Home & Lifestyle issue 37

home &lifestyle m a g a z i n e

JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2015 路 ISSUE 37

Lightening the Mood A FOCAL POINT OF MODERN STYLE

Bathroom Chic

CREATING A PURE SENSE OF BALANCE

Bedroom Bliss

SOOTHING SOPHISTICATION AND SERENITY

decor n design n outdoor living n property n health n beauty n style n cuisine Cover HL37.indd 1

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CONTENTS

JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2015

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DÉCOR & DESIGN 14 Bedrooms: a sanctuary for total peace 28 Bathrooms: a personal area with style 34 Winter Warmers: fired up for soothing heat

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40 Wallpapers & Fabrics: transforming a room 44 Lighting: focal point of home ambience 48 Globally Green: eco projects from around the world 52 Valencia: cutting-edge showcase at annual fair 54 Maison & Objet: nature, human and techno in Paris 56 Property Showcase: exclusive project by the sea

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60 The Property Doctor: mojo back for Marbella?

62 Property Trends: styling a home for sale 64 Garden Landscape: new botanical park in Estepona 66 First Person: business insights and concepts

LIFESTYLE & LEISURE 70 Open Sea: all-female crew thrives in gruelling challenge 72 Open Road: mountain race resort for high-octane thrills 74 Travel: chic comfort in Marbella, Mallorca and Lisbon 80 A La Carte: fine dining with a touch of style

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84 Wine Notes: white delights from Somontano 86 Medical Minutes: potential benefits of red wine 88 Health & Beauty: hot topic of sex and love 90 London Diary: city hotspots and what’s trending 92 Art & Music: timeless masterpieces and iconic punk

NEWS & EVENTS 96 Bulletin of companies, organisations and people in the headlines 100 Festive review of inaugurations, anniversaries and celebrations 106 The Final Word: specialist advice from the experts

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T. (+34) 952 93 78 25 // M. (+34) 645 31 15 16

Avda. del Carmen, 95 - 29680 Estepona (Mรกlaga)

info@lesrivages.es // www.lesrivages.es

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Advertise in

home &lifestyle m a g a z i n e

ISSUE 37 JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2015 PUBLISHER Sally Cullens. Mobile: (+34) 622 400 055 sally@homeandlifestyle.es

EDITOR Peter Leonard peter@homeandlifestyle.es

SALES EXECUTIVES

Debby Heus, Trevor Impett, Tim Kafourous, Cristina Axford

LAYOUT & PRODUCTION Pilar Anguita

pilar@homeandlifestyle.es

ACCOUNTS DIRECTOR David Jaster david@homeandlifestyle.es Administration & Translation Pamela Sauca-Hunt pamela@homeandlifestyle.es

Contributors

Alia Babapulle, Richard Cruz, Andrew Forbes, Alex George, Michelle Ganney, Ana Gil Peña, Beatrice S. De Perlac, Georgina Shaw, John Schieszer, David Wishart, Sean Woolley

Costa del SOl DISTRIBUTION

Pedro Castillo

Gibraltar Distribution

COVER PHOTO

Mark Anthony Portelli Giogali decorative lighting system: www.vistosi.com

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS David Toms, Carlos Cáceres, Johnny Gates

Depósito Legal BI-911-08 The publisher makes every effort to ensure that the magazine’s contents are correct, but cannot accept responsibility for the effects of errors or omissions.

Home & Lifestyle Magazine reserves the right to refuse to publish any advertisement deemed detrimental to the best interests of the community or that is in questionable taste and 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 Home & Lifestyle Magazine.

Home & Lifestyle Magazine is delivered to across the Costa del Sol and Gibraltar. Subscription rates are 60 Euros per year.

VISIT US ONLINE! www.homeandlifestyle.es

VIEW THE LATEST MAGAZINE AND BACK ISSUES ONLINE Same content, same design available to view immediately by anyone, anywhere, anytime.

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Call us today on (+34) 952 905 000 or email info@homeandlifestyle.es

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Gray Sweet Nuvola bed: www.gervasoni1882.com COVER PHOTO The Giogali decorative lighting system is based on a single element with a handmade glass link.

It is available in different colours, as a standard table, floor, ceiling, pendant or wall fixture, or can be a chandelier: www.vistosi.com

FROM THE EDITOR > Apart from enjoying quality time with family and friends, one of the other main highlights of the final weeks of 2014 was a general sense that the crisis had receded. Obviously, and sensibly, after several years of mostly demanding times, few people in the industry are allowing themselves to indulge in more than cautious optimism but the prevailing mood was reassuringly positive looking forward to 2015.

It does seem as though we have turned a definitive corner, at least on the Costa del Sol with its distinctive demographic compared with other parts of Spain – and Europe.

Tourism remains buoyant, the property market is stabilising (albeit gradually), the authorities are starting to boost investment in new and revamped infrastructure projects (no doubt with one wary eye on pivotal municipal and regional elections in May) and the winter is still bathed in sunshine – at least most days.

So, in this invigorated, upbeat frame of mind, we begin the new year with a look at one room of the house which has a key role in keeping us refreshed and rested for the months ahead: the bedroom. Having a good sleep is, of course, influenced by many factors but paying attention to its décor is near the top of the list. Perhaps now is a good time to consider a makeover?

Another “sanctuary” in the home is the bathroom, which in recent years has progressed from being merely a basic service room to a contemporary, environmentally friendly space with an accent on style and cutting-edge gadgetry.

Also this issue, we preview latest trends in fireplaces, wallpaper and fabrics, and lighting – and check out Pantone’s new colour of the year, Marsala.

For other innovative decoration and design ideas for the home, we recommend a visit to this year’s “See You In Valencia” fair in February, and the first of two annual Maison & Objet shows in Paris, in January.

Elsewhere this issue, we showcase some stunning properties on the Coast and, in our expanded “Lifestyle” section, we enjoy the high-octane excitement of motor racing in the Ronda hills, gourmet wining and dining in southern and northern Spain, and a cultural journey from timeless masterpieces to iconic punk. Plus, with Valentine’s coming up in February, we introduce a fascinating new column on psychosexual therapy.

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

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HOME & LIFESTYLE Magazine PUBLISHING DATES

(Six bi-monthly issues a year) March-April 2015 Issue Published 1 March to 30 April May-June 2015 Issue Published 1 May to 30 June July-August 2015 Issue Published 1 July to 31 August

September-October 2015 Issue Published 1 September to 31 October November-December 2015 Issue Published 1 November to 31 December January-February 2016 Issue Published 1 January to 28 February 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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BANNI - Elegant Home

Their new luxury showroom in Marbella is now open

On 2nd January 2015, BANNI opened its doors to their new showroom situated right in the middle of the Golden Mile in Marbella offering clients the best in luxury home decoration. BANNI Elegant Home is the market leader in upmarket decoration specialising in full and partial interior design projects. A highly-qualified team of interior designers will carry out

a full and thorough analysis of your project, both inside and outside, with excellent personal customer service. Visit their beautiful showroom where you will find a wide range of furniture and accessories. BANNI offers excellent value for money on some of the most prestigious and exclusive international brands.

Marbella Showroom. Blvd. Principe Alfonso de Hohenlohe. Marbella. +34 952 777 050 MARBELLA | MADRID | BARCELONA

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W RO U G H T IR O N FU RN IT U RE | A LU M IN IU M W IN D O W S & D O O RS | C O M PO SI TE D EC K IN G Calle Juan de Mena, Nave No. 21, Polígono Industrial de Estepona.

29680, Estepona, Málaga, Spain. T: (+34) 952 808 107

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www.concept-building.com · info@concept-building.com We’re open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm

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Décor & Design >

Available at Zanotta: www.zanotta.it

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When Sleep is All That Mattress…

We all acknowledge that our bedroom is an extremely important area in the house where we should feel completely relaxed and safe – a sanctuary where we can rest in total peace. A good night’s sleep reduces health risks and makes us feel refreshed, putting us in a more positive mood. Sleep also helps the brain more easily recall information and cope better with day-to-day stress. So with all of these benefits in mind, spending time on decorating this area of your home to give you the best night’s sleep possible is certainly money well spent.

HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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Décor & Design >

Designing The Perfect Bedroom For The Ultimate Night’s Sleep

Make your bedroom a place where you can fully relax and feel comfortable with soothing colours freeing the room of clutter and keeping it organised.

For the best night’s sleep, the room temperature should be ideally between 15 and 20 degrees Celsius.

Make your bed inviting by putting good-sized pillows, cushions and throws to “glam-up” your room giving it a sumptuous cosy feel.

Keep noise down to a minimum with double glazing to block out any traffic noise

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and make sure you switch off televisions and radios before drifting off to sleep.

Consider scents in your bedroom such as lavender, sage or camomile, which can lower blood pressure and your heart rate. Calming scents help you relax and improve your mood, allowing you to sleep more easily.

In this photo Arflex combines natural colours and materials with modern chairs to give a great contemporary look to a bedroom. Available at Gunni & Trentino: www.gunnitrentino.com

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BoConcept Málaga Ctra. de Mijas km 3,5 29650 Mijas +34 951 242 092 malaga@boconcept.es www.boconcept.es

Décor & Design >

Sparkling Petrol Collection from Jensen Beds: www.jensenstore.com

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Muted colours create a sultry and warm feel and can look very sophisticated, especially with metallic accessories such as copper.

A good quality mattress should last up to around 15 years but a cheap one will only last half that time. As we sweat whilst we are sleeping, natural materials in your mattress such as cotton, hemp, wool, linen and silk are very good in taking away moisture, lowering the temperature and keeping your bed as hygienic as possible. A mattress topper will prolong the life of your mattress and will offer extra comfort.

Choose a good mattress with good lumbar support, and pillows and sheets which suit your specific needs. Look into what type of foam and steel is used and whether the coils are individually-wrapped, ensuring that the bed is responsive to your body.

Top Available from Beau et Bien: www.beauetbien.fr. Below Available from Casadesus: www.casadesus.net HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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Décor & Design >

Make sure you have good storage so that your bedroom can always be clutter-free.

Consider buying tall drawers to maximise on storage space. Choose wardrobes with ample room to hang clothes with plenty of drawers and shelves to make best use of the storage space, keeping your clothes as organised as possible.

Open floor-to-ceiling walk-in wardrobes make it easier to locate your items and

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give the feeling of walking into a luxurious boutique shop.

Above Box Texture Foglia Oro collection by Capo d’Opera: www.capodopera.it Below Left Another Day collection by Capo d’Opera: www.capodopera.it Below Right Hangar collection designed by Piero Lissoni, available at Lema Mobili: www.lemamobili.com

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Décor & Design >

Top Berlin bed from BoConcept: www.boconcept.es Middle Jeans bed available at Imperial Furniture: www.imperialfurniture.com Photos Below Wardrobes available at Todo Madera in Estepona: www.todomaderaestepona.com

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Décor & Design >

Dimming the lights about an hour before bed will help regulate your body, lulling your brain into a sense of drowsiness. Consider good lighting that is adjustable.

There are many different types of lighting to choose - from wall lamps to table lamps. Also, use blackout or thick curtains to keep the light out.

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Top Left Night table lamp from Nura collection at Lucente: www.lucente.eu.

Top Right Penta collection at Vistosi: www.vistosi.it. Below Left Pastorius lamp by Delightfull, available at Ambience Home Design: www.ambiencehomedesign.com.

Below Right JJ lamp available at Baxter: www.baxter.it

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Décor & Design >

Top The exclusive Margareth bed by MisuraEmme is light and ethereal in its design, combined with the most advanced technology materials. The steel headboard and solid wood base is covered in fabric seamed on the edges and elegantly handcrafted. Available from Banni in Marbella: www.banni.es Below Left Mix whites, greys and metallics for a simple dramatic look. Available at Furniture World in Estepona: www.esteponafurniture.com Below Right Tall classic-style drawers topped with a lamp make an elegant and functional feature in the bedroom. Available at Todo Madera Estepona: www.todomaderaestepona.com

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Décor & Design >

Soaking It Up This Winter…

Villeroy & Boch has brought out the Squaro Edge 12 collection which has a narrow bath rim creating a sense of lightness and modernity.

