Life Magazines (Kent Editions) August 2020

BRINGING A SLICE OF THE MEDITERRANEAN TO THE HIGH STREET

Beetroot Quail Eggs

Smoked Haddock and Seaweed Scotch Egg

Tortilla Bocadillo

Egg & Cress Sarnie

Make the most of the summer fun with our sunshine yolks

clarencecourt.co.uk

Clarence Court eggs promise to be full of flavour and bursting with vitamin D. Our traditional breed birds roam free on wildflower meadows soaking up the sunshine and laying at their own natural speed.

For light lunch or picnic in the park inspiration, visit clarencecourt.co.uk/recipes.

TRUE SIMPLICITY Our eggs are patiently laid by traditional breed birds originating from rare breed ancestors.

It’s our heritage that gives them their unique flavour. Demand the best - look for the crown.

clarencecourt.co.uk

WELCOME TO OUR

T H O M A S D U N T O N

AUGUST ISSUE

SOLICITORS ESTABLISHED 1978

THE TEAM EDITOR Faye Manning ••••• EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Katie Miller ••••• SUB EDITOR Ben Jones ••••• FASHION EDITOR Lewis Casserley ••••• DESIGN & PRODUCTION ProperGander Design

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGERS Vikki Hyder ••••• SALES Vanessa Lane, Anita Hill ••••• ACCOUNTS Kathy Manning, Andree Georgiou ••••• DIRECTORS Rory Smith Patrick Smith

PUBLISHED BY THE FISH MEDIA GROUP LTD

17, The Broadway, Old Hatfield, Herts, AL9 5HZ, UK 0844 800 8439 www.thelifemagazines.com © All Rights Reserved. Life Magazines are copyrighted and may not be reproduced in any form either in part or whole without written permission from the publishers. Whilst Fish Media Group Ltd. takes every reasonable precaution, no responsibility can be accepted for any property, services or products offered in these publications and any loss arising therefrom. Whilst every care is taken with all materials submitted to Life Magazines, the publisher cannot accept any responsibility for the loss or damage to such material. Fish Media Group Ltd. reserves the right to reject or accept any advertisement, article or material prior to publication. Opinions expressed are strictly those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views or policies of Fish Media Group Ltd. We accept no liability for any mistakes and no responsibility can be taken for the content of these pages.

Are all your ducks in a row?

Over the last few months, we have all realised how important planning for the future is.

A Will and Lasting Powers of Attorney provide peace of mind, whatever life throws at you.

Thomas Dunton Solicitors can help.

217–219 High Street, Orpington, Kent BR6 0NZ Telephone 01689 822554 Email wills@thomasdunton.co.uk For more information, call us or visit our website

www.thomasdunton.co.uk Proud to be

CONTENTS LOVE LOCAL

13

FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY

51

HOUSE & GARDEN

65

We put fantastic local businesses and exciting events in the spotlight each month

Chislehurst Office: Suite 5, Langford House, 7-7a High Street, Chislehurst, Kent, BR7 5AB Beckenham Office: 48 High Street, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 1AY

Fashion, health and beauty news to keep you looking and feeling your best Keep it local for everything house and home Cover Photo: Gokhan Goksoy / VR Agency www.vragency.co.uk

0844 800 8439

www.thelifemagazines.com

Unexpected. Surprising. And yet as if it has always been there. A kitchen which fits into any life and yet stands out due to its uniqueness. +VENOVO

Poggenpohl Tunbridge Wells 39-41 The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN2 5TN www.poggenpohl.com/tunbridgewells

out LOVE& about LOCAL ––We Weput putfantastic fantasticlocal localbusinesses businessesand andexciting excitingevents eventsininthe thespotlight spotlighteach eachmonth month– – i M ag E : c o n c o u r s o F E l E g a n c E

LOVE LOCAL

THE ART OF BuyING ART

T

hanks to the Lockdown, it was not uncommon for us all to be stuck at home and left, literally, staring at the walls. As such, it was a good time to revisit the items that we’ve put on those walls and whether they still give us pleasure.

Alison Phillipson - who specialises in sourcing contemporary art for private and corporate clients - comments: “We can all get pretty immune to what we’ve got on our walls. Family photographs and heirlooms will always have a special resonance, but often the prints or paintings that we bought maybe many years ago have perhaps lost their charm.

Having reproductions of work by great masters - whether they’re Pissarro or Picasso - is fine, but personally I find new work by artists who are active

14 August 2020

“My role is to talk through what people are looking for: is it a painting, sculpture or other medium?”

today is fantastically exciting to engage with.

“And certainly, if you’re thinking of refreshing the visual landscape of your home there has never been a better time to buy contemporary art. There is a wonderful group of talented young artists producing stunning work at accessible prices.”

Of course, contemporary art can be an intimidating part of the art world with which to engage. The bad press it often gets overlooks some of the tremendous work that is being done. When setting up Phillipson Fine Art, eleven years ago, Alison appreciated both this challenge and also the opportunity it presented.

“It’s not uncommon for us to help people who have been looking to invest in contemporary art for a long time but just hadn’t been able to connect with the right work. My role is to talk through what people are looking for: is it a painting, sculpture or other medium? And also to consider the space for which it is intended.

“That can entail the interior of someone’s home. There’s no point in being precious about that dynamic: for a piece of art to truly work it has to be in a setting which shows it to its best advantage. You wouldn’t hang a 5ft-high Rothko in a 16th century cottage with 6ft ceiling heights.”

Phillipson has a First-Class honours degree

in Fine Art and History of Art and an MA in Contemporary Art Theory, but it is her love of contemporary fine art that shines through when she talks about connecting clients to artists. “It’s fascinating to watch an artist develop and follow them on that journey. Yes, some of my clients have made gains on the art that they have bought through me, but the common denominator amongst them all is that they love the pieces they buy and value the connection with the artist who has created that work.”

This combination of art expertise and an understanding of what clients are looking for is at the heart of what Phillipson Fine Art does.

“We have some clients who we may only ever source one piece, and others who are assiduous collectors. Part of the enjoyment of what I do is

the details Phillipson Fine Art +44 (0)7767 677 677 alison@phillipsonfineart.co.uk phillipsonfineart.co.uk

working with a wide range of people whose only connection is their interest in contemporary art.”

Throughout the process great care and diligence is taken to match a client’s personal tastes, their requirements and, of course, their budget: “We’ve helped clients source works from £500 to over £100,000,” Phillipson reports, “and also have commissioned pieces from specific artists.

“Our approach to the purchase and commissioning of fine art is to create a very personal dialogue that is always bespoke, discreet and sensitive to our client’s aspirations and tastes.”

She works with exceptional artists and will purchase either direct from an artist or from a gallery.

“It is enormously satisfying to bring things of beauty into people’s lives and also help artists develop their careers,” she reflects. So, who are some of the artists that she finds most exciting at present? “That’s like having to say who your favourite child is,” she laughs. “I would have to mention the sculptor James Capper and the painter Masaki Yada whom I think are both tremendous talents. I shall now wait for the ‘what-about-me?’ emails from all the others I know!”

So if the art on your wall began to pall during Lockdown, it might be an idea to give Alison a call and start investigating the vibrant world of contemporary art.

AUGUST 2020 15

LOVE L OC AL

SECURE THE VALIDITY OF YOUR WILL

Practical advice to ensure you make a valid Will during Covid-19 - 5 Top Tips

I

have been asked by many clients over the course of the Covid-19 pandemic about the procedure for signing and witnessing a Will to ensure it is valid. Clearly at a time of social distancing this can be problematic.

To ensure the validity of your Will, here are five top tips:1. Seek Professional Advice There are a number of important considerations when preparing a new Will. For example, who will benefit from your estate and will there be any Inheritance Tax to pay?

It is vital that professional advice is sought in order to mitigate any potential tax implications as well as ensuring your wishes are adhered to.

2. Make all Necessary Amendments Prior to Signing It is important that you check your draft Will carefully to ensure it accurately reflects your wishes.

Any necessary amendments can be made prior to signing.

3. Execute the Will Safely and Correctly Your final Will should be signed in the presence of two, independent witnesses who are over the age of 18 (not family members or beneficiaries). Both witnesses also need to be independent of you.

In light of social distancing measures, the following approach can be useful:-

16 AUGUST 2020

• Ask two neighbours if they are willing to witness you sign your Will from a two-metre distance.

Agree an appropriate date and time to meet in front of your home. I would suggest that you all wear a mask and gloves for protection and use separate pens for signing.

• Make sure you have a clear view of each other and the Will throughout the signing process.

• Sign your Will where indicated.

• Leave your Will on a suitable surface for example a garden table or a wall. The first witness must then sign the Will with their own pen where indicated.

• The second witness can sign in the same way again using their own pen (whilst always adhering to social distancing measures).

• Once you and your witnesses have signed, you can collect your Will and return to your home.

It is important that you are all physically present.

4. Check your Will Again Once signed, check your Will again to ensure it has been correctly executed and dated.

5. Safe Storage Store your Will safely and when appropriate, send your original will to your solicitor’s office for safekeeping.

The above approach may not be appropriate in all circumstances; however, this strategy can be used if managed effectively.

It’s vital that professional advice is sought in order to mitigate potential tax implications as well as ensuring your wishes are adhered to

THE DETAILS Wellers Law Group Aarti Gangaramani is a private client solicitor at Wellers Law Group, specialising in Wills, Powers of Attorney and Probate matters.

Telephone 020 7481 2422. www.wellerslawgroup.com

REASONS NOT TO ARRANGE A WILL MY ESTATE AUTOMATICALLY PASSES TO MY SPOUSE Q. If you are married with children and you don’t have a valid Will,

when you die your estate will automatically pass to your spouse, so no need to worry. Correct?

A.

Actually no. Without a valid Will the rules of intestacy apply and they state that only the first ÂŁ270,000 (including property) of the estate plus your personal possessions pass automatically to your spouse or civil partner.

The remaining value of your estate is split, with your spouse or civil partner getting just half of the remainder. The other half is divided equally between the surviving children and if a son or daughter has already died, their children will inherit in their place.

In practical terms this could mean that your partner may have less income than you planned and the home may need to be sold to pay the beneficiaries.

There are many reasons for getting a Will arranged, but maybe the most important is simply to ensure that your estate goes to the people you most want to benefit.

To book an initial consultation by phone or video conferencing with a qualified lawyer about preparing a Will please contact your local Wellers Law Group office on the numbers below or email enquiries@wellerslawgroup.com.

BROMLEY

SEVENOAKS

CHISLEHURST

Tel: 020 8464 4242

Tel: 01732 457575

Tel: 020 8295 1989

Wellers Law Group Tenison House,Tweedy Road, Bromley, Kent BR1 3NF.

