VANTAGE JULY 10 by Runwild Media Group

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Covering St Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wood, Primrose Hill, marylebone, Hampstead & THE SURROUNDING AREA

mean

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The Bentley Supersports is looking for a fight

Game, set and match Fashion from the Centre Court

fashion travel motoring interiors property JULY

2010

i s s u e 0 2

For those who take performance seriously

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contents Feature 12 Spotlight on: Hampstead

motoring calibre

looking for

A FIGHT?

Taking a look at one of the most interesting and historic areas in London

14 Queen of cakes

Talking to Queen of Cakes, Mich Turner, founder of celebrity-favourite the Little Venice Cake Company

there’s something infinitely more menacing about a tough guy wearing razor cut creases

This is power dressing at its most potent. The Bentley Continental GT Supersports is the company’s most thrilling road car yet, and Matthew Carter is hooked

Question:

Which is the more scary – a football hooligan in a pair of ripped jeans and a hoodie, or Vinnie Jones in a sharp suit?

Concierge

nd so it is with cars. A tricked up, turbocharged Subaru Impreza painted in team colours and spitting out flames on the overrun might be fun from behind the wheel, but it’s not something to be taken seriously. A Bentley Continental GT wearing a Supersports badge, on the other hand… The Continental GT is the closest Bentley has ever got to producing a car for the common man. At £126,500 it’s affordable in a way that the handmade Mulsanne (£220,000) is not. It’s even better value if it’s a couple of years old. Little wonder, then, that it’s the car of choice for every Premiership footballer, while his WAG loves the open-topped Continental GTC versions; especially if the alloys can be painted to match the lipstick-coloured, ruched leather interior. But the Supersports is a sophisticated thug. Underneath that cool, tailored exterior lurks an iron fist providing motoring with menaces. It started as an experimental project by a handful of Bentley boys who were intrigued to see how far they could go with the Continental. The answer is one hell of a long way. It has been made by engineers, for enthusiasts. The Supersports – the name, by the way, is inspired by the original ‘Le-Mans’ style two-seater from 1925 – is harder, more focused and far tougher than any other Continental. And it’s wonderful. One of the perks of this job is getting to drive a new car every week. You get to drive good ones, average ones and even some great cars. But at the end of the loan, giving them back is no real hardship, as you know something else will soon take its place. Very, very occasionally, though, giving a car back is hard. So it was with the Supersports. I’m still trying to convince myself that a two-seater street brawler with a thirst for fuel that would embarrass a dipsomaniac would be the perfect everyday car. The Supersports was born out of a desire to create a Bentley that waved two fingers at everyone. It’s got more power than before – a remarkable 621 bhp has been extracted from the awesomely smooth 6.0-litre W12 engine – and the gearbox has been tweaked to halve shift times (Bentley coyly calls it Quickshift, which must be one of the understatements of the year). The Supersports is also the first Bentley to use FlexFuel technology, meaning it’ll run on petrol or E85 biofuel… though, as a sop to the Greens, it doesn’t really go that far, does it? The chassis has also been modified with a wider rear track, bespoke 20-inch wheels, retuned dampers and anti-roll bars. Lightweight components have been used throughout, while the four-wheel drive system has been tweaked so that more power is fed to the back wheels. Ceramic brakes, meanwhile, mean it stops as well as it goes.

Answer:

VJ and the suit. While torn denims and a face-masking top is the standard uniform for many a young yob, there’s something infinitely more menacing about a tough guy wearing razor cut creases.

From the outside, wider rear wheel arches and smoked ‘brightwork’ underline the toughness of the car, which can be further accentuated if you choose a matt paint finish. But it’s inside where the Supersports becomes controversial. To make the most of the extra performance, Bentley has put the car on a diet. It’s lost 110kgs in all, and most of that has come via removing the rear seats. Completely. This is now a strict two-seater, the place where the rear seats used to be now acting as extra storage space – though it’s not terribly practical as it is dissected by a carbon fibre crossbeam, which gives added strength to the shell. And, despite the price hike, you lose a number of luxury items. If you want to adjust the quilted Alcantara-covered lightweight sports seats (a saving of 45kg on their own), for example, then you’ll have to do it manually. Who cares? This is a very small price to pay for one of the most dramatic cars on the road today. Performance is literally breathtaking, with 60 mph coming up from a standing start in 3.7 seconds, while the thing has a top speed of 204 mph. It is, they say, the fastest and most powerful road-going Bentley ever made. Pointless performance? While the top speed might be academic in the UK unless you’re on a track day, the acceleration is nothing short of awe-inspiring. Perhaps the most significant figure is not the standing start one, but the time it takes to accelerate from 50–70 mph, typical open road overtaking performance… just 2.1 seconds. Speed, in this case, means safety. The effect it has on other road users is pretty spectacular, too. Pounding up the motorway, whatever the Supersports came up behind moved over sharpish. No one tried to block the car’s progress, all preferring to melt out of the way as it menaced them via the rear view mirror. But the Supersports proved to be just at home on twisty B-roads, with levels of grip and poise that defy its bulk. And the ride is simply astonishingly good. This car can be trickled through traffic, soaking up London’s potholes and speed bumps with alacrity, though you’ll need to mind those vulnerable alloys on the capital’s kerbs.

Problems?

Well, the fact that’s only a two-seater might or might not cause concern, but no one can deny its thirst will raise an eyebrow. Bentley claims 17.3 mpg combined, but you’ll only see 14 mpg if you’re lucky. And the cost to brim the 90-litre tank is not for the impecunious. There’s some good news on the forecourt, though. If Autocar magazine is to be believed, Bentley has overestimated the number of buyers looking for a two-seater, and reckons £10k discount is on the cards against a new one. And that’ll buy a lot of fuel. Remember, on the right day and on the right road, you can forgive the Supersports anything. Vinnie Jones, eat your heart out. n

spotlight feature

20 Love All

Centre Court Style

28 Outdoor Dining

Vermeer, Turner and Gainsborough, as well as the Suffolk collection of rare Elizabethan portraits. Local activities on the Heath include major open-air concerts on summer Saturday evenings on the slopes below Kenwood House, book and poetry readings, fun-fairs on the lower reaches of the Heath, nature trails and wildlife outings (for more information, visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/ daysout/properties/kenwood-house). Hampstead is well known for its traditional pubs, such as the Holly Bush, which remained gas-lit until recently; the Spaniard’s Inn, on Spaniard’s Road, where highwayman Dick Turpin took refuge; The Old Bull and Bush in North End; and Ye Olde White Bear. Locals and tourists alike can often be found enjoying a quiet pint, summer Pimms or Sunday roast lunch in these quaint English pubs, and a stop at one of these establishments is often considered the perfect end to a walk on the Heath. For excellent food and a relaxed atmosphere, a gastro-pub is a great choice; The Wells (www. thewellshampstead.co.uk) is located within a recently refurbished Georgian building and serves a fantastic selection of locally sourced, award-winning food. Hampstead also boasts an eclectic mix of restaurants ranging from French to Thai, with everything in between. Notable and longstanding are La Gaffe (restaurant, wine bar and hotel, and great for families), Gaucho Grill (for the best steak in the area), Jin Kichi (exquisite sushi and sashimi), Tip Top Thai (excellent Thai cooking), Al Casbah (fashionable Moroccan hangout), and Le Cellier du Midi (gourmet French cuisine, and something of an institution within Hampstead).

SPOTLIGHT ON:

Hampstead

One of the most interesting and historical areas of the capital, and boasting some of the most beautiful natural parkland in the region, Hampstead epitomises the very best of the chic London lifestyle. Claire Saunders takes a closer look

Creating your al fresco haven

popular backdrop to numerous successful British and Hollywood movies, as well as a favourite area of the capital for Londoners and tourists alike, Hampstead is part of the London Borough of Camden, and is well known for its intellectual, liberal, artistic, musical and literary associations. Populated by London’s wealthiest professionals, chic gatherings of ‘yummy mummies’, respected academics and high-profile artists, Hampstead is certainly one of the most fashionable areas of the capital. An affluent area, it

is home to some of the most expensive housing in London – in fact, figures suggest the village of Hampstead has more millionaires within its boundaries than any other area of the UK. Of course, the area is also famous for its extensive and hilly parkland, Hampstead Heath. To the north and east of Hampstead, and separating it from Highgate, the Heath is London’s largest ancient, parkland, which includes the well-known and legally-protected view of the London skyline from Parliament Hill. The Heath, a major place for Londoners to walk and “take the air”

and a popular tourist spot, has three open-air public swimming ponds; one for men, one for women, and one for mixed bathing, which were originally reservoirs for drinking water and the sources of the River Fleet. Set in beautiful landscaped parkland in the midst of Hampstead Heath, Kenwood House is another major attraction of the area. This elegant villa is one of the most magnificent visitor attractions in London, remodelled by Robert Adam in the eighteenth century and housing a superb collection of paintings, including masterpieces by Rembrandt,

46 Looking for a fight

Eva wears white and navy stripe shirt, £360, navy logo tie, £XXX, and white navy stripe shorts, £115, white cap, £XXX all from Ralph Lauren Wimbledon Collection. White socks, £XXX, Falke and white plimsoles, £XXX, Superga Pearl earrings, £20 Ciro, Burlington Arcade, W1, 020 7499 1364

Matthew Carter gets hooked on the thrilling Bentley Continental GT Supersports

52 Lord of Lord’s

MCC chief executive Keith Bradshaw talks about the most famous cricket ground in the world’s impending facelift

Michael wears white button-down collar shirt, £95, cream stripe sleeveless jumper, £260 and white trousers, £135, all from Ralph Lauren Ian wears white button-front t-shirt, £100 white shorts, £95, all from Ralph Lauren. White socks, £XXX, Falke and white plimsoles, £XXX, Superga

Connoisseur 58 Starting from Scratch

Kate Hughes finds what her ‘new you’

61 108 Marylebone Lane

A contemporary neighbourhood restaurant that is truly local

Property 76 Swiss Relocation

The benefits of beautiful Switzerland

82 Hot Property

A magnificent masionette

historical and artistic importance, Hampstead was also home to psychologist Sigmund Freud. If you can fit it in, a visit to The Freud Museum (20 Maresfield Gardens, www.freud.org.uk) is well worth your time. The home of Sigmund Freud and his family when they escaped Nazi annexation of Austria in 1938, number 20 remained the family home until Anna Freud, the youngest daughter, died in 1982. The centrepiece of the museum is Freud’s study, preserved just as it was during his lifetime. It contains Freud’s remarkable collection of antiquities; almost 2,000 items fill cabinets and the walls are lined with shelves containing Freud’s large library. Undoubtedly the most famous piece of furniture in all the collection is Freud’s psychoanalytic couch, on which all of his patients reclined. Finally, no visit to Hampstead would be complete without a visit to Louis Patisserie; think faded charm in an old-fashioned wood-panelled, leatherbenched tearoom. For a consistently good range of creamy confections and pots of English tea, this is an absolute must (32 Heath St, NW3 6TE). n

From left to right clockwise: Hampstead on the river Hampstead Heath 17th century Kenwood House

Calibre

One of the most popular attractions in Hampstead is the famous Keats House Museum – the restored Regency style Keats House is where the poet John Keats lived from 1818-1820, and is the iconic setting that inspired some of his most memorable poetry. It is here that he wrote ‘Ode to a Nightingale’, and fell in love with Fanny Brawne, the girl next door – and it was from this house that he travelled to Rome, where he died of tuberculosis aged just 25. Keats House is a thriving museum dedicated not only to the poetry of John Keats but also to poetry in general. Regular events are held in association with local community groups, museums, artists and schools, and a range of poetry groups have been established from the house. Don’t miss the recently re-designed garden which now has a new hedge and fruit trees, plants and shrubs, all in keeping with the Regency period. Each border of the garden reflects an aspect of Keats’s poetry: Melancholy, Autumn and Nightingale. The garden is free to visit and a popular picnicking spot for local families during the summer. An area well known for figures of

regulars 19 fashion

49 gadgets

27 interiors

51 sport

30 gardens

57 travel

33 health & beauty

61 food & drink

41 family

65 out & about

45 motoring

69 property

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There, you can also hear the story of F. A. Lange who 165 years ago moved to Glashütte and established Germany’s precision watchmaking industry. With the objective of crafting the world’s finest timepieces, he actively contributed to the evolution of the mechanical watch. We take our inspiration from his spirit of ingenuity.

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01.07.2010 17:42:46 Uhr

RUNWILD M

Homes, interiors, interviews, gardens, food, family, fashion and travel: Every month VANTAGE:NW delivers the definitive lifestyle guide boasting the best life has to offer. With carefully selected lead interviews and stories, every month our team of writers brings to life the people, personalities and places that are both relevant and inspirational. VANTAGE:NW is the latest publication from dynamic, independent publishing house Runwild Media (RWM). The ethos of high-quality and intelligent editorial combined with a stylish aesthetic has helped them carve a niche in the field of luxury publishing. Specialising in bespoke, luxury titles with exclusive partnerships (including Canary Wharf Group, British Land, The Royal Exchange, Visit London, The O2 and many more) the company is rapidly expanding its portfolio with many new exciting magazine launches coming soon.

Editor-in-Chief Lesley Ellwood

Editor

Louisa Castle

Editorial Director Kate Harrison

Deputy Editor Jenny White

Editorial Assistants Oliver Balcazar Penelope M Walsh

Fashion Editor Lucie Dodds

Senior Designers

contributors...

Laddawan Juhong Hiren Chandarana

Designer

Keyze Da Silva

Production Manager Dan Hyde

Group Publishing Director Eren Ellwood

PR & Marketing Manager Rebecca Walton

Senior Project Manager Ella Kilgarriff

Managing Director Giles Ellwood

1. Jamie Carter is

a freelance journalist specialising in gadgets and technology. Jamie has written for the likes of T3, Home Cinema Choice and The Guardian as well as a number of websites.