Available at Puya: www.puya.es

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The Fl’eau freestanding bath designed by Joel Roberts has evolved from a single surface corian body celebrating the beauty of fluidity.

The concept was inspired by the movement of water. The design has cleverly overcome instability by the overlapping sides that give the bath its distinctive curavacious look. Available at Banni in Marbella: www.banni.es

Bathrooms these days are more environmentally friendly than ever. Toilets flush a lot less water and bathroom materials are now more ecologically sustainable.

Bathrooms are now no longer seen as a service room but more of a sanctuary - a very personal area - where the design of the room is just as important as any other room in the house. Furniture, domotics, gadgetry and even vertical gardens are seen more and more in the contemporary bathroom. Always with the emphasis on hygiene, minimalist designs look great with touches of metallic or warmer shades to give good balance. For a sleek look, built-in handles and good cabinetry are very important.

Below Left The Beyond Crystal collection designed by Rémi Tessier for THG Paris includes crystal lattices and pure shapes by renowned glass manufacturer Baccarat, and a majestic spout inspired by tall waders. You can choose rim mounted fittings with a slight touch of light thanks to LED put inside the crystal cross handles. www.thg.fr Below Right Pastel colours in a bathroom can look striking without being garish, making the room harmonious and relaxing. The harshness of metallic faucets can be counterbalanced with softer colours as presented by Zucchetti’s ON collection designed by Ambrogio Matteo Nespoli and Alberto Novara. www.zucchettidesign.it HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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Décor & Design > Copper has been appearing more in contemporary homes, adding a sense of warmth and glamour. Lead and copper baths as well as light fittings, sinks and accessories within a more traditional bathroom setting can really make a dramatic statement. Camelot collection available at Devon&Devon www.devon-devon.co.uk

The Memento collection from Villeroy & Boch is minimalistic, offering great versatility. The clean lines of the washbasins and bathroom furniture and the simplistic accessories combine outstanding modern design with optimum practicality. Available from Puya: www.puya.es

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Advert Design & Layout by Gregory Korvin

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Décor & Design >

Good looks and functionality and beauty and comfort, together with attention to detail and the use of high-quality raw materials, are the distinguishing traits of this brand’s quality and commitment to perfection. Westminster collection available at Devon&Devon: www.devon-devon.co.uk

This handmade, freestanding bath designed by Michael Schmidt for Falper is made of an innovative material called matt Ceramilux, which is used as ceramic and designed, thanks to 3D technology, with an effect similar to natural stone. It is 100 per cent recyclable and very durable. Available at Banni in Marbella: www.banni.es

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Boutique Trends >

Getting Fired Up This Winter

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This versatile fireplace has a classic, clean shape to enable you to place it wherever you want to. It is an ideal room-divider, combining the transparency of hardened glass with the floating, unique body of the fire, which can be viewed from any angle in the room â&#x20AC;&#x201C; thus creating a relaxing mood and making you feel instantly at home.

This fireplace is from the Divider range at Vauni: www.vauni.com HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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Boutique Trends >

The Scaletta, which appears to be like a ladder, is actually a new radiator concept intended mainly as a heating appliance which also serves as a design object. There is no installation needed so it is very versatile and can be placed anywhere in your home. It requires an electric power supply: www.tubesradiatori.com 36

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Costa Del Sol Market Leaders In Real Flame Electric, Gas and Wood Burning Fires

FOR CONTEMPORARY & MODERN SPANISH LIVING

Unique Fires Energy saving & clean instant heat only when you need it

Timeless Gallery welcomes all Home & Lifestyle readers to our gallery in Puerto Banús. Come, enjoy and take part in the wonderful world of art. We represent artists from all around the globe with a wide collection of paintings and sculptures.

We have permanent exhibitions from Marianne Houtkamp and Peter Mandl. Upcoming exhibitions in January and Feburary will include sculptures by Spanish artist Bernard Rives and Isodoro Lazaro’s amazing paintings.

More info at our Facebook page and www.timelessgalleryart.com Opening times (autumn and winter):12.00-14.00 / 16.00-20.00 Mon- Sat.

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Avda. José Banús s/n. Málaga II, local 2A. (Next to BBVA) Tel: +34 670 256 275 · Mail: mikael@timelessgalleryart.com

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Boutique Trends > An iron wood-burning stove with an advanced combustion system and an Airwash cleaning system with secondary air. Available at Unique Fires: www.uniquefires.com

The Marbella limestone fireplace range is sleek and modern. Available at Unique Fires: www.uniquefires.com

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Boutique Trends >

Wonderful Walls…

Wallpaper has become so diverse in design and texture that there seems to be no limit to what we can do with it. It can transform a room instantly, making it a very powerful interior design tool…

The Silk Road collection designed by architect Carlos Buendía for Tres Tintas was inspired by architectural and artisanal design. . The Damasko mural fuses art and knowledge from one of the most sacred and important ancient cities of the silk roads, the magnificent Constantinople. Available at Tres Tintas: www.trestintas.com

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The Monsoon collection by Arte International uses tropical motifs and tactile and glittery surfaces to make a show-stopping look for your wall. www.arte-international.com

The Orvieto collection by Romo combines the simplicity of Scandinavian block prints with complex intricate Moorish designs. Depicting the timeless beauty of nature, this collection is very versatile in design and colour. www.romo.com

Described as the “Maison de couture” fashion show, the Opulence collection

by Elitis has pleated luxurious prints. This is an indulgent range that really draws attention. Available at Nezha Kanouni in Estepona (www.nezhakanouni.com) and Ambience Home Design in Marbella (www.ambiencehomedesign.com).

Designed by fashion designer Matthew Williamson, Osborne & Little’s Mustique collection is printed on glittering holographic. Available at Nezha Kanouni in Estepona (www.nezhakanouni.com) and Ambience Home Design in Marbella (www.ambiencehomedesign.com).

HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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Boutique Trends >

From Jane Churchill’s new bright and colourful Havana collection, radiating fun in a contemporary style. Available at Tela Bella in Estepona: www.telabella.es

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Another addition to the Designers Guild silk portfolio… Fabrics with large stripes and bold chevron patterns in pure silk, silk/cotton and silk/viscose weave combinations designed to enrich and get the best from this beautiful textile. Available at Cort Idea in Mijas (www.cortidea.es), Nezha Kanouni (www.nezhakanouni.com) and Ambience Home Design (www.ambiencehomedesign.com)

What better way to enjoy the cold winter nights than on your sofa with some large cushions and the curtains firmly shutting out the world. Fabrics can make a home look cosy and inviting so consider sprucing up your rooms this winter with some new material…

Left Bo Concept have an array of cushions in all types of designs and colours to choose from: www.boconcept.es. Centre Pepe Peñalver’s Orangerie collection interprets the clean architectural lines of the Palace of Versailles and the

riotous colour and warmth of the orange trees in its garden through a collection of floral fabrics focusing on sunlight, symmetry and classical lines. www. pepepenalver.com. Right The Sinclair collection by Colefax & Fowler is an attractive organic design with a hint of paisley detailing. Sinclair harmonises the figurative elements in the collection with the more familiar plaids, bringing a contemporary twist to a more traditional product area. Available at Tela Bella: www.telabella.es HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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Boutique Trends >

Making An

Illuminating Statement From ceiling lamps to wall spotlights and floor illumination, the range of lighting options is vast and varied – in all colours, shapes and sizes, both inside and outdoors. No longer is lighting relegated to something of an afterthought in the world of decoration: it has now moved to the centre of the room as a focal point of style and design, showcasing latest trends and adding personality to any space.

The Wersailles by Beau&Bien is a new way of looking at chandeliers, replacing standard parts with an elegantly ethereal suspension system. Reminiscent of French castles, the Wersailles casts a poetically soft and diffused light: www.beauetbien.fr

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Working with their own designs, the Delightfull team transfer their passion to “fresh classics that reflect a personality, a state of mind and strong emotions present in each detail” – combining a past heritage of 1940s, 1950s and 1960s with a contemporary design touch: www.delightfull.eu

Specialising in funky home accessories, the new range from Home Candy includes striking contemporary lights, with options from pendant lighting to desk lamps, as well as chandeliers made from glass baubles or recycled milk bottles: www.homecandy.com

Hue Beyond from Royal Philips is an innovative lamp with two independent light sources that work together at the same time, thus enabling it to provide high-quality white light for everyday home use as well as coloured mood lighting: www.philips.com

Vistosi has been collaborating with first-class designers since the 1960s, and is committed to local production, timeless designs, maximum durability of the materials, minimal use of plastic and the development of energy-saving versions: www.vistosi.com HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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Boutique Trends >

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As metallic is back in a big way, add some shiny brass touches to your home with Bo Concept’s Duo floor lamp and Space Line pendant. Metallic materials complement dark earthy colours perfectly. Available at the Bo Concept showroom in Mijas: www.boconcept.es

The minimalist Port lamp by Vibia, designed by Xuclà, is inspired by traditional Japanese lanterns and radiates a beautiful muted light. This light is portable and looks magical on a table, terrace or pathway. Available at Direco Lighting in Marbella: www.direcolighting.es

A beautiful wall sconce ceiling panel combining colour and light. An artistic image of a chandelier is lit from behind to create a play of a light within a light. The Olinda Brown light panel is available at Iris Design Studio: www.irisdesignstudio.com

This highly versatile lamp can be displayed with lights on one side or on both.

It can be hung at any level horizontally or vertical, or even at an angle on the floor or wall, or from the ceiling. The Proplight is available at Moooi: www.moooi.com

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LUCEM TRANSLUCENT STATE-OF-THE-ART LIGHT CONCRETE GET THE WOW-FACTOR IN YOUR HOME WITH LUCEM

Lucem is a German company that has recently launched on the Costa del Sol. Lucem combines translucent concrete with shimmering light and can be used in many different areas in the house – to provide the WOW-FACTOR.

(+34) 630 838 264 · (+34) 620 318 480 | MARBELLA@LUCEM.DE | WWW.LUCEM.COM

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Eco Trends >

The Green Evolution MAINTAINING a design balance between nature and the necessities of life

By Alia Babapulle

www.design-results.com

Someone asked me why I was so passionate about saving the planet. It’s very simple…

1. It’s the only one we have, and if we don’t take care of her who will?

2. It’s a marvellous place, full of wondrous things, and should be nourished and cherished.

3. Mother Nature produced the most incredible plant life, trees, everything in and on earth, and we should appreciate her forever, not destroy her forever.

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There are more and more people involved with saving what we have, so thank you, whoever you are. So many more designers are now thinking about how, what and where to use all we have in front of us, and are coming up with fantastic ideas. Design goes back to the first people who invented tools, the wheel, etc. Everything has to do with design, intentional or not. It will never end; we are surrounded by it every day. It’s brilliant. And so to the first article from me in 2015… look at what’s in store and I hope you enjoy it.

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Lunawood Thermowood decking is produced using natural methods.

Only steam and heat are used during the manufacturing process.

Lunawood is an eco-friendly natural product and is Perfect for the Spanish climate.

off 10% OOD W A LUN only now f nd o till e y ruar b e F

Poligono Industrial – Elviria N340 KM 193. Behind Repsol.

Try our delivery service. Open Mon - Fri: 8.00 - 17:30. Sat: 9.00 - 13.00 HIGH QUALITY BRANDED TOOLS & MATERIALS AT LOW PRICES FOR TRADE & HOME DIY.

Tel: 952 835 172 | info@abbs.es | www.abbs.es

Contemporary wooden furniture made of recycled wood. Projects to measure.

Showroom and workshop Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10.00-16.00 and Sat 11.00-14.00.

Pol. San Pedro de Alcántara. Calle Budapest, 16. 29670 San Pedro de Alcántara, Marbella.

