Home & LifeStyle. March and April 2013.

MARCH & APRIL 2013 ISSUE 26

&

Picasso THE EARLY YEARS

On the Grid

Radiant Clarity

F1 BATTLE RESUMES

WITH EMERALD GREEN

Cutting-Edge

Chic Outdoor Style

LIVING ROOM COMFORT

FOR SPRING

DÉCOR n DESIGN n OUTDOOR LIVING n LEISURE n HEALTH n BEAUTY n STYLE n CUISINE H&L 26 Cover OK.indd 1

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CONTENTS MARCH & APRIL 2013

A R O U N D SPAIN

75

14 Round-up of business, charity, cultural

and other general news

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26 82

S W I T C H E D ON 20 Cool gadgets… fun and functional

D E S I G N & DÉCOR 22 24 26 42 48 50 54 56 60 62 65

Emerald Green: rejuvenating “Colour of the Year” Photographic showcase of a poignant world Attractive, practical and sustainable outdoor living Adding a burst of colour to the living room Milan show sets the agenda for design innovation Regal hotel splendour in Sevilla From snow pistes to Caribbean beaches Majestic elegance in La Zagaleta Better gardens with less water Exclusive inspiration… with Patricia Darch Contemporary living: the birth of a concept

G O U R M E T CUISINE 75 Culinary art with a star-studded flair 78 Delicatessen gems in Marbella 80 Spanish recipes with a touch of “liquid gold”

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94

F A S H I O N , HEALTH & BEAUTY 82 86 88 90 92

Catwalk chic in Madrid Playful designs for kids Urban allure of sleek timepieces Key lifestyle changes for Operation Bikini Taking care of general health issues

L E I S U R E & CULTURE 94 Green flag for exhilarating new F1 season 98 Picasso’s early years… and an enfant terrible

100 Faith and fervour… myth and tradition 102 Latest sound bytes from the recording studio 104 The final world: specialist advice from the experts

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Urban Danish Design BoConcept Mijas (Mรกlaga) - Ctra. de Mijas, km 3,5 - 29650 Mijas - Tel. 951 242 092 - malaga@boconcept.es WWW.BOCONCEPT.ES

Bo Concept HL26.indd 1

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ISSUE 26 MARCH & APRIL 2013

PUBLISHER

Sally Cullens. Mobile: (+34) 622 400 055 sally@homeandlifestyle.es

EDITOR

Peter Leonard peter@homeandlifestyle.es

SALES EXECUTIVES

Nathalie van Meesen Mobile: (+34) 633 918 703 Trevor Impett (Freelance) Mobile: (+34) 633 918 706 Timothy Kafourous

LAYOUT & PRODUCTION

Pilar Anguita pilar@homeandlifestyle.es

ACCOUNTS DIRECTOR

David Jaster david@homeandlifestyle.es

Administration & Translation

Pamela Sauca-Hunt pamela@homeandlifestyle.es

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Declan Byrne, Michel Cruz, Andrew Forbes, Alex George, Clodagh and Dick Handscombe, Louisa Hornung, Stephen Tiley

Costa del SOl DISTRIBUTION

Pedro Castillo

Gibraltar Distribution

Carmena Sciarrino

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY

CRS Paola Lenti design from Picot Mini product range. www.paolalenti.it

David Toms, Getty Images, Image.net

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

published by

Spectrum Publicaciones S.L. Centro Comercial Diana Blq 3 Local 27 y 28. Urb. Nueva Atalaya Estepona 29680, Málaga. T: (+34) 952 905 000

PRINTER

P&R Grafis, Mijas Costa (Málaga)

Depósito Legal

BI-911-08

The publisher makes every effort to ensure that the magazine’s contents are correct, but cannot accept responsibility for the effects of errors or omissions.

Home & Lifestyle Magazine reserves the right to refuse to publish any advertisement deemed detrimental to the best interests of the community or that is in questionable taste. Home & Lifestyle Magazine cannot accept responsibility for the claims, goods or services of advertisers. The views and opinions expressed by contributors in Home & Lifestyle Magazine do not necessarily reflect the views of the editor or the publisher. Products and prices mentioned are subject to change without prior notice. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or copied in any way without the prior written consent of Spectrum Publicaciones S.L. Home & Lifestyle Magazine is delivered every month to homes and businesses on the Costa del Sol, from Málaga to Gibraltar. Subscription rates are 15 euros per year.

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STAY UPDATED News from our advertisers, events and happenings around Spain.

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CAMPILLOS - CASASOLA FACTORY Ctra. Arcos-Antequera, Km. 106 29320 CAMPILLOS Tel. 952 72 21 00

MARBELLA Carretera Cรกdiz-Mรกlaga Km. 184,5 Tel. 952 77 27 58

RABAT Avda. Ahmed RIFAI Souissi, Rabat Tel. 053 775 36 61

ALHAURIN EL GRANDE Calle Gerald Brenan, 67 Tel. 952 59 67 85

www.mueblescasasola.com Casasola HL26.indd 1

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Dansk seating set from Gloster: www.blackshawinteriordesign.com ABOUT THE COVER

FROM THE EDITOR > Actor Robin Williams once cheerfully declared that, “Spring is nature’s way of saying, ´Let’s party’.”

Spain is perhaps not in the most enthusiastic of party moods at the moment, but the enduring appeal of the Mediterranean climate and lifestyle is ample reason for us to have a positive outlook for the rest of the year – albeit cautiously optimistic.

This CRS Paola Lenti pouf design from the Picot Mini product range is suitable for both indoor and outdoor environments. The internal padding in polystyrene spheres is encased in a polyester spaced fabric. When the pouf is used indoors, the removable cover is made with a wool cord; if used outdoors, the cord is in rope yarn. The upholstery cover is hand-crocheted in both versions. www.paolalenti.it

If nature does have a message for us, it is that spring is a time of revitalisation and resurgence… and the perfect moment to revamp our homes.

As we began an enlivening new era at Home & Lifestyle, this is the spirit and flair we want to evoke with our first issue of spring 2013: a touch of sophisticated flamboyance.

As always, we are committed to offering an authoritative global view of latest décor, design, leisure, gourmet and style trends – with a local focus. This issue is packed with in vogue ideas for discerning people who like to stay abreast of cutting-edge international style: chic products from high-end designers, intriguing cultural insights into Spain… and an exclusive look at elegant, stateof-the-art homes.

We hope you enjoy this issue and look forward to welcoming you back in May. In the meantime, we would love to receive your feedback and suggestions, so drop us a line at editorial@homeandlifestyle.es

HOME & LIFESTYLE Magazine PUBLISHING DATES

May and June 2013 Issue Published 1 May to 30 June July and August 2013 Issue Published 1 July to 31 August September and October 2013 Issue Published 1 September to 31 October

PETER LEONARD

HOME & LIFESTYLE magazine can be found in over 900 key points along the coast from Málaga to Gibraltar Including Golf Clubs, Restaurants and Clubs, Hotels, International Schools, International Clubs and Associations, Medical Practices, Beauty Salons, Spas, Fitness Centres, Lawyers and Accountants, Urbanisations, Furniture and Interior Design Shops

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November and December 2013 Issue Published 1 November to 31 December HOME & LIFESTYLE Magazine welcomes original article contributions from our advertisers. Articles can be submitted in Word or PDF. Photos should be high-resolution large-format JPEG images with a minimum resolution of 300 dpi. Architectural and interior design clients may remain anonymous. Submit articles to: Peter Leonard: editorial@homeandlifestyle.es

www.homeandlifestyle.es << view the magazine online >>

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Around Spain >

ROUND-UP OF BUSINESS, CHARITY, CULTURAL AND OTHER GENERAL NEWS FROM THE COSTA DEL SOL, COSTA BLANCA, BALEARICS, GIBRALTAR… AND FURTHER AFIELD NUEVA KASKADA

Spring Events Galore Ewald Fichthaler, director and head chef at Nueva Kaskada, is hosting a series of interesting events at the restaurant over the next two months. You can book now for the Spring Kitchen Party (15 March), when their chefs will be showing off their skills and demonstrating how they prepare their creations.

The party includes a superb four-course menu for just €50. On arrival you will be led to the garden where there will be an opera singer and appetisers, and the chefs will be preparing the starters in front of you. For the main course, you will be seated inside where you can watch the chefs preparing your main courses on a large screen. You can even go into the kitchen and become involved! There will be lots of fun and entertainment and it all kicks off at 8pm.

In addition, Nueva Kaskada will be holding an Easter Gala on 30 March including entertainment and surprises with a traditional Easter lunch.

If you are feeling artistic, you should go to their Art & Lunch events, where you can enjoy a delightful lunch on the terrace while watching artists painting their surroundings – with a prize at the end for the best painting. Also held at the restaurant are wine-tasting nights, book presentations and much more.

If you want to get away from the hubbub of Marbella, Nueva Kaskada has a beautiful patio area where you can relax with a thirst-quenching drink among the lemon trees, listening to the birds and the waterfall. A welcome retreat after a busy day shopping at La Cañada! (Nueva Kascada is tucked just behind the shopping centre.)

Nueva Kascada Urb. La Montua, Marbella. Tel. 952 864 478 www.nuevakaskada

Photos: David Toms

Classic Rally

Top action in Mallorca

MABRIDECO

Leading drivers from throughout Europe will once again test their skills on the roads of Mallorca when the ninth Oris Classic Rally Isla Mallorca is held on the island from 14 to 16 March.

In conjunction with the event, the new title sponsor Oris (involved in 2012 as the official timekeeper) will be presenting a limited edition watch (1,000 units) specially created for the rally, the Oris Calobra.

The most spectacular stage is Sa Calobra, a 12-kilometre stretch beginning at sea level and rising to 800 metres, including a spectacular 360-degree “hairpin” turn. Also, for the first time in 25 years, one 30-kilometre stage of the rally will be completely closed to traffic.

For more details about the event visit: www.rallyislamallorca.com

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Special end-of-stock promotions Mabrideco in Calahonda are offering a 50 per cent discount on all outdoor furniture until end of stock. Mabrideco is a family-run interior design showroom that has been operating on the Coast since the mid-eighties, offering traditional and contemporary pieces for interior and outdoor furnishing.

There are rental, holiday and furniture package solutions available, with a full delivery and assembly service. Their prices are very competitive, so Mabrideco is ideal for a home styling solution.

Mabrideco Urb. Calahonda. Tel. (+34) 952 931 140 www.mabrideco.com

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MARINA IBIZA

Brand innovations on show in Düsseldorf

MARINA MARBELLA

Easter Boat Show in Banús Marina Ibiza, one of the most exclusive leisure ports in the Mediterranean, was once again present at the Boot Düsseldorf nautical fair. The marina shared a stand with Overmarine Group Mangusta and the company’s exclusive distributor in the Balearics, Michl Marine (www.michlmarin.com), following the success of their joint collaboration in 2012.

WOOD FACTORY

Both new and pre-owned boats will be on the water, ready for sea trials, when Marina Marbella celebrate their fifth Boat Fair during Easter, from 28 March to 1 April in Puerto Banús.

The boats on exhibition, in front of Marina Marbella’s office, will include a range of craft from 17-foot sport boats up to 84-foot yachts, as well as jet skis, sea bobs and other fun toys.

Established in 1965, Marina Marbella (www.marinamarbella.net) have a comprehensive network of offices and service facilities in Spain, England, Sweden, Portugal and Morocco, focusing on the sale of pre-owned and brokerage boats, as well as sales, service, importing, exporting and distribution of Sea Ray, Jeanneau, Dominator, Lazzara and Marquis powerboats and motor yachts.

Eco-friendly furniture with a chic look

MARBELLA WOMEN’S WEEK

Promoting equality, integration and diversity The second annual Marbella Women’s Week, on 12-13 March at the Hotel Gran Meliá Don Pepe, will comprise two days of debate with the aim of “brainstorming viable ideas and alternatives to help women in all aspects of their lives”. Dedicated exclusively to women’s issues, the conference aims to promote the message of equality, integration and diversity throughout the Costa del Sol. In addition to a panel of experts comprising businesswomen, professionals and journalists, also taking part will be leading professionals who have previously been involved in the International Congress of Women Directors or Madrid Women’s Week. Xanit Hospital Internacional, one of the event’s sponsors, will be offering free health checks to all participants and delegates.

The week has been organized by PR professional

Samar Abou-Farah, supported by local companies and associations run by women including: Studio Ideas, Media Machine International, Pérez Legal Group, Costa Women, Madison Studio and View 360.

Samar’s company, La Différence P.R., is aiming to broaden the appeal of the conference to the international community by inviting both Spanish and English-speaking participants to the forum. The initiative aims to bring together women of diverse nationalities resident on the Coast to allow their integration with Spanish businesswomen.

Marbella Women’s Week Tel. 606 570 971 (Samar Abou-Farah) / 610 973 137 (Belén Cantos) www.marbellawomensweek.com

During Wood Factory’s launch party in February, owner Kristel Schoeman-Daneel and her team exhibited their reclaimed wood in all forms of stunning furniture. The wood comes from northern Europe and in the workshop is treated to make it suitable for furniture.

From wardrobes and bookcases to tables, benches, chairs and beds, whatever you require for your home, Wood Factory can make bespoke furniture to suit your requirements perfectly, providing a chic and rustic look that is very durable and eco-friendly.

Their pieces are highly adaptable, suiting not only contemporary homes but also rural and commercial properties.

Wood Factory Pol. Ind. San Pedro de Alcántara Tel. 620 230 376 www.woodfactory.es HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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Around Spain > Planet Space

Glynis German, PR and marketing manager of Planet Space, began 2013 with a pragmatic New Year’s resolution: she launched Kilos for Food to help her lose weight and also collect food for the needy.

On a personal level, Glynis, the “Space Goddess”, has committed to losing 10 kilograms during the six months and 14 kilograms by the end of the year. “I was looking for a strong motivation to lose weight,” she explains, “and what better motivation than to help others by this simple action.”

For every kilo Glynis loses, she hopes to collect kilos of food. Clients, suppliers, friends and the general public are encouraged to participate by bringing non-perishable food items to the collection points at two of the three Planet Space Self Storage locations – in Son Cas-

telló and Son Bugadellas.

“At Planet Space (www.planetspace.es) we care for our community and have long been supporters of local charities who do a lot of good work,” says Tom Sell, Planet Space Self Storage managing director. Mediterránea ONG is going to be the recipient of the collected items, especially for its feeding of vulnerable families in the Mallorcan town of Sa Pobla.

“There are very many families going through hardships at this time, and this is affecting children as they are not being properly fed,” notes María Dolores Aguiló, Mediterránea ONG’s project coordinator. “I’m grateful to Planet Space for this initiative, as at this time we really need all the help we can get.”

