WIN…A LUXURY GROUP GETAWAY On board Edinburgh’s Camillia Boatel THE HOUSE STORY Design finds and architectural inspiration SCOTTISH STAYCATIONS Wild and wonderful locations to escape to
E D I N B U R G H
TAKE A BOW
One girl’s journey from Portobello to popstardom
There’s a highball iN YOUr FUTUre
Please drink responsibly
JOhNNie & elDerFlOwer CreaTe FlOral FirewOrks FOr YOUr TONgUe 1 Pour Add 50ml of Johnnie Walker Black Label over ice.
2 Mix Stir in 30ml Elderflower Cordial and 100ml Soda Water.
3 Garnish Finish with a lemon twist and lemon thyme or a mint sprig.
Issue 173 / June 2021
CONTEMPORARY_SCOTLAND
CONTENTS
THE HOUSE STORY Our new journal for beautiful spaces
I-ON • TAKE A BOW
in this issue…
WIN A LUXURY GROUP GETAWAY On board Edinburgh’s Camillia Boatel
SCOTTISH STAYCATIONS Wild and wonderful locations to escape to
E D I N B U R G H
06 Win A group getaway on board the Camillia Boatel JUNE 2021 • ISSUE #173
14 Rough Luxury Wild and wonderful Scottish staycations 20 Take a Bow The Edinburgh singer all set for the big time 24 New World Order Sustainable fashion from new Scottish store, LUNCH
TAKE A BOW
One girl’s journey from Portobello to popstardom
Bow Anderson shot by Rebecca Naen
30 The Power Pearl The 2021 way to wear the classic gemstone 33 The Drop Fashion news and need-to-knows 34 What Even is the Menopause Anyway? It’s time to find out 38 #beautygoals Inside the new John Lewis Beauty Hall 40 Tried & Tested Does the HydraFacial live up to the hype? 42 Beauty Notes Must-try products and treatments 44 On the Food Radar Restaurant news and our favourite food finds 46 The House Story Introducing our new architecture and design section 48 How to Make Your Home Look Good Photography tips from ZAC and ZAC 56 Home Report Interior news and design trends 58 The Light House Tradition meets cutting edge design in this Highland home 64 Best of Edinburgh featuring artist and illustrator Zoe Ingram 66 Insta-insider with Johnnie Walker ambassador Ali Reynolds
Directors Laura Wood, Jo Morris, Design Pepe Lebron Editor Nicky Howden Acting Editor Carrie Mitchell Account Director Amy Falconer With thanks to Vicky Allan, Stuart Archer, Aaron Zaccardelli and Ryan Zaccardelli Laing Published by Treacle Productions Ltd, @The Basement, 29-35b Hamilton Place, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH3 5BA, Tel: +44 (0)131 555 4126, Email info@ionmagazine.co.uk, ionedinburgh.com All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited. All prices correct at time of going to press but are subject to change. i-on magazine cannot be responsible for unsolicited material. The views and opinions by contributors in this magazine may not represent the views of the publishers. i-on magazine takes no responsibility for claims made by advertisements in this publication. i-on is a trademark of Treacle Productions. ©Treacle Productions Ltd 2020.
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I-ON PRIZES
WIN… a group getaway
on board The Camillia Boatel
T
he Four Sisters Boatels have recently launched their latest widebeam canal barge accommodation, The Camillia Boatel, and to celebrate its opening we are giving away a two-night stay on board for up to eight adults, including a bottle of Prosecco on arrival. Permanently moored in Lochrin Basin on the Union Canal, The Camillia Boatel is tucked away in a quiet pocket of the city centre and offers the perfect space for you and your friends or family to reconnect and relax while rediscovering Edinburgh. Float to sleep in one of her three beautifully dressed cabins including a deluxe Captain’s Cabin, a double cabin room, a set of adult bunk beds in a separate cabin plus a double sofa bed. There is also a large shower room on board with eco-friendly toiletries as well as complimentary slippers and luxury bathrobes. The open plan kitchen lounge area is fully equipped with modern amenities and the entire boat has all of the modern tech necessary for a comfortable stay, including unlimited smart streaming.
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TO ENTER
For your chance to win an overnight stay for up to eight at The Camillia Boatel, visit ionedinburgh.com by noon on Monday 19 July and leave your details. The winner will be notified by email and announced in the next edition of i-on. To find out more, visit thefoursisters.co.uk Terms and conditions: The prize must be claimed within 12 months and booked directly. The stay cannot be booked for August or the two weeks over Christmas and New Year. Guests must adhere to government guidelines.
Keith Haring mural at Palladium, New York, 1985. © Timothy Hursley, Garvey|Simon Gallery New York
is summer h t t u o b a g talkin What we’re
THE EXHIBITION YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS… V&A Dundee’s latest show is a glitter-spangled tribute to club culture
C
harting the evolution of nightclubs from the 1960s to today, Night Fever: Designing Club Culture is the first largescale examination of the relationship between club culture and design – and it couldn’t have come at a more poignant time when we’re all looking towards the future, hoping for a chance to dance together again. Featuring the likes of Studio 54, New York’s decadent celebrity haunt, and Manchester’s notorious Haçienda, which birthed the ‘Madchester’ and acid house movements, the exhibition includes films, photography, posters, flyers, and fashion, as well as a light and music installation, and considers how nightclub design has changed and developed. Always radical and experimental, club design employs architecture, art, fashion, graphics, lighting, performance and sound to create an immersive sensory experience where design, music and technology meet on the dancefloor. Let’s hope we can do the same soon too. Until January 2022 at vam.ac.uk/dundee/nightfever
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DJ Larry Levan in Paradise Garage, New York, 1979. © Bill Bernstein, David Hill Gallery, London
An evening at the Space Electronic, Florence, 1971. Photo by Carlo Caldini, © Gruppo 9999
Guests in Conversation on a Sofa, Studio 54, New York, 1979. © Bill Bernstein, David Hill Gallery, London
Dance floor at Xenon, New York, 1979. © Bill Bernstein, David Hill Gallery, London
Grace Jones at ‘Confinement’ theme, Area, New York, 1984 © Volker Hinz
Sub Club SoundSystem at BAaD, Glasgow. Photo by Brian Sweeney
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LIVE MUSIC IS BACtivK als with all the feels Three small fes
IN TOWN
Edinburgh Summer Sessions returns to the city from 06 to 15 August. Anne-Marie, Travis, Simple Minds, Tom Jones, Michael Kiwanuka, and DMA’s will all be taking to the stage under the epic shadow of Edinburgh Castle and we’ll be there ready to party. Tickets from £27.50 at www.smmrsessions.com
ON THE COAST
East Lothian’s Gosford House is the grand setting for Scotland’s hottest new music festival, OUT EAST. Taking place on 06 and 07 August, the family-friendly fest boasts an eclectic line-up featuring Clean Bandit, Sister Sledge, Tinchy Stryder, Callum Beattie, The Futureheads and a 34-piece Ministry of Sound classical orchestra. There will also be arts, culture, well-being workshops and a host of great food and drink offerings. www.outeastfest.co.uk
Anne-Marie
IN THE COUNTRYSIDE
Dizzee Rascal, Sleaford Mods, and 10cc are just some of the acts who will headline at everyone’s favourite family festival, Doune the Rabbit Hole. Taking place from 15-18 August at Cardross Estate, they’ll join much-loved Scottish acts Camera Obscura, Teenage Fanclub and more. And you definitely won’t want to miss Charlotte Church’s Late Night Pop Dungeon for a dance, a sing and the chance to do your thing. www.dounetherabbithole.co.uk
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Michael Kiwanuka © Olivia Rose
REBUS IS… OUT OF OFFICE Ian Rankin dedicated his lockdown to another famous detective.
Photography: Hamish Brown
SUPPORT YOUR INDIE BOOKSHOP
Independent Bookshop Week (from 19-26 June), brings a whole host of exciting literary events to the country’s muchloved indie bookshops. Here in Edinburgh, we’re blessed with many little gems including Lighthouse, ‘Edinburgh’s Radical Bookshop’ and Golden Hare Books in Stockbridge. There’s even some new kids on the block – like Portobello Bookshop which opened in 2019 and Ginger & Pickles children’s bookshop which opened last year, proving that even in the face of Amazon (and a pandemic), nothing quite beats a browse around your local bookshop. Make sure you show yours some love.