Contact: +34 620 230 376 | info@woodfactory.es | www.woodfactory.es

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Eco Trends >

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Smart Glass International: Illuminating Adaptability

CanSolAir: Solar Quality

This company makes switchable glass products which illuminate environments, creating multi-functional spaces that adapt and respond to the needs of users at the flick of a switch. Their switchable Smartglass is currently manipulating light and enhancing the environment in over 35 countries across six continents.

They deliver to any destination worldwide and have offices in London and Dubai providing hubs for their activities globally. www.smartglassinternational.com

“We have a social responsibility to innovate and develop solar energy”… with that philosophy, company founder Jim Meaney has made enormous strides in the world of solar technology. CanSolAir has set a uniform standard for both quality and product performance in high thermal efficiency convection solar heaters and heating systems. Their engineers and technical expertise allow them to customise design installations for customer’s needs. www.cansolair.com

Darwin’s Home: Natural Style

VIA Stone: Innovative Production

This company specialises in sourcing products made from natural materials, recyclable or up-cycled. They are produced in Europe, or if that is not possible (as with bamboo bowls) they are made according to the fair trade charter. High quality, contemporary design is completely in line with offering eco-friendly products, and they believe that you can have both style and sustainability. www.darwinshome.com

This young company is based in Bulgaria and has developed a new way of cutting marble and hard stones so that the actual thickness is no more than the diameter of a matchstick. By doing this, the transparency is particularly evident, even in normal daylight, and the amount of stone used is greatly reduced. Production meets with stringent ecological standards. www.viastone.bg

Design Results: Sustainable Splendour

Elya Recycling: Cutting-Edge Technology

The 84 apartments this company was asked to design and furnish were completed using eco-friendly products only. The gorgeous eco-system surrounding Shell Island Resort is amazing and the resort is poised alongside crystal clear waters flowing into protected wetlands. Reduce, recycle, repurpose and rethink are the essential concepts to consider when opportunities arise, and they have done exactly this. www.design-results.com

Elya Recycling in Israel provides cutting-edge technology for the plastic recycling industry. Although not in design work, it is an important part of today’s world of consumerism. Its principal technology is based on low-cost adhesive formulations for unsorted mixed plastic scrap. Utilising this unique adhesive, Elya binds unsorted plastic waste into strong rigid boards, for use in furniture manufacturing and the construction industry. www.elyarecycling.com

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Fairs & Exhibitions >

Design Showcase

The international home, design, décor and art exhibition road show continues this northern hemisphere autumn with IMM Cologne (19-25 January), Maison & Objet in Paris (23-27 January), Stockholm Design Week (2-8 February), Ambiente in Frankfurt (13-17 February) and See You In Valencia (9-13 February) – followed in early spring by Ideal Home Show in London (20 March-6 April) and Salone Internazionale del Mobile in Milan (14-19 April).

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Cutting-Edge Design in Valencia Comprising an extensive schedule of commercial exhibitions combined with a programme of cultural activities at the fairground and city, “See You In Valencia” offers cutting-edge global solutions for architecture, interior design and decoration, between 9 and 13 February.

The event comprises three joint fairs: Cevisama (ceramics, bathrooms and natural stone), Habitat (furniture, lighting, kitchens and home textiles) and Maderalia Selection (materials and solutions for interior design).

The complementary schedule includes exhibitions, tributes, showrooms, conferences, presentations, architecture tours of the city, and other events enabling visitors to enjoy “the pillars of Spanish culture: architecture, cuisine and art”.

The main theme for Cevisama 2015 will be “synergies”, highlighting innovative uses of ceramics materials; while Hábitat offers a wide and varied portfolio of national and international exhibitors showcasing latest trends and products. www.nosvemosenvalencia.com HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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Paris Theme Focused on Nature, Human and Techno

New York City Camper Store by Nendo (Oki Sato)

Designer of the Year in Paris: Oki Sato

“Colour Me Red” by designer Liliana Ovalle (Talents à la Carte)

The main theme for the first Maison & Objet of 2015, in Paris from 23 to 27 January, is “MAKE”, expressed in the areas “Nature Made”, Human Made” and “Techno Made”. During the year, as the fair expands to the Americas and Asia, six up-and-coming names in the world of design will also be given a space for expression at each Maison & Objet event, offering them the chance to present their work to professionals from around the world.

For the first of two shows this year in Paris, a selection of six young Mexican designers will be showcased in the exhibition “Talents à la Carte”: Christian Vivanco, Paul Roco, Liliana Ovalle, Studio davidpompa, Cooperativa Panorámica, and FOAM & Perla Valtierra.

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This year also marks a new chapter for Maison & Objet, coinciding with its 20th anniversary. To mark the occasion, it has been decided that each fair (Paris in January and September, Maison & Objet Asia in Singapore in March, and Maison & Objet Americas in Miami Beach in May) will have a designer of the year.

The first honour, in Paris in January, is bestowed on Oki Sato, who was born in 1977 in Toronto (Canada), studied architecture at Waseda University in Tokyo, obtained his master’s degree in 2002, opened the Nendo studio in Tokyo that same year, and now has offices in Tokyo and Milan. www.maison-objet.com

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DESIGNED TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS Wishing all entrepreneurs & collaborators MAXIMUM SUCCESS and a prosperous 2015.

Follow us for upcoming events Marbella / Malaga

Inquiries: Tel: 661 194 030 | info@jbizlounge.co.za

www.jbizlounge.co.za

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Property Showcase >

Les Rivages D’Estepona

Exquisite Living By The Sea Located in a privileged frontline beach setting, Les Rivages is an exclusive six-floor gated development in the heart of Estepona, comprising 18 apartments and penthouses.

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The picturesque town centre is just a short walk or cycle away, and the nearby Estepona Marina enables residents to enjoy an excellent selection of restaurants and shops in a cosmopolitan ambience. The two and three-bedroom properties have expansive south-facing terraces, while the community amenities include outdoor pools (more than 100 square metres) with a spectacular waterfall, a fully-equipped gymnasium, and a spa with an indoor heated pool, hydro-massage, sauna and resting rooms.

The two-bedroom apartments have a total constructed area of 111.65 square metres and a 58.35 square metre terrace; while the three-bedroom properties extend over 142.05 square metres of built area with 58.14 square metre terraces.

The living rooms are modern and inviting, unobstructed spaces that fuse in with the kitchen and terrace in a contemporary Andalucian architectural style.

The ultra-modern kitchens â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Italian Valcucine brand â&#x20AC;&#x201C; open into a clear diaphanous space that is warm and full of light. They are equipped with a double-door HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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Property Showcase >

fridge, two ovens and a wine cellar, and Gaggenau domestic appliances.

The main bedrooms are south-facing with direct access to the terrace; the main bathrooms feature natural stone and marble coverings, and an Italian-design shower and jacuzzi; and the penthouses have a private pool and solarium.

The project is subject to a bank guarantee (of payment on account), and Bankinter will also make a finance proposal to buyers.

Les Rivages D’Estepona Tel. (+34) 952 937 825 / 645 311 516 info@lesrivages.es www.lesrivages.es

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The Benalmádena International College

The Furniture

Exchange SOTOGRANDE

Yiorgos: +34 622 888 282 | Stephen: +34 722 500 938 C/. Sierra Bermeja 30. 11311 P.N. de Guadiaro (Cádiz)

Fancy a change?

Bored of your old furniture?

Complete British education from nursery to A-level 17 Years of excellent exam results taught in a caring and warm environment Language school for adults & children in English, Spanish, French, German & Arabic

A great opportunity to sell and buy interesting and unique pieces of furniture and decoration objects at amazing prices.

Make time and visit us, you will not be disappointed.

A*-A = 48% | A*-B = 71% | A*-C = 88% Tel: 952 561 666 · 952 449 745 info@bic-benal.com · www.bic-benal.com

Ctra. de Mijas 22, Fuengirola 29640 | Tel: 952 662 791 Urb. Marbella Real, local 23. Blvar. Principe Hohenlohe s/n 29600 Marbella | T: 952 771 364 · 660 019 581 www.collectionrimon.com

Rimon Collection offers a wide range of original works. All our customers have access to original works of art and may create their own personal space, ambience and atmosphere, where good taste prevails and a love for original works of art.

We offer individualized customer assistance, with top and exclusive quality products, such as etchings, canvases, lithographs, prints, etc. and a broad range of frames for all types of pictures.

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THE PROPERTY DOCTOR >

Marbella Gets Its Mojo Back!

By Sean Woolley

Is it just me, or does the Costa del Sol seem to be getting its mojo back? I use the word “mojo” because I can’t actually find the exact word that describes what I feel is happening.

After a VERY busy summer when Marbella and Puerto Banús felt full to overflowing with foreign visitors, the autumn of 2014 saw numbers continuing to swell. Matters almost reached crisis point at half-term in October as flights to and from the UK were fully booked and prices soared to over €400 for a oneway ticket to England… if you could get one!

Restaurants and bars struggled to cope with the unprecedented numbers of people. In fact I waited an hour for food in two normally efficient eateries during one weekend in October. How dare these tourists go to my favourite places and keep me waiting!

More and more people seem to be enjoying what Marbella and the Costa del Sol in general have to offer. Even now, during the traditionally quiet four months

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of winter, things are happening. Empty commercial units are being snapped up and transformed into retail and office premises, Marbella Town Hall has done itself proud with its wonderful and extravagant Christmas lights, and the park in San Pedro finally opened to the public in December to much fanfare and a spectacular fireworks display.

None of this would have happened during the” lost” years between 2008 and 2012. Since then however, things have slowly started to turn around. Of course, in those depressing financial times, most of us were scared of spending money, worried about taking holidays and sceptical about investing in property. It felt that the world was grinding to a halt. But since late 2012 the feel-good factor has been returning. So what has caused the turnaround?

Firstly, the property market has started to bounce back. Prices fell to historically low levels, and Marbella property started to represent a bargain. As people’s general confidence in the financial recovery began to return, they started to

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look not only at items that they needed but goods and services that they WANTED. Those seemingly extravagant second-home purchases began to become a no-brainer, so foreign investors have been piling in during the last couple of years, keen to secure a slice of the jet-set lifestyle, but with a 50 per cent discount.

Even the Brits have returned. Having seen sterling depreciate to near parity with the euro, recent highs of 1.25 have bolstered the UK buying market. This is great news for the Costa as the Brits have traditionally comprised the biggest share of foreign investors. Although the Russian market has cooled since the decline of the rouble, others have replaced them, namely the Scandinavians, the Belgians and the Arab nations.

The recovery of the real estate market has stimulated demand for ancillary services such as home furnishings, rentals, car hire, tourism, retail and entertainment. The growth has been steady rather than spectacular, so hopefully we will avoid yet another boom/bust scenario, but already developers are planning several new luxury housing projects for launch in 2015, so it seems that even the off-plan investment market may be making a return.

I for one feel proud to be living in this jewel of a place, and am delighted that so many people seem to be sharing its array of attractions.

Long live the mojo!

BEST DEALS

• Duquesa Villa: three-bedroom detached villa with private pool, high ceilings, air-con – priced at €395,000.

WHAT’S HOT! • Taylor Wimpey to launch two new projects.

• Check out the Christmas lights in Marbella and Málaga… while you still can.

• Puerto El Capitán – bespoke luxury villas in Benahavís.

• Atalaya Bungalow: two-bedroom detached bungalow,

• San Pedro’s new park – well worth a look.

priced at €179,950.

frontline golf, communal pool, completely reformed –

Sean Woolley, our resident property expert, can be contacted at Cloud Nine Spain: Centro Comercial Guadalmina 4, Local 88, San Pedro de Alcántara; Tel. (+34) 692 254 432; sean@cloudninespain.com; www.cloudninespain.com HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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P roperty T re n d s >

Styling Your Home To Sell

By Georgina Shaw

After styling Before styling

With the property market improving, sellers should be getting more for their property and finding it much easier to sell, yet many are still struggling. Real estate agents Nordica have been investigating this to help their buyers sell at the right price and have found that the interior styling of a property can make all the difference.

