can keep ourselves warm. Plus, little things like an instant-boil tap in the kitchen. My husband, being British, drinks a cup of tea every seven minutes! Q: The millwork is so integral to the look. How did you plan it?JDC: I find symmetry very calming, so I strove for that with the built-ins. In the kitchen, I did the cabinets with the fridge-freezer at one end and tall pantries at the other. I also added opportunities for display: the living room bookshelves, the wraparound f loating shelves on the island and the black steel boxes under the upper cabinets. And I had to incorporate storage because, in an open space, there are no doors to let you close away the clutter. Everything has to have a place. For example, four deep drawers in the fireplace unit hold all of Dane’s toys, and drawers in the banquette stash craft supplies. Q:How was working on your own home different from working with clients?JDC: I have a newfound sense of empathy for all the decisions my clients have to make! With clients, I go through three to five options per piece, whereas I needed to see more like 35 options per piece. I tortured myself a bit; it wasn’t pretty fromwhat my husband says. But I got some unique pieces  and I’m content I made the right choices.

Extra-tall maple cabinets with concealed hardware give a seamless look to the kitchen. Marmi Maxfine, a porcelain material with subtle veining that looks like marble, was repeated on the island and backsplash. Cabinets, Atelier Aktuel; contracting, Capital 6 Question :What was your starting point?SANDRINE LUCIER: This kitchen is in a three-storey duplex in Montreal, and we didn’t add any square footage. We opened up an existing wall between the kitchen and dining areas, and relocated a bathroom. Q:What was the homeowners’ vision?SL: They wanted a modern look that still had some warmth. They have two young children and they like to have family and friends over; we decided to keep a lot of space between the island and the dining table so the kids have room to run around and play. Q: Were there any challenges during the renovation?SL: The black pendants over the dining table are adjustable and they look great — but it took many attempts to install them correctly! The brick wall next to the dining area was already exposed, but it wasn’t in very good shape so we had to refinish it. The contractor also had a challenge working with the uneven floor to make everything level.  Q:How did you come up with the unusual open shelving detail on the island?SL:When we were sketching the island, we thought it looked a bit boring. We started to play around and realized that the shelves add a lot to the look. They’re also a creative way to integrate the table with the island. Q: How did you visually connect the kitchen and dining areas?SL: We used the same maple on the kitchen cabinets and the table attached to the island, and repeated it on the banquette seating and table in the dining area. The f looring in the kitchen is large porcelain tile that looks like slate and, in the dining area, we used light maple f looring. The spaces are open to one another, so we made the flooring transition line up with the entrance to the sliding doors.  

TWO NEW KITCHENS TAKE OUR FAVOURITE MIX OF PALE WOOD AND WHITE IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS Question:What were the must-haves for the kitchen?BARBARA PURDY: The homeowner, Renata Roti, has three preteen boys plus a large extended family and she loves to cook and entertain. She wanted to feel like she was part of the party, so the kitchen had to have views to the adjoining great room and have plenty of space. We also needed to accommodate her large collection of cookware and serving pieces. Q: Did it take work for everyone to get on the same page, design-wise?BP: Not at all! Renata had seen a home I designed in House & Home and loved it. We were speaking the same language right from the beginning. I love the collaboration between designer and client. Some aspects of the design, such as finding a good solution to finishing the end framing for the shiplap wood siding throughout, took some work with the tradespeople, but we were all really happy with the result. Q:How do you design a space that’s good for everyday living and also for entertaining?BP: The open white oak shelves on either side of the range are for everyday dishes, so they’re easily accessible on busy school mornings, and the quartz-topped dining table is a breeze to clean. In the adjoining butler’s pantry, closed cabinets hold serving pieces, with open shelving displaying more commonly used items. Special occasion pieces are behind glass doors — Renata wanted to see everything to make setting the table easy. Q: How do you balance the rustic and modern elements?BP: There’s no formula; it’s just a feel. Too much white can feel clinical, and too much wood is too rustic. Striking the right balance makes the roomseem more soulful and curated. I love using a mix of materials, from the shiny Caesarstone on the countertops to the rougher wood shelving and the stained white oak f looring. The vent hood is made of cold-rolled steel with a buffed finish that makes it resemble zinc. Q:What was your approach to lighting?BP: It’s that mix of materials again! The glass pendants over the kitchen island don’t block the view into the great room, and the woven pendant over the dining table is a nice juxtaposition to the shiny tabletop. Also, the view fromthe dining area windows looks out over the family’s wooded property, and the pendant looks great against all that green — it’s like sitting in a treehouse. 

