VANTAGE SEPTEMBER 10 by Runwild Media Group

Vantage

COVERING ST JOHN’S WOOD, MAIDA VALE, PRIMROSE HILL, MARYLEBONE, regent’s park AND THE SURROUNDING AREA

the English

gentleman classic men’s style

rock ‘n’ roll in Primrose Hill

fashion travel motoring interiors property S E PT E M B E R 2010

i s s u e 0 4

contents Feature

travel connoisseur

12 Rock ‘N’ Roller

THE EXPERIENCE

Phil Wainman speaks to Jenny White about producing records, rock ‘n’roll and his Utopia

Opposite: Relais San Maurizio, chiesa Above: Relais San Maurizio, bedroom suite Spa Relaxation

14 Spotlight on: Primrose Hill

Since the times of Henry VIII, Primrose Hill has always attracted the rich and famous ‘tis the

Concierge

season

october marks the start of the white truffle season, with thousands descending on the Langhe region of Italy and the city of alba specifically, where the best truffles are to be found. Louisa Castle visits the region for a gastronomic gander before the crowds

20 Mr Classic

THE WINES To truly compliment the truffles and local foods of the region, a visit to the area would not be complete without a visit or two to the area’s vineyards. Best known for Barolo, Barbaresco and Muscato wines. We visited La Spinetta to taste all three wines, olive oil and more. www.laspinetta.com

HOW TO GET THERE easyJet flies to Milan Malpensa from Bristol, Edinburgh, Gatwick and Luton. Prices for a one-way ticket start from £29.99 and include taxes (prices subject to change). www.easyjet.com

MUST VISIT Tartufi Morra, in Alba, the famous truffle emporium established in 1930. www.tartufimorra.com

DON’T MISS The Donkey Palio in Alba on the first Sunday of October, which marks the start of the white truffle season.

The quintessential English gent is back Speed

Create a sanctuary to soak in

for the

Sybarite

The Bentley Flying Spur Speed is far more than a luxury limousine, says Matthew Carter. It’s a serious performance car, too, and cheap at the price… even though the options alone fitted to the test car cost more than an E-Class Mercedes

eople will think you’re a chauffeur.” That’s all a mate said when I told him I was spending a week with a Bentley Continental Flying Spur. What nonsense, I thought. This was no ordinary Flying Spur, if such a thing exists, but a Flying Spur Speed. In other words, this was a seriously quick bolide with more power, more roadholding, more presence… well, more of everything, in fact. Its name tells the story. The Continental bit means it’s a Bentley from Volkswagen rather than a tradBrit V8 Bentley. I mean, it’s still built in Britain and to the highest possible standards, but was developed by Volkswagen when the German firm

took over the venerable company. That means it has a state-ofthe-art twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre W12 engine, air suspension and enough electronics to put man on the moon. Literally. The Flying Spur bit means it’s the four-door saloon brother to the Continental GT Coupe so beloved of premier division footballers and their WAGS. And the Speed badge means more power – up to, gulp, 600 horsepower from a mere 560 – a lowered stiffened chassis, 20-inch wheels and bespoke Pirelli PZero tyres, revised steering and brakes and a host of go-faster elements including drilled pedals and a sports exhaust. You can also tell a Speed apart from a standard Spur by its dark chrome radiator and lower

grille. This is a saloon with attitude. And a price. The standard Speed weighs in at £137,000 but by the time the options list has been plundered that can rise dramatically. ‘My’ Speed had nearly ten grand of ceramic brakes, £5k’s worth of rear seat entertainment with DVD player and space stealing rear centre console while another £5k has been spent on a Naim sound system. Designed exclusively for the car, it features a 1,100 watt amplifier – the most powerful fitted to any car apparently – a Digital Signal Processor and no fewer than 15 speakers. It’s fully equipped to deal with music on iPods, MP3s and USB sticks and can even be remotely controlled by those in the rear. Sounded fabulous,

as indeed it should have done. All the extra bits added another £31,000 to the bill… enough to buy a new Mercedes E-Class with a few goodies of its own. So in absolute terms it’s costly, yes – thirsty, too with fuel consumption struggling to reach 17mpg. But, dare I say it, it’s cheap for a Bentley. It might not be hand-built in the way the Mulsanne is lovingly assembled and the engine is an off-the-shelf number from Volkswagen that has also found its way into the VW Phaeton. But the Continental, any Continental, is more than just a car. Who’d have thought that something more than 17ft long and weighing almost 2.5 tons could move so damn gracefully… or so damn quickly? According to Bentley, the CFSS has a top speed of 200mph and a sub 5-second time to break 60mph from rest. I’ll believe them. I need my licence too much to put that to the test on public roads. But what really surprises is how quickly the silky smooth engine and transmission react to driver inputs while the grip, poise and nimbleness of the car are remarkable. The ride, despite those big wheels and tyres, is exceptionally refined, though it’s not perhaps as quiet on the move as

you’d expect a Bentley to be. Maybe that’s deliberate, to enhance the sport/speed aspects of the beast. Despite its bulk, it wraps itself around the driver and seems to shrink to fit the roads. There’s certainly no problem placing the car on the road and it can be hustled with disarming ease along winding country roads thanks both to those wide tyres and the four-wheel drive chassis The only time size becomes an issue is when you’re parking the thing. Squeezing into London parking bays is an art while multi-story car parks are best avoided: all the bays seem to have been designed around a modest hatchback. Park the Bentley in a multi-story and the front (or rear) will stick out into the path of oncoming traffic… not for the fainthearted. It goes without saying that the cabin, the workmanship and the quality of the car are beyond reproach. Doors close with a solid thunk, the carpets are obscenely thick and the leather and woodwork sumptuous to look at, to touch and to smell. Goodness, I even grew to love the quilted leather seats. So was my mate right? Did people assume I was a chauffeur? I’d like to think not, but the truth is probably different. Especially towards the end of my time with the

car. My wife and I had been down to Cardiff for the weekend and were about to head back up the M4 to the city on Sunday evening. The weather was foul and it was dark. My wife ignored the front seat saying that with nothing to see but spray from other cars she might as well stretch out in the rear and perhaps have a cat nap. She didn’t of course, but instead took full advantage of the rear seat entertainment package. Anyone I passed on that trip back would have seen a driver up front (me) with his ‘employer’ in the back bathed in the ghostly glow from the DVD screen. All that was missing was my cap. n

IN BRIEF CaR: Bentley Continental Flying Spur Speed PRICE: £137,000 ENgINE: 4.7-litre V8 petrol PowER: 600bhp DRIvE: Four-wheel drive

44 Speed for the Sybarite

For further information, visit www.relaissanmaurizio.it

motoring calibre

Calibre

The Relais San Maurizio Truffle Experience is available midSeptember to December and is based on a three-night, all-inclusive package which costs €4,800 per person (based on a double occupancy). It includes: three nights in a luxury suite; truffle-themed menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner (all meals included); complimentary pre- and post-dinner drinks each night with a pre-dinner local wine tasting and post-dinner spirit tasting; a guided truffle hunt with a local expert; a visit to one of the region’s most famous wineries – La Spinetta; full use of La Via del Sale Spa, access to the grotto and massage; local homemade gift; and full transfers.

evening restaurant, Da Guido, offers Michelin-star food all tied in with home cooking. Owned by the Alcati family, it is located in the cellars of the monastery so oozes atmosphere, and it is here that Mama Alcati’s famous Agnolotti del Pin fresh meat-filled pasta is served. Don’t be alarmed though – it comes dry, wrapped in a napkin and is eaten with your fingers. Venturing out of the hotel though, the region is bursting with wine, cheeses and the famous white truffle of Alba. Rarer, more pungent and more digestible than the black ones, white truffles sell at around £1,600 per kilo (depending on the year). This year, because of the hot, dry summer, the trifoleaux (truffle experts) say that the initial finds are not expected to be plentiful; however, they also say that their numbers should multiply in coming weeks, thanks to recent rainfall. Great news for those who descend on the region every year for Alba’s White Truffle Fair, which commences with the Palio of Alba. The Palio at Asti may be the oldest horse race in Italy and, arguably, the most famous, but the donkey Palio of Alba is home to the silliest, yet most-loved race. The origins can be traced back to 1275, when Alba and Asti were at war and Asti decided to run a Palio outside the city walls of Alba as a sign of victory, repeating this each year to show how magnanimous they were in victory. In turn, the inhabitants of Alba decided to run a Palio inside the city walls, using donkeys instead of horses to mock their adversaries. A re-enactment takes place on the first Sunday of October and marks the start of the white truffle season. Wherever you turn in the Langhe region of Italy, you will find people passionate about food and wine and, in spite of any language barrier, that passion is infectious. Relais San Maurizio is in the middle of it all, perched on the hills where the Muscato wine is produced, idyllic, tranquil and welcoming to gastronomes. n

28 Bathroom Bliss

elais & Chateaux are renowned for bringing us hidden boutique gems, seeped in history and fit for a king and, as we pulled up to Relais San Maurizio (in our private transfer from Milan), we were certainly not disappointed. Perched on a hill and surrounded by Muscatel vineyards, Relais San Maurizio is the type of place that whilst, intrinsically country, it oozes that style only the Italians really know how to carry off. The former monastery was rescued by Italian financier, Pier Domenico Gallo, in 1998. He undertook a painstaking restoration of the villa, opening to the public in 2002. And it was here that my epicurean adventure began. The region is famed for its food and drink, thanks to the Franciscan monks migrating from Provence in 1619, building the monastery and bringing with them their knowledge of wine production. Much attention has been paid to sympathetic restoring of the rooms; the frescos in the breakfast room have been hand-restored using local artisans, but are paired with stunning Murano glass chandeliers; the 31 rooms and suites are very Italian in style and ours, central to the building and with French doors opening to the small balcony and views down the valley, was reached via the same highceilinged, stone-floored corridor the monks used to tread whilst praying. There’s a brand new medical and beauty spa with salt grottos that had only just opened, offering a whole host of well-being residential programmes and one-off treatments based on the healing qualities of salt, all whilst retaining the stunning views out across the vineyards. But my mission was one of food. There’s a bistro for lunch (bathrobes acceptable) which proffers an array of light local dishes; try the Vitello Tonnato, a well-known regional dish of cold, sliced veal covered with a creamy, tuna mayonnaise. But the

The Bentley Flying Spur Speed is more than just a luxury limo

50 Racing Ringleader

Bernie Eccleston, the shrewdest man in motor sport

Connoisseur

Mr. Classic

56 ‘Tis The Season

Truffle-hunting in Italy Red tartan tie, £50, blue tartan shirt, £80, navy blazer, £450, blue jeans, £100, small green and tan briefcase, £490, burgundy spot silk square, £25

Photographer: Peter Zownir

Fashion Editor:

Lucie Dodds 63

61 Continental Caffe

A high street brasserie with a difference

Property 79 Hot Property

Springfield house

83 Company Profile Hanover Residential

regulars 19 fashion

49 sport

27 interiors

55 travel

35 health & beauty

59 food & drink

90 Inside Property

44 motoring

62 out & about

47 gadgets

63 property

85 State of the Market

One of a Kind

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RUNWILD M

Homes, interiors, interviews, gardens, food, family, fashion and travel: Every month VANTAGE 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 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

Advertising Manager Samuel Finnegan

Production Manager Dan Hyde

Group Publishing Director Eren Ellwood

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. Ruthe Wainman

has been involved in food and drink for over seven years, first as a publicist for the Good Food Channel, before moving into freelance public relations.

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

COVERING ST JOHN’S WOOD, MAIDA VALE, PRIMROSE HILL, MARYLEBONE, REGENT’S PARk AND THE SURROUNDING AREA

the english

gentleman classic men’s style

rock ‘n’ roll in Primrose Hill

Mr. Classic Fashion froom Hackett, p.20 Runwild Media Group Publishers of: Canary Wharf magazine The City magazine, Vicinitee VENUE – The official magazine of The O2

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27/08/2010 09:40

September

from the editor... We are delighted to say that the reader response to the early issues of VANTAGE has been excellent, and due to popular demand we have launched a special Hampstead edition of VANTAGE Magazine. The month of September marks many changes. Meteorologically, it marks the changing seasons; academically, it marks the start of the new terms or new adventures into higher education; for fashionistas, it marks a change of wardrobes; and for gourmets, it marks changing tastes. It is one of my favourite times of the year, even as the rain clouds gather. Change is, after all, as good as a rest and whichever of the aforementioned categories you may consider yourself a member of VANTAGE has something to tempt you. Made famous by the world’s most influential fashion magazine, the September issue is traditionally one that showcases the very latest offerings of style and fashion. We revitalise the quintessential English gent, the epitome of Britishness, in our feature fashion shoot (p.20) brought to us by Mr Classic himself, Jeremy Hackett. Moving from Mr Classic to Mr Rock ‘n’ Roll, Jenny White catches up with Primrose Phil Wainman (p.12), record producer, landlord and self-proclaimed ambassador for the creative hub on our doorstep – Primrose Hill.

Onwards to Mr Formula 1, Bernie Ecclestone (p.50), one of the shrewdest men in motorsport, one of the richest residents in Britain and ringleader of a sport that generates close to £2billion a year. I wonder what he makes of the Bentley Flying Spur Speed? According to Matthew Carter (p.44) it’s much more than a luxury limousine, it’s a serious performance car too, although multi-storey car parks could pose a problem. And for those who follow the culinary arts of fine food and drink, it’s one of the most exciting times of the year; the start of the white truffle season. Rarer, more pungent and much more digestible than black truffles, they are a true treat for the taste buds and I travel to northern Italy to be tempted further (p.56). If all this sounds too much, sit back and relax in bathroom bliss as we design the perfect sanctuary (p.28). Change always comes bearing gifts.

