Fashion’s story is beginning to change and a new dawn is breaking. Here’s C&TH’s Ibiza summer shoot, captured at Six Senses Ibiza. It’s packed with cool, eco threads for the best planet-friendly fashion brands around, many of which are stocked at Agora, the resort’s on-site boutique helmed by fashion editors Tiffanie Darke and Daniela Agnelli.

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Team

Fashion Director: Nicole Smallwood; Photographer: Dan Hack; Make-up: Charlotte Reid using ILIA, The Natural Africa and Hair by Sam McKnight; Fashion Assistant: April McCarthy

Brands Used in the Ibiza Summer Shoot

Alberta Ferretti

In January 2023 Alberta Ferretti joined forces with Skyway Monte Bianco to create a sustainable project in support of the Mont Blanc Glaciers. The limited edition capsule sweater collection was made of soft recycled cashmere, with a portion of proceeds from each sale donated to environmental projects dedicated to the conservation of the Mont Blanc glaciers. Organic chiffon and sustainable viscose organzine are used throughout the summer 2023 collection. albertaferretti.com

Caravana

At Caravana, sustainability is defined as the responsible interplay of having a positive environmental, social and human impact. It believes fashion is not an industry but a community of artisans who should be rewarded and honoured for their talent. The brand only use natural fibres, rejecting all types of materials such as nylon, polyester or plastics, and all its pieces and accessories are handmade in its workshop in Valladolid, Mexico, each taking many hours to create. caravana.land

Hunza G

Born in the UK, Hunza G’s signature one-size crinkle swimsuits are made with no wastage. Its one-size stance is not only an effort to remain an inclusive brand, but also reduces the risk of over-purchased sizing on a commercial level. Ethical and comfortable, each piece is intended to see you through a lifetime. hunzag.com

Kymina

The brand uses regenerated nylon made mostly from fishermen’s nets, and aims to provide sustainable yet affordable swimwear for women, produced ethically in the UK. Its collection is handmade in an energy-efficient facility in London’s Chelsea area. kymina.com

Marcel Rodrigues

Marcel Rodrigues’s clothing is either made from end of line, dead stock or rejected cloth from UK mills. All its products are handmade in its Cornwall workshop using 100 percent renewable energy. marcelrodrigues.co.uk

Medina Swimwear

Circularity is a key pillar of the brand. Entirely made in Europe, Medina pieces are crafted from fabrics using Econyl, an innovative nylon yarn, produced completely from recovered fishnets and other nylon waste. Besides being chlorine, sun cream and oil-resistant, it’s infinitely recyclable avoiding the use of new resources. Medina is constantly looking for material innovation to incorporate into its production, such as seaweed-based fabric SeaCell or hardware made in a factory that’s entirely run by photovoltaic energy. medinaswimwear.com

Rejina Pyo

For every product it creates, the team carefully considers the aesthetic, quality, functionality, and sustainability attributes of the materials. The brand has been working hard to build the right network of suppliers that can support its goal to source and develop environmentally preferred materials. rejinapyo.com

Sam Ubhi

 Sam Ubhi is a firm believer in taking a responsible approach to the materials it uses and the impact they have on the environment. Its jewellery is sustainably handcrafted using recycled materials. samubhi.com

Stella McCartney

Stella McCartney’s sustainable vision is guided by and accountable to its bold values – ‘making every action count, inspiring trust and celebrating life. We are change agents; we are activists. We stand up and speak up for Mother Earth, our fellow animals and in solidarity with all humans’. It is a vegetarian company, which means that no animals are killed for its products. ‘None of our collections contain leather, feathers, fur or exotic skins, and none of the glues used in our shoes or bags come from animals either’. In 2008, Stella McCartney began to phase out its use of PVC and, since 2010, all Stella McCartney products have been proudly PVC-free. stellamccartney.com

SO-LE Studio

Maria Sole Ferragamo founded SO-LE Studio with the mission to transform leftover materials such as leather and brass into unique sculptural jewellery. She works with the materials she finds and sees strength in scarcity; she transforms these into unique wearable design objects, naturally limited in numbers. so-le-studio.com

Vrai

Vrai’s jewellery features diamonds created in its zero-emission foundry, which utilises renewable energy to create stones that are atomically identical to mined diamonds. This ensures that every created diamond is unique, has guaranteed origin and no human or environmental toll. The packaging is made from recyclable, compostable and reusable materials: all the shipping boxes are created from recycled cardboard while the moulded trays that hold each jewellery box made from compressed sugarcane pulp, an environmentally friendly and renewable resource. uk.vrai.com