Designer Steven Gambrel’s former Manhattan kitchen echoes a London townhouse with steps up to ground level. Notice the farm-style sink tucked into the corner and the vintage stone work table. Custom-painted 7-burner double oven rangewith custom-fabricated hood, Lac anche; refrigerator,Sub-Zero; dishwasher, Miele. Kitchen design has a way of bringing out strong opinions in many of us. Everyone has their view on exactly what they don’t like, plus a list of things they’re consideringbut wonder about. The investment is always big and the results permanent, so deciding what materials to use is especially critical in a kitchen renovation.Inevitably, the kitchens I gravitate to are handsome, with some classic detailing, heavy polished hardware, some feature appliances like a great range, a mix of painted and natural wood cabinets and always counters and backsplashes of natural stone — soapstone, granite, slate or marble — plus oiled or varnished woods.For the longest time, I’ve only ever considered real marble with a honed or half-honed finish for my own kitchen designs. Believing that imperfections and the inevitable scratches and stains would only enhance the patina of honed marble counters, I wouldn’t even consider a man-made alternative. But then, I also thought that jeans had to be 100 per cent cotton denim with no synthetic mix, and only pure linen pants would do, no matter how much better a little bit of Lycra could make them fit.I’ve totally changed my tune, just in time to avoid a dinosaur designation, because not seeing the huge advantages of today’s alternative materials would be crazy. Engineered stone is any man-made material that mimics stone. It includes brand names such as Caesarstone and Silestone, both manufactured from quartz and resin. The advantage to these surfaces is that they aren’t porous so they don’t absorb liquid, they don’t stain and rarely scratch, and they come in a huge number of great finishes with a wide range of textures and colours, including subtle shades from nature. You can create a larger surface with no seams than you can using natural stone. Even the biggest real marble slabs won’t cover a whole kitchen without multiple seams. The granddaddy of all composite solid surfaces is Corian,DuPont’s brand name for its groundbreaking material that debuted in 1971, which is now offered in more than 100 colours and can be installed to look virtually seamless. Dekton, which is Cosentino’s sophisticated new blend of glass, porcelain and quartz, offers the ability to produce a seamless surface of any size that has zero porosity, is heatproof and comes in a wide range of colours and finishes.If you’re building a new kitchen and can’t give up on the beauty and tactile feel of the real thing, consider using a mix of both natural stone, wood and engineered materials for what is perhaps the perfect marriage. Mixing materials in a curated way is the number one trend I’m seeing in the best kitchens around. I’ve picked two that are my current inspirations for my own kitchen refresh (stay tuned!), and both fit the bill of being handsome, tactile and bespoke-looking, with mixed materials and touches of old world elegance. I love the feeling that these could be kitchens in a grand house, even if the butler is actually only me. “Grand Casual” is still my favourite decorating style, and it’s especially on show in these fabulous rooms. The first is the townhouse kitchen in the former home of New York designer Steven Gambrel (previous page). You can see that it’s partially below ground with steps that lead up to the garden. It’s a subtle mix of salvaged architectural antiques and materials, such as the marble-slab stone f loor, vintage marble work table and the marble farmhouse sink with antique brass faucets and handles retrofitted with new interior parts. Notice the extra-tall backsplash behind the sink, and the way the sink is tucked into a corner and the faucet is side-mounted.Next is the Westmount, Que., kitchen in the home of Montreal designers Maxime Vandal and Richard Ouellette. It’s such an uplifting room with huge charm and plenty of display space against a window wall so their collection of handmade bowls and dishes are backlit. Lovers of natural stone, yes, but the designers chose ceramic f loor tile fromStone Tile, laid in a herringbone pattern, for its beauty and durability. The wall behind the range is clad in natural marble called Turkish Lilac, and the upper cabinets are oak with a linen hand finish, which means they have the texture of weathered oak. Notice the mix of metals, including the matte gold finish on the custom range hood. It’s interesting to note that both kitchens feature vintage tables in place of new islands and painted cabinets in their mix.Kitchens, because they’re permanent installations of craftsmanship, are the best place in your home to experiment with different textures, finishes, hardware and architectural details. Choose which appliances you want to feature on full display, and which ones will be hidden behind custom panels or tucked into an island. Experiment with paint colours and playful light fixtures. Find your own perfect recipe for a joyful kitchen. You may never go back to what you thought you had to have. I can’t imagine life without stretchy jeans.

