THE JERSEY LIFE - FEBRUARY ISSUE

FEBRUARY 2019 | www.life-mags.com

S dy Sunday

Q&A with the Autistic Gardner

welcome to

CELEBRATING VALENTINE’S DAY Mark Shields investigates

Home Living...

Home loving

5 DECOR TRENDS TO BRIGHTEN ROOMS AND BANISH WINTER BLUES SIMPLE STEPS TO CURB CLUTTER AND CREATE A HAPPIER HOME SIMPLE WAYS TO MAKE YOUR HOME MORE ECO-FRIENDLY KITCHENS KEY TO HAPPY HOME • SWEET DREAM STYLE HOW A TOUCH OF SURREALISM CAN TRANSFORM HOMES • SEEDY SUNDAY

home | beauty | food and drink | motoring | the arts | fashion | travel | property | business | health | garden | antiques

Visit our showroom soon to view the range of Classic and Handless Pronorm kitchens.

From an initial design consultation, to completion, Direct Furniture Supplies can undertake your complete kitchen project, providing conceptual design work to full HD rendered visuals. We like to work closely with our clients, to help them create a sumptuous working and living area. We can also work with your interior designer to help turn a concept into reality.

Our extensive displays also show bathrooms and bedrooms, so providing fitted furniture throughout the home.

Please feel free to call into the showroom to meet our team, or ring to discuss your requirements.

Direct Furniture Supplies 17/19 Burrard Street St. Helier | Jersey C.I. | JE2 4WS Tel: 01534 732314 E: showroom@dfsinteriors.com www.dfsinteriors.com

M A RT E L V I E W prices start at £1,625,000 A DEVELOPMENT OF 4 LUXURY THREE BEDROOM HOUSES SITTING IN A STUNNING LOCATION OVERLOOKING ST AUBIN’S BAY • 3 DOUBLE BEDROOMS ALL EN SUITE • OPEN-PLAN LIVING AREA • INTEGRAL KITCHEN • BI-FOLD DOORS LEADING OUT TO BALCONIES • HAND CRAFTED STAIRCASE • GARAGE AND PARKING • VIEWING IS ESSENTIAL • PRICES START AT £1,625,000

COMING SOON A F U L L Y R E N O VAT E D L A R G E 4 B E D R O O M D E TA C H E D H O M E W I T H S T U N N I N G V I E W S 4 Double Bedrooms • 3 Reception Rooms 3 En-Suite • Family Bathroom Large Kitchen Diner Detached Garage and Parking for up to 6 cars Exceptional Views For further information or a confidential discussion please call 01534 728724 or 07700 728724

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Publisher Fish Media Ltd Head Office 20 Hill Street, St Helier, JE2 4UA Telephone: 01534 619882 Email: thejerseylife@fishmedia.biz Website: www.life-mags.com Editor Juanita Shield-Laignel Art Director Alexis Smith Travel Writer Rebecca Underwood underwoodrebecca@hotmail.com Photography Simon Finch simon@fishmedia.biz Production Sarah le Marquand Sales Executive Juanita Shield-Laignel juanita@fishmedia.biz Accounts and Administration Sarah Donati-Ford accounts@fishmedia.biz Directors Jamie Fisher Peter Smith Contributors Stephen Cohu Penny Downes Martin Flageul Rebecca Underwood Mark Shields Lorraine Pannetier Alistair Shield-Laignel Paul Darroch

Follow us on Twitter: @TheJerseyLife1 Like us on Facebook: The Jersey Life © All rights reserved. The Jersey Life is copyright and may not be reproduced in any form either in part or whole without written permission from the publishers. Whilst Fish Media takes every reasonable precaution, no responsibility can be accepted for any property, services or products offered in this publication and any loss arising there from.

Whilst every care is taken with all materials submitted to The Jersey Life the publisher cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to such material. Fish Media reserves the right to reject of accept any advertisement, article or material supplied for publication or edit such material prior to publication. Opinions expressed are strictly those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views or policies of Fish Media. We accept no liability for any misprints or mistakes and no responsibility can be taken for the content of these pages.

Wow…February already and hardly a moment to reflect...we’ve been so busy here at the Jerseylife, collecting and collating, writing and creating, for this first of the year, bumper Winter Home Living, Home Loving Edition.

In our regular wine feature Martin Flageul has this month chosen to talk about French wine; a favourite of many and avoided at all costs by others…and to the later, perhaps a revisit may prove enjoyable.

Our Home pages are looking rather stunning, if I may say so myself, lots of gorgeous articles and contributions from local builders, menders, suppliers and crafters.

Interview is with Jon Scriven, Proprietor of Island Music. He takes a trip down memory lane and shares his love of all things music and a little golf with us. And with the Opera House and Music in Action contributing, we really have quite a musical theme stringing through our pages.

I’m also very excited about our Gardening piece this month as I had the absolute delight of interviewing Alan Gardner, known to many as Channel 4’s ‘Autistic Gardner’…he was so engaging and really funny…I thoroughly enjoyed chatting with him and hope you enjoy the Seedy Sunday and Wild About Jersey article he is featured in on page 54 & 55.

Given February is officially the month of ‘love’ we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to make some reference to Valentine’s Day… Mark Shields discusses the plight, or maybe the delight, depending on your own point of view, of being alone at this time of year and Penny Downes invites us to love our skin, in our beauty article.

Road test focuses on the comfortable BMW X5, with Jamie Fisher taking it for a spin around the island and regaling us with his experience. Also for our enjoyment, Rebecca Underwood shares her trip to Orlando.

January edition’s crossword solutions: Across: 7 Determination; 8 Distance; 9 Able; 10 Patent; 12 Indeed; 14 Deform; 16 Relate; 18 Chic; 20 Tipsters; 22 Perpendicular.

Down: 1 Delicate; 2 Mettle; 3 Omen; 4 Inferior; 5 Strand; 6 Fool; 11 Tempting; 13 External; 15 Occupy; 17 Litmus; 19 Heed; 21 Prim.

Well that’s enough of me bleating on… sit back, relax and enjoy reading.

Now…work on our first ‘SPRING’ edition begins…Yay!

Juanita Shield-Laignel If you have an interesting story to share or would like your business reviewed, please feel free to call me on 619882.

I’d love to hear from you.

February 2019

5 WELCOME and The Jersey Life contact information

10 UP AND COMING Events and walks around Jersey

74 REVIEWS AND CLUES Book of the month plus the crossword

INTERVIEW 18 MUSICALITY – IT’S IN THE GENES We catch up with Jon Scriven

ARTS, MUSIC AND CULTURE 14 CONCERT REVIEW A Night at the Oscars by Music in Action

18

16 THE LITTLE PRINCE

22

A child navigating the baffling world of grown-ups

HOME LIVING 22 BANISH WINTER BLUES Five décor trends to brighten rooms

24 CREATE A HAPPIER HOME Simple steps to curb clutter

32 MAKE YOUR HOME ECO-FRIENDLY

by Luke Rix-Standing 6 | www.life-mags.com

18

48 HOME LIVING 39 KITCHENS KEY TO A HAPPY HOME

By Gabrielle Fagan

42 SWEET DREAM STYLE Creating a beautiful boudoir needn’t be a dream

48 A TOUCH OF SURREALISM CAN TRANSFORM HOMES From arty and eye-catching to truly off the wall

GARDENING 54 SEEDY SUNDAY – SEED SWAP AND MORE With the Autistic Gardner

FASHION 61 THIS IS WHAT HAUTE COUTURE DIOR CAN TEACH US ABOUT FASHION TODAY

By Prudence Wade

TRAVEL 61 MAGICAL ORLANDO

24

The theme park capital of the world

by Rebecca Underwood

HEALTH AND BEAUTY 60 FALL IN LOVE WITH YOUR SKIN

54

By Penny Downes of Pennyfeathers

64 WILL YOU BE CELEBRATING VALENTINE’S DAY Mark Shields investigates

FOOD AND DRINK 72 FRENCH WINE PRODUCERS

By Martin Flageul DipWSET

ANTIQUES 52 A YEAR FOR CHANGE

By Stephen Cohu

MOTORING 70 BMW X5 The latest set of wheels taken for a spin

8 | www.life-mags.com

70

Come and visit the team at your local friendly Pharmacy for help and advice on all Winter cold and flu remedies.

733123

Call or visit us at 12 Cleveland Road, St Helier www.clevelandpharmacy.co.uk

what’s on...

Our selection of events to enjoy in Jersey this month

Let us know the month before your event is due to take place, and we shall do our best to include it in our listings.

Contact: thejerseylife@fishmedia.biz

Arts & Culture Jersey Writers Social Group The Jersey Writer's Social Group was formed during October 2017 by local author James Sillwood. The group has gone from strength to strength since its first meeting and provides an easy-going, friendly and supportive environment for anyone interested in writing.

Members of any age and with any level of experience are welcome, whether they be published authors, or someone who simply enjoys writing as a hobby. Come along and see for yourself!

Every Tuesday: 11am – 12:30pm Jersey Library contact James at jerseywritersgroup@gmail.com Free admission: no booking necessary Piers Lane London-based Australian pianist Piers Lane stands out as an emerging and highly versatile performer, at home equally in solo, chamber and concerto repertoire. In great demand as a soloist and collaborative artist, recent highlights include a performance of Busoni’s mighty piano concerto at Carnegie Hall, premieres of Carl Vine’s second Piano

Concerto, written for him, with the Sydney Symphony and the London Philharmonic, and several sold-out solo recitals at Wigmore Hall.

The Jersey Arts Centre is located in the north east corner of town, just down from the Millenium Park.

12 February 2019 - 20:00 to 23:30 Jersey Arts centre Phillips Street JE2 4SW Contact: + 44 (0) 1534 700400 enquiries@artscentre.je ww.artscentre.je Young Arts Week The brainchild of three Hautlieu students with sponsorship from Young Arts Jersey, will take place in St Helier during February. The event, based in Liberty Wharf, will display student art from schools islandwide and host a variety of performances and workshops. These include graduate textiles designer Kyle Moody, demonstrating his skill at turning fabric into fashion; artist Tim le Breuilly, who will conduct a workshop on drawing and mindfulness; and art historian Geri Parlby, who will be speaking about the darker side to William Morris’ iconic designs, which have recently been revived by H&M. In addition there will be workshops on

paper cutting by Leila Arthur, glass art by Jodie Carney, printing by PJ and digital art by company Motion Studios. These take place in mornings while at lunchtimes student musicians will perform on a small stage at one end of the venue.

The official launch of the event is at 6.00pm on Friday 15 February when Senator Lyndon Farnham, minister for economic development, tourism, sport and culture will be present. Flo Crowcroft, winner of the 2018 Original student Art Exhibition run by Jersey Arts Centre, will also attend.

Organisers Keira Melville, Lizzie Pirouet and Ione Howells are all members of Young Arts Jersey, an offshoot of the Arts Society Jersey run by 14-20 year olds. The February event is intended to celebrate creativity and individuality in student arts and highlight the wide range of arts available, encouraging and inspiring young people across the island to get involved.

From Friday 15th February – launch at 6:00pm to Wednesday 20th February Liberty Wharf, St Helier

EVENTS

Arts & Culture Theatre Tours & Afternoon Teas at Jersey Opera House Explore the nooks and crannies behind-the-scenes and learn about the history of this iconic venue and what really happens behind the curtain. Join the tour guide on an intriguing journey dating back to 1865 then take it all in over Afternoon Tea in OH! Cafébar. Due to the amount of walking and stairs involved it is advisable to wear comfortable shoes.

16 February 2019 14:00 to 15:30 Jersey Opera House Gloucester Street, JE2 3QR Contact: +44 (0) 1534 511115 boxoffice@jerseyoperahouse.co.uk www.jerseyoperahouse.co.uk Drama Lab Presents: Gargantua When Mr. and Mrs. Mungus have a baby, it wasn’t the blue-eyed boy they were hoping for… After a two and a half year pregnancy they give birth to a monster; one with an accelerated growth rate and an insatiable appetite for anything that moves – especially joggers!

Sinister army scientists become intent on cloning him and creating an army of giant babies. He breaks his chains and escapes. The world can only watch in horror as he learns to walk and cause rampant destruction.

20th to 23rd February 2019 19:30 to 22:00 Jersey Opera House Gloucester Street, JE2 3QR Contact: +44 (0) 1534 511115 boxoffice@jerseyoperahouse.co.uk www.jerseyoperahouse.co.uk A Viennese Strauss Gala This wonderful show is back in the UK by popular demand with a sparkling new anniversary production for its fifteenth year. Recreating the season it will remind you of a bygone era of glamorous soirees romance of the Viennese festive and Strauss waltzes.

27 February 2019 20:00 to 22:30 Jersey Opera House Gloucester Street, JE2 3QR Contact: +44 (0) 1534 511115 boxoffice@jerseyoperahouse.co.uk www.jerseyoperahouse.co.uk 'Only On A Monday' Painting & Ceramic Exhibition at The Harbour Gallery 'Only On A Monday' Painting and Ceramic Exhibition at The Harbour Gallery, showcasing work from artists who only 'meet on a Monday'! They work with local artist David Henley at Holmegrown. Situated on Le Boulevard, alongside the picturesque and charming harbour of St. Aubin, the gallery can be reached by bus using the number 12, 12A and 15 from Liberation Station or Le Petit Train from Liberation Square.

Parking is available on the street or the nearby public car parks.

28th February to 10th March - 2019 10:00 to 17:30 Le Boulevard, St Aubin, JE3 8AB Contact: +44 (0) 1534 743044 info@theharbourgalleryjersey.com www.theharbourgalleryjersey.com

Food, Fairs & Festivals Aga Cookshop Event - Cookshop Demonstration with Trizia at VLJ VLJ is a family run business established in 1994 by Les and Jean Vibert after Les’ thirty years’ experience as a building contractor, installing his first fireplace in 1965. The Company is owned and managed today by their daughter Julie and she is now joined by her son Joshua, introducing the next generation to the industry.

VLJ offers a wide range of fireplaces, stoves, range cookers and fireside accessories baked by a personal and friendly services and also stage intermittent cooking events and demonstrations.

Tuesday 12th February - 10.30-1.00 VLJ, The Showroom Unit 1, Cheraleen, La Rue d’Olive, St Mary, JE3 3BJ Contact: 01534 483921 julie@vljfireplaces.co.uk Valentine's Day 6 Course Tasting Menu Fall in love all over again by dining with us this Valentine's Day. Relax and enjoy our specially crafted six course tasting menu in the peaceful, romantic surroundings of Greenhills Country House Hotel. Our AA Rosette Restaurant is the perfect spot for this special evening, where you'll dine on the specially created Valentine's 6 course tasting menu (vegetarian menu also available). You'll be very welcome in our cosy lounges before and after dinner - or why not stay the night?