To test the theory, they styled a property which had been on the market for over a year and sold it in just one week with its new look – at full asking price. They now have a home styling service, located in Aloha Gardens, and have put together the following tips to help readers improve their properties and chance of selling.

• Make buyers fall in love with your property… Through styling you want to create a neutral, aspirational and stylish space which potential buyers can see themselves living in. Think about how you can stage the property to fulfil their needs: create an office out of the junk room, add a play house in the garden if you lack kids’ space inside, show how tricky spaces can offer great storage, etc.

You need to show buyers how they could live there and allow them to make an emotional connection with the property in order to make an offer.

• Clean, de-clutter and de-personalise… The first step to a property styling is always removing over personal items, stripping the property back to its essentials and creating a feeling of space. Then deep clean until everything sparkles and odours are banished inside and out. Consider painting and changing things like shower curtains and bed linen for a really crisp, clean, fresh look and feel. This can make an enormous difference.

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• Improve flow and order… Check that viewers will get a good flow from the front door, all around the house, remove furniture which blocks their path and ensure that the use of the rooms makes sense – moving furniture is an easy fix.

Arrange items with symmetry and order to create focal points and areas with a specific purpose which really enhance the space.

• Inject style and comfort… At this stage you can start adding items which create a sense of style and comfort such as a throw on the sofa, pretty and comfortable cushions and rugs. Use cut flowers, fruit, candles and well-chosen decorative pieces to enhance the space. These touches stop the property feeling clinical and create the “feeling” and aspirational lifestyle that people want to buy into.

Making these changes will alter the experience of house hunters and you will stand a better chance of selling. Nordica are so confident in the service that they are supporting owners who exclusively list their property with them by giving away one free styling package per month up to the value of €5,000.

To help owners further, they are running monthly home styling master classes in 2015 to give owners practical advice, inspiration and tips on how they can style their property for a quick sale. Places are limited, and prior reservation is essential.

Tel. (+34) 952 811 552 sales@nordicamarbella.com www.nordicamarbella.com

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WE ARE SPECIALISTS IN WARDROBES AND TAILORMADE FURNITURE

Calle Monterroso 39, Urb. Nueva Estebbuna, Estepona.

Tel: 952 79 33 91. www.todomaderaestepona.com

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Garden Landscape >

Verdant Transformation of Estepona

Work is progressing well on Estepona’s botanical park, which will be home to one of Europe’s largest orchid displays. According to the mayor, José María García Urbano, in mid-December the project was 60 per cent complete, and due to be finished in March – with the various tree, flower and orchid species (numbering in the thousands) scheduled to be planted in January, in order to offer “a spectacular image” when opened to the public.

Known as the “Pulmón Verde-Parque Botánico” (“Greenbelt-Botanical Park”), the project comprises three domed areas, with the building housing the orchid col-

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lection designed in a “vanguard” style crowned by a 30-metre high dome as well as a 17-metre waterfall and divided into two distinctive areas – for species from the Americas and Asia, respectively.

García Urbano said the building would become an extension of the city’s “Estepona: garden of the Costa del Sol” project, involving the remodelling and embellishment of more than 60 streets in the old town. He added that it would include 150 parking areas around its perimeter, thus providing residents with privileged views as well as additional care spaces.

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First Person >

Everything for Home Improvement and the Building Trade AIM British Building and DYI. Interview with JOHN & YOLANDA MAYNE Tell us about the origins of AIM British Building Supplies and DIY Centre…

AIM British Building Supplies and DIY Centre are a family-run company, established on the Costa del Sol for over eight years, with another branch in Javea, Alicante, which opened three years ago.

A plasterer by trade, I (John) shipped in several products from the UK when I bought my house in Elviria 10 years ago and began the task of reforming it.

The amount of requests from fellow builders for the same items prompted me to import on a larger scale and open the AIM British Building yard and shop in Elviria. Since then, the business has gone from strength to strength.

AIM Building Supplies started when we were trying to think of a company name, and we were playing around with lots of different ideas. My daughter’s name is Mia, and when you spell it backwards it is AIM. What are the key qualities that enable your company to stand out from others in the industry?

AIM British Building Supplies prides itself on supplying and finding the best of British products. If we don’t stock an item that you require, we will try to source it for you and bring it out on the next lorry from the UK, which is usually every week or 10 days. The staff are always on hand to give sound advice on all building and DIY matters. AIM can also deliver, either with our own lorry if it is a large order or by door to door courier service, both at a small cost.

What are your main products, and the basic principles behind your company?

AIM specialises in providing tried and trusted British building products that you cannot do without and can rarely be found in Spain. These products range from multi-finish plaster and bonding to Sandtex paint and tanalised timber.

As well as clients’ favourite products such as Ronseal, Crown and Sandtex paint, Everbuild, Draper, Catnic and Irwin, AIM stocks a wide selection of timber and decking products. These have been specifically selected for their suitability to the Spanish climate so AIM can guarantee that you will be delighted with your project for years to come.

What other services and innovations do you offer?

AIM offers a bespoke decking and pergola service as well as a supply-only option, with full support for the planning and all-important maintenance. One of AIM’s biggest sellers is Thermowood (as seen on Grand Designs) because it is ideally suited to the Mediterranean heat. Thermowood is sourced from Scandinavian forests, then heat and steam-treated to make it virtually impermeable to water. This timber does not shrink or swell, is ideal for the Spanish climate and, due to its low moisture content, is resistant to fungal attack.

The most popular Thermowood lines are timber decking, cladding and the new Lunacomp (Lunawood composite decking), which is available in several colours and is for the more modern, contemporary projects. AIM has the largest stock of high quality branded decking on the Coast.

AIM British Building Supplies and DIY Centre Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca.

Tel. (+34) 952 835 172 (Marbella) / info@abbs.es / www.abbs.es

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Bespoke Swedish Style in Handcrafted Doors Bovalls. Interview with Eva and Inger Gustafsson

How did Bovalls come about and who was the creator?

The company was started by our grandfather, Bengt Gustafsson. He was the son of a wood merchant and builder. He began in that company together with his two brothers but he wanted to do something on his own. He set up a joinery business in 1943 where he built the whole range of joineries needed for a wooden house. All the products were manufactured locally at that time. After a while, the factories become specialised in different types of joinery such as window factories and door factories, and in the early eighties Bovalls became an external door company.

Tell us more about the materials and designs for your doorsâ&#x20AC;Ś First of all we make every solid wooden component in Bovallstrand. We do not buy ready-made components to maintain control of every detail, with many of our products being built from solid wood, as has been carried out over many years. The materials are oak, teak, freijo, ash, walnut, pine and spruce, all of which are FSC-certified. The design is created to give your house a warm welcoming touch. Building materials are often painted in cold colours and a wooden door provides warmth. The doors are also designed to last; we want customers to have a quality product that is durable for years.

What measures are you taking to be ecologically sustainable?

As mentioned before, all incoming wooden materials are FSC-certified and we are also involved in buying timber from a Fair Wood project. We use as much as we can from the incoming timber, and the waste material left over is made into wooden chips and used as an energy source to heat our facility in Bovallstrand.

What should we look out for when purchasing a door for our home?

First of all you should look for a design that fits your house. You also have to consider how secure the door is. We only have outward-swinging doors, which are more secure than inward-swinging ones for both personal safety and antiburglary protection. If you need to light up your hallway you should choose a door with glass or a door combined with a sidelight. We only use security glass (both hardened and laminated) in our doors.

How do you buy a door from Bovalls?

You can contact our sales representative Alice, who lives in the Marbella area, or the factory in Sweden directly. We do not work with dealers. You always buy a door directly from the factory to ensure you have the right door in the right place, for the best price. When you order a door from us you receive confirmation together with a drawing. As soon as we receive the signed drawing we start building the door. When the door is ready (normally after three to six weeks) we send it well-packaged to your house, and it takes approximately one week.

Bovalls. Bovallstrand, Sweden Tel. Marbella: (+34) 699 908 148 (Alice) alice@bovalls.com / www.bovalls.com HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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First Person >

Complete Solutions for Home Fabrics Tela Bella. Interview with Jacqueline Roberts

What is your background and why did you decide to set up Tela Bella?

I’ve lived in Spain for 20 years and done a number of things. I worked as a freelance writer and then as a publications director. I set up my own business in 2004 doing magazines for other companies and also a range of other services such as graphic/web design, marketing, PR, etc. I set up a business importing fabric from the UK and curtain tiebacks from Morocco and wholesaling in Spain (and elsewhere in Europe) in 2007. After the crisis I had stock so I opened Tela Bella.

Tell us more about the services you offer…

In addition to selling fabric we also offer a full make-up service for curtains, blinds, soft furnishings and upholstery. We have now branched out into offering full solutions to businesses such as real estate agents, offering full after-sales services including: soft furnishing packs, furniture packs, kitchen and linen packs.

We also work with some of the Coast’s best interior designers to offer a full bespoke interior design service. In addition, we are specialist trade suppliers for wedding and event planners, and work with many of them, as well as venues, on the Coast providing fabrics for decoration.

What brands do you work with and how did you come about choosing them?

We obviously sell our own brand of fabrics that we wholesale, but we now

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stock a range of other brands. Jane Churchill from London – really the top end – and we chose them to represent that bracket for our clients. Prestigious Textiles and Weymiss – both English – chosen because they offer quality fabric at midrange prices. SIMTA – Italian brand – offers double width fabrics (mainly voiles), and a huge choice of fabrics and price ranges. We also stock a range of velvets that are pretty unique and come direct from Asia.

How do you see the future of the fabrics industry?

In Spain, the fabric shop where customers can actually browse fabrics and buy directly from the roll died a death during the recession. I hope it recovers. Most sales now are on order when people actually want something made. The future for the Coast is looking up – as real estate once again starts to move, the interior business follows on its heels. People are looking to spruce up buy-to-lets in addition to new homebuyers purchasing curtains, furniture, etc.

Tela Bella Avda. José Martín Méndez 37, Estepona Tel. (+34) 952 794 883 / 630 041 040 jax@telabella.es www.telabella.es www.facebook.com/telabellaspain

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Lifestyle OPEN SEA All-female ocean sailing crew on global quest OPEN ROAD Mountain racing resort for motorsport enthusiasts TRAVEL & GETAWAYS Chic boutique luxury, stylish comfort… and relaxed Marbella elegance GOURMET CUISINE Fine dining… and wine tasting HEALTH & BEAUTY The therapy of sex… and cutting-edge wellbeing INTERNATIONAL DIARY With love from London: hotspots, fashion and what’s trending ART & CULTURE Music, painting, theatre, films, books and photography NEWS & EVENTS Business bulletin, festive glamour and specialist advice

Marc Chagall, Paris Through the Window (Paris par la fenêtre), 1913: Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, Solomon R. Guggenheim Founding Collection – © VEGAP, Bilbao, 2014

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Open Sea >

Women Power on the Ocean Ocean sailing might often seem to be a predominantly masculine sport but the women crew members of Team SCA have radically different thoughts about that

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The first all-female crew to enter the Volvo Ocean Race in more than a decade has completed the first two legs of this gruelling annual event with distinction.

On the first leg, from Alicante (starting on 11 October) to Cape Town, after a sleepless night and clever strategy, they overtook the Spanish boat MAPFRE almost at the end to snatch sixth place in the seven-boat fleet. “We never ever stopped fighting,” said skipper Sam Davies, on the dock. “That’s something that our coach, Magnus Olsson, taught us – and we keep that spirit with us all the time.”

They had some more tough skirmishes on the second leg, to Abu Dhabi, eventually repeating sixth place, albeit thanks to Team Vestas Wind’s failure to finish the race. After a break over Christmas, they were due to resume nautical battle on 3 January from Abu Dhabi to Sanya.

The race will them continue to Auckland, Itajaí, Newport, Lisbon, Lorient and finally, after a pit-stop in The Hague, to Gothenburg – where the boats are due to arrive between 21 and 24 June 2015.