H
e may be best known for Rebus, but Edinburgh-based author Ian Rankin spent his lockdown writing another famous fictional crime character: DI Laidlaw, Glasgow’s original maverick detective created by literary legend William McIlvanney. Published from 1977, the Laidlaw trilogy changed the face of crime fiction and inspired many writers to enter the realm of ‘tartan noir’, including Rankin himself. The author remembers meeting his hero after queuing to get his copy of McIlvanney’s Whitbread prizewinning novel signed at the Edinburgh Book Festival. When Rankin excitedly blurted out his plans for the first Rebus book, McIlvanney inscribed the page “Good luck with the Edinburgh Laidlaw.” Over the years, the two men stayed in touch and when McIlvanney died in 2015 and his wife, Siobhan, discovered an unfinished handwritten manuscript for a Laidlaw prequel, she immediately knew the best man to finish the job. “Ian is the writer Willie would have chosen,” she said. Rankin was honoured but knew he had serious work to do, swotting up on the criminal underworld of 1970s Glasgow and learning to imitate the writing style of McIlvanney. “I’m a huge fan so I didn’t want to do him a disservice,” he explains. “I wanted the book to be as good as it possibly could be, as good as a Laidlaw novel. I owe him a huge debt, as pretty much every Scottish crime writer does – he’s the godfather, so you want it to be right. You want it to be his world, his story and his voice.” The Dark Remains will be published by Canongate on 2 September 2021.
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AL ARRdImV D N A R bers’ club em G A neagles’ new city hotel an
The Gleneagles resort in Perthshire
Inside Gle
W
hen the king of the Perthshire countryside decides to take a second residency in the heart of Edinburgh, everyone is bound to sit up and take notice. In case you didn’t already know, Gleneagles, the much-lauded five-star hotel, spa and resort, is opening a luxury city hotel and members’ club on St Andrew Square, and the doors are due to swing open this autumn. In keeping with the luxurious style and elegance of the countryside hotel, Gleneagles Townhouse, in the former premises of Bank of Scotland, will ooze class and charisma. The townhouse will have 33 bedrooms, each with their own design and a clear nod to the building’s heritage, while the members’ club will have its own exclusive social spaces with a raft of carefully-curated events in place. Members will also gain exclusive access the rooftop bar on Fridays, priority booking at the all-day restaurant, and use of the members and residents-only wellness centre. The good news is that, every other day of the week, the rooftop terrace will be open for all to enjoy, with its sweeping views across the New Town and an extensive cocktails list. We can’t wait to savour a negroni at sunset… www.gleneaglestownhouse.com
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Inside the new rooftop bar and bedrooms at Gleneagles Townhouse
BEYOND THE RY GALLE t places to see art… Three differen
IN A TAPESTRY STUDIO
Archie Brennan: Tapestry Goes Pop! is the first major retrospective of pop artist, weaver, and former Mr Scotland, Archie Brennan who changed the course of modern weaving and is considered one of the greatest unrecognised pop artists of the twentieth century. Why unrecognised? Most likely because his medium of choice was tapestry. The exhibition takes place at Edinburgh’s Dovecot Studios where Brennan began his 60year weaving career. Until 30 August 2021. www.dovecotstudios.com
IN THE WOODS
Nestled in the trees at Jupiter Artland, you’ll find the upside down world of Mimi, a cutesy yet creepy cartoon princess who exists behind the doors of an abandoned high street store. Created by Scottish artist Rachel Maclean, Mimi is a new permanent exhibit which is inspired by commercial shops as sites of desire, the dangerous, magical role forests play in fairytales, and the experiences of young adults in the shadow of the pandemic. www.jupiterartland.org
ON YOUR SCREEN
When Edinburgh photographer Helen Pugh took a shot of her daughter painting a rainbow on their window she couldn’t have imagined that the Duchess of Cambridge would end up calling it one of her favourites but she was thrilled to learn it had been chosen as one of the final 100 images selected by the National Portrait Gallery and their royal patron for Hold Still, an ambitious community project to create a unique collective portrait of the UK during lockdown. See the exhibition online at www.npg.org.uk/hold-still/
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ROUGH LUXURY
Photography by Murray Orr
From cute campers to luxe cabins, here’s where to find the chicest rural accommodation for a Scottish staycation
Best for a breath of fresh air… GUARDSWELL FARM
Photography by Murray Orr
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Nr Kinnaird, Perthshire This family-run farm sits on a south-facing hillside offering stunning panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and beautifullydesigned off grid accommodation in three of the chicest little cabins we’ve ever seen: The Kailyard, The Pendicle and The Infield (each sleeping two). Our favourite is The Infield, which sits high up on the hill behind the farm and features a glass gable end to make the most of those views. From £130 a night. www.guardswell.co.uk
Best for food lovers… INVER Strathlachlan, Argyll & Bute This west coast destination on the banks of Loch Fyne is a restaurant with rooms…with a difference. Guests can enjoy the acclaimed cooking of Scottish chef Pam Brunton before retiring to their own little bothy overlooking the water. Contemporary interiors and luxe touches make these simple timber pods the perfect overnight escape for couples looking to get away from it all. Bed & Breakfast £225 a night. www.inverrestaurant.co.uk
Best for a road trip... STAYCATION SCOTLAND CAMPERS Glen Lonan, Nr Oban Enjoy a few days exploring the Highlands in a state-of-the-art VW campervan. Staycation Scotland Campers feature pop top roofs so there’s space for two double sleeping compartments, giving you the option to bring the kids along for the ride. With gas heaters and wifi as well as a fridge, oven with grill and hob, the vans make a veritable home from home. From £95 a night. www.staycationscotlandcampers.com
Best for families… HILLHEAD FARM PODS Dumfries Located on a working farm in the countryside outside Dumfries, Hillhead pods offer beautiful views out to the hills of the southern uplands. With a comfy double bed plus hidden bunks, the cosy pods are great for family breaks. Each pod has its own shower room and mini fridge. Continental breakfasts, BBQ and campfire packs can be pre-ordered. Overnight stays from £140 for up to two adults and two children. www.hillheadfarmpods.co.uk
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Best for going off grid… INVERLONAN Glen Lonan, Nr Oban Accessible only by boat or foot, these two bothies on the banks of Loch Nell offer stunning architecturally-designed accommodation and a true unplugged experience. Guests are encouraged to switch off their devices and get back to nature. You can head out for a swim or a paddle on the loch, cook outdoors on the open fire pit or wood-fired pizza oven, or simply unwind with a book in front of the wood-burning stove. £440 for a two-night stay. www.inverlonan.com
Best for instagram… GLEN DYE Nr Banchory, Aberdeenshire The clever people behind this uber-cool country escape somehow manage to combine a completely authentic wilderness experience with the most polished, stylish and comfortable accommodation around. The latest addition to their impressive collection of cabins and cottages is Garden Camp where sleeping quarters (for up to six people) take the form of a Showman’s Caravan and safari tent while living quarters are made up of a remodelled Victorian garden shed and proper wash house with underfloor heating. You’ll also have access to The Glen Dye Arms, a BYOB pub with log fire and record player, and a custom-built glass-fronted wood-fired sauna. Most amazingly, as it’s brand new, there’s still some availability this summer – yes, really! £516 for a two-night stay. www.glendyecabinsandcottages.com
Best for coastal views…
CATCHPENNY SAFARI LODGES Nr Elie, Fife These tented lodges on the East coast of Fife offer a luxury under canvas experience with none of the inconvenience of actually pitching a tent. Perfect for family holidays, the lodges each sleep up to six people and are perched high up on the shoreline along the stunning Fife Coastal Path allowing for uninterrupted sea views and breathtaking sunsets. From £750 for a three-night stay. www.catchpennyelie.co.uk
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Photography by Caroline Trotter
Best for beach lovers… CARNISH CABINS Isle of Lewis You couldn’t get much further from the madding crowd than Uig, the most sparsely populated spot on Lewis. Bordering the golden sands of Uig beach, you’ll find two boutique cabins, each kitted out with double beds, proper kitchens, shower rooms and even flat screen tvs – as if you’ll ever tire of looking at the stunning sea view. 7 nights from £695. www.carnishcabins.co.uk
Best for a stopover… GREAT GLEN POD Spean Bridge Just ten miles north of Fort William, near Ben Nevis and on the road to Inverness and Skye, Great Glen Pod couldn’t be better placed for a stopover while exploring the Highlands. With a small double bed, microwave, kettle and toaster, and a covered deck, the cosy heated pod for two has everything you need for a night away from it all. From £55 a night. www.greatglenpod.co.uk
Best for retro vibes…
WAGON AT MONACHYLE MHOR Lochearnhead Known for its unique urban style, Monachyle Mhor is a pink farmhouse-turned-hotel with luxury rooms inside and a few quirky accommodation alternatives on the grounds – one of which is this restored 1950s Pilot Panther showman’s wagon. With an authentic retro vibe and wood-burner, the wagon is a cosy getaway with ever-changing views over the loch, and dedicated bathroom facilities located at the hotel, a minute away. £130 a night. www.monachylemhor.net/room_type/wagon/
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New St Andrews Gallery now open!
