ART DECO
100 YEARS OF ART DECO
THE GROUND-BREAKING AND GLAMOROUS INFLUENCE OF ART DECO IS AS STRONG AS EVER IN THE WORLD OF PROPERTY AND INTERIORS. CELEBRATING ITS CENTENARY, ZOE DARE HALL EXAMINES ITS IMPACT ON LONDON, FROM LANDMARKS TO MODERN HOMES
REFINED LINES Left to right: Design studio Elicyon has breathed new life into 1930s landmark 60 Curzon, transforming the iconic former site of Mirabelle into 32 super-luxe private residences by embracing its bold original features and layering curated vintage flourishes with sympathetic contemporary furniture, resulting in a sophisticated setting that hints at the address’ exuberant history; revamped in the 1930s by eccentric millionaires Stephen and Virginia Courtauld, Eltham Palace and Gardens marries its medieval foundations with Art Deco signatures, from highly decorative wood-panelled walls depicting idyllic scenes and nautical porthole-shaped openings to the rotunda spilling natural light on the Great Hall
AUDIOPHILE STYLE This page, left to right: This music-score wallpaper, including bars by Schonberg adorns the walls of a Wimbledon home designed by Eleanor Taylor-Roberts; Zulufish collaborated with HUX London to turn this space into a homage to the owners’ musical taste, as well as effective vinyl and book storage Opposite: The grand piano takes centre stage in The Conrad, 9 Millbank, which is on sale through UK Sotheby’s International Realty.
THE RIGHT NOTE
WHETHER IT’S A SETTING
FOR A GRAND PIANO
OR A SOUNDPROOF
DEN FOR A DRUMMER, CREATING A PITCH-PERFECT MUSIC ROOM IS AN ART, DISCOVERS TALLULAH RUSHAYA
Think of a music room and you’ll conjure up images of a harpsichord in a stately abode. While it wasn’t commonplace to have a designated music room, according to house historian and author Melanie Backe-Hansen (househistorian.co.uk), they were a feature in royal palaces and homes of the aristocracy. As
creating space for decks, solutions for vast vinyl collections and in-house studios that integrate soundproofing. The latter, Eleanora remarks, are paramount for drummers. “We can use felt or wool to pad out the ‘boom room’ but the artist would normally hire a professional studio installation company to make sure it’s perfect, especially if it’s being used for recording,” she adds.
musical instruments found their way into homes by the 18th century, the music space evolved. “The terraced houses of affluent London, such as Mayfair, Bloomsbury, and Marylebone, might include a piano or harp in the drawing room or possibly the parlour,” says Melanie. The novels of Jane Austen further illuminated this image of ladies exhibiting their talents for visitors.
Flash forward to the 21st century, and designers are configuring layouts around the piano or a separate hobby room for musicians, rock aristocracy and music enthusiasts. Audrey Carden and Eleanora Cunietti, founders of Carden Cunietti (carden-cunietti.com), have designed homes for household names in rock ’n’ roll, bands, singers and DJs. Projects have included
The grand piano is often the centrepiece for design ideas and practical effects. Heavy-duty shelving is used for vinyl or book storage, and modular furniture company Vitsœ (vitsoe.com/ gb) can display gold discs, album covers and awards. On a recent Carden Cuinetti musicroom project , t he design unfolded around the grand piano, “with only an artwork above a custom-made fireplace, a colourful photographic work and a Luke Irwin rug to compete for attention ,” says Eleanora.
For Home at 45, a private members’ apartment at Mayfair Park Residences on Park Lane, the grand piano took centre stage. A collaboration between Hospitality Projects’ bespoke furniture (hospitalityprojects.com) and Jouin Manku’s interior design ( jouinmanku.com/en), the piano complement s the custom dining table and chandelier, s et ting an elegant tone for guests.
As with design, music is an expression of individual style. The gravitas of a rug within a music room, regardless of shape, design and size can create an impact. Charlotte Ford, Europe senior marketing director at Ruggable (ruggable.co.uk) recommends choosing a rug not only to reduce echo
SECOND NATURE
Clockwise from top left: Build-to-rent development The Alma benefits from a leafy roof terrace on the eighth floor; set within the buzzy Nine Elms neighbourhood, 50 Electric Boulevard provides its residents with a communal double-height Light Box amenity space, complete with cafe and an urban garden; The Berkeley Group’s Camden Goods Yard destination comprises 644 mixed-tenure homes with access to a screening room, co-working spaces, a gym and pool, 24-hour concierge service and a farm-to-fork restaurant
DESIGNS FOR GEN Z
WHAT DO YOUNG HIGH NET WORTH INDIVIDUALS LOOK FOR IN A LONDON PROPERTY? ZOE DARE HALL STEPS INTO THE WORLD OF ICE BATHS, JUICE BARS AND DOG ROOMS
Peak luxury
ROB MCGIBBON DISCOVERS THE DIZZYING ALTITUDE OF A SUPER HIGH-END SKIING BREAK IN FRANCE
GOLD RUN Opposite, top to bottom: Chalet Machapuchare in Val d’Isere’s exclusive Le Crêt; its dramatic double-height living room This page, clockwise from top right: The sumptuous accommodation includes seven bedrooms with goose-down duvets and mountainside views; even more epic valley panoramas can be taken in from the open-air terrace’s hot tub; meals prepared by an on-site chef is another perk of this ski retreat
To Hindus, Machapuchare mountain in the Himalayas is the sacred home of their god Shiva. Consequently, climbing its majestic 23,000ft “fish-tail” double summit has always been strictly forbidden.