2. Sim Smith is a

freelance journalist and stylist based in London. A frequent contributor to prestigious publications, Sim has worked with ELLE Decoration, The Telegraph and The Financial Times.

3. Matthew Carter is

a London-based freelance journalist who’s been writing about cars for most of his working life. A former editor of Autocar magazine, he is a serial car owner.

16 Heron Quay, Canary Wharf London E14 4JB T: 020 7987 4320 F: 020 7005 0045 www.runwildmedia.com

Vantage

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Covering St John’S wood, PrimroSe hill, marylebone, hamPStead & the SUrroUnding area

LOVE ALL - fashion, p.20 White button-front t-shirt, £100, white stripe shorts, £95, navy and white stripe belt, £65, cream cable cardigan £480, all from Ralph Lauren. White socks, Falke and white plimsoles, £40, Superga. White button-down round collar shirt, £95, logo tie, £85, cream stripe shawl collar cable cardigan, £480 and cream trousers, £240, all from Ralph Lauren Runwild Media Group Publishers of: Canary Wharf magazine The City magazine, Vicinitee VENUE – The official magazine of The O2

mean

machine

The BenTley supersporTs is looking for a fighT

Game, set and match fashion from The CenTre CourT

fashion travel motoring interiors property JULY

2010

i s s u e 0 2

Runwild Media Ltd. cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited submissions, manuscripts and photographs. While every care is taken, prices and details are subject to change and Runwild Media Ltd. takes no responsibility for omissions or errors. We reserve the right to publish and edit any letters. All rights reserved. Subscriptions: A free online subscription service is available to VANTAGE:NW. E-mail subscribe@runwildmedia.com for further details.

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28.05.2010 14:53:01 Uhr

from the editor...

irst, I would like to thank you for all your kind words about the inaugural issue of VANTAGE:NW. And second, I have great pleasure in welcoming you to the July issue, full of summer hope and sun. Taking our fashion influence from the manicured lawns of Wimbledon, Ralph Lauren stands centre stage for our feature fashion pages, taking us back to the day of gentlemen and women’s style and elegance, p.20 and we also go a little nautical with this month’s on-trend sailor stripes, p.19. Recently awarded an MBE, Mich Turner, owner of The Little Venice Cake Company talks to us about business, not giving up on your dreams and her tempting cake creations, p.14. And Aussie cricketer, Keith Bradshaw, now chief executive of Middlesex Cricket Club tells us about the hallowed turf and future plans for the home of cricket, p.52.

July

Remaining outdoors (and somewhat ironically) our interiors pages set the scene for perfect outdoor living; eating, sleeping or simply enjoying (p.28) and for those with green fingers

we’ve hints and tips for creating the perfect splash of colour in your garden (p.30). For those looking for a little high calibre, performance fun, Matthew Carter puts the Bentley Continental GT Supersports through its paces, debating what’s more scary; a football hooligan in a pair of ripped jeans and a hoodie or Vinnie Jones in a sharp suit? We’ll let you decide... (p.46). The 599 Gran Turismo Omologato, GTO to you and I, also makes a dignified yet striking appearance and with a limited run of just 599, is sure to have enthusiasts scrambling for a piece of Ferrari’s fastest ever road car, p.45. Welcome to the summer months in the style to which you have been accustomed.

SPOTLIGHT ON:

Hampstead

spotlight

feature

From left to right clockwise: Hampstead on the river Hampstead Heath 17th century Kenwood House

Queen of cakes Queen of Cakes, Mich Turner is the glamorous founder of celebrity-favourite Little Venice Cake Company. She talks to Jenny White about Madonna’s wedding, receiving an MBE from the Queen and being her own worst critic

I have never, ever settled for second best and I strive to make the Little Venice experience professional, chic and streamlined

ordon Ramsay branded her as the ‘Bentley of cake makers’ and Amanda Wakeley has described her as ‘The undisputed Queen of Couture Cakes;’ and with such undisputed praise it is easy to see how Mich Turner has made it onto the Queen’s Birthday Honours List this year and was awarded an MBE for her outstanding achievement and service to the catering industry. “It is true to say that genuinely you probably couldn’t count on one hand the number of times you receive news that is so overwhelmingly wonderful,” says Mich, who admits that she is still pinching herself about the honour. “It was totally out of the blue; I hadn’t applied for it, I hadn’t paid for it, or pushed for it. Winning the Best Dessert Book in the World Cookbook Awards is fantastic but if you enter it then obviously you feel there is a chance you could win it. It is the same as being put forward for the Harpers Bazaar and Chanel Entrepreneur of the Year awards, they have all been wonderful; but to receive a letter where you are recognised as being the best in your chosen field by the establishment is just overwhelming.” Mich Turner set up Little Venice Cake Company in 1999 after a ‘light bulb moment’. “It was the day of the eclipse in 1999 when I knew what I wanted to do. I started to write to a number of five-star hotels offering my

interview

service and cakes for their clients as an extension of their five-star mantra and then very quickly I became renowned for being very good at what I did and it just developed organically from there,” explains Mich who trained as a food scientist, graduating with an honours degree in 1992. “I started working from my flat in Little Venice and it was while I was there that I received the commission to do Madonna’s wedding cake. She was my first big celeb and, well, they don’t come much bigger.” With clients such as Simon Cowell, who asked her to bake something special for his mother’s 80th birthday and Victoria Beckham calling on Little Venice Cakes when she wanted a birthday cake for David’s 30th, it is clear that Mich has become a celebrity favourite. Sir Paul McCartney, Pierce Brosnan, Ashley Cole and Emma Thompson are amongst her fans. “Emma Thompson is a customer who no matter how many cakes we do for her she always takes the time to write a handwritten note to say thank you.” However, for Mich’s Little Venice Cake Company it is not about the celebrity name tag, although it helps. “My aim has been that the cakes speak for themselves. The brand values of Little Venice have always been about being completely bespoke, having the most indulgent cakes and having this unrivalled prestige, as well as offering craftsmanship and doing what we do well,” explains Mich, “that is what we focus on and so it is not that

feature

we have actively been seeking a bunch of celebs to promote our wears, it is the fact that we are the best at what we do.” Mich’s first experience of decorating a cake was while studying for her O-levels and taking Home Economics, “as a bit of light relief from all the science subjects I was taking”. Seeing her potential before she did, her Home Economics teacher asked Mich to make her wedding cake. After enrolling in a four-day course to learn the basics, Mich made the cake and inadvertently found a new career path. After working hard to gain a sponsorship for an industrial placement while at university, Mich was based at McVitie’s in their biscuit and cake factory for a year. “I spent the first seven months looking after the Marks & Spencer Christmas cake production. It was great experience as I was being very exposed to a lot – 750,000 to be precise – of Christmas cakes and all the individual cake decorating,” says Mich, who juggles family life along with her company which involves running master classes all around the country. “I have more enthusiasm than I did ten years ago because it has become more poignant now; I am not just playing at it, it really is my way of life and my future.” Her first job out of university saw Mich working for the elite as a patisserie buyer at Harvey Nichols, providing her with top quality experiences of the industry. But despite having great knowledge of food and working with the best, it is clear that Mich got to where she is because of her hard work and determination. “I have always been incredibly competitive and I knew that whatever I turned my hand to I would always be the best. I admit I am very competitive but really I am mostly competitive with myself and have a huge amount of drive and focus,” explains Mich who is currently working on her fourth book, The Master Class and provides a range of Little Venice Cakes to Harvey Nichols, as well as Harrods, Liberty of London and Fortnum & Mason. “I have never ever settled for second best and I endeavour and strive to make the Little Venice experience professional, chic and streamlined.” However, despite Mich’s hard work to keep the company running smoothly, she has learnt there always needs to be a contingency plan. “We had a bride who had a three tier white chocolate creation with hand-moulded fans and roses. She came to collect it and put it in the back of her car and then went to pick up her wedding dress. She parked illegally and the car was lifted and taken away. During the lifting process the cake had slipped and the tiers had come apart and became a pile of mush,” laughs Mich. “All our cakes are baked fresh for our clients, but luckily we carry a stock of cakes in the freezer for last minute orders. We pulled several from the freezer, and had five people working on recreating this wedding cake for her. We were able to do it for her just in time.” So, it seems Mich has made a success of her Little Venice Cake Company – or has she? “Someone asked me the other day when did I realise that I was successful and I told them that I don’t think I am yet. I have so much more to do and achieve, there is no resting on your laurels. There is no finish line in this business.” We look forward to seeing and, more importantly tasting, what is to come from Mich Turner in the future as it is guaranteed to be truly scrumptious. n

120 Wigmore Street, London, W1U 3LS 509 Uxbridge Road, Hatch End, Pinner, Middlesex HA5 4JS Telephone: 020 7486 3080 http://www.halcyon-interiors.co.uk email: info.@halcyon-interiors.co.uk

fashion interiors family

LOVE ALL outdoor living ........................................................................child’s play ..................................................................................... ............................................

LORD OF THE RINGS

H For those in the know, Sevan Biçakçi has long been considered one of the jewellery world’s most treasured gems

is pieces depict exotic spice bazaars, majestic mosques, fairytale minarets and imposing Sultans. Istanbul, the only city in the world that has reigned as capital of three different empires, is without a doubt the greatest muse for the man known in the fine jewellery industry as ‘Lord of the Rings’. Born and raised in Turkey, one-of-a-kind jewellery designer Sevan has been a bench jeweller for the last 20 years – and at the age of 36, Sevan’s creations are profound and unique. Each one is handcrafted with uniquely cut gemstones

and antique cut diamonds that are, upon closer inspection housing hidden gems of their own. The award-winning designer’s hand-crafted pieces combine contemporary glamour with vivid historical evocations. Some of Sevan’s well-known wearers and collectors include Brooke Shields, Catherine Zeta Jones, Elizabeth Hurley, Liv Tyler, Halle Berry, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion and the Queen. n Sevan Biçakçi’s collection definitely deserves a closer look at the Talisman Gallery, Harvey Nichols on 020 7201 8582

fashion

concierge

SUMMER SUEDE To offset the understated elegance of spring’s feminine fashions, this month demands statement accessories in vivid colours that promise and beckon a hot and lively Indian summer. With style icon Sarah Jessica Parker already snapping up the gold-studded Domino bag, the vibrant style of Sonia Rykiel’s new accessories collection is perfectly suited to this purpose. Fashioned in sumptuous, soft suede in delicious pinks, purples and greens, this collection is a summer must-have.

fashion

news

GET GRAPHIC

Unearthing inspiration from the unlikeliest places, this season sees several designers producing vividly detailed graphic prints, some stylised and many with a distinct computerised edge, but all fantastic and fanciful. Leading the trend for graphic prints was Alexander McQueen’s highly conceptual hallucination of a primordial world. Featuring stunning prints of all manner of natural wonder from entomology to exoskeletons, McQueen’s designs ranged from dramatic prints of marine creatures, to a subtle watercolour wash of praying mantis. Stand out from the crowd with one of Mary Katrantzou’s vivacious patterns in voluptuous shapes, or give your look a sophisticated flash of colour with one of Mungo Gurney’s beautiful silk scarves. Inspired by the bright lights of vibrant Vegas and Tokyo, the intoxicated fluidity and motion of these colourful creations are sure to set your soul on fire.

Available from Sonia Rykiel 27–29 Brook street, London 020 7493 5255

Sonia Rykiel Bessy Suede Shoe

Sonia Rykiel Baby Scarlett Suede Bag

All available from www.brownsfashion.com

Quote of the month: 1 Creative Archives Mungo Gurney Silk Scarf with vegas lights print

In difficult times fashion is always outrageous

2 Alexander McQueen Agate 3 Mary Katrantzou ‘Lava’ Dress 4 Mary Katrantzou Strapless Fan Dress

MUST-HAVE ITEM:

Elsa Schiaparelli

Website:

Causing quite a stir since hitting the selves, the luxurious velvet swimsuit with pink metallic paint splashes from Pistol Panties is perfect if you want to turn heads. Not only funky but versatile, it can be worn as a halter, as a one shoulder or as strapless. Available from Apartment C, the exclusive lingerie specialists on Marylebone High Street, who also stock new brands alongside designers such as Stella McCartney and Princess Tam Tam. £175, www.apartment-c.com

www.theoutnet.com

Xanadu Pink Swimsuit

If you are looking for something designer but without the price tag, then theOutnet.com is definitely your first point of call. Launched by the people behind the awardwinning website net-a-porter.com, theOutnet has quickly established itself as the go-to destination where chic-onomics is the name of the game. Stocking an unparalleled selection of previous season designer fashion from over 200 brands, theOutnet also hosts timelimited Pop-Up sales and Going, Going, Gone Sales that will give you that ‘get it before it goes’ buzz.

