Home & Lifestyle 31

home &lifestyle

HAV A ST E YLIS 2014 H

m a g a z i n e

JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2014 路 ISSUE 31

Warm & Cosy WINTER TIPS

Flooring

New Trends

Artisanal Door

Romantic Interludes

LATEST GENERATION

INNOVATION

RUSTIC UTILITARIAN

FROM PARIS TO ISLAND PARADISE

decor n design n outdoor living n leisure n health n beauty n culture n cuisine Cover HL31.indd 1

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info@ark-arquitectos.com

www.ark-architects.com

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CONTENTS

JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2014

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N E W S & EVENTS 10 Round-up of business, charity, cultural

and other general items of interest

14 Festive review of inaugurations, anniversaries

and celebrations

D E S I G N & DÉCOR 18 Valentine’s gift ideas: fun, functional and funky

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22 Switched on: cool gadgets 24 Glorious green: eco projects from around the world 26 Keeping warm in winter 38 Fabulous flooring options 44 Divinely decorative doors 48 Maison & Objet: Elsewhere in Paris 50 Exhibition showcases in Germany 52 First person: harmony and ambience 54 Garden trends… creating a rose garden 56 Open road: virtual vision of gran turismo 58 Qualia Resort: exotic trip to island paradise

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60 Hospes Palacio: romantic getaway in Granada

G O U R M E T CUISINE 62 Le Jules Verne: Parisian vision 64 Hostellerie de l’Abbaye de la Celle: Provençal charm 66 Wine notes: full-bodied introduction to Toro region 68 Spanish deli: top chefs offer online courses

F A S H I O N , HEALTH, BEAUTY… and CULTURE 70 BDBA: Spanish collection brimming with style 72 Makeover: competition winner begins transformation

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74 Medical minutes: brain power and dementia 78 Vibrant art, colourful theatre… and music bytes 82 The final word: specialist advice from the experts

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architecture and project management 路 new build and remodelling designing homes not showhouses 路 building quality not quantity 路 making your dreams a reality edificio guadiaro. pueblo nuevo, sotogrande. 956 796 651. www.mclundie.com

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Advertise in

home &lifestyle m a g a z i n e

ISSUE 31 JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2014

PUBLISHER

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

EDITOR

Peter Leonard peter@homeandlifestyle.es

Trevor Impett (Freelance). Mobile: (+34) 633 918 706

SALES EXECUTIVES

LAYOUT & PRODUCTION

Pilar Anguita pilar@homeandlifestyle.es

ACCOUNTS DIRECTOR

David Jaster david@homeandlifestyle.es

Administration & Translation

Pamela Sauca-Hunt pamela@homeandlifestyle.es

Contributors

Alex George, Ana Gil Peña, Clodagh and Dick Handscombe, John Schieszer, Stephen Tiley

Costa del SOl DISTRIBUTION

Pedro Castillo

Gibraltar Distribution

Mark Anthony Portelli

COVER PHOTO

Vauni Globe flueless-designed fireplace: available on the Costa del Sol from www.pias-chimeneas.com

David Toms, Johnny Gates, Roman Iacaruso, Getty Images, ImageNet

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

published by

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

BI-911-08

Depósito Legal

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.U. 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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00 Anuncios HL31.indd 1

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Ludlow Hunter Inglenook from www.ludlowstoves.co.uk

FROM THE EDITOR > As we sit here in the office putting the finishing touches to the new issue, the sky outside is translucent azure, the sun is luminous, the Mediterranean is shimmering and people are settling into beach-

ABOUT THE COVER The Vauni Globe is a flueless-designed fireplace that combines tradition with classic form in a modern interpretation, and is equipped with a safe and efficient ethanol burner. The model is free-standing with a foot that can be turned 360 degrees for optimum viewing angle and flexibility.

Available on the Costa del Sol from: www.pias-chimeneas.com

side terraces chairs for a pleasant al fresco aperitif or lunch.

Observing this scene – we actually wouldn’t mind joining them, but deadlines are deadlines – it seems hard to believe it’s winter. The Costa del Sol’s essentially benign climate is, of course, one of the joys of living here, but we could very well have woken up the next morning to a sharp cold snap.

So, with that circumspect thought in mind, we decided to snuggle up for January and February with a special feature on “Keeping Warm for Winter”, from cosy throws and rugs to resourceful heating and insulation options.

It is also nearing that time of the year when inveterate romantics like to arrange something special for their partners, and for this Valentine’s Day we offer a bouquet of original gift ideas, idyllic getaways to a paradisiacal island setting off the Australian coast and, closer to home, to Granada, and a culinary road trip to two of chef extraordinaire Alain Ducasse’s top restaurants in France.

Returning to practicalities at home, and preparing for spring, we check out latest trends in flooring and doors, and preview some of the key décor and design fairs coming up around Europe, including the trend-setting Maison & Objet in Paris at the end of January.

This first issue of 2014 also includes all our regular lifestyle sections – gourmet, motoring, fashion, health and beauty, and art and culture – as well as a distinctive design makeover for the cover to herald in a new year that we hope is full of renewed optimism and positive developments for all our readers, colleagues and associates.

Peter Leonard

HOME & LIFESTYLE Magazine PUBLISHING DATES March-April 2014 Issue Published 1 March to 30 April May-June 2014 Issue Published 1 May to 30 June July-August 2014 Issue Published 1 July to 31 August September-October 2014 Issue Published 1 September to 31 October November-December 2014 Issue Published 1 November to 31 December January-February 2015 Issue Published 1 January to 28 February

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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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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Main Showroom

Av. Juan Carlos I Nº 67 Estepona, Málaga Spain T: (0034) 952 92 92 73 · F: (0034) 952 90 62 55 E.: info@tiarafurniture.com www.tiarafurniture.com

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Branch - Agrojardin

CN 340 Exit 164 Parque Antena, Estepona Málaga T .(0034) 952 79 62 31 · F- (0034) 952 79 41 04 E.: info@agrojardin.com www.agrojardin.com

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News & Events >

ROUND-UP OF BUSINESS, CHARITY, CULTURAL AND OTHER GENERAL ITEMS OF INTEREST FROM THE COSTA DEL SOL, GIBRALTAR, BALEARICS… AND FURTHER AFIELD

CORT IDEA

Specialist Advice for Fabric Design and Décor With 27 years of experience in the industry, Cort Idea are ideally placed to help clients determine the best and most appropriate design for their home, in whatever preferred style. Experts in curtains, textile blinds, cushions and other accessories, they offer advice on the main features and advantages of different fabrics and such brands as Designers Guild, Wind, Jab and Casamance, among others.

Also important is the quality of the preparation, as well as guaranteeing a professional installation service: a budget fabric prepared in accordance with these key requisites can produce a stunning décor but, if an expensive fabric is not prepared and mounted correctly, the result will not be attractive. For interior design, Cort Idea also have a wide range of wallpapers, blinds, shutters, awnings, rugs, fitted carpets, and interior and outdoor upholstery.

Contact Cort Idea for a no-compromise quote:Centro Idea. Fuengirola-Mijas Road, Km. 3.6 Tel. (+34) 952 461 221 / 617 380 238 cortidea@gmail.com / www.cortidea.com

ANBAD SHELTER

MANACARE

Giving Stray Animals A New Life Marbella animal protection society ANBAD (Asociación para la Protección de Animales Domésticos) is continuing its important work this year to help save animals from municipal “killing stations”.

The association needs volunteers who are able to help by visiting and walking the dogs, or donating supplies and money. Supporters can become a sponsor for a particular animal in need, covering food and veterinary treatment.

Anyone wanting more information about the shelter, or able to offer support, can contact Susannah Joh, at her newly opened coffee shop Dezentral (serving Italian coffee, German bread, breakfast , home-made cakes and organic tea) in Nueva Andalucía, near the casino.

ANBAD Tel. (+34) 609 778 731 / susanna_mad@yahoo. de / www.anbad.wordpress.com Dezentral Tel. (+34) 952 818 648 / info@dezentral-marbella.com / www.dezentral-marbella.com

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Helping to Re-Build Sri Lanka Immediately after the tsunami in Sri Lanka in December 2004, a charity event in Marbella raised nearly €100,000, and containers were filled with donations from Spain and Gibraltar and shipped to the devastated area. Joy Butler Markham, chairman of the Manacare Foundation, did reconnaissance on the south coast of the island, and it was decided to build something that would help sustain the local people, especially children.

Thus was born the Hopes and Dreams project. According to Joy Butler Markham, it is hoped that items produced in the sustainability centre will be able to contribute to the running of the whole project, but in the meantime funds are needed urgently to help continue the work. “Even €20 a month would make a difference!”

Manacare. Tel. (+94) 777 736112 (Sri Lanka) manacare@aol.com / www.manacare.org.uk

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ARBORETUM

Creating a “People’s Forest” in Marbella The aim was to attract 100 people to plant over 1,000 native trees and shrubs in just one day. In the end, however, there was so much interest that 500 people planted more than 4,000 trees at the Arboretum Marbella environmental charity, which is creating a “people’s forest” just behind the city’s bus station. As well as planting there was music, activities for the kids, a puppet show and a workshop – with everyone also going home with a seed to plant for next year.

According to Arboretum Marbella founder Alejandro Orioli, “This event offers the opportunity to plant a tree in this public park and help to conserve our native species and support our initiative to offer environmental education to

BOOK LAUNCH

all. It’s beautiful to see so many people taking part in a spirit of collaboration, building new relationships and strengthening the community by literally putting down roots! It fills me with emotion and happiness to see whole families connecting with the earth, enjoying nature, and children growing up with an awareness of the importance of caring for our planet.”

Arboretum Marbella is a non-profit group that relies totally on donations, sponsors and members. Membership is from €5 a month.

Aboretum www.arboretummarbella.org Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ArboretumMarbella

ALOHA COLLEGE

Joan Davies – Memories, Musings & More

Sur in English co-creator Joan Davies finally fulfilled a decade-long dream at the end of 2013: publishing her autobiography. One of the pioneers of the international media on the Costa del Sol, Joan (84) and her late husband Gerry set up the newspaper 30 years ago, after approaching Prensa Malagueña (publishers of Spanish Diario Sur newspaper) with the idea of a weekly version in English.

In a special tribute to their pioneering initiative, the Costa Press Club – of which Joan is honorary president – held a book signing at the club’s Christmas dinner in Fuengirola. “I started to write the book many years ago,” recalls Joan, “and it is so gratifying to finally see my memories come to life on paper and share my experiences with the people I have met and worked with on the Costa del Sol, especially those that still remember my columns and recipes!”

“Joan Davies Memories, Musings & More” (paperback, 163 pages, illustrated, €20) was edited and compiled by Louise Cook Edwards’ iwriteyourstory.com, with photos by Gary Edwards and Martyn Wood.

To order copies: Tel. (+34) 607 627 161 / mylife@iwriteyourstory.com

Orientation Event for Students In December young students from Aloha College took part in Marbella Town Hall’s School Games, in the orientation category. The task was to find their way around Marbella’s Old Town with the help of maps, and their respective age groups enjoyed a highly successful experience, gaining a second and fourth place.

Aloha College Urb. El Angel, Nueva Andalucía Tel. (+34) 952 814 133 www.aloha-college.com HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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BARBERSHOP SINGERS

Courses to “Sing Harmony In A Day” The Spanish Association of Barbershop Singers (SABS) is offering two “Sing Harmony in a Day” courses on the Costa del Sol and the Costa Tropical, for “those who have wanted to sing but not known where to start, did sing at school but have now lost confidence, or want a change from karaoke but are not sure how to go about it”. The first of these will be at Lux Mundi (Fuengirola) on Saturday 22 February, and the second at the Hotel Arrayanes (Almuñecar) on Sunday 23 February.

