We landed in Lyon just as France was celebrating a World Cup win. Sitting at the iconic Café Comptoir Abel in the heart of the city, we listened to cheers drifting in through the open windows. I found myself wondering how many people watching from the apartments above were doing so from the unmistakable folds of a Togo, one of France’s most iconic sofa designs.

There's a reason it's on my mind. I'm visiting France on a fact-finding mission, and the next morning, we left the city behind and drove just an hour away east to Briord and Montagnieu — two small, quiet towns where the story of Ligne Roset, creators of the Togo and many other design classics, really unfolds.

Our first stop was Studio 1860, the brand’s bright and welcoming showroom. Walking through the space with Olivier Roset didn’t feel like a guided tour. It felt more like catching up over coffee and opening a family photo album, with each piece revealing a little secret from the brand’s past that’s always set it apart.

Togo is the perfect example. Dreamed up in 1973, a slouchy, all-foam sofa with no frame and no fuss, a cloud-like seat that broke all the old rules. With more than a million sold of them sold, it remains a reference point when considering what separates the best sofas to buy from those that simply look good for a moment. But standing in Studio 1860, you realize the Togo isn’t a one-off. It’s part of a much bigger story about taking risks, collaborating with designers, and always asking, ‘What if we did things differently?’

“The idea is to expand the storytelling of our history and really make it a destination where you can view the archive like a book or even better, a museum,” Olivier told me.

And the Togo might be its most compelling chapter. We know the slouched silhouette and unmistakable 1970s ease, but seeing it within the archive revealed how much of its story goes beyond the shape. As a stylist, I arrived eager to see the craft behind each fold; what I left with was a sense of why some designs endure, shaping the way we live, and what it really means to bring a piece like this home.

The Effortless Slouch Redefined Living

The Togo arrived just as the living room was becoming less formal and far more central to everyday family life. By the 1980s, French homes were increasingly organised around television, conversation and longer evenings spent together, with the arrival of colour TV and video recorders making the room feel more lived in than ever. Seen in that context, the Togo’s low, enveloping form feels less like a stylistic rebellion and more like a design that understood where domestic life was heading. There’s an effortless, lived-in charm to the Togo that continues to intrigue today. That signature low-slung profile immediately changes the energy of a space — suddenly, the room feels less formal and more inviting. Its modularity is an interior stylist’s secret weapon: whether you’re after a laid-back reading nook or a sprawling zone for friends to gather, it flexes to fit your life. No wonder, decades on, the Togo remains the go-to to shift how a room looks and feels.

Seeing it inside the Roset family’s preserved home, and yes, we were lucky enough to be invited in, made that shift feel tangible.

For me, that is what separates a piece that belongs to an era from one that goes on to define it.

The iconic folds are designed with intention

The iconic folds, it turns out, are as intentional as they are inviting. At the factory, we watched as a master upholsterer began to dress a two-seater armless Togo in Kyoto Gold leather. Every movement was purposeful and a choreography honed over more than a decade. Each fold is shaped and secured with blind tufting — a subtle but brilliant detail that makes all the difference. You really do feel it when you sit down: that sense of genuine craft, right down to the last detail. It is a reminder that how long a sofa lasts has as much to do with the craftsmanship beneath its surface as the material we see.

The process begins long before any sewing. On the factory floor with Asa Hirst, Ligne Roset’s UK Director, we watched hides move under scanners that spot even the smallest flaw. Technology provided accuracy, but human judgment still determined how each material could be used to its fullest potential. “As sustainability becomes ever more essential, we’re committed to repurposing and reusing every viable piece,” Asa said. It’s the kind of care you notice in every Togo.

Icon status hasn’t changed its making

Now being carried forward by a fifth generation, the company has grown without letting its most recognisable designs rely on reputation alone. Keeping production in house means the care behind each piece is still visible, from the first cut of foam to the final hand finished detail.

For me, that was the real lesson in longevity. A famous name may draw you in, but lasting value comes from continuing to uphold the standards that made the design matter in the first place.

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M&S' bedding game has been impeccable of late. Not that I ever really doubt the brand in this department, but this new M&S Pure Linen 190 gsm Bedding Set is an improvement in both style and sleep support.

It's exactly the kind of bedding that elevates your bedscape, with its pretty piping detail. But when it comes to helping you sleep better, what does this actually mean?

Here's a better idea of what you can expect with this linen bedding and how to decide if it's right for you.

So, we asked stylist Luke Arthur Wells, one of Livingetc's contributors, currently compiling our guide to choosing bedding for which he's interviewed plenty of independent experts. How does he feel that a denser linen bedding will perform?

"Linen bedding starts off quite crisp, and softens over time, but that original crispness gives your bed linen a nice structure that looks great," he explains. "A denser linen will likely soften a little more gradually, but retain a little more of that structure. Very soft linens deliver on that 'wrinkled' look, but sometimes it's more than you want. This will likely have a nice in-between texture that feels a bit more expensive."

Compare it to something like Bed Threads flax linen bedding, which is 170 GSM, as the brand says it's the optimum for feeling 'soft and buttery' when you use it straight away. So, yes, this 190 GSM bedding may take a little longer to soften, but might just give you that crisper look with the airiness and moisture-wicking abilities of linen.

Bed and Bath Linen to Buy Now

If you're a hot sleeper, I'd recommend checking out the M&S 'Stay Cool bedding. It's one of my favorites for summer bed dressing. And in the meantime, sign up for the Livingetc newsletter to keep up with all the best bedding launches.

Had French director known of interior designer Pandora Taylor when writing his surreally beautiful film The Science of Sleep, chances are she would have got a production design credit for it. Or so the ethereal and nostalgic aesthetic of her residential projects leads me to think.

Established in the British capital in 2018, her namesake practice takes pride in bridging old-world charm with the contemporary scene's finest materials and techniques. The balance between past and present isn't the only one Taylor has taught herself to straddle seamlessly in her work, each of her commissions a bridge between the textural nature of country house interiors and the sophistication of the Big Smoke's most coveted hangouts.

Now developing bespoke furniture collections alongside her imaginatively crafted homes, the British interior designer is not letting any occasion to push her whimsical-chic view of interiors fall by the wayside. At the heart of Taylor's projects is the belief that great design has the power to "enhance lives", and a desire to infuse a touch of drama into everyday life, she tells Livingetc.

What Would You Say Is Your Greatest Design Obsession?

"I can never resist adding a bit of theatrical flair into our interiors. Theater stage dressing and interiors have a lot in common — in both instances, you are thinking deeply about how the backdrop is going to influence the characters within it. We always like to take things that little bit further and allow our clients to be constantly inspired by the items that surround them every day."

How Does This Love of the Theatrical Show in Your Projects? And What Kind of Design 'Genres' Does This Marry Best?

"We achieve this through various elements, but the shape and lines of furniture are both key starting points for these kinds of schemes.

"We are always thinking about how we bring movement into every space, adding arabesque lines into headboards and curves into chairs and sofas, as well as creating modern homes that thrive off of asymmetry and juxtaposition.

"These ideas feed naturally into the sort of maximalist, farmhouse style that has dominated the British interiors scene for the past couple of years."

What's One Element or Detail That Makes a Scheme Feel Playful or Dramatic? How Do You Go About Styling It in the Space?

"Playing with shapes in the home does require more thought to ensure everything is balanced, but when we bring furniture that has an unusual shape or unexpected silhouette, it immediately makes the room feel interesting and considered. To me, it is the backbone of a more unique and idiosyncratic home.

"We always end up incorporating a fair few antiques in our interiors as historical furniture makers were very good at experimenting with shape and lines. I particularly love Jacobean period furniture for its oversized bobbin-shaped legs, wavy edges, and often decorative brass detailing around the handles.

"When it comes to upholstery, you can introduce playful shapes and lines using contrast piping and fringes. This is actually why we created our Cord fabric, which has a repeating arabesque line. The fabric is an easy way to break up a more contemporary silhouette like a square-edged sofa or headboard by giving the appearance of a wavy outline."

What's a Project or Design of Yours That Distills This Whimsical Approach to Interiors?

"Our headboards often play with this idea of breaking 'the square'. In particular, our Shard, Bubble, and Tassel Headboards all feature strong outlines that spread across the wall and create an unexpected backdrop for the bedroom.

"In the primary bedroom of our Mayfair Townhouse project, we created a dramatic, decoratively edged headboard with a contrast drape behind to add depth and a sense of drama.

"In the living room of our Herne Hill House project, we added triangular pediments to the built-in bookshelves, a wavy skirt to the sofa, and wall lights with a petal design. It's this layering of different-shaped elements that draws the eye around the room, sparking interest."

What's One Piece of Advice You'd Give to People Wanting to Be More Creative and Daring With Their Homes?

"Whether designing a whole room or just adding a new piece of furniture, don't settle for the ordinary. Spend that little bit of extra time finding something that offers something unexpected, from an unusual silhouette, a contrast paint design, or an interesting handle. It is these small differences that will elevate the space and bring character and intrigue."

Browse our archive of designer interviews for further advice on crafting interiors that feel like a reflection of your personality.

Captivated by the connection between interiors and drama? See how production designer Rodrigo Martirena made a brutalist villa in Catalonia one of the protagonists of the Callum Turner-starring dark satirical thriller Rosebush Pruning, or revisit our deep-dive into the making of A24's 2026 hit release The Drama.

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When I think about my dream garden inspo, my mind doesn't float to the perfectly preened shrubs of royal gardens, or the super-modern outdoor designs that litter my Instagram feed. No, my mind goes somewhere slightly more... abstract. What I want is a garden that looks like it was straight out of a fairy tale. Somewhere you could feasibly imagine fairies hiding out, or flowers that come alive at nighttime. Is that too much to ask for?

Well, it seems not, because I've just found a new type of garden lighting that couldn't be much more perfect for this look. It gives you exactly that kind of mystical, enchanted feel I've been dreaming of, making your garden look like something straight out of a storybook.

It may sound too good to be true, but these Wild Fennel Outdoor Solar Stake Lights I found on Amazon aren't only the perfect accessory to turn your outdoor space into an enchanted garden, but they are also less than £15. Plus, the solar-powered design requires absolutely zero complicated installation or wiring; you just stick them into the ground and let the magic glow fill your outdoor space. That's my kind of fairy tale ending.

As much as I love these beautiful designs, it's important to note that it takes more than just some sparkling lights to create a true fairy tale garden. You'll need to build up the design with some equally enchanting greenery too, and these fairy tale garden plants will do just the trick.

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Having lived in four London flats in five years, I'm no stranger to the chaos of moving house: palming unwanted books off on friends, questioning whether I really need separate summer and winter duvets, and reluctantly selling furniture that's simply too awkward to haul across the city. One thing I've learnt? The easiest pieces to transport are the ones that stay with me move after move. That’s why IKEA’s new KOMPISHÄNG Side Table immediately caught my attention. It folds flat and can be slung over your shoulder, turning a cumbersome table into something remarkably portable. (BYO table, anyone?)

Folding tables tend to follow a familiar formula, with butler and bistro styles relying on A-frame legs. This new IKEA design takes a far more elegant approach. Designed by David Wahl, the KOMPISHÄNG side table disguises its practicality within a sculptural cylindrical silhouette, so you'd never guess it collapses down in seconds. Better still, the circular base doubles as an integrated handle, making it as easy to carry as a tote bag.

It's a clever solution for small-space living, too. Whether you're pulling up an extra surface for drinks, a board game, or impromptu party snacks, the table pops up in moments. Once everyone has gone home, it folds away just as effortlessly, slipping into the narrowest gap between furniture or tucked neatly behind a door.

The side table forms part of IKEA's new KOMPISHÄNG collection, a 12-piece range created to make transitional and shared-space living feel more considered. Alongside it are equally hardworking designs, including drill-free door hooks, stackable stools that transform into shelving, and a larger foldaway table with its own integrated carry handle.

Because the KOMPISHÄNG collection has only just landed, there aren't any shopper reviews just yet. But with the entire range marked as a limited edition, I wouldn't hang around if this clever little table has caught your eye. Thankfully, it's super affordable, too.

But if you do miss out, here are some other options that achieve a similar thing.

If unexpected guests are a regular occurrence, a folding side table is one of those quietly brilliant pieces that earns its keep. Pair one with a couple of folding chairs, and you'll always be ready to host, no matter how compact your living room.

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Inspired by your brief, I've curated a selection of sofas that capture the warmth and simplicity of modern farmhouse style. As there were no preferences for color, size or upholstery, I've included a range of silhouettes and fabrics that reflect the look, giving you a few different directions to explore.

Stylist's note: Modern farmhouse is all about balancing comfort with clean lines. I always recommend starting with a timeless sofa in a neutral fabric, then introducing character through cushions, throws and natural materials and textures that can evolve with your home.

Inspired by your brief, I’ve curated a varied selection of modern dining tables across different shapes, finishes and styles. With no fixed size or material in mind, the edit offers a few contemporary directions to explore.

A dining table naturally anchors the room, so I’d consider its proportions and presence just as carefully as the style itself. The right piece should work beautifully within the space and give you a strong foundation for the chairs, lighting and finishing touches around it.

All that glitters is not gold, an old saying goes, and that is clear within seconds of glimpsing the seemingly glamorous yet morally corrupt reality inhabited by the broken American family of billionaires that serves as the beating heart of Karim Aïnouz's new satirical thriller, Rosebush Pruning.

No coveted mid-century modern furniture piece, sinuous sports car, or designer bag can hold together the saturated, sumptuous paper castle siblings Ed (Callum Turner), Anna (Riley Keough), Robert (Lukas Gage), and Jack (Jamie Bell) have built alongside their widowed father (Tracy Letts) with the money inherited from their deceased mother (Pamela Anderson), each nook in their sprawling Catalonia countryside villa a temple to their self-destructive vanity. Not that they aren't aware of that, either.

"This fact that none of us ever had to work, ever in our lives, didn't affect our characters," Callum Turner's magnetic Ed explains in a suspense-building passage of the film. "We always were interested only in music and fashion. We were all lazy, mediocre, vapid egotists. All of us. Except for my eldest brother, of course, Jack. Jack's different. Poor Jack." What's the price to pay for being different? That's what the twist-ridden plot of Rosebush Pruning indirectly answers, as it exposes the rotting essence of the relatives' material existence.

Dressed head-to-toe in custom and vintage Versace, Bottega Veneta, Hermès, McQueen, and Chanel, to name a few, and surrounded by all sorts of possessions others could only ever imagine, the family doesn't lack anything, at least in theory. In practice, what eats them from within is their inability to relate to one another, production designer Rodrigo Martirena tells me over Google Meet, speaking from the location of his next film job in Brazil. Their lust for connection, depraved fantasies, flaws, and fragilities are the blueprint around which he built their domesticity; director of photography Hélène Louvart's sun-drenched aesthetic is the thermometer measuring tension as it builds.

What Was the Original Intention Behind the Making of 'Rosebush Pruning'?

"Years ago, people talked about millionaires. Now, we are talking about billionaires and what they do with their money. While filming Rosebush Pruning, for example, the Epstein files were released. We see all the disgusting things that are taking place in the world, and cinema being a political thing gives people a different way or perspective to look at what's happening.

"The idea for Rosebush Pruning was not to show the luxury and the wealthy, how it is and feels to be rich, but to try to get to the psychology of this rich family — to create the environment to understand why they are so deranged. After the pandemic, isolation is a theme and situation we all feel really strongly about and understand. We put this very concept into the film, which follows an isolated American family with a lot of money who live by themselves in a villa tucked away in the Spanish countryside. What happens to them? Well, they go nuts."

Tell Us About the Spanish Villa the Film Is Set in — What Made It the Ideal Home for It?

"When I read the script, I knew that finding the right house was the most important thing, as 80% of the film would be shot there. It was always very clear to me that a Brutalist-style building would be the perfect place to portray this family. Born in post-WWII UK, Brutalism goes to the root of the material, showing concrete at its rawest, barest.

"The distinctive trait of Brutalist houses is that, once you are inside, you are not just inside a house. You're inside its structure; you see its bones, unfinished and uncovered. That situation, that feeling, is like being in a jail to me. And I knew that's what we needed to tell Rosebush Pruning's story.

"We wanted a Brutalist, functional house where the entire movie could be filmed, with five good-sized bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms. We settled on a villa located a few kilometers north of Barcelona, Catalonia. The first detail to catch my eye was its entrance: a concrete structure very similar to Le Corbusier's Notre-Dame du Haut chapel in Ronchamp. I looked at it and thought, 'I am walking into a temple.'

"At some point in the film, a delivery guy riding an electric motorbike stops right in front of it, his silhouette microscopic against the imposing cement roof. It's a detail that reflects the contrast pervading every scene of Rosebush Pruning, ideal for immortalizing the oppressive psychology of the family."

What's It Like Inside? Were There Any Quirky Details That Had You Say "This Is the One"?

"At first glance, it might make you think of Frank Lloyd Wright — the wood, the stone, the glass, the lines — but the scale of this place is nothing like his low-rise Fallingwater house. It is the opposite: it's vast, with a central patio opening up like the Pantheon. The idea with this residence was to combine its different architectural and decorative elements to build the Rosebush Pruning world.

"Near the main entrance, for example, we found six golden deer. It was the most amazing coincidence, as not only is the family made of six people, but initially, Karim and I had even discussed the weird idea of them having deer instead of dogs as pets inside the house. When we arrived and saw them on the doorstep, we said, 'of course, this is the one.'

"The other great thing about the house is its double circulation: you have an interior circulation, connecting all the rooms, and an exterior one, which does the same but through a wrap-around terrace. That meant you could go from bedroom to bedroom from both inside and outside, and show the continuity of that — how big the house is — in very long shots.

"As we ventured deeper into our visit of the property, we uncovered all of these stunning textures. The cherry on top, though, lay in the bedrooms, which had carpeted walls, the most claustrophobic, stifling material in the world, dirty and a little bit disgusting. They had stripes and all sorts of patterns, which inspired me to associate each sibling with different motifs and materials."

In 'Rosebush Pruning', You Built the Characters' Bedrooms to Be a Mirror of Their Personality. How?

"It all comes from the script, the individual characters, and the scenes that are set to take place in each space. Robert's bedroom, for example, had to feel very hedonistic, and so we worked with sensual materials. Fetishist interior elements, like tubes that can be used to tie someone up to the bed headboard, have been included in the scheme to create expectation: you don't necessarily see them, but you feel them; you know something is waiting to unravel there.

"Robert struggles with his mental health — he is on medication — and is not allowed to drive. So he loves playing with little car models, which we placed in a corner of the room. Nobody will notice them, but they are there. I also hid a golden reflection in the closet as a teaser of what will happen...

"Ed, on the other hand, studies a lot how to fake his voice. He has a very nice bedroom, mainly concentrated on this 'voice' situation: there is a corner styled like a podcast recording setup, instrumental to something that will unfold later in the script between him and his father. The father himself has a very big bedroom — bigger than most, really, more like a living room.