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Rock ‘n’ Roll Jenny White chats to record producer and all round music man, Phil Wainman on how he used his rock ‘n’ roll experiences to craft a creative haven for local Primrose Hill businesses

eing a rock ‘n’ roll mogul is not often synonymous with being a landlord. The majority of the time landlords are trying to deter their tenants from throwing parties; while hanging out with ‘the band’, almost always means debauchery will follow suit. However, when it comes to Phil Wainman the way in which he goes about the two jobs are one and the same. The record producer and songwriter turned his hand to the property business over 30 years ago and has never looked back. Buying up the

record studio - and the rest of the building - where he once ran his own music company, Phil created Utopia Village in Primrose Hill. “I don’t run the property as a landlord, I kind of run it as a bit of a rock ‘n’ roller,” smiles Phil. “I run an open door policy and people can come and talk to me if they want more space or if they want to gear down a little and get a smaller unit. “Being a creative person I just run my business as a creative, I look to help people and not to hinder them. I have lots of friends who are in property and they scratch their heads

at the way I run my businesses. They don’t think I run it efficiently but to be honest I am running it the way I want to run it and all my tenants know me by name and that makes my day that much more pleasant.” A professional musician by the age of 15, Phil worked the European cabaret circuit with a band called The High Grades, leaving home with nothing but his Mini and drum kit. “I grew up in Kenton, in Belmont Circle. My mother died when I was ten years old and my father brought me up,” explains Phil, “so the chance to play drums for a living and be a

interview

professional musician was a brilliant escape. I was gone in an instant.” The mid-60s saw Phil work as a session musician and songwriter, securing his first chart success in America with ‘Little Games’, written for The Yardbirds. Then in 1968 he was signed to EMI as a solo-artist making drum records and working as a top session drummer for bands such as Love Affair and the Brotherhood of Man. “The 60s were fantastic days in music, things were really exciting and actually while I was out in Sweden (working with The High Grades) I had a calling when I heard the Kinks ‘You Really Got Me’. I thought that’s it, I have to go back to the UK if that is what is happening over there; I want to be part of it. So I gave the band notice and headed home,” laughs Phil. “I think back then we were all driven, it wasn’t all about the fame and the money; it was about doing a job that you actually enjoyed. We didn’t know where it was going to take us but we loved doing it.” Phil’s hard work paid off, masterminding the breakthrough hit ‘Funny Funny’, for The Sweet, and

racking up several number ones with The Bay City Rollers, he went on to establish Utopia Recording Studios in Primrose Hill where he worked with virtually every chart-topping 70s band including Dollar, Mud and the Boomtown Rats. “They were amazing days when you would wait for chart day, the phone would ring and you would get your number one,” says Phil, reminiscing about his hard earned success. “They were just beautiful, heady days. It was like riding a white stallion and trying to stay on it that was the difficult bit, the clinging on; it was a rollercoaster but a lovely one.” For a man that has worked with Benny from Abba and had a hand in creating ‘Rollermania’, Phil is an entertaining and likeable man. With no airs or graces about him, it seems he still enjoys telling his tales of his rock ‘n’ roll days and when asked whether he struggled to balance family with the notoriously hedonistic lifestyle that goes with being a music producer, he simply explains that his kids are pretty rock ‘n’ roll too. “They grew up with these bands coming home for lunch. I took the Rollers home once and at the time they were number one everywhere. The whole street was all out, hanging out their windows watching me bring the Rollers home for lunch; it was quite something, it was a bit like taking the Beatles,” chuckles Phil. Today, the only music business Phil deals with is claiming the royalties of his work. After his wife was bound and gagged in their own home by robbers in the early 80s, Phil decided it was time for a career change so that he could spend more time with his family. Inspired by the buzz he had felt while working in his Primrose Hill studio in Spencer Court, Phil bought up all the buildings and turned it into Utopia Village. With the aim of generating a creative haven for others to work in, Utopia Village is today full to capacity with other creative enterprises such as advertising agencies, architects and

feature

sports-related ventures. Phil’s original vision was that Utopia Village would house his own mini-empire, with the aim to own his own radio and TV station as well as his record company but battles to gain royalties put paid to this plan and instead Phil opted to fashion a creative sanctuary for other companies to work from. Utopia Village is 50,000 square feet and home to over 250 people, one of them being Phil who has his own office on site, allowing him to be hands on. This month sees Utopia’s street party taking place and is just one of Phil’s many ideas to bring everyone together. With neighbours such as David Miliband and Lord Triesman just around the corner, Phil is adamant that the invite to the street party is extended to the locals. “It is important that they are involved and know what is going on. We like to get on with our neighbours. The idea of the street party is to bring everyone together and for everyone to get on. “I always believe that life and work can be so much improved if everyone gets on and understand what everyone needs. I think in a way that is a utopian way. I know the concept was designed before I ever used the name but the way in which Utopia Record Company used to run will be my recollection of what the meaning is to me.” Labelled ‘Primrose Phil’ because of his association with the area, despite living in Hampstead and owning newly vacant offices in the old post office in Highgate, Phil explains that his affinity with the Utopia Village building is a strong one. “I got a vibe about this place the first time I saw it and I am a person who tends to run with my vibes,” explains Phil. “It is the same with a hit song, when you just know that person has written a hit song; I get that little shiver.” n Utopia Village’s Street Party is on 16 September www.utopiavillage.co.uk

SPOTLIGHT ON:

Primrose Hill

From King Henry VIII, to Sylvia Plath to Kate Moss, Primrose Hill has always attracted the rich and famous but as Jenny White discovers, the urban village has a lot more to offer than celeb spotting

f your knowledge of Primrose Hill extends to the likes of Jude Law, Kate Moss and their antics in the mid-1990s that earned them the label of the Primrose Hill Set, then you don’t really know the area. The upmarket and chic urban ‘village’ is sophisticated with the main focus on ‘the Hill’ – the namesake of the area. The main village is tucked in between the main line railway to the East and the Hill to the West, creating a quiet and secluded neighbourhood. Wide, tree-lined streets and elegant stuccofronted houses make up the majority of Primrose Hill, commanding high property prices. Consisting of four and five storey white stucco Victorian houses, mansion blocks of flats and tall redbrick Victorian terraces, Primrose Hill has always been one of the most fashionable districts. Situated in the urban belt that lies between the core of London and the outer suburbs, it has become an archetypal example

of a successful London urban village, thanks to its location and the quality of its socio-historical development. The Hill has been a popular place with Londoners for over 150 years and the borough has become popular with those in the arts and media, as well as entrepreneurs and professionals; it is not unusual to see a famous actor, musician or the occasional supermodel hanging out in one of the many pubs and restaurants in the area. The plush suburb has always been an area that has attracted the rich, famous and artistically inclined. Blue plaques in roads around Primrose Hill commemorate past notable residents, including the poet Sylvia Plath, Sir Henry Wood and WB Yates. Even as far back as the 16th century King Henry VIII used the area, along with neighbouring Regent’s Park, as his hunting chase and the top of Primrose Hill has starred in many movies such as in the opening scene of Bridget Jones: Edge of Reason, and also as part of the British romantic-comedy

Imagine Me & You. The name Primrose Hill is believed to have been given to the hill in the 15th century due to the primroses which flourished there. Today, it is a sloping meadow dotted with plain cast-iron lamp posts covering 112 acres, and with the top of the hill reaching 63 metres above sea level, the view over London is now one in six protected viewpoints of London. Visitors can look down on London Zoo in Regent’s Park and further afield to landmarks such as Canary Wharf, the Millennium Dome and the BT Tower, as well as Central London to the south-east and Belsize Park and Hampstead to the northwest. The magnificent panoramic views of London are one of the main attractions of the outdoor area, as well as being a popular spot for picnics, kite flying, sun bathing, Frisbee flingers and bench warmers and has been for over 400 years. In the 15th century, the slopes of the hill were covered in trees and the

spotlight

feature

Above: London Skyline from Primrose Hill Below: Regent’s Canal

area was said to be full of stags, bucks, boars and wild bulls. So, it was easy to see why Henry VIII decided to choose the hill as part of his hunting chase. By the 18th and early 19th century the trees and scrub had been cleared and the hill was open meadowland. It was used for target practice by local army, becoming a popular place to hold duels. In 1841 the land became Crown property and in 1842, an Act of Parliament secured Primrose Hill as public open space to appease the ordinary folk who at the time were denied access to parts of Regent’s Park. Despite opposition from people living nearby, the park soon became a favourite place for Londoners to enjoy the outdoors, particularly on bank holidays when it was traditional to toboggan down the slopes. An open air gymnasium was built (1847) and still remains to this day, as does the tree to mark Shakespeare’s birth – well sort of. The actor Samuel Phelps planted an oak in 1864 to mark the 300th anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth; however this tree died but was later replaced in 1964 on the 400th anniversary. Primrose Hill is a conservation area so it has been able to retain all of its beautiful charm and with Primrose Hill Village nestled between Camden Town and Regent’s Park and just over a mile from the West End with good access

to The City, it is easy to see why the area is such a sought after place to live. The well known rainbow collection of pastel-coloured houses in Chalcot Square, situated in the heart of Primrose Hill Village, is a prime example of the delightful buildings that have been preserved within the area and the price tag they retain; carrying a 10 to 15 per cent premium, the houses in Chalcot Square often go for around £4 million. With a parade of upmarket shops, and an array of well known pubs, such as one of London’s first gastro-pubs, The Engineer; and restaurants such as Odette’s which opened in 1978 and is recognised as an iconic restaurant in the area, set amongst a parade of midVictorian shops and cafes, Primrose Hill is always a bustling and lively area to visit. London Zoo and Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre is situated across the road from Primrose Hill Village and is popular attraction for visitors and locals alike. Name-checked in a variety of books such as The War of the Worlds, The Hundred and One Dalmatians and The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul, Primrose Hill is a vibrant and close knit community which has remained a popular place to visit as well as set up home, and it seems that there is definitely more to Primrose Hill than Kate Moss et al. n

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he Argyle Diamond Mine is the world’s primary source of the rare and beautiful pink diamond. So sought after are these exceptional stones, that they attract on average 20 times the price of an equivalent white diamond. The most exceptional of the stones excavated from the mine each year are cut and polished in a state of the art factory and sold in an exclusive private auction, known as a “tender”. These beautiful pink diamonds are so rare that for every million carats of rough diamonds produced at the mine, usually only one carat

is suitable for sale in a tender, and the prices achieved per carat range from US $100,000 to an eye watering US $1,000,000. Designed by Asprey, this spectacular tiara is set with 196 of the elusive Argyle pink diamonds and 320 white diamonds and mounted in platinum and 18 carat rose gold. The intricate motif allows for an ingenious and unique design feature: the centre stone can be adapted and mounted into a ring setting. The tiara is due to accompany the Argyle tender on its worldwide tour. n www.asprey.com

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Final_N_SaxAC_165years_RG_210x297_VW-095-10.indd 1

01.07.2010 17:42:46 Uhr

fashion

concierge

a STEP ABOVE A hot tip that is steadily making its way onto every design cognoscenti’s radar is the new jewellery collection from Step by Step. Designed by Ursula Müller, the collection boasts the best in Swiss design and craftsmanship and features strong, clean lines and geometric shapes in a simple yet stunning palate of silver, red and black, in superior materials such as the precious metal rhodium. Handcrafted in small collections for that added element of exclusivity, Müller’s stunning designs are no doubt influenced by the peaceful studio on the banks of Lake Zurich, from which she works.

fashion

news Panty Party

Looking for hen-party inspiration or want to host an original girly birthday party? Well, cool lingerie concept store, Apartment C in Marylebone, is introducing a fun and fabulous private ‘Panty Party’ service, where girls can host quirky and frivolous gatherings. Set in the sumptuous backdrop of the black lacquered boudoir space of Apartment C, with a lounge room, library and downstairs gallery, party goers can choose from an eclectic menu of what they want from their party; from Blind Food Tasting where Apartment C will put on an intriguing range of edible delights to Lingerie Trunk. Shows where the bride-to-be or birthday girl can try out some of the beautiful lingerie on offer, it seems Apartment C offers much more then just bras and knickers. Providing gin cocktails, music from resident DJ Samantha Valentine, as well as the option to spend some time at the eyelash bar and treat yourself to mini manicures, Apartment C’s Panty Party offers a tailored made experience to make that special event even more enjoyable.

www.stepbystep-uk.com

Quote of the month:

People have told me about organised crime in the fashion industry, but I can’t talk about that. I’m looking to stay alive Calvin Klein

www.apartment-c.com

MUST-HAVE ITEM:

Website:

Cheryl Cole and Pixie Lott are massive fans of Lucas Jack’s jewellery range which features stunning earrings, bold bracelets and distinctive rings. Created by self-taught jewellery designer, Nick Bartley, all of Lucas Jack jewellery is plated with 18 carat gold and then brushed to give it a rich satin finished. Highly wearable, the Lucas Jack range is known for its colour and uniqueness while still easily affordable. www.lucasjack.com

www.totalwardrobecare.co.uk

Jewellery by Lucas Jack

If you find that when the time comes to pack away your summer clothes you never have enough space, then Total Wardrobe Care is your ideal solution. Their luxury service allows you to switch clothing without lifting a finger, thanks to their new specialist garment storage service. The service sends a van to collect all your clothes, dry-cleans everything and carries out any small repairs, and then all items are hung on specialist Total Wardrobe Care Hangers and placed in their cotton, breathable garment bags – genius!