LA CALA DE MIJAS LIONS

The SABS was formed in October 2008 with the aim of encouraging people in Spain to enjoy this form of a cappella, four-part harmony singing. SABS currently has over 200 members throughout Spain, Portugal and the Canary Islands.

Fuengirola: Tel. (+34) 952 560 651; robert.arlan123@gmail.com Almuñecar: Tel. (+34) 958 784 801; tropicaltones@gmail.com www.sabs.es

BRITISH EMBASSY

New Social Media Channels For Living In Spain

Support For SIGA Golf Charity During 2013, La Cala de Mijas Lions Club once again supported Lions International’s two main interests. One is to help those with impaired sight with a campaign called Sight First. This involves teams travelling all over the world to offer eye-care – for example, removing cataracts in jungle situations.

The second interest is in diabetes, “the silent killer”, and Lions president Patricia Maxwell was delighted to hand over a cheque for €1,000 to Jack Nusbaum, founder and driving force behind the SIGA Golf charity, a nofee, non-profit and legally registered charity dedicated to encouraging those with impaired sight, the physically disabled and the mentally handicapped to enjoy a game of golf at the Parador in Torremolinos.

The third event of the 2013 Para/Golfers Tour – under the auspices of the European Sight Impaired Golf Academy (SIGA) – was held at the Parador in November, where the Diabetic Support Group had a stand as part of the Diabetes Awareness Campaign. According to Jack Nusbaum, the catalyst for the tour was the fact that, although there were many professional-based golf tours, there weren’t any for disabled golfers.

La Cala de Mijas Lions : www.lacalalions.com La Cala Diabetics Support Group: www.lacaladiabetics.com SIGA Golf: sigajack@yahoo.com

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Two new social media channels have been set up by the British embassy for people living in Spain. The objective of “Brits living in Spain” on Facebook and @BritsliveSpain on Twitter is to help Britons engage with fellow residents, as well as to find news and advice from the embassy and its partners who support Britons abroad. Residents can search for and share useful tips and experiences, “thus enabling the 800,000-strong British community to better help each other and make more of Spanish life”.

The launch of these social media channels coincided with the first official visits by the new British ambassador, Simon Manley (pictured), to Málaga, Alicante and Barcelona.

Mr Manley explained, “These days, whether we are young, or just young at heart, we are all going digital. Our new Facebook and Twitter channels are the perfect way for Brits living in Spain to get more information about the issues that matter, and to comment on them so that we can engage better with our nationals living abroad.

“I would really encourage Brits in Spain to search out our new channels, ‘like’ or ‘follow’ them, and reap the benefits of a new way of communicating with each other and with us.”

The new social media channels are regularly updated with “useful, independent information tailored to local demand”, and will provide open forums for residents to engage with fellow Britons across Spain.

UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office. www.fco.gov.uk

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SELLING OR RENTING VENDER O ALQUILAR

DO YOU WANT TO SELL OR RENT YOUR PROPERTY? Don’t miss the opportunity, we have clients interested in: • Playas del Duque & Las Gaviotas (Puerto Banus) • Nueva Andalucia • Golden Mile (beach side) CONTACT US TODAY ¿QUIERE VENDER O ALQUILAR SU PROPIEDAD? No pierda la oportunidad, tenemos clientes interesados en: • Playas del Duque & Las Gaviotas (Puerto Banus) • Nueva Andalucia • Milla de Oro (zona Playa) LLAMENOS HOY

We take this opportunity to wish you a Prosperous 2014 ahead! ¡Aprovechamos para deserles un Prospero Año 2014!

Carolina Salem Tel: (+34) 649 30 78 04 or carolina@solobanus.com

www.solobanus.com

News & Events >

Photos: www.edwardhill.com

EVEN AS THE COLDER MONTHS SET IN, THE COSTA DEL SOL REMAINS A HIVE OF FESTIVE ACTIVITY AT THIS TIME OF THE YEAR, WITH BUSINESS INAUGURATIONS, SPECIAL ANNIVERSARIES, AND A WIDE AND VARIED ARRAY OF GENERAL CELEBRATIONS…

GOLF TOURISM

Spanish Showcase at IGTM on Costa Daurada Golf tourism suppliers, buyers and media from throughout the world travelled to Spain’s Costa Daurada in November for the International Golf Travel Market (IGTM). During an intensive week of business meetings, conferences and networking, the delegates – including representatives from top golf clubs and hotels on the Costa del Sol – also had the opportunity of enjoying the many attractions of the popular Catalan tourist area, with golf (at Lumine and other local clubs), sumptuous soirées, a fun night out at PortAventura and the gala presentation of the IAGTO Awards (International Association of Golf Tour Operators). According to research presented at the 2013 IGTM, Spanish golf tourism is a €340 million industry. Noting that Spain is the number one travel destination for visitors from the UK, France, Germany and Scandinavia, the study also highlighted the value of European golf tourism at €1.55 billion a year. www.igtm.co.uk / www.iagto.com

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HOUSES OF ART

Contemporary View… from Finland to Marbella More than 250 people attended the opening of Finnish contemporary artist Maiju Tirri’s “Metamorphosis” exhibition at the Houses of Art Gallery in Marbella Club. Special guests included Princess Marie-Louise of Prussia, her husband Count Rudi von Schönburg and José Luis Hernández, Marbella Town Hall’s councillor for tourism and foreigners, as well as architects, decorators and members of Marbella’s high society. www.maijutirri.com / www.housesofart.com

Houses of Art owner Marga de Jonge with Matias and Franca Villaroel

Exhibiting artist Maiju Tirri

Architect Ismael Merida and girlfriend, with Karine Maeck

Princess Marie-Louise of Prussia, Count Rudi von Schönburg and Maiju Tirri

Jose Luis Hernández and Maiju Tirri

Maiju Tirri with husband Mikke Ruuhonen, Marga de Jonge and friends

LAMORAGA RESTAURANT

Presentation of Star-Studded Menu Guests enjoyed an exclusive preview of the latest creative additions to Lamoraga’s menu, during a sumptuous cocktail reception at the Puerto Banús restaurant. Devised under the concept “To Dream… Corner of the Stars”, the menu includes 11 dishes created by Michelin-star chefs Oriol Castro, Manolo de la Osa, Pepe Rodríguez Rey, Diego Guerrero, José Polo, David Muñoz, Pepe Solla, Julio Fernández, Nacho Manzano, Jordi Roca and Andrea Tumbarello. www.lamoraga.com (Photos: www.marbellaplus.com)

HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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News & Events > TIARA FURNITURE

Stunning Setting for Showroom Inauguration Peter and Tiara Tian from Tiara Furniture held a glamorous and well-attended inauguration to celebrate their new concession in the Agrojardin garden centre in Estepona. There was a short welcome speech and guests enjoyed cocktails and canapés while taking a wander around the spacious showroom and outdoor exhibition area – displaying beautiful and unusual wooden furniture pieces imported from Bali. www.tiarafurniture.com

LUKS MARBELLA

Generous Support for Underprivileged Children

RED PENGUIN ART GALLERY

Dreamy Launch of Marbella Exhibition The “Live Your Dream” exhibition will remain on show until mid-January following its late-2013 launch at the Red Penguin Art Gallery in Marbella. Several of the participating artists were present at the inauguration cocktail party to talk to guests about their pieces – a total of approximately 30 from various collections. www.redpenguinartgallery.com

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Russian club Luks Marbella concluded its 2013 season of events on the Costa del Sol with the lavish presentation of its new VIP club and the final luncheon of the year, at Tanino Restaurant. The VIP event was attended by 500 people at the F1 Immo Car Gallery; while the luncheon had a special philanthropic focus, with members and guests contributing to the “Cajas de Zapatos Solidarias” campaign (Christmas Shoe Box Appeal). www.luksmarbella.com

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COSMO BEACH MARBELLA

Inauguration of Stunning Luxury Development Exceptional â&#x20AC;&#x153;New Golden Mileâ&#x20AC;? development Cosmo Beach Marbella was officially inaugurated with a sumptuous cocktail party and presentation for real estate agents, held in conjunction with Home & Lifestyle Magazine. The low-density development comprises 53 luxury apartments set over five floors and ranging from penthouses with private access to the unique rooftop infinity pool to ground floor units with private garden areas. www.cosmobeachmarbella.com

HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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BOUTIQUE TRENDS >

Cool Gifts FROM ARTISTIC AND DECORATIVE CREATIONS TO FRAGRANCES AND JEWELLERY, IN THIS SPECIAL SECTION FOR VALENTINE’S DAY WE FEATURE A BROAD AND DIVERSE SELECTION OF GIFT IDEAS… FUN, FUNCTIONAL AND FUNKY.

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1&2.- Natural Inspiration From Art Nouveau to Art Deco, the artistic works of master glassmaker Jean Daum bring modernism and savoir-faire to the world of crystal, achieving a traditional balance between art and craftsmanship. www.daum.fr 3.- Scented Sophistication Former diplomat John-Paul Welton took inspiration from his travels to launch his first Welton Design furniture collection in 2001 and now, believing that “a fragrant ambiance is vital to a beautiful interior”, he has designed several fragrance collections to give a finishing touch to the room – in 2013 also opening the chic Welton London boutique in Paris. www.weltonlondon.com 4.- Artistic Passion Working out of their Barcelona workshop Spanish artist Blanca Cases and Australian digital artist George Angles created the Lu Link brand of textiles, graphic art and objets d’art that “tell a story, and create a mood and invitation to dream”, including lampshades, cushions and prints. www.lu-ink.com 5.- Sweet Dreams It may not be the kind of gift you can hand over by surprise at a romantic Valentine’s dinner, but – for couples who like to do something different for 14 February – a luxury bed could be the perfect “shared” present. The Lussuoso solid mahogany bed is finished with silver leaf and is the only one in the UK from a limited edition of 100 worldwide. www.lussuosodesign.com / www.opulencefurniture.co.uk 6.- Silken Style Featuring a vibrant raspberry shade, and made of soft and supple cotton, Naken Interiors’ Chianti cushion is embellished with a series of hand-crafted silk flowers. www.naken.co.uk

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7.- Heartfelt Charm Gift Wrapped & Gorgeous work with talented UK designer-makers to create personal and thoughtful gift ideas, from hand-made and upcycled cufflinks for him to fine silver personalised jewellery for her. www.giftwrappedandgorgeous.com 8&9.- Culinary Classics The bright red heart on this bottle stopper from Just Slate combines style and functionality, adding a splash of colour to wine bottles; while the blackstone cheeseboard’s rustic surface and riven edge are designed to highlight the textures and tones of food. www.justslate.co.uk 10.- Artisanal Narrative After its founding in 1997, moving social stationery into a new direction with stunning illustrations and signature fabrics and leathers, the Libretto Group has created collections for leading designers and brands around the world. www.libretto-group.com 11.- Refined Elegance A modern smartphone that combines Vertu’s expertise in fine materials, craftsmanship, technology and services, the Constellation’s sleek, contemporary form has been designed and engineered to appeal equally to male and female clients, available in five colours: Cappuccino, Black, Orange, Mocha and Raspberry. www.vertu.com 12.- Sparkling Surprise Gifts for Valentine’s or other special occasions can be personalised with the Wondercandle, in an assortment of numbers, letters or shapes, and as a decoration on a birthday cake or hidden in a flower arrangement. www.optocoonline.com HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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BOUTIQUE TRENDS >

Elegant Allure of Timeless Gifts WATCHES STOPPED BEING MERE TIMEPIECES EONS AGO: FOR DEDICATED CONTEMPORARY TREND-SETTERS, TODAY THEY ARE A STATE-OF-THE-ART FASHION STATEMENT, A MULTI-PURPOSE GADGET… AND, AT THIS TIME OF THE YEAR, A HIGHLY COVETED VALENTINE’S GIFT! Natural Innovation

Tokyflash Japan are refreshingly sincere when it comes to their innovative, sometimes wacky, timepieces. “If you’re looking for a watch that simply tells the time, then our watches are probably not for you,” they note. Thinking well out of the case when it comes to creative watchmaking, what they design is “wearable art” – with design the main focal point, not necessarily function – and one of the latest incarnations of this philosophy is a limited edition of the Kisai Zone Wood model.