"Here, the wardrobe area is crucial, and you'll realize why when you watch the film. From his exterior, forest-facing bedroom terrace, he can access and control the rest of the house even if he's blind. My idea was to use textures on the walls similar to the siblings' rooms, but treated in a more modern, cleaner, less 'over-the-top' way. Because the oppressive feeling belongs to the siblings, the father is up in the clouds.

"Anna's bedroom was even more complex. After her mother's disappearance, she is the only woman living in the house, constantly cooking and prepping the clothes. She acts like a servant for her own family and is always asking herself, 'what am I even doing here?' Anna is obsessed with faces, so we designed a metal mask with glass fragments for eyes. This also links to her blind father, whose relationship with her is very strong and, at the same time, creepy and sickening.

"In her case, objects were the most important thing. When her father dies, Anna is in her bedroom alone. Behind the head sculpture resting on her desk, we see something we created specifically for her: roses, wrapped in a plastic bag. Why? Throughout the film, we see her cooking and wrapping up leftovers in cling film. She is used to conserving everything that way, and tries to do the same with the last memory she gets of her dad, as if immortalizing that situation forever."

The Family Feels as Trapped in Their Own World. What Specific Design Elements Allowed You to Convey That Situation?

"One of the environments that renders this best is the basement. Entirely red and equipped with a fireplace, it is where the siblings spend time sitting in strange, tense positions.

"That space, for me, was the cave inside the cage that's their home: upstairs, the whole family is together, but downstairs it's just the siblings, talking about things meant only for them, and about their father. The idea was to frame it as an interior within the interior. It is the only place where red is so prominent, and that's because it is where the tension between the siblings reaches its climax.

"Another concept I wanted to develop for Rosebush Pruning was the idea that the family is in a sort of jail. To do so, I swapped traditional curtains with knitted, textured mesh ones, which express the feeling of being inside a fishing net you can't escape. In Anna's bedroom, you can see how the light filters through them, adding only a colorful tinge.

"The curtains recur from bedroom to bedroom all the way to the dining room, and it's one of my favorite touches to the film. They are also in the most upsetting scene, styled in layers — one curtain, very soft, in one color, but with the net in front of it so that you can have one or the other or both together — just like multiple layers are pressing on the people inside the house. That pressure is nothing exterior; it's something interior to the family, who are all stuck together, sick on the inside."

Was There Anything You Had to Custom-Design and Build on Set for 'Rosebush Pruning'? If So, What's Its Role Within the Film?

"Something I built especially for Rosebush Pruning was the dining table, around which one of the film's most hilarious scenes takes place. It is a very large table in shiny bronze, treated so the reflection is warped as if in a distorted mirror. The idea was that everyone at the table can see each other, but not clearly — we see what they want to show, not what they really are.

"That's the best space I designed for this film: you have a golden, distorted reflection on the tabletop and transparent glass legs, as a mirror suspended in the room, with everyone trying to be sincere while still concealing their true selves at all times. One reflection sits on the table, another on the wall, constantly twisting and reframing what you see. It is a perfect metaphor for the people brought together in this movie."

What Do You Feel Was the Hardest Part of Crafting the 'Rosebush Pruning' Universe?

"The most challenging aspect of this project was finding a way to portray a dysfunctional family showing crisis and discomfort rather than resolving it. The spaces, like the characters, had to feel plush, but also childish, weird, and uncomfortable — all of that mixed.

"To capture the family and its intricacies, I needed very old furniture that looked like it had been in the house for a long time, alongside a sleek Bang & Olufsen sound system. Getting the balance right was the hardest part of the job: I didn't want a beautiful house that ticked off all major trends in a mainstream way and implied that rich people have good taste, as beauty is entirely subjective and that wouldn't have shown what this family is all about anyway.

"Instead, I needed to mix things in a weird way — an electronic Roche Bobois bar you can operate by pressing buttons, right next to Picasso's Cat Catching a Bird (1939), is just an example of how that weird manifests. Art, of course, puts the family on another level, as having a Picasso in your home isn't the norm, but right beside it, you get a kitschy console. You have the best home speakers but, right next to them, are black, shiny sofas in cheap-looking leather treated to look like plastic. They creaked with every movement, and the sound recordist wanted to kill me for it, but that was the whole point.

"I also included accents, like a naked statue of the mother on the patio and some golden stones on the floor, that don't make much sense — something that makes you ask, 'what is that? What does that mean?' They're provocations: I don't fully understand this family either, and the house reflects that."

How Did the Cast React to Seeing the Set for the First Time? What's One Fun Anecdote You Kept With You From Your Time Shooting 'Rosebush Pruning'?

"One of the best moments on set was when Jamie Bell, Callum Turner, Riley Keough, and Lukas Gage walked into the finished house. Because everything was functional — every room in its original function — when they arrived, it felt especially real.

"They looked like an actual family on vacation, fighting over the best bedrooms in a holiday rental. That's the moment the set stopped being a set and became another character in the film. Seeing them smile, head to the sofas, light the fire, I could tell they were genuinely happy to be in that house.

"Another funny memory comes from when Callum and I went to scout a location — we needed another house to stand in as the mother's house. When we arrived at this beautiful old converted factory studio in Barcelona, Callum's now-wife, Dua Lipa, was there waiting for us. She joined us on a tour of the property. Every time we walked into a new room, people would whisper among each other, incredulous and excited.

"She's gorgeous and clearly very intelligent — she made excellent observations about the architecture of the place we visited that morning — and it was so interesting to meet her. Getting to watch Callum act was incredible, too — in person, he's handsome, of course, but trust me when I say that the camera loves him in a whole different way."

How Do You Feel About the Way in Which The Film Has Been Received So Far?

"I think part of the reason why some people might not like the film is that it makes them uncomfortable, but for me, that's a success. Depending on where they're coming from, people either love it or hate it. That's not surprising: Rosebush Pruning is a somewhat revolting film, and some viewers prefer empathy reflected back at them. Personally, I hope nobody sees themselves reflected in its characters, because they are all crooked in a different way. Whenever people ask me to describe this experience in three words, I only ever have two: beauty and disgusting. That's what we were working with in bringing these characters' reality to life, and I hope I did them and their stories justice, as that was the hardest tension to hold."

Is There Any Room Left for the Family in 'Rosebush Pruning' to Redeem Themselves — And If So, Where Should We Look for It?

"Rosebush Pruning is a reinterpretation of Marco Bellocchio's 1966 film Fists in the Pocket. That earlier version showed a new Italian bourgeois family rising after WWII. This one is set in the present, among billionaires who don't know what to do with their money. The characters in Rosebush Pruning are empty inside and desperate to fill that void with something, but there's nothing there — because of the isolation, because of being trapped with each other. Only Anna speaks a little Spanish in the film; otherwise, none of them really speaks the same language as the locals around them. They're locked in themselves.

"The most interesting thing about Elle Fanning's character, Martha, is that she's not far removed from this family's psychology, wealth, and luxury — once she enters the house, she also wants to be part of that world. It might sound like a slightly naive answer, but like in many other stories before this one, in Rosebush Pruning, too, it's love that changes everything. Because of the love between Elle and Jack's characters, the whole story shifts. That love still makes the difference."

Karim Aïnouz's Rosebush Pruning is out now in UK and US cinemas, and is landing on MUBI later this month

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The one thing I love to see in a small living room is an impactful sofa. As probably the most important piece of furniture in this space, it's a chance to show off your eye for design. And it's not always easy to find a sofa that's compact, stylish, and comfortable enough to lounge on, but the Bondi Compact 2-Seater Sofa from DUSK checks all of these boxes.

If you asked me for one of my favorite iconic sofas, Mario Bellini's Camaleonda sofa for Bellis is among the first to come to mind. With its fabric 'wrapped' look, chromed-brass rings, and statement modularity. This contemporary take from DUSK definitely draws on this design for inspiration, without being a direct dupe. Plus, it shrinks it down for urban apartments that don't have expanses of space to spare, but still desire all the high-fashion of the 70s.

Buying a sofa from DUSK can sound a little daunting, as you can't try it in a real-life showroom; however, this sofa has plenty of 5-star reviews, with plenty of people styling it in their own home, too, so you can see it in real life.

So what do the reviews say? One reviewer says: "They are a bit lower than we expected but we quickly got used to it and the full set is very comfy. Also ideal for pet owners as the fabric is very easy to hoover and hair doesn't get stuck."

The larger sizes of the sofa are modular reviewers say, and don't fix together, but this small size is a one-piece sofa.

Alternative Styles to Try

No sofa is ever a one-size-fits-all. And if you're at this point and not convinced this cool green sofa is a fit, then Design Lab by Livingetc is your next best bet at finding furniture that's specifically curated to look good in your home. Maybe it's a Soho Home sofa or something from Westwing's UK launch. There's only one way to find out.

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When Archive For Space co-founders Arabella Maza and Stephen Maginn took on the renovation of an apartment in Madrid, they confronted a remarkable challenge: transforming a space composed of small, disconnected rooms and little natural light into a sequential configuration that responded to the owners' fluid way of living.

The 80-square-meter property was located within a 1900s building and, in the tradition of much of the Spanish capital's 20th-century residential architecture, its layout was narrow and heavily compartmentalized, reflecting an approach of segmentalized domesticity.

"These apartments were designed very differently to the homes we live in today," explain the designers. "They were made up of generous, well-proportioned rooms rather than open-plan spaces. The kitchens were often quite small and included a larder built beneath the timber windows, with a ventilated mesh opening onto the internal patio to help keep food cool before refrigeration."

Flexibility was one of the briefing's keywords. The apartment owners, a creative couple, desired a space that could easily respond to changing needs, functioning as a place to live, work, and host friends.

Thus, the resulting floor plan incorporated two bedrooms — one of which offers versatility as an office, guest room, or nursery — with two ensuite bathrooms, a kitchen with a movable island, and a living area.

Befittingly, the latter faces the street, embracing the natural light that comes through the balconies, while the bedrooms are placed around the internal patio to benefit from a quieter, darker environment that encourages rest.

"Not every space needs to feel the same. What matters to us is the procession between rooms, the sequence of moving from one to the next, because it's the contrast that does the work: brightness only reads as bright next to something darker," say the Archive for Space co-founders.

To ensure cohesion, a sense of repetition connects the spaces throughout. The designers played with color, settling on pale yellow for walls and ceilings and mimicking Spanish sunlight throughout the apartment.

Textural accents begin in the shape of draped linen curtains by the balconies' windows and evolve into radiator covers, cabinet skirting, door window curtains, or textile dividers dividing the bedroom and en-suite bathroom. Meanwhile, darker accents appear as black Ceramic Connection tiles in the bathroom or the black-painted kitchen ceiling.

Sitting at the heart of the apartment, the kitchen encapsulates many of its central ideas. On one hand, it bridges the public and the private through the interplay of light and shadow. On the other, its aforementioned black ceiling surprises in its intimacy, making the room feel unexpectedly cocooning.

Echoes of vernacular Spanish housing are made evident in the de obra kitchen, with a built-in construction, and the plastered walls, offset by the ultracontemporary stainless steel surfaces.

Contrasting materials are another one of the project's core principles. This revealed itself organically to the designers as they stumbled on the apartment's original terracotta tiles, which were buried underneath previous interventions.

"That was one of those moments where the building tells you what it wants to be," the duo share of their unveiling. They restored them, and a guiding principle of marrying old and new was established.

That's how elements including plaster cornicing, ceiling medallions, and timber shutters came to be preserved. The use of darker materials, the modern accents in stainless steel, and a choice of playful furnishings invite a lived-in, spontaneous counterpoint.

Along the way, solutions became awakenings, such as the stained glass window that connects the kitchen to one of the bedrooms, or the curtains that act as room dividers: "we wanted the apartment to feel slightly provocative at times; poetic, familiar, and comfortable, but with moments that feel edgier and a little unexpected," the designers explain, adding that they kept referring to it as "a grandmother in latex."

For them, there isn't just humor to the project, but also a real affection for old Madrid apartments and the lives already embedded within them. This affection extends and is intrinsic to the apartment's location, in the central neighborhood of Malasaña.

Alongside traditional architecture, a longstanding creative tradition permeates its streets, where a jovial ambience ripples through creative studios, independent shops, and long-standing bars: "it's not overly polished, and that's part of its charm."

Naturalness is behind the furniture choices. Adolf Loos inspired serene elements: note a Beliani sofa and Nordic Knots rug in the living room, alongside a classic wooden dining set, as well as the light textiles across curtains and bedspreads.

They cohabit alongside disruptive pieces, from a stainless-steel coffee table by The Good Living and a metal floor lamp by Six Dots, red lacquered side tables by Colin King for Zara Home in the main bedroom, or the metal Corston hardware in the restored doors.

A vintage floral chair found in Pamono introduces a quirky surprise in the living room, in conversation with a vintage floral wall hanging that acts as a headboard, or a second floral stool in the guest bedroom.

"I think interiors should have moments that don't take themselves too seriously," explain the designers. "Humor also makes a home feel more human. We wanted the apartment to feel collected rather than curated. Sometimes it's those slightly unusual moments that become the ones people remember."

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Anyone living in a small space knows the value of every last square inch. But compact living doesn't always have to mean compromise. Coffee tables can conceal storage, sofas unfold into beds, and dining tables moonlight as desks. One challenge I still haven't quite solved, however, is having enough seating for guests without permanently cluttering my living room — but IKEA's new KOMPISHÄNG stools might be the answer.

As cities sprawl and house prices continue to climb, compact and shared living has become the reality for many twenty-somethings, particularly in cities like London. IKEA has taken note, launching a new 12-piece collection designed to make small-space living feel both stylish and sociable. Paired with some of the most versatile existing IKEA products, the range celebrates portability while helping frequent movers create a home that's ready to host at a moment's notice. It's fitting, then, that KOMPISHÄNG literally translates as "hanging out with friends".

The standout, for me, is this clever pair of stools. Sold as a set of two, they stack neatly together to halve their footprint when not in use. But the real design flourish lies in the rectangular legs, where discreet cut-outs allow one stool to perch securely atop the other, transforming the pair into a compact shelving display unit. Now that’s clever.

This is exactly the kind of ingenious multifunctionality the Swedish giant has built its reputation on, proving that, in compact homes, every piece of furniture can, and should, earn its place.

The 12-piece KOMPISHÄNG collection was designed specifically with small-space living in mind. Other highlights include a lacquered pine desk with matching green legs that clicks together in just two steps, and a foldaway side table designed to be slung over your arm for easy transport. Throughout, the emphasis is on furniture that's pared-back in appearance but packed with purpose, making it particularly appealing for studio apartments and compact living rooms.

There's a reason the range feels so well judged. Rather than designing for small homes from afar, IKEA's team actually visited the homes of 20- to 28-year-olds living in central London (a demographic I know all too well) and embedded two recent industrial design graduates into the project team. The KOMPISHÄNG stools were designed by 28-year-old Swedish intern Lukas Albrektsson, and that clever ability to transform from stackable seating into a display shelf is the kind of thoughtful detail that elevates them from another pair of stools into something genuinely multifunctional.

Shop Stylish Alternatives

Small spaces don’t have to be limiting — in fact, as these small space trends prove, they are brimming with potential. It’s just about finding multifunctional hero products like IKEA’s KOMPISHÄNG stools that work hard and look good while doing it.

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I was recently invited to preview Dunelm's upcoming A/W collection, and when it came to the tableware collection, there was one particular style that caught my eye. It was the Salvage Enamel Serve Bowl, which instantly reminded me of a piece from TOAST that I have at home, thanks to its splattered design and green-y yellow color. Except, instead of being £36, it was £7.

Livingetc has written about the 'splatterware' trend before, about how its rise might have something to do with the return to the polka dot, but done in a more creative, hand-made kind of way. I also think it draws parallels to marbleized patterns, how each is completely unique, imperfect — things we're craving in our homes right now.

Combine the design with enamel, a highly durable metal material that's coated in a glossy layer of melted powdered glass, and you've got yourself near breakable dinnerware. And for just £7, to boot.

Dunelm's design measures 24.9cm around, so it's a fairly comparable size to TOAST's platter, which is 21.5cm wide and 31cm long. The color is also very, very similar (and I can attest to it being a beautiful yellow-y olive). The only real difference is the size of the splatters (which I must admit, I do prefer the scale of TOAST's), and, of course, the price.

While I once considered enamelware to be something you'd only ever use while camping, I've really come around to it in recent years. I even own a Falcon Enamelware set that includes a colander, mixing bowls, and small dishes. It's a classic style — white with a blue rim — and while it may earn some bumps and dings over the years, there's something very rustic-French-country-chic about it.

And after a bit of searching, you can find this splattered enamelware from loads of places, including M&S and Habitat, too. I could easily see a few different styles mixed on a table or in your kitchen. Here are a few of my other favorite designs.

If you're on the hunt for some new dinnerware, but aren't quite sure what style to buy, why not reach out to our Design Lab by Livingetc stylists, who will help source something specifically for you (for free!)

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Analisse Taft-Gersten has adeptly navigated the design world for decades. While her innate sense of style and flair for finding covetable objects and refined materials are a key part of her success, it is her warmth and drive that have turned ALT for Living — her brand, with showrooms that cover both US coasts — into a premier destination for sourcing fabrics, rugs, wallpapers and more.

For her own modern home, which she shares with her husband, hospitality consultant James Gersten, and their two labradoodles, Analisse applied the same skills and creativity that define every project by her newest venture, The 1818 Collective.

Unlike most renos, which aim to create a larger footprint, the starting point for this very personal project was the opposite. As they were transitioning into empty nesters, the couple felt it was a good time to downsize.

They decided to make their beloved holiday home — a 1950s shingle-clad cottage, located in the charming fishing town of Sag Harbor in the Hamptons — into their main residence.

"When we decided to move here permanently, it was not a house that felt like a full-time residence," remembers Analisse, who launched furniture and interior design company The 1818 Collective with her co-founder Kristin Fine around four years ago. "We ripped it down to the stud walls, added a small extension, and completely gutted and made a new main bathroom, among other changes.

"It was almost like a ground-up project; we kept the exterior walls where they were — except for the extension — but we punched out all the windows. We didn’t anticipate doing so much work, but as the project evolved, it got more exciting."

Preserving the home’s original character was paramount, while optimizing every inch to ensure there was enough space to feel comfortable for everyday life. "We designed it almost like a boat," says Analisse.

That meant bespoke storage mimicking the look of furniture, and cupboards — some smartly tucked into the basement for rotating the couple’s wardrobe between seasons — integrated throughout the home, keeping it functional and clutter-free.

"I learned a lot about space and scale in interior design, and now I’ll be able to use that more when designing for my clients," says Analisse. "We all collect all sorts of things in our lives, but sometimes when you let go, you really elevate a home."

Analisse wanted to create the mood and look of a Swedish cottage and achieved this through a few subtle choices: her design returned all the rough-cut wood to the walls in the living room, keeping the ceilings exposed.

She used beautifully veined natural stone in the bathrooms and kitchen, and opted for brass fixtures and heavy iron door hinges for her detailed finishes. The soothing tonal palette of soft neutrals is complemented by just a few hints of color.

