THE 20% OFF

STYLE THE WHITE

MAGAZINE COMPANY *
FOR YOUR
HOME
JANUARY 2016
4.40

BE INSPIRED

B E AU T I FU L BAS I CS
G O RG EO US G I F TS
Designs for life
you ought to own
Fabulous things
to give or receive
01

9 770957 894205

GREAT ECCENTRICS
*FOR TERMS AND CONDITIONS SEE P62

Step inside the worlds most

individual interiors
 ON THE COVER

BE INSPIRED!
JANUARY 2016 Whether youre looking for the perfect
Christmas present or a classic for your own
home, this is the essential shopping edit

49

44
Solutions
39 If you do one thing this month
Install a brand-new lamp to instantly
transform the look of a room
40 Updates Give your furniture
a facelift, improve your storage and
design your own rug. Plus, essentials
for the party season, from drink
23
enhancers to bar trolleys
44 Perfect place settings Four key

57
new looks to decorate your table
23 Gorgeous gifts
37 objects of desire

40 to give and receive

this festive season
COVER IMAGE: NGOC MINH NGO/TAVERNE COVER ILLUSTRATION: AMY DOVER (AMYDOVER.COM)

49 Beautiful basics
Designs for life that
every home should
have, including stylish
essentials for each room
57 ELLE Decoration x
The White Company
We reveal the secret to
this elegant high-street
stores success. Plus, an
exclusive 20% discount
on the #EDapproved
edit for every reader!

JANUARY 2016 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK 9

Home
This month we champion
houses with individuality, from
maximalism to Danish zen
66 High society Perched atop a hill
in Philadelphia, this apartment,
once the library of a 19th-century
mansion, retains its stately air
74 Holy order A muted colour palette
and religious iconography create
a sanctuary in central Cape Town
84 Factory reset The interior of this
industrial unit has been transformed
into an ultra-modern party pad
96 Maker in the mill A carefully
refurbished former watermill
in Italy, decorated with furniture
made from reclaimed timber
106 The Berlin collector How one
designer and stylist has compiled
a museum-like selection of curios
and art in his city apartment
112 Nordic by nature Inspired by
a love of the outdoors, this home
is a wonderfully calm forest retreat

106
118 Treasure hunters A glimpse inside
Londons Malplaquet House reveals
an astounding treasure trove of the
weird, wonderful and macabre
128 Urban Eden Situated in the heart
of London, this property has the
84
relaxed feel of a countryside cottage

Escape
139 If you visit one exhibition this
month Explore the magical mobiles
of Alexander Calder at Tate Modern
140 News We celebrate 50 years of The
Mandarin Oriental and reveal the
UKs nest rural holiday retreats

Finally
17 Subscribe Fantastic offers for
our most loyal readers
144 Stockists Love it? Buy it here
118
154 Decoded The story behind Tapio
Wirkkalas enchanting Ultima
Thule glassware for Iittala

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10 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK JANUARY 2016

 M ICH E L L E O GU N DE H I N
Editor-in-Chief

Editors Assistant/Features Assistant Charlotte Brook (020 7534 2522)

Email editor@elledecoration.co.uk
72 Broadwick Street, London W1F 9EP (elledecoration.co.uk)
Editorial enquiries elledecoration@hearst.co.uk
Homes submissions homes@elledecoration.co.uk

E DI T OR I A L
Art Director Tony Peters (020 7534 2521) Deputy Editor Ben Spriggs (020 7439 5027)
Features Director Amy Bradford (020 7534 2524)
Photography Director Flora Bathurst Acting Photography Director Elizabeth Wood (020 7534 2530)
Homes Editor Jackie Daly (020 7534 2512) Decorating Editor Alex Kristal (020 7534 2527) Art Editor Philippe Blanchin (020 7534 2518)
Chief Sub Editor Clare Sartin (020 7534 2519) Senior Sub Editor Sarah Morgan (020 7439 5343)
Photography Assistant James Williams (020 7534 2513) Junior Designer Eloise Adler (020 7534 2581)
Decorating Intern Stephanie Iles (020 7534 2526) Associate Features Editor Emma Love Associate Editor Sarah Slade
Editor-at-Large Talib Choudhry Managing Editor Debbie Morgan (020 7534 2558)
Associate Stylists Hannah Bort Sania Pell Amanda Smith Suzanne Stankus

PU BL I SH I NG & CI RCU L AT ION H E A R ST M AG A Z I N E S T R A DEM A R K NO T ICE

A DV E RT I SI NG Circulation and Marketing Director I N T E R N AT ION A L ELLE and ELLE Decoration are used
Group Publishing Director Reid Holland President/CEO under licence from the trademark owner,
Jacqui Cave (020 7439 5273) Head of Marketing Operations Duncan Edwards Hachette Filipacchi Presse
Publishers Assistant Jennifer Smith Senior Vice President, Chief Financial
Charlotte Rottenburg (020 7439 5954) Officer and General Manager LAGARDRE ACTIVE
Head of Consumer Sales & Marketing
Associate Publisher Simon Horne
James Hill Chairman and CEO Lagardre Active
Christopher Daunt (020 7439 5175)
Group Customer Marketing Manager Senior Vice President/Director of Licensing Denis Olivennes
Sales Executive and Business Development
Emma Burns (020 7439 5269) Karen Sharp (020 7439 5543) CEO ELLE France & International
Gautam Ranji Constance Benqu
Classied Sales Executive Senior Marketing Executive
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Hannah Symondson (020 3728 6233)
Publishing Director Fabrice A Plaquevent
Director of Hearst Magazines Direct Jeannette Chang
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H E A R ST LU X U RY CEO ELLE International Media Licenses
Marketing Director Senior Vice President/Editorial Director Franois Coruzzi
Regional Sales
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and Product Management 8am9pm; Sat 8am4pm. Standard rates
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Production Coordinator ELLE Decoration is published by
Carl Latter (020 7439 5402) Hearst Magazines UK, a trading name
of The National Magazine Company Ltd.

T H I S MON T H S CON T R I BU TOR S

Kerstin Rose Todd Longstaffe-Gowan Stephanie Iles
INTERVIEWS: SARAH MORGAN PICTURE: PAOLA MORETTI

Profession Writer and stylist Profession Landscape architect Instagram: @missmutant

Feature Maker in the mill, p96 and historian About Steph is ELLE Decorations
Favourite colours Grey and green Feature Treasure hunters, p118 new Decorating Intern
Interiors style Comfortable and Interiors style Eclectic, historically Interiors style Lots of mid-century
welcoming. I love glass vases, chairs informed and idiosyncratic furniture with bohemian inuences.
and small items (like toys from the Favourite design object The K2 Id like to be more minimal, but in
1950s), which I arrange throughout my apartment telephone kiosk [designed by British architect Sir reality Im too much of a collector for that
Favourite city Im fascinated by cities that are not Giles Gilbert Scott in 1924]. A most imaginative and Design hero Iris Apfel, for her style and condence
super chic and busy: I like places like Lisbon, Leipzig dignied adaptation of Sir John Soanes tomb Favourite design objects Danish designer Kai
and parts of Brooklyn, because they still have parts Design hero The Slovenian architect Joe Plenik Kristiansens chairs. I have a penchant for chairs and
that are yet to be explored Most precious possession An 18th-century marble in my opinion, these are the godfather to all!
Dream buy I would love to install an open replace carving depicting a recumbent Paschal lamb by the Dream destination Id return to a lake in Yosemite
and a large seating area around it English sculptor Joseph Wilton National Park, the most untouched place Ive ever seen

12 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK JANUARY 2016

 BE INSPIRED!
Just get me something small, anything you think Id like. Apparently
these are the words that strike fear into the hearts of my nearest and
dearest. They say Im impossible to buy gifts for as I can never be
specic about what I may want. I also have a very bad habit of picking
up bits I suddenly realise I rather like when Im out shopping for
everyone else. You see, I generally abide by a strict principle of not
looking, therefore not creating desire for things I wouldnt otherwise
have known existed. But when I do start looking, oh what wonders
abound! So many lovely things, pretty things, things I had NO IDEA
I needed. Hence the corollary, my almost obsessional joy in de-cluttering.
Ive long aspired to be what I call capsule collection woman.
In other words, this is an alternative universe in which my bathroom
cabinet has only the exact essentials required for my daily ablutions.

JUST GET ME SOMETHING SMALL, ANYTHING YOU THINK ID LIKE.

THESE WORDS STRIKE FEAR INTO THE HEARTS OF MY LOVED ONES
My wardrobe would be neatly hung with only perfectly tting and
beautifully laundered outts ready for work, rest and play nothing COLLECTORS COVER
superuous, tatty or unworn. In this transcendent vision, I would
waft downstairs to nd no random piles of papers awaiting sorting, Celebrating the World of Charles
no dog hair, no neat stacks of childrens toys requiring xing or items and Ray Eames show and our
in need of new batteries. And, the cupboard under the sink would be partnership with the Barbican
a supreme example of household organisation.
Sadly it is not quite thus, hence the aforementioned obsession with
clutter clearing; my daily battle to keep on top of it all. But it seems to
me that stuff comes in faster than I can recycle it out. And then Christmas
comes along and one actively goes to great lengths to add to the
accumulations. Now dont get me wrong, I am no secret hoarder, and
by many standards Ogundehin HQ is pretty streamlined. Key household
mantras are a place for everything, and everything in its place; alongside
clean up as you go along (both fairly regularly adhered to).
But, we Brits physically have less space at home than our European
cousins (on average 85 square metres compared to 137 square metres
in Denmark!), so needs must keep a tighter handle on it all. There are
many rules you can set yourself one in, one out, throw something
away everyday and so on but I think the best one is simply to buy
consciously. In other words, really consider and question every purchase,
for yourself and others. Do you/they need this? Are you sure you/they
dont have something similar at home already? The exception to all
PICTURE: PAULA BEETLESTONE/CHANNEL 4 TELEVISION

Pick up this exclusive limited-edition

dictats though is when you nd that thing that simply makes your Eames cover, only in-store at the Barbican
heart sing, in which case buy buy buy! And apologies in advance, because shop this month (barbican.org.uk)
this issue is full of things that we at Team ED think might do just that.

Editor-in-Chief

Follow me on Twitter: @MOgundehin Follow me on Instagram: @MOgundehin Check out elledecoration.co.uk

JANUARY 2016 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK 15

 ELLE Decoration | S U B S C R I P T I O N

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JANUARY 2016 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK 17

 VIP CLUB
GREAT OFFERS FOR
SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Join the free ELLE Decoration VIP Club to receive fabulous deals and special offers every month.
Available to subscribers only, the club works with a range of brilliant partners to bring you
discounts and competitions. Visit elledecoration.co.uk/vipclub

TH IS MON TH
ENTICING OFFERS FROM
Out & Out Original
A fantastic 40% discount on
the Briggs stool collection
Good Earth
10% discount with this luxury
Indian homewares brand
Appleyard
Save 50% on the fabulous
Velvet Rose seasonal bouquet
Nkuku
A 25% saving on all handmade
homewares, gifts and accessories
Create
20% off this unique range of
inspiring art, homeware and gifts
Ixxi
Save 20% on the companys Natural
History Museum wallcoverings
Bloom & Wild
25% off any professionally curated
bouquet of letterbox-friendly owers

Enjoy a 40% discount on the Briggs stool collection by Out & Out Original (above)

HOW DO I JOIN? New and existing subscribers can become members of the ELLE Decoration VIP Club completely
free of charge. Simply log on to elledecoration.co.uk/vipclub and enter your 12-digit subscriber number

ELLE Decoration VIP Club terms and conditions The ELLE Decoration VIP Club is available to all existing and new ELLE Decoration subscribers free of charge. You must register at elledecoration.co.uk/vipclub to redeem these special offers. To do this, you will need
your unique 12-digit subscriber number. Full terms and conditions for all partner offers are available at elledecoration.co.uk/vipclub.