TREND: Tweed If tweed is something you associate with your granny, then be prepared to raid her wardrobe, as tweed is back this autumn. Seen on the catwalks of designers such as Chloé and Chanel, the tweed trend this season is still very elegant but has been revamped to give it a contemporary edge. Chanel’s tweed is interwoven and edged with fur, while Chloé is all about the tweed trouser to accompany the power dressing vibe being seen on the runways. Bright colours are a modern way of wearing tweeds; teamed with a pair of jeans and simple T-shirt this gives an effortlessly chic look. www.seftonfashion.com

Red tartan tie, £50, blue tartan shirt, £80, navy blazer, £450, blue jeans, £100, small green and tan briefcase, £490, burgundy spot silk square, £25

Mr. Classic Photographer: Peter Zownir

Fashion Editor:

Lucie Dodds 63

Blue tartan check shirt, £100, red tartan bow-tie, £50, cream trousers, £100, grey tweed waistcoat, £150, small green and tan briefcase, £490, large wheel green and tan suitcase, £750

Grey check shirt, £100, grey rib silk tie, £65 Fair Isle grey jumper, £125, grey/tan tweed jacket, £400, burgundy spot cotton square £25, orange cord trousers, £120

Cream button cardigan, ÂŁ250 and cream/brown herringbone scarf, ÂŁ100

All available from Hackett New Store Opening in September Cabot Place Canary Wharf 020 7939 6865 www.hackett.com Grooming: Yvette Redmond at Tiger Creative using Kiehls and Sisley

Check shirt, £90, blue/grey knit stripe tie, £45, navy/grey shawl collar cardigan, £160, blue jeans, £100

Discover the perfect AGA for your home

ith its timeless lines and unparalleled cooking abilities, itÕs easy to see why an AGA is at the heart of your home.

Available in a variety of sizes and fuels, including 13amp electric, a range of 11 exciting colours and a variety of ways to tailor it to your needs, today’s AGA is a perfect fit for every style of kitchen. Our new AIMS programmer gives you greater control over your AGA, allowing your AGA to be as flexible as your lifestyle, more energy efficient and reducing running costs. With a full range of AGA models, stunning refrigeration products, exceptional cookware and dedicated AGA cookery courses, thereÕs a whole range of delicious reasons to visit us.

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interiors

concierge

interiors

news

Liberty & Merci

If you missed the Parisian Merci pop-up shop in spring, be sure to get down to Liberty of London as soon as possible to pick up some of the much coveted items still on sale in store. This limited edition collection designed by Merci creative director Marie France Cohen was produced exclusively for Liberty, celebrating the department stores iconic floral print fabrics taking on a new

lease of life across home wares, stationary and soft furnishings. Unfortunately, the pieces will only be available whilst stocks last so if you are a Liberty fan and fancy a little floral flight of fancy before the autumnal months kick in, make sure you don’t miss out on these truly brilliant little pieces of design Merci at Liberty collection, from £6.50 www.liberty.co.uk

New Citrus Wishbone Chair Why not opt for a fresh perspective at the dinner table this month with the new citrus colour Wishbone chair collection. If you’re thinking you’ve seen this before, you’re probably right, the original design by Hans J. Wegner for Carl Hansen has remained unchanged since the 1950’s when it was first put into production. The iconic chair, however, has been made over into a contemporary classic with the injection of an array of vibrant colours perfect for its new modern-day audience. Citrus Wishbone Chair, from £510 www.iconsofdenmark.dk

Bring Catwalk Colour into Your Home

Get Your Hands Dirty Autumn is seen by many as the beginning of the years’ end; marking the close of summer and the slow, steady descent into winter and the cold dark nights. However, at Clifton Nurseries, they believe autumn is the second spring of the gardening calendar, with a wonderful choice of richly coloured plants available to cheer up any day, until winter greens and berries take their place. So, on 22 September (between 6.30-9.00pm) Clifton Nurseries, near Little Venice, invites you to join them for a session of ‘Autumn Colour Planting’ – the chance to capture these autumn colours in pots and window boxes, to take home. Providing you with all the materials, equipment, plants and tuition if you’re a beginner, the evening only costs £25 per person, including light refreshments and discounted shopping on the night. So to create a garden you never knew you had, why not get your hands dirty and take home something lasting to make your autumn the brightest it has ever been. For tickets and enquiries contact: guy.pullen@clifton.co.uk or call 020 7432 1866

As interiors trends famously follow hot on the heels of the fashion world, a key colour palette in which to dress your dwelling this autumn/winter 2010 is muted shades including soft creams, clays, purples and greys. So, on a clever take on neutrals, kitchen, bathroom and bedroom company, Daval, has launched a stunning new sensual colour collection comprising Mulberry, Anthracite, Clay and Cream, culminating in its most sophisticated range to date. With these easy-on-the-eye shades, all featuring subtle grey undertones, you can invest in a stylish look that radiates quality, class and good taste – while achieving any look you want, whether understated and classic or contemporary and fashionable. From warm, earthy clay and deep, sultry anthracite, to beautifully rich yet mellow mulberry and soft, calm cream, Daval’s new colours, teamed with its unique ability to make kitchens and other fitted furniture to fit absolutely any space, opens up even more possibilities to create a room that’s truly individual to you. www.daval-furniture.co.uk

bathroom bliss A sanctuary in your home, the bathroom is a place of form and function. Janine Murray-Smith shows us how to indulge in style

Stone One Freestanding Bath, price on request CP Hart, www.cphart.co.uk

Kristal glass and chrome soap pump, £50 Heals, www.heals.co.uk

Soothing Bath Pearls in cherry blossom, £25

Nectarine blossom and honey body lotion, £38

Nougat London, www.nougatlondon.co.uk

Jo Malone, www.jomalone.co.uk

interiors

concierge

Missoni Home, Laos bath mats, £92 Amara, www.amara.co.uk

Cashmere dressing gown, £199 Marks & Spencer, www.mands.com

Orla Kiely Abacus flower pebble towels, from £4 Heals, www.heals.co.uk

Very, wood frame diffuser, £53 www.amara.co.uk

Hand finished iridescent glass mosaic wall tiles, price on request Fired Earth, www.firedearthshop.com

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07/07/2010 14:52

gardening

concierge

The season finale The cast all wears fiery autumnal dress. A final show before the winter break. Janine Murray-Smith draws the curtains on the close of the gardening season

he stars are the ornamental maples with their leaves dramatically turned to burgundy, vivid scarlet, sunset orange and mustard yellow. Vines, too, make their presence felt, ablaze in flaming red autumnal dress as they run along a terrace wall. A rich tapestry of Michaelmas daisies and a spectacular flourish of chrysanthemums make a stunning backdrop of mauves, purples, ruby reds, pinks and lavenders. Bright bold splashes of bronze, gold and crimson are provided by the myriad styles of profusely flowering dahlias. The mop heads of hydrangeas take on dusty metallic colour shelter beneath hanging cascades of glowing sealing-wax red rose hips. Little can beat the bronze screen of a beech hedge or the rich velvety red of a late flowering clematis scrambling through a cherry’s golden leaves. In front of stage the deep pink broccoli heads of sedum, spikes of

blood grass, exotic, iridescent delicate pink nerine and kaffir lily with flaming crocosmia and papery orange cages of Chinese lanterns play their part. Autumn really doesn’t do ‘cool, calm and sophisticated’. It is a time of blazing colour, glowing even in the dullest weather, a time when even the most mild-mannered garden throws decorum to the wind and puts on its final act. n

CUTTINGS Order logs for your log burning stove or open fire now. This should ensure you get well-seasoned ones which burn better and give off more heat. Smarten up your topiary for winter. Give it a quick clip now. Remove leaves from lawns to prevent damage. Bag them up in hessian sacks and store until well rotted (up to two years) to produce your own leaf mould for mulching and conditioning the soil.

From left to right: Crocosmia Dahlias Rose hips Maple leaf Chinese lanterns

VANTAGEpromotion

SEASON’S CHANGE Francesca Avossa, Ligne Roset’s creative consultant, has designed an exciting new layout in the City showroom to welcome the UK arrival of its stunning new collection

Ottoman comprises a two-seater sofa, a three-seater sofa, an armchair and a footstool

Oozing a strong architectural look, the TU table comes in a choice of folded, soldered steel bases finished in satin white, black or red lacquer, and also thick table tops in ebony-stained oak veneer, solid walnut, satin white or black laminate with natural oak edging

Celebrating its 150th anniversary during this year, Ligne Roset continues to be at the forefront of design and style innovation and the new season is no different, with products created by some of France’s most celebrated designers, including Inga Sempé’s upholstery range, Ruché; the Anneau armchair – one of Pierre Paulin’s last creations; the organic lines of the Ottoman quilted seating range by Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance, and Philippe Nigro’s adaptable table base of the TU.

Its all-foam construction is sumptuous and sophisticated, with a strong synergy between the two injected foam cores of specific densities used to make the seat and back, and the additional Bultex foam attached around the periphery. These key elements altogether provide both comfort and durability.

Taking centre stage is Ruché by Inga Sempé. Slender and fine in appearance, Ruché combines rigidity and flexibility. Inspired by swing seats, Ruché is made from a solid beech frame finished in natural matt beech or beech-stained anthracite, red or blue with a distinctive quilted pad.

The beauty of Philippe Nigro’s TU table (Table Universelle, or ‘universal table’) lies with its practical and aesthetic qualities, which enable the user to ‘recycle’ any kind of table top already owned, whether the top has been used on a pair of old trestles, or an old door panel that is no longer functional as it is.

Alternately flattened by the stitches and set free, the quilting can ‘curl’ in places, giving rise to both its unique appearance and its name, Ruché (a gathered or pleated fabric which serves as decoration on a piece of clothing). Inspired by Morocco and with an overriding sense of well-being, Ottoman is the latest creation by Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance.

The quilted seat is best seen in a plain fabric. Bicolour versions are also available, with the exterior and interior offered in different fabrics of tonal shades or contrasting materials.

Providing the maximum of flexibility with its customisable, sustainable and reversible qualities, TU is a refined and carefully crafted object, which bears all the hallmarks of a future design classic. In comparison to a traditional system of trestles, the stability is remarkable as the top is clamped firmly in place by the feet instead of simply resting on top, maintained by its weight alone. To find out more about the collection, the team at Ligne Roset City looks forward to welcoming you to the new City showroom – the UK’s largest showroom.

Ruché includes a medium and large sofa, one-arm sofa (left or right) and a footstool in a wide choice of fabrics and colours. Furthermore, the one-arm sofa comes with an integral table at the end of its seat, which can be used as a low table for books or drinks

Ligne Roset City 37–39 Commercial Road London, E1 1LF 020 7426 9670 www.ligne-roset-city.co.uk

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

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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

health & beauty

concierge

Must have item:

Diptyque’s Eau Duelle

health & beauty

news

DENIM AND ROSE Bobbi Brown has just launched its limited edition August collection, Denim and Rose, which combines two of this season’s key fashion trends, and translates them into a cosmetic colour palette inspired by Bobbi’s love of jeans. Bobbi has said that, while jeans are casual and comfortable, there can be a pair for every occasion, from slumming it on the sofa to super-smart soirées. Bobbi even wore her favourite pair of skinny jeans to the White House! Rose is one of the few colours that is flattering to most women, so the collection uses Hot Rose to inject a little warmth and femininity to the sophisticated dark blue denim tones. The eye shadows are great for creating a stylish, smoky eye effect, while Extreme Party Mascara in Denim adds a touch of colour that is unusual, yet subtle. www.bobbibrown.co.uk

Salon of the month: MACS

The latest addition to Diptyque’s fragrance collection, Eau Duelle combines both feminine and masculine scents. Developed by perfumer Fabrice Pellegrin, Eau Duelle follows vanilla on its journey along the Spice Route with additional notes including cardamom, elemi, juniper, saffron, calamus, black tea and amber. Having searched the world over to find the most exotic ingredients, Diptyque have created an opulent scent that evokes the heady aromas of Middle Eastern spice markets, dusky evenings in India and mixed with the sweet flavours of a patisserie. Available this month, this is a must-have scent for autumn. www.diptyqueparis.com

Must have colour: PASTELS

Forget the current Chanel cartel on soughtafter nail colours; this season’s perfect hues are a plethora of cute, candy-coloured pastels. Illamasque’s Pastel Nail Varnish collection hits the right note between edgy and angelic with sugary shades of mint, lemon, lilac and powder blue. www.illamasqua.com

If you are looking for A-list treatment when it comes to be being beautified then look no further than MACS salon, located in Primrose Hill. A bespoke boutique, MACS is a member’s only salon – there is no joining fee if you join online – where you can enjoy complimentary benefits such as consultations with leading celebrity image stylists and a free bar. Aiming to help you feel relaxed and providing a haven away from the pressures of a busy metropolitan lifestyle, MAC offers beauty treatments, soft cosmetic treatments as well as some of the best hair stylist to help create any look you are after. Offering luxury hair and beauty packages to their clientele, MACS is able to provide tailored packages to suit every occasion. Whether you are a mum-to-be or getting ready for a red carpet event, there is a package to suit you; from MACS Tea Party package to MACS Dream Date package to the MACS Hangover Detox package, this contemporary salon has created unique and fun treatments, all with the aim of making you feel like a star. New to the Primrose Hill salon, MACS is now specialising in Great Lengths, the premium 100

per cent human hair extensions, offering it to its elite clientele and providing them with the ultimate in VIP experience. www.macs-salon.co.uk

Must have trend: Scarlet Lips

Red lips have never gone away, but to bring them up-to-date and assimilate with this seasons look, you have to tweak the texture. Whether glossy or matt, the crimson tide of red lips seen on the catwalks all followed the same guidelines; keep seductive, full-bodied in texture and keep the colour dense to make a real statement. Try Rouge Dior Serum De Rouge (£24.50) for deep shade of red, or if you’re not feeling so brave opt for a gloss of cerise with MAC’s Lipglass in Russian Red (£12).