Zimmermann

The brand’s design, sourcing, retail and logistics are constantly being evaluated for the best options in this fast-changing space and it is committed to being transparent about its journey. It is actively implementing policies and processes to ensure that it is a responsible fashion business. It’s also a member of the United Nations Global Compact and therefore has declared support for the Ten Principles on human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption, and has joined the NEST Coalition for Craft and Culture. zimmermann.com

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Awhile ago, the actor Nigel Havers was on BBC Radio 4’s Broadcasting House show and the conversation turned to London’s traffic. Nigel claimed to be so fed up with Sadiq Khan’s restrictions and extension of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) that he considered leaving London. I took notice because I was reading Sadiq’s book Breathe: Tackling the Climate Emergency. Its publication came soon after 18 May when Tony Devenish, a London Assembly member, hauled Sadiq publicly over the coals, accusing him of failing Londoners as a mayor. That same month, Theresa Villiers, MP for Chipping Barnet, launched a bid to give the government powers to scrap Sadiq’s ‘anti car policies’, and less than four weeks after I talk to him, a YouGov poll found that 50 percent of Londoners think he’s doing a bad job. Sadiq is also lambasted mercilessly on Twitter and, although it may be a generational thing, when I ask around to find out what people think about him, many roll their eyes or say he’s doing a useless job. However, if his book is anything to go by, he’s made huge strides in improving London’s air quality. His detractors say that’s at the cost of more important issues like housing and crime, but nevertheless surely it’s of paramount importance to seek solutions to our capital’s dire congestion?

I start by asking him when he became so aware of the environment. ‘To be honest, it was self-interest,’ he says. ‘As a young lawyer I had a Saab convertible and then bought a Land Rover as I could fix my daughter’s car seat into it. I even voted for Heathrow’s third runway. I dismissed climate change as a tomorrow issue for the West, mostly affecting sub-Saharan Africa, islands in the West Indies and Bangladesh.’

Then, in 2014, Sadiq was diagnosed with asthma when training for the London Marathon. He met Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, mother of Ella, who died in 2013 of an asthma attack soon after her ninth birthday and following 30 emergency hospital admissions over two years. No one in the medical profession saw a link between Ella’s death and the congested South Circular near where she lived, but after Rosamund waged a dogged campaign, an inquest in December 2020 concluded that nitrogen dioxide levels on that road had way exceeded legal levels and WHO recommendations. ‘Clean air should be a human right and Rosamund was the inspiration who triggered my transformation from Land Rover driver to electric bike evangelist,’ says Sadiq.

He’s frustrated that his determination to curb our emissions meet with such heavy opposition from all quarters. LTN (Low Traffic Neighbourhood) schemes are particularly unpopular, with claims that traffic is being brought to a standstill on many roads making air quality even worse for some locals. In his book, Sadiq describes being confronted at his nephew’s barbecue by Michael, an electrician who relied on his diesel van and whose costs had
soared by £60 a week because of Sadiq’s policies. ‘He had a point,’ says Sadiq. ‘If we weren’t careful, these costs could fall disproportionately on the shoulders of the poorest. So, we invested in the biggest scrappage scheme in
history and offered small business loans to help meet those costs.’ He points out that one in ten vehicles in Kensington and Chelsea is a Range Rover, whereas half the people living in Barking and Dagenham don’t own a car at all. Yet it’s the deprived boroughs where air is poorest. He understands the need to address the economic impact of his policies, and brought in the visionary economist Mariana Mazzucato to help come up with a Green New Deal to grow London’s green economy to accelerate job creation.

While we revere David Attenborough for urging us to avert climate breakdown, many despise Sadiq for trying to do just that. How does he cope with such vicious, often personal, antipathy? ‘I’ve dealt with bullies since the playground,’ he says. ‘I’ve never allowed them to win, and never will. The problem with the pollution crisis is that it’s invisible. People can’t see or smell it so they don’t know how dangerous it is. That’s why I wrote the book, as I can’t explain it in 140 Twitter characters. Politicians dodge the issue because climate change doesn’t seem urgent so it’s not a vote winner, and you can only motivate people if you persuade them that it’s in their own interests to tackle it.

‘Already we’ve achieved so much, so I’m not stopping now. The number of asthmatic children being admitted to hospitals has reduced by a third. In 2017 60 percent of cars in inner London were polluting, whereas now 94 per cent are compliant with regulations. We have so many more cycle lanes and 900 rapid 15-minute charging points, more than any other city in Western Europe.’

