Emily Wright
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Articles by Emily Wright
Can design respond to superstitious thinking?
Skip to content Rick Owens 'Antler Bed'. Photography: courtesy of Carpenters Workshop Gallery Superstitions have been woven into the history of architecture since the first quiet omission of the 13th floor. An expression of humanity’s enduring desire to appease unseen forces, superstitious architecture might be dismissed as irrational to many in the modern Western world.
Soft power: the contemporary allure of fibre art
Fibre art is having a moment, and not just at the British Museum, where queues to catch a glimpse of the Bayeux Tapestry have become almost as legendary as the 70-metre embroidery itself. Tapestries and textile art are seeing a resurgence in interiors for the counterbalance they offer the hard surfaces and cool materials often associated with contemporary design.
Are we finished with dining rooms? Not so fast, say designers
Shifting lifestyle preferences have fuelled popularity for kitchen-diners, breakfast bars and sofa suppers. But does that mean dedicated eating spaces are heading for extinction? While a report by Aviva released last month found that one in five homeowners has repurposed the dining room, it seems not everyone is clamouring to phase them out.
‘Meet me in the foyer!’
Could the office reception hall become a hang-out? Pop-up food markets, public art installations, coffee shops and amphitheatres are transforming once perfunctory reception areas into multipurpose destinations — many of which are open to the public. This new breed of atrium is less a threshold and more a social space, somewhere people come to eat, drink and meet rather than simply pass through.
Practical magic: the case for designing your back room
Why are the hardest-working rooms in the house the ones most likely to be overlooked when it comes to design? It makes no sense. These spaces might not always be on display, but we spend a lot of time in them. Not only that, they are often the multi-functional pockets of our homes where a little bit of design acumen and clever space utilisation can go a long way.
Boomers and zoomers are working together. Can they share an office too?
When the first Gen Z wave entered full-time employment nearly a decade ago, cities saw their first five-generation workforce. Born in the late 1990s, this new cohort joined the ranks of the working just as their grandparents were extending their careers beyond traditional retirement age. Suddenly people spanning up to seven decades of experience were working alongside one another.
These design rebels are pushing the industry to its limits
Some interior designers don’t simply dare to be different. They turn mutiny into an art form. Just as living with rebellious design isn’t for everyone, nor is creating it. Challenging the status quo takes guts as well as skill, and not all designers are natural rule-breakers. But for those who thrive on provoking a reaction, sparking a conversation and dividing opinion, there is freedom to be found in the rejection of convention.
World's longest flight lands in Australia after 19-hour journey from European airport
A revolutionary new aircraft designed to connect the UK and Australia without a stopover has made history after completing a 19-hour test flight . The custom-built Airbus A350-1000ULR touched down in Australia on Friday morning after a marathon 10,500-mile (17,000km) journey from the Airbus factory in Toulouse, France Tracked by over 10,000 aviation fans on Flightradar24, the jet became the most-watched flight in the world as it pushed the boundaries of modern travel.
‘There should always be a book within arm’s reach’
Few objects combine aesthetics, function, history and personality as effortlessly as books. Essential design elements, they add visual texture, soften architecture and create rhythm within a space without feeling repetitive or formulaic. But perhaps their greatest quality is their ability to tell a story — not only literally, but through the homes and buildings they inhabit. The role of books in design has long since moved beyond simply storing a collection.
Swimming pool designers are floating a new blueprint for outdoor recreation
Since the early days of recreational swimming, pool design has gone lengths, from simple rectangles and classic Greek-inspired contours to kidney shapes and wild grottos concealed by thick landscaping. And who remembers turquoise vinyl liners? Fuelled by postwar economic prosperity, more than 150,000 swimming pools were built at homes across California in the 1960s, according to a study by the University of Cambridge. In Los Angeles alone, around 60% featured the eponymous kidney-shaped design.
Curated design platforms have more power than ever
They constitute a new generation of cultural gatekeepers: sites like Collagerie, Abask and Maison Flaneur are online shopping experiences for discerning customers on the hunt for must-have tableware and one-off objets. Delivering convenience, curation and credibility in a single click, many have been founded and backed by creative industry powerhouses, from former Vogue fashion editors to luxury buyers and stylists.