14 February 2019 - 19:00 to 23:00 Greenhills Country House Hotel Le Mont de l'Ecole St. Peter, JE3 7EL Contact: +44 (0) 1534 481042 events@greenhillshotel.com www.seymourhotels.com/greenhills-hotel/events/ Savour 2019 - Unique experiences with rare wines and iconic chefs Longueville Manor, a Relais and Châteaux hotel situated in Jersey, is delighted to announce the launch of ‘Savour’, a series of prestigious wine and outstanding culinary events taking place from 31 January – 04 April 2019. Our four guest Chefs, travelling to Longueville from around the UK and Italy, will take it in turns to produce an innovative menu that entices the taste buds and offer an entirely memorable gastronomic experience.

28th February -18:30 to 21:00 7th March 2019 - 19:30 to 21:00 Longueville Manor Longueville Road, JE2 7WF Contact: +44 (0) 1534 725501 info@longuevillemanor.com www.longuevillemanor.com

Sports & Out and About Go Wild for Durrel Take a walk on the wild side, and unleash your animal spirit to help raise funds for Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust. On Friday 15 February, we’re calling on all our supporters, anywhere in the world to enjoy a day of wild activities and fundraise wildly for the world’s endangered species. Please visit our website for detailed information.

15 February 2019 10:00 to 17:00 Jersey Zoo, Les Augres Manor, La Profonde Rue, JE3 5BP Contact: +44 (0) 1534 860000 info@gowildgorillas.org wildlife.durrell.org/latest/events/go-wild-for-durrell/ Valentine's Day Special Looking for something a little bit different for Valentine's Day? What better way to spend time with your partner than getting outdoors at Valley Adventure Centre? For just £70, treat yourselves to 3 hours of excitement on our Aerial Trekking and Powerfan Drop, our 145m Zip Wire and the biggest swing in Jersey the King Swing! Give us a call to get yourself booked in, for a Valentine's Day with a difference. Set in a secluded and stunning natural valley in St. Brelade, Valley Adventure Centre offers a fantastic range of adventure activities for families, individuals, corporate events, kids parties, youth groups & charities all year round.

16 February 2019 09:00 to 16:00 17 February 2019 09:00 to 16:00 Valley Adventure Centre La Mont a la Brune, JE3 8FL Contact: +44 (0) 1534 638888 info@valleyadventure.je www.valleyadventure.je Jersey Reds Games Rugby has been played in Jersey since 1879; the club acquired their home near Jersey Airport in 1961 and opened a new clubhouse in 1994. The Reds were promoted five times between 2005-2012 and now play in the Greene King IPA Championship, the second tier of English Rugby. Come and watch the Jersey Reds and enjoy the family atmosphere at St. Peter, which has seen significant ground improvements in recent seasons.

01 March 2019 19:45 to 22:45 Jersey Rugby Club Rue des Landes, St. Peter, JE3 8AD Contact:+44 (0) 1534 499929 enquiries@jerseyreds.je www.jerseyreds.je

FEBRUARY ISSUE | 11

ART AND CULTURE

Concert Review -

A Night at the Oscars “Superlative” and “that was the best Jersey Chamber Orchestra concert yet!” were just a few of the accolades heard at the end of this foot tapping concert as the auditorium was filled with smiling faces after the show.

In the evening, there were so many highlights. Internationally renowned conductor Eamonn Dougan, who conducts the celebrated choir the Sixteen, brought out the best of well known tunes such as Raiders of the Lost Ark, and a fun and uplifting James Bond medley finishing with local girl Danni Le Feuvre singing Skyfall.

Less than a month before the 2019 Academy Awards, Jersey charity Music in Action put on a series of concerts of Oscarwinning, spine-tingling and toe-tapping classics from films. There were so many amazing performances. A personal favourite was the music to Star Wars, which saw five star wars actors from Princess Leia to a storm trooper enter the auditorium. Also of great note was the magical musical world of Harry Potter, and the song In Dreams from the Lord of the Rings. The event was made possible thanks to sponsorship by Mulberry Property Management and UBS Wealth Management.

In the daytime, at the Matinee a family friendly educational concert included the audience drumming on their seats and jumping to create the sound of a rain storm. Around that the audience were entertained by the 70 strong St Michaels Junior Choir and the Jersey Sings Chamber Choir performing the Lion King and Let’s Talk to the Animals from Dr Dolittle. In between some fine singing the audience loved hearing the Carnival of the Animals by Saint-Saens – a comic look at animals from the Tortoise to the Lion through the instruments of the orchestra.

Other opportunities for players in the orchestra to step up and show us how good they are included Anna Smith on violin playing a delighted tango from the Al Pacino film Scent of a Woman and clarinetist Jordi Juan Pérez playing the slow movement of the Mozart Clarinet Concerto known as the soundtrack to Out of Africa. St Michael’s Senior Choir sang a set of three songs including Randy Newman’s Oscar-winning ‘If I Didn’t Have You’ from Disney/Pixar’s Monsters, Inc with real pizazz and showing us their jazz hands.

Then to finish an “Oscars” choir put together from members of the finest choirs in Jersey also sung a superb encore of Hymn to the Fallen from Saving Private Ryan. A happy audience went out smiling into the night.

Previously on the Friday 25th January players from the Jersey Chamber Orchestra put on an educational matinee. Thanks is given to the Association of Jersey Charities who support the charity including with tickets for the disadvantaged to enable all to have a life affirming and developing opportunity.

Make sure you are ready for the next outing which will songs from the American Songbook and Rhapsody in Blue by Gershwin in a Broadway Gala on 11th May 2019.

Tickets can be bought from the Jersey Opera House on 511115.

Photo Credit: Edward Webb

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LUCA SILVESTRINI’S PROTEIN PRESENTS

THE LITTLE PRINCE THE BELOVED TALE OF A CHILD NAVIGATING THE BAFFLING WORLD OF GROWN-UPS

“DELIVERED WITH QUIRKY CHARM… A PACKED HOUSE OF IPSWICH SCHOOL CHILDREN WAS ENTHRALLED FROM START TO FINISH” OBSERVER

Loved by children and adults around the world for generations, the classic tale by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry has been given a fresh and witty new adaptation using Luca Silvestrini’s distinctive blend of dance, humour, words and music. Following its premiere at DanceEast for Christmas 2018, the show will be entertaining the young at heart from 5- 105 years at Jersey Opera House on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 February 2019.

Audiences will be invited to join the Little Prince as he journeys through a weird and wonderful universe, meeting fascinating characters along the way whilst learning about the value of friendship and love. Stranded in the desert, where he’s crashed his plane, a pilot meets an inquisitive boy who tells him a remarkable story of how he left his own tiny asteroid and journeyed through the universe. On this journey, the Little Prince comes face to face with a king who reigns over nothing, to a businessman obsessively counting stars, from a mysterious snake to a truly wise and friendly fox. With an original score by Frank Moon, Protein’s new show invites us to look at the world through one’s heart and to reconnect with our inner child.

The cast of four includes Donna Lennard (who trained as an Opera Singer and has been learning to dance whilst in production) and Andrew Gardiner from previous Protein shows May Contain Food and Border Tales respectively. Joining them are Faith Prendergast and Karl Fagerlund Brekke, who have both previously performed with companies including Russell Maliphant and Arthur Pita.

Luca Silvestrini said “I am really excited to bring to life such a beautiful and important parable. The Little Prince's journey to other asteroids and planet Earth is both magical and transformative and is a relevant example of what should really matter in life.

Love, friendship, and even loss, take centre stage in this story as 16 | www.life-mags.com

children make discoveries and their grownups are reminded that they were once children too. I’m incredibly lucky to embark on this journey with a fabulous team of artists and we are creating a theatrical experience that will entertain and connect the entire family.”

Protein was awarded the Critic’s Circle National Dance Award for Best Independent Dance Company 2011 and nominated again in 2016. Protein is Associate Company with People Dancing. Partner with Greenwich Dance, Yorkshire Dance and ARC Stockton. Luca Silvestrini is a Work Place Artist at The Place, London.

Co-commissioned by The Place and DanceEast, supported by The Point, Eastleigh, Warwick Arts Centre and Dance City. @ProteinDance | #TheLittlePrince | www.proteindance.co.uk Tickets are from £15 and can be booked by ringing the Box Office on 511115 or visiting jerseyoperahouse.co.uk The company will be performing twice across the weekend.

An evening show at 7pm on Saturday 23 February followed by a 3pm matinee on Sunday 24 February.

FULLY APPROVED PROVIDER States of Jersey

Clients and their care teams are fully supported by Registered Nurses and our Care Manager, Clare Burchell (RGN, BSc (hons), QN).

Tel: 01534 733 479 Mobile: 07797 755 873 Email: clare@psncs.co.uk Web: www.psncs.co.uk Palm Springs Nursing & Care Services Trinity Hill, St Helier, Jersey JE2 4NJ

INTERVIEW

Musicality...

it’s in the genes...

Having a son who is learning trumpet and a husband who has finally taken up a lifelong ambition to play guitar, trips to Island Music have been rather more frequent in recent months. On the day of interview I was delighted to sit talking to Jon with a constant stream of guitar tinkling in the background… an interview with Jon Scriven by Juanita Shield-Laignel I asked Jon to tell me about his background and how he had come to be living and breathing all things music. Jon opened with a trip down memory lane. “My father, Jim Scriven, was well respected in the Island; Managing Editor for the Jersey Evening Post for many years. He was Charter President of the Lions Club, Founding member of Jersey Zoo and The Cage Bird Society, and later a Senator in the States and having dabbled in local politics, he really was a stalwart of Jersey history.”

“He was born in 1909 and sadly passed in 1989. My Mother, born in 1918, was his 2nd wife, his first, passing away and leaving my father with 3 children. My mother then had my brother and I, so I was the youngest of a fairly large family. Mother was already in her 40s when she had me, considered quite old in the 1960s! I looked up to my father and knew he was older because other dads would play football and he didn’t. I would have noticed more if I hadn’t had my older brother.”

“My Mum was one of ‘The Picot Sisters’, modelling themselves a little on ‘The Beverly Sisters’, during the Occupation. Joan, Beryl

and Madge were all great singers, belonged to The Green Club and Mum often took the lead part in shows and I remember watching Auntie Madge, who is now 96, playing roles as Principle Boy. I can still picture all that thigh slapping on stage. My Grandmother was a singing teacher, so musicality is in my genes. Father on the other-hand was always about business, although he was an avid photographer, so I guess he had a creative side too.”

“He was really keen on using his Cine Camera and we used to be subjected to hours of watching his cinematography…but looking back if was all good fun really. I still to this day have some interesting pieces of his work. One was taken when he was a young Editor for the JEP based in Charles Street; he took about 10 seconds of colour footage of the Germans arriving in 1940, continues overleaf...

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INTERVIEW

marching down the street. You can see he’s filming through the window and trying not to get caught. Prior to that, he took early footage of the Battle of Flowers, when it really was a Battle, and a Formula 1 race along the avenue and then back on the inner road. There is also footage of the family driving along the coast road at St Clement and there were no houses all the way to Green Island, just sand dunes. I’ve also got a film of Grandfather, fishing for mackerel on a Sunday morning in his suit for church and he is wiping down the mackerel on his waistcoat and plopping them in a bucket!”

“So it was inevitable that my brother and I would be creative… my brother is two years older than me and enjoys painting, a keen naturalist; keeping and breeding endangered species of birds and working in conjunction with Durrell. The music is definitely from my mum’s side of the family though.”

“Mum and Dad met at Aquila Road Church and as Dad had already had a long-term marriage, Mum was already in her late thirties. Mum had a guest house at Havre des Pas, Maison Chaussey, it’s still there today. She was so lovely and she really enjoyed entertaining at home, probably because she had the guest house. We were lucky enough to have a swimming pool so in the summer all the aunts and uncles and cousins would pile in at the weekend. It was such a lovely family time. Sadly Mum passed in 1992.”

“I went to Vic and struggled with my A levels. I couldn’t write particularly well or read as well as my peers, I think I am slightly dyslexic and now of course it would be picked up and helped, but back then they didn’t pick up on it at all. Our teachers consisted of ex-army types, Colonel Finch, Colonel Hamon and the likes and with all the will in the world they just weren’t as inspiring as teachers seem to be these days. But I enjoyed making models in my own time and took to piano rather well considering I didn’t take it up until I was 13. Making many Airfix models …. I had to concentrate on fine detail and spend hours focusing on small parts, so coupled with the piano playing, my half-sister suggested I used both my skill sets and play to my strengths.”

“She had seen an article in a Readers Digest about there being only 500 piano tuners left in the UK and with the three tuners in Jersey who were soon to retire, there would be a gap in the market. It had become apparent to the family that I wasn’t destined for University so specialised training seemed much more viable.”

“So following on from my sister’s advice…from 1977 to 1980 I took up a 3 year apprenticeship in the UK with award winning Kemble Pianos, at that time based in a state-of-the-art factory in Bletchley, near Milton Keynes. They were manufacturing about 100 pianos a week. After that I spent a further 6 months in Oxford with another young trainee tuner who lived there. I worked for a Company called Tap Houses then I came back to the island.

Prior to coming back, I also took a test, tuning with Steinways, as they wanted a representative to take on the then New Fort Regent piano. In 1985 I then got the inspiration to have a shop, so took over the lease of the shop situated on the corner of Green Road and was there for 7 years. I called it Scriven’s Piano Centre.

We sold Pianos and of course I offered my tuning service” “Then I joined forces with Ray Kitchen who sold lots of other instruments and moved to Bath Street, just across the road from our present shop. Island Music was born but after about three years together, Ray wanted to retire so I took on the whole business. We managed to purchase the property opposite and

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were, to start with, just in the front half of the building.

We renovated the shopfront to be as close to how it was originally, liaising with Jersey Heritage, doing research on what it would have looked like with its wooden façade. Having the whole building meant we could also use the back of the premises, but have two doors to give the ability to split into two shops if need be. We have lots of storage upstairs and two flats with a traditional old staircase right the way up.”

“We’ve been here 24 years now and Island Music has gone from strength to strength. I go over to Guernsey regularly and do all the concert work here at the Opera House, Fort Regent and the Arts Centre, which means I get to meet some really interesting artists; the most famous probably was Art Garfunkel.”

“We supply a range of instruments and accessories and encompass everything. My tuning takes up quite a bit of my time.

It’s a good idea to generally have them tuned twice yearly but modern pianos are very well constructed so need less. It takes about an hour and 10 mins so I allocate one hour 30 minutes to include travel time. Tuning 220 strings is a slow methodical, detailed process…just like building model airplanes! Temperature and humidity, seasonal changes, central heating and underfloor heating all have an effect on tuning stability.”