TREND: Cobweb A style that looks to have been spun by one talented spider, the cobweb and fish net-inspired look is a very provocative and daring statement that is a must to make this season. British designer Mark Fast has gained somewhat of a cult following for his fitted cobwebknit designs which have become the inspiration behind his new line ‘Faster.’ The legging, tube skirt/dress, high waisted knicker and ballet dress are all great for stylish layering and have proved a popular part of his new diffusion line. Available from Sefton Womenswear, www.seftonfashion.com

e v o l l L a

Photographer:

Paul Viant

Fashion Editor:

Lucie Dodds

Ian wears white button-front t-shirt, £100, white stripe shorts, £95, navy and white stripe belt, £65, cream cable cardigan £480, all from Ralph Lauren. White socks, Falke and white plimsoles, £40, Superga Michael wears white button-down round collar shirt, £95, logo tie, £85, cream stripe shawl collar cable cardigan, £480 and cream trousers, £240, all from Ralph Lauren

Michael wears white button-down round collar shirt, £95, logo tie, £85, cream stripe shawl collar cable cardigan, £480 and cream trousers, £240, all from Ralph Lauren

Eva wears white and navy stripe shirt £360, navy logo tie, and white navy stripe shorts, £115, white cap, all from Ralph Lauren Wimbledon Collection. White socks, Falke and white plimsoles £40, Superga Pearl earrings, £20, Ciro, Burlington Arcade, W1, 020 7499 1364

Michael wears white button-down collar shirt, £95 cream stripe sleeveless jumper, £260 and white trousers, £135, all from Ralph Lauren Ian wears white button-front t-shirt, £100, white shorts, £95, all from Ralph Lauren. White socks Falke and white plimsoles, £40, Superga

Eva wears cream and navy stripe waistcoat, £270, Ralph Lauren, cream pleat skirt, £345, Ralph Lauren Blue Label, white knee-high socks, Falke Cream lace-up brogues, Rupert Sanderson. Pearl necklaces, from £50 bracelet, £50 and earrings, £20, Ciro, as before

Michael wears white button-down collar shirt, £95, cream stripe sleeveless jumper, £260 and white trousers, £135, all from Ralph Lauren Ian wears white button-front t-shirt, £100, white linen blazer, £640 and white shorts, £95, all from Ralph Lauren

Ralph Lauren Wimbledon Collection, Ralph Lauren Blue Label and Ralph Lauren Collection. All available at Ralph Lauren No. 1 New Bond Street W1. 0207 535 4600 Fashion Assistants: Holly Wentworth and Samantha Gale

Make-up: Ian Jeffries @ pln Management using Chanel AW 2010 & ‘Rouge Coco’. Rouge Coco lipstick in Byzantin, Les 4 Ombres, quadra eye shadow in Enigma Stylo Yeux Waterproof, Longlasting Eyeliner in CassisJoues Contraste, powder blush in Rose Temptation , Inimitable Intense in Noir

Hair: Ian Jeffries @ pln Management using Kiehl’s Hackett: Grooming and Fragrance

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07/07/2010 14:52

interiors

concierge

Must BUY: Harrods

interiors

news

COLLECTION LES CONTEMPORAINS

The new haute couture collection from Roche Bobois, Les Contemporains is all about colour, textile and design. Indeed, the marketing literature describes it as ‘inviting you to create an inspiring living space with the most avantgarde pieces of today’s design world’. Whether you are after the elegant look of fine quality leather with the Allusion sectional sofa (available in 20 colours), the iconic, colour-driven Mah Jong cushion seating system in Missoni and Kenzo fabric (originally launched by Roche Bobois in 1970 as ‘the’ lounge sofa) or, from the same creator Hans Hopfer, the sleek lines of the Cadence with 100 different colours, Les Contemporains has something for every interior-ista. Allusion three seat sofa from £2,900, Mah Jong seat cushions from £450 and Cadence sofa from £4,495 (all dependent upon colours and fabrics chosen). Roche Bobois, Les Contemporains 419/425 Finchley Road, NW3 020 7431 1411 www.roche-bobois.com

Make hitting the pillow after a long day at work all the more appealing with Harrods this month. The store has recently opened their brand new Luxury Linens Room, showcasing new collections from designer brands such as Etro, Missoni, and Versace, in addition to exclusive collections by Sonia Rykiel and Portault. There’s also a new Classic Linens section opening too... I know where I’ll be spending my hard-earned cash this summer! 020 7730 1234 www.harrods.com

Covent Garden Collection is by Anne De Solene, from £37.95

must visit: Go Modern

Go Modern is moving! But don’t panic – they’re not going far. In fact, they’re moving to a beautiful three-floor townhouse, 565 King’s Road. As well as showcasing an impressive contemporary European furniture collection, the move will coincide with the launch of a new children’s bedroom collection, new kitchens, walk-in and fitted wardrobes, eco-friendly fires and a great selection of contemporary outdoor furniture and lighting. 0845 652 0332 www.gomodern.co.uk

From top to bottom: Mah Jung Jungle Sofa Cadence Sofa Allusion Sofa

Guissepina dining chair, £190 by Bonaldo at Go Modern

the trend Traditional, romantic, ultra-sleek, modern, handcrafted, in natural shades or vibrant hues, for entertaining, for family or just a peaceful, comfortable hideaway. Janine Murray-Smith makes your garden your haven Garden Daybed, perfect for two to relax or the kids to camp in, £2,595 In Garden, www.ingarden.co.uk

Shadylace stencil cut Parasol, £235 Dutch by Design www.dutchbydesign.com

All-weather rattan, Orseno Round Table Set with lazy Susan, £2,725 Oka, www.okadirect.com

Bollywood Style Lanten in wrought iron, £51 Jasmine Way, www.jasmineway.co.uk

Teak Banana Love Seat, £279 kingshall furniture www.kingshallfurniture.co.uk

interiors

concierge

Missoni Home, Lovelia cushion, £160 and Lusaka pouf, £186 Amara, www.amara.co.uk

Recycled wall-mounted sun dial, £26.95 ethics girls, www.ethicsgirls.co.uk

Salad Plant, salad servers and vinaigrette bowl, £16.50 objects of design, www.objects-of-design.com

Rusted flower globe and planter, £540 secret gardens furniture www.secretgardensfurniture.com

Rabbit & Cabbage Deckchair, £130 Rume, www.rume.co.uk

concierge gardening

A dream

Midsummer’s

With its relaxed planting and mixture of flowers, the English Country Garden can be adapted for any space or climate, says Janine Murray-Smith, which makes it the perfect solution for your plot of land, however big or small

Left from left to right: delphiniums forget-me-nots Bottom from left to right: foxgloves poppies evening primrose scented stocks sweet peas

profusion of broad brush strokes and a kind of ‘muddle’ is the epitome of the quintessential English cottage garden style – a romantic, scented abundance of colours and texture to tantalise all of the senses. It can be filled to overflowing, flowers tumbling over walls and fences, through trees and through each other; singing blue forget-me-nots and frothy lemon lady’s mantle along with fragrant thyme pushing outo gently curving pathways of gravel or reclaimed brick. It can be a collision of ‘happy accidents’ of colour; spires of magenta foxgloves and ultramarine delphiniums standing proud above nodding clumps of aquilegia, in all their myriad colours, and lilac-blue Jacob’s Ladder; stately golden yellow verbascum and eremus stenophyllus tall and erect over

hazy blue clouds of nepeta and the striking yellow of evening primrose; smudges of pink sweet peas and soft, hazy santolina with their little yellow buttons jostling silver lamb’s ears. All this interspersed with blobs of scarlet opium poppies wending their uninhibited way between spiky leaves of acanthus and gently rustling grasses. If bright, clashing colours are not for you try using a limited palette; lavenders and pinks or indigo and plum or even an all white scheme. To complete the collusion of senses, imagine the heady scents of a rambling rose or honeysuckle or summer jasmine clambering up and over an old iron arch and under-planted with lilies, lavender, peonies, a sprinkling of nightscented stock and delicious nicotiana. Create a special place for a favourite seat, to enjoy a good book, a quiet drink or some time out to appreciate. You choose. n

CUTTINGS Watch out for slugs Not just because they enjoy gorging themselves on your favourite plants but because if your dog was to ingest them it could become very ill. Look at ecocharlie.co.uk for natural slug and snail deterrents.

Beautiful blooms Roses will reward you with beautiful blooms if you feed them regularly throughout the growing season with a long-term organic food along with a foliar feed to keep leaves healthy. And don’t forget to remove dead flower heads - it encourages more flowers and helps prevent diseases.

Love figs Plant one at the edge of paving, by a wall where its root spread will be restricted in order to encourage it to fruit. Prepare a deep hole with good soil and keep well watered. Figs need plenty to drink and a bit of fuss whilst getting established.

CPHart_Vantage_Magazine:CPHART_Vantage_Magazine

23/6/10

09:55

Page 1

THE SOURCE OF BATHROOM INSPIRATION

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health & beauty

concierge

MUST-HAVE ITEM

INIKA VEGAN BRUSH ROLL

health & beauty

news

Back Up Ready to bare all this summer? Jenny White discovers the perfect way to make sure even those bits you can’t see look beach ready this season I admit I spend a ridiculous amount of money every month on potions and lotions for my face with the aim of maintaining a glowing and youthful complexion. So, when asked about my beauty regime for my back by the therapist at Michael Van Clarke’s Salon in Marylebone, I admit sheepishly, that it is an area I do neglect. It seems that despite our constant striving for the perfect complexion we are all guilty of neglecting the area that we can’t see but others can. So, to get me looking summer perfect I opt for the exclusive Michael Van Clarke treatment – the Bac-cial: a facial for the back. The 75-minute tailored treatment includes deep cleansing, exfoliation and steaming and is finished off with a relaxing & revitalising massage. Formulated specifically for the back, a Bac-cial utilises many of the techniques used in facial treatments such as softening the skin while providing a deep moisturising treatment and it is the perfect treatment for those who suffer from problem skin areas on their back. After my treatment I leave the salon feeling totally relaxed and make a vow to never neglect my back again. The results are instant. My Bac-cial has left me with a healthy, glowing complexion that I am now proud to show off this summer.

Inika, Australia’s most glamorous allnatural mineral make up brand, has announced the release of a limited edition vegan Professional Brush Roll – the essential tools to create a flawless finish, but without the use of animal hair. Inika’s Professional Brush Roll contains eight specialist make up brushes, encased in a black canvas roll for easy storage and on-the-go touch ups. £34.95, www.inikacosmetics.co.uk

MUST-HAVE COLOUR NUDE

Directly inspired by the backstage revelries at the catwalk shows and now relaunched, the new Dior Addict Ultra Gloss is even more decadently addictive than before. Providing high shine, great volume and maximum glamour, try one of the gorgeous nude shades in delicate, lingerie-like tones from the Glow range for this season’s nearly naked, barely there, make-up look. Available nationwide

MUST-HAVE TREND Well ahead of the current trend for eco-friendly products, Aubrey Organics have been producing all-natural hair and skin care since their launch in 1967. The new Silken Earth Translucent Base is made from 100 per cent natural and sustainable ingredients, including silk powder and tapioca. Providing a light and flawless finish, Silken Earth gives a great, long-lasting finish, perfect for guilt-free glamour. www.aubreyorganicsuk.co.uk

1 Beaumont Street, W1G 6DF 020 7224 3123, www.vanclarke.com

Brought to you in association with The Wellington Hospital, one of the world’s leading private hospitals. 020 7483 5148, www.thewellingtonhospital.com

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25/5/10 17:29:08

MEDICAL INSIGHT: THE SHOULDER

Mr Omar Haddo takes a look at problems caused by shoulder instability and the treatments on offer at The Wellington Hospital

The summer of 2010 will be remembered for many things, but perhaps mostly for the run of great sporting events (including the World Cup, Wimbledon and the Australian Rugby Tour) happening in the next few months. However, it is precisely at this time that we ask you to spare a thought for your shoulder. Whilst these sporting events provide great entertainment to all, the demand on the shoulder occasionally exceeds its capabilities, whether through the constant overhead activity or the regular trauma it sustains with falls and direct impact. Despite its great design, which offers us diversity of movement unequalled by any other joint, we still seem to find ways of pushing it to the limit – and sometimes beyond. MRI scan of a shoulder joint

The shoulder is a ball and socket joint, with various components working together to offer stability in all directions. But before we digress, it is important to set out the distinction between instability and laxity. In simple terms, instability is symptomatic laxity. A joint can be lax without any complaints from the patient; and in this case, this can be considered as a variation of normal. Shoulder instability most commonly develops after a significant trauma, causing the humeral head (the upper extremity of the humerus) to dislocate. This is anterior in 95 per cent of cases, with forced abduction and external rotation. Posterior dislocations are rare. Once traumatic dislocation occurs in the young, the risk of recurrent dislocations is high with some papers quoting 90 per cent. This is due to the loss of the stabiliser with the detachment of the labrum (cartilage which may include a bony fragment), the stretching of the capsule and the tearing of the ligaments, leaving a capacious space. However, traumatic dislocations in the elderly have lower risk of recurrent dislocations. The introduction of the Stanmore triangle classification has provided us with clearer understanding of the pathological process and the treatment plan for shoulder instability. This describes three ‘polar’ groups – the traumatic structural, atraumatic structural and the muscle patterning group. It also describes the fluidity of this condition with patients falling between groups. The immediate treatment of shoulder dislocations is to reduce the joints

urgently and safely. Following a short period of rest in a sling, physiotherapy offers great benefit. This is certainly the treatment of choice in the muscle patterning group. Research from Japan has shown that immobilising the first time traumatic dislocators in external rotation for six weeks, reduces the risk of recurrence. Unfortunately, compliance with this regime has proved a challenge in the Western world and the debate on early versus delayed and open versus arthroscopic surgery continues. Surgery for traumatic dislocations includes labral repair and capsular shift. Capsular shrinkage or placation can be carried out for the lax, capacious capsule. The BristowLatarjet procedure is reserved for cases with bone deficiency. In our practice, the choice of timing and the type of surgery is tailored to the patient’s pathology, lifestyle and demand. Patients should try conservative management before undergoing surgery. However, we understand that in certain groups of patients, their professional demands may not allow the time required for conservative management. Here, at The Wellington Hospital, we are all experienced in arthroscopic and open shoulder surgery for instability. We also have a highly qualified team of shoulder physiotherapists to offer the support required to the patients, both pre- and post-operatively.

For more information or to arrange an appointment with Mr Omar Haddo contact the Wellington Enquiry Helpline on 020 7483 5148, www.thewellingtonhospital.com

THE OBESITY EPIDEMIC Dr Ray Shidrawi, Consultant Gastroenterologist at The Wellington Hospital, gives us a frank view on this sweeping epidemic

A global epidemic that has the potential

So next, do we reduce the size of the

to kill more people than a flu pandemic

stomach or re-plumb the intestines so

is being ignored. Everyone has heard of

they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t absorb as much fat?