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

EXERCISE IS MEDICINE

For a city full of desk-workers, it’s easy to forgo time spent at the gym or playing sport. Dr Cathy Speed, consultant in rheumatology, sport and exercise medicine, discusses the benefits of daily exercise

Although the human species evolved as hunter-gatherers, our increasingly sedentary society means that man is now more a sedentary ‘computer athlete’. The risks of inactivity are well known and significant, including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, depression; the list is long and frightening. The good news is that such risks can easily be addressed through regular physical activity. For example you can halve your risk of getting type 2 diabetes, reduce your risk of a heart attack, lower your blood pressure, lose weight, tone up, strengthen your bones, sleep better and enhance your mood and well being – all by introducing some regular exercise into your life. The current UK guidelines are that adults should perform at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity activity on five or more days of the week, and that children and young people should do 60 minutes every day. Adults should also perform some simple light resistance exercise or weight training two to three times per week. If you are not used to being active, this may seem a lot – but it isn’t! Putting it another way, do you really want to be sitting or sleeping for 23 hours of every day? In addition, it is important to recognize that it isn’t hard: moderate intensity physical activity includes brisk walking, housework and even mowing the lawn. The key to success in any exercise programme or plan is to find activities that you enjoy and that you will want to participate in. Once you have found an activity you enjoy, it will become much easier to gain the benefits associated with regular exercise. The benefits of exercise usually greatly outweigh the risks. If you have an underlying medical condition such as

a heart disorder, high blood pressure, lung conditions, asthma, arthritis, or osteoporosis, then you should meet with your GP or a sport medicine specialist prior to starting any new exercise. This is to help to make it safer for you to exercise – but you will still be able to take part. For more information, visit www.thewellingtonhospital.com or call the enquiry helpline on 020 7483 5148

TOP TIPS FOR EXERCISE • Set easily achievable short and long term goals, and reward yourself when you achieve them. Keep your goals specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-based (SMART). It might help to keep a diary so that you can see your progress on paper • Don’t try to achieve too much too soon • If you are trying to lose weight, don’t calorie restrict too much or you will be too tired and hungry to be active • Don’t talk yourself out of it: “Just Do It”! • Do things you enjoy and don’t get stuck doing the same thing over and over again – variation is the spice of life!

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The Wellington Hospital is expanding its successful GP Liaison service, which gives GPs and patients easy access to the hospital’s medical services and outpatient facilities and makes the referral process easier. The Wellington Hospital is one of the world’s leading private hospitals offering acute medical services. It is part of HCA – London’s No 1 private hospital group. Diagnostic, imaging and treatment technology Medical teams at The Wellington Hospital are supported by the very latest diagnostic, imaging and treatment technology, enabling fast and accurate diagnosis of complex conditions. State-of-the-art facilities include 64-slice CT scanners, the latest MRI scanners, plus the full range of general X-ray, ultrasound, angiography, fluorocscopy and a cardiac research centre. Innovative techniques Working at the forefront of surgical and medical innovation, our teams of dedicated and highly trained professionals ensure that patients receive the best possible care, attention and treatment. The Wellington Hospital now offers a range of minimally invasive surgical procedures that are performed through one incision in the belly button, which is virtually scarless surgery. The single port approach is a new and innovative way of performing keyhole operations via the belly button that previously

required patients to have multiple scars. The SILS technique also known as single incision laparoscopic surgery or scarless surgery can be utilised to safely manage common surgical conditions including: ◆ Removal of appendix ◆ Removal of gall bladder for gallstones ◆ Hernia repair ◆ Colon operations ◆ Other operations on the stomach. The majority of single port operations are performed as a day case and the patient will only have one scar which is concealed in the belly button, the pain will be less and the recovery period is quicker. Most people can have single port laparoscopic surgery, it may however be more difficult for patients who have had previous or multiple operations where the abdomen is very scarred. A personal service for everyone The Wellington Hospital is determined to ensure that the scale of its operation doesn’t stop it from delivering a firstclass service to its private patients and to GPs referring people to one of the 400 consultants who work there. The dedicated GP Liaison service assists doctors and self-referring private patients to access quickly and efficiently its medical services and extensive outpatient facilities.

This means that one phone call is all it takes to arrange a convenient appointment with any of the hospital’s consultants. Where referring GPs do not have the name of a consultant, helpline staff will direct their enquiry to the most appropriate person. And if none of the hospital’s own consultants are qualified in the required specialty, helpline staff will be pleased to transfer the enquiry to another hospital in the HCA network.

Major specialties include ◆ Acute neuro rehabilitation ◆ Bariatric surgery ◆ Cardiac surgery ◆ Critical care ◆ Dermatology ◆ Interventional cardiology ◆ ENT ◆ Gastroenterology ◆ General surgery ◆ Gynaecology ◆ Liver and Hepatobiliary medicine ◆ Hip surgery ◆ Knee surgery ◆ Neurology ◆ Neurophysiology ◆ Neuropsychology ◆ Neurosurgery ◆ Ophthalmology ◆ Orthopaedics ◆ Plastic surgery ◆ Speech therapy ◆ Spinal surgery ◆ Urology ◆ Vascular surgery

www.thewellingtonhospital.com

For more information contact the Helpline: call 020 7483 5148, fax 020 7483 5618, email Wellington.enquiryhelpline@hcahealthcare.co.uk Opening hours: 08.30–18.00 Mon-Fri Visit: www.thewellingtonhospital.com Address: Wellington Place, St Johns Wood, London NW8 9LE

18/5/10 13:29:28

ARTHRITIS, SPORT & YOU

Arthritis can affect people of all ages and can be painful causing you to become less athletic, not so says Dr Cathy Speed, consultant in rheumatology, sport and exercise medicine. Exercise is more important than ever

Staying fit and active is important

course to improve quality of life.

for our health and well being; but

A healthy diet and weight control

sometimes, things get in the way. One

are important. For example, if you

such example is arthritis, particularly

are heavy, even reducing your body

of the knees and hips. Arthritis is more

weight by small amounts can reduce

common as we get older, but with

arthritic knee pain by 30 per cent.

improvements in diagnostic techniques

Dietary measures and supplementation

we now recognize that it can affect all

with glucosamine and chondroitin

ages, even young people.

and/or Omega 3 and fish oil may be

The cause is due to a variety of

useful. You should discuss with a doctor

factors, including genetics, intrinsic

whether vitamin D supplementation

physical makeup and the shapes of

may be indicated, as it is important for

an individual’s joints, diet, lifestyle

bone and muscle health. However your

and history of illness and injuries.

level should first be checked and the

Different types of arthritis can occur,

effects of supplementation monitored.

and different approaches to medical

Simple approaches to pain control

treatment can be necessary.

such as regular paracetamol should

When you develop arthritis you might

be considered. The relative merits

expect that you need to reduce your

and potential risks of stronger

exercise to protect the joint. This in

medications can be discussed with

fact is not the case: when arthritis

your doctor. Injection therapies for

occurs, exercise becomes even more

arthritis are improving; for example,

important than ever, in order to

viscosupplement (‘lubricant’) injections

promote flexibility in the joint, reduce

can improve pain and function. Joint

joint and muscle stiffness, to control

supports can help by keeping the joint

weight and to strengthen the muscles

warm, giving some confidence to using

around the joints.

the limb properly, and in some cases

Without a regular exercise programme, the muscles tend to progressively weaken, as a natural reaction to the joint complaint. Importantly, exercise can also help

redistributing the load at the joint. Supportive and well cushioned shoes are important and shock absorbing insoles can make a big difference to how the joint feels during and after play.

to reduce the pain in the joint(s) and

So what types of exercise should be

ultimately may help to reduce the

considered in people who have arthritic

speed of deterioration in the joint.

joints, and what should be avoided?

The types of exercise that should be

High impact activity should be

followed, and other interventions

avoided in cases of arthritis affecting

that may be taken, will vary between

the lower limb, since the high impact

different individuals and different

can result in further joint damage.

forms of arthritis.

High impact activities include running,

Pain is typically the cardinal symptom

skipping, squash, some martial arts,

of arthritis, and is usually the factor

and high impact aerobics.

that stops an affected individual from

Cycling, swimming, walking, are all

being active. Pain management is

recommended. Racket sports – and

essential to maintain muscle function

in particular tennis – is often still

and healthy activity levels and of

manageable. Tennis court surfaces

that are more ‘cushioned’, such as the modern astro-turf courts, and ‘sprung’ badminton court floors, are better for joints. Those individuals with severe arthritis should prioritise water based exercise, tai chi, yoga and pilates in the first instance. Many activities can be performed after joint replacement and this should always be discussed with your doctors. All activity programmes should be started slowly and progressed carefully; do not overdo it and consider keeping a diary to chart progress. Most individuals with arthritis who wish to be active would benefit from a customized programmes set to suit their particular needs in terms of pain management, strategies to optimize activity and fitness, and enhancement of quality of life. For more information, visit www.thewellingtonhospital.com or call the enquiry helpline on 020 7483 5148

Smart Deco. The new Loewe Individual with unique 400Hz picture quality. What makes a television unique today? Is it a modular design that you can perfect according to your own personal taste? Is it having ﬂexible multimedia options? Or is it simply a question of brilliant images and perfect sound? The answer is that all these features are possible with Loewe Individual. Visit www.loewe-uk.com for details, or contact one of our London Galeries.

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www.lamborghini-reading.com

Lamborghini Sevenoaks and Lamborghini Reading, part of Jardine Motors Group.

EU fuel consumption figures mpg (litres/100 km) for the Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera with e-gear: urban 13.8 (20.4); extra-urban 30 (9.4); combined 20.9 (13.5). CO2 emissions: 319 g/km.

motoring interview gadgets

vOLvO s60 flying spur BErNiE ecclestone ECCLEsTONE bernie ................................ latest LATEsT & greatest GrEATEsT ................................. ....................................................................... ............................................................

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

ALL ABOUT THE BALANCE

I The balance spring is at the heart of movement precision in timepieces. Today, Breguet takes it one step further

1795, Breguet Breguet conceived conceived the the ‘Breguet ‘Breguet n 1795, overcoil’ spring spring when when A-L A-L Breguet Breguet got got the the overcoil’ of altering altering the the balance balance of of the the spring’s spring’s idea of terminal curve by raising its end and bending it slightly. It remains the point of reference in the finest watch houses today. When Breguet first introduced wristwatches in 2006, it was with flat silicon balance springs and escapements, combining all of the advantages and qualities of earlier discoveries and innovations.Ever innovations. at theatforefront of advancing technologies, the next Ever the forefront of advancing technologies, the challenge was to create silicon balance springs with next challenge was to create silicon balance springs the Breguet terminal curve.curve. withcelebrated the celebrated Breguet terminal

Usually getting thethe silicon Usually cut cutfrom fromflat flatwafers, wafers, getting to formto a bend uprising from the a silicon formrising a bend up coil fromrequired the complete rethinking of therethinking productionof process. coil required a complete the Today, theprocess. new Breguet silicon balance spring production features thenew Breguet Tradition 7047 with spring Today,inthe Breguet silicon balance tourbillion fuse-and-chain transmission features in and the Breguet Tradition 7047 with– the pride of Manufacture Breguet – and from now–on tourbillion and fuse-and-chain transmission will be adding its specific advantages allfrom Breguet the pride of Manufacture Breguet – to and movements, basic configuration. now on will whatever be addingtheir its specific advantages n to all Breguet movements, whatever their basic For further information, visit www.breguet.com configuration. n or the Breguet Boutique at 10A New Bond Street, 020 further 7355 1735 For information, visit www.breguet.com

Speed

for the

Sybarite

motoring

calibre

IN BRIEF Car: Bentley Continental Flying Spur Speed Price: £137,000 Engine: 4.7-litre V8 petrol Power: 600bhp Drive: Four-wheel drive

A mid Victorian diamond set floral brooch, circa 1850. Estimate £1,500 - £2,200

A diamond set choker necklace with brilliant cut diamonds and suspended foliate style drops. Estimate £15,000 - £18,000

A diamond and demantoid garnet snake brooch. Estimate £450 - £600

An aquamarine and diamond pendant. Estimate £4,500 - £5,000

Auction of Antique & Modern Jewellery Thursday 14th October at 10am

www.fellows.co.uk/vantage Augusta House | 19 Augusta Street | Birmingham B18 6JA | Tel 0121 212 2131| Fax 0121 212 1249

gadgets

calibre

gadgets

Jamie Carter presents the month’s hottest gadgets

Free and easy

The frst Freeview HD set-top boxes were big news a few months ago as the naton converted to high defniton in readiness for the World Cup. And while watching England lose in exquisite detail may not have been much consolaton, how many matches were missed because of early kick-ofs? Step forward the latest and greatest Freeview HD gear around; the hard disk recorder. There are scant few Freeview HD products available that can record – as well as receive – crisp HD broadcasts from the BBC and ITV, but the DMR-XW380 from Panasonic does just that. It actually sits around halfway up Panasonic’s range, which also includes similar models for Freesat HD (Freeview’s rival – though similarly subscripton-free – satellite service) and even a clutch of Blu-ray recorders that add the ability to burn HD broadcasts to blank discs. Since a lot of programmes on the BBC HD and ITV 1 HD channels (as well as the soonto-start BBC One HD channel) will soon be copy-protected, the Blu-ray opton is probably overdoing it a tad, which leaves this 250GB hard disk recorder in pole positon. Looks-wise it’s just another black box, but beside that hard disk – which can record 255 hours of regular programmes and 65 hours of

new gadgets

high defniton content – is also a DVD drive. It’s a superb DVD player that upscales well to match movies to a bigscreen HDTV, but it also acts as a recorder. Afer you’ve flled that hard drive it’s easy to select recordings and burn them to a blank disc – and in several diferent qualites to squeeze as much onto one disc as possible. The same goes for HD programmes; although they can’t be burned to a disc in their original quality, they can be ‘shrunk’ using clever tech that cuts the fle size in half without losing much in the way of pin-sharp detail. The DMR-XW380 also has a novel home networking feature that could see it used as a home hub; transfer JPEG photos to the machine using a USB stck and those pictures – as well as everything recorded onto the hard drive – can be watched on a Windows 7 PC or laptop running on the same home broadband network. Convertng fles can take tme (it’s best done overnight), but there’s no argument about the DMR-XW380’s convenience, ease of use or stunning picture quality. Who needs Sky? n

Panasonic DMR-XW380 Freeview+HD recorder £479.99 www.panasonic.co.uk

Denon AH-C560r earbuds with Apple Voice Control, £99.99 www.denon.co.uk

Samsung SP-H03 portable DLP projector, £299.99 www.samsung.co.uk

Pipeto iPod & iPhone cases, from £34.99 www.pipeto.co.uk

Come home this Christmas… At Lord’s, the most famous cricket ground in the world, we know a thing or two about tradition. So join us at the Home of Cricket for an evening of Christmas cheer with all the trimmings - swathes of holly and ivy, toothsome mince pies cooked by our talented pastry chef, and of course a magnificent Christmas dinner. Christmas comes but once a year, so make it a perfect one at Lord’s.