After the first two legs, Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing (winner of the first leg), Dongfeng Race Team and Team Brunei (victorious in the second leg) headed the overall points list jointly. The other participating boat in the race, Team Alvimedica, was fourth ahead of MAPFRE. The women’s team is funded by SCA, founded in Sweden in 1929 and currently mainly concentrating on hygiene operations and products, while also being Europe’s largest private forest owner.

They entered a team in the Volvo Ocean Race because globally more than 80 per cent of the retail products they make are purchased by women. “This gives us a natural interest in the role that women play in the field of hygiene of millions of families around the world. Furthermore, SCA supports women’s empowerment and their freedom to participate fully in society – socially, educationally and professionally – across the world by giving them access to and education about hygiene products and solutions.”

Photos reprinted courtesy of: www.volvooceanrace.com HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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Open Road >

High-Octane Thrills at Ascari Race Resort

Ronda is best known for its venerable Roman past, historical buildings, picturesque cliff setting, excellent country-style cuisine and sweeping agricultural lands.

In recent years, however, it has also attracted attention as the home of one of Europe’s most spectacular private motorsport complexes.

Ascari Race Resort takes its name from Alberto Ascari, the only Italian driver to have won two Formula 1 world championships for Ferrari. Acknowledged as a supreme exponent of sportsmanship and fearlessness on the track, Ascari’s legend is described as the linchpin of the resort’s philosophy and approach to motorsport.

The facility was designed both to indulge the needs and dreams of motorsport lovers and to cater for private corporate events and promotional presentations.

Underpinned by personalised attention, it was crafted in an exclusive but informal style, with a key objective being respect for the landscape and the environment.

With a full circuit 5,425 metres long – the longest track in Spain – and a consistent width of 12.2 metres, Ascari can be sub-divided into three different sections or combinations, enabling separate events or aspects of driver training to be held simultaneously. The 26 corners of the anti-clockwise circuit are divided into 13 right-hand and 13 left-hand turns, offering a balanced course for both driver and vehicle – a mix of tight bends and sweeping curves. Further challenges are provided by bends with up to 18 per cent banking, 12 per cent ascents and descents, and demanding chicanes.

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The backdrop is highlighted by mountains and native woodland, in a terrain “intentionally devoid of advertising boards and other manifestations of commerce common to other race circuits.” Within that same brief, all the passive safety installations have been designed to be “as visually low-key as possible”.

In addition to the main track, facilities include skidpan and kart, buggy and 4x4 tracks, a 300-car indoor parking garage, a clubhouse with terrace, swimming pool and restaurant, a conference hall, a meeting room, hospitality points and a heliport.

The resort’s other main services include 24-hour security surveillance, in-house catering, events management and coordination, driving academy, internal and external shuttle, and ambulance and medical staff.

Ascari also offers club membership, with unlimited access to the track, exclusive custom racing equipment, preferential conditions for services, and invitations to exclusive events. In short… “the place to enjoy your greatest passion together with family and friends”.

Ascari Race Resort, Ronda (Málaga): www.ascari.net

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Adopting a fresh approach to architecture, culinary art and contemporary services, the new Portals Hills boutique hotel aims to provide a mix of “fashionable Miami South Beach meets charming Mediterranean”.

The winner of two categories in the 2014 European Property Awards (for new small hotel construction and residential development) the establishment is due to open this spring (although it is already taking reservations). It has been built on a hillside above the Mediterranean just minutes from Mallorca’s chic Puerto Portals marina – one of the island’s most exclusive areas.

It is described as being “luxurious but welcoming… (taking) a cosmopolitan approach, with a modern interpretation of architecture, culinary art and high-class services”.

Showcasing its Miami styling right from the moment guests enter the porte-cochère, the hotel’s all-white entrance hall is appointed with customdesigned furniture with lighting and accent pieces in gold, while the lobby features floor-to-ceiling windows framing Mediterranean views, white- and gold-patterned furnishings and the centrepiece of the room, a Hollywoodstyle staircase cascading down to the La Cabana pool bar and lounge. Overall, Portals Hills blends art deco architecture with international standards of service, in Mallorca’s high-end lifestyle ambience.

Signature services include a VIP concierge (for special restaurant reservations, personal shopping, gift advice, bespoke tours and event planning), private chef and luxury limousine service; and the amenities are highlighted by an infinity swimming pool, state-of-the-art Technogym, Ligne St Barth Wellness Lounge and Suite 32 private club.

Portals Hills, Mallorca: www.portals-hills.com HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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A Room with a World View Experience Lisbon – the historic gateway to the Americas – from the comfort of a stylish city hotel

By Andrew Forbes

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Often on a city break, one can become so absorbed with taking in all the sights that a visit can become a maelstrom of activity. An over-zealous commitment to see everything in a limited amount of time can convert a potentially relaxing long weekend into a tiring blur.

Yet Lisbon somehow obliges visitors to slow down, to take a breath and just live the moment. Said to be western Europe’s oldest city, this ancient capital exudes a calm and tranquillity that’s unlike almost any other metropolis.

Built over seven hills, Lisbon offers spectacular vistas that allow one to soak up the atmosphere and see the capital without having to lift a foot. There are almost a dozen “miradouros” or viewpoints, each offering a privileged perspective of this colourful city.

Probably one of Lisbon’s finest views is that of the Alfama neighbourhood. A mass of 18th and 19th century ochre roof tiles, church towers, domes and historic buildings, this atmospheric district spills down the hill to the banks of the River Tagus. Where once the world’s great explorers set sail to discover the world, now one can catch sight of gleaming white luxury cruise ships.

The best place to enjoy this vista, in an ambience of style and sophistication, is from the designer terrace wine bar and pool of the chic Memmo Alfama Hotel.

Found down a skinny street, a few minutes’ walk from Lisbon’s cathedral and the city’s castle of São Jorge, this boutique property is the place to stay.

The contemporary hotel, with 42 guest rooms, brings boutique service and style to Lisbon’s old Alfama quarter, whilst maintaining the essence of a Portuguese house. Converted from historic buildings, the hotel has maintained the original 19th century facades, as well as interesting internal architectural features such as huge stone domes that were once bread ovens. One is now the hotel’s small library, filled with books about Portugal and its capital.

The Memmo Alfama terrace is one of Lisbon’s special places and is certainly one of the highlights of the hotel. The wine bar is an architectural cube with floor

to ceiling glass concertina windows that fold open to unite the space with the sun-drenched terrace. A striking red-tiled infinity lap pool is to one side, whilst the adjacent timber deck is furnished with sofas and designer chairs.

A selection of Portuguese wines and tasting plates is offered on the terrace, whilst downstairs is the informal dining area. Muted tones and simple, Nordic style design make the spaces calm and welcoming. A subtle music soundtrack of Portugal and Brazil offers an additional chilled and mellow dimension.

The guest rooms and suites are compact, but generous with design features and luxury touches. Light wooden floors with rugs complement the white walls and muted earth tones of the curtains and furnishings. The bathrooms are of polished concrete, echoing the “tadelakt” plaster of Lisbon’s Moorish past.

In the room entrance is a linen bag, labelled your “mailbox”. This is a mailbag with a few surprises, including city guide and up-to-date listings from the concierge as well as the hotel’s own insider tips on what to see and do. The welcome amenity includes a small bottle of tawny port and some bite-size egg custard tarts, those delicious “pasteis de nata” that become a lasting memory of any visit to Lisbon. The mini bar is stocked with Portuguese wines and snacks if one still has the munchies, but the city is at one’s feet, and there are plenty of tempting bars and restaurants within walking distance.

After a lively night out – one of cocktails, great dining and maybe even some Fado – the guest room beds are perfect for dreaming. Super-comfortable mattresses topped with luxury Egyptian linens, and dressed with oversized continental style pillows.

Yet the most compelling part of the room is probably that view – the rooftops down to the River Tagus, the place where those famous Iberian explorers set off to discover the world.

Memmo Alfama Hotel, Lisbon: www.memmoalfama.com HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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Travel & Getaways >

Santa Barbara Inspiration for Marbella Hotel Décor

Kamini Ezralow had one key objective when commissioned to refurbish Marbella Club’s rooms and suites: reintroduce the “original intent” and achieve “relaxed luxury and barefoot elegance”.

To that end, the widely travelled interior designer (now based in London) took inspiration from the glamour of Santa Barbara’s 1950s and 1960s lifestyle, which had provided the initial inspiration for the creator of the iconic hotel.

Ezralow finished work on the redecoration in 2014 (although she was still completing selected parts of the project at the end of the year). She incorporated artisanal hand-woven carpets from the south of France and elegant traditionalist Portuguese furniture, layering in several accent pieces to connect the style to

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the present and finishing with fabrics using linens and other natural blends.

The colour palette was selected to integrate with the freshness of the gardens that surround the rooms, and was used as a tool to bring the outside in by creating a visual colour connection for guests. This, in addition to the bespoke designed furniture, “created an energetic flow which immediately facilitated the relaxation and comfort of the guests upon entering”.

These subtle yet significant details all came together to help create a comfortable yet chic Santa Barbara ambience.

Ezralow Design Studio, London: www.ezralowdesign.com

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A La Carte >

Mugaritz Restaurant

Inventive Basque Cuisine Created Outside the Mould

For celebrated Basque chef Andoni Luis Aduriz, the Costa del Sol became something of a second home in 2014. In April he took on the culinary consultancy at the Healthouse Las Dunas five-star hotel on Estepona’s “New Golden Mile” – creating “a concept combining limitless creative cooking with all the nutritious requirements of the Naturhouse diet”.

Four months later, he and his team headed down the highway to Marbella, to take charge of the menu served at the annual Starlite charity gala.

Back home in Guipúzkoa, in July he was named as one of the best cooks in the Atlantic region, receiving a “Flavours of the Atlantic Arch” (“Sabores del Arco Atlántico”) award during a special presentation in Gijón, where the judges praised him as “one of the most creative and sensitive cooks, with a long trajectory behind him during which research for the product and his knowledge of technique have been the key”.

In April his establishment Mugaritz maintained its coveted place in the Restaurant Magazine’s “The World’s 50 Best Restaurants” ranking for a ninth year, in 2014 sixth behind (in order): Noma, Copenhagen; El Celler de Can Roca, Girona; Osteria Francescana, Modena; Eleven Madison Park, New York City; and Dinner

by Heston Blumenthal, London.

Opened in March 1998, Mugaritz is located in a verdant natural setting in the countryside inland from San Sebastian, surrounded by fields and forests. Its name is

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derived from a 200-year-old oak tree (one of the few remaining trees from a previously sprawling forest next to the restaurant), which rises up a few metres from the kitchen. This oak tree (“haritza” – or oak in Basque) is strategically situated beside the line dividing Errenteria and Astigarraga, and therefore delimitates the “muga” (frontier) between both towns: “Muga eta haritza”… Mugaritz.

The style of food at Mugaritz “is described as “techno-emotional Spanish”. As Aduriz himself says, “We strive to transcend the customs that curtail our freedom.” His objective is to shock and surprise as well as delight, with what he refers to as “trompes l’oeils” – culinary tricks of the eye. “Some creations play with aroma, texture and flavour while others are designed to be provocative, tell a story or evoke an emotion.”

Diners are not given access to a menu before booking: instead they savour a personalised series of 24 dishes, including a starter of “edible stones”, which are in reality potatoes. The “standout” dish (according to “The World’s 50 Best Restaurants”) is “ice shreds, scarlet shrimp perfume”.

Mugaritz Restaurant, Guipúzkoa, Basque Country: www.mugaritz.com Photos “Honey Mead” and “Ice Shreds”: José Luis López de Zubiría / Mugaritz.

Photo Andoni Luis Aduriz: The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2014 sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna and onEdition Photography

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A La Carte >

Re-Invention of an Impeccable French Dining Experience Voulez Vous Restaurant & Lounge

For exquisite French cuisine with verve, Voulez Vous in Nueva Andalucía is ticking all the right culinary boxes. Conveniently located on the roundabout heading up to Centro Plaza from Puerto Banús, the restaurant is the brainchild of a couple from Paris.