SARS, swine flu, and AIDS, but not many

Reducing the size of the stomach

realise that the obesity epidemic we are

is traditionally done via keyhole

facing will probably kill more people.

(laparoscopic) surgery. An inflatable

30 per cent of the UK population and

band is placed around the stomach

50 per cent of the population in the

and inflated to reduce the ability to

USA is obese: a condition that can

eat as much. This works for those who

cause diabetes mellitus, hypertension,

are moderately overweight and who

liver disease, osteoarthritis and lead

eat three meals a day or less but not

to strokes and heart disease, resulting

for those who snack constantly.

in premature death. These are the

Another approach is the relatively

biggest killers in Western society.

non-invasive technique of the intra-

Sensible eating and exercise is the

gastric balloon. Under sedation, a

mainstay of weight reduction. However, translating this into practice is more difficult â&#x20AC;&#x201C; we lead such sedentary and busy lives, it is often impossible to find the time, or the inclination to get out and get some exercise. In evolutionary terms, our ancestors were on the go constantly, hunting and gathering food, farming to survive; that is, lots of physical exercise, with little in the way of nutrition. A primitive diet had five times as much fibre in it and a fifth of the fat we currently

by an endoscope and inflated to occupy most of the stomach, limiting the space available for food. equate with easy, because following the introduction of the balloon, patients often feel nauseated and may vomit for a few hours or days, until the stomach adapts to the presence of the balloon. This process of adaptation means the patient may have to be admitted for intravenous fluids and anti-sickness medication until the body accepts the presence

different to what the human body was

of the balloon. Again, good results

designed to deal with.

for highly motivated patients who

So what treatments are available for

avoid snacking during the day, but

obesity?

it is not offered widely, and is not

The first increases basal metabolic

covered by the NHS, so the cost can be prohibitive.

rate and so the patient expends

Bariatric surgery is a last resort. This

more calories, but can also cause

has taken-off in spectacular style in the

hypertension or possibly scar the heart

UK over the last five years and there is

valves. The other (Orlistat) stops the

no doubt that it is very effective. Yet,

body absorbing fats in your diet but

do not be fooled, it is risky surgery,

has some unpleasant gastrointestinal

Gastric Ballon

However, non-invasive does not

consume â&#x20AC;&#x201C; our modern lifestyle is very

There are two types of drugs available.

silicone balloon enters the stomach

complications are not infrequent and

side effects. Orlistat should not be

can be serious.

used for more than three months,

Ultimately, obese patients must

before the body becomes deficient in

consider the consequences of doing

the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K.

nothing, and the reality living with

Gastric Ballon inside stomach

problems such as painful knees, chronic back pain, shortness of breath, daily tablets, diabetes, high blood pressure, daily insulin injections, and a shorter life. For more information or to arrange and appointment, contact the Wellington Enquiry Helpline on 020 7483 5148 or visit www.thewellingtonhospital.com

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Last chance to join before waiting list. For more information please contact us: Hendon Hall Lane NW4 4TJ t: 020 8201 5500 Muswell Hill The Avenue N10 2QE t: 020 8482 3000 membership@labspa.co.uk www.labspa.co.uk

family

concierge

Childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jenny White guarantees parents a stress free summer with these great ideas to keep every child entertained this summer holiday

Strike a Pose Did you know that Vivienne Westwood started her fashion career by ripping t-shirts and spray-painting them? Well, if your child is a budding fashion designer then Little Hands Designs is the ideal place to while away the summer holidays. Based in Hampstead, Little Hands Designs runs fashion, design and accessories courses for children, giving them the opportunity to develop their own style, experiment with different materials, design with or without dressmaking patterns and master the sewing machine. With the aim to give kids the chance to experiment with their own fashion ideas, Little Hands Designs provides the tools to complete at least one if not several projects in the intensive crashcourses. Inspiration packs to get started are sent home and at the end of each

course the children can stage their own fashion show to model their creations. Offering hands-on fun with fashion for everyone from eight years old, even parents can take classes if they fancy giving it a go and you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even have to know how to thread a needle. Little Hands Designs, Hampstead 020 7284 1431 www.littlehandsdesigns.com

Wild Adventures If you are looking for a local day out with the kids then London Zoo never fails to impress and in particular, the Gorilla Kingdom. Bringing the African rainforest to the heart of London, you can get breathtakingly close to the colony of Western Lowland gorillas in their natural and engaging environment.

concierge family

Costing £5.3million and taking 18 months to build, the Gorilla Kingdom will allow your children to witness not only the gorilla’s day-to-day activity but the beautiful birds, Monitor lizard and White-naped Mangabeys, plus other animals from Africa, which share their environment. Take your kids on the gorilla tracking trail and wind your way around the African forest environment, where you will come across the majestic Western Lowland gorillas and black and white Colubus monkeys all living together. Not only a fascinating site but children will be able to learn about gorillas and the forest they inhabit with interactive activities and exhibits, as well as the chance to visit The Zoological Society of London field station to learn about the important and fascinating work they are undertaking in the wild.

own mini-feature films, the young crews (7 to 16 years old) will then be part of a glittering red carpet affair which allows them to invite their friends and family to a special Filmsteps Premiere screening at a local cinema in the autumn The summer film school is now in its fourth year and is a popular date in the Filmsteps diary. Not only is the aim of the week to make friends and learn a craft but also to encourage each child to take ownership of their work, and enjoy having a voice while working in a team environment. There is also a Breakfast Club which is run throughout the whole week to make life easier for parents.

London Zoo, Regents’ Park 020 7722 3333 www.zsl.org

Sleepover

Lights, Camera, Action! If your child has the desire to be the next Danny Boyle or be on the big silver screen like Zac Efron, then why not enrol them into film school this summer? Running a five day summer film school in Maida Vale, Filmsteps offers children the chance to act, direct, try their hand a being a location manager and a camera operator, as well as enjoy the opportunities of creating storyboards and experiencing the infamous wrap party. Spending their days making their

Filmsteps, Maida Vale 0844 324 5414 www.filmsteps.com

If your kids have ever wondered what really goes on in a museum at night once the staff and visitors have all gone home, then why not let them find out this summer? Running monthly sleepovers, the Natural History Museum Dino Snores is for children 8 to 11 years old, where they can stalk the corridors of the museum in search of a fierce Tyrannosaurus Rex. The night’s activities include a torch-lit trail in the famous Dinosaurs gallery, a live show about creatures that bite and sting, the chance to paint a giant paper and clay dinosaur and then finally snuggling down at midnight in the shadow of the Central Hall

Diplodocus skeleton. In the morning breakfast is provided as well as other fun activities before the museum is opened to the public. Kids get to take away souvenirs of the night to show all their friends as well as tales of how they fought off a ferocious Velociraptor – or was that just a dream? Natural History Museum 020 7942 5792 www.nhm.ac.uk

Whisk-up Some Fun If your child has aspirations to be the next Jamie Oliver or is simply a fussy eater then why not enrol them at Munchkins, were they love to cook. With the aim of getting kids excited about eating fresh, healthy food and learning to cook ‘real’ food using simple recipes and great ingredients, the cooking workshops are the ideal place to have fun during the summer months. The classes are fun and hands-on, where children get the opportunity to taste, cook and learn by preparing their own lunch and morning snack and then making some tasty goodies to take home and share with the family. To encourage cooking and to make it even more fun the summer workshops are themed with Food from the Stories of Roald Dahl, Food from around the World, Munchkins Baking School, Healthy Food and Healthy Bodies and Funky Fruit and Super Veg. So, what you are you waiting for, let’s get cooking! n Munchkins www.munchkinskidscooking.co.uk

CElEBratE suMMEr in stylE – only at thE hoME oF CriCkEt Here’s to fresh air and the smell of cut grass. To cucumber sandwiches and relaxation. To men in whites, camaraderie and celebration. Hats off to history. To fine dining, excellent wine, and exceptional service. Three cheers for ‘Howzats’. Those stripy jackets, and the egg and bacon tie. All rise for tea and cakes, and everything quintessentially English. Here’s to fair play. To stiff upper lips. And jubilation. To triumph, on and off the pitch. Here’s to good manners, good friends, and great entertainment. Exhilarating sport and exhilarating surroundings. Inspiring occasions. Here’s to you and your clients, and a day out to remember. Unrivalled. Join us this summer at Lord’s – The Home of Cricket. Book your hospitality now: England v pakistan npower test Match (26th - 30th august) Clydesdale Bank 40 Final (18th september) England v pakistan natwest oDi (20th september)

email: hospitality@lords.org tel: +44 (0)20 7616 8598 www.lords.org/hospitality

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motoring sport gadgets

the supersports Lord of lord’s ....................................... latest greatest ...............................

.......................................................

THE RETURN OF THE GTO

In Ferrari folklore the initials ‘GTO’ hold almost mythical status for Matthew Carter. Standing for Gran Turismo Omologato, it signified a grand tourer homologated for racing… something special, in other words

he 250 GTO of the 1960s is one of the most beautiful cars ever made and an owner can name his price: one of the 36 made went for almost £16 million at auction a couple of years back. In the interim, Ferrari has used the initials sparingly, thus never devaluing the asset. The only other GTO was the 280 GTO, which appeared in the mid-1980s… but now comes the 599 GTO. This time it’s a road car, pure and simple, but has been inspired by Ferrari’s 599XX, an advanced experimental track car.

It’s also the fastest ever Ferrari road car with a top speed of almost 210 mph and a 0–62 mph time of – wait for it – 3.35 seconds. That’s quicker than quick. Power comes from a 6.0-litre V12 pushing out 670 bhp and is linked to a racing-derived sequential transmission. The chassis has the very latest electronic control systems and the tyres it wears are specially developed for the car by Michelin. It’s extreme, but that won’t stop collectors and enthusiasts scrambling to snap up the limited number being produced… just 599, natch. n

looking for

A FIGHT?

This is power dressing at its most potent. The Bentley Continental GT Supersports is the company’s most thrilling road car yet, and Matthew Carter is hooked

Question:

Which is the more scary – a football hooligan in a pair of ripped jeans and a hoodie, or Vinnie Jones in a sharp suit?

Answer:

VJ and the suit. While torn denims and a face-masking top is the standard uniform for many a young yob, there’s something infinitely more menacing about a tough guy wearing razor cut creases.

motoring

there’s something infinitely more menacing about a tough guy wearing razor cut creases

calibre

Problems?

Fellows was established in 1876 and has since become one of the most respected auctioneers and valuers in the UK.

Fellows hold over 50 specialist auctions of: Antique & Modern Jewellery Costume Jewellery Secondhand Jewellery & Watches Wrist & Pocket Watches Silver, Plated Ware, Coins & Medals Antique Furniture, Ceramics, Glassware & Collectables Toys & Dolls

Upcoming auctions: 2nd September 2010 Antique & Modern Jewellery 6th September 2010 Silver, Plated Ware, Coins & Medals 6th September 2010 Costume, Silver Jewellery & Novelties 14th October 2010 Antique & Modern Jewellery 18th October 2010 Wrist & Pocket Watches

For a complimentary catalogue for one of our upcoming auctions please visit www.fellows.co.uk/vantage

www.fellows.co.uk 19 Augusta Street, Birmingham B18 6JA Telephone: 0121 212 2131

gadgets

calibre

gadgets

Jamie Carter presents the month’s hottest gadgets

Called to the bar

Apple might be grabbing the headlines with the launch of its iPad, but it’s the iPod dock market that’s really booming. It’s been dominated by budget brands commanding £100 prices until recently, but now the big Japanese brands are beginning to dominate with higher quality efforts. Pioneer’s NAS-5 is such a product, but it goes up against some stiff competition. Panasonic’s compact SCHC40 (£225) has a built-in microphone in case someone calls while your iPhone is ensconced in the 40W dock, while with Yamaha’s PDX-50 (£150) you can keep your iPhone or iPod in your hand – music is sent wirelessly to the 30W speaker unit via a small cradle on the phone itself. The NAS-5 lacks both of those innovative features; it’s all about style and the quality of music. Weighing just 5kg and small enough to fit on a bookshelf (at 42 cm across), the unit

new gadgets

itself is available in metallic red, black, silver or white, though the top’s gloss finish does tend to store fingerprints. On the top is a small flap that hides a connector that will fit iPhones (first generation models being the exception) and any iPod made after 2006. In practice, an iPod Touch proves the best fit. Two 15W front speakers sit behind a black, soft-touch speaker grille, separated by a red LED display – also behind the grille – that shows the time (in standby) or the input you’re using (iPod, FM tuner, line-in, or music Bluetoothed from a phone or PC).

Though it charges an iPhone or iPod sitting in its dock, the former must be in ‘airplane’ mode – a mode that prevents you taking any calls while you’re listening to music – and the latter’s WiFi must be switched off before any music can be played from it. The power of its speakers impresses – they’re plenty enough to grace any living room – and are joined by something rare at this size and price; a 30W subwoofer. That helps lend music a dollop of bass, but subtly so, although using the credit card-sized remote to adjust treble and bass levels does prove tricky. The FM tuner proves simple enough to operate, though we would expect a digital DAB tuner at this price, while a basic alarm clock with snooze, wake-up and sleep functions is useful – though a speaker system of this power and quality does seem overkill for a bedside table. For a living room, though, this one-trick gadget is a treat.

Pioneer XW-NAS5 digital speaker system for iPod/iPhone, £450 www.pioneer.co.uk

Panasonic TX-P42G20 42-inch plasma TV with built-in Freeview HD, £999 www.panasonic.co.uk

Sony Bravia KDL-32EX703 32-inch Full LED TV with built-in Freeview HD, £849 www.sony.co.uk 3View Freeview HD set-top box, £299 www.3view.com

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Buy it:

HAWK EYE SESSION at LORD’S

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The Hawk-Eye Cricket Coaching System at the MCC Indoor School represents the most technologically advanced high performance coaching system in the world and is currently the only school in the world where any budding cricketer or anyone with an interest in cricket can access this world class system. Hawk-Eye enables players and coaches to identify faults, measure performance and improve tactical awareness with a level of realism never before achieved in a net environment. Professional cricketers and International Team Analysts clamour over Hawk-Eyes statistics, using “pitch maps” and “beehives” to analyse and critically evaluate their performance: now Hawk-Eye offers the next generation of stars the opportunity to do the same.

