Absolutely London Kensington & Chelsea April 2023

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Kensington & Chelsea APRIL 2023 / £3.95 A SENSE OF ADVENTURE STYLISH / INTELLIGENT / ELEGANT PLUS THE PRETTIEST STAR David Bowie on the Southbank
POP ICON Andy Warhol's textiles rediscovered
FABRIC OF SOCIETY A campaign against waste Free SPIRIT Where to go – and where to plan TRAVEL SPECIAL
EXPRESS YOUR WITH DANISH DESIGN FURNITURE EXTRAORDINARY SPRING SALE STARTS 6 TH APRIL
AT
LOCATED
BATTERSEA REACH, HARRODS, FINCHLEY ROAD, NOTTING HILL, TOTTENHAM COURT ROAD, WESTFIELD LONDON, GUILDFORD, BENTALLS KINGSTON, FENWICK BRENT CROSS AND ST ALBANS

Discover original and distinctive furniture designs with the latest Scandinavian styles. Customise our furniture to suit your lifestyle with the help of our interior designers and find the perfect fit for your home. Change the size, colour, finishes, configurations and more. Book your free interior design consultation in-store or in the comfort of your own home. For further inspiration, explore our full collection online and in-store.

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The

APRIL 2023 CULTURE 10 ABSOLUTELY LOVES 10 things we’re coveting this month 14 WHAT'S ON Your diary for April 18 CELEBRATING BOWIE 50 Years of Aladdin Sane at the Southbank FOOD & DRINK 32 KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL News from the industry 40 RECIPES British Indian classics FASHION 46 THE SHOOT Rachel Jackson jewellery 54 FASHION Q&A Sustainability with Seventy + Mochi HEALTH & BEAUT Y 63 BEAUT Y NOTES What's hot and what's new INTERIORS 76 INSP IRATIONS News from the industry 92 FABRIC FOCUS Reusing fabrics with Jules Haines TRAVEL 112 SEA AND SKY Marvelling at the Maldives 126 PALAZZO LIFE Luxury on a Tuscan hilltop LUXE 143 WEDDING STYLE Inside one of London's most stylish wedding venues ABSOLUTELY.LONDON
online guide to inspirational London living that
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exclusive prizes. ABSOLUTELY Contents 112 ON THE COVER ju-nna.com 36 92 7 ABSOLUTELY magazines
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EDITOR IN CHIEF

PENDLE HARTE

MAMA EDITOR

CARLY GLENDINNING

ART DIRECTOR

PAWEL KUBA

SENIOR DESIGNERS

MIKE ROBERTS, SUZETTE SCOBLE

MIDWEIGHT DESIGNER

CARMEN GRAHAM

JUNIOR DESIGNER

JOE MUNSEY

PRODUCTION MANAGER

DANICA BRODIE

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JOSEPH HAISMAN

SENIOR MEDIA CONSULTANT

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JERRIE KOLECI

CREDIT CONTROL MANAGER

ALEXANDRA HVID

DIRECTORS

CRAIG DAVIES, LEAH DAY, JAMES FUSCHILLO

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

ALEXANDRA HUNTER

MANAGING DIRECTOR

SHERIF SHALTOUT

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LETTER Editor’s

ABSOLUTELY’S

April issue highlights

pring is in the air and it's very welcome, bringing with it a fresh new palette and a renewed sense of optimism. In this issue we're focusing on travel and luxury, celebrating all the best things in life. We've journeyed to dreamy beaches in the Maldives and to Tuscan palazzos, French chateaux and British coastal hideaways in search of some of the world's most beautiful spots. And back in London, we're looking forward to a month of culture that includes exhibitions dedicated to Ai Weiwei, Andy Warhol and David Bowie. Our quest for the capital's most stylish interiors took us to the home of the design duo behind A Rum Fellow – possibly one the loveliest houses we've ever featured – while this year's Easter goodies are more tempting than ever. And in the spirit of rejuvenation, we've even been on a fitness drive. All the delights of spring are right here in these pages.

4

I should cocoa

All the best Easter treats – incluing Laduree's delightful creations

Sustainable fashion

Wearable styles from Seventy + Mochi

Pop prints

2

The man who sold the world

The Southbank Centre celebrates 50 years of David Bowie's Aladdin Sane

S
The Fashion and Textile Museum's spotlight on Andy Warhol's textiles PENDLE
5 3
9 ABSOLUTELY magazines
New weaves At home with the designers behind A Rum Fellow
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Wish LIST

BLUE JEAN

Hellessy's fabulous Beatrix denim dress features an asymmetric metallic fringe hem and a square neckline with adjustable straps. £857 hellessy.com

ROYAL ROBE

Orchard Moon's luxury kimono robes are as so as silk but completely cruelty free, made from sustainably managed woodland. They are designed in London and made in Europe. £260 orchardmoon.com

SOLE MAN

Terry De Havilland is the father of London's shoe scene and he's back with a collection of Icons. Expect his trademark platform sandal in a variety of shades and fi nishes. terrydehavilland.com

SKY BLUE

New colours from Nailkind for spring include the delightful Out of The Blue, a pastel lavender blue that's vegan too. nailkind.com

COMPILED BY PENDLE HARTE 10 things we Absolutely love 10 ABSOLUTELY magazines

SPRING JOY

Daylesford's gorgeous gardening bunny is a lovely Easter decoration for the essential Easter tree. daylesford.com

STILL WATERS

Jo Malone London's Waterlily cologne has a dewy freshness that is enhanced with a fl ourish of jasmine sambac and neroli. £115 jomalone.co.uk

BLUE EYES

W're loving the Conran Shop's new cobalt blue iPhone accessories, which include a case, wireless charger and an airpod case. conranshop.co.uk

MARINE LIFE

Nitt studio is a unisex highend knitwear brand, taking its inspiration from the love of animals and nature. Each piece is made with high attention and technology and unique details which makes it timeless and iconic. nittstudio.com

SHE'S ELECTRIC

Blue is the new summer shade for Rosessence from Aubade, which also comes in black, cream, pale pink and red. Bra £105, tanga £49. ameliesfollies.co.uk

LET IT SHINE

Bergs Potter's petrol-blue glaze makes a beautiful fi nish to the Copenhagen-based brand's lovely pots of all sizes. bergspotter.com

11 ABSOLUTELY • LOVES
EDITOR’S PICK ABSOLUTELY magazines

THE BOODLES

WORLD CLASS TENNIS AND HOSPITALITY SET WITHIN THE GLORIOUS GROUNDS OF STOKE PARK!