18 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK JANUARY 2016

 STOCKING FILLERS MODER N CL A SSICS DESIGNER TR EATS

STYLE
PICTURES: GETTY

37 OBJECTS OF DESIRE

F O R M O R E G I F T I D E A S , V I S I T E L L E D E C O R AT I O N . C O . U K / S H O P P I N G
 Miffys Dream Cloud lamp by Mr Maria, 114, Rowdy Roddy Vintage (rowdyroddyvintage.com)

24 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK JANUARY 2016

37 OBJECTS OF DESIRE

Tube clock by Piet Hein Eek for Leff, 129, The Conran Shop (conranshop.co.uk)

Porcelain pestle and mortar, 26; lemon squeezer, 16; ginger grater, 20, all by Makoto Koizumi for Arita, Native & Co (nativeandco.com)
3

Astronomici candle by Fornasetti Profumi, 125, Selfridges (selfridges.com)

4

PICTURES: GETTY, HEARST STUDIOS

 Mirrors by Studiopepe for Menu, 349 each, Nest (nest.co.uk)
Style | G I F T

JANUARY 2016 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK 25

GUIDE
 Brass plant mister, 27.50, Cow+Co (cowandco.co.uk)

26 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK JANUARY 2016

37 OBJECTS OF DESIRE
Maya purse vase, from 75, Poole Pottery (poolepottery.co.uk)

Golden Deer plates, 43 for a set of four, Aram Store (aram.co.uk)

8

PICTURES: GETTY, HEARST STUDIOS

 Stapler, 24; tape dispenser, 20, both by Kate Spade, Quill London (quilllondon.com)

Drip Tease teapot, 49.95; egg cup, 11, both Reiko Kaneko (reikokaneko.co.uk)

Karui tray by Gam Fratesi, 67, Skultuna (skultuna.com)

11

10
Style | G I F T

News From Nowhere by William Morris, 100, The Folio Society (foliosociety.com)

JANUARY 2016 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK 27

GUIDE
 Kokeshi III by Jos Javier Malavia, 300, Lladr (lladro.com)

13

37 OBJECTS OF DESIRE

28 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK JANUARY 2016

Dior by Avedon by Justine Picardie, Olivier Saillard and Jacqueline de Ribes, 115, Rizzoli (rizzoli.com)

Silver-plated hard drive by Christoe, 369, Harrods (harrods.com)

15
Sum B cups by De Intutiefabriek, 64 for four espresso cups, Monologue (monologuelondon.com)

PICTURES: HEARST STUDIOS, GETTY

16
 Bowl by Roy Humphreys, 18, Makers & Brothers (makersandbrothers.com)

Candleholders, 32 for a pair, Cow + Co (cowandco.co.uk)

Childrens walker by Rskasa, 215, Jardins Florian (jardinsorian.com)

19
Earthenware bear by Donna Wilson, 380, SCP (scp.co.uk)
Style | G I F T

JANUARY 2016 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK 29

GUIDE
 Natural bath salt, 9.50; Rose & Cornower bath salt, 13, both Add:wise (addwise.se)
Style | G I F T
GUIDE

30 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK JANUARY 2016

37 OBJECTS OF DESIRE

Mulberry bike in Metallic Oxblood by Pashley, 995, Mulberry (mulberry.com)

22
The Proust Questionnaire stationery set, 80, Assouline (assouline.com)

Ikat cushion from the Charleston collection, 295, Yastik by Rifat zbek (yastikbyrifatozbek.com)
24

PICTURES: GETTY
 Architect spoons by Alessi, 45 for a set of eight, Royal Academy Shop (shop.royalacademy.org.uk)
Style | G I F T

25
GUIDE

32 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK JANUARY 2016

37 OBJECTS OF DESIRE
Mouse plate by Cooee, 22, Violet and Percy (violetandpercy.com)

Ultra-premium extra-virgin olive oil by Five, 23.95, Harrods (harrods.com)

27
Classico marble bookends by Studiocharlie for Atipico, 95 each, Monologue (monologuelondon.com)

Mug, 14, Ham (hammade.com)

PICTURES: GETTY
 Tea caddies, 12 each, The East India Company (eicnefoods.com)
Style | G I F T
GUIDE

37 OBJECTS OF DESIRE

34 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK JANUARY 2016

Marble board, 69; cheese knives set, 69, both Oliver Bonas (oliverbonas.com)

Sun Pendulum clock by Modern Moose, 42.50, Amara (amara.com)

Wohn Geist tool set, 1,995, The Conran Shop (conranshop.co.uk)

33

PICTURES: GETTY
 35
Style | G I F T GUIDE

Eventually Everything Connects, 25, Barbican (shop.barbican.org.uk)

37 OBJECTS OF DESIRE

37

House of Cards espresso cups set by Eames Office, 50, Barbican (shop.barbican.org.uk)
Rings by Inca Starzinsky, 36 each, Barbican (shop.barbican.org.uk)
Eames Quotes pencils by Polite Society, 25, Barbican (shop.barbican.org.uk)

3
34
2-FOR-1 TICKET OFFER, PLUS
6
WIN AN EAMES ELEPHANT!
Book two tickets for The World of Charles and Ray
IVE
EXCLUS T OFFER
PICTURES: HEARST STUDIOS, GETTY

Eames exhibition at the Barbican (during December)

T I C K E for the special price of 14.50 instead of 29 and
2 FOR 1
you could win this Vitra Eames Elephant, designed
by the couple in 1945 and worth 173. For further
details and to discover your promotional code,
visit elledecoration.co.uk/news/eames

36 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK JANUARY 2016

 DECOR ATING EA SY UPDATES EX PERT A DV ICE NEW PROJECTS

SOLUTIONS

I F YOU D O ON E T H I N G T H I S MON T H . . .
CHANGE YOUR LIGHTING! While the holiday season might not be the most opportune moment
to embark on a renovation project, you can easily transform a space with a new shade, ex or xture.
Broste Copenhagen has everything you need, including ttings in concrete, glass and shiny metallics.
From left Gerd concrete-and-glass shade, 78 including tting; Tobias black iron shade, 78; Phil brass-nish
shade, 124; Gerd concrete tting, 30 and globe bulb, 5.60; Poul antique brass shade, 158; Nori diamond-
shaped iron shade, 126; Isac metal and glass shade, 118, all Broste Copenhagen (brostecopenhagen.com)
PICTURE: LINE KLEIN

F O R M O R E H O M E U P D AT E S , V I S I T E L L E D E C O R AT I O N . C O . U K / S O L U T I O N S
THE NEW
CHANDELIER
Give your room a glitzy glow
with a contemporary take on
the crystal chandelier. Cluster
single pendants such as REs
elegant glass strands or Bert
Franks Art Deco-inspired
prismatic columns together
for a dazzling display; or use
a single dynamic light source
to create a more focused
centrepiece. We love New
York designer Bec Brittains
custom-made brass and
LED creation (centre).
From left Chandelier pendant lights,
from 90 each, RE (re-foundobjects.com).
Zelda Orbits brass and nickel pendant
light by Bec Brittain, approx 8,223,
FBC London (fbc-london.com). Arbor
brass and matt black pendant lights
by Robbie Llewellyn, 1,470 each, Bert
Frank (bertfrank.co.uk)

WA X LY R I C A L
PICTURES: BJRN LOFTERUD, LAUREN COLEMAN, LINE KLEIN

Be inspired by the Danish lifestyle concept hygge and cosy up

your home for winter using candlelight. Set pillar candles
or tealights inside lanterns and hurricane lamps to add warmth
to dark corners, or for an atmospheric dining setting. You could
even place an individual lantern on every stair tread to create
a dramatic cascading focal point (though we wouldnt advise
this if you have animals or small children in residence!).
From left Gold and glass terrariums, from 15 each, Oliver Bonas
(oliverbonas.com). Hurricane Classic Collection metallic column
hurricane lamps by Skogsberg & Smart, from 45 each, Charles Burnand
(charlesburnand.com). Smoke glass and iron lantern, 52, Broste
Copenhagen (brostecopenhagen.com)

40 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK JANUARY 2016

 Solutions | U P D A T E S

ROLL WITH IT
Nows the time to invest in a trolley, a multifunctional
piece of furniture that has perhaps surprisingly
stood the test of the 20th century. From its beginnings
as a way of transporting dishes between the public
and private rooms of Victorian-era homes, through
decades of cocktail hours and drinks parties, the
contemporary trolley is a storage solution, serving
station and occasional table in one perfect for the
small spaces and open-plan layouts of todays homes.
Testament to its timelessness, Alvar Aaltos 901 design
has been reissued many times since it launched in
1936: the latest version (right) has been treated to
a makeover by Dutch designer Hella Jongerius.
From left Vega trolley by Simon Nygaard for Fredericia, 300,
Wonderland (madeinwonderland.dk). Float cart by Mut Design
Studio, 3,041, Miras Editions (miraseditions.com). 901 trolley
by Alvar Aalto and Hella Jongerius, 1,567, Artek (artek.)

Buy it now As LEDs gradually eclipse traditional incandescent bulbs, Plumen has released its rst dimmable
LED light source. It combines the energy efficiency of LED technology with the facility to change a lights
intensity, allowing you to have exible yet eco-friendly lighting throughout your home. 29.95 (plumen.com).

3 O F T H E B E S T Simple drink enhancers that improve taste and temperature

WORDS: ALEX KRISTAL PICTURE: ASUN

DRINK ROCKS Designed by Runa BEER GLASSES Achieve the perfect WATER FILTER Purify water using
Klock for Areaware, these soapstone level of effervescence with these angular Japanese Binchotan charcoal, which
and marble shapes can be kept in the glasses by designer Daniele Semeraro. absorbs nasties and improves taste. The
freezer and will keep your spirits chilled Each one is tailored to a specic brew, Eau Good lter by Black + Blum lasts
without diluting them. 23, April and including Pilsner and IPA. 65 for a three months: then simply refresh it with
the Bear (aprilandthebear.com). Monti taster set, Sempli (sempli.com). boiling water. 14.95 (black-blum.com).