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IN THE BOX

To mark the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Sky has teamed up with three famous football fans to produce a limited edition range of footballthemed Sky+HD 1TB boxes. Each of the three boxes is adorned with an eye-catching print designed by fashion designer Wayne Hemingway, illustrator Gerald Scarfe or actor Phil Daniels, who have each created a design that reflects their personal response to this year’s World Cup. Hemingway, the co-founder of fashion label Red or Dead, took inspiration from England’s infamous one and only World Cup win, designing his simply stylish print around the two things no football fan forgets – the date and the score – with these iconic numbers in pride of place. Famous for his work with rock band Pink Floyd, Scarfe’s fun design features his trademark style and captures the excitement, anticipation and hope for a second World Cup victory for England. And, Phil Daniel’s design was inspired by time spent in South Africa filming Zulu Dawn in 1979, capturing the vibrant colours and energy with which he remembers the host nation.

Sessions are £85 for one hour for a maximum of six people www.shopatlords.com

Say what?

Champions aren’t made in the gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them; a desire, a dream, a vision Muhammad Ali

Five things you didn’t know... GEOFF HURST

The 1966 World Cup Final was Hurst’s eighth international appearance, having made his debut a mere five months earlier

Hurst’s World Cup hat trick is technically a “perfect hat trick”: scored with his head, right foot and left foot

Hurst did not retain the match ball after the World Cup final; Haller, who scored the first goal for Germany, returned the ball to the England team more than 30 years later

The day after the final, reporters and photographers found Hurst at home mowing his lawn

This year, Hurst went to South Africa as Ambassador and Director of Football for McDonald’s

www.sky.com/designerboxes

GET YOUR KIT ON As the world is gripped by football fever, FIFA celebrates the launch of its brand new sport inspired fashion range. The Spring Summer 10 range is made up of five mini collections, each taking inspiration from both key fashion trends and specific stories in football’s fascinating history and development. 1904 is named after the year of FIFA’s inception in Paris and features vintage style and preppy chic with varsity style T-shirts and lightweight

knits. Editions celebrates previous World Cup winners. Code is a range of urban wear inspired by the youth and energy of street football around the world. Featuring bold and bright colours, the vibrant graphic patterns are inspired by African Bantu art. With great design and a wealth of football inspired heritage behind them, the collections are great for football and fashion fans alike. www.FIFA.com

Lord ofLord’s

The most famous cricket ground in the world is preparing for its biggest facelift in 196 years and, as Lee Brooks finds out, MCC chief executive Keith Bradshaw isn’t fazed in the slightest

eith Bradshaw has a big job on his hands. The former Australian cricketer is chief executive of Lord’s, the most famous cricket ground in the world, and has been given the huge responsibility of ensuring the London ground retains that title well into the next century. Built in 1814 by its founder Thomas Lord, Lord’s Cricket Ground is located

in the leafy district of St. John’s Wood in north-west London and is home to the Middlesex Country Cricket Club and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). But most importantly, it’s known as the spiritual home of cricket and is the one ground in the world that all aspiring cricketers dream of playing at. Unlike many other stadiums across the globe, Lord’s is owned by a private members’ club, the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), which is dedicated to

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we have traditions that we have to protect; however, Lord’s can’t stand still,” says Bradshaw. “By creating new facilities and expanding the seating from 28,500 to 37,000, Lord’s can continue this legacy.” An underground facility beneath the stadium will include conference and banqueting facilities, a museum, cinema, library and a sophisticated nets area which will feature synthetic grass cut to varying lengths to mimic different playing conditions around the world. What’s more, a huge cricket academy which is approximately three times the size of the current museum will encourage the development of England’s next generation of cricket stars. The most exciting new aspect, though, is the introduction of permanent floodlights and brand new stands, which would allow Lord’s to host a Twenty20 Thursday night special as Bradshaw looks to capitalise on the 20-over format, which is growing in popularity. “Twenty20 is the future. We want to create a Thursday night experience that can bring more people to the game. Twenty20 appeals to more than just the typical cricket fan with more families coming along for the experience. I also think it’s a version of the game which will be successful in breaking America, because games only take three hours and are full of action,” says Bradshaw. So if the redevelopment is successful, where does Bradshaw see cricket in 15–20 years? “I think Test cricket will still be being played,” says Bradshaw. “My concern is that we’ll have fewer countries playing that format because they’ll focus on Twenty20. I think we’ll see more global leagues pop up around the world and I think there’s the potential of getting Twenty20 teams to become as big as Manchester United and AC Milan are in football.” But whatever happens, it looks like Lord’s is set to join Twenty20 cricket in taking cricket to the next level under the watchful eye of Bradshaw. n For further information, visit www.lords.org

Left: Keith Bradshaw MCC Chiel executive

Images by Sacha Schweda, mail@sachaphotography.com

the development of Test Cricket and, in doing so, has resisted the urge to expand and redevelop the ground into a super stadium in a bid to retain the character and tradition that has made Lord’s so famous. Though Bradshaw, a former righthander who played 25 first-class matches for Tasmania Tigers in his native Australia, never fulfilled his dream of playing at Lord’s, the 47-yearold is fully aware of what it means to play at the prestigious ground. “Lord’s holds a very special place in every cricketer’s heart and I know from my own experience that every young player who ever picks up a bat hopes, as I did, to one day walk through the Long Room on to the ‘hallowed turf’,” says Bradshaw. “Although I never fulfilled that dream as a player, I am fully focused on playing my role in maintaining its values, upholding its traditions and continuing to improve Lord’s – the spiritual home of world cricket.” However, following the news that from 2012 the ECB won’t guarantee that Lord’s can host two Tests every summer – like it has since 2000 – and the growing popularity of the explosive Twenty20 cricket format across the world, Bradshaw has made it clear that without urgent redevelopment, Lord’s is in danger of losing its place as the pinnacle of world cricket. “I was very surprised when I found out that Lord’s would not be guaranteed a Test match every year,” says Bradshaw. “Lord’s is a national treasure. Why would you not have two Tests here? It’s like moving Wimbledon to Eastbourne. Every player in the world wants to play at Lord’s because it’s the pinnacle, so we’re currently in discussions to change that situation.” Those discussions involve a major development – rumoured to cost in the region of £400 million – which will improve facilities as well as regenerate the St John’s Wood area with a host of new shops, restaurants and residential buildings. “Lord’s has a reputation for being an exclusive club and I recognise that

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travel Rejuvenating bali food & drink news & views out & about what’’’s on ......................................

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BEST KEPT SECRET

T 2010 sees the launch of Krug Clos d’Ambonnay 1996, a champagne with the most unusual of terriors

ucked away on the edge of the tranquil village of Ambonnay, lies a secret garden. Enclosed by the Montagne de Reims and high, imposing walls, inside the garden lies the treasure of the Krug house: the Clos d’Ambonnay, a unique vineyard, much less than a hectare in size, growing Pinot Noir vines destined for a delicious bottle. Coaxed and willed to grow with patience and care, the vines are carefully pruned, handpicked and left lying dormant for 14 years, ageing and awaiting their exquisite fate.

Krug’s fable-like vineyard remained a secret until 2007, when the first crop came to sparkling fruition. This year sees the second only launch of this kind, the Krug Clos d’Ambonnay 1996, hotly anticipated and already expected to be even finer and more exquisite than the extraordinary 1995 vintage. With a bouquet of plums, roasted fruits and nougatine, Krug Clos d’Ambonnay 1996 boasts a rich yet vivaciously fresh taste and will only be available in venues that are as elegantly exclusively as the champagne itself. n www.krug.com

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EASTERN FLAVOUR

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This June, the United Arab Emirates will be graced with the unique style and flavour of London’s award-winning modern Chinese restaurant, Hakkasan. Opening in the opulent Emirates Palace Hotel, the restaurant will be led by Lee Kok Hua from Hakkasan London. Featuring Hakkasan’s signature dishes (like the decadent Peking duck and Royal Beluga caviar), the menu will also feature some innovative new dishes created by the new chef. www.emiratespalace.com

In the playground of the cool, the melting pot of international tastemakers and on the boardwalk of the fashion jet set is where you’ll find W South Beach, the latest offering from the W Hotels design-led lifestyle brand. Follow in the footsteps of Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz and A-Rod and be seen at the ultimate in Miami cool, sandwiched between the powder-soft sands of Miami Beach and bustling Collins Avenue. Dine with Mr Chow, relax in the full-service Bliss Spa, kick back with a little poolside dining and enjoy the Whatever/Whenever service philosophy for which W Hotels is renowned the world over. Or indulge in your passion for fashion with an exclusive deal with Saks Fifth Avenue. Step out of your private car and into the exclusive Fifth Avenue Club located at the Bal Harbour Shops. Enjoy a champagne cocktail upon arrival and browse the pre-selected display of the latest in fashion for any occasion, all in you size and based on your tastes, benefit from a 15 per cent discount, on the spot alterations, delivered to your door, lunch at Carpaccio and head over ‘peels’ pedicure at Bliss Spa. www.wsouthbeach.com

Travel fact: Spread across nine South American countries, the Amazon jungle is the largest rainforest in the world. As large as Western Europe, it produces a fifth of the Earth’s oxygen, earning it the nickname “Lungs of the Planet.”

Website of the month:

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LIFE’S A BEACH

One of the Observer and Guardian best travel website of 2006 and 2007, Black Tomato offers cutting-edge travel experiences specially created for you. Why not learn the way of the ninja from experts in Tokyo, or plan the perfect honeymoon in a tropical paradise? Whatever in the world you desire, Black Tomato can help you experience it.

Brought to you in association with Small Luxury Hotels of the World, an unsurpassable collection of over 500 hotels spanning 70 countries, which offer an infinite variety of experiences.

STARTING from

Scratch

Sometimes you want someone to take over for a bit. To tell you to relax, put down the biscuits and do all the things you promise yourself youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll do regularly, like yoga and meditation, and drinking plenty of water. Kate Hughes goes in search of that someone

fter working myself into the ground for a few months, rebalancing was needed. But it was going to take more than a massage and some panpipe music to get my equilibrium back; I wanted a reboot that would leave me not only more relaxed, but healthier, wiser and with the kind of well-being that I could take home afterwards. The answer lay on the Indonesian island of Bali, at COMO Shambhala (Sanskrit for peace and lifelong learning). Who needs New Year resolutions when you have Asianinspired therapies, yoga, Pilates, energy healing and organic cuisine on tap? Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a long journey (a 20-hour flight via Hong Kong) but then no one said there was a quick route to Nirvana. However, there definitely is a quick route out of Denpasar airport; the

A-list treatment starts immediately, as we are rushed through passport control and into a waiting limousine. I am already feeling soothed when we emerge from the limousine an hour and a half later at the magnificent front entrance of the estate, to reception staff who welcome us, tying fragrant corsages to our wrists. This level of personal attention is a cornerstone of the philosophy behind COMO Shambhala: the retreat has a nutritionist, naturopath, reflexologist, chiropractor and physiotherapist and hands-on healing is recommended according to guestsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; needs, whether for muscular pains, stress and emotional difficulties, with techniques that include Thai, Indonesian, Shiatsu, deep tissue and hot stone massage. My stay starts with a consultation with Ayurvedic doctor, Dr Deepak Deginal, who probes my health, lifestyle and aims and prescribes

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a stress management programme including diet, yoga and natural treatments to fold into my hurried lifestyle and change it for the better. Whether you’re new to the various healing traditions, or have a working knowledge, COMO Shambhala aims to help you help yourself. For me, the consultation helps refresh what I already know, and find new ways to put it into practice. If you forget anything you can always return to the basic tenet, that what we eat and how we sleep is the best medicine for wellbeing. Fortunately both are fabulously attended to here. Our Tejasuara (sound of fire) villa is sumptuous and decorated in rich Balinese style, the only sounds being the river and the light breeze through the trees, rippling across the private pool. Food is organic, and locally sourced raw fruit and vegetables are integral to nutritional supercharging here, with an extensive juice and vegetable extract menu for detoxification. Other tastes on offer range from Indian to Italian and Balinese, served in two restaurants, Glow and Kudus House. Following my consultation and a short time to relax, my personal assistant Johnson takes me through my tailor-made programme. He offers me the COMO Shambhala signature massage to alleviate my jetlag, and with personal yoga, meditation sessions and treatments scheduled in each day, I’m in heaven. I awake the next morning from a wonderfully deep sleep and, after a tea and fruit breakfast, I already feel healthier - and thinner! Best of all there is nothing to do but take things at a poised pace and get in touch with my inner harmony in the sun. Lunch is Mai Mai fish and Kryptonite juice, (a potion of apple, celery, fennel, cucumber, spinach, sunflower seeds, macadamia nuts and spirulina that

protects the heart and boosts energy) lighting up my senses with clean, mouthwatering tastes. It’s the perfect way to set me up for a meditation session with yoga master, Christina Curry, followed by my treatment of the day, Shirodhara, where warm oil is poured in a rhythmic stream over the aina (eyebrow) chakra to clear the mind. By day three I’ve achieved an amazing calmness; my meditation with Christina feels like a deep five-hour sleep, and she’s prepared me a programme to follow at home to keep up the good work. And there’s a lot of good work to keep up with, including daily open-air yoga, head massages and aqua therapy at the salt water, chlorine-free vitality pool. Lifestyle coaching with Fiona Paton focuses on making informed choices in my life, while a talk on emotional healing sets me up for a more peaceful life when I’m back home.