27TH JUNE – 1ST JULY 2023 | WWW.THEBOODLES.COM
Agenda 14 • Celebrating David Bowie 18 • Andy Warhol's unknown textiles 22 CULTURE HILMA AF KLINT, THE TEN LARGEST, GROUP IV, NO. 3, YOUTH, 1907. COURTESY OF THE HILMA AF KLINT FOUNDATION 13 ABSOLUTELY magazines

The Agenda

EVENTS NOT TO MISS IN LONDON

2:22 A Ghost Story

UNTIL 23 APRIL, LYRIC THEATRE

Danny Robins’ edge-of-your-seat, supernatural thriller at the Lyric is the show’s biggest house to date and follows two hugely successful seasons at the Criterion. Last year 2:22 A Ghost Story had Olivier Nominations including Best New Play, and won the Best New Play category in the Whatsonstage awards. Don't miss Cheryl's final weeks in the lead role.

222aghoststory.com

INSTALLATION

Jitish Kallat: Whorled

to 23 April SOMERSET HOUSE

Whorled (Here After Here After Here) is a new courtyard commission by Somerset House and the Mumbai-based artist’s first major public commission in the UK. This striking installation, over 30 metres in diameter, comprises two intersecting spirals that echo the signage of UK roads and connect the famed neoclassical courtyard of Somerset House to locations across the planet and distant universe. somersethouse.org.uk

ART

Mike Nelson: Extinction Beckons

To 7 May

HAYWARD GALLERY

Nelson’s psychologically charged and atmospheric installations take viewers on enthralling journeys into fictional worlds that eerily echo our own. Designed to dramatically transform the spaces of the Hayward Gallery, his exhibition will include towering sculptural works and new versions of his key epic installations. southbankcentre.co.uk

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THEATRE 14

TEXTILES

KUMIHIMO: Japanese Silk Braiding by Domyo

To 11 June

japan house london

This is the UK’s first major exploration of this ancient yet contemporary Japanese art. Drawing together the strands of its fascinating 1300-year history, the exhibition also considerskumhimo’s vibrant current applications, from formal and contemporary fashion to science and engineering. The future of kumihimo is posed as an open question. japanhouselondon.co.uk

ART Hilma af Klint & Piet Mondrian: forms of life

20 April - 3 September

TATE MODERN

Hilma af Klint (b. Sweden, 18621944) and Piet Mondrian (b. Netherlands, 1872-1944) were two of the most imaginative artists of the twentieth century. While they never met, they shared the same deep connection to the natural world and the desire to understand the forces behind life on earth. tate.org.uk

Art

TO WATCH

ON THE BUSES

Families visiting London Transport Museum in Covent Garden this Easter (1-16 April) can discover the momentous moments that have shaped London’s transport. As you explore the museum’s galleries, meet a cast of time-travelling characters from the city’s fascinating history, get creative in an interactive craft workshop and marvel at the impressive collection of historic London buses. ltmuseum.co.uk

ART ON A POSTCARD

has teamed up with War Child UK for a special guest auction to raise money for the incredible work they do supporting children in war zones. This is a rare opportunity to acquire an original artwork by some of the most collectible artists of the moment, with the stellar line up including New Yorkbased Loie Hollowell, British Pop Artist Julian Opie, Los Angeles-based mixed contemporary artist Christina Quarles, Indian artist Mahesh Baliga, Scottish artist Lorna Robertson and Berlin-based Navot Miller who showed with Carl Freedman at last autumn’s Frieze in London. Bidding starts at just £50 via The Auction Collective. 18 April – 4 May. warchild.org.uk

WOOLF WOMEN

Coming soon to selected Picturehouse Cinemas, Woolf Women is a documentary about five female downhill skateboarders who take to the open road and skate wherever they find opportunity. Not for the faint-hearted, downhill skating involves racing down steep roads on a longboard at speeds of up to 100kmph. The film follows their efforts to reach the cliff-hanging ancient treasure of Sumela, an ancient monastery perched high in the Pontic Mountains, where no skateboarder has ventured before. This is a true Gen Z story of wheels on fire, exploring the reason why freedom is everything. woolfwomen.com

MAHESH BALIGAFIRST RAIN LONDON TRANSPORT MUSEUM
CULTURE • DIARY ABSOLUTELY magazines
WOOLFWOMEN
15 This
Month’s Must See

At Loveday Abbey Road, care is in our nature

Loveday is proud to introduce Loveday Abbey Road, and its beautiful sensory garden. Whether it’s potting, painting or socialising all our Members can enjoy its thoughtful design.

Loveday is the club where care meets hospitality, blending tailored, compassionate care with a world-class experience and environment. And because of our industry leading Member to staff ratios we build stronger relationships with you and your loved ones, all of which helps us provide care beyond compare. To discover the Loveday difference, please come and visit our new property Loveday Abbey Road.

lovedayandco.com

info@lovedayandco.com | 0203 2811 890

Over 150 venues are expected to take part in the 6th edition of KCAW, which promises to be the most exciting and wide-reaching edition yet. Building on the successes of the past five editions, KCAW23 will be an opportunity to discover anew the outstanding cultural variety of West London, with a fantastic programme of events hosted by participating venues and artists.