Public Holidays

Photo: Vicki Mcleod

Losing kilos for the needy

OPEN DE ESPAÑA

Most businesses, shops and offices will be closed throughout Spain on 28-29 March for Easter Thursday and Good Friday (Jueves Santo and Viernes Santo). The next public holiday is Wednesday 1 May for Labour Day (Día del Trabajo).

European Tour returns to El Saler

BRILLIANT DENTAL

Making patients feel special

Situated in San Roque Hotel, at the entrance to the San Roque Golf and Country club, Brilliant Dental Clinic have a simple motto: “The patient comes first!”

Principal dentist Dr. Eugene Marais and his associate Dr Emma Johnson have been offering their services at the clinic since 2006. The area has experienced many changes in recent years, particularly in an economic sense, and with this in mind the practice has endeavoured to keep fees as competitive as possible while also being proactive: for example, providing free check-ups to new patients and helping existing patients by offering three hygiene visits per year for the price of two. Other treatment fees have remained static and compare “very well with all our competitors”.

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Eugene is still involved in dentistry in the UK, where he is president of the British Academy of Dental Implantology (BADI). He does a lot of troubleshooting, solving problems and difficult issues that are not dealt with by regular dentists. So if you have a problem, no matter how small or complicated, a solution can be found.

The practice offers a full range of treatments, from orthodontics for children and adults to cosmetic restorations, crowns, implants and facial cosmetics, such as Restylane and wrinkle treatments.

Brilliant Dental Tel. 646 565 831 brilliantdental@gmail.com

Francisco Molinari, a member of Europe’s triumphant Ryder Cup team last year, will be defending his title when the Open de España returns to El Saler in Valencia for the first time in 12 years. Italy’s Molinari won the event – one of the oldest open championships in Europe, dating to 1912 – at Real Club Golf Sevilla last year. The previous winner at El Saler, in 2001, was Swede Robert Karlsson; while the 1995 Open played at Club de Campo de Madrid was Severiano Ballesteros’ final European Tour win.

In 2013, the Open de España (18 to 21 April) is likely be the only European Tour held in Spain, following the Volvo World Match Play Championship’s move to Bulgaria, the demise of the short-lived Andalucía Masters at Valderrama and the postponement (perhaps permanently – at least until the crisis passes) of the Madrid Masters, Castelló Masters and Miguel Ángel Jiménez’s Open de Andalucía.

The Women’s Spanish Open, part of the Ladies European Tour, will be held from 13 to 16 June, at a venue still to be confirmed.

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Around Spain > Torremolinos Golf School

Jiménez inaugurates “dream” project The European Tour’s oldest winner, Miguel Ángel Jiménez, has opened his new golf academy just down the road from his Churriana birthplace. The winner of 19 Tour events, the most recent the 2012 Hong Kong Open aged 48 years and 315 days, Jiménez has had to put his 2013 season on hold after breaking a leg in a skiing accident in December at Sierra Nevada.

He was, however, in fine form in February, joining local dignitaries, golf authorities and fellow Spanish professionals José María Cañizares, Manuel Piñero, Juan Quirós and Manuel Quirós for the inauguration of the Miguel Ángel Jiménez Municipal School of Golf in Torremolinos.

The school comprises a practice ground and a nine-hole par-three

course on seven hectares of land parallel with the railway line that runs between Málaga and Fuengirola.

“This is a dream come true,” said Jiménez.

“Golf has given me everything and I want to give back. One of my goals was to develop and promote golf in this area and it’s been achieved today. The land is a 50-year concession from the town hall.

We have very popular prices and will be focused mainly on children and families with special discounts for them.”

As for his recovery from the injury, he said, “I’m feeling strong. I’m doing four mornings per week in the gym working on the upper part of the body, and three afternoons in the gym working on my leg.

Hopefully I will get back for the BMW PGA Championship in May.”

Da Bruno Ristorante

High-tech support for international schools St. Patrick’s Day

Dancing, tapas, football… and Guinness

Students from the Costa del Sol’s international schools took part in a special course at Marbella’s Andalucía Lab aimed at improving educational efficiency through the use of latest interactive technology.

The first Costa del Sol i-Answer Da Bruno Interschool Quiz involved 140 students, aged 11 and 12 years, from Aloha International College, Swans School, Benalmádena International College, MIT Málaga, Colegio Alborán, English International College and Sunny View School. The course was promoted by the Confederación de Empresarios

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de Málaga, Málaga company i-Answer Sistemas de Votación and the Da Bruno restaurant group.

Meanwhile, proceeds from the sale of a recipe book produced by Da Bruno (www.dabruno.com) have been donated to the CRECE association, a Marbella-based charity that supports children with Down Syndrome, autism and other disabilities affecting youngsters. During a special presentation at the Da Bruno Sul Mare to CRECE president María de la Luz Martínez, owner Bruno Filippone also took the opportunity of presenting the restaurant’s “Fantasy Menu” for the new season.

The inaugural St Patrick’s Day Festival Marbella, to be held on Sunday 17 March on the terraces overlooking Marbella Marina (between noon and 6pm), will feature various acts performing on stage during the day, including Irish dance, music and song, flamenco and belly dancing.

Other highlights will include a selection of gourmet tapas from participating restaurants, a Guinness tent (with Murphys and Magners cider also available), and Irish whiskey, wine and cheese and Irish coffee bars.

Local club Costa Gaels will demonstrate how Gaelic football is played (on the beach), and the Spanish charity Debra will be present to bring people up to date on its work.

(Debra Spain is dedicated to people, mostly children, who are affected by Edidermolysis Bullosa, or “Butterfly Skin condition”.) Businesses taking part in the festival will help raise funds for two Debra projects: a respite home in Marbella; and visits to families by a Debra team of experts.

The festival will be a “child-friendly” event with football, a bouncy castle, a face painter and a balloon artist.

More information at: www.stpatricksdayfestivalmarbella.com

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Telitec

UK TV without a large dish Palma Boat Show

Mobile app created for yachting forum You can now watch more than 25 channels on UK high definition television with a programme guide, a pause/rewind facility (so you do not ever have to miss a programme up to seven days after) and Tunin radio – with no contract or unsightly satellite dish.

With Telitec, all you need is a 3Mb ADSL connection, a fourport router (cabled or WI-FI) and a UK address (it can a friend’s or that of a family member). Telitec have implemented requirements from the provider to make the system legal.

Telitec is one of Spain’s leading providers of telecoms and one of the few CMT-licensed operators of wireless internet services. They are situated in Moraira on the Costa Blanca but serve clients all over Spain. As well as UK television, they also offer landline, mobile and internet services.

Telitec Tel. 965 743 473 / 902 889 070 www.telitec.com Neater Pool Guardian

Pool safety for Costa Blanca children It is a sad fact, but also a very real one, that over the past decade in Spain around 1,000 children have died in swimming pools, with thousands more being admitted to hospital for injuries due to lack of diligence by the parent or guardian accompanying them.

Neater Pool Guardian provide pool safety fences across the Costa Blanca that are customised to suit the size of your pool, inexpensive and easily removable – and offer peace of mind.

Neater Pool Guardian Tel. 965 050 699 (10am-1pm Monday to Friday, closed Wednesdays) / 634 312 171 info@neaterpoolguardian.es www.neaterpoolguardian.es

Organisers of the Palma International Yachting Forum have created a mobile app designed to run alongside the event’s comprehensive website – aware that “the yachting industry is far from a nine-to-five desk job”.

The Forum will run from 1 to 3 May, concurrently with the Palma International Boat Show (1-5 May), featuring an impressive attendance of specialist participants and leading authorities from the superyacht world.

Forum organiser Peter Franklin, a member of the Balearic Nautical Business Association, says, “We have devised the mobile app (m.talkyachtspalma.com), downloadable free of charge, to include all the required information on the venue and programme, plus an instant booking form. Numbers are restricted to

120 delegates and… we recommend that you take hold of your smart phone now and book early or face disappointment.”

The 30th Palma International Boat Show returns after a 2012 hiatus with a 30-strong lineup of luxury yachts over 24 metres in the inaugural Palma Superyacht Brokers’ Show.

The three-day Forum (www.talkyachtspalma. org), meanwhile, will cover a varied range of subjects related to the administration, technical management and ownership of large commercial yachts.

Apart from the Forum sessions, delegates will also be able to take part in networking lunches, cocktail receptions and a paella dinner, as well as a one-day golf competition at the Jack Nicklausdesigned Puntiro Golf Course on Saturday 4 May.

Age Concern

Ambassador congratulates volunteer British ambassador to Spain Giles Paxman took the opportunity of a visit to Alicante to meet and congratulate Angela Keay, who was awarded an MBE for services to the British community in Spain in the New Year’s Honours List.

Angela, who lives in Torrevieja (Alicante province), helped to set up Age Concern Costa Blanca Sur in 1997, as its secretary and later president, before becoming secretary and president of Age Concern España. She is now secretary to Age Concern España’s national infoline and casework service organisation, known as ACASA, as well as being one of its caseworker volunteers.

“The organisation ACASA is an excellent example of the many English-speaking associations that support our most vulnerable residents and tourists,” said Giles Paxman, “and I’m pleased that the hard work that has gone into setting it up has been recognised.

“The work that our consular staff in Spain carry out in supporting British nationals is greatly helped by volunteers like Angela, who give up their time and energy to help others.”

A national charity launched in 2011, ACASA is a partnership between Age Concern España, the British Embassy and Age UK. It delivers public awareness campaigns on integration into Spanish life, offers advice and help via

the infoline and publishes useful information sheets.

ACASA also offers a casework service that consists of in-home visits by volunteers who provide practical advice and help to source funds for individuals where direct intervention is required, as well as providing advice and support for expatriates wanting to return to live in the UK. ACASA Infoline Tel. 902 003 838 casework@ageconcern-espana.com www.acespana.org HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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Switched On >

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Cool Gadgets LATEST PRODUCTS FROM THE WORLD OF TECHNOLOGY… BOTH FUN AND FUNCTIONAL 4

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1. Hot Innovation. Developed by Gemodo Coffee as part of its goal of creating modern alternatives for preparing hot beverages, Piamo is the first expresso maker that works in the microwave, creating a fresh cup of coffee – either pads or ground – within 30 seconds. www.piamo-espresso.de 2. Mobile Chic. A new contemporary smartphone powered by Android, the Vertu Ti is based around a titanium case used for its strength, elegance and low weight, and features leather accents as well as the largest sapphire crystal screen engineered to date (3.7 inches/9.25 cm). www.vertu.com 3. Personal Access. Conveniently worn as a flash drive on the wrist, the Stormfly is effectively an independent computer that bypasses the PC or Mac operating system completely, leaving no trace of user activity and including sufficient space for personal files and favourite programmes. www.stormfly.nowcomputing.com 4. Lightweight Projection. Billed (perhaps arguably) as the world’s smallest pico projector, the Innocube is designed to pull images from a smartphone, tablet or laptop and beam them onto a wall or screen at a size of up to 24 centimetres (60 inches). www.rollei.mobile.com 5. Functional Art. Finely engineered and crafted from aerospace-grade titanium, the custom-made Man Ring hides an assortment of useful tools: bottle opener, straight blade for cutting packing tape or fishing line, serrated blade for tougher items, saw for plastic and wood, and even a comb. www.etsy.com 6. Modern Writing. The Lernstift is a vibrating pen featuring “sophisticated electronics” that recognise writing moments and let users know – with a short “unmistakeable” vibration – when they have made a spelling or grammatical mistake or their writing isn’t legible. www.lernstift.com

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Design & DĂŠcor Boutique Trends Emerald Green: Luminous Sophistication Sony World Photography Awards: Evocative Images Outdoor Living: Chic Style for Spring Living Room: Cutting-Edge Comfort Fairs & Exhibitions: Design Innovation Travel & Getaways: Regal Splendour Property Showcase: Majestic Elegance Garden Landscape: Saving Water First Person: Patricia Darch Interview

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Boutique Trends >

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Emerald Green LUMINOUS SOPHISTICATION 4 It’s official! Pantone, the global authority on colour and arbiter of colour standards for the design world, have announced that “PANTONE® 17-5641 Emerald” – “a lively, radiant, lush green” – is the 2013 Colour of the Year.

Noting that green is the most abundant hue in nature,

5 with the human eye seeing more green than any other colour in the spectrum, Pantone Colour Institute’s Leatrice Eiseman explained, “Symbolically, Emerald brings a sense of clarity, renewal and rejuvenation, which is so important in today’s complex world. This

powerful and universally appealing tone translates easily to both fashion and home interiors.”

Here we feature some product ideas to add a precious sparkle of “Emerald Green” balance and harmony to your home…

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1.- Hand-crafted bamboo wave bowl: www.puji.com. 2.- Acacia rug: www.very.co.uk. 3.- John Rocha “Pico” teacup: www.debenhams.com. 4.- Feather cushion: www.instyle-decor.com. 5.- Hand-crafted glass skull candle-holder: www.neimanmarcus.com. 6.- Conical glasses: www.very.co.uk. 7.- Soft perfume bottle lamp: www.instyle-decor.com. 8.- Moroccan glass lantern: www.amazon.com. 9.- Heirloom ornate oval mirror: www.debenhams.com. 10.- Glass owl vase: www.matalan.co.uk

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Creative Trends >

Agurtxane Concellon (Norway)

SONY WORLD PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS

Evocative Images of a Poignant World

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Klaus Thymann (Denmark)

Edurne Aguinaga (Spain)

Arjen Schmitz (Netherlands)

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Kelly Hesburn (United States)

Fabrice Fouillet (France)

Kuni Takahashi (Japan)

Well over 100,000 photographers from 170 countries have provided a mesmerising insight into 2012 with a record number of entries in the Sony World Photography Awards. Topics ranged from haunting shots of the Syrian conflict to the Obama presidential campaign… and an intimate study of cinemagoers in Kabul to quirky and witty shots of the animal kingdom.

The judges selected a shortlist of photographs – in professional, open and youth categories – that “stood out beyond all others for their impressive high quality, originality and modern appeal”.

Bringing together some of the finest international contemporary photography of last year, the shortlist includes entries from the world’s best emerging and established photography talents.

The work of all the shortlisted photographers will be exhibited at Somerset House in London from 26 April to 12 May as part of the 2013 Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition, and the images will also be published in the 2013 edition of the Sony World Photography Awards book.

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O u t d oo r L i v i n g >

Perfect symbiosis between aesthetics and function… New Classic ottoman and couch table from Rausch. www.blackshawinteriordesign.com

Chic Style for Spring Attractive, functional … and sustainable Living in Spain, the outdoor space is just as important as indoors. There is a trend towards both sustainable and low-maintenance design for outdoor areas, with kitchens and entertainment areas that include both pools and spas – and pergolas popping up more and more in people’s gardens.

Fire pits, outdoor heaters and fireplaces near the seating and dining areas have almost become the norm, as bars and restaurants offer this as a standard service these days to enhance the ambience and cosiness. Paving

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and decking options are also advancing constantly, offering low maintenance with high aesthetic appeal.