When it comes to decorating, transitional spaces are easily overlooked. But why should living rooms and kitchens get all the love? Consider this: entry ways, hallways and landings stand to make a captivating impact and deserve the considered attention other spaces receive. From the moment you walk through the door, an impression is made. Make it a beautiful one by amping up a drop zone for keys, coats and mail with colour, pattern and clever storage. A ho-hum, bare-walled passageway can be transformed into a gallery or library. Even a landing or the end of a hall can become an eye-catching design moment with a few well-chosen details. Focusing your design eye on both the purpose and style of these “in-between” spaces creates an abundance of opportunities to set the tone for your entire home.  A large-scale mirror creates a feeling of space in this small entryway. Designer Alyssa Kapito tops the leggy console with a pretty, layered vignette. Carve out a spot for guests to take their shoes off and put down their bags. Design firm Amber Interiors delivers laid-back sophistication in this entry with a sleek bench,open storage and brick herringbone floors  When a curved wall doesn’t allow for art to be hung conventionally, a mural is the perfect solution. Created by Julie Nabucet Architectures, this dynamic wall treatment transforms a plain surface into a standout, nature-inspired feature. To a d d eye -catching detail in a hallway, designers Paolo Moschino and Philip Vergeylen installed architectural mouldings on the walls that reference the geometric pattern of the parquet floor.  Designer Billy Cotton visually expands a narrow corridor by wrapping the walls, floor and ceiling in pale, monochromatic colour.

L.A. designer Kelly Wearstler moves the needle on luxury residential design and commercial spaces. Earlessis the only way to describe L.A. designer Kelly Wearstler’s approach to decorating. She’s one of the most inf luential and in-demand designers on the planet, but imitators can’t easily replicate a Kelly Wearstler look. Her talent lies in mixing the incongruous as she tromps on staid conventions in her glittery ombré Margielas. The result is a virtuosic combination of colour and sculptural furnishings that makes each project a unique statement. Her use of stonework (dramatic slabs with major veining), texture (where do you start —there’s f luting, fur, cut velvet, gem-like fixtures and bark-like details) and colour (saturated jewel tones) defy categorization. Peruse her Instagram feed and it’s obvious Kelly can find beauty in any element: it’s the way she ties them together for her clients that really stuns. With her fifth book, Kelly Wearstler: Evocative Style, the designer highlights recent projects including residential oeuvres such as her own Beverly Hills home (the former pad of movie queen Carole Lombard), and hip commercial spaces like San Francisco Proper Hotel. Question: Your Beverly Hills home is one of the projects featured in your newbook. What’s the best thing about it? KELLY WEARSTLER: I love how open it feels. The natural light is exceptional, and the rooms f low freely into one another. The house has such a rich history: architect James Dolena redesigned the original Spanish Colonial Revival house into a Georgian style in 1933. I was careful to build upon the story of the home while still imbuing it with the personality and spirit of our family.  Q: What’s your first step when starting a new project? KW: I always look at architecture, location and history as a starting point for telling a design story. I begin by pulling plenty of mood imagery and creating a tray of all the different design elements within the space. Every room or area has a distinct inspiration tray with fabric swatches, tile samples and a mix of materials. It’s an incredible visual tool to lay out samples, materials, colour swatches and textures in a condensed area. It allows me to visualize how all the different voices within a space form a cohesive dialogue. Q:You’re into thrift shopping and antiquing. What’s been your best