Kensington + Chelsea Art Week is a notfor-profit, independent and free festival which began with a public consultation by a group of volunteering arts industry professionals in 2018. The Advisory Board continues to steer the festival to shine a spotlight on the area's unexpected and unique cultural variety across a multitude of studios and

STREET LIFE

A world of culture in West London with Kensington+Chelsea Art Week

galleries, museums, exhibition spaces and businesses throughout Kensington and Chelsea, supported by walking tours and an events programme encompassing food, music, theatre and history – all aimed at creating opportunities to discover and experience the borough like never before - Art Week unveils the unexpected, highlights local spirit, and showcases an extraordinary cross-section of art and culture throughout the borough.

The KCAW Public Art Trail creates temporary landmarks that connect Kensington & Chelsea through an evolving discovery trail. "What makes our art trail stand out from the rest is that the Open Call encourages submissions for installations from locally based artists," says KCAW Director Vestalia Chilton. "Art Trail supports both emerging and established artists, many of whom live and work locally. It is all about local talent, authenticity, and celebration of this unique area, which is unlike any other."

The finalists are selected by an Art Committee which changes every year and is made up from professionals from all walks of life. Every year the Art Committee is hosted by the Design Museum where

the finalist selection is carefully made. The overarching theme for 2023 is 'The Art Of Change'. The Open Call focused on proposals that reflected this theme and offered outstanding ideas for 3-D sculpture to take part in the Public Art Trail.Events include world-class talks held both at landmark institutions and online, unique and unusual workshops and a curated walking tour programme, aimed at creating opportunities to explore and discover hidden treasures in this special part of London. Once again, Art Week will offer an interactive Culture Map, curated walks on Go Jauntly, the printed Guide, an enhanced childrens' and a range of volunteering programmes.

ART WEEK

22 JUNE TO 2 JULY

ART TRAIL

16 JUNE TO END OF AUGUST 2023

If you want to take part in ART WEEK, please subscribe via kcaw.co.uk and submit your listings. The closing date to take part is 25 April.

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Words EVE HERBERT ALEX CHINNECK ALPHABETI SPAGHETTI PHOTO BY MARC WILMOT KCAW ART COMMITTEE AT THE DESIGN MUSEUM PHOTO GRAHAM FUDGER ROMAN LOKATI

WATCH THAT MAN

The Southbank Centre is celebrating 50 years of David Bowie’s Aladdin Sane with a series of events. Here are some diary dates

18 ABSOLUTELY magazines

ALADDIN SANE:

50 YEARS EXHIBITION

6 April - 28 May. Exhibition Space, Level 1, Royal Festival Hall. Ticketed; £5

Fifty years on from the release of David Bowie’s album, this exhibition delves into the creation of its iconic ‘lightning bolt’ cover portrait by Brian Duffy. For the album Aladdin Sane, the creativity of Bowie’s music was matched by an extraordinary image on the cover, photographed by Duffy (1933 – 2010). With a focus on the photo session that gave us Bowie’s ‘lightning bolt’ portrait, this exhibition explores the continuous reshaping of Bowie’s image, and his part, along with Duffy’s, in a reimagining of sexual and gender identity.

NU CIVILISATION ORCHESTRA: DAVID BOWIE’S ALADDIN SANE

21 April, Royal Festival Hall, 8:00pm. Ticketed from £30. Nu Civilisation Orchestra leads a 50th anniversary reimagining of Bowie’s Aladdin Sane, with Anna Calvi, Scissor Sisters’ Jake Shears, Roxanne Tataei, Tawiah and Lynks. In April 1973, David Bowie released his sixth studio album, Aladdin Sane. 50 years later the album remains full of fun, cuttingedge songs that remain classic moments. Featuring some of its greatest songs, including ‘The Jean Genie’ and ‘Drive-In Saturday’, the album is being reimagined by Nu Civilisation Orchestra in a performance featuring an array of guest vocalists.

NATIONAL POETRY LIBRARY PRESENTS: ALADDIN SOUND

21 April, Purcell Room, 7:45pm. Ticketed at £12. An explosive evening of Bowie-inspired poetry. Ten of the UK's most exciting poets reimagine Aladdin Sane on its 50th anniversary. Taking their cue from the poetic language and potent imagination of Bowie's masterpiece, each poet has been commissioned to write a new poem in response to each track on the album, creating a spoken word version of the album which will be presented live on stage. Poets include Luke Kennard, Keith Jarrett, Golnoosh Nour, Mark Waldron and spoken word legend John Hegley.

ALADDIN SANE @ 50: THE MAKING OF AN ICON

22 April, Purcell Room, 1pm. Ticketed at £12. Delve deeper into Bowie’s album and its unforgettable cover image in a discussion chaired by curator Victoria Broackes. Bowie not only wanted people to be what they wanted to be but also to look like they wanted, whatever the norms of society. Broackes is joined in this conversation by Chris Duffy, the son of Brian Duffy and an established photographer in his own right. Since Duffy’s death, Chris has established the Duffy Archive to preserve his father’s work and legacy. He has recently edited Aladdin Sane 50, a new book exploring the album and the story behind the creation of its famous cover. He has also filmed many musicians and personalities who worked with Bowie over the years.

MAKING A SHOW: THE RISE OF IMMERSIVE MUSIC EXHIBITIONS

22 April, Purcell Room, 3pm. Ticketed at £12. Follow a discussion charting the rise of immersive music exhibitions, such as the V&A’s David Bowie Is, and where their success might take them. Ten years ago, David Bowie Is opened at the V&A Museum in London and set a new benchmark for immersive music exhibitions. Integrating sound, film and objects into a seamless presentation, it was a hit with critics, fans and the general public alike.