JANUARY 2016 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK 41

 CLEAR THE CLUTTER
Top up your supply of versatile
storage solutions with these stylish
new-season pieces. Muuto has added INSIDER
a round basket great for storing GUIDE
everything from newspapers to FRAMING
rewood and a tray, perfect for
collecting your paperwork or smaller Victoria Shahrokh, director of
paraphernalia, to its collection of London stylists favourite framer
felt boxes. A classic blanket chest, We Are Facility, shares her top tips
such as Another Countrys new Always ensure that your piece is
design (below) is also a brilliant way properly protected when deciding how
to keep accessories hidden away to frame it. Its essential that you allow the
within easy reach: it would also artwork to breathe, and have at least a few
work as a kids dressing-up box. millimetres of space between it and the glass.
A tray frame is a great glassless option
for stretched canvases, while simple metal
frames work really well with vintage
posters and still allow for a thin plastic
spacer to protect the print.
Use a mount to elevate your artwork.
Options include simple window mounts,
bevelled-edge card mounts or oat-raising,
a method that lifts the artwork away from
the backboard by several millimetres. This
creates interesting shadows and
a nice contemporary nish.
The lay on technique is great for
textural artwork, such as old maps,
where its nice to display the imperfections.
The process involves attaching the
print directly to the backboard, so that all
of its creases and edges are exposed.
There are plenty of options for
different budgets. Basic woods are the
most affordable option, while bespoke
surfaces that are hand-stained or painted
are more expensive as is using UV glass.
Conservation of the artwork is
paramount. Make sure that you use
acid-free glues, tapes and materials if
they will be in contact with the artwork.
wearefacility.co.uk

From top Restore felt tray and baskets by Mika Tolvanen,

from 55 for a tray, Muuto (muuto.com). Blanket Chest Two,
1,015, Another Country (anothercountry.com)

Try it now Learn a new skill and create your own unique
wall art at Print Clubs twice-weekly screenprinting
WORDS: ALEX KRISTAL

workshops in Dalston, east London. Whether graffiti art

or graphic typography is more your thing, you can design
and produce your own individual print to take home. 50
for a one-day beginners class (printclublondon.com).

42 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK JANUARY 2016

 Solutions | U P D A T E S

PAINT PROJECTS
Transform a piece of neglected furniture using
these handy tools. Whether your design is as
simple as a dipped effect on chair or table legs,
or as ornate as Michael Angoves Chinoiserie
masterpiece for Farrow & Ball (right), Annie
Sloans Mini Project Pack contains all the
materials you need to get going (below,
29.95; anniesloan.com). Those who prefer
less preparation should try Everlongs new
self-priming chalk-based paint (below: Dijon,
Kingsher, Amble Sea, all 23.50 per litre;
everlongpaint.com). Or keep airborne nasties
to a minimum with Earthborns Eco Chic
furniture painting kit, which includes
water-based clay paint that is breathable and
odour free (49.99; earthbornpaints.co.uk).

Book now Learn how to expand your cooking repertoire and discover which appliances suit you and your kitchen
best with Mieles Taste for Design courses. The classes run from the Miele experience centre in Abingdon and
include product demonstrations and tasting sessions. 30 for a half-day course (shop.miele.co.uk).

CUT A RUG
In search of the perfect
oorcovering? Its never been
easier to design your own.
Carpet brand Silk Avenue can
develop any uploaded image
into a custom-made rug design,
so scroll through your favourite
WORDS: ALEX KRISTAL PICTURES: CHRISTOPHER DRAKE, HEARST STUDIOS

photos and imagine them spun

into silk. Alternatively, work
alongside the company to
customise a rug from its
extensive gallery, choosing
from hand-knotted or hand-
tufted techniques, a range of
silks, viscose, wool, linen or
cotton, and a staggering 2,000
colour options. From 280 per
square metre for hand-tufted
quality (silk-avenue.co.uk).

JANUARY 2016 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK 43

 PERFECT PLACE SETTINGS
Food tastes even better when presented beautifully. Try
these four stylish looks to update your dinner table

LUXE
From top Black placemat by Gayle
Warwick, 150, Thomas Goode
(thomasgoode.com). Dipped two-tone
trays, from 21 each, The Vintage
Vogue (thevintagevogue.com). Ella
cutlery by Villeroy & Boch,
299 for a 24-piece set, Selfridges
(selfridges.com). Pomona plate, from
29, Bodo Sperlein (bodosperlein.com).
Coasters, 6 each; tumbler, 16, both
Anthropologie (anthropologie.com).
Bowl, 26.25, Canvas Home
WORDS: ALEX KRISTAL PICTURES: HEARST STUDIOS

(canvashomestore.com). Symphony
beakers, 1,045 each, Bodo Sperlein
(bodosperlein.com)

44 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK JANUARY 2016

 Solutions | U P D A T E S

GRAPHIC
From left Black cutlery, 56
for a ve-piece set, Canvas
Home (canvashomestore.com).
Blue tablecloth by Hay,
from 49, Selfridges
(selfridges.com). Trivet, 17,
Ferm Living (fermliving.com).
Plate, 80, Darkroom
(darkroomlondon.com).
Jug by Hemingway for Royal
Doulton, 20, Selfridges
(selfridges.com). Black
platter, 115, Darkroom
(darkroomlondon.com). Bowl
by Sara de Campos, 480, Bon
Ceramics (bonceramics.com).
Glass by Hay, 19, Selfridges
(selfridges.com)

COLOUR
From left Tela carafe, 39;
tumbler, 9, both by Wrong for
Hay, Selfridges (selfridges.com).
Table runner, 12.99, Zara
Home (zarahome.com).
Hand-poured porcelain
bowls, 137 each; plates,
from 60 each, all Muriel
Grateau (murielgrateau.com).
Pitcher by Michael Ruh,
175, The New Craftsmen
(thenewcraftsmen.com). Party
napkin by Yves Delorme, 18,
Monogrammed Linen Shop
(monogrammedlinenshop.com).
Cutlery by Muller van Severen,
available February 2016, Valerie
Objects (valerie-objects.com)

JANUARY 2016 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK 45

Solutions | U P D A T E S

CRAFT
From top Linen tablecloth, from 392, Once Milano (oncemilano.com).
Wooden platter by Eleanor Lakeline, from 425; plate by Silvia K, 45, both
The New Craftsmen (thenewcraftsmen.com). Cutlery, 28 for ve pieces,
PICTURES: HEARST STUDIOS

Anthropologie (anthropologie.com). Tumbler, 45, Sue Pryke (suepryke.com).

Bowl by Takashi Endo, 19, Goodhood (goodhoodstore.com). Spoon, 50,
Wooden & Woven (woodwoven.com). Carafe, 40, Sue Pryke (suepryke.com).
Placemats by Mourne Textiles, 85 for four, The New Craftsmen
(thenewcraftsmen.com). Knife, 35, Wooden & Woven (woodwoven.com).
Plate by Frama, from 22, Chase and Sorensen (chaseandsorensen.com)

46 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK JANUARY 2016

 Compiled by SANIA PELL
Assistant ENRICO DONADELLO

The definitive collection of essentials for any

stylish home. For the kitchen, the bedroom and beyond,
these are the perfect pieces to invest in now

m)
ore (shopfolklore.co

Essence
red wine glass )
om
by Alfredo Hberli 85, are.c

for Iittala, n, kw
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PICTURES: ALAMY

385, French Connection co th a

un er six Dav
(frenchconnection.com) tr Co -pi id
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om ntr e
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JANUARY 2016 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK 49

 m)
a .co
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k ur Tove rug, 75, Urban Outtters (urbanouttters.com)
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Kilo nest of three

tables, 75, Habitat
(habitat.co.uk)

PICTURES: ALAMY

50 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK JANUARY 2016

 Style | B E A U T I F U L BASICS

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JANUARY 2016 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK 51

 Dress Up cloth
es rack by Nome
ss Copenhagen,
200, John Lewi
s (johnlew is.com)

52 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK JANUARY 2016

Soft coat hangers, 24 for a set of four, Hay (hay.dk)

ckholm Aquatic bowl

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 Style | B E A U T I F U L BASICS

Penelope pendant light in

Slate, 36, John Lewis
(johnlewis.com)

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Diamond Interlock rug, from 168,

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PICTURES: ALAMY

7,
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Zen serving bowls,

20 for a set of ve,
Kelly Hoppen London
(kellyhoppen.com)

JANUARY 2016 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK 53

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54 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK JANUARY 2016

BASICS

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Stelton, 54.95, Skandium (skandium.com) ED

PICTURES: ALAMY, HEARST STUDIOS

THE WONDERFUL EVERYDAY
Weve long been fans of The White Companys
simple, stylish products. Here, we meet founder
Chrissie Rucker to discover the secret of its success
Words LYDIA SLATER
Portrait SUKI DHANDA
T HE MOTTO HANGING ON ONE WALL
of Chrissie Ruckers office is impossible to miss.
I like things to happen, it says. And if they dont
happen, I like to make them happen. Thats what Ive always tried
to do, says Rucker, the 47-year-old founder of The White Company.
I think its the key to being an entrepreneur. Dont listen to people
who say your idea is impossible nd a way to make it possible.
that her grandmother had left her into her edgling business.
My father thought I was bonkers, she laughs.
How did she choose the brands name? I thought, well, as
long as people remember its the company that sells white things.
White just works for everything whoever you are, wherever you
live, and whatever your style is. Ruckers own 17th-century
Buckinghamshire home, which she shares with her husband and
Twenty-one years after Rucker started a tiny mail-order company their four children Tom, Ella, India and Bea is a haven of soft
from her boyfriends spare bedroom, The White Company has grown whites and greys, with seagrass on the oor and mud conned to
into one of Britains best-loved homewares brands. It turns over the boot room. But the look works just as well if you live in the
180 million, employs 1,300 people and has 54 stores in the UK. city and like a sleek aesthetic.
Within the next ve years, Rucker is aiming for turnover to hit 300 The companys Although she only began with
million; she was awarded an MBE in 2010. Could she ever have a 12-page catalogue of linen-
imagined such success? Not in a million years, she admits. journey has been cupboard basics, the appealing
It all started when Rucker, then a beauty journalist, attempted a very personal simplicity of Ruckers concept
to redecorate her boyfriends new house. He honestly didnt have brought her plenty of press
a clue how to tackle it and I didnt really either, she confesses. So one. Each stage attention. By the end of the rst
I decided to keep it very simple: white linen, white towels, white has happened year she was receiving 25 orders
bathrobes, white china But she found it hard to track down a day, which she fullled from her
the simple, classic white basics she was looking for. Everything because of how boyfriends spare bedroom.
was either really ornate and fussy or cheap and nasty, or horribly my life was going I gradually started to ll every
expensive. I couldnt nd anything I liked at a price we could afford. room in the house with boxes until
The lightbulb moment came when Rucker and her boyfriend you couldnt get in through the front door. Fortunately for Rucker,
were visiting his sister. She had also been through the process of her boyfriend now husband was Nick Wheeler, founder of the
kitting out a house in white and remarked: Gosh, wouldnt it be mail-order shirt company Charles Tyrwhitt, so he was able to
great if there was a company that only sold lovely white things? provide her with advice as well as storage space. I was unbelievably
I was so excited, I couldnt sleep. Back at her desk, Rucker researched lucky, she says. In the early days he helped me so much.
the idea, tracking down a Portuguese bedspread maker who supplied Nevertheless, it wasnt easy. Money was tight and Rucker made
a high-end designer she admired. They were selling a bedspread lots and lots of mistakes. We had some disasters with suppliers
for 250 that I realised I could sell for 85 if I was going direct to the roof blew off one bedlinen factory, so that was a sharp lesson in
the customer. So she resigned from her job and invested 6,000 not having just one supply base. Things arrived and they werent
how they should have been that was a learning process in how you
specify products. In spite of teething problems, by 1996 The White
Company was listed as one of Britains fastest-growing brands.
Unlike some other companies that experience rapid growth,
The White Company has always reected its founders values and
vision. The journey has been a very personal one, says Rucker.
Each stage has happened because of how my life was going. One
of its rst fragrances, Winter, was modelled on the aromatherapy
oils Rucker blended herself to scent her home. In 1997 she launched
The Little White Company, because she had found it difficult to
source clothes and furniture for her baby son. And Twenty One,
a new fragrance launching this year to celebrate the brands
anniversary, is a zesty combination of her favourite smells, including
citrus and geranium. Its light, bright and really happy, she says.
Now, Rucker feels its time to give something back. As well as
setting up her White Heart Foundation, helping vulnerable women
and children in the UK, she is offering mentoring opportunities
to the winner of Brand of the Future, a category sponsored by
The White Company at the Natwest Everywoman Awards, of which
she is a judge. So many people helped me, she says. It can make
such a difference to how quickly you get going. But surely theres
no such yawning gap in the homewares market nowadays as the one
she spotted 21 years ago? There are always gaps in the market, she
says rmly. The important thing is to believe in what you do. If you
can transmit that passion, you can take everyone else with you.