Tidal INSPIRED BY THE SEA
ORKNEY | EDINBURGH | GLASGOW | ST ANDREWS
DESIGNED
&
MADE
IN
O R K N E Y,
SCOTLAND
Designer Rings MADE TO MEASURE IN OUR WORKSHOP
A selection of stunning rings shown in silver, 18ct gold with enamel, and 9ct yellow, white and rose gold, many hand-set with diamonds. Available to order in Scottish Gold.
sheilafleet.com
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TAKE A BOW
Superstardom surely beckons for Edinburgh singer Bow Anderson, says Carrie Mitchell
Photography: Lucero Glow
I
have fallen down a Youtube hole. My intention was to swot up on the sound of Bow Anderson, an Joppa girl whose first few songs are garnering praise from music critics as diverse as Jim Gellatly and Elton John. Instead, I am watching her lark around with her mates on the streets of London, laughing at her forcing her English flatmate to taste haggis and Irn-Bru and smiling as she attempts to follow her mum’s shortbread recipe with dubious results. Bow’s ‘Scottish Sundays’ series is so silly and light that when I eventually get around to clicking on the video for her debut single Sweater, for a second, I doubt that I’m watching the same girl. Bow might be young and she is certainly Scottish but if that description is conjuring up images of Amy McDonald and KT Tunstall plucking a guitar and delivering a jaunty folk song, you’re in for a surprise. This ‘Scottish singer’ is a far more sophisticated package – bold R&B lyrics, heavyweight pop production, and a uniquely soulful voice have more in common with the likes of Amy Winehouse, Rihanna and Jessie J.
“Jessie J was actually one of the first gigs I ever went to,” says Bow when I make the comparison. “I saw her at the Usher Hall when I was young. The only gig I’d been to before that was Girls Aloud at Edinburgh Castle who were supported by The Saturdays. I couldn’t believe it when Mollie from The Saturdays played my song on her radio show last year – it’s strange how things go full circle.” Bow’s early pop exposure has certainly influenced her sound but it was a trip to the cinema that had a more significant effect. “When I was 11 years old, I went to see Dreamgirls and something just clicked. I remember it so vividly, I was eating those rainbow sugary sweets, watching this film thinking, ‘Oh my god, I love this. This music is amazing’. I already loved Beyoncé but I went home and started listening to Motown and soul music - Aretha Franklin, Etta James and Donny Hathaway. I wanted to take that classic soul sound and combine it with something a bit more fresh and current like Chance the Rapper and Kanye West – they’re hip hop but they still have that soul thing. That was my inspiration when I started writing music.”
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MUSIC HAS BEEN LIKE THERAPY FOR ME. IT HELPED ME ESCAPE AND DEAL WITH MY EMOTIONS WHEN AN ACCIDENT LEFT ME IN A WHEELCHAIR”
But writing music was something Bow might never have done if it wasn’t for a serious accident she had while training for a big-time trampolining competition. Her plans to go pro were shelved and she spent a summer in a wheelchair suffering from nerve damage. When the pain would wake her through the night, her dad would sit with her and sing to take her mind off it. “That’s when he realised I could actually sing,” she remembers. “At first, I did it because it was like therapy for me, it helped me escape and deal with my emotions. I was really young and it was a lot to deal with – I almost lost my leg. The rehabilitation was tough but music got me through. I would sit and sing songs while tinkering around on this old piano we’d been given for free, and it would make me feel better.” The only musical member of her family, Bow set her sights on studying at the renowned BIMM institute and moved to London at 19 to take up her place. Five and a half years later, it’s strange to look back and think that if it wasn’t for her accident, she could have gone on a different path entirely but perhaps the most surprising thing about Bow Anderson is that she’s not a massive star already. Six singles in, she certainly should be. Her latest release Hate That I Fell In Love With You is a gravelly piano ballad to rival Adele while peppy third
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Photography: Jelle Deruiter
single Island could easily have been a summer anthem, if the world hadn’t been gripped by a pandemic when it was released. Sadly, timing was not on the side of Miss Anderson’s debut onto the music scene last year. Support slots and festival appearances cancelled, her trajectory has undoubtedly been stunted so she is looking forward to getting out there and performing in front of a crowd this year, albeit with a little trepidation. “I have shows booked in for later this year, I just hope they go ahead. It’s weird that I’ve not really done any gigs because I started
releasing in lockdown. In some ways, it is frustrating because gigging is a massive part of new artists getting exposure but I believe everything happens for a reason and, honestly, I couldn’t have imagined things going any better. Elton John played me on his show which is insane, he’s a legend. Then I got tune of the week with Scott Mills on Radio 1 which is just ridiculous. I’m really grateful for the position I’ve been put in. I have no regrets.” Bow Anderson is at Sneaky Pete’s in Edinburgh on 22 and 23 September. To book tickets, visit livenation.co.uk
EDINBURGH’S MOST ST YLISH S H O PPI N G D EST I N AT I O N THE VERY ESSENCE OF LUXURY SHOPPING AND HOME TO E XC LUS I V E FAS H I O N A N D L I FES T Y L E B R A N DS . H A R V E Y N I C H O L S , M A X M A R A , M U L B E R RY, LO U I S V U I T TO N , B U R B E R RY, B O S S , S T R AT H B E R RY, J O H N S TO N S O F E LG I N A N D M O R E . MULTREESWALK • WWW.MULTREESWALK.CO.UK • ST. ANDREW SQUARE, EDINBURGH EH1 3DQ
Slow, sustainable fashion is on the menu at LUNCH, an exciting new Scottish concept store for international independent designers
NEW WORLD ORDER 24
Photography: Bethany Grace, co-founder of LUNCH Styling: Tamara Turnbull, co-founder of LUNCH Hair, make-up and model: Anna Acquroff, Model Team Scotland
FASHION
Jacket, £760, and trousers, £655, both THEUNISSEN SAS at lunchconcept.com Previous page: Peach Melba drop earrings, £640, Isla Gilham at lunchconcept.com. Sunglasses, stylist’s own
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FASHION
Lilac boob bag, £136 and envelope pouch, £69, both Morag Seaton at lunchconcept.com. Coat and boots, stylist’s own
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FEATURES
Top, £660 by Ellie Pei and crystal dewdrop earrings, £57 by juanjuanxingxing, both available at lunchconcept.com
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FASHION
Black boob bag, £136, and black envelope pouch, £69, both Morag Seaton at lunchconcept.com. Coat and boots, stylist’s own
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FEATURES
Skirt £74, and top £74, both LACHANT at lunchconcept.com. Sunglasses, as before. Shoes, stylist’s own.
22 Thistle Street Edinburgh EH2 1EN 0131 225 2308
132 Bruntsfield Place Edinburgh EH10 4ER 0131 229 2882
135 Hyndland Road www.biscuit.clothing Glasgow G12 9JA shop@biscuit.clothing opening 17th April @biscuitclothing 29
The Power Pearl
The classic gemstone has had an edgy makeover – here’s how to wear them in a whole new way
Pearls have captivated jewellery lovers for generations. They have a history filled with glamour, and although they were once seen as passé, the fashion-set has fallen in love with them all over again thanks to forward-thinking brands and designers showcasing the gemstones in a whole new way. Founded by Kokicho Mikimoto, who developed the first ever cultured pearl in 1893, Mikimoto is known as the world’s finest pearl brand but this prestigious heritage brand is leading the reinvention of pearls by creating unique designs with a contemporary twist. Here’s how to wear them the 2021 way…
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FASHION WEAR THEM EVERYDAY
Once upon a time, you might have dusted off the jewellery box to unearth heirloom pearls for a special occasion but the whole ‘saving them for best’ idea is long gone. Sure, pearls look great with an evening gown but we’d argue they look even better dressed down. Try pairing simple pearl studs and a pearl pendant with a faded t-shirt and some boyfriend jeans. It’s the high-low effect.
Mikimoto 18ct yellow gold stud pearl earrings, £280, Laings
Mikimoto 18ct white gold pearl and diamond ‘Falling Flakes’ pendant on 17” Chain, £1,350, Laings
PILE THEM ON
Mikimoto 18ct white gold cultured pearl strand bracelet, £1,045, Laings
Coco Chanel once declared that we should “wear ropes and ropes of pearls” and years later, young fashionistas from Bella Hadid to Dua Lipa are taking her advice wrapping multiple strands round their necks and wrists. When Dua collected her two Brit awards this year, she topped off her headlinegrabbing outfit with a three-strand pearl choker and matching bracelet, each finished with a chunky gold clasp. It’s all in the details.
Mikimoto 18ct white gold, six pearl and 0.14ct diamond ring, £2,250, Laings
RING THE CHANGES MAKE THEM MASCULINE
We should also highlight the most notable of modern pearl-wearing trends – that men are proudly wearing them too. Usher, Shawn Mendes and the Jonas Brothers have all been playing with pearl accessories while Harry Styles has taken to wearing a single strand with almost everything from smart suits to band T’s, sweatshirts, and Hawaiian shirts. *All pearl jewellery featured is by Mikimoto, available at Laings Edinburgh.