Crafted from natural wood, each watch has a woodgrained finish on the case and strap, and includes time, date, alarm mode, eye-catching animations (a composition of stylized hexagons) and El backlighting. The model is available in a choice of three colours: dark sandalwood with black or green LCD; red sandalwood with purple LCD; or maple wood with blue LCD – each with a natural copper-coloured bezel.

A clear coating has been applied to the wood for protection, and the links that make up the strap are individually produced so the strap can be adjusted like a normal watch to fit your wrist. The watch uses a standard CR2025 watch battery that lasts at least 12 months and can easily be replaced. www.tokyoflash.com

Big Bang Luxury

Hublot’s Big Bang range includes two exclusive new timepieces ideal for his and her gifts this Valentine’s.

The Caviar Lady 305 is based on the iconic design of Hublot’s $1 million Black Caviar. It sports a sleek, graphic look with sharp angles and reliefs designed, cut, bevelled and polished like their big sister’s black baguette diamonds, as well as a bezel set with 36 topazes.

The limited edition Big Bang Ferrari houses a titanium and Black ceramic case with a cylindrical bezel that showcases the in-house flyback chronograph UNICO movement visible through the sapphire dial. With no fewer than 330 components, the column wheel and dual horizontal coupling appear on the dial, while an indexed crown features elongated push buttons, fixed along a rotating axis like the pedals in a car. www.hublot.com

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Glass Curtains High Security Doors & Windows Bifold Doors Glass Balustrades info@andaluciaglass.com

952 810 443

www.andaluciaglass.com

C e n t r o C o m e r c i a l A l o h a , Ave n i d a d e l P r a d o, N u e va A n d a l u c i a , M a r b e l l a , M a l a ga 2 9 6 6 0

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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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5 1.- Cubic Revolution Dubbed the “most easy-to-use and reliable 3D printer on the market”, the Cube 3D is certified for safe use at home by both adults and children. The unit’s simple setup enables users to plug it in and start immediately with the included software, then send all kinds of dreamy creations to the printer either via Wi-Fi or a USB stick. Once it has received instructions, the Cubify starts to stream out hot plastic that quickly dries into a solid resin, building up the design layer by layer. www.firebox.com 2-3.- Everyday Elegance Created with the aim of providing accessories that “make a sustainable impression”, the BMW i Collection includes various eco-friendly items that take their design inspiration from the group’s vehicle division, including this chic USB stick. The stick holds 16 gigabytes inside its matt, aluminium-look body and, thanks to an integrated ring, can be attached securely to the BMW i Lanyard, consisting of a blue chord made from recycled PET, or a BMW i Keyfob. www.bmwgroup.com 4-5.- Amusing Touches Imperial Furniture’s Marbella and Algeciras outlets are best known for their extensive range of “quality furniture at affordable prices”, from home interiors to the garden, as well as a wide variety of decoration pieces. Perhaps what is less known is that they also stock a collection of more “offthe-wall” items to lighten up the home, including jewellery and money boxes, candles, clocks… and dancing cows! www.imperialfurniture.es 6-7.- Pet Mysteries The secret lives of our pets as they lurk around in their favourite outdoor nooks and crannies can often lead to some pretty bizarre surprises on their return home. Not so much anymore. The GPaws Pet GPS Tracker exposes your dog or cat’s daytime (and evening) adventures and reveals their favourite hangouts. Lightweight, robust and weather-proof, the miniature GPS tracker clips on to their collar and records their position every five seconds for up to eight hours. It can be plugged into a computer via USB and also viewed and shared using Google Maps. www.firebox.com

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Eco Trends >

Glorious Green A COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY AND ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY PRINCIPLES INFUSES JUST ABOUT EVERY ASPECT OF CONTEMPORARY LIVING, AND LEADING THE WAY IS THE DESIGN AND DÉCOR INDUSTRY. IN THIS SPECIAL NEW “GREEN” SECTION, WE TAKE A LOOK AT SIGNIFICANT, CUTTINGEDGE AND IMAGINATIVE ECO PROJECTS AND PRODUCTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD.

Mallorca-based company 2nd Chance creates furniture and accessories from materials recycled using upcycling techniques… www.2ndchance.es

Changing Eco-Friendly Trends for Business and the Home

By Sam Marquit The world is changing towards a greener future. The green materials market has grown to $116 billion this year, and it’s expected to grow to $254 billion by 2020.

Many companies in the travel industry, for example, have really been motivated to cut energy expenses and create resource-saving policies.

One business that sticks out in the travel industry for being eco-friendly is the ink58 Hotel in New York City. This is an all-organic hotel that serves food and drinks that are completely organic and natural, and uses eco-friendly materials and appliances.

At home, people are also moving towards an all-organic diet. The results are in, and it does not look pretty for food riddled with pesticides and genetically modified materials. Homeowners can also do a lot for their own homes by installing low flow toilets, and they can save even more water with drip irrigation systems.

Reduce, re-use and recycle has been a recurring theme for those joining the green movement. Businesses are looking for more ways to recycle products on

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a large scale. For example, the ARIA hotel in Las Vegas created a huge sorting centre that has saved 47 per cent of its trash from going into landfills. In addition the hotel gives food scraps to local pig farms.

A growing trend at home is re-purposing old or worn-out items and finding new uses for them through a process of “upcycling”. There are all sorts of things in your house that you can re-use. Businesses continue to innovate in the industry, and this is especially prominent with the green hotels in New York City. As this innovation continues, newer and more efficient products will be coming to market.

Sam Marquit is an “independent green contractor” and co-author of Fair Marquit Value: fmarquitv.tumblr.com

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Solar Design

XD Design’s range of solar products for sustainable energy combines functionality and thoughtful design.

The Sunflower comprises a flowerpot with a 2500 mAh rechargeable lithium battery inside (with an output of 5V/max); the Sonus portable speaker features two built-in 1.5W speakers inside and a solar panel connected to an 800mAh rechargeable lithium battery; and the solar radio has a double power supply function via a solar panel and dynamo. www.optocoonline.com

Rustic Utilitarian

One of the new buzz trends for 2014 is “Rustic Utilitarian”, and Little Tree Furniture’s upcycled collection of reclaimed wood has been designed to capture the essence of the style.

“The ‘rustic’ part of this trend,” explains the East Sussex-based family business, “accounts for the simple charm and beauty that wooden furniture introduces to the home, while ‘utilitarian’ focuses on the need for well-built, practical items that will stand the test of time.” www.littletreefurniture.co.uk

Innovative Technology

The first Villeroy & Boch WC with a flushing volume of just 3.0/4.5 litres (six is the norm), the DirectFlush sets new standards in ecology and economy – while still offering the same high performance without any need to change usage habits. Thanks to diverse adjustment options, DirectFlush can be used universally for new buildings and comprehensive renovations. www.puya.es / www.villeroy-boch.com HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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Design & Décor > From Stones… available online at www.furnishspain.com

Keeping Warm THIS WINTER

Living on the Mediterranean, we have the rare pleasure of enjoying many warm and sunny days throughout the winter months. When the sun goes down, however, the temperature can plummet – making our homes noticeably much colder.

As Mediterranean buildings are often not designed and built to cater for keeping us warm when temperatures are lower (essentially, just cooler during the

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warmer months), this issue we look at what measures we can take to keep us cosy through this season of variable climatic conditions.

From fluffy cushions, colourful throws and versatile rugs to decorative candles and soft lighting, and chic fireplaces, fire pits and heaters to triple-glazing insulation… there are many ways to add a snug and appealing touch to our homes in Spain.

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Distributed in the UK by www.encompassco.com

The Balance stove woodburner evolves from a solid fuel stove into a piece of furniture, with its modular log storage elements, bench, drawer units and multi-media shelves, available in high quality steel, walnut or oakâ&#x20AC;Ś distributed in the UK by www.encompassco.com

www.furnishspain.com

Flamerite Corbelâ&#x20AC;Ś available on the Costa del Sol from www.unique-fires.com and www.pias-chimeneas.com HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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Design & Décor >

Available from www.pias-chimeneas.com (Photo David Toms)

Firebelly from www.ludlowstoves.co.uk

Modern wood burners and wood burning stoves provide an excellent primary heat source, as the wood burner becomes an attractive focal point as well as being more efficient than a regular open fire. Woodburning stoves also have an added advantage as the fuel is carbon neutral.

Dimplex Burbank…available on the Costa del Sol from www.pias-chimeneas.com

With many suitable for outdoor or indoor use, ethanol burners are an increasingly popular – and versatile – option for homeowners.

They are eco-friendly, portable and efficient.

The ZigZag Fire… an aluminium and ceramic coffee table that can easily be turned into a fire or barbecue: kettal.com

Equo bioethanol fireplace… available in Marbella from www.gunnitrentino.es

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Barbecues Outdoor Heaters Wood and Pellet Burning Stoves Free-Standing Fires Wood, Gas and Bioethanol Fireplaces Outdoor Kitchens 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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Design & Décor >

www.villeetcampagne.co.uk

Housewarming throws from www.villeetcampagne.co.uk

www.villeetcampagne.co.uk

Throws add colour and texture to interiors while also being the perfect “companion” for a cold night at home reading, watching TV or even entertaining friends on the terrace.

Iapetus’s new range also adds a luxury touch: they are woven in Ireland at Avoca’s mill, and each throw is “super-soft and made from the finest yarns”.

Heritage prints are the latest trend from Ville & Campagne’s new range of pure wool and lambswool throws. From spots and checks to herringbone and houndstooth, they are ideal for both country villas and city apartments.

Luxurious throw from www.iapetus.co.uk

Inviting rugs available from www.mueblescasasola.com

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www.iapetus.co.uk

www.mueblescasasola.com

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Project recently completed by Concept Building SL

FOR SALE Current project in Nueva Andalucia due to be completed April 2014...

Designed by

part of the CONCEPT GROUP

VILLAS DESIGNED TO UNWIND Concept Building S.L. 路 Concept Building Supplies 路 Concept Windows & Doors T: (+34) 952 808 107 路 www.concept-building.com 路 info@concept-building.com

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Design & Décor > Welton London boutique in Paris: www.weltonlondon.com

Even commercial premises (offices, shops, hotels, spas, etc.) can be enhanced and made infinitely more cosy with a warm touch, like this sitting room with a fireplace in John-Paul Welton’s first Welton London boutique, opened in Paris last year.

Uniting tradition with contemporary needs, Vauni’s flueless ethanol fireplace… available from www.pias-chimeneas.com

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Begun as a game between then 12-year-old Xavier Mañosa and his father – creating a ceramic modular shape that could be stacked together mixing different colours – the Pussel was mutated over time by the designer, who took his references from children’s modular puzzles, where shape, colour and materials intermingle with their various functions as lamp, vase and candle holder. Made in Barcelona using entirely traditional methods with painstaking detailing and finishing, the Pussel is created from high-temperature ceramic and blown glass. www.kettal.com

www.furnishspain.com

For a slightly more original warming accessory for the home, the MB&F MAD Gallery in Geneva has been showcasing “kinetic art” produced in association with British creative partnership Laikingland. “Laik”, from the Old English “lác”, means “play” in parts of northern England, and Laikingland’s philosophy is partly about “injecting a touch of playfulness into the lives of those who come into contact with a Laikingland creation”. As Martin Smith, co-founder of Laikingland with engineer Nick Regan, notes, “Our creations are essentially about mischief.