Here’s the scoop: five ice cream parlours with mouth-watering design
An ice-cream parlour — any ice-cream parlour — is the stuff of childhood dreams. A well-designed one is the stuff of the adults’. Long the realm of whimsical kitsch, where pastels reigned supreme, the next generation of gelaterias and creameries is bringing a more sophisticated aesthetic to the table. From pared-back vintage charm to laboratory chic, today’s go-to spots are reframing the appeal of the scoop. Still nostalgic, still joyful, just a bit more… grown-up.
Extreme makeover: brutalist buildings have become a vast resource for developers
Is there an architectural style more divisive than brutalism? For some, there is little to applaud in its utilitarian, fortress-like structures, even as others see beauty in the stark, unpolished form. Still, these buildings stand the test of time, and generations on from the postwar brutalist boom, a plethora of projects are being reimagined for our current age.
'I'm not here to make friends': how to design for office introverts
Have workspaces become too collaborative? On first reading, one might assume there can be no such thing. Places to gather, share ideas and socialise bring offices to life after all, and the lure of the hive has been a powerful tool in drawing people back post-pandemic.
Theatre in the round: the oculus stages a comeback
Funnels for natural light that shifts with the sun, circular apertures have illuminated and ventilated the public sphere for centuries. Traditionally found in domed structures, a carefully positioned oculus, or ‘eye’, can also bring structural relief to a building by punching through, and reducing the weight of, a top-heavy apex.
Pod bless this London interior, a domestic version of the office capsule concept
How do you take the concept of the office privacy-pod and make it work in the domestic sphere? A pair of London architects have cracked it, making a bespoke timber pod the unlikely centrepiece of a Grade II-listed apartment in South Kensington. An innovative, self-supporting structure containing a second bedroom and bathroom, it adds an air of storybook charm and intrigue to a mid 19th-century Italianate townhouse in London’s royal borough.
Can you create space by subtracting square footage?
We headlined this contemporary Notting Hill mews development earlier this month, after it went on sale with the design-led estate agency Domus Nova. An unconventional conversion of two former garages on Colville Mews, it proves that sometimes sacrificing space — rather than reclaiming it — can be the most successful design move a designer can make.
Get some perspective at these heavenly stargazing spots
Taking an interstellar minibreak like the crew of Artemis II is not for everyone. Yet there are plenty of Earthbound places where appreciating the beauty of the celestial skies doesn’t require leaving our atmosphere. Here are five astronomical observatories where you can contemplate the infinite reach of the cosmos with a spot of meditative stargazing.
These five far-flung getaways keep you in touch with your wild side
From cattle-wrangling in the American West to regenerative agriculture in the British countryside, a few choice farm hotels are redefining rural escapes. This new generation of sustainable stays allow guests to participate in, rather than simply observe, homestead life. Here, on-site livestock and land-to-larder ethics shape the experience rather than serve as a backdrop or stylised aesthetic.
Sense and sensibility: meet the designers using touch and smell to boost wellbeing
What is the first thing you notice when you walk into a space? Chances are, it’s more than mere aesthetics, even if you don’t consciously realise it. We live in a multi-sensory world where everything from scent to sound can significantly impact how we feel. Certain smells have the power to instantly transport us back to moments in time, unlocking memories that shape how we feel about a place in the present.
How to transform luxury retail into spectacle
Back in 2019, the design studio L’Atelier Five had just a few hours to fit out a photo booth, poetry station, bar-style browsing area and music ‘sound shower’ for an immersive pop-up at the Selfridges department store in London. The team had designed the multifaceted space for the Clash de Cartier jewellery collection launch, and the pressure was on. ‘There was no margin for on-site fabrication or problem solving,’ says creative director Saina Attaoui.
When the flocks return, plan to be at one of these bewitching twitching hides
With a surge of migratory birds making their way back to the UK and northern Europe, twitching season is upon us. If you’re partial to a spot of ornithological observation, why not explore a stylish approach? We’ve rounded up five striking bird hides just in time for the great return.
Vanish into fresh air at one of these remote countryside cabins
Mira, Bala, North Wales Mira, in Bala, North Wales. Photography: courtesy of shacks.co.uk. Photography: courtesy of shacks.co.uk. Small but perfectly formed, Mira sits at the foot of a waterfall surrounded by Welsh farmland a short drive from Bala Lake. The tiny, off-grid timber shack has panoramic vistas out over the rolling countryside. The open-plan living area is topped with a mezzanine sleeping level for up to two guests, resulting in a light, roomy interior uninterrupted by walls or partitions.