Closer to earth is a chalet named in its honour which you actually can summit if you wish . And it comfortably reaches the peak of luxury and charm, so if you’re considering celebrating a special event in serious style, this gem in the French ski resort of Val d’Isere could indeed be heaven sent.
Recently, Chalet Machapuchare was rented by a large multigenerational family group to toast a collection of occasions –18th and 50th birthdays and a diamond wedding anniversary. But it ’s no easy climb, financially: it costs £45,800 per week.
That said, you get a lot for your buck. The chalet sleeps 15 in seven stunning bedrooms and all meals and unlimited booze – even endless Veuve Clicquot champagne – are included. You get your own concierge service that effortlessly caters for every whim. Skis and boots are fitted by local hire experts Oxygène in the comfort of the chalet and chauffeurs are on hand with two executive minibuses. Those agonising walks in ski boots belong to another life.
Set across five storeys, Machapuchare has a small indoor swimming pool, a spa area and gym, as well as a cinema room and the mandatory outdoor Jacuzzi with panoramic
views of the entire valley. It also comes with a staff of eight. Dressed in black, they move around discreetly like Ninja warriors, deftly executing every request, whether it’s mixing cocktails or booking a masseuse.
The cherry on top is your own chef. The young and dynamic Hugo Attou has cooked in Michelin-starred restaurants and he prepares everything to perfection, from a full English breakfast, to a seven course off-piste gastronomic wonder. The cooking tweezers in his breast pocket bears testament to the care he puts into making your meals.
Machapuchare is the brainchild of Yoam Marchand, a ski instructor who was born and bred in Val d’Isere, and his wife, Charlotte Guilhamat, a designer with a beady creative eye. The couple oversaw an 18-month build from a hole in the ground in 2018 to what is here today.
The chalet was voted France’s Best Chalet at the World Ski Awards for the second year running and is part of the rarefied portfolio of Purple Ski, the masters in the luxury ski travel business.
“We wanted to create something that ’s the ultimate in style and comfort, but is also homely and welcoming,” says Yoam. Amen to that. If the real Machapuchare in Nepal is sacred, then its elegant namesake in Val d’Isere is truly divine. L
To book Machapuchare and other luxury Purple Ski chalets visit purpleski.com Ski hire from Oxygène, oxygene.ski
Alpine
INSPIRATION
CHALET DES DRUS, CHAMONIX
This exceptional 600sq m property on a private plot of 3,834sq m offers spectacular views of the Drus and Mont Blanc. With seven bedrooms, it’s described as “undoubtedly one of the most beautiful residences offered in Chamonix”. €15m, savills.com
LOU LOU RESTAURANT, COURCHEVEL
Recently opened, Lou Lou brings Parisian dining chic to the Hôtel Barrière Les Neiges in Courchevel 1850. Offering lively all-day dining – with its famed truffle pizza – over two floors, cocktails and DJ beats on the terrace. hotelsbarriere.com
CHALET FLORALIE
Chelsea-based interior designer Juliette Byrne brings her unique flair to this exquisite chalet nestled in the village of St-Martin-de-Belleville in the Three Valleys region. It comprises a chalet sleeping 12 and a penthouse sleeping up to four more, which can be booked separately, except during high season. skifloralie.com
CLAPHAM VILLAGE LONDON
SOUTH OF THE RIVER BETWEEN BRIXTON AND BATTERSEA, CLAPHAM IS BELOVED BY RESIDENTS OF ALL AGES WHO FIND A SENSE OF BELONGING AND A VIBRANT COMMUNITY
Clapham life revolves around its famous common, the nucleus of this something-for-everyone village. The common plays host to children’s birthday parties and fitness boot camps, after-work picnics with a bottle and active empty-nesters.
“It’s a grand green space buzzing with life,” says Jack Hargreaves, director of Marsh & Parsons Balham and Clapham o ce, who recommends The Pear Tree Cafe after your morning exercise. “With outstanding schools, charming independent shops, and a thriving community spirit, Clapham o ers a dynamic yet family-friendly lifestyle, making it one of the capital’s most sought-after suburbs.”
architecture and exceptional restaurants like Trinity.” Venn Street market is a must on Saturdays.
Clapham “is one of those pockets of London that truly o ers something for everyone –from young couples to empty-nesters and retirees who want to immerse themselves in this thriving community,” agrees Helen Hammond, joint head of sales at Savills Clapham.
“Clapham is one of those pockets of London that truly offers something for everyone”
Clapham has multiple distinct areas “Each with its own unique character,” says Jack Gravestock, head of Wandsworth sales at Knight Frank. “Take the charming Abbeville Village with its independent cafe s, artisan butchers, and welcoming local pubs, or the Old Town , with grand roads of beautiful
“The tree-lined roads o the main common feature charming Victorian and Edwardian terrace houses, either preserved as single homes or converted into flats, alongside elegant purpose-built mansion blocks that blend seamlessly into the area’s architectural character. Surrounding the common, you’ll fi nd independent pubs, delis, stylish co ee shops, boutique stores, and eateries – including The Pig’s Head, a delightful gastropub, and Minnow, the perfect spot for a parkside drink or alfresco lunch. The Pavement, leading towards Clapham Old Town, is a lively spot that creates a real buzz.”