While Analisse admits the revamp had an unexpected challenge — "When I design for myself, I question almost everything entirely, so it was a little bit more of a nervous process compared to designing for a client" — the outcome is very much a personal success. "It is our sweet little jewel box where we exhale after a day of work," she says. "It is a simple house; to the point."

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There's no sweeter pleasure than finding a simple, affordable switch that has the power to effortlessly elevate your space. A new handle on an old cabinet or a fresh lick of paint over a worn-out entryway — it's those little changes that can make all the difference. And this Cone-Shaped Lampshade recently launched at H&M is a perfect example of that.

This shade is one of the chicest options I've seen in a while. The striking, pointed tip, combined with the soft, neutral fabric, makes for an effortlessly elegant effect that looks thoroughly designer-worthy. And at less than £30, you'll struggle to find much better than this. Despite what you may think, there's no need for a complete lighting refurb when looking to switch up your lighting scheme.

Even the most haggard, well-used lamps can be brought back to life with a simple shade switch-up. The base tends to be the more expensive part, anyway, while the shade is what will show the signs of wear most clearly, so it only makes sense to hold on to the bases and say goodbye to the outdated, ripped lampshades you've had for years. It's an affordable way to shop for lighting, and it doesn't matter how old and used your base is, either; with a chic enough shade on top, any lamp can look like a million bucks.

Alternative Stylish Shades

The best thing about giving your lamps a well-deserved refresh? You can finally say goodbye to the dreaded big light and rely on your updated overhead lighting alternatives instead.

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"I was standing in a factory in China watching lots of cheap shoes going down a line, and I remember thinking, 'I don't want to be doing this,'" recalls Beth Swade of a pivotal moment in her 15-year career as a shoe designer.

Partly, the epiphany was about waste and over-production in the fashion industry — subjects, she says, that were rarely discussed in the early days of that journey, but became harder to ignore as time went on. But it was also about the changing nature of creative work.

"I studied fashion and did a lot of sewing, and when I first started working we did a lot of hand drawing," Swade says. "But over the years, it became increasingly digital, and maquettes never went down as well as shiny renders. I could feel everything going in a direction that wasn't natural to me."

What did feel natural was making. Swade took a five-day upholstery course, reduced her hours at work, completed a diploma, and eventually left her corporate design job to set up a sustainable upholstery business in North London.

Nearly five years later, she earns less than she once did, and has had to contend with the less romantic logistics of running a business, yet she is happier and less stressed. "Sometimes when I'm sitting here sewing, I can't believe I'm getting paid for this," Swade says.

Swade is not alone in feeling disillusioned with the seemingly inexorable drift of creative work into the digital realm. In a recent Instagram post, former fashion journalist Katherine Ormerod described her own career pivot: retraining in construction skills.

"The creativity and artistry that goes into brick or carpentry is no different from any other handcraft," she wrote. "Whether it's gender or class, prejudice or facilities, there are endless hurdles to get more girls on site. But when it comes to actual work? It is just such good fun."

The post elicited hundreds of responses, many from women, expressing a yearning for a more hands-on way of working — and for the satisfaction that comes from making something tangible.

Daniel Charny, professor of design at Kingston School of Art, isn't surprised. "There are a lot of creative people who are good at problem-solving sitting in front of screens, saying, 'I love making, and I'm not getting to do it,'" he says. "They miss the agency, the activity, the connection between thought and action, the visible progress as you make."

In 2012, Charny founded what began as a micro-volunteering scheme connecting people with a problem-solving mindset to opportunities to fix things locally. It has since evolved into Fixperts, an education program embedded in over 50 higher education institutions across 25 countries.

For Charny, the project emerged from a concern about our rapid disconnection from making. "Many people haven't seen their parents or even grandparents make or repair," he says.

That has consequences. In universities, Charny says, students can design complex forms digitally without knowing how to make them in real life. Teachers, meanwhile, report declining manual abilities among children, including difficulty using scissors and handwriting. "With dexterity levels dropping this way," Charny asks, "what does it mean if someone wants to study to be a surgeon, or even make their own food?"

There are signs that things are changing.

From the right to repair movement — an ongoing global campaign that demands that products be designed for repair and that manufacturers support independent repairers and consumers with spare parts, tools, and diagnostics to extend their life further — to the popularity of pottery classes and YouTube dressmaking and mending tutorials, many people are seeking a more direct relationship with the material world.

In a culture where digitization often flattens aesthetics and dematerializes experiences, using our hands can become a way to express ourselves and take ownership of our surroundings.

At its heart, making is about agency — about taking an active role in shaping your world and therefore caring for yourself, your environment, your home, and the people around you, rather than seeing it all as an interface that sits at arm's length.

Artist Farwa Moledina was motivated by many of these things when renovating her home in Birmingham. "I love color, pattern, and texture, and would have loved a period property, but what we could afford was a new build, which had bare white walls and boxy rooms," she says.

Over the past seven years, she and her husband have undertaken an ambitious DIY project, learning as they went. For Moledina, who grew up in Dubai, and her husband, who grew up in Tanzania, the work was about making a space that felt genuinely theirs.

"My parents and friends always gather here," she says. "It's not a massive house, but having spaces designed thoughtfully to the best of your ability makes a difference."

Her confidence came partly from her existing relationship with handwork. Moledina's art often incorporates textiles, and she grew up in a family of women who crocheted and knitted. That background gave her a willingness to experiment.

"I know that, if something goes wrong — say, with paint or wallpaper — it's almost always fixable," she says.

Some interventions were simple: tile-effect wallpaper used as a kitchen splashback, basic cabinets transformed with paint and brass handles. Others were more involved, including a built-in wardrobe under a sloped ceiling, made by customizing standard units.

When one cut went wrong, she and her husband repaired rather than replaced it — cutting a slice out of the offcut, then gluing, filling, sanding, and painting the area. These are the deeper lessons of such endeavors: a tolerance of mistakes and the patience to try again.

For designer Ana Bridgewater, making her own home was a way of rebuilding after personal upheaval. She started out in graphic design, branding, and coding, and later turned toward ceramics and art, creating lighting, jewelry, and sculptural objects in porcelain, wood, and other materials.

When, following two dramatic events that reshaped her life, Bridgewater bought a house of her own, she embraced its renovation as "a laboratory": a place where both she and her practice could evolve.

The previous owner had stripped out many of its original features — "there was plastic everywhere," the designer says — but Bridgewater saw it as a blank canvas. Rather than handing the project wholesale to a builder, she used her understanding of materials to break the work down, finding specialists for specific tasks and experimenting herself.

"I knew, for example, that once concrete is cured it can be treated in a similar way to porcelain, so I needed someone to pour the raw material and sand it," Bridgewater says.

The house is now a home and studio, as well as a testing ground for her work — she has designed and installed her own lighting features in the space. For her, making is also a form of therapy.

"Working with clay, for example, is instinctive and direct — you put your fingers on it, and straight away you are physically envisioning your interior life and how you feel. It makes you focus and be in the moment, rather than overthinking — or it's never going to work."

There is a risk of romanticizing manual work from a safe distance. Connor Pearce, who is currently completing his architectural training at London- and Liverpool-based practice Turner.Works, understands both sides of the argument.

His father was a carpenter, and from a young age Pearce worked with him during weekends and holidays. He studied carpentry and project management before turning toward architecture after seeing the toll that construction work took on his father's body. "It was evident to me that you can't do this for the rest of your life without a physical downside," Pearce says.

He continued to work on construction sites during university holidays, though, and now values hands-on work as a counterpoint to desk-based architectural practice. "Often I sit at my chair all day and think, 'humans haven't evolved to be like this,'" Pearce says. "When using your hands, you definitely feel like you're using a different part of your brain."

He has found that making skills are an advantage in architecture, and believes they will give him the ability to adapt to a changing world — in which the skills that AI can't replace will be valuable. "My USP is that I can actually build things," Pearce says.

His background in carpentry gives him a greater understanding of joints, connections, materials, and waste, and the ability to research ideas in practice. He eventually wants to develop properties himself, from design to build. Pearce has also been making furniture as an antidote to the slow pace of architecture. "It's validating to see things from conception to reality in a quick timescale," he says.

At the same time, the training architect is wary of the current glamourization of craft. "For many people I grew up with, hands-on jobs felt like the only thing you could earn money from if you didn't have enough education for anything else," Pearce says. Manual work can be satisfying, but it can also damage bodies and expose workers to risks that are often ignored by those who see it as a lifestyle choice.

The point isn't that either type of work is more worthy than the other, but that the way we value them — and therefore the people who do them — has been shaped by deeply rooted social norms and prejudices.

"Making is often seen as not an intellectual activity," says Charny. "But material intelligence, a combination of problem-solving and self-expression, is one of humanity's most precious resources, and it is critical to our future."

While the growth of artificial intelligence represents a shift in how we work, could it also prompt a re-evaluation of the skills that matter and, therefore, the extent to which we respect them?

There are hints that this is happening. Pearce believes manual skills are becoming more valued in architecture, while Swade has noticed that people are increasingly averse to throwing away objects and willing to pay more for repair.

For architecture historian Neal Shasore, this is vital for restoring humanity back into a built environment that has become increasingly synthetic and distant from craft.

"We need a cultural shift that says, 'this is what life is about' — we are connected through space and time to other people, to other places, and that's innate to what it is to be human," he says. "People want to feel that there's meaning in the places that they occupy, particularly their homes."

He is working to establish a new educational institution that connects architecture back to craft — a link that has been hard to sustain because of the comparative cost of employing people over mechanizing processes.

The irony is that what people value most are older buildings that have traces of human intention. "Ultimately we have to shift our conception of value, from the short term — primarily in terms of money and a quick appreciation on capital — to meaningful long-term value," Shasore says.

This is, of course, a bigger cultural shift than any one craftsperson can make. But it's one we all have some power over — even if you don't leave your desk job to take up a craft, you can support others who do make: whether by buying a handmade dining table or commissioning a plasterer for your home.

"We're all part of a supply chain and can create opportunity for makers, even though modest choices," Shasore says. "It may take a bit longer to find, but you'll reap the reward forever."

Keep an eye out for more The Meaning of Home long reads on our lifestyle pages, and don't forget to subscribe to the Livingetc newsletter to stay ahead of the curve with weekly updates on the latest design, retail, and hospitality launches.

I've spent much of the past couple of months on the road, which seems to happen every year despite the fact that summer is my favorite season in New York. Plenty of New Yorkers can't wait to escape — it's simply too hot, they'd rather be at the beach — and they certainly can't resist talking about the weather. Perhaps that's why several of the things that caught my eye this month involved heating and cooling systems.

That became something of a theme for this column. Time and again, it was the seemingly mundane objects that seemed most fascinating: basic white kitchen bowls, ergonomic office chairs, even a radiator cover. But seen through a design lens, these everyday objects become anything but ordinary.

The most interesting design news isn't always what you'd expect, and that's exactly what held my attention this month. Here's what's been on my mind for this month's Design Diary.

EXHIBIT A — Park Avenue Armory

I can’t not talk about the bowls. Currently swirling around three pools at the Park Avenue Armory are hundreds of white porcelain bowls, sourced from the likes of IKEA and ASA Selection. They are part of Clinamen, an exhibition by French sound artist Céleste Boursier-Mougenot, and my top recommendation this summer (though the program runs through August 2).

Within each bright blue pool, the water circulates hundreds of these basic kitchen bowls. While they all exist in the same current, they scatter in seemingly aimless directions before clinking and clunking into one another, the sounds echoing throughout the cavernous space. The loose idea is to challenge the very notion of composed music through chance and discordant sound — and, satisfyingly, the result is an almost meditative soundtrack.

There are plenty of interpretations here that I’ll leave to the art critics. But for those of us in the interiors world, it’s a delight to see an artist reaching into the kitchen cabinet for their medium. It’s a reminder that even the most ordinary domestic object can become something unexpectedly extraordinary.

COLLAB WATCH — THUMA x BUCHANAN STUDIO

I’m an unapologetic fan of color and pattern, and I’ll admit that neutrals — or minimalism in general — are concepts I appreciate from a distance. And so I was excited to see that Thuma, a mostly minimalist furniture company, has gone in a colorful new direction for their collaboration with London's maximalist-minded Buchanan Studio.

The collection, their first-ever collaboration, is a series of beds and pillows dressed in Buchanan’s signature graphic stripes and a soft palette of pinks, greens, and browns. It might not be radical for most brands. But for Thuma, a brand that’s remained faithful to a restrained palette (neutrals, wood, and solids) since launching in 2018, it’s a colorful foray.

I don’t think we’re going to see leopard print from Thuma anytime soon. But the bold stripes and soft colors are well-behaved enough to feel at home within Thuma's minimalist aesthetic, and it’s a reminder that minimalism can still be expressed with a little color and pattern.

DESIGN DROP — AERON CHAIR

The news at a recent gathering inside Herman Miller's New York headquarters was the debut of two new colorways for the iconic Aeron chair. But the story I found most intriguing was actually rather old news. As we spoke about the chair's evolution, we stumbled onto the year 2001, when the Aeron chair was collateral damage of the Enron scandal; after images circulated of employees wheeling their black office chairs out of the bankrupt building, the iconic chair was swept up in chaos as all things Enron became symbols of corporate excess.

Herman Miller quietly put planned developments for the chair on pause as they waited out the storm. Years later, the company brought the chair back into the limelight, and associations with the scandal are now mostly forgotten. It's a reminder that all press isn't great press — we're lucky the chair outmaneuvered the situation, especially since it's become one of the more beloved pieces of American-made office furniture around (not to mention one that has redefined ergonomic seating, like being the first to use mesh suspension).

Back to the reason we all gathered in the first place: new colors, their first in a decade. They include Jasper, a deep green, and Nightfall, a deeper blue, two colors that blur the line between corporate and home office aesthetics. They're not the types of colors we would have seen in most corporate offices decades ago, even many today. But for an innocent office chair that once risked being lost to history, the future is looking considerably more colorful.

STYLE NOTE — Makrosha

Quite the reverse is happening over at the refashioned showroom for textile designer Makrosha, which is dipping into solids for the first time. But just a toe: founder Esha Ahmed hasn't abandoned the florals and richly patterned textiles that have made the studio a rising favorite among designers.

Ahmed worked with interior designer Tara McCauley, whose work is deeply informed by antiques and heritage craft, to reimagine the interiors. There's plenty to adore in the new space: an entry draped like a tent in the brand's Meena silk stripe, and a shimmering silver wallpaper that helps bounce light around the sample room.

But my favorite detail is one I almost missed. To level up an unsightly radiator, McCauley and Ahmed collaborated with designer Maria Laura Camejo, represented by Mexico City's Concordia Studio, on perforated panels that evoke lace. It's a delicate touch for a hardworking feature, not to mention a clever nod to the world of textiles. There are plenty of ways to make a radiator look good, but even still, it's not often that my eye wanders to the HVAC — and even less often that I find something worth looking at!

ON MY RADAR — QUILT

I’m not built for the heat. Which is why, at a candlelit dinner hosted by the Brownstone Boys — who’ve just opened their first studio in a carriage house in Clinton Hill — I found myself drawn, once again, to the HVAC system. The garage door stood completely open to the warm evening air, and a dramatically long table (two expandable Transformer Table units at twelve feet each, to be exact) stretched through the center of the studio. As I walked in, I immediately started wondering how they planned to keep upwards of 40 dinner guests comfortable.

The answer came in the form of two ductless units by Quilt mounted high on the brick walls. With warm wooden fronts, they were surprisingly slim and beautiful — and remarkably effective. Even with the doors open all evening, the studio stayed cool all evening.

The brand, built by ex-Google engineers, is fully electric, and the idea brings both efficiency and aesthetics to one of the least glamorous systems in the home. The wooden covers are interchangeable (the Brownstone Boys planned to let guests graffiti them at an upcoming stoop sale), and an integrated light gives the units a second function. I left full, and with a newfound appreciation for air conditioning.

Practical design choices are notoriously not always the most fashionable, especially when it comes to garden lighting. Sometimes you literally just need to add some illumination to your outdoor space, sans fancy table lamps and lanterns. But that doesn't mean practical lighting can't also look good — good design is not something we stylish individuals are willing to compromise on. Which is exactly why this rechargeable outdoor stake light by Frandsen feels like a garden godsend.

Solar path lights seem to always come in a rather bland variety. The design is typically meant to be hidden, providing light without adding to the overall scheme. But that's exactly where this stake light from Frandsen changes the game. The curved design feels elevated, thoughtful, and somewhat fashionable. It practically illuminates a garden path, and it looks good while doing it. Plus, it's rechargeable (fully charged after 5-6 hours), so you don't need to worry about tricking wiring. Sounds good, right?

So all of this to say, I think this might be the perfect lighting solution for anyone looking to upgrade their outdoor stake lights. It's an intentional piece that becomes a stylish member of a larger layered scheme. Now all that's left is deciding between the chic matte black or the shiny silver or gold.

Let there be no mistake: in the world of garden lighting, this is a rather large and pricier stake light. It stands at 82 centimeters tall and comes with a £179-249 price tag. So while you could grab a few to line your garden path in its entirety, I think it would also make a fashionable statement as a stand-alone piece. Position it at the beginning of a path, outdoor stair, or in a planter pot so it becomes part of a layered outdoor lighting scheme.

Ambient lighting in your garden helps highlight different levels of foliage and can even make your space look bigger when angled and positioned correctly. A few rechargeable stake lights paired with outdoor sconce lighting and a portable lamp here and there is a combination that brings you closer to that luxurious outdoor living aesthetic. So, take this as your sign to invest in stylish, practical pieces that add to your scheme rather than just serve a functional purpose.

Below are a few more stylish stake light options in a range of designs and prices.

A light that relies solely on function can read as flat or boring in an otherwise curated garden space — and no one wants outdoor lighting that makes your garden look cheap. A thoughtful stake light promotes both form and function.

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It wasn't love at first sight for interior designer Travis London. In fact, he quite hated the look of the construction plans for the home his boyfriend, Bruce Patrick, found in Miami. Travis, you see, favors historic townhouses, while the proposed home was a boxy modern build. Nevertheless, Bruce insisted it had potential; plus, he promised, Travis could do whatever he wanted with it.

One leap of faith later, the house was theirs. The couple summered in Europe during construction, where Bruce officially proposed. As newly minted fiancés, they travelled from Milan to Carrara, sourcing furniture and materials for their future home, and later staged an all-white wedding against its unfinished ‘white box' shell. What then followed — maximalist, colorful, emphatically expressive — is a modern home shaped by unconditional love.

Those feelings first revealed themselves through the choice of pink paint. Early on, Travis worried whether his favorite color was too much, but Bruce encouraged him to trust himself, and pink proved triumphant in the double-height entryway, where Venetian plaster sweeps across the walls and ceilings and carries through into the living room and kitchen.

Pink pivots to blue — a hue Bruce favors — down a whimsical hallway with a wood-veneer wallcovering and mirrored ceiling designed to make it feel like you're Alice chasing the White Rabbit down to Wonderland.