How will domestic architecture reinvent itself?
What will our future homes look like? How will they keep up with evolving design standards? What defines ethical, responsible domestic architecture in the modern world? The answers to these questions might not be as radical as you think, according to Ellie Stathaki, architecture and environment editor at Wallpaper magazine. And she should know, as she addresses them in her latest book, Future Homes: Domestic Architecture in a Changing World.
Designer, antiquarian, tastemaker: the world of interiors owes a debt to Geoffrey Bennison
A master of eclectic layering and complex colour mixing, Geoffrey Bennison rose to prominence in the 1970s and early 1980s with a theatrical, curiosity-led approach to British style. The godfather of country-house maximalism didn’t live to see how enduring and relevant this style would become — he passed away in 1984, at the age of 63.
Building property? You'll need to hire a curator first
The transformative power of public art should not be underestimated. Fragments of creative expression, whether sculptures, murals or mosaics, public artworks can evoke a sense of community, promote well-being and facilitate shared experiences. The right piece in the right place can pack such a punch in terms of social impact, developers are increasingly integrating accessible artworks into their schemes. In fact many UK councils now require it as part of a planning application.
We've seen the future of apartment-living, and it comes with an in-house sommelier
Do you have a wellbeing clinic at home? An oak-clad co-working nook or a private padel court? No? Well very soon your neighbours might. The world’s most successful, new residential developments are no longer just places to live but elaborate schemes to envy. Increasingly, residents with means want to live with an immediate connection to contemporary amenities — and people.
These custom cabinetry solutions are the ultimate multitaskers
Practical luxury at its finest, bespoke joinery can quietly anchor a room. A one-off commission where form and function collide has the power to solve myriad design issues. The most successful examples of high-end joinery serve a clear purpose, from a multi-functional piece to a made-to-measure storage solution in an awkward alcove. We spoke to five interiors experts who rely on this elegant, understated craft to elevate spaces with decorative utility.
Cabins, but make them floating
In hectic times, a bit of cabin porn soothes the soul. These mirages in the wilderness have inspired many a coffee-table book, and become even more mesmerising when resting atop a glassy-still Nordic fjord or gently undulating among the Florida Keys. So go ahead, eye the natural beauty of these simple, small, serene stays that celebrate waterfront (and back) living. We’ve chosen five floating hideaways that promise the ultimate in seclusion. Floating Safari Camp, Sweden Photography: Aurora Safaris.
Five buildings that got us talking in 2025
Striking and sustainable, creative and controversial, the last 12 months saw a marathon of new development across the globe. Some schemes were award winning and delivered to widespread critical acclaim. Others divided opinion. Some were innovative, demonstrating the latest construction methods. Others worked within the confines of existing structures to showcase a more sustainable approach. And a handful really changed the game.
Meet the entrepreneurs bringing a personal touch to home sales
London is properly property-obsessed. There are more design-savvy buyers out there than ever, and more sellers who know what they’re worth. Industry players need to stand apart. Good news, then, that after years of soulless digitisation, the residential real estate sector is reorganising. A new class of disrupters has emerged, with specialist skills and a tailored approach to business.
2026 planner: five design capitals worth booking now
At a time when culture, heritage and a sense of belonging have never been more important, cities have the power to bring us together. More than just economic machines fuelling the overarching health of a country’s fiscal performance, the most successful urban hubs also serve as beacons of design, architecture, art and innovation. Here are five to watch in 2026. Barcelona, Spain Montjuic at night. Photography: courtesy of Fira Barcelona.
Winter is coming. Time for a swim
You used to be able to count the bobbing heads out on the frigid water from October through April, at least in most places. But in today’s wellness age? When ‘cold plunge’ is practically a household phrase and the health benefits of wild swimming in the crisp, biting waters of a frosty river or outdoor pool are all anyone talks about? Cities on every continent have cleaned up their waterways to swimmable standards.
Aldi ban for couple who refused to unpack whole trolley at checkout
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UK tourists heading to Spain warned of major new rule set to start tomorrow
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‘What if you ran an office building like a boutique hotel?’
If one design trend has defined the modern workplace over the past decade, it’s ‘hotelisation’. Characterised by hospitality-led interiors, the look goes beyond low-level task lighting, informal seating and relaxed, publicly accessible reception areas. Enhanced service offerings and premium amenities have transformed offices into more than just places to work. Today they are branding statements and powerful recruitment tools.