They’re something to brighten the mood. For us, that is important for the soul.”

The Light a Moment exclusive candle lantern featured here is the result of a col-

laboration between Joost van Bleiswijk and Kiki van Eijk. A soft and romantic ceramic form holds a traditional church candle reflected a thousand times through fragmented mirrors built in a constructivist shape. The shell of mirrors opens in a slow movement, “allowing the observer a moment to reflect and appreciate the act of lighting the candle and living in the now”. www.mbandf.com HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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Design & Décor >

www.andaluciaglass.com

For increased thermal efficiency (both hot and cold), Andalucía Glass & Steel supply and install REHAU UPVC windows and doors, as well as Thermal Break aluminium profiles from Europe’s leading manufacturers, incorporating the latest technological advances in design. Featuring high security locking systems and sculptured glazing beads – and in UPVC, aluminium, open-in, open-out, sliding, tilt and turn, white or woodgrain effect (brown) – their windows and doors keep the home warm, safe and secure.

www.andaluciaglass.com

www.eliteglasscurtains.com

www.eliteglasscurtains.com

To fully appreciate and take advantage of terrace (and other “open”) areas during the colder months, glass curtains are the ideal solution. Elite Glass Curtains are specialists in the manufacture and installation of glass curtains, offering a versatile, totally frameless glass system specifically designed for balconies, terraces and patios. Elite’s curtains can be fully closed, fully open or opened on a panel by panel basis.”

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Commercial projects ...bars, offices and restaurants

Domestic projects ...kitchens, bedroom, bathroom and bespoke furniture

“The details are not the details, they make the design” -Charles Eames

At Kubic Design Solutions we offer a full design and installation service for whatever your new project may be, kitchen, new bar or even a home office we can take care of it all with our in-house design and carpentry team using only high quality materials and fittings.

Contact us for a free no obligation consultation

951 974 580 • 665 677 701

www.kubicdesignsolutions.com

Design & Décor >

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1.- Flamerite Cadenza… available on the Costa del Sol from www.unique-fires.com.

2.- Available from www.pias-chimeneas.com (Photo David Toms). 3.- Uniting tradition with contemporary needs, Vauni’s flueless ethanol fireplace… available from www.piaschimeneas.com. 4.- Gallery from www.ludlowstoves.co.uk. 5.- Distributed in the UK by www.encompassco.com. 6.- Flamerite Quarenta… available on the Costa del Sol from www.unique-fires.com

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Design & Décor >

Fabulous Flooring THE HOME DECORATION AND IMPROVEMENTS MARKET IS FULL OF EXCEPTIONAL FLOORING OPTIONS, FROM CARPET, WOOD AND VINYL TO TILE AND LAMINATE – SOMETHING TO SUIT ANY HOME OR BUDGET. Versailles-Chantilly New York: www.blackshawinteriordesign.com

If your home has no under-floor heating, carpet is an obvious choice to create a warm, cosy feel. There is a wide variety of styles, textures and blends to choose from that vary in price and quality. Different systems of yarn, colourations, designs, tone-on-tone prints, loops and tip shears have now come onto the market, so there is a great deal to consider when choosing a carpet.

Textured carpets such as chunky loop piles in a room with textured fabrics and wallpapers can create a sophisticated look. However, as attractive as carpet can be, it is not always practical in a kitchen or bathroom, or in a house with pets, so this needs to be taken into account.

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The new generation of vinyl flooring is easy to install, long-lasting, easy to keep clean and extremely economical. Exotic wood effects in laminate and resilient flooring have become more sought-after and have the added benefit of saving on natural resources. But in many residences on the Costa del Sol and in Gibraltar, this kind of flooring is not particularly common and, instead, floor tiles and marble are more popular choices as they work better in warmer climes – especially in kitchens and bathrooms – while large sheet-like tiles can contemporise a room, giving a great sense of space.

Timber and tile flooring are currently very on-trend. Finishes are moving on to

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Designer bathroom with floor made from reclaimed encaustic tile: www.alhambrahome.co.uk

Monochrome and coloured porcelain patchwork tiles from Spain: www.alhambrahome.co.uk

Bolon Studio Wing: www.blackshawinteriordesign.com

flat and unassuming, with limed or oiled timber floorboards and matt finish tiles offering a very natural look. Pale colours such as milky greys and creams help to create a soft effect and give the space a fresh modern feel. Gone are the days of traditional orange and red hardwood: driftwood On a marble or tiled surface it is often pleasant to have an area rug to give a warm accent to the room. The beauty of a rug is that it can play a passive role in a room or be the centre of attention. There are many styles to choose from, able to transform your home instantaneously.

The trend for an ecological home also incorporates flooring. The demand for

commercial flooring that complies with stipulated energy and environmental standards has also helped lower prices for residential eco flooring, which has led to a growing number of new products and increased demand.

Many flooring manufacturers are now producing ecological materials, adding lines that feature high recycled content and raw materials obtained from sustainable sources.

Some engineered wood floors eschew plywood base construction in favour of wood pulp mixed with stone dust to produce an extremely stable substrate composed of around 70 per cent recycled material.

HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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Design & Décor >

High-end flooring finishes from leading Mijas-Costa design, construction and refurbishment company: www.gecontec.com

Porcelain patchwork floor tiles: www.alhambrahome.co.uk

The new buzzwords floating around in the world of flooring are “antimicrobial” and “antibacterial”, and this has brought cork to people’s attention as it is thought to possess natural antibacterial properties. Cork is non-toxic and is taken from the bark of the cork oak tree. It is a key ingredient in eco-friendly linoleum and is a sustainable material because the bark grows back and can be harvested over and over again.

In terms of leading trends for 2014, wider flooring boards look fantastic in modern open-plan spaces. White oiled and chalky finishes will continue to be popular, as well as rustic and reclaimed oaks. New and recycled parquet and decorative block flooring panels are becoming more sought-after, with some experts predicting a move towards more textured wood flooring finishes – making an interior such as scorched, brushed, fumed and washed wood floors more attractive.

Flooring does not just stop at the front door, of course: outdoor decking has advanced over the years and is now highly durable and able to create an elegant look on a terrace or around a swimming pool. Many companies in Spain have ventured into this market.

Stephanie Noce: www.blackshawinteriordesign.com

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 numerous options for creating a beautiful deck for your home, including plastic decking.

People often choose hardwood decking timber purely for its natural beauty, and it is not until they actually have it installed that they realise how much work it is to maintain. “Depending on the size of the boards you choose, there is a higher risk of cupping for wide boards 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, according 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”. www.concept-building.com

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Interior furniture specialists · Quality fitted kitchens

· Fitted wardrobes and dressing rooms

· Doors

· Laminated and wooden floors

Av. Juan Carlos I nº 52, Parque Central Local 4. 29680 Estepona Telf/Fax: 952 808 640 · 629 020 486 info@decodaninteriores.com

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Design & Décor >

The beauty and glamour of hardwood flooring can be seen in any interior design magazine but, as Felix Korsch from Marbella-based carpentry workshop Korsch asks, “in a region obsessed with marble flooring, should we change?” The fact, he says, is that hardwood floors keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. “And, if that isn’t enough, hardwood floors are easier to maintain, more hygienic and durable, good for the environment and, in some cases, if you end up selling your home, you can take the floor with you!”

Oak is becoming more popular as a material for flooring as it is unique in its colour and character. The wood is recycled so it is ecological and, contrary to opinion, does not make any noise and can even have under-floor heating beneath it if required. As the wood is oiled, it is easy to maintain, and wear and tear only gives the wood more character. An oak floor needs to be installed correctly to ensure that when the wood expands and contracts the planks do not buckle or slide. www.korsch-tischlerei.com

Gunni & Trentino are exclusive suppliers of a material that has the appearance of wood but is actually a mix of wood and resin and does not require maintenance like traditional wood decking (i.e. no varnish needed). It does not chip, crack or rot and will not be attacked by termites or lignivoros fungal. It is resistant to water, frost and inclement weather, and can handle sudden temperature changes (if the placement indications are respected). It is usable on both sides, smoothed or ruled, according to aesthetic needs, and both surface finishes are non-slip, even in the wet. It requires no treatment to be protected against harsh climatic conditions and does not blacken like most conventional woods. www.gunnitrentino.es

One contemporary, fast-installation and easy-maintenance alternative to flooring systems is microcement. Available from Get Up Cement in Marbella (among other local suppliers) it is a cementitious-coloured micro topping, one to two millimetres thick, designed to be used in multiple thin coat applications. It is valid for interior or exterior use, is ideal for the refurbishing of old concrete,

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tiles and plaster, can be used vertically and horizontally, and has excellent adhesive properties… with the correct surface preparation, it will bond to almost all solid substrates including concrete, ceramics, marble, mosaics, tiles, steel, plaster, gypsum and wood. www.getupmicrocemento.com

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Design & Décor >

Divine Doors ENDURING ELEGANCE True to its name, the rustic look has endured for years as a chic touch to contemporary homes, and the trend is likely to maintain its popularity for many to come.

One “local” (Andalucian) company that has refined the look over generations, dedicated to the hand-made production of artisanal doors and Moorish style and inspired by the Alhambra’s stunning rooms, is Puertas Rústicas Alpujarreñas (Rustic Doors Alpujarras).

Based in the heart of Granada’s picturesque Alpujarra mountain range, the family-owned company’s craftsmen carpenters are keen to preserve the knowledge and convey the spirit and essence of former times, producing woodwork in the same style as it was carved hundreds of years ago.

Their latest catalogue includes exceptional door designs featuring a combination of captivating symmetry and high-quality wood textures; as well as a series of decorative, Nasrid-inspired panelling and skirting boards.

Puertas Rústicas Alpujarreñas doors are available in Estepona from Todomadera. Tel. (+34) 952 793 391 / www.todomaderaestepona.com

Graphis model sliding doors from Rimadesio: available in Marbella from www.gunnitrentino.es

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www.luxurykitchensdirect.com sales@luxurykitchensdirect.com

Online shop www.shopluxurykitchensdirect.com

Call now for your free quotation +34 951 204 077 / 0207 097 15 00

Direct from manufacturer · Up to 40% less than similar manufacturers Full design & installation service (Spanish based English installers) · Individual commissions undertaken Kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms, dressing rooms, study, lounge, panelling & architectural products Luxury furniture manufactured in our own workshop · Wide range of classical & contemporary styles, timber & painted finishes Showhouses needed for new brochure photography (additional discounts available)

S. D. S. SUPERIOR DECORATION SERVICES

An established team of highly experienced professionals · All aspects of interior and exterior decoration Wall coverings: paper, silks, lincrustas, etc. · Detail work, special effect paint finishes and help with design Quality workmanship for the discerning client at highly competetive rates Tel: 952 455 551 / 695 845 118 · Email: hammondluc1@yahoo.co.uk

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Design & Décor >

PASSIONATE INNOVATION Wood is Román Clavero’s passion, and creating innovative, high-quality carpentry products has been at the core of their business for three decades. They make products using other materials, such as aluminium and bronze, but always ensuring wood remains the main protagonist.

The inspirations behind their work are latest-generation German technology and meticulous selection of materials. Their influences range from styles highlighted by pure and refined lines, geometric shapes and art deco to neo-classical, new rustic and even neo-baroque. In addition, they create exclusive designs for clients if a project requires it.

In recent years, the company has adapted to changing trends in the market, from “traditional architecture” (Andalucian or rustic style… grilles, windows and doors with shutters, staves, nails, etc.) to “cubic”. New products such as their 0 Line, for example, comprise passageway doors up to three metres high, made without cover plates or flashing, and with frames level with the wall and hidden hinges.