A complete overhaul has produced a new kitchen, new professional staff, a talented chef and sous chefs, a well thought out menu with good prices, an extensive range of interesting wines, and excellent service.

There is a daily lunch menu, which is changed regularly as the chef finds enticing new options for guests, and the a la carte has something for everyone. Also highly recommended are the chef’s suggestions that are not on the menu.

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This is by no means a pretentious restaurant but they are delivering food and service of an extremely high standard. The décor is a change from the normal ubiquitous brown and gives the establishment a light and spacious feel.

The bar is a pleasant addition to the restaurant and manager Ben makes a mean cocktail, with attractive prices as well. The cocktail list is especially worth checking out during “happy hour”!

Voulez Vous Nueva Andalucía, Marbella Tel. (+34) 662 686 200 www.voulezvousmarbella.es

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Wine Notes >

White Delights

By Ana Gil Peña

It has to be admitted that in the wider world, where there are many wine producers, no-one takes you very seriously if you start talking about Spanish whites in positive terms. Not altogether surprising, considering the disservice done by restaurants that considered their duty was ended once they had put a couple of cheapo white wines on their lists. Only somewhat recently have they bothered to include some decent stuff.

In the bad old days there were undrinkable La Manchas, bitter Riojas and irregular Penedés. As the Penedés were getting better, the market was suddenly flooded with cheap and very drinkable white wine from Rueda. Add with some Albariños from Rías Baixas… and that’s where we are now.

More infrequently you will come across unfamiliar names like Enate or Viñas del Vero. If you are adventurous, just tasting such wines opens the door to the lesser-known Somontano region. It is the only wine region in Spain where reds are outstanding, the rosés striking, and the whites just amazingly good.

The name Somontano means “at the base of the mountains”, located as it is in the foothills of the Pyrenees. Summers are hot and winters bring frosts, even snow. It is a wild, rugged area, difficult to access but certainly worth visiting. The scenery is stunning: the medieval villages as picturesque as anywhere, and the restaurants stupendous.

There were only seven bodegas in 1997. That number is now 30plus. Somontano has been referred to as the Aragonese Rioja, and to the traditional grape varieties have been added imported stock. The reds are Syrah, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Garnacha Tinta, Parraleta, Pinot Noir and Moristel. The whites, Chardonnay, Macabeo, Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Garnacha Blanca. In “The Wines of Spain” Julian Jeffs calls Somontano’s wines “some of the best in Spain”. Perhaps unsurprisingly investment from other wine areas is flooding in, with two of the top bodegas, Pirineos and Viñas del Vero, now owned by sherry houses Barbadillo and Gonzalez Byass, respectively.

If you can get the Bestué, Laus, Enate or Aldahara Chardonnays you will not be disappointed, and Villa d’Orta’s is one of the best going anywhere. The Chardonnay/Gewurtztraminer/Macabeo blend from Pirineos is possibly unique in Spain, and 12 Lunas makes a good Chardonnay/Gewürztraminer blend. Estada’s two whites are wonderful, as are all the Viñas del Vero labels, with their Gewürztraminer, a Somontanto first, among the best I have ever tasted; ditto the singlegrape Riesling. (*None of these wines cost more than about €12, and some of the best are around €7-8.)

For too long Somontano wines were grown by Frenchmen and exported in bulk over the Pyrenees. Only in the 1980s did the region wake up to the fact that it was capable of producing superb wines that could be marketed on their own merits. They have certainly made up for lost time.

Denominación de Origen Somontano (Huesca): www.dosomontano.com

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Are you ready for 2015 ?

Do you have a marketing plan? Are you on Facebook? Does your website reflect your business in the best possible light? Are you updating your blog regularly? Is online marketing part of your strategy?

What is Pinterest? What could you do differently to increase sales this year? Have you considered PPC? Do you plan to raise your profile with press coverage? Do you have a team to help you plan, implement and monitor your marketing?

so many questions...

Call Redline on 952 816 678 to arrange a free 30-minute marketing consultation. the agency with the big heart

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Health & Beauty >

Medical Minutes CUTTING-EDGE ADVICE FOR HEALTHY LIVING

BRING ON THE RIOJA

By John Schieszer

The latest research is suggesting that substances specifically found in red wine may help prevent heart disease, fight tooth decay and help with a host of other ailments. Several studies have demonstrated that the substance resveratrol, which is present in the skin of the grape, has a protective effect against cardiovascular diseases. It seems that at least part of the protective effect can be explained by the fact that resveratrol inhibits the formation of inflammatory factors.

Cardiovascular disorders, such as heart attacks and strokes, frequently occur in association with chronic inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis. The natural substance resveratrol has major therapeutic potential, particularly when it comes to the treatment of inflammatory diseases that can cause serious damage to the cardiovascular system.

Another recent study found that red wine, as well as grape seed extract, could potentially help prevent cavities. The report, which was published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, could lead to the development of natural products that ward off dental diseases with fewer side effects.

Cavities, periodontal disease and tooth loss affect an estimated 60 to 90 per cent of the global population. The problems start when certain bacteria in the mouth get together and form biofilms (communities of bacteria that are difficult to kill). The biofilms form plaque and produce acid, which starts damaging teeth. Brushing, fluoride in toothpaste and water, and other methods can help get rid of bacterial plaques, but the effects are limited. Currently used antimicrobial rinses can change the colour of the gums and alter taste. Subsequently, many people don’t use them for as long as they should.

The researchers found that polyphenols, grape seed extract and red wine were the most effective at getting rid of the bacteria. The study suggested that regular intake of resveratrol may be highly beneficial in preventing tooth loss.

“The benefits of red wine are well documented,” said Dr. David Prelutsky, who is with Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis (Missouri). “However, moderation is the key and you can’t go overboard every night. It is also best to have some food with red wine. It may be the combination of resveratrol and other substances that produce the beneficial effect. The Spanish have it right with combining it with tapas.”

Another recent article published in the journal Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology found that resveratrol may prevent cancer as well. The researchers found that resveratrol had significant anti-cancer effects. Currently, clinical trials are testing the ability of resveratrol to prevent colon and liver cancer. Further studies are also planned for head and neck cancers.

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

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to get up to date information

30/12/14 14:38

Health & Beauty >

About Sex

By Richard Cruz

It may not be ALL about sex but in this Valentine’s edition I’ll be introducing the hot topic of love and sex and all that goes on in between the two! In the following two editions leading up to June I’ll be highlighting concerns on the same theme.

Declaring oneself a sex therapist (or a sexólogo in Spanish), especially whilst engaging in polite conversation on an Easyjet flight between Gatwick and Malaga, will often evoke jaw-dropping curiosity. The fact is that both within and outside the consulting room people want to talk about sex whether or not they have a personal concern over it.

It isn’t science to interpret this interest in others’ lives, which are more easily palatable perhaps, as both a fascination and discovery of our own lives. For these are deep waters that have often never been truly plummeted even, or especially, in the context of our own intimate relationships. And therein lies the profession and why there is a sudden deluge of interest in sex therapy and what happens and is talked about in the sacred chamber of the consulting room.

Traditionally this has been the domain of Relate (“the relationship people” in the UK), but more and more people are upping the ante in terms of not just talking about the relationship but with an emphasis, or at the very least being able to feel that the therapist is comfortable with sexuality and that sex IS the relationship and visa versa – the two are inextricably intertwined. Sex therapy is undergoing a boom in the UK, in training courses and in the procurement of good qualified therapists. Relate’s waiting time to see a qualified psychosexual therapist is months.

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So what is it? What do we do? Why this increasing hunger for information and awareness about sexual issues? The analogy with food is by no means a mistake.

Sex is like eating: we need it for survival – well, most of us do – and, if we’re not getting it, it causes huge amounts of friction in a relationship or high anxiety in an individual who perhaps has a sexual dysfunction such as a fear around sex or a performance issue.

We are bombarded by the media that we should all be having lots of sex, multiple orgasms, hours of staying power, etc. And, whilst I disagree with these fantasies of perfection and impossible human standards that are unattainable in loving relationships of whatever duration, I empathise with the ordinary couple or individual who seeks me out because their relationship and sex life has broken down – usually one bringing down the other.

It is a terribly painful crisis but one that, with due care, attention and support, can avert separation or divorce or a realisation that it’s time to call it quits and end what was on the cards anyway. As a rule from my experience, probably an obvious thing to say, the quality and improvement of the relationship seems to be the foundation for better sex. This is a tough one generally for men to understand given that we are governed most of the time by sex as a way of connecting emotionally.

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In my view the key to a successful relationship is self-awareness and awareness of the couple dynamics. We can get so bogged down with work, children, parents and illness, never mind pre-disposing conditions such as depression and anxiety, that we lose sight of each other. Things reach rock bottom when blame seems the only way out and self-awareness diminishes; it becomes just about a power struggle.

There are a myriad reasons why couples reach these desperate levels: infertility, affairs, addictions (more prevalently porn addiction or online chat rooms)… the list is endless. But what happens is that communication breaks down; the couple find themselves trying their very best to resolve the cracks but are going round and round in circles. It is often in these moments when typically the couple are out of sync with each other – sex has all but stopped, is erratic or the quality has become simply functional – that a couple or individual will present themselves for therapy.

A psychosexual therapist’s job is to get as much history as possible, a sexual and relationship timeline of each partner or, if an individual, the same; thus building up a picture of possible difficulties in relating. As an attachmentbased therapist, in my experience the wounds that people are trying to work through are often their childhood struggles; the difficulty is that they are trying to work these out within a present-day relationship. Where psychosexual work comes into its own and takes couples’ work further is its practical nature. When sex is the battlefield I often say, stop holding it up as the gaol for now. Suspend it and let’s work on a programme to re-introduce intimacy. It is the last thing a couple wants to hear but at the same time it can come as a relief that someone is taking charge and it is okay to begin again trying to get on the same page as each other. Couples and individuals who take what is in effect a leap of faith can reap hugely beneficial rewards with each other. I see couples transform and become something that they never imagined. A new couple!

Although it may seem this first article is geared to couples, it isn’t; individuals can also benefit greatly from sex therapy, especially those with sexual dysfunctions, phobias, compulsive behaviours, etc.

Sex therapy is not a panacea – it’s a leap of faith, as I say – but I’ve yet to witness those who have been unable to change gear at some level. It often opens up to yet more food for thought but remember, no relationship is static: it is always a work in progress and involves the ability to live with its ups and downs lovingly and hopefully sexually.

Richard Cruz lives in Estepona and is a counsellor and psychosexual therapist practising in Marbella and London.

Sex Therapy Marbella. Avenida Ricardo Soriano Tel. (+34) 608 594 608 / info@sextherapymarbella.es www.sextherapymarbella.es

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Richard Cruz

Counselling & Psychosexual therapy in Marbella and London Low Self-Esteem Anger Management Abuse · Trauma Depression Anxiety · Bereavement Relationship Difficulties Erection Problems and Phobias Sex Addiction

Richard Cruz. MBACP (Accred), COSRT (Accred) Tel Spain: 608 594 608 · Tel UK: +44 781 394 41 46 info@sextherapymarbella.es · www.sextherapymarbella.es Av. Ricardo Soriano 72, Marbella 29601.

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International Diary >

With Love from London

By Michelle Ganney

Fashion With Christmas, mulled wine, roast potatoes and mince pies well and truly gone, it’s that time of the year again to begin to tone up. In preparation for the spring and summer clamour of getting into shape, Striders Edge have a dreamy 2015 collection to get you feeling fit and healthy and, more importantly, looking good!

Their new collection, aptly titled “California Dreaming”, has a radiant palette ranging from fluorescent corals to turquoise blues and subtle shades of grey and yellow to really capture the sundrenched landscapes of California with a London-designed twist.