ALADDIN SANE’S QUEER LEGACIES

22 April, Purcell Room, 7:45pm. Ticketed at £12 David Bowie’s sexual ambiguity, androgyny and subversion of gender identity left a lasting legacy. Writer Paul Burston and Golnoosh Nour discuss 'David Bowie is a queer icon'. Generations of queer kids growing up in the prevailing homophobic and transphobic culture of the 1970s and 1980s took refuge in his music and found connection to others through a shared love of his open rejection of societal norms.

CONCRETE LATES

X QUEER BRUK

22 April, Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer, 10.30pm . Ticketed at £18. Age 18+ Dance till late with Queer Bruk, the platform and club collective diversifying queer nightlife through the lens of Black culture and music. London’s liveliest Black Queer night shakes up the brutalist concrete of the Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer with a late-nighter. Queer Bruk is a club night and platform that aims to celebrate Afro-Caribbean music within queer spaces. Queer Bruk’s network of amazing QTIPOC creatives are instrumental in their movement. They build connectiowns and support, uplift and highlight Black queer people through music.

southbankcentre.co.uk

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CULTURE • SOUTHBANK
“ 50 YEARS LATER THE ALBUM REMAINS FULL OF FUN, CUTTINGEDGE SONGS THAT REMAIN CLASSIC MOMENTS ”
LEFT: Aladdin Sane ‘Black & White Negative’ Remastered RIGHT: Aladdin Sane 50 Years Book Cover FAR RIGHT: Aladdin Sane 1973 Photo Duffy © Duffy Archive & The David Bowie Archive™
ABSOLUTELY magazines
Duffy © Duffy Archive
THERE’S YOU YOU , THEN THERE’S 20-24 JUNE ASCOT.COM

DAY

Ai Weiwei brings a series of site-specific installations to the Design Museum

Ai Weiwei: Making Sense is the artist’s biggest UK show in eight years. Known around the world for his powerful art and activism, Ai Weiwei works across many disciplines: his practice emcompasses art, architecture, design, film, collecting and curating. In this exhibition, Ai uses design and the history of making as a lens through which to consider what we value.

At the heart of the exhibition is a series of major site-specific installations. Hundreds of thousands of objects will be laid out on the floor of the gallery in a series of five expansive ‘fields’. These objects — from Stone Age tools to Lego bricks — are the result of Weiwei's ongoing fascination with artefacts and traditional craftsmanship. Presented with these vast fields, visitors are invited to make sense of them. They will be able to walk among them, encountering thousands of years of human ingenuity.

Alongside the fields will be dozens of objects and artworks from throughout Weiwei’s career that explore the tensions between past and present, hand and machine, precious and worthless, construction and destruction. His Han dynasty urn emblazoned with a Coca-Cola logo, which will be on show, epitomises these clashes.

There are also works that reference the pandemic, which exposed our dependence on humble things. On display are three toilet paper sculptures: two life-size rolls (one in marble and one in glass) as well as a 2 meter-long sculpture in marble.

These works are all shown in the context of China’s rapidly changing urban landscape, which Ai has documented through photographic and film works, and are shown in the exhibition. The scale of demolition during the development boom in China over the last three decades is the backdrop to questions about aesthetic sensibilities

that have been lost with modernisation. A number of large-scale works will also be installed outside of the exhibition gallery so that all visitors to the Design Museum will be able to experience Ai Weiwei’s work. The most striking will be Coloured House, the timber frame of a house that once belonged to a prosperous family in Zhejiang province, in eastern China, during the early Qing dynasty (1644 – 1911 CE). It will be installed in the Design Museum’s atrium where visitors will be able to walk within it. Ai Weiwei has painted the house with industrial colours, combining ancient and modern, and has installed it on crystal bases – giving presence and status to this unlikely survivor.

Ai Weiwei: Making Sense runs at the Design Museum from 7 April to 30 July. designmuseum.org

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XXX IMAGE CAPTION XXX
Words EVE HERBERT
FIELD
AI WEIWEI, COLOURED HOUSE, 2013. © IMAGE COURTESY AI WEIWEI STUDIO
© IMAGE COURTESY AI WEIWEI STUDIO
UNTITLED (LEGO INCIDENT). © IMAGE COURTESY AI WEIWEI STUDIO AI WEIWEI, UNTITLED (PORCELAIN BALLS), 2022. © IMAGE COURTESY AI WEIWEI STUDIO
CULTURE • ART
AI WEIWEI, GLASS HELMET, 2022. © IMAGE COURTESY AI WEIWEI STUDIO

ICON POP

The first exhibition dedicated to Andy Warhol’s littleknown textile designs comes to the Fashion and Textile Museum

22 ABSOLUTELY magazines

Leading figure of the Pop Art movement, Andy Warhol’s career began in commercial and advertising art during the 1950s and early 1960s. He’s known for his pioneering cultural spirit, his unusual approach and his fabulous friends as well as his prolific talent – but he’s little-known as a textile designer.

Geoff Rayner and Richard Chamberlain from the Target Gallery have been developing the concept of an exhibition and book of textiles by Warhol for over a decade. The say: “While working with the Fashion and Textile Museum for the Artist Textiles: Picasso to Warhol exhibition in 2014, we discovered Warhol’s roots also in textile design. After years of research, several chance encounters and strokes of luck we are finally very happy and excited to present Andy Warhol: The Textiles."

The exhibition will take its visitors on a journey through the unknown and unrecorded world of designs by the influential artist before his Silver Factory days. Presenting an exciting exploration into the depths of these designs, the exhibition will showcase how such work helped develop his ability as an artist and would become coveted by collectors on a global scale.

