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START YOUR BMW JOURNEY AT SYTNER CARDIFF. At Sytner Cardiff we’re not just BMW specialists we’re BMW enthusiasts. Nobody is better placed to introduce you to the entire BMW range of cars, demonstrate all the latest features or explain the advantages BMW technology can give you. We also have some very attractive BMW offers, available on our new car range, to boast about. To discover more about the world of BMW visit Sytner Cardiff today.
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Sytner Cardiff 50 Penarth Road, Cardiff CF10 5RS. 02920 550300 www.sytnercardiffbmw.co.uk Fuel economy figures for the BMW Range: Extra Urban 26.2-83.1mpg (10.8-3.4l/100km). Urban 14.6-62.4mpg (19.3-4.4l/100km). Combined 20.3-74.3mpg (13.9-3.8l/100km). CO2 emissions 325-99g/km. BMW EfficientDynamics reduces emissions without compromising performance developments and is standard across the model range.
WELCOME
CITY L IFE T H E C I T Y O F CAR D I F F ’ S PREMIER LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE
How do we know it’s Christmas at chez Roberts? The Christmas tree has been bought, the lights and decorations have been rescued from under the stairs and the son is writing out (and keeps adding to!) his Christmas present list!
Editor JENNIFER HOBBS-ROBERTS jennifer@citylifecardiff.co.uk ❧ Creative Director MARK ROBERTS mark@citylifecardiff.co.uk ❧ Studio PA U L S E S S I O N S studio@goodlifepublishing.co.uk ❧ City Life Cardiff House Cardiff Road CF63 2AW ❧ www.citylifecardiff.co.uk ❧ 0845 180 2345
In this issue we bring you features from the amazing Paul and Jacs Photography (turn to page 20-21 to read about why they love working on wedding shoots). There’s also a superb feature on Keylet, one of Cardiff’s leading letting agents (every good business starts with a great idea). You’ll also have the chance of winning one of our amazing competitions.
© Copyright City Life 2012. All rights reserved. Nothing in this magazine (including adverts) may be reproduced in any shape or form (in whole or part) without the express written permission of the publishers. We take breach of copyright and theft of intellectual property extremely seriously and will sue at the drop of a croissant. You have been warned (nicely); ignorance is no excuse.
We never tire of championing Cardiff’s talented individuals - our region has plenty to be proud of and look forward to continue to bring readers the very best that South Wales has to offer.
Passionate about Cardiff We are independent. We are not a large publishing group pretending to be home grown. City Life magazine is written, designed and produced in Cardiff for the people of Cardiff. Our philosophy We are committed to quality. This quote by William Foster pretty much sums up our thinking. “Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives.” Important you read this We have made every effort to ensure that all information contained in City Life or on www.citylifecardiff.co.uk is correct and accurate. However, we accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions and can offer no compensation should we get it wrong. Please note that the opinions, thoughts, views or ideas expressed in articles contained in City Life are strictly those of the authors. Caveat emptor All advertisers have supplied their own copy (and in some cases artwork), and therefore city life cannot accept any responsibility for disputes between advertisers and their customers. Caveat emptor - let the buyer beware. Subscriptions To guarantee your copy of City Life magazine, please send a cheque for £20.00 (four issues) made payable to City Life. Visit www.citylifecardiff.co.uk for special subscriber discounts and special offers. Missed the last issue? We hold a small number of each issue in stock so if you do need a pristine copy, please telephone us or email jennifer@citylifecardiff.co.uk. Hopefully we’ll have the issue you want (but we cannot guarantee it). Each back issue costs £5 including postage and packing. Yes it’s free! City Life is distributed free through a wide variety of outlets across Cardiff and beyond. City Life magazine is given away free of charge on the understanding that we are happy for it to be lent, passed around, given to friends and generally read until it falls apart. At which point, you can recycle it and we’d be delighted if you did. Green is good The pulp used in the production of the paper city life is printed on is sourced from sustainably managed Scandinavian tree farms and utilises an elementary chlorine-free bleaching process.
Wishing season’s greetings and a very peaceful and prosperous new year to you all.
Jennifer Hobbs-Roberts Editor jennifer@citylifecardiff.co.uk Ever fancied running your own magazine? We at City Life are looking to partner with an enthusiastic, self starter to work with us to deliver Cardiff’s premier lifestyle magazine. If you think you have what it takes, please get in touch. Previous experience in magazine or newspaper sales is preferable.
IN THIS ISSUE LET ’ S DO LUNCH
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A KIND OF MAGIC
DINING OUT AT LE MONDE , CARDIFF
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THE BEAUTIFUL YNYSHIR HALL
CITY STYLE AND BEAUTY LIVING THE DREAM
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A DREAM REFURB AT HAWKES ESSENTIALS
PARKHOUSE THE JEWELLER
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CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS DON ’ T COME ANY BETTER
STYLISH OFFERINGS IN THE CITY AND THE VALE LOVE IS IN THE AIR A FINE ROMANCE
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PAUL AND JACS PHOTOGRAPHY CAPTURE THE MOST ROMANTIC OF TIMES
IF YOU LIKED IT , YOU SHOULD HAVE PUT A RING ON IT
ONLY BESPOKE WILL DO TRIED AND TESTED
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THE KEY TO SUCCESS TRIED AND TESTED
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BESPOKE QUALITY FURNITURE FROM RATHKEYS
TREATMENTS AT BEAUTY ADVANCE
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EMMA AND PETER VIDLER ’ S EXCITING JOURNEY IN BUSINESS
ANNE RODGERS PERFORMS HER ‘ MAGIC ’ ON JACQUI SIMMONS
- AMIR AND KEVIN IMPART THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF DENTAL IMPLANT - SEASONAL GARDENING TIPS FROM RESIDENT GARDENER, ROB HODGE COMPETITIONS - YOU HAVE TO BE IN IT TO WIN IT A SPRING IN YOUR STEP - HIGH PROFILE COSMETIC SURGEON , MILES BERRY TRIED AND TESTED - THE ATTIC - LUXURY EXCLUSIVE MEMBERS LOUNGE (TOO) HOT IN THE CITY - JAMES MASON GIVES US THE LOW DOWN ON WORKING IN THE VALE SOCIAL LIFE - WHO ’ S MOVING AND WHO ’ S SHAKING IN THE CITY SOCIALLY BE INSPIRED - UPDATING YOUR BATHROOM ? CARDIFF BATHROOM CENTRE CAN HELP CATHAYS DENTAL CLINIC TEMPUS FUGIT
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CITY LIFE WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE WHO HAS SUPPORTED US OVER RECENT MONTHS. OUR CONTRIBUTORS, OUR FAMILIES, OUR FRIENDS
(INCLUDING ALL THE NEW ONES WE HAVE MADE) AND OUR ADVERTISERS - WITHOUT THEM CITY LIFE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE. WE HOPE YOU LIKE WHAT WE’VE PRODUCED AND WE’LL TRY TO MAKE EACH ISSUE EVEN BETTER THAN THE LAST AND IF YOU HAVE A STORY THAT YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE, PLEASE GET IN TOUCH. CITY LIFE IS REGISTERED AT THE BRITISH LIBRARY AS A MAGAZINE ISSN 1757-1723. FOR TERMS AND CONDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.CITYLIFECARDIFF.CO.UK
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CIT YWIDE
As well as individuals, instructions are also received from financial institutions, charities and trust corporations.
Wills and estates disputes on the rise
The specialist team forms part of Hugh James’s broader private client offering which includes an Asset Management Department of 35 lawyers dealing with all aspects of estate and tax planning and estate administration.
Statistics recently released by the High Court in London have revealed a marked increase in the number of claims arising in relation to to contested wills, trusts and estates.
For more information please visit www.hughjames.com
In London alone the number of claims per year doubled between 2006 and 2011 and that appears to be indicative of a broader trend across the whole of the country. In recent years there have also been a number of high profile cases regarding contested wills that have made national news. These include the successful challenge of a will under the terms of which the RSPCA were beneficiaries and several claims relating to multimillion pound farming assets brought on the basis of broken promises made to family members. In response to the increase in such matters and in light of increasing instructions, Hugh James solicitors have recently expanded their existing Contested Wills, Trusts and Estates Department by recruiting another specialist solicitor, Roman Kubiak. C A R D I F F B AY
Find the perfect gift in Mermaid Quay Famous for waterfront restaurants, cafés and bars, Mermaid Quay is the perfect spot to celebrate Christmas with loved ones, (or even on your own when you need some peace and quiet). Did you know it’s also a great place to shop? The Bute Street boutiques are a treasure trove of fabulous fashion, gorgeous gifts and terrific treats – perfect for that special Christmas gift. Zia’s got a fabulous selection of handpicked and locally crafted ladies gifts, scarves, jewellery and handbags plus candles and cute cupcake bath-bombs.
Roman Kubiak
Roman is member of the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists and joins what is already the largest dedicated team in South Wales. The Contested Wills, Trusts and Estates Team at Hugh James is recognised in the legal directories for its expertise and deals with all aspects of contentious probate work, including disputes about wills, claims against estates for financial provision and trust claims in relation to land. The team regularly receives instructions on multi-million pound farming inheritance disputes. In 2007 it brought one of the very few claims in modern times to successfully set aside a will on the basis of undue influence.
“The specialist Contested Wills, Trusts and Estates Team forms part of Hugh James’s broader private client offering.”