Wellers Reece-Jones 2nd floor, 50 - 52 London Road Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1AS.

Wellers Law Group 1A Bromley Lane, Chislehurst, Kent BR7 6LH.

www.wellerslawgroup.com Wellers Law Group LLP is registered in England and Wales, registered number OC350170 and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority No 525515.

LOVE L OC AL

The World’s Most Regal Car Park This September, automotive royalty gathers in Hampton Court Palace for the world-famous Concours of Elegance

T

he most astonishing cars ever produced, a line-up of world-famous luxury brands, and one of the UK’s most beautiful historic royal settings.

That’s the successful recipe for the Concours of Elegance, returning to Hampton Court Palace from 4-6th September.

Following formal approval from Historic Royal Palaces, the Concours of Elegance – presented by luxury watchmakers, A. Lange & Söhne – is the first major international concours d’elegance event since March, and the perfect chance to gawp at one-off Alfa Romeos, race-winning Bugattis, coach built American rarities and a lineup of ‘Future Classics’ from the likes of Singer, Koenigsegg and Pagani.

Originally launched at Windsor Castle in 2012, the event has grown since, hosted at St James’s Palace in 2013, Hampton Court Palace in 2014, the Palace of Holyroodhouse in 2015, back to Windsor in 2016 and then finding a semipermanent home at Hampton Court Palace from

18 AUGUST 2020

2017. As the Concours of Elegance evolved over the years – always with a stunning collection of cars at its heart – it has morphed into a celebration of luxury goods, fine food and drink, wonderful music and superb displays of art.

The line-up of cars is a veritable feast of the most famous brands in the world; Ferrari, Rolls-Royce, Bugatti and Lamborghini all feature.

But each car in the Concours must be invited to attend, and to get an invitation, your car must be extremely special. An expert Concours of Elegance Steering Committee of motoring aficionados pick one-offs, rarities and models with incredible backstories to invite to Hampton Court Palace to create a truly special line-up of vehicles.

The Concours of Elegance’s centrepiece display is reserved only for the most extraordinary vehicles or astonishing motoring feats. This year, is a specially curated collection of McLaren F1 GTRs that finished 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 13th at Le Mans 24 Hours in 1995. All five cars will be parked side-by-side at Concours of Elegance 2020; the

“The perfect chance to gawp at one-off Alfa Romeos, race-winning Bugattis, coach built American rarities and a line-up of ‘Future Classics’”

winning Kokusai Kaihatsu Racing car, the thirdplace Harrods-liveried car of Andy Wallace, Derek Bell and Justin Bell, the fourth-place Gulf Racing F1 GTR, the Giroix Racing Team F1 GTR that finished fifth and the 13th-placed Societe BBA car.

In addition to the spectacular McLaren F1 GTR centrepiece, visitors can expect to see two one-off Alfa Romeos in the show’s very special Main Concours display - demonstrating the best in contemporary engineering and hand-crafted design. The Alfa Romeo 6C 2300B and 2500 were among the most expensive cars in the world during the ’30s and ‘40s, featuring engines designed by one of the great automotive designers of all time; Vittorio Jano, His engines helped both cars to amass a number of impressive race victories. They finished 1st and 2nd in their class at the 1937 Mille Miglia, 1st, 2nd and 3rd at the 1937 Targa Abruzzo in Pescara, took victory again at Pescara in 1938 and won the Targa Florio in 1950.

Concours of Elegance’s tribute to 70 years of motorsport’s top echelon includes five exceptional F1 cars, each representing a pinnacle of achievement in F1’s constant quest for speed.

The group comprises cars every enthusiast will recognise Ferrari, Williams and Lotus machines

“Concours of Elegance’s tribute to 70 years of motorsport’s top echelon includes five exceptional F1 cars” inextricably linked with racing heroes such as Sir Stirling Moss, Niki Lauda and Damon Hill.

For those not yet old enough to enjoy the thrills of a road car, Concours of Elegance is proud the introduce the Junior Concours. Celebrating the best of half-scale hand-built pedal, electric and petrol-powered cars of all ages, the Junior Concours, will see parents and their children taking on the roles of Works Drivers and Mechanics.

Nearly 1000 cars will gather in the Palace AUGUST 2020 19

LOVE LOCAL

grounds for a number of other features, including the seventh annual Royal Automobile Club Trophy. The UK’s finest car clubs, from Rolls-Royce to Ferrari will enter their most spectacular vehicles for an opportunity to win a much-vaunted place among the Main Concours collection of cars in the 2021 event.

Alongside these magnificent cars, visitors may explore Hampton Court Palace and visit a vast array of street-food outlets and enjoy champagne by the original Champagne Charlie, Charles Heidsieck.

There’s the opportunity for some luxury shopping, too, with pop-up boutiques from the

20 AUGUST 2020

likes of fine horologists A. Lange & Söhne and their intricately crafted German timepieces, and fashion brands like Niccolò P.’s signature polo shirts. With a new Official Insurance Partner, Chubb Insurance, and Specialist Dealer Displays from the likes of Frank Dale, Bell Sport & Classic, Jaguar Land Rover Classic, Export 56 and more.

Clearly, it’s worth addressing the elephant in the room. With audience welfare in mind, the organisers have created a new Covid-19safe operational plan that includes revised hospitality and restricted visitor numbers, with the introduction of separate morning and afternoon tickets. Should government guidance negate the running of the event, all tickets can be refunded or rolled over to 2021. concoursofelegance.co.uk

“Alongside these magnificent cars, visitors may explore Hampton Court Palace”

LOVE LOCAL

TATE MODERN PRESENTS ANDy wARHOL

A

until 15 november 2020. a new look at the extraordinary life and work of the pop art superstar

ndy Warhol (1928–87) was one of the most recognisable artists of the late 20th century, yet his life and work continue to fascinate and be interpreted anew. A shy, gay man from a religious, migrant, low income household, he forged his own distinct path to emerge as the epitome of the pop art movement.

This major new exhibition at Tate Modern – the first at the gallery for almost 20 years – offers visitors a rare personal insight into how Warhol and his work marked a period of cultural transformation. Drawing upon recent scholarship, it will provide a new lens through which to view this American icon.

Featuring over 100 works from across his remarkable career, the show will shed light on how Warhol’s experiences helped shape his unique take on 20th century culture, positioning him within the shifting creative and political landscape in which he worked.

While he is best known for his iconic paintings of Coca-Cola bottles and Marilyn Monroe that held up a mirror to American culture, the exhibition will emphasise recurring themes around desire, identity and belief that emerge from Warhol’s biography.

Key works from the pop period, such as Marilyn Diptych 1962, Elvis I and II 1963/1964 and Race Riot 1964, will be examined in relation to contemporary issues around American culture and politics, while Warhol’s limitless ambition to push the boundaries of media will be represented via his famous Screen Tests 1964–6 and a recreation of the psychedelic multimedia environment of Exploding Plastic Inevitable 1966.

Visitors will also be able to experience Warhol’s floating Silver Clouds 1966 installation, initially meant to signal his ‘retirement’ from painting in favour of moviemaking. He famously stated that ‘good business is the best art’: the exhibition will look at how Warhol’s forays into publishing and TV, as well as his interest in club culture.

22 August 2020

The exhibition will emphasise his skill as a painter and colourist with a room dedicated to the largest grouping of his 1975 Ladies and Gentlemen series ever shown in the UK. These striking portraits depict figures from New York’s transgender community, including iconic performer and activist, Marsha ‘Pay it no mind’ Johnson - a prominent figure in the Stonewall uprising of 1969.

Warhol’s final works of the 80s, such as the poignant Sixty Last Suppers 1986 – on view at Tate Modern for the first time in this country – will be considered in relation to the artist’s untimely death as well as the unfolding HIV/AIDS epidemic, which ultimately went on to impact the lives of many in his close circle.

The exhibition will be accompanied by a fully illustrated catalogue, as well as an extensive programme of public talks and film screenings with exclusive new merchandise collections in the gallery shops.

For further information call 020 7887 8888 visit www.tate.org.uk or follow @Tate #AndyWarhol

top: debbie harry 1980, Private collection of Phyllis and Jerome lyle rappaport 1961 © 2019 the andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual arts, inc / artists right society (ars), new york and dacs, london left: Marilyn diptych 1962, tate © 2019 the andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual arts, inc / artists right society (ars), new york and dacs, london above: self Portrait 1986, tate © 2019 the andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual arts, inc / artists right society (ars), new york and dacs, london

LOVE LOCAL

Polesden Lacey House

125 years of the

National Trust

Ightham Mote

Scotney Castle

The Homewood Clandon Park House, Guildford.

T

he National Trust has come a long way since it was founded by Octavia Hill, Sir Robert Hunter and Canon Hardwicke Rawnsley in 1895. The founders believed that nature, beauty and history are for everyone and so set up the Trust to look after the nation’s coastline, historic sites, countryside and green spaces. Octavia Hill, a radical social reformer and cultural philanthropist, saw the preservation of open spaces as crucial to improving the lives of the urban poor.

Their aim was not only to save important sites, but to look after them for everyone to enjoy in the years to come. From this trio of environmental pioneers, the National Trust was created. Initially, one hundred people paid 10 shillings each to get the ball rolling forming the National Trust into an independent Charity. And their original values are still at the heart of everything the charity does 125 years later.

The National Trust welcomed more than 27.9million visitors over 2018/19. Vast coastlines,

24 AUGUST 2020

land, historic houses , castles, ancient monuments, 250 gardens and parks and nature reserves – with 9 lighthouses, 56 villages, a gold mine and 39 pubs including the George Inn in Southwark, featured in Dickens’ Little Dorrit. The National Trust’s first house was Alfriston Clergy House in East Sussex, a dilapidated medieval meeting house, acquired in 1896.

The National Trust’s historic houses and stunning landscapes have also provided backdrops to some unforgettable moments on the small and silver screen from Harry Potter to Poldark and from Tarzan to Wolf Hall, via Game of Thrones.

Stourhead House in Wiltshire was the inspiration for Lady Penelope’s residence in the original Thunderbirds puppet series in the 1960s.

And you don’t need to leave the bustling, lively streets of London either. With thriving wetlands to sprawling estates, intimate spaces and modernist masterpieces, London has it all including Morden Hall Park, Ham House and Garden, 575 Wandsworth Road, Fenton House and 2 Willow Road in Hampstead, Carlyle’s House in Chelsea, Sutton House and Breaker’s Yard in Hackney and the last remaining galleried Inn in London - The George, built in 1677.