score? KW: I love shopping at vintage shows and f lea markets — great style has no price point. Many of my favourite pieces come from markets, galleries and boutiques I’ve stumbled upon while travelling — travel is the best way to score unique treasures. A table lamp by artist Jacques Duval-Brasseur is one of my best finds: it looks like an abstract flower made of mixed metals. It’s a limited design from the 1970s that I had fallen in love with, but it was rare and expensive and I wasn’t able to find one. Then I happened upon it five years ago at the Paris Clignancourt f lea market, peeking out from the stands. Paul Bert Serpette at the Clignancourt flea market is absolutely one of my stops for vintage. Q: You have so many irons in the fire: designing textiles, rugs, furniture, jewelry. Do you design with a client or customer in mind, or go with your gut?KW: Design is a sensory, human and tactile experience. For me, it ’s largely intuitive. I find that inspiration is every where — art, architecture, fashion, film, graphic arts, landscapes, nature. I always remain open to new colours, forms, textures, artists and furniture when I travel, being aware of my surroundings and doing research, whether it’s reading a book, meeting new people or exploring a museumor gallery. That allows me to find the beauty in all that I see and translate it into my work. Q: One of your latest projects is San Francisco Proper Hotel. Is there a difference between working on a commercial property versus a residential design?KW: Design is all about translating distinctive personalities and finding a vibe that’s right for a particular lifestyle. My job is to be a good listener and to run the client’s vision through my filter. Homes are deeply personal, but commercial spaces have an equal spirit and a soul to invoke. Every space has a muse: it might be the family, a lifestyle or an art collection. Commercial spaces can draw inspiration from the rich history of the city, the building’s architecture or the surrounding environment. Each Proper experience is an ode to its city.Q: Your Instagram posts are stunners. How has social media impacted the way designers work today? KW: Social media has made the design and art worlds so remarkably accessible. I personally love discovering new artists, architecture and design on Instagram. Curating mood imagery has always been a great jumping-off point for any project. With Instagram, I’m finding and sharing what inspires me and evokes emotion.

Trend expert Arren Williams tells us about Arcade, his collection of furniture, rugs and lighting launching in time for fall decorating&lt Take us back to the beginning! What was your starting point for the collection?From a style perspective, it was all about creating a dialogue between my favourite high points of 20th-century design, which are Art Deco, mid-century modern and ’70s style. I wanted the collection to actually feel collected, which hopefully makes it more livable. What’s behind the name? I liked that Arcade is an architectural term, as well as being connected to old-school gamer culture and video arcades. There’s a lot of great colour and pattern. Was that important to you? I love velvet and how intense it can make colour look. Some of the Canadian-made sofas and chairs were definitely designed to play that up. And I firmly believe that just about every space is improved with a standout chair in an unexpected pattern.What are some other design details that people might not notice but make all the difference? Scale and shape come to mind, especially with how the Roxy sofa can fit so well into a small space. And the bookshelf — I wanted it to look good even if it’s left empty.Who do you imagine is the quintessential Arcade client? I thought of a design-forward thirtysomething, putting together their first place. But just about anyone can perk up their interior with one of the chairs or occasional pieces. Care to predict what the bestseller will be? The perfectly petite Manhattan cocktail table. I designed it to keep a drink nearby while lounging on a sofa.