1 Mercury Bottle table lamp, 180 (144 with discount)

Handmade with a white linen shade on a hand-blown glass base,
and nished in antiqued silver, this piece is a future classic.
Turn the page for more of our exclusive #EDapproved
ELLE Decoration x The White Company edit

58 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK JANUARY 2016

 Style | # E D A P P R O V E D

Our pick of The White Companys

stylish wares, with an exclusive
20% discount for every reader

2
The antiqued silver
nish lends the
Mercury Bottle
vase a timeless,
luxurious appeal
Mercury Bottle vase, 18
(14.40 with discount)

JANUARY 2016 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK 59

 3
The perfect
tableware for any
home. Love and
use it every day
Stoneware plates and bowls,

4 Travel clock, 25 (20 with from 10 for a side plate (8

discount) Small, sleek, elegant with discount); Elgin tumblers,
and beautifully presented in its own 5 each (4 with discount);
white leather zipped case. Stanton 16-piece cutlery set,
95 (76 with discount; wine
glasses excluded from offer)

5 Zip purse, 25 (20 with discount);

keyring, 15 (12 with discount)
White-gold accessories for a touch of glam.

6 Grey knitted pom pom boots, 40

(32 with discount) The perfect
way to keep toes toasty this winter.

7 Verveine fragrance collection,

from 15 for home spray (12 with
discount) A fresh, uplifting blend of citrus
notes including verbena, orange and lemon.

60 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK JANUARY 2016

8 Marble pestle and mortar, 40
(32 with discount) Simple, practical,
and made from natural marble. The
pestle has a coarse end for grinding.
9 Riley throw, 85 (68 with discount);
cushion covers, from 35 (28 with discount)
Super-soft knits to snuggle up with. Made
in Portugal using a cosy wool-mix blend.
 Style | # E D A P P R O V E D

10 Dinner candleholder, 12 (9.60 with discount);

pillar candleholder, 25 (20 with discount) Group
these antiqued-glass pieces together for a festive centrepiece.

14 Clean nude leather tote, 249 (199.20 with discount)

This is the denitive simple leather everyday bag.

11 Silver-plated picture frames, 55 and 75

(44 and 60 with discount) Because
any photo looks better in a chic silver frame.

12 Classic alarm clock, 35 (28 with discount)

A simple Scandinavian-styled way to wake up every day.
PICTURES: HEARST STUDIOS

13 Mother of pearl frames, from 30 (24 with

discount) We love the texture of these charcoal-
coloured, natural mother of pearl picture frames,
which are beautifully trimmed in silver plate. 15 Stamford throw, 150 (120 with discount); cushion
cover, 35 (28 with discount); pictured with Berkeley
throw and cushion (see next page) These paisley designs
are inspired by traditional Indian-block prints.

JANUARY 2016 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK 61

 Style | # E D A P P R O V E D

T H E W H I T E C O M PA N Y
DID YOU KNOW?

x 20% OFF Chrissie Rucker didnt grow up with a

passion for interior design. Her horse-mad
FOR EVERY
READER mother kept the stables spotless, but wasnt
interested in the house. When I met my
d
#EDapprove
husband Nick, I discovered that his
stepmother had a beautiful home and
I wanted to know how she did it, she says.
GET 20% OFF THE #EDAPPROVED EDIT
Rucker left school at 16, having missed
E L L E D E C O R AT I O N X T H E W H I T E C O M PA N Y
The #EDapproved ELLE Decoration x The White Company edit

much of her O-Level year because of
glandular fever, but her experience of
is our special selection of products by The White Company, from competitive riding as a teenager was
handcrafted bedlinen to our very favourite scent, every piece fully invaluable training for her future business
deserving of the ELLE Decoration stamp of approval. And, for career. It gave me great resilience. You work
a limited time only were thrilled to offer all ELLE Decoration incredibly hard, you train and train, you
readers an exclusive 20% discount off the full price of these items! compete and its a disaster. Never mind, have
HOW IT WORKS To receive the 20% off the products shown, visit another go. That was my attitude, she says.
your local branch of The White Company with a copy of the
magazine and show this page at the till. Alternatively, shop online at The Little White Company was originally
thewhitecompany.com and enter the promotional code AH763 at the called the Baby and Child Collection. Rucker
checkout. The discount is available until Thursday 31 December. decided to launch it after spending days
searching for classic nursery bedlinen
that wasnt covered in shiny, frilly lace
or whopping gorillas. Now, it offers
everything from that rst Moses basket to
a stylish duvet cover for a cool 10-year-old.

The White Company doesnt just do white.

Cool greys and neutrals joined the home,
clothing and accessories ranges in 2001.
Weve been through an evolution of adding
little bits of seasonal colour, says Rucker.
But well never do brights.

In 2014 The White Company launched The

White Heart Foundation, teaming up with
charities (currently Refuge and The Princes
Trust) to help create brighter futures for
disadvantaged women and children in the UK.
10 per cent of sales from selected items
is donated look for the heart logos.

The Christmas wrapping paper stocked by

The White Company could cover the tower
housing Big Ben three and a half times, while

16
its r and snowberry garlands would stretch
Berkeley collection, from 30
around the perimeter of Hyde Park one and
for a cushion (24 with discount)
From quilts to cushion covers, this a half times. The company expects to sell two
collection is crafted by hand with a silk million strings of fairy lights this festive season.
habutai front and a cotton reverse.

According to research carried out by

the brand, some customers admit to coming
Terms and conditions Offer is valid on selected items only. Offer is valid on full-priced items only and cannot be used
in conjunction with any other offer. Offer is not valid in clearance stores. Standard free delivery is valid for online, into The White Company simply to calm
telephone and store mail orders to the UK mainland only. Offer excludes gift wrap, gift vouchers, all furniture, beds, down amid the stores soothing pale decor
mattresses, upholstery and made-to-order items. To redeem this offer in store you must present your January issue of
ELLE Decoration. All orders are subject to stock availability and we reserve the right to withdraw, amend or extend
after a stressful day at the office.
offers at any time, without prior notice. Offer expires 31 December 2015

62 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK JANUARY 2016

HOMET H I S MON T H S MO S T I N S PI R I N G S PAC E S

F O R M O R E S T Y L I S H I N T E R I O R S , V I S I T E L L E D E C O R AT I O N . C O . U K / I N S P I R AT I O N S
HIGH
SOCIETY
This unique apartment,
once the grand library
of the Bergdoll mansion
in Philadelphia, has retained
its air of stately elegance

Words HANNAH BOOTH

Photography NGOC MINH NGO/
TAVERNE AGENCY

Living area The Chestereld sofa is from

Brooklyn antiques store Holler & Squall (nd
its listing on 1stDibs) and is covered in cushions
picked up on homeowner Gayles travels. The
metal trunk chest is from Restoration Hardware:
on top of it is a photo of Gayle doing a handstand
on the salt plains in Death Valley, California
Stockist details on p144

JANUARY 2016 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK 67

 KITCHEN

LIVING AREA

BEDROOM
AREA

W ith its humbling proportions,

hand-carved doors and soaring ceilings painted with
classical scenes, Gayle Smiths Philadelphia home
is less an apartment, more a small palace. Originally
the library of the Bergdoll Mansion, a stately Italianate
manor built in 1882 for the brewing dynasty the
Bergdolls, it is one of six apartments in this historic
residence. The house sits on a grassy hill in the citys
central Fairmount district, a short walk from the
Philadelphia Museum of Art, Barnes Collection and Rodin A modern, but sympathetically designed side wing, including
Museum. I felt like Maria entering the ballroom of the von Trapp a bathroom and a light-lled kitchen, leads to a large terrace
family home, Gayle says of the rst time she walked through the overlooking a communal garden planted with magnolia and g trees.
apartments heavy oak double-doors. Seduced by the grandeur In the warmer months, Gayle and Ona spend much of their time
of the place, she instantly knew that this would be a wonderful there, under the shade of the trees. Twice I have seen a possum
home for herself and her then 10-year old daughter, Ona. casually draped around the 20-foot-high trunk of one of the oak
English-born Gayle left London in the early 1990s for New trees, staring at me, says Gayle. Its a far cry from New York.
York, where she worked her way up from design assistant at Books, art and beautiful objects ll the apartment, along with
Banana Republic to vice president at Victorias Secret. In 2010, family treasures and photographs. Travel is Gayles passion, and
living in Brooklyn and working as a fashion consultant for the houses formal architecture provides a museum-like backdrop
the likes of Edun and American Eagle, her dream job came up: to her vast collection of mementoes, picked up from different
director of womens design at Urban Outtters. The brands continents. These include handmade childrens shoes from
hipster headquarters are in Philadelphia, a city Gayle quickly Vietnam and Morocco and strands of jewellery from Tulum
came to love for its beautiful old neighbourhoods. The areas beaches and Tanzanian tribes.
around the Museum of Art feel very cosmopolitan because of the This unusual home was too good to turn down, says Gayle.
wide boulevards and fountains, says Gayle. You could almost It survived a terrible re in the late 1980s, just after the current
be in Europe. Some mornings, I drop my daughter off on the owner bought it. There were petitions to pull it down, but instead
school bus and go to sit between the gigantic Corinthian columns it was meticulously restored. So much love has been put into this
of the museum to luxuriate in the architecture and the quiet. property. Now, Gayle wishes to continue that legacy.
The apartment is open-plan yet subtly separated into living,
eating and sleeping spaces. Two large sofas dene the lounging
area and through an archway is one large room split into two
Hallway An antique brass coat stand is paired with a decorative leather horse
bedrooms, with no dividing wall. Onas side is lled with toys and Living room The putty-coloured sofa is from Crate & Barrel, but you can nd
a line of school lockers spray-painted gold. Gayles is feminine similar in the UK at Loaf. The low table with curved legs is a salvaged piece,
and cosy, with a vast shuttered window behind the bed, glass- re-covered in leather. For a similar metal table light, try Habitats Ribbon
fronted library shelves, and sheepskins on the oor. Stockist details on p144