His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales has been President for the past 25 years and in a special anniversary edition of the National Trust Magazine, The Prince has written a foreword acknowledging the vital role of its members and

“With thriving wetlands to sprawling estates, intimate spaces and modernist masterpieces, London has it all including Morden Hall Park and Ham House and Garden”

Claremont Amphitheatre

Emmetts

volunteers. This extract clearly displays his passion for the National Trust and what it has and always will, stand for.

“This year marks the 125th anniversary of the National Trust. It also happens to be my 25th year as President of this great British institution which, with your valuable support, continues to play a vital role in our national life. When our three founders established their new organisation it would surely have seemed impossible to them, or indeed anyone else, that a membership of millions of people would one day own and support 250,000 hectares of farmland, 780 miles of coastline and more than 500 historic properties, together with glorious gardens and spectacular Nature reserves.

“We owe a huge debt of gratitude to those pioneers and to everyone whose support over the years. Your membership is much more than a pass to beautiful places: every penny you spend helps keep these places alive and special for the future, and open to all.

The global spread of coronavirus is challenging society in a way that we have not experienced for

Claremont Amphitheatre

generations and as a direct impact it has of course, necessitated the temporary closure of the National Trust’s properties, parks and gardens too. While this was undoubtedly a great shame, I know the anniversary will not be overlooked and I shall do whatever I can to play my part in celebrating this important milestone – however remotely. I can only say how enormously privileged I am to have watched this remarkable institution grow over the last 25 years and hope you will look forward, as much as I do, to seeing the next chapter unfold” The National Trust reopened more than 130 gardens and parklands last month.. To ensure the safety of their visitors, staff, volunteers and local communities, they have reduced the number of people they can welcome at one time and you’ll need to book your visit in advance. Last year over 65,000 volunteers devoted in excess of 4.8 million hours of their time to support The National Trust and thanks to the generosity of their supporters they received almost £97.8 million in fundraised income during 2018/19.

THE DETAILS For further details of The National Trust, re-opening dates and to become a member visit nationaltrust.org.uk

Chartwell

Sissinghurst Castle

Claremont Landscape Garden

Fenton House and Garden

AUGUST 2020 25

LOVE LOCAL

LONDON DESIGN FESTIVAL ANNOuNCES EXCITING PROGRAMME OF PROJECTS 12-20 september 2020

T

he 18th edition of London Design Festival returns to the capital this autumn as a symbol of London’s determination to maintain its creative and cultural leadership.

Since its inception in 2003, London Design Festival has played a key role in bringing together the greatest thinkers, practitioners, retailers and educators to celebrate and promote design annually across the capital, and to put a spotlight on London’s creative brilliance.

London has the largest creative economy of any city in the world, and its design reputation is internationally renowned. One in six people in London work in the creative industries and it has been the fastest growing sector of the economy in recent years, but the effects and impact of the pandemic has disproportionately affected the creative industries, causing a catastrophic setback to the sector.

Following a number of cancellations and closures, the Festival this September will provide a platform for the design community to showcase work at a time when it is needed more than ever, helping to stimulate the creative economy and support young and emerging designers as well as more established names.

While international travel continues to be affected, this year’s Festival will have a strong

26 August 2020

local focus and will be a Festival for Londoners.

In addition to Landmark Projects and Festival Commissions, Partner events across the Design Districts will enable visitors to walk between shows and discover something new.

Physical installations will take place alongside virtual exhibitions, and a digital edition of the Global Design Forum will bring the latest design thinking to a global audience and allow the widest possible access to creative content. This year will also see the introduction of a new digital portal for freelancers to promote their work across the Festival’s platforms.

London Design Festival Director, Ben Evans CBE says, “The show must go on. Showcasing is essential for the sector to survive and this year, more than ever, we are determined to offer every opportunity for designers to be seen and heard.”

London Design Festival has since earned the reputation as a key calendar moment of London’s autumn creative season, alongside London Fashion Week, Frieze Art Fair and the London Film Festival, attracting the greatest thinkers, practitioners, retailers and educators to the capital, in a citywide celebration. www.londondesignfestival.com #LDF20 Instagram: L_D_F_official Twitter: L_D_F Facebook: LondonDesignFestival

“Physical installations will take place alongside virtual exhibitions, and a digital edition of the Global Design Forum will bring the latest design thinking to a global audience and allow the widest possible access to creative content” clockwise from top left: la Muralla roja, ewa Michali; adorno, sara szyber; Japan house

LOVE LOCAL

design centre, chelsea harbour announces new format for

Focus/20 13 – 18 september 2020

I

n this most unprecedented of years, the annual autumn design event will be recalibrated to provide a unique platform for 120 showrooms and 600 international brands to present their new collections. A collaboration of ingenuity, creativity and positivity, the pioneering hybrid show will strengthen the Design Centre’s mantra to ‘connect, converse and create’ at a physical event in London, as well as reach out to a wider global audience, remotely.

The safety and well-being of its community and visitors is a priority, and every aspect of Focus/20 will be highly considered. Operating within government guidelines, tailored visits will bring people to the Design Centre, while a virtual programme will share online the same culture of generosity and celebration that permeates all editions of the show.

In the last months, decor has never come under greater scrutiny. People cooped up at home are craving change and professional designers have taken on new work and are completing existing projects. Visitors to Focus/20 will be able to see in person those elements that are vital to their schemes: those first looks of the latest colours, patterns and materials, alongside key details like scale, craftsmanship and artisan finishes. Adding

28 August 2020

THE DETAILS

another layer, a curated selection of house guests in the Design Avenue will bring fresh perspectives.

The online programme aims to spark everyone’s imagination and curiosity. An exceptional line-up of live stream webinars and talks will see international designers, experts and thought leaders share their work and specialist knowledge, alongside discussions on what’s shaping the future of design and business-focused sessions about how to take a professional practice to the next level. There will be insider insights into the new collections and inspiring sessions that enhances discovery of the world’s most exciting design brands.

As a Design Destination at the London Design Festival, Focus/20 is proud to be at the heart of the wider momentum across the capital.

For more details visit dcch.co.uk 13 – 18 September 2020, 10am – 6pm #Focus20AtDCCH @designcentrech

LOVE L OC AL

LIFE AFTER LOCKDOWN Some couples are considering whether they have a future together after lockdown was imposed upon them following the coronavirus pandemic. For couples who are struggling in their relationship, or trying to manage co-parenting, anxiety levels were heightened during the time that personal movements were restricted.

T

he remaining threat of a second spike and possible further lockdown together later in the year is for some the incentive that they need to separate.

The family team at CWJ can help guide you through that process if you decide that it is the right time for you. We can provide you with all the advice and support that you need.

For me, and my team being a family lawyer means being there for all the challenges, not just the day in court. At this time, we know it is more important than ever that we are available to advise, encourage and support you. We have responded to the pandemic by putting in place new ways of working when face-to-face consultations are out of the question, and private telephone calls may be impossible.

The courts have confirmed that online applications will continue, with the divorce petition processed from application through decree nisi to decree absolute without any need for face-to-face contact.

Similarly, applications for orders relating to children can be made online. Post lockdown most court hearings are still being dealt with remotely.

30 AUGUST 2020

In China, which was first into lockdown following discovery of the virus, there have been reports of a huge surge in divorce petitions as couples emerge from the country’s stringent restrictions, with one city official in Hunan province quoted as saying that what may have seemed trivial in normal life had escalated for many couples struggling to deal with the exceptional circumstances.

The no fault divorce is due to be implemented in Autumn 2021. Until then adultery, desertion or unreasonable behaviour would still need to be proved. Alternatively, and only if both sides agree, they can part after two years of separation. If no fault is given, and one party does not consent to the divorce, then the period of separation is extended to living apart for five years.

The divorce petition is only the start of what may be a long journey involving negotiations over finances and family arrangements in respect of the children. The family team at CWJ can help guide you through this process to make sure that it is as simple, effective and painless as possible.

The family team at CWJ can help guide you through this process to make sure that it is as simple, effective and painless as possible

THE DETAILS To get in contact, please call Claire Schneck on 01689 323049 or email claire.schneck@cwj.co.uk Clarkson Wright & Jakes Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority SRA ID Number 558946

LOVE L&OC AL HOME PROPERTY

THE SECRET IS OUT IN BIDDENDEN!

S

howcasing the very best of Kent with a picturesque village location and an abundance of countryside on the doorstep, the pretty village of Biddenden is home to Millwood Designer Homes’ latest collection of properties, The Maltings. The stunning new three-bedroom show home, The Mulberry, is now open and available to view on an appointment-only basis, in one of Kent’s most idyllic spots.

The Mulberry exhibits Millwood’s traditional style. On entering the home, visitors are met with the spacious kitchen equipped with a comprehensive range of integrated appliances.

The rest of the ground floor flows into a stunning

13 02 4 AAU UG GU US S TT 220 02 02 0

open-plan dining/living area, with a garden room featuring bi-fold doors to the garden. Upstairs, a sleek master bedroom comes complete with an en suite and two fitted wardrobes. Bedrooms 2 and 3 also offer stylish, spacious accommodation.

The pretty village of Biddenden is the epitome of a beautiful English community, home to a striking collection of medieval architecture and a village high street with a selection of shops and country pubs.

Prices start from £430,000. For those wishing to view The Mulberry, the sales team are taking bookings for viewing appointments now. For more information please call 01843 880843.

“The pretty village of Biddenden is the epitome of a beautiful English community, home to a striking collection of medieval architecture”

The Maltings Show Home Now Open

The Maltings is unique hamlet-style development of 45 homes, located in the idyllic village of Biddenden, Kent.

Viewings by appointment only*, Help to Buy available on selected plots and Stamp Duty holiday applies. Prices from ÂŁ430,000.

North Street, Biddenden, Kent, TN27 8BA |Open 11am-5pm Tel: 01580 828580 Email: TheMaltings@mdh.uk.com *Visit our website for full COVID-19 safety procedures, please read before visiting, thank you.

www.millwooddesignerhomes.co.uk

LOVE L&OC AL HOME PROPERTY

Introducing the Crowborough Collection

I

n the beautiful East Sussex village of Crowborough, Millwood Designer Homes has recently revealed its exclusive calibre of homes at two individually designed developments. Married together as ‘The Crowborough Collection’, the properties at Coppice End and Windlewood have already seen significant interest, offering an appealing opportunity for local buyers to move up the property ladder to a one-of-a-kind home.

Situated in its own picturesque woodland setting, Coppice End comprises 18 exclusive properties just a short drive from the 6,500 acre Ashdown Forest. Only two homes remain; The Henley and The Knockholt, both five bedroom residences exclusive to Coppice End. Both properties benefit from luxurious open-plan interiors including a dedicated study, perfect for those working from home, in addition to modern kitchens and contemporary bathrooms and en suites.