Diamonds aren’t for everyone, even when it comes to engagement rings. Make like movie star Emma Stone by opting for a statement pearl ring instead. If you must have a little bling, choose a design where the pearls are accompanied with tiny diamond details. We’d definitely say yes to this chunky pearl and diamond cluster.
Mikimoto 18ct white gold pearl chain bracelet, £550, Laings
PUNK IT UP
Those with their finger on the pulse are swapping traditional styles for something a little unexpected. Models walked the runway for Jason Wu rocking long pearl drops suspended from a single ear, while cutting edge Japanese fashion label Comme des Garçons have teamed up with Mikimoto to design a punk pearl necklace embellished with silver pins and chains, which is designed to be genderless.
Mikimoto 18ct white gold duet pearl earrings, £880, Laings
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Photography by Scott McWilliam
FEATURES
MYSTYLE
Tegan Whybrow Edinburgh-based stylist Tegan Whybrow on slouchy dressing, her go-to outfit and her fashionable Australian roots STARTING OUT I fell into fashion whilst working in a bar back in my hometown of Sydney. All the staff had to wear black but I always made an effort and stood out from the others who tended to just wear skinny jeans and tank tops. When the owners needed someone to style the team for an event, they came to me. It went so well that I ended up styling the staff for all the big events and after I moved to Edinburgh with my husband, I started working as a stylist at AllSaints, as well as freelancing for different brands, magazines and artists. SIGNATURE LOOK Tomboy but feminine or, as someone recently described it, slouchy! I was a professional hip hop dancer and choreographer for around 10 years and so I have kind of always worn baggy clothes, but I like to keep my hair and make-up feminine. MY GO-TO OUTFIT Baggy jeans and a graphic T-shirt, an oversize jacket, some Converse high tops and retro sunglasses. INSPIRATION Pinterest mainly, as well as a few Instagram accounts including @pipedwards, @majawyh, and @margaret_zhang. They’ve all got such cool style.
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STYLE ICONS I have two main style icons, both Australian women, both so unique. Pip Edwards (co-founder of athleisure/ streetwear brand PE Nation) who is effortlessly stylish and just so cool. And Christine Centenera (stylist, fashion director, Vogue Australia, and co-founder of Wardrobe NYC). Her outfits are so well balanced, polished but edgy. She’s great at mixing wardrobe staples with architectural pieces and a statement heel. FAVOURITE STORES I shop mostly online. I like Net-a-porter, Farfetch and Matchesfashion for international brands. Mango and Zara are great for outerwear and accessories. And of course, I love AllSaints. WARDROBE ESSENTIALS Good quality grey, white and black t-shirts, ripped baggy jeans, my Allsaints leather jacket, plenty of trainers and a lot of different sunglasses. Follow Tegan on Instagram @teganwhybrow
FASHION
I-ON LOVES…
…the pretty prints on everything from Ophelia & Indigo, the latest brand to arrive at Biscuit. Created by two London mums who relocated to Brooklyn, the brand’s SS21 collection is inspired by an English country garden. Top of our wish list is the Poppy hydrangea blouse, £95, but they also do a great line in stripes. The collection is available at the Thistle Street or Bruntsfield stores or online at biscuit.clothing.
SPELL IT OUT
The new Typography collection from Mulberry celebrates the brand’s 50th anniversary with a unique abstract design digitally printed onto textured Eco-Scotchgrain –a sustainable version of the original heritage material. Shop the graphic collection at the Multrees Walk store or online at mulberry.com. Mini satchel, £495 and iPhone 12 case, £120.
TH E
DROP YOUR NEED-TO-KNOW FASHION NEWS
BRAND OF THE MONTH THE VAMPIRE’S WIFE
WHAT IS IT? Founded in 2016 by English model Susie Cave (the wife of iconic musician Nick Cave), the label offers an offbeat twist on retro glamour.
WHERE DO YOU GET IT? Jane Davidson on Thistle Street has just become the exclusive Scottish stockist.
WHY WE RATE IT... Edgy yet elegant, feminine yet fierce, The Vampire’s Wife has made a huge impact on fashion since its inception and its sharp shouldered, lightly ruffled silhouettes are worn by many a celebrity fashion maven from Kate Moss to Florence Welch. The new collection uses the most beautiful colours and fabrics featuring delectable floral prints.
SHORT STORY
Scotland’s first & Other Stories opens later this month in St James Quarter and while we’re excited about pretty much everything the Scandi brand does; we’re particularly looking forward to getting our hands on the new Mini Me range – a collection of floaty, carefree cotton dresses made for girls and women. The question is can we resist buying it all online before the store opens on 24 June? Doubtful. Kids tiered puff sleeve dress, £45; matching women’s midi wrap dress, £95; stories.com.
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HEALTH
What even is the menopause anyway? It’s high time we started talking about it, says author Vicky Allan
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he menopause. It’s a word frequently avoided, whispered, euphemised. Taboo clings to it. And the result is that many of us, including some doctors, don’t understand it that well. For many women, it comes as a sudden shock, arriving unexpectedly, even when it hits in the normal age range of 45-55. Certainly, when it thundered its way into my life in my midforties, I was thrown – surely I was too young? My brother had just died and I was consumed by grief: perhaps this was shock causing a blip in my periods which would surely come back? But then the other symptoms started to arrive, and, in a nutshell, they were more than just hot flushes. I am not alone in having felt that way. The book I co-authored with Kaye Adams, Still Hot!, is filled with stories not just from women, but also nonbinary people, who repeat again and again, that they felt that no one had prepared them for this, no one had educated them. Though we were taught about our first change, puberty, by our parents and our schools; the menopause, “the change” at the other end, has been clouded by silence. Even though there is a rising wave of people now talking about it - documentaries like Davina McCall’s recent, or Kirsty Wark’s pioneering The Menopause And Me - and the menopause has been added to the curriculum in England (though not yet here in Scotland), there’s still a feeling that the topic remains vaguely taboo. The menopause is defined as that time in your life when your periods have been stopped for a year. But when you’re discussing it, you can’t not talk about the perimenopause: the phase leading up to the stoppage, when your hormones have gone haywire and often your periods are all over the place. That phase alone can be as long as ten years. The symptoms of both menopause and perimenopause are mostly similar, though the only one that gets much profile is the hot flush. Louise Minchin told us she liked to play menopause bingo with her friends – perhaps you’d like a try. I certainly have ticked off a few myself: joint pain, disrupted sleep, itchy skin, gum problems, dizzy spells, decreased libido, anxiety. What’s causing all this is that key hormones, oestrogen and progesterone, and also testosterone, which have kept so many of your bodily systems in balance, are either fluctuating or falling off a cliff.
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HEALTH
The stories that have hit me most are the ones that touch on some of the biggest taboos, and among these are sex post-menopause and the vagina. It was almost a relief to hear sex expert Tracey Cox’s admission that even she, highly sexed as she once was, has felt her libido drop through the floor. Jane Lewis, a former horse rider, told us how the pain of vaginal atrophy left her so low she felt suicidal. “The burning,” she said, “was like sitting on a bonfire andif you bent over you felt like you were going to split open.” Vaginal atrophy is believed to affect at least 70 per cent, or perhaps more, of menopausal women. During perimenopause and menopause, your body attempts to adjust to these changed hormone levels. There are ways of handling these changes, and one of them is HRT, once disparaged following research linking it to cancer, which has since been found to have been over-hyped. Increasingly, experts are advocating that on balance, the health benefits outweigh the risks. But there are also other things you can do to help yourself through this phase: weight-bearing exercise to keep up your bone density, and avoidance of caffeine, sugar and alcohol. One of the things I most wish I’d known at the start of my own menopause was that stress makes it so much harder for your body to adjust to shifting reproductive hormone levels. Lowering stress levels is, of course, easier said than done – especially given the menopause comes for many of us at a time in life when we have a lot going on. Many women are reaching the peaks of their careers, perhaps they have teenage children, perhaps they are grieving an empty nest, they may have elderly parents to look after. Divorce, bereavement, the grief of childlessness – all these things have an impact on how we experience
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WE NEED THE CONVERSATION THAT CELEBRATES WOMEN AT THIS TIME IN LIFE, BECAUSE MANY ARE DOING EXTRAORDINARY THINGS AND GOING ON LIFE-CHANGING JOURNEYS AS THEIR OESTROGEN FADES AWAY AND FERTILITY ENDS” it. But we need the conversation that celebrates women at this time in life, because many are doing extraordinary things, and going on life-changing journeys as their oestrogen fades away and fertility ends. I like to think of the menopause as a transition, certainly it is for many women a time in their lives of reckoning. One of my favourite chats was with author Sharon Blackie, who spoke of women developing what she called “hagitude” at this time of life. “Menopause,” she observed, “is about going inside. It’s really about taking the time to go inside and figure out what on earth this is all for.” The menopause isn’t easy – for some of us it is excruciatingly hard and can seem relentless – but it’s not the end. It has the potential to be the beginning of a rewarding new phase. It can be the opportunity to find a new you.