Warhol's early works included his iconic Campbell's Soup Cans, which became emblematic of the pop art movement's fascination with mass-produced consumer culture. His artistic style incorporated a range of mediums, including painting, printmaking, sculpture and film. His

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CULTURE • DESIGN
ABSOLUTELY magazines
“A JOURNEY THROUGH THE UNKNOWN AND UNRECORDED WORLD OF DESIGNS BY THE INFLUENTIAL ARTIST”
Textile of Candy Apples, silk by Stehli Silks © 2022 The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. / Licensed by DACS, London Shoes Textile, blouse, Jayson Classics, circa 1957/1958 © 2022 The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. / Licensed by DACS, London Textile of Ice Cream Cones, silk by Stehli Silks, pink and blue dress, 1962/1963 © 2022 The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. / Licensed by DACS, London

works often featured bright, bold colors and images drawn from popular culture, including celebrities, consumer products, and advertisements. He was known for his use of repetition and for elevating everyday objects to the level of fine art.

The exhibition includes over 35 of Warhol’s textile patterns from the period, depicting an array of colourful objects; ice cream sundaes, delicious toffee apples, colourful buttons, cut lemons, pretzels and jumping clowns will be exhibited both on fabric lengths, some in multiple colourways, and on garments. Many of the most important manufacturers in American textile history will also be represented such as Stehli Silks, Fuller Fabrics Inc., and M Lowenstein and Sons.

Andy Warhol: The Textiles is at the Fashion and Textile Museum until 10 September 2023.

CULTURE • DESIGN
“WARHOL’S TEXTILE PATTERNS FROM THE PERIOD DEPICT AN ARRAY OF COLOURFUL OBJECTS”
Textile of large nautical flags, skirt, circa 19571958 © 2022 The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. / Licensed by DACS, London Happy Butterfly Day Textile, silk dress by the Needlecraft, circa 1955 © 2022 The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. / Licensed by DACS, London Textile of buttons, multi-coloured colurway by Leon Rosenblatt, 1959/1960 © 2022 The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. / Licensed by DACS, London Acrobatic Clown textile, circa 1955 © 2022 The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. / Licensed by DACS, London Textile of luggage tags and suitcases by Cohama. Blouse, 1958/1959 2022 The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. / Licensed by DACS, London

An enchanting openair show for children and adults alike

Life is turned upside down for Alice, so join her as she tumbles down the rabbit hole and lands in the magical world of “Wonderland”.

22 July – 28 August visit theatreonkew.co.uk

Alice in Wonderland
Photos by Kevin Murphy, from 2017 production

Fri 14th

Sat 15th

Sun 16th

featuring GILSON LAVIS with special guests PAULINE BLACK and ARTHUR ‘Gaps’ HENDRICKSON from THE SELECTER and guest vocalists RUBY TURNER, LOUISE MARSHALL & SUMUDU

– 16 July 2023

kewthemusic.co.uk
hottest picnic
Metro
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“London’s
concerts”
Thu 13th FIRST FOUR CONCERTS ANNOUNCED

THE SUPPORT TEAM

The Grand National Festival’s biggest cheerleaders who play a part in bringing magnificent racehorses to the track

The world’s most famous horserace, it is no surprise that it ‘takes a village’ to get the equine athletes to the start line of the Grand National. From 13-15 April, more than 150 horses will perform on one of the sport’s greatest stages during the Grand National Festival at Aintree.

The thrill of horseracing has long captured our nation, in fact it’s our second biggest spectator sport. But the high-octane thrill of the raceday is a far cry from the calmer day-to-day life of these spectacular athletes. Whether it’s a morning run on the gallops, taking a restorative swim in a state-of-the-art equine swimming pool or a physiotherapy session to ease away any aching muscles, there’s a huge team involved in keeping a racehorse fit and healthy.

Like all athletes, racehorses have tailored training programmes to suit their individual needs and it takes an extraordinary partnership between a racehorse and those that support it to understand what works best.

Typically, a racehorse will have a team of at least six core people involved in the 365 days of care and raceday preparation. The core team is made up of a trainer, yard staff, work rider, farrier, vet and physio not to mention the wider dedicated team members such as the secretary, jockey, nutritionist, chiropractor, travelling team and equine dentist.

Yard staff spend the most time with the horse and have a vital role to play in a racehorse’s day-to-day care that contributes to their performance on a raceday. Each horse will be tended to by a member of yard staff who will feed them, wash them down after exercise, ensure the horse is the right temperature and often travel with the horse when racing for familiarity.

As well as the current equine stars of the sport, the Grand National Festival hosts parades from former racehorses who have gone on to new careers, as well as those who have turned their foot to a slower pace of life.

To find out more about the welfare of horseracing’s stars visit greatbritishracing.com

The

• There are 16 fences on the Grand National course, 14 of which are jumped twice.

• The Grand National is four miles and two and half furlongs long, the longest jump racing distance in the UK.

• Racecourses across Britain, including Aintree, have changed jump fences from orange to white to improve equine vision and safety.

• Huge improvements have been made in recent years at Aintree Racecourse to improve the welfare of horses racing there. Changes introduced since 2012 include adapting and rebuilding the fences, facilities and stables.

• A total of £1.5 million has been invested at Aintree to ensure the safest ground is available to be raced on at all times.

• In 2021 when Rachael Blackmore won with Minella Times, a peak of 8.8 million. people tuned in to watch the race at home

• The Grand National is worth £1million in prize money.

ABSOLUTELY magazines 27
facts Aintree Racecourse
“A racehorse will have a team of at least six people involved in 365 days of care”
CULTURE • PARTNERSHIP

ELECTRIC DREAMS

The world's number one home energy & electric vehicle show, Fully Charged LIVE, k indly supported by ElectriX, powered by =LV, comes to Farnborough International from Friday 28 April to Sunday 30 April, following the success of events around the world in Sydney, Vancouver, San Diego and Netherlands. Dragons' Den star Deborah Meaden has been announced as the opening keynote speaker at this year's electrifying event. This Festival of Electrification will showcase a host of quality exhibits and attractions including:

to your burning questions about the energy crisis”

• Over 30 speaker sessions held over two theatres, featuring presenters from the Fully Charged Show, expert panellists and special guests. These live sessions will look at topics such as “Are Electric Car Conversions the next big business?”, “Energy & EV mythbusting!”, and the favourite Electric Fireside Chat hosted by Robert Llewellyn, where he has a chat with some big names in the clean energy industry, and a few familiar faces.