Just a short distance away, Windlewood presents an exclusive development of four luxury 5-bedroom detached family homes on the outskirts of Crowborough. The two remaining properties, Windlesham and Abbington House, are uniquely

“Coppice End comprises 18 exclusive properties”

designed whilst still carrying Millwood’s signature style. Behind the traditional East Sussex façades, each home benefits from a premium first-class interior specification.

Prices at Coppice End start from £885,000.

Prices at Windlewood start from £965,000.

For more information please visit millwooddesignerhomes.co.uk.

The Henley, Coppice End

The Windlesham, Windlewood

13 04 6 AAU UG GU US S TT 220 02 02 0

The Crowborough Collection

Coppice End The Henley | TN6 2XW

Windlewood The Windlesham | TN6 2SS

Millwood Designer Homes has something to suit your move to the country. Four stunning, 5 bedroom homes located at our Windlewood & Coppice End developments, perfectly set in rural East Sussex. Prices from £885,000.

2 properties reserved, last opportunity to buy. Appointment only, call today to book a private viewing* Tel: 01892 640466 Email: CoppiceEnd@mdh.uk.com *Viewings by appointment only, visit our website for full COVID-19 safety procedures, please read before visiting, thank you.

www.millwooddesignerhomes.co.uk Plants for August C O R N F L OW E R CAFÉ

Anemone 3ltr from £9.99

Miscanthus from £7.99

We have lots of fresh summer flowering plants and shrubs in stock with pots and garden accessories.

Everything you need to complete your summer garden, with friendly staff on hand for any help and advice you may need.

Open 7 days a week: Monday – Saturday 9am-4pm Sunday 10am-3pm

We are also pleased to announce our Cornflower Café is now open!

Serving hot drinks, snacks, toasties and cakes, it is the ideal spot to pop in and meet up with friends.

Judith

Ferns 5ltr from £17.99

Crocosmia from £7.99

Judith Kerr-Sheppard Garden Centre Manager

Hot Drinks from £1.50 Cakes from £2.00 Hot Food from £3.95

Social icon

Circle Only use blue and/or white.

For more details check out our Brand Guidelines.

Sign up to our emails for more help, advice and inspiration or follow us on our social media channels.

Social icon

Circle Only use blue and/or white.

For more details check out our Brand Guidelines.

Dryhill Lane, Sundridge, Sevenoaks, Kent TN14 6AA Tel: 01959 561274 coblandsgardencentre.co.uk All prices correct at time of going to press. While stocks last.

LOVE LOCAL

Gorgeous gardens to visit this summer Many gardens have now reopened to the public for summer. hannah stephenson selects some of the best.

S

till short of things to do during summer holidays? Why not visit some of our most glorious gardens, which have reopened to the public.

They all detail the Covid-19 safety measures they’ve put in place on their websites. Most require pre-booking tickets (check websites for specific details) and all have regulated social distancing – take a mask to be on the safe side too.

Here are some of our favourites…

Arley Hall and Gardens, Cheshire (arleyhallandgardens.com) Arley Hall and its glorious gardens have provided the setting for some familiar TV series, including Peaky Blinders, Antiques Roadshow and Great British Garden Revival. Head for the herbaceous border, its best known feature, which boasts some spectacular planting, then wander through the pleached lime avenue of trees and lose yourself within The Grove. There are many different areas within its eight acres of formal gardens, as well as an arboretum and woodland walk. The hall remains closed.

The Lost Gardens of Heligan, Corn (heligan.com) With some 200 acres of garden and estate, you simply can’t do all of Heligan in one visit – so if you’ve only got a day, seek out summer highlights.

An incredible 15 acres of wildflower meadow has been planted, featuring cornflowers, corn chamomile, poppies and corn marigolds, to create a stunning visual backdrop, perfect for butterflies and bees.

Families are invited to pick up a ‘Heligan Summer’ booklet from the ticket office before setting off. Pre-booking essential for timed tickets.

36 August 2020

Wightwick Gardens, Wolverhampton, West Midlands (nationaltrust.org.uk) Comprising 17 acres, this might not be the biggest National Trust garden but it certainly packs a punch in the style stakes, thanks to 20th century Arts and Crafts garden designer, Thomas Mawson. The dominant design feature of the garden is its ‘rooms’ – areas marked by clipped yew hedges or terraces, giving the space a wide variety of different feelings.

Tickets are released on Fridays for the following week and pre-booking for timed visits is essential. The Manor House remains closed until further notice.

Brodsworth Hall and Gardens, South Yorkshire (english-heritage.org.uk) Spectacularly restored to their full Victorian

Montalto Estate, Co. Down, Northern Ireland (montaltoestate.com) The trails and gardens within this magical estate have now reopened, so visitors can explore a wealth of features – including the cutting garden made up of annuals, biennials, perennials and shrubs, the formal garden with its defined geometric shapes and stunning views of Montalto Lake and boathouse, and the alpine garden, with its impressive collections of plants.

The trails and gardens are currently open Wed-Sun but all visitors must pre-book tickets online. Access to some gardens may be restricted due to events.

Witley Court and Gardens, Worcestershire (english-heritage.org.uk) Witley’s romantic gardens are full of delights. A spectacular lake, vast fountain of Perseus and Andromeda, and colourful French parterre are among the highlights.

In summer, the East Parterre at Witley Court is spectacular and includes variegated pelargoniums, ageratum, evening primrose (Oenothera) and verbenas.

This summer, take the family on a free fun adventure quest with an historical twist.

Pre-booking essential for timed tickets.

splendour, the 15 acres of gardens at Brodsworth are home to a collection of grand gardens in miniature, filled with colourful seasonal plantings and displays. Stroll through the statue walks and the beautiful wild rose dell, with over 100 varieties of historic rose. You can also admire period bedding plants in the Flower Garden, including cannas and gingers for dot planting, with salvia, gazania, ageratum and verbena.

Pre-booking essential for timed tickets. House and play area remain closed. A family-friendly summer explorer quest is taking place throughout summer.

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (kew.org) The world famous botanical gardens opened doors to visitors in June. They’ve now reopened the glasshouses too, so you can admire an array of tropical treasures, desert species and more in the Palm House, Temperate House and Princess of Wales Conservatory.

In a final flourish to Kew Gardens’ summer landscape, a bespoke botanical sculpture – created by the winning duo from the acclaimed Netflix television programme, The Big Flower Fight, will be on display in August.

Pre-booking essential for timed entry. Toilets, shops and some outdoor food facilities are currently open and screened regularly. Check website for details.

RHS Garden Wisley, Surrey (rhs.org.uk) Visitors to the jewel in the crown of the RHS gardens will be able to enjoy its summer highlights, including sizzling dahlias and tropical banana plants in its exotic garden, which showcases plants that have a tropical look but flourish outdoors in a typical UK summer climate. Don’t forget to stroll along the mixed borders for a riot of summer colour and surround yourself with lavender on the viewing mount.

Pre-booking essential for timed tickets, card transactions only on site. Glasshouse, alpine houses, learning centre and library and advisory desk remain closed.

Wollerton Old Hall Garden, North Shropshire (wollertonoldhallgarden.com) Set around a 16th century hall (not currently open to the public), Wollerton Old Hall incorporates a formal modern garden on an old site covering four acres. Its garden rooms are beautifully planted with stunning perennials and offer some terrific design ideas. The garden is famous for its salvias, clematis and roses and the clever use of colour, form and scale. The main perennial border in late summer is still awash with colour, so don’t miss it.

Currently open Thursday, Fridays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays. Pre-booked tickets essential.

Abbotsford Gardens, Roxburghshire, Scotland (scottsabbotsford.com) Abbotsford was Sir Walter Scott’s home, and his imagination extended to the outdoors with the creation of these beautiful formal Regency gardens. Highlights include the kitchen garden, the third of his interconnecting outdoor ‘rooms’, which house a mix of flowering and scented plants, herbs, fruits and vegetables.

The gardens are currently open Wednesday to Sunday, with hopes to reopen the historic house in August.

Check the website for updates.

AUGUST 2020 37

LOVE L OC AL

THE GREEK MEZE A cocktail bar and restaurant like no other!

Cover Photo: Gokhan Goksoy / VR Agency www.vragency.co.uk

A

s you walk through the entrance there is an air of excitement from the venue.

The dĂŠcor of the restaurant transports you from the centre of Orpington High Street to an idyllic Greek island.

Once seated at our table, I felt like we had entered an immersive Greek experience. We were greeted by a waiter who was dressed to compliment the style of the eatery. He was charismatic, charming and knowledgeable when it came to the menu. He influenced the dishes we chose and which drinks will compliment our selection. It felt like a scripted experience that the restaurant had curated to deliver a full-on Greek experience.

Within moments, a molecular mixology delight arrived in a sculpted glass, topped with a fresh fruit creation. The cocktails were beyond expectation and led on to multiple orders.

A swift twenty minutes later our table was served by a fresh fish platter, a hot meze selection and a well known Greek dish – chicken Gyro. The dishes were well presented and smelt amazing which sent the tastebuds in to overdrive.

The restaurant was busy and vibrant throughout the afternoon and exceeded our expectations. With clever curation and well-thought out plans the owners have transformed a high street venue to an exceptional eatery.

Take a visit to this unique venue. Savour the mouth-watering menu with delectable all-day dining and make sure you book-in to their new themed events. Whatever the occasion, they are ready to serve an unforgettable Greek experience!

38 AUGUST 2020

The dishes were well presented and smelt amazing which sent the tastebuds in to overdrive

THE DETAILS The Greek Meze 165 High St, Orpington BR6 0LW Telephone: 01689 873444 @thegreekmeze

TRAVEL

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR FUTURE TRAVEL PLANS As international travel opens up, we caught up with personalised management company Winged Boots to find out what we should look out for when booking our next holiday

I

f a worldwide pandemic has taught us one thing, it’s to never take anything for granted.

Spending time with family, exploring the world and making memories… life is about filling our hearts not our bank accounts. Now that travel is accessible, and after so much time in the same small bubble, a holiday is just what some of us need. Whether you choose a UK staycation, a trip to Europe or even further afield, be sure to do your research before booking and speak to a trusted and experienced travel agency.

To give you the lowdown, we spoke to our friends at Winged Boots, a personalised management agency that specialises in luxury travel to pick their brains on what to consider when booking your next holiday.

40 AUGUST 2020

FLEXIBILITY “Read the terms and conditions and make sure your travel plans have good flexibility before committing,” advises David Ox, Winged Boots’ managing director. “Airlines are offering fantastic terms at present, and an experienced travel agent will ensure that hotels provide flexible conditions too.