“I enjoy what I do, I am very fortunate and I’ve got a good team around me. My wife is very supportive and has nurtured me.

We met when I was 23 at la Hocq pub, I was an avid pool player and I spotted her, and she me, one of those moments when your eyes meet, she was just 21 and we married in 2009 but were together 7 years before. She was a PA for Touché Ross when I met her and she does all our accounts a couple of hours a day, which can be quite time consuming; paying invoices, chasing things etc. It means she’s been working from home for the last 20 years so has been able to watch the kids growing up. She is super organised. The downside of working in a shop is having to work Saturdays, but I’ve always been able to nip out to see my son Dan playing football or my daughter Hannah playing hockey.”

“We enjoy a game of golf, luckily as my son Dan is a professional golfer at St George’s Hill in Surry and my daughter an Island player and Ladies Champion…I think they get their ability from my wife as I have never had their attribute for the game, struggling off a 9 handicap.”

“My children have been gently pushed in the musical direction; Dan is now 26 and got to grade 8 piano and clarinet but doesn’t play anymore. Our daughter Hannah in also grade 8 piano still plays and has recently started taking singing and guitar lessons, so the musical gene lives on.

She helps in the shop and has a great understanding of music.”

“I feel Island Music is an important part of Island life for many musicians. I hope we do a good job with Tony and Jordan being knowledgeable and able to offer good customer advice and being able to offer a very diverse choice of musical instruments and accessories.”

And finally I asked Jon if he would play the piano for me a little but he rather coyly declined saying. “Because I work on them all the time I don’t really practice. It’s like anything you do, you have to practice. Maybe when I step back from this a little, I might start playing again!”

welcome to

. . . g n i v i L Home g n i v o l e Hom

5 DECOR TRENDS TO BRIGHTEN ROOMS AND BANISH WINTER BLUES SIMPLE STEPS TO CURB CLUTTER AND CREATE A HAPPIER HOME SIMPLE WAYS TO MAKE YOUR HOME MORE ECO-FRIENDLY KITCHENS KEY TO HAPPY HOME • SWEET DREAM STYLE HOW A TOUCH OF SURREALISM CAN TRANSFORM HOMES • SEEDY SUNDAY

HOME LIVING

5 DECOR TRENDS TO BRIGHTEN ROOMS AND

Banish Winter Blues Is your home looking a little lacklustre and drab as January drags on? Gabrielle Fagan reveals six easy ways to hit refresh...

January can be a bleak month on all levels - but if your rooms are look as though they're suffering a bit of a winter hangover, take heart, as there are plenty of bright, new decor trends on the horizon.

You don't need to rush out and arrange a major revamp - some little touches can be enough to lift a space and provide that allimportant refresh.

Here are six decor trends that will make a big impression on rooms this year, and could help banish the blues and take your home from drab to fab in no time...

1. TELL A TEXTURE STORY If you want to give a scheme some 'wow' factor, look no further than texture. Layering a mixture of soft fabrics - from fluffy sheepskin cushions and chunky wool throws to cowhide rugs will not only draw the eye, which is essential in a muted scheme 22 | www.life-mags.com

decorated in neutrals that could otherwise look bland, but also add cosiness.

Adding texture is all about layering, so have a few key pieces, like a statement rug, a velvet chair, or a leather sofa, and then add smaller accessories and soft furnishings until the room feels complete.

Don't forget that your scheme need never be 'set in stone'.

Moving or replacing a few texture-rich accessories is an easy way to re-energise and refresh the whole balance of a scheme.

3. FOLLOW THE FRINGE Fringing - think the swishy, flamboyant Charleston dresses of the 1920s - is making a comeback in decor and home styling.

You can interpret it elegantly and traditionally, with upholstery fringing on armchairs and sofas, or go for an ethnic, arty vibe with a colourful tribal wall hanging. However you use it, fringing is fabulous.

4. TOUCH WOOD Natural materials, particularly wood, are essential for today's stylish homes. It's all about celebrating the beauty of natural materials and craftsmanship - think heirlooms and sustainability - and the unique grain of timber.

2. MAKE IT MELLOW YELLOW Yellow has crossed over from the fashion catwalks - the colour was big news at the 2019 spring/summer shows - and is predicted to make its mark on our homes.

Don't limit yourself to one piece. The chic take on the trend is to choose furniture made in different tones of wood, from pale ash to ebony, and let is share a space. Leave it raw and unstained to reveal the gorgeous imperfections of the knots and grain.

The colour's associated with energy and optimism - we could all do with a dose of that this year - and you can easily play with all its hues, from bright daffodil yellow, through to the palest lemon.

This is also a shade that works well in bold contrast, or blended with similar shades and tones - don't be afraid to experiment.

Another bonus: Pops of yellow will act like beams of sunshine in any room, no matter what the weather's like outside.

5. LET RED RULE Let the warmest shades on the colour spectrum - rust, red and rose - warm your rooms (it's cheaper than turning up the central heating!). Our newfound boldness with colour means we're less timid and more prepared to splash on those bright shades these days but even used sparingly, these shades will make an impact without being too dominating, especially if you lean towards the brown-based terracotta hues.

Experiment with bed linen and accessories to test your enthusiasm, or paint a headboard or feature wall if you want to make a statement.

Seeing red can be positive!

FEBRUARY ISSUE | 23

HOME LIVING

SIMPLE STEPS TO CURB CLUTTER AND

Create a happier home

Get your home fit for 2019 with a much-needed clutter diet. Gabrielle Fagan asks calm queen Debora Robertson for some expert tips...

A new year isn't just the time for a new look for you - it can also be the perfect opportunity to transform your home, and rid it of the clutter that may be clogging up space and ruining its appearance (and, let's face it, adding to daily stress).

"It's the nature of modern life that new possessions flood into our homes all the time," declares Debora Robertson, author of DeClutter: The Get-Real Guide To Creating Calm From Chaos a blueprint for anyone who wants to take control and take rooms from cluttered chaos to orderly calm.

"Clutter drains you of energy, steals your time, robs you of storage space and fills up your weekends with things that need cleaning, mending or putting away," Robertson adds.

She promises that, with a bit of planning and a new approach, it is possible - and even quite simple - to achieve a smart, organised haven.

To imagine what it would feel like, she suggests recalling the sense of calm and relaxation experienced when staying in a hotel, where there are "just enough" possessions for your needs (felt good, right?). continues overleaf...

24 | www.life-mags.com

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Here's Robertson's guide to transforming four key zones in your home...

CONJURE KITCHEN CALM "Believe me, if you get your kitchen right, everything else will flow from there," says Robertson. "It's the room a lot of use the most, and getting this right prepares us to work a similar magic on the rest of our homes, one bit, one bite, at a time."

Step 1: Do the 15 Fling! Take a rubbish bag and set your kitchen timer for 10 minutes. Fill it with 15 things you don't love or don't need.

"Don't think too hard about it, otherwise you'll remember you have some emotional attachment to something that will make you indecisive," she says. "Don't, whatever you do, look back into the bag. As soon as that buzzer goes, seal the bag, put it in the outside bin. Do this once a day and do it in other rooms too."

TIP: You can do the '15 Fling' with possessions that are in good condition and useful but just not for you, and recycle them at charity shops. Oversize appliances and gadgets gobble up space, so confront the truth about who you really are. If you're not a person who's ever going to make your own yoghurt, ice cream or bread, get rid of those gizmos.

CREATE A STAIRWAY TO A CLUTTER-FREE HAVEN "Hallways, staircases and landings can evolve into a lively obstacle course of casually discarded shoes, coats, bag, sports equipment - and heaps of things which are on their way into

your house, and heaps of things which are on the way out," says Robertson.

"They're also the first areas you see when you come home, so it's worth making an effort to keep them looking neat and welcoming, to avoid that just-walked-in-the-door heart sink of doom."

Step 1: Limit what you keep in the hall to the stuff you'll be using this season to give yourself a fighting chance at order.

Wellingtons, winter boots and heavy coats take up a lot of space, so try and find storage for them when they're not needed.

TIP: A basket or two makes a great place to keep things you are de-cluttering until you can get them out of the house (Make a note in your diary of exactly when you plan to do that!). Make room for a mini-recycling spot, so you can open post and dump anything you don't want so it's ready to go out.

RECLAIM THAT LIVING SPACE "Living rooms can very easily become stuffed to the gills with unloved bits of inherited furniture, 'it'll-do-for-now' pieces, family memorabilia, half-done craft projects you're going to do one day (newsflash: You're not)," says Robertson. continues overleaf...

26 | www.life-mags.com

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HOME LIVING

"Papers and magazines sit fatly on tables, books spill off shleves, remote controls seem to have undertaken their own breeding programme somewhere in the corner. Yet this is a space where you're supposed to slough off the physical and emotional pummelling of the day and relax" Step One: Start by considering what you mainly use your living room for - is it entertaining, reading or relaxing? This will help you prioritise your possessions. Remove what's no longer needed for other purposes.

Step Two: Edit sofa cushions, cut them to a realistic number and donate the rest to the charity shop. Go through ornaments and photos on mantelpieces and decide on those you really want to keep and move the rest on.

Step Three: Choose furniture that has built in storage, such as console units with shelving, ottomans and footstools with removable tops, or vintage trunks that can double as a coffee tables.

STORE AWAY FOR A SERENE SANCTUARY "Often, the room in your home that should be the most nurturing and restful is the source of most anxiety," says Robertson.

"Clothes burst out of wardrobes, second-best bathrobes slump gloomily on hooks, unread magazines clutter nightstands, and chairs groan under the weight of clothes.

"But your room doesn't have to look like something from Pinterest.

Order has its own beauty. A clean, aired, well-organised bedroom with clear surfaces and a freshly-made bed is one of the most soul-pleasing and nurturing places on the planet. You can create this for yourself."

Step One: Pare back bedlinen - you only really need three sets per bed. Store by folding a fitted sheet, top sheet, duvet cover and pillowcases, so they fold up into one pillowcase from the same set.

Step Two: Start with a 10-minute cull of underwear - put everything that's worn-out into a bag and get rid of it. Next look at clothes - but do not, whatever you do, dump everything on the

28 | www.life-mags.com

bed at once. You'll feel overwhelmed and probably give up - and have more mess, not less.

Instead, set a timer to give you a set period to sort out what you like and wear from what you don't.

Step Three: Get rid of any item that doesn't make you feel good when you put it on. Think whether you would buy it again if you saw it in a shop, if not, recycle it. Cut down on multiples - no one needs 20 white shirts - discard any which are past their best.

TIP: When you've been through your wardrobe and pared it down, make a note in your de-cluttering journal (this is a must-have item which will help you keep on a de-cluttering track) and make a note anything that would genuinely fill a gap and give the clothes you already own a new lease of life. It might be a new jacket or jeans - and by identifying what you really need, you'll avoid impulse buying and wasteful duplication

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HOME LIVING

SIMPLE WAYS TO MAKE YOUR HOME MORE

Eco-friendly From reducing waste to saving energy, Luke Rix-Standing shares some small switches that can make a big difference in the green-living stakes...

As a wise frog puppet once said: "It's not easy being green."

Kermit wasn't wrong, but as environmental awareness spreads, it's certainly getting easier. Indeed, whether you live in a town or the countryside, following some simple steps (along with some bigger ones, practicalities and budget permitting) could turn your home from a fuel-guzzling glut of greenhouse gases, into something approaching more of an environmentalist's Eden.

There is no one right way to go about this - more a series of small steps which, taken together, will reduce your home's environmental impact from 'heinous' to 'mostly guilt-free'. So grab your recyclable coffee cup and discard your plastic straws, it's time to slash your carbon footprint with a thousand tiny cuts...

WATCH OUT FOR WASTEFUL WATERWORKS The most straightforward way to make your home more sustainable is to cut down on needless waste.

Water is a perfect first port of call. Employ the 'navy shower' approach, by switching off the water while lathering. You could

pick up a waterpebble (ÂŁ9.99, Amazon) - a waterproof timer that sticks to your bathroom wall and flashes green, amber or red to let you know when it's time to switch the shower off. While you're at it, you can save energy by turning down your hot water thermostat by one or two degrees (we guarantee you will not notice the difference).

Hundreds of gallons of water are lost every year by homeowners waiting for their taps to run hot, so ask your local plumber about installing a recirculated hot water pipe. And fix any leaking or dripping taps or toilets immediately; estimates suggest that a single drippy tap releases up to five gallons of wasted water per day.

GO BACK TO BASICS Minimising waste is largely about shifting your mindset and changing how you shop too. It goes without saying that recycling is a good idea - but even better is to purchase products that don't come with as much packaging in the first place. For example, swap disposable kitchen towel for longer-lasting cloths - or cut up an old shirt to make reusable rags. Put on thick socks and a jumper when you feel chilly, instead of instantly whacking the heating up. Eschew the tumble-dryer in favour of putting up a traditional washing line (which, apart from possessing a certain Victorian charm, is also much kinder to your clothing).

It's not always possible, but where you can, see products as investments: Buying a high-quality (ideally second-hand) wooden desk might not seem very 'save the rainforest', but a really sturdy unit might not need binning for decades.

These are merely examples - depending on your lifestyle there are a near-infinite number ways to cut down your consumption.

Just remember the golden rule: Longer-lasting equals less waste. continues overleaf...

32 | www.life-mags.com

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HOME LIVING

Again, try to come up with your own methods, as the best energysaving tricks depend on your own lifestyle and how you were using energy in the first place. The truly committed can cut out entire devices: There are hand-powered coffee makers, handpowered blenders, even wind-up radios and washing machines (yes, really!).

But being eco-friendly doesn't require a return to the dark ages, and it can be equally green to double down on tech. There's now a range of apps and gadgets that enable you to switch appliances in your home off and on as needed when you're out and about, or turn off any rogue left-on lights needlessly guzzling energy, from the comfort of you favourite armchair.

BE MORE SWITCHED ON ABOUT ENERGY EFFICIENCY As for reducing your home's energy usage - and bills - slightly cooling your water is a good start, but we're betting you can manage a degree off your radiators too. Insulation is the word of the day: The more heat stays within your home, the less your heating system has to work overtime.

Up on the roof - install solar panels or a 'green roof'. Alongside the small switches and swaps, there are some big, statement moves for those willing to make sweeping changes to a home.

Arrange an annual home energy audit to pick up on any cracks or fractures in your brickwork that might be leaching precious degrees into the outdoors. Windows are a common culprit: Double glazing provides a formidable defence against heat loss, while for the unclothed window, a simple set of curtains works wonders for heat retention too.

But perhaps your biggest bother lurks up above, at the top of the house.