• 120+ exhibitors and o ering clean energy solutions and electric vehicles of all shapes and sizes

• Test Drives - Companies such as Polestar, Hyundai, BYD, Genesis and others will be providing their top models for you to get behind the wheel of and there will be electric motorbikes on hand to try too.

• The Electric Launchpad will showcase cars that have yet to be seen in the public, giving you the first look at the future of electric vehicles.

• A M1CRO-MACH1NES area, were visitors will be able to test out the range of electric two-wheelers we have to o er, including e-bikes, e-scooters and e-skateboards. This variety of two-wheelers o er an exciting and innovative form of travel for city living and commuting, or just for your own leisure.

• The Home Energy Advice Team, powered by OVO, will be able to answer your burning questions about the current energy crisis, sustainable ways to provide energy to your home and ways to save on your energy bills.

• Kids Zone - With free entry for little ones, parents will be able to bring the little ones in the family for a fun packed day of activities for them. From a sustainable lego city to learning circus skills, it will be an educating, entertaining and a great value family day out.

• New for 2023, the Zero Carbon Kitchen is an entertaining and educational live demo area where leading experts can cook plant-based recipes with allelectric appliances, powered by an EV with vehicle-to-load capability.

Fully Charged LIVE South in Farnborough is expected to bring in 35,000 visitors over the weekend of the 28th - 30th April. More information and tickets: uk.fullycharged.live/south

28 ABSOLUTELY magazines
The world's number one home energy and electric vehicle show, Fully Charged LIVE, lands this month
CULTURE • PARTNERSHIP
“Answers
Putting the WOW back into Craft Fairs See website for full details and admission costs Craft Fair entry included in normal Garden admission charges* HEVER OFFER £12* on advance tickets using discount code CRAFT23 Purchase direct from the very best makers in the UK - Hever Castle will feature a Potters’ Village with some of the contestants who have appeared on The Great Pottery Throw Down 18 – 21 May Hever Castle & Gardens Kent TN8 7NG 27 April – 1 May RHS Garden Wisley Surrey, GU23 6QB 9.30am – 5.30pm Daily *Offer code valid for adults on dates of craft fair only 9am – 6pm Thursday to Sunday; 9am – 5pm Monday Free entry for RHS Members and Family Guest *BOOK IN ADVANCE AND SAVE CIF_Joint_Wisley_Hever_Spring23_134x190-v3.indd 1 16/03/2023 12:34
Greenwich Friends GreenwichFriends discount discount Easter Holidays EasterHolidays Greenwich Theatre GreenwichTheatre Crooms Hill, London CroomsHill,London SE10 8ES SE108ES 2023 2023 1st - 16th April 2023 1st-16thApril2023 SCAN SCAN ME ME
THEATRE FEST THEATREFEST

A relaxed yet refined restaurant by Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge, serving a seasonal menu of elevated British classics.

Championing locally sourced cuts from the rotisserie on a Sunday, along with a Menu du Jour offering two courses for £39.50 and three courses for £47.50. A pre and post theatre menu is also available alongside a range of bar snacks.

A Champagne trolley called ‘Georgie’ is on hand to ensure all occasions are suitably celebrated.

KERRIDGE’S BAR & GRILL

Corinthia London

KERRIDGESBARANDGRILL.CO.UK KERRIDGE’S BAR & GRILL: 0207 321 3244
No.10 Northumberland Avenue • Lon don WC2N 5AE

FOOD & DRINK

EASTER TREATS

DAYLESFORD

Daylesford Organic is celebrating Easter with a curation of classic favourites and new products for this year. The regenerative farm is one of the most sustainable retailers in the UK, and this year’s range covers hand painted chocolate eggs, hampers, homeware, cakes and pastries from the farm’s bakery, and show stopping Easter chocolate. daylesford.com

Food news 32 • Recipes 36 • Spotlight on whisky 42
31 ABSOLUTELY magazines

WHAT TO DRINK GRAPE news

Wine recommendations for the month

TASTING

NOTES

London’s food news and most exciting openings this month

A sparkling wine with a clean, bright, pale yellow colour and gold rim. The nose is warm and fruity, with hints of white fruit, honey, apple and floral notes. Pairs well with salted fish, seafood dishes and caviar, along with baked potatoes and mushrooms.

The nose is complex and intense, with red fruit aromas of raspberry and strawberry. The palate is elegant, crisp and fresh with well-integrated acidity and a medium fruity finish. Matches perfectly with cold meat, sausages, pork or chicken, as well as grilled meat and mushrooms, with rice and pasta.

The nose is complex and balsamic with notes of stewed fruit, sweet warm hints of oak and spicy cinnamon. The palate is elegant and structured, with good acidity and a nice long finish of ripe fruit, vanilla and roasted notes.

