Luxury lifestyle, prime property
ART & DESIGN
Flora Yukhnovich and François Boucher : the Language of Rococo
Known for her mesmerising contemporary interpretation of rococo painting, British artist Flora Yuknovich will show two new works at the Wallace Collection
Meanwhile, at Hertford House, Flora’s works will temporarily replace two paintings by renowned rococo artist François Boucher Open now wallacecollection.org
label auction
The Luxury Handbags & Accessories online auction will include pieces by Hermès, Chanel, Prada, and Gucci. Other items include an array of Louis Vuitton handbags and Dior costume jewellery. Viewing will take place at Lyon & Turnbull's Connaught Gallery. 25 June lyonandturnbull.com
Laila Tara H
The Iranian-British artist’s solo exhibition at Cooke Latham Gallery is a showcase of new work. Laila’s pieces explore the deconstructed aesthetic framework of the Persian Miniature tradition. Inspired by her upbringing, the artist's inspiration is a reflection on the past and present. Ends 19 July cookelathamgallery.com
Connect at The Yards
Kick your summer wellbeing plan into gear in the heart of Covent Garden. Partnering with Lululemon, and Allbirds to name a few, attendees will enjoy unlimited access to carefully curated fitness and wellness classes. Buy tickets now. 7 July theyardscoventgarden.co.uk
Strawberries & Screen
Returning to Duke of York Square on the King’s Road this July: the big screen showing of the Wimbledon Championships’ Men’s Semi-Finals and Men and Women’s Finals. Guests can pre-book complimentary VIP seating to enjoy the matches from a comfortable screen-side deck chair, below 13-14 July dukeofyorksquare.com
Stately screenings
Watch beloved films old and new, at some of the country’s grandest stately homes, in and around London in counties such as Hertfordshire, West Sussex and Surrey. The UK’s biggest open-air cinema tour reaches the National Trust’s Osterley Park and House in west London this summer, and tickets are selling fast. All summer adventurecinema.co.uk
Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra
For one historic night, the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra founder Keri-Lynn Wilson and her musicians will be joined by the Royal Opera House’s Songs for Ukraine Chorus. Performing at St Paul’s Cathedral, it coincides with the 200th anniversary of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, above. 29 July barbican.org.uk
Bruce Springsteen
The Born in the USA rocker, who has sold more than 140m records worldwide, will be performing at Wembley Stadium for two nights only, alongside The E Street Band. 25 & 27 July wembleystadium.com
Hosted with the bountiful Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew The Music is the ultimate summer picnic festival. The musical lineup includes singers Beverley Knight and Ronan Keating For avid gardeners, the BBC 's Gardeners' World presenter and gardening writer, Monty Don will be in conversation. 8-14 July kewthemusic.org
Chez Roux
Inspired by culinary legend Michel Roux's childhood memories in 1960s rural Kent, Roux promises "nostalgia and boundless excitement" by refining old classics and fusing historical British favourites with traditional French cooking methods, below langhamhotels.com
Belvedere
Within the grounds of Holland Park, the Belvedere restaurant has lived many lives. As a former coach house as part of the Holland House estate, it has also served as a ballroom. Now creating Italian dishes, Belvedere's intimate summer terrace is now open, and delightful for lunch and dinner. belvedererestaurant.co.uk
The Lanesborough Dine Regency style at the hotel's third Bridgerton-themed afternoon tea. Head pastry chef Pierre Morvan-Benezet pays tribute to the Netflix hit and the history of Lanesborough House, designed in 1825. oetkercollection.com
Taste of Britain
On the third Wednesday of every month at The Soho Hotel, the menu champions British ingredients – from Dorset crab to independent cheeses. An optional drinks pairing will showcase local spirits and wines, such as Aker Rose Vermouth 17 July firmdalehotels.com L
BUSTED LIVE AFTER RACING
See Busted perform in Suffolk's Newmarket –the 'home of racing' – after a day of top tier horse racing, with its heritage spanning centuries. Find a selection of food and drink, including the award-winning Long Shot Drinks 19 July thejockeyclub.co.uk/ newmarket
A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE
Retelling Arthur Miller’s classic, Dominic West (The Crown) plays Eddie Carbone, a longshoreman from Brooklyn who has brought up his niece Catherine (Kate Fleetwood) as his own daughter. As Catherine falls for charismatic Rodolpho (Callum Scott Howells), there are tragic consequences in the neighbourhood. Ends 3 August trh.co.uk
The Hampstead branch of the capital's multi-award-winning wine shop will be hosting a Chilling in Red wine tasting in the historic Burgh House on New End Square. Find tickets via Eventbrite to join the tasting. 7 August jeroboams.co.uk
Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, Sonsino Turcan has built a reputation founded on exceptional experience in London property. The highly respected construction and project management company has completed more than 500 projects in the capital, from the conversion of former offices into spacious family homes, to the refurbishment of historic mews buildings.
S onsino Turcan has undertaken full-scale extension and renovation projects, large and small, across prime central and Greater London. Examples include a full overhaul of a Grade II listed Belgravia townhouse, the extension and refurbishment of a Victorian villa between Holland Park
and Hyde Park, and the reconfiguration of a five-storey house in the Hampstead Conservation Area. Passionate about sustainability, the team breathes new life into old buildings, retaining the existing built fabric, and has particular experience working with listed buildings on the Grosvenor, Cadogan and Crown Estates.