Román Clavero Puerto Banús Showroom. Tel. (+34) 951 775 175 / 646 761 242 Casares Factory. Tel. (+34) 952 894 149 www.romanclavero.com

Contemporary designs from www.decodaninteriores.com

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Puerto Banús Showroom Av. José Banús. Playas del Duque, Edif. Málaga, Local B.1 29660 Puerto Banús (Marbella) Telf. +34 951 77 51 75 / +34 646 76 12 42 info@romanclavero.com www.romanclavero.com

Ultimate High Design in Windows & Doors

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Fairs & Exhibitions >

Design Showcase THE INTERNATIONAL HOME, DESIGN, DÉCOR AND ART EXHIBITION ROAD SHOW WILL RESUME IN 2014 WITH AMBIENTE IN FRANKFURT FROM 7 TO 11 JANUARY; IMM COLOGNE FROM 13 TO 19 JANUARY; INTERIORS UK IN BIRMINGHAM FROM 19 TO 22 JANUARY; THE NEXT EDITION OF MAISON & OBJET IN PARIS FROM 24 TO 28 JANUARY; AND FERIA HÁBITAT VALENCIA FROM 11 TO 14 FEBRUARY.

Dimore Studio: Designer scenes d’interieur 2014

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Tom Dixon: Designer of the Year Maison & Objet 2014

Dimore Studio

Philippe Nigro: Designer now! design à vivre 2014

Tom Dixon

Dimore Studio

DREAMY ELSEWHERE IN PARIS The first Maison & Objet exhibition of the year invites exhibitors and visitors to embark on “distant inner journeys”. Featuring the main spring-summer trends theme of “Elsewhere”, the Paris show will run from 24 to 28 January.

According to the organisers, the theme reflects a desire to get away and a wish for openness to the world that are animating design and the art of living.

“Travelling coolness is looking for new lands, unseen vistas, far-off spots where adventure and wonder are at hand. Globetrotters and nomads, amblers and bushwhackers are heading out to discover the Other and sketching the shifting cartography of a mobile, fluid, cosmopolitan and more human world.”

Highlights of the exhibition cover Elsewhere in nature, under the sun and in abysses and space: “Landscape” by Elizabeth Leriche, a “soothing contemplation of landscapes… teleporting our imaginations towards new horizons”; “Heliotropic” by François Bernard, with the sun irradiating creation… ”divine, artsy, sexy, sometimes kitschy and eccentric, luxurious and joyful”; and “Beyond” by Vincente Grégoire pour Nelly rodi, “a contemporary cabinet of curiosities…

bringing together sea-punks and mermaids in mid-water, robots and astronauts searching for new frontiers”.

The three “créateurs” are Tom Dixon (Designer of the Year Maison & Objet 2014), who rose to prominence in the mid 1980s as “the talented untrained designer with a line in welded salvage furniture” and who is known for such iconic designs as the Mirror Ball, Copper Shade, Wingback chair and Beat light; Philippe Nigro (Designer now! design à vivre 2014), an independent designer who works for a variety of producers, primarily in Italy and France; and Dimore Studio (Designer scenes d’interieur 2014), an interior design firm set up by Emiliano Salci and Britt Moran.

After Paris, Maison & Objet will debut in Singapore from 10 to 13 March at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre, bringing with it “the very same spirit of creativity and sophistication that characterises its Parisian event”. Over 180 exhibitors have been chosen to “place an exciting emphasis on regional design offerings”. www.maison-objet.com HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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Fairs & Exhibitions >

Innovative Trends in Germany

Ambiente (Frankfurt): 7-11 January

Featuring the new season message “Sovereign Composure”, the Ambiente show in Frankfurt comprises four trend scenarios and staged displays: “Stunning Temper”, “Subtle Spirit”, “Serene Nature” and “Striking Mind”. www.ambiente.messefrankfurt.com

IMM Cologne: 13-19 January

Highlighted by the latest international furniture and interior trends, in a compelling and highly effective business atmosphere, IMM Cologne showcases a wide and varied range of displays, from self-assembly furniture to premium brands and visionary product designs. www.imm-cologne.com

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The Furniture Shop www.homeandlifestyle.es

home &lifestyle m a g a z i n e

As Home & Lifestyle Magazine is in contact with so many people who want to sell furniture, we have set up a section where people – both individuals and industry professionals – can buy or sell furniture items through our easy-to-use website.

Do you have a furniture item in your shop or home that you would like to sell?

Perhaps you would like to buy some furniture and are looking for inspiration!

Whether you’re buying or selling, visit www.homeandlifestyle.es and go to our Furniture Shop today.

For more information call (+34) 952 905 000 or email info@homeandlifestyle.es

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First Person >

Bringing harmony, ambience and warmth to the home INTERVIEW WITH EDUARD KUSS OF PIAS CHIMENEAS

Owner of Pias Chimeneas, Pia Kuss

Tell us something about your professional background and why you chose to come to Spain…

Pias Chimeneas was established in 2004 and we opened our showroom in 2005.

Pia is a banker and she has 30 years’ experience in banking and finance. I am a banker too and graduated in business management and IT. I also worked a couple of years as a treasurer in a large German international company. We lived in America and Mexico and then finally returned to Germany. It was then when we decided to open something for ourselves and totally change our careers.

We thought it would be a great idea to open a fireplace shop in Marbella – our friends thought we were crazy! We had a German production company for fireplaces and they taught us how to do installations.

We had saved some money so we could survive the learning curve during the first few years. We learned that here they do not require free-standing stoves.

So we changed our strategy and contacted other companies and importers and learned that 90 per cent of the fireplaces required here were gas fires – this was

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something we had not expected. Also, in the first few years we spent a lot of money on advertising and networked like crazy to make lots of contacts.

What are the basic principles behind your work ethic?

We want to provide good service and high quality products. It is important to us to always install according to European requirements and offer an excellent after-sales service.

How would you summarise the market at present and how you fit into this market?

When the property market was very low, we didn’t stop marketing, networking and showing new products and developments in our business. Around 98 per cent of our clients are foreigners, particularly from the north of Europe. Spanish people do not tend to come to us.

I think we are more attractive to northern Europeans because we have so many

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Photography by David Toms

products from there, so our clients can have brand names that they recognise from their own countries. We are an independent dealer and can provide almost anything. The market is coming back and we have had a very successful last couple of years with work from all over the Costa del Sol and Cádiz.

How would you differentiate your business from others in your sector?

We are independent with two or three suppliers. We can deliver ideas based on what we see in the international market. We follow trends and go to fairs, where we get ideas and find out about all the latest products.

What do you most enjoy about your work and what is your vision for the company?

I enjoy how varied my work is. Each client has a unique requirement which makes our job interesting. We do all of the installations ourselves and I attend every single one. My partner has a degree in fireplace building from Germany and works to European standards. Our vision... well we want to continue with our success!

How do you see the future of fireplaces and designs for heaters?

Renewable energy is the buzzword but it is a shame because many people don’t like to use pellets as it is easier to switch on a gas fire. Pellets are clean and a great alternative to, say, a wood burner.

The design for heaters is very interesting. You can have a heater for every room in your house and it can even be used as a central heating system to heat a swimming pool in combination with a wood or pellet burner in your living room.

A fireplace is not just something that brings harmony and ambience but it can also be used as an energy source in your house for a radiator or under-floor

heating. From the heater, there is a connection to a water system that can warm up a pool.

In terms of design, you can use nearly every material available for your fireplace, from leather, gold and silver to stone... the list goes on. You can build some really incredible fireplaces these days. In our shop we have standard products but we can also provide bespoke fireplaces to suit any requirement.

What do you think is key to running a successful company in Spain?

You have to be knowledgeable about the market you are entering and have some money behind you. You cannot start on a shoestring. Patience is very important. To be able to speak more than one language is also important on the Costa del Sol, and it has been an advantage that we speak various languages as it has opened more doors for us. You must be open-minded.

Pias Chimeneas Calle El Califa 564. Nueva Andalucía, Marbella Tel. (+34) 951 275 693 www.pias-chimeneas.com HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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Garden Landscape >

Blooming Romance

By Dick Handscombe

Creating a rose garden... for Valentine’s Day Roses grow well in many Spanish gardens, provided they are purchased, propagated, planted and cared for well. The benefits are several…

1. There are many varieties and forms to choose from, including ground cover, bush, half and full standards, climbers and ramblers.

2. Many are perfumed and indeed I would not plant a rose that was not perfumed, especially in Spain where warm breezes spread perfume through the garden.

3. Many have long intermittent flowing seasons with great displays at Christmas if pruned correctly through the autumn. The main pruning time is January but, if there are new buds, allow some plants to flower for Valentine’s Day on 14 February and then prune heavily. In practice the best displays will be in the spring and early summer.

4. In Spain it is relatively easy to propagate new plants from cuttings of the favourite varieties in your or your friends’ gardens. The trick is to take long 60-centimetre cuttings and sink them two-thirds into the ground where you want to have a new plant. This way the roots that develop are deep from day one.

5. All that is needed during the year is the winter cut back, regular dead heading, a heavy mulching with horse or goat manure during winter, the planting of a couple of garlic segments alongside each plant to deter insects, an occasional

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spray with ecological neem oil (insecticide) and propolis (fungicide) products, and watering in dry spells.

6. Roses are among the very best flowers for cutting for vases within the house or on a table on a covered terrace.

7. If you enjoy colourful and healthy salads you can add the petals of one or two flowers to a diverse mix of salad leaves.

Apartment dwellers don’t need to miss out on the benefits of roses, as dwarf and moderate-sized rose plants can be grown in containers, although it is best to keep the containers in the shade to prevent root balls from drying out during long hot spells.

If you are looking for a Valentine’s present to go with a single or bunch of flowers how about a Spanish gardening or lifestyle book. Clodagh and I have now written eight that are all available from Amazon Books.

Happy rose gardening during 2014.

Holistic gardener, author and broadcaster Dick Handscombe has lived in Spain for 25 years. www.gardeninginspain.com

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Open Road >

Visionary Concept The Play Station Gran Turismo series turned 15 last year and the anniversary was marked with a challenge to the world’s leading automotive manufacturers and design studios: look forward into the future.

Using the theme “Vision Gran Turismo”, the creative teams were tasked with developing concept models that “give a unique insight into the further development of the automobile”. As virtual vehicles that also function like a real car, the visionary concepts will be gradually unveiled in and integrated into the new game Gran Turismo 6 through online updates.

At Mercedes-Benz, designers developed the AMG Vision Gran Turismo, featuring “extreme proportions, sensual contours and intelligently implemented high tech blend to form a body that visually brings to life the breathtaking performance of

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FOR VIRTUAL REALITY

430 kW (585 hp) and 800 Nm of torque”. A 1:1-scale model, the Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo celebrated its world premiere in November at the opening of the new Mercedes Benz Research & Development Centre in Sunnyvale (California).

The super sports car, with its hallmark Mercedes gullwing doors, was due to take to the virtual racetrack when the new game went on sale in December, as the first of the “Vision Gran Turismo” series.

According to Gorden Wagener, vice president of design for Daimler AG, “The sports car proportions that are a typical Mercedes feature have been reinterpreted: the long bonnet has a flowing transition into a compact greenhouse offset to the rear, which takes the form of an aerodynamically efficient water drop to

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descend slightly at the rear, where it rests on the rear end with broad shoulder contours. The dynamic aura is accentuated by an extended, dramatic side contour and a pronounced bulge to the wheel arches, which blend into the low-slung, muscular bodyshell… The red-glowing contour lines on the lower part of the vehicle create an effect similar to that of exterior ambient lighting and stand out from the silver-painted bodywork. “This makes the Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo look even more aggressive.”

