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Livingetc published an interview in which London-based designer Filippo Calvagno answered reader questions about making homes feel cozy. His suggestions include fitting a reading spot around an existing armchair, using a bench and a nearby shoe cupboard in an entryway, and considering warm neutral paints such as Farrow & Ball’s Dimity.
Livingetc has published an interview with London-based designer Filippo Calvagno, who answered readers’ questions about making a home feel cozy, from setting up a compact reading spot to keeping a busy hallway welcoming and choosing neutral paint. His advice focuses on how furniture, lighting, color and practical storage shape the feeling of a space, rather than relying on layers of soft furnishings alone.
For a reading nook, Calvagno said homeowners do not need to carve out a separate room or even use an unused corner. An existing living-room armchair can work if it is large enough to curl up in; a side table and reading lamp can complete the arrangement. He recommended choosing materials that feel comfortable rather than delicate, giving slubby linen, warm leather and bouclé as examples.
In response to a question about hosting guests, Calvagno recommended placing a bench in the entryway so visitors can sit while removing their shoes, with a cupboard close by for footwear. In the Livingetc interview, he described using an urn or vase under the bench to make clear that the space is not intended for shoe storage. He also said he tends to use lighter colors in hallways and includes a large mirror.
For a warm neutral palette, Calvagno named Dimity by Farrow & Ball as his preferred white. He said it can appear white on the wall before sunlight brings out an amber or pink glow. He also recommended Lick’s Pink 02, describing it as versatile and a good match for brown, a color he said he often uses.
Practical Choices Shape Cozy Rooms
The interview addresses three everyday design problems: finding a place to read in a small living room, managing shoes and clutter at the entrance, and choosing a neutral paint that does not feel cold. Calvagno’s suggestions connect comfort with how a room functions, including whether a chair supports long periods of sitting and whether an entryway has a clear place for shoes.
That makes the advice relevant to readers making changes without taking on a full renovation. The reading area can be assembled around furniture already in the room, while the hallway recommendations pair a place to sit with storage and visual cues. The paint suggestions, meanwhile, are personal recommendations from the designer, not a claim that either shade will look identical in every home.
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Calvagno’s Approach to Space
Livingetc presents Calvagno as a London-based designer with a Sicilian background, born in Germany and with experience living in the United States. The article says he believes this international background has shaped his approach to design. He also told the publication that his background in dance influences how he thinks about movement, rhythm and the way people experience a space.
The source frames the interview around a version of coziness that is not simply “layer on layer” of pillows and throws. Instead, it describes the feel of a room as emerging from its colors, textures and layout, while remaining modern. The interview’s recommendations are answers to specific reader questions, rather than a formal design standard or a report on industry-wide trends.
““It’s nice to walk in and be met by a bit of brightness.””
— Filippo Calvagno, in an interview with Livingetc
Advice, Not a Design Test
The source is an advice interview and does not report independent testing of the paint colors, furniture arrangements or storage ideas. Calvagno’s descriptions of how a shade looks in sunlight reflect his experience; the appearance of paint can vary with lighting and the room. The material provided also does not state the interview’s publication date, identify a particular home project tied to each recommendation, or report reader responses.
No Follow-Up Announced
The source material describes no scheduled follow-up, product launch or further announcement from Calvagno. Readers can use the interview’s suggestions as starting points and judge furniture, storage and paint in their own spaces. Livingetc points readers to its newsletter for further design advice, but does not specify what future coverage will include.
Key Questions
Who is Filippo Calvagno?
Filippo Calvagno is a London-based designer. Livingetc describes his background as Sicilian, says he was born in Germany and notes that he has lived in the United States.
How can a small living room fit a reading nook?
Calvagno said a separate corner is not required. A comfortable armchair, a small side table and a lamp can create a reading spot within an existing living room.
What does Calvagno suggest for a welcoming hallway?
He recommends a bench for sitting, a shoe cupboard nearby, a large mirror and lighter colors. He also described placing an urn or vase beneath the bench to discourage people from treating that area as shoe storage.
Which neutral paint colors did he recommend?
Calvagno named Dimity by Farrow & Ball and Lick’s Pink 02. He said Dimity can take on an amber or pink glow in sunlight and that Pink 02 pairs well with brown.
Source: livingetc.com