68 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK JANUARY 2016

THE APARTMENTS FORMAL ARCHITECTURE
PROVIDES A MUSEUM-LIKE BACKDROP
TO MEMENTOES FROM AROUND THE WORLD
BOOKS, ART AND BEAUTIFUL OBJECTS
DECORATE THE SPACE, ALONG WITH
FAMILY TREASURES AND PHOTOGRAPHS
Office The workspace, contained within a metal trunk, and
the tan-leather chair are both from Restoration Hardware
Details Dark wood shelves throughout the apartment are
lled with ever-changing displays of family photo collages,
prints, ceramics and objects from the homeowners travels
Stockist details on p144

JANUARY 2016 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK 71

 Bedroom The ornate ceiling, painted with classical scenes, is an original feature of Bergdoll Mansion. The glass-fronted bookcases are faithful
reproductions of the 1850s originals this apartment was once the library of this grand stately house. Sheepskins add warmth underfoot
(nd similar at John Lewis) and the reading lights are vintage pieces from Holler & Squall Stockist details on p144 E D

72 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK JANUARY 2016

A restrained colour palette and collections of religious iconography
imbue this Cape Town bolthole with an air of reverence

Words TRISH LORENZ Photography WARREN HEATH/GAP INTERIORS/BUREAUX

Production SVEN ALBERDING
 ohannesburg-based interior designer and events organiser
Otto De Jager leads a far from tranquil life. He describes a typical
working day as choreographed chaos; a whirl of wedding planning
and social gatherings that takes him all across South Africa. Otto stays
in his Cape Town house for just one week every month, which is why
he was keen for it to be a restful retreat. My work life is busy and
demanding, so I need simplicity and order at home, he says.
Built in 1895, Ottos house is situated in the historic city centre
amongst the cobbled streets, upmarket boutiques, cafes and gardens
of affluent suburb Green Point. Its quintessential Cape Town, he says.
I wanted to live somewhere that had a sense of community, rather
than a beach house in a tourist area. Otto bought the 255-square-metre
house in 2003 and spent almost 12 years renovating it. He restored
many of its original details, from the tongue-and-groove wooden
ceilings to the ornate Victorian tiles adorning the replace. This
classical backdrop sets the scene for a rich mix of antiques unearthed
in France, Italy, India, China and Argentina, which lend the space
a timeless feel. I wanted it to be warm and cosy, but not fussy or
cluttered. Theres an airy calmness here that I really enjoy, says Otto.
Painted entirely in white, the rooms are both simple and luxurious.
On the ground oor two large open-plan living spaces are separated
by a central chimneybreast that has cast-iron res on either side. Otto
has grouped a pair of armchairs by each hearth, both of which are
accessorised with objets dart, ne crystal and stacks of vintage books.
Its these renements that give the house a sense of opulence. My
home is a little pared-back but comfortable. I restrained myself on the
decoration; it took discipline not to go over the top, Otto explains. GROUND FLOOR

In the kitchen/dining area, an oak table and bench invite guests

to sit and enjoy a glass of wine or a casual meal. The kitchen was very
difficult to design because I didnt want to do something predictable,
Otto says. Ive created more of a galley lounge; it works as a cooking
space when required, but its primarily an extension of the living room.
At the top of the stairs is a display that Otto calls his gallery of instant KITCHEN
LIVING AREA
ancestors, a series of vintage oil portraits that he has found in stores
around the world. I love portraiture, from the old masters right through
to modern painters and photographers like Robert Mapplethorpe,
he says. This display is a way to enhance the history of the house
to create a sense that people have walked the corridors before me.
COURTYARD
There are also a number of religious references throughout the
space: vintage Argentinian statues of angels are dotted around the
kitchen and main bedroom, while a sculpture of a local saint takes
pride of place in the living room. I never meant for the house to have
religious overtones, but they seem to have crept in: there are even olive FIRST FLOOR
trees in the garden, says Otto with a smile. I think its because the day
that I signed the deeds for the house I found the sculpture of the saint
in a local antiques store she is said to protect the nearby harbour and
inspired the entire design of the house. odjevents.com
BATHROOM BEDROOM

MAIN
BEDROOM BEDROOM

Living area A 19th-century French mirror hangs above the replace. Two lounge
chairs from a secondhand shop in Cape Town have been re-upholstered in plush
purple velvet. I like the religious, Catholic overtones of purple, says homeowner
Otto (above). The wooden owers are part of an antique Chinese chandelier rose
and are two of his favourite pieces in the house

JANUARY 2016 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK 77

 Kitchen Down the corridor from
the living room is the simple cooking
and dining space. The design for the
bespoke table and benches was
inspired by the homeowners visit to
an Italian monastery. Try Boffi for
similar stainless-steel kitchen units
Stockist details on p144

JANUARY 2016 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK 79

 Bedroom This sanctuary is decorated
with a number of antiques, including
a four-poster bed dating from 1890, two
vintage chairs from Buenos Aires and
a matching pair of wooden armoires
 Bathroom A Cape Town artist made
the marble feet that stand on the
window ledge (above). A vintage
bathtub sits on a raised slab of Carrara
marble beside shelves displaying glass
jars and luxury bath products E D

82 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK JANUARY 2016

FAC T O RY
RESET
Drawn to its lofty architecture and sci-fi feel, one creative
couple have completely transformed this abandoned industrial Living area A leather sofa by
Percival Lafer (try 1st Dibs)
unit into a modern home thats perfect for entertaining is teamed with a 1960s suede
shell chair. The Saturn light is
Words EMMA LOVE by Gi Ponti and Pietro Chiesa
Photography BEPPE BRANCATO/LIVING INSIDE Stockist details on p144
WHEN WE FIRST
SAW THE BUILDING
WE THOUGHT
ITS ARCHITECTURE
WAS AMAZING. IT
REMINDED US OF A
FILM SET FOR BLADE
RUNNER OR SIN CITY

Dining area The

homeowners designed the
table, which is paired with
a 1960s metal pendant light
sourced from Mobelkunst
Stockist details on p144

86 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK JANUARY 2016

JANUARY 2016 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK 87
 T his towering industrial property in Ferencvros, Budapest
the citys diverse and rapidly developing ninth district is
an unconventional choice for a family abode. Initially the heart of
a weapons factory complex and later a knitting warehouse piled
high with machinery and stores of fabric, the 600-square-metre
building has a long working history, but for the past 11 years it has
been home to architect and production designer Attila F Kovacs
and his wife, art director and stylist Zsuzsa Megyesi. Their daughter
Lili, 24, also lived here before she moved to Spain.
When we rst saw the building we thought it was architecturally
amazing. It reminded us of a lm set for Blade Runner or Sin City,
recalls Zsuzsa. Attila has always liked massive spaces and I prefer
to live without neighbours, so this tower attracted us like a magnet.
The renovation of the abandoned four-storey space proved
challenging; the entire place needed to be rewired and it had
no running water. The project took two years and also involved
uncovering windows that had been walled in. There were lots of
tiny rooms, many of which served as storage areas. They all looked
like ordinary run-down warehouse spaces very narrow with low
ceilings and had no interesting details, Zsuzsa says.
A quick glance around the property today reveals a radical
transformation of its layout. On the ground oor are the couples
offices: they collaborate as A+Z Studio but also have their own
separate projects (Attila has just nished working on the citys new
Holocaust Memorial Centre, while Zsuzsa is currently immersed
in a amenco-themed design venture). The rst oor has two
bedrooms and bathrooms and the main living space is on the second
oor. Going up and down the stairs a hundred
times a day means that we live a very healthy
lifestyle, Attila jokes. Although, there are times
when Im on my way out of the front door and
GROUND FLOOR
I realise Ive left my mobile phone up on the roof
WE LOVE THE terrace that can be quite annoying.
Throughout the living spaces, designer items
ABANDONED STUDIO
including Gi Ponti and Pietro Chiesas Saturn
ATMOSPHERE HERE: lamp, Percival Lafers leather sofa and a G-Plan
dressing table are mixed with the couples own
THE SILENCE, AND creations, such as a comfy Puli lounge chair,
HAVING FEWER FIRST FLOOR
which is one of Zsuzsas best-loved pieces. Its
also a favourite spot for our Dachshund Bori to
PEOPLE AROUND curl up on, she adds. Attila is particularly fond of
US. ITS VERY RARE STUDY/
the unique forms and materials of his ceramics
by Hungarian artist Janos Trk.
TO FIND A LARGE
BEDROOM

When the couple have nished with work for

SPACE LIKE THIS IN the day they love to play table tennis in the studio,
THE CITY CENTRE relax in the library, or entertain upstairs. The
biggest crowd always ends up in the kitchen, or
SECOND FLOOR on the terrace, says Attila. From a weapons factory
to a party pad: if only the walls of this fascinating
building could talk. a-z.eu.com
LIVING AREA

THIRD FLOOR

Living area The Puli lounge chair

was designed and handmade by A+Z
Studio. It is paired with two ebony LIBRARY
SWIMMING
POOL AND GYM
wood tabourets (the Bells side table
by Gloster for John Lewis is similar)
Stockist details on p144

88 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK JANUARY 2016

THROUGHOUT THE
FOUR-STOREY HOUSE
VINTAGE FURNITURE
IS PAIRED WITH
PIECES DESIGNED BY
THE HOMEOWNERS
Kitchen The custom-made
stainless-steel cabinets are by
A+Z Studio (the homeowners
design label), and the bar
chairs are vintage Boffi designs
Dining area The 1960s chairs
were sourced from Holland
Stockist details on p144

JANUARY 2016 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK 91

Bedroom Decorated
with rich textures,
colours and mid-century
accents, including a
vintage copper oor light
and a glass side table, this
is a luxurious space

JANUARY 2016 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK 93

 Bathroom This space has a luxe
feel thanks to touches such as an
opulent antique chandelier and
1950s gold wall sconces. The tiles
are Hungarian (Bert & May has
reclaimed designs in similar styles)
Stockist details on p144 E D

94 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK JANUARY 2016

MAKER in
the MILL

Nestled on a sleepy Italian riverbank,

this lovingly refurbished former
watermill is decorated with handmade
furniture, created by designer Katrin
Arens using local reclaimed timber
Words KERSTIN ROSE
Photography CHRISTIAN SCHAULIN
Living room Two armchairs inherited
from the Katrins grandparents sit
by the re. The sofa is a repurposed
trolley from a disused textile mill
G erman-born furniture
designer Katrin Arens moved into this
watermill on the banks of the river Adda
in Lombardy, Italy, 16 years ago. Back then,
the only residents of the crumbling country
pile were swallows nesting in the rafters.
The windows were boarded up, the plaster
on the walls had perished, the flooring
was in need of renovation, and there was
no running hot water or electricity, she
recalls. Undaunted by the decay, Katrin
singlehandedly transformed the rst oor
of the building into a family home
a generous decision given that she only
rents the house from its owner. I went on a
decorating rampage, she says of the creation
of the space that she now shares with her
daughters, Laura (17) and Soa (nine).
Katrins renovation is largely cosmetic,
but where the building has been restored
she has preserved its history, and remained respectful of the local Throughout the apartment, whitewashed walls and ceiling beams
villagers ties to the property. The oldest part of the mill dates back lend the space a light, airy feel. Katrin replaced the rotting oorboards
to the 15th century, but in the 17th century it was used as a monastery. with poured concrete to add a modern edge. The furnishings are
By the 19th century, it had been converted back into a farmhouse all her own creations, constructed using local timber. It is these
and watermill, where about 50 people lived until the 1950s, she handmade pieces that give the family home its warmth and character.
says. Romano [an elderly local farmer] still visits every day. He was The ground oor of the mill is used as a studio. Here, Katrin
born in this house and is still very attached to the place. He takes stockpiles salvaged objects and wood that she may one day turn
care of his vegetable garden and tends to the chickens. into something new. She also designs pottery pieces, which are
produced by a family rm based in southern
Italy. Katrins craft business has now
outgrown the studio, which is why she has
GROUND FLOOR FIRST FLOOR
STUDIO SPACES
transferred her main workshop and team
of cabinetmakers to the nearby town of
Villa dAdda, where she has a showroom.
Sadly, Katrin has not been able to full
her ultimate wish: to buy the watermill.
LIVING
AREA The owner, a local woman, will not part
with the property. As a result, the faades
500-year-old masonry continues to
BATHROOM
deteriorate, while inside Katrin restricts
herself to simple repairs. Its ne. I like
BEDROOM that its all improvised and incomplete, she
says. It gives me a tremendous freedom to
BEDROOM do things in a totally different way, which
works beautifully here. katrinarens.it
KITCHEN MAIN
BEDROOM

