In the latest issue... Get set for summer

Simplify your life Lionel Shriver on letting go of clutter

Smart shopping Our pick of gorgeous table lamps

Style steal the modern way to do flowers

Bedroom bliss Natural linens for cool summer style

All in the June issue, on sale now

Hot list

British Design Awards 2013 call for entries

Posted: May 23rd, 2013

Have your say! We want to you to submit nominations for our British Design Awards 2013. We’re doing it a bit differently this year, so tell us what your favourite things were for the following categories:

xxxxx

1. Product of the year (furniture/accessories)
2. Pattern of the year (tile/wallpaper/fabric etc)
3. Designer of the year (new or established)
4. Destination of the year (eg shop/restaurant/bar/architecture etc)
5. Brand of the year (for a collection that you like, not just one piece)

All have to have been launched/opened between August 2012-August 3013. Please send nominations to elledecoration@hearst.co.uk with subject line BDA nomination.

Editor's blog

Editor’s letter June

Posted: May 1st, 2013

Why I love Hercule Poirot

Agatha Christie’s Belgian detective was busy sleuthing in the era between the First and Second World Wars, a refugee in an age of indulgence for privileged high society. A time when travel was glamorous: trains were fitted out in rosewood and smart upholstery; ocean liners were glorious symbols of modern technology, influencing everything from architecture to sculpture with their streamlined forms, sexy curves, mirrored glass and gilt. Winter cruises to warmer climes were popular, a tan became a status symbol and the exoticism of the world beyond one’s doorstep had an irresistible draw for those with the time, money and inclination to explore it.

Thus, the settings of Poirot’s murder mysteries tended towards idyllic English country estates and the historic routes of the Grand Tour via atmospherically augmented London. It was a time when one always dressed for dinner and men who wore waistcoats and watch chains stood when a lady joined the table. Hotel lounges were the height of sophistication for cocktails, and tea was served in delicate china. Lipstick was determinedly red, evening gowns were sensuous and by Schiaparelli and Vionnet, fur was de rigueur and furnishings were louche and luxurious. In short, the stuff of my dreams.

In particular, I love to muse on the elegance of old-fashioned train travel. The symbolism of steam. Restaurant cars. Proper luggage. Porters. Hats and gloves. Beautiful shoes. Travelling slowly. Paper tickets and leather-clad passports. Hence my absolute joy at last year’s Louis Vuitton AW12 show: my reveries made real with a wardrobe to match. One day I shall dress accordingly and take the Orient Express to Istanbul, then stay at the

ELLE Decoration Country

A glorious new 260-page large-format volume of some the world’s most spectacular rural homes – the countryside according to ELLE Decoration.

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ELLE Decoration Country

Equal Rights for Design

Fight the fakes and join the debate: Add your views to our Equal Rights for Design Facebook page.

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Equal Rights for Design

The ELLE Decoration British Design Awards

Recognising useful, beautiful and original new work by British designers, in association with John Lewis and supported by the Telegraph Magazine.

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The ELLE Decoration British Design Awards