The new Spring 2015 collection also includes vibrant-coloured vests, printed leggings, statement racer backs and a new line of technical cover-ups. Their luxury cashmere performance fabrics are unique in style as they combine exquisite design with technical innovation – a true fitness wonder! The most dynamic collection to date is available online from 1 January (www.stridersedge.com).

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What’s Trending December was a month fuelled with some of the biggest movie premieres. The legendary and much anticipated film “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” premiered in Leicester Square – the final instalment in the epic fantasy adventure trilogy and the last time we will journey to Middle Earth.

• Also grabbing the spotlight was a film directed by Ridley Scott, “Exodus Gods and Kings”, a twist on the Biblical, animated film “The Prince of Egypt” which premiered in London’s cinema hotspot, Leicester Square. This rendition took a much darker turn with the defiant Moses rising up against his brother, Pharaoh Ramses, in order to take 600,000 slaves on an epic journey to escape deadly plagues and Egypt. Played by the multi-talented actor and former Batman legend Christian Bale, it was a tense two hours of this warped yet extraordinary Biblical story.

• The UK seems to be taking the music world by storm, with Britain sweeping the nominations for the 57th Annual Grammy Awards. Our very own Sam Smith is leading the way with an astonishing six nominations. Powerhouse Ed Sheeran, renowned band Coldplay and newcomer Charli XCX have also got the nod. Smith’s album, “In The Lonely Hour”, along with Sheeran’s “X” and Coldplay’s “Ghost Stories”, make up just some of the contenders in the category for best pop vocal album. The countdown to the award ceremony on 9 February has begun!

• St John’s Square reprised their Creative Clerkenwell Christmas Pop-Up shop in December with a number of high-profile featured designers including Amanda Li Hope, Jo Davies and Lee Borthwick. Christmas delights, souvenirs, limited edition products and gifts were available at the gallery at Craft Central. An asteroid necklace with a solid sterling silver pendant and an 18-carat rose gold plated finish by Amanda Li Hope was on offer, as were some ash platters by Lee Borthwick, with responsibly sourced ash wood designed and made in East London.

These were just a few of the exquisite pieces on offer at the popular event. A portion of the sales went to charity in order to assist Craft Central’s programme to support UK designer-makers.

Hotspots London was graced with some of the world’s most beautiful models last December in honour of one of television’s most prestigious evenings. For their annual catwalk show, the Victoria’s Secret models put on a stunning performance and were accompanied by some of showbiz’s musical legends including Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran and Ariana Grande. The show aired exclusively in December on CBS, so we hope you managed to catch some of VS’s most angelic angels. From Adriana Lima to Alessandra Ambrosio, Doutzen Kroes, Candice Swanepoel, Lily Aldridge, Behati Prinsloo and Karlie Kloss, this bevy of beauties put on an unforgettable show.

Fit For Life Renowned Latino chef Angelo Sosa revealed some of his post-Christmas treats after the hectic festive holidays. In the seventh season of Top Chef, Sosa was the popular runner up. “Top chef was one of the most challenging things I’ve ever done in my life,” he said.

Since then his career has gone from strength to strength. Speaking candidly to me about his love of food, Sosa announced the launch of his new cookbook, “Healthy Latin Eating”, which is due to be released on 2 January. He explained how healthy eating doesn’t have to be bland and boring and how spice is his weapon of choice in the kitchen. “I consider myself a spice expert.” His favourite spice is “fenugreek”, which is indigenous to Middle East India. “This aromatic Mediterranean plant has a strong aroma but toasted correctly is absolutely beautiful.”

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ART & C U LT U RE >

Guggenheim Museum Bilbao

Masterpieces Through the Art of Time

Vasily Kandinsky, Composition 8 (Komposition 8), July 1923: Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, Solomon R. Guggenheim Founding Collection – © VEGAP, Bilbao, 2014

El Anatsui, Earth’s Skin, 2007: Guggenheim Abu Dhabi – © El Anatsui (Photo by Andrew McAllister, courtesy of the Akron Art Museum)

Amedeo Modigliani, Nude (Nu), 1917: Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York Solomon R. Guggenheim Founding Collection

Franz Marc, White Bull (Der Stier), 1911: Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York

An exhibition on show at the Guggenheim Bilbao until 25 January celebrates 20 years of partnership between the museum and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation. Curated by Petra Joos, Lucía Agirre, Álvaro Rodríguez Fominaya, Nancy Spector, Tracey R. Bashkoff and Lauren Hinkson, “The Art of Our Time: Masterpieces from the Guggenheim Collections” echoes the museum’s opening exhibition in October 1997, which occupied the entire building. This latest exhibition “reveals how the collections of the museums in the Guggenheim constellation have grown and flourished over the years, underscores the synergies between them and shows how their holdings complement each other while retaining their distinctive identities”.

Guggenheim Museum Bilbao: www.guggenheim-bilbao.es

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La Térmica

From Sex to Punk with the Pistols

A fascinating retrospective of the punk phenomenon can be seen in Málaga until 9 January through the lens of John Tiberi. Tour manager and photographer of the iconic Sex Pistols, Tiberi put together this selection of images, “From Sex to Punk: Vivienne Westwood, Malcolm McLaren & Sex Pistols”, as a rare and intimate view

of one of the most captivating music eras and popular cultures of the 20th century.

Sex Pistols drummer and co-founder Paul Cook compiled a special playlist for the inauguration, including songs chosen exclusively for the exhibition.

La Térmica, Málaga: www.latermicamalaga.com HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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S O U N D B YTE S >

Studio Preview for 2015

By Alex George

Well 2015 is upon us and it’s already being tipped as a great year for music. Some of the world’s biggest musical acts have promised us new material this year and I for one am really looking forward to hearing what they have in store.

Bob Dylan, Coldplay, Duran Duran, Emeli Sande, Fleetwood Mac, Guns N’ Roses, Madonna, Motorhead, Muse and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers are all taunting us with new forthcoming albums (as long as they can all get along with each other in the studio).

I remember watching the Brit Awards in 2008 and when they announced Mark Ronson as the winner for best British male solo artist I was – to say the least – bemused. A guy that can’t sing winning best male solo artist? I had to investigate further. My bemusement was overruled by discovering that he had produced some of the best albums and singles of that year, including Adele’s “19” album and many of the late Amy Winehouse’s most successful singles.

Six years and many chart topping songs later he’s back with an eclectic-funkinspired album that’s sure to be a huge success in 2015.

“Uptown Special” is due for release on 27 January and has been two years in the making. The lead single “Uptown Funk” featuring Bruno Mars quickly became one of my favourite songs of 2014, up there with Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” and Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud”.

Mark Ronson has seriously pulled some favours and resources for his upcoming album, not only using vocalists Bruno Mars and Mystikal but also

the legendary Stevie Wonder on harmonica. He recruited Pulitzer Prizewinning author Michael Chabon to write lyrics for a few of the singles and teamed up with Grammy-winning producer Jeff Bhasker (Kanye West, Lana Del Rey, Beyonce) to create the album in New York, London, Memphis and Los Angeles studios.

“I spend so much time DJing hip hop clubs in New York, and all that music – funk, R&B, soul, disco – I feel it’s all the same thing,” Ronson says.

I hope the rest of the album will live up to the brilliance of the lead single. I’ll be back reviewing more great albums very soon… happy new year!

Listen to Alex George on Spectrum FM from 4pm to 8pm

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fm 97.6fm 9 .4fm

...the music you love...

Rihanna, Michael Jackson, Madonna and much more...

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News & Events >

Round-up of business, charity, cultural and other general items of interest from the Costa del Sol, Gibraltar… and further afield

REDLINE COMPANY

Endearing Calendar Project For Triple A Animal Charity Marbella-based marketing agency Redline Company has once again joined forces with Triple A to design a 2015 calendar featuring a selection of impossibly adorable cats and dogs that urgently need a new home. The calendars are on sale to the general public at the market in Puerto Banús every Saturday morning and in selected veterinary clinics, as well as being available from Triple A. A non-profit charitable organisation, Triple A provides these unfortunate animals with medical treatment, food and shelter, and whenever possible finds them a new permanent home. When Redline received the call for help, as “the agency with the big heart”, they said they had no hesitation in agreeing to help and immediately offered to design the calendar. Other contributors include photographer Kevin Horn (www.khphotography.co.uk), PR Grafis (www.prgrafis. es) and Talia Giraudo (www.thoroughlygorgeous.com).

The idea behind the calendar is “to raise money and public awareness of the sheer magnitude of the situation and the number of pets that are being abandoned every year”. It also gives the charity the opportunity of expressing its appreciation to all the volunteers who donate their time and energy to helping the animals and to those who have adopted them as their new pets.

“Social responsibility is very important to Redline,” says founder and director Line Lyster, “and whenever possible we try to offer our support to local charities. We know from our previous collaboration with Triple A – last year we designed a shopping bag – that they work extremely hard with very little funding.” info@redlinecompany.com www.tripleamarbella.org / www.redlinecompany.com GÜEY RESTAURANT AND SKYBAR

Traditional Celebration for Santa Lucía Stylish Nueva Andalucía gastronomic venue Güey Restaurant and Skybar hosted a traditional Santa Lucia celebration on 13 December. Güey was fully booked as guests, including Marbella mayoress Ángeles Muñoz, enjoyed a traditional and tasty Swedish Julbord.

The highlight of the evening was a performance by the choir from Svenska Skolan, a Swedish school on the Costa del Sol. The restaurant dimmed its lights as the students entered, singing carols in traditional white costumes, led by a singer with a white gown, red sash and crown of candles on her head. Diners were captivated as the choir sang a selection of Swedish carols, after which the celebrations continued upstairs in the Skybar. www.gueymarbella.com

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BANNI ELEGANT HOME

New High-End Decoration Showroom Opens in Marbella A new showroom on Marbella’s Golden Mile is due to be inaugurated on 2 January, offering clients the finest luxury home products and services. A market leader in high-end decoration, BANNI Elegant Home specialises in the development of both complete and partial interior décor projects.

A highly qualified team of interior decorators undertakes a fully integrated and rigorous control of each project – for interiors and outdoor areas – offering an excellent personalised service and quality.

NAPRAPATHY IN MARBELLA

Specialising in the Natural Treatment of Pain

Charlotta Östing is a doctor of naprapathy, acupuncturist, kinesiologist and certified Ashtanga and Naam yoga instructor from Sweden, with over 20 years of experience. One of only three practitioners of naprapathy in Spain, she divides her time between Sweden and Spain, mainly specialising in the treatment of pain. “There are many causes of pain,” she notes, “and I look upon each patient as a unique mystery to be solved.”

Naprapathy is a kind of manual medicine similar to chiropractic or osteopathy that treats not only the joints but also the muscles, tendons and connective tissue in order to achieve a long-lasting result. “If the patient allows it (they almost always do) I will also use acupuncture as a tool to get deeper into the problematic area. According to Chinese medicine, the most common cause of pain is stagnated/blocked energy along one of the 14 meridians/energy channels which are linked to the inner organs… Then we have Indian tradition with ayurveda and yoga where you speak of seven chakras-energy centres along the spine – each connected to specific functions and feelings. Last but not least, our diet is more important than we think… Doctors in China and India always advise their patients what to eat and what to avoid. You should let your food be your medicine (and yoga your therapy).”

Calle Maestranza 106, Aloha Pueblo, Marbella Tel. (+34) 617 220 031 / info@naprapatlotta.com / www.naprapatlotta.com

We recommend a visit to their showroom, which includes a wide and varied range of furniture and home accessories from their own prestigious BANNI brand, as well as the best and most exclusive international companies.

