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Karen McCartney

@mccartneyk

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Never far away from architecture and interiors - which is just as well as now Editorial Director at Est Living @est_living

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Shining a first light on Seafarm by @madeleineblanchfieldarchitects for our cover story for issue 62 of @est_living and my first as Editorial Director. There is so much good stuff in here - new feature types - exclusive projects - design reports and personal pieces. I would love you to take a look. Thank you to the est team for making my inaugural issue such a pleasure and easing me into the steep learning curve that is the est omniverse. @miffycoady Photography @smartanson Styling @jackmilenkovic Build @robertplumbbuild Garden @dangarbarinsmith by @mccartneyk

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11 days ago

A photo dump of the French 🇫🇷 trip before it becomes distant past @macharrisonn @a.isforava @designdaily #duras @boisbuchet by @mccartneyk

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a month ago

In the foothills of Monserrat @caljepet is a restaurant run by the magnificent Olga and Davide. People drive for miles from the surrounding area - even from Barcelona - to dine there - and we only had to make it from a short distance albeit on one of the worst roads in Spain - truely. Worth every bump, scrape and grind. taken in Cal Jepet by @mccartneyk

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2 months ago

Thank you to @deantoepfer @col_marine and @yannishotz for making our visit to @boisbuchet such a wonderful experience. It is a place in the French countryside defined by creativity, community and culture which runs a series of weekly workshops hosted by key creatives. Buildings are threaded through the grounds - some new some old - such as original Japanese house from 1862 and the chateau - which is the stage set for an incredibly powerful exhibition curated by @salazrakii. She uses objects from the collection of Alexander Von Gegesack to tell the story of his adventurous life. Thank you @sarah_nedovic for the introduction, @a.isforava for making the reel and @designdaily for making it happen - and driving. by @mccartneyk

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2 months ago

This Much I Know | John Pawson ⁠
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In the first of our international episodes, Karen McCartney visits John Pawson at his Notting Hill home for an edifying conversation on his lifelong commitment to reduction, necessity and simplicity in design.⁠
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Pawson recalls his upbringing in Yorkshire and early years in Japan, stories of Calvin Klein arriving at his studio to commission the New York City flagship store and monks discovering the same project through his monograph. It’s this unexpected continuity between fashion retail and a Cistercian monastery, the belief that the right clients always seem to find him, and designing to need rather than trend, which continue to form his raison d’être—the lived experience of architecture at every scale.⁠
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Listen to the episode now - link in bio.⁠
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Thank you to our special guest @johnpawson⁠
Interview @mccartneyk⁠
Produced by @est_living by @mccartneyk

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2 months ago

This spectacular 18th century meeting room in the office of @_airesmateus is packed full of models and maquettes, sketches and prototypes. It is alive with creative chaos. The perfect setting to record a podcast for @est_living about giving life to new spaces,
allowing for adaptable use and being aware of a place in the continuum. It was a really great conversation and I look forward to sharing it in the near future. Photos @macharrisonn by @mccartneyk

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2 months ago

The pool and garden at the rear of the Lisbon offices of @_airesmateus Staff eat their lunch under the trees and can have a swim. More images to come of the interior @est_living @macharrisonn by @mccartneyk

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2 months ago

Scenes from around the house at Duras. New painting from @elsa_halfen @paulbertserpette - everything else has been here for some time including the stone we found in the garden - eyes and smile chiselled by our nephew Gabi and the olive tree (last pic) which had survived the bitter cold of winter and the extreme heat we are experiencing now. Smoke in the air but thankfully the fires are some distance away. Working away - truly - but finding time for swims and early evening wine. by @mccartneyk

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2 months ago

This Much I Know | John Pawson ⁠
⁠
In the first of our international episodes, Karen McCartney visits John Pawson at his Notting Hill home for an edifying conversation on his lifelong commitment to reduction, necessity and simplicity in design.⁠
⁠
Pawson recalls his upbringing in Yorkshire and early years in Japan, stories of Calvin Klein arriving at his studio to commission the New York City flagship store and monks discovering the same project through his monograph. It’s this unexpected continuity between fashion retail and a Cistercian monastery, the belief that the right clients always seem to find him, and designing to need rather than trend, which continue to form his raison d’être—the lived experience of architecture at every scale.⁠
⁠
Listen to the episode now - link in bio.⁠
⁠
Thank you to our special guest @johnpawson⁠
Interview @mccartneyk⁠
Produced by @est_living taken in London, United Kingdom by @mccartneyk

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3 months ago

Paris - Rue Mallet Stevens in the 16th arrondissement was created in 1927 at the request of banker Daniel Dreyfus who had a large plot of land and wanted it developed with a singular vision. He met architect Robert Mallet-Stevens in 1924 and commissioned the buildings that still stand today. The street is quiet with expansive trees and the sound of birds and remains largely intact - its rationalist forms and interesting flourishes providing a rare slice of the architect’s complete work. Would love to have got inside but not this trip. #parisarchitecture #robertmalletstevens by @mccartneyk

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3 months ago

A Conversation With Elisa Ossino at Fuorisalone 2026⁠
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Rooted in art direction and set design, Ossino's distinctive aesthetic extends across interiors and product. With a rigorous eye and expansive ambition, she has built Elisa Ossino Studio into a practice working with the world's most significant design brands, moving fluidly between cinematic concepts and nuanced environments. ⁠
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Discover more from est Living Editorial Director Karen McCartney's conversation with Elisa Ossino in the latest digital issue of est Magazine Issue 61 'Italy by Invitation', now live on estliving.com — link in bio.⁠
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Design Voices | Elisa Ossino Studio, featured in est Magazine Issue 61 'Italy by Invitation'⁠
Design @elisaossinostudio⁠
Interview @mccartneyk⁠
Photography courtesy of Elisa Ossino Studio⁠
Project featured 'Perfect Darkness' apartment installation: Milan Design Week 2019 taken in Milan,Italy by @mccartneyk

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3 months ago

I always love a visit to an architecture practice - how they set things up, what matters, the models and the quiet industrious vibe (almost always). And I particularly love a visit to @kennedy_nolan because their aesthetic chimes with my own and it feels warm and inspiring at the same time. And the conversation navigates the personal and the professional in seamless ways that leave you feeling good! by @mccartneyk

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