n The Authentics, the lush coffee table book by photographer Melanie Acevedo and Schumacher creative director Dara Caponigro, Libertine fashion designer Johnson Hartig opines that every room needs five essentials: good table lamps, comfortable chairs, art, colour and pattern. The last two are beautifully and boldly represented in his first collection of wallpaper, fabric and trim for Schumacher. Launched in September, the line includes fearless prints of tigers and dragons alongside daintier toiles — a gleeful clash of classic and unconventional that fans of his clothing brand already know and love. At AnneStarr and Crescendo...  If you’re going to treat yourself, head to the new Hermès Vancouver flagship store, where even browsing is retail therapy at its finest. Paris architecture firm RDAI transformed the two-storey space at 717 Burrard Street into a fantasy of moulded concrete, warmoak and cherry wood. Also look for the aqua green and earthy terracotta version of the trademark Faubourg Saint-Honoré mosaic, which hearkens back to the label’s rich heritage. For the first time, the Vancouver store will carry an assortment of furniture, as well as special items inspired by the city, including one-of-a-kind roller skates.  Inspired by decorative endpapers on the inside covers of books, Sarah Schwartz and Ruby Geisler of California-based Sarah + Ruby began creating handcrafted wallpaper on individual 22- by 30-inch sheets using the same traditional paste paper technique. The sheets can be applied to walls in endless variations and pattern mixes, with the overlapping seams becoming part of the pattern to gorgeous effect. At Memo Showroom.

Working with Studio Shamshiri, Anne Hathaway and spouse Adam Shulmanreinvent a noteworthy Alpine-enlivened escape As one may sensibly expect, the California nation home of Oscar-winning entertainer Anne Hathaway and her significant other, gems fashioner Adam Shulman, has a captivating account. We'd be baffled on the off chance that it didn't. In the backstory they envisioned for their charming 1906 Swiss chalet–style habitation (which was annihilated by a flame in 1917 and revamped), Yves Saint Laurent once possessed the property before executive Wes Anderson moved in and put his own trendy person twee turn on the house. The anecdotal starting point story additionally incorporates something about Anderson and David Bowie cohosting a yearly New Year's Eve party there. That is a great deal of symbolism to process, yet Hathaway, Shulman, and their accomplice in show, AD100 originator Pamela Shamshiri of Los Angeles' Studio Shamshiri, grasped the test with gusto."Pam truly inclined toward it," Hathaway says of the extraordi-narily cooperative procedure of redesigning her notable home, which was planned by engineers Myron Hunt and Elmer Gray, creators of the San Marino living arrangement of Henry and Arabella Huntington (presently the principle workmanship display of the Huntington Library) and other noticeable Southern California tourist spots. "This house motivated heaps of insane imaginative dialogs, yet Pam wasn't tossed by any of it," Shulman includes. "She brought a feeling of complexity, enchantment, and enjoyable to the entire process."Hathaway and Shulman depict the charm of their pleasant property as far as a relationship. "The moment we came up the carport and saw this amazing all encompassing perspective unfurl before us, we were snared," Shulman reviews. Says Hathaway, "It was the perfect mix of sentiment and incredible structure. Our underlying impulse was this would have been a significant spot in our lives. I could truly observe raising a family here."For Shamshiri, the fantasy engineering gave a bouncing off point to the whimsical, decades-traversing insides. "We were managing a California dream of a Swiss chalet, worked as a chasing lodge and a winter escape, so we took a gander at a great deal of recorded Swiss symbolism," she clarifies. "We attempted to keep up the sweetness that made the house so exceptional while including new layers of shading, surface, and decorations from various periods that mirror the development of the home after some time and the warm, liberal soul of Annie and Adam."That layering activity wakes up with specific dramatization in the vast music room, initially structured as a ballroom for youngsters from the encompassing network. Delegated with a mid twentieth century disco ball from a Turkish spa, the celebratory space has a piano, normally; a sparkly Yves Klein Monogold table; and an expansive exhibit of comfortable seating for Hathaway and Shulman's successive visitors. "This room has been