His book relates several events I was unaware of, such as escaping the emergency ward where he’d been admitted with a suspected heart attack, to address COP at Glasgow. He confesses he lied to doctors, promising them he’d rest, in order to deliver his speech. I was also impressed by his involvement and subsequent chairmanship of C40, a partnership of mayors from 96 world cities. He’s still C40’s Chair and is convinced that mayors can collaboratively make a real difference to tackling urban pollution because they understand the problems of their cities better than anyone.

Sadiq’s book Breathe is out now

Despite his achievements, the polls remain fairly dismal. ‘The only poll that ultimately matters is the election itself,’ Sadiq counters robustly. ‘I’m confident if people understand what I’m trying to do, they’ll back me. Between 2000 and 2018 London’s workplace greenhouse gas emissions reduced by 57 percent and home emissions by 40 percent – but cars by just seven percent. People might not like it, but we must reduce our driving in the city, or risk more Ellas. I’ll send Nigel Havers my book and hope he reads it. Isn’t it better to be the first generation to take action rather than the last generation not to get it right? And there’s so much more we still have to do.’

Breathe: Tackling the Climate Emergency (£16.99, Penguin) is out now

The post How Sadiq Khan Is Fighting Pollution For Londoners appeared first on Country and Town House.

Inside Château Léoube, the Bamfords’ Organic Winery in Provence

Since Carole Bamford launched Daylesford back in 2002, it has become a household name in the UK – synonymous with the Cotswolds and all things organic. Lesser known, though, is one of the Bamfords’ other ventures: a wine estate in Provence, which, over the past 25 years, has been quietly but surely flying the flag for eco-minded viticulture. 

We’re talking about Château Léoube, a perfectly polished vineyard spread across four miles of coastline in the heart of Cap Bénat (the largest protected site in the Var), nestled within the sleepy town of Bormes-les-Mimosas. The Bamford family bought the estate back in 1997, enthralled by its seaside location, which not only looks beautiful, but also brings a unique quality to the winemaking. They set out to transform Léoube into an organic winery that showcased their holistic philosophy of nurturing the soil and working with the rhythms of the seasons. 

Brought in to spearhead the process was Romain Ott, fourth generation winemaker of the esteemed Ott family, who, having grown up in the region, was already well acquainted with the land. After ten years of careful planting and planning, the first vintage was born in 2008. Nowadays, Léoube produces around 350,000 to 400,000 bottles of wine each year, with 80 percent of that being rosé, alongside white, red and sparkling. 

The land is protected, meaning it has reached capacity in terms of production – allowing the focus to be on quality rather than quantity. ‘The Léoube style is authentic fine wines that are balanced, delicate and elegant,’ describes Romain. A love for the natural world dictates everything at the estate. ‘We have three jobs: to look after the land, to nurture nature, and to look after its biodiversity,’ Jérôme Pernot, Léoube’s head of export, tells us. ‘As much as we can, everything we do is by hand, from the planting to the trimming.’ The soil is nourished using only natural composts and manures, with no herbicides or pesticides used, and during the winter months sheep graze the land, acting as a natural method of weed control. 

Naturally, there’s a bit of Provençal glamour too – albeit in a relaxed way. Café Léoube is the estate’s chic beachside restaurant serving Mediterranean fare, made using ingredients from the on-site market garden.

And in 2021, James Middleton had his wedding at Château Léoube, attended by the then Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. But beneath the crisp glasses of rosé, pristine white linen and VIP guest list lies a clear, important message: that saving the earth starts from the ground up. As Romain puts it: ‘Viticulture at Léoube is and always has been a long-term vision, so sustainability is vital.’

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Bring Back The Beasts: Why Rewilding Might Save Britain

I am lucky enough to live at Cannwood, at the centre of a growing inkblot of nature restoration on farms in Somerset’s Brewham Valley that are working to restore a long-gone hunting forest known as Selwood. This great forest was never that of our collective imagination: a kind of dense, dark closed-canopy affair. Selwood was, in fact, a vast mosaic wood pasture, not so different from the wildwood that blanketed nearly all of Britain in pre-history. Selwood was converted into the patchwork quilt of neon green fields and neatly clipped hedges we see today not so very long ago, perhaps a century or two. With it went a natural vibrancy and an abundance of wildlife that we can barely conceive of today.