HOW MANY SYMPTOMS DO YOU HAVE? 1. Hot flushes 2. Night sweats 3. Irregular periods 4. Mood swings 5. Vaginal dryness 6. Decreased libido 7. Headaches 8. Breast soreness 9. Burning mouth 10. Joint pain 11. Digestive problems 12. Electric shocks 13. Muscle tension 14. Gum problems 15. Tingling extremities 16. Itchy skin 17. Fatigue 18. Anxiety 19. Disrupted sleep 20. Hair loss 21. Memory lapses 22. Difficulty concentrating 23. Weight gain 24. Dizzy spells 25. Bloating 26. Stress incontinence 27. Brittle nails 28. Allergies 29. Irregular heartbeat 30. Body odour 31. Irritability 32. Depression 33. Panic disorder 34. Osteoporosis
Still Hot! 42 Brilliantly Honest Menopause Stories by Vicky Allan and Kaye Adams is out now, published by Black and White, £9.99
Your one-stop Edinburgh shop for
vegan • vegetarian • plant-based • dairy-free gluten-free • wheat-free • organic • Fairtrade sustainable & plastic-free groceries
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S Beauty OALhn UTYwG Lewis Jo #BEA w ne hy the d discovers auty needs Laura Woo n for your be ate destinatio Hall is the ultim
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’m not afraid to declare my love for John Lewis. As far as shops go, it’s been a big part of my life - quite an accolade for a department store. It reminds me of Saturday morning trips into town with mum as a kid, it’s where she also found her rather lovely mother-of-the-bride outfit (thanks to the personal shopper), and, when I became a mum for the first time, it was the place for countless cups of caffeine, regular nappy changing, and spontaneous purchases for our new home (and I mean everything from cushions and place mats to limited-edition dining room furniture). I trust it and believe the brands and products must undergo a strict vetting process to earn their rightful place on the shop floor.
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FEATURES
It’s helpful to have such an allegiance, particularly when it comes to my area of weakness, the beauty minefield. Spending a good part of lockdown googling ‘skincare for sensitive skin’ and searching for the perfect foundation to conceal a multitude of sins was discouraging at best. Now, being able to visit my trusted source of all things retail is music to my ears and firstly, knowing that the brand offering in the Beauty Hall already comes with the JL seal of approval makes my job a whole lot easier. The John Lewis Beauty Hall, along with the entire store, reopened after lockdown with a brand new look and feel. It’s clean, modern and exciting to browse around with a focus on the experiential. In the Beauty Hall alone, there’s a brow bar by Benefit, a Clarins treatment room and the wonderful Cavendish Clinic offering non-invasive, medical treatments (see our feature on page 40 for more details). And the brands keep getting better whether it’s for skincare, make-up or fragrances. Some of our all-time favourites like Bobbi Brown, Nars, Elemis, Chanel, Jo Malone and Laura Mercier are there along with newcomers like Givenchy make-up –an exclusive in Edinburgh–, and Hermès with its perfume collection and Rouge Hermès lipsticks. If you want to flirt with a few, there’s also a delectable selection of travel-size products in the new ‘Bite-sized’ Beauty section. But, as well as the list of amazing brands and, in a bid to offer a more hands-on approach to shopping, the Beauty Hall comes into its own with the introduction of the Beauty Society; a specially designed space where in-house experts are fullyprepped on ALL the great brands you’ll find in store. There’s no brand bias, just a wish to provide you with a concierge-style service and to find the perfect products that work for you. If you’re in-store already and
need help and advice, you can pop into the Beauty Society and ask the experts anything. And, if there’s a slot available, the 45-minute Walk and Talk appointments go one step further, taking you on a tour around the Beauty Hall, introducing the brands and offering insights on key products. If you’d prefer to book in for a one-to- The beauty experts at the new Beauty Society one session for a proper beauty chat there are two options available. The Beauty School is a 45 minute session which will focus on a specific beauty or skincare problem you may have, whether that’s learning how to perfect a feline flick or find a moisturiser that works on sensitive skin. The £35 fee is redeemable against any purchases made. Meanwhile, the hour-long All New You service will overhaul your entire beauty routine, Givenchy Prisme Visage Silky Face Powder from skincare to make-up, taking in Quartet (£38); Hermès a wide variety of brands, tips, advice Rouge Hermès satin lipstick (£62); Elemis pro and products, and well worth the collagen cleansing balm £45 fee (also redeemable against (£44), all available at John Lewis Edinburgh purchase). You’ll quite literally be in the hands of the beauty gods who will use their extensive knowledge to filter through the huge selection of products in-store to come up with their suggestions of what could work for you. It’s their job to turn that slightly overwhelming feeling of not knowing where to begin into a positive and fun shopping experience. And thanks to them, I found the perfect age-defying foundation and a whole range of skincare products to tackle my inflamed, sensitive skin. My love affair continues. Open every day 9am-8pm except Sundays, 10am-6pm To find out more and book your appointment at the Beauty Society, visit johnlewis.com/ our-services/beauty-society
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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CAVENDISH CLINIC
TRIED&TESTED Laura Wood finds out first-hand what the HydraFacial hype is all about
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he first time I heard about a HydraFacial was through a social media/ beauty junkie friend who couldn’t wait to try it out, having seen the celebrity endorsements and the hype all over her Instagram feed. She was one of the first in line to give them a go as soon as they became available in the UK and still raves about them to this day. Since then, I’ve heard countless positive reviews about the treatment so I decide to try it out for myself at the newly- opened Cavendish Clinic, discretely tucked away in the corner of the John Lewis beauty hall. Founded in London in 2011, Cavendish Clinic was created by a team of consultant doctors from London’s premier teaching hospitals and use only the safest and most effective treatments. Based on its credentials and reputation, the Edinburgh clinic is the first standalone venture to get the green light from the much-loved department store and is now open for business on the second floor. There, I am greeted by the lovely aesthetician, Cat, who has worked in the beauty industry for the past 15 years, going down the aesthetic/ medical route for the last eight. After a skin consultation and a good look at what she is dealing with under the UV lamp ( if only I’d worn SPF on my face in my 20s) she starts the HydraFacial with a cleanse. Cavendish Clinic uses a range of SkinCeuticals, Dr Levy, ZO products for their HydraFacials depending on skin type and your concerns; the cleanser Cat uses on me is so effective and gentle on my sensitive skin that I decide to make a purchase after. So much more than just a facial, the SkinCeuticals X HydraFacial combines 10 steps in an hour-long process and, if you’re interested in results-driven facials using high performance ingredients, this is the one for you. It detoxifies skin, does some lymphatic drainage, removes dead cells, extracts debris from pores, and provides long-lasting hydration to protect and rebuild
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collagen levels. So much so, it will leave your skin glowing for weeks and, apparently, the more often you do them, the healthier your skin becomes. It’s not a pampering facial; nor is it painful. I leave the clinic noticing a visible difference in my skin’s appearance and a less puffy look overall. On day two, I wake to an even brighter complexion. After a week, my skin looks even and smooth. Some may call a SkinCeuticals X HydraFacial one of life’s little luxuries. I call it self-care. Cavendish Clinic, 2nd Floor, John Lewis, 60 Leith Street, EH1 3SP. Call 0131 609 0260. www.cavendishclinic.co.uk
FEATURES
TO CELEBRATE THE RECENT OPENING OF CAVENDISH CLINIC AT JOHN LEWIS, THE EXPERTS IN NON-INVASIVE TREATMENTS HAVE THESE GREAT OFFERS EXCLUSIVELY FOR I-ON READERS...
I-ON READER OFFER
BOOK A SKINCEUTICALS X HYDRAFACIAL AT CAVENDISH CLINIC FOR £90 (normally £140). This limited period offer is an amazing opportunity to try out the absolute ultimate in non-invasive facials. Cavendish Clinic is offering i-on readers £50 off the normal price of a SkinCeuticals X HydraFacial. To book yours, call 0131 609 0260, quoting i-on, or email welcome@ cavendishclinic.co.uk. Offer valid until Thursday 15 July 2021.