The Energy Saving Trust estimates that a quarter of all heat loss occurs through the roof area, so sealing up the loft or attic with insulation could be a financial and environmental boon. Unless you're a longstanding DIY ninja, get a professional in to help.

Now for the fixtures, fittings and fiddly stuff. Long-life, energyefficient LED bulbs really do make a difference (and they don't blow and leave you in the dark so often), while investing in a pressure cooker could save you valuable cooking time and energy usage in the kitchen.

Not leaving electricals and chargers on standby is always good practice too: Try attaching several devices to a multi-plug extension cable, allowing you to shut everything down with the flick of a single switch when leaving the house in a hurry.

34 | www.life-mags.com

Solar panels are an established option for the eco-conscious builder, and hundreds of thousands of UK homes have now had them installed. While initial costs may apply, homeowners could save money in the long term as well as denting their energy usage, by harnessing the sun's rays as a planet-friendly energy source.

Another rooftop solution? How about installing a 'green roof' or 'living roof'. Halfway between a regular roof and a garden, this basically means having live plants or grass occupy the space.

Companies like Eco Green Roofs (ecogreenroofs.co.uk) will coat your chosen building with earth and vegetation, insulating against noise and temperature, boosting air quality, and providing a verdant oasis for wildlife even in the heart of the city.

iMaintain With a background in construction law, Christian Edwards now manages iMaintain, a professional team in Jersey that supplies all of your property maintenance needs.

We’re specialists in fibreglass roofing and work on projects that range from garden tidy-ups to extensive home refurbishments. No matter what you have in mind, we’re here to get the job done at a competitive price.

We can install any kind of roofing, including tiles, slates and fibreglass. Alternatively, if your roof simply needs a few repairs, we can fix it as a one-off job or visit regularly to clean gutters and check for areas that might need a little attention. Chimney work is also part of our skill set, which can range from small repairs to full removals.

Focusing on the individual customer every time, our qualified tradesmen use their years of experience to assess the property and offer the best recommendation to suit your needs and budget.

Some of our customers come to us for new bathrooms and kitchens, whilst others have taken on a property that

requires a comprehensive renovation. We’re passionate about delivering the highest standards for every job, so whether you need a total rewire, a plumbing upgrade, painting and decorating or windows and doors installing, our experts are here when you need them.

If you’re not sure exactly what you need, we’re here to help. Our tradesmen are as creative as they are practical and can design bathrooms, kitchens and bedrooms to suit your personal style. We can even make furniture from scratch, or install furnishings and devices that you buy elsewhere.

If you require finance, we’ll introduce you to providers that we know and trust, without charging any commission.

This is combined with an Insurance Backed Guarantee as standard, so you know that you’re in safe hands with iMaintain.

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Meet The Team 2019 Mike Moyse - Director After a long and successful working history as a designer, Mike joined Direct Furniture Supplies during 2009, and became the sole owner in 2018. Mike says “We’ve never been afraid to push the design parameters within the remit of what is technically and physically possible, and as a result have created some great projects. Often customers will say things like ‘you came up with ideas we would never have thought about, entertained or considered!’…we are always open to doing something a little bit different. Lucy and I have worked together now for many years, and we've been able to create some great projects . We work with our clients to help them create the overall concept they are working towards, so there’s always a good balance between creativity, functionality and formality. We undertake small, large and often complicated projects, requiring various trades and services, both in-house and outsourced. They wouldn’t come together if we didn’t have such a good team. I am delighted to have recently appointed a new member of staff and hope that Kyah continues to thrive with us. Lucy and Lee, our in house installer, are invaluable to the smooth running of each and every job and I am really happy to have their expertise and skills to draw upon. We look forward to continuing to provide well designed and expertly fitted projects with all our future customers.”

Lucy Hume - Showroom Manager Having moved to Jersey from Hertfordshire at the age of twenty one, Lucy worked for Mappin and Webb before joining Direct Furniture Supplies during 2006. “I do a lot of the CAD design work, as well as quoting projects and all the various day to day administrative work such as book keeping, invoicing and ordering. I also have my own clients and am usually the first point of contact for people phoning or coming into the showroom. The business has grown so rapidly over the past five years, it’s great to have Kyah on board now; she’s a great help in the showroom and having a reliable team out in the field, means we can plan installations in a fluid way. We’ve done so well with our new Pronorm kitchen display and we are really excited to be working on several other new displays in the next few months. We are in the really fortunate position of having the most brilliant trade guys available. Lee Marshall, our company fitter, is second to none in his field.

He is an excellent fitter, a very good at details and a valued member of the team. And I am thrilled to have Kyah working in the office with me, sharing the work load, taking on some of my tasks and learning new skills; luckily we get on really well and she is a really positive addition to the team.”

Lucy added “Mike leads the way but we are all made to feel like valuable members of the team and work to the same standards, with the same drive and ethos; it’s a really exciting time for us.”

Kyah Tomkins - Showroom Assistant Kyah joined Direct Furniture Supplies at the tail end of 2018. “After having always been interested in design and interiors generally, I was thrilled when the opportunity arose to work in such an experienced company. I am really enjoying my work, and even though there is so much to learn technically, I feel that I am taking on new information every day. It’s so interesting to watch how Mike and Lucy work and interact with clients, and I’m really excited to fulfil my ambitions within the industry and look forward to continuing to learn, from Lucy in particular. I am learning so many new skills and love the interaction with our clients. I’m keen to ensure this path continues for quite some time as I am getting so much out of it and hope I am giving back in equal measure.”

Direct Furniture Supplies, 17/19 Burrard Street, St. Helier, Jersey, JE2 4WS Tel: 01534 732314 • E: showroom@dfsinteriors.com • www.dfsinteriors.com 36 | www.life-mags.com

HOME LIVING

KITCHENS KEY TO

Happy Home

Staying put, but desperate to improve? A new kitchen is a wise investment, and you could bag a bargain. Gabrielle Fagan checks out kitchen style.

If you want to make a home buyer’s eyes light up as they enter your property, you’ll present him with something sleek, glossy, and with curves in all the right places.

Naturally, we’re talking about the allure of a stylish kitchen, which has re-emerged as a key factor in selling a property.

“A few years ago, before the recession, kitchens were often the first fitting people replaced when they moved in, as it was an easy way of stamping their identity on a new home,” says Trevor Kent, past president of the National Association of Estate Agents.

“But nowadays, when buyers are often having to find up to 30% of the purchase price in cash, their potential for spending on refurbishment is far more limited. So a good quality, attractive kitchen has become once again a real selling point which will increase the odds of success in a difficult market.”

For homeowners opting to stay put and looking to improve, a kitchen is regarded not just as a wise investment but an asset that will improve quality of life as this room is ‘the heart of the home.’

The current slump in the property market also means this is a good time to pick up a bargain. Manufacturers competing for

reduced business, are increasingly offering sales, discounted prices, and inducements like free appliances.

The kitchen is the room that can singularly transform a house from the plain to the palatial.

People are looking for the ‘wow’ factor with perhaps wall units in a striking colour or sophisticated features, such as lighting that changes to suit the mood or occasion, or versatile storage so that even a small kitchen appears bigger as it’s clutter free.

We’ve checked out kitchen trends so you can choose a kitchen to suit your personal taste and practical needs.

CURVES Hard-edge industrial-style kitchens initially made popular by TV celebrity chefs are now waning, and a more family friendly look with softer, curved outlines is now appealing.

“People are looking to customise their kitchens and make them as individual as they can. Curves are most certainly back in style and this versatile range allows them the freedom to do that.”

Accent doors come in a selection of effects from fuschia to aubergine or wood finishes like zebrano. Glass splashbacks, and different textures from glossy lacquer to matt wood are other options on offer.

continues overleaf...

FEBRUARY ISSUE | 37

HOME LIVING

SUPER SHINY Glossy, lacquer finishes are in vogue for homes, and a strong trend for kitchens.

Small wonder, as this effect works brilliantly by helping to bounce light around, and can even make standard units look glamorous.

One of the latest finishes for cabinets are high gloss veneers that give a rustic look with a modern edge.

We’ve seen shades of white and cream sell extremely well over recent years but this year, we are predicting a move towards a mix and match approach, combining colours with new trends like grain-effect gloss.

MONOCHROME Despite the emergence of more colour in the home, black and white still remains a chic combination that’s unlikely to date. Black and white is a classic and the most popular choice. Its advantage is that it works in either a modern or more traditional setting.

Black and white are classic colours for kitchen designs and will be around for a very long time, but the way that the colour is used will change. The most daring looks now are all white or all black kitchens, with striking metallics integrated.

COLOUR STORY Colour never fails to make an impact, and there’s a kaleidoscope of shades on offer as kitchen companies embrace this trend.

Ikea Interior Design Expert, Mikeal Berryman says: “While traditionalists still favour a stained wood finish, this year the red high-gloss kitchen continues to be a leading choice for those are looking for a modern space.”

If you like continually updating, it’s possible to replace cover panels and doors at a relatively low cost.

FREESTANDING Thrifty buyers are now comfortable with a kitchen that doesn’t shriek ‘off the peg’ style and has a non-matching or even freestanding look.

Leila Roberts, from Fired Earth, says: “There’s far less formality in the home than ever before and this is reflected in the trend towards freestanding kitchens.

“These offer a great deal of flexibility and can be configured in different ways to accommodate the changing needs of the family.”

And, she points out, another major benefit is that the installation costs are minimal, and units can easily be removed and taken to a new property if you move.

38 | www.life-mags.com

HOME LIVING

HAND CRAFTED KITCHENS JERSEY As the New Year gets under way, you may be considering some home improvements. Perhaps it is time for a new kitchen or for something a little more special, like a wine room that fits in just about anywhere? Or perhaps you just want to revamp with some fresh new ideas.

Whatever your plans, Handcrafted Kitchens, a UK-based company, recently opened a local branch to bring their bespoke range of designs to Jersey, and they have some really innovative ideas to give the heart of your home that classic difference.

We love the energy-efficient corner fridge that uses a mere one square metre of floor space, but provides 1300 litres of storage space! Stylish and discreet, it integrates into all types of kitchen furniture and has one of the lowest sound levels in its class.

Their wine storage solutions are exciting too. They offer wine walls so elegant and contemporary that they become a feature in your living spaces. Modular wine rooms are perfect for limited spaces, and they store and display your wines in tip-top conditions. For larger solutions, their wine cellars are anything but conventional, yet they still respect the time-honoured art that serious collectors demand, including controlled humidity, constant temperature, anti-vibration and ease of maintenance.

Handcrafted Kitchens ranges are all made and fitted by UK artisans and experts. They spend time getting to know your aspirations for your living spaces, and work with you to design a bespoke unique solution, that will have you falling in love with your home again. Using solid wood in-frame cabinetry for your kitchens and storage solutions, you can be assured of a quality that will last with style.

Hand Crafted Kitchens Jersey, situated at; Holme Grown, La Rue Au Long, Grouville.

Telephone: +44(0)7797 741226 Visit: www.handcraftedkitchensdirect.com

HAND CRAFTED KITCHENS JERSEY B E S P O K E • M A D E I N E N G L A N D • E X C E P T I O N A L VA L U E

Hand Crafted Kitchens Jersey, situated at; Holme Grown, La Rue Au Long, Grouville.

Telephone: +44(0)7797 741226 Visit: www.handcraftedkitchensdirect.com

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Design Matters Meet the Team

Excellence is the standard we aspire to at Bauformat.

We don’t just supply units, appliances and furniture; we aim to bring your luxurious living aspirations to life – at affordable prices. A passion for creativity, intimate product and technical knowledge, personal service and meticulous attention to detail are the attributes we pride ourselves on.

celine@bauformat.co.je T. 01534 869111

From our inception in 2003, when Bauformat opened as a kitchen showroom, the company now has grown significantly to include a range of contemporary and traditional kitchen, bathroom and now bedroom brands.

Celine Venet, our senior designer, qualified in interior design from the prestigious École Boulle in Paris. Established in 1886, École Boulle remains a legendary name in design and innovation. While studying here Celine developed her technical skills for planning, drawing, costing and project management. Combined with her passion for design and vision for turning a customer’s aspiration into a reality, Celine and her team are dedicated to creating a world of beautiful living space that won’t cost the earth.

Our promise to our customers has not changed during that time.

Whatever room you want to transform in your house, our designers are available to offer their knowledge in utilising space and design to create inspirational living area for you.

After surveying the room where your new kitchen, bathroom or bedroom will be installed, they will submit a detailed plan and specification for your approval together with an artistic impression which will begin to bring your dream to life.

Our service includes full consultation and advice through to design and installation of your new kitchen, bedroom or bathroom.

CELINE VENET

Careful project management and attention to detail will ensure that everything runs to schedule with the minimum of disruption to your day to day living.

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Available exclusively at:

Bauformat Burrard Street St Helier JE2 4WS Tel: 869111 info@bauformat.co.je

bauformat.co.je

Sw t Dream STYLE...

Hand Made Kitchens, Fitted Wardrobes & Specialist Joinery.

Granite, Silestone & Corian Worktops, All Fabricated Locally.

Please feel free to ring us: Tel: 01534 859123 Email: office@somerville.je www.somerville.je Unit 3, Normans Complex, La Grande Route de St Martin, St Saviour, JE2 7GR

Creating a beautiful boudoir needn’t be just a dream. Designers share their bedroom style secrets with Gabrielle Fagan, so you can create a cosy retreat this winter.

Chilly winter days make us yearn to be cosy and warm, and the bedroom’s the ideal place to conjure a snug sanctuary in your home. After all, this is the space where we retreat not merely to sleep, but to recharge, relax and rest. And to be truly successful, continues overleaf... it should reflect our taste in its furniture and pander to our desire for comfort and pampering in its furnishings.

“This season, my bedroom’s been inspired by fashion and the classic white shirt,” says Julie Hall, head of home design at bed linen specialists, Bedeck.

“Pure white and cream cotton linens are calming and tranquil, and they give a timeless, elegant look. I like the way pale shades create tone and texture, and can be easily accessorised with a luxurious faux fur or chunky knit throw to cosy up under on a dark, winter night.”

Relaxed elegance is at the heart of the decor trend for bedrooms this autumn, she says, and followers of fashion should consider a vibrant palette of plum, denim and copper, complemented by soft aqua, champagne and rose pink.

Four experts reveal their bedroom secrets so you can create a beautiful boudoir of your own. continues overleaf...

NO POOL TOO LARGE! A LARGE SELECTION OF SHAPES AND SIZES TO SUIT YOUR GARDEN

FULL POOL SERVICE Available to any pool regardless of installation company - CALL NOW

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Brontë Carpets create truly bespoke carpets that are as individual as your home. We offer the highest quality and service and you will find that apart from making a statement you will have a carpet that will give you many years of comfort and pleasure.