Among the species lost from Selwood were Britain’s own keystone species. Keystone species are those animals who play a disproportionately vital role in maintaining ecosystems, and on which therefore all the other species depend. In the same way that each arch of a medieval bridge is supported by a keystone that, if removed, causes the arch to collapse, it is now understood that the balance of ecosystems also hinges upon the activities of certain species that create so-called trophic cascades that bring exponential benefits to everything else.

Principal among the keystones of Selwood were the native horned cattle belonging to the people living and farming here, who turned them out to roam freely across an unenclosed landscape. Horned cattle are descended from the fearsome wild ox or aurochs that may have survived in the wild in Britain until at least Roman times. The browsing, grazing and trampling of these large herbivores prevents the darkness of the tree canopy from closing over the landscape, instead engineering semi-open woodland punctuated by sun-dappled glades and meandering grazing lawns in which wildflowers, berry-laden scrub and small fruit trees may flourish.

The native horned cattle free-roams at Selwood

A second keystone was the pig, herded domestically for millennia, and its untamed, curious, sensitive, social cousin the wild boar, which lives in matriarchal family groups known as sounders. These are nature’s gardeners, whose incessant rootling and turning of the ground exposes the bare soil for the benefit of plants whose seeds require open ground for germination. All kinds of plants have disappeared from our landscapes in the absence of this rootling; from delicate, annual grasses and wildflowers such as poppies and scarlet pimpernel, to trees such as black poplar, aspen and sallow – from which the word Selwood is derived. Many songbirds too depend on pigs to access bugs and other food in the earth, and all kinds of fungi and microorganisms are propagated through the landscape by pigs.

A third is the beaver, hunted to extinction in Britain by the middle ages. By building dams, beavers create strings of pools that have the appearance of gently ascending Japanese rice terraces. These beaver-made wetlands and wet woodlands, sunlit by the felling of trees, are one of the lushest, most naturally abundant habitats we have in our country. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the wolf is our own apex predator, whose hunting maintains healthy populations of wild herbivores, keeps their numbers in check, and keeps the herds on the move. To some extent humans have usurped the wolf, whose role we do our best to fulfil, poorly it turns out, as deer numbers continue to grow out of control.

Our big idea here in Selwood is inspired by Knepp, a big former industrial farm on poor land in Sussex whose owners, Charlie Burrell and Isabella Tree, exasperated by years of economic losses, took the decision two decades ago to embark on a grand experiment: rewilding. Charlie and Isabella’s plan was to allow natural processes and self-willed wood pasture to return across all of their farm. Without any fixed outcomes in mind, they turned out native, domestic proxies for the keystone species.

They chose hardy breeds that can live outside all year round without supplementary feeding. Old English longhorn cattle were used in place of aurochs; Tamworth pigs for wild boar; and Exmoor ponies for Europe’s
long-extinct wild horse, the tarpan. Red and fallow deer were added to the mix. At Knepp, all these rewilded animals are free to roam where they like, eat what they like, sleep where they like.

Across the entire landscape a shape-shifting wood pasture has grown up, rich in scrub and in wildflowers, a mosaic of habitats that teems with wildlife in an abundance that we are unused to seeing in Britain today. Isabella’s bestselling book, Wilding, charts the astonishing recovery of nature through rewilding that is unfolding at Knepp, and the surging return of species that are disappearing almost everywhere else in Britain: turtle doves, nightingales, white storks, kingfishers, all five British species of owl and countless other species are present in unfathomable numbers. Populations of insects and small mammals are sky-rocketing, and with them everything that depends on them for food. Most astonishingly, Knepp has never been so profitable.

Here in Selwood, farmers in our growing cluster are ripping out fencing and field drains, filling in ditches, opening up gaps in hedges and replacing their sheep and commercial cattle with free-roaming Old English Longhorns equipped with NoFence collars that respond to an invisible, moveable boundary. A re-emergent wood pasture, now so rare in Britain, is beginning to shine all around us. Surveyed moth, butterfly, bird and bat numbers are rising fast. Beavers are back, and on dark summer nights glow-worms hang once again suspended in iridescent patterns over their pools.

If nature is wealth, Britain ranks among the poorest countries on Earth. We can barely conceive of the magic and natural abundance that was known by previous generations. Thankfully, public demands are now growing for the restoration of nature and rewilding, on which we depend for everything we have and everything we do. In December 2022, Britain joined the nations of the world in pledging to restore 30 percent of our land to natural health and 30 percent of our sea by 2030. Our national parks and other less agriculturally productive landscapes, which contribute a minuscule proportion of our national food production, are the obvious areas in which to centre these efforts. And it is families that have farmed these landscapes for generations who are best placed to lead them.