I-ON READER OFFER GET A FREE SKINCEUTICALS X HYDRAFACIAL WITH ANY BOOKED COOLSCULPTING TREATMENT If you’d really like to shed the lockdown pounds this summer then let us talk to you about CoolSculpting, the only FDA approved treatment to target, freeze and eliminate fat cells without damaging surrounding tissue… and you’ll see results in just one single session. It may sound too good to be true but, as pioneers of CoolSculpting in the UK, the experts at Cavendish Clinic have successfully treated thousands of patients at their London and Glasgow clinics. Now, from their new home in John Lewis, they are the only clinic in Edinburgh to treat clients using CoolSculpting ELITE, the most advanced fat freezing treatment in the world. In only one session the advanced technology is proven to permanently destroy stubborn fat from all those troublesome, hard-to-shift spots. And, if you book a treatment by Thursday 15 July at Cavendish Clinic, you’ll also benefit for a complimentary SkinCeuticals X HydraFacial with this exclusive i-on reader offer. To book, call 0131 609 0260, quoting i-on, or email welcome@cavendishclinic.co.uk
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BEAUTY CHANEL’S ODE TO SCOTLAND Looking for a new summer scent? Call off the search. The new unisex fragrance from Chanel is a tribute to Gabrielle Chanel’s love affair with Scotland where she used to spend summers with the Duke of Westminster. Fresh, green and woody with warm, soothing tones, LES EAUX DE CHANEL PARIS-ÉDIMBOURG (125ml, £112) is the perfect fragrance for a Scottish summer – unpredictable, unexpected and precious. Available at Harvey Nichols Edinburgh.
BEAUTY EXPERT
BEAUTYNOTES Must-try products and treatments
Three new facial SPFs to try... 1. La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios Age Correct SPF50 prevents sun damage and also corrects existing damage. £25 from larocheposay.com or Boots.
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2. Wild Science Lab’s Bright Start SPF 30 Broad Spectrum UV Shield is your moisturiser, SPF and Vitamin C serum all in one. It’s also vegan, cruelty free and in a recyclable bottle. £39, wildsciencelab.com 3. Another vegan wonder product, Grown Alchemist Natural Hydrating Sunscreen SPF 30 comes from an Australian clean, sustainable beauty brand – and Aussies 3 know their sunscreen, £33, johnlewis.com
Featuring Emma O’Neill, founder of Scotland-based CBD spa brand, La Rue Verte I launched the UK’s first spa CBD brand… in February last year after noticing that while CBD was an established market with big hoteliers and luxury spas in the US, there was nothing like it here. CBD is perfect for spas because… it is the epitome of a holistic product. It offers antiinflammatory, anti-ageing and anti-oxidising effects on the skin, and using it in a spa setting means we are able to tailor treatments to the individual’s needs whether they want to feel uplifted and revitalised or completely relaxed. Our best-selling product… is the Soothing Body Balm, which we use in all of our spa treatments. It has synergistic properties as we have formulated it with Menthol, Camphor and Geranium along with a potent 1000mg CBD.
GET THAT GLOW New to Harvey Nichols Edinburgh, Dr Barbara Sturm’s unique, sciencebased products have achieved cult status with skincare devotees worldwide, none more so than her Glow Drops – an illuminating serum which evens out skin tone, refines pores and restores radiance in just a few drops. From £40 for 10ml.
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La Rue Verte is available at the spa at Kimpton Charlotte Square. View the full treatment menu at kimptoncharlottesquare.com
A GIFT FOR YOU! 40% OFF all hair colour in June when you have a full-price Cut & Style.
46 George Street 0131 220 0777 3 Drumsheugh Place 0131 225 2234 39 Lothian Road 0131 228 9977 45 York Place 0131 558 1010 2 Bruntsfield Avenue 0131 478 3522 www.cheyneshairdressing.com
Cheynes Colour Specialists
ON THE FOOD
RADAR New openings, must-try menus and favourite food finds
Back in the 'burgh
Coffee. Minus the faff.
The founder of Edinburgh’s first speciality coffee house Brew Lab has performed a bit of a volte-face with his new invention. Believing speciality coffee is for everyone, ‘not just the AeroPress hipsters and grinder connoisseurs’, Dave Law has launched FAFF coffee, single origin coffee bags promising a quality cuppa in an instant. Single Origin Coffee Bags, 15 x15g Resealable Pouch, £11. www.faff.coffee
SHOP LOCAL If you want to support small businesses but are too often seduced by the convenience of online supermarket orders, you’ll love the new online delivery service Tasty Basket. Launched during this year’s lockdown, the Edinburgh business has teamed up with a host of independent food suppliers (from I.J. Mellis cheese to Welch Fishmongers) to bring local products to your door alongside basic household items like cleaning products and baked beans. So now you can support local without having to visit 19 different shops to get everything you need. Sign us up. www.tastybasket.co.uk
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It’s a homecoming for the new head chef at Number One, The Balmoral’s Michelin-starred restaurant. Edinburgh lad Matthew Sherry honed his skills at Castle Terrace for seven years before taking the helm at Northcote in Lancashire (also Michelin-starred). Now he’s back, Sherry has developed a new threecourse menu and a seven-course seasonal menu using classical flavours and modern techniques. To try them, call 0131 557 6727 or visit roccofortehotels.com to book a table.
FOOD AND DRINK
*Nab a £5 negroni
If cocktails are your thing, you’ll want to pay a visit to The Wildcat, a new bar on Tarvit Street in Tollcross which is rather amazingly mixing up negronis for just £5 a pop. That’s right, £5. And it’s not an opening gimmick either; these negronis will be £5 forever... Did we mention they’re £5? *Other cocktails are available... but they’re not £5.
3 places to get a serious sandwich upgrade…
MARY, QUITE CONTRARY
during lockdown and quickly amassed a cult following celebrated the opening of a permanent indoor premises this month. Bundits Bar & Buns on Constitution Street is the place to be for the ultimate fluffy filled hirata buns washed down with a cold beer. It’s time to #getbunned.
The buzz has been building around the makeover of Leith bar Sofi’s for quite some time so we’re excited there’s finally an opening date for the new cocktail bar on Henderson Street. The Three Marys, named for Mary, Queen of Scots, Mary Magdalene, and Mary of Guise, opens on 28 June and looks set to be a decadent yet down-to-earth drinkery. We’re sure the Marys would approve.
BUNDITS The Leith bao bar which started life as a pop-up
THE BANH MI BAR Formerly
Gannet & Guga, this gourmet sandwich bar in East Market Street’s Arches specialises in ‘build your own’ Vietnamese baguettes. Choose your bread and filling (choices include black pepper chicken, lemongrass pulled pork, aubergine bacon) then load it all up with homemade pickles, fresh herbs and spicy sauces. There’s also summer rolls and salads if you’re of the GF persuasion.
KING OF FEASTS The King of
Feasts (Rob to his friends) started his pop-up after being made redundant during lockdown and quickly became a hero among sandwich lovers. Currently resident at Bellfield Brewery, fans of his big dirty sandwiches will be overjoyed to hear he’s about to get permanent digs at Polwarth Tavern. Stay up-to-date with an opening date and his whereabouts in the meantime on Instagram @king.of.feasts
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FEATURES
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Story The House
A JOURNAL FOR BEAUTIFUL SPACES by i-on
The House Story by i-on is a new journal for beautiful spaces. In every issue and the new fortnightly newsletter, expect to see inspiration, expertise and vision alongside gorgeous dollops of unadulterated property porn, nearly all originating in Scotland. In this issue, architectural and interior photographers ZAC and ZAC on how to capture beautiful images of your home; Edinburgh architect Stuart Archer’s unique project in the Highlands; a new range of colour pop furniture and accessories, and the latest news and discoveries in the world of design and architecture. Subscribe to our newsletter at http://eepurl.com/ha-50H
Pend Architects © ZAC and ZAC
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THE HOUSE STORY
How to... make your home look good ARCHITECTURAL & INTERIOR PHOTOGRAPHERS ZAC AND ZAC SHARE THEIR EXPERT TIPS FOR BEAUTIFUL IMAGERY
1. DO A RECCE
For professional shoots, it’s sometimes necessary to do a short recce prior to shoot day in order to choose the best compositions within the property. You will know your own home well but specific areas you think look nice to the naked eye may not translate through a lens so it’s good to take some test shots to see what works.
2. STYLE YOUR SPACES
Good styling elevates an image and gives the feeling of presence. An open book, an angled chair, some food prep on a kitchen worktop can all add the human element and make the viewer feel like someone has just been in the space. Styling is also useful to fill in unwanted empty spaces, making an image feel fuller and more balanced. Like everything though, there is a limit here and over-styling can quickly make a space look cluttered and contrived. Experiment with props such as flowers, coffee table books, design magazines, food, hats, ornaments, and kitchen utensils and try to achieve the right balance.