Wiljo Salen, Head of Department
Matthew Evans
Polka Dot is packed with retro toys, jewellery, kitsch novelties and quirky accessories including hair barrettes and cards designed by the owner. There’s classic tailoring at outlet prices is on offer at Austin Reed | CC | Viyella. For foodie treats look no further than Fabulous Welshcakes, for contemporary Welsh gifts and, of course, delicious freshly-griddled Welshcakes. Or head to Americandy for some sumptuous stateside sweets and goodies. Take home some culture, with Castle Galleries’ original and limited edition fine art and sculptures and art-inspired gifts. Make sure your gifts really stand out by shopping in Mermaid Quay’s Bute Street boutiques this Christmas.
Exclusive news and special offers at www.mermaidquay.co.uk/bute-streetboutiques
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There’s a saying that goes something along the lines of, “In times of austerity, follow the old money.” I think the premise is that the older the investor, the wiser they must be.
LET’S DO LUNCH When it comes to eating out, or ‘dining out’ as the old(er) guard might describe it, the principle is much the same. The simple truth is you don’t get quality for cheap these days so you can imagine my surprise when I saw Le Monde offering two lunchtime courses for £12. Sacre bleu! I thought, how can they do this (it came out in more of an ‘Allo ‘Allo voice but you get the picture). Joking aside, my immediate thought is to doubt the quality of the offering given Le Monde’s impeccable reputation for quality and service (surely corners are being cut I thought) so I decided to see for myself. If you’ve not been to Le Monde before, you’re in for a treat. Le Monde is old school and I don’t mean that in the dusty or dated sense. It’s impressive it has a reassuring steadiness, an ambience and charm you don’t get at a chain restaurant.
“Le Monde is old school. It has a reassuring steadiness, an ambience and charm.”
The interior hasn’t changed in over twenty years (or some of the staff for that matter) so if it was off-trend at some point, it’s come full circle and is now reassuringly retro. I love the moody décor out of which the glass display cabinets full of the freshest produce glow like monumental jewels. I digress...
Lunch for two begins (as all lunches should) with a good glass of wine - in this case a great one - a superb Don Jacobo Rioja Crianza 2007. Our first course consists of a superb slightly roughly textured chicken and ham hock terrine and chef’s piccalilli with crusty toast for me. It’s excellent, but my wife’s mature cheddar and apple tartlet with rocket and balsamic garnish and home-made pickle is a meal in itself - the balance of flavours is perfect. If you dropped in for lunch and had just that with a glass of wine you couldn’t be living a better life. Main for me was a perfectly cooked breast of chicken which had been marinated in Rosemary and served with baby new potatoes and garlic aioli but, again, my better half had pipped me on the flavour front with beautifully cooked (rare) medallions of beef fillet with French mustard, creamy peppercorn sauce and scrumptious home-cut chips. This dish alone warranted a return visit - steak perfection. ❧ 6 ❧
We hadn’t intended to take dessert but our taste buds had been teased so I succumbed to a fabulous bread and butter pudding and my good lady chose a beautifully creamy cheesecake. Right through lunch her choices outflavoured mine and that’s no reflection on Le Monde. Truthfully, if mine were a perfectly respectable 9/10, hers were a perfect 10. I can honestly say that I enjoyed our lunch at Le Monde immensely. It was like seeing an old friend after many years apart - time may have passed us both by but it was very clear that we’d missed each other. There seemed to be quite a few old friends enjoying Le Monde on this particular day. Old money? Perhaps, but there were also some new faces there too for whom, just maybe, the endless rows of chain restaurants simply don’t cut the mustard and, if that’s the case, as they say in France, “Vive la différence.” Le Monde 61 St Mary Street Cardiff CF10 1FE 029 2038 7376 lemonde@le-monde.co.uk www.le-monde.co.uk
“The glass display cabinets full of the freshest produce glow like monumental jewels.�
A KIND OF MAGIC There are some beautiful hotels in Wales, and some are fortunate enough to be in truly beautiful locations, Ynyshir Hall is one of those select few.
On our arrival, we were met by owner, and award-winning hotel manager, Joan Reen. Joan is the perfect host and gave us an insight into the fascinating history of Ynyshir Hall.
There’s plenty of information on their excellent website but I can say it was once owned by Queen Victoria, who was responsible for much of the gardens as we you’d them today. The hotel was acquired in 1928 by William Hubert Mappin of jewellers, Mappin & Webb. On his death in 1966, 1,000 acres of the estate were sold to the RSPB, to establish the bird reserve that surrounds the grounds. We made sure that we spent a few relaxing hours strolling around the reserve. Ynyshir Hall has had its fair share of celebrity clients over the years, and is favoured by the great and good. Joan recounted a tale of when she turned away the ‘slightly scruffy’ Robert Plant late one night. Fortunately Robert hasn’t held it against her and has stayed ❧ 8 ❧
several times since. My wife’s ears pricked up at the news that Richard Gere had also been a guest. I must confess I was more interested in Ynyshir Hall’s rock star heritage. I can understand why Ynyshir Hall has such eminent clientele. It’s incredibly private, set in the most beautiful grounds and just exudes quality. It’s quirky and creative: Rob Reen’s artwork adorns the walls, and the hotel interior, and each of the nine beautifully appointed bedrooms (each named after famous artists), offer understated elegance and luxurious comfort. Each room mixes the traditional and contemporary. Several suites have their own sitting rooms and all have their own fabulous bathroom en-suite.
A little research on the internet prior to our visit prompted us to book dinner at the hotel. For a treat, we chose the highly-praised tasting menu (£90 per person) with accompanying wine at £60 per person.
This might sound a touch extravagant but I’m a great believer that it is experiences, not things, that enrich our lives and I can assure you this particular experience will be with us for many years to come. Ynyshir Hall offers nothing short of Michelin Star standard. From the minute we arrived at Ynyshir Hall, we felt this place had something special - something quite spiritual. Our room, the food, the service - all faultless. I’m not sure what we were expecting but Joan and her staff exceeded our expectations with what seemed like ease. Would I return? In a heartbeat. Ynyshir Hall is officially one of my favourite hotels ever. You hear the cliché home-from-home used a lot to describe hotels. In this case, it’s true, and what a magical home it is. ❧ 9 ❧
Ynyshir Hall Eglwysfach, Machynlleth Powys SY20 8TA 01654 781209 www.ynyshirhall.co.uk
CITY STYLE & BEAUTY Bon viveurs’ dream ‘pop-up’ and festive floral displays to celebrate the Winter PONTCANNA
Stylish people pop out in Pontcanna The Celtic Manor Resort held a launch evening for its Hide n Sea pop-up restaurant in Pontcanna, Cardiff recently. The restaurant ‘popped up’ for four days only, serving a simple menu of lobster or burger. Hide n Sea proved a huge success with more than 750 diners enjoying the fare produced by the Celtic Manor team in the former Mimosa Lounge on King's Road.
The Celtic Manor Resort Coldra Woods The Usk Valley Newport NP18 1HQ 01633 413 000 www.celtic-manor.com
RHIWBINA
The Flower Lodge More than just a florist For nearly forty years The Flower Lodge has bloomed into a thriving business with a team of six florists producing beautiful floral displays for weddings, funerals, parties, events and everyday purposes. But The Flower Lodge is more than just your average florist. Stocking beautiful gifts from Sia, Parlane, Green Gate, Burgon & Ball as well as items from a number of local designers and artists. Pop in and check out what they have on offer - their items would make great Christmas gifts and stocking fillers.
The Flower Lodge 14 Beulah Road, Rhiwbina Cardiff CF14 6LX 029 2062 7587 www.flowerlodge.co.uk
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Russell Scott-Lawson will tell you that Hawkes Essentials has been over twenty years in the making. We always thought it was rather good as it was but, after a five figure basement refurbishment, this very fine gentleman’s outfitters has just got that little bit finer.
LIVING THE DREAM What inspired the design of the basement? The fit is based on classic style with little touches of modern to accent. It gives a calm welcoming feeling and the stock is displayed in a manner that’s very easy on the eye. By displaying an outfit rather than an item, we’re helping the customer make considered choices. Men are not generally great shoppers - we try to find something we like without having to hunt endlessly through rails - hence the lack of them in Hawkes. How have customers reacted to the makeover? We’ve had such an overwhelmingly positive response and trade has taken a nice upturn. I love what I do. I know it’s work, but I enjoy this business so much. I suppose you could say I’m living the dream. City Life caught up with Russell as he puts the finishing touches to ‘downstairs’. Russell is beaming, proudly. It’s lovely to see actually when there’s so much doom and gloom out there, to see someone genuinely passionate about their business, and enjoying it, really lifts the soul. Russell, are you happy? At last! After years of planning, and months and months of long days and late nights sawing, banging, painting and staining, our beautiful basement is finally finished.
So you really are happy with it... Absolutely! It has surpassed all of my expectations (and ours we have to say) and complements our offering perfectly. Honestly, I’ve dreamed about this day for a long time.
“We’re striving for excellence here. We don’t do second best!”
