editor’s office
We recently hosted our sixth House Tours event, this year welcoming
500 readers to six amazing homes in the Hackney area. Once again, it was a fabulous day, meeting readers and homeowners alike and soaking up design and decorating ideas. Every year, I’m bowled over (and rather put to shame) by the creativity, energy and passion that people pour into their homes – from bold wallpaper choices, clever paint treatments and stunning chandeliers to intriguing collections and displays. Suffice to say, by lunchtime the following day, I’d ordered a number of paint samples and bought a trolley full of indoor plants for my bathroom, directly inspired by some of the homes I saw.
The houses in this issue are no less inspiring. We loved the boho vibe of fashion designer Alice Temperley’s Somerset home (page 44), which is surely the perfect English country house – casual and grand at the same time. At the other end of the style scale, Bart’s houseboat in Amsterdam (page 78) oozes sophisticated, thoughtful design. Also in this issue, we have a special report on innovative uses for glass (page 127), including floors and double-height doors that definitely add the wow factor to a space. Ready for a summer project? Looking for an affordable treat? Why not take out a Livingetc subscription and enjoy a monthly fix of inspiration? Turn to page 26 for all the details.