3. GET TO KNOW YOUR CAMERA
Jessica Buckley © ZAC and ZAC
In a fast-evolving industry, using the latest equipment is essential to achieving the best quality possible. Of course, specialist equipment is expensive and often out of reach for personal photography so, in order to achieve the best results with the camera you have,
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GOOD STYLING CAN REALLY ELEVATE AN IMAGE AND GIVE THE FEELING OF PRESENCE. AN OPEN BOOK, AN ANGLED CHAIR, SOME FOOD PREP ON A KITCHEN WORKTOP…” light in unwanted areas and distract the viewers eye.
5. SHOW YOUR TRUE COLOURS
Lisa Guest Interiors © ZAC and ZAC
we would suggest experimenting with the different lenses and functions to familiarise yourself with the possibilities. For a good starting point, an entry level camera like the Nikon D3500, Canon EOS Rebel, or Sony A7 and a kit lens will provide some really nice images. Ideally, set the camera on a tripod to take advantage of long exposures which will get the brightness right and keep the iso below 1000 to prevent heavy noise. It is possible to get good enough shots with an iPhone too as it will do a lot of the post-production work automatically. However, the quality won’t be great and the printable size will be very small.
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4. SHOOT IN NATURAL LIGHT
We would always recommend shooting in natural light with the interior lights off. Good interior lighting can look great but mixing warm artificial light with cold natural light is tricky. Natural light has the best quality and makes all the highlights and shadows look stunning so it’s important to shoot in a well-lit space with the windows and blinds fully open. This doesn’t mean it has to be sunny outside - that is a common misconception. It’s all down to timing as direct sunlight can create a lovely feeling and aesthetic when it falls in the right places over coffee tables and sofas. But it can also create distracting patches of
A photograph is a piece of art in its own right so having good colours in your space can really make an impact. Showing the ‘true’ colours is vital for our design clients. We use a photography grey card to assess the correct colour temperature for each space, helping to display colours more accurately. Colour cast is also something to be aware of - an example would be a wash of greens and yellows across one side of the room due to the sun illuminating the grass outside and bouncing its colours into the interiors. It’s not always so noticeable in person but the camera can really detect when colour pollutes the scene.
6. BE CAREFUL WITH COMPOSITION We love one-point perspective shots that really pull you into the room and have a great focal point like a fireplace or striking art piece. If you’re using your phone at home, it’s best to avoid the ultra-wide lens. Wide angled lenses distort a room making it feel overbearing at times, with objects close to the camera appearing humungous, and objects far away from the camera looking tiny. To help prevent having to use
THE HOUSE STORY
the widest lens, try to get as far back in the room as possible. Having a camera tight against a wall is a common scenario for us. It’s often a good idea to get lower than you would expect too. Rather than standing with your camera at eye level, you sometimes want it to be around hip level to give your furniture more dominance. Shooting higher is better for longer rooms but going too high can make your furniture look miniature like a dolls house. A tripod can help you play around with different heights to get the best angle. It’s also essential to keep the verticals, vertical. If the camera is pointing up, for example, the walls will look like they are falling down. Make sure you keep the camera straight, using a steady tripod and the camera levelling guide.
7. EDIT EDIT EDIT
Luke McClelland Design © ZAC and ZAC
This is as important as the photoshoot. In professional photography, one image can be made up from as many as 15 images so overlaying and merging these together correctly is vital. A typical edit can take between 2030 minutes per image depending on its complexity. We also offer a premium post-production service where we can add or remove certain objects, even conducting full sky replacements. Everyone will have played around with filters on Instagram but there are lots of other edits you can make to images using your phone too. It’s worth figuring out what the little icons on your screen actually mean. A few edits can elevate an image from average to something far more impressive. The key options to consider tweaking are Exposure, Highlights, Shadows, Black Point, Tint, Warmth, Vignette, Crop, Straighten, Vertical. Adding a subtle Vignette can really pull the viewer’s eye into the shot and make the subject pop!
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THE HOUSE STORY
8. DIRECT YOUR OWN HOME MOVIE During the pandemic, there were new limitations on where we could venture and we found that video really came into its own, allowing people to experience a space as though they were actually there. If you want to have a go, there are no hard and fast rules – again it’s all about experimenting but there are a few things to bear in mind. If you plan to film a journey through a whole home, it can be difficult to have consistent light so you may want to shoot different areas of the property at different times then splice the clips together. It’s much harder to hide clutter in a video so you’ll need to carefully style all the spaces before you start shooting. And you’ll want to familiarise yourself with the best camera angle in each room. Remember you can also adjust moving images using the editing functions on your camera or by downloading a simple editing package like Adobe Premiere Rush which is a more basic version of the professional Premiere Pro editing programme. With studios in Edinburgh and London, ZAC and ZAC offer professional photography and videography services for interior and architectural spaces. To find out more, visit zacandzac.co.uk
Jeffreys Interiors © ZAC and ZAC
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Aaron & Ryan of ZAC and ZAC
PAID PARTNERSHIP
Pebble Side Table, £35, ANYDAY John Lewis & Partners
Moodboard Colour Pop FILL YOUR HOME WITH ACCENTS OF COLOUR COURTESY OF THE NEW ANYDAY RANGE FROM JOHN LEWIS & PARTNERS
Botanica Cushion, £15, ANYDAY John Lewis & Partners
Audrey accent chair, £199, ANYDAY John Lewis & Partners
Mustard throw, £15, ANYDAY John Lewis & Partners
Kristy touch table lamp, £20, ANYDAY John Lewis & Partners
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Country bud vase, £12, ANYDAY John Lewis & Partners
Coral stoneware mugs, Set of 4, £12, ANYDAY John Lewis & Partners
FA N C Y A L I F E WI T H MO R E S T Y L E O N U S ? JUST ASK CALA Computer Generated Image – Raised communal garden at Waterfront Plaza
Show apartment at Waterfront Plaza
Local Photography - The Shore
Living in one of Edinburgh’s most vibrant communities is enticing enough, but take advantage of CALA’s Lifestyle Taster Package*, and discover your exciting new lifestyle on us. Contact us today, and quote Lifestyle Taster Package to find out more.
2 & 3 bedroom apartments from £298,000 - £464,950
WATERFRONT PLAZA, OCEAN DRIVE, LEITH, EDINBURGH, EH6 6JJ 0131 516 9503 | CALA.CO.UK/EDINBURGH
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i-on_17JUN21 *Offer available on apartments at CALA’s Waterfront Plaza development, and on selected plots only. Offer is subject to CALA’s purchasing criteria and terms and conditions for new reservations before 31st July 2021. Vouchers included in the incentive package total £833 and are subject to availability and will be provided on legal completion. CALA may offer only some of the vouchers mentioned depending on availability and at CALA’s discretion. Vouchers cannot be exchanged, backdated, used as part payment or in conjunction with any other offer. CALA accepts no responsibility for the expiration of any vouchers or a participating venue’s refusal to accept. CALA accepts no responsibility for any loss, accidents, incidents, or damages suffered at any of the participating venues. Availability of other incentives/offers subject to lender’s criteria and CALA’s discretion. Prices are accurate at the time of going to print. Telephone calls within the British Isles will be charged at local rate. Telephone calls may divert to a mobile service in which case call charges may vary. Calls may be recorded for training purposes. Images shown are taken from the show apartment at Waterfront Plaza, Edinburgh and feature, fittings, décor, flooring and soft furnishings which are not included as standard in a CALA home. Images are used to suggest possible finishes that can be achieved in your home at an additional cost. Please consult a CALA representative for further details. Some images have been enhanced. 5 stars awarded for customers’ willingness to ‘Recommend to a Friend’ in findings of the survey undertaken by the Home Builders Federation 2019/20.
HO M E
REPORT Interiors news and what to buy now
INSIDE OUTSIDE WOULD YOU LIKE A MUG WITH THAT?
You might not imagine a sandwich shop as the place to find beautiful products for your home but Vietnamese sarnie specialists Banh Mi Bar also have a retail corner packed with bespoke ceramics from some of Edinburgh’s finest creatives, including these pretty pots from Jay Frazer. Visit the shop in the arches on Market Street to see more one-off designs.
Make the most of summer by investing in furniture which will extend your living space out into the garden. Edinburgh design store Moleta Munro is currently offering special promotional pricing on selected outdoor furniture, including this chic dining set which is part of the iconic Indoor-Outdoor series by Carl Hansen, designed to be durable enough to live outdoors yet beautiful enough to be utilised inside. Table, £1,392; chair, £695, www.moletamunro.com
INSPO-SPOT
The idea we’ll be stealing… painted checked floor Where we saw it? BABA Why we love it… it’s an inexpensive way to make over your existing laminate floor into something far more striking. All you need is a tin of paint, a lot of masking tape and even more patience!
i-on wants…
All of these hand-dyed velvet cushion covers from Edinburghbased online shop Ingredients Ldn. Available in a new collection of complementary colours from muted greens to peachy pinks. We’ll have one of each please. From £70. www.ingredientsldn.com
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THE HOUSE STORY
Plant porn Where to get your fix… Our love for all things green is being nourished by a slew of independent stores selling plants, pots and all things in between. Here’s where to find one in your neighbourhood.
