Living Etc August 2021

My home life has been anything but relaxing lately, so the theme of this issue is wishful thinking for me but I’m hoping it’s a reality for all of you. If you follow me on social media, you’ll have noticed I’ve given up the Insta-sham of posting curatedly perfect pictures – I simply don’t have the content – and have been sharing shots of wallpaper stripping, concrete drilling and vegetable-patch building instead. But in all the renovation chaos it feels like we’ve turned a corner. By the time you read this, we will probably be back in, only the last of the builders ought to remain and my kitchen might have been nearly completed. I actually can’t imagine what I’ll do with weekends when there is no DIY left. Hopefully, I’ll…

1 HOLISTIC WORKSPACES Wherever you stand on the return to the office, a new focus on wellness at work might just tempt you back. Uncommon’s flexible workspaces curate everything from scent to sound to help with your productivity – offerings include meditation pods and Pelotons. uncommon.co.uk 2 TABLE SKIRTS There is a rumour that the Victorians covered their bare furniture with cloth to retain a sense of modesty. While it’s more likely that items were covered to protect them from wear and tear, there is certainly something demure about the playful table skirt that is finding its way into many a modern interior these days. We love the way they make tables look like they are floating above the ground. Table skirt with pleated hem, from £204, East London Cloth. eastlondoncloth.co.uk 3 HAPPY SHOPPING The…

‘Vintage, eclectic, bohemian vomit,’ says Paloma Faith, with a dramatic pause between each word. I’d asked her to describe the style of her London home, and it’s a subject she seizes with relish. ‘I became quite fanatical about doing up my house,’ she explains. ‘People thought I had an interior designer, but it was all from eBay and antiques festivals. Pre-Covid, I travelled a lot and I’d often buy another suitcase to bring back pictures and vases.’ Luckily, she has a great eye. ‘I love it when people tell me they would never have thought to put all these clashing things together yet it looks warm, and like a home.’ This is the ethos behind Paloma Home, a collection that encapsulates the retro maximalism of her personal style. From rich velvet…

This breathtakingly barely-there Wi-Fi speaker by Swedish brand Transparent is constructed from a single aluminium frame and tempered glass to blend seamlessly into any home. As it aims to become the first circular tech brand with its innovative modular design, new components and systems can be swapped in as technologies develop, meaning the chic sustainable speakers are more than just a design statement. You can also connect up to seven different speakers and stream music to all of them simultaneously, creating a magnificent sound experience. Wi-Fi small speaker, £430 (transpa.rent)…

You can often find us drooling over interior hardware, but these new neutral-hued switches from Dowsing & Reynolds are practically sippable! A curated range of dimmer switches, rocker switches and sockets in finishes with evocative names including Caramel Latte, Cinnamon and Whipped Cream, the collection is aimed at people who are using earthy, tonal colours in their interiors and choosing designs that will make them feel grounded and comforted. From £21.99 for a single plug socket (dowsingandreynolds.com)…