Kitchen Katrin designed the chunky

dining table, which is teamed with a set
of Series 7 chairs by Arne Jacobsen for
Fritz Hansen (available at Skandium)
Stockist details on p144

98 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK JANUARY 2016

 The kitchen is where
the family spend
most of their time.
Katrin loves to cook
for her daughters,
Laura and Soa

Kitchen Katrin
designed the sideboard,
above which hangs
a painting by her
mother, Helen Arens

JANUARY 2016 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK 101

Poured concrete oors add
a contemporary twist to the
homes handmade furniture
and rustic architecture
Whitewashed walls and
ceiling beams lend the
apartment a light, airy
feel, while handmade pieces
add warmth and character
M Y FAV O U R I T E T H I N G S
The kitchen is the heart of our house. We spend most of
our time there; its where the whole family hangs out.
The memory of swallows ying in and out of the mill when
we rst moved in has stayed with me to this day. The house was
abandoned for many years and the birds had built their nests
inside. We waited before repairing one of the windows so that
the little ones could learn to y and get out safely.
I love my chaise longue, which I unearthed at a garage sale in
Sri Lanka. It took a year to arrive by ship, but it was worth the wait.
The view of the river from my bedroom is incredible. I can also
see Monte Resegone from the kitchen, which is quite wonderful.
See pictures of Katrins studio at elledecoration.co.uk

Bedroom The windows are unadorned

so that light pours in across the agstone
oor. The table and chairs are an old
garden set, found at a ea market E D
 THE
BERLIN COLLECTOR
This apartment reflects the artistic eye of its set designer and stylist owner, showcasing
an ever-changing roll call of salvaged treasures and vintage curiosities

Words TRISH LORENZ

Photography ANNE-CATHERINE SCOFFONI
Styling CHRISTINE JUETTE
Living room A Bedeve sofa by Cerutti is anked by two side tables (both
found on Ebay) topped with vintage silver trays from Asia. The coffee table
is an antique guest bed the homeowner removed the fabric cover to expose
the springs and then covered it with a glass top Stockist details on p144
A
lmost 30 years after the fall of the wall, Berlin is
one of Europes hippest cities: young, eclectic and
free. Its a capital with an independent spirit and
here, at the heart of the creative buzz, set designer
and stylist Christian Kleemann is perfectly at home.
His 186-square-metre apartment on the third floor of a late
19th-century building is a wunderkabinett brimming with salvaged
pieces, heirlooms and artworks that are beautifully combined.
Located in Berlins Kreuzberg borough counter-culture hub of
West Germany thats fast becoming a gentried district of cafes,
markets and green spaces the apartment affords views across
leafy treetops to Berlins TV tower. Its the equivalent of looking
out over the Eiffel Tower, Christian says. Observed from the street,
the building is unprepossessing: its original faade was damaged
during the war and parts of it were subsequently removed. But on
stepping inside, the marble columns and delicately decorated
wooden staircase display the propertys enduring beauty.
The entrance hall to Christians home sweeps into vast rooms
that feel even larger due to their high, ornate ceilings and big IM ALWAYS MOVING THINGS
windows the century-old glass offers a slightly blurry view of the
street outside. Its like looking through water, says Christian. AROUND. THE HOUSE IS A BIT
At night, the light creates glistening puddles on the oor. LIKE A SAND DUNE IN THE DESERT,
The architecture is dramatic, but it is Christians array of curiosities,
furniture and artworks that catch the eye. Walking through this
SHIFTING WITH THE WIND
home is like visiting a private museum; you feel enticed to stop and
ponder the provenance of every piece. Im always collecting. I cant
stop even though I already have too much, says Christian. Every
time I buy something new I try to nd the perfect place for it and
occasionally that means that everything has to move around. The
house is a bit like a sand dune in the desert, shifting with the wind.
The vitrine in the dining room is typical of Christians approach
to design. It displays a host of weird and wonderful objects, ranging
from vintage leather luggage to animal skeletons and glassware,
as well as a series of chairs, discovered on the streets of Berlin and
placed along the top. Theyre
there for a prosaic reason,
which is that I dont have
enough space for them
anywhere else, says Christian,
but the effect is charming.
Not everything I own is
extraordinary, but I think that
all of my belongings respond
to each other, he says. The
secret to this kind of decorating
is to take a lot of time to really
look at objects and find
a dialogue between them.
christiankleemann.com

Hallway A console table displaying treasures is teamed with a pair of African

stools. The portraits, found in a charity shop, were altered by Christian (above)
Dining area The table is a modied market stall, while the pendant lights are
from Ebay (try Skinint for similar). Along the top of the display cabinet is
a row of antique chairs that the homeowner found all over Berlin
Stockist details on p144

108 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK JANUARY 2016

M Y P E R F E C T D AY
I always begin the day with
a good coffee. I like to take my time
waking up; usually I listen to classical
music or a cultural programme on the
radio. Afterwards, I like to work for
a while, then go for a walk in the park.
In the afternoon I often meet a
friend for a chat, maybe at Melitta
Sundstrm (Mehringdamm 61, 10961;
melitta-sundstroem.de), my favourite
local coffee shop. Its not chic but its
very Berlin, the clientele is really
mixed and the waiters are very sweet.
In the evenings I love to invite
friends around for dinner. Im an
experimental cook; I look in the fridge
and see what I have and then make
something. This summer, I baked with
g leaves to evoke the scent of g trees
in the sun. Its a favourite scent of
mine that always reminds me of
holidays in Croatia.

Kitchen The dining chairs,

originally from former East
Germany, have been painted
green. The marble tabletop
was salvaged from a coffee shop
Detail The vintage French
mirror behind the piano has
been customised with a strip
of uorescent tape E D
 I C
D

BY
O R T U R E
N N A
Situated on the edge of the
Charlottenlund forest, this
family home has a scheme
inspired by the natural world

Words EMMA LOVE

Photography BIRGITTA WOLFGANG/SISTERS AGENCY

Living room The chaise

longue-style chair (above)
is by Asplund, as is the
sideboard. The corner sofa
is from Saxo Living and the
Ox armchair is by Hans
J Wegner (Aram Store
sells reissues in the UK)
Stockist details on p144
S
ome ten kilometres north of Copenhagen lies the Charlottenlund
Forest, where the Danish royal family used to spend their summers.
Hanne Berzant often begins her day there walking her dog Flora,
a Bichon Havanese and Lhasa Apso cross. She lives nearby in an
enchanting ve-bedroom, 340-square-metre villa with her husband,
Soren, and children Emma (20), Josene (18) and Anna-Frida (eight).
Built in the 1920s, the property has plenty of character, including
a bell system that originally connected the main house to the servants
quarters in the basement. All Hanne has done in terms of decoration
is to paint the walls white. The building had so much atmosphere
already, she says. You only have to look at the black-and-white tiles
in the entrance hall to see that the owner has such respect for the place.
It has so much soul and beauty that it was easy to add the nal touches.
Hanne, who founded (and recently sold) the homeware brand By
Nord, is launching a new company next year. Her style, which is hugely
inuenced by the natural world, permeates the space. Nature and the
calmness of the Nordic colour palette are very important to me, she
says. Im not the sort of person who changes their home around all
the time, but of course I do test a lot of my designs here. I have children
and a dog, so the house has to be somewhere to relax.
To this calm backdrop Hanne has added treasured pieces, such
as rugs that she picked up on her travels to Marrakech, and several
Japanese papercut artworks. Scandinavian designs feature heavily too,

NATURE AND THE CALMNESS OF THE NORDIC

COLOUR PALETTE ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO ME
from Fritz Hansen dining chairs and an Ox armchair by Hans
J Wegner to a sideboard from Asplund. One of her favourite items is
the shing-net light by Ay Illuminate (above right). There was a lot
of discussion about it before we decided to put it up, Hanne says.
In the evening, when the light is on, the pattern of the net is reected
onto the walls in the dining room. It makes the space feel cosy.
Hanne is currently working from her home office while setting up
her new business. I like the silence, she says. And, once her work
is done, she likes nothing better than to get back out to the forest.
GROUND FLOOR

LIVING ROOM

STUDY KITCHEN

FIRST FLOOR

MAIN
BEDROOM

BATHROOM STUDY

114 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK JANUARY 2016

 Hallway This rear entrance
(left) leads to the kitchen.
The bench and cushions
were handmade by Hanne
Kitchen The sleek cabinetry,
including an island, is by
Danish brand Invita (try Nobia)
Stockist details on p144
 A D AY I N T H E L I F E
The rst thing I do in the morning is make breakfast
for the family. Its very important to me that we all
sit together. From Monday to Friday we try to eat eggs
or skyr, a type of Icelandic yoghurt. At the weekend,
we often go into Copenhagen for brunch.
Theres a small bakery I like to visit called The Bread THE HOUSE HAD
Station in Charlottenlund station. Everything there, even
the our, is made from scratch. When I walk through the SO MUCH SOUL
forest in the morning I can smell the bread baking. AND BEAUTY
I love our garden. I like to witness the changing seasons.
Around Easter time you can see all of the small plants ALREADY THAT
starting to spring to life, which is lovely. IT WAS VERY
Last thing at night, I like to watch the news before
I take the dog for her nal walk. My husband often
EASY TO ADD THE
comes with me; its a nice time to talk about the day. FINAL TOUCHES