STOCKBRIDGE
One of the first of Edinburgh’s plant stores was Dahlia, which started life in Marchmont in 2018 before opening the doors to a new store on Deanhaugh Street last year, stocking indoor plants, cacti, dried flower bouquets, artisan ceramics, and natural candles. www.dahliathestore.co.uk
FOUNTAINBRIDGE & NEW TOWN
In April 2019, the gorgeous Grow Urban arrived on Grove Street, and they’re opening a second store on St Vincent Street this month. Designed for the city gardener, it has all sorts of green goodness paired with expert advice on plant care, pretty pots, plus coffee and cake. www.growurban.uk
NEWINGTON
Late last year, Green. Meadows opened on Buccleuch Street. The sustainable plant store stocks beautiful and colourful plants and pots, and aims to make a real difference by using all sustainable suppliers, renewable energy and pledging 25p to a charity working to rewild the Scottish Highlands. www.greenplantshops.co.uk
ABBEYHILL
Trending
‘Bohemian jungle’ WHAT IS IT? Coined by the ever-stylish Scandi brains behind BoConcept, the term describes a modern boho aesthetic where greenery and foliage take certain stage. HOW DO I GET IT? Achieve the look with expressive colours, tactile fabrics and, of course, a plethora of plants. It’s about having fun and creating a space that invites well-being so let it be chaotic, mix the elements that you love and enjoy the relaxed feeling of personal imperfection. MUST-HAVES… colourful cushions and throws, vibrant velvet upholstery and an eclectic collection of ornaments and accessories. Check out boconcept.com for inspiration or visit the Rose Street store.
Whether you’re looking for a dainty plant, a huge statement tree or something of the hanging variety, Leafy Love Affair – which opened on Montrose Terrace earlier this year – will have something for you. There’s even a ‘Hard to Kill’ package for those whose passion for plants outweighs their caregiving skills. www.leafyloveaffair.co.uk
MARCHMONT
The newest kid on the botanical block is Forge & Foliage, which opened in May, combines two of our biggest lockdown loves – plants and crafts – with a tempting hot chocolate bar featuring homemade marshmallows. www.forgeandfoliage.co.uk
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THE HOUSE STORY
by i-on
Light House The
TRADITION MEETS CUTTING-EDGE DESIGN IN THIS BRIGHT, MODERN HIGHLAND HOME BY EDINBURGH ARCHITECTS ARCHER & BRAUN
From the footprint of a dilapidated steading and cottage in the Cairngorms National Park rose this modern new build home where style and function have been given equal ranking.
Photography by David Barbour
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THE HOUSE STORY
T
he brief presented to architect Stuart Archer was no easy feat – how to transform the original crumbling farm buildings into a comfortable and easily-maintained home where his client could feel happy living alone yet have the space to welcome guests and family as often as she pleased. The fact that said client was his own mum, newly divorced and looking for a forever home and the first where she would live alone, would only have raised the stakes. But personal motivations aside, the design of Torispardon is near flawless (the Gaelic word Tor – meaning a rock or piles of rocks on top of a hill – gave the project its name). “There isn’t a thing I would change about it,” says homeowner, Thelma Archer, who has lived in the house with her dog since it was completed in 2014. “It has been designed precisely for the way I live from the position of the corner window where I sit and read the paper each morning to the location of each light switch and appliance. I asked for light and views and I have them in every single room”.
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Nestled on a hillside looking out to the Caingorms and the Spey Valley, the house is formed of three elements: the cottage which accommodates two guestrooms with en suites, the steading which is essentially the main home with a master suite and living areas, and a timber link which houses the main entrance, utility and kitchen. The three are joined by frameless glass elements allowing the home to be filled with that all-important natural light and offering even more opportunity to enjoy those mountain views. “I moved here from an old Victorian house so the change is quite extreme but it is exactly what I wanted,” says Thelma. “I wouldn’t want to be rattling around in a big old house and here, I can close off the cottage where the guest rooms are completely and it’s like a cosy one-bedroom bungalow.” It’s a modest description of a beautiful space but the home does seem to be the best of both worlds in so many ways.
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INTERIORS THE HOUSE STORY
Inside, everything is clean, white and modern yet Thelma’s traditional furniture looks perfectly at home; and the design, featuring all that glass, might be cutting edge but it is also very sensitive to the buildings’ origins and environment. The use of timber cladding and steel recall agricultural structures while the external walls are constructed from stone reclaimed from the original buildings. “I love that we were able to use all the lovely old granite from the ruins and Stuart designed the building so it fits in beautifully to the landscape”. In fact, the home feels bedded into the land completely thanks to the steading being sunk partially into the ground, cutting into the earth behind so that it appears to emerge from the landscape. “I spend the most time in the kitchen, which is the room that took us the longest to design,” says Thelma. “It was important because the kitchen has always been the heart of the family for me. Ever since my kids were small, there’s always been a big kitchen full of noise and activity – of course it’s quiet now but I still like being here. I have a big Aga to cook on and there’s a corner window which looks out across the snowy peaks. I sit at the table by the window all the time and if I’m not there, I’ll usually be in the corner window of the living room where I sit and read after walking the dog. There’s often farm animals just feet away from me and there’s something so calming about looking out onto nature and beauty. I know how lucky I am to live here.”
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NOW ON with big savings on designs for every room S H O P I N S T O R E A N D O N L I N E AT B O C O N C E P T S C O T L A N D . C O M
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BEST BITS
THEBESTOFEDINBURGH
Zoe Ingram The artist and illustrator on her favourite city spots
Coffee: The Milkman on Cockburn Street. It’s probably the tiniest coffee shop in Edinburgh and is such a charming setting. They have the best cinnamon rolls ever but you need to get there early to snag one. Cocktails: The Refinery St Andrew Square. Their espresso martinis are quite delicious. Burger: Burgers and Beers Grillhouse on the High Street. I took my kids here for lunch after visiting Camera Obscura and the burgers were a huge hit. Sunday roast: The Sheep Heid Inn. This is definitely the place to go for a cosy, Sunday roast. The quirky old skittle alley is a fun thing to do afterwards if you’re not too stuffed. Or you could walk it off
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Fish & chips: For a sit-in “chippie”, Bertie’s in Victoria Street is awesome, especially with a group of friends. Fashion: I love Swish on Cockburn Street and currently have my eye on a nice pair of Palladium boots and several pairs of trainers there. Interiors: I’m heavily into plants so I’m super excited to visit Green.Meadows, a new tropical plant shop on Buccleuch Street near the Meadows.
with a stroll through the picturesque Duddingston Village. Fine dining: Hands down, Howies. Delicious, elegant, traditional yet contemporary Scottish food. I have been to every Howies restaurant over the years since they opened in the early ‘90s and I’m always impressed.
Art: Visiting art galleries is my “me time”. It allows me to switch off, absorb inspiration and refill my artistic cup. There are so many amazing galleries in
Edinburgh so I can’t pick a favourite but I loved a recent visit to The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. The buildings and surrounding grounds are a sight to see in themselves. The Edinburgh Printmakers is also a little gem for seeing beautiful, contemporary artworks. Walk: Portobello Prom. The smell of the sea is so lovely and I love people (and dog) watching when I stop for a coffee at the Beach House. Remote working: The Papermill in Lasswade would have to be my coffee joint of choice for working if I need to get out of the studio. It’s my local and I love that it’s just a stroll away on the riverside.
Lockdown find: I was introduced to a lovely walk around my local area by my eldest child. It runs through some beautiful landscape down to the river Esk amongst trees, fields and ferns. Such beauty, peace and tranquillity on my doorstep.
INSTA-INSIDER
My Diageo Reserve World Class winning drink from 2015. It included Blue Label, Champagne and bergamot.
My amazing team at work. They are all amazingly talented people who I am privileged to call friends.
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I took this image on a rainy day down our favourite street, Circus Lane. This photo has been ‘stolen’ by a lot of Instagram accounts.
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INSTA-INSIDER JOHNNIE WALKER SCOTCH WHISKY AMBASSADOR ALISTAIR REYNOLDS SHARES HIS #TOP9 Follow on Instagram @ali.scotch
My son Hector in his favourite outfit from Ando Stores. Love how the wall matched.
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Getting to know my new home Edinburgh. This is a view of the city from the Royal Botanic Gardens #visitscotland 66
I love all the amazing Blue Label bottle designs but this limited edition one from Timorous Beasties is by far my favourite.
Messing around with my brand. I love the new Johnnie Walker branding. This was at the World Class finals in Glasgow.
An image of last year’s World Class champion Cameron Attfield and his creative mind making amazing drinks.
A perfect whisky highball from the incredible Black Rock whisky bar in London.