Pavilion christmas Packages The prestigious and historic Pavilion is a spectacular setting for your Christmas dinner, luncheon or reception. Enter the Pavilion via the grand staircase and enjoy the ambience of the most prestigious building in world cricket. Whether you’re entertaining your guests in the opulent Long Room or enjoying an intimate event in the Writing Room your Christmas celebration at Lord’s is sure to be a memorable one. From £80 per person. thomas lord suite Packages The Thomas Lord Suite, next to the famous Grace Gate, is the perfect setting for you and your guests to celebrate Christmas in true festive style, with good friends, great food and exceptional service. Offering you the choice of a sparkling or mulled wine reception with canapés or a full sit-down dinner, it promises to be an evening to remember. From £69 per person.

For more information or to book your event please call us on 020 7616 8501 or email events@lords.org www.lords.org/christmas MCC, Lord’s Ground, London NW8 8QN

Lord's Christmas.indd 1

27/08/2010 07:48:39

sport

calibre

Whole In one

sports

news

run bIKe run THE SEASON END The London Duathlon is the world’s largest duathlonEngland middle order and possesses the ability England’s batsmen will be anxious to make therunningto held annually in Richmond Park, combining orrapidly alter the course of a match with his most of Kevin non-selection for Park, the whichmeasured, unconventional hitting. cycling. WithinPetersen’s the confines of the Royal is One-day with Pakistan, Steven Davies is the other player to be given a closed tointernational traffic for the(ODI) day, itseries offers athletes of all abilities the fourth place,environment. under floodlights, chance to shine by the selectors, beating previous chanceoftowhich race intakes a unique This year, at September 20, providing a fitting theLord’s event on now offers a New Ultra Distance challenge incumbent Craig Kieswetter and in form Test finale for appeal the season. Matt Prior to the wicketkeeper spot. that will to the thousands of athletes focusingregular on The likes of Ravi Bopara, Jonathan Trott longer distance racing. The 20km, 80km, 10km eventThe is 24-year-old was given a taste of ODI cricket and will insteadto berace given one Luke of theWright few opportunities at the these distancesduring last year’s ICC Champions Trophy and opportunity cementyourself their place the England in the UK, sotoprepare for in a tough challenge. has excelled at his new county Surrey this season, middle order against Pakistan. averaging over 50 in domestic one-day matches. WWW.thelondonduathlon.co.uK Pietersen’s pretenders have big shoes to fill. WWW.LORDS.ORG The Surrey batsman was Man of the ICC World T20 in the Caribbean this spring and averages more than 42 from his 104 ODIs to date. But the 30-year-old has been in poor form during the English summer so far, failing to trouble the scorers on his last visit to Lord’s in the fourth npower Test match against Pakistan. Pietersen’s absence will put even more pressure on England’s ODI darling Eoin Morgan in the middle order. The Irish born Middlesex player is, at just 23 years old, the key component in the

saIl aWay City Sailing 2010 by LynxSports will bring the speed and excitement of sail racing into the heart of London at The Royal Victoria Docks throughout September. Sail racing has been shown to be an exhilarating spectacle at events such as the iShares Cup, the BMW City Challenge and the King of the Docklands in Sydney. With the 2012 Olympic Games fast approaching, an entire fleet of Laser SB3 racing yachts will bring sailing back to the city. Be inspired by the commitment and skill of sailors, including British gold medallist Sarah Ayton in their quest for Gold in 2012. WWW.lynxsports.co.uK

Golfers travelling to European Airports are welcoming the arrival of Clubs to Hire, a new company offering the convenience of booking golf clubs online with instant pick-up at your airport of choice. Avoid the hefty carriage costs of lugging clubs on your flight with this quick and easy service available at the arrival hall of leading international airports. WWW.clubstohIre.com

say What?

Hopefully we can show the fans we are a good team. I’m desperate to make them happy in the future. I’m hurting as a player and I’m sure the rest of the lads are as well

england captaIn, steven gerard on the neW squad’s future

How to:

perfect your golf sWIng 1. Choose the correct golf club Take a four-iron instead of a five-iron or a three-wood instead of a five-wood, and so on. Your shots will feel solid and ultimately yield better results 2. It’s not all about your arms Try to think of a back swing as turning your back to the target, as if winding up a spring, before releasing the club from behind you 3. Coil your body Resistance is created between the turning of the upper body and shoulders, and decreased turning of the hips and lower body. Practice this movement for a more accurate direction on the golf ball 4. Don’t be hasty Any time a swing begins to break down, the first correction is usually to slow down your backswing and take your time 5. Don’t grip too tight On a scale of one to ten, with ten being as tight as you can hold the club, try a grip pressure of about four

49 47

the

racing

xxxxx sport

feature calibre

Ranked as one of Britain’s richest residents and ringleader of a sport that generates close to £2 billion per year, Formula 1 ringleader Bernie Ecclestone is a businessman not to be messed with. Lee Brooks profiles one of the shrewdest men in world sport

f size were crucial to a business deal, Bernie Ecclestone wouldn’t have much of a look in. The pint-sized Englishman barely measures 5ft 4ins, yet his tiny exterior hides a devilish business instinct that has seen him almost single-handedly transform Formula 1 from a simple motor race into one of the world’s biggest sports. The 79-year-old is one of Britain’s richest residents, with a personal fortune estimated at £1.4bn, and despite his vintage age and heart bypass operation eight years ago, the business tycoon shows no sign of giving up the daily grind in favour of a retirement home and a place on the over-70s bowls team. As president of Formula 1 Management and Formula 1 Administration, he remains the primary force in motor racing. Son of a North Sea trawler man, Suffolk-born Ecclestone left school at 16 to start work at the local gasworks and pursue his hobby of motorcycles, but it wasn’t long before the inner businessman took over, and he set up a car and motorcycle dealership in Bexley, Kent. A dabble in racing cars resulted in a series of crashes, so he moved into driver management and then bought the Brabham Racing Team in 1972, which he ran for 15 years and scored 22 race victories. Ecclestone is something of a perfectionist. During his reign at Brabham, he would often been seen picking up a broom and doing the sweeping himself in a bid to maintain his obsessively high standards of cleanliness. He would also drive the mechanics mad if a sponsorship sticker was even slightly out of line on the rear wing of one of the Brabham cars.

The pinT-sized englishman barely measures 5fT 4ins, yeT his Tiny exTerior hides a devilish business insTincT ThaT has seen him almosT single-handedly Transform formula 1 It was during this time, in the mid-1970s, that Ecclestone made his move to transform Formula 1. The sport was hugely popular but lacked the direction to raise its profile. Ecclestone spotted the opportunity and cannily persuaded the other teams to let him negotiate commercial rights on their behalf, as well as organise the races. In return, he would keep a hefty chunk of the profits. Now 35 years on, the 2009 Sunday Times Rich List ranked the tycoon as 24th richest person in the United Kingdom and, while no longer a team boss, he remains in control of one of the biggest businesses in sport. Watching Ecclestone working the Formula 1 paddock is like watching a shepherd presiding over his flock. He glides from team to team in his standard uniform of Emporio Armani white

shirt, dark slacks and perfectly buffed black shoes, ensuring everything is running like clockwork. It’s also been Ecclestone’s foresight to take the sport to emerging new markets that has really boosted his already eye-watering bank balance. So desperate have the likes of Bahrain, China, Abu Dhabi and most recently Korea, been to get a precious spot on the Formula 1 calendar, that they have agreed to pay extortionate amounts of money to win the rights to host a Grand Prix, and then spend hundreds of millions building the most luxurious circuit money can buy. Ecclestone’s talents extend outside of motor racing, too. In 2007, he delved into the world of football when he purchased London-based Championship club Queens Park Rangers, along with good friend and former Renault F1 team boss Flavio Briatore and steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal. He is ranked as the fifth richest hotelier in the world, thanks to his ownership of the prestigious Olden hotel in Gstaad, Switzerland and in 2004, he pulled off one of his shrewdest business dealings to date when he sold the then most expensive house in Britain to his multi-billionaire business associate Mittal for £57m – a £7million profit – despite never having lived in it. He has spent his life hustling and cajoling his way into a position of unconditional power in a sport that tells royalty where to sit and governments how much to spend. But early last year, he almost lost it all. The sport’s teams threatened to leave Formula 1 and set up a rival championship, during which time Ecclestone was busy dealing with the divorce from his wife of 24 years. Slavica Radic, 28 years his junior and nearly ten inches taller, cited “unreasonable behaviour” that had caused her “stress and anxiety” for the divorce. The split is rumoured to have accounted for the £934 million decline in Ecclestone’s fortune, estimated in 2009. Twelve months on, though, and Ecclestone is still standing. The 79-year-old managed to persuade the teams to remain in the sport, while maintaining a healthy looking bank balance in spite of his hefty divorce. Formula 1 without Ecclestone seems an unlikely prospect and, despite his aging years, the billionaire insists he’s not going anywhere. “I’d be happy to die on the job, ” he said. “For me, that’s the only way to go. ” n

SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX 2010 24, 25, 26 SEPTEMBER one of the few street circuits on the formula 1 racing calendar and the only night-time event the singapore grand prix is a definite highlight of the season. Won by alonso in the inaugural year and hamilton last year, can Webber get his first win here and firmly secure his position at the top? www.formula1.com

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travel food & drink destination out &&about food drink

Truffle Hunting hONg kONg caffe culture bRivE ............................................................................ events ............................................................... plAtEAu

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ON RARE FORM

The renowned House of RĂŠmy Martin brings its finest and rarest feat to the light of day, the extraordinary Louis XIII Rare Cask

lready regarded as one of the most exclusive Grande Champagne cognacs in the world, Louis XIII has been keeping its rarest gem, an exquisite yet fortuitous accident of nature, up its sleeve. Until now, that is, with a launch that promises to delight and surprise even the most indulged and discriminating cognac connoisseur. Whilst conducting her regular tastings back in 2004, cellar master Pierrette Trichet discovered that one single cask had developed an extra strength (with an alcoholic level of 43.8 degrees instead of the expected 40), and an uncommonly rich and

intense flavour. After watching over this miraculous cask for a further four years, it has been released as a very special, limited edition launch. Aged for a century, Louis XIII is famous for its rich, varied and opulent flavours. To this, the rare cask adds an extraordinary palette of honey, nuts and mushroom, with the extra strength bringing an astonishing richness and aromatic intensity, all encased in the deliciously chic black crystal decanter. n Available from Harrods and Selfridges www.remy.com

53 123

declare your

independence

Small independent luxury hotels. Memorable experiences.

Small Luxury Hotels of the Worldâ&#x201E;˘ Book your winter beach escape at www.slh.com/beachescapes

travel

connoisseur

ROOM WITH A VIEW

If you’re in search of a room with a view, there is no better location than that of Jade Mountain located on St.Lucia’s south western coastline Designed by architect and owner Nick Troubetzkoy, Jade Mountain is a place like no other. Set high on the hills; expect grand sweeping spaces where bedroom, living area and an extravagant private infinity pool glide into one another with breathtaking views of St Lucia’s Pitons World Heritage Site. For gourmet travellers there’s even more temptation with a workshops to tantalise the tastebuds: Mango Madness (11-13 October) and Chocolate Festival (10-12 December)

travel

news

AS YOU LIKE IT

Many travel companies refer to their offerings as tailor-made, but it seems few could come close to the exclusive London travel company Brown + Hudson’s truly bespoke service. No trip exists until it has been created in collaboration with a client, with painstaking care and astonishing attention to the minutiae that could make your trip a genuinely one-off experience. Catering for discerning international clients, they offer luxury travel around the world, from Africa to Antartica, crafting a unique experience from your personal requirements, needs and desires. How about a being given a private cookery lesson by Fez’s best chefs, and the finest in Morocco, a behind-the-scenes look at the famous Moreno de la Cova Ganaderia bull ranch in Andalucía, or even learning about the subtle rules of free-market communism from a Vietnamese entrepreneur? The planning doesn’t stop there; Brown + Hudson also works to ensure that the smallest detail of your trip will not be overlooked, from flying in your favourite wines, single malts and cigars to a remote luxury camp, to arranging a satellite dish so you can catch up with the BBC News. Whatever you desire, Brown + Hudson can help you make travel into an exquisite experience, rather than just another holiday. www.brownandhudson.com

www.jademountain.com

www.whatsonwhen.com

Website of the month: Explore the many weird and wonderful global goings on listed at What’s On When, which offers an easy-to-navigate yet comprehensive guide to festivals and events taking place throughout the world. Whether your passion is for film noir, beer or oil wrestling, you will be able to find an event that will make your holiday genuinely unforgettable.