Our ranges include: 100% wool Saxony - Velvet - Shag pile, 80/20 wool nylon Classic twist & Handcrafted Borders. All available in any colour and any width up to an incredible 12m wide with no joins. Made to plan service also available to further reduce waste.

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TOUCH ME TEXTURE “A great bedroom should feel like a sanctuary, which is aesthetically pleasing yet functional, and should contain thoughtfully selected pieces that mirror your personality,” says Julie Paul, head of interior design at OKA. “My personal style is slightly eclectic, veering towards English/French heritage.

I like a soft palette and love the muted shades characteristic of Swedish interiors, which work so well in our sharp English light.”

Style tips: Aim for a mix of great textures and colours, and always include stand-out pieces, like a striking lamp or a bright throw.

Trends: Rich colours and metallics will star, she says, and all it takes is a new velvet throw or piece of furniture to update a room.

LIGHT AND SHADE “The most important piece of furniture in any bedroom is obviously the bed, and it should take centre stage, so always get the largest one you can accommodate,” says Wayne Clarke, creative director for And So To Bed. “My personal favourite is a bedstead I bought at an auction when I was 18 years old - a solid, wooden four-poster, handcarved with African animals.

“It’s a fun and hugely dramatic centrepiece in my bedroom, and my love of animals is reflected in the Handel bed, in our range. This has an equestrian feel with tan metal bedstead straps, fashioned to look like worn leather tack for horses.”

Style tips: Luxury and layering are essential, he says, and suggests white linen bedding with a high thread cotton count, silk bedcovers and cashmere or fox fur throws.

Trends: “This Autumn I’m loving rich berry colours and a combination of interesting textures,” he says. continues overleaf...

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We offer free estimates and advice on all aspects of the flooring trade, carpets and timber floors

All work carried out by our team of fully qualified installers to the highest standards

19A RUE DU FUNCHAL, ST HELIER, JERSEY, JE2 4TT TELEPHONE: 01534 866536 • FAX: 01534 866537 WWW.LAIDFLOORING.COM

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INDUSTRIAL CHIC “Calm, warmth and serenity are essential for a great bedroom,” says Claire Hornby, creative stylist for Barker & Stonehouse.

“My bedroom is a mix of materials and finishes because I love that ‘industrial rustic’ look, which has so much personality.

“I have a reclaimed wooden floor, walls painted in Farrow & Ball Light Blue, a linen button-back headboard, mahogany wardrobes, pieces I’ve collected while travelling in India, and a kilim rug and cushions from Turkey.”

Style tips: If you have a small bedroom, she advises, avoid a feature wall or patterned paper, use a pale colour for the floor, and have a large mirror to reflect light.

Trends: Coral, taupe and grey, with accents of teal greens, will feature strongly this season, and in bedrooms there’s a choice of Hotel Luxe or classic English country house featuring tweeds, linens and washed out woods.

SERENE SANCTUARY “A bedroom must be a haven of tranquility and a place to escape at the end of the day, which means that well-designed storage is vital,” says Wendy Morris Lea, product designer at John Lewis.

“I love contemporary styling at home, and in my bedroom I have soft colours - warm greys and blossom tones - and a range of textures to conjure a warm, homely atmosphere.

“Built-in furniture ensures there’s no clutter and there’s a feeling of order in the room; every inch of space is used. My dream would be a built-in vanity unit so I could dispense with my dressing table.”

Style tips: Mixing old pieces with newer ones in varied grey tones has been popular, and if this is used with pink hues, it will give a feminine feel to a room.

Trends: A brighter, fresher colour palette with turquoise and shades of yellow will star next year, says Morris Lea.

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Trinity Kitchens and Bedrooms has changed to Trinity Interiors Still under the same management, Trinity Interiors continues to provide a prompt and competitive service.

So what’s changed? We no longer sell kitchens which means we no longer have the heavy overhead of our showroom, which was based in Trinity, Jersey. This means we are able to pass on the benefits to you ensuring you get an even more competitive quotation.

To view the latest designs for Bedrooms, space saving Sliding Door systems and sleek home offices, simply call us 01534 865750 to arrange a home visit. We’ll do all the leg work for you, backed up by a free design service. It doesn’t get much better than that.

s d n a h d o o g in e r ’ u o Y Relax.

Call us now and let’s get the ball rolling.

Welcome to the world of Trinity Interiors ....because getting it right is so important

NEW PREMISES

trinity interiors Fitted Bedrooms + Home Office Furniture

T: 01534 865750 www.trinityinteriors.je 14-18 Charles Street, St Helier, JE2 4SF

ELECTRIC RANGE COOKERS EXCLUSIVE TO TRINITY INTERIORS *Easy payment terms available

Office open: 9.30am to 4.30pm Mon to Fri Saturday by appointment only Home visits by appointment

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FROM ARTY AND EYE-CATCHING TO TRULY OFF THE WALL -

How a touch of Surrealism can transform homes Bicycles in the bathroom, fish in the sink and bowler hats hanging from the roof.

Anything's possible, says Luke Rix-Standing...

Tired of tables with four legs, porcelain sinks, and rooms that stay the same colour when you turn the lights off? No, we didn't think you would be - but hear us out.

These surrealist home improvements will make you question all you thought you knew about your living room and, perhaps, your reality.

The Collins Dictionary describes surrealism as: "A style in which ideas, images and objects are combined in a strange way, like in a dream."

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We're not going to stick to this too rigidly here (full disclosure: We just want to show you stuff that's cool and weird), but it's worth keeping in mind nonetheless. It worked pretty well for Spanish artist Salvador Dali; it may do the same for your kitchen.

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You probably won't want to seriously consider full-blown surrealistic style for your next decor update, but these out-there looks and quirky designs might inspire a few new touches...

AN ARTISTIC TRADITION Surrealism is steeped in avant-garde aesthetics, so the designs themselves fit well into a modern interior. A quick Google search yields Rene Magritte-themed cushions, Salvador Dali curtains, and mugs adorned with the works of Max Ernst.

More overtly domestic are the sculptures, and replicas of Salvador Dali's iconic 'lips sofa' (it's exactly what it sounds like) are as comfy as they are mind-bending.

Surrealism has its own category in print shops and poster websites, so any bare stretch of wall can be easily filled with melting clocks, abstract collages and contortionist portraiture.

NOT AS THEY SEEM Surrealism often sets up an apparent contrast between what something appears to be, and what it actually is (see Dali's aptly-named 'Lobster Telephone'), and Red Candy's quirky furniture store (redcandy.co.uk) is filled with bits and bobs that are not quite what they seem.

But our favourite accoutrement is the Giant Champagne Cork Stool, a slam dunk party piece sure to impress even your most humourless guests. We're all thinking it - if those are the corks, what fun could be had with the bottles.

Their best designs are laced with irony: A jar in the shape a giant tooth, which, when de-lidded, reveals a cavity to be filled with sweets or cookies, or a giant pencil sharpener hollowed out to make a pen pot.

Other highlights include a stone camera whose long lens functions as a vase, and a laboratory flask whose warm glow emits from test tube-shaped light bulb.

FURNITURE OF THE ABSURD Surrealism can be a purely aesthetic experience, and the best designs play tricks on the eyes as well as the mind. Think optical illusions or portraits that look different from different angles: Anything offbeat enough to elicit a double take from an unsuspecting guest.

Sometimes, it's what you can't see that makes a product so peculiar. The Umbra Conceal Floating Shelf (ÂŁ10.74, Amazon) is a slim, transparent platform that protrudes from the wall just far enough to bear a stack of books, which appear to hover suspended in mid-air.

The designs of Jake Phipps (jakephipps.com) are yet more inscrutable. An attractive glass-topped table rests not on four legs but a single undulating loop that twists and turns in on itself, like a snake that's bitten its own tail. continues overleaf...

FEBRUARY ISSUE | 49

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The Lost at Sea Side Table comes encrusted with golden barnacles, as though newly salvaged from the ocean floor.

For lighting, bowler hats hang from the ceiling masquerading as lampshades, a warm glow pouring from beneath their brims.

A WARPED REALITY So much for surrealist decor - for those willing to make more structural alterations, a brave new world of eccentric design awaits.

But most mind-bending of all is his aptly named Salvador Mirror.

The frame literally peels back from the mirror's surface to reveal its contents - in this case, you.

Fake windows are now all the rage, thanks in part to the proliferation of basement flats beneath bustling cities, but also because their LED displays can use realistic natural light to reflect the time of day and show ultra-HD 'views', from soaring peaks to plunging valleys.

Even the most mundane of domestic fixings can be given a mysterious makeover - the household radiator comes in vertical slats, giant bronze plates, and wavy wall installations, as much modern art as heating appliance.

BIZARRE BATHROOMS A unique part of any home, your bathroom has an expansive scope for surreal designs. For a truly au naturale bathing experience? Check out the Living Moss Bath Mat designed by Nguyen La Chanh as part of her degree studies - covered with real, living plant, it's watered by the moisture that drips from your body as you dry yourself.

The humble sink can come in a catalogue of strange styles, too.

See-through glass numbers barely visible at first glance, arctic-inspired offerings that resemble cracks in the icecap, or concentric circles that funnel water down into the floor.

One mystifying but popular design requires fixing your sink to the saddle of a disused bicycle, with a little ledge on the handlebars for toiletries (you'll need to Google this one to believe us!).

But perhaps even better than the 'Bike Sink' is an 'Aquarium Sink': Imagine a literal sink-cum-fish-tank fashioned entirely from glass.

Aquarium sinks have that wonderfully surreal quality of starting in the right ball park (fish; water; sink - it makes a certain amount of sense), before spiralling off into the utterly absurd.

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Hungarian artist Bogi Fabian (bogifabian.com) travels the world painting unique murals on clients' walls, with a special kind of fluorescent paint that can only be viewed in the dark. Wait 'til sundown, snuff out the lamps and enter a dream world.

For daytime designs, Zurleys (zurleys.co.uk) offers matching sets of reflective furniture to create your very own bedroom of mirrors.

And for furnishings that seem to have dropped straight from the walls of Tate Modern, direct your attention to Dust Furniture (dustfurniture.com). All their units come with cartoonish colour schemes and stylised swirls and spikes which in some cases, bring to mind the cubist contortionism of Pablo Picasso. Cupboards, wardrobes and shelves are precariously stacked atop one another, like a circus balancing act.

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Avoid Property Pitfalls It is often said that selling a property can be one of the most stressful periods of your life. The purpose of this article is to highlight a few issues that come up on a regular basis and what a vendor can do to avoid last minute complications...

1. Planning Permissions and Building Controls It is very common for questions to be raised about Planning and Building permissions. If you have had any work done to your property make sure that the necessary planning permits were obtained. If Building permits were issued when necessary make sure that you have a Certificate of Completion. If you have any concerns about any work that has been done to your property I would suggest that you contact your architect or builder who completed the works to make sure that they have necessary paperwork. If the works required structural or specialist reports and guarantees have been issued have these to hand.

2. Drains The law concerning drains was changed in 2005 to make it illegal for any surface water to drain into the mains drainage system.

It has, however only recently that the Department of Infrastructure has sought to enforce this legislation. It is a sensible idea to check whether or not any of your surface water drains into the mains drains. It may also be worthwhile contacting the Department of Infrastructure as they can access the records of your property and confirm whether or not there is a potential issue.

3. Boundaries In all contracts the boundaries of your property will be clearly stated and may go as far as to describe the nature of the boundary e.g. wall, fence or bank. If you have done any works to the boundaries for example replacing a bank with a wall it is likely that the purchaser’s lawyers will ask that the owners of the neighbouring property are party to the contract to ratify the new boundary. This is a simple process but if it is left to the last minute can cause unnecessary stress and delay. If you have made any changes to your boundary I will suggest you contact your lawyer to get more detailed advice as to whether or not the neighbours should be party to the contract.

4. Flying Freehold/Share Transfer Sales If you are selling a share transfer or a flying freehold property there are additional matters to take into account. They are as follows:-

(i) Company/Association Records.

The Buyer’s lawyer will want to inspect the Company/Association Records to go through the minute book, accounts and insurance policy etc. Make sure that the records are up to date and easily available. (ii) Fire Certificate 2012 saw the introduction of new legislation dealing with the requirement of houses of multiple occupation e.g. flat/apartment blocks who have a valid fire certificate. A fire certificate will be required if the apartment block is (a) not purpose built; (b) does not require Building Bye laws (Jersey) (2007) and (c) less than two thirds of the flats are owner occupied. If you are thinking about putting your apartment on the market I would suggest that you check immediately as to whether or not a fire certificate will be required. (iii) Anticipated works Due to the nature of flying freehold and share transfer flats it is not unusual for there to be various works that need to be done to the communal areas and structure of the building.

If these works have been discussed or you are aware of them as a vendor there is little point trying not to disclose them to a potential purchaser. These matters will be raised by the buyer’s lawyer and if they are left to late in the day it then becomes harder to negotiate an agreement which is suitable for both parties.

As a vendor you are reliant on the purchaser’s lawyers doing their title checks and investigations in a reasonable time frame.

There are, however certain things that you can do in order to make the sale process easier and less stressful. If you have any particular questions about the points raised in this article please do not hesitate to contact me.

Paul Scally PARTNER pscally@lgl.je T: 01534 760 734

Buying a new home and looking for a lawyer?

For your free consultation and quote, get in touch with our professional and approachable property team.

Traditional values. Modern approach.

www.lgl.je | 760760 | enquiries@lgl.je FEBRUARY ISSUE | 51

ANTIQUES

2019 - A YEAR FOR CHANGE

By Stephen Cohu

A very rapid 2018 has come and gone and once again we are trying to work out some business strategy for the coming year. The antiques and fine art business is probably the most difficult to plan for and so normally we don’t bother to try we just wait and see what comes along. However, certainly in the UK there have been notable changes in the buying habits of the younger generations in recent months with minimalism and conformity finally becoming something that belongs well and truly in the past.

Our business and what we sell is entirely driven by current taste and fashion except for a small hard-core of antiques devotees.

What we buy is almost entirely governed by what we are offered as nearly all of our stock is sourced within the island. We are at the mercy of what we know as the “Five Ds” when it comes to stock becoming available. We won’t actually detail what these five Ds are, we’re sure you can work them out for yourselves! So with the prediction that minimalism is finally over what will be the trends for 2019?