Farming communities are in many ways the soul and the backbone of our country. In our least productive landscapes, and especially within our national parks, their hordes of sheep have become hopelessly non-viable in economic terms, unable to provide a decent living. As the average age of sheep farmers creeps ever higher, their take-home income creeps ever lower. In sheep farming, there are now no winners, only losers. In landscapes dominated by sheep the ruination of nature has gone hand in hand with economic and social decline.

The role of native horned cattle as a keystone species offers us a kind of silver bullet in these places. The dramatic recovery of nature through rewilding can go hand-in-hand with continued, albeit reduced, food production and the breathing of new economic life into our remoter landscapes. The switching from non-native sheep to native horned cattle will give us swathes of restored wood pasture, currently so rare in Britain. Landscapes like Selwood can once again play host to an extraordinary array and abundance of wildlife, of the kind that we have simply forgotten can exist here. Once you’ve visited a place like Knepp, or now Selwood, and have experienced for yourself a wall of birdsong so intense that it feels overwhelming, everywhere else seems colourless and silent by comparison.

God is an Octopus by Ben Goldsmith (£20, Bloomsbury) is out now.

Featured image from Pexels, by Lauri Poldre.

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Taylor Howes Design: Country & Town Interiors Book 2023

Founded in 1992, Taylor Howes Designs is celebrating 30 years this year. Under the stewardship of founder and CEO, Karen Howes and the Creative Head of Studio, Jane Landino, the serially decorated interior design studio, based in the heart of Knightsbridge, has become synonymous with couture-like room schemes and creating exceptional homes for exceptional people. The practice’s work-in-progress illustrates not only its international scope but the heights of the commissions the team of nearly 30 designers is undertaking: a chalet in Switzerland, a French-Moroccan style palace in the Middle East (which is nearing completion), and a new-build country house in the South East of England.

In London, the team are heads down on delivering the super-prime rental apartments within Knightsbridge Gardens, which are to launch this summer. Inspired by the immediate heritage of the surrounding area and its place in fashion and royal British history, the apartments showcase British design with furniture, colours and accents influenced by the likes of Burberry and William Morris. Inspiration for Karen comes from her team, who are a constant source of energy and creativity, second to none. In equal measure, the artisans and craftspeople that the studio collaborates with also inspire. Sustainability is hugely important to Taylor Howes Designs, which work with carefully selected suppliers to ensure products are ethically sourced and environmentally conscious. It continues to work with British brands and makers wherever possible.

Outside of client projects, Rest Nest, the charitable initiative founded by Karen and the studio that endeavours to redesign and improve the on-shift break room faculties for NHS nurses and key workers, has made further ground in a significant roll-out across the Imperial Healthcare Trust in partnership with NHS Charities Together. Under the scheme, the studio has most recently redesigned the staff rooms on the A&E ward and children’s intensive care unit at Charing Cross Hospital.

Tips, Tricks & Tools

1. ‘Purchase mindfully. It’s worth waiting to buy that one-off, exceptionally crafted object or item of furniture that you truly adore. It’s not about the quick fix of an impulse buy, but the long-term value of something that gives you fond memories when you look at it.’
2. ‘Choose timeless pieces. Items with a timeless quality are not only sustainable but provide outstanding value. Ask yourself if you will still like something in 20 years.’
3. ‘Repair, don’t replace. Choose pieces that evoke feelings of joy and last for a lifetime that can be re-upholstered or re-finished time and time again.’
4. ‘Always add something old or antique to every room. It grounds a new space and give it a feeling of being lived in. It can also become a talking point.’
5. ‘Bring the outdoors in. Nature is a key inspiration for the team at Taylor Howes, influencing its choices of textures, colours and scents.’

Taylor Howes Design expertly creates elegant interiors

Secret Address Book

• Fabrics: The team loves the breadth and texture of Dedar’s fabrics (dedar.com).
• Auction House: You can find everything from modern British furniture to exquisite jewellery at Woolley & Wallis in Salisbury (woolleyandwallis.co.uk).
• Podcast: We’re avid listeners of The Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett.

TAYLOR HOWES DESIGNS
49-51 Cheval Place, London, SW7 1EW
taylorhowes.co.uk
@taylorhowesdesigns

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West One Bathrooms: Country & Town Interiors Book 2023

An illustrious and innovative supplier of luxury bathrooms in Europe, West One Bathrooms offers an industry renowned, end-to-end sales and design service. Established in London’s Mayfair in 1978, the company remains family-run and is currently in its third generation.