The entrance is just the beginning. Travis didn't play it safe in this house, yet the home's greatest luxury, he says, has little to do with Carrara marble or collectible furniture: "It's having a safe place to fully be seen and fully be yourself."

Confident expression is contagious and Travis pushed the boundaries of others, too. Inspired by a painting he saw at Sotheby's, he asked artist Katrien Van Der Schueren to create an artwork for the entrance's upper walls.

She mainly worked in neutrals before — the result, titled New Beginnings, a nod to Travis and Bruce's relationship, was her first foray into color.

As a former celebrity chef, the kitchen is Travis London's most personal space. He didn't want it to look like a kitchen, so he set the burners beneath stone (thanks to a product he found in Italy), making them invisible.

The worktops and splashbacks are in pink onyx, naturally, and to reduce the visual weight of floor-to-ceiling storage, he commissioned ebonised glass fronts for the upper cabinets — with their checkerboard pattern, they read more like a decorative border. Other colorful references pop up throughout the home.

Like in any relationship, there were disagreements as the project unfolded. During their trip to Carrara, Travis ventured out on his own and purchased a block of red travertine for the main bath. Bruce was not pleased — red was his least favourite color. "Bruce said, 'I just want you to know I will always hate this bathroom,'" recalls Travis.

But when the travertine was installed, carved into a sculptural tub and lining the walls, there was a change of heart. "I should have recorded it," beams Travis. "Bruce said, 'This is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.'"

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If there's one conviction that defines the work and vision of designer, curator, and collector Brigitta Spinocchia Freund, it is the belief that no object is ever just an object, but an unassuming portal into its owner's life. An organically shaped vase bearing the imprint of its maker all over its unruly surface; an imposing, framed photograph of a palatial residence that feels just a little too large for the wall it's hung on, as if striving to imbue the corridor it appears in with that same sense of regal grandeur; a squiggly, carved-wood coffee table that, placed in an otherwise linear, glamorous interior, appears to have fallen into the living room from some place else.

These furniture pieces don't just stand out to the eye for their appearance — what they reveal at first glance — but for the emotional value that's trapped in them; the anecdotes, relationships, and long-standing connections that have made it possible for them to land between those walls. The residential, hospitality, and development projects of the London-based interior designer's namesake multidisciplinary studio are environments that ask questions and demand closer attention rather than providing immediate answers. That's largely what makes them so captivating, and what she suggests you should be aiming for in your own home — to create a space that knows and says more about you than anything or anyone else.

How? By making the right conversations their foundation.

What Are the Interiors You're Most Drawn to?

"I love interiors that have meaning. For me, that comes from filling a home with pieces chosen because they matter to the people who live there.

"It might be an inherited chair that's been reupholstered, a favorite painting bought years ago, or a ceramic discovered on holiday and carefully carried home in a suitcase. These are the pieces that make a home feel individual because they reflect the lives and interests of the people who live there.

"That's also why I've always been drawn to collectible furniture. I'm interested in the thought behind a piece, the skill of the maker, and the care that goes into making it.

"I enjoy bringing those pieces together with older furniture, whether that's a Max McLintock table, Pierre Jeanneret chairs, a 1930s credenza, contemporary ceramics by a London maker, or objects that have already been part of someone's life. Every object contributes something different, and together they create interiors that couldn't belong to anyone else."

How Does Your Studio, Spinocchia Freund, Approach a New Project?

"We always begin by understanding our clients and the pieces that already mean something to them. We talk about how they live, how they entertain, what they collect, and the objects they would never part with. Those conversations shape every decision that follows.

"I think it's an approach that anyone can adopt, whatever their budget. Start with one piece that you'll enjoy living with for years to come. It could be a vintage side table, a handmade ceramic from a local maker, or a painting from a nearby gallery. Once you've chosen something you really love, it becomes much easier to build the room around it."

How Can Getting Into a 'Collecting Mindset' Help People Shape Truly Unique Homes?

"Collectible design is sometimes seen as something that's reserved for galleries or collectors, but I think there's another way of looking at it. Collecting can begin with a single object that catches your eye and continues one piece at a time.

"Supporting independent makers, visiting antiques fairs, or discovering an emerging artist can all become part of that process. Before long, you've created a home that's completely your own.

"This approach informed our work on The Collector's House at Chelsea Barracks. Throughout the house, furniture by emerging makers is positioned alongside pieces by iconic makers, commissioned artworks, and handcrafted objects.

"Each piece was chosen because it contributes something to the overall composition, while also having a strength and identity of its own. The result is a home that feels rich, personal, and full of interest."

What's the Most Rewarding Aspect of This Creative Process?

"One of the things I enjoy most is introducing clients to artists, designers, and makers whose work they would not have discovered otherwise. This can be the beginning of a new and rewarding chapter for us both, as a collection continues to grow long after a project has finished.

"I also love creating collections within a home. It might be a group of vintage mirrors gathered on a wall, a shelf of ceramics collected over many years, or an antique textile cushion.

"These collections can keep growing as new pieces are discovered, allowing a home to change naturally over time. For me, that's what makes an interior feel personal. It's a reflection of the people who live there, and that's something that never goes out of style."

If reading about Spinocchia Freund's person-specific interior curations ignited your curiosity for all things collecting, our guide to how to thrift like a vintage furniture dealer might make a natural read-next.

For an ever more detailed breakdown of what it takes to run an ever-evolving homeware emporium, revisit our Setting Up Shop interview with Spazio Leone's founder, Gennaro Leone, or dive into our recent report on London's hottest new design destinations (spoiler: they look like... homes?).

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Nothing's better than a good refresh that transforms an old piece into something with personality. I've seen Bemz sofa covers around for a few years now — chic slips that fit over stock IKEA pieces and make them look custom. And they've been on my wish list ever since. It's the kind of design that makes you want to buy the IKEA sofa just so that you can dress it in a Bemz sofa cover (and warning: they are considerably more expensive than IKEA).

To make a good thing even better, Bemz recently released its new Past Forward collection, an even more elevated range of sofa covers featuring dramatic draping, soft seasonal colors, and prints that blend trendy style with timeless design. If I wasn't obsessed before, I most definitely am now. The entire range feels like a blend of Bronte-inspired interiors and silhouettes you'd find in your most fashionable friend's home. But the showstopper of the collection is without a doubt the 'Atelier Fit' cover. It's a relatively simple style, but punctuated by elegantly draped arms that pool onto the floor — it's romantic, it's chic, and it's definitely a conversation piece.

Priced at around £700, these sofa covers require intention. However, what you're paying for is the look of a custom sofa for a fraction of the price (even considering the price of the IKEA sofa, too). It also makes your sofa endlessly interesting — and in that way, I can argue that it quickly pays for itself.

Interior design trends are pushing our homes to embrace characterful pieces. Incorporating designs that blend boldness and lived-in personality is the ultimate sign of a well-decorated space. And I'd argue that this sofa cover range embraces this ethos tenfold. An abstract cow-print? A touch of dramatic drapery? Butter yellows and soft blues? Polka dots? The hardest part of shopping this collection is deciding which cover to land on.

That, and knowing which IKEA products fit under the range. The most common IKEA pieces that are Bemz cover-friendly are the EKTORP armchairs and sofas, the Söderhamn series, the Stockholm 2025 sofa, and the Ekenäset armchair. Each of these styles (plus several more IKEA pieces) works with the new Past Forward collection and over 100 other fabric types and colors. So, once you have your seating selected, the options for Bemz covers are seemingly endless.

When it comes to brands that customize IKEA furniture, no one is doing it quite like Bemz. Why let basic furniture take up space in your home when you can invest in covers like these that instantly make the space feel designer?

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I'm at that stage in my life where I consciously consider the very material I lay my head on every night. I want something that feels soft, looks good, and silently contributes to my quality of sleep. And while classic silk has been my go-to for a long time now, I just discovered this Copper Infused Silk Pillowcase from Copper North.

The silk on these pillowcases is flooded with microscopic copper particles that transfer onto your skin while you snooze. And since copper supports collagen production, it naturally reduces fine lines and offers your head a soft, skin-friendly landing to sleep better.

And if Copper North's five-star pillowcases are sold out by the time you're here, I've included some stylish alternatives to shop.

Lately, I'm full of good sleep recommendations. And another sell-out bedding launch that's in my mind rent-free is the M&S 'Stay Cool' duvet set.

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Dear Caitlin,

Inspired by your brief, I have curated your personalised edit of barbecues and outdoor ovens, keeping your preferred mid-century modern, industrial, and modern styles in mind while staying within your budget.

There are so many great outdoor cooking options available, from compact grills to fully equipped outdoor kitchen setups, so I've included a variety of designs to suit different spaces and ways of entertaining. Alongside the barbecues, I've also added a couple of pizza ovens, as they're a brilliant addition if you enjoy hosting outdoors and want something a little more versatile.

If you'd like a little more support pulling everything together, take a look at Style, our room design service at Design Lab By Livingetc. We'd have a 45-minute one-to-one call to discuss your space, and afterwards I'd put together a full moodboard for your garden, along with tailored product recommendations and a clear design direction.

I hope you enjoy exploring your curated edit, and I'd love to hear which pieces you feel most drawn to.

Best wishes,

Iokasti

Outdoor Oven

Pizza Oven

For Livingetc's first-ever House of the Year, London-based studio A New Day’s project in Highgate was a unanimous winner. On judging day, I was immediately drawn to the colors; Sarah Spiteri noticed how well zoned, and therefore how good for families it was; while Emma Breislin and Hugh Metcalf were both impressed by various details, such as the beaten metal edging of the desk in the entryway and the way the wasabi granite was painstakingly cut around the power outlets in the kitchen backsplash.

In short, not only is this house absolutely bursting with ideas (already making it the perfect Livingetc home), but it’s also an incredibly well-considered space made specifically so that its family could easily live the lives they wanted to lead.

"This project came about during a real shift in the lives of the owners," says studio founder Andrew Jonathan Griffiths. "The kids were starting secondary school, starting to be more independently sociable, bringing groups of friends back. So the parents wanted spaces they could all have to themselves, and others they could all come together in, and some where they could be semi-separated. There needed to be lots of pockets of space where people could go off and do their own things."

Here, he talks through the modern home in his own words.

Entryway

A three-storey Arts and Crafts house in Highgate, north London. The ground level has a bootroom, living room, open-plan kitchen and snug, dining area, and powder room. On the first floor there is a main suite with two kids’ bedrooms and bathrooms, and on the top floor is a guest bedroom and multi-functional 'house within a house’ that the owners use as workspace.

Andrew's design for the entryway is a strong start. This type of building typically comes with large foyers, with owners often stumped for what to do with them. And the area to the side of the front door would have been dead space — or a coat and shoe dumping ground — if Andrew hadn’t added a desk. "It’s where the owner perches for half an hour to do emails — the view out is lovely," he says of his built-in design that features a delicious hammered metal edge.

Meanwhile, the family didn't love the classic Arts and Crafts staircase, but it was part of the history of the building, and everyone felt it should be respected. So Andrew decided to enliven it with a truly beautiful custom ombre carpet.

Kitchen

"The wasabi granite used for the backsplash has so much movement and complexity and drama but isn’t shouty," Andrew says. ‘It links well to the greenery of the garden outside." Installing it so that the cut-out holes for the power outlets sat perfectly was "difficult and time-consuming," but the effect is one in which every detail is elevated by the extra effort.

The green concrete tops of the island, a surprisingly soft and tactile choice, link to the garden views outside.

Dining/TV Area

The wood shelving is a very smart and functional piece of joinery between the kitchen and dining/TV area, cutting each room off, but not entirely. "It’s all very sociable and means kids can be together and only slightly supervised from the kitchen," Andrew says.

Not that the homeowners will always have teens to keep half an eye on. "We design with a long-term view so that piece of joinery needed to be softened so that it seemed more at one with the space," he says of his decision to go with rich walnut here, a material he felt would age better than oak.

Andrew says that shelves like this "live or die by what is on it. You want perfect vignettes rather than to over-fill, which if you do then you might as well have just had a wall."

Living Room

"This was originally a dining room which we shaved a bit off to create the boot room," Andrew says of this formal living room.

"The fireplace wasn’t there, and so we wanted that focal point of the fireplace to give it a center, to show that this was an adult space." The TV is hidden in the big gloss cupboard to the other side of the fireplace, making it a space that encourages conversation rather than idle screen-staring.

Main Bedroom

"I chose the colors to be warm and vibrant, a little bit sexy but not too grown up," Andrew says. "I wanted an element of playfulness."

In fact, the palette is just perfect. Warm, biscuit-y tones, some burgundies next to some plaster shades, rich woods and a sandy beige sofa — schemes don't come more contemporary and yet timeless. It's a wonderful blend of many of the colors we love right now, used judiciously and to their full advantage.

Dressing Room

More clever joinery, designed bespoke by A New Day, in the dressing room that adjoins the main bedroom. It is wrapped in terracotta, "because it's a flattering and heartening hue to be around," Andrew says.

And there is a nifty built-in vanity and a hanging mirror, which makes excellent use of otherwise dead space in front of the window.

Main Bathroom

Made from silver travertine, the countertop in the main bathroom is extra deep, a design choice Andrew made because the overall effect is one of the room feeling particularly luxe.

Guest Bathroom and Powder Room

Pairing these two spaces together — even though the powder room on the right is on the ground floor and the guest bathroom is upstairs — because their colors are so complementary. They're an example of how Andrew has created connections in the design scheme around the home, with colors reappearing in ways that link everything together.

They're also both examples of his incredible knack for getting the most from a tight floor plan. "The curves of the shower niche mimic the curves of the bath, and it was a way of sectioning a shower off from the tub without having to have a cubicle," Andrew says.

Meanwhile, the powder room is a real pop against the more neutral entryway leading up to it. "We wanted this space to feel fun and warm and be a moment in itself," Andrew says. "The green onyx sink is really unusual, shipped over from Canada."

Andrew’s thought process for this house is what we wanted to commend in awarding it our House of the Year. A commitment to durability, to making each space work hard and harmoniously, and for everything — no matter how functional — to be nothing but truly beautiful. The worthiest winner we could think of.

See all our Style Awards winners here.

Showcasing studio founder Irene Gunter’s trademark use of warm colors, clever storage, and ideas that make each space supremely liveable, this Grade II-listed apartment feels both personal and lived in. As with all Gunter and Co projects, there is a clever balance between on-trend ideas (stainless steel worktops in the kitchen) and aesthetic choices that will last for years, making an overall scheme that is truly timeless and well-crafted.

And when it came to sifting through the many entries for this year's House of the Year in Livingetc's Style Awards, this one leapt easily onto the very short shortlist. "Every space seems so layered, so interesting, so full of stories," says Livingetc's editor Pip Rich.

"The brief was simple: to reconfigure the interior flow so that it allowed the park views to sing," explains Irene, and here she takes you through the project in her own words.

Kitchen

"The use of different finishes brings richness, from marble and brass to the fluted panelling and glossy tiles in the kitchen and dining space cabinetry," Irene says. These sorts of details are what made the home stand out to our judges.

The original kitchen and dining room were one space, while a separate sitting room was poorly situated, overlooking neighboring buildings. "Our biggest structural intervention was to remove a partition wall between the kitchen and dining room and to then introduce some steel interior glazing," says George Gardner, who was lead designer on the project. "This created an open-plan, generous, and connected look across the three spaces, delivering a cohesive heart of the home and allowing the greenery of the park to be seen throughout."

A bespoke curved marble island acts as the centerpiece, balanced with the practicality of stainless-steel worktops, a material specifically requested by the clients, who had used it in their previous home. "It’s a pre-scratched stainless steel, so the patina is already built in. This, and the added benefit of a welded sink that is completely seamless, provides an effortless, stylish and not remotely industrial feel," says Irene.

Dining Room

Texture is all in this space, where curtains and tablecloths sweep the floor, alongside a fabric pendant light and upholstered dining chairs providing a sense of deep comfort.

"We were looking to find the balance between what’s classical and what’s modern," Irene says, of the romantic way the curtains and tablecloths pool on the floor (classical) and the scalloped silhouette of the chairs (modern).

An illuminated vitrine features zellige interior tiles in a vibrant red, in contrast with the pale pink cabinetry, adjacent to which "metal doors, in powder-coated green paint, provide a profile you might find in a 1910 Paris apartment," says Irene.

Living Room

The sweep of rooms across the apartment feels personal and lived-in; new pieces comfortably rubbing shoulders with a smattering of antiques. The color palette was inspired by the clients’ contemporary art collection and features blush pinks in the cabinetry and forest greens in the wall coverings, alongside grounding tones of warm timber and occasional pops of brightest red.

The overall effect is thoroughly modern, most noticeably so in the sitting room. Here, a large painting forms part of a sliding system across a TV and shelving unit, which spans an entire wall.

"We had to work around the size of the artwork to ensure the scale of the joinery perfectly complemented it," says George. This wondrous piece features travertine carved stone dividers between its shelves, which are essentially bookends that stand up beautifully to the design language required by such an elongated piece.

Study Area

One of the things that makes every Gunter & Co project so delicious is that every corner has been designed to function, but in the smartest and most beautiful way possible. At the edge of the living room is this charming little desk area, showcasing once again the red accents that enhance the whole space.

Warm pinkish wall tones complement the vibrancy of the artwork in this corner, where a bespoke desk by Gunter & Co brings a nod to vintage style.

Main bedroom and Guest Bathroom

The bedrooms are a masterclass in refined comfort, as Irene explains: "In the rooms without direct park views, such as the west-facing principal bedroom, which was not an exuberantly light-filled space, we decided on a cocooning environment, layering in plenty of crafted detailing, from textured wall coverings to leather-wrapped wall mouldings."

"This room took a lot of effort to get right," says George. "We repositioned the dressing door to allow for a more generous space, while the back wall has been panelled in a luxurious green fabric with leather verticals. The detailing is superb."

Detailing is rife elsewhere too, and you can see the guest bedroom reflected in the mirror of the guest bathroom. It is enveloped in a Chinoiserie wallpaper, giving the impression of a hand-painted mural. "This is gorgeous and much more cost-effective than commissioning an artist," says George. Indeed, it’s just one of many clever, inspiring details that give this apartment identity.

Irene describes her design approach as ‘instinctive,’ and in this apartment she and George leant hard into this impulse, discarding the cheap, basic skirting boards but keeping the elegant coving; the beautifully detailed architraves were retained, while the flat, uninteresting doors within them were replaced. Overall, the effect is of a gilded space that flows, comes together and just works. Full of character and charm.

See the House of the Year and other homes on the shortlist here.

Truly fantastical, this evocatively colorful home in New York is a curated mix of collectable vintage and 20th-century design pieces layered with artful, custom finishes. Standout pieces such as a pendant light commissioned from Crizu, handmade from paper flower bouquets, are just one of the ways that Australian designer Greg Natale has turned this into a wonderland. Marble plays a defining role throughout, sourced directly from Italy and installed with exacting craftsmanship by Italian stonemasons flown in for the project.