To turn your standard garden into a spectacular outdoor space, an attractive and functional pool will transform your existing garden lawn or patio into a fun and alluring garden escape. There are a variety of exciting shapes and sizes that allow you to recreate your garden environment into a private refuge for relaxing – or a special place for outdoor entertaining.

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1.- Fashion sofa from Imperial www.imperialoutlet.com 2.- Clean and graceful lines with a contemporary outdoor look from Mabrideco www.mabrideco.com 3.- Platform combination and couch table from Rausch www.blackshawinteriordesign.com 4.- Desiged by Karen Chekerdjian Studio, this Dejeuner Sur L’Herbe dining table melds the industrial with the natural. (Photo: Nadim Asfar) www.karenchekerdjian.com 5.- Buzz Spring decorative heating for outdoor entertaining from Pías Chimeneas www.pias-chimeneas.com

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O u t d oo r L i v i n g >

www.atlaspools.eu www.atlaspools.eu

For the pool area, natural pebble is becoming extremely popular and is a pure product providing a natural and practical way to create beautiful swimming pools with an economic use of the earth’s natural resources.

As Atlas Pools in Estepona note, “The mining and extraction methods are licensed and controlled by environmental agencies, and the pebble is used in its natural state and only graded and rinsed.”

A range of pebble colours, combined with natural oxides in the cement, creates a unique variety of water tones. The actual water colour is produced by the refraction of light – as it passes through water – reflecting from the pebble surface. As a result the shades deepen with the pool’s depth to give the most natural look possible.

Long Beach garden dining set from Rausch www.rausch-classics.com

www.atlaspools.eu

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O u t d oo r L i v i n g >

www.gunnitrentino.es

www.concept-building.com

Wood or plastic? This is becoming a common question for home-owners when choosing their decking material.

As Estepona-based Concept Building notes, many opt for hardwood timber decking boards when they are making plans for a new deck for their home.

However, there are many options for creating a beautiful deck for your home, including plastic decking.

Many people choose hardwood decking timber purely for its natural beauty, and it is not until they actually have it installed that they realise how much

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www.gunnitrentino.es

work it is to maintain. “Depending on the size of the boards you choose, there is a higher risk of cupping for wideboards and of course splintering,” warns Concept Building. “Wood is very sensitive to moisture absorption. Because of this, hardwood timber decking requires a thorough and regular oiling, which can be costly, and most suppliers of deck treatment oils recommend this be performed at least twice a year.”

Recycled plastic decking, or eco-decking as it is most commonly known, is quickly becoming the premier choice for homeowners for many reasons, ac-

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www.concept-building.com

www.gunnitrentino.es

www.gunnitrentino.es

www.gunnitrentino.es

cording to Concept Building. Made from wood fibres that have been recycled, together with recycled high density polyethylene plastic, plastic is an extremely environmentally-friendly decking material, and it also offers a non-slip, low maintenance surface that is splinter-free.

Using hidden deck fasteners to fasten the boards together eliminates the appearance of nails or screws, and the materials in eco-decking are colour-fast, “which means they keep their beauty much longer than timber”.

Gunni & Trentino in Marbella have also expanded their business into the decking sphere. They exclusively stock an innovative new product that has been extremely popular among their clientele. The product has the appearance of wood but it is actually a mix of wood and resin and doesn’t require maintenance like traditional wood decking (i.e. no varnish needed).

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O u t d oo r L i v i n g >

Choose a good barbecue (such as Boretti) to ensure tasty, tender food www.pias-chimeneas.com

Firing up the first barbecue of the year usually signifies that summer has officially arrived – or spring in Spain! The barbecue industry is ever-evolving and if you want a product that can grill, roast, fry or boil – or perhaps you want a large gas three-burner or a charcoal kettle – there is always one on the market that can meet your needs.

Choose a well-made model that won’t take you too much time or effort to assemble. Also, a good barbecue should cook tasty tender food that is full of barbecue flavours – an inferior barbecue can leave meat burnt and dry. Don’t be fooled by gadgetry with high-tech features as sometimes design can be key: others might look simplistic but cook very well, so it pays to do adequate research first.

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O u t d oo r L i v i n g >

On a Cloud from Gloster… allowing your mind to drift away www.blackshawinteriordesign.com

Nomad from Gloster… ideal for laidback living and informal socialising www.blackshawinteriordesign.com

Asta from Gloster… stylish and stackable with a seamlessly smooth sit www.blackshawinteriordesign.com

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At home with nature www.blackshawinteriordesign.com Dansk from Gloster… traditional and modern materials combining to create imposing yet welcoming forms www.blackshawinteriordesign.com

Outdoor entertaining can often extend from mornings around the pool, to lunch under a pergola… and evenings chilling out in the garden. So an appropriate variety of practical, stylish and comfortable furniture pieces is paramount for those aspiring to be the best hosts in town.

Fun and funky, the Nomad is the ultimate in contemporary cool.

Nomadic by name and nomadic by nature, these generously sized yet surprisingly light seating blocks are easily moved and re-configured to create almost any arrangement – ideal for today’s trend of laidback living and informal socialising.

The colour-me-perfect Asta is a breakthrough in outdoor furniture design, offering the freedom to change colours to suit any design mood. Stylish and stackable, the tranquil simplicity and freedom of Asta’s lines feature stainless steel frames combined with a seamlessly smooth sit.

Sitting on a Cloud provides a exceptional outdoor experience – with new softer fabrics that are perfect for allowing your mind to drift away on those warm, summer days.

Take all your home comforts and extend them into your outside space to make the most of your time in the Spanish sunshine.

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O u t d oo r L i v i n g > Entertaining outdoors does not come without its hazards. The burning sun during the summer months can make the whole experience quite unbearable if there is not sufficient shade available to enjoy the outdoor space.

Shade Sails give a high level of protection (up to 97 per cent) from the sun and look fantastic in an al fresco bar or restaurant as well as your home, particularly around pools, spas and barbecues, over terraces and children’s play areas – and, indeed, for any other open area that requires shade. They can also provide a cost-effective solution to large areas where minimal support is required. hey come in a range of colours and shapes to help create a practical and eye-catching outdoor space and their clean lines give a very modern look.

Research also shows that skin is in most danger from UV radiation damage in the first 15 years of life. This means that shade should be a priority in areas used by children such as parks, school play areas and pools.

The contemporary custom designs of a shade sail can enhance and rejuvenate areas that were possibly previously unused, due to the sun or lack of shade. They can be directly attached to exterior walls or patio columns and can be supported by timber posts or steel columns secured in concrete footings. They can also be easily taken down seasonally as required.

www.theshadesailcompany.com

www.theshadesailcompany.com

www.theshadesailcompany.com

In Spain, of course, we are fortunate to be able to enjoy outdoor living spaces – and natural light – for long hours during the day. However, it is also still important to maximise our evenings with ambient lighting. LED lights are extremely energy and cost-efficient, with low maintenance, and often do not need to be replaced for nearly a decade.

Fibre optic lighting can bring creative and varying colourful hues, highlighting focal points such as water features, pools and shrubbery. Sol Projects are specialists in the design and installation of domestic and commercial lighting systems, with minimal disruption and disturbance to the homeowner, and they are able to provide experience and sound advice on the effects of good lighting – such as choice of fitting, positioning of lights and quality installation.

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www.solprojects.eu

www.solprojects.eu

www.solprojects.eu

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O u t d oo r L i v i n g >

Paola Lenti offers a complete collection of modular sofas, sun beds, platforms, poufs, armchairs, chairs and tables (from the Ami, Float, Frame and Giro collections)… creating refined leisure areas for relaxing. www.paulalenti.it

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O u t d oo r L i v i n g >

Casasola Muebles has more than 45 years of experience in both interior design and furniture sales on the Costa del Sol, offering a wide and varied range of furniture, statement pieces and ornaments… including for outdoor living. www.mueblescasasola.com

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Gunni & Trentino

Advertisement Promotion

Photo DAVID TOMS davidtomsphotography.com

Gunni & Trentino are universally recognised as true pioneers in modern architecture and interior design.

Established over 40 years ago, the family-run company has become an important name within the world of decoration, not only in Spain but also internationally. With 12 stunning showrooms and offices across Spain alone, Gunni & Trentino can now be found in Kuwait, Miami, Colombia and, soon, Morocco.

Gunni & Trentino’s showroom, situated on the Golden Mile in the prestigious Hotel Marbella Club, is show-stopping in its elegance and sophistication, spanning two large and beautifully designed floors. Working with exciting and upcoming brands such as B&B, Maxalto, Poliform, Agape, Paola Lenti, Vitra, Cassina, Fendi and Devon & Devon, to name but a few, their showroom is an insatiable sight for any contemporary design lover.

If you are currently thinking about buying outdoor furniture, among many of the brands Gunni & Trentino stock, Paola Lenti (which is exclusive to Gunni & Trentino) is a particularly interesting collection. Their modern designs and high-quality materials are durable, weatherproof, easy to maintain and available in a range of vibrant colours that do not fade. Also, for decking, Gunni & Trentino exclusively stock an innovative new product that has been extremely popular among their clientele.

The product has the appearance of wood but it is actually a mix of wood and resin which requires no maintenace unlike traditional wood decking.

In the Marbella showroom you will often find Gonzalo Moreno, son of the original creator of Gunni & Trentino and the young and vibrant current director who is passionate about modern design. He combines his creativity and energy with the experience gained from his family’s heritage, all of which has enabled him to consolidate

an extremely successful showroom that has managed to power through the crisis by obtaining the best prices possible from suppliers without compromising on quality and innovation.

An interesting aspect of Gunni & Trentino is that they also manufacture their own products – something few interior designers can offer. They have their own factory, which can produce a bespoke kitchen, bathroom or wardrobe that is totally personal to your preferences and needs. Some of their works can be seen in the showroom itself.

Gunni & Trentino interior design and project manage the entire reformation, ensuring that the assignment adheres to correct planning, budget control and time management. As Gonzalo Moreno notes, “We’ve been the designers for many residential developments, hotels, restaurants, offices, public spaces and clinics. We have just finished the new Bvlgari Hotel in London, coordinated by Antonio Citterio, which is an example of how high profile our projects can be.

The success of a project depends on many elements but, without any doubt, organisation and project management are paramount to the design and quality provided – which is where we excel. We are a well-structured, strong business with a great deal of experience, so we can guarantee the best execution of a project in all of its essential aspects.”

Gonzalo Moreno Gunni & Trentino Bulevar Alfonso Hohenloe, 42 (Hotel Marbella Club), Marbella Tel. (+34) 951 968 771 marbella@gth.es Open Monday to Friday 10am-2pm and 4.30pm-8pm; Saturday 10am-2pm HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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Living Room >

Solid mahogany, rattan panel, leather cushions and black stainless steel… this model from the Petite Vague and Grande Vague collection was designed by Karen Chekerdjian and Fouad El Hayek (Photo Nadim Asfar and Sandra Fayad) . www.karenchekerdjian.com

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Multi-functional designs from Lithuanian studio Contraforma, including their innovative 10-legged rocking chair. www.contraforma.com

Block colours, prints, patternsâ&#x20AC;Ś where do we start when choosing our sofas and chairs? They are the most important functional piece of furniture in our living room, so they are an important investment. Mixing and matching is now perfectly acceptable: putting a neutral sofa next to a brightly coloured wall or rug, or alternatively a patterned sofa in an otherwise insipid room, can bring much-needed life to a living room. Chairs do not necessarily have to match sofas, particularly if they are accent chairs, so get inspired with colours and textures...

One of the most popular new trends in chairs is the accent model. This comprises additional seating that is placed in strategic locations around a room, either positioned to complement the textures and colours of, perhaps, a sofa or placed separately to create a totally different seating area within the room itself.

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Living Room >

Elegant, top-quality designer fabrics from Cort Idea www.cortidea.com

Designed by Karen Chekerdjian Studio and inspired by the roof-lines of Japanese temples, the Papillon has a distinctive Asian feel. Originally designed for a 90-centimetre high table, these chairs stand mid-way between a bar stool and a normal chair but are also available in a standard height. (Photo: Nadim Asfar). www.karenchekerdjian.com

An accent chair could be a chaise longue or a chair that is a standard straight-back, leather or even rocking chair. You do not have to invest a great deal of money in an accent chair; you just need to find one that will give the room a lift.

Go crazy with a pattern or a bright colour if your sofas are in block neutral colours. If a room is very pale, zip it up with a flash of colour – maybe emerald green or bright red ottoman to give it the wow factor.

Fabric textures have been toned down in recent times and flat woven plain fabric seems more popular, as it has more sheen. Chenille has been overtaken by experimental new yarns to create a more touchyfeely fabric. Metallic colours have also toned down and become more subtle, with gold and bronze being replaced by pearly copper and cognac tones.

Ultra-comfortable and functional Milano sofa from Imperial Furniture www.imperialoutlet.com

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Outdoor Kitchens,Barbecues & Outdoor Heaters Wood & Pellet Burning Stoves Wood, Gas and Bioethano l Fireplaces Free-Standing Fires,Fire Pits & Table Top Fires

Chimeneas, Fire and Design S.L. Calle el Califa 564, Nueva Andalucia, Marbella 29660 Tel: 951 275 693 - Mob: 617 649 583 info@pias-chimeneas.com - www.pias-chimeneas.com

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Living Room >

Sofas Taking Centre Stage The sofa is the centrepiece of any living room – offering both decorative and functional qualities – and these days it can be found not only in the living room but also in the kitchen, outdoor areas and even the bedroom.

Returning to the living room, the sofa must be comfortable and the correct size for the room shape. To that end, you can buy convertible and recliner sofas. The contemporary-style sofa is often in neutral or solid colours, beige, khaki, white, black, grey, taupe and chocolate brown. Common

vivid colours also available include lime green, burnt orange and deep red.

Pair vintage with contemporary and the contrast results in an elegant chic look. Missoni are famous for their zigzag design. Their sofas are busy and vibrant in colour and look great in a neutral contemporary room, giving the living space a focal point.

But let’s not shy away from floral prints, textures and patterns on our sofas: when placed in a neutral room, the contrast gives a striking look.

Vibrant Margherite sofa (left) and Goldenage poolside set from Missoni Home www.missonihome.it

Innovative Fusion of Urban Styles In recent years design has experienced an intriguing fusion of styles across seemingly diametrically opposed areas of expertise. One classic example of two contrasting industries finding common ground in the studio is the marriage of motoring and interior decoration, and the latest pair to become betrothed are furniture brand BoConcept and automobile manufacturer smart.

The result is the “smart fortwo BoConcept signature style” and a matching collection of BoConcept furniture and accessories.