a long-held dream of our own—a spot where our loved ones can assemble and our performer companions can play. It's the core of the house," Hathaway says.That same shared soul enlivens the kitchen, where a long, thin island gives an ideal spot to visitors to share in the customs of sustenance arrangement. Washed in mitigating shades of robin's-egg blue and light green, the kitchen opens straightforwardly onto a marvelous breakfast room, definite with a picturesque backdrop set into the board-and-secure structural subtleties and, for a dash of Continental élan, a lot of tidy present day seats by the midcentury Italian creator Carlo di Carli. Shulman totals up the vibe, here and all through the home, in single word: "Gemütlich.""Annie and Adam have a daring feeling of shading, which I wholeheartedly bolstered," Shamshiri says, taking note of the expansion of peach and burgundy tones in the section vestibule and music room, which were enlivened by a most loved Gucci shirt. In another gesture to design, Rihanna's unforget-table royal yellow cape from the 2015 Met function gave a touchstone to a portion of the brilliant textures and floor covering in the music room and nook. With respect to the delicate pink that covers the main room, the architect notes unassumingly, "They're excited about pink. They grasp it!"Yet for all the energetic subtleties and whimsical juxtaposi-tions of contemporary and vintage goods, Hathaway and Shulman demand the genuine speculative chemistry of their home rests in its less unmistakable resources—the size of its rooms, the peculiar round floor plan, and its unpretentious associations with the scene. "This is a house that grows and contracts dependent on what number of individuals are here. At the point when it's simply us and the child, it feels calm and insightful—the house feels like it holds you. At the point when there are bunches of individuals around, it opens up with vitality and fun," Shulman explains.Hathaway, whose new compilation arrangement Modern Lovedebuts in October on Amazon, seconds the idea: "This is a spot that adjusts the requirements for disengagement and network. When I need to focus seriously on a venture, I can escape from the diversions of the outside world and discover motivation in the radiant mountains and the winged creatures singing in the shrubbery. There's music all around.    

Wellies good to go, another age of British scene planners—imaginative, lively, and shockingly youthful—is developing the nurseries of tomorrow hen considerations go to exemplary British nurseries, ravishment rules: Roses tumble, lavender aromas, boxwood edges. That intense Downton Abbeyreverie, upheld by a force of laborers, implies little to a developing band of millennial scene masters. It's a high-season dream that, for some, removes all the joy from plants."One of the most energizing things about a nursery is what's gone," Sam Ovens, a multi-medaled 30-year-old Cornwall-based creator, demands. In his 2014 Royal Horticultural Society Flower Show Tatton Park establishment, "I needed to utilize field poppies that had 'gone over.' You would just observe the dark colored seedheads," he clarifies, reviewing a plan that saw him accept the gold as the RHS Young Designer of the Year. The expert vocativeness ("It's not about the blossoms; it's about the expectation for one year from now") enchanted the yearly show's coordinators. From that point forward, regardless of whether Ovens' undertaking is a gallery in London or a 50-section of land spread in the Channel Islands, he accentuates advancement: Some plants are in crazy blossom, others offer buds start ning to swell, and a couple of animal categories are unashamedly past their prime.That plantsman's gratefulness for the full range of development is shared by the crisp confronted gifts that AD shot in June inside the huge Palm House at London's Kew Gardens, a 300-section of land Thames-side UNESCO World Heritage Site that has been a support for horticulturists since the center of the eighteenth cen-tury. Unequivocally loose, shockingly receptive, even to some degree jolie laide, it's a taste affected by everything from cherished recollections of Lithuanian backwoods to the incredible plantswoman and author Beth Chatto, who passed on a year ago at 94 years old and was acclaimed for the innovative yet shaggy-hound gar-caves that she made during the 1960s at her eponymous home cum nursery in Essex.Award-winning sisters Tessa and Caitlin McLaughlin of Northamptonshire's protection disapproved of Thrift Landscapes practice what they call "floaty naturalism," notwithstanding when the house at the focal point of the nursery is hard-edged. "I like to utilize plants that are connected or are discovered existing together in the wild," the last clarifies, shamelessly including, "Why should I battle nature? 