Hawkes Essentials was none too shabby before. Why did you feel that you needed to raise the bar even further? We can’t stand still. We have to keep on raising the bar. I always wanted to have a quality business that offers customers superior levels of service, hand-picked clothing and the very finest tailoring. I actually feel that we’re nearly there. When you say nearly... I know, I know but seriously folks, we’re striving for excellence here. We don’t do second best! So what can customers expect from the new gorgeously made-over Hawkes Essentials? We’re really excited about our new labels: Holland Esquire, Eton shirts, and 1 Like No Other - seriously stylish clothing. Combine this with an already quality-driven buying policy and we believe that customers old and new really are in for a treat. ❧ 12 ❧
Hawkes Essentials 37-39 Morgan Arcade Cardiff CF10 1AF 029 2037 3780 www.hawkesessentials.com
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PARKHOUSE Housing the largest collection of luxury watch brands including Cartier, OMEGA and IWC, who better to present a guide to the best timepieces for men and women this Christmas than Parkhouse?
Cartier is a brand synonymous with style and the classics. Founded in Paris in 1847 by Louis-François Cartier, Cartier is a worldwide luxury brand with a history of serving royalty as well as stars and celebrities including Anna Wintour, Anne Hathaway, Kate Hudson and Sarah Jessica Parker. New for Christmas 2012 is a Ladies Tank Anglaise in 18ct rose gold on bracelet for £15,000. The new Gents Speedmaster priced at £3,400 represents the ‘First Omega in Space’ and features a black dial on a brown leather strap. The OMEGA Ladymatic reintroduces a name from the brand’s illustrious past. Originally launched in 1955 and continuing for the better part of a generation, the Ladymatic wristwatch line defined feminine grace and elegance in another era. It was one of the brand’s first selfwinding watches to be designed especially for women and it featured the smallest automatic movement OMEGA had ever made.
First Omega in Space
There is also a stunning Ladies Constellation with white MOP star dial and diamond bezel based on a steel and yellow gold bracelet and represents one of the top Omega buys this Christmas. Priced at £4,480. TAG Heuer is one of the world’s most desired brands in the luxury watch market with close ties to motor-racing. This Swiss watch maker has released a stunning gents-piece called the Carerra 1887 with a black dial on a black alligator strap for £4,475. Longines is one of the most affordable of the world’s great brands with desirable models such as the Gents Steel and Ceramic Conquest from £760 and the fabulously simple Ladies La Grande Classique from £650. This year sees the famous Swiss watchmaker Longines celebrate its 180th anniversary. Boasting a technical expertise born of tradition, elegance and performance, Longines has long been timekeeper for world championships in sports. Famous for the elegance of its timepieces, the Longines brand is best known by its iconic winged hourglass logo.
Ladies Longines Flagship
Omega Ladies Constellation
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Gents TAG Heuer Carerra 1887
Ladies Cartier Tank Anglais
THE JEWELLER
“Designed specifically to offer customers greater choice, Parkhouse’s new pearl collection is competitively priced.”
Designed specifically to offer customers greater choice, Parkhouse’s new pearl collection is competitively priced with a pair of gold set stud pearl earrings starting at £40. Pearl rings offer a stylish alternative to diamonds and gemstones with a Mikimoto 18ct rose gold star six pearl and five diamond ring priced at £1,550 a lovely choice. The Jubilee cluster ring is exquisite with a brilliant cut solitaire diamond surrounded by a halo of 18 round brilliant cut diamonds set in a limited edition platinum or white gold shank. This unique and intricate piece also features a secret hidden diamond. Prices start from £1,450 up to £6,000. There is also an 18ct white gold cluster pendant and chain with prices starting from £1,450 up to £6,000 and matching 18ct white gold cluster style earrings start from £1,150. Marco Bicego is famous for his coil technique in which gold strands are hand-twisted. The unique twists are what differentiate the collections inspired from Marco’s travels, from extravagantly statement cocktail rings and bejewelled pendants to understated twisted bracelets that look effortlessly chic. The 2012 limited edition pieces include Goa, Jaipur, Africa and Paradise ranging from beautiful bold and colourful strand necklaces with mixed stones and pearls to Africa drop earrings and a white gold Marrakech diamond set bracelet and Jaipur three row ring with a burst of amethyst, pink tourmaline and yellow quartz stones.
Parkhouse The Jeweller St David’s Hall The Hayes, Cardiff CF10 1GA 029 2066 0890 www.parkhousethejeweller.com Buy online now with our new e-commerce site at: www.parkhousethejeweller.co.uk
Prices start at £560 for the mixed stone Jaipur earrings to £3,160 for the yellow and white gold Goa seven row diamond ring. ❧ 15 ❧
WHITCHURCH
Get your party hair ready with Shades Extra styling, cold weather and central heating is likely to be taking its toll on your hair, so what better way to treat yourself and, more importantly, your hair, than by treating yourself to a gift of indulgent hair treatments. Clients at the popular Shades of Whitchurch hair salon already know the secrets of good hair treatments as the salon swears by Label M products and, this year, Label M have joined forces with iconic British design talent, Giles Deacon, for a stunning Christmas collaboration with a colourful burst. With bold print, illustration and a strong sense of fun, Giles’ has taken inspiration from the exotic street style he has witnessed whilst sketching on his ipad at airports across the globe. Pick up a selection of luxury gift ideas from this range including a luxury toiletry pouch as well as a collection of stylish gifts boxes with a runway-chic twist. Your hair deserves it. It is, after all, your crowning glory. MORGAN ARCADE
Hawkes Essentials A Hire Love The wedding is impending, and everywhere you've looked looks tired and full of polyester. Well, look no further, Hawkes Essentials in Cardiff's Morgan Arcade have decided to join the world of hire. Although you won’t find a vast selection of colour bells and whistles, what you will find is new stock and classical morningwear (in 100% wool). Hawkes Essentials will also tailor everything to fit, making sure that your outfit looks great on your wedding day.
Shades Hairdressers of Cardiff 6 Old Church Road Whitchurch, Cardiff CF14 1AE 029 2061 3003 sarah@shadesofcardiff.co.uk www.shadesofcardiff.co.uk
“The reason we have taken on this new avenue of service is because a friend of mine got married last year. He went to three major wedding hire businesses in Cardiff, none of which could help him at short notice, so he came to me and said ‘Russ, you have to start hiring wedding suits,’” said Russell Scott-Lawson, owner of Hawkes Essentials. “The rest is history. We don't want to do anything other than the classic outfit of tailcoat, grey waistcoat and striped trouser. After all, that’s what Hugh Grant wore in the film Four Weddings and a Funeral!” So, if you want the ultimate in class and refinement, visit Hawkes Essentials for a fitting for your wedding day.
Hawkes Essentials 37-39 Morgan Arcade Cardiff CF10 1AF 029 2037 3780 www.hawkesessentials.com
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With winter fast approaching, our attention turns from gardens and outdoor activities, to cocooning and the home interiors. So now is a great time to put into action plans for the revamp and refurbishment of that tired living room, or freshening up the bedroom with new furnishings, throws, and cushions.
A FLAIR FOR STYLE Elaine Jones Interiors may be a new business in the historic heart of Llantwit Major but Elaine is no newcomer to interior design. Here she shares with us how she can help us bring life back into our homes from her beautifully bijou new showroom, packed with wonderful fabrics, wall coverings, and ideas to get the creative juices flowing!
What is your background? Having moved back to my home town of Llantwit Major, six years ago, I worked as a personal interior soft furnisher and am now delighted to have opened a showroom in the historic heart of the town, providing a bespoke and personal service for all home and soft furnishing requirements, bought together in one showroom. I work on the principle that all of my clients deserve the best. If I can’t live with it, I don’t expect my clients to. Who are your clients and why do they come to you? My clients expect and receive a wonderful, spoilt level of personal and strictly confidential service, from concept to completion with attention to detail. They want individuality. Each and every design, down to the curtain headings are created and carried through by me. I source soft furnishings, lighting, home accessories, in fact, anything the client may want for the home in one showroom, at very competitive prices.
“I work on the principle that all of my clients deserve the best. If I can’t live with it, I don’t expect my clients to.”
Where do your clients come from? Mostly personal recommendations from clients I have worked for, covering west Wales to Newport and up the M4.
What services do you offer? Couture interiors and opulent window dressings are one of my specialities. Individually designed and hand finished headings are to the highest quality. Curtains and blinds are even delivered and hung by me to ensure correct drape and fall. Professional dry cleaning, repairs and refitting of curtains and blinds. A templating service is available for all furniture and mirrors prior to purchase to ensure correct proportions to the room. What brands do you use? The showroom houses a comprehensive library of fabulous hand selected fabrics and wallpapers, personally sourced from around the world. ❧ 17 ❧
Elaine Jones Interiors No. 4 Wine Street, Llantwit Major Vale of Glamorgan CF61 1RZ Telephone 07957 312 485 Opening Hours : Monday Viewings by appointment Tuesday Viewings by appointment Wednesday Viewings by appointment Thursday 11am - 5.30 pm Friday 11am - 5.30 pm Saturday 10am - 2.00 pm Sunday Viewings by appointment
N131-048-D © Crown copyright (2012) Visit Wales
UK
Management buyout at Manx2.com Manx2.com’s management team, led by Managing Director David Buck, has invested to buy the Manx2.com business with effect from 1st January 2013. As part of the changeover, the new company name Citywing will replace the existing Manx2.com branding, in recognition of the company’s community-connecting services to other city-to-city routes outside the Isle of Man.