When selecting this project from the many entries for the shortlist of our House of the Year award in the Livingetc Style Awards 2026, the judges felt that its calming feel, enhanced by the bold use of color, was what made it stand out immediately. "The decor is so whimsical, but above all that, so, so pretty," says Livingetc's interiors editor Emma Breislin.

Greg takes us on a tour of it in his own words.

The House

Tall, slender, and nestled between some typically New York-style buildings, this Upper East Side townhouse couldn't feel more Manhattan.

"I'd worked with the owners on a previous home of theirs in Brisbane, which, believe it or not, was all black," says Greg Natale. "But when they bought this house, they were actually in Paris, going out to a lot of maximalist restaurants, and so they wanted that as their brief. Pink, greens, marbles... so that's what we did."

The owners of the property have their own art foundation on the ground floor, so Greg wanted to lean into their artistic nature by embracing different styles of mural throughout. "Each one is inspired by a different artist, with the one in the living room being a nod to Kandinsky," he shares. "It was kind of our version of a feature wall."

When Greg got the call to work on this home, he was in Paris himself, showing his own projects at MaisonObjet, next to a stand "run by a mother and daughter who made fascinating things out of old books," he shares. "So one of my favorite details in the home is the light hanging from the ceiling in the living room, made from old books. It's very artistic."

Kitchen and Dining Room

A key feature of the house is marble — it surrounds door frames, it's used for fireplaces, it stretches across the galley kitchen.

"I just love all the marble," says Greg. "It was all cut in Italy, and the stonemason came from Italy and installed it himself. The owners live mostly in Florence now, and they have a strong connection with stonemasons there and with all the wonderful local marbles. It made sense to bring it across to New York, to help tell their story."

Most of the house is a cocooning trove of blush colors, and Greg says that all the pinks and blush shades are very calming. "When you’re in the space, it’s got mood; it’s very immersive," he says. "You’re transported somewhere else, and it's all very enchanting.'

But he also believes that good design is about the element of surprise. "By the time you get to the dining room, you need a break from color blocking, and we decided to go a bit calmer in here," Greg shares.

That said, he didn't just want it to be neutral and flat. "A plain white ceiling didn't seem like enough, so the idea was to add a 3D decal of plaster blocks fixed to look like a sunburst," Greg says. "It's a relatively simple thing to do, but very effective."

Layered and heavily decorative, one of the details that truly stands out is the irregularity of shape. The headboard in the main bedroom is asymmetric, with a circular hole cut into one rounded corner.

"When you have a brief like this, you get to have a lot of fun," says Greg. "We took the whole artistic style of the owners and ran with it. The bedhead is surrealist, and ended up being one of my favorite pieces in the project. It's really cool."

Dressing Room and Main Bathroom

More surrealism on display in the dressing room, with the marble shelf dividers echoing the shapes of a Picasso profile. "The dressing room is pretty special," Greg says. "The owners wanted it to feel really luxe, to be more like a store than a dressing room, so we went big on marble."

Meanwhile, in the main bathroom, another artistic — and surrealist — mural is embedded into the tiles. "Showers are such functional spaces, and I wanted to do something different," Greg says. "Why can't it be uplifting and interesting as well?"

Of this candy-colored house, Greg says, "The owners really wanted to have an experience every time they come here. They wanted to be able to host and have fun."

Coming from an all-black home, he says their new place in Sydney is all "cream and travertine," so clearly the owners are not afraid to pick a style and commit to it. And that's what makes this house such a worthy part of the House of the Year shortlist, with its showstopping use of color and even more impressive use of material.

See the House of the Year and other homes on the shortlist here.

Pale and interesting. A neutral palette. Tonally tight. But not at all pared back. These were the qualities that jumped out to the Livingetc Style Awards judges when they saw this house in the entries for House of the Year, and why they shortlisted it.

Designed by Manchester-based studio TXTURED, this four-storey Georgian townhouse in north London may be designed around a limited number of colors, yet the decor still has a lot of detail — texture, movement, shapes that seem to ripple as the light and shadow move over them.

"The owners wanted me to create something for them that was very clean, very chic; they love neutrals," says Simon Mayhew, studio founder. "Personally, I'm very into transitional design — mixing older and newer pieces as one — so we leaned into that. The result is something that feels quite Californian — all the inspiration shots the clients pulled were of Cali beach houses — yet not out of place for its British setting."

A testament to Simon's work is the fact that these images were taken on a cold, dark, gloomy December day, yet they're still somehow filled with lovely, dappled light. Here, in his own words, Simon explains how he did it.

Entryway

"As soon as you walk into the home, and into this entryway, you get a feeling of pure joy," Simon says. "It's so pretty and calming, and not what you expect from the grand facade outside."

The marble flooring is made up of blush pink and soft brown stone. "We felt it would be so much less harsh than a classic black-and-white scheme would have been," Simon says.

Living Room

The living room is an L-shape, allowing Simon to use one portion as the main entertaining area and the other for the comfy sofa and to squirrel the TV.

"The first piece I found for the whole project was this rug, which I chose because the clients love skiing and it looks like little mountain ranges," he shares. "I was so relieved when I showed it to them, and they loved it, as by that point I'd built the whole scheme around it."

Notice the arched shape of the cabinet, a theme that will appear again elsewhere. "I’m obsessed with arches," Simon says. "There is at least one on every floor, though I was careful not to overdo it. I think they're so welcoming and soft."

TV Area

One of Simon's favorite details is the art by Tom Benson used around the home, commissioned by Simon at a later stage of the design process.

"Once we had the textiles chosen, I gave him samples, and he was able to work up pieces that matched and complemented our colors exactly," he shares. "The TV area is a really good example of how he was able to match exactly the tones used elsewhere."

Dining Area

"The dining area was one of the trickiest parts for me," Simon says. "It's open plan to the kitchen, and the owners had inherited a new, shiny white kitchen with the house that they didn't want to change. So I had to find something that wasn't jarring."

He chose a pale stone to match the white of the kitchen. "And then I'm really into fluting, so the texture of the cabinets helped to tone everything down a few notches," he adds.

If you look closely at the cabinets under the bar, you'll notice that the size of each ridge isn't quite even. "That was intentional," Simon says. "Making them so they weren't evenly spaced allowed for a more interesting relationship with the light."

Powder Room

Limewash is a feature throughout much of the home, but only in this powder room is it splashed in such a deep red hue. "I love the movement that limewash helps create, the depth and the texture it brings," Simon says. "I felt like we had to go darker in this smaller space — it's a myth that dark colors make tiny rooms seem little. Embrace their size and go deep on the pigment."

The limewash used here has quartz sand in it. "It's nicely rough to the touch," Simon says. "You get a lot more texture, which I wanted for the room to feel more dramatic."

Main Bedroom

Of his decision to extend the headboard all the way across the wall behind the bed, Simon says it was mostly because he just adored that fabric and wanted to use more of it.

"I fell in love with the subtle checkerboard of the fabric, and wanted to blend it seamlessly into the wall," he says. "I really felt this space had to be very calm and with clean lines only, and with no edge of the headboard halfway along the wall, it was one less piece of visual noise."

The adjoining dressing room isn't just closet space — the back doors actually hide the main bathroom. "It looks like you have a lot of wardrobes, but two of the doors conceal the bathroom," he says. "It meant the transition flowed a bit more."

Simon has done a very clever job of designing within the lines — of setting himself tight parameters when it comes to color, and then not letting them hold him back. He has found ways to play with texture and shape that elevate the scheme, adding in details to keep each corner as Californian-inspired as possible.

It was easy to place this squarely on the shortlist for House of the Year, a masterclass in making a muted scheme as fascinating as it can be.

See the House of the Year and other homes on the shortlist here.

Look closer at this apartment — the more you peer, the more you'll see. At first glance, it seems sophisticated, elegant, all the things we associate with London studio Elicyon. But on further inspection you'll start to notice details that give this brand-new development character and depth: the way the cornicing is coated in textured Bauwerk paint, the way the furniture has some surprising zig-zag shapes.

"These apartments come with a classic-contemporary approach to design, meaning that they’re really a canvas to add personality to," says Elicyon's founder Charu Gandhi. And it's the ways she has found to do that which saw the Livingetc Style Award judges place this project firmly onto the shortlist for House of the Year. "I'm so impressed by just how many layers there are here, just how many unexpected textures and shapes shine through," said our interiors editor and Awards judge Emma Breislin.

Here, Charu takes you through the apartment in her own words.

Entryway

The entryway immediately sets the tone for the whole scheme, with a subtle pattern in the tiger-print wallpaper and an unexpected moment in the dark red gloss cupboards.

"I just love that wallpaper; it has a sheen that enhances the pattern," Charu says. "And that shimmer bounces off the gleam of gloss cupboards. I thought the use of high shine here could turn something as utilitarian as a coat closet into a space that was actually quite fun."

Another key detail — the sculptural console — is at once heavy in its use of twisted metal for the base, and yet also light thanks to its cutaways through each leg. "We really tried to bring in boldness as much through shape as with color, and the entryway console is a prime example of that," says Charu.

Living Room

"The family that owns this apartment bought it because they are downsizing and wanted something functional that they could lock up and go," Charu says. "The client loves design and is brave with color, so we were able to flex a little with our choices."

"She's really into jewel tones," she continues, "and we felt emerald green would be a bit too much here, but that this magnificent Fromental wallpaper would work instead. That blue feels grown-up, tailored, calm, but with depth. It has a richness to it, and it turns what could be a flat wall into something you could look at a lot."

Being a downsized flat, the layout is open-plan, and Charu felt that hiding the TV was more chic than being able to see it from every part of the kitchen and dining space, too. "The panels are covered in a custom wallpaper design, but they're so pretty they look and feel like art," Charu says.

Living and Dining Area

From the other angle, you can start to see how the layout — and Charu's design ideas — unfold. The Bauwerk texture on the cornicing encloses this modern space, giving it a sense of history and time, while the rich mustards and blues on the upholstery help create a gentle sense of luxury.

"We really talked a lot about how the client was going to use the space," Charu says. "They wanted to be able to chill by the dining table, for it to not always be a formal entertaining space. And so to keep it loose, we added the bench on one side, which can be lounged on, and is less rigid than just chairs."

In fact, the chairs are another example of the structural shapes Charu felt were key to making this project work. "We wanted to have interesting geometries everywhere, and those wonderful chairs let so much light flow through their jutting arms and legs," she says. "They make that corner seem very airy."

Kitchen

Despite working so perfectly with the scheme that the terracotta cabinets look like an Elicyon design choice, they were in fact inherited along with the development.

"The apartment came like that, and the client was so scared that they wouldn't work and would need to be repainted," Charu says. "But instead we found ways to match the terracotta to the brown of the upholstery on the bar stools, to offset the gold twinkle of the light. We found a way to make them seem intentional."

This could easily have been a guest bedroom, but instead it has been repurposed into a TV room, snug, relaxation area, and all-round space to hunker down in (in fact, the built-in sofa is purposefully wide enough to be a bed if need be).

"One of my favorite details is how there are shelves that can pull out of the joinery and be used as sofa arms, if you need them," Charu says. The scalloped wood at the top of the cupboards was a pleasing decorative addition, too, but it has a function, too. "Oh, they hide the air con units," Charu says.

Main Bedroom

This is another space you need to look closely at to fully appreciate the details. It may look fairly neutral, but actually the terracotta tones of the headboard and chair intentionally call back to the color of the kitchen cabinets.

"This was another space we really went all out with geometries in," Charu says. "We didn't want to be too bold with color, so instead we played with shape, from the jutting angles of the nightstand to the unusual chair. It all gives character, but not too much for a space you want to sleep in."

"This apartment has an overall feeling of joy," Charu says, and that is why the judges were drawn to place it on the shortlist of our House of the Year award, bestowing it with Highly Commended. "So often, the idea of downsizing has negative connotations, implying that you're slowing down or perhaps moving towards the end of your life, but that's not the vibe we wanted here," says Charu. "We wanted an uplifting jewel box."

Through sensitive color choices and gleeful use of shape, Elicyon has done just that: a mood-boosting apartment with intricate details that reveal themselves slowly, a treasure trove as much as a jewel box.

See the House of the Year and other homes on the shortlist here.

A pumpkin light in July? I know, it sounds like a crazy thing to suggest for your home in the middle of summer, but don't worry, my mind is not geared towards fall-inspired or Halloween decor just yet (though we are getting there). No, this pumpkin light is a lot more low-key. Think wabi-sabi style and calming natural materials in one stunning wall sconce that will instantly warm a blank wall.

The John Lewis Pumpkin Wall Light surely gets its name from its shape. The round, bulbous design, complete with trimming, is reminiscent of that beloved orange vegetable. However, it's only a subtle nod to winter squash, and the light is actually quite elevated. The linen material paired with the soft ambient light makes it an overhead lighting alternative fit for minimalist, traditional, and elegant homes alike — a piece that is polished yet cozy.

Wall sconces are one of those lighting pieces that elevate a room. No one wants an overhead light glaring down and ruining the atmosphere, so when you place a couple of these on a blank wall, the result is a layered scheme that's curated and inviting. Plus, it helps that this piece from John Lewis has a name that gets us autumn-lovers excited for the upcoming season.

The Pumpkin Wall Light is actually part of a larger pumpkin lighting collection from John Lewis, which includes floor lamps, pendants, and table lamps. And as playful as the name sounds, it really is a very luxurious lighting range. It's a similar style to the silk pendant light trend, and feels like a grown-up variation of more traditional paper lanterns. Not to mention, under £100 for a wired wall light that looks bespoke is a pretty decent deal.

The secret ingredient to any well-designed space is a layered lighting scheme. It helps a small room feel bigger, it warms a colder, neutral space, and it allows you to mix and match your favorite kinds of lighting. Wall sconces, in particular, are a thoughtful design moment — toeing the line between an art piece hanging on the wall and a practical lighting idea.

So, as a self-proclaimed autumn-fanatic, the pumpkin name might have originally drawn me in, but the fabulous design at a decently affordable price made me a newfound lover of John Lewis' range. Below are a few other pieces from the collection, plus similar styles to shop.

Will the pumpkin light be the new lighting trend to take over our homes as the cool Autumn breeze blows in? I guess we will have to wait and see — and get ahead of the curve with John Lewis' collection.

For more inspiration like this, be sure to subscribe to the Livingetc newsletter.

What the judges felt when starting to look at this category was that the smartest technology is the kind you barely notice. Rather than demanding attention, today's best innovations quietly improve the way we live, making our homes more intuitive, comfortable and enjoyable. The tech is meant to integrate seamlessly into beautifully designed interiors. But there has been a quiet shift. Tech has gotten beautiful. It has become something, at times, you're proud to display. A mid-century-style audio system, or an impressive TV.

It has also become more innovative. From lighting controls that eliminate disruptive rewiring to entertainment systems designed to disappear into a scheme, every winner here has been created with function in mind. Our Style Awards judges were particularly drawn to products that solved genuine everyday frustrations rather than introducing unnecessary complexity. Whether making renovation projects simpler, reducing visual clutter, improving comfort during a heatwave or delivering exceptional sound without compromising style, these innovations work harder so you don't have to.

Best in class: Kinetic technology collection by The Soho Lighting Company

This may look like your average, beautiful, well-designed light switch, but it’s actually a complex, advanced and supremely useful bit of tech. When flicked on, it cleverly generates its own energy, transmitting a wireless signal to a concealed receiver within the light, illuminating it by motion energy instead of wires, meaning that it’s much, much easier to install in a home than a regular smart switch.

"This is truly game-changing — a way to update your lighting plan without having to do a whole refurb," says global editor in chief Sarah Spiteri. "I’m impressed."

The Kinetic Technology Collection is coming soon at The Soho Lighting Company.

TV: S99H by Samsung

Samsung’s latest OLED TVs rethink how a premium TV should fit into the modern home. And that’s by getting rid of cable clutter. The new S99H Samsung TV is compatible with Samsung’s wireless One Connect Box, which means any cables can be up to 10 metres away from the TV and still work.

"I love how this TV looks, how it works and how much of a positive effect it has on the space it’s in by being essentially wireless," says Livingetc.com editor Hugh Metcalf.

Lifestyle: ChillPill 3-in-1 fan, Mist & InstaChill System by Shark

More than just a handheld fan, this nifty gadget can mist you with water and has a cool plate that lowers skin temperature by up to 9°C. In an era where most British homes don’t have air conditioning, this could be the savior of your summertime WFH set-up.

"This has been a summer go-to for our team," says interiors editor Emma Breislin. "It's powerful, but discreet, and surprisingly design-y for a gadget."

The Shark ChillPill 3-in-1 Fan charges quickly via USB-C for an ideal on-the-go cooling experience.

Audio: R410 all-in-one music system by Ruark

It may look mid-century, but the workings of Ruark’s R410 all-in-one music system are nothing but modern. We particularly like how you can connect it to your TV to enhance the sound quality.

"I have a Ruark and the audio quality is phenomenal," says editor Pip Rich. "Listening to Rosalía’s orchestral album through it after hearing it first on my normal headphones was a transcendental experience."

See the full list of Livingetc Style Awards 2026 winners.

For years, the bathroom has been more than a functional space. We've seen it become a retreat, a spa, a haven, an extension of the rest of the home. A space in which to recharge, beginning and ending each day feeling restored. And the best bathroom design balances function with personality, combining technical innovation, exceptional craftsmanship and sculptural beauty in equal measure.

This list of winners show just how far the category has evolved. Baths and basins are becoming statement pieces with bold architectural forms, hardware is as satisfying to use as it is to look at, and technology is making our daily routines more intuitive without ever compromising on style. Even the finishing touches, from beautifully woven towels to meticulously crafted fittings, have been elevated into objects of beauty.

Best in Class: Milazzo collection by Greg Natale for Plumbline

Milazzo is a collection of free-standing and wall-mounted baths and basins that Australian designer Greg Natale dreamed up after being influenced by the minimalist lines of southern Italian street design. They are all super contemporary in their roundedness, getting close to donut-shaped in how pleasingly plump each piece is.

"It’s rare to see a bathtub in a form that hasn’t been done before, but this feels very fresh," says Livingetc.com editor Hugh Metcalf.

Shop the collection.

Innovation: S - Range smart showers by Aqualisa

So this is quite genius. The S - Range shower series by Aqualisa enables every member of the household to save their own routine, set by temperature, flow and duration, which can then be activated via app, voice control, remote or controller.

"Being able to have pre-sets programmed in for each member of the family reimagines what it means to just be able to wash and go," says global editor in chief Sarah Spiteri.

Shop the range.

Hardware: The Hudson collection by Pembrooke & Ives x Drummonds

Developed by Drummonds in collaboration with the brand Pembrooke & Ives, The Hudson collection takes its name from the Hudson River, referencing the city of New York where both British brands operate.

Cross-head handles are smart and crisp, while lever options offer a pared-back alternative. "Not only does each piece look good, it’s also satisfying to hold and use," says editor Pip Rich.

Shop the collection.