'Right plant, correct spot' is unquestionably a way of thinking we pursue." Ditto Ula Maria, an exuberant Lithuanian expat who was named the RHS Young Designer of the Year in 2017 for her RHS Flower Show Tatton Park introduction: an outdoors structure/home office settled in the midst of a smaller than normal Baltic-style scene of sand rises, pines (the two trees and seedlings), wildflowers, and shallow rectangular pools spiked with water plants and cleared with rocks. "Nature," Maria says, "is the best designer."Over the most recent year or something like that, Alexander Hoyle, a 26-year-old Kew Gardens respects graduate, has enamored London's cognoscenti—among them the style planner Duro Olowu and the adorning firm of Sibyl Colefax and John Fowler—with floriferous occasion embellishments just as abundantly planted handwoven rattan crates that change shop passageways into mystical compartment gardens. Hoyle is likewise juggling greater activities, from a housetop garden in Tangier for AD100 inside architect Frank de Biasi to a "plant-centered" reevaluate of an open space in Berlin. The buzzy plantsman—another AD100 fashioner, Veere Grenney, predicts Hoyle could be the following Jinny Blom or Tom Stuart-Smith—delights in a somewhat more couture finishing style that he depicts as "somewhat wild, with energy and get-up-and-go, and somewhat camp" at the same time, similar to his companions, demands that nurseries should look, and be, achievable."We need to think about the site with all its unique situation, character, and eccentricities, squeezing out its nuances to make a balanced structure," clarifies Lilly Gomm, 30, who lives and works in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, and made her RHS Chelsea Flower Show debut in May with a gold-decoration winning current patio that reviewed a subtropical cabin garden. Like a portion of her peers, she has a shortcoming, horticulturally, for the conventional as opposed to the outré. "I might want to chip away at a plan that praises the utilization of conventional blossoming bushes, for example, Deutzia[a low-profile Asian ornamental] and Philadelphus[the fragrant fake orange of Victorian days]," Gomm says, thinking about whether "they'll return into design at any point in the near future." Climate change—Cambridge, England, out of every other place on earth, hit a noteworthy record of 101.7 degrees Fahrenheit this year—is stirring these sprouting A-listers and their customers, as well, combined with maintainability concerns. "We weren't having those discussions five years prior," says the dynamic Charlotte Harris of Harris Bugg Studio, a London-and Exeter-based pair (her inventive accomplice is the appropriately named Hugo Bugg) that is hectically contemplating how the U.K's. more sweltering here-drier-there future is going to affect a nursery distraught nation."In 2050, London will have a similar atmosphere as Barcelona," she says, refering to an examination discharged in July by Switzerland's ETH Zürich college. She and Bugg can take the warmth. "We're effectively taking a gander at how we can change our planting palettes by contemplating Mediterranean strategies," she includes. "It's insufficient for a nursery to be stylishly dazzling anymor    

I experienced passionate feelings for the Alentejo, a district in south focal Portugal on the double stark and wonderful, planted with umbrella pines and plug oaks, and graced with a flawless coastline—a sandy, detached shoreline that stretches for miles along the Atlantic. I owe this to my companion Christian Louboutin, who in the spring of 2013 said to me, "Jump on a plane and meet me in Lisbon. I'm going to take you to a mysterious place."From the air terminal we drove south for a few hours, proceeding past the rice fields of Comporta. In the wake of passing the small and beguiling town of Melides, we turned onto a sandy way traveling west toward the sea. To the other side, the street ran parallel to emerald-green rice handle that nearly made me think I was in southeast Asia, and to the next stood a wonderful pine backwoods to the extent the eye could see.I had been to Portugal ordinarily previously, from north to south, yet had by one way or another skirted the Alentejo. I was in a flash enamored by the scene, the savanna-like part of fields with only a couple of sculptural trees outlined against the strongly blue sky, the moving slopes secured with perfectly