A t the heart of the business is a desire to exceed customer expectations and provide service of exceptional quality. All projects are driven by open lines of communication, proactive problem-solving and a collaborative approach. The experienced team engage with the client and stakeholders, including freeholders and neighbours, communicating effectively for the smooth delivery of projects. Its sister company, House of Design Architects, undertakes all aspects of technical design, planning applications and listed building consent applications. With a newly refurbished office completed in Kensington this year, local artists will be invited to exhibit their work in the Sonsino Turcan space as part of the company’s anniversary celebrations. L
Sonsino Turcan’s office address is 13 Prince of Wales Terrace, London W8 5PG. For further information, please c all 020 7937 0007 or email enquiries@sonsinoturcan.co.uk
Richly textured, colourful, comfortable and full of character, the country house style– whether you live in a Chelsea mansion flat or a rural farmhouse – has returned to form in 2024. Fuelled by the recent screen successes of Saltburn and The Gentleman via Bridgerton , there’s a distinctive move away from safe neutrals and neat silhouettes towards an old-money aesthetic of verdure tapestries hung on the walls, layers of oriental rugs on wooden floors, gilt framed portraits in oils and drawing room shelves showing off Grand Tourstyle collected treasures.
Of all the decorators in operation today, Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler is recognised worldwide for its art in capturing English country house design whether the firm is working on a house in London, Oxfordshire or deep in the Catskill mountains of New York state. Ironically, its story began with an American, Nancy Lancaster, who joined forces with rising star of interior decorating John Fowler just before the outbreak of the S econd World War in 1938. “John’s meticulous attention to historical detail – scraping back paint to
find the original colours of the walls – was tempered by Nancy’s irreverence for grandeur and her ability to make imposing rooms beautiful, and also incredibly comfortable,” explains the firm’s joint managing director, Emma Burns (colefax.com). “At the heart of the country house aesthetic is the opportunity for everyday life to play out uninterrupted – spaces where a stray newspaper or a forgotten cup of coffee doesn’t look out of place but rather fits in perfectly. It’s generous, beautiful rooms that aren’t disrupted when a dog jumps on the sofa or 20 teenagers rock up unexpectedly to chill.” Her must-have elements include deep, comf y sofas and armchairs, updated over
MULTILAYERED
Opening page: Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler's Emma Burns refreshed this eclectic London drawing room with rich decorative touches and a warm colour palette Clockwise from top left: Henry Prideaux created this maximalist Miss Marple-inspired study for a terraced house in Putney; Emma Burns arranged a lineup of blue-and-white china on the entrance hall's sideboard to enhance the deep navy of its banister; Emma Burns' own drawing room has antique accents of green; the Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler managing director created a rich backdrop to this bathroom using Rameau Fleuri wallpaper; Henry Prideaux was tasked with turning this Chelsea townhouse into a cosy country home
time with loose covers and cushions, as well as good lamps, baskets filled with logs, and coffee tables piled high with books. “It’s about comfort first and foremost.”
EMMA BURNS: BOOKS
"For me, houses without books are houses with no soul. I like them in shelves, piled up on tables, by beds, in bathrooms."
HENRIETTE VON STOCKHAUSEN: FOUR-POSTER BEDS
"They're beyond luxurious – cosy, comforting and make for a wonderful night’s sleep."
JAMES LENTAIGNE, DRUMMONDS: CLAW-FOOTED BATHS
"Perfect for a long soak while gazing out at the garden."
NICKY DOBREE: ANTIQUES
"I find them very grounding. They give depth, a sense of place and invariably have a story to tell, too."
A well- decorated room must look effortlessly balanced, no matter how much hard work has gone into it,” say Will Fisher and Charlotte Freemantle of Jamb ( jamb.co.uk), the Pimlico Road emporium which is a go-to destination for those wanting to achieve the country-house look. “For us , the focal point of the room will always be the chimneypiece anchored on a hearth. It doesn’t need to be flanked on either side by a matching piece of furniture, the balance can be created instead by the proportion and scale being mirrored either side. Colour is equally important. A marble bust and a vellum lampshade could hardly be more different and yet because they ’re the same tone, there’s potential in their ability to balance a room.”
This approach is being embraced and tweaked by a new generation of decorators. Octavia Dickinson (octaviadickinson.com) agrees that comfort is fundamental to countryhouse style. “I often approach a room like a beautiful painting, combining colours, textures and shapes in ways which delight the senses but never jar,” she says. “I like to make
grand rooms feel less grand or vice versa and most importantly, comfortable; it’s home, after all!” Fabrics, too, want to be soft and flowing, with lots of florals and a mix of patterns that feel like the y’ve been collected over time, she adds. Use natural finishes such as unlacquered antique brass , which weathers over time.
Henry Prideaux, who worked for Nicky Haslam and others before establishing his own practice (henryprideaux.com), is known for his classic–meets–contemporary style. His approach is to rework the main countryhouse design tropes of florals, loose covers and antique furniture in an updated way. “Incorporate decorative trims and wallpaper borders to add detail. For example, I use grosgrain ribbon or patterned paper borders applied to frame doorways and embellish cornicing. Modern artwork and decorative lighting are also ways of adapting traditional country-house design for today.”
An escape to the country often conjures the image of a historic property with space to breathe; in old houses , this is particularly true of the bathroom , which is usually converted from a former bedroom. “For a bathroom that meets the brief, think freestanding,” says James Lentaigne, creative director of Drummonds (drummonds-uk.