Another eye-catching feature is the radiator grille – a reinterpretation of the wide Mercedes-Benz sports car grille with central star. Its shape is reminiscent of the 300 SL racing car of 1952 but, instead of classic louvers, the grille of the show car features exclusively LEDs. The interior of the two-seater has been inspired by a Formula 1 cockpit, with the

red integral sports seats blending into the black flooring of the footwell to form a protective shell. The central display is optimally positioned in the driver’s field of vision, taking the form of a glass surface floating directly above the racing steering wheel with its shift paddles, and shows all the relevant information such as road speed, engine speed and operating temperature as required.

Operation is by rocker switches in the centre of the dashboard and in an overhead console, like in a jet. The steering column visibly penetrates the firewall to the engine compartment, creating a visual connection between the driver and the AMG V8 front-mid engine.

For fans of Gran Turismo 6, the Mercedes-AMG sound specialists created “a powerful, sonorous exhaust note that authentically celebrates the V8’s love of high engine speeds”.

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Travel & Getaways >

Romantic Idyll

FOR AN EXOTIC AND MEMORABLE VALENTINE’S “GETAWAY” THIS YEAR WE THOUGHT WE WOULD ESCAPE THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE WINTER WITH A TRIP TO ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST MAGICAL SETTINGS, THE GREAT BARRIER REEF OFF THE NORTHERN AUSTRALIAN COAST, AND THE ULTRA-LUXURIOUS QUALIA RESORT. Just over a year ago, qualia was named “best in the world” in the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards, described as “sheer perfection” and “flawless”. (The resort is “deliberately spelt with a lower case ‘q’ as it is a reflection of the relaxed, understated nature of this property”.)

The first Australian property in history to top the prestigious 25-year-old survey, it also became one of only four winners to ever receive a flawless score, tallying a complete 100 in all categories including rooms, service, food, location, design and activities.

Located on the sun-drenched northern tip of Hamilton Island, and set among native eucalyptus trees, qualia offers truly breathtaking views of the surrounding

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Whitsunday Islands and Coral Sea. The resort was established 10 years ago when Hamilton Island Enterprises bought the island and, according to chairman Sandy Oatley, developed the vision of creating “a luxury oasis that maximised the sheer beauty of the idyllic location with a standard of service that was uniquely Australian, yet that would meet and exceed the expectations of the most discerning travellers from around the world”.

To that end, its facilities include 60 elegant one-bedroom pavilions “combining a sense of space, openness and harmony that draws the outside in”, with either a sundeck or private infinity edge plunge pool; as well as a beach house, with main bedroom and en-suite, spacious entertaining area with large flat-screen TV

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with surround sound, 10-person dining area, private full-sized swimming pool and separate guesthouse.

Other communal recreational amenities include two infinity-edged pools, two bars and exclusive restaurants, a private dining room, a library, a fitness centre and the Spa qualia, offering an array of “unique, indigenous Australian treatments”, Roman baths and an open-air yoga and meditation pavilion.

Guests have full access to Hamilton Island’s yacht club and an 18-hole championship golf course on neighbouring Dent Island. Just a five-minute ferry ride away, Hamilton Island Golf Club was designed by five-times British Open champion Peter Thomson (of Thomson Perrett) and is the only 18-hole championship golf course in Australia occupying its own island. Also available is a private, scenic helicopter flight, a wide range of water sports, diving or snorkelling, beach drop-offs and reef tours.

Hamilton Island can be accessed directly from all east coast international gateway cities in less than three hours.

A member of Relais & Châteaux, qualia hosts several special events for guests throughout the year, including the Australian Ballet “Pas de Deux in Paradise” and Great Barrier Feast series. www.qualia.com.au / www.hamiltonislandgolfclub.com.au HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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Travel & Getaways >

Enchanting Splendour FROM CORAL REEF PARADISE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD TO A VALENTINE’S WEEKEND GETAWAY CLOSER TO HOME… IN GRANADA, AT THE FOOT OF THE SNOW-CAPPED SIERRA NEVADA MOUNTAIN RANGE.

Immersed in the cultural and architectural heritage of one of Andalucía’s most venerable cities, the Hospes Palacio de Los Patos was converted from a reconstructed 19th century palace in the historic centre.

It was built in an H-shape between 1885 and 1890 by Spanish architect Francisco Giménez Arévalo in celebration of the marriage between two members of one of Granada’s most prominent families. Today, “reflecting the bourgeoisie’s past desire for distinction and innovation”, the hotel’s new interiors have been appointed in a sleek modernist style, with a focus on maintaining the splendour of the original features, such as the roofs, floors and a grand staircase, balanced with contemporary design elements that break up the uniformity of the classical construction.

Another stunning focal point of the 42-room hotel is its verdant Arabic garden, while the restructured version of the palatial facilities includes a spa and treatment areas, an indoor swimming pool and the hotel’s own gourmet restaurant.

Hospes Palacio de Los Patos is a member of Design Hotels: www.designhotels.com/palaciopatos

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Gourmet Cuisine Restaurants: Culinary Road Trip from Paris to Provence Wine Notes: Full-Bodied Introduction to Toro Region Spanish Deli: Creative Online Classes for Pros and Enthusiasts

Le Jules Verne restaurant in Eiffel Tower

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A La Carte >

Romantic Road Trip to France THE COSTA DEL SOL HAS A WONDERFULLY VARIED RANGE OF RESTAURANTS THAT ARE IDEAL FOR AN INTIMATE VALENTINE’S DINNER BUT, FOR THOSE PLANNING A MEMORABLE CULINARY RENDEZ-VOUS FURTHER AFIELD, THIS ISSUE WE ALSO HEAD TO FRANCE: FIRST, TO THE “CITY OF LOVE” TO DISCOVER THE CHARMS AND EXQUISITE CUISINE OF ALAIN DUCASSE’S LE JULES VERNE RESTAURANT; THEN TO PROVENCE, WHERE DUCASSE INDULGED HIS OTHER GOURMET PASSION AS A “CONTEMPORARY INNKEEPER”, OPENING HOSTELLERIE DE L’ABBAYE DE LA CELLE IN 1999.

Culinary Heights

IN PARIS

Alain Ducasse is known for liking his restaurants to tell a story and, when he took over Le Jules Verne, he certainly had the ingredients for an intriguing plot. Set 125 metres above Paris, the restaurant – which celebrates its 30th anniversary on 30 January – is located on the second floor of the iconic Eiffel Tower, was named after a visionary writer whose novels, appropriately, include “From the Earth to the Moon”, and offers the magical culinary touch of a 21 Michelin-star chef… Ducasse.

The same as Ducasse soars over the world of celebrity chefs, Le Jules Verne literally (in the true sense of the word) towers over Paris, fulfilling his desire for it to be “the most beautiful place in Paris to enjoy the pleasure of a contemporary and accessible French cuisine”.

Arguably offering the most stunning restaurant view over the “City of Lights” – a high-tech and sensorial setting dreamt up by Patrick Jouin – Le Jules Verne is headed by chef Pascual Féraud with a team of over 100, “the ‘Ducasse’ generation of thirtysomethings, a young spirit of enthusiastic, ambitious, talented, devoted people trained in the chef’s philosophy and values”.

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Those philosophies are rooted in French tradition while demonstrating a willingness to change with the times. “What would be the point of travelling if all the landscapes were the same?” asks Ducasse. “The same goes for cuisine. People are looking for cuisine that expresses the culinary traditions from which it stems.”

Féraud and Ducasse have created a “resolutely modern French menu, devoid of all pretension, focused exclusively on pleasure”.

For Valentine’s Day on 14 February, for example, the restaurant is preparing a special menu of: delicate sea urchin royale, gold caviar; poached blue lobster, remoulade-style celery, shaved wild apple; roasted scallop, endive/Comté cheese/black truffle; baked sea bass, green asparagus from Provence, citrus sauce; spit-roasted saddle of lamb, spiny artichokes, pearl jus; truffled farmmade brie from Meaux, baby salad leaves; wild strawberry tartlet, rose ice cream; and chocolate/passion fruit palet. www.lejulesverne-paris.com

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A La Carte >

Photos: David Bordes

Gourmet Pleasures When Alain Ducasse took over the Hostellerie de l’Abbaye de la Celle in 1999, his vision was to create a balance of lifestyle, heritage and gastronomy. Nestled among the Varois vineyards, the property adjoins a 12th century Benedictine abbey, a classified historical monument where nuns once caused a scandal by organising trysts.

Ducasse commissioned decorator Tonia Peyrot to renovate the building in 2011, emphasising the abbey’s personality and history, and today the Hostellerie offers charming contemporary accommodation in the shaded square of a tranquil Haut-Var village, and the exquisite pleasures of a true gourmet experience.

Chef Benoît Witz, a long-time disciple who joined Alain Ducasse at the opening of the Louis XV in Monaco in 1987, reinterprets the “essential cuisine” that is the founding philosophy of his culinary mentor, with a combination of Provencal

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IN PROVENCE products from land and sea that evolve with the seasons. The inn’s own vegetable garden uses natural fertilisers to produce 25 varieties of tomato, 15 varieties of basil, four varieties of zucchini and four varieties of squash and eggplant, plus peppers, strawberries, persimmon, fennel, beet and Swiss chard.

Awarded a Michelin star in 2006, the restaurant offers a rich menu that ranges from zucchini flower and crispy bacon risotto to pressed duck, pressed foie gras and figs, and hake, mashed sweet almond and lemon gnocchi.

The Hostellerie has a special romantic getaway offer throughout February (including the 14th), including one night in a double room, a glass of Champagne on arrival, a “romantic welcome” in the room with delicacies, bouquet of red roses and sweet gift, and a gastronomic dinner for two with their Special Valentine’s Day menu. www.abbaye-celle.com

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Wine Notes >

Toro Is For Wine

There are 65 official wine regions in Spain, but most people probably drink wine from only two or three. Not every wine store has a good selection of anything but Rioja and Ribera del Duero, even though there are many rising stars such as Ronda and Somontano.

The best white wine in Spain is made from the Godello grape in the Valdeorras region, just next to Rías Baíxas, and the full reds from El Bierzo and Toro should never be overlooked.

When the Toro region got its official DO (Denominación de Origen) status in 1987 there were just four bodegas; today there are nearly 60. Situated in northwestern Spain’s Zamora province, the climate is extreme. Ten degrees below zero in winter is normal, with summer temperatures in the mid-30s. More than 3,000 hours of sunshine annually make for a wine high in alcohol, and 15 per cent is common.

That great “wine river”, the Duero, breathes life into the Toro region once it has flowed through Ribera del Duero and Rueda, before going on to work its magic in Oporto.

Many drinkers feel that the wines from Rioja and the Duero are a little on the pricey side, and that there must be some bargains around if you cast your shopping bag further afield. For lovers of full-bodied wines, Toro may provide the answer.

One Toro bodega in particular has leapt to the fore in just a few years since its founding in 1999. Founded by a French couple but now owned by local Spanish investors, Quinta de la Quietud only has 16 hectares of vines, grown organically,

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By Ana Gil Peña

and its wines are extremely well made. The flagship label is Quinta Quietud, made from the locally-denominated Tinta del Toro grapes, known elsewhere as Tempranillo. Although other varieties are grown, such as Garnacha and Cabernet Sauvignon, wines must have a minimum of 75 per cent Tempranillo. This wine is superb value at €18.

There are two other reds, Corral de Campanas, a younger, fruity wine, to be drunk within five years of its vintage (€9); and the oddly-titled La Mula de Quietud, described as a “garage wine”, and made from vines of 80-plus years old. It is, like the others, 100 per cent Tinta del Toro, but made in very small quantities.