Breaking the mould in the industry, it led the way in innovation, transforming the perception of bathrooms from being seen as merely functional and basic, into being seen as an indulgent sanctuary. Today, it has a reputation for sourcing the most beautiful bathroom products and accessories worldwide.

From the beginning, the essence of the company was to offer clients the widest selection of products paired with exceptional advice from highly skilled and experienced staff. Everything the company does is individually tailored because the team understands that planning a bathroom is a big decision: a fine balance driven by the desire for the finer things along with the practical considerations of who will be using the space. Its approach is one-of-a-kind, as a ‘one-stop-shop’ for expert advice, service and access to an unparalleled product portfolio that spans over 750 global suppliers including brands such as Ann Sacks, New Ravenna and Wall&Deco, which are available exclusively through West One Bathrooms.

The brand is proud to offer eight luxury bathroom showrooms across London and the South East that are regularly updated with new and cutting-edge products to reflect trends as well as timeless classics. This year is a momentous year as the company celebrates 45 years in business and its ongoing commitment to providing the most luxurious bathrooms and outstanding service. The year will also see a complete refurbishment of the expansive Battersea site, which is set to redefine the concept of bathroom showrooms as we know it. Another forward-thinking move from this award-winning bathroom specialist.

Tips, Tricks & Tools

1. ‘Always buy the best you can afford; it will last longer and still look fabulous in years to come.’
2. ‘Use wallpaper on the ceiling in a cloakroom or compact shower room to add a bold statement to the “fifth wall”, which is often overlooked as a feature area.’
3. ‘You start and end your day in the bathroom, so it is important to ensure it’s not only your personal sanctuary but also a functional space.’
4. ‘Opt for water saving products where possible, such as a Hansgrohe EcoSmart shower or tap. The experience feels the same as normal but the water saving benefits are massive.’
5. ‘Never underestimate the importance of bathroom lighting – it can make or break a scheme. Use lighting to highlight features in the room and create a relaxing atmosphere.’

Secret Address Book

• Paint: Mylands paint is superb quality (mylands.com).
• Sustainable Brand: Haines Collection resells unwanted textiles, wallpaper, lights and accessories that would likely end up in landfill (hainescollection.co.uk).
• Wallpaper: Innovative and decorative, Wall&Deco’s waterproof wallpaper can be applied in the shower (wallanddeco.com).

WEST ONE BATHROOMS
610 Kings Road, London SW6 2DX
+44 (0)20 7751 8000
westonebathrooms.com
@westonebathrooms

The post Turn Your Bathroom Into a Sanctuary: West One Bathrooms appeared first on Country and Town House.

Celine Interior Design: Country & Town Interiors Book 2023

Founded by Noor Charchafchi nearly a decade ago, Celine Interior Design has a world-class reputation for its empowering vision, which is based on the thinking that our homes and the environments where we spend our time impact our quality of life. ‘Design is an extraordinary tool that can massively affect our human experiences,’ says Noor, who personally oversees each project with a high level of understanding of both a client’s needs and their aspirations. ‘When I started my practice, I knew I loved design. However, passion isn’t enough to run a business successfully. It’s a great foundation, but there is so much more that you need to be able to deliver outstanding designs. Enhancing a client’s experience and their way of life has to be your ultimate goal at every step of the way.’

International in outlook, Noor’s Iraqi background means that both her Middle Eastern projects and her home-grown ones are thriving – whether it’s a penthouse in London’s Westminster, a mansion in Surrey, a residential development in Chelsea or a commercial commission further afield. Noor’s comprehension of her clients’ cultural backgrounds, combined with her deep knowledge of British design and the quality of craftsmanship that accompanies it, give her a unique design perspective that is much sought-after. She has also worked hard at putting together an excellent team over the years and credits them for the smooth delivery of each project. ‘I believe the difference between running an excellent design practice and going it alone is all about the people – that means the clients, the staff and everyone involved in the project directly and indirectly,’ she says. Noor’s mission is to constantly ensure her staff are on a path of growth and innovation, while ensuring the creation of masterpieces that dramatically improve quality of life.

Tips, Tricks & Tools

1. ‘Ceilings can be wonderful spaces to work with and are often overlooked. In a current project, we are painting the ceiling two colours to give it more depth and interest.’
2. ‘We love using large wall lights, especially in entrance hallways, to give a sense of grandeur upon arrival.’
3. ‘Wallpaper always lends a touch of luxury, especially if textured. Not only does it add a focus to the room, it also helps with layering, which focuses the eye in on all the details.’
4. ‘Don’t forget the small things. People think about the sofa but often forget about the small table to the side. These tiny things are a massive part of everyday life.’
5. ‘Avoid fully open storage. If everything is on show it’s hard to keep a room looking tidy.’