As collection director Claus Ditlev Jensen from BoConcept explains, “To me, a smart is not just a car. It is a statement of urban living and the perfect city car in terms of beautiful, functional design. Both smart and BoConcept… put our knowledge and understanding to great use in making urban life easy. We share the commitment to and strong focus on urban life, which results in intelligent design that is cutting-edge and beautiful to look at.”

Adds Martin Hülder, head of smart marketing and product management, “The first premise of smart is to make life more colourful and stress-free in the cities.

For us this job is done when people arrive happily and safely at home. And right on the doorstep BoConcept takes over. Together we offer people the perfect solutions for urban life – for busy streets and cosy living.”

The smartville chair resembles a car seat with a clean and hi-tech look, but still has the comfort people expect from a living chair.

The smartville sofa is quite masculine with its volume and boxy shape, but the wavy surface and soft edges and corners transform it into a casual, welcoming and comfortable sofa.

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Finally, a truly modern look is captured by the smartville coffee table with its organic shape and minimalistic design.

BoConcept. Mijas Tel. 951 242 092 malaga@boconcept.es • www.boconcept.es

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Fairs & Exhibitions >

Innovation in Milan

THE INTERNATIONAL HOME, DESIGN, DÉCOR AND ART EXHIBITION ROAD SHOW MOVES INTO TOP GEAR THIS SPRING WITH THE PACESETTING SALONE INTERNAZIONALE DEL MOBILE IN MILAN (9-14 APRIL). PREVIOUSLY, EXHIBITORS WILL BE SHOWING THEIR LATEST COLLECTIONS AT THE BIENNALE INTERNATIONALE DESIGN SAINT-ÉTIENNE (14-31 MARCH), WHILE THE 105TH EDITION OF THE IDEAL HOME SHOW IN LONDON RUNS FROM 15 MARCH TO 1 APRIL.

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Milan will once again offer a fascinating window on the world of design and creativity with the 52nd edition of the Salone Internazionale del Mobile running from 9 to 14 April under the banner “Milan: Interiors of Tomorrow”.

Innovation will be the watchword as the organisers unveil previously unseen home furnishing, lighting and office solutions, as well as the International Furnishing Accessories Exhibition and the biennial Euroluce/International Lighting Exhibition and SaloneUfficio/International Workspace Exhibition, accompanied by other events linked to design, art and culture in the city’s fairgrounds.

Another highlight will be SaloneSatellite, for designers under 35 and geared to the theme “Craftsmanship & Design: Together for Industry”.

Also this year there will be a competition for the three best prototypes, while specially conceived for the Saloni 2013 is French architect Jean Nouvel’s “Project: Office for Living.” The 2008 Pritzker Prize winner’s exhibit will be set out over a 1,200 square metre space inside the SaloneUfficio pavilions, illustrating several different scenarios that give full rein to the main strands of his vision of the workspace: “mobility, conviviality, pleasure, fun, with offices opening onto both the inside and the outside of the building, a rejection of cloned spaces, enclosed spaces and the serial repetitiveness that so often characterises offices and their totalitarian nature”.

More information at: www.cosmit.it

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Empathy in Saint Étienne The eighth edition of the Biennale Internationale Design runs from 14 to 31 March in Saint-Étienne – a UNESCO creative city of design since 2010. The principal theme of the 2013 show is “Empathy, or Experiencing the Other”… “exploring the different issues that an empathetic society generates, and its capacity to re-build the world; what it proposes, but also the risks involved”.

More information at: www.citedudesign.com (Photo: Pierre Grasset)

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Travel & Getaways >

Regal Splendour A LONG, LUXURIOUS WEEKEND IN SEVILLA Words by Andrew Forbes

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The Hotel Alfonso XIII in Andalucía’s capital is a world-class property, a luxurious address to call home for a few days.

There’s probably no better time to experience the unique flavour of Sevilla than during spring. Towards the end of March is Easter’s Holy Week, known as Semana Santa in Spain, the city takes its Easter rituals and processions very seriously, and the streets are filled with the extraordinary spectacle of ornate processions.

Then a little later in April the social season starts in Sevilla with the Feria de Abril or April Fair, a passionate cel-

ebration of local culture and all that is quintessentially Andalucían. It is rich in folk history, colour, music, gastronomy, dance and corridas, with bullfighters dressed in their elaborately embroidered “suits of lights”.

Take a stroll through the historic parks at this time and expect to see vintage carriages carrying ladies in vibrant, polka dot flamenco-style dresses accompanied by men in traditional broad hats, short jackets and fitted trousers.

In the heart of this intoxicating capital is one of the city’s most extraordinary

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buildings, the Hotel Alfonso XIII. This magnificent Luxury Collection landmark hotel has recently undergone a total restoration, elevating its status to a world-class property, a decadent address for a long, luxurious weekend.

Opened in 1929 for the Ibero-American Expo, the five-star Hotel Alfonso XIII celebrates Andalucía’s Moorish heritage in the style of a genuine European grand hotel. Its striking Neo-Mudéjar architecture echoes the other grand buildings constructed for this world fair, including the nearby Plaza de España, the towers of which mark the city skyline.

This is the lavish Sevilla of the 1920s. Stepping inside the spacious lobby, one is transported to a bygone era. Beyond is the large, open Andalucían patio, decorated with scented orange trees and with a classic Moorish fountain at its centre.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast here reading the international press or later take afternoon tea. In the evenings the terrace is part of the hotel’s formal, fine dining San Fernando Restaurant. The upscale menu includes the famous Sirloin Wellington, said to be King Alfonso XIII’s favourite dish.

For something more informal but no less elegant, try the Taifas Restaurant set in the pool gardens. Striking design sets the scene for tempting Mediterranean and North African cuisine, including stone-baked pizzas, lamb kebabs and classic Andalucían salmorejo.

Guest suites are flawless, with immaculate vintage décor, soft, luxurious linens and spacious, updated bathrooms with rain forest showers and indulgent amenities.

A drink in the hotel’s American Bar provides a moment to savour the atmosphere of this wonderful building. Sipping a signaHOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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Travel & Getaways >

ture martini, prepared by one of talented mixologists, is the perfect opportunity to peoplewatch among the movers and shakers of this capital city.

For a different side of Sevilla nightlife, head to the lively district of Santa Cruz - it is one of the best areas for “tapas-hopping”. The narrow streets lined with orange trees are full of idiosyncratic bars, each with their own twist on Andalucía’s favourite snack, the tapa. Discover your favourites by ordering a few tapas in each bar you come to and, before long, the city will feel like home.

TRIP FILE Hotel Alfonso XIII San Fernando, Sevilla Tel. 954 917 000 www.hotel-alfonsoxiii-seville.com

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Travel & Getaways >

From Spanish snow pistes… to palm-fringed Caribbean beaches Travellers enjoying the diverse attractions of Meliá Hotels’ international chain of establishments have been able to take advantage of several new options this year, including two recently opened hotels in Madrid, revamped restaurant and bar amenities in Punta Cana and the inauguration of a spa-wellness centre in Sierra Nevada.

Officially presented at the Fitur tourism fair in Madrid in February, Innside Madrid Génova and Innside Madrid Luchana are located in the heart of the capital city. According to Meliá, the aim of the new hotels is to “add the ingredient of style and originality to business trips” – following the company’s acquisition of German brand Innside in 2007.

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Meanwhile, in the picturesque mountain slopes of Granada province, Meliá Sol y Nieve and Meliá Sierra Nevada, consolidated their “après ski” amenities over winter with the opening of the YHI Wellness spa.

Further afield, in the Caribbean, the “all-inclusive” Paradisus Punta Cana luxury resort opened the new Gabi restaurant and bar and exclusive La Palapa restaurant. As part of its newly introduced concept of “Royal Service”, La Palapa offers a modern gastronomic experience in an eclectic ambience

combining décor inspired by the ‘50s and ‘60s and contemporary styles.

The restaurant’s Sky Bar is for the exclusive use of Royal Service clients, with neo-iconic decorative features such as woollen seats that pay tribute to French designer Lalanne.

TRIP SITE www.meliá.com HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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Property Showcase >

Innovative Splendour IN A MAJESTIC SETTING

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This spectacular villa in La Zagaleta seems to defy the laws of gravity. Extending over 2,000 square metres of built area and overlooking the Mediterranean like a watchtower, the house was constructed on various levels â&#x20AC;&#x201C; in the form of storeys superimposed with cantilevers more than three metres long.

The storeys have been distributed in such a way as to ensure the structural lines of movement always face the sea, making it seem much closer, almost tangibleâ&#x20AC;Ś The architecture by ARK features pure and con-

temporary lines with a significant Eastern influence, both in concept and shape. The result is a stunning loft highlighted by dynamic spaces and translucent natural light.

Created as a perfect complement to the villa, the spa comprises a complete thermal circuit and latest-generation fittings and rooms.

With its finely-tuned focus on aesthetics, elegance and functionality, the villa has an exceptional individual character.

Redefining the Concept of Architecture, Landscape and Interiors ARK is committed to ongoing research into different traditional materials such as iron, mortar and copper and the application of modern state-of-the-art techniques, meaning it is able to achieve eye-catching results with all its projects.

The company is also closely involved with interior decoration, not in an isolated fashion, but creating the home as a whole, with the landscape, exterior HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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Property Showcase >

design, architecture and decoration all coming together to ensure a harmonious finished home.

With more than 10 years experience in the construction sector, ARK comprises a multi-disciplinary team of technical architects specialising in the different fields of building and town planning. The company currently has two offices well-equipped with all the necessary resources and offering the highest quality standards.

In designing spaces that are completely devoid of

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visual barriers, ARK achieves a perfect symbiosis between distinctive architectural styles to ensure maximum advantage is taken of Mediterranean light.

An intelligent mix of light and shadow, and warmth and freshness, finds its way into all the corners of an ARK home. Lofty windows let in as much natural light as possible and small strategically placed details provide intimacy and privacy.

Committed to excellence, ARK pays special attention to materials, selecting them all meticulously,

and also gives the same importance to landscape and surroundings as to the actual house itself – “since we are dealing with living things”.

ARK Arquitectos Sotogrande Tel. 956 793 166 info@ark-arquitectos.com www.ark-arquitectos.com

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Garden Landscape >

Better gardens with less water

BY CLODAGH AND DICK HANDSCOMBE

Last year was exceptionally dry for many gardens and 2013 seems to be starting the same way. So in this edition we look at what can be done to reduce the watering requirements of gardens and the need to use town water to meet even reduced needs, by saving more rain water. The objective is to have a better garden with a significantly lower water bill.

Reducing Water Losses The first thing is to increase the percentage of highly and moderately drought-resistant plants in the garden. If you glance through the recommended plant lists, with botanical English and Spanish names, in the book “Your Garden in Spain – From planning to planting and maintenance” there are a good number to choose from. But purchasing these plants achieves little if they are not prepared well for sale in garden centres, planted well and watered effectively until they have put down the deep and spreading roots that enable them to survive with little water.

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Before doing anything it is important to recognise that, in most gardens, only a small percentage of the water used to water plants is actually taken in by the roots of the plants. Most is lost in four ways…

• Evaporation from the surface of the soil, especially if baked hard: where this occurs micro capillary tubes form through the hard crust, via which moisture vapour escapes.

• Drainage down through open soils with low water absorption capability.

• Rapid sideways losses as the dry soil around the plants being watered draws water away by suction, like a dry sponge takes up water.

• Sideways surface run-off, especially on baked hard sloping ground.

The enormous loss of water by surface evaporation can be considerably reduced by mulching the soil around plants, which includes small plants shrubs and trees. In our booklet “Making Waterless Gardens a Practical Reality Worldwide” we describe

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29 forms of mulching. These range from a layer of well-rotted compost from a compost heap to un-composted shredded materials from the winter cutback; a thick layer of ground volcanic rocks around plants on rockeries to stone chippings laid over black plastic sheeting around fruit trees; and leaving leaves to rot under hedges to close living mulch ground cover plantings that ensure the sun never reaches the surface of the soil.

Incidentally, mulching has a number of benefits beyond preventing the surface of soil from drying out and reducing the formation of capillary tubes in the upper layers of the soil. For instance: • Irrigation tubing can be hidden under mulches.

• Rain water can be transported on top of black plastic sheeting covered with stone chippings.

• Roots can be kept cool in hot weather.

• The chance of weeds germinating and growing is reduced.

• Roots are protected from frost damage during cold winter spells.

• Reduces chance of run-off losses.

Sideways losses and downward drainage losses can be reduced by improving the water holding properties of the soil. The best ways are to work in 10 to 30 per cent of well-rotted compost and animal manures into the soil plus the use of TerraCottem soil improvement gel at the base of planting holes and in container compost. (Check out www.terravida.es for more information – they are based in Fuengirola.)

Semi-dappled and partial shade is also important in reducing watering needs. Many plants grow easier if they are not in full sun all day. Indeed, if you want to grow summer vegetables, even sun-loving tomatoes peppers and aubergines grow well if out of the sun for half the day, and you don’t have everything ripening at once.

If you plant things in a container use sealed non-porous ones or place plastic pots inside terracotta pots and use drip trays under containers. Use only good quality composts. Buying the cheapest is often false economy, as their ability to partially dry out and then expand again to absorb water is often low.

Lastly, do wean new plants off being watered daily, as often happens in nurseries these days. A deep watering every three or seven days will create healthier, more water-resistant plants than a shallow daily watering, and you will have fewer pest problems.

Collecting and Distributing Rain Water There are numerous practical ideas for collecting as much rain water as possible and then distributing it wisely in “Making Waterless Gardens a Practical Reality Worldwide”. Here we highlight the following seven ideas: 1. Ensure there is a continuous retaining wall around your property, even if just a single breezeblock one, to ensure that no rain water runs into adjacent properties. If part of your land floods if will soon soak into the soil and do no harm.

2. Fix guttering to at least one of the longest eves and run the water to the largest water tank you can afford. Build the tank under a terrace, in an under-build, or hide with shrubs.

3. If you are having a swimming pool built add underground storage tanks at one or both ends under the terraces around the pool. Slope the terraces so that rain water runs into the tanks. Water can be pumped from there to where required in the garden.

4. Have perennial or shrub beds below the drip line of large evergreen trees such as a carob or large rubber tree.

5. Have raised front edges on all terraces on a sloping piece of land so that surface rain water is retained on the terrace.

6. Have shrub beds or raised beds under eves where there is no guttering.

7. If you do nothing more, place a line of plastic builders’ buckets under an eve to catch rain water for filling watering cans or distributing with a small solar pump.

All these tips can save you from having to sacrifice the swimming pool water, as happened in many gardens in Andalucía a few years ago.

Holistic gardeners and authors who have lived in Spain for 25 years, Clodagh and Dick Handscombe’s main books can be obtained from high street bookshops such as Bookworld and Carrefour and internet bookshops including Amazon Bookworld and Santana Books. Each of their books can be of great help when designing, revamping, constructing, planting and maintaining your garden – however small or large.