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It’s hard to pull yourself away, but there is a lot to explore in the surrounding area too and the estate organises hikes through villages, temples, rice paddies and jungle gorges, as well as treks to the Tjampuhan Ridge and Pucak Payogan Temple. COMO Shambhala is divine. After five days of nurturing attention, my mind feels free and relaxed, and I’m ready for anything. I’ve decided that my body is definitely a temple and I intend to keep it that way. n

Clockwise from top: Yoga on Ayung Treatment Room in Kedara Tejasuara Master Opposite: Relaxation area at Ojas

For more information, please visit cse.comoshambhala.bz

Prices at the COMO Shambhala Estate in Bali start from £195 per room per night staying in a garden room and including breakfast, wellness consultation, daily activities schedule, personal assistant and use of the sauna, steam and 25m lap pool. For further information visit, www.cse.como.bz or call +62 361 978 888

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FRIDAY FIZZ Kick-start your weekend with one of the most exclusive champagnes in the world. Renowned for its fine bubbles, velvet texture and freshness, the Krug Grande Cuvée is part of the “Thank Krug it’s Friday” offer at Battersea Pie Station in Covent Garden. Unwind every Friday throughout the summer months with a glass of Krug and gourmet British pie for £25. Choose from a range of specially created pies to suit your élite fizz, including a gourmet Fish pie, Lamb and Coriander and a flavoursome Butternut Squash and Goat’s Cheese.

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Master Chef Award-winning Argentine restaurant group, Gaucho is now offering guests the chance to learn how to make a traditional Argentine asado at their Hampstead branch. Stepping away from traditional barbeques of grilled beef burgers and sausages, Gaucho is offering guests the chance to go a step further by hosting a weekly asado Master grilling course using their large outside parrilla grill. Gaucho’s own Argentine master griller, Daniel Veron will be hosting each master class and will teach guests how to assemble and prepare an authentic asado, the different ways of grilling the meat, how to start the fire and obtain the ideal temperature of live coals to achieve that unmistakable flavour of perfectly grilled meat. Daniel will also educate guests about the different cuts of beef and ingredients that guests will be grilling in each class, including Beef de chorizo (sirloin), Beef de Ancho (rib eye) as well as lamb, pork belly and cavrito (goat), and chicken. Not only a fun class to experience but the ideal skill to learn for the summer.

www.krug.com

SUMMER SIZZLE Gear up for barbeque season with the essential Weber’s Complete Barbecue Book. From simple kebabs to elaborate rotisseries, a grilled cheese salad or a tasty fruit pudding, this is packed with a huge range of delicious recipes for all-year-round barbecue bliss.

020 7431 82 22 www.gauchorestaurants.com

Café Luc is a joint venture between Julie van Oostende and her father, the esteemed Belgian restaurateur Luc van Oostende after whom the restaurant is named. The beautifully renovated Victorian property, inspired by the grand cafés of Europe, located in the heart of Marylebone is a modern European brasserie open all day for breakfast, brunch, lunch afternoon tea and dinner, as well as a bar area that will serve a selection of classic cocktails, wines and champagnes by the glass. 50 Marylebone High Street 020 7258 9878, www.cafeluc.com

Food lingo: lassi A traditional Indian drink, Lassi is a divine blend of yoghurt with water or milk and Indian spices. Traditional Lassi is flavoured with ground, roasted cumin, while sweet Lassi is blended with sugar or fruits and is also extremely popular.

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Strange to see how a good dinner and feasting reconciles everybody Samuel Pepys, 17th century London diarist

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A gourmet mail order deli specialising in fresh, traditional fare from small British producers, Forman & Field has a mouth-watering selection, including veal and suckling pig, oysters, quiche and paté. Prepared fresh to order in peak condition, the perfect Sunday roast or show-stopping party food is delivered quickly and efficiently by overnight courier.

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108Marylebone Lane

Jenny White discovers a contemporary neighbourhood eatery which is truly local

don’t know if I have discovered a secret little gem of a place or if I have been kept out of the loop when it comes to the ‘cool places in London,’ but I recently discovered Marylebone Lane; a charming enclave that winds away from the bustling vibe of Marylebone High Street and houses a few quaint pubs and bars, which in the summer time spill out onto the street. Tucked away down the lane is 108 Marylebone Lane; a vibrant and chic restaurant and lounge, which looks deceptively small from the outside but on entrance is a contemporary threetiered restaurant. This casual yet stylish bistro-style eatery showcases seasonal produce from local suppliers encapsulating executive chef Norman Farquharson’s simple philosophy to use the freshest ingredients to produce simple, classic dishes. Having joined forces with the best of the neighbourhood’s suppliers,

108 Marylebone Lane uses delectable ingredients from award-winning shops such as The Ginger Pig, La Fromagerie, Biggles Sausages and Rococo Chocolates, while the stunning flower displays are from local florist, Jane Packer. Opting for an aperitif in the bar before my guest and I sit down for dinner, I peruse the innovative cocktail menu and settle on my old favourite, a Cosmo. Featuring a stainless-steel bar which runs the length of the room with deep red hanging lampshades subtly illuminating the area, the lounge offers a relaxed and elegant environment for after work drinks. Shown to our window table, we sit and leisurely read the inventive menu whilst people watching. With a recommendation from the waitress that we should try the Lasolatia Chardonnay, we focus on ordering and even after plenty of time to choose I am still indecisive about what to have; honey mustard glazed Suffolk pork belly, cider and apple sauce with sage polenta chips or Saltimbocca of roast monkfish and mozzarella potato and fennel confit, baked aubergine wild rocket pesto? I opt

for the monkfish while my guest is sold on the char-grilled rare breed long horn rib-eye steak from The Ginger Pig, with roast plum tomato, crispy onion rings and Portobello mushrooms. The monkfish melted in the mouth and the wild rocket pesto with the fennel confit was just the right amount of flavouring. My guest’s steak was cooked to perfection and the first half of our meal consisted of little conversation and much delighted ‘umming’ and ‘ahhing’. Dessert was a shared affair of Champagne and strawberry jelly with a crumbly pavlova which was so simple, but oh so yummy. With the last mouthful, we sat back and guiltily marvelled at how rapidly we devoured the dish of jelly. It seems I have found a new favourite dessert as well as a new favourite restaurant; a place that has managed to successfully encapsulate the essence of Marylebone Village through its fabulous food. n

108 Marylebone Lane 020 7969 3900 www.108marylebonelane.com

GOODWOOD RACECOURSE Glorious Goodwood Tuesday 27 - Saturday 31 July Tickets available online, visit www.goodwood.com or call the Ticket Hotline on 01243 755055 Goodwood Racecourse Goodwood Chichester West Sussex PO18 0PS

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Photographer: Alastair Muir

Photographer: Dan Tsantilis

The Comedy of Errors

For the first time in 14 years, Shakespeare’s rollicking farce, The Comedy of Errors, makes a welcome return to the Open Air Theatre. In this merry-go-round of mistaken identity, two sets of estranged twins find themselves unwittingly wandering through the streets of the same town, where the men are jealous, the women are furious and there’s a priceless gold chain that everyone wants. As broken relationships are slowly pieced back together, order is restored and the final reunion is a heart-warming celebration of love and family. This new production takes place in 1940’s Casablanca, where there’s danger on the streets for the strangers in town, and every hepcat’s drawn to the sound of swing. Philip Franks is much in demand, both as an actor and director. He directed Private Lives and The Heiress at the National Theatre, and as a Season Associate Director for Chichester Festival Theatre, he has co-directed The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby Parts 1 & 2 (Festival Theatre, UK tour and successful runs at the Gielgud Theatre, London and Princess of Wales Theatre, Toronto) and productions of The Cherry Orchard, Collaboration/Taking Sides and Separate Tables.

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PETALS IN THE PALACE Henry VIII built one of the finest gardens in the world at Hampton Court Palace, so it is only fitting that one of the world’s largest horticultural shows should take place there. The Royal Horticultural Society’s Hampton Court Palace Flower Show includes displays from over 150 specialist nurseries. Some are beautiful, complex works of living art, filled with rare blooms and water features. However, many are on a smaller scale, and should give you ideas for improving your own garden. The Festival of Roses is Britain’s largest annual display of roses in full bloom; the sweet scent is overwhelming, as is the sight of thousands of stunning roses blooming all under one roof. During the final afternoon, many of the exhibitors sell off their plants at bargain prices – you can bet the gardening gloves come off for this free-for-all. 6-11 July Hampton Court Palace Flower Show www.rhs.org.uk/hamptoncourt

24 June-31 July, 2010 Regent’s Park, www.openairtheatre.org

HIGH TEA To celebrate the launch of ‘C’, a new perfume from the private collection of Clive Christian, creator of the world’s most expensive perfume, Fortnum and Mason is hosting an afternoon tea in the St. James’s Restaurant, inspired by the rare ingredients. With each afternoon tea you will receive a consultation with a Clive Christian Perfume Specialist, who will introduce you to the perfumery that was uniquely crowned by Queen Victoria and has earned a reputation for creating the world’s most luxurious perfumes. www.fortnumandmason.com

Chris Christodoulou

connoisseur out & about

TAKE YOUR SEATS

LONDON’S RUNNING

The most popular season of classical music in England continues to go from strength to strength at the Royal Albert Hall. The 2010 Proms features a varied but accessible programme that regularly draws huge audiences, concluding on the last night with seas of Union Jack-wavers belting out the national anthem. The aim, for the past 100 years, has been to mix the popular and familiar with the surprising and innovative, so if you go to a concert to hear your favourite piece, you may leave having discovered a whole new composer. Five hundred standing tickets for each concert are available on the door for just £5, so top international orchestras and soloists, and a real sense of fun can all be had for half the price of a central London cinema ticket. Turn up early for the biggest stars – and queue overnight if you want to get into the Last Night.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the 2010 ASICS British 10K London Run takes place on the second Sunday of July, with nearly 30,000 runners expected to take to the streets of the capital. Starting at Hyde Park Corner, the course heads down Piccadilly and Pall Mall to Trafalgar Square, along the Embankment to the City, taking in St Paul’s and Tower Bridge, and finally back to Whitehall, looping past the London Eye on the way. The runners are joined by celebrities and athletics champions. Last year, the event was a family affair as Kenyan siblings Cyrus and Catherine Ndereba won both the men’s and women’s races, with times just over the half-hour mark. Ten kilometres can seem daunting for newcomers to running, but it’s by no means impossible.

The Proms, 16 July–11 September, Royal Albert Hall, South Kensington, www.bbc.co.uk/proms

www.theBritish10klondon.co.uk

SUMMERTIME CIRQUE Since starting out on the streets of Quebec in the early 1980s, Cirque du Soleil has achieved success on a global scale, and now the modern day circus returns to London’s Wembley Arena with one of their longest running touring shows, Saltimbanco, performed worldwide since 1992. The name comes from the Italian “saltare in banco”, which literally means “to jump on a bench”, and the show explores the urban experience from the families on the streets to the skyscrapers above. An imaginary city is the backdrop for the jumps, leaps and gravitydefying aerobatics that are their signature style. The stunts are all very traditional big top acts, with a cast of more than 50 performing platespinning and hula-hoop routines, balancing acts and juggling, while the striking lighting design makes the costumes and sets come alive in a vivid and ever-changing array of colours.

SPORTING SELFRIDGES

28 July–1 August, Wembley Arena www.cirquedusoleil.com

SARGENT AND THE SEA Best known for his society portraits, American artist John Singer Sargent was also passionate about the sea, a subject that recurs in early works created during his late teens and early

20s. The exhibition, Sargent and the Sea, at the Royal Academy of Arts, presents more than 80 paintings, drawings and watercolours dating from these early years, from 1874 to 1880, drawing on recent discoveries which have shed new light on Sargent’s activity as a maritime painter. These include the unveiling of three important seascapes, and the location of other previously untraced pictures, including Atlantic Sunset, The Derelict, and Seascape. Seascapes and coastal scenes depict views of the Normandy and Brittany coasts, Capri, Morocco and other Mediterranean ports which the young artist travelled to. 10 July–26 September, Royal Academy of Arts www.royalacademy.org.uk

This summer Nike Sportswear has teamed up with Selfridges to provide football fans with the ultimate football viewing experience, and everyone is invited. Watch your favourite team’s matches live on the state-of-the-art High-Definition screen, chill out and play table football and the latest video games, or visit an exhibition of iconic and rarely seen Nike kits to bring back some cherished football memories. 62 plasmas operated via a ‘Hippotizer’ system will create a wrap-around wall of sound and enhanced images within the main space to ensure the Nike Stadium brings you as close as possible to the action whilst staying in central London. To coincide with the launch of the stadium in the Ultralounge, Nike and Selfridges have also created a bespoke retail environment on the store’s first floor Menswear area. This new shopping space will showcase the very best of Nike Sportswear’s products, including a number of exclusive pieces from the NSW Collection to the highly sought-after Tier Zero footwear. Nike Stadium, Selfridges, Ultralounge, Lower-ground Floor, 400 Oxford Street, London W1A 1AB

BOVEY CASTLE YOU’VE ARRIVED

Bovey Castle is history, excitement, glamour and adventure. We offer our guests luxury and indulgence, but this is not a stuffy hotel where you can’t sit on the furniture or let your kids enjoy themselves. Bovey Castle is where you can live out your dreams, then put your feet up.