“This is where travel agents will prevail over the internet. Booking your holiday with someone who is experienced in the industry, who has great relationships with suppliers and can call a hotel directly with any requests and customer questions; in my opinion, this customer service will far succeed a quick click of a button on a price comparison site,” he adds.

“All Winged Boots’ personal travel managers hold a minimum five-years’ experience and the business is built around its outstanding reputation”

“tHere’S neVer been a better time to traVel” david shares his firsthand experience of what it’s like to travel now

All Winged Boots’ personal travel managers hold a minimum five-years’ experience and the business is built around its outstanding reputation and five-star customer service.

The friendly and knowledgeable team has visited every continent and can share first-hand experience for hotels from around the world, offering a personal insight that no amount of internet research will be able to offer.

ACCREDITATIONS It goes without saying that you want to book with an agency that has its travel accreditations and licenses.

“Winged Boots is protected by ATOL, a government-run financial protection scheme operated by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA),” explains David.

ATOL covers package holidays that include flights and means that if the ATOL protected company fails and your holiday can no longer go ahead you will be entitled to a refund if you are yet to travel, and hotel costs and flights home if you are abroad.

and knowledge with its members to support travel companies, with the customer always at the forefront.

“Your money sits in a trust account, under lock and key. Every penny is protected, and should the worst happen, and your holiday is cancelled for matters out of your control, your money is safe,” David confirms. Exactly what you want to hear in the current worldwide climate.

We hope this has given you the support to book your next trip with complete confidence.

For more information or to book your next holiday contact personalised travel management company Winged Boots on 0203 319 4404 or email info@wingedboots.co.uk for your complimentary, no-obligation quote. For further travel inspiration visit wingedboots.co.uk

“I flew to Spain in July and was shocked at the short queues throughout the airports. Other holidaymakers kept their distance and all respected social distancing guidelines. It was very polite.

“The resort was quiet, usually unheard of during peak summer season, but it was a pleasure to be there. The service levels are so high, and the locals are grateful for the tourism.

Everyone from taxi drivers through to restaurant owners were friendly and welcoming.

We had a fantastic stay.

“Never has there been - and neither is there likely to be - a time like this to travel internationally. The entire experience was great, and I am already planning a weekend trip for August.”

FINANCIAL PROTECTION And finally, be sure to book with a company that offers complete financial protection. “We’re part of The Travel Trust Association (TTA),” David explains. “The TTA is one of the leading associations for the travel industry and is the only network in the UK to offer 100% financial protection to the consumer, ensuring total customer confidence.”

With more than 20-years of industry experience, the TTA also shares its passion, expertise, skills AUGUST 2020 41

TRAVEL

Best golf courses to enjoy around the world

W

ith golf back on the agenda, apparently tee times are selling out fast across the UK. Once golf enthusiasts have perfected their skills at home, they will be ready for some of the best courses around the world once we can travel again.

To save you time, Hills Balfour have pulled together some of the best golf courses worldwide from North Carolina to Mauritius for golf lovers to start dreaming.

Play the course of champions at Pinehurst in North Carolina This golfer’s paradise is known as the St Andrews of American golf with nine courses scattered among the Carolina pines and steeped in history.

The No. 2 course, designed by Donald Ross, is one of the world’s most celebrated golf courses and it may also be the closest America has to a traditional Scottish links course. It has served as the site of the most single golf championships than any course in America and hosted back-to-back U.S Open and U.S Women’s Open Championships for the first time in 2014. The U.S Open Championship will be returning in 2024. www.pinehurst.com/golf

Take in Canada’s breath-taking views at Cobble Beach Golf Links, Ontario Perched atop the rocky cliff tops of Georgian Bay overlooking the serene Lake Huron, the Cobble Beach Golf Links offers a great location to play a round of golf. The course was designed by prolific architect Doug Carrick, who created this fastrunning green with small pot bunkers and fantastic lake views. After playing, guests can make use of the award-winning Nantucket-style Clubhouse and its Sweetwater Restaurant & Bar, with a wraparound terrace offering the perfect spot to sit back and take in the impressive views. www.cobblebeach.com 42 AUGUST 2020

Play legendary golfer, Jack Nicklaus’ favourite course, Puerto Rico Home to a hole proclaimed to be ‘one of the top 10 holes in the world’ by legendary golfer, Jack Nicklaus, Dorado Beach, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Puerto Rico offers golfers two challenging courses amongst island paradise. Designed by renowned golf architect Robert Trent Jones Sr, the resort’s two courses, East and Sugarcane, present players with both the joy and challenge of the sport. Designed to capture the beauty of nature, the courses offer 18 holes each and uses native sand, man-made rivers and contoured bunkers to test even the most seasoned golfer. www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/puerto-rico/ dorado-beach

“Designed by renowned golf architect Robert Trent Jones Sr, the resort’s two courses, East and Sugarcane, present players with both the joy and challenge of the sport”

TRAVEL

Hone your skills with an expert PGA-certified instructor at Boulders Resort and Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona Named after the 12-million-year-old Boulder formations in which the resort stands, this luxurious hideaway is surrounded by the Sonoran Desert and nature that has been intentionally left untouched, allowing indigenous flora and fauna to thrive. Scottsdale’s Boulder’s Resort and Spa is home to two-award winning golf courses designed by renowned golf architect Jay Morrish. Both courses feature 18 holes and were designed to take advantage of the unique terrain around boulder formations and natural vegetation. Players can take advantage of the ‘Caddiemaster’ programme where certified caddie professionals who know the tricks and the challenges of the golf courses help a player’s tee shot. This is the course on which to refine and perfect your skills with the expertise of the resorts PGA and LPGA-certified instructors. www.theboulders.com Tee off with the Arabian Gulf as your backdrop at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, Abu Dhabi Keen golfers staying at the Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island hotel are perfectly placed across the road from one of the most spectacular golf courses in the region, the Saadiyat Beach Golf Club. The Abu Dhabi course is billed as the Arabian Gulf ’s first ocean-fronted course, meaning

44 AUGUST 2020

players can tee off alongside the azure coastline, with the chance to spot dolphins and turtles out at sea. The Gary Player-designed 18-hole championship course is a Par 72 course, designed with both amateurs and professionals in mind, weaving around five-star hotels, salt-water lakes and sand dunes, with six holes featuring panoramic Gulf views. Following a round, golfers can relax in the course’s Hawksbill Restaurant – named after the endangered turtles that lay their eggs on the nearby dunes – or head back to their hotel to take a dip in the warm sea and dine at one of the many a la carte restaurants. www.troonabudhabi.com Play in one of Japan’s most beautiful golf courses at Prince Kawana Hotel, Japan The Izu Peninsula is home to two of Japan’s most spectacular golf courses: Fuji Course and Oshima Course. It was also Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio’s honeymoon destination. Surrounded by the beautiful greenery of the courses and blues of the Pacific, the hotel provides unprecedented access to some of Japan’s most sought-after golfing spots. Exclusively available for hotel guests, the famous Fuji Course is considered among one of the best in the world for both its beauty and its challenges. Designed by C.H. Alison, the 18-hole course opened in 1936, and makes good use of the rich natural features of the area, ensuring golfers can enjoy the breath-taking scenery of the area whilst making their way around the course.

Alternatively, the Oshima Course, framed by the impressive colours of Sagami Bay, makes for an enjoyable day for beginners. After a day of golfing, guests can enjoy a dip in the luxurious Brisa Marina Onsen with amazing sea views. www.princehotels.com/kawana

Enjoy golfing in the south of the island at The Avalon Golf Estate, Mauritius (below) Located in the heart of nature in Bois Cheri in the South of Mauritius, this course is designed to offer golfers the chance to enjoy the natural beauty of the course and its surroundings as they play a round. It is the only inland course on the island, making it easily accessible from all areas of Mauritius and offering cooler temperatures amongst the south-central mountains. This 18hole international standard golf course was designed by worldrenowned South African architect Peter Matkovich and offers a diverse setting of tea plantations, rivers, ravines and mountains combined with sweeping views of the Southern coastline and spectacular Indian Ocean. www.avalon.mu/golf

MEDIA SAI�ES EXECUTIVES FlSH MEDIA GROUP

We are the proud publishers of this high quality group of magazines and are looking for two experienced telephone and face to face sales executives.

We pay a high basic plus uncapped commission, on-going training and a real development to managing your own group of magazines.

You must be enthusiastic, outgoing, confident and above all you must be able to sell.

If you can really sell and want to be part of our expansion programme call Rory Smith on 0844 800 8439 or 07817 625568.

To see the quality of our magazines and portfolio visit www.thelifemagazines.com

fish media group

FASHION, HEALTH

& BEAuTy

– Fashion, health and beauty news to keep you looking and feeling your best – i M ag e : s i l K e l o n d o n

FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY

EmPoRIo ARmAnI JUnIoR coLLEcTIon Autumn/Winter 2020-21

F

or Autumn/Winter 2020-21, the Emporio Armani Junior collection offers a series of pieces inspired by the silhouettes and materials of the Emporio Armani men’s and women’s collections, creating a complete wardrobe that looks towards the world of adults with casual, sporty and chic flair.

For girls, the eclectic range includes dresses with all-over prints and dainty outfits in denim or velvet with macro houndstooth or damier motifs in shades of pink, blue and black; for boys, blue, red and black dominate the colour palette for comfortable and versatile bomber jackets, trousers, tracksuits and sweatshirts, with tape-style or allover logos for a fun and modern look.

Additionally, more formal outfits, including

48 AUGUST 2020

jackets and suits, make use of soft velvet, the distinctive, elegant, versatile fabric that is a signature of the Armani aesthetic.

The adorable Manga Bear, with its unmistakeable and iconic silhouette, features on space-themed T-shirts and sweatshirts, accompanied by planets, stars and astronauts, as well as on baby sets and accessories for children between 0 and 36 months old.

Completing the looks are colourful shoes, combat boots, backpacks and belt bags featuring the Emporio Armani eagle pattern.