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.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;tis the

season

October marks the start of the white truffle season, with thousands descending on the Langhe region of Italy and the city of Alba specifically, where the best truffles are to be found. Louisa Castle visits the region for a gastronomic gander before the crowds

travel

connoisseur

THE EXPERIENCE

Opposite: Relais San Maurizio, chiesa Above: Relais San Maurizio, bedroom suite Spa Relaxation

MUST VISIT Tartufi Morra, in Alba, the famous truffle emporium established in 1930. www.tartufimorra.com

DON’T MISS The Donkey Palio in Alba on the first Sunday of October, which marks the start of the white truffle season.

food & drink

connoisseur

DECADENT CAKES

food & drink

news

UBER COOL Its offering may be cool but it’s certainly red hot news that Europe’s first liquid nitrogen ice-cream parlour will be opening its doors in Camden Lock. Based on the wonderfully visual culinary alchemy practised by the likes of Heston Blumenthal, Chin Chin Laboratorists is the creation of former City worker, Ahrash AkbariKalhur and his wife Nyisha Weber. Together these two twentysomethings travelled the world to research both methods and ingredients before putting their life savings into opening their dream business. The shop’s focal point is a 180-litre tank of liquid nitrogen. With smoke filling the room, customers are treated to a complimentary theatre show as Chin Chin’s white-coated staff prepare their fabulous concoctions. And what concoctions they are – ice-chip free ice cream with the added bonus of half the fat and sugar. The selection of flavours is as unconventional as the process with choices such as basil and saffron. New flavours will be announced every Tuesday via twitter.

Chef Masayuki ‘Masa’ Hara runs the boutique French style tea salon, Lanka, that offers delicately designed cakes with a distinctive and unusual Japanese French fusion. With 20 years of French cuisine experience behind him, he moved to London in the 1980s with his fashion journalist wife Mina who is also very much involved in the day-to-day running of an enterprise that also includes outside catering for both corporate and private functions. When walking through the stylish streets of Primrose Hill make sure you stop off afor a Sri Lankan tea or a freshly ground Monmouth coffee accompanied by one of Masa’s infamous macaroons or a piece of his signature green tea, almond powder and white chocolate cake. 71 Regent’s Park Road, London, NW1 8UY 020 7483 2544 www.lanka-uk.com

£5 BURGER THURSDAYS Every Thursday in September family favourite restaurant Giraffe is offering all burgers at a fiver to help soften the blow of going back to school.

Ice cream and sauce is £3.95 www.chinchinlabs.com

Food lingo:

CURRY CLUB

HARISSA

When talented local cook Aruna Khanzada invites you over for a curry, it’s an offer you really can’t refuse. For Aruna’s Indian cuisine is second to none. Under the Curry Powder name, she’s hosting her first Curry Club event downstairs in the Princess of Wales Pub in the heart of Primrose Hill. Using ingredients sourced wherever possible from local suppliers, Aruna’s three-course feast will also include a number of vegetarian options.

Originally from Tunisia, harissa is a spicy paste, is commonly used in cuisines across North Africa. Recipes vary across regions, but the main ingredients are generally Piri Piri chilli peppers, Serano pepper and olive oil. The paste is used to flavour a wide variety of dishes, in particular meat or fish stews, grilled fish and couscous.

Thursday 7 October, 7.30 – 8.00pm £25 per head at Princess of Wales Pub 22 Chalcot Road, Primrose Hill, NW1 8LL www.openandshutltd.com

Quote:

Website:

Ask your child what he wants for dinner only if he’s buying. Fran Lebowitz, American Author

www.eattheseasons.co.uk

NEWS:

www.giraffe.net

Eat The Seasons is a simple website that makes green gourmet cooking uncommonly easy. Updated every week, the website’s home page gives the definitive lowdown on what foods are in season and good to eat right now, including interesting information, recipes and helpful hints.

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food & drink

connoisseur

The Friendly Continental FEGO Caffe, a brasserie style cafe situated on St John’s Wood High Street, is a firm favourite with the locals. Ruthe Wainman visits for an early dinner and was struck by both the stylish atmosphere, and the warm welcome from General Manager Tito who manages to remember the name of every one of his regulars

hese regulars are large in number and it’s not difficult to see why. FEGO has it all, a handson owner, contemporary décor and delicious, deceptively simple cuisine made with the finest ingredients. The menu is wideranging and includes something for everyone, from healthy but tasty salads, including crayfish and warm beef, to the newly introduced open sandwiches made with sour dough or the La Brea Bread that has taken the US – and now UK – by storm. Also on offer are delicious meat dishes and stone ground pizzas. My nine-year-old daughter is a fussy eater but she was delighted with her meltin-the mouth sirloin steak and French fries – as good as the ones they serve in The Wolseley. My friend started with Peri-Peri Chicken Livers. This is a dish I wouldn’t usually order but the liver was perfectly prepared, with just a hint of spicy flavouring, served drizzled with olive oil and accompanied by garlic bruschetta. I opted for Scottish Smoked Salmon which was a visual delight and a real taste sensation – smoked salmon served on a crispy light potato rosti topped with fresh capers and a generous swirl of sauce vierge and crème fraiche, a light and definitely moreish combination. The star of the show however was undoubtedly the main course, a FEGO Home Burger. There are hamburgers and there are hamburgers, and this is definitely one of the best I have ever tasted. Served in a homemade brioche style bun, the meat was tender, with a secret recipe sauce and accompanied by bacon, avocado and crisp salad.

Our other diners enjoyed the 10oz aged sirloin, cooked to perfection and accompanied by rosemary new potatoes and grilled vine tomatoes, grilled Baby Chicken and Sausage and Mash. Their sentiments were unanimous – this was some of the tastiest food they had eaten for a while. The wine list features a good selection of Italian favourites and irresistible cocktails - my friend tried the Indian Ocean, a refreshing blend of orange juice and blue Curaçao which he pronounced himself very happy with. To finish we had FEGO’s own exclusive brand of coffee that uses no less than six different types of bean

and is roasted in Italy. Decorated with a heart-shaped chocolate on the top, it was a perfect end to a wonderful evening – and on my own doorstep as well! To sum up, FEGO provides a delightful oasis, the ideal place to escape the hustle and bustle of St John’s Wood High Street. And if you do live a little further afield, there are actually six other FEGO Caffes dotted around the outskirts of London, with a new outlet in Putney set to open later this year. n FEGO Caffe 64 St John’s Wood High Street, NW8 7SH 020 74831 1826

connoisseur out & about

out about

Pop-up Fun After a successful July launch, eclectic new night Sounds Like Mischief brings a new concept event to Proud Camden, ‘The Mischief Market’. On Tuesday 17 Sept, Sounds Like Mischief is inviting local creatives and Camden market stall owners to display their most original and eccentric work, creating a world of music, art, fashion and other timeless pieces. Making the most of Proud’s revamped venue, Sounds Like Mischief will see the horse stables transformed into a pop-up walkway of independent exhibitions and stalls while independent bands from across the musical spectrum, from electro-pop to pure rock and roll, will entertain the crowd - a truly local event, for local people. Tuesday, 17 September www.proudcamden.co.uk

FLAWLESS DIAMOND

Remains of the Day From works by Lucian Freud and Gary Hume to the very sign that adorned the company’s offices in Canary Wharf, the Lehman Brothers: Artwork and Ephemera auction offers a diverse selection of items which once adorned the walls of the British and European arms of the former banking powerhouse. This collection is expected to realise around

£2 million, forming part of the administrator’s plan to wind down Lehman Brothers and Lehman Brothers International (Europe) to achieve the maximum value for creditors. Lehman Brothers: Artwork and Ephemera auction, 29 September, Christies, South Kensington www.christies.com

Festival Feasting Now in its 19th year, Le Festival aux Quat’ Saisons, created by Raymond Blanc, is well established, showcasing internationally acclaimed artists from the worlds of opera, classical music and jazz. This unique gastronomic and musical extravaganza features a magical torchlit pathway to the neighbouring St Mary’s Church and pews bathed in candlelight – an intimate setting for a memorable performance. You’ll then return to Le Manoir for a fabulous, four-course dinner. Le Festival aux Quat’ Saisons, 7, 8 and 9 October Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons, Oxford www.manoir.com

A magnificent late art deco diamond ring is the highlight of the Bonhams Fine Jewellery sale which will take place in New Bond Street on 22 September. The potentially flawless Asscher-cut diamond, weighing 6.82 carats is Type IIa (the most chemically pure type of diamond with exceptional optical transparency). This ring, estimated at £150,000-200,000, has never before been seen at auction and its colour, clarity and shape are exquisite. The sale also features two other impressive gem-quality diamond rings and a superb selection of antique 19th century jewellery, which is infrequently seen on the market. Wednesday, 22 September Bonhams, 101 New Bond Street www.bonhams.com

LONDON Homes&

PROPERTY Showcasing the finest homes in your area

COVERING ST JOHN’S WOOD, MAIDA VALE, PRIMROSE HILL, MARYLEBONE, regent’s park AND THE SURROUNDING AREA

Image courtesy of Gingerlily

KnightFrank

Marlborough Place, St. Johns Wood NW8 Probably the best house in Marlborough Place

A Grade II listed, semi detached, period house with a south west facing garden and off street parking for 5 cars. 5 bedrooms (4 with en suite bathroom), shower room, dining room, sitting room, drawing room, family room, study, kitchen/breakfast room, laundry room, guest WC, balcony, south west facing garden, garage, planning permission has been granted for a leisure complex. Freehold Guide price: ÂŁ12,000,000 (SJW070501)

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

Hanover Terrace, Regents Park NW1 7 bedroom Nash house

This elegant home with magnificent views, a rear garden, separate mews house with garage. Master bedroom suite with study and bathroom, bedroom 2 en suite, 4 further bedrooms, shower room, reception room, drawing room, study, dining room, 2 kitchens, 3 guest WCs, rear garden, double garage, 2 bedroom Mews house. Approximately 600.2 sq m (6,461sq ft). Leasehold 123 years 1 month Guide price: ÂŁ11,000,000 SJW080272

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

KnightFrank

Greville Place, London

Beautiful period house with parking and garden This is only the third time that this striking property is being brought to the market in its 150 year history. 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room, dining room, self contained flat with own entrance, including bedroom, living room, kitchen and bathroom, 2 guest WCs, 2 wine cellars, 2 cellars, 2 balconies, garden, off street parking. Approximately 440.3sq m (4,740sq ft). Freehold Guide price: ÂŁ4,950,000

(SJW090096)

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

Hamilton Terrace, St. Johns Wood NW8 Elegant 2 bedroom first floor flat

A recently refurbished flat situated on one of the most sought after roads in St. Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wood. Master bedroom with en suite, further bedroom, shower room, reception room with air conditioning, kitchen, 2 balconies. Approximately 99.7sq m (1,073sq ft). Share of freehold Guide price: ÂŁ1,150,000

(SJW100129)

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

The pinnacle of elegance, this apartment retains many of its period features. So the nights needn’t get darker.

Beyond your expectations Roaring fires. Comfy sofas. Hearty food. With the nights drawing in, now is the time to nest. The time to find your dream home and hide away from the wind and rain. You needn’t look far for the most homely of homes either, at Hamptons International, cosiness is our forte. Hamptons St John’s Wood

99 St. John’s Wood Terrace, NW8 6PL Lettings. 020 7722 2131 stjohnswoodlettings@hamptons-int.com www.hamptons.co.uk

Beyond your expectations

Kent Terrace, NW1 £1,950 per week An exceptional Nash house in Regents Park benefiting from five bedrooms and a lovely East facing garden and spacious accommodation throughout.

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.

St John’s Wood Office

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

Hall Road, NW8 £1,400 per week A bright and spacious apartment situated on the second floor of a well maintained portered block close to shopping, restaurants and transport

facilities of St John’s Wood.

The Pavilion Apartments, NW8 £1,250 per week A fabulous front facing two double bedroom eighth floor apartment with direct views into Lords Cricket Ground within the most sought-after block in St John’s Wood.

Here. There. Everywhere. We were the first UK estate agency to launch an app for iPad, and an app for iPhone, and our website has hundreds of thousands of visitors each month. Whether you want to buy, sell, let or rent, it couldn’t be easier.

St John’s Wood Office

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

The Pavilion Apartments, NW8 £800 per week A highly desirable two bedroom 2 bathroom apartment situated on the third floor of this prestigious block in St Johns Wood opposite Lords Cricket Ground.

Wherever you are. Wherever you want to be. Introducing the new Hamptons International app for iPad. From city penthouses and country retreats to boltholes in the sun and family homesteads, our new app for iPad puts the finest properties at your fingertips. Not to mention all the latest property news and insights. Download it now and browse from the comfort of wherever you may be. Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk/ipad

C679-iPad-AD-A4P.indd 1

13/09/2010 11:14

TH E PENT H OUS E

InverforthHouse HAMP ST EAD N W3

A rare opportunity to purchase a sensational lateral penthouse apartment (348sq m/3,750sq ft) occupying the entire top floor of this prestigious Grade II Listed mansion which was originally built in 1851 for soap maker and philanthropist William Hesketh Lever.