This is as good an example of Toro at its best, and you have to pay for it (€48).

In addition, there is a dessert white, La Dulce Quietud, (€25).

As a first lesson in Toro wines, there is no better introduction.

Local stockist is Birdie Wines in Fuengirola: www.birdievinos.com

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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

HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES |

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Spanish Deli >

Online Creativity Carlos Gaig

Jordi Roca

Ramón Freixa

Javier de las Muelas

Meritxel Falgueras

Five of Spain’s leading chefs and gastronomy experts have joined forces to offer specialist classes on the internet.

CreativeSignatures.com is aimed at both professionals and culinary enthusiasts who want to learn about the techniques, philosophy and tricks of the fine dining, oenology and cocktail trade.

Jordi Roca, of Celler de Can Roca (which took over top spot in “The World’s 50 Best Restaurants” list in 2013), introduces “Ice Cream Parlour of the Senses”; Ramón Freixa presents some of his “Miniature Cuisine” recipes; Carlos Gaig shares his knowledge of “Modern Classics of Catalan Cuisine”; sommelier and journalist Meritxel Falgueras offers a “Wine Tasting Introduction” course; and Javier de las Muelas explains the secrets of cocktail mixing in “Cocktail Experience”.

The website also includes a forum led by a professional expert available to answer students’ questions, and live streaming chat sessions with the culinary authors.

More information at: www.creativesignatures.com

For readers planning to prepare a romantic dinner at home for Valentine’s Day, Ramón Freixa (of Michelin two-star restaurant Ramón Freixa Madrid) gives us a taster from the new website, revealing the secrets of one of his sumptuous recipes…

Torrejón Cheesecake with Almonds and Rhubarb Compote Ingredients: Torrejón cheese (with “ashes”) Rhubarb Muscovado sugar Butter. Marzipan Oven-cooked bread pancake Preparation: • Cut the rhubarb without peeling it, mix with the butter and muscovado sugar, and heat the ingredients until caramelised with a marmalade texture.

• Roll the cheese and marzipan on paper, cut the mix into round-disk shapes (the same size as the pancake) and freeze.

Presentation: • Brush the pancake with the rhubarb compote. Dress with a layer of marzipan and cheese.

• Add a light au gratin touch to fuse the three layers.

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Fashion, Health, Beautyâ&#x20AC;Ś and Leisure

Catwalk Chic: Ethereal, Sparkling and Sensual Style from BDBA Makeover Competition: Transformation Begins for Competition Winner General Health: Keeping Thinking Skills Sharpâ&#x20AC;Ś and Avoiding Dementia Electronic Cigarettes: A New Way to Quit Smoking Art & Culture: Music, Theatre, Films, Books and Photography Sound Bytes: Looking into the Crystal Ball for 2014 Albums The Final Word: Specialist Advice Jolanda Cats and Hans Withoos... on show at the Red Penguin Gallery

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Catwalk Chic >

BDBA

Brimming with style If there is one sentiment that BDBA clearly does not arouse in people checking out their latest collection it is indifference. Dresses have always been considered the Spanish brand’s strong point and, once again, they are the stars of this season’s collection.

Models for the day are light, floral and ethereal, in contrast to evening styles that are extremely short, sparkling, transparent and replete with pailettes.

For special occasions, the long dresses feature lace, stones and sequins, hugging the body and in contrast with skirts inspired by a more romantic style. One major novelty is a sensual back neckline – elegant and suggestive.

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This soft and feminine tone has its counterpoint in the leather, velvet and suede garments.

Not overlooked are such current trends as checks and animal prints, but always from the BDBA designersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; distinctive point of view, softening the stiffer styles of this particular trend with wool jumpers and sateen and lace blouses.

The main colours range from earthy tones to classic black and white, as well as brighter tones such as turquoise and yellow in some of the designs.

For latest fashion trends, visit: www.trendis.es HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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Health & Beauty >

Luxury Makeover

Photos: David Toms

THE COSMETIC TRANSFORMATION OF LUCKY COMPETITION WINNER MIGUELA DÍAZ PALACIO IS NEARLY COMPLETE. LAST AUTUMN, THE 41-YEAR-OLD WON A PRIZE ORGANISED

BY HOME & LIFESTYLE AND COMPRISING FREE FACIAL AND DENTAL SURGERY CONDUCTED BY TWO OF THE MOST RESPECTED PROFESSIONALS ON THE COAST.

Award-winning surgeon Dr. Kai Kaye from Ocean Clinic and dentist and implantologist Dr. Martha Laguilavo from Dental Care Marbella offered their professional services to Miguela to have a makeover, valued at nearly €50,000, that will transform how she looks and feels about herself.

After Christmas, Miguela underwent the first part of a complex series of dental treatments, having previously received facial cosmetic surgery at Dr. Kaye’s Marbella’s clinic.

Later we spoke to Dr. Martha Laguilavo and Dr. Kai Kaye about the respective processes…

Dental Care Marbella

What did the procedure involve?

In the upper jaw, we extracted three teeth and placed six implants in bone, raised the maxillary sinus and restored the alveolar ridge. In the lower jaw, we extracted six teeth and placed two implants for a hybrid prosthesis, as the bone in the maxillary sinus was not in good condition.

How did it go?

Everything went well, although we had to change our original treatment plant for the lower jaw because – as I mentioned above – the condition of the bone in the maxillary sinus was not particularly good and we found some cysts.

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Photos: David Toms How long did the procedure take?

The whole surgery lasted about three and a half hours.

What is the recuperation process after the treatment and how long does it take?

To complete the whole rehabilitation we need to wait for at least three months, checking it after two days and then one week, to monitor the temporary prosthesis and remove the stitches.

Is there any follow-up treatment and check-ups afterwards?

When everything is healed, we’ll take impressions for the rehabilitation and carry out tests for the eventual teeth – in about three months.

What was Miguela’s reaction after the treatment?

She was very relaxed and confident. Today (the day after) we spoke to her to check how she was and she had no pain; she was well, taking the medicines we prescribed.

Ocean Clinic

What did the procedure involve?

We undertook a liposculpturing of the neck and jaw, a lipofilling of the nasolabial grooves and the cheeks/malar area, a rhinoplasty to refine the tip, and upper blepharoplasty (eyelid lift) and some filler for Miguela’s lips.

How did it go?

Everything went as expected. The operation took around two and a half hours and Miguela could leave our clinic the same day after some hours of recuperation and cooling.

What is the recuperation process after the treatment and how long does it take?

With all facial procedures the primary recovery until the scars are healed is around 10 days, but afterwards your body needs time to recover completely.

We normally say it takes eight to 10 weeks for all the swelling and internal scar tissue to return to normal.

Is there any follow-up treatment and check-ups afterwards?

Miguela had all her post-operative checks including dressing changes, suture removal, etc., and is now in the hands of our physiotherapeutic department, which helps her with the regeneration process by giving her lymphatic drainage and radiofrequency sessions What was Miguela’s reaction after the treatment?

She was happy already one week later but now, with time passing, she is even more satisfied as she can see how the final results are becoming clearer.

Photos: Román Iacaruso HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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Health & Beauty >

Medical Minutes

By John Schieszer

John Schieszer is an award-winning journalist and radio broadcaster of “The Medical Minute”. He can be reached at medicalminutes@gmail.com.

DEMENTIA

Lowering Your Risk for Dementia Exercise more and make sure you do not have high blood pressure. Just taking those two simple steps may significantly help lower your risk for developing dementia. It’s rare to hear good news about dementia, but that’s what a New England Journal of Medicine Perspective article is now reporting.

The article discusses several recent studies that show dementia rates in older adults are on the decline. It is believed this trend is occurring because many adults aged 50 and older are lowering their risk for cardiovascular disease through lifestyle changes. These lifestyle changes subsequently are lowering dementia rates.

“Of course, people are tending to live longer, with worldwide populations ageing, so there are many new cases of dementia,” said American researcher Dr. Eric Larson, who is with the Group Health Research Institute in Seattle (Washington).

“But some seem to be developing it at a later age, and we’re optimistic about this lengthening of the time that people can live without dementia.”

In 2008, Dr. Larson and his colleagues reported one of the first studies suggesting a decline in dementia rates, using information from the US Health and Retirement Study. The researchers found that the decline tracked with education, income, and improvements in health care and lifestyle. Since then, several studies in Europe have confirmed this trend. Researchers believe that better prevention and treatment over the past 20 years of key cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure and cholesterol are now paying off.

CHOCOLATE

Boosting Brain Power Eating chocolate on a regular basis may help improve your brain power and ward off diseases such as Parkinson’s. Dark chocolate (70 per cent or higher cocoa content) is a great source of reservatrol and cocoa phenols (flavonoids) that appear to help keep brains healthier. A new study shows that drinking two cups of hot chocolate a day may help older adults keep their thinking skills sharp.

The study included 60 older adults (average age 73 years) who did not have dementia. All the volunteers drank two cups of cocoa per day for 30 days and did

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not consume any other chocolate during the study. The study, which was conducted at Harvard Medical School, found that cocoa may help improve blood flow problems in the brain and help prevent cognitive decline.

Chocolate is made from cacao (or cocoa) beans, the seeds of cacao trees. Raw cocoa beans have an intense, bitter taste and must be processed to bring out their characteristic flavour. Processing starts with fermentation, in which the moist seeds sit for days in baskets covered with banana leaves while yeasts and bacteria grow on the beans and alter their nature. The beans are dried in the sun and then roasted. Much of the chocolate used in baking, ice cream and hot cocoa undergoes “Dutch processing”, which gives it a milder taste.

Studies suggest a link between higher levels of chocolate consumption and the risk of cardiovascular events. Several studies have found that those individuals who eat the highest amount of chocolate may have a 37 per cent reduction in cardiovascular disease and a 29 per cent reduction in stroke compared with lowest levels. However, be sure to read labels and look for what is added to the cocoa products you consume. Most commercially available chocolate is very caloric (around 500 calories for every 100 grams) and eating too much of it can lead to weight gain, and an increased risk of diabetes and heart disease.

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Health & Beauty >

ADVERTORIAL

The New Way to Quit Smoking Estimates vary but it is generally recognised that well over one billion people around the world smoke tobacco. According to the World Health Organisation, the vast majority of smokers live in “developing or transitional economies” but, even though rates of smoking have levelled off or declined in the “developed” world, especially since the mid-1990s when stronger tobacco controls were implemented, the WHO predicts that – overall – the number of smokers could rise to as many as 1.9 billion in 2025.

They might have to revise those figures, however, following the arrival of a new kid on the smoking block: electronic cigarettes.

Hailed as a healthier alternative to smoking, “vaping”, as it is commonly termed, allows smokers to replace traditional tobacco cigarettes with electrical devices often known as “e cigarettes”. Club I Smoke, for example, “uses state-of-the-art micro-chip electronic technology to provide the user with an excellent smoking experience, without affecting their health, the environment or the people around them”.

According to Club I Smoke, traditional tobacco cigarettes contain about 4,000 toxic chemical substances inhaled by the user, including tar, glue, acetone, ammonia, arsenic, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide, “and all of these are avoided with electronic cigarettes. The ingredients of Club I Smoke electronic cigarettes do not contain cancer-causing agents; instead they contain organic edible ingredients already widely used in the food industry.”

The Club I Smoke electronic cigarette looks and tastes similar to traditional cigarettes but functions in a different way. “Firstly, they do not burn any tobacco but instead, when you inhale, the flow sensor is stimulated, which releases the water vapour containing the flavouring and nicotine. When the user inhales on

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“WITH ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES FROM CLUB I SMOKE, SMOKERS CAN ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE OF BOTH THE PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL SENSATIONS OF SMOKING WITHOUT THE HARMFUL EFFECTS” the electronic cigarette, they get the same throat hit and smoking sensation they enjoy while avoiding the cancer-causing toxins.”