ANTIQUE FURNITURE AND OBJETS D’ART When it comes to selling it is much easier to predict what will not sell rather than what will. As we enter 2019 my colleague Sarah has permission to cause me pain if I hark back to the good old days of 20 years ago when a Jersey mahogany linen press was

worth £2000. It is not 20 years ago, it is now and sadly house sizes and the penchant for fitted furniture has all but killed the market for large items of fine antique furniture. The problem is we still love it, we wonder at the quality of it compared to machine made MDF, the fact that it survives virtually unaltered from when it was made 200 years ago. The warm, rich glow of what people now derogatorily call “brown furniture” that has taken many years to develop, the patina that can only be created through years of use and love. When will people wake up and see what they are missing out on? We are not just saying that because we have a huge shed full of it, we really appreciate and believe in what we sell. We doubt others could say the same.

That said, people, particularly the younger generation are now much more actively seeking out interesting and decorative furnishing pieces. The interest in antiques and vintage pieces appears to have skipped a generation and there is now a notable increase in interest in these pieces in the under 40s, not really young, but the previous generation who purchased antiques are now in their 80s! We are not suggesting people want to return to the look of their grandparents’ house, crammed with things inherited and retained from every previous generation but they are certainly wanting to achieve a move away from the white “hotel room” look that has been prevalent for the last fifteen years.

BORING FUNCTIONALITY In a recent Sunday newspaper supplement the phrase they used was “curated clutter”. This is a very good way to describe the buying habits of people acquiring and furnishing their first home.

We have been urging people for years to invest more time and effort into actually going out to find interesting and characterful items to decorate their houses, things that give pleasure to look at rather than boring functionality. New build properties are becoming smaller and smaller and occupants do have to restrict the amount of things they own in order to be able to fit in everything they need but the compromise does not have to be to not own anything at all! We have never suggested buying so much stuff it ends up looking like our big shed (although we would not actively discourage people from doing this!) but a carefully chosen eclectic mix of old and new can work extremely well without looking old fashioned.

A late 19th century large scale carved wood Buddha.

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ANTIQUES

ART AND DECORATION In the art market we have seen a large increase in interest in and the prices of watercolours and other works by Edmund Blampied.

Much other local art remains popular including the works of Fred Sands and Derek Crow, who passed away last year. We have also noted a far larger number of younger clients wanting to buy things that are different and individual and are confident to buy things they like rather than things that are “safe”. We hope that this apparent non-conformity will continue to grow in the coming year. We have always said that the addition of a couple of statement pieces will transform your house from somewhere you occupy to somewhere you live and enjoy. This goes back to the curated clutter, a carefully assembled collection that can only be put together by actively going out and searching for things that put a smile on your face. This can’t be achieved sitting in front of a computer or thumbing through a catalogue of sameness! You don’t have to spend a fortune on antique and vintage items in order to achieve an interesting look, you can if you want to, but many items are surprisingly inexpensive, it’s just a matter of having the confidence to go and look!

Take heart, everything doesn’t have to be 50 shades of grey!

Curated Clutter!

SHABBY CHIC OR JUST PLAIN SHABBY? According to latest reports the “shabby chic” look, particularly painted furniture, is now on the wane. We have always tried to retain an original painted finish on vintage and antique pieces where possible as this, when carefully preserved and lightly restored, can be very attractive and will add greatly to the value of an item. Originality is the key which is why we have always resisted the temptation to slap a coat of paint on an 18th century mahogany chest on chest then rub it back on the edges to make it look shabby chic or just plain shabby?!

If you cast your mind back 25 years you will recall that stripped pine furniture was all the rage, wonderful and decorative finishes on Georgian and Victorian painted pine furniture were caustically stripped and sanded away. 200 years of history could be removed in half an hour then when it was dry and all the joints had come apart a coat of wax was applied to make it nice and shiny! All this stripped pine was then repainted when it went out of fashion but the finishes applied today can in no way replace the look of an original antique finish.

Sadly the stripping part is now removed from the process and a coat of paint is mercilessly applied to anything that is stripped, original paint or even vaguely brown! Happily, those days appear to be over and customers are more discerning in looking for original pieces with original finishes even if they are slightly decayed.

We were trying to achieve a new look in the shop for the coming year, less is more as the saying goes, but perhaps the fuller look is on trend so maybe in 2019 more will be the new less! The problem for us is how to display our immense stock to our discerning customers to make them able to see what it might look like in their own homes without reducing the selection of items in the shop. Customers literally can’t see the wood for the trees so in 2019 we are definitely aiming to achieve a “curated clutter” look rather than the overwhelming crescendo that we have at the minute! Minimalism is dead, people can live again!

We wish you all the best for 2019 and look forward to welcoming customers old and new in the coming months.

Edmund Blampied “Early Morning, Jersey”. Oil on board.

FEBRUARY ISSUE | 53

SEEDY SUNDAY

For the past three years Seedy Sunday has been bringing together nature lovers, gardeners, seed savers, farmers, herb and wild flower enthusiasts, local gardening and community groups as well as organisations campaigning for sustainable food production and biodiversity.

At the heart of the event there is the seed swap, where locals bring their harvested flower and vegetable seeds and swap with others. This idea of sharing seeds has been around for centuries and today we swap seeds, to help biodiversity and raise awareness. Seedy Sunday Jersey loves local and supporting the richness and diversity we have on our little island, while bringing the community together to share in this knowledge Founder of Seedy Sunday Jersey, Fiona Murphy says, “Seedy Sundays happen all over the world and I was inspired to create this event after visiting the largest seed swap in the UK held in Brighton, which attracts over 3,000 people.”

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“This year we will also be hosting a wide range of stalls and talks offering advice and support including Ocean Harvest, Kazz Padidar of Wild Adventures, Birdsong Garden, True Nature and the National Trust for Jersey, to name a few.”

“We are also joining forces with 'Wild About Jersey' for the first time this year and hope to bring, a truly exciting WILD event.

There will be delicious food provided from Beresford Street Kitchen along with fun activities to keep the little ones entertained.”

For the 2019 event, Fiona has invited TV gardener, Alan Gardner, known as the ‘Autistic Gardner’ and featured in the Channel 4 series of the same name, to host a Q&A on Sunday afternoon.

Fiona explained “My motivation for inviting Alan over, aside from...who doesn't want a celebrity at their event…is that Alan inspired me with the wonderful work that he does as a gardener and I knew that inviting him over would not only raise the profile of our event but also provide a greater awareness of Autism in the island.”

SEEDY SUNDAY

Our Editor spoke to Alan about his forthcoming visit. Alan had this to say, “I’ve not attended a Seedy Sunday event before, although they are hosted all over the UK….it’s just one of those things that hadn’t come up on my gardening radar, which is unusual as I have quite a large radar as my twitter account will testify...half my followers are garden enthusiasts and the other half Autistic, and there is of course a crossover, so there is not much that passes me by.”

“My wife Mandy and I will be there on the 17th and I will be doing a Q&A, so anyone can bring along a plant they don’t recognise or ask questions about their horticultural problems…I do a lot of these Q&As all over the country and they are enormous fun although I had one lady turn up with a berry to identify and I told her, I at least needed a leaf!”

“Mandy and I love the Channel Islands, this will be our 6th trip to Jersey as we honeymooned in the island and this year it’s our 30th Anniversary, so it would have been rude not to take up Fiona’s kind invitation. I’ve also been asked to talk for Autism Jersey on the Saturday. Mandy says that’s my favourite sort of gig; ‘Alan talking about himself’!”

“I created a beautiful garden on Alderney a few years back, Mandy came with me that time too. I spent 7 glorious July, days on Alderney and in true Autistic sprit, I can tell you; Alderney is 3 miles long, 1.5 wide, 7 miles from the French coast and the only Channel Island that is actually in the Channel. I can also tell you about the population and several other facts but won’t bore you with the detail!”

orders or rather ‘Phil’s’ orders! If I strain myself, which is easy to do at the time, it will come and bite me in the bum, so I have to listen to my body, so some balanced work and play time in Jersey should keep Phil happy.”

“I hope lots of people turn up and make this a great day…it’s all for a good cause.”

Autism Jersey Q&A with Alan Gardner Saturday 16th February 2:30pm to 5:00pm Radisson Blu, Waterfront St. Helier Seedy Sunday – 17th February 10:30am to 2:30pm Alan Gardner – Q&A from 1:00 to 1.45pm Le Rocquier School (Main Entrance & Hall) St. Clement All funds raised on the day will be donated to this year's chosen charity, Jersey Trees for Life, to repair and build squirrel bridges across Jersey’s busy roads and is sponsored by; The Coop Eco Fund and EMR. We have a facebook event page at Seedy Sunday Jersey and on the gov.je/WildAboutJersey webpage.

“I do have a full sized allotment but during 2017, I was very poorly with severe heart failure and as a result only have 20% of my heart left, so I now have to maintain my allotment on all fours with a trowel…which I manage to do very well thank you very much.

Me and gardening and gardening design have this weird kind of lifestyle where I have to pace things accordingly, both from an autistic point of view and from the heart failure perspective. I’ve had something called an ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator) fitted inside my chest, I’ve called mine ‘Phil’…he lives inside me and keeps track of my heart rate and if an abnormal heart rhythm is detected, Phil delivers an electric shock to restore normal heartbeat. At the moment he is shocking me about twice a week. So there are days when I’m listening to the radio, hearing that traffic on the M1 is backed-up and am so grateful I don’t have a regular nine to five job.”

“I have to pace myself and work on a ‘no-dig’ policy, but I still managed to design seven gardens last year. I am the Patron of a few schools and one in particular, an Autism School in Birmingham and I, have been working together, getting the kids kneeling down and using trowels to get them in touch with nature.

I didn’t want the sterility of getting contractors in with a huge JCB to prep the garden…doing it slowly and by hand is so much more rewarding and the kids get a lot more out of it that way.”

“So I’m really looking forward to coming over to Jersey again and talking at both the Autism Jersey and Seedy Sunday events. I find talking at the time no problem at all and really enjoy it, but the next day I feel like my eyeballs are in the back of my head and need some down-time, always have, but now it’s on Doctor’s

FEBRUARY ISSUE | 55

COMITTI

MAYFAIR RHODIUM PLATED MOVEMENT About In 1845 an Italian precision instrument maker, Onorato Comitti, travelled to England seeking a new future in the land that was enjoying the unprecedented prosperity generated by the Industrial Revolution and in 1850 he open his workshops alongside other specialist makers in Clerkenwell, London.

Dedicated to the pursuit of perfection and innovation, he quickly achieved an unsurpassed reputation for his recording instruments including the finest quality mercury and aneroid barometers.

It was during the late Victorian period that the company gained renown as one of the finest clockmakers in England receiving the Diploma of Honour for the company's workmanship in 1888.

More than 150 years later, Comitti is still a family-owned business, run by the fifth generation, which remains true to the founding principles of Onorato Comitti and continues to maintain the company's international reputation for luxury timepieces in the finest traditions of English clock making.

Original Comitti barometers and clocks from those early days are now sought-after and valuable antiques. Tellingly, some of the Comitti styles created in the late 1800s continue to be made today, using many of the same techniques and attracting the same wonder that they always did. Such a heritage allows the Company to offer a bespoke maintenance and restoration service for all antique clocks and barometers.

MAYFAIR RHODIUM PLATED MOVEMENT AND BLACK LACQUER BASE A elegant contemporary version of the Mayfair combining the rhodium plated movement with a piano finish black lacquer base.

The Mayfair is based on a timepiece originally made in France, an elegant design popularly referred to as the ‘Great Wheel’.

During the Victorian period these skeleton clocks became very fashionable, particularly due to their prominence at the Great Exhibition in 1851. The simplicity of the movement is achieved by omitting a wheel and making compensating changes to the gear train. The handmade fusee movement is available with a choice of gold or rhodium plated finishes.

GALLICHAN JEWELLERS 1845

Celebrating 174 years

16 Royal Square. St Helier

01534 722915 ejgallichan@gmail.com

TRAVEL

Magical

Orlando

by Rebecca Underwood

Disney's Magic Kingdom - Credit: Matt Stroshane

Beauty and the Beast live on stage at Disney's Hollywood Studios - Credit Gene Duncan

Orlando, Florida, is America’s number one destination for visitors, attracting 72 million annually, and it is considered to be the theme park capital of the world.

Walt Disney World, the largest, comprises Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom and Epcot and for water babes there are two water parks; Blizzard Beach and the Typhoon Lagoon.

For my own Disney experience and anticipating oodles of fun and adventures, I began my visit at the Magic Kingdom, which is crammed with exciting attractions and thrilling rides, and of course there is ample opportunity for adults to relive a bygone childhood. The sight of Mickey and Minnie Mouse dancing on the stage in front of Cinderella’s Castle resulted in adults and children alike jumping up and down together with glee and I joined in with abandon.

Manta, a scary ride at SeaWorld Orlando

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The Magic Kingdom also features Adventureland, where popular attractions include the Swiss Family Treehouse, the Magic Carpets of Aladdin and the hugely entertaining and hilarious Pirates of the Caribbean. At Frontierland the joyful shouts and screams of those riding the log flumes on Splash Mountain merge together with those aboard the runaway train on the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. On Liberty Square, site of the Haunted Mansion, I spotted Goofy

ambling along, and I am not ashamed to say that I chased after him but, alas, he managed to escape into the crowds!

Onto Fantasyland, and I headed for the Princess Fairytale Hall where wide-eyed children were entranced by Disney Princesses, complete with glittering tiaras, and I later noticed that the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train family roller coaster was drawing enthusiastic crowds. I hurried onto Tomorrowland and spotted a father and child skipping together towards the line for a ride on Space Mountain.

‘Daddy, daddy, hurry!’ she cried, and although I prefer to remain on terra firma, I was tempted to join them.

In no time at all it was time for all to gather for the Happily Ever After parade, which concludes with a spectacular fire work display and of course it was utterly enchanting. After an exhilarating day it was time to retire to my sumptuous villa.

Orlando offers a wide choice of accommodations but for those seeking a luxurious resort within a short distance from the most popular theme parks, the Magic Village Yards, located on Kissimmee’s Pantanal Lane, is just the ticket. This resort offers a range of detached and beautifully furnished villas with 3 or 4 bedrooms. I stayed in a four bedroom villa spread out over two floors and every spacious and stylishly

TRAVEL

Magic Village Yards Resort

decorated room was further enhanced with tasteful artworks.

The ground floor featured an enormous open plan lounge, dining area and kitchen, a utility room with a washer/dryer and a plush double bedroom with an en suite bathroom. The enormous ground floor patio doors lead out onto a BBQ space with a huge grill and a comfortable dining area. The upper floor features three more double bedrooms with en suite bathrooms and a huge patio furnished with two ultra comfortable sun loungers, bliss!

The resort’s clubhouse features an impressive gymnasium and a gorgeous open air heated pool, which is flood-lit at night and ideal for a leisurely dip before dining in Villaggio, the resort’s Italian restaurant. I sampled the Filetto, a traditional parmesan risotto with sautéed filet on Roti sauce, and accompanied by the notes and taste of a glass of the 2012 Magique Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Reserve, the flavours were sublime.