BODEGAS FAUSTINO

BeFaustino I is most sold DOCa Rioja Gran Reserva in the world, with nearly 40% of wine sales in its category. Bodegas Faustino is a family of winemakers with a long tradition spanning over 150 years bodegasfaustino.com

Creative juices

Expect to be taken on a gastronomic journey with an inventive and surprising menu characterised by clever and creative flavour combinations at Masterchef winner Alex Webb's permanent residence at the InterContinental Park Lane. Dishes champion seasonal British produce for sea, land, and tree. Menus range from an accessible two course menu through to seven course tasting experiences.

parklane.intercontinental.com

Faustino Cava Brut Reserva  £13 Faustino VII Rosé  £7 Faustino I Gran Reserva Rioja 2019  £17
32 ABSOLUTELY magazines
ALEX WEBB ON PARK LANE

Dumpling house

Taiwanese cult favourite BAO is opening soon as BAO Mary on Marylebone's James Street with a focus on dumplings, as well as quick cold dishes for diners in a hurry. We can't wait for the classic Boiled Cull Yaw Dumplings, filled with tender mutton and ready to be dunked into spicy hong you red chilli oil. baolondon.com

TREND: TEQUILA

Indulge in these fine spirits

SUSHI MASTERY

WRIGHT BROTHERS X YUKI GOMI

MIJENTA

Mijenta Tequila is a brand dedicated to leading the way in female empowerment. With a 65% female team, they support two charities dedicated to aiding women in London and Mexico. mijenta-tequila.com

Bottle it

PETERSHAM NURSERIES

At Petersham Nurseries' Spring workshop on 25 April you will be given the opportunity to jam, pickle, ferment, dry and infuse a bounty of spring produce. With step-by-step instructions, by the end of the day you'll have the practical skills and knowledge to create delicious staples at home. £125 petershamnurseries.com

PIMENTAE

Pimentae's recyclable cans contain ready mixed tequila cocktails: Tommy's Spicy Margarita and the Cucumber and Elderflower Eclipse. pimentaedrinks.com

The excellent Let's Roll Sushi Kit includes everything you need to make high quality sushi at home. Order online and salmon and tuna will arrive on ice along with rice, nori, mirin, black sesame, sushi mats and more, all set for an evening of rolling your own. Fun – and delicious. £82 thewrightbrothers.co.uk

C'EST CHIC

FREAK SCENE

818

TEQUILA

Just launched in the UK is 818 Tequila, Kendall Jenner's multi-award winning premium tequila brand, named a er her California area code. drink818.com

Iconic pop-up Freak Scene has made a long-awaited return in Parson’s Green after nearly three years out of the spotlight. Founded by ExNobu Chef Scott Hallsworth, the creative small plates menu features favourites with a refined, elevated twist, alongside fresh and seasonal sushi and sashimi, as well as seasonal fish dishes.

freakscenerestaurants.com

33 FOOD & DRINK • NOTES
ABSOLUTELY magazines
BAO MARY

ABSOLUTELY eats out…

INDIAN VIBE

The full Indian experience at Kensington’s stylish Dishoom

Dishoom’s winning approach is a sort of immersive concept applied to the traditional curry house. Decor recalls the Irani cafes of Bombay in their 1930s hayday. Think marble tables, bentwood chairs, ceiling fans, ageing mirrors and a monochromatic palette – and in Kensington’s outlet, combine these with all the original Art Deco architectual features in the stylish Barkers building. The

resulting interior is nothing short of spectacular. Anyone who knows the building will notice that the ceiling echoes the old Rainbow Room on the top floor with its tiered oval cornicing, while booth seating, chequerboard flooring and a huge central clock create the feel of a busy Indian train station dining room. There are eccentric Indian signs and old photographs on the walls for extra authenticity – although with a space this carefully crafted, authenticity is the one thing that can’t really be achieved. Instead, there’s a sense

of pastiche, as if Wes Anderson had designed a restaurant. And all of this makes for a very pleasureable space in which to spend time. Our visit saw the large space full of diners, attended to swiftly by professional and capable staff and entertained by a live band playing on a raised gallery. This is a well-oiled machine. Our meal is a feast: we start with house chaat, a sweet and sharp dish of yoghurty sweet potato with pomegranate, beetroot, radish and carrot, that goes well with a chilli broccoli salad laced with mint and lime. Main courses of the famed house black dahl (thick, creamy and comforting) with chicken ruby (full of deep flavour and spice) with a flawlessly charred naan and rice are flavourful and moreish, while a rice pudding with coconut milk and cardamom comes caramelised on top like an extra delicious kind of creme brulee. So what if the space feels a bit Disneyfied? The food’s excellent and the interior is beautiful, so W8’s Dishoom is a clear winner for us.

DISHOOM

4 Derry Street, W8 dishoom.com

Indian favourites
1030s Bombay golden age DECOR Small plates from £3.20; mains £9- £15 PRICE Fun, stylish, tasty VERDICT
Elevated
FOOD
“As if Wes Anderson had designed a restaurant”
35 FOOD & DRINK • REVIEW ABSOLUTELY magazines

Kitchen DESI

Recipes from the Indian diaspora in Modern Britain

Words SARAH WOODS

36
ABSOLUTELY magazines

Black Bean

Makhani Dhal

Serves 4-6

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup brown lentils

• 1 teaspoon whole coriander seeds

• 4 green cardamom pods

• vegetable oil, for cooking

• 2 teaspoons cumin seeds

• 5cm cassia bark

• 4 whole cloves

• 1 dried Kashmiri chilli (optional)

• ½ a star anise

• 1 large brown onion, finely diced

• 20g ginger, grated

• 20g garlic, grated

• 1–2 teaspoons minced green finger chillies, or to taste

• 2 teaspoons sea salt, or to taste

• ½ teaspoon garam masala

• 40g butter

• 1 tablespoon tomato purée

• 375ml water

• 150ml passata

• 3 x 400g tins of black beans, drained

• a pinch of Kasuri methi

• 1 tablespoon Greek yoghurt

• 2 tablespoons double cream

• fresh coriander, to garnish (optional)

METHOD

1 First cook the brown lentils –you’ll need a large lidded saucepan. Read the packet instructions; don’t overcook them into a mush. You need three to four times the volume of water to lentils, so 3–4 cups of water. Bring to a rapid boil, then reduce to a simmer. Skim o any scum, and don’t allow the pan to go dry. Remove from the heat, and set aside.