More information at: www.gardenspain.com HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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First Person >

Interview with

Patricia Darch FOR THE PAST 25 YEARS, PATRICIA DARCH’S DESIGN SHOWROOM NEAR SOTOGRANDE MARINA HAS BEEN A SOURCE OF INSPIRATION FOR CLIENTS SEEKING EXCLUSIVE FURNITURE AND TEXTILE LINES FROM LUXURY ITALIAN COMPANIES AND TOP SPANISH DESIGNERS… GLAMOROUS, REFINED AND CONTEMPORARY DESIGNS THAT RESONATE A BROAD SENSE OF HARMONY AND BALANCE WITHIN THE HOME.

Do you travel regularly around the rest of Spain? Any favourite place?

I travel to Madrid and Valencia. Absolutely adore Galicia.

What would have been your second choice as a profession?

A doctor.

What future trends do you envisage in the industry?

I see a move away to a softer look both in furnishings and fabrics. More eclectic whilst staying with a contemporary feel. Lots of wallpaper and metallic wall effects. Glamorous crystal lighting…

What originally brought you to the Costa del Sol? I arrived on the Costa del Sol early in 1975 in search of adventure and a new life – also a chance to learn native Spanish.

What is it you like most about living on the Costa del Sol? I love the quality of life, and the weather of course, but also the Spanish people, especially in Andalucía, who have always been most welcoming. I have been fortunate to have made deep and lasting friendships and been able to realise my dream of forming companies within the interior design industry.

Your favourite place on the Coast? Why? Sotogrande, without a doubt! It has an amazing combination of being both rural and cosmopolitan, surrounded by beautiful countryside, good sportive choices and a safe haven for children. A relaxed way of life and a good working environment…

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What and/or who are the inspirations for your work?

My inspiration comes from my surroundings, architecture and visiting trade fairs.

I also love the personal contact from our clients and have learned to interpret how people would like to see their projects evolve.

Why did you decide to open a showroom in Gibraltar?

Gibraltar is a very vibrant place to be. Interesting people who are not afraid to take a risk… and we have been very lucky to find a lovely showroom and wonderful staff. We have received a great reception to our style from everyone who steps into the showroom, so we hope to be there for a very long time.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I am an inveterate traveller. I love to lose myself in books as the greatest form of relaxation on the planet. Spend quality time with my husband and family and even in my spare time I still love to catch up with the latest trends in design and architecture. I love Pilates, walking, swimming and skiing.

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www.interiorsinspain.com

What is your favourite Spanish dish? And wine?

My favourite Spanish dish is anything with fish and seafood. A good red wine would be my choice of drink.

If you could arrange a dinner party with any three people of your choice, who would they be?

Barack Obama, Hugh Jackman... and my husband of course!

What word or phrase do you think your family and friends would use to define you? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I want it all and I want it now!â&#x20AC;?

What is the best thing about being a woman? And the worst?

The best thing about being a woman is learning to choose the right time to manipulate any situation into the way you feel it should be. The worst is allowing anyone to treat you with disrespect Any special goal in life that you have not fulfilled yet?

There are still places I would like to see but my main goal is to keep healthy and be able to carry on with future expansion with our special brand of interior design.

Patricia Darch Interior Design and Projects Tel. (+34) 956 615 350 www.interiorsinspain.com

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Contemporary Living A modern project of inspired quality, creativity and eleganceâ&#x20AC;Ś designed for the 21st century

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P roonpteerm C tpyoSrhaorw y cL a i vsien g > >

Photo: David Toms

Villa Fortuna The Birth of a Concept

IN THIS FIRST ARTICLE OF A THREEPART SERIES CHRONICLING THE BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER CONSTRUCTION PROCESS OF AN EXCEPTIONAL VILLA IN LA ZAGALETA, WE INTRODUCE THE INNOVATIVE CONCEPT AND CREATIVE TEAM BEHIND THE PROJECT.

By Michel Cruz.

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Up in the foothills of the majestic Sierra Bermeja mountain range a villa of exquisite taste, proportion and finishing is taking shape, occupying one of the very best locations in the prized millionaire’s retreat of La Zagaleta. Above all, this singular modern home is the product of a design concept that brings together some of the finest talents in Marbella.

From its prominent hillside position, Villa Fortuna commands inspiring views of a broad swathe of coastline all the way back to the green hills amongst which it is so privately set. It’s a rare feat even in ultra-exclusive La Zagaleta, and one not normally available to new-built properties, no matter how large and impressive they are. With all the best locations long since gone, most of the latter find themselves in newer, less ideal settings. You might say it’s the compromise of building a modern home entirely to your own desires, but what gives this elegant modern villa an edge is the fact that it does exactly that whilst occupying one of the choicest spots around.

The ability to start from a blank canvas in a prime location and create a stunning modern home is more unique than many may realise, but it is exactly what is happening here. Once completed, the original property – the third villa to have been built in La Zagaleta – will be transformed into a new statement of elegance and refinement, but with all the benefits of an established position.

SETTING A NEW STANDARD To do such a project justice a team was assembled made up of outstanding professionals in their fields – construction, home technology, décor, landscaping and, of course, architecture. “This project represents an opportunity to create something truly special, so it needed the best team available to realise it,” says Carlos Lamas, the noted Argentinean architect whose role it has been to develop the design concept of Villa Fortuna.

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Contemporary Living >

Photo: David Toms

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“We wanted to create a truly spectacular modern home that would be a showcase of refined contemporary living,” says Carlos, “but in this concept there was no room for compromise on location, so we found a solution that combines the best of both elements.”

As the designer of some of the most evocative modern homes along this stretch of the Mediterranean, Lamas is in his element when shaping villas around luxury 21st century aesthetics and lifestyles.

“Our concept was not to create an avantgarde home that looks fantastic in magazines but would be impractical and unpleasant to live in. A true modern design reference is one that looks amazing and sets new standards but also functions on a personal level. What we are creating here, after all, is not a public icon but a private villa where a family will live, entertain and feel at home. It is with this brief to ourselves in mind that we set out to design a luxury living concept that transcends fads and trends, and has the credentials to become a modern classic.”

AN ASSEMBLY OF TALENT Know-how is something accumulated through training and experience, but when combined with innate talent this expertise rises above the rest to produce work of inspired quality and creativity. Add passion to the potion and you reach the pinnacle of every field and profession. It is exactly such a team of professionals that has gathered to contribute their respective skill sets to this project, with Udo of Atlas Group ensuring the highest standards of construction, Victor Periañez of Illusion responsible for state-of-the-art home entertainment and automated systems, and Gonzalo Moreno of Gunni & Trentino heading up the bespoke interior dressing of the villa.

This desire to work with the best also ensures the collaboration of suppliers and companies such as Román Clavero, the leading window and door makers in this region.

The villa that is the product of their combined skills occupies a convex contour of a hilly promontory, a fact from which it derives its imposing panorama – but in spite of which the property appears remarkably level. “We have resisted creating a cavernous house or one that

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“Know-how is something accumulated through training and experience, but when combined with innate talent this expertise rises above the rest to produce work of inspired quality and creativity”

Photo: David Toms

is steeply terraced,” says Udo, “and have worked hard to create a pleasant flow to the home and its grounds, whilst incorporating all the space, amenities and luxuries you would expect of a villa of this stature.”

The design and construction process have been far more complicated than is the case with a property built from scratch, whilst the setting has on occasion required inventive ways of finding solutions to technical challenges, but the end result is well worth it. “This is a very special project where we have employed a lot of uniquely-designed elements and the most high-tech construction methods along with the finest materials,” says Udo, “and it will show in what will be a modern villa of rare quality.”

CUSTOM-MADE TECHNOLOGY In a home of this kind everything is bespoke and made-to-measure. “There are no standardised spaces so there are no standardised materials and components,” says Carlos Lamas. “It would in any case not fit in with our premise, so standardisation has no place in this project.”

In modern luxury homes of this standard there is a tendency to revert to elements that are especially hand-made. Although this is a reversion to the individualistic craftsmanship of a bygone era one should not assume it results in classical styles. “The beauty of letting specialist craftsmen create things is that it can be whatever you want – modern or classical.” In this case

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Contemporary Living >

the styling is contemporary and employs the latest technology and materials in combination with personalised production.

As a result everything – from windows and doors, soft furnishings and the kitchen to the indoor pool, water features, lighting and electronic systems – is designed and created especially for Villa Fortuna.

Under the guidance of José Carlos Román Ocaña, Roman Clavero are creating doors, windows and dressing rooms from the finest woods and modern synthetic materials. Renowned for their ability to produce frames and glazing to any imaginable style, configuration and arrangement, Román Clavero have fitted the most luxurious villas and resort hotels in this part of Spain, and are designing a series of features yet to be seen elsewhere.

In addition to panoramic fold-away glass screens these include a glass ledge on the first floor balcony that is comfortable to walk on but also allows

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natural light to flow onto the ground floor terrace and the living room. Other features include his and hers dressing areas made to professional boutique standards and integrated with ambience and sensorcontrolled lighting created by automation specialists Illusion.

In order to set a mood for the home that is both modern and homely, Victor Periañez and his team are applying different lighting types and technologies that incorporate both technical and decorative fixtures. Divided into ambient, functional indoor and outdoor lighting, they come together in an interplay that is designed with each individual area’s space, natural light and use in mind.

Integral within this aesthetic brief is the desire to create a system that is optimally energy-efficient and incorporated into the villa’s automated network, so that the entire system can be controlled from a single touch screen or personalised hand-

held device. Dimmers that even work on LEDs and fluorescents are used in the home’s lighting circuits and set into the stone walls, while sensors negate the need to fumble in the dark or waste electricity.

Illusion have also designed an Ethernet network that will operate high-speed internet access as well as the state-of-the-art audio-visual installations. The system, which also controls climate settings, irrigation, security, cameras, water features and electric curtains and shutters, is easily operable from an in-wall iPad dock station, fixed touch panels in the main bedroom suites, a hand-held iPad dock station in the living room and a waterproof touch panel for use in the indoor pool. Using this custom-designed electronic control system you can not only enjoy a magic mirror TV in the master bedroom, and wall projection in the indoor spa, but also automatically simulate your normal light patterns while away.

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Photo: David Toms

BESPOKE DESIGN In a seven-bedroom, six-bathroom villa resplendent with technology and constructed with super load-bearing concrete girders normally reserved for commercial buildings the decoration represents the icing on the cake. As everywhere the approach is a bespoke design fitted entirely to the shape, orientation, ambience and, above all, concept of this unique home.

“Our challenge has been to create a refined and comfortable contemporary living environment that matches the stunning location and the architectural

finesse of Villa Fortuna,” says Gonzalo Moreno, who leads the personalised design solutions being created by Gunni & Trentino’s interior architecture team.

This high-end brand can draw on an inspiring range of products and materials for kitchens, bathrooms and living spaces, yet for this project Gonzalo is using a hand-picked selection of limited series collection items and custom-made pieces.

“A design like this is not made in abstract on a drawing board. You have to visit the site, get to know it, and in the process see how the light works and the views can be brought into the design. In doing this

we realised that it is a sunny location, so we opted for high-quality mat ceramic tiles that retain the feel of stone combined with the ease of porcelain and no glare. Another challenge is to create a sense of style for the property that is subtly identifiable yet avoids repetition in different rooms. As a result, each and every room has an individual ambience and quality that is matched to its lighting, size and usage.”

The bedroom floors, therefore, are dressed in noble, stained oak that creates a wonderfully restful and cosseting ambience. The kitchen exudes all the elegance of a modern cooking and dining space, while

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Contemporary Living > “Our challenge has been to create a refined and comfortable contemporary living environment that matches the stunning location and the architectural finesse of Villa Fortuna”

“A true modern design reference is one that looks amazing and sets new standards but also functions on a personal level”

the bathrooms have the look and feel of a private spa, complete with gorgeous walk-in rainshowers and freestanding baths. All these spaces are decorated with the finest hand-made cabinetry, collectable Italian pieces, decorative elements and artwork, as well as integrating high-tech gadgetry such as domotics, touchscreen controls and flatscreen televisions in a way that adds to, rather than detracts from, the visual effect.

21ST CENTURY LUXURY Transforming an existing property into a signature modern home requires conceptual skill on the part of the architect and organisational and technical expertise from the teams involved in its

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construction. “Usually there are all kinds of compromises when you embark upon a project of this kind, but we have limited our concessions to the bare minimum by forcing ourselves to come up with solutions that are visually and functionally elegant and in keeping with our concept,” says Carlos Lamas.

The result is a free-flowing villa full of light and dramatic perspectives whose treatment of volumes is such that it belies the actual space. Rather than producing an unending succession of Bauhaus-like right angles, the architect has allowed his pencil to leave the ruler and weave sensual forms that are modern yet without the need for cold regimentation of form. “This ability to escape

the bonds of straight lines allows us to work with the natural shape of the land, the angled vistas, and create parabolic focal points that offer a diversity of perspectives to enjoy from the stylish living room, the terrace, garden and pool deck, the bedroom suites, the state-of-the-art kitchen and even the indoor pool and spa.”

And so Villa Fortuna takes shape in the green hills of La Zagaleta, promising to become a singular property even here. In the words of Carlos Lamas, “It really is a transformation; in a few months time, where construction is taking place now you will enter a private domain created around a concept of modern style and elegance designed for the 21st century.”

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“We have employed a lot of uniquely-designed elements and the most high-tech construction methods along with the finest materials, and it will show in what will be a modern villa of rare quality”

Photo: David Toms

Contacts Atlas Group: Tel. 951 272 140; www.atlasbuild.eu Illusion: Tel. 952 781 669; www.e-illusion.es Gunni & Trentino: Tel. 951 968 771; www.gunnitrentino.es Román Clavero: Tel. 952 894 149; www.romanclavero.com Carlos Lamas: Tel. 609 572 275; www.carloslamas.com HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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P H OTO G R A P H Y

WEDDINGSPORTRAITSARCHITECTUREPROPERTYDECOR FASHIONEDITORIALARTFOODEVENTSCORPORATESTUDIO +34 690 656 120 info@davidtoms-wedding.com info@davidtomsphotography www.davidtomsphotography.com

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Gourmet Cuisine Restaurante Arzak: Culinary Art Deli Delights: Gastronomic Gems Spanish Recipes: “Liquid Gold”

Photo: www.lachinata.es

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A La Carte >

Restaurante Arzak ARTISTIC EXPERIMENTATION BY THE PATRIARCH OF “NEW BASQUE” GASTRONOMY

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When Juan Mari Arzak’s grandparents set up a wine tavern in 1897, in a village that is now part of San Sebastián, the quality of the wines was so poor it was known as the “vinegar tavern”.