Managing Director, David Buck said, “Firstly, we would like to assure all Manx2.com customers that it’s very much business as usual, and all existing bookings with Manx2.com will be automatically and seamlessly transferred to Citywing. All flight schedules and timings remain exactly the same. This is an exciting venture for the management team and we’re delighted to have the opportunity to invest in this business, supported by our Chairman and largest shareholder, Noel Hayes. We are sad to bid farewell to the Manx2.com brand, and will always be proud of our Manx roots and our
ongoing Manx routes, including Blackpool, Belfast, Gloucester (M5) and Newcastle. In recognition of this our new logo reflects our Manx heritage and is based around a stylisation of the famous Manx Shearwater. As part of the management buy-out and our plans to further extend the reach of our community-connecting services to other city-to-city routes outside the Isle of Man we felt it appropriate to realign the company name to Citywing, which is of more direct relevance to our broader activities, including the CardiffAnglesey and Gloucester-Jersey routes.”
“This is an exciting venture for the management team.” Citywing www.citywing.com Follow on Facebook www.facebook.com/CityWing Twitter: www. twitter.com/mycitywing www.youtube.com/citywing
N131-038-D © Crown copyright (2012) Visit Wales
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Cardiff
Look.
Anglesey from ÂŁ29.95
Single fare, including all taxes. No debit card or booking fees.
Blackpool Belfast Newcastle Gloucester / Jersey Reservations: 0871 200 0440 Cymru: 01248 370107 www.citywing.com
The magic of Christmas and the New Year, quickly followed by Valentine’s day is perhaps the most romantic time of year…
LOVE IS IN THE AIR!
It’s an exciting moment, the question, the ring, the pause… then, “YES!” Wow, the start of the journey to marriage and a lifetime of happiness! It’s a world we love, engagements, weddings, celebrations… the finery, the laughter and the emotion. Everything about it, all the intricacies, all the detail, it’s an amazing, exciting, sometimes confusing but ultimately rewarding path to the best day of your life and the beginning of something amazing.
A lot of people don’t realise how much goes on through the wedding day apart from a wedding planner, the photographer sees more than almost anyone else! They’re there when the makeup goes on, when the hair is being set, and when the flowers arrive they see everything through the ceremony to the reception… the tantrums, the laughter, the emotions and the love that surrounds the entire day. They know the pitfalls, and (sometimes) pick up the pieces and glue things back together so the day runs smoothly… It all starts with a question… and then it’s a blur until the moment you hear the statement of... “You may kiss the bride…” (or groom). At this incredibly romantic and special time of the year, Paul and Jacs would love to offer a complimentary engagement shoot to all the lucky couples who get engaged during this magical time. So if you have found the love of your life, they would be delighted to take you out for a shoot and to give you a framed 10” image from the images they create for you. Paul and Jacs are multi award-winning and here for you… give them a call for an amazing experience and an image to treasure forever. ❧ 20 ❧
Photography by Paul and Jacs 42 Beale Close, Llandaff Cardiff CF5 2RU 029 2056 5076 07966 925077 paul@paulandjacs.com www.paulandjacs.com Like on Facebook
“A rewarding path to the best day of your life and the beginning of something amazing.�
18ct white gold tanzanite and diamond ring
The holidays are a time to show the one you love just how much you care - and because you have found the love of your life, you want to show her the ultimate declaration of your love by proposing (yes, trust me, you do!).
A FINE ROMANCE
Christmas is a magical season for marriage proposals, since the perfect engagement ring is the ultimate gift for that special lady in your life. But what if you’re not sure how to take advantage of this special season, not to worry - Jay Ellen Jewellery has a range of beautiful rings to help raise your chances that she’ll say yes!
The ring is an unbroken symbol of unity and nothing is as powerful in conveying this message to the one you love. If you’re not quite ready for that level of commitment (you may already be married), but still want to show your loved one how much you care, then a beautiful dress ring could be the perfect gift. Stylish, bold jewellery is back with an eclectic vengeance this winter; and not the cheerful ‘mix and match with every outfit’ type, but rocks, gems and classic timeless pieces.
Faking it till you make it is fine, to a limit, but nothing feels as good as wearing the real thing - it’s like adorning yourself with cashmere - you never want to take it off!
If you crave something with a sense of history then ask to see some of the beautiful pieces on offer. Then decide on a budget and your style preference perhaps the classic solitaire? Or a three stone diamond ring could be in order? Why not be daring and go for something a touch more unique? Whatever your desire, Jay Ellen will be happy to talk through your options and help find a stunning signature piece to suit you.
Diamond cluster ring with 7 brilliants in white 18ct gold
Brilliant and baguette cut diamond ring in 18ct white gold
Six stone brilliant cut diamond ring in 18ct yellow gold
“Faking it till you make it is fine, to a limit, but nothing feels as good as wearing the real thing.”
Deco ruby and diamond cocktail/dress ring
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A Timely Investment A new watch, like most luxury items, may depreciate in value by up to 30%. Pre-owned classic watches, however, can not only hold their value but register significant increases. If you’re fortunate enough to have a little set aside to invest, and you like the finer things in life, then there could probably be no better investment than classic, pre-loved timepieces. Timeless brands such as Tissot, Longines and Jaeger Le Coultre will not only hold their value but will, in most cases, increase significantly over time - even more than the original purchase cost! With good care and regular maintenance, a quality watch will last you a lifetime. All watches are serviced, refurbished and guaranteed.
18ct white gold diamond ruby and emerald ring Hinged to provide 6 different ways of wearing
3 stone diamond ring in 18ct yellow gold
Jay Ellen Jewellery PO Box 93 CF71 9DF Freephone 0808 1185 802 Mobile 07582 429 681 info@jayellenjewellery.co.uk www.jayellenjewellery.co.uk Also at PR Jewellery 61 Merthyr Road Whitchurch CF14 1DD 029 2061 6694
Sapphire and diamond ring in 18ct white gold 18 brilliant cut diamonds and 6 baguette cut sapphires
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ONLY BESPOKE WILL DO
When only bespoke quality will do, Rathkey’s craftsmanship may be the right choice for you.
City Life spoke with owner Paul Rathkey to find out why customers choose him and what it is that makes Rathkey’s kitchens so special. Paul, what’s your role in Rathkey’s? I manage and organise a team of staff and ensure the safe and creative crafting of bespoke furniture to the client’s requirement. I meet clients at their homes or premises and discuss in detail what their options are and put forward ideas. Where did you train? Rycotewood College, where I gained a diploma in Furniture & Design. I was then head hunted by David Linley Furniture, the owner, of which is Viscount Linley, the Queen’s nephew, and I worked there for the next ten years making fine bespoke furniture for some very rich and famous people.
Describe your typical day From the moment I arrive in work, at 8am most days, I begin by answering phonecalls and meet with the team to ensure they all have enough work to keep themselves busy through the day. I also have to make sure that all orders for materials are placed in plenty of time so that we have the correct stock and materials to complete the jobs we have. In between all of this I visit clients to discuss projects and, back on site, answer any enquiries and liaise with the team regarding any technical issues that may arise. Do you see any trends developing? Recently, the call for contemporary furniture as opposed to traditional furniture has been in higher demand, working with more oak and walnut furniture. A large proportion of our work is for bespoke kitchens in natural timber or hand-painted finishes.
Do you enjoy your job? I am passionate about wood and making bespoke furniture. I get a sense of immense satisfaction when we create beautiful products. I love the feel of the timber when the furniture is completed and enjoy seeing the faces of satisfied customers, many of whom have become firm friends. How do you get most of your work? We are pleased to say that we have had regular work and are very lucky that clients have highly recommended us to new potential customers, even allowing us to show clients their houses and the quality of work we produce. What are your future plans? To continue to give an excellent service to our clients. Rathkey’s Cabinet Makers of Distinction 01446 772931
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There’s really nothing better than a personal recommendation for a salon than that of a genuine customer. We met Alexandra Lewis of Newport, a longstanding customer of Beauty Advance to find out why she is such an ardent fan of the clinic.
TRIED & TESTED “I would definitely recommend Beauty Advance because of their professionalism and their relaxed atmosphere during the treatments.” Beauty Advance Ltd in Whitchurch now has the latest Harmony XLI Laser Platform which offers a whole new range of treatments. They are proud to be the only clinic in Wales to offer QUICK, EFFECTIVE, & PAIN FREE Laser treatments.
Daniela Evans, owner of Beauty Advance
How did you hear about Beauty Advance? I heard about beauty advance by researching on the internet and then I phoned them and discussed the treatment that I wanted. What treatment do you have there? Four months ago I decided to have laser hair removal on my bikini line. Recently I have also started having my legs and arms done. Who carried out the treatment? My treatment is carried out by the owner of Beauty Advance, Daniela Evans, who makes the overall experience enjoyable. Can you describe the experience? My experience at Beauty Advance is that they are extremely welcoming. I was made to feel comfortable and relaxed and find the overall experience pain free and enjoyable.
The only sensation is that it feels like I am on a beach with the sun blazing down on me. The treatment overall has increased my confidence and I will definitely be wearing a bikini next year. Did it have the desired effect? From the first treatment, I was able to notice a dramatic improvement. Because of this, I have now decided to go ahead with having laser hair removal on my legs and arms. Before having the treatment my bikini line would grow back in a number of days whereas now it is lasting over a month. Did you think it was good value ? Yes, very much so and it has been a good investment. Would you recommend the clinic? Yes, I would definitely recommend Beauty Advance because of their professionalism and their relaxed atmosphere during the treatments.