After a truly relaxing slumber I spent the following day exploring Disney’s Animal Kingdom with areas devoted to Africa and Asia along with Discovery Island, which features attractions including It’s Tough to be a Bug!, and Pandora-The World of Avatar, which includes the Avatar Flight of Passage. Dinoland USA features the Primeval Whirl roller coaster and I loved the lavish performance of Finding Nemo-The Musical. ‘Oasis’ offers tropical garden pathways, where explorers may spot exotic animals including iguanas, a giant anteater and a wide variety of colourful birds.

Heading for ‘Africa’, I embarked on the Kilimanjaro Safari, a short, bumpy ride through the lush ‘African savanna’ spotting giraffes, elephants, lions, zebra and hippos. Then, whilst wandering through the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail, I encountered a magnificent Silverback watching the boisterous antics of the smaller gorillas with irritation and distain. It was a mesmerising sight. Rafiki’s Planet Watch, is not to be missed. I hopped on the Wildlife Express Train and wandered around the Conservation Centre to learn more about Disney’s impressive efforts to support and rescue threatened wildlife and I was delighted to see children interacting with a variety of rare, domesticated animals.

Heading for Asia, I noticed the excitement surrounding the Expedition Everest attraction, which is a runaway train adventure and the Kali River Rapids, a white-water raft adventure through a ‘threatened’ rain forest. I embarked on the Maharajah Jungle Trek and admired a pair of magnificent tigers snoozing in the sunshine, a Komodo dragon busy marking his territory and a colony of giant fruit bats hanging upside down with their wings

Magic Village Yards Resort

wrapped around them and all in a very deep and tranquil sleep.

SeaWorld, another major theme park, is only 11 miles from Disney’s Animal Kingdom and it also draws the crowds. Located on SeaWorld Drive, this attraction is focused on raising awareness for the protection of our vulnerable oceans and their creatures, and part of the ticket cost supports wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and habitat protections. Parents and children can learn more about sharks, manatees, alligators, flamingos, pelicans, stingrays, sea turtles, sea lions, otters and penguins.

There are also a number of roller coaster rides and shows and I was entranced with One Ocean, held at the Shamu Stadium; a spectacular and informative show featuring a pod of magnificent Orcas. I was particularly impressed with announcements as to how young people can protect our beaches by joining local ‘clean up’ initiatives. Dolphin Days is another popular show and it is clear that the audience is in awe of the Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins performing the most amazing displays of agility. Another entertaining show, which is an absolute must, is Pets Ahoy. I watched in amazement as a variety of animals including dogs, cats, geese and a pig formed a show, which was thoroughly entertaining and there was no doubt that the entire audience was spellbound.

Magical Orlando offers all this and more.

‘Top tip’ accommodation. For more information on the featured accommodation visit magicvillagevacationhomes.com ‘Top tip’ theme parks. For more information on Orlando’s Disney visit https://disneyworld.disney.go.com and for SeaWorld visit Seaworldparks.co.uk 'Top tip' airport transfers and getting around Orlando.

Book private transfers from Orlando airport to all hotels and more.

Take advantage of a reliable and punctual, first class service.

Prices are all-inclusive and guaranteed in advance, so you can sit back and relax upon arrival. Visit blacklane.com ‘Top tip’ Travel to Gatwick.

Southern Rail moves an average of 620,000 people every day.

Parent company Govia Thameslink Railway is currently transforming services into and across London, introducing new trains, modern infrastructure and improved ways of working.

Save time and book your Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak tickets online at: https://www.southernrailway.com/ and up to four children can travel with you for just £2 each.

FEBRUARY ISSUE | 59

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Fall in Love with your Skin

By Penny Downes from Pennyfeathers, St Clements

As we say good bye to January and the month of love beings, it's time to step up our skincare routine and fall in love with our skin again.

Apart for the crucial cleansing, exfoliating and moisturising we should introduce a Serum. This step isn't that new to skin care however over the last year or two they have gained more prominence. Skincare savvy ladies have embraced this step and use them daily whilst others haven't as they aren't too sure why, how and when to use them. Let me educate you this winter for the need for a serum, just so you too can see the in change your skin in a matter if weeks...this is your self help product, one you'll love and cherish forever.

So What is a Serum I hear you ask? Serums are a highly concentration light weight product full of active ingredients.

The lighter texture gel or lotion is more than your moisturiser so penetrates down to the deeper layers of the skin. Feeding them with goodness and stimulating the skin cell nucleus with their small molecules of goodness. Perfect when the weather is harsh and your skin needs a little TLC. Some Skin saving ingredients found In retail serums can include hyaluronic acid, to plump the skin, reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles, vitamin C to stimulate the skin and brighten the complexion or Alpha Hydroxy Acids like glycolic to slough away dead skin to reveal brighter, tighter, younger skin.

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So is a serum good for me and my skin and should I use it every day? Yes it's good for everyone, all skin types, ages and conditions.

You'll feel immediate results just by the touch of your skin and over a matter of weeks see results that will prove why a serum is necessary to all skincare routines. Choose one that suits your needs. Whether it's to brighten, tighten or reduce breakouts and apply it post cleansing, morning and night. A little bit can go a long way so start with a Pearl size amount and add more if needed.

Don't waste it by using too much. Finish with you moisturiser and sunscreen and there you have a winter skin savvy routine enviable of all your friends. www.penny-feathers.co.uk

FASHION

THIS IS WHAT HAUTE COUTUR CAN TEACH US ABOUT FASHION TODAY

Dior

Prudence Wade explores the new V&A exhibition dedicated to the groundbreaking fashion house...

It's difficult not to be rendered just a little bit speechless walking through the Victoria and Albert Museum's latest exhibition.

The centrepiece of this collection was the so-called Bar Suit, exemplifying Dior's vision for a new shape in womenswear.

Divided into 11 sections, Christian Dior: Designer Of Dreams is a masterclass in fashion. We're not talking high street - this is haute couture, painstakingly hand-crafted by some of the most skilled ateliers in the world.

One of the most striking pieces in the exhibition is the gown Dior made for Princess Margaret's 21st birthday. Dior was "a committed Anglophile", says Cullen, and Margaret remained a client of the house for many years.

The name of the exhibition might sound a little schmaltzy, but by the end of the display you will be well and truly captured by the aspirational and yes, dreamlike nature of the Dior world.

Whether it's two-pieces from the 1940s or tulle gowns from 2018, the outfits are simply beautiful.

The dress exemplifies Dior's signature style, known as the 'New Look', featuring an ultra-feminine silhouette with a nipped-in waist.

It was a huge departure from the boxy, masculine fashions typical post-World War II.

Haute couture can seem worlds away from everyday life, but there's no doubting the impact Dior has had on what we wear.

HOW IT HAS CONTINUED TODAY Dior died in 1957, and has since been succeeded by six artistic directors: Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Bohan, Gianfranco Ferre, John Galliano, Raf Simons, and the current designer, Maria Grazia Chiuri.

With this blockbuster exhibition set to capture the imagination of thousands, we've explored Dior's legacy to discover what it can tell us about how we dress in this era of fast fashion...

THE LEGACY OF DIOR "The influence of Dior in fashion really can't be understated," explains the exhibition's curator, Oriole Cullen.

In 1947 French fashion designer Christian Dior debuted his first collection, and it revolutionised the fashion industry. "At that moment, he really changed the route of fashion. He brought back this feminine silhouette, which lasted for over a decade," says Cullen.

The exhibition showcases pieces from all six, and you can see how they've been continues overleaf...

FEBRUARY ISSUE | 61

FASHION

inspired by Dior, while also showing off their own personality.

Take Galliano; he left the house amidst controversy, but his pieces are still some of the most eye-catching.

"Some of the Galliano pieces are incredible - the structure, the corsetry, the embellishment," says Cullen, wistfully. "The sheer size of some of them is phenomenal, and it's impressive to think of some of the models who wore them."

The brazen sexiness of Galliano's Dior contrasts to the fashion house we see today. Under its first female artistic director, Dior has seen a new era of softness and femininity. "Chiuri is very conscious of the materials she uses," explains Cullen. "There's this idea of lightness - she uses tulle layers to create beautiful silhouettes, which are easy to wear."

As Christian Dior influenced the fashion world during in the 1940s, Chiuri is doing so today. We're in the midst of awards season, and a glance at the red carpet will show you how many other designers are inspired by her work - so many of the gowns of 2019 are proving floaty and romantic.

WHAT IT CAN TEACH US ABOUT FAST FASHION This exhibition will likely reach far wider than the fashion crowd.

After all, the Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty exhibition of 2015 became the V&A's most visited in history.

And while it may profile a particular fashion house, it can teach us a lot about the state of the industry in general. "It's a beautiful expression of the height of what clothing can be," says Cullen.

"I hope that maybe it makes people reflect on the value of garments in our throwaway society."

"Yes, not everyone can afford to buy a piece of haute couture," she admits, "but it can still show that a nice 1960s wool coat from the charity shop is something to be treasured."

According to figures from WRAP, 1,130,000 tonnes of clothing were purchased in the UK in 2016, while the total carbon footprint of clothing was 26.2 million tonnes of CO2. These numbers are

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mindbogglingly high, and the industry is increasingly realising it has to do something about it.

Looking at the luxury pieces produced by Dior suggests there is another way to dress. Yes, this is undoubtedly an aspirational look at fashion - only the very few will be able to stock their wardrobes like this - but it definitely makes you think about investing in well-made clothes that will last, even if they're not designer.

THE SHEER ARTISTRY OF THE PIECES Whether this exhibition makes you consider the value of clothes or not, expect to still be blown away by the beauty of the garments, and the skill that's gone into making them.

"The key thing about this exhibition is, everything we're showing is haute couture," explains Cullen. "These are all one-off creations.

Everything from the surface embellishment, to the hems, to the seams, are all made by hand - it's a great testament to the people who work in the ateliers, and that high level of skill isn't often recognised."

Whether it's the beading of a skirt or the structure of a corset, the pieces in this exhibition are true works of art. The final room you walk into is a ballroom, showcasing some of the label's most resplendent gowns. The lighting shifts slowly from day to night and back again, perhaps symbolising how Dior will continue to influence how we see and wear fashion, for decades to come.

Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams is at the V&A from February 2 - July 14 2019.

Visit vam.ac.uk.

(Est. in Jersey since 1997)

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TREATMENTS RANGING FROM DERMAL FILLERS, LIP ENHANCEMENT, WRINKLE RELAXING INJECTIONS AND A VARIETY OF LASER TREATMENTS FOR TATTOO REMOVAL, RED VEIN, SUN/AGE SPOT, HAIR REMOVAL AND MANY OTHER NON SURGICAL PROCEDURES INCLUDING THE NEW PLASMA PEN.

Give Julie Naidu or Kathrin Baumert a call on 888272 to book your consultation.

The Laser Centre. Island Medical Centre, 14 Gloucester Street, St Helier.

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HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Will you be Celebrating Valentine’s Day in 2019 with a loved one, or Staying Home Alone ?

With the 14th looming many of us have a wonderful romantic evening to look forward to or special day to spend with our partner?

There will also be plenty of us that experienced that warm romantic evening this time last year, but this year find themselves alone wondering what went wrong.

Mark Shields Explains I couldn’t help overhear the conversation that was taking place between a group of middle aged mums that were stood just a few feet from me in the playground, as I waited to pick up my son Tommy from school.

It appeared over the previous weekend another marriage had broken down and these ladies were trying to offer some comfort to the poor Victim that seemed inconsolable and had to put a brave face on rather rapidly as her daughter was fast approaching from the classroom Not another one I thought as I drove Tommy back to the house.

That’s four from the same school in just a month. It wouldn’t be so bad but there were only 80 children that attended the school in total.

As the topic for my radio show this month was relationships I approached the research for the show this month with extra vigour and interest.

Upon studying the four couples in question they seemed to have a lot in common. They were all in their mid to late forties, had several children, all around 9 or ten.

In addition one of the partners seemed to be very career driven working long hours and stating away from home regularly.

As I continued with my research for the show it became apparent very quickly there seemed to be a profile for couples struggling in their marriage and the numbers supported my theory.

The average age for women getting divorced in 2012 was 44 and for men 45. Overall 1 in 3 marriage end in divorce with numbers set to rise as we deal with current economic and financial pressures brought on with the recent economic downturn.

It is common that at least one partner works away and often the age range of children involved is between 9 and 13.

So what can you do, is there life after divorce or is life as you know it over.

It’s unimaginable. Being on your own again, back out there in the jungle of unknown predators, speed dating, and singles clubs.“ That will never happen to “me or so you thought. Yet here you are, back out there playing the game once again. continues overleaf...

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So your relationship is over and it feels like your world is coming to an end. What next. Its human nature to close the curtains, call in to work sick and throw your own pity party on the sofa often with several glasses of wine and no guests, often with “our tune “ belting out in the background.

Although it doesn’t feel like it right now you will get over it.

Our brilliant minds have a wonderful way of protecting us and time really does heal if you allow it. Things will look very differently in just three months from now.

Cherish your memories with our Canvas and Aluminium prints...

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01534 766845 office@magictouchjersey.com 11 Caledonia Place, St Helier, JE2 3NG

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

It’s interesting to note that the most common reason for relationship breakdown is Extra-marital affairs coming in as number one on the break up scale at 27%.This is followed closely by mid life crisis coming in a close number two at 20%, with the average life of a marriage equalling just eleven years.

Yet you knew all this didn’t you .With such common heavily weighted causes it is likely you have been experiencing some strange behaviours by your partner for some time now.

Unexplained absences, unusual trips away from home, a new mobile phone, even sudden nights out with the pals which are becoming far too regular for comfort.

What’s going on you think?

Well now you know as you sit there opening your second bottle of wine at your own pity party. Still no guests and still “our tune” belting out on the record player.

Perhaps its time to put down the bottle before it becomes your third put a new tune on the stereo, and start moving on with your life.

In my time as a human potential coach I have come to believe anyone can bounce back from a broken relationship, no matter what the circumstances.

Your loss will seem insurmountable to begin with, but in time your brilliant mind will help you heal. Of course you have to help it along the way and not be deliberately obstructive, falling into a downward spiral of bitterness, blame and depression.

Follow my three simple steps to getting over your broken heart and move on with your life.

1. Don’t play the blame game Continually blaming your partner will eventually annoy the people around you, even new potential partners, if they here you moan and whinge all the time about how badly you were treated and what a victim you are.

Try to stick to the objective not subjective facts about what has happened and learn to accept where you are now to enable you to move on.

2. Acceptance Accept you are now on your own for a while. Learn to live without your partner and start rebuilding your life on your own.