Today, Restaurante Arzak is one of only five three-star Michelin establishments in Spain and Arzak is internationally recognised as the father of “New Basque” cuisine, having pioneered Spain’s culinary revolution of reinterpreting tradition classics – popularly known as “molecular gastronomy”.

After taking over the tavern from his parents (his mother taught him to cook and he initially specialised in roasted meat), Arzak converted it into a restaurant in the 1960s, and his exceptional cooking not only quickly became noticed by the locals but also to a wider audience. He received his first Michelin star in 1974 and three stars in 1989 – and he has maintained them ever since.

Ferran Adrià and his El Bulli restaurant in Cataluña might have give this Spanish revolution a global dimension but it was Arzak who led the way, experimenting with liquid nitrogen and other modern techniques and artisanal ingredients long before his colleagues.

Over the past 40 years he has remained true to the same principle: a constant reinvention of food through experimentation – or “investigation” in his words.

The restaurant’s favourites include fresh oysters, crayfish, fish soup, hake, stuffed sweet peppers, pheasant and partridge, done the Arzak way of course… strikingly visual but unpretentious.

One of his most famous dishes is pate made from the scorpion fish, while other Arzak innovations include monkfish with bronzed onion and lamb injected with freeze-dried beer.

Arzak attributes the success of the “New Basque” cuisine phenomenon to local tradition and an obsession with good cooking and eating. “The only thing that I know is that we have a passion for cooking, and this also applies to the regular people in the city who love to cook as well.”

San Sebastian is the city with the second highest number of Michelin stars, per capita, in the world – behind Kyoto in Japan – and is number one when it comes to stars per square kilometre.

Last December Arzak’s restaurant was ranked eighth at the S. Pellegrino and Acqua Panna World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards, while his daughter and joint head chef Elena was presented with the Veuve Clicquot world’s best female chef award. The tradition continues… into a fourth generation.

Restaurante Arzak Donostia, San Sebastian Tel. 943 278 465 / 943 285 593 Closed: Sundays & Mondays; 16 June to 3 July & 3-27 November Medium price: €180 plus drinks & IVA www.arzak.info HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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Gourmet Delicacies >

Spanish Deli FROM FINE WINES TO MOUTH-WATERING IBERIAN CURED HAM, AND OLIVE OIL TO GAZPACHO, SPAIN’S DELICATESSENS OFFER A VERITABLE POTPOURRI OF CULINARY DELIGHTS FOR FOOD LOVERS… In the heart of Marbella is a true culinary gem for discerning foodies. The Oleoteca delicatessen’s tantalising stock includes the La Chinita gourmet selection, mostly products made from their finest virgin extra olive oil, but also including vinegars, honeys and salts – as well as cosmetic products based on the natural properties of virgin extra olive oil.

In addition, in response to modern catering requests and following “exhaustive research” into frying processes, they have launched several vegetable fats to fulfil the needs of restaurants and the food industry.

Avda. Miguel Cano 6, Marbella Tel. 952 828 053 oleotecamarbella@gmail.com

Ibericlands Delights is an online gourmet shop offering artisanal products from throughout Spain, including hams, wines, olive oils, cheeses, olives, pickles, jams, gazpacho, tomato sauces, juices and vegetable creams. www.ibericlands.com

Handing out chocolate eggs at Easter time might not yet have caught on in Spain but it remains a time-honoured tradition in other countries, including Britain.

Featured here are two tempting treats from Marks & Spencer’s luxury collection: orange-flavoured egg with pistachio and truffles; and milk chocolate lattice net. www.marksandspencer.com / www.marksandspencer.eu.es

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Spanish Cuisine >

And a touch of olive oil…

Of Andalucía’s eight provinces, Jaén is arguably the least well known. Even its most famous export remains something of a secret. Jaén is the world’s premier olive oil producer (over 20 per cent) but much of it is “re-marketed” as Italian and even US produce.

Just two and a half hours by road from the Costa del Sol, the province has a rich cultural heritage – and some of the most exquisite cuisine in Andalucía. One of its most venerable cities, Úbeda is currently hosting the 12th edition of the Jornadas Gastronómicas en el Renacimiento. Continuing until 22 March, this Renaissance-orientated gastronomy event understandably places great emphasis on the use of the city’s star culinary ingredient, “liquid gold”. Not all of us will be able to make it there this year so we asked three of the local restaurants participating in this annual gastronomic extravaganza to reveal how they incorporate olive oil (extra virgin, of course) into their signature dishes.

Las Casas del Cónsul www.lascasasdelconsul.com

Amaranto

Al Andalus

www.restauranteamaranto.es

www.restauranteasadorandalus.com

Cream of Artichoke

Oxtail Ravioli

Suckling Pig

(serves two)

(serves four)

(serves six)

Ingredients: 200 gr artichokes. 2 eggs 200 gr níscolos (mushrooms) 150 gr chestnuts. 50 gr lard 125 gr flour. 200 ml milk salt, pepper 1 wedge of cheese (150 gr) 2-3 lt water (S. Cazorla) 3 pieces of lemon, olive oil (virgin extra)

Ingredients: 250 gr oxtail beef (stewed traditional style) pasta for ravioli broth from stewed ox tail sweet wine 100 gr “payoyo” goat’s cheese 100 gr fresh goat’s milk fresh aromatic herbs truffle oil quince

Ingredients: suckling pig olive oil (extra virgin) rosemary orange rind salt pepper 1 cuarrécano (large pumpkin) garlic chorizo pepper chilli peppers 3-4 artichokes

Prepare the artichokes, leaving just the hearts. (Save the leaves and stems for the artichoke shavings.)

Cook in water until tender. Strain with the lard, add milk, salt and pepper, and cook for a few minutes.

Blend and set aside. Place some aluminium paper in a jelly mould and poach the egg for three minutes.

To finish off the dish, place the artichoke shavings on top of the egg and add the cream and pieces of cheese filled with chaud froid of roasted chestnuts. Add more artichoke shavings and a “wig” of leek (cut into thin julienne strips and fried in oil).

Add “winter” oil (sautéed níscolos oil).

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View of Guadalquivir Valley and the Sierra Mágina mountain range (Photo: Juan de la Cruz Moreno Balboa)

Place the stewed and shredded oxtail in a mould and allow to cool. Cut into squares and wrap in the ravioli pasta. Prepare the sauce with sweet wine and the oxtail broth. Reduce the mixture to the required taste and set aside.

Prepare the payoyo cheese sauce by boiling the milk and infusing the mixture with the truffle oil, fresh herbs and cheese. Remove the herbs, grind and strain them and set them aside.

Prepare the dish as the photo shows and finish it off with pieces of quince.

Cut the suckling pig into the required serving sizes and cover with olive oil, adding the rosemary, orange grind, salt and pepper. Then place in a wood-burning oven at 80º, allowing it to roast for eight hours.

Cut the cuarrécano into pieces and sauté with the oil, chorizo pepper and chilli peppers. Sauté the artichokes.

When the suckling pig is ready, brown it and place on top of the cuarrécano and artichokes.

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Fashion, Health & Beauty Catwalk Chic: Creative Diversity Global Kids’ Fashion Week: Premium Designs Luxury Watches: Urban Allure Operation Bikini: Key Lifestyle Changes General Health: Chiropractic Care… and Screening Warning

Roberto Verino. MBFWM. HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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Catwalk Chic >

Andrés Sardá

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Sita Murt

Hanibal Laguna

Juana MartĂ­n

Showcase of Creative Diversity

Victorio & Lucchino

Established designers were joined on the catwalk by up-and-coming colleagues and young design talents when the creatively diverse world of Spanish fashion was showcased at the 57th edition of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid. Over five days in February the show highlighted a comprehensive selection of latest Spanish ideas for autumn-winter 2013-14.

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Catwalk Chic >

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Duyos

Ion Fiz

Francis Montesinos

Juanjo Oliva

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Catwalk Chic >

Playful Spotlight on Children’s Fashion Runway shows and performances and “a mix of playful activities for children and parents” will be on the agenda when the inaugural Global Kids’ Fashion Week (GKFW) is held in London on 19-20 March.

The aim of GKFW is “to educate and inspire people about children’s fashion – celebrating how this specialist category has thrived and evolved over the past five years”.

The event is sponsored by AlexandAlexa.com, the global style destination for kids, and proceeds from all ticket sales for the public fashion show will be donated to GKFW’s charity partner Kids Company.

Noting that the organisers hope to put children’s fashion on the map worldwide, AlexandAlexa.com founder and CEO Alex Theophanous said, “Kids’ fashion is playful, fun and innovative – we all believe it deserves its own dedicated platform.”

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Timeless Elegance >

Urban Allure WATCHES STOPPED BEING MERE TIMEPIECES EONS AGO… FOR DEDICATED CONTEMPORARY TREND-SETTERS, TODAY THEY MUST BE A STATE-OF-THE-ART FASHION STATEMENT AND, IN MANY, CASES A MULTI-PURPOSE “GADGET”.

Sleek Refinement

Originally renowned as a creator of writing instruments, Montblanc has since branched out around the world to offer leather pieces, jewellery, fragrances, eyewear – and luxury watches.

The “inimitable grace and tasteful predilections” of style icon Grace Kelly inspired the brand to create its Collection Princesse Grace de Monaco, which includes one-of-a-kind haute joaillerie wrist watches as well as watches featuring the classically attractive combination of stainless steel and diamonds.

Montblanc honoured French watchmaker Nicolas Rieussec in 2011 with a jubilee wristwatch to celebrate the 190th anniversary of the invention of the chronograph, and the following year the brand expanded its Nicolas Rieussec Collection with the Chronograph Open Home Time model.

The TimeWalker line has “represented the modern personification of Montblanc’s DNA for several years”, and this is most recently highlighted in the TwinFly chronograph, featuring sleek and distinctive styling that is “strongly inspired by modern, open, glass-and-steel architecture”.

The “perpetual fascination of speed” is demonstrated by the Vintage Tachydate from Montblanc’s Collection Villeret 1858. Its face recalls an era a century ago “when watch-making, science, art and politics were in the throes of dramatic upheavals”. www.montblanc.com Time-Honoured Commitment to Music

To mark the third year of a partnership with The Recording Academy, organisers of the Grammy Awards, Gucci Timepieces & Jewelry have introduced a new addition to the Gucci Grammy collection. The special-edition watch is a variant of the Interlocking G, which features a sleek and modern take on the brand’s double G motif, stainless steel case, 42-millimetre diameter, quartz movement and sapphire crystal.

The hallmark is a bold black leather cuff that embraces the wrist, adding an urban allure. The cuff features the Gucci logo and a gramophone pin – The Recording Academy’s iconic symbol – while the case back is also engraved with the Gucci Grammy logo.

The Interlocking Gucci Grammy watch comes in two variants: the sunbrushed stainless steel case features a black dial and the black PVD version comes with a dark yellow dial. The design is kept entirely minimalist, displaying only the Gucci logo and an original circular-grained surface that recalls the grooves on a vinyl record.

Among other new initiatives introduced as part of the partnership in 2013, Gucci Timepieces & Jewelry will support the Grammy Camp, a special summer programme for young music students from around the world, with the primary objective of cultivating their talents.

According to Gucci, music has been and continues to be a fundamental part of the famous brand’s heritage and this initiative is in tune with its “wider commitment to the cultivation and preservation of the arts and its sponsorship in other cultural areas, such as film and youth music scholarship programmes”. www.grammy.com / www.gucciwatches.com

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The Name’s Martin… Aston Martin

Aston Martin’s AMVOX2 DBS Transponder watch incorporates a miniature transmitter system that serves to lock and unlock an Aston Martin DBS sports car, while maintaining the functions of the famous pushpiece-free chronograph.

The miniaturisation of the transponder module, together with its wiring and transmitter antenna, has been completely redesigned from a watchmaking perspective. The development process by Jaeger-LeCoultre lasted 18 months, with intense collaboration from Aston Martin.

Only Aston Martin dealerships are able to authorise the timepiece to communicate with the owner’s specific DBS, thus ensuring security at all times. www.astonmartin.com

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Health & Beauty >

Operation Bikini

WITH SPRING ON OUR DOORSTEP AND SUMMER JUST AROUND THE CORNER IT’S TIME TO SHED THAT WINTER WEIGHT AND COMMENCE OPERATION BIKINI. MAKING SMALL BUT EFFECTIVE LIFESTYLE CHANGES CAN MAKE A

By Louisa Hornung (CrossFit Marbella) HUGE DIFFERENCE TOWARDS YOUR WEIGHT LOSS GOAL. Good nutrition is absolutely essential for success. While a strong training programme can be extremely beneficial, poor eating habits will prevent you from obtaining results and deprive your body of the nutrients it needs.

So what should you be eating? A good source of each macronutrient will help support weight loss and fitness on all levels.

Protein should come from fresh meat, fish and eggs. Avoid processed and pre-cooked meals at all costs: if you can’t read the ingredients you probably shouldn’t eat it! Sticking to the fresh isles in the supermarket is a great start.

Carbohydrates need to be fresh fruit and vegetables. The darker and thinner the skin of the fruit the more antioxidants it has and the better it is for you. Stick mostly to green vegetables: carrots, corn, parsnips and other colourful vegetables contain hidden sugars and should be limited to once or twice a week, as should complex and starchy carbohydrates such as rice, potatoes and oats, unless used for a post workout meal.

Good fats are found in raw nuts and cold-pressed oils. Almonds, brazils, walnuts and macadamias can be used as a snack or mixed in with a meal. Quality oils such as rapeseed oil, coconut oil and extra virgin olive oil are all good sources of healthy fats that promote vitamin uptake.

There are many ways to mix and match these foods and create well-balanced meals. Use as much variety as possible and add spices for taste. A typical day would be...

Breakfast: Scrambled eggs, smoked salmon and spinach Mid-morning snack: Handful of almonds and raspberries Lunch: Steam-fried turkey breast with courgette, green and red peppers, and onion

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Afternoon snack: Handful of walnuts and blueberries.

Supper: Steam-fried chicken fillets with asparagus, green beans and broccoli.

For your training you want to be aiming for three or more hour sessions per week including a good warm-up and cool-down stretch. You also want to increase your daily activity level with walking, swimming or even a light jog as active rest. To get started try this quick and simple circuit: 15 Burpees Starting in an upright position, crouch down to the ground placing your hands out in front of you; jump your feet out behind to adopt a push-up position.

Without applying any resistance, lower yourself until your chest touches the ground as quickly as possible. As soon as your chest touches, push yourself back up and jump the feet back in, then jump straight up into the air making sure your feet leave the ground. If you find this too challenging you can just focus on jumping the feet out and in and then launching up in to the air. Don’t worry about the chest touching the ground.

10 Push-Ups If performed correctly you should feel this in your abs. Spread your hands just wider than shoulder width apart, looking straight down at the ground to keep the back and neck nice and straight. You can balance off your toes or your knees depending on how strong you are. Inhale as you bend the elbows to lower the chest to the ground and exhale as you push back up into your start position. Make sure you keep your body fully engaged throughout by maintaining your hips in line with your shoulders and your toes or knees.