“The only sensation is that it feels like I am on a beach with the sun blazing down on me.” ❧ 25 ❧
The Laser ‘Facelift’ 360 This skin resurfacing and rejuvenation treatment reveals brighter, younger and healthier-looking skin, from the inside out. It treats fine lines, wrinkles and discolourations from deep within the skin to give you a lasting new, revitalized look. Nicknamed by the press as the ‘Hollywood Facelift!’ Harmony XLI platform The breakthrough treatment for skin rejuvenation - tattoo removal, acne clear, pain free hair removal, anti-ageing and nail fungus treatment.
TRIED & TRUSTED Beauty Advance Ltd The Coach House, Whitchurch Common Cardiff CF14 1DW 029 2052 9552 mail@beautyadvance.com www.beautyadvance.com Monday & Tuesday: 9am - 5pm Wednesday: 9am - 6pm Thursday: 9am - 8pm Friday: 9am - 3pm Open one Saturday every month. Please call to check. Follow on Facebook and Twitter
When Emma and Peter Vidler met sixteen years ago, little did they know that they would become directors of one of Cardiff’s most well respected property management and letting companies, Keylet.
THE KEY TO SUCCESS When they first met back in the late nineties, Peter was a landlord and Emma was in the process of completing her MBA. Their combined energy and aspirations to succeed saw their business flourish in the early years which was then followed by romance, marriage and being the proud parents of twins. Why did you start Keylet? PETER It seemed obvious at the time. There seemed to be a need. There were lots of private landlords in Cardiff but not many really decent management companies. As a landlord and student we thought we had a particular insight into the sector. EMMA It just made perfect sense. We didn’t have a grand plan at the time, we just felt we were fulfilling a need - for landlords who needed properties managed well and students who were desperate to find the right places to live while studying.
“Our aim is to guarantee our landlords the highest return possible whilst ensuring our tenants are receiving fair rental prices and excellent management service.” Richmond Square, Roath
As one of the leading letting agencies in Cardiff, do you have enough houses to let or could you take on more? PETER It is crucial for us to ensure that we have adequate accommodation for all needs. Our student office has a healthy stock but we are continuously looking to increase our portfolio. Our expertise lies in managing blocks of apartments including the communal areas such as Richmond Square which is a site that consist of 77 executive apartments in the heart of Roath. With extensive experience in project management we would welcome investors and clients looking into branching into the student market and can assist from advising initial location of land to proofing plans and recommendations of local professionals, building contractors, and companies for purchasing interior design and soft furnishings. Our executive office are looking into block management and executive rental in more high end sought after areas such as the Vale. Does Keylet only deal with lettings, or is there more? EMMA Keylet specialise in all aspects of rental from seeking investors, project managing new developments, block management, renovation and refurbishments and managing our clients properties to the highest standard whether it be a one bed flat or a ten bedroom student property. Our aim is to guarantee our landlords the highest return possible whilst ensuring our tenants are receiving fair rental prices and excellent management service. ❧ 26 ❧
The business has grown quite significantly over time. What do you offer your tenants that others do not? EMMA Being one of only a handful of ALMA and ARLA registered agents in Cardiff, we ask all of our staff members to gain relevant NFOPP qualifications within their first year of employment. By doing so we can advise both tenants and landlords accurately of all property enquiries whether it be complex housing law or just general property queries. By having two contrasting offices we can offer our tenants a variety of rental accommodation. With our very own maintenance company at the ready for any maintenance queries to our advanced 24 hour online service we can set ourselves apart from our competitors. Having been students ourselves, we appreciate that there are many landlords and agents that carry out a below average service in poor accommodation. Our aim is to increase the standard of accommodation for both students and professionals.
PETER
EMMA At Keylet, we cater for both our home grown and oversees students who appreciate good quality accommodation. Their parents should be safe in the knowledge that their child is in a clean, safe environment.
Keylet invest time and money into researching the ever changing legislation to ensure that our service is to the highest possible standard.
PETER
Cymric House, £1500 per month
“Our aim is to increase the standard of accommodation for both students and professionals.”
What are your aspirations for the near future? EMMA We hope to continue developing our landlord portfolios and increase our good quality property stock to ensure that we have enough properties to meet our current demand. We hope to continue advising investors and be an integral part of many new developments in the city. We are currently in the middle of our next development ‘Empire House’ which is based in Cardiff Bay and are excited at the prospect of offering prospective tenants boutique accommodation. Our aim is to introduce our services to new landlords whilst continuing to please our valued current landlords a lot of which have been on our books since day one. I will be developing our project managing and property development side of the business whilst Emma will be maintaining and growing our current services.
PETER
Harbour Point, £1900 per month
Keylet Executive 117-120 Bute Street Cardiff CF10 5AE 029 2048 9000 executive@keylet.co.uk www.keylet.co.uk
“Keylet invest time and money into researching the ever changing legislation to ensure that our service is to the highest possible standard.”
Student Office 1a Mundy Place, Cathays Cardiff CF24 4BZ 029 2038 8399 headoffice@keylet.co.uk
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If you’re suffering from a medical condition and you feel that conventional medicine isn’t working for you, then you might wish to consider a different approach. Anne Rodgers from Penarth describes herself simply as a healer and she appears to be having amazing results. City Life speaks to one of her clients, Jacqui Simmons from Thornhill, who tells us how Anne helped her to conceive.
TRIED & TESTED How did you hear about Anne? I heard about Anne through word of mouth. Why did you need to visit Anne? My husband and I were married in 2000 and, shortly afterwards, we started trying for a baby, but unfortunately nothing happened. I went to see my GP and was referred for IVF treatment in June 2004. I got my first clinic appointment a year later. We got our injections for our first IVF treatment on 29th August 2007 but sadly that failed in the October. I started seeing Anne in February 2008. She said that she could see that my reproductive system was in good working order. My husband was sceptical but was supportive nonetheless. Our second injections began on 5th March 2008 and egg collection was carried out on 7th April 2008 and the treatment was stopped half way through.
I was told by the clinic that the embryos would be frozen due to suboptimal endometrial growth and evidence of fluid collection in the endometrial cavity. I was then asked to have a hysteroscopy (a procedure to view the inside of the uterus to look for abnormalities). I went on the waiting list for this, all the while keeping my appointments with Anne. I eventually saw my gynaecologist to discuss the procedure in March 2009. I was then put on another waiting list to have the procedure. About three weeks later I found out I was five weeks pregnant. Just as well I never had the procedure! Anne had done her work…
How was your pregnancy? I had a ‘dream’ pregnancy with no morning sickness. I had a Caesarean section at 39 weeks. My perfect little angel arrived, weighing 7lb 10oz.
Can you describe the healing experience to us? I saw lots of different colours when I closed my eyes and felt the heat coming from Anne’s hands. I also felt a waving sensation in my abdomen and then I would fall asleep. I felt on a high after the session. I felt very happy and would laugh a lot. It was an amazing feeling.
Anne Rodgers has asked us to stress that she treats each case individually and that if she feels she cannot help someone, she will tell them at the outset. Anne has written a book about her journey, which includes testimonials of the people she’s helped. The book is available from The Windsor Bookshop, Penarth and Wellfield Bookshop in Wellfield Road, Cardiff or from Anne directly, and costs £11.
Have you seen Anne since? Yes, I’ve had numerous treatments for a number of different things. Do you have any evidence that your problem has been resolved? My daughter is my proof. Would you recommend Anne to others? Yes I would and I have already done so.
City Life cannot endorse any medical treatment. Readers should always consult a medical professional before embarking on any treatment and take responsibility for decisions that affect their own health or wellbeing. For more information on Anne, the book and her work, please visit www.annerodgershealer.co.uk
TRIED & TRUSTED Anne Rodgers For an appointment, please phone 029 2035 0118
Anne Rodgers
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Website coming soon www.annerodgershealer.co.uk
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We chat to leading dental practitioners Dr Kevin Gracias and Dr Amir Koochek of Cathays Dental in Cardiff about the benefits of dental implants.
CARDIFF
Dental implants at Cathays Dental Clinic Whilst we all know that there have been marked improvements in dental care over the years, as well as the increasingly sophisticated tools available to dentists, public awareness of the importance of good dental hygiene has become more widespread. Despite this, millions of people still suffer from the loss of teeth due to decay, gum disease or injury. Missing teeth have traditionally been countered with bridges and dentures, but dental implants are a modern alternative to dentures that are becoming more sought after. What are dental implants? Implants are used to replace tooth roots, providing a foundation for fixed or removable replacement teeth. The fact they can be made to match your own teeth is an added bonus. What are the advantages? Aesthetics and function. Because implants are designed to take on the appearance of your natural teeth, they are completely unnoticeable to anyone else. They fuse with your bone structure, meaning they are a permanent fixture.