The collection is available now in select Emporio Armani Junior retailers including Harrods, Selfridges, Childrensalon, Child’s Play and at www.armani.com

“The eclectic range includes dresses with all-over prints and dainty outfits in denim or velvet with macro houndstooth or damier motifs”

Boy 1- Red baseball cap with logo £ 35, Blue cotton Shirt with logo £ 100, Single-breasted jacket with lapels £280, J04 jeans in cotton and linen £120, Red backpack £115, Leather sneakers £140 Boy 2-Blue baseball cap £35, Quilted jacket £210, Shirt with detailing and guru collar £135, Perforated leather sneakers £200, J04 jeans in cotton and linen £120 Boy 3- Single-breasted jacket with lapels £280, Print shirt £100, Checked tie £70, Blue cotton trousers £90, Leather sneakers £140 Boy 4 – Fine knit hat £30, Fine knit scarf £45, gingham print cotton shirt £100, Five-pocket trousers in cotton gabardine £90, Backpack £115, Cotton socks £10, , Perforated leather sneakers £200

AUGUST 2020 49

FASHION, HELTH & BEAUTY

This image: Velvet hoodie £130, Wing collar shirt with pleated inserts £140, Checked cotton trousers £105 Right: girl 1 – Print dress £200, Silver leather bag £165 girl 2 – Velvet headband £70, Velvet dress £125

50 AUGUST 2020

AUGUST 2020 51

FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY

Knit hat £40, Jacket £210, Black and white dress with logo £150, Leather bag £100

52 AUGUST 2020

Boy 1 – Blue baseball cap £35, gilet £115, Knit sweater £185,Velvet tracksuit pants £130, Sneakers with laces £150 Boy 2 – Red baseball cap with logo £35, Bomber jacket £210, Joggers £140, Sneakers with laces £150

AUGUST 2020 53

FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY

Hat with logo £35 , Bombe jacket £210, Knit sweater with logo £150, Print shirt with patch pocket £100, Cotton pants £115

54 AUGUST 2020

girl 1 – Knit hat £ 40, Sweatshirt dress £ 240, Belt bag £ 85, Knee high socks £ 10, Leather sneakers £ 150 girl 2 – Fleece cap with logo £ 50, Padded jacket £ 250, Tracksuit £ 250

AUGUST 2020 55

FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY

Tackle the harshness of hand sanitiser We look at the new Lockdown essential that is hand cream. One brand that has stood the test of time is Neom Organics. Nicola Elliott, founder tells us more. Words by Kate Streets

A

fter spending seven years working 60-hour weeks as a journalist, I felt the stressful pace and noticed my friends rising stress levels, lack of sleep, energy and low mood too. I loved my job… BUT boy did I feel it! So, I kick started my wellbeing, trained as an aromatherapist and created effective pure blends. First was Tranquillity for my sister who was having trouble sleeping. Then came Real Luxury to help my own anxiety and stress (it’s still in my wellbeing toolkit today). Then was Feel Refreshed for my husband (who played lots

I have tried both of the hand balms and can honestly say they are both my favourite!

56 AUGUST 2020

of sport) and needed an energy boost. Every product we create not only works on your wellbeing, it also smells amazing too.”

We were lucky enough to try two different hand creams from Neom, the first is the Calming Hand balm in the 30ml bottle which was £9.00 from the beautiful lifestyle independent boutique in Dorking, Surrey called The Fig Tree – after chatting with the lovely owner Hazel Bishop, we soon learnt that she knew her brands. When we were discussing hand cream’s she reached straight for her favourites which included the Calming hand balm and Neom’s perfect night’s sleep hand balm, both come in a 30ml bottle. Hazel has been in Dorking high Street for 26 years and has been working with Neom for 18 of those, what a relationship that is. I have tried both of the hand balms and can honestly say they are both my favourite, I am drawn more towards the Perfects night sleep but this is purely because I have more time for a beauty routine in the evening. This is a must buy for your bedside table, not only because of the condition of our hands due to over washing and sanitising gels but as we creep further into the colder seasons.

Neom hand balm contains Shea Nut Oil & Sweet Almond Oil (seed).

We are always on the look out for brands that promote organic ingredients and less chemicals in our everyday lives.

So, if it is for yourself or for a present for a hardworking friend or relative head on over to The Fig Tree in Dorking, Surrey and have a chat with Hazel about all of the lovely products and gifts she has – another great independent keeping our High Streets alive.

BRIGHTWATER M E M O R I A L

P A R K

As the first privately built, above ground indoor mausoleum in the UK, Brightwater Memorial Park is a modern, uplifting alternative to cemeteries and crematoria.

Combining a state-of-the-art burial facility, an exemplary level of service and a serene, natural setting extending to over 14 acres of private gardens and grounds, Brightwater Memorial Park is the ideal place to create your legacy.

You can now reserve your final resting place at Brightwater Memorial Park‌ For more information, please visit our website at www.brightwater.group info@brightwater.group | 01689 850 880

FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY

Q&A

Kate Streets asks 10 quick fire questions to Oxted’s Blogger and fashion guru @grapesandcloth

T

he lovely Rachel Ford lets us have an insight into her world with the answers to the questions we all want to hear. Rachel lives at home in Oxted, Surrey with her Husband, two boys and Ziggy the new puppy.

Q: What is the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?

A: Have a cup of tea, turn on the radio, always need a cup of tea before anything. I like being on my own before everyone gets up Q: Hair “done” or messy?

A: Love my hair being done, its my only beauty treat and it is such confidence boost Q: Makeup or no makeup?

A: I am useless at make-up but I always have bronzer, mascara & lipstick Q: Favourite fragrance?

A: Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess, it smells of coconut and transports me to holidays Q: Favourite item of clothing?

A: This is difficult – I love my pink sequin skirt from H & M, I love old boyfriend jeans from Gap which are about ten years old, I love my Bruuns Bazaar dress Q: Favourite fashion brand?

A: Bruuns Bazaar, karavan clothing, pink city prints, dilly grey , Rixo and Sezanne. But I don’t own anything from most of these brands - however, I do think if you spend money on quality pieces they last forever oh and other stories never fails!

Q: Flats or heels?

A: I love heels, I’m very short, it makes me stand straighter and feel more confident but flats are making more appearances as I get older

58 AUGUST 2020

Q: Favourite shopping town?

A: I love New York. The last time I visited, 6 years ago, I bought a J Crew coat and jeans, they are still going strong, much loved and well worn Q: Favourite restaurant?

A: I love restaurants, if I was in London I love Boro Bistro in Borough Market. My fave Chinese is Y Ming - always incredible, Pizza at the Mount Vineyard and we are so lucky to have amazing food in Oxted, I love Thai Pad Q: Beauty essential?

A: I honestly spend very little time on beauty, I buy one moisturiser a year from Aldi!

I have never had a facial.

Emerson Park Retirement Village & Care Home A perfect place for family memories.

We believe Emerson Park is unlike anything else around - luxury retirement apartments with a range of high class facilities along with an exclusive care home.

If you need to sell your current property before moving into Emerson Park our Part-Exchange Scheme can make this simple. Our immediate cash offer and guaranteed sale ensures there is no chain and contracts can typically be exchanged within 28 days.

You can stay in your current property for up to two weeks after completion and we handle all legal paperwork and costs. No fees, no hassle. (Terms & Conditions apply).

CALL NOW FOR MORE INFORMATION – 01322 515415

Viewings by appointment only - please call for details

Emerson Park, Rowhill Road, Hextable, Kent BR8 7FP

www.cinnamoncc.com/emersonpark

FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY

KATIE PIPER ON WELLBEING I

f there’s one thing that has helped Katie Piper when it comes to her wellbeing, it’s “not losing faith in how strong the mind can be”.

The 36-year-old presenter, author, activist and model has been through devastating times in her life - she suffered life-changing burns in an acid attack in March 2008, and has since undergone around 250 operations.

Remembering “how in control you actually are of the mind and the body” is important, she continues, “because sometimes moments of your life are taken out of your control.

“But it’s what you do with it afterwards that will truly count or have the biggest impact.”

Hampshire-born Piper - who has written memoirs and self-help books - is incredibly uplifting to chat to.

She is passionate about keeping the conversation about wellbeing open at home, where she lives with her husband, carpenter Richard Sutton, and their two children, six-year-old Belle and two-year-old Penelope.

Now, she has decided to share the relaxation techniques and rituals she does with her daughters on TV, in CBBC’s Celebrity Supply Teacher.

While some schools have now reopened, lockdown measures put in place amid the coronavirus pandemic means parents are having to home-school their children, while also working from home.

And the series sees a variety of famous faces stepping in to help with lessons, including former Spice Girl Geri Horner, astronaut Tim Peake, footballer Marcus Rashford, former politician Ed Balls, Paralympian Ellie Simmonds, and singer Kelis.

Loosely based around the primary curriculum, there are 20 10-minute episodes covering topics such as science, English, geography, dance, history, and cookery.

Piper’s subject is wellbeing, something which she says schools are “getting a lot better” at including as part of their teaching.

“At my children’s school, they do meditation, they do yoga,” she notes.

“It was even part of the home-schooling, so I was actually really pleased that we are, as a society, recognising that mental and physical health are very equal.”

Taking over the classroom in Celebrity Supply Teacher - in which her voice is incredibly soothing to listen to - she talks about the benefits of

60 AUGUST 2020

Katie Piper stars in an episode of Celebrity Supply Teachers. She tells GeorGia HumPHreyS why it’s so important to teach children about wellbeing.

practising gratitude; for example, writing down what you are grateful for each day in a journal, as well as how you can use breathing to calm yourself down.

“When you look back over things like gratitude journals, it gives you perspective, it helps you reflect in a more positive way rather than in a negative way.

“That’s why it’s such a good ritual because it’s not just about doing it at that time, it’s about creating the material that you can come back to.”

The last few months have obviously been a stressful and anxious time for everyone.

Has Piper been using these sorts of relaxation methods herself even more than normal lately?

“Yeah, and I think it’s been really important to be mindful and check in with yourself and go, ‘Actually, what I need to do is stop overthinking this, pause, go out in the garden, have a coffee, breathe or just think about what’s happening today’ - don’t go beyond today.

“It’s just being mindful and checking in with yourself and saying, ‘Am I overwhelming myself? Is it necessary?’ And that’s the thing - no-one is going to take care of your mental health but you, it is your responsibility.”

Her children have recently returned to school and pre-school, but she admits home-schooling “came with its challenges”.

“Sometimes they would have too much screen time and get frustrated, and other times we did really great stuff like picking stuff from the garden and making collages with leaves and flowers and really great art projects.

“So, I think, like most people, it was a rollercoaster of highs and lows, if I’m honest.”

One positive of lockdown is that it has given us “the most valuable currency of all, which is time” she says.

“And, if you’re a parent, time with your children is priceless, particularly if you’re a working parent; you’re never going to get this time to be at every mealtime and every bedtime again.”

Over the last few months, she and her husband have succeeded in teaching their eldest daughter to ride a bike without stabilisers.

“So, that was really lovely,” she gushes proudly.

“And there are lots of videos for the grandparents.

“We also potty trained my two-year-old, which was really great because she’s gone back to preschool now in her big girl pants and is really happy.”

When it comes to Piper’s career, she says she’s “really fortunate to do stuff that I’m passionate

“One positive of lockdown is that it has given us “the most valuable currency of all, which is time”

about, that I believe in”.