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Images: La Redoute

15 Squat Jumps Imagine sitting down into a low chair, pushing the hips out behind and placing all the weight on the heels while keeping the chest up and looking forward.

Inhale as you lower and exhale as you push yourself off to jump as high as possible. Land into a squat, avoiding locking the knees in a standing position to keep the movement fluid. If this is too challenging you can practise sitting down and standing in a chair or squatting without the jump.

10 Sit-Ups Lie on the ground with a neutral spine, making sure you close the gap between your lower back and the ground by curling the hips up. Bend your knees while bringing your heels as close to your glutes as possible. Place your hands on your thighs and lift your upper body towards the ceiling as you slide your hands up towards your knees, aiming to reach further every time. Inhale as you lower and exhale as you reach.

15 Lunges Take a larger step than usual forward and place all the weight on your front heel while aiming to lower the back knee as close to the ground as possible. If this is too challenging focus on controlling the movement before going deeper. Keep the abs tight, chest back and head facing straight forward. Inhale as you step into the lunge and exhale as you push off the front heel to return to your start position. Alternate between the legs.

10 Floor Bridges Lie down with your knees up and heels on the ground as close to your glutes as possible. Lift your hips up towards the ceiling as high as you can as you push off the heels and curl the spine off the ground. When youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve reached your limit and squeezed as much as possible, lower your hips as you curl your spine back down to your start position. Inhale as you lower and exhale as you lift and squeeze.

Perform as many rounds as possible in 30 minutes. Challenge yourself to achieve more rounds every time and see how your fitness improves.

CrossFit Marbella Pol. Ind. San Pedro de AlcĂĄntara Tel. 667 371 580 / 667 371 336 www.crossfitmarbella.com

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Health & Beauty > CHIROPRACTIC CENTER ESTEPONA

Top-level treatments for a healthier spine

Chiropractic care is the key healthcare profession dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of the spine and its influence on the nervous system, as well as general health problems.

Born in Sevilla, Dr. José Mª Puig gained his chiropractic degree in the US 1997 and, after several years working in clinics across southern Spain, he set up the Chiropractic Center Estepona – where his “one and only objective is the patient”.

Dr. Puig conducts an exhaustive review of a patient’s spinal column, consisting of various different tests: neurological, chiropractic and muscular, checking the central nervous system, vertebral column and disks, and how they might be impinging on nerves and causing subluxation of the vertebrae.

After this thorough examination, Dr. Puig prepares a report detailing the specific problem and recommends required treatments and an exercise plan to help the patient have a healthier spine.

The clinic’s aim is to cure a patient in the shortest possible time, and with the least number of possible treatments, one of the main reasons why Chiropractic Center Estepona has been so successful.

The first consultation is free and Chiropractic Center Estepona pride themselves on offering the most comprehensive treatment at the most competitive price.

Chiropractic Center Estepona Calle Carmen Laforet, Local 7 Estepona Tel. (+34) 952 791 996 / 629 637 367 quiropracticopuig@gmail.com www.quiropracticacostadelsol.com

COLON CANCER

Screening recommended for both men and women Even though many people believe that colorectal cancer only affects men, this disease is also common in women. Women over the age of 50 who are currently experiencing some symptoms or problems should be screened for colorectal cancer or polyps.

A colonoscopy screening exam is almost always done on an outpatient basis. The test is safe and the procedure itself typically takes less than 45 minutes.

If you have a personal or family history of colorectoral cancer, polyps or long-term ulcerative colitis, you may need to begin periodic screening colonoscopy earlier than age 50. Colorectal cancer is highly preventable and a colonoscopy may detect polyps (small growths on the lining of the colon). Removal of these polyps (by biopsy or snare polypectomy) results in a major reduction in the likelihood of developing colorectal cancer in the future.

This information has been supplied by Dr Molina from Marbella High Care. It is only intended to provide general guidance, not definitive medical advice. It is very important that you consult your doctor about your specific condition.

High Care International Hospital Urb. Las Mimosas, Marbella. Tel. 952 908 628/629. www.marbellahighcare.com

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07/03/13 13:08

Leisure In the Driver’s Seat: Formula 1 on the Grid Art & Culture Picasso’s Early Years… and Enfant Terrible Faith and Fervour… Myth and Tradition Music, Theatre, Ballet, Comedy… and Flamenco The Final World: Specialist Advice

“Dennis Hopper: On the Road” Museo Picasso Málaga HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT >

On the Grid

BATTLE RESUMES FOR FORMULA 1 HONOURS

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It would be fair to say that the Formula 1 circus has not always provided riveting entertainment in the past. Hampered by the hegemony of a handful of drivers – and even fewer teams – many races in recent seasons have become predictable processions once the qualifying positions were confirmed. Barring unscheduled incidents, of course.

That still remains the case to a certain extent, but not at the same inexorable level of borderline tedium as before, as technical rule changes have restored some capriciousness to race day. That was spectacularly highlighted in 2012 when an unprecedented seven different drivers won the first seven races. Reigning champion Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing) didn’t take a winner’s chequered flag until the fourth Grand Prix in Bahrain, while Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) and Pastor Maldonado (Williams) achieved their debut

wins, joining the more familiar podium visages of former world champions Jenson Button (McLaren), Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) and Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) and Mark Webber (Red Bull). Later in the season, another former world champion, Kimi Räikkönen (Lotus), secured his first victory since returning from temporary retirement and a two-year stint competing in the World Rally Championship.

At the end of the season Vettel finished sixth in an intriguing final F1 battle in Brazil against nearest rival Alonso to become the first triple world champion since compatriot Michael Schumacher, with Alonso just three points behind and Räikkönen a distant third, followed by Hamilton, Button, Webber and Felipe Massa (Ferrari). Red Bull had a comfortable victory in the constructors’ championship, beating Ferrari and McLaren.

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IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT >

After last season’s start to the season few observers would venture any confident predictions for 2013 but Vettel will start as favourite to make it four titles in a row. Teammate Webber, who finished third in both 2010 and 2011, will be hoping to improve on his flawed grid starts this year and make another bid for his first title, but Alonso is expected to be the German tyro’s main rival again in 2013. Button’s remains at McLaren, where he is joined

by Mexican Sergio Perez following Hamilton’s move to Schumacher’s vacant Mercedes seat.

The 2013 season begins in Melbourne (Australia) on 17 March and concludes once again with the Brazilian Grand Prix in São Paulo on 24 November.

With the Grand Prix of Europe moving away from Valencia this season, Barcelona and Valencia have agreed in principle to rotate the Spanish Grand Prix between the two cities each year. The 2013 race is at the Catalunya track on 12 May.

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HOME, CAR AUDIO & PROFESSIONAL MULTIMEDIA GPS Alarms – Tracking Devices – Radar Detectors Entertainment & Multimedia System Installations Hands-Free - Diagnostic Car Service Rear Cam & Parking Sensor - Professional Lighting Car Audio & Home Hi-fi - Sound Systems

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951 404 467 www.musicfactorymarbella.com e-mail: info@musicfactorymarbella.com MAGNA MARBELLA, NUEVA ANDALUCÍA 29660

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ART & CULTURE >

MUSEO PICASSO MÁLAGA

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The Early Years… and On the Road with an Enfant Terrible 03/03/13 11:01

The two main exhibitions on show at Málaga’s Picasso Museum in March and April (both running until 9 June) are “Picasso of Malaga: Earliest Works” and “Dennis Hopper: On the Road”.

Born in Malaga on 25 October 1881, Pablo Ruiz Picasso settled in A Coruña (Galicia) 10 years later with his family. In 1895, he moved to Barcelona, where he lived travelling to Paris in 1904. He visited Málaga four times, the last time in 1901, but he never returned again, although he maintained his Andalucian roots and, throughout his long and intense career, dealt with themes that seem to be linked to his Málaga childhood.

“Picasso of Malaga: Earliest Works” is an evocative look at the family environment, cultural atmosphere and urban surroundings of his birthplace.

The exhibition was put together to place into context a significant collection of works from Picasso’s childhood and youth, with photographs, maps, objects and documents that show what the town was like during its transition between two centuries. Other artists working there included José Denis Belgrano, Antonio Muñoz Degrain and Picasso’s own father, José Ruiz Blasco, a selection of whose works are also on display. Several works that Picasso produced in his later years are also on view in the Picasso Museum.

Organised in collaboration with Museo Picasso de Barcelona, the exhibition has been enhanced with the collaboration of private collectors from Málaga, the

Prado Museum, the Spanish National Library, Fundación Picasso Museo Casa Natal, Museo de Málaga and various other international museums. The “Picasso of Málaga: Earliest Works” exhibition is being held in conjunction with Museo Picasso Málaga’s 10th anniversary celebrations.

Museo Picasso Málaga will also be showcasing the revolutionary social and cultural background that marked the 1960s in the US, as seen through Dennis Hopper’s eyes: youth and feminist movements, racial conflict and war, the civil rights struggle and the sexual revolution.

Hopper (1936-2010), a director, actor, photographer, artist and art collector, captured the cultural transformation of that era in an exciting narrative of black and white shots.

Considered one of Hollywood’s enfants terribles, he had a reputation for being a difficult and rebellious actor, although it wasn’t until after he had finished directing and starring in his cult movie Easy Rider (1969) that he achieved stardom – and suffered various addictions. Specialising in characters with mental problems and difficult personalities, Hopper’s career as an actor gradually started to resemble his own life.

The exhibition is organised in collaboration with The Dennis Hopper Art Trust.

Other highlights of the March-April schedule at the Museo Picasso Málaga include ongoing performances by the Málaga Philharmonic Orchestra as part of its chamber music season, the continuing Flamenco at the Picasso programme, and Family Day on Sunday 16 March, including guided tours, workshops and storytellers.

Guided visits of the museum are held in English on Wednesdays at 11.30am.

More information at: www.mpicassom.org HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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ART & CULTURE >

CARMEN THYSSEN MÁLAGA MUSEUM

From Faith and Fervour to Myth and Tradition Forthcoming exhibitions on show at the Carmen Thyssen Museum in Málaga include “Faith and Fervour in the Carmen Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection” (22 March-30 June) and “Julio Romero de Torres: From Myth to Tradition” (19 April-8 September).

The aim of the “Faith and Fervour” exhibition is to draw attention to paintings on religious subjects in the Carmen Thyssen Collection, bringing together a wide range of styles through a small but carefully chosen selection of exceptionally fine works ranging from the Middle Ages to the late 19th century and characterised by the intensity of the devotional sentiments expressed in them. The paintings include “St. Peter” by Simone Martini and “Christ on the Cross” by Anthony van Dyck and a sketch for “The Yellow Christ” by Paul Gauguin.

Curated by Lourdes Moreno, “Julio Romero de Torres: From Myth to Tradition” is a study of the work of one of Spain’s most popular painters, who combined the influence of the Early Renaissance painters with a particularly Spanish aesthetic, thus reflecting the importance of images of Andalucía within Spanish painting in the early years of the 20th century.

More information at: www.carmenthyssenmalaga.org

Fine Arts Milestone in Benahavís Seventeen of the Costa del Sol’s most talented artists displayed their work at a resoundingly successful contemporary art exhibition at Hotel Villa Padierna in February. Nearly 1,000 visitors attended the exhibition – organised by the Benahavís Decorative & Fine Arts Society and sponsored by Blevins Franks Financial Management – and the exhibitors reported excellent sales and commissions.

“The level of attendance and the enthusiasm of visitors and exhibitors alike were beyond all our expectations,” said Betty Fooks, chair of the BDFAS. “This weekend demonstrated what a thirst there is for art and culture among the Costa del Sol’s resident communities. Our own success in launching the latest NADFAS-affiliated society in southern Spain in little more than a year is testimony to that and I urge anyone interested in art appreciation to visit our website.”

VIP visitors included John Myatt, an artist who gained fame in the 1980s when his works in the style of various 20th century masters fooled the art world for years. During his talk the previous day at Restaurant TikiTano, members gained a fascinating insight into his deceptions, his ultimate fall and his subsequent career as a master of “genuine fakes”.

More information at: www.benahavisdfas.com Pictured: exhibiting artists Joaquín Aguilera (left) and Francisco (Paco) Alarcón.

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The Hidden Magic of Palma Graphic artist José Luis Gil Miró reveals a fascinating new insight into Palma in a colourful exhibition continuing at Santa Ponça Country Club until 30 March. Palma DigitArt is an invitation, according to the Palma-born artist, “to look back at the city of Palma with other eyes, to look for those hidden and surprising corners that go unnoticed on a daily basis, because of our habits or the stress in which our actual world keeps us absorbed”.

“This is a very curious exhibition,” adds country club manager Andy Lamyman, “that will challenge our view of Palma, because with his pictures he captivates those historical and imaginative illustrations of the city that impress us so much. Apart from being an attractive and expressive exhibition, it will motivate the imagination of many young people who are starting to learn the new artistic techniques.”

More information at: www.palmadigitart.com / www.spcountryclub.com

TEATRO CERVANTES

Music, Theatre, Ballet, Comedy… and Flamenco Málaga’s two main municipal theatres, the Cervantes and Echegaray, have a varied programme of shows in spring – a must-visit for cultural buffs, even if it involves a trip from the western end of the Coast.

Among the highlights is a concert, “O Misterio” (8 April), by Teresa Salgueiro, former singer of Portuguese band Madredeus; another concert by Niña Pastori, “Ya No Quiero Ser” (8 May), with the Cádiz flamenco singer performing several of her hits over the years as well as new material; and a “Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald” by the Conservatorio Superior de Música’s Big Band (16 May).

There is also a performance of Shakespeare’s Henry VIII (“from a Spanish perspective”, 9-10 May), magic with Juan Tamariz (23-24 May), La Insostenible Big Band (1 June), 23 performances of Beauty and the Beast (19 July-4 August) and various concerts by Málaga’s Philharmonic Orchestra (March to June) – as well as our editor’s pick… guitarist supremo Raimundo Amador and the Vargas Blues Band performing a “Night of Blues and Flamenco” (14 April).

More information at: www.teatrocervantes.com HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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ART & CULTURE >

Sound Bytes

ALEX GEORGE REVIEWS TWO PENDING ALBUM RELEASES… BY DIDO AND STEREOPHONICS

English singer-songwriter Dido is back on the music scene with an upcoming album, The Girl Who Got Away. It will be the fifth studio release of her career, the last being 2008’s Safe Trip Home.

She has been working in the studio with several heavyweight producers, including: Greg Kurstin (Marina & the Diamonds, Ke$ha, Rita Ora), Jeff Bhasker (Beyoncé, Bruno Mars, Taylor Swift), Rollo Armstrong and Sister Bliss (Faithless members), Lester Mendez (Shakira, Nelly Furtado), A. R. Rahman (Oscar-winning producer of the Slumdog Millionaire soundtrack) and Rick Nowels (Lana Del Rey, Colbie Caillat).