Secret Address Book

• Flowers: New Covent Garden Flower Market, for its daily array of fresh blooms (newcoventgardenmarket.com).
• Chocolates: Birley Bakery makes divine chocolates and has beautiful interiors (birleybakery.com).
• Fabrics: Pierre Frey, for the variety of textures and quality (pierrefrey.com).

CELINE INTERIOR DESIGN
21 Chiddingstone Street, London SW6 3TQ
+44 (0)20 8032 2911
celineinteriordesign.com
@celineinteriordesign

The post Meet The Interior Designer: Celine Interior Designers appeared first on Country and Town House.

OWN London: Country & Town Interiors Book 2023

A multidisciplinary creative studio based in Mayfair, OWN LONDON’s proposition spans the fields of architecture, interior design, spatial planning and property development. Founded by Alex Labridis, Manthos Xenos and Vaios Tsigkas in 2008, the studio has completed more than 40 projects in the capital. Thanks to a multifaceted team that includes RIBA architects, BIID interior designers, chartered engineers and craftsmen, the company can provide a complete service, from the concept design stage through to the final delivery. ‘Our driving force is to offer excellent service and to make each client’s journey enjoyable, while creating special designs that are delivered through quality workmanship,’ says Alex.

At the core of the business is a focus on both residential and commercial projects, where a client’s lifestyle or specific objective is coupled with the diverse experience of the team to influence the design. ‘“Modern Eclecticism” is the hallmark of OWN LONDON,’ continues Alex. ‘We have an imaginative design vocabulary that is established by mixing different genres, materiality and textures. Bold contemporary silhouettes are paired with vintage and antique pieces, blending timelessness with today, and infusing spaces with unique character.’

Recent projects include a private family office in Mayfair where the team interpreted the client’s vision of a contemporary, crisp, warm aesthetic, with all the equipment of a modern office seamlessly hidden from sight, by creating a striking, bespoke limestone co-working station in the centre of the space. They have also completed the redevelopment of a 3,000 sq/ft home in Hammersmith, reconfiguring the main living areas for multi-functional family use, and transformed a maisonette set within a detached Grade II-listed villa in Holland Park. Looking ahead to the future, the founders hope the business will continue to grow and expand globally. ‘Our aim is to work on signature projects, both locally and internationally, that stand out for their exceptional design and delivery.’

Tips, Tricks & Tools

1. ‘Layer lighting to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Use a combination of ambient, task, and accent lighting to add depth and dimension to a room.’
2. ‘Use gloss paint rather than a matt finish to help light bounce back into a room.’
3. ‘Consider using a rug to define a space and add texture. It can anchor furniture, as well as bring in colour and warmth.’
4. ‘Incorporate plants into your decor for a natural, organic feel. They add colour and texture, purify the air, and improve your mood.’
5. ‘Hang artwork so that the centre of the piece is just below eye level (approximately 130cm from the floor). A common mistake is that they are hung too high to be able to be appreciated.’

Secret Address Book

• Auction House: Auctionet is an online platform for sourcing furniture, design and antiques from European auction houses (auctionet.com).
• Garden Centre: Camden Garden Centre is a hidden eutopia and with glorious coffee (camdengardencentre.co.uk).
• Rugs: A Rum Fellow for patterned, colourful rugs (arumfellow.com).

OWN LONDON
Third Floor 24-25 New Bond Street London W1S 2RR
+44 (0)20 8968 4746
ownlondon.co.uk
@own.london

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Neptune: Country & Town Interiors Book 2023

In today’s world, throwaway culture prevails all too often. One company taking a real stand against this transiency is Neptune. Longevity is at the forefront of everything it does, from the timelessness of the designs to the quality of the materials and the methods it uses. Antique furniture is a natural inspiration; the retailer is on a mission to make pieces that last for at least 100 years, and antiques have already done just that. However, while Neptune value traditional design principles, they also stay abreast of the latest innovations in modern engineering.

The company’s philosophy is about choosing the right material for the right purpose, whether that’s showcasing the beauty of timber through solid oak or using hardwood plywood to lend designs structural stability. You’ll never find MDF or chipboard in its furniture.