Accessories: Signature Turkish cotton towels by Christy

When is a towel not just a towel? When it’s also a part of British heritage, made by the brand that invented the concept of towels in 1850.

Step forward Christy’s Signature range, which gets better over time — loops deepen, softness increases, and the lovely weight and absorbency compound. ‘My set was so soft on arrival, and feels even better after multiple washes,’ says Pip Rich.

Shop the collection.

Furniture: Marbella deck-mounted marble lavatory sink by Waterworks

It was the rich veining of the Marbella deck-mounted marble lavatory sink that first caught our judges’ eyes, that and its strikingly art deco, blocky form.

Available in eight stone finishes, the Marbella sink is nothing but a showstopper. "Just so beautiful and lavish and luxe. Exactly what we want to see in bathrooms right now," says interiors editor Emma Breislin.

Shop the collection.

See the rest of the Livingetc Style Awards 2026 winners.

A beautifully designed bedroom should do more than look inviting — it should actively help you rest. As our understanding of sleep continues to evolve, so too does the way we furnish our most private spaces, with every layer, from bedding to bedside furniture, contributing to an environment that feels calm, comfortable and restorative.

Sadly, a good night's sleep is created through a series of thoughtful decisions rather than one magic solution (we all wish we could just wave a magic wand in this department).

So our Style Award judges were drawn to pieces that make everyday rituals feel just that little bit more special, whether it's slipping into beautifully crafted linen, breathing cleaner air through the night or waking up beside furniture that brings joy before you've even had your morning coffee.

Best in Class: Amber Cora Stripe bed linen by Secret Linen Store

Secret Linen Store’s linen has always felt particularly good — it comes from trusted sources in Europe, is as sustainable as possible and has a certain weft to it that is both light and satisfyingly strong at the same time.

The Amber Cora Stripe collection from Secret Linen Store manages to bring together what the brand does best — a smart array of colours in a chic yet playful design. "We’re seeing a move away from standard plain white linen, as people want more characterful homes," says editor Pip Rich, "and this is a perfect example of why."

Shop the collection.

Collection: Build Your Own Bedding Bundle™ by Bed Threads

We’ve often felt bedding sets should match, and the best come in pairs. Two pillows in one colour, two in another, and a duvet that matches the sheet. But whatever your preference, the Build Your Own Bedding Bundle™ allows you to curate your own look.

"There is a freedom here that is really enticing, that makes bedding shopping very personal," says global editor-in-chief Sarah Spiteri.

Shop the collection.

Bedding: Cloud duvet by Panda London

What makes a good duvet? Something that manages to be soft and light yet cosy and cosseting, and always keeps you at the right temperature. Step forward Panda London and its lovely Cloud duvet.

Made with organic bamboo, it feels like down feathers but is so much more sustainable and affordable to source. "It’s really hard to believe what this is made from as it feels so wonderful and fluffy," says interiors editor Emma Breislin.

Shop the duvet.

Tech: HushJet™ compact purifier by Dyson

Despite being no bigger than a wastepaper bin, the HushJet™ compact purifier from Dyson can clean the air in a room up to 100 square metres. The fully sealed, hi-tech machine captures and traps pollutants, allergens and mould spores, and it’s ultra-quiet, too, even at full power.

"This is so smart, and very useful during hay fever season as it’s particularly good at trapping pollen in the air," says Livingetc.com's editor Hugh Metcalf.

Shop the purifier.

Furniture: Judarn Hale bedside table by Anthropologie

You can rely on Anthropologie to bring a collection this characterful to the British high street. Covered in a print inspired by Italian tapestry that appears on beds, tables, cabinetry and desks, it was the Judarn Hale bedside table that stood out to our judges.

"We’re not really used to seeing decorative nightstands — this bedside table would be a joy to wake up to each morning," says Emma.

Shop the bedside table.

See the full list of Livingetc Style Awards 2026 winners.

Most of the judges have lived through big renovations themselves, and so know the heartache and heartfelt decisions that go into them. They agreed that the most memorable homes aren't defined by a single statement piece, but by the hundreds of thoughtful choices you make along the way, all shaping how a space looks, feels and functions. It's the weight of a window handle in your hand, the richness of the timber beneath your feet, the shadow line created by a moulding, or the softly irregular edge of a tile that all add up to create an interior with genuine depth and personality.

This year's Style Awards winners celebrate those often-overlooked elements that elevate a renovation. These are the products that designers obsess over because they understand that the smallest details often have the biggest impact. Hardware has become jewellery for the home, flooring introduces warmth and atmosphere from the ground up, while architectural mouldings and beautifully crafted tiles bring texture and rhythm. Your next renovation starts here.

Best in Class: Window furniture by Corston Architectural Detail

When we’re considering which houses make it into Livingetc and which ones don’t, it often comes down to the detail. Has the designer focused on the right edges? The perfect plug sockets? And what about the window furniture?

This is where Corston Architectural Detail comes in, the brand that takes the everyday, like pull handles for windows (see also plug sockets), and elevates them into a design feature in their own right. "So satisfying to hold, but even more satisfying to look at," says global editor-in-chief Sarah Spiteri.

Tiles: Enso collection by Ca’ Pietra

Our love for organic edges continues to endure — and that's particularly true of
the Enso tile collection by Ca’ Pietra, which comes ready weathered, its irregular edges seemingly already loved for years.

It’s the sort of design that makes everything around it more characterful, adding bags of charm to a new project. "These tiles are so soft and pretty,’ says Hugh Metcalf, editor of Livingetc.com. "I love how individual each one is."

Finishing touch: Kate moulding by Kate Guinness x Camilla Hampton

Inspired by the crenellated edge of a bedside table that Kate Guinness designed, this moulding — in collaboration with Camilla Hampton — is really so versatile. In a choice of covetable colours, use it to add flair to the edge of a shelf, run around a door frame, or demarcate a niche.

"It takes imagination to create something that can be used in this many ways," says executive editor Pip Rich.

Flooring: Classic Futures® collection by Ted Todd

There are real subtleties in the new real wood floors by Ted Todd, Classic Futures. Harlington mixes rich brown tones with gentle greys, balancing richness and warmth; Chatsworth features golden yellow hues teamed with warm tan-browns for a classic wood floor feel; and Appleby has trend-driven terracotta against a red-brown brick undertone.

"They all make statements but not loudly, so you can live with them for a long time," says interiors editor Emma Breislin.

See the full list of Livingetc Style Awards winners 2026.

The finishing touches are often the details that people remember most. A beautifully woven rug, a sculptural mirror, an elegant candle, or a thoughtfully crafted tabletop accessory can all bring warmth, personality, and narrative to a room, transforming a space from well-designed into deeply lived-in. They're the layers that soften architecture, introduce texture and colour, and reveal something about the people who call a place home.

This year's Style Awards winners in the Accessories category celebrate the extraordinary creativity found in those final decorative flourishes. Some preserve centuries-old craft techniques, others reinterpret traditional materials in fresh, contemporary ways, while several prove that everyday objects can become works of art in their own right. Rugs emerge as the standout stars of the category, redefining how pattern, texture and form can shape a room, but every piece here shares the same ability to elevate its surroundings.

Best in Class: Medley rug by Peter Page

Part of Peter Page’s Between Lines collection, the Medley rug is woven from hand-spun silk on a cotton warp, forming a delicate linear structure that runs across the surface of the rug. It is inspired by architectural cues such as panelled surfaces, grid formations and repetition, and the result is a graphically geometric design that seems both nostalgic and comfortingly retro – and totally, completely contemporary.

‘It’s so cleverly made, to really showcase the craftsmanship behind it as an art form. I’m very impressed with Peter Page right now,’ says Livingetc's global editor in chief Sarah Spiteri.

Shop the rug here

Lifestyle: Basketweave mahjong set by Jonathan Adler

In a bid to cut down screen time, three of our four judges had independently found themselves playing mahjong for the first time in years. So Jonathan Adler’s elegant set in bright blue seems like the perfect piece for right now.

‘Playing this with the kids, or even when friends come over, is such a fun way to get everyone off their phones – and this set is wonderfully vibrant and energising,’ says Sarah Spiteri.

Shop the mahjong set here

Decorative Element: Kruller Extra mirror by OINK

With a gentle, sculptural detail around its edge, the Kruller Extra mirror by OINK manages to make wood seem like a fluid material. Originally created from offcuts that were simply too good to throw away, this design harnesses waste to create a piece that is full of character.

‘I can see how well it would enhance even the most minimalist and pared-back of schemes,’ says digital editor Hugh Metcalf.

Shop the mirror here

Soft Furnishing: The Explorer Palette collection by Majeda Clarke

Textile artist Majeda Clarke has pulled from some amazing influences for her artistic Explorer Palette collection of blankets and throws – taking inspiration from early female explorers and expertly reimagining the watercolour palettes in their sketchbooks.

‘The idea behind these pieces is so creative – and the end result achieved is even better than its parts,’ says Hugh.

Shop the collection here

Table dressing: Twist placemat by Coro Cora

Made from natural fibres by artisans in Colombia, these placemats are more than just a table setting – they’re a way of keeping an art form alive. Created using a traditional technique passed down through generations, the intricate patterns are woven on a wire frame in iraca palm.

‘It helps that they’re such good fun, a multicoloured way of making dining seem like a celebration,’ says Emma Breislin.

Shop the placemat here

Fragrance: Rhubarbe candle by Diptyque

The fab fruity freshness of rhubarb has definitely always translated well to beauty products, but Diptyque’s new Rhubarbe candle takes the scent to a whole new level. Mixed with aromatic patchouli and the earthy intensity of carrot seeds, there is a sense that this is the best of the outdoors and not a speck of mud in sight.

‘This smells like absolute heaven,’ says Emma Breislin. ‘Having it on while working makes me feel more creative.’

Shop the candle here

Collaboration: Floræ Folium Series by Sam Baron for Tai Ping

When rug atelier Tai Ping enlisted Paris-based designer Sam Baron, it didn’t realise he was going to revolutionise its offering. Incredibly, this is the first time the brand has made either square or circular rugs, yet the shapes works so well to showcase Sam’s stunning abstract floral designs.

‘With some of these pieces, you have to look really close to tell the lines are based on flowers, and that’s what makes it all so beautiful,’ says editor Pip Rich.

Shop the collection here

See all the winners of the Livingetc Style Awards 2026.

Furniture has always been the big category for us at Livingetc — the easiest way to make a statement and the sort of investment we know you take weeks, months, to consider. A central piece of furniture becomes the focal point that anchors a scheme, setting its mood through sculptural form, beautiful craftsmanship, a clever use of colour or a comfortably welcoming shape.

The winners in this year's Style Awards furniture category are particularly strong — today's standout designs are as comfy and versatile as they are visually arresting.

From beautifully engineered side tables and statement seating to heirloom-quality craftsmanship and dynamic new design talent, these are the pieces that stopped our judges in their tracks. Whether through innovative materials, impeccable detailing or silhouettes that feel instantly iconic, each winner is the sort of piece which can transform the spaces around it.

Best in class: Half-Pipe armchair by Gallotti&Radice

Gallotti&Radice started 70 years ago as a glass specialist and is now a leading name in contemporary furniture too. And the new Half-Pipe chair, bringing together the brand’s expertise in both fields, was a true standout at this year’s Salone del Mobile in Milan.

Made from recycled glass powder, it has a gemstone-like quality, catching the light and sparkling ever so subtly. ‘What a hero of a piece!’ says Livingetc's editor Pip Rich. ‘It is quite mesmerising and a reminder of the wonder that great design can inspire in the people who see it.

Shop the chair.

British design: Split Turned bench by Galvin Brothers

Galvin Brothers has long been utilising the best of British craftsmanship to create sculptural pieces of furniture, and this design is another huge success. It is a meeting of wood top and ‘buttered’ brass pedestal that gives the bench its signature lightness and lift. The result is a sublime piece that is weighty in form yet visually very elegant and graceful. "Just beautiful — a work of art as much as it is good furniture," says Livingetc's global editor in chief Sarah Spiteri.

Shop the bench.

Newcomer: Tabitha Isobel x Dom Callaghan

Ferro is the debut homeware collection from interior designer Tabitha Isobel, created in collaboration with maker Dom Callaghan and including a side table, wall light and mirror.

Both the richly grained and characterful London Plane timber and brushed, on-trend stainless steel used in the design caught the eye of all our judges. "This smart collection is small but perfectly formed, and I’m excited to see what she’ll do next," says Pip Rich.

Shop the collection.

Small furniture: Dual pouffe by Six The Residence

Many designers think of animal print as a neutral: this pouffe could just prove them right. The monochrome version of a tiger coat is just the perfect graphic pattern — not too shouty but interesting enough to enliven even the dullest corner.

"As someone who tends to shy away from print, I’m impressed to find one I feel I could easily fold into my home," says Livingetc.com editor Hugh Metcalf.

Shop the pouffe.

Table: Lozenge side table by De Rosee Sa

Lacquer (clearly the finish of the moment) shines in the form of De Rosee Sa’s new Lozenge side table. Its cantilevered tabletop means it can slide neatly over the arm of a sofa or chair, whizzed around to be useful wherever and whenever you need it.

"I like that it can be a laptop rest for working one minute and a coffee table for relaxing next to another, as versatile as we need our homes to be," says Sarah Spiteri.

Shop the table.

Collection: Rizzo by Trove by Studio Duggan

Inspired by Trove by Studio Duggan’s founder Tiffany Duggan’s love of the iconic designer Willy Rizzo, her Rizzo collection of tables captures his ‘let’s have a cocktail’ chicness perfectly.

Lacquer finishes gleam, hexagonal corners jut rather sexily, and there is a sense of pure 1970s glamour. "The exact table I want to gather my favourite people around for the most fun night in ages," says Livingetc's interiors editor Emma Breislin.

Shop the collection.

Craft: Avington chair by Bill Amberg Studio x Joss Stoddart

Bringing together two master craftsmen, the Avington chair marks a new collaboration between Bill Amberg Studio and rising British designer Joss Stoddart, and is made in the UK using English oak and oak bark–tanned British leather.

"The best of craft comes from collaboration, and seeing a powerhouse work with a newcomer shows how supportive our industry can be," says Emma Breislin.

Shop the chair.

Sofa: Curve by Aurelo

A newcomer on the design scene, the judges felt that furniture brand Aurelo deserved praise for the sensual yet welcomingly chubby roundedness of the Curve sofa.

Defined by flowing lines and soft geometry, it’s modular and able to go as large as you would like — what we have here is a family sofa that doubles as cocktail seating too. "This is the perfect shape to lie back into and onto," says Hugh Metcalf.

Shop the sofa.

See the rest of the Style Awards 2026 winners.

Great decorating is rarely about one big idea. Instead, it's the careful layering of colour, pattern, texture and finish that gives a home its personality, creating spaces that feel entirely individual. The products in this category run the scale of very eye-catching (hello, metallic tiger print) to quietly calm (that paint palette!). But each one impressed our judges with how transformative it can be.

In fact, the Style Awards judging panel felt that this year's winners reflected a growing confidence in decoration, a trend we've seen coming through in the homes that are now submitted to us. Wallcoverings are becoming more expressive, fabrics are richer in texture, paint is being used more creatively across every surface, and even the smallest details, from trimmings to specialist finishes, are being celebrated as opportunities to add individuality. Throughout this list, there are suggestions here for aesthetic overhauls you can make: big, small and everything in between.

Best in Class: Ambiguous Tiger by Harris Reed for Fromental

Following a stellar collaboration with lighting brand Porta Romana, fashion designer Harris Reed’s fabulous new collection for Fromental is just as much of a knockout. Encompassing five new designs across wallcoverings, plus cushions and throws, the whole collection is noteworthy, but Ambiguous Tiger is the standout for its metallic and maximalist sense of glee.

‘This is so sophisticated – the use of colour gives a whole new life to the classic tiger stripe,’ says Livingetc's global editor in chief Sarah Spiteri.

Trimming: Romaunt collection by Martin Brudnizki for Samuel & Sons

When Martin Brudnizki teamed up with Samuel & Sons for the Romaunt collection, he wanted to create trimmings he could use in his own schemes – think Soho Beach House Miami and the Vesper Bar at the Dorchester.

No surprise, then, that the result is so sumptuous, beautiful and fun. ‘Samuel & Sons is the brand we turn to for perfect finishing touches – and this collab might be its best collection yet,’ says editor Pip Rich.

Fabric collection: 2026 collection by Yarn Collective

Last year saw Yarn Collective release a collab of acid bright and sky blue designs with Sister by Studio Ashby; this year, the shift is much more towards textures, deeper tones and warmth.

Each new design in Yarn Collective's 2026 collection has an interesting weave, a tactile pile and an ability to subtly alter as the light changes. ‘You could easily do a whole house with just these fabrics,’ says interiors editor Emma Breislin.

Fabric Design: Cord by Pandora Taylor

Inspired by passementerie, Pandora Taylor’s woven fabric offers a way to add a playful flourish. She has used it on a headboard and as curtains, and it could also work well as cushions, trim or to cover a sofa. It’s characterful and comes in three colourways, though can also be used on the reverse for a bolder look.

‘I like the personality and energy of Pandora Taylor's Cord,’ says Emma. ‘I can see it in both minimalist and eclectic schemes.’

Paint Collection: Shoreline by Fired Earth

Small and perfectly formed, the tight edit of 12 paint colours that go into Fired Earth’s Shoreline collection all have a truly wonderfully calming softness to them. Inspired by shades found around the beach, the palette is easy to play around with and even easier to live with.

‘Putting any of these colours together in any combination makes a home feel like a real haven,’ says digital editor Hugh Metcalf.

Wallcovering: Anju collection by Larsen

Shown for the first time in Paris in January, the Anju collection by Larsen is inspired by ikats, Tuareg rugs and traditional weaving methods. Made with natural materials including abaca, water hyacinth, hemp and banana leaves, the result is a mix of earthy browns and soft greys, gentle tonal shifts and a lot of subtle texture.

‘The joy comes from the way they feel as much as how they look,’ says editor Pip Rich.

Newcomer: Jessie de Salis

Despite being based in Somerset, textile designer Jessie de Salis found herself inspired by the beautiful sun-drenched regions of northern Italy for her new Como collection.

There are wavy pinks borrowed from frescoed facades, warm burnt oranges echoing peeling stucco walls and classic beachside stripes in chalky blues and creams. ‘The collection is a showcase for how talented Jessie very clearly is: destined to be the next big thing,’ says Sarah Spiteri.

Collaboration: A Dialogue Between Disciplines fabric collections by Zinc Textile x Dieter Vander Velpen

The Belgian design scene has long been known for its love of slubby linen and bouclé, so when we heard about this collab that’s close to what we were expecting. But not so – instead, we have a range of 1970s-style fabulousness in rich tones.

‘The Zinc Textile x Dieter Vander Velpen is one of the most glamorous collections I’ve seen in years,’ says Hugh.

Paint finish: Flat Eggshell by Farrow & Ball

With the same delicious matt finish as Dead Flat, Farrow & Ball’s launch from last year, the Flat Eggshell, works easily and beautifully on interior wood and metal. Scrubbable and stain- and scuff-resistant, it is perfect for kitchen cabinets, skirting boards and even floors. With a 20% sheen, it’s the flattest interior eggshell the brand offers.