The Club I Smoke electronic cigarette is a two-part system made up of a filter, with an in-built atomiser and long-life lithium battery. The filters are available in several flavours, including tobacco, menthol, coffee and apple, and in various nicotine strengths – full, light or zero.

In addition to being an alternative to traditional cigarettes, electronic cigarettes can also be used as a quitting aid, by reducing the nicotine levels stage by stage and finally to zero strength. “The main benefit of using the electronic cigarette as opposed to nicotine patches,” notes Club I Smoke, “is that it has the same tactile sensation as well as oral fixation, while satisfying the user’s nicotine cravings.”

Using Club I Smoke also saves money. “A 20-a-day smoker will save around €1,000 a year.”

Available from Aaron’s Phone Case, first floor, La Cañada shopping centre, Marbella; or online at www.clubismoke.com

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ART & CULTURE >

Ateneu Fort Pienc

Announcement Day in Barcelona An exhibition by artist and graphic designer Albert Ruiz Villar will be on show at the Centre Cívic Ateneu Fort Pienc in Barcelona from 14 January to 7 February.

Titled “Anunciación: consequencias”, the collection brings together the core aspects of Barcelona-based Ruiz Villar’s work, “a mix of maps, stratus, marks and scars”. www.fortpienc.org / www.ruizvillar.net

Theatre Festival

Annual Cultural Showcase in Málaga Málaga city’s theatres will be the centre of cultural activity in January and February with the 31st Festival de Teatro offering a record 75 performances. Most will be held at the Teatro Echegaray and Teatro Cervantes, but the programme (9 January to 16 February) – covering musicals such as “Grease” (6-10 February) and classics including “Hamlet” (23 January) and “Julius Caesar” – will also extend to the Museo del Vino and MIMMA (Museo Interactivo de la Música de Málaga).

Running parallel to the concerts will be children’s events, lectures, workshops and concerts, as part of the “Off Festival” schedule. www.teatrocervantes.es / www.teatroechegaray.com / www.mimma.es / www.museovinomalaga.com Meanwhile, tickets are on sale for a month-long season of “Les Miserables” at the Teatro Cervantes, from 20 June to 20 July (www.teatrocervantes.es, www.unientradas.es). www.losmiserables.es

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Joss Uñac... at Red Penguin Gallery

Red Penguin Art Gallery

Living the Dream in Marbella Monique Bastiaans... at Red Penguin Gallery

Continuing until mid-January, Red Penguin Art Gallery’s “Live Your Dream” exhibition includes 30 works of art from the collections of various artists, both new and resident, from Spain, Holland, Belgium, Germany and France. www.redpenguinartgallery.com

Bush Flowers

Luggage Adorned with Aboriginal Art The latest indigenous artist to join a global travelling programme organised

by Catherine Manuell Design is Gwyneth Blitner, who comes from a family of artists in Australia’s Arnhem Land. Inspired by her remote surroundings, the “Bush Flowers” paintings adorn a colourful and vibrant set of luggage pieces and accessories, as part of the company’s “The Art of Going Places” travel collection. www.catherinemanuelldesign.com

Polígono Gallery

Parallel World of Marcos Bontempo On show at Polígono Gallery until 20 February, Argentine artist Marcos Bontempo’s “Between Two Worlds” exhibition symbolises a suggestive world of multi-faceted creatures joined with representatives of other species including horses and snakes. www.poligonogallery.com HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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ART & CULTURE >

Barenboim-Said Foundation

World-Renowned Ensemble of “West-East” Musicians Founded by the Junta de Andalucía (Regional Government) in 2004, the Barenboim-Said Foundation is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year with concerts in Sevilla and Cádiz. Young musicians from Israel, Arab countries in the Middle East and Spain will come together as part of the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra project created by Israeli pianist and conductor Daniel Barenboim and Palestinian professor Edward Said.

The 2014 workshop will end with two concerts: at Sevilla’s Teatro de la Maes-

tranza on 19 January, with lyric soloists Peter Seiffert, Iréne Theorin, Lioba Braun, Falk Struckmann and Graham Clark performing as the characters of Tristan und Isolde in a concert version of the second act of Wagner’s opera (tickets: www.teatrodelamaestranza.es); and at Cadiz’s Gran Teatro Falla on 21 January, with the programme including Mozart’s “Sinfonia Concertante for Violin, Viola and Orchestra” and Beethoven’s “Seventh Symphony in A Major” (tickets: www.telentrada.com).

Benahavís Art Society

Treasure Trove of Activities for New Year

Reality Star Contest

Stunning Talent on Show in Marbella Members of the Benahavís Decorative and Fine Arts Society (BDFAS) are looking forward to a widely varied schedule of events and activities in 2014. At the heart of the programme is a series of monthly lectures held by UK experts, in English, in the new state-of-the-art Benahavís Town Hall, including such subjects as “Birth of the Greek Gods” and “Art Crimes of the 20th Century”.

The society’s second “Passion in Art” exhibition will take place in February, in the Gran Hotel Benahavís, with visitors able to try their hand at sketching, photography or even graffiti art.

Also arranged during the year are regular excursions to galleries and museums, and historical sites such as the Roman remains at Bolonia, as well as (in spring) a visit to a Gaucín vineyard. www.benahavisdfas.com

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After a highly entertaining round of semi-finals, 15 finalists will take to the stage on 25 January in a final effort to be crowned winners of the Reality Star 2013 talent contest, in junior and senior categories.

The contestants performed a wide range of songs, with the panel of five judges scoring their efforts from 1 to 10, and the best earning a place in the grand final. The six finalists in the junior category are Annie White, Lucia Pineda, Safina Usmanova, Veronica Malka, Muriel Blechschmidt and Gilles Vanmaldeghem. As “competition was so tight”, there will be a pre-final shoot out for the two remaining places an hour before the final. The seven senior finalists are Ksenia Petrova (who received a standing ovation and the top score of the night for her cappella performance, sung both in Spanish and Russian), Jade Williamson, Jose Ortiz Garcia, Mkhitaryan Astrik, Reyes Carillo Real, Nadia Kostenko and Mkhitaryan Arevik. www.reality-star.com

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SOUND BYTES

Crystal Ball for 2014

By Alex George

It’s been three years and 26 million sales since Adele’s last album single-handedly saved the record industry and Ms Adkins is surely due another. What will she call it? With her penchant for age-based titles, and with a 19 and a 21 under her belt, the smart money is on 25. Unless she releases it after 5 May. Then it will be 26…

They sound like a new calorie-packed supersize meal from Morrissey’s least favourite restaurant chain, but McBusted (why not Bust Fly?) is the new supergroup formed by the members of McFly and Busted, who will be thrilling One Direction’s fans’ mums in Britain’s arenas in April and May. Although Charlie from Busted won’t be there. He’s still busy being an emo.

Love them or loathe them, there is no denying that One Direction are in their imperial phase right now, and next year sees the world’s biggest boy band (and possibly biggest band full stop) play their first stadium tour. Before the boys head off for 10 weeks in the sports fields of America, you can catch them entertaining swathes of screaming girls on Wednesday 22 May at Pavello Olimpic de Badalona, Barcelona, and on Friday 24 May, Palacio de Vistalegre, Madrid.

It seems silly to describe a band with a 40-year career, 12 studio albums and 150 million record sales behind them as facing a make-or-break album, but U2’s dreary last offering, 2009’s No Line On The Horizon, had no hit singles and sold far less than its predecessors. Spring sees its follow-up, and Bono has said, “We are down in a big black hole working on it. We are just lost in it, and we surely don’t wanna wake up out of this until the dream is done.” Let’s hope they don’t get to close to The Edge…

Have they changed their mind? Will they take a chance on this? It will be 40 years in April since Abba released their debut single, Waterloo and, while the Swedes have always denied any plans to reform (they reportedly turned down $1 billion to tour in 2000, which is a LOT of Money, Money, Money), Agnetha Faltskog recently hinted they had “plans to mark the anniversary”. Now there is a band I WOULD like to see headlining V or Glastonbury…

The Oxford English Dictionary defines “ubiquitous” as “present everywhere or in several places simultaneously”. They could replace that with a photo of Emeli Sandé, who has been in our faces flogging the best-selling album of 2012, Our Version Of Events, non-stop for the last two years. Now a follow-up is due, which means we can See Emeli Play… some new stuff, at last!

Listen to Alex George on Spectrum FM from 7pm to 11pm HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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SPECIALIST ADVICE >

Looking Back on 2013…

By Stephen Tiley

Exchange Rates (3 November-3 December) It’s been a merry 12 months for the pound against both the US dollar and the euro. In fact, during this time we have seen the pound against the dollar vary by as much as 16 cents and against the euro by around 10 cents and, as I write, the good old pound is still in favour.

By the time you read this we will also know if the ECB decided to cut interest rates again. However, I do not expect we will have the same thoughts from the Bank of England. The ECB will none-the-less be happy to hear that inflation across the zone rose by 0.2 per cent in November.

Other encouraging news came with the latest manufacturing data which showed, as a collective, manufacturing output was at its highest for more than two years and hit a market indicator of 51.6. As with all data there are always two sides and, while Italy did see an improvement, both in France and unfortunately here in Spain manufacturing shrank, worryingly for France as it was the 21st successive month and it is on the verge of dipping back into recessionary waters.

With unemployment still top of the list of priorities across the zone it was interesting to note that the unemployment rate did fall to 12.1 per cent, down fractionally from the previous month at 12.2 per cent. Greece, Netherlands and Spain were once again the problem areas, with youth unemployment a major issue. It rose to a staggering 24.4 per cent across the zone for those up to 25 years of age.

Credit reference agencies were also hard at work across the zone and hit the Netherlands by stripping them of their prized triple A rating, so the eurozone only has three triple A countries: Germany, Finland and Luxemburg.

New Focus in the UK

The last month in the UK saw a focus on the housing market as house prices rose at their fastest pace all year, so with the worry that a new housing bubble could be created the Bank of England pulled the plug on the Funding for Lending scheme as net lending rose to £5.8 billion in the third quarter. Banks have now taken a total of around £23 billion but they have not been putting the money back into the market to help SMEs, and this is a new focus now for the Bank of England.

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£ to $ £ to € € to $

High 1.643 1.211 1.362

Low 1.586 1.179 1.332

UK manufacturing saw its orders increase to a new high as latest data showed a headline number of 58.4 in November. A breakdown showed new orders jumping upwards and standing at a 20-year high so there was a strong hope that quarter four would also be a good one. It also seems that companies are creating around 5,000 jobs per month; albeit with inflation it appears British workers are around £5,000 worse off than they were five years ago. I am sure this will be a focus for both parties in the UK during 2014.

By now you will also have heard the Chancellor’s autumn statement, which has been boosted by the fact that the UK government borrowed £5 billion less than previously thought and the total is around £6 billion lower than for the same period last year, although unusually the service sector did not perform at its best level – in fact, it showed the slowest growth since August.

The Bank of England has also been questioned over its forward strategy linking interest rates to the number of unemployed and has stated that the seven per cent level is not the only indicator when reviewing rates.

The US followed the crowd with decent manufacturing data as it rose from around 54.8 in October to 57.3 in November and was better than expected.

Additionally, the US managed to reduce the number of people out of work and is expected to show further improvements. So, now that we have exited 2013, there are some very positive indicators that manufacturing across the globe will continue to improve..

Stephen Tiley is regional manager of Moneycorp.

If you want to see how you can make more of your money transfer, irrespective of the amount or frequency, contact our preferred payment specialist Moneycorp, on Tel. (+34) 952 587 657. When you contact them please let them know you saw this article in Home & Lifestyle.

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