wound stopper oaks. Since it was springtime, everything was shrouded in sprouting white cistus. Storks hovered over the rice fields and settled on housetops and old electrical posts. The "street" was spotted with only a couple of humble houses with covered rooftops, desert flora supports wherever in the sand. After a couple of miles, we touched base at a three-section of land plot with a disintegrating ruin on it. The view was stunning, stretching out crosswise over rice fields and a tidal pond overflowing with flying creatures to the ocean out there. It was unexplainable adoration, and I realized I needed to purchase this superb spot and make it my own.Building the house was genuinely basic, if not so much simple. We—my beau, Bertrand; my two little girls, Olympia and Ariadne; and I—needed to regard the scene and the neighborhood design. The first anglers' homes are worked of block that is then limed for security from the components. We attempted to give our own a similar look yet utilized old tiles for the rooftop rather than the conventional rice-straw cover. (Cover is fascinate ing yet should be supplanted like clockwork, as the salt air is very destructive.)The laws being exceptionally exacting, we needed to regard—to the inch—the impression of the past house, which was just shy of 1,000 square feet. (Annoyingly, there were satellite pictures dating from the '70s recording the first size.) But it has been a genuine exercise in regarding the virtuoso of this spot. I needed to alter, be thorough, and center around the fundamental—and that wasn't simple for me, somebody who adores an abundance of textures and color.My extraordinary guilty pleasure was the front room floor, for which I picked hexagonal, handcrafted emerald-green tiles from a customary workshop called Azulejos de Azeitão. I proceeded to pick the precise shade of green, my preferred shading. Every one of the tiles are made by hand, so I possessed to hang tight a long energy for them, yet it was justified, despite all the trouble. Frankly, the tiles were more costly than everything else in the house!With that establishing, the remainder of the room could be basic and rural: whitewashed dividers, a long inherent banquette with pads of Majorcan ikats, Spanish and Portuguese earthenware production, Mexican earthenware plates on the chimneypiece, a straightforward wood table secured with a high contrast Portuguese rug.In a little niche under the stairs up to the rooftop patio sits an Ikea couch canvassed in sunflower-yellow cotton. Above it drapes an embroidered artwork from Crete of the most wonderful blood red with multi-shaded bunches of roses. It takes a gander at home with the remainder of the items, as I really feel that all specialties from southern Europe and the Balkans share a typical thread.The three rooms are of devout effortlessness—worked in furniture, white handwoven Portuguese bedcovers, and a couple of blue woolen Indian hangings flanking the window. There's nothing unnecessary to occupy from the view. Outside was an alternate story, all sand and not an ounce of soil. I needed to disregard the sentimental nursery I used to have in Amagansett, lavish with crab apples and old roses. In any case, here I could plant a wide range of desert flora and peculiar (to me) tropical and subtropical plants like jacarandas, loquats, albizzias, mimosas. . . . Indeed, even strelitzias, which I had constantly despised—they constantly made me think about those revolting bundles you see in rich lodgings—however have now figured out how to like. Pergolas run all around the house for shade, canvassed in brilliant blue convolvulus, which is taking steps to immerse everything. We as a whole come as frequently as possible. Aside from two or three winter months, we live out of entryways—simply following the sun or escaping it. Assuming it doesn't rain, all suppers are taken outside. I adore engaging and am completely fixated on everything to do with it. Say thanks to God, Olympia and Ariadne experience the ill effects of a similar torment, which is the reason we chosen to make our tabletop accumulation, Carolina Irving and Daughters. I can't consider more euphoric work than going with them looking for craftsmans to team up with.This house is really a spot for family and companions, so I was excited when my dear companion Lisa Fine requested that I be in her new book Near and Far: Interiors I Love ($60, Vendome Press). What's more, I was much more joyful when I realized that Miguel Flores-Vianna would photo it, as he has an unerring eye and feeling of the wonderful. It's everything been a blessing from heaven.