One aspect of dentures that consistently grates with wearers is the matter of discomfort. Poorly-fitting dentures can slip, leading to embarrassment, especially when this affects speech. COMFORT
Implants make it far easier to chew food compared to dentures. Because implants fuse with your bone, you are able to eat all of your favourite foods, no matter how chewy or crunchy, without suffering any adverse issues or pain. LONGEVIT Y
With sufficient care, there is no reason why you would ever need implants replaced at all. The reliability of implants is what puts them head and shoulders over dentures. They are a permanent solution with no need to ever remove them or to use adhesives to keep them in place. O R A L H E A LT H
Unlike a tooth-supported bridge, inserting implants doesn’t require other teeth to be reduced. This ensures more of your own teeth remain intact, with benefits to your long-term dental health. Implants allow far greater access to your teeth when it comes to brushing and flossing. ❧ 30 ❧
“Because implants are designed to take on the appearance of your natural teeth, they are completely unnoticeable to anyone else. Are dental implants suitable for all? As long as you’re in general good health with regard to routine dental surgery, you will be suitable for dental implants. You need to have good, healthy gums and enough bone to form the foundation for the procedure. Good oral hygiene and a regime of regular dental visits are also recommended. If you fall into higher risk categories – if you suffer from diabetes or heart disease, or are a heavy smoker – you will need to be assessed individually. There are other medical conditions which might interfere with your suitability. We would be able to advise each patient on the best course of action for them. Cathays Dental Clinic 159 Cathays Terrace Cardiff CF24 4HW 029 2023 0945 info@cathaysdental.com www.cathaysdental.com
As soon as the clocks go back and the days become shorter, time becomes a valuable asset for Rob Hodge that there just isn’t enough of.
TEMPUS FUGIT From the beginning of Autumn to the end of Spring is the period where our prior planning and preparation gets put into practice and it’s amazing how fast that time will go by.
I try to give myself a break in October to charge the batteries and get myself ready for a winter of gardening through short days and the wet weather. Obviously, the weather will dictate where and what we do in the garden, but if you want the dividends that winter gardening pays off then you have to make the most of it and put the effort in. The first period takes us up to Christmas where we hope our gardening Christmas present wish list comes to fruition. Don’t forget that Christmas floral decorations look fantastic inside and outside the house. Christmas wreaths on the front door (homemade of course) show our visitors how important our gardens and gardening skills are especially when we show off by using the plant names and varieties. The gardening work in this period is all down to clearing and cleaning. Herbaceous borders should be cut back with all of the old top growth composted, our bulbs are planted and our lawns are spiked and scarified.
After the Christmas break it’s time to work off all that excess eating and drinking and prepare the garden for the coming spring. This period in the garden is where plants are dormant and we are given some respite from the never-ending battle against weeds. All our major pruning of trees and shrubs can be done now and it’s a case of head down and look forward to the first signs of spring where snowdrops and crocus show us that spring is arriving. In hindsight we’ve all kept notebooks and taken photos and listed all the alterations that we need to make to achieve that perfect oasis that becomes the envy of all our friends and family.
“The perfect oasis that becomes the envy of all our friends and family.”
In reality we may only get to alter one item on our wish list, move that shed, repair that crazy paving, clean the glass house etc, etc. For me it’s more like reshaping borders, reducing hedges, redesigning more imaginative planting schemes, reseeding or returfing lawns or sometimes uncovering another part of a lost garden that’s been hidden for fifty years. The plan is, work out how much time you have, what jobs are achievable in that time and just make the most of it. For me, it’s all of that but multiplied by twenty gardens. If you don’t achieve it all don’t worry there is no specific cut off date when spring arrives and the winter work ends, you will know soon enough when the grass starts growing and everything starts moving forward, and there is nothing stopping you in employing somebody to get it done for you!
Rob Hodge Horticulture 01633 744075 www.robhodgehorticulture.co.uk
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WIN! The Attic VIP experience including dinner for two in Le Monde. This fabulous prize includes free entry into Soda Lounge, a VIP table in the Attic Lounge and a bottle of champagne on ice. If you haven’t yet visited Le Monde, Soda and The Attic on St Mary Street and Mill Lane respectively, then you’re in for a real treat. There is a reason why Le Monde has been operating so successfully for so many years and that’s because it has a loyal list of foodie followers. It’s not just the quality of food though. It’s the ambience, the service, the decor – the ‘je ne sais quoi’ that keeps it in the forefront of great dining experiences. Following your meal, your prize includes free entry into Soda, the well-known bar on Mill Lane, which features a white Soda theme throughout. You will also be able to enjoy your own VIP table in the Attic Lounge, the brand new luxury VIP lounge and members club situated above Soda Bar and adjoining the famous Soda roof terrace. All of this, and a complimentary bottle of champagne on ice - what more could you ask for! What’s more, if you become a member of Attic this is what you’ll receive every month along with entrance into Soda.
“If you become a member of Attic this is what you’ll receive every month!” ✃
Q
Soda Lounge has a theme as part of its decor what is it?
To be in with a chance of winning, just answer the question in the box below and either post your entry to: Le Monde competition, City Life, Cardiff House, Cardiff Road CF63 2AW.
Name Address
Or email your answer and contact details to jennifer@citylifecardiff.co.uk. Please type Le Monde as the email title. Closing date January 31, 2013.
Postcode Phone Date of Birth Email
This competition is subject to changes, terms and conditions of the restaurant and bar owners.
It is a condition of entry that entrants will receive a communication from City Life and separately from Le Monde. Entrants will be able to unsubscribe from the list if they wish to do so. If you wish to receive further communication from City Life or Le Monde you need do nothing. Your statutory rights are not affected.
Booking in advance is required 029 2023 4138. Excludes major event days and is subject to availability. Dinner is to the value of £75.
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A £250 Skin Rejuvenation treatment at Beauty Advance, Whitchurch Clear, fresh skin does wonders for your confidence. If the passing years are making their mark or you just want to freshen up, Beauty Advance can help.
Photo-skin rejuvenation is the collective term for non-surgical treatments which help us to either maintain or improve the quality of our skin. Primarily covering treatments for the face, this also extends to improve the appearance of cellulite and stretch marks.
Their advanced range of photo-skin rejuvenation treatments include clever techniques to gently improve the tone, texture and condition of your skin and subtly soften the signs of ageing.
“A perfect way to freshen up your looks and lift up your spirits.”
To be in with a chance of winning, just answer the question in the box, right, and either post your entry to: Beauty Advance Clinic competition, City Life, Cardiff House, Cardiff Road, CF63 2AW. Or email your answer and contact details to jennifer@citylifecardiff.co.uk. Please type Beauty Advance Clinic competition as the email title.
✃
WIN!
These are safe, non-invasive treatments that deliver real results. A perfect way to freshen up your looks and lift up your spirits. This treatment works on a number of problems including acne/acne scarring, fine lines/wrinkles, red/thread veins, open pores, blood spots, age spots/sun spots/liver spots and pigmentation.
Q
Where is Beauty Advance Clinic situated?
Answer
Name Address
Postcode Phone Email If you do not wish to receive details of special offers from Good Life Publishing please, tick here. If you do not wish to receive details of special offers from other companies, please tick here.
Closing date January 31, 2013.
WIN!
To be in with a chance of winning, just answer the question in the box below and either post your entry to: Elaine Jones Interiors competition, City Life, Cardiff House, Cardiff Road, CF63 2AW.
A voucher worth £150 for soft furnishings with Elaine Jones Interiors
Elaine has worked as a personal interior soft furnisher and is now delighted to have opened her showroom, providing a bespoke and personal service for all home and soft furnishing requirements. She works on the principle that all of her clients deserve the best. If she can’t live with it, then she wouldn’t expect her clients to.
Now here’s your chance to have a bit of Elaine’s magic in your home. If you enter this competition, you could win a voucher worth £150, to be redeemed when booking soft furnishings with Elaine to the value of £750. To find out more about Elaine Jones Interiors turn to page 71. Elaine Jones Interiors No. 4 Wine Street, Llantwit Major Vale of Glamorgan CF61 1RZ Telephone 07957 312 485 Opening Hours : Monday Viewings by appointment Tuesday Viewings by appointment Wednesday Viewings by appointment Thursday 11am - 5.15 pm Friday 11am - 5.15 pm Saturday 10am - 2.00 pm Sunday Viewings by appointment
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Closing date January 31, 2013.
✃
If you’ve not yet visited Elaine Jones Interiors, in the heart of the historic town of Llantwit Major, then you’re missing a real treat.
Or email your answer and contact details to jennifer@citylifecardiff.co.uk. Please type Elaine Jones Interiors competition as the email title.
Q
Where is Elaine Jones Interiors situated?
Answer
Name Address
Postcode Phone Email If you do not wish to receive details of special offers from Good Life Publishing please, tick here. If you do not wish to receive details of special offers from other companies, please tick here.
If you’ve made the decision to have cosmetic surgery, you’ll need to choose the right surgeon to carry out the procedure. But which one do you choose? We’ve done all of the hard work for you as we chat with Miles Berry of the highly respected Welbeck Hospital.
A SPRING IN YOUR STEP City Life chats to Miles Berry of Cosmetic Surgery Partners about his job, working with eminent cosmetic surgeon Dai Davies. What qualifications do you hold? BSc (Hons) Pharmacology, MB BS, MS (Master of Surgery), FRCS, FRCS (Plast). How long have you been with Cosmetic Surgery Partners? I began working with them in 2007. What has it been like working with Mr. Dai Davies? Interesting, instructive, challenging. Working with Dai has been an excellent entrée to the world of aesthetic surgery. What are your specialities? I specialise in aesthetic surgery in general, but I super-specialise in breasts, eyes and face and labiaplasty. Why have you chosen to work specifically in those areas? It’s a combination of professional exposure and experience. In addition, the ability to achieve consistent and high quality results, along with personal satisfaction. Do you ever say no to patients when you think they may not need surgery or if you think that what their expecting is unachievable? Yes, absolutely. Our field of surgery is ‘want’ not ‘need’, so both parties must be entirely satisfied that expectations are not only realistic, but achievable biologically.