Inverforth House is a superbly located secure gated development of just nine exclusive residences abutting Hampstead Heath in which this penthouse apartment benefits from direct access to over 500sq ft of private terracing featuring breathtaking views over spectacular Listed gardens. ACCOMMODATION & AMENITIES Principal Bedroom Suite with Exceptionally Large En-Suite Dressing Room and Bathroom, Three Further Bedrooms, Two Further En-Suite Bathrooms, Reception Room, Informal Sitting Room, Living Room, Kitchen/Breakfast Room, Utility Room, Guest Cloakroom. Amenities include Balcony and Two South West Facing Private Terraces, Extensive Landscaped Communal Gardens incorporating Tennis Court for the exclusive use of Residents, Double Garage, Secure Off Street Parking for One Car, Direct Lift Access, 24 Hour Resident Concierge Service, Storage Room. SHARE OF FREEHOLD • JOINT SOLE SELLING AGENTS • £4,950,000

7 Perrins Court London NW3 1QS

savills.co.uk

020 7472 5000

The Perfect

Location

Jon Hughes and James Morton, owners of estate agency Benham and Reeves reveal why Hampstead has so much to offer potential buyers

or us, working in and around the Hampstead area makes our jobs that little bit easier as it has so many wonderful selling points; from the fascinating history of the borough to the vast range of amenities which make life in Hampstead so enjoyable. Much of Hampstead’s history is connected with its heath, hill and healthy air and water; at the end of the seventeenth century reports of the well near Well Walk turned the area into a spa and later a health resort. In 1888, the village ceased to be in the Parish of St John, Hampstead, Middlesex and officially became part of London. The name Hampstead comes from the Old English word Hamstede, meaning ‘homestead’ or ‘manor’. There are many Hampsteads, and variations such as Hemel Hempstead, all over the country; the Hampstead in New Hampshire USA was founded in 1749 and named ‘in honour of the pleasant village in

Middlesex County’. The history of the manor dates back to a charter of AD 986 in which Æthelred the Unready gave the land to the monks of Westminster. According to this, the boundaries of Hampstead were the same in the tenth century as they are a thousand years later and extend to approximately 2,000 acres. Hampstead has historically been home to many famous artists and writers including John Constable, John Linnell, Henry Moore, Kate Greenaway, John Keats, HG Wells and DH Lawrence to name but a few, as well as many of the eminent thinkers of our time including Sigmund Freud. Today, Hampstead is still renowned for its healthy air and the heath, and is an extremely inspirational area for people to reside. The bohemian and intellectual atmosphere still pervades, although perhaps not as prevalently as was the case in the 1960s. The area is now home to a rich diversity of cultures and nationalities who are further attracted by the wide range of excellent schools, the unique ‘village atmosphere’ and the feeling that

homes & property

one is still somehow not quite in London but rather in an enclave somewhere between the city and the countryside. Our jobs are made even more interesting by being able to offer a range of properties within the area, as the architecture is a mixture of homes dating back to the early/mid 1600s and right the way through Regency, Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian, on to the ‘cutting edge’ 1960s homes and all the way up to newly constructed houses. This vast array of property styles, spanning 500 years of changing tastes and styles, are set in a relatively small area, and all somehow seem to sit perfectly well together, seamlessly blending into the fabric of the village. Shopping and leisure facilities in Hampstead are extensive and wide ranging. There are still several one off boutiques and local shops rubbing shoulders with the now obligatory phone shops, convenience supermarkets and chain boutiques. There is also a thriving antique market and auction house in the village, and several specialist shops. Served by the Northern Line, Hampstead’s underground platform is the deepest in London, a fact well utilised by the residents during the blitz. Alongside the Jubilee Line underground at Swiss Cottage and multiple bus routes, Hampstead has easy access to the West End and the City making it the ideal location for City workers. With such a broad mix of homes and styles, it is very difficult and somewhat foolhardy to try and generalise property prices in the area in terms of buying. Studio flats start at around £200,000 and one bedroom flats start at around £350,000; houses in the area offer a far wider price banding, cottages start at approximately £750,000 with the biggest homes in the most desirable spots having achieved figures in excess of £40 million. Rumours have been rife of offers for houses in ‘Hampstead proper’ at figures of £50 and £60 million but we have yet to see proof of these sales. However, on the borders of Hampstead in roads such as the internationally renowned Bishops Avenue, these huge sums are often achieved and occasionally even exceeded. n

our business Benham and Reeves’ association with Hampstead Village and the selling of its homes is now approaching 60 years and we have built up an unrivalled street by street, often house by house, local expertise. We have a network of five local offices which combine to exert a unique selling power in our areas and beyond; no other agent has a comparable chain and all of the offices interact on each and every sale. This is part of why we have a long record of achieving the best available prices for our clients in a wide variety of market conditions and why we continue to rescue home owners from undervaluation by less experienced agents.

www.benhamandreeves.co.uk Hampstead office: 020 7435 9822

our background Benham and Reeves is a privately owned estate agency practice, which for the last six years has been owned and run by Jon Hughes and James Morton. Jon’s career in estate agency started in 1981 in Hertfordshire before he moved to work in London in 1985, where he has worked almost exclusively in Hampstead. James began his career working in the property market almost 20 years ago at Benham and Reeves, leaving to work for another local rival in Hampstead before coming back to buy the business along with Jon.

ST GEORGE’S MEWS PRIMROSE HILL NW1 AA Rr Gg Uu AA Bb LY l yT t Hh E e Mm Oo Ss T t Uu Nn Uu Ss Uu AA L lL l AA Tt Ee Rr AA L lHh Oo Mm E eI N i nPP Rr IM im Rr Oo Ss E eHh I Li l Ll

DE S IGNE D BY T HE LAT E R ICHAR D PAXTON, R E NOWNE D AS ONE O F B R ITA IN ’S F INE ST R E S IDE NT IAL AR CHIT E CT S , A UNIQUE AND I M P OR TA N T M O D ER N HO M E DIS CR E T E LY LOCAT E D IN T HIS QUIE T ME WS W ITHIN T HE HE A R T O F PR IMR OS E HILL. T HIS ‘HOUS E ’ IS E NT E R E D VIA A S M O KED GL AS S P OR TCULLIS R E VE ALING A LAR GE PAR KING S PACE W HICH IN TUR N P R OVIDE S ACCE S S VIA A GR AND ST E P P E D AP P R OACH ( WIT H F U N ICU L A R L IF T !) INTO T HE ST UNNING MAIN R E CE P T ION AR E A W HICH IS A D O U B L E VOLUME S PACE OVE R 7 0 ’ IN LE NGT H WIT H A CU R VE D CEIL ING, R EVE ALING T WO VAST R E T R ACTAB LE GLAS S R OOF L IG HTS . THE KEY F E ATUR E OF T HIS AR E A IS T HE UNIQUE 4 0 ’ GLAS S SWIM M ING P O O L . THE S E MI-OP E N P LAN KIT CHE N B LE NDS IN WIT H T HE HIGHLY OR IGINAL AND CONT E MP OR ARY INT E R IOR. T WO W IN G S E ITHE R S ID E OF T HIS GR E AT S PACE P R OVIDE T HE B E DR OOM AC CO M M O DAT IO N W IT H A T WO STOR E Y MAST E R S UIT E WIT H DR E S S ING R O O M AND BAT HR OOM ON T HE LOWE R LE VE L, MAST E R B E DR OOM AN D STUDY AR EA A B OVE AND ACR OS S T HE WAY IS T HE S E COND WING P R OVIDING FOUR B E DR OOM S UIT E S WIT H T E R R ACE S. P R ICE ON AP P LICAT ION FR E E HOLD S OLE AGE NT

20 HEATH STREET, HAMPSTEAD VILLAGE, NW3 6TE Residential Sales | Residential Lettings | Property Management

george clarke

of benefits “…The a basement g creatin t you are tha space so much d can ad itional dd more a re you to whe e m lu o v y n a m so live. In ou can’t y s e s hou ild any arily bu necess any wider, or higher lways u can a on of o y t u b ti p o e th look at wn.” o d g goin

on london basements

“…and I know tha don’t do t if I the base ment I am going to have to move an da I resent d ctually oing that. I resent p aying ou stamp du t the ty, it’s a waste of Stay whe money. re put that in you are vestment money in to th that you’v e place e got and make yo ur house a beautiful home.”

“…and let’s face it, light is everything when it comes to the quality of your house and what I like about really beautiful basements, that have been designed very well, is they feel actually quite intimate and beautiful spaces to be in.”

“...I think whe n it comes to building a ba sement you don’t want to take any risks with a co mpany that’s inexperienced and doesn’t have a long te rm track record. It’s lik e a team of miners going under your house, diggin g out the soil and putti ng new foundations un der your building, you don’t want to take a risk with that and I think Lo ndon Basement, w ithout a doubt are the best company in th eir field.”

Explore possibilities right beneath your feet Call 020 8847 9449 or visit www.londonbasement.co.uk to find out how we can create your extra space

london basement

homes & property

HOT PROPERTY

ST JOHN’s Wood

FAMILY HOME A newly refurbished brick built semi-detached home in the St John’s Wood Conservation Area benefitting from a southerly rear patio with extendable sun awning and off-street parking for up to three cars. Downstairs the two spacious reception rooms (14’7” x 11’8” and 17’5” x 14’11”) open up to create one flowing space with access to the rear garden. To the first floor lies the master bedroom suite with dressing room and en suite bathroom, second bedroom with en suite shower room and small bedroom/study. Rising to the second floor are two further bedrooms, one with en suite shower room and the fourth bathroom. This contemporary family home exudes modern-day style and character whilst being sympathetic to and inclusive of the period features, resulting in a perfect living space.

springfield Road

£750,000 Freehold £3,250,000 Knight Frank, St John’s Wood www.knightfrank.co.uk

020 7586 2777 79

Prestige Personified ... Embassy Court has without a doubt become the number one residential apartment block in NW8. Apart from having a 24 hr concierge offering residents basic services, they have been known to go several steps further in ensuring each resident feels truly comfortable. Making restaurant reservations, arranging travel plans, assisting in paying bills and even nipping across the road to get a Café Latte with skimmed milk are amongst just some of the tasks the ever ready concierge team have performed. This particular apartment is in excess of 1,550 sq ft comprising of a magnificent master bedroom and en suite bathroom, two further bedrooms and a shower room along with a fully-fitted open-plan kitchen accessed independently or through the bright reception room. The apartment has been carefully furnished with simplicity and sophistication in mind and a buyer could benefit from having these included as part of the sale. Viewing is strictly by appointment and offers are invited in the region of £3.2m.

... Steeped in tradition

An imposing and prominent red brick block, Eyre Court is a fabulously located development literally a stones throw from the high street, station and the American School. This 1,780 sq ft top floor extremely spacious apartment offers fantastic family living. The accommodation offers 4 double bedrooms, 2 shower rooms, 1 bathroom, reception/dining room and a fully fitted kitchen. Having the benefit of being on 6th floor, the property is extremely bright and has views over the neighbouring buildings and beyond. Viewing is strictly by appointment. Offers invited in excess of £1.8m

rescorp 11 hanover gate mansions park road, london nw1 4sj

t: 0203 348 8000 f: 0203 348 8800 e: info@rescorp.co.uk w: www.rescorp.co.uk

Intervari specialise in bespoke design and manufacture of beautiful handcrafted k i t c h e n s , b e d r o o m s , b a t h r o o m s a n d f r e e - s t a n d i n g f u r n i t u r e o f e x q u i s i t e q u a l i t y. I n t e r v a r i â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s d e s i g n t e a m h a s t h e e x p e r t i s e t o c r e a t e i n d i v i d u a l a n d u n i q u e s o l u t i o n s for luxury residential environments.

I N S P I R E C R E AT E D E L I V E R

16 Wigmore Street, Marylebone, London, W1U 2RF

Te l : 0 2 0 7 6 3 7 1 9 0 0 F a x : 0 2 0 7 6 3 7 1 9 8 6 www.inter vari.com

design@intervari.com

homes & property

Tailor Made With over 40 years of experience between them, Jeremy Rosenblatt and Jason Goldstone decided to open a boutique estate agency which offers clients the finest properties that North West London has to offer

hen Jeremy Rosenblatt and Jason Goldstone decided to launch their own estate agency in 2006, their aim was to provide a specialised and bespoke agency which they believed was the type of agency missing in the North West London area. Hanover Residential was born out of Jeremy and Jason’s passion for providing clients with a unique and well run service and, despite beginning their venture at the start of the economic downturn, their business is still going strong. “Jason and I set up Hanover Residential in October 2006 and it was something that we had always wanted to do and it just seemed the right thing to do at the time,” explains Jeremy. “We started just when the market began to go down hill and the recession started. Of course it was tough but we got through it and it seems that we are out the other side now.”