Bedrooms In the daughters

room (left) a Beat ceiling
light by Tom Dixon adds glitz.
The simple bedlinen in the
main bedroom (above) is
from By Nord and the side
table is by USM Haller
Stockist details on p144 E D
Living room The homeowners collect
architectural models. Chichester Cross, York
Minster and Euston Arch are all displayed
under bell jars on this Regency console
We take a look inside one of Londons most individual properties and meet
the owners whose passion for collecting has transformed a once decaying
mansion into a historical odyssey of the weird, wonderful and macabre
Words EMMANUELE OCLEPPO
Photography VALENTINA SOMMARIVA/
PAOLA MORETTI PRODUCTIONS
 housands of eccentric treasures ll Londons centre is a real human skull. It was acquired by Hobbs from builders
Malplaquet House, the once dilapidated East End who found it in the course of their excavations for the present day
mansion that is home to Tim Knox, former director YMCA on Tottenham Court Road. We like to think its the remains
of the citys Sir John Soanes Museum and current director of the of an unpopular aerobics instructor, Todd says.
Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, and his partner, landscape Across the hall in the Bird Room is an enormous 19th-century
architect and historian Todd Longstaffe-Gowan. Built in 1741, the Indian elephant skull. Paintings of nuns adorn the walls, glowering
Grade II-listed Georgian townhouse was a crumbling ruin when over a collection of architectural models, among them a small
the architectural historian and broadcaster Dan Cruickshank coaching inn crafted in ivory, a cork model of York Minster, and
suggested that Todd and Tim take a look. The pairs previous at a miniature 19th-century church made entirely of goose feathers.
in north London was full to the rafters with curios, and they instantly Most of the paint in this room had worn away when the couple
fell in love with this property and bought it in May 1998. The mansion moved in, so they re-created the original colour a vivid shade of
had not been lived in for more than a century, the front garden had limewash that they refer to as arsenical green. This traditional
been overtaken by shops among them a typewriter repair store 18th-century nish provides a soft and distressed background that
and a metal-foil manufacturer and half the basement had been complements the couples collection of artwork.
lled with rubble after WWII. But the pair have made it their own. Todd and Tims fondness for the macabre is evidenced in an
In an age that celebrates minimalism, Todd and Tims exuberantly upstairs bathroom. Here, the walls are covered with death notices
cluttered four-storey townhouse is a refreshing repository of the commemorating Victorians who perished in horrible accidents,
sublime and the bizarre, from portraits of lugubrious nuns to such as the 650 people who lost their lives as a result of the sinking
classical antiquities. A huge chimneypiece that depicts the of the SS Princess Alice in the Thames in 1878.
homeowners with their miniature smooth-hair Dachshunds, Tiger Today, the pairs collections have outgrown even this grand house
and Sponge, dominates the living room. This piece (constructed (they now have a second property in Cambridge). They considered
in polychrome plaster) was created by Christopher Hobbs, a master selling Malplaquet in 2010, but the property proved too unique to
craftsman and set designer, renowned for decorative plasterwork. part with. It had only been on the market for a week when we got
Christopher conceived the design on a napkin whilst having cold feet, Todd says. The revitalisation of the house has been
Christmas lunch at the house, Todd recalls. The piece is allegorical, a great adventure. Its gentle improvement absorbed us entirely,
and records aspects of Tim and Todds lives and interests. At its and has given us years of pleasure and frustration in equal measure.

120 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK JANUARY 2016

 Portrait Owners Todd Longstaffe-Gowan and Tim Knox, pictured with
a marble statue of a Paschal lamb carved in the mid-18th century
Sarcophagus room The key feature in this space is the elaborate
chimneybreast created by master craftsman Christopher Hobbs. It depicts
the homeowners with their miniature Dachshunds, Tiger and Sponge
Exterior The houses studded door hints at the grandeur of what lies inside

JANUARY 2016 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK 121

Living room Referred to as the Bird
Room by its owners, this space is
painted a vivid green shade of
limewash. Antique rugs cover the oor
and a 19th-century Indian elephant
skull sits beside the dining table
Drawing room My favourite
memories here are of lying on the
large kilim-covered sofas with
our miniature Dachschunds. We
have very few comfortable chairs
in our house, says Todd
126 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK JANUARY 2016
 Bathroom The homeowners xation on religious objects such as the crucixes on the wall here is inspired in part by Tims Catholic upbringing
Bedroom Decorated with 17th-century wood panelling, this room looks more or less as it did when it was described in a late-18th century auction prospectus ED

JANUARY 2016 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK 127

Living area The rocking chair is a vintage
nd (for similar, try Wayfair).The homeowner
wrapped the legs of the table (opposite),
made from the roots of a tree, in white fabric
Stockist details on p144
URBAN EDEN
This characterful cottage in the heart of London has all the charm of an idyllic country abode
Words KERRYN FISCHER
Photography ELSA YOUNG/FRANK FEATURES

JANUARY 2016 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK 129

J oel Bernsteins home has a serene sense of calm that is at
odds with its location: just a short stroll from Londons busy Kilburn
High Street. The quaint urban cottage is tucked behind a large Victorian
townhouse that Joel, a creative director and consultant in the fashion
and interiors business (and previously part-owner of Marylebone-based
chocolatier and bakery Coco Maya), eventually plans to renovate.
The buildings sit within a 1.5-acre garden a rare nd in the heart of
the capital. Joel discovered the plot 18 months ago and was instantly
attracted to what he calls its otherworldliness. The charm of the
Buying the property required resolve a failed sealed bid at auction
meant that it took over a year to complete the sale. The charm of the place was totally
place was totally seductive, he says. I felt as though Id discovered
a secret garden and I found that irresistible.
seductive. I felt as
Dotted with shady footpaths and overhung by mature trees, the garden though Id discovered
is a wilderness of moss and ivy that hides two aged conservatories and
a collection of decaying sculptures. The estate, as Joel readily admits,
a secret garden and
will be a lifetime labour for him: Im a naturally impatient person and I found that irresistible
so I hope that the house and garden will help me
overcome this; the pace of life is slower here.
Inside, the cottages layout remains much as it
was when Joel rst viewed it. The main rooms
sprawl across one oor, with the bedroom and
en-suite situated on a mezzanine level above,
accessed via a wrought-iron spiral staircase. You
could tell that this was a creative space for the
previous owners and I didnt want to change that
too much, he says. I just cleaned the place up
a bit and added my own personal style.
I like a subdued palette with lots of textural
layers of wood, fabric and collectables, says Joel.
This translates into whitewashed clapperboard
walls, a dusky monochrome colour scheme and
artisanal touches that hint at his South African
heritage (a prevailing inuence even though he
has lived in the UK for over 35 years). A curated
display of ceramics by South African artist Hylton
Nel decorates one wall in the dining area, while
African, Indian and geometric-print textiles hang
from the banister of the mezzanine landing. These
additions, combined with the greenery on display
throughout, add shots of colour and pattern to
this idyllic city hideaway. I cant imagine that
I will ever leave here, adds Joel. I just want to
enjoy the calm of the place and soak up its energy.

Living area This double-height space is lled

with light. A collection of textiles hangs over
the banister on the mezzanine level. Above the
drinks table, stocked with crystal glassware,
hangs a driftwood mobile from Mexico

JANUARY 2016 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK 131

Dining room A simple linen cloth decorates
the table and industrial-style pendant lights
hang above (try Skinint for similar),
complementing the greenery outside
Stockist details on p144
I like a subdued palette with
lots of textural layers of wood,
fabric and collectables
 You could tell that this
was a creative space
for the previous owners.
I didnt want to change
that too much

Living area Carbon lament bulbs from Urban Cottage Industries

have been strung on black cord to create a statement ceiling light. The
homeowner upholstered the chaise longue himself using yellow linen
Details The delicate wrought-iron spiral staircase (above) stands out
against the creamy palette of the living area even the original brick
replace (right) has been painted white to match the scheme
Stockist details on p144

JANUARY 2016 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK 135

 Artisanal touches and
greenery from the garden
add sunny pops of colour
and pattern to this idyllic
inner-city hideaway

A D AY I N T H E L I F E
First thing in the morning, I make coffee and smoke a
cigarette. At the weekends Ill usually cook for friends well
have a leisurely meal at the table with the doors opened wide.
My perfect day at home would be spent at my kitchen table
looking out at the garden and listening to Classic FM.
I love to potter in the garden during the day and to watch
the sun set over it in the evening the house is partly west-
facing and the light here is beautiful.
The most used pieces of furniture in the cottage are my desk
and rocking chair, but my most treasured item is a music box
that [London-based artist] Raqib Shaw gave me. It was lled
with jasmine blossom when I received it. Its such a poetic gift.
My favourite artwork is a painting by South African artist
Irma Stern (one of her works was donated to raise money
for Nelson Mandelas legal fund in the 1950s).

Bedroom Situated in the eaves, this attic room is light and bright.The bed
is a simple raised platform covered in a throw from India. The side table is
from Bedell Coram, an antiques shop in Spitalelds, London
Bathroom The patterned tiles and stained glass window were in the cottage
when the homeowner moved in (Walls & Floors offer similar tile designs)
Stockist details on p144 E D

JANUARY 2016 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK 137

 A RTS & CULTUR E BOOKS A RCHITECTUR E TR AV EL

ESCAPE
I F YOU V I S I T ON E
E X H I BI T ION T H I S MON T H . . .
TATE MODERN HAS JUST OPENED the UKs biggest retrospective of work
by Alexander Calder, the 20th-century artist best known for inventing the mobile.
Performing Sculpture will display some of his most famous compositions, which
range from gurative portraits to abstract pieces inspired by the cosmos. Calder
once said: When everything goes right, a mobile is a piece of poetry that dances
with the joy of life and surprise! We agree. Until April 3 (tate.org.uk).
PICTURE: CALDER FOUNDATION, NEW YORK 2015/DACS, LONDON

F O R M O R E P L A C E S T O E X P L O R E , V I S I T E L L E D E C O R AT I O N . C O . U K / E S C A P E
 MANDARIN MANDARIN ORIENTAL BARCELONA
This is our all-time favourite from the group. Spanish
ORIENTAL: A designer Patricia Urquiola tells us about its creation
CELEBRATION The challenge of designing this hotel lay in uniting
the qualities of Mandarin Oriental its level of service
Super-glam yet famously and attention to detail with the genius loci of its position
discreet global hotel group on the Paseo de Gracia, a buzzing city street.
Mandarin Oriental recently It was important that the hotel was well nished. It
celebrated its 50th birthday has cosy rooms lifted by a fresh, contemporary style, which
with the publication of a are equally suitable for business trips and city breaks.
suitably gorgeous tribute book I hope that the rooms make guests feel that they are
(Mandarin Oriental: The Hotel in a comfort zone. I want them to feel like they are
Group; Assouline, 115). Here, perfectly at home, but also able to be part of Barcelona life.
we talk to the interior designers What will be the legacy of my design? Personally,
behind three jewels in the I hope that this hotel will remain an inclusive place,
Mandarin Oriental crown somewhere in which local people mix with new visitors
(mandarinoriental.com). to the city. Double rooms from 409.