“When I see people a few weeks after surgery with a big smile on their face and a spring in their step, I know what we’ve achieved goes a lot deeper. We’ve helped them at an emotional level.”
When do you think is the best time for a woman to consider a facelift and why? There’s no set time age-wise and studies show that greatest patient satisfaction occurs slightly younger (45-55 years) than much older. Whilst rare, there are potential complications that are visible, so risk-benefit balance is important. As with any procedure, in my experience, the unhappiest are those doing it not for themselves, but for others. Which facelift surgeries do you favour and why? The best one for each individual case. There is a lot of ‘puff’ about certain types, but the SMAS (superficial musculo aponeurotic system) should be involved (skin-only lifts do not last) and the length of the scar is determined not by the surgeon’s skill or age, but simply by the amount of redundant skin. Can you tell us, what do you see as the emerging trends in cosmetic surgery? We have departed from the ‘Jordan, look at me’ result, and find the happiest patients, in general, to be those in whom the surgery is imperceptible to family and friends.
M I L E S B E R RY M S F R C S
Master of Surgery - FRCS (Plast) GMC Specialist Register ■ Introduced and developed the ABBA
Breast Augmentation in the UK ■ Master of Surgery as well as being a
fully trained and accredited plastic surgeon on the GMC Specialist register ■ Past consultant posts at the Royal Marsden Hospital London and Institute Curie Paris ■ Now a full-time cosmetic surgeon. ■ Has had three papers on breast augmentation published in JPRAS which were awarded Best Paper Prize of 2011 ■ Media contributor including BBC Radio, Daily Mail, MORE and Weight Watchers. Miles has written two books and many articles on Breast Cosmetic Surgery and Scientific topics. Specialist areas ■ Breast Augmentation ■ Facial Rejuvenation including facelift,
blepharoplasty and rhinoplasty ■ Liposuction ■ Labiaplasty.
At what age did you know that you wanted to be a surgeon? I know it might sound strange but as a young boy. I just knew it was the thing I wanted to do. Where do you see yourself in the future? Still alive! And with luck, in the position Dai is now. In this profession, we never stop learning. It really is a wonderful job and the results are very satisfying. Many people think surgery is a physical thing, which of course it is, but when I see people a few weeks after surgery with a big smile on their face and a spring in their step, I know what we’ve achieved goes a lot deeper. We’ve helped them at an emotional level and that’s very satisfying. ❧ 34 ❧
Cosmetic Surgery Partners The London Welbeck Hospital 27 Welbeck Street London W1G 8EN 0207 4866778
With so many venues to choose from, we had to ask one of the founder members of a funky new networking club Fiftyone3, Caroline Holmes, why they chose The Attic exclusive members bar situated above Soda Bar on the popular Mill Lane for their monthly networking events.
TRIED & TESTED What is Fiftyone3 Caroline? Fiftyone3 is a networking club for young professionals. We’re not rigid about the age limit but the general membership base around 35 and under. We meet every other month to network informally on a Friday evening with a drink or two. Fiftyone3 was born out of informal discussion between the founders, Cennydd Thomas and Neil Creswell from UHY Peacheys, Mike Jordan from Bluegg and myself.
The space inside is quirky too and we find people come along because they are interested in seeing the venue as well as what Fiftyone3 has to offer. People often stay around for drinks after the event formally finishes at 7pm which must mean they like the place!
The idea behind the club is that it is very different to stuffy, suited, business card-swapping events; it’s more about helping those in the first few years of their careers to build a solid base of contacts. I think between the four of us who set the club up, we can probably name everyone that attends the events. Current membership is up to more than 200 people and we attract around 100 people to each event.
Do you think it’s good value for money? The Attic gave us a good rate for our events which means we are able to offer our members food and drinks included in the entry price.
Why did you decide to use The Attic to hold your events? It’s difficult to find new and interesting venues in Cardiff city centre that will give us exclusive use of a space on a Friday afternoon. The roof terrace in the Attic attracted us first as we thought it would be perfect for our Summer BBQ events.
How often have your events? Our events are every other month and we’ve been using The Attic venue since July this year.
It’s really easy to book - we deal directly with Emma who arranges everything for us. They have put on a delicious BBQ on the roof terrace for us at our last two events which was great value.
TRIED & TRUSTED For more information on Fiftyone3, please contact Caroline Holmes on 029 2064 6840 or 07786 642 881 caroline.holmes@workingword.co.uk
T H E AT T I C
The Attic is a brand new luxury exclusive members bar situated above Soda Bar and adjoining the famous Soda roof terrace. These decadent surroundings are guaranteed to impress, with dj’s spinning tunes onto the glass dance floor, you can see into Soda Bar below (don’t worry they can’t see up!), ornate furniture and fabulous table service, you can’t fail to have a good time. There is a fabulous canapé menu - the perfect place for parties and corporate entertainment. The Attic is the perfect venue for corporate rugby hire, both pre and post match entertainment, as the venue boasts big screens to watch the match. Buffets are provided. With the festive season approaching, there truly is no better place in the city than The Attic for private parties, special occasions and Christmas parties, be it office or family get-togethers. The Attic membership While Fiftyone3 does not hold a membership at The Attic, these are available and are truly a luxury VIP experience. Your membership includes dinner for two in Le Monde, one of Cardiff’s finest restaurants, free entry into Soda Bar, a VIP table in The Attic with a bottle of Champagne on ice. Dinner for two and Champagne are limited to one per month each, subject to changes and terms and conditions.
Booking in advance is required. Please call 029 2023 4138 (excludes major event days and subject to availability. Dinner is to the value of £75). It’s hard to believe that all of the above is available at a cost of only £1,000 per annum (which equates to £1,800 in real cost terms).
TRIED & TRUSTED For more information and bookings 029 2039 8380 info@thesodabar.com www.sodacardiff.com Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9pm, also available for private parties and table bookings.
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In Cardiff, one thing there’s no shortage of is restaurants and nightclubs. If you’re looking for quality however, then look no further than dinner at Le Monde followed by a fantastic night of dancing and socialising at SodaBar, SodaLounge and The Attic. Le Monde The perfect venue
SodaBar Personal and intimate
Situated at the bustling end of St Mary Street, Le Monde is the perfect venue for any occasion. Atmospherically lit and intimate, with banquet-style tables and magnificent decor ,the restaurant exudes a unique but continental feel. Beautiful fresh fish, steaks and meat are delivered every day, only the very best produce is cooked simply but to perfection. Sit back and relax, while the team of chefs prepare and cook your meal to your liking in the open kitchen that is the centrepiece of this restaurant.
Sodabar was designed to meet the demand of a growing crowd of people who had become disenchanted by the corporate chains dominating the city. Providing a more personal, intimate experience a place to hang out with friends and like-minded people in a stylish, yet comfortable environment; listen to good music, enjoy good drinks and experience good service.
Le Monde is great for any occasion, whether it be a romantic meal for two or catching up with friends, it’s easy to see why there are so many regularsthey come as much for the atmosphere as for the food! The Gallery hosts a wide array of events and dinners, where many a celebrity face has appeared. There is also a private area, The Boardroom, the ideal venue for those business meetings. Christmas packages start at £27.95 for three courses, all parties receive complimentary entry into Soda after their meal to continue the party, with no need to even step outside! 02920 234131/ 02920 387376 events@le-monde.co.uk www.le-monde.co.uk Twitter @lemondecardiff Follow on Facebook
Soda Lounge The place to party Soda Lounge is a beautifully stylish venue on the fashionable Mill Lane, this is the place to be by day or by night. Open daily from 10am serving coffees, cakes, and an array of delightful food including sharing platters, pizzas, salads and sandwiches, there is sure to be something to tickle your taste buds. Or just relax in the fabulous surroundings with a drink or two. By night Soda Lounge comes into its own. Sample the amazing cocktail menu and be dazzled by our captivating cocktail staff. Doubled up with SodaBar, there is something for everyone here. There are great Christmas packages available with food and drinks offerings to suit every budget, this really is the place to party. 029 2039 8380 Contact info@thesodabar.com www.sodacardiff.com
Sodabar fulfilled these aspirations, and as result its reputation grew and grew. This was due to a very loyal, musically intuitive and welcoming customer base that ranged from local business owners and their staff, young professionals and the media. Soda has also became popular with both home-grown and international celebrities, as well as European royalty. Autumn internationals hospitality available at SodaBar - £30 per person all day package - pre-match tasty hot buffet and post-match steak baguettes and chips. Just around the corner for the stadium! With big screens showing the lead up and other games being played that day. Come and soak up the atmosphere at Cardiff’s premier venue. 029 2039 8380 Contact info@thesodabar.com www.sodacardiff.com
Attic Luxury VIP experience The Attic offers you the luxury VIP experience that no one else can even get close to! A lounge and members club situated above SodaBar and adjoining the famous Soda roof terrace. These decadent surroundings are guaranteed to impress, with djs spinning tunes onto the glass dance floor, ornate furniture and fabulous table service you can’t fail to have a good time and it’s the perfect place for Christmas parties, corporate entertainment and private functions. 029 2039 8380 Contact info@thesodabar.com www.sodacardiff.com
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We all love to work in the city. It’s vibrant and exciting but there’s just a few things that can drive us quite mad...
