ELLE Decoration UK March 2021

from the editor

Like many of you, I’m sure, my lockdown Christmas meant I ended up watching far too much television. One of the many shows I attempted to give myself square eyes with was the BBC’s adaptation of Rumer Godden’s 1939 novel Black Narcissus, about a group of nuns renovating a former brothel in the Himalayas. While I could identify with their resolve and ambition in the face of a particularly challenging project – most of my own decorating attempts require similar strength of character – I have to say there wasn’t much else to commend it. One benefit, however, was that it rekindled my interest in Godden, a prolific writer of novels, children’s books and poetry. It reminded me of a quote from her memoirs: ‘There is an Indian proverb that says…

this year

Every issue of ELLE Decoration is packed full of inspiration, information and ideas, with a mix of styles, products and price points that will help you make your home as stylish as your wardrobe. Editor-in-Chief GREAT REASONS TO SUBSCRIBE JUST £24.99 £24.99 for your first 12 issues Receive LIMITED-EDITION covers FREE delivery to your door every month in recyclable packaging NEVER miss an issue CANCEL anytime TO SUBSCRIBE FOR 12 MONTHS AT OUR LOWEST PRICE, SIMPLY VISIT HEARSTMAGAZINES.CO.UK/EC-MAGAZINE OR CALL 01858 438 877‡ QUOTING IEC12113 LINES OPEN MON–FRI 8AM–9.30PM, SAT 8AM–4PM Terms and conditions Offer valid for UK subscriptions only. After your first 12 issues, your payments will continue at the rate of £44.99 every 12 issues, saving 27%. All orders will be acknowledged, and you will be advised of the start issue within 14 days.…

mindful design

Mindfulness and meditation aren’t easy to master, but ‘The Bel’ meditation candle might make it less of a struggle. The design uses fire, gravity and sound to measure time and guide users through their practice. As the candle burns down, a brass pin (which can be placed as close to the top as you like, according to your timeframe) falls into the tray with a resonant ding to signify time’s up. The handmade brass candle holder comes with three hand-dipped coconut candles scented with sage, lavender and palo santo, three brass pins, and matches. £165, &You (andyoulifestyle.com).…

tread lightly

‘In the UK, we have an abundance of coppiced wood and a 1,000-year history of working it, yet few contemporary commercial uses exist for it,’ says Sebastian Cox. The designer’s latest collection of furniture, ‘Products of Silviculture’, sets out to change this. Each piece has a wood frame crafted from hazel, hornbeam and chestnut coppiced from Cox’s woodland in Kent, with the carcass made from carefully sourced British wood. The aim is to encourage more sustainable woodland management and, in turn, boost biodiversity. Coffee table, £1,700; chair, £1,790 (sebastiancox.co.uk).…

fresh start

Undeterred by the retail pandemonium unleashed by the pandemic, new homeware brand Vivense has launched with a flagship showroom on London’s Borough High Street. Its collection marries strikingly affordable prices with serious design credentials – much of the range has been created by Denmark-based designer Emanuele Patton. Covering everything from corner sofas to contemporary chandeliers, it’s a positive step forward for the British high street at a time when so much looks uncertain. ‘Joy’ planter, from £49; ‘Nala’ bookcase, £249; ‘Tera’ armchair, £239 (vivenselondon.com).…

pole position

Founded by Polish artist and designer Magda Jurek, Pani Jurek is a multidisciplinary practice that spans product, illustration and education. The new ‘TRN’ collection was inspired by 20th-century painter Jan Tarasin’s colourful, symbol-filled canvases. The series of sustainably made furniture and lighting is intended to be used together to build up abstract compositions (the tables can be placed together to create a larger one, as pictured), and no two pieces are exactly alike. From approx £261 for a light, Adorno (adorno.design).…