Featured in the Sunday Times Travel Magazine’s Best 100 Hotels of the World and voted England's Finest Golf Resort 2009 at the World Travel Awards.

www.boveycastle.com

LONDON Homes&

PROPERTY Showcasing the finest homes in your area

Covering St. Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wood, Primrose Hill, Hampstead & THE SURROUNDING AREA

Courtesy of John Lewis www.johnlewis.com

KnightFrank

Springfield Road, St. Johns Wood NW8 Outstanding family home

A detached low built house with potential to extend and redesign the internal layout. 5 bedrooms (1 with en suite bathroom), bedroom 6/dressing room, 2 further bathrooms (1 with sauna), reception room, dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, office, wine cellar, laundry, guest WC, front and rear gardens, off street parking, garage. Approximately 335.4sq.m (3,610sq.ft). Freehold Guide price: ÂŁ6,000,000 (SJW100013)

KnightFrank.co.uk/StJohnsWood stjohnswood@knightfrank.com 020 7586 2777

St Katherine’s Precinct, Regent’s Park NW1 Period house in Regent’s Park

Hidden in an enchanted setting around a picturesque Green this beautiful house has been painstakingly remodelled in a classic/contemporary style. Master bedroom with en suite dressing room and bathroom, 3 further bedrooms (all with en suite), dressing room, drawing room, study/office, dining room, kitchen, breakfast room, study, 2 guest WCs, utility room, wine cellar, conservatory, courtyard, landscaped rear garden, off street parking. Leasehold Guide price: £7,995,000 (SJW080084)

KnightFrank.co.uk/StJohnsWood stjohnswood@knightfrank.com 020 7586 2777

P E N T H O U S E E A S T • P R I N C E A L B E R T R OA D • LO N D O N N W 8

Penthouse with panoramic views over Regent’s Park

A spectacular lateral Penthouse spanning 4,036 sq ft (374.94 sq m) newly constructed by Holloway White Allom in a portered building in a prime location featuring panoramic south facing views over RegentÕ s Park and the London skyline. A C C O M M O D AT I O N A N D A M E N I T I E S Master bedroom with en suite dressing room and bathroom ❚ 3 further bedrooms all with en suite bathrooms ❚ Open plan reception room/dining room/kitchen ❚ Laundry room ❚ Guest WC ❚ Lift ❚ Wrap around terraces (approximately 1,710 sq ft) ❚ Parking for 2-3 cars at rear of property plus 2 parking spaces available at £1,800 each p.a. at front of property

Leasehold, approximately 118 years remaining On application

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KnightFrank

Park Square East, Regent’s Park NW1 Magnificent Nash Terrace

An opportunity to create a family home in this magnificent Nash Terrace. Proposed accommodation will comprise: master bedroom suite, 7 further bedrooms (3 en suite), further bathroom, drawing room, dining room, library, study, grand entrance hall, kitchen/ family room, children’s sitting room, Approximately 2496.36 sq.m (5,343 sq.ft). Leasehold Guide price: £7,950,000 (SJW10005)

KnightFrank.co.uk/StJohnsWood stjohnswood@knightfrank.com 020 7586 2777

FOR SALE

Eze, South of France, Price on Application

Grimaud, South of France, €2,300,000

DISCOVER THE WORLD

FOR SALE Cayman Kai, Grand Cayman, US$4,750,000

FOR SALE Andratx, Mallorca, Prices from €675,000

FOR SALE

Port St. Charles, Barbados, Prices from US$795,000

Umbria, Italy, €2,900,000

With over 6,000 properties in 43 countries, Knight Frank offers the very finest homes in the world’s most sought after locations. Wherever you are in the world our award winning website and exceptional app for iPhone bring these properties straight to your finger tips. Start your search at KnightFrank.com

FOR SALE Lake Como, Italy, Price on Application

FOR SALE Luzern, Switzerland, CHF 2,800,000

Swiss relocation Pop stars and racing drivers have been heading to Switzerland for years, some such as Lewis Hamilton pretending it’s for the quiet life and fresh air but Zoe Dare Hall suspects it’s really all about the tax

ith the 50 per cent tax bracket now catching those earning over £150,000, everyone from well-off individuals to the UK’s biggest hedge fund companies are considering making the move to the land of chocolate and cheese. McDonalds moved to Geneva in June and it’s said that the Swiss authorities are dangling carrots in front of UK-based CEOs and FTSE 100 companies to tempt them to their lower-taxed shores. Monaco or the Cayman Islands may have more glamour and Gibraltar the lowest corporate tax in Europe, but convenience and lifestyle play a big part in Switzerland’s appeal. Buying property in Switzerland is also a notoriously difficult process, complicated by whether you are buying as a permanent residence or a holiday home. In non-touristic areas including Zurich and Geneva, which attract most of the fiscal émigrés, foreigners cannot buy property without becoming resident, achieved by either having a work contract or proof of sufficient funds to not be

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a drain on the state. There is no limit to the number of residency permits issued. In designated tourist areas, including most of the ski resorts, foreigners can buy holiday homes of up to 200m2. “But each of the 26 cantons has its own rules and they keep changing them,” says Jeremy Rollason, director of Savills Alpine Homes. “Two years ago, the Valais canton, which is one of the most popular areas for British buyers, changed its mind overnight and said foreigners couldn’t buy in certain areas. Now there are only 330 permits available for foreign holiday home buyers in the Valais canton annually and only 1,500 in the whole of Switzerland.” Buying in Switzerland was never cheap and with the pound having lost 30% per cent of its value against the Swiss Franc in a year, it means those tax savings better be even more worthwhile. But Swiss Franc mortgages offer low rates and anyone with a residency permit can buy with a 20% deposit (compared with 40% for non-residents buying Swiss holiday homes). So if you are thinking of

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homes & property

joining the gilded exodus to Switzerland, where can you buy?

Geneva

The cosmopolitan Frenchspeaking city, where nearly half the 185,000 residents are expats, and the canton of the same name, which includes attractive towns such as Montreux or Lausanne around the shores of Lake Geneva, are where most Swiss-bound Brits chose to live. But housing is expensive and the influx of relocating workers seeking accommodation is putting a strain on supply, with just 200 rental properties on the market at any one time and two-bedroom apartments – the most sought-after property in the city – costing from £850,000-£1.2m, say Savills International. Even small flats are in high demand. “One agent in Geneva told me it isn’t uncommon to have 100 people view an ordinary one-bed flat in a day,” says George Preston, a 24-yearold IT consultant who is staying with friends in Lausanne while he looks for a flat near his job for a large multi-national company in Geneva. “Finding a flat is an arduous exercise because of all the documentation you need. Most people tell you to allow three months and agents have less time for expats because they mean more paperwork and are less likely to stay long-term,” he adds. But there are distinct benefits to his Swiss move. “My gross earnings here are 25% higher than it was in the UK, and in my canton and my income tax is a flat 20%,” says Preston. To benefit from lower taxes, many expats choose to work in Geneva but live in nearby cantons such as Valais, where Roger Moore lives, or Vaud, home to Phil Collins, as you pay tax based

on the location of your primary residence. “People play the system the best way they can, so they buy ski chalets that they claim as their primary residence, then rent a flat in Geneva, where they work and live during the week,” says Tony Walker, a 41-year-old energy trader, who moved to Geneva from Richmond, London, six months ago with his wife Suzi, 39, who works for the Italian property company Ultissimo, and their son Max, three. They rent a large house in a rural village 15 minutes outside Geneva for £3,600 a month and have just bought a two-bedroom chalet in Verbier for £611,000 as a weekend and summer home.

Zurich

With lower tax rates than Geneva, from 13% to 25%, German-speaking Zurich in northern Switzerland is a prime spot for emigrating movers and shakers, as agents like to call this set. There is also the benefit of having great ski domains including Klosters, Davos and Flims within easy reach. Foreigners can only buy property in Zurich by becoming a Swiss resident. “Most vendors will allow you to rent the property while your permit is being sorted out,” assures Mark Harvey from Knight Frank’s international department, who are marketing off-plan apartments in the Mobimo Tower, a 24-floor residential block in western Zurich, inspired by 1900s Chicago skyscrapers, and with views across Lake Zurich. The 33 apartments start at £1.28m for a 127m2 one-bedroom unit. Knight Frank also has a large new detached family house with four bedrooms for sale in the village of Zollikon, just outside Zurich, from £2.7m. In the neighbouring canton of Zug, 45 minutes from

Zurich airport and home to Boris Becker, income tax is the lowest in Switzerland from 8.8%. The quality of life is constantly rated among the best in Switzerland, there are international schools and a large international community, with websites such as www.Zug4you.ch informing the city’s growing English expat population.

Lugano

The Ticino region of southern Switzerland may not be renowned as a thrusting financial centre or famed for its glamorous ski resorts, but it has something far more aesthetic in its favour and that’s its proximity to northern Italy. Ticino’s 300,000 inhabitants live between the Alps and the Italian lakes in a region that runs with the ideaL ideal combination of Swiss efficiency and a Latin spirit. Milan’s shops, galleries and airport are 90 minutes away and the Italian influence has seeped over the Swiss border too, in bringing a wider range of restaurants to this southern corner of Switzerland. As a tourist destination rather than a financial centre, property prices are cheaper than in Zurich or Geneva and there are fewer restrictions

on where foreigners can buy. Sought-after waterfront villas on Lake Lugano can fetch millions and have a devoted following among wealthy Swiss Germans, Italians and, increasingly, Russians. Local agents are also excited about the possibility of the Clooney effect spreading to Ticino, with rumours that the Hollywood star is selling his Lake Como home and buying on Lake Maggiore, whose northern tip lies in Switzerland. Current lakefront villas on sale include a modern fivebedroom house in Bissone for £2.86m from local estate agency Wetag Consulting. The high-end agency is marketing cheaper houses inland, still with views of the lake, including a four-bedroom 1900s house in Bigorio, 20 minutes from the town of Lugano, for £676,000. Or in the new Residenza San Michele development in Orselina, above Lugano and overlooking Lake Maggiore, Pure International are selling apartments from £335,000. n

Savills Alpine Homes 0207 016 3740 www.alpinehomesintl.com Knight Frank 0207 629 8171 www.knightfrank.co.uk/abroad

Proud to be one of the main sponsors of The Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe Park, 6th-8th August. Join us at our hospitality unit for a drink while your children are entertained. We would be delighted to discuss any property-related matters, whether you are considering buying, selling, renting and letting in the UK or overseas. Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk

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A 5th floor apartment measuring approx 1,600 sq. ft. in this prestigious portered block overlooking Regent’s Park with views across the London skyline. Viceroy Court, NW8 has recently been completely refurbished throughout to exceptional standards and has a contemporary feel. Reception, kitchen, master bedroom with en suite, second bedroom, family bathroom, £1,500 per week

St John’s Wood Office

Lettings. 020 7722 2131 stjohnswood@hamptons-int.com Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk

Neville Court, NW8 £1,500 per week Unfurnished

Eyre Court, NW8 £1,200 per week Unfurnished

On the top floor of this prestigious mansion block this lovely three bedroom flat has been fully refurbished to exceptional standards.

This beautifully refurbished, four bedroom family apartment is located on the first floor of this portered purpose built block well located for the American School and Tube.

St John’s Wood Office

Lettings. 020 7722 2131 stjohnswood@hamptons-int.com Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk

Pavilion Apartments, NW8 £1,000 per week Unfurnished

The Hamptons International team always go further to meet your personal property needs, whatever they may be. Over 97% of our clients say they would use us again or recommend us to others. Let us show you why.

Elnathan Mews, W9 £785 per week Unfurnished A superb two bedroom seventh floor apartment in this sought after development boasting A lovely newly refurbished three bedroom mews house located in this discreet private fabulous views of Lords Cricket Ground. Includes allocated parking & 24 hr concierge service. street close to Warwick Avenue tube and the amenities of Little Venice.

homes & property

HAMPTONS INTERNATIONAL proud to showcase top class eventing

Hamptons International, one of the UK’s premier international residential agencies continues its support the renowned Festival of British Eventing for the eighth year. Taking place in the surroundings of Gatcombe Park, the private country home of HRH Anne The Princess Royal, between the 6th and 8th August 2010, the event hosts the world’s best horses and riders and includes a combination of dressage, show jumping and cross country; incorporating the British Open, Intermediate and Novice Championships. Beyond the championships there is plenty to keep the whole family entertained, from the Shetland Pony Grand Final, where the ponies may only be 40 inches high and the silk-clad jockeys no more than 13 years old but the competition is just as fierce as Aintree, to renowned sheep dog displays and the Duke of Beaufort hounds. Andrew Marshall, Regional Sales Director for Hamptons International comments, “We are very excited to have the opportunity to support Gatcombe Park for the eighth year. The event is renowned among equestrian enthusiasts and provides an exciting opportunity to watch expert riders compete. The weekend is a highlight of the summer calendar bringing together top class eventing, a great shopping village, arena attractions and entertainment – a perfect day for all the family!” Hamptons International will have a full hospitality unit at the event, offering activities for children, as well as providing expert advice on the latest news

in the property market and showcasing a selection of properties currently available for sale and let. Hamptons International will be raising money across the weekend for the company’s corporate charity – The Prince’s Trust. For further information about the event, visit www.gatcombe-horse.co.uk

About Hamptons International Hamptons International is one of the premier international residential agents offering an extensive portfolio of UK and international property. Services include sales, lettings, residential developments, property management and mortgages. The company is owned and operated as a subsidiary of Emaar Properties (DFM: EMAAR), one of the world’s largest real estate companies. With more than 140 years’ experience, Hamptons offers unrivalled expertise and service in its market. Hamptons is headquartered in London and currently has an international network of over 85 offices. The company continues to expand both locally and internationally, positioning it as one of the most valuable residential property groups in the world. For further information visit www.hamptons.co.uk

HOT PROPERTY:

magnificent maisonette

A rare opportunity to acquire a magnificent garden maisonette, occupying the entire raised ground and majority of the garden floor of a distinguished semi-detached, white stucco fronted villa. This exquisite family-oriented home exudes style and character and successfully blends contemporary finishes with an array of splendid period features. This unique apartment of practically 2,200 sq ft comprises an expansive drawing room entered via a

magnificent curved door with further double doors opening onto a balcony and stairs leading down to the 65 ft south-west facing garden. There is a stunning 26 ft kitchen/diner, as well as three double bedrooms, study, two bathrooms and plumbing for a third shower room as an en suite in the master bedroom and a separate wc. Ideally placed in this exclusive road for easy access to Belsize Park, Belsize Village and Swiss Cottage.

homes & property

ÂŁ2,400,000 SHARE OF FREEHOLD Parkheath Belsize Park www.parkheath.com

020 7431 1234 83

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homes & property

RISE or fall? After a bull run lasting over a year, questions are now being asked as to whether prices in central London will continue to rise or whether they are set for a fall. Liam Bailey, Head of Residential Research for Knight Frank, discusses

gainst a backdrop of global financial market turmoil, potential sovereign debt defaults in Europe, and a risk of a double dip recession at home in the UK, this is one of the most difficult times I have experienced for forecasting the central London market. It is also, however, the first time I have realised that whether prices rise or fall increasingly doesn’t matter. Outside central London, in the rest of the capital, and most definitely in the rest of the UK, whether prices turn the corner and begin to fall does matter. Price falls matter because they influence who can obtain a mortgage and they confirm how much of a owners’ hard-earned equity has been eroded. Conversely they also create opportunities for new buyers to access the market. Inside central London the dominance of demand from the global wealthy means that short-term pricing trends are becoming an irrelevance. This globalisation of the market – a long-term trend in London, but one that became supercharged during the long 2000s boom – was finally confirmed as an almost irreversible factor during the recent crash. To understand this point, let’s travel back to early 2009. This was the time when the previous UK government was desperately trying to undo its reputation as a cheerleader for wealth creation. We had the announcement of a new ‘non-dom’ tax, a new 50 per cent higher rate of income tax and even the ‘one-off’ bonus tax. The explicit message was that the world’s wealthy were no longer welcome here. The world’s wealthy, however, didn’t get the message. Spurred by a 30 per cent devaluation in sterling, the moment the UK attempted to become unwelcoming to new wealth was the exact moment foreign buyers began to pour back into the market. Between December 2008 and March 2009 international buyers’ share of the £5m+ London market soared from 39 per cent to 48 per cent.