140 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK JANUARY 2016

 Escape | N E W S

MANDARIN ORIENTAL MARRAKECH

French design duo Gilles & Boissier tell us about the brands
newest addition, which opened in October 2015
We wanted to create a space that heightened the
senses. Somewhere you can spend the day getting lost,
smelling the roses, and looking up at the Atlas Mountains.
The Moroccan custom of beldi, which focuses on the
handcrafted, inuenced us, but we have taken traditional
patterns and materials and given them a modern twist.
Tadelakt plaster is engraved with Berber motifs and
a huge tiled marble carpet runs over the oor and walls.
The luxury here is subtle, not ostentatious. The spa,
for example, was designed in the style of a cathedral
its impressive but paradoxically very intimate. Each
treatment room is framed with a selection of plants, and
outside is a terrace where a magical century-old olive tree
continues to grow. Suites from 530.
C U LT U R A L H O T S P O T B A R C E L O N A
This cosmopolitan Catalonian city, home to
our favourite Mandarin Oriental hotel (left),
continues to evolve and appeal. Heres what
to ensure you dont miss when you visit

What to see To celebrate its 40th anniversary, the

Fondacion Joan Mir (top) is putting on a special
events programme running until June. The best bit
is a re-hang of the entire permanent collection of
the 20th-century abstract and surrealist painter and
ceramicists works (miriobcn.org). Elsewhere in the
city, dont miss the year-old Museu del Disseny, housed
in a vast Brutalist building. Our pick is the Dressing
the Body: Silhouettes and Fashion exhibit, and the
MANDARIN ORIENTAL MILAN product design displays (museudeldisseny.cat).
WORDS: CHARLOTTE BROOK PICTURES: GEORGE APOSTOLIDIS, PERE PRATDESABA

Italian designer and architect Antonio Citterio discusses

the fashion capitals outpost, opened in September 2015 Where to stay Check into father-and-daughter-run
The groups hotels are all part of the same family, but new hotel Margot House (above), named after the
as well as reecting the brands visual richness we were fashion worlds current muse, Ms Tenenbaum of the
briefed to offer guests a very Milanese experience. Wes Anderson lm. Interiors are Japanese-inspired
We renovated four historic buildings on the same and minimal, nishes are wood and polished concrete,
street: the challenge was to bring together their different furniture is locally made and details include wool,
pasts. We gave the interiors a uniquely Milanese essence, linen and yak blankets by Teixidors. Theres a very
inspired by 20th-century architects such as Gi Ponti cool communal dining vibe in the coffee shop, too
and Asnago and Vender. Decorative materials and intense (double rooms from 136; margothouse.es).
colours help to give every room its own character.
The Mandarin Bar is the beating heart of the hotel. Where to dine Stop for coffee and refreshment in
It is my favourite area, along with the spa, which is vast but Disfrutar, a restaurant whose mosaic effect mimics a
quiet. I hope the spaces I have designed feel welcoming. deconstructed mural by Mir (disfrutarbarcelona.com).
When guests arrive, I want them to feel immediately that
their journey has ended. Double rooms from 545.

JANUARY 2016 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK 141

 PURCHASING POWER
No conrmation email compares
to the tinkle of a till or cheery
greeting from the owner of a real
shop. New book The Shopkeepers
(Gestalten, 40) surveys small
stores and the personalities
behind them that are going from
strength to strength, such as Cire
Trudons chic Parisian boutique.

ARGENTINIAN ART HOUSE

A few years ago, lm director Lupe Garcia bought a tired-looking 1920s CARTOON KING
property in the elegant Palermo Chico district of Buenos Aires. With the Osbert Lancasters Cartoons, Columns
help of architectural duo KallosTurin shes created Casa Cavia, a house and Curlicues (Pimpernel Press, 40) is
of culture fashioned like a lm set: its a place to learn, dine and shop. a boxed set of books featuring drawings by
Garcias mothers publishing company, Ampersand, takes up the top the British humourist and illustrator. Our
oor and devises author-inspired lunches, held in the ground-oor favourite volume is Homes Sweet Homes,
restaurant; the in-house orist is by trade a costume designer whose in which Lancaster observes the evolving
rooms of Britain. Styles featured include
oral displays are both witty and lush; and theres a perfumery by Norman, Scottish Baronial, Luxury
Fueguia 1833 on the ground oor. The bar is the perfect place to sit Flat and Ordinary Cottage; modern
and drink in the design details from the newly installed terrazzo oors readers may nd themselves spotting
to the original gilded mouldings on the ceilings (casacavia.com). familiar details amid the parodies.

142 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK JANUARY 2016

 Escape | N E W S

RURAL BRITISH RETREATS

Dont forget the charms of home-grown holidays when booking your next break. These wild and
picturesque destinations around the British Isles have ELLE Decorations seal of approval

SUFFOLK Wilderness Reserve is a 4,500 acre private LAKE WINDERMERE Beloved British brand and pioneer
estate of rolling plains near the beautiful Suffolk coast, and of rose-printed wallpaper Laura Ashley has opened its
has a handful of sophisticated serviced properties available second hotel, The Belseld, on the shores of Cumbrias
to rent. The latest addition is the six-bedroom Farmhouse largest tarn. And it is delightful! The Victorian building
(above): painted an excellent shade of Suffolk Pink on the has been entirely refurbished we love the elegant azure
exterior, inside it boasts an astonishing six bathrooms, restaurant, but for a x of vintage orals, head to the
three with steel bathtubs, quirky furniture, underoor drawing room to take tea and admire the lake vista. There
heating and a triple-height hall. Take a stroll through the are six acres of landscaped gardens to explore and of the
pleasure gardens, where theres an outdoor pool and tennis 62 bedrooms, 25 offer views across Lake Windermere.
court. Sleeps 12, 695 per night (wildernessreserve.com). Double rooms from 150 (lauraashleyhotels.com).
WORDS: CHARLOTTE BROOK PICTURES: CAMERON MAYNARD, GILES CHRISTOPHER

CUMBRIA Beatrix Potters Lake District home in the PEAK DISTRICT A once-derelict Grade II-listed mansion
village of Coniston is now available to rent. The charming near Derby has been transformed by British design brand
Yew Tree Farm is a picturesque 17th-century white cottage Plum & Ashby into a modern hotel. The Kedleston Country
that, despite its literary legacy, remains a working farm House is a chic-yet-cosy venue: all ve bedrooms have
if you like you can venture out in the morning and collect grand Georgian windows that are dressed with canine-
your own eggs from the hens for breakfast. Inside, print curtains made from Plum & Ashbys All the Breeds
expect dark wood-panelled corridors, fringed vintage fabric; the snug and the hidden study house worn leather
lamps, pieces of the authors own antique furniture armchairs and roaring res; and there are views of the
(including the dining table), and to be woken by the majestic Peak District hills outside. Book in to the orangery
pleasing sound of Herdwick sheep bleating. Sleeps six, or the dining room to sample delicious seasonal fare.
from 587 for a week in January (heartofthelakes.co.uk). Double rooms from 150 (thekedleston.co.uk).

JANUARY 2016 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK 143

ELLE Decoration | S T O C K I S T S

Address book

1st Dibs (1stdibs.com) De Intutiefabriek Miele (shop.miele.co.uk) Skandivis (skandivis.co.uk)

A A+Z Studio (a-z.eu.com) (deintuitiefabriek.nl) Miras Editions (miraseditions.com) Skinint Design
Add:wise (addwise.se) Donna Wilson (donnawilson.com) Mobelkunst (mobelkunst.hu) (skinintdesign.co.uk)
Alessi (alessi.com) E Earthborn Paints Modern Moose (modmoose.com) Skogsberg & Smart
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Analogue Life (analoguelife.com) Ebay (ebay.com) (monologuelondon.com) Skultuna (skultuna.com)
Annie Sloan (anniesloan.com) Everlong Paint (everlongpaint.com) Mourne Textiles Stelton (stelton.com)
Another Country F FBC London (fbc-london.com) (mournetextiles.com) Sue Pryke (suepryke.com)
(anothercountry.com) Ferm Living (fermliving.com) Mr Maria (mrmaria.com) Sunspel (sunspel.com)
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Atipico (atipiconline.it) G Gam Fratesi (gamfratesi.com) Nobia (nobia.com) The Vintage Vogue
Atrium (atrium.ltd.uk) Georg Jensen (georgjensen.com) O Oliver Bonas (oliverbonas.com) (thevintagevogue.com)
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(brostecopenhagen.com) Invita (invita.dk) Restoration Hardware (urbanouttters.com)
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(canvashomestore.com) John Lewis ( johnlewis.com) Rowdy Roddy Vintage Villeroy & Boch (villeroy-boch.co.uk)
Charles Burnand K Kate Spade (katespade.co.uk) (rowdyroddyvintage.com) Violet and Percy
PICTURE: BEPPE BRANCATO/LIVING INSIDE

(charlesburnand.com) Kelly Hoppen London Royal Academy Shop (violetandpercy.com)

Chito Kuroda (chitokuroda.com) (kellyhoppen.com) (shop.royalacademy.org.uk) W Walls & Floors
Christoe (christoe.com) L Larusi (larusi.com) Royal Doulton (royaldoulton.co.uk) (wallsandoors.co.uk)
Cow+Co (cowandco.co.uk) Lassco (lassco.co.uk) Rskasa (ruskasa.com) Wayfair (wayfair.co.uk)
Crane (cranecookware.com) Leff (leffamsterdam.com) S Saxo Living (saxoliving.com) We Are Facility (wearefacility.co.uk)
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David Mellor (makersandbrothers.com) Silk Avenue (silk-avenue.co.uk) Y Yastik by Rifat zbek
(davidmellordesign.com) Menu (menu.as) Skandium (skandium.com) (yastikbyrifatozbek.com)

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 DESIGN DECODED The making of a modern classic
# 19. Ultima Thule glassware by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala
Words JAMES WILLIAMS

The Ultima Thule collections sculptural beauty was Iittala hired him instantly and, between the 1940s and
inspired by the dripping icicles that decorate the frosty 1980s, Wirkkala designed more than 400 pieces for the
landscape of Lapland one of designer Tapio Wirkkalas brand. The Ultima Thule collection, released in 1968,
favourite places. Wirkkala (19151985) was Finlands is perhaps his most famous work. He spent thousands
most prolic creative. He wasnt just a master glassmaker, of hours perfecting a detailed graphite mould that would
but also a sculptor, graphic designer and craftsman, give the glassware its icy aesthetic. In 1970, the Finlandia
collaborating with some of the worlds most iconic brands. Vodka Company commissioned Wirkkala to create a bottle
He saw beauty in natural materials and organic forms: using the same design. It was this collaboration that put the
You should never be violent with a material, he once said. designer on the world map, but many of Wirkkalas other
The designer should aim to be in harmony with it. pieces also show a similar respect for the beauty of nature,
Nothing demonstrates Wirkkalas love of materials from the Bolle bottles (196667) with their circular
more wonderfully than his sculptural work with glass. smoothness to the Leaf-Form wooden platters (1951)
Wirkkalas affinity with glass rst came to light in 1946, clever use of natural grain. Today, you can see Wirkkalas
when he entered a competition for Finnish company works on display in collections at New Yorks MOMA and
Iittala, creating the Kattarelli hand-blown vase (below), Londons V&A or you could simply take a piece home.
which had a ared rim similar to the shape of a Calla lily. From 19 for a pair of cordial glasses (iittala.com). E D

THE ICE KING

Finnish designer Tapio Wirkkalas
(left) Ultima Thule glassware
collection is an enduring classic
(below, from left: On The Rocks
glass, 25 for a pair; sparkling wine
glass, 31 for a pair; pitcher 91).

THE SPIRIT NATUR AL TALENT

OF SUCCESS The Kattarelli vase (above),
Finnish vodka brand with its Calla lily-like ared
Finlandia used rim, was Wirkkalas entry into
Wirkkalas bottle a design competition for Iittala
design, based on the in 1946. He won and was
Ultima Thule range, instantly hired by the brand.
from 1970 up until 2001.

FIRST-CL ASS
GL ASSWARE
On its rst ever
transatlantic ight
to New York in the
1960s, Finnish
airline Fin Air used
COOL INSPIR ATION Ultima Thule glasses
The beautifully delicate form of to serve drinks to its
melting icicles inspired the design.
PICTURE: ALAMY

rst-class customers.

154 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK JANUARY 2016