The sooner you realise you only have control over your own emotions and you are clear about your own emotional boundaries the easier you will mentally move on, on your own.

3. Learn to Enjoy Yourself It may take a while to realise it but anything is now possible.

Although you may still be experiencing a level of anxiety about facing life alone, the better you get at allowing yourself to have some fun that anxiety will get more heavily weighted with excitement. The more you focus on new and exciting things the happier and more fulfilled you will become.

The further you leave behind your old life the less attractive your old life looks with your new life looking far more interesting and exciting.

So this year whether you’re enjoying a romantic for two, or your out with your friends on valentine day be thankful for what you have, enjoy yourself, never take anything for granted and work hard at all relationships.

Happy Valentines Day 2019.

Mark Shields Human Potential Coach Author & Motivational Speaker www.lifepractice.co.uk T: 01462431112

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MEMBER

HISTORY

Helier, my friend

by Paul Darroch HELIER’S ROCK 6TH CENTURY AD It is over a century since Rome fell, and this present age of darkness swept over us all. This sorry world has become a den of thieves. We came to the Island to preach a message of hope amidst the ruins. My name is Romard, and I followed Helier, my friend.

I will never forget the day we first set foot here, by the huddle of fishermen’s huts that clings to its southern shore. Barely thirty souls lived here, fishing for conger eels in the bay beyond the dunes. And here by the water’s edge, under the shadow of a red granite hill, we would build them a church.

As dawn broke, Helier preached the good news. At once I saw a lame old man leap up into the air in joy, and the conversion of the Island was sealed. The townsfolk were fearful, haunted by terror of the seaborne lights, the long-ships who came to steal and kill and destroy. They were ready for a new Gospel.

These Saxon raiders returned again and again to strike without warning, like a primeval force of nature. The Islanders’ only defence was to melt away into the interior and seek refuge in its secret groves. The next day they would limp back, their spirits broken, to the charred remains of their hovels.

Helier decided to stand in the gap against the storm. He moved out to the tall pinnacle of rock that stood alone in the bay, making his home there amidst the gulls. As our silent watchman, he scoured the horizon. Whenever he caught sight of the black sails, he signalled to me, so I could shepherd the villagers away to safety.

It was high summer when Christ took my master home.

Tradition names the date as the sixteenth day of July, in the five hundred and fifty fifth year of our Lord. Some question the memorable date, or even deny that there was once a wizened hermit who skulked like a seal among the sea-rocks.

Helier cares nothing for your times and dates; for he is at one with the blood-red granite, the daily lashings of salt, sea and sun.

Like an eel drying on the bare rock, he lets the sun scourge his flesh. He chunters and prays for hours, the words smashing like chisels in his mind, cutting out his stone bed.

One summer’s day, on the far horizon where sea and sky meet, a flurry of dark clouds rushes inwards. The weather is changing.

Helier prays, and through his murmurings he catches his breath.

A cloud is bolder, blacker, growing. A sail.

The drill is well rehearsed. Yet Helier is agonisingly slow, a frail husk of a man, stooping to light a fire. The townsfolk see the warning signal and Helier sees them scurrying to safety like rabbits, gathering their children, packing their precious baskets of eels and heading deep inland, where the raiders fear to tread.

And when the ships draw into the great bay, they stumble on a ghost town, with the cooking pots still warm, sheepskins drying

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Picture credit: Karen Blampied, Icon Spirit Studios. on the line. They have been cheated of their spoils. I hide close by, crouching in a hole in the sands, watching and waiting for my master.

Yet the Northmen have witnessed the fire on the rock. So, a raiding party draws up close to the hermit’s home. Black axes drawn, the pirates plunge waist-deep onto the reef, their chain mail jangling in the cold surf, their war cries rising to fever pitch.

A shadow falls, a cry shrieks, and a prayer is whispered.

Their quarry is soon cornered, dragged by his wispy hair from his rock bed, as frail as a ghost. Helier prays with the boldness of a bounteous heaven. He stammers out a blessing. Then the double axes drop.

Helier turns one last time to face his bed of stone, his gentle sea-garden. Then falling as gently as a seagull’s feather, my master slips away into legend.

The boats have fled now, and night is falling on Helier’s town.

At last the tide turns, flooding fast, and the first clouds of sunset race in towards the sands.

Saint Helier’s story is told in Jersey: The Hidden Histories, which imagines Jersey’s history through the eyes of those who witnessed it.

The book is available throughout Jersey and on Amazon.

OFFICIAL FERRARI DEALER

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The Official Network is on hand to explain the programme’s advantages, which include: • Rigorous checks and routine maintenance work carried out by expert technicians trained at the Ferrari Training Centre in Maranello; • Exclusive use of Ferrari Genuine spare parts and oil changes, as recommended by the manufacturer; • Use of the most up-to-date diagnostic tools; • A test drive at the end of each check to ensure your vehicle is optimally tuned; • Availability of the programme worldwide at all Official Network service centres; • Coverage of the individual vehicle and thus extended to any eventual subsequent owner within the seven years.

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MOTORING

FIRST DRIVE: BMW X5 By Jamie Fisher WHAT IS IT? With the new X5, the brand's engineered some off-road ability back in, and hopes to combine it with its well-loved on-road manners, as well as a serious dose of luxury to create a car that can - theoretically do anything.

But the high-end SUV market has some brilliant entrants that BMW has to match - the archetypal Range Rover Sport, the luxurious Mercedes GLE and the tech-filled Audi Q7, to name but a few.

Not forgetting that the X5 will soon no longer be the brand's flagship SUV, as the monstrous X7 launches next year. A tough gig, then.

WHAT'S NEW? The X5 has switched onto the same modular underpinnings as its smaller sibling, the X3 and X4, giving it access to a whole range of new tech. For the UK, there's standard air suspension, as well as active four-wheel steering to help make the massive X5 feel more agile.

Facts at a glance Model: BMW X5 xDrive30d M Sport Engine: 3.0-litre straight-six diesel Power (bhp): 261 Torque (Nm): 620Nm Max speed (mph): 143mph 0-60mph: 6.3s MPG: 47.1mpg Emissions (g/km): 158g/km

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MOTORING

The rear-wheel steering helps with this agility, though some won't like the way it feels - almost as though the rear of the car were squirming under load. Once you're used to it though, it feels natural.

BMW's rear-biased xDrive system is capable of sending all of the power to the front wheels if necessary, and it combines with an optional xOffroad package to make this new X5 far better on the rough stuff than its predecessor.

HOW DOES IT LOOK? BMW's latest corporate design is divisive to say the least, and the X5 takes some of its cues from the massive X7. That means a vast chrome grille, joined in the middle unlike BMWs of old, and sharp lines throughout.

The front features slim LED headlights with a new hexagonal motif flank that walloping nose, while round the rear, LED taillights help the X5 feel even wider than it is. Not that it needs to be, as it's already 56mm wider than its predecessor, as well as 36mm longer and 19mm taller.

The wheel designs in particular - other than the entry-level 19-inch units - are great, and the X5 looks properly mean on 21- or 22inch rims.

There's plenty of tech inherited from other models, such as the new standard digital gauge cluster and widescreen infotainment system. On the styling front, there's the latest iteration of BMW's kidney grilles, now joined in the middle by a chrome bar, as well as optional Laser LED headlights and wheels of up to 22 inches available even on base models.

WHAT'S UNDER THE BONNET? Three engines initially - all 3.0-litre straight-six turbocharged units.

For petrol lovers (or diesel despisers), there's the 40i petrol, which produces 335bhp and 450Nm of torque and is capable of 0-60mph in less than 5.5 seconds. Official fuel economy of just 33.2mpg and CO2 emissions of 193g/km should see it remain a relatively niche choice, though BMW's anticipating more customers will opt for it as diesel's popularity continues to wane.

The vast majority of buyers will opt for the 30d diesel - a twinturbo unit, producing 261bhp and a hefty 620Nm of torque. It's a good engine too, creamy smooth and relatively powerful, though it struggles a little with the X5's 2.2-tonne bulk when overtaking.

BMW's also synthesised a fake engine noise, - though at a cruise, near-silence reigns in the cabin. Official fuel economy of 47.1mpg isn't too shabby either.

The top end is rounded off with the M50d, which turns the X5 into an absolute weapon. It's ferociously powerful, without too much drama from a standstill but a heroic chunk of mid-range torque 760Nm of it, in fact. Power output is 395bhp, while combined MPG stands at 41.5, though that will definitely take a tumble if you intend on using the accelerator with the alacrity it demands.

All three engines are mated to the same rear-biased xDrive four-wheel drive system and BMW's fantastic eight-speed automatic gearbox.

WHAT'S IT LIKE INSIDE? The X5's interior is supremely spacious and the seats, both front and back, are excellent. There's a vast range of adjustment to the driving position, allowing anyone to get comfortable, and the 650litre boot can be extended to 1,870 litres with the seats folded down. An optional third row secures this as a luxury SUV that would suit large families, too.

WHAT'S THE SPEC LIKE? Equipment's generous, as you’d expect from BMW - LED headlights, leather upholstery, electric and heated front seats, air suspension, all-round parking sensors and a reversing camera, multi-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, emergency braking and a range of online services.

The majority of customers will opt for the M Sport package, netting meaner-looking body styling and standard 20-inch wheels, and some models even get a crystal-glass gearknob and infotainment controller.

VERDICT The BMW X5 is a class-leader, it's still a status symbol, it's still eye-catching, and it's still great to drive.

The additional capability afforded by some genuine off-road chops will broaden its appeal, too, and we're looking forward to trying 2019's plug-in hybrid model. It's a good all-rounder - in this competitive sector.

WHAT'S IT LIKE TO DRIVE? The X5 has a reputation for its ability on the tarmac, and that's been replicated in this new model. What's impressive is how small this 2.2-tonne behemoth feels on the road - it doesn't feel as though it's fighting its weight in the corners, and it stays impressively flat and level.

FEBRUARY ISSUE | 71

WINE

French Wine Producers

by Martin Flageul DipWSET, Wine Consultant

As early as October 2018 the news of very fruitful harvest in Europe had emerged with maybe the best vintage since 2000. Although the USA and New Zealand remain steady, Australia and South Africa expect a decrease in volume. After a sixty-year low in worldwide wine production in 2017, overall 2018 shows a twelve per cent increase.

LOIRE VALLEY The overall volume for 2018 in France is up 27% over the harvest for 2017 and from the Loire Valley to Burgundy and from Champagne to the Rhone, expectations for the 2018 vintage are high.

Mother nature has been kind to many producers in the Loire valley from Nantes to Sancerre, wine producers are already speaking of a “vintage of the century”.

Both quantity and quality are certainly exciting but caution should be taken until the wines are completed.

BURGUNDY, BEAUJOLAIS AND RHONE In Burgundy the same feelings are echoed by northern wine producers of Chablis and those in the Côte d’Or in the south. Possibly the best wines for nearly twenty years in terms of exceptional quality and good quantity.

Whilst in certain areas of the Rhone Valley, particularly in the south, healthy berries with concentrated juice of high quality have yielded only a similar volume to that of 2017.

The region of Beaujolais in 2018 has the perfect trio for a very good vintage, fully mature grapes, fantastic quality in terms of balanced fruit and acidity and an abundant harvest LANGUEDOC AND PROVENCE Languedoc-Roussillon also reported good volumes at the time of picking the fantastic quality grapes, more abundant than 2017 and are expected to produce good volumes of well-balanced fragrant wines.

Similarly, superior volumes to 2017 in the region of Provence means that volumes will be up in 2018 with the added bonus of excellent quality.

Provence Rosé will offer fruity wines with well-balanced crisp acidity and fragrant bouquets.

CHAMPAGNE AND ALSACE After the harsh weather of the previous two years in Champagne, the vintage for 2018 is almost “perfect”. It appears that years ending in “8” in the Champagne region are synonymous with good vintages - 1988, 1998 and 2008 all produced outstanding quality wines. With maybe ten million more bottles of champagne being produced in 2018, this should allow the vignerons to rebuild their depleted stocks.

Complexity in flavours is thought to give its unique style and with a phenomenal vintage such as 2018, wines will be rich with a lot of concentration. Spells of cooler weather throughout the growing period in Alsace helped to maintain good acidity.

Pinot Noir from Alsace has become increasingly sought after and the 2018 wines should be stunning.

BORDEAUX Bordeaux recovered well after the spring frosts and 2018 is showing a great deal of promise. Both reds and whites offer great harmony and balance in their early stages and the red wines are boasting fantastic aromas and colour.

Sauternes and Graves will be less abundant due to some summer hail damage and mildew caused by wet June weather resulting in grape loss.

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So, all in all the vintage 2018 is something to look forward to but don’t expect prices to come tumbling down just because it is a plentiful vintage!

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Reviews & Clues!

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BOOK of the month...

THE DREAMERS

BY KAREN THOMPSON WALKER

27

Across

Down

3. Tendency to lie (9)

1. Aim (9)

8. Enticement (4)

2. By degrees (9)

9. Boundary (9)

4. Fencing sword (4)

10. Again (6)

5. Compel (5)

11. Sustains (5)

6. Drinking toast (6)

14. Periods (5)

7. Matches (4)

15. Appear (4)

9. Non-poetic writing (5)

16. Banishment (5)

11. Serene joy (5)

18. Calf meat (4)

12. Technical drawing aid (3,6)

20. Eye-protector (5)

13. Stamped (9)

21. Endures (5)

17. Bad things (5)

24. Shows contempt for (6)

19. Lasso (6)

25. Sorts (9)

22. Sum (5)

Troubling, ethereal and exquisitely written, The Dreamers begins with a university student who, after a night out, simply goes to sleep and doesn't wake up, her heart slowing until it ceases to beat. As her fellow students begin tumbling into unconsciousness too, the surrounding townsfolk in their southern Californian town go into panic-stricken lockdown mode.

That may make this novel sound like an action-packed, blockbuster sci-fi drama, but in fact, there's a melancholic tenderness to Thompson Walker's prose.

It's dystopian, yes, but the lives of motherless sisters Libby and Sara, new parents Ben and Annie, and isolated student Mei, are gently wrought rather than frenzied and bleak. Their worlds fray and morph with each new unexplained sleeping diagnosis, but there's thoughtfulness here, rather than creeping terror.

It's quite dazzling.

26. At liberty (4)

23. Sport (4)

(Review by Ella Walker).

27. Annoying (9)

24. Fronded plant (4)

The Dreamers by Karen Thompson Walker is published in hardback by Scribner, priced £14.99 (ebook £8.99).

Answers can be found in next month’s edition of the Jerseylife.

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the Jerseylife | FEBRUARY 2019

ISSUE 160 | THE QUALITY LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

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