‘The fact this gorgeous chalky finish can be used on floors without scuffing is genius,’ says Pip Rich.

See all the winners of the Livingetc Style Awards 2026.

Sifting through the entries for our inaugural House of the Year award proved almost as challenging as selecting the winner itself. All five projects bring together that secret alchemy that makes them a Livingetc house — that is hard to explain but that we know when we see it. It's partly down to their bold creativity, their ability to mix eras and styles and still find a way to blend everything together smoothly. But it's also because each designer has taken a thoughtful approach to how we want to live today.

From quietly layered neutrals to exuberant colour, sympathetic restorations to inventive contemporary updates, each home demonstrates the power of great design to transform not just the way a home looks, but how it feels, too. Look a little closer so as not to miss any of the clever details, smart planning and original ideas. They represent some of the finest residential design we've featured this year — and while only one could take home the title, every project here deserves its place among the very best.

House of the Year: Highgate House by A New Day

For our first-ever House of the Year, London-based studio A New Day’s project in Highgate was a unanimous winner. On judging day, editor Pip Rich was immediately drawn to the colours, global editor in chief Sarah Spiteri noticed how well zoned, and therefore how good for families it was, while inteiors editor Emma Breislin and Livingetc.com editor Hugh Metcalf were both impressed by various details, such as the beaten metal edging of the desk in the entryway and the way the Wasabi granite was painstakingly cut around the power outlets in the kitchen splashback.

In short, not only is this house absolutely bursting with ideas (already making it the perfect Livingetc home), it’s also an incredibly well-considered space that was made specifically so that its family could easily live the lives they had expanded into.

Highly Commended: New York house by Greg Natale

Truly fantastical, this bold, evocatively colourful home in New York is a curated mix of collectable vintage and 20th-century design pieces layered with artful custom finishes.

Standout pieces, such as a pendant light commissioned from Crizu, handmade from paper flower bouquets, are just one of the ways designer Greg Natale has turned this home into a wonderland. ‘The decor is so whimsical but above all that, so, so pretty,’ says Emma Breislin.

Highly Commended: House on the Hill by TXTURED

A masterclass in being both pale and interesting, this striking north London period house was overhauled by design studio TXTURED to have more flow, and feel more harmonious.

Layered neutrals, warm browns, muted ochres and soft blush tones blend together to create a calming backdrop, a monastic world where the soul is soothed and looked after. ‘This home is ever so restful, and seems like it would look after anyone who lived in it,’ says Hugh Metcalf.

Highly Commended: Regent’s Park apartment by Gunter & Co

Showcasing studio founder Irene Gunter’s trademark use of warm colours, clever storage and smart ideas that make each space supremely liveable, this Grade II-listed apartment feels both personal and lived in.

As with all Gunter & Co projects, there is a very clever balance between on-trend ideas and aesthetic choices that will last for years. ‘Every space seems so layered, so interesting, so full of stories,’ says Pip Rich.

Highly Commended: Chelsea apartment by Elicyon

Oh, but this space is so grown up. Moire silk wallpaper in neutral tones, a TV that slides behind an artistic screen, a beautiful and enticing palette of rich golds, aubergine and chocolate to sit alongside the neutral details. Bespoke bedroom wardrobes are finished beautifully, helping to create a very polished and serene ambience.

‘There are so many clever details in this apartment, and I really like how traditional design ideas have been updated for a modern scheme,’ says Sarah Spiteri.

See the full list of Livingetc Style Awards 2026 winners.

The best lighting transforms a room twice over — once when it's turned on, and again when it is turned off, just by simply being. By day, it's an object of sculptural beauty that contributes to an interior's character; by night, it shapes atmosphere, softens architecture and changes the way we experience the spaces around us. Increasingly, the most successful designs excel at both, blurring the line between functional fitting and a collectible piece of design.

What united our Style Awards judges when it came to this category was their delight in discovering a shared sense of warmth and personality among the winners. These lights flatter the people and things lit by them, they create intimacy and a welcoming ambience. From accessible high-street finds to artisanal collaborations that showcase the very best of British craftsmanship, every winner proves that thoughtful lighting remains one of the most powerful ways to elevate an interior, adding beauty, character and atmosphere with the flick of a switch.

Best in Class: Neo wall light by Original BTC x Buchanan Studio

It’s always exciting when two Livingetc favourites come together to collaborate, and heritage British lighting brand Original BTC made a very dynamic choice of partner in Angus and Charlotte Buchanan of Buchanan Studio for the Neo Wall Light.

Known for their innovative creative vision, they pushed Original BTC’s glassblowing skills into places neither had been before, creating an ice cream swirl of a pattern
in these delicately organic lights. "The wall light is my personal highlight, and the way that its whirls glow when it’s switched on. Super flattering to rooms and people alike," says editor Pip Rich.

Collection: Sablier by Bert Frank

Crafted from solid brass and frosted glass, Bert Frank’s Sablier collection includes pendants and double-ended wall lamps. Each shade is long and tunnels the light from the bulb into a beguiling form, a quietly elegant piece that doesn’t make a statement so much as gently enhance its surroundings.

"I can see this being used in so many different spaces, as a subtle hero of the scheme it’s placed in," says global editor in chief Sarah Spiteri.

Wise buy: All over glass table lamp by M&S

With its charmingly mottled surface and warm amber colour, this clever little Glass Table Lamp emits a light as pretty and soft as the lamp itself. Proof that good design is alive and well on the British high street, it’s the sort of easy-style addition that instantly brightens the dullest of corners.

"I can see this lamp in a very Tom Ford-ian, mid-century living room, on a mid-century walnut wood cabinet," says interiors editor Emma Breislin.

Bathroom: Tempo Siren wall light by Curiousa

The inspiration behind the Pastello Tempo Siren range’s palette was the playful and optimistic colours of 1950s and 60s melamine tea sets, pretty picnic scenes and coloured bathroom suites. The mix of ceramic, glass and an ice cream-like approach to hues is a wonderfully energising combination.

"These are so fun that they help elevate the bathroom well beyond being just a purely functional space," says digital editor Hugh Metcalf.

See the full list of Livingetc Style Awards 2026 winners.

Outdoor living has grown up. As the weather gets hotter and the summers get longer, any outdoor areas we have become increasingly important. It's why they are no longer treated as a seasonal afterthought, and why terraces, balconies and gardens are being designed with the same care and personality as our interiors. To reflect that, the best outdoor pieces now blur the boundary between inside and out, bringing together beautiful materials, enduring craftsmanship and the performance needed to withstand the elements without sacrificing style.

In this year's list of Style Awards winners. the outdoor fabrics are softer, richer and more tactile than ever before, often indistinguishable from the textiles we'd happily use in a living room. Furniture is lighter, more comfortable and designed to adapt effortlessly between dining, lounging and relaxing. Portable lighting creates atmosphere long after the sun goes down, while clever outdoor cooking innovations continue to transform gardens into destinations for entertaining rather than simply places to barbecue. And they all help you make the most of every warm evening and every precious moment spent in the open air.

Best in Class: Lipari fabric by Rubelli

Think of striped outdoor furniture and the mind invariably goes to the broad lines on a classic British deckchair. But Italian fabric house Rubelli has reinterpreted the look with a slimmer line for its smart and gorgeous Lipari collection.

It’s a pleasingly slubby fabric that has a soft tactility, belying the fact it’s water-repellent (and can withstand splashes from a chlorinated pool, too). "It would be just wonderful on an indoor sofa, and that’s the benchmark for an outdoor fabric these days," says editor Pip Rich.

Lighting: Stefan lantern by Pooky x The Novogratz

Designers Robert and Cortney Novogratz feel like part of Livingetc’s DNA — we’ve featured their projects since the early days of our launch. We love their way of blending art and design, and this design’s zesty colors and sharp little hats are sure to give any outdoor space a bit of edge.

"I’m enjoying how this takes the traditional lantern silhouette and updates it for a modern garden," says interiors editor Emma Breislin.

The Stefan Rechargeable Lantern by Novogratz at Pooky is available in multiple colorways, including Denim, Moss, Blush, and Antique Brass.

Furniture: Bovik armchair by Grythyttan Stålmöbler

Don’t be fooled by the wood and metal frame of the new Bovik chair from 131-year-old Swedish brand Grythyttan Stålmöbler. It may look rigid, but the seat has just the right amount of bounce — that little give that is almost like sitting in a rocking chair, but is so much smarter and more contemporary.

"This chair is so comfortable, I could happily sit in it all afternoon," says global editor in chief Sarah Spiteri.

Lifestyle: Dome (Gen 2) pizza oven by Gozney

We’ve recognised the Gozney offering before in previous awards, but the Dome (Gen 2) takes everything we loved and makes it even better. This design has more room to cook (with capacity for up to three pizzas at once), digital controls and hybrid fuel capability.

"It’s the perfect thing to have going when your friends come over — so easy to use and so impressive," says digital editor Hugh Metcalf.

See the full list of Livingetc Style Awards 2026 winners.

We all know that the kitchen is the heart of the home, and it's also the space we tend to focus on most when doing a renovation. It's where we cook, gather, entertain, work and unwind, meaning every design decision has to balance practicality with personality. The very best kitchens are easy to use, withstand all sorts of wear and tear and look beautiful while doing it, too.

This year's Style Awards winners tick all those boxes. They are united in their ability to make everyday rituals feel more enjoyable. Whether it's an invisible hob that allows a worktop to remain beautifully uninterrupted, a pantry that doesn't require bespoke joinery or a coffee machine that embraces changing lifestyles, these are products that solve genuine problems without compromising on aesthetics.

Together they represent a new generation of kitchen design, where innovation is at its best when it quietly disappears, leaving behind spaces that are welcoming, hardworking and a genuine pleasure to spend time in.

Best in class: Espresso and cold brew coffee machine by Smeg

We’ve long loved Smeg’s espresso machines — both cute to look at and easy to use – but the new Espresso and Cold Brew Coffee Machine has the ability to make cold brew coffee in less than five minutes, which is a neat adaptation that plays perfectly into our longer summers.

"This machine was reviewed very favorably on Livingetc.com for a reason — most importantly because it makes excellent coffee," says interiors editor Emma Breislin.

Solution: Mini water filter tap and glass cleaner by ABI Interiors

Ever since Gwyneth Paltrow unveiled the home bar in her LA home (designed by Brigette Romanek), the concept has been elevated. Marble slabs, built-in fridges, swizzle sticks that match the decor… and now a swish filter tap and glass cleaner by ABI Interiors.

"Is this essential? Of course not," says Emma. "But it’s perfect for the convivial, elegant way we all want to live."

Furniture: Borough kitchen by Neptune

It’s such a joy to be able to work with free-standing kitchen furniture, which is exactly what Neptune’s Borough collection is. Including an island, pan drawer, undercounter refrigerator and larder among other things, it’s ideal for flexible living, for renters and for anyone looking to upgrade without doing an entire renovation.

"I love how it means anyone can have a pantry without the need for a joiner," says global editor-in-chief Sarah Spiteri.

Innovation: Novy Undercover invisible induction hob by Novy

The future is here, and it looks… well, you can’t really see it. We’ve been talking about the idea of invisible hobs for a while, but up until now some have been inaccessible, tricky to install and prohibitively expensive. Novy’s subtle and chic Undercover hob changes all that.

"Totally seamless, and so very stylish — this takes integrated tech to the next level," says digital editor Hugh Metcalf.

Design: The Mix kitchen by Pluck

When tile brand Bert & May turned its east London showroom into a multi-brand home decorator’s dream destination called The Mix last year, a standout was this kitchen by Pluck.

Aubergine-hued cabinets sit next to warm London plane wood fronts, topped off by a dark Cullifords stone counter. "This kitchen draws you in — it’s the perfect palette of unexpected but welcoming hues," says editor Pip Rich.

Detailing: Little Venice kitchen by Blakes London

Blakes London is always a brand we turn to for beautiful kitchens, and it’s the detail of the stainless steel units in its Little Venice project that stands out. Yes, chrome kitchens have been a rising trend for a while, but rarely have they seemed as warm as this one. "It’s the cute little round handles that give this hard finish the feel of an antique dresser," says Pip. "It’s a surprising and clever interpretation."

See the full list of Livingetc Style Awards 2026 winners.

Inspired by your brief, I've curated a selection of ottomans that reflect the relaxed, layered feel of a transitional coastal home. As the size and ivory sherpa finish were quite specific, I also wanted to include a few textured alternatives that are well worth considering, broadening the options without moving away from your overall vision.

I hope this edit gives you plenty of inspiration, and that one of these pieces feels like the perfect addition to your living room.

There are people for whom summer holidays equate with nothing else than recharging. But if you are anything like us at Livingetc, time off also equates with greater opportunities to capture your sense of style, whether it'd be through an impromptu creative project you decide to pick up while OOO or, more simply, via the travel essentials that follow you around on your vacation.

As I write this, uninterrupted sunshine and sweltering temperatures have been hitting London for weeks on end now. And so, while certainly still key to a smooth, stress-free itinerary, there is a feeling that luggage itself — left in your chosen hotel or apartment rental at check-in to be emptied out and, then, filled up again right before departure — is somewhat losing its relevance. What's gaining momentum, instead, are all of those objects and lifestyle accessories that, rather than merely helping you in the transit to your destination, get to be out in the wild with you as you spend another summer you'll do anything not to forget. Laid out on sand and imbued with salty air, beach towels are one of them.

From print-like compositions carrying the humor, wit, and captivating atmosphere of decades that belong in a celebrated past to stripy numbers that'll make any sun lounger and bathroom rack look simultaneously playful and sophisticated, our beach towels 2026 edit is for daring globetrotters who fear not being seen and admired out in the sun, and for everyone wanting to keep a slice of that sunshine in their home year-round. Discover our picks of the ultimate summer 2026 buy.

In need of more tips? Revisit and browse our editors-led 2025 summer packing list to discover what each Livingetc staff member decided to bring with them on their long-awaited holiday — and what unique buys shaped the look of it.

For an even wider selection, explore our latest travel essentials edit for design-discerning globetrotters.

Want to stay in the loop? Subscribe to the Livingetc newsletter today and unlock the unique perks of a life shaped around taste — whether in interiors, culture and design, or wider lifestyle.

With nods to the iconic 'piano key' sofa, which first gained popularity in the 1970s with segments that resemble piano keys and from a time (much like now) when flexible lounging was prioritized, IKEA's new PS 2026 Sofa Bed will no doubt be an iconic piece of furniture in its own right in the future.

The PS 2026 collection, the 10th instalment of IKEA's PS collections that first launched in 1995, is characterized by 'playful functionality,' and this IKEA sofa bed is a great example of that. All 44 designs in the collection are carefully considered, high-quality pieces that are just as stylish as they are functional, bringing with them a healthy dose of joy, too.

And for such a designer-look piece, this three-seater sofa bed comes at a remarkably affordable price of just £550. And it couldn't be simpler to use — all you need to do is remove the back cushions, and you have a single bed ready to go whenever you need it. And even better yet? This design looks just as great from the back as well (which is surprisingly hard to come by — and this is coming from someone who looks at a lot of sofa beds every day).

One of this year's biggest Scandinavian design trends is about how, in Scandi homes, the sofa is moving away from the wall. IKEA's PS 2026 sofa bed is embracing this shift, with its refined wood frame that elevates the back of the sofa, making it a design feature in its own right, not simply a piece of furniture that needs to be shoved along the back edge of a room out of necessity.

And this is just as relevant in small living rooms as in larger spaces — it all comes down to finding ways to open up spaces to make them feel more inviting, fluid and warm. And the comfortable, quilted design of this sofa bed, made for lounging, does exactly that.

Worthy Alternatives

If you're wondering whether a daybed or a sofa bed is the right choice for you and your home, experts share the key difference that will help you make the decision.

If you want specific help in finding pieces for your home, our Design Lab by Livingetc stylists are here to help. All you need to do is send them a brief, and they'll do all the hard work for you.

And for more product recommendations, subscribe to Livingetc's newsletter.

The story architect Clara Nahas wanted to tell in this studio was a personal and musical one. "I designed it as a posthumous tribute to my mother, a musician and professional pianist," she says of the intention for Semibreve Studio, her personal debut at CASACOR São Paulo — the largest architecture, interior design, and landscaping show in the Americas. "In a sense, the space is inhabited by her memory more than by a literal resident."

Conceived as a physical manifesto against contemporary hyperconnectivity, the project transforms the designer's personal memory into spatial solutions.

Set inside Parque da Água Branca, a historical park founded in 1929 in the heart of São Paulo, the 55-square-meter studio was a completely blank shell before Nahas's intervention. Her brief came from CASACOR's 2026 theme, Mente e Coração ("mind and heart"), which encouraged architects to treat the home as a place of self-reconnection. Nahas decided to focus on introspection.

"I chose to follow the path of affection and turned to my own trunk of memories, my mother's musical universe," she explains of Semibreve Studio, which embraces evocative shapes, sensory materials, and light to make them manifest spatially.

The project draws from the original handwritten score of a song Nahas's mother wrote when she was born. It has been framed and hangs as a tribute in the bedroom's study area and "the lyrical axis of the project," as she calls it.

Rather than a traditional layout, Nahas has arranged the spaces so visitors move through an inverted route that makes the studio's entire flow unique and unexpected.

"Instead of entering through the social area, you enter through the intimate zone," she explains. Guests cross the bedroom and study first, before reaching the openness of the living space. "It's meant to work like a rite of passage, a sensory filter before connecting with the soul of the house," the architect says.

Nahas has managed to fit an entire home, including bedroom, bathroom, living room, kitchen, study, and closet, into just 55 square meters without ever losing narrative depth.

This was, Nahas admits, the biggest challenge of the making of Semibreve Studio, the assembling of which required special attention. Since CASACOR only permits dry assembly on-site, every element integrated in the scheme had to be pre-built off-site.

This was also the case for the custom woodwork and masonry closures that were implemented to correct irregularities in the original architecture — a trick Nahas successfully pulled off despite the initial hesitation.

The kitchen was conceived to resist "purely utilitarian coldness," Nahas says. For it, she sought a style that looked monolithic and inherently social.

Built by Todeschini, the cabinetry runs along the main wall in the brand's newly launched Giardino finish, a tinted natural oak veneer, paired with a polished Da Vinci quartzite countertop.

That countertop extends into a sideboard built to hold a record player and Nahas's mother's original vinyl collection, with a niche carved out for a small bar.

The standout feature and most intriguing aspect is the burgundy cylindrical volume that anchors the entire plan. It encases the bathroom, a space that's color-drenched, with the floor and ceiling clad in ceramic tiles.

The countertop and backsplash are in honed Napoleon Bordeaux marble, with a wood-finish cabinet raised off the floor, chrome Cogumelo sconces flanking the mirror, and Deca fixtures in Dark Antracite.