With the aim of becoming the most sustainable home and lifestyle brand by 2030, its production house is powered by energy-efficient heat pumps and recycles as many by-products as possible. Where it can’t make things itself, it uses local suppliers wherever possible to lower its carbon footprint. Partners include Marlborough Tiles, which is based close to Neptune’s Wiltshire head office, and Bristol Weaving Mill, which is powered by 100 percent renewable energy.

Reputation is key for Neptune and it offers a cohesive service that extends from the design team to the delivery drivers. With 20 years of design expertise, offering interior design services was a natural progression for the business. The original kitchen design service was soon joined by home design, and it recently launched a colour consultancy.

Today, Neptune has over 30 stores in the UK and Europe, as well as ‘Neptune by’ and partner stores. Here, it is once again
determined to do things differently. Each store is thoughtfully curated to feel like a functional home – somewhere you can relax and seek inspiration.

Tips, Tricks & Tools

1. ‘A beautifully made, comfortable piece of furniture with the capacity to last for 100 years is the best investment you
   can make for your home.’
2. ‘Instead of a large artwork, try using four or six pieces and paint a border around them to draw them together.’
3. ‘When using lighter colours, paint your ceiling the same colour as the walls to make the room feel more open.’
4. ‘Add dimmer switches to every light and lamp in your home and use bulbs that have a colour temperature of 2700
   kelvin for a well-balanced, warm hue that isn’t too amber.’
5. ‘Avoid “coordination” and embrace the rogue items in your home. Too much matching can lead to a finished result that looks like a hotel.’

Secret Address Book

• Tiles: Marlborough Tiles are handmade in Wiltshire using artisanal methods (marlboroughtiles.com).
• Light bulbs: Tala’s products are as beautiful as light bulbs can be (tala.co.uk).
• Mattresses: Harrison Spinks mattresses are made in Yorkshire, using the finest natural materials (harrisonspinks.co.uk).

NEPTUNE (EUROPE) LTD
Blagrove, Swindon Wiltshire SN5 8YG
neptune.com
@neptunehomeofficial

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Cole & Son: Country & Town Interiors Book 2023

Cole & Son was established in north London in 1875. Throughout its storied history, art and craftsmanship have been at the core of everything the brand has achieved. With one of the largest archives in the world – including 2,000 block print designs, 500 screen print patterns and a vast quantity of original drawings and wallpapers – the design house’s vast portfolio stretches even further back than its founding year to the 1700s. In keeping with its philosophy of ‘living art’ and ‘living history’, Cole & Son continues to add to the artistic legacy of the house’s founders and expand the archive for future generations. In-house artists spend months painting a design, vital for lending a pattern movement and depth. ‘Everything we create is original,’ says creative and managing director Marie Karlsson. ‘Our creativity filters through to the brand. We’re not your everyday wallpaper. When you come to us, you bring your attitude forward.’

This year sees another milestone for Cole & Son with the opening of the brand’s first-ever flagship in the heart of Chelsea. Converting an old art gallery into a Design House for both architects and interior designers, as well as customers looking to choose their new interior scheme. The space will also house the extensive archive, offices, and design studio. This year also sees new collections, with Fornasetti Senza Tempo II wallpapers and The Gardens Vol II Fabrics launched during the summer. The latter tells the enduring story of nature’s vistas in an exquisite selection of fabric complements in rich jacquards, crisp poplin and lustred velvet, enhancing the home with an elegance that is uniquely yours. With a commitment to, and passion for, excellence, Cole & Son is dedicated to creating unique and distinctive designs that help shape inviting interiors through colour and pattern.

Tips, Tricks & Tools

1. ‘Add unexpected detail by continuing wallpaper onto the ceiling. Imagine lying in bed, gazing up at the billowing clouds of Fornasetti’s “Nuvolette” as they roll above you.’
2. ‘Use panelling to frame panoramic designs, such as “Idyll”. Surround with the coordinating “Petite Fleur”, both from The Gardens collection, as a way of combining large and small-scale design.’
3. ‘While feature walls are still popular, there is now a move towards using panels (such as the new “Vista Mediterranea”, a city scene with cerulean sky) or scenic papers, rather than all-over pattern.’
4. ‘Use a detailed pattern in a large space. For example, the hand-painted “Tudor Rose” knot garden, which, from a distance feels like an organic geometric print.’
5. ‘A light-toned paper in a hallway can brighten an area that doesn’t have much natural light; a stripe or trailing design will draw the eye upwards to make the space feel larger.’

COLE & SON
3 Jubilee Place London SW3 3TD
+44 (0)20 7647 7717
cole-and-son.com
@cole_and_son_wallpapers

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