After she gave up her right to anonymity in 2009, she made Channel 4 documentary Katie: My Beautiful Face to increase awareness about burn victims.

She also presents a series on the channel called Bodyshockers, and was a star of the 2018 series of BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing.

She admits she has had TV projects paused because of Covid-19. But a positive is that she has been able to dedicate more time recently to her podcast, Katie Piper’s Extraordinary People, in which she chats with inspirational people who have turned incredible adversity into powerful positivity.

Then there’s her charity, the Katie Piper Foundation, which she set up in 2009, to help support people with burns and scars - something she wants to put a lot of energy into in future.

“It’s a really difficult time for them. We’ve been directly affected by coronavirus with our patients, and then, of course, their funding has also been cut.

“So, we are trying to find new and inventive ways to raise funds. But we will get there, and we will keep positive and keep going.”

Asked if she’s finding it emotional knowing the charity is struggling, she muses: “I mean I suppose I’m in quite a good stable position; I know I can be strong and support the team.

“But, yeah, there are survivors at the start of their journey who, regardless of our funding cuts, they all need our help, they still need their treatments, so we need to find ways to make that work.”

Celebrity Supply Teacher is also on BBC iPlayer.

AUGUST 2020 61

FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY

[neWs]

FASHION & BEAuTy SUPER-CHIC FOR SUMMER IT’S A WRAP! Here at Life Magazines we love the hair wrap from Silke London. Tested on hair with extensions that have been coloured and always a tangled mess in the mornings, the results are impressive! No knots, tangles or frizz. Waking up to hair as straight and silky as it was at bed time. The hair ties are great, they slide out really easily and as promised, no kinks or damage to already weak and brittle hair. The write ups are great, the reviews even better!

Go see for yourself at silkelondon.com

KISS AND MAKE UP If you’re ready to get savvy about your beauty routine, you can’t go past Young Living’s new natural makeup line, Savvy Minerals by Young Living. This natural mineral-based makeup collection combines premium formulas with pure ingredients to embrace your natural beauty without sacrificing your skincare standards. youngliving.com

PURITY PROTECTS We love this hand sanitiser: the plant based alcohol is proven to kill 99.9% of all bacteria and microbes; With aloe vera and essential oils. puritx.com 62 August 2020

For unique pieces your friends won’t have, head to new superchic boutique, FABRIC, in Old Amersham. Stocking cool and casual European clothes, such as this pretty candy-stripe wrap dress from Barcelona based brand, Designers Society - your go-to for boho chic. Pop in to FABRIC and browse their easy-to-wear collections for your summer fashion inspo. fabricfashionstore.co.uk

A CLOSE SHAVE In times of environmental crisis, it’s incumbent on a gentleman to do his bit for the planet – ditching a plastic razor for a once-in-alifetime stainless steel safety razor. wildeandharte.co.uk

Show Homes Open Daily We invite you to take a close-up view of Kingsdown Meadow Residential Park – our stunning new development exclusively for over 45’s.

To ensure social distancing and hygiene measures are adhered to, please pre-book your viewing.

Call FREE on 0800 644 4499, option 1 to pre-book your viewing.

Find us at Kingsdown Meadow Residential Park, Romney Street, Knatts Valley, Sevenoaks, TN15 6XW serenityparks.co.uk

T: 0800 644 4499 E: info@serenityparks.co.uk

HOUSE &

GARDEN sPonsorEd BY

Expert property solicitors for all aspects of residential conveyancing. www.slatergordon.co.uk/property

Keep itit local local for for everything house and ––Keep and home home –– IMAGE: i M a gORIGIN E : c h a PLEISURE lins

HOUSE & GARDEN

The ultimate staycation W

ith everything happening this summer it looks like many of us will not be jetting off on holiday anytime soon, but that’s where Origin can help. Origin’s barn range allows you to capture the feeling of your summer holidays all year long. It gives you a swimming pool building with all the charm of a country barn conversion, blending in with your surroundings and emulating the countryside aesthetic, helping you get back to basics with nature. The quintessential British aesthetic of the barn range is a blend of traditional style and modern ethical considerations.

Every element of the barn style can be tailored to suit your needs, whether you’re looking to create a tropical oasis in your garden by using bi-fold doors that open up, inviting the outside in or by putting together your own pool ‘club house’ and recreating that all inclusive feeling with a spa, sauna and swim up bar. Owning an Origin pool is about more than the pool itself, it’s the lifestyle that comes with it, it’s more important than ever to create space in your life for the people that mean the most and the barn style allows for that perfectly.

The barn pool house is also an energy efficient design due to the improved layers of insulation and as Origin want to help you put your best green foot forward, there is also an extensive variety of other green energy options available so you can have your dream swimming pool, do your bit for the environment and save on running costs.

The barn sits well in any rural garden setting as 66 August 2020

a design solution to finding space for an indoor pool. The selection of building sizes include different specifications and the opportunity to tailor your swimming pool house to your wants and needs, whether your pool is to be used for fun or fitness. If you want your pool house to be a place of wellness, the barn gives you the scope to add a gym, yoga room, juice bar or steam room and sauna.

Origin pride themselves on their ability to do it all, delivering on a project from concept to completion whilst also being able to offer a wide variety of choice in design. Their other ranges include the highly anticipated ‘Eco-Swim’, as well as the ‘Olympic’ and their custom designs which often consist of extending homes to include a pool, these are widely used in more suburban areas when clients still want the luxury feel but don’t necessarily have an abundance of garden space.

The traditional barn style lends itself to the idyllic nature of the countryside but can work well in any environment, it’s also designed to meet permitted development criteria so in most cases there’s no need to worry about planning permission.

During this period where we’re spending more time than ever inside, you can plan the perfect staycation with Origin.

THE DETAILS To speak to the experts at Origin Leisure call 01895 823366 now or visit originpools.co.uk for more information and to subscribe to our newsletter.

Instagram - @originpoolsuk Facebook - Origin Leisure Twitter - @OriginLeisure

HOUSE & GARDEN

THE EPITOME OF STYLE Creating a unique home interior is one of life’s great pleasures. For the past 18 years, international fashion designers, musicians and artists have purchased ‘conversation pieces’ from John and Chrissie Masters of The Design Gallery.

W

e focus on two very different periods, The Arts and Crafts Movement of the late 19th and early 20th century, and Art Deco which spanned the 1920s to the 1940s,” explains John. William Morris was the founding father of the Arts and Crafts ethos, which is currently enjoying a revival as part of the “cottage lifestyle” look on Instagram. Nature-inspired patterned wallpapers, practical oak furniture and hand-beaten copper and pewter dishes and vases create a homely, bohemian feel.

“The designers involved in the movement believed that you could strengthen the character of an individual by improving their surroundings. The pieces were imbued with the heart and soul of the craftsmen,” says John.

In contrast, Art Deco is sleek, streamlined and glamorous. The style developed at a time when the world was changing rapidly and skyscrapers, fast cars, flapper girls and minimalism were part of a modern aesthetic.

“We stock original Art Deco from Britain, France and Vienna, including geometric ceramics by Clarice Cliff, opalescent glass by Rene Lalique and furniture by Epstein and Hille,” reports Chrissie.

“Cocktail cabinets, dining and lounge suites and sculpture are our most popular items. The furniture is restored to perfection using traditional techniques.”

A bespoke furniture service is also available offering clients the option to commission handcrafted pieces from sofas and dining chairs to console and coffee tables. “We started with an Art Deco Contemporary Collection for our second company, Period Designs, and have found that there is a growing demand. We offer a wide range of woods including oak, walnut, macassar ebony and maple, which are then hand-polished or given heat and water-resistant matt or glossy finishes.

The Design Gallery and Period Designs relocated from Westerham to a spacious 3000 sq.ft. Showroom and Warehouse at Marsh Green, Edenbridge last year. Chrissie explains, “Clients can visit us on Tuesdays and Wednesdays by exclusive appointment, or from 10am-5pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays with no appointment needed. It’s a treasure seekers’ dream here – there are myriad pieces that have fascinating stories to tell and that will find a special place in your home.”

William Morris was the founding father of the Arts and Crafts ethos, which is currently enjoying a reviva

THE DETAILS The Design Gallery and Period Designs Units 1a & 1b Starborough Farm Starborough Road, Marsh Green, Edenbridge TN8 5RB www.designgallery.co.uk www.perioddesigns.com E: sales@designgallery.co.uk 01959 561234 68 AUGUST 2020

THE DESIGN GALLERY

NOW OPEN

MEDIA SAI�ES EXECUTIVES FlSH MEDIA GROUP

SHOWROOM & WAREHOUSE

Fully Open: Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays 10am-5pm

By Exclusive Appointment: Tuesdays & Wednesdays

We are the proud publishers of this high quality group of magazines and are looking for two experienced telephone and face to face sales executives.

We pay a high basic plus uncapped commission, on-going training and a real development to managing your own group of magazines.

You must be enthusiastic, outgoing, confident and above all you must be able to sell.

ART DECO • ARTS & CRAFTS MOVEMENT Unit 1a, Starborough Farm, Starborough Road Marsh Green, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 5RB Telephone: 01959 561234

sales@designgallery.co.uk | www.designgallery.co.uk

If you can really sell and want to be part of our expansion programme call Rory Smith on 0844 800 8439 or 07817 625568.

To see the quality of our magazines and portfolio visit www.thelifemagazines.com

fish media group

31 Realistic Bathroom Display Settings • Design • Supply • Install Over 30 years design experience Established over 60 Years ago

NHS Cardholders will receive extra discounts until September

Appointments available Please contact us in advance 23 Displays 66-70 Footscray Road Eltham London SE9 2SU 0208-8507179

8 Displays 161-163 Main Road Biggin Hill Kent TN16 3JR 01959-572000

lilleysbathrooms.co.uk

HOUSE & GARDEN

[neWs]

INTERIORS COCKTAIL HOUR Tray Isola from Artisan Abode features a stunning marble effect paired with a brass look rim and handles with a pretty patina detailing. Ideal for serving drinks at home. The look of a luxury marble without the weight! artisanabode.co.uk

A POP OF COLOUR Upholstered chairs in shades of blue velvet are the perfect foil for a dining table. “We’ve extended the Hamilton collection, adding to the oatmeal and grey linen fabrics to include a lovely pale blue velvet and a royal blue velvet. The chairs look amazing in the new colours, and have really given our Surrey showroom a summery lift,” said Sarah Cook, co-founder of the online luxury furniture and home accessories retailer. The blue dining chairs look particularly striking partnered with La Residence Interiors’ collection of round and rectangular weathered oak dining tables. laresidenceinteriors.co.uk

Futuristic and faceted, Cut from Tom Dixon is an exercise in optics. Its space-age mirror finish when off transforms to reveal a translucent kaleidoscopic gem when switched on. Produced in both chrome and smoke finishes, small and long, pendant and surface. Cluster for maximum effect. brand-designs.com

RELAxED COASTAL VIbES Although we may not be able to go on those much-loved holidays to the coast at the moment, it doesn’t mean we can’t create a holiday feel in our homes. The Painted Furniture Company’s laid-back designs and cool colours make this easy to achieve, whether we’re dreaming of a Cornish fishing cottage or a New England beach house. paintedfurnitureco.co.uk

bEST OF bRITISH Marmalade of London produces, beautiful fragranced candles, reed diffusers and hand and body washes and lotions. The brand is proudly handmade in Great Britain. marmaladeoflondon.com 72 August 2020

CUT AbOVE THE REST

HOUSE & GARDEN

ENJOY MORE, MAINTAIN LESS This year, 2020, will go down as the year we fell back in love with our gardens

A

n oasis of outside tranquillity has never been more important - a private place to walk and admire the flowers, a shady nook in which to relax with the Sunday papers or a sun-facing spot ideal for the morning’s first coffee.