As an independent boutique estate agency, Hanover Residential specialises in the sales and lettings of high calibre residential property in St John’s Wood, Regent’s Park, Hampstead, Little Venice and the surrounding areas. Having worked as estate agents for other companies for over 20 years, both Jeremy and Jason’s property experience has given them an in-depth knowledge of the local market and they have successfully handled some of the area’s most prestigious sales and rentals. To them it is very clear why so many people want to make the North West London area their home. “St John’s Wood and the surrounding environs is an ideal location within London. It is near to so many great places such as Regent’s Park and St John’s Wood High Street and the architecture within the area is stunning,” says Jeremy. “The area has a lot going for it and it has been world renowned for centuries.” Having combined their extensive knowledge, both owners have gained a reputation for dedicated personal attention and absolute professionalism. “We offer a very personalised service, a service which is bespoke and because we are a boutique agency both Jason and I, as directors, are heavily involved in all aspects of the running of the business. I guess that is why people come to us because they know that they will deal with us directly,” explains Jeremy. “Our ethos is to cater to people’s needs. If they are selling through us we can cater to the kind of sale they are looking for, i.e. if they are looking for an open market sale or a discreet sale. Likewise when we deal with people who want to be very discreet in searching for a property, such as celebrities or high profile individuals, they will receive a bespoke service that means we can give them what they are looking for.” Recognised as a leading property specialist, Jeremy doesn’t see high street chains as competition and believes that if clients are after personal service then their company should be their first port of call. “Clients who are looking to sell or buy will either go to the high street chains and be one of the many properties that they are selling and thus, be almost forgotten about,” says Jeremy, “or they will come to us where we concentrate on the key properties and are able to give them our full attention.” Having weathered the recession and worked with some of the most high profile clients both in London and overseas, Hanover Residential has earned its reputation as a business that does everything with sensitivity, professionalism and most of all provides a bespoke service that is not often provided in the property world. n For further information call Hanover Residential on 020 7372 4499 or visit www.hanover-residential.co.uk

ÂŁ775,000 Leasehold Rosslyn Hill, Hampstead, NW3 A recently refurbished two bedroom, two bathroom garden flat comprising approximately 1011 sq ft with own private entrance and off street parking space located moments from the shops on Rosslyn Hill. The apartment benefits from wood floors throughout, large reception room, recently refurbished kitchen, shower room and family bathroom. The patio garden is accessed via both bedrooms. Viewing by appointment.

ÂŁ1,875 Per week

Lancaster Grove, Belsize Park, NW3

Property Divas Limited bespoke property management lettings sales Silver winner of the 2010 Estate Agent of the Year Awards-ESTAS For London All enquiries www.propertydivas.com info@propertydivas.com 020 7431 8000

Beautifully appointed three bedroom, two bathroom spacious maisonette with its own mature private garden and off street parking. It is situated over the raised and lower ground floors of a detached period residence in a prime location in Belsize Park close to Primrose Hill. This lovely apartment, with many period features, is undergoing a full redecoration and rejuvenation to neutral tones, to include a new Poggenpohl kitchen with quartz worktops and new en suite master bathroom. The property is offered for rental unfurnished from around the 20th September. Upper level comprises double 29ft reception with high ceilings, wood flooring, access to private garden and large eat in kitchen. Lower level comprises a large master bedroom again with garden access, en suite bathroom, two further double bedrooms and family bathroom.

homes & property

State of the market LETTINGS:

SALES:

The corporate market returns

Price sensitive...

Emma Stefanko, lettings manager for Hamptons

There are motivated buyers in the market but with

International, comments on the current trends in

little prospect of imminent capital growth there is

the rental market

no underlying pressure on prospective purchasers

September, the busiest month of the year is now upon us and agents across North West London will be relived to see an uplift in enquiries from corporate relocation agents and tenants. Over the recent weeks here in St Johns Wood the phones have been ringing again with relocation agents looking on behalf of their corporate clients for all kinds of property from studios up to large family homes. The market that appears to be coming back the strongest is three to four bedroom flats and houses between £1,000 and £2,000 per week. It is difficult to read too much into this without making an assumption but it would certainly appear that a sector of the market that shrunk so noticeably as a result of the economic downturn is making a comeback. With talk of large bonuses once again being announced in the City in the months to come and the large companies once again bringing people to London, it looks like it could be an excellent time for landlords of corporate standard properties. Demand from London’s colleges and universities is also adding pressure to the already overstretched supply of property in London as a whole but noticeably in our area with demand from local colleges as well as those based more centrally. The already squeezed lower end of the market remains competitive and fast moving and those putting off their search until now may well find themselves disappointed.

We are continuing to experience mixed messages at Aston Chase. The traditionally buoyant house market in St John’s Wood remains challenging although demand from both domestic and overseas buyers is strong for new developments where 1, 2 & 3 bedroom apartments in schemes we are handling for Galliard at Melrose Apartments in Swiss Cottage and for London Newcastle at The Henson in Camden are selling extremely well. There is little consistency to the market for London’s finest homes which are dependent on flurries of activity from predominantly Eastern European and South East Asian buyers but these transactions to the super rich are, of course, hardly representative of the true market conditions. To some extent, we are moving into unchartered waters, after a far better than anticipated ‘bounce back’ caution now prevails as both end users and developers remain cautious about the much publicised ‘double dip’. Sterlings weakness and other benefits such as the UK providing a tax haven for non-domiciled investors and the education system have all combined to form significant pull factors for overseas buyers but there are already signs of foreign investment drying up if Sterling gets stronger. Of course, rarely available ‘special’ properties will always command premiums and prove to be the exception to the rule (we have just sold a duplex ‘shell and core’ penthouse apartment in St John’s Wood at a figure substantially in excess of £5m representing nearly £2,000 per sq ft in its existing condition) but generally speaking, the key to achieving robust activity in the present market conditions is to get the price right. In the final analysis, the market has recovered far better than nearly all the experts predicted but low interest rates and a substantial improvement in mortgage lending will, in my opinion, be required to sustain a healthy market in the foreseeable future.

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

Mark Pollack is a Director of Aston Chase 020 7724 4724 mark@astonchase.com

Jason Goldstone MNAEA DIRECTOR

Jeremy Roseblatt MNAEA DIRECTOR

ELIZABETH COURT, REGENTS PARK, NW1

ABERCORN PLACE, ST JOHNS WOOD, NW8

A beautiful two bedroom, two bathroom apartment (975 sq ft / 90 sq m) situated on the fourth ﬂoor of this luxury, modern development. The apartment is presented in excellent decorative condition throughout and features wooden ﬂooring and access to two balconies, underground parking, 24 hour concierge and the use of a leisure complex.

Offered in immaculate decorative condition, is this stunning four bedroom maisonette arranged over the raised ground and lower ground floors of this period property comprising 1,770 sq ft (164 sq m). The property benefits from its own private entrance and a delightful 40ft private patio garden located within close proximity to St Johns Wood High Street.

Sole Agent

Joint Sole Agent

Leasehold

£850,000

Leasehold

£1,800,000

ETON COURT, BELSIZE PARK, NW3

AVENUE ROAD, ST JOHNS WOOD, NW8

An excellent four bedroom, two bathroom apartment (2,058 sq ft / 191 sq m) situated on the second ﬂoor of this impressive portered mansion block. The apartment features two intercommunicating reception rooms with access to a balcony. Additional beneﬁts include a lock-up garage with additional storage, passenger lift and resident caretaker.

A delightful two bedroom, two bathroom apartment (1,420 sq ft / 131 sq m) enviably situated on the seventh ﬂoor of this prestigious, portered block featuring stunning panoramic views over Regents Park and the London skyline. Further beneﬁts include two underground parking spaces, passenger lift, and a share of the freehold.

Sole Agent

Joint Sole Agent

Share of Freehold

£1,850,000

Share of Freehold

£2,000,000

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

HAMILTON GARDENS, ST JOHN’S WOOD, NW8 A beautifully presented end of terrace Victorian house spanning 2,444sq ft / 227sq m. The property is in immaculate condition throughout and boasts a superb first floor reception room, a South West facing patio garden and off street parking. Hamilton Gardens is a quiet road situated within a short walking distance of both St John’s Wood underground station and the American School.

Joint Sole Agent

Freehold

£2,495,000

Jason Goldstone MNAEA DIRECTOR

Jeremy Rosenblatt MNAEA DIRECTOR

KINGSHEAD HOUSE, THE RIDGEWAY, MILL HILL, LONDON NW7 A unique detached family home (5,005 sq ft / 464 sq m) with stunning views over Totteridge Valley, designed in 1982 by the award winning architect Gerd Kaufman. The house is securely set behind remote controlled gates and provides versatile, bright, lateral living accommodation including four bedrooms, four bathrooms, galleried office, conservatory, kitchen/breakfast room and utilty room. Set in approximately 2/3 of an acre of private gardens, further amenities include a 10m indoor swimming pool with jacuzzi, terrace, balcony and ample parking. The property lies in a conservation area on The Ridgeway, by the delightful village of Mill Hill.

ÂŁ2,875,000

Freehold

Main Agent

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

HOT PROPERTY:

one of a kind

This magnificent detached six bedroom residence is prominently situated on the east side of this prestigious tree lined boulevard in St John’s Wood. Considerable expenditure and great attention to detail have combined to create a superb family home. The property boasts an array of built-in gadgets including a sophisticated lighting system, retractable blinds and elevating car port. The outstanding

leisure facilities include indoor swimming pool, plunge pool, gymnasium and sauna with TV, rivalled by a Moroccan Media Room with Under Seat Shakers. This beautiful property is also complete with off street parking, stunning landscaped rear gardens with additional heated swimming pool and a highly impressive ‘secret’ wine cellar. A truly unique opportunity to purchase a magnificent family home.

homes & property

Price On Application: Freehold Sole Selling Agent Aston Chase www.astonchase.com

020 7724 4724 91

West Hampstead Office: 020 7472 5666

Oppidan Apartments Linstead Street, West Hampstead, NW6

ÂŁ599,950 Leasehold

BL & CO are proud to offer this two double bedroom duplex school conversion, consisting of two double bedrooms, study area overlooking the lounge, family bathroom, ensuite shower room from the main bedroom, fitted integrated kitchen, porter and parking bay.

BRIAN LACK AND COMPANY - opening soon at Hyatt Regency, Belgrade, SERBIA. Come and visit us.

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

ÂŁ1,550,000 Share of Freehold

Stockleigh Hall Prince Albert Road, St Johns Wood, NW8

A stunningly refurbished three bedroom apartment situated on the ground floor of this highly sought-after purpose built mansion block. Offering fantastic living accommodation, features include an open-plan lounge/dining room, fully integrated kitchen with underfloor heating, ensuite bathroom, 24 hour porterage, communal heating and hot water.

BRIAN LACK AND COMPANY - opening soon at Hyatt Regency, Belgrade, SERBIA. Come and visit us.

www.brianlack.co.uk

Knightsbridge Office: 020 7225 0878

Cope House South Kensington London, W8 Two fabulous Penthouse Apartments of the highest quality each benefiting from extensive terracing, new 999 year leases and a large underground car park space. This brand new building comprises only four exclusive apartments, all boasting air-Conditioning, comprehensive audio-visual systems and luxury fixtures and fittings throughout. One Penthouse comprises extensive entertaining accommodation with two/three bedroom suites whilst the second offers a family living space and four double bedrooms. Available fully furnished by negotiation.

POA | Leasehold

www.brianlack.co.uk

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Hampstead | Highgate | Dartmouth Park | Primrose Hill | West Hampstead 020 7435 9822

020 8348 2341

020 7284 0101

020 7722 6075

020 7644 9300

Belsize Park NW3 A spectacular modern home set in a discreet position in the heart of Belsize Park. The house is offered in superb decorative order and has the benefit of very flexible accommodation throughout with a dramatic galleried reception room and a private, secluded garden. Master Bedroom With E/S Bathroom & Dressing Room * Second Bedroom With E/S Shower Room * 2 Receptions * Kitchen * WC * 2 Patios * Garden * OSP Behind Electronic Gates.

Guide ÂŁ2,350,000 Sole Agent Hampstead | 020-7435 9822

www.b-r.co.uk

Hampstead | Highgate | Dartmouth Park | Primrose Hill | West Hampstead 020 7435 9822

020 8348 2341

020 7284 0101

020 7722 6075

020 7644 9300

Belsize Park NW3 A substantial family home set in this coveted location close to shopping and transport facilities. The house offers spacious and flexible accommodation extending to 2879 sq ft along with a south west facing garden. Master Bedroom with E/S Bathroom * Dressing Room * 5 Further Bedrooms * Family Bathroom * 2 Reception Rooms * Kitchen/ Breakfast Room * Utility Room * Nanny Bedroom/3rd Reception * 2 Guest WC’s * 47’ South West Facing Garden

Guide £2,500,000 Sole Agent Hampstead | 020-7435 9822

www.b-r.co.uk

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Hampstead | Highgate | Dartmouth Park | Primrose Hill | West Hampstead 020 7435 9822

020 8348 2341

020 7284 0101

020 7722 6075

020 7644 9300

Highgate N6 A character packed Victorian, semi-detached house in this highly sought after lane, oozing with charm and leading directly to Queens Wood and Highgate tube with an emphasis on entertaining, viewing is highly recommended. 4/5 Bedrooms * 2 Bathrooms * 3/4 Reception Rooms * Kitchen * Utility Room * Garden * Parking.

Guide ÂŁ1,795,000 Sole Agent Highgate | 020 8348 2341

www.b-r.co.uk

Hampstead | Highgate | Dartmouth Park | Primrose Hill | West Hampstead 020 7435 9822

020 8348 2341

020 7284 0101

020 7722 6075

020 7644 9300

Dartmouth Park NW5 A five storey 'three windows wide' Georgian family home offering generous accommodation in excess of 3,000 sq ft in need of refurbishment. 4 Bedrooms * Bed 5/Kitchen * Bed 6/Study/Office * 2 Bathrooms * Bathroom/Utility Room * 2 Receptions * Kitchen/Breakfast Room * Secondary Entrance * Terrace * Garden With Summer House & Storage Room * Double Garage * Additional OSP

ÂŁ2,200,000 Sole Agent Dartmouth Park | 020 7284 0101