With an album swathed in million-selling producers it looks to me as though she’s desperate to rekindle the success of past gems such as Life For Rent, which still holds the accolade of being the fastest selling album by a female artist in the UK. The album hits stores and digital outlets on 5 March via Sony Music.

The first single, entitled No Freedom, was released digitally in February.

The Stereophonics will vie for the coveted top spot on the UK album chart alongside Dido as they are also releasing a comeback album the same week. “Graffiti on the Train, their eighth studio album, out on their own Stylus Records, is written by frontman Kelly Jones and produced by Jones and Jim Lowe. Lowe’s previous work with the Phonics brought us 2005’s Language. Sex. Violence. Other?, from which the band scored their first UK number one hit single, Dakota.

“I found myself walking into a studio with 40 unfinished ideas, rather than 10 finished ones,” said Kelly on the album’s creation, “and by doing that the songs became way more unpredictable. The band and everyone involved had a good time doing it because we knew we were doing something we hadn’t done before.”

Jones has also written and directed the videos for the first two songs taken from the album as well as for the first single, Indian Summer, which was released in February.

With the sentiment of “doing something we haven’t done before” I hope the album doesn’t wallow in self-indulgent progressive sludge but is a return to the “old” Stereophonics that gave us such great songs as The Bartender and the Thief and Pick a Part That’s New. Graffiti on the Train is released on 4 March.

Listen to Alex George on Spectrum Radio from noon to 4pm every weekday.

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Obligations of Declarations of Goods

By Carlos Maestre

Through Royal Decree 1558/2012 (of 15 November), by adapting the rules of Tax Law 58/2003 (17 December) the Directive 2011/16/EU on administrative cooperation in the field of taxation was transposed, especially with regards to the exchange of information necessary for the settlement of taxes. Then, on 31 January, HAP/72/2013 Order (30 January) was passed, approving Tax Form 720, which relates to the “Obligation of Information about Goods and Rights Located Abroad”.

Essentially, this legislation allows for better coordination in obtaining information about tax obligations for EU member states, although the reporting obligation extends beyond EU territory.

This introduces an obligation to report certain assets located abroad and whose value exceeds €50,000 on 31 December each year, to all natural and legal individuals resident in Spanish territory, to permanent establishments, heritages and civil communities or partnerships.

While in the future this statement will be filed between 1 January and 31 March, the 2012 statement must be submitted between 1 February to 30 April 2013.

First of all, please note it must be submitted electronically using a specific electronic signature which in most cases proves very difficult to obtain, and you need to be in Spain to do so. So unfortunately it is very unlikely you will be able to file this yourself, and therefore you will require the aid of a professional.

Secondly, you are subject to this obligation if: • You are a Spanish resident (this includes any citizen or foreign national residing in Spain, business entities, inheritances in abeyance, partnerships, etc.) or have a permanent establishment in Spain.

• When the value of your assets abroad exceeds €50,000 (individually).

Thirdly, we need to differentiate between three different groups of assets which are subject to this obligation.

1. Accounts and deposits with financial institutions located abroad 2. Values, rights, insurances and annuities deposited, managed or obtained abroad a. Values located abroad b. Rights located abroad c. Shares in the share capital or endowment of collective investment institutions located abroad d. Life and disability insurance when the insurer is located abroad e. On temporary or lifetime income obtained as a result of the delivery of capital in money, or economic rights of real or personal property 3. Immovable property or rights in immovable property situated abroad Note: The obligation extends to any taxpayer who had been the holder or beneficial owner of securities or rights during 2012 but no longer was on 31 December.

So what would the applicable penalties be in case this annual statement is not filed?

According to paragraph two of the Eighteenth Additional Provision of Law 7/2012 (29 October), consideration of the offence is very serious and is punishable in accordance with the following rules: The penalty consists of a €5,000 fine per item or set of data on the same account, asset or real estate property which should have been included in the statement or had been provided incomplete, inaccurate or false, with a minimum of €10,000.

The penalty shall be €100 per item or set of data on the same account, asset or liability or property, with a minimum of €1,500, when the declaration was filed after the deadline without prior notification from the tax office. Likewise, if the filing of the annual statement is not done electronically via the internet or via written communication it will also be sanctionable.

Carlos Maestre has responsibility for private clients in Lexland Abogados’ tax strategies department. His particular expertise covers national and international tax practice, mainly with tax-saving structures, non-resident taxation and VAT (IVA) issues.

He provides legal counselling and practice on financial taxation in Spain, acquisition and sales (due diligence), restructuring and tax planning, tax inspections and economic court relations. He is also a member of the Madrid Bar. Lexland Abogados is able to help advise you on all legal and fiscal matters.

Contact comunicaciones@lexland.es today for more information or Tel. (+34) 902 555 299

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THE FINAL WORD. SPECIALIST ADVICE >

LEADING EXPERTS FROM THE WORLDS OF PROPERTY, FINANCE AND HEALTH BRING US UP TO DATE WITH LATEST NEWS, LAWS AND GENERAL INFORMATION OF INTEREST TO EXPATRIATES LIVING OR SPENDING TIME IN SPAIN.

Volatile Markets

By Stephen Tiley

An interesting couple of weeks of late and a volatile one for the exchange markets, particularly sterling to euro. We initially saw the euro gaining strength and moving as low as 1.149-ish, then in a space of a couple of days lose ground to the point where it was 1.1942-ish – over a 4.5-cent movement, which is a big difference.

Let’s look at some of the issues that contributed to this. At the beginning of the period (first half of February) we had data from the UK that indicated there was a decent end to a pretty poor 2012 as manufacturing, construction and the services sector all gained ground. Manufacturing showed the fastest growth since July and the service sector managed to avoid a fifth consecutive monthly dip.

On the flip side we had other news that indicated the trade deficit had risen to its worst level on record and stood at £38 billion. However, one positive light here is that the UK has made an impact in Brazil, India, China, Russia and South Africa so there is hope for the future.

With retail sales slumping and consumer spending being squeezed in the UK it was intriguing to hear Rightmove tell us that the housing market had a sprightly start to 2013.

UK banks were still in the headlines with the new boss of the Bank of England presenting his views to MPs, while at the same time bonus payments and the Libor rigging issue were still very much in people’s minds. It seems that one banking boss has indicated his annual pay package of £7.3 million is moderate...

With both the European Central Bank and the Bank of England holding interest rates again there is still room for the ECB to reduce theirs in the future should the need arise.

There was interesting political posturing in the eurozone countries as Cyprus (will they get their bailout approved?) and Italy both going to the polls. Was Mr Berlusconi going to create a surprise and who would be in power in Cyprus to receive the bailout needed to stop it going bankrupt? When you read this we may just have the answers.

In the eurozone, of course, much of the focus was on the second gathering of finance chiefs to discuss the EU budget and, as we know, cuts were agreed.

However, do not get too excited as the MEPs are yet to have their say.

The other big news item to come from the G20 summit was centred on the euro exchange rate and how to manage its strength. However, the bigger issue as confidence creeps back into the eurozone is how to manage austerity against growth.

Bond yields on 10-year debt for both Spain and Italy were hit by the political uncertainty in Italy and then of course the alleged scandal surrounding Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and some sections of his party. Thankfully the market did not hit these countries too harshly and in both cases returns are still below 5.5 per cent, well under the seven per cent numbers seen last year.

In France manufacturing fell again at around the same time that, thankfully, eurozone inflation eased and fell to an annual rate of two per cent. Other news saw the Dublin government liquidate Anglo Irish Bank.

So with good news coming from the US, and at least 47 per cent of the US public believing President Barak Obama will sort out the “fiscal cliff”, US confidence is booming. One cloud is that China may now have overtaken the US as the world’s biggest trader.

The euro did have a decent start to the month, and exchange rates had been difficult to monitor, so to get the best for your transfers have a chat with Moneycorp.

Stephen Tiley (pictured with colleague Alex Berdoun) is regional manager of Moneycorp, our preferred currency partner, who have been helping clients all over the world for 34 years. They can be contacted on Tel. 952 587 657. When you contact them please let them know you saw this article in Home & Lifestyle.

Medical Access in Spain Comprehensive information on the use of European Health Insurance Cards (EHICs), for British citizens both visiting or living in Spain, is available on a new website launched as part of a campaign to clear up “common confusion” over how to obtain health care in Spain.

The website (www.healthcareinspain.eu) explains that a UK-issued EHIC “should only be used to access medically-necessary state treatment during the course of a temporary stay in Spain. It does not provide access to all state treatment but, for those in Spain on a temporary stay, it is the correct way to access state healthcare.”

Though set up by the UK Department of Health and Valencia Health Authority to raise awareness of the correct use of EHICs among Britons in the Valencia region, the information on the website is also relevant to British citizens across the whole of Spain.

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Work versus Talent

By Declan Byrne

There are many talented people in the world. Walk around and you can see signs of the one per cent around every corner. Everyone you see in front of you is one in over seven billion. We all like to think of ourselves as “special” and “unique”: it has been built into us from a young age. The reality is that you are! You have a combination of skills, talents and expertise that no one on this planet has.

While it is a fact that you have these talents, skills and expertise, that by no means makes you a success. Success does not depend on these characteristics of your personality: they help but success can be achieved without a single one of these.

If we look historically at sports professionals, experienced entrepreneurs, high net worth investors and any manner of successful person, their work ethic is always key to their success.

The owner of FedEx, down to his last few thousand dollars and no new investment in sight, took his remaining funds to Las Vegas and turned it into enough to run the business for another week and source some new investment: he now owns one of the most well-known companies in the western world. Richard Branson started his record business from a crypt in a church: he now has a multibillion dollar empire of airlines, record companies, trains, phones, television… the Virgin name is known worldwide.

Let’s take tennis as another example… Andre Agassi was told that from a young age he had to work hard to become a success in his sport, that if he hit 1,000 balls a day there would be no room to fail. Let’s look at the maths: 1,000 balls a day means he hit 365,000 balls in a year. By the beginning of his professional career he had likely hit over five million balls. I challenge any of you to hit that many balls and not be a great tennis player. There are arguments that his talent allowed him to be pushed to the top, but the point made is that if we take into account his talent the only option he had left available was to succeed. He gave himself no opportunity to fail!

You get the picture. I have seen people with amazing amounts of talent fail due to their lack of effort and work ethic. In this current climate there are no easy rides. People have asked me before, “How do I get rich?” I always reply,

“Work hard.” They often then say that they want a way to get rich without working hard – if there was a way to do that we would all be doing it!

Talent can be important and there are arguably people who have succeeded purely through talent. However, if you believe you Declan Byrne have talent you surely want to succeed. Make success your only option. If you work hard to the hardest extent you possibly can, and want success, I promise you will succeed with or without talent. In my company I will always give someone with that drive an opportunity: the tools to succeed are at your own fingertips and in your own mind. How you use them is down to how you answer one question: how hard are you willing to work?

Declan Byrne is sales growth manager for Success Moves: www.successmoves.co.uk

Environmentally Friendly Heating With our modern times marked by rising energy costs and increasing environmental pollution, it is essential to have an eye for low heating costs as well as the conservation of our limited natural resources.

A heat pump is a system that stands for cost-conscious and environmentally friendly heating. Its highly developed technology creates the seeming impossible: with only 25 per cent of supplied energy it generates 100 per cent heat output.

A heat pump is a device that moves heat from one location (the source) at a lower temperature to another location (the heat sink) at a higher temperature, using a minimum of mechanical work. It can be used to provide heating or cooling.

Most commonly, heat pumps draw heat from the air or from the ground, but in southern Spain, for example, we use air heat pumps because, also during the winter period, the air contains enough energy to heat your home

or your pool. Air source heat pumps are relatively easy (and inexpensive) to install and have therefore historically been the most widely used heat pump type.

Heat pumps offer the most energy-efficient way to provide heating and cooling in many applications, as they can use renewable heat sources in our surroundings. Even at temperatures we consider to be cold, air, ground and water contain useful heat that is continuously replenished by the sun.

By applying a little more energy, a heat pump can raise the temperature of this heat energy to the level needed.

Similarly, heat pumps can also use waste heat sources, such as from industrial processes, cooling equipment or ventilation air extracted from buildings.

Information supplied by Bodtec Technical Systems: Urb. Calypso (Riviera del Sol).

Tel. 951 100 991 / 663 125 444 info@bodtec.es • www.bodtec.es HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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Spectrum News Bulletin PUBLIC TRANSPORT

CHILDREN’S HEALTH For children’s vaccines you can find extended information on the Association of Paediatrics website (www.aeped.es / www.vacunasaep.org), which updates the immunisation schedule every year, taking into account epidemiological data as well as evidence on the effectiveness and efficiency of vaccines.

Buses and trains connecting larger cities and suburbs are the rule, as many Spanish people prefer to live outside the city and commute to work. The national train company (www.renfe.com) connects all regions on the Spanish mainland. Several ferry companies offer passenger services from the mainland to the Canary Isles and the Balearics (as well as the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla).

Also, contrary to the situation in some other European countries, you usually do not need to be afraid of fraud in taxis as most are metered – or a fixed price is agreed beforehand.

DRIVING IN SPAIN Spain’s road infrastructure is classified into motorways, national roads (carreteras nacionales), and rural roads (carreteras rurales).

There are two types of motorways: autovías and autopistas – the latter are toll roads (carreteras de peaje). Since tolls are relatively expensive, most people driving in Spain tend to avoid these and usually take the national roads. As a result, toll roads are comparatively uncongested and safer. For further information on maps, traffic updates, rules and regulations, etc., check out the traffic office website: www.dgt.es

OBTAINING IDENTIFICATION Foreigners with an economic, professional or social interest in Spain will be given, for identification purposes, a unique personal number. If you are thinking of buying or renting a property, opening a bank account and/or working, you will need an NIE. To obtain this number you have go to either the national police depart-

ment or the Oficina de Extranjeros (Foreigners Department) in your town of residence, presenting documents such as the original application form, a copy of this form, your passport with a photo, your address and the reason for your move to Spain. For forms, applications and further information, visit: www.interior.gob.es

Spectrum FM is not able to guarantee that the aforementioned information is correct and updated. Please note that this information may be subject to change after publication.

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BUILDING EXCELLENCE

Construction Structures Refurbishments

Swimming Pools Pool Covers Heat Pump 3D Design

Venetian Plaster Microcement Pebble Tec Artificial Rock

Creating Dreams www.atlasbuild.eu

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Centro Comercial Diana Bloque 1 Local 17 29688 Estepona, Mรกlaga Tel. 951 272 140 Fax. 952 897 936 | 99 HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES info@atlas-group.es HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES | 99 28/01/2013 16:32

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