A dry spring, followed by a warmer-thanaverage early summer, created the perfect outdoor conditions for us here in the South East but those lapping up the long daylight hours and mild evenings will have also noted that these conditions have expedited garden maintenance.

While many of us enjoy pottering, planting and pruning, most of us can’t say the same for hard landscape maintenance. After all, if you have a beautiful garden, the nirvana is to sit back and enjoy it – not spend hours repairing or replacing it.

Thankfully, there have been some exciting outdoor developments of late, which are designed to eradicate the dirty job of jet washing forlorn patio paving, or the days spent nursing decks back in to better health. At Limegate, we are introducing our specialist surfacing treatments to residential gardens across Kent and Greater London. Homeowners can now benefit from a high level of outdoor style designed to withstand exceptionally high levels wear and tear, and any inclement weather - with a low to zero level of maintenance.

Our products have had successful commercial applications since Limegate’s inception in 2013, with our team installing durable and attractive 74 AUGIST 2020

surfaces at Eton College, Kew Gardens and Lord’s Cricket Club, to name a few. Now, we are able to offer home owners the same quality and finish within their own gardens. We can make the following swaps that will give you years of hassle-free enjoyment.

Swap from wood to composite decking Make sanding, sealing and replacing rotten wood a thing of the past with composite decking. Limegate’s solid composite product is slip resistant and made up of a high percentage of recycled materials for excellent sustainability credentials. Composite decking is the perfect product for around a swimming pool or to create a raised terrace.

Lay artificial grass If you’re struggling with achieving the ‘green green grass of home’, a replica product is your answer. Limegate offers the most natural looking artificial grass on the market - a highly durable and eco-friendly product that is ideal if lawn maintenance is taking up too much of your time.

Opt for resin-BOUND areas Loose pebble, shingle and gravel-laid areas – such as driveways and paths – look lovely at first but we know home owners quickly become frustrated with migrating stones and determined weeds. Limegate has a range of decorative resinbound treatments that ensure surfaces look the same on day 1,000 as they did on day one.

If you have a beautiful garden, the nirvana is to sit back and enjoy it – not spend hours repairing or replacing it.

THE DETAILS Limegate If you’re ready to sit back and enjoy the best that summer has to offer, without those niggling maintenance jobs catching your eye, contact Limegate for a free consultation on 01959 546 208

Quality Installers of Bespoke Outdoor Living Space Bringing your vision to life!

Unit 6, Murray Business Centre Murray Road Orpington Road Kent BR5 3RE

01959 546208 info@limegate.co.uk www.limegate.co.uk

HOUSE & GARDEN

[nEWs]

BATHROOMS TREAT YOUR FEET! Don’t slip, grab one these brandnew bath mats and give your toes a tantalising tickle when you step out of the bath redcandy.co.uk

WONDERFUL WOOD A TOUCH OF GLAMOUR The Newton bathtub is an outstanding moment of inspiration. A luxury statement piece created in order to fulfill the needs of our clients that are looking for the best in contemporary furniture design mixed up with luxurious details and high-quality materials. The richness of the Ring mirror lies within its reflection.

Ring evokes an antique unreachable treasure that could only be found in the most remote place on Earth. maisonvalentina.net

ULTIMATE PERIOD STYLE The Invincible Collection from Swadling Brassware is their flagship range. Combining brass and ceramic, the result is a sturdy, quintessentially British look that stands the test of time. swadlingbrassware.co.uk

IT’S OK, IT’S OKA We love this little modern bathroom set. It comprises a square pot made of resin then veneered in faux shagreen. Ideally sized to hold make-up brushes or toothbrushes. Decant liquid soap or hand lotion into the stylish Dispenser, and use the rectangular tray for displaying both the items. oka.com 76 AUGUST 2020

This Duck Board from Garden Trading Co has a simple design which creates a non-slip surface in the bathroom, and the Southbourne floor standing single cabinet in Beech is ideal for storage. gardentrading.co.uk

Maximise your natural light with a beautiful skylight SAVE

15% Minimum discount of

to all staff and any other key workers*

Free survey for roof and room design A wide range of lanterns and skylights available All roof lanterns have an aluminium finish All our skylights are compliant with Building Regulations Pilkington self-clean temperature glass as standard All structural works undertaken by High-Tech All internal works inclusive of new electrics and lighting A complete extension or conservatory thermally efficient transformation

Roof lanterns look great inside and out High-Tech have installed nearly 11,000 roofing projects. Every roof installed comes with a LIFETIME guarantee. Let us, a company built on trust, transform your extension or conservatory.

All waterproofing products will have our LIFETIME guarantee as standard

The Problem

Brochure and free sample available on request

For a Free Quotation

The Solution

Are you retired?

Possible savings now available

Call: 01322 517683 www.flatroofs.net *T&Cs apply. Please see our website for details on Key Worker Discounts. Head Office: Linden House, 30 Linden Road, Benfleet, Essex SS7 4BA

HOUSE & GARDEN

SGS DESIGN:

Passionate & Creative

F

ounded by Sophie Stevens, SGS Design is a Kent-based practice and established studio of Interior Architects and Designers. Sophie leads a passionate and creative design team of 7 to produce diverse high-end residential interiors and select, smallscale commercial projects, including The Beacon in Tunbridge Wells. The Beacon demonstrates the studio’s aesthetic and adeptness to combine materials, colour and decorative periods to create a welcoming and eclectic interior.

Every project is approached with the client’s brief as the foundation of the design process. SGS Design collaborate with their clients to develop innovative design solutions, unique to each home and inspired by the owner’s taste and lifestyle. The studio’s approach is holistic; using their experience to combine the practical architectural interior considerations, supported with detailed technical drawings and specification with the layering of final furnishings and finishes.

SGS Design has worked on some beautiful and varied projects – from the full refurbishment of a 1930’s family home with a modern extension and minimalist interior, to a new-build home within an established walled-garden in Kent and full refurbishment of a London Bridge wharf apartment.

The variety and unique demands of each project ensure the design approach is distinctive to every client’s home.

As an established business, SGS Design has been fortunate and adapted to work through this current period of uncertainty as a result of the pandemic. The full design and administration team have continued to work remotely to support live client projects, complete design work for exciting new client briefs and revisit old clients wanting to adapt their interiors to accommodate changes to lifestyle with the new demands on our homes.

78 AUGUST 2020

The studio is currently busy working on a variety of projects – supporting a client with the sympathetic restoration of an Elizabethan estate in East Sussex, in Sevenoaks the design team are completing a Soho House inspired extension and refurbishment of an Arts and Crafts family home, whilst also designing an extensive new-build luxury property in London incorporating home gym, indoor pool and self-contained annex.

Whilst each project is commenced with a fresh design approach, every project has a team dedicated to the design process from initial concepts through to completion and supported move-in date. SGS Design work with local architects, contractors and tradesman to ensure a professional and comprehensive design service.

The design team are supported by an office and procurement manager, underpinning the design process with administrative support.

Interior design is an essential element to achieving a functional and beautiful home.

SGS Design will work closely with the client to understand and interpret their design aspirations and practical lifestyle demands and create a unique and exquisite home.

THE DETAILS For further details of our design service please contact Sophie Stevens via email studio@sgsdesign.co.uk or call Jill in the studio on 01892 574 576.

HOUSE & GARDEN

PLUMLEYS PLUMBING MERCHANT

M

y name is Nick Plumley and I decided to open my own independent plumbing merchant 16th of July 2018, called Plumleys Plumbing Merchant.

I started in the industry over 30 years ago as a fresh faced sales assistant for a national merchant.

With my positive work ethic and enthusiasm I quickly progressed through the company to become branch manager.

It was here that I learned the relevant skills and experience, and gained the desire to open my own merchant.

For several years I postponed my plans due to concerns about it being the right time to enter such a competitive market and being able to fund the initial investment.

Sadly, my mother passed away September 2017. This made me realise and appreciate that life is too short and spurred me on to reignite my plans for opening a shop.

With a little help from my friends and family I was able to fund my dream and began looking for premises for my new venture.

I have now been trading successfully for 2 years in the heart of Petts Wood. The local community have made me feel very welcome and have given me great feedback complementing the look of the shop and the service provided.

Customer care, quality service and friendly advice are what we strive to achieve on a daily basis. We also work closely with local trades with the same philosophy, who are able to offer

80 AUGUST 2020

installation services, as well as friendly technical advice.

On display we have a selection of high quality bathroom products, to suit any upcoming projects from large to small.

We also have a vast stock of plumbing and heating materials to service both Trade and DIY customers. So whether you are a heating engineer looking for a boiler, a plumber looking for float valve or a member of the public looking for bathroom furniture, please feel to pop in for a chat and a coffee any time.

I look forward to welcoming you soon. Kind regards, Nick Plumley

“I have now been trading successfully for 2 years in the heart of Petts Wood�

THE DETAILS Plumleys Plumbing Merchant www.plumleysonline.co.uk

up to 5 some 0% ÂŁess th comp etitorsan

y ator v r e ons c r y... u a o ? d y ? o s e I abl rade t s u n u upg

n

The

before after

ted

ula o ins

e ec

abl d r o f af with panels roof

after

www.morespace.solutions | 0800 00 33 55

Has the lockdown helped you to find a way forward?

Our family team can help you navigate the issues you’re facing in your relationship and advise you on your best options.

To find out more contact Claire Schneck claire.schneck@cwj.co.uk

01689 323040 www.cwj.co.uk