(TOO) HOT IN THE CITY Yes it has lots of plus points. I’ve often heard myself say, “We’re based in the city centre in Cardiff, the capital of Wales!” Access to public transport can be useful and, being in the thick of it, there are the obvious business opportunities. And, I’m being honest, it’s quite a buzz to be working in the city centre. But... And it can be a big but, being in the city centre also has its negatives, especially in today’s tough economic climate when businesses are trying to operate with ever tightening budgets.
The truth is, rent’s going up, rates are going up, parking costs are going up and traffic congestion is increasing significantly every year and then there’s the spectre of congestion charging. So what’s the alternative? The Business Centre - providers of flexible serviced office space, shared office suites, conference and meeting room hire, call answering facilities and business support services.
James Mason, Centre Manager says, “At The Business Centre, we understand that businesses are operating in the toughest economic climate of the modern age, so are looking to make cutbacks to overheads wherever possible. We provide modern, flexible serviced office space with excellent customer service and support facilities, providing you more time to concentrate on what’s really important, running your business. One monthly transparent invoice, with no hidden charges, gives clients the security that all their services are taken care of. With minimum license agreements of just three months with a one month notice period to leave means less risk. Office suites ranging from 2 to 12 people provide the flexibility to clients so it means they can expand as their business increases.”
Some of the obvious negatives are: ■ Traffic jams - we’ve all been stuck in them, enough said. ■ Commuting time - I’ve saved an hour and a half commuting time just moving a couple of miles outside the city centre. ■ Inflated office prices - city centre rent and rates come at a premium. It’s a shame but increasing rent and rates is forcing many independents out and turning our city high streets into clones of each other. ■ Public transport - delays, breakdowns, it happens... and it costs businesses a lot of money each year. ■ Expensive car-parking fees - This has a real impact on business owners and staff. In some cases it can mean over £150 pounds a month. Which means a business or a person has to earn around double that just to cover this cost alone.
“The Business Centre providers of flexible serviced office space, shared office suites, conference and meeting room hire.”
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“We provide modern, flexible serviced office space with excellent customer service.” W H AT C U S T O M E R S S AY. . .
Dugdale Taylor & Co Dugdale Taylor & Co joined The Business Centre from the city centre over a year ago. Here’s what they say about how the move has positively affected their business. “The Business Centre provided us with the perfect solution to operate our business from a professional address within a tight budget. After operating our business from the city centre up until six months ago, we were looking to reduce overheads but without losing that five star service our clients had become used to. The Business Centre has been excellent in providing D T & Co Wealth Management, and our clients, with the high quality service we are looking for at a competitive price. The facilities at the centre are second to none with efficient IT and telecoms infrastructure, free parking, on-site gym, catering and storage facilities and staff willing to go that extra mile. We looked long and hard to find suitable premises that provided all these benefits within one location. The centre is easy to find, situated five minutes from Culverhouse Cross with minimal traffic compared to commuting into the city centre. We would not hesitate in recommending The Business Centre - their customer service is second to none.”
Real Estate Management Real Estate Management moved to The Business Centre just over eighteen months ago. For them the transition has been nothing but positive. “Working outside Cardiff has a number of benefits which influenced our move away from the city centre. As Cardiff is an up and coming city, many existing and new companies are attracted here with prospects of new business and work. We want to be based here as we want to be near this growth.
The Business Centre has great on-site services. There is a gym with shower facilities, a Café, and meeting rooms are available to customers or the public. The centre staff and receptionists are always willing to lend a hand wherever possible making day to day tasks a lot easier.”
At The Business Centre, we are just on the outskirts of Cardiff. We have the full benefit of still being able to pop in and out of the city at short notice without the struggle of getting in and out at peak times. With the growth of the city, the price of office space is continually rising. To avoid this increasing cost of office space The Business Centre offers a range of office sizes for everyone’s needs with reasonable prices, support services and staff that go the extra mile to provide top quality customer service. Parking is a major concern as spaces in the centre are limited and can be very expensive. Parking at The Business Centre is free to both users and visitors. ❧ 39 ❧
The Business Centre (Cardiff) Ltd Cardiff House Cardiff Road, Barry Vale of Glamorgan CF63 2AW 0800 6349920 enquiries@thebusinesscentreonline.co.uk www.thebusinesscentreonline.co.uk
Welcome to City Life magazine’s Social Life section, a veritable who’s who in and around Cardiff.
CITY
CIT Y CENTRE
Hawkes Essentials, Morgan Arcade Customers get their first look at refurbished shop at Hawkes Essentials. Overall comments were, “Excellent, spacious and stylish.” Alex Lloyd, Russell Scott-Lawson (owner), Hugh Phillips
Matthew Wallace and Stuart Wallace of Llantwit Major
Mike Harbottle of Rhoose and Hugh Phillips
Annette Unwin and Claire Slade both of Plymouth
Russell with Mr Lewis of Whitchurch
A surprise guest!
Jackie Powell (Accounts) Einir Davies (Project Coordinator) Stifyn Parri, Lydia Jones (Event, PR and Agency Director)
Opera Singer and Presenter Shan Cothi and BBC weatherman Derek Brockway
CIT Y CENTRE
Stifyn celebrates 50th at Kuku Club
The evening was in pure Stifyn style with Zumba, an amazing Hand Balance act, a giant real cheesecake, vodka luge and lots and lots of Kir Royale. Friends from Stifyn’s past and present celebrated with him: from his college days at The Guild Hall School of Music and old Brookside friends, to his team at Mr Producer and close family and friends
Photography by Simon Ridgway / Mr Producer
TV Personality and Managing Director Mr Producer celebrated his 50th birthday party at Kuku Club, Park Plaza.
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Ian Rees with wife Presenter Heledd Cynwal, Stifyn, Presenter Emma Walford and Presenter Rhodri Owen
SOCIAL LIFE CIT Y CENTRE
Sporting Charity Lunch at Le Monde Le Monde recently held its first charity sports event in aid of children’s charity KidsOut. The day started with a luxurious champagne reception and was followed by a five course meal from the renowned Le Monde kitchens. The guests were being entertained throughout by special guest speaker, David Campese. Guests were treated to insights into the Australian rugby legend’s career. A spectacular sporting auction, games and raffle followed with many prizes being kindly donated by suppliers and friends of the company.
Le Monde staff, Moncho and Rhiannon
Silent auction prizes
Wayne from Absolute Caterers with guests including Eddie Avoth and Jolyon Joseph
Guests enjoying the day
Barratt Homes
Eddie Charlton with Backyard Brewery and guests
JPR Williams with company director Bob Norton
Absolute Catering
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Simon from Le Monde and JPR Williams with the girls from Soda
The variety of bathroom fittings is mind boggling, so why not speak to the people who have the widest possible product knowledge, who can guide you through the entire process and open up the world of bathrooms for you.
BE INSPIRED! You’ve decided that your bathroom needs updating, but what to do next? You may have a small bathroom but remember, there’s always room for improvement. If it’s a large room, how do you use the space to its full potential? The answer is simple - visit the team at Cardiff Bathroom Centre. The key features to look for in a bathroom showroom are knowledgeable, friendly showroom staff, an extensive range of displays to help you choose your fittings and, of course a highly experienced design team who will listen to you and work with you to achieve the best possible result. Your first visit to the showroom could be a bit overwhelming. You may have an idea of the sort of style you like, but with so many questions, so many possibilities, so many options, ultimately it comes down to, “What will fit into my bathroom?” So your next step takes you to the design team.
Once a clear idea of what you would like is reached, plans will be produced. This might take a couple of days so that all the possibilities can be explored. When you come back to the showroom your designer will take you around the displays to show you the fittings shown in your plans. At this stage the plans can be amended, and alternative fittings can be shown. You will be guided towards fittings appropriate to the size and shape of your room and which are suitable for your plumbing system. If you would like advice on the colour scheme, then your designer will be happy to help you.
“A new bathroom is an investment, so choose good quality fittings and have them professionally installed.”
Helping them to help you. This is probably the most important phase of your project. Getting the layout right simplifies the process of choosing the fittings. The designer will discuss all your requirements with you. A good designer is a good listener, after all, it is your bathroom! Provide as much information about the room as you can – length, width and height, positions of windows and doors, etc. What sort of water system does your home have – combi boiler, gravity fed system etc. This is important information for the designer as it will help to determine the appropriate fittings for your home. The more information, the better. With an experienced designer’s knowledge of plumbing systems they may be able to re arrange the bathroom in ways you may not have thought possible. ❧ 42 ❧
Installation Another important consideration is installation. Good installation is as important as the fittings which go into the bathroom. Poor installation can ruin a project and end up costing more to put things right. A new bathroom is an investment, so choose good quality fittings and have them professionally installed. Look for a bathroom installer who can offer a complete installation service and remember, not all plumbers are bathroom installers!
Cardiff Bathroom Centre Hadfield Road Cardiff CF11 8PW 029 2034 0861 www.cardiffbathroomcentre.co.uk
Bold & Beautiful
We will design the perfect bathroom for you. Everything from a tranquil space in which to relax, to an invigorating wet room experience to start the day.
Browse through more than 100 beautiful bathroom and shower displays.
be inspired... Cardiff Bathroom Centre, HadďŹ eld Road, Cardiff, CF11 8PW Tel: 029 2034 0861 Web: www.cardiffbathroomcentre.co.uk
www.parkhousethejeweller.com 02920 660890