Marbella Showroom: Blvd. Príncipe Alfonso de Hohenlohe Tel (+34) 952 777 050 www.banni.es (Marbella-Madrid-Barcelona)

LOS MONTEROS HOTEL & SPA

Presentation of Long-Time Chef’s Autobiography

After nearly 40 years in the Los Monteros Hotel & Spa kitchen, chef Cristóbal Rueda has put together his memoirs and gastronomic secrets in an autobiography, “Mi Cocina”, published by Alvaeno Ediciones and edited by Maribel Romero. The book includes 30 recipes and contributions from other professionals in the culinary world. Proceeds from its sale will go towards cancer research. www.monteros.com HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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Art Agenda Top Exhibitions along the Costa del Sol

“Picasso TV” in Málaga

Costa del Sol Decorative and Fine Arts

Fine Arts Lectures: Painting by Anders Zorn from Hans Henrik Brummer art book

Three lectures are being organised by the Costa del Sol Decorative and Fine Arts in January and February to launch the new 2015 schedule.

The Art of the Baltic: 12 January, lecturer Dr David Cross, at Salon Varietés Theatre, Fuengirola, 4.30pm (guests €10 at the door).

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec – La Belle Epoque: 13 January, lecturer Dr David Cross, at The Danish Club, Fuengirola-Mijas Road, 10.30am (tickets €10, members €8).

The Tragic Beauty of Ice – Photography of the Antarctic: 9 February, lecturer Peter Warwick, at Salon Varietés Theatre, Fuengirola, 4.30pm (guests €10 at the door). www.costadelsoldfas.com

Picasso in Black and White

Málaga Picasso Museum’s “Picasso TV” exhibition, which features “unsuspected links” between some of the work the Málaga-born artist produced between 1966 and 1970 and programmes on French television that he was interested in at that time, will remain on extended show until 11 January. www.museopicassomalaga.org

Art Marbella Fair

Fifty top international galleries are scheduled to take part in the Art Marbella fair to be held from 30 July to 3 August at the Adolfo Suárez Exhibition and Congresses Hall. Local authorities travelled to Madrid for an official presentation of the fair, which will be complemented by a programme of other parallel activities for national and international collectors. www.marbellafair.com

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Art Marbella presentation by culture councillor Carmen Díaz and fair director Alejandro Zaia

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Trending Topic

Robust Marsala

Pantone’s Colour of 2015 1 2

4

3 It was Radiant Orchid last year and now Pantone has announced its new colour of the year for 2015 as Marsala. Radiant Orchid was said to “encourage creativity and innovation”, while Marsala “enriches our mind, body and soul exuding confidence and stability”, according to Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Colour Institute.

“Much like the fortified wine that gives Marsala its name, this tasteful hue embodies the satisfying richness of a fulfilling meal, while its grounding red-brown roots emanate a sophisticated, natural earthiness.

This hearty, yet stylish tone is universally appealing and translates easily to fashion, beauty, industrial design, home furnishings and interiors.”

For interiors, Pantone describes Marsala as being “complex and full-bodied without being overpowering. Marsala provides a unifying element for interior spaces. Add elegance to any room by incorporating this rich and welcoming hue in accent pieces, accessories and paint.

Marsala’s plush characteristics are enhanced when the colour is applied to textured surfaces, making it an ideal choice for rugs and upholstered living room furniture.

“Nurturing and fulfilling, Marsala is a natural fit for the kitchen and dining room – making it ideal for tabletop, small appliances and linens throughout the home. The hue will be especially prominent in striping and floral patterns found in printed placemats, dinnerware, bedding and throws.”

1.- Leather Moroccan Ottoman Pouf with Silk Reinforced Stitching and Star Detail – Garnet Red: www.rockribbonsecogifts.com. 2.- Retro Sweet Scent Wine Gums Candle: www.ellieellie.co.uk. 3.-Handwoven Wool Throw: www.in-spaces.com. 4.- Wild and Wolf Trim Phone: www.redcandy.co.uk. 5.- Fauteuil Celestun Rouge Bordeaux: www.boqa.fr

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The Costa del Sol remains a hive of festive activity throughout the year, especially over the HOLIDAY season, with business inaugurations, special anniversaries, and a wide and varied array of general celebrations…

J-BIZ LOUNGE

Putting the Drive into Networking A spectacular networking evening organised by J-Biz Lounge was held at the Museo Automovilístico in Málaga. International entrepreneurs from a variety of different industries were invited to connect, build business relationships and friendships. The professionals mingled as they were surrounded by luxury cars, models, art and exhibition stands, and were treated to culinary delights, live entertainment and speeches from guest speakers. info@jbizlounge.co.za / www.jbizlounge.co.za / www.facebook.com/JBizLounge

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NORDICA DESIGN GROUP

Inauguration of Home Styling Service Nordica Sales and Rentals launched a new home styling service with a fun, fashionable and stylish launch party and master class. Guests sipped champagne and browsed the shop, choosing presents for the home and receiving tips and inspiration on how to improve their property.

They were also able to take part in a short home styling master class, answering the questions… What is property styling? How can it help to sell or rent a property? What are buyers and renters looking for? This was followed by styling tips to improve the look and feel of a property and attract a buyer or tenant quickly. Interior designer Malin Gavenas showed examples of properties before and after styling to explain the key changes, and answered guests’ questions.

Nordica Design Group offer many options to style a property for sales or rentals, furniture packs to buy or rent, and consultations on what owners can do themselves. They can do the whole house, or just add a few finishing touches. During 2015 they will be running monthly master classes at their Aloha Gardens shop. For more information or to reserve a spot: Tel. (34) 952 811 552 / sales@nordicamarbella.com www.nordicamarbella.com

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Marina Ibiza

Special Visit to Antigua Charter Yacht Show Representatives of the IPM Group – which encompasses Marina Ibiza and STP Shipyard Palma – travelled to the Caribbean in December to attend the Antigua Charter Yacht Show. The purpose of the visit was two-fold: to check out this important exhibition, in order to analyse the current market situation on the other side of the Atlantic; and to join clients and friends at the show – 40 per cent of the boat exhibitors are customers of the group.

IPM also sponsored several activities scheduled by Acrew, and took the opportunity of meeting with the organisers, and local institutions associated with the show, to foster future links. More than 100 boats were on display for the 53rd edition of the Antigua Charter Yacht Show, held at the Falmouth Harbour Marina, Antigua Yacht Club Marina and Nelson’s Dockyard (in English Harbour) ports. www.group-ipm.com

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News & Events > GIBRALTAR GETAWAY

Excellent Agenda for Literary Festival I am more than ever convinced that one of the best reasons for living in Marbella, or just visiting, is the close proximity of the island fortress of Gibraltar. It is a remarkable place – a mighty bastion guarding the entrance to the Mediterranean, a living treasure of modern history, and so close to Africa you can pop over for lunch from nearby Tarifa.

And if you ever needed a reason to go to Gibraltar check out the Gibraltar International Literary Festival. First held in 2013, and sponsored by Gibunco, its 2014 event was a huge success. The line-up of speakers was superb, as good as one would expect at the best anywhere in Europe, including Oxford, Edinburgh and Hay-on-Wye. I enjoyed sessions with Kate Mosse (Labyrinth and Citadel), Joanne Harris (Chocolat) and Lucy Atkins (The Missing One), and one chaired by critic Erica Wagner (Seizure). Madhur Jaffrey hosted a literary salon lunch, and there was good stuff on Gibraltar’s relationship with Spain during the last war, with speakers including Jimmy Burns (author of Papa Spy) about his father Tom, who was press attaché at the British Embassy in Madrid.

And as for Tangier… books by Ian Finlayson and John Hopkins might inspire you to make that your next getaway, after Gibraltar that is. www.gibraltarliteraryfestival.com Text: David Wishart

RHYS DANIELS TRUST

Successful Golf Event in Aid of Children’s Charity Forty golfers took part in a Christmas Charity Golf Challenge at the Marbella Club Golf Resort in Benahavís in aid of the Rhys Daniels Trust. A total of €3,320 was raised for the trust, which provides “Home from Home” care for seriously ill children and their families when travelling to specialist children’s hospitals a long way from home for treatment.

The winning team prize went to The Mickey’s and the individual prize to Luke Wood. Kudu Bar won the team golf quiz, Paul Sollari was nearest the pin, and

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Brett Little hit the longest drive. (The prizes were donated by Tine from International Marbella and Mila from MP Consulting Spain.)

The trust later expressed its appreciation to Lindsey Medina and golf pro Jason Duo for their help with the event, comic Stan Boardman and Brett Little, who hosted a Christmas lunch at La Sala following the golf, with entertainment from Joanna and Dru. www.rhysdanielstrust.org

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< Advertorial

You May Be At Risk If Your Home Is Uninsured

Home insurance in Spain Having home insurance cover in Spain is not compulsory by law. However, at Linea Directa we highly recommend that you cover your buildings and their contents. Without insurance you will be fully responsible for footing the bill for any damages resulting from fire and water, or a neighbour’s property, and you’ll be left unprotected against theft or damage from a wide range of potential mishaps.

Your property in Spain may be let out and treated as a holiday home or it may be your permanent residence. In all cases, adequate home insurance is a must; after all, your property will certainly be one of your most valuable personal assets, and you need to protect it as such.

When you take out a Spanish mortgage, one of the conditions from the bank will be compulsory buildings insurance from the lender to ensure that the bank loan is secured against risks to properties in Spain.

Linea Directa can provide online quotes for Spanish buildings insurance. It’s quick and easy and we will help you find the best deal for the needs of your particular cover.

What’s at stake for uninsured properties?

Most standard building insurance policies in Spain cover the actual structure of the building as well as the fixtures and fittings. This includes the roof, walls,

windows, kitchen, bathroom installations and fitted wardrobes. Individual items of furniture and any personal possessions are not included. This requires a Spanish home contents insurance policy.

The common elements included in your building insurance will be for occurrences like subsidence, third-party liability and protection against damage caused by theft, storms, vandalism, fire and flood.

Home insurance with Linea Directa Linea Directa provides quality home insurance cover designed specifically for expatriates living in Spain. Whether you’re an existing home-owner or looking to purchase a property in Spain, our policies guarantee peace-of-mind at very competitive prices.

We hope the information provided in this article is of interest.

If you would like to contact Linea Directa please call 902 123 161.

More information on Linea Directa online at www.lineadirecta.com HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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Specialist Advice >

Leading experts from the worlds of finance, investment, law and property bring us up-to-date with latest news, legal initiatives and information of interest to expatriates living or spending time in Spain.

Home Buying Guide Article supplied by Arcos & Lamers Asociados

These are the key steps buyers should take into account when purchasing a property in Spain…

1. Seek the property that suits your dreams and economic conditions.

2. Consult with pertinent property agents and obtain advice on the property of your dreams.

3. Prior to making a down payment, consult with your lawyer, who will advise on the legal status of the property and all the steps to be followed in the process of buying your home.

4. Duly advised by your lawyer in Spain, book your property with the settlement of a deposit and signing a private contract.

5. Apply for your Non-Residence Certificate and NIE document, for any action you make in Spain with financial implications.

6. Having obtained your NIE certification, sign up to the Spanish tax authorities and obtain your digital certificate, which will facilitate your actions with the Inland Revenue.

7. Open a bank account in Spain for future direct debits supplies to the purchased property.

8. Following the terms of the Private Contract or when agreed with the vendor, attend the notary meeting to be granted the Purchase Title Deed, where you become the owner of your dream home. At this stage, in the presence of the

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Spanish notary, you pay the price of the sale and receive the keys of your new home. But the process does not end here…

9. Once granted the Purchase Title Deed, it is time to settle the taxes and register the property at the Land Registry where the home is located.

10. Notify your town hall that you are the new owner of the property for the purposes of settling the “plusvalia” tax.

11. Register at the Cadastral Office.

12. Notify the community of owners that you are the new owner of your home.

13. Contract the different suppliers to the property with direct debits at your Spanish bank (electricity, water, telephone, gas, alarm…).

14. Enjoy your new property in Spain… and congratulations!

The whole process indicated above can be a nuisance for you. Arcos & Lamers Asociados will guide you in this process to ensure the purchase of your home is really a dream. Avoid complications and contact the professionals at this multilingual law firm in Spain.

Arcos & Lamers Asociados Avda. Ricardo Soriano, Marbella Tel. (+34) 952 775 010 / www.arcos-lamersasociados.com

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