On the exterior face of that same cylinder, in the bedroom, the curvature is clad entirely in red ceramic pieces by Keramika, rising all the way to the ceiling. "That gives the desk area a more introspective, welcoming scale," Nahas says of the effect.

That desk was carved directly from the cylinder itself, via a precise cut below the main beam, doubling as a vanity with shelves that display a collection of hourglasses — objects Nahas links to memories of her mother. "It is a poetic reminder of the passage of time," she explains.

The subtle architectural details Nahas has included continue the project's musical logic. The studio takes its name and its concept from the semibreve, the musical notation.

"It's the note that fills the measure and sustains the sound, asking for a pause so its fullness can actually be heard," Nahas says. That idea of sustained rhythm shows up in the alternating ceramic pieces running along the skirting board's entire perimeter, "almost like a measure being played out in ceramic instead of sound."

The gabled ceiling has been left with exposed beams and wooden slats; these are nods to the archetype of the traditional house, while soft-toned textured paint acts, in Nahas's words, as "a silent canvas" for the rest of the space. Together, these quiet details convey the warmth that makes Semibreve Studio so welcoming and familiar at first glance.

The project is a temporary installation. But in striving to render the enduring impact that people hold on our lives — whether or not this can be perceived by our eyes — it stretches beyond its physical limits.

A reminder that home is first and foremost the place where we feel most loved, and the one that knows us best, Semibreve Studio might not be permanent, but it's eternal.

Inspired by your brief, I have curated a personalised edit of coffee tables, keeping your preferred contemporary, minimalist, and modern styles in mind while staying within your budget.

I've focused on designs that feel clean, practical, and versatile, with a mix of finishes and features that work well in modern living spaces.

If you'd like a little more support pulling everything together, take a look at Style, our room design service. We'd have a 45-minute one-to-one call to discuss your space, and afterwards I'd put together a full moodboard for your room, along with tailored product recommendations and a clear design direction.

I hope you enjoy exploring your curated edit, and I would love to hear which pieces you feel most drawn to.

Best wishes,

Iokasti

Inspired by your brief, I have curated a personalised edit of wooden king-size four-poster beds, keeping your preferred styles of transitional, bohemian, and traditional in mind, while staying within your budget.

I've selected a mix of designs that each bring something a little different, from timeless oak frames to more decorative silhouettes, so you can explore a variety of looks while staying true to the warm, layered aesthetic you're after.

If you'd like a little more support pulling everything together, take a look at Style, our room design service. We'd have a 45-minute one-to-one call to discuss your space, and afterwards I'd put together a full moodboard for your room, along with tailored product recommendations and a clear design direction.

I hope you enjoy exploring your curated edit, and I would love to hear which pieces you feel most drawn to.

Best wishes,

Iokasti

Truth be told, the microwave has never exactly felt like the most exciting of kitchen appliances. Perhaps it did back in the 80s, but for at least the last two decades, it's been more commonly thought of as a symbol of convenience than of ingenuity. It's fair to say the microwave has been overdue a makeover, and it's time may finally have come.

If there's one country that has led the way with innovative, problem-solving tech, it's Japan. So it only makes sense that this was where the latest kitchen appliance trend takes its inspiration. Launched in June, the Panasonic Japanese Countertop Microwave (available on Amazon in the US) claims to offer supreme convenience and advanced cooking technology in a sleek, Japanese-inspired design.

Explaining the idea behind the design, Ryan Arai from Panasonic says, “Panasonic believes appliances should enhance the flow of the kitchen, not interrupt it,” and, with this new launch, “we set out to combine traditional Japanese design principles with our proven cooking technology. The result is a microwave that brings together simplicity, intelligence and performance in a way that feels distinctly modern." The only downside, for now, is that it's only available in the US. However, we've scoured the web for the best alternatives, so those of us in the UK can experience that same microwaveable magic.

The Panasonic design is centered around Japanese minimalism, bringing in a relaxed simplicity to what is often the most chaotic room in the home. But if one appliance isn't enough to provide that zen look, then our edit of Japanese kitchen decor is sure to do the trick.

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Drop all lookbooks, log off Pinterest, and most importantly, stop scrolling: if the color, material, or motif of your kitchen and dining room renovation is all you've desperately been trying to wrap your head around recently, and if, despite all that, you still haven't managed to make up your mind just yet, you're in luck.

You might think our habit of constantly monitoring all the best restaurant openings is all about knowing where to dine out next. But really, the addresses high on our radar come in handy the next time we decide to dare a dining room glow-up, as they are ideal for satisfying our cravings for surprising interiors and mouthwatering plates.

Now that many hospitality addresses begin to resemble the look and feel of a home, we believe it's time to swap your usual interior design catalogue with some on-field research. Selected for their striking floors and the way they reinterpret traditional, vintage, and contemporary aesthetics into one, each of the eateries below is a masterclass in being bold from top to toe.

Mount St. Restaurant. London, UK

First Floor, 41-43 Mount St, London W1K 2RX

There's a reason why Mount St. Restaurant has made the cut in our edit of the best restaurants in London for design connoisseurs, or more than just one. What's certain, though, is that, together with its spectacular painting collection, its mesmerizing, terrazzo-style Palladiana mosaic floor played a role in the final decision. Composed of several types of marble fragments, this architectural element of the establishment is actually a hidden-in-plain-sight work of art itself. The brainchild of American artist Rashid Johnson, Broken Floor is a piece diners can "explore, interact with physically, and stand on", making a truly unusual masterpiece, and a pretty functional one. Upstairs at Mount St. Restaurant, more terrazzo extravaganza awaits, as Verde Api marble brings shine to the floors of the level and its central bar.

At home: terrazzo-marble flooring like this statement Palladiana one is the perfect way to infuse any home with the old-world grandeur of a storied Italian palazzo. Placed underfoot, it allows you to bask in it all day long. Easy to clean, resistant, and cool even in the hottest temperatures, terrazzo is the ultimate trick for homes that resist fleeting trends while seamlessly readapting to today's warmer climate. In one word, timeless.

SIX Coffee+Wine. Almaty, KZ

Bogenbai Batyr Street 117, Almaty 050010, Kazakhstan

Choosing a floor for your kitchen and dining room also allows you to bring a different kind of rhythm, or twist, to your interiors. That's what Kazakh coffee shop, wine bar, and restaurant SIX Coffee+Wine's shell limestone-inspired, tinted terrazzo floor does best with its chessboard aesthetic. All around, minimal furniture in chrome and pale wood, colorful stained glass windows, industrial-style lighting, and creaturesque, velvety soft seating are styled into a cadenced composition of straight and soft lines, to which the floor itself provides an eye-catching base. Inspired by the minerals and materials that characterize Almaty's own architecture, the interiors of SIX Coffee+Wine also show how even flooring can help you bring that outdoor-indoor living feeling into your home scheme.

At home: tinted terrazzo is a pared-back alternative to more extravagant, fully speckled surfaces like that of Mount St. Restaurant, great for kitchens wanting texture without pattern overload. Pair it with natural stone counters or wood for a crafty, grounding look.

Deux Gares Express. Paris, FR

2 Rue des Deux Gares, 75010 Paris, France

I know an iconic Paris hotel when I see one, and boy, is Hôtel Les Deux Gares iconic. Inaugurated last autumn, this proudly maximalist base in the city is sandwiched between Gare du Nord and Gare de l'Est railway stations, ideally located for a pitstop vacation. Inside, you'll find spirited retro café and neo-bistro Deux Gares Express, where alongside the most delicious brioche croque-monsieur, Boulangerie Sain pastries, and Taka & Vermo selected cheeses thrives interior inspiration for the most irreverent among us. Designed, like the rest of the eatery, by British tastemaker and writer Luke Edward Hall, the bold geometric tiled floor of Deux Gares Express is an explosion of color not everyone will necessarily appreciate or seek to recreate in their own space. Still, boasting complementary tones of brown, yellow, and green, this kaleidoscopic look rings immediately country-chic, as if we were somewhere in rural Burgundy rather than in the much more trafficked, grayer Paris. For Hall, the color combo is a timeless, even neutral, one, "a million times warmer and easier on the eye" than those preferred by millennials.

At home: if anything, the designer's whimsical attempt proves patterned tile floors need not rely on traditional colors (black-and-white, navy blue) at all costs. Opt for earthy, saturated color combos styled with organic and wooden furnishings for a home that feels soft, welcoming, and nonchalant, instead of clinical.

Capiche. Surat, IN

1st, Samanvay, Gymkhana Rd, near Chandni Chowk, Piplod, Surat, Gujarat 395007, India

After Yiaga in Melbourne, one of the most impressive restaurant openings of this year so far, Surat's pizzeria Capiche is the second interior I come across in 2026 entirely clad in terracotta bricks. In the case of the latter address, the choice is thematic, its space designed to evoke the structure of a traditional brick oven. For architects Chinmay Laiwala, Jigar Asarawala, and Tarika Asarawala of Neogenesis+Studi0261, the earthy reddish-brown and burned-orange palette "radiates warmth, enveloping guests in a cocoon of rustic sophistication." We couldn't agree more. And you, will you be so bold as to go for a total brick look?

At home: continuous brick flooring is a flooring trend that infuses rustic warmth into open-plan kitchens, and works especially well when paired with extra earthy layers, such as wooden and rattan furniture. Consider it for a sturdy, textural, and truly unusual outdoor patio dining room, or experiment with it indoors for a Mexico City-inspired, tactile look.

Brown's of Leith. Edinburgh, SCT

4-6 Shore, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6QS

Ever since I came across the sensual industrial interior of Peckham's new bar and nightclub Palais, one of the coolest red-tinted bars in London, I haven't stopped thinking about its paint-drenched, lacquered interiors, matte chrome decor, and overall boldness. Brown's of Leith in Edinburgh, a former 130-year-old engineering works factory turned multi-restaurant food hall and nightlife venue, brings a similar edge to Scotland. The work of studio GRAS, the space captivates with its mix of exposed metal architecture and piping, sleek silver furniture, and soft cream curtains, though really it's the floor that gives the space its immersive ambience. Retained from the warehouse, the original red-stained and raw concrete flooring has been completed with reclaimed sandstone bricks sourced from a quarry. The result is perfectly imperfect.

At home: perfect for loft conversions or kitchens wanting that 'unfinished' warehouse aesthetic, worn, exposed, sealed concrete flooring is a low-maintenance option that pairs well with reclaimed materials and patina, evolving in tandem with the house and those who live inside it.

La Sponda. Positano, IT

Via Cristoforo Colombo, 30, 84017 Positano SA, Italy

Already spotlighted in our recent deep dive into the most beautiful pools in the world, Positano's legendary hotel Le Sirenuse is back on Livingetc for the sea of hand-painted, hand-glazed terracotta floor tiles that make its in-house restaurant, La Sponda, even more magical. Created specifically for the stay by the stay's late style curator, Franco Sersale, and the historic family-run ceramics workshop Fornace De Martino, these crafty design details stand out for their natural pigments — earths and oxides — and subtle reflections, coming to life at night when the restaurant terrace glimmers with lights.

At home: handmade glazed ceramic tiles like the ones of La Sponda are your secret to bringing Mediterranean romance home after your holiday in Il Bel Paese. Their uneven surface and one-off finish, a sign of the artisanal crafting and firing behind them, make them one-of-a-kind. Pick them for a veranda or outdoor dining terrace that captures the beauty of coastal Italy year-round.

Bar di Bello. Los Angeles, US

3300 Sunset Blvd #109-110, Los Angeles, CA 90026, United States

Any avid reader of Livingetc's lifestyle stories will know I am a real sucker for a listening bar. Los Angeles's Bar di Bello captures the enduring charm of 1970s Italian design, the soul-filled ambience of London's coolest sound hangouts, and the electrifying atmosphere of a film set into one. In the dim light of this 22RE-designed address, the marble and stone mosaic flooring could almost pass for checkered carpet, feeding further into its nostalgic vibe. Chocolatey brown and ochre travertine and basalt tiles have been laid to facilitate wayfinding in the space, paired with wood-heavy, walnut furnishings, back-lit surfaces, and sculptural lighting. It's a choice that conveys depth and character to a dining room that would otherwise risk coming across as flat, perfect to root people in place through patterns and warmth. We have a new contender for our list of the best Los Angeles restaurants.

At home: mosaic marble flooring makes for a glamorous, mid-century modern Italian pairing straight out of a Gio Ponti home. The understated, yellowed-like palette of Bar di Bello, specifically, gives it an old-Hollywood look that makes me think of sumptuous dinner parties and exclusive gatherings; a dreamy setting for keen hosts and their social life. Finish it with intentional pops of color in the form of eccentric vintage furniture or artwork for an even more striking result.

There's no stopping restaurant openings, and while every year we attempt to bring you a curated edit of some of our favorite and most recently unveiled culinary establishments, we know no roundup will ever suffice to capture the full range of design inspirations gathered in their dining rooms.

Here are just a few of the places we have fallen for since our latest list came out:

• First Look — Inside Le Fou, Vienna's New Anti-Trend Cocktail Bar With Big 'Main Character' Energy

• Finally, a Restaurant Terrace in London Serving Design Inspiration Fit for a Heatwave and Beyond — Here's All You Need to Bring Its Instantly Iconic Look Home

• "Like a Rustic Small Town Square You Stumble Upon on Holiday" — How Notting Hill's Romantic Lebanese Restaurant KINZ Mastered the Art of Indoor-Outdoor Dining

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With sun-washed colors, expressive masonry, and intricate tilework, Mediterranean homes have an enduring charm. Lately, this style has found renewed relevance as people seek interiors that evoke the ease, warmth, and transportive calm of a faraway holiday.

This home in Montreuil, purchased by a family of four, follows a similarly hot-weather design story, with its residents drawn to a slightly eclectic, gently coastal aesthetic. Spread across three floors, the 1,292-square-foot, three-bedroom house became a wonderfully characterful project for Julie Nebout and Giuseppe Punzo of La Fotosintesi, a studio known for its joyful approach to interiors.

"The goal was to create interiors full of personality without ever becoming overwhelming, allowing the house to feel timeless and comfortable," the designers share. Although the existing layout already worked well, the clients wanted to give spaces an entirely new soul. Julie and Giuseppe responded by introducing moments of surprise in this modern home, as each room gradually unfolds, creating a sequence of colorful spaces with distinct identities that still feel harmonious as a whole.

"As soon as you enter the house, your eye is drawn to the bespoke masonry kitchen, finished in lime plaster and immediately evocative of a Mediterranean seaside home," shares Julie, one half of La Fotosintesi, who adds that the detail "creates a natural sense of welcome for guests."

The small kitchen's tiled island reinforces the relaxed, summery mood while introducing texture and a strong sense of craftsmanship. Despite its compact footprint, the kitchen includes everything the family needs for daily life; integrated cabinetry and seamless storage keep the space visually calm.

The ceiling plays an equally important role, coaxing the eye upward and creating a greater sense of volume. "A perimeter molding frames a soft sage green ceiling, chosen to create a dialogue with the greenery of the garden just outside," Giuseppe adds.

Where originally the kitchen was closed off, the designers decided to integrate it with the dining, helping open up both areas to light and breeze. Conceived as an intimate family space, it offers a place where parents and children can gather over meals and conversation.

Warm materials help create that sense of ease, from the wood flooring to the woven rattan chairs.

A dining table sourced from Sklum brings a more contemporary note, while a large aluminum screen by Marion Barbaz introduces a reflective surface that catches the light and lends the room a polished, modern edge. Sheer curtains filter the daylight throughout the day, while the painted ceiling — an enveloping canopy of color —continues the home's chromatic story overhead.

A doorway leads into the colorful living room, where a palette of soft pastels comes together in quiet harmony.

"The lounge is painted entirely in a light blue tone, enhancing its intimate and cozy character while creating a calm, peaceful environment for relaxing," Julie says.

The armchair, sourced from AM.PM, alongside a textile artwork by Gregory B Studio, gives the room an easygoing yet inviting quality. Above people's heads, the ceiling is painted in a slightly deeper shade of blue, in an enveloping, cocoon-like effect.

The attic bedroom, or the primary bedroom, is defined by bright tones and clever storage solutions.

"Because of the sloping ceilings, one of the main challenges was making the room feel spacious and balanced," Giuseppe explains. "We introduced a false partition to create a proper headboard wall, allowing the bed to sit centrally within the room."

Beside the bed, the designers created a discreet wardrobe that conceals a generous dressing area and an integrated writing desk — a quiet, practical corner for working or reading without disrupting the room's overall flow.

The en suite small bathroom is undeniably the boldest room in the house.

"We wanted it to become an architectural feature rather than simply a functional space, so we clad every surface in green zellige tile," Julie says. "The bathroom is enclosed in glass, allowing it to remain visually connected to the bedroom while maintaining a strong identity of its own."

The designers also introduced new windows that flood the room with natural light throughout the day. As the sun shifts, it plays across the handcrafted tiles, bringing out their rich texture and creating an ever-changing spectrum of green.

Their little girl's bedroom is awash in soft pink. The color extends across the walls, ceiling, and curtains, taking on added warmth in the natural light.

Custom furniture and delicate lamps keep the room feeling calm and considered, even amid the inevitable clutter of books and toys.

The kids bathroom is defined by a warm, gentle palette, with lime-plaster walls, softly rounded details, and warm-toned ceramic tile. The result is a welcoming space with an intimate atmosphere that offers a subtle counterpoint to the primary bathroom's bolder character.

Taken as a whole, the home unfolds as a cohesive design story, allowing each floor to establish its own identity while remaining connected to the others and the house's playfully uplifting spirit.

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Since moving to my small London flat, I've seriously levelled up when it comes to finding ways to stash, squeeze, and cram things into what little storage space I have. And though it may feel like an added step, storage boxes, cases, and bags really do make a difference — because what good is it stuffing everything into the cupboard if you then can't actually access it?

What struck me about IKEA's HEMMAFIXARE Storage Case is that not only is it accessible from the top, as usual, but it also has a handy side zip that means you can theoretically get something from the bottom without having to remove everything on top. A small detail, but trust me, a big difference.

The fact that it's fabric is also a big selling point. Stiff boxes may provide more protection, but fabric has that slightly flexible, malleable quality that makes it easier to squeeze into smaller spaces. And with 4.7/5 stars after more than 1,000 reviews, it appears I'm not the only one who's impressed with this storage idea.

While 'out of sight, out of mind' might seem like a good mentality most of the time, there are dangers to hidden storage, too; bad habits that people form from having too much of it, like postponing decisions or hoarding. So, why not use this discovery as an excuse to audit what you've currently got stored away, and to re-organize it in a way that lets you still be easily reach (it and therefore, regularly use it).

If you need more or something different from IKEA's options, here are some other storage cases that have multiple access points and even convenient clear windows so you can keep tabs on what you've got tucked away.

But just as much as clever storage is a necessity in small spaces, designers often stress that it's also important not to design your whole house around storage — at the end of the day, just because you've got it crammed into clever storage cases doesn't mean it won't make your home feel cramped. Less space ultimately has to mean less stuff, and learning how to declutter properly is the best design trick in the book.

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