The 103 Morrisons stores, cafes, florists and pharmacies closing
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Note to aspiring hoteliers: this landmark Devon resort is accepting offers
The award-winning Gara Rock Hotel & Spa, a lifestyle resort and wellness retreat near the seaside town of Salcombe, has hosted a raft of celebrities over the years, including Laurence Olivier and the English poet John Betjeman. Now the clifftop hotel, perched over the South Devon shore, has hit the market for £8m. The former coastguard cottage was purchased in 1909, served as a family boarding house and by the 1930s had launched as a successful hotel.
The grim reason police can't yet confirm attacker is dead
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Beautiful islands with 'best beaches in the world' that are 30C in November
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Brits 'could be turned away' from cruise ship dinners for wearing common item
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Open House Festival 2025: what to see in the capital
Some of London’s most revered architectural gems will throw open their doors this weekend as the Open House Festival rolls around once again. And the snooping opportunities have never been more tantalising. From early looks of large-scale, landmark developments to rare glimpses into London’s most inspirational buildings, this year’s behind-the-scenes event, running from 13 to 21 September, is one of the biggest and boldest to date.
Moment Brits and locals clash in European hotspot with umbrellas wielded as weapons
A huge street fight broke about between British tourists and locals, leaving many injured and forcing businesses to close. By Emily Wright, World News Reporter 21:19, Tue, Sep 9, 2025 Updated: 21:29, Tue, Sep 9, 2025 A huge street fight broke out between British tourists and locals (Image: X) A minor dispute between British tourists and local shopkeepers in a Turkish resort rapidly exploded into a shocking street fight.
Five architectural retreats where forest bathing is the main attraction
Nature is a formidable therapist. It soothes the soul, refocuses the mind and calms the nervous system. In short, it has the power to support almost every aspect of our physical and mental wellbeing. So, why not go all in? Forest bathing, a mindfulness custom developed in 1980s Japan also known as shinrin-yok, is the ultimate in natural immersion therapy. Once billed as ‘the new spa day’, the practice is now believed to offer a great deal more than simple relaxation. It can be medicinal.
What makes a city swimmable?
In cities across the globe, vast swathes of space have sat untapped and underutilised for decades. From tucked-away enclaves of still calm to expansive aquatic thoroughfares, public access to our urban waterways has long been limited — often to the point of complete exclusion. But now the tide is turning.
On the market: a 'green plaque' London townhouse, redesigned for the future
The first in a clutch of 16 modern apartments on the site of Mayfair’s oldest home has launched as part of the new 36 & 37 Hertford Street Residences. Spanning two architecturally significant buildings — a restored Grade II listed Georgian townhouse and a post-war reconstruction reimagined by architecture practice Buckley Gray Yeoman — the one- and two-bedroom apartments have been designed by interiors studio A.London.
Bus drivers in Majorca, Menorca and Ibiza set for indefinite strike action this summer
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A home in the clouds: peek inside Conran and Partners’s Sky Gallery at Canada Water
Conran and Partners has combined contemporary design with artful living at a new ‘home in the clouds’ in London’s Canda Water. A two-bedroom apartment on the 15th floor of The Founding, a 35-storey residential tower at British Land’s 53-acre Canada Water redevelopment, The Sky Gallery mixes soft lighting and flowing fabrics with exposed concrete ceilings to create a romantic design with a nod to the former dock’s industrial history.
London’s hotel market is in the throes of a five-star explosion
With the doors of 757 new, top-tier hotel rooms set to open this year alone, 2025 will see the most significant influx of luxury hotels into the UK capital in over a decade. A jostle for position of the most decadent of orders looks set to ensue as operators from Six Senses to Auberge and Rosewood to The Zetter will go head-to-head in the battle to attract some of the most discerning customers from across the globe.
Apartments in Renzo Piano’s Shard Place are renting
Shard Place, a 27-storey tower incorporating 176 lifestyle-led rental apartments and the highest swimming pool in the UK capital, has launched this month for “a new generation of Londoner”. Delivered by the team behind The Shard, the Renzo Piano Building Workshop-designed glass tower is the last in a trilogy of buildings to make up the 2.5m sq ft Shard Quarter in London Bridge.
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