By June this year it had hit 68 per cent. Central London is now a market apart, not only is demand seemingly immune from wealth attacks, but so too is supply. The proportion of un-mortgaged owners in central London is 59 per cent, compared to 41 per cent for the UK. Central London is dominated by discretionary owners, they can sell when they choose to, meaning that when prices fall so too does supply. Three years after the credit crunch began, London’s international links, global business base, and unrivalled lifestyle has ensured that interest in the city’s best houses from the world’s wealthy elite remains as strong as ever. With prices rebounding strongly on the back of this demand, the separation in performance between London and the rest of the UK has now turned into a chasm. So too has the divide between London and its international peers. Arguably no other market, including Manhattan or Hong Kong, can compete with the breadth or depth of demand experienced at the top end of the London market. The real lesson from the past three years in central London is that demand for property here is so large, and supply so limited, that short-term price shifts no longer matter to anyone other than the developer or the, now rather rare, highly geared speculator. Over the past six weeks, amid renewed concerns over the health of the global banking system and rumours of radical action by the world’s central banks, there is a heightened sense of nervousness in the London market. We know that if the storm comes that no market is immune, and not a day goes by without someone asking me whether prices are set to rise or fall. In answer to the question posed at the start, for a growing number of property owners in prime London, the real answer appears to be who cares? n For further information, visit www.knightfrank.co.uk

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Setting standards by which other developments are measured is nothing new to Ballymore, and at Pan Peninsula, we’ve raised the bar to a new level. In a prime waterside location overlooking Canary Wharf, Pan Peninsula provides all the glamour of a five star hotel, supported by world-class services and facilities, making it London’s most desirable residential address. Living at Pan Peninsula, residents enjoy a private cinema and screening room, waterside restaurant, health club and hydro suite, Britain’s only ‘Six Senses’ spa, a business lounge, concierge and valet parking. Naturally to set the bar as high as possible, cocktails are served at penthouse level.

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Sole selling agents Knight Frank

homes & property

State of the market LETTINGS:

SALES:

A busy summer begins

New order

Emma Stefanko, lettings manager for Hamptons

Liam Bailey, head of residential research at Knight

International, comments on the current trends in

Frank looks at how the emergency budget will shape

the rental market

the future of the central London housing market

As summer carries on and the weather appears to finally be on the up lettings offices in our area approach a busy time of year for people arriving from abroad and moving before new school years start. Traditionally, July is a busy market with strong demand from families looking for houses and flats. This year is no exception, we are currently seeing a good number of enquiries for properties with three or more bedrooms, the problem remains supply. Across London Hamptons offices are currently seeing renewal levels of over 70 per cent meaning that there is still a shortage of available property to meet the demand. A good example of how quickly the market is now moving is demonstrated by a family flat we re-let in a popular building in St John’s Wood this year; the rent has increased 20 per cent from the previous year and was under offer in less than a week. With some experts predicting a cooling in the sales market over the next few months it remains to be seen if this will result in more owners and investors choosing rental over sale. The new budget will also doubtless affect home owners’ long term plans with their properties especially with any possible changes in inheritance tax.

The most obvious point to take from George Osborne’s first budget was the seriousness of intent, with the objective of reducing the UK’s budget deficit from 11 per cent of GDP to 2 per cent by 2015. By virtue of the heavily trailed advance warnings from the government, Capital Gains Tax (CGT ) was always going to be the main. In reality the rise to 28 per cent for higher rate tax payers is a non-issue for the housing market. The rise came into play overnight, meaning that there was no opportunity for a sudden sell-off of second homes or investment properties. With higher-rate CGT at 28 per cent the argument for property investment still looks strong, and capital gains still compare very favourably with income tax at 40 per cent or even 50 per cent. While the budget confirmed that the new 5 per cent higher rate of Stamp Duty would be introduced for residential property purchases from April 2011, there was a tacit acceptance that Stamp Duty rates are beginning to hit levels where purchasers are being encouraged to exploit more creative opportunities for avoidance. The government announced that they would examine whether changes to the rules on stamp duty land tax on high value property transactions are needed to prevent a reduction in tax take. The rather clean approach taken with CGT, with the avoidance of the need to reintroduce taper and indexation, suggests that we may well be seeing the beginning of a welcome return to tax simplification. The housing market was thought to be at significant risk from measures in this budget. In reality, the changes announced seem to be carefully considered, and the certainty created by the announcement will serve to underpin the market. It was noticeable that the budget contained strong GDP growth forecasts for 2011 and 2012. The inference from this is that the Bank of England will be encouraged to maintain a very loose monetary policy well into 2011, if not longer, and this suggests that interest rates at their current levels could well be maintained for longer than was previously thought likely. This will underpin house prices and also contribute to ongoing low supply in the market as potentially distressed owners are protected by low mortgage payments.

Emma Stefanko is lettings manager for Hamptons International, St John’s Wood 020 7722 2131 stefankoe@hamptons-int.com

www.knightfrank.co.uk

Camden 020 7267 2053

sales.camden@chestertonhumberts.com

Collard Place NW1

ÂŁ725,000 freehold

Located in a modern gated development moments from the centre of Camden Town. A modern town house arranged over three floors with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, one of which is en-suite, reception room & kitchen/breakfast room. The property boasts one of the largest gardens on the development & further benefits from a utility room ground floor cloakroom & integral garage.

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Hampstead 020 7794 3311

Wavel Mews NW6

ÂŁ1,195,000 freehold

We are delighted to offer a unique opportunity to acquire this magnificent house located on a quiet mews tucked away in a prime area of South Hampstead. The property comprises 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, large reception with direct access to a private garden & a garage. There is also planning in place for substantial development comprising a basement conversion with rear extension.

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For north London property, look no further. Looking to buy or sell in London? For the complete view, visit kfh.co.uk Or see us at your local office: Bayswater Belsize Park Highgate Islington

Marylebone St Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wood West Hampstead

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Jason Goldstone MNAEA DIRECTOR

Jeremy Roseblatt MNAEA DIRECTOR

JADE TERRACE, SWISS COTTAGE, NW6 A delightful four bedroom modern townhouse (1,856 sq.ft / 172 sq.m) located within this quiet cul-de-sac oﬀ Fairfax Road. The property comprises four bedrooms, two en-suite bathrooms, family bathroom, large kitchen/dining room, 22’ reception room, paved rear garden, underground parking for one car and an additional allocated parking space located at the front of the house.

Main Agent

Freehold

£1,685,000

020 7372 4499 www.hanover-residential.co.uk

ABBEY ROAD, ST JOHN’S WOOD, NW8 A beautifully presented four bedroom end of terrace modern town house (1,342 sq ft / 124 sq m) situated in the heart of St John’s Wood. Arranged over three floors, the house comprises a generous 25’ reception room with access to a balcony, a 53’ rear garden, integral garage and off street parking for 3-4 cars. The property is set back off Abbey Road, next to the junction of Marlborough Place and is located within ½ mile of the shopping and transport facilities of St John’s Wood.

Sole Agent

Freehold

£1,895,000

Jason Goldstone MNAEA DIRECTOR

Jeremy Roseblatt MNAEA DIRECTOR

BLAZER COURT, ST JOHN’S WOOD, NW8

BLOMFIELD COURT, MAIDA VALE, W9

A stunning two/three bedroom apartment comprising 1,163 sq ft / 108 sq m situated on the fifth floor of this modern purpose built block opposite Lords Cricket Ground. The apartment is offered in immaculate decorative condition and features two balconies with far reaching southerly views over London, 24 hour porterage, passenger lift and underground parking.

A lovely refurbished three bedroom apartment (1,572 sq ft / 146 sq m) situated on the second ﬂoor of this period mansion block in Little Venice. The apartment is positioned at the rear of the block and features two impressive reception rooms with American walnut ﬂooring and a Poggenpohl kitchen. Located within close proximity of Warwick Avenue underground station.

Main Agent

Sole Agent

Leasehold

£1,350,000

Leasehold

£1,475,000

NORTH GATE, ST JOHNS WOOD, NW8

ABBEY LODGE, ST JOHN’S WOOD, NW8

An immaculately presented four double bedroom family apartment (2,445 sq ft / 227 sq m) situated on the raised ground ﬂoor of this highly prestigious mansion block opposite Regent’s Park. The apartment comprises two reception rooms, a modern kitchen/breakfast room, a grand entrance hallway, high ceilings, ﬁreplaces and an array of period features.

An outstanding refurbished four double bedroom apartment (2,330 sq ft / 216 sq m) all with en suite facilities, situated on the third ﬂoor of this prestigious 24 hour portered block. Featuring bright and well proportioned accommodation, limited oﬀ street parking and communal gardens. Abbey Lodge is located moments from Regents Park.

Main Agent

Leasehold

£2,595,000

Leasehold

£4,000,000

020 7372 4499 www.hanover-residential.co.uk

PLYMPTON STREET, LONDON, NW8

PARK VILLAGE WEST, REGENT’S PARK, NW1

A modern house with patio garden and integral garage. The house comprises of three bedrooms, two bathrooms, large eat-in kitchen, good size reception room and is approximately 1,340 sq ft. Plympton Street is located just off Church Street being a short walk to Marylebone Station.

A beautifully presented three/four bedroom period home presented in immaculate condition throughout, comprising two reception rooms, large eat-in kitchen and secluded patio garden. The house is located in this sought after road, situated moments from the open spaces of Regent’s Park and very close to Camden Town (Northern Line) tube station.

Main Agent

Sole Agent

£895 Per week

£1,650 Per week

ABBEY LODGE, ST JOHNS WOOD, NW8

ELM TREE ROAD, ST JOHNS WOOD, NW8

Lovely family apartment set on the first floor within this prestigious mansion block backing onto Regent’s Park. The property comprises four double bedrooms all with fitted wardrobes and en suite bathrooms. There is an impressive hallway with double doors leading to an elegant reception room, dining room, study and kitchen breakfast room.

A wonderful detached period house 499sq m/5,372sq ft arranged over three floors, with a delightful rear garden discreetly situated behind a walled front garden offering extensive security and off street parking. Elm Tree Road is located between Circus Road and Grove End Road and is within walking distance of St John’s Wood High Street.

Main Agent

£2,500 Per week

£5,000 Per week

St Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wood Office: 020 7586 5929

Hanover House, St Johns Wood, NW8 Delightful first floor apartment set within this highly sought after portered building located opposite Wellington Park. The apartment is tastefully decorated comprising entrance hall, drawing room, dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, utility room, guest WC, five bedrooms two with ensuite bathroom, three further bedrooms and family bathroom.

ÂŁ3,000,000 | Share of Freehold

West Hampstead Office: 020 7472 5666

Honeybourne Road, West Hampstead, NW6 Set in one of West Hampstead’s most sought after roads, a rare opportunity to acquire an exquisite 7 bedroom, 6 bathroom semi detached house arranged over three floors. Spanning over 3800 sq ft, this stylish home boasts a bright and spacious interior and has been sympathetically restored to an exacting and meticulous standard by its current owner. Situated behind electric gates with off street parking, “Fawley Prior” is ideally located in the heart of West Hampstead, close to all local transport links. A truly wonderful family home that must be seen to be fully appreciated.

£3,300,000 | Freehold

www.brianlack.co.uk

St John’s Wood Office: 020 7586 5929

Abbey Lodge, NW8 A stunning refurbished fourth floor apartment set within this portered block located on the Crown Estate. Abbey Lodge is set behind a carriage driveway backing onto the outer circle of Regent's Park. The present owner has completely refurbished this interior designed apartment and now offers bespoke fittings and finishes throughout. Features include - suede lined walls, natural stone finishes, bespoke doors and architraves, custom made fitted wardrobes, strip flooring, luxury appointed kitchen and bathroom fittings.

Price: POA

www.brianlack.co.uk

GUNS CLOTHING ACCESSORIES WWW.PURDEY.COM 020 7499 1801