2 Toast the coriander seeds in a dry frying pan and transfer to a pestle and mortar. Lightly grind and set aside. Add cardamom seeds to the mortar, with a pinch of salt to act as an abrasive, and grind to a powder.

3 Now make the tarka, the foundation of every curry. In a large sauté pan or similar, activate your whole spices – cumin seeds, cassia bark, cloves, dried chilli and star anise – in 3 or 4 tablespoons of oil on a medium to high heat. When the aromas waft up, tip in the onions, crushed coriander and cardamom, and reduce the heat. Give these at least 10 minutes or so to allow the onions to soften and become translucent.

4 Add the ginger, garlic and chillies, cook for a couple of minutes, then add salt and garam masala. Toast for 30 seconds, then drop in half of the butter. Once melted, add the tomato purée and give everything a good mix. You want a few minutes to

cook the purée out. Add some water, about 125ml, to help it on its way.

5 Pour in the passata and bring to the boil, then simmer for a few minutes. When you see the oil separating on the surface, it’s time to taste and make your adjustments.

6 Stir the cooked lentils and beans through the tarka. You’ll need extra water too, about 250ml. Ensure everything is mixed well, then bring to the boil and immediately reduce to a simmer. Taste again – you’ll probably need more salt. Add the methi, the rest of the butter, yoghurt and cream, holiding some cream back for a decorative swirl before serving. Allow to simmer for a little longer – say another 10 minutes or so.

7 Pair with whichever bread takes your fancy, or with rice. I serve it with black cardamom rice, charred aloo gobi, yoghurt and a crunchy slaw.

Baingan Bhurtha –Smoked Aubergine

Serves 4-6 (as a starter)

INGREDIENTS

• 3 large black aubergines

• Vegetable oil, for roasting and cooking

• Sea salt

• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds, plus extra for roasting

• 1 star anise

• 1 large brown onion, finely sliced

• 2 green chillies, split in half

• 7g ginger, grated

• 7g garlic, grated

• 0.5. teaspoon ground turmeric

• 1 teaspoon garam masala

• 1 teaspoon salt, plus extra for roasting

• 150ml passata

• 1 teaspoon tomato puree

Garnish

• Labneh (or thick Greek yoghurt)

• Curry oil

• Finely diced red onion

• Dill fronds

• Pomegranate seeds

• Pomegranate molasses

METHOD

1 Set your oven to 200°C fan.

2 Start by prepping the aubergines. Use the largest aubergine for presentation – put that to one side. Fire up the two largest rings on your gas hob, on maximum. Place the other 2 aubergines directly on the flames.

3 Back to the presentation aubergine: cut this in half from top to bottom. Dice one half into chunky 2.5cm pieces. Lightly score the other half around the entire perimeter, about 0.5cm from the edge, then score the middle in a criss-cross; don’t pierce the outer skin.

4 Keep an eye on the flaming aubergines. Use tongs to turn them and ensure each side is charred.

5 Place the diced aubergine in a large mixing bowl, toss with a couple of tablespoons of vegetable oil, and season with sea salt and a sprinkle of cumin seeds. Gently massage the scored aubergine half all over with a scant amount of oil. Place it cut side up on a lined baking sheet and season with a little sea salt. Place the diced aubergine alongside it.

6 Your charred aubergines will be ready by now too. Lift these on to a separate lined baking sheet. Roast all the aubergines for 20 minutes, or until they are very soft when squeezed. The aubergine half and dice

ABSOLUTELY magazines 37 FOOD & DRINK • RECIPES

may need an extra 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.

7 Meanwhile make the masala. Heat 3 or 4 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a medium to large saucepan on a medium to high heat. Add the whole spices– cumin and star anise – and when they start to release their aromas, tip in the onions and chillies and reduce the heat. Cook the onions low and slow for 15–20 minutes, to lightly caramelize them. Add the ginger and garlic and let them cook out for a couple of minutes.

8 The aubergines should be ready to scoop out by now. First the presentation half: using a spoon, gently scoop out the flesh, being careful not to break the skin, and set aside. Next cut the charred aubergines in half from top to bottom, and gently spoon that flesh out too, discarding the charred exterior. Roughly dice the flesh, then place in a bowl and set aside.

9 Once the onions have caramelized, add the ground spices: turmeric and garam masala, and the salt. Toast these for 30 seconds, then add the passata and tomato puree. Increase the heat and bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 7–8 minutes.

10 Stir in the aubergine flesh (this is often referred to as caviar) and the diced pieces. Mix thoroughly and simmer for 5–10 minutes or so.

11 Smother your serving plate with a thin layer of labneh or Greek yoghurt. Place the empty presentation aubergine half on top and load it up with the hot bhurtha. Garnish with finely diced red onion, dill fronds and pomegranate seeds. Drizzle with curry oil and pomegranate molasses, and tuck in with toasted charcoal sourdough, naan or crispy seeded lavash flatbread.

Green Chicken Tikka

with black rice salad

Serves 4 (with leftover tikka for wraps)

INGREDIENTS

Green/hariyali marinade

• 30g fresh coriander leaves

• 15g fresh mint leaves

• 50g young leaf spinach

• 10g ginger, grated

• 10g garlic, grated

• 1–2 teaspoons minced finger chillies

• Juice of 1 lime

• vegetable oil – a few generous glugs

• 250g Greek yoghurt

• 1½ teaspoons sea salt, or to taste

• 1½ teaspoons garam masala

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

• 1 level teaspoon ground turmeric

• 6–7 skinless and boneless chicken thighs

Rice salad

• 1 large red pepper

• 1 red onion

• 2–3 charred baby leeks (optional)

• Vegetable oil, for cooking

• Sea salt

• A sprinkle of cumin seeds

• 1 sweetcorn cob

• 250g cooked black rice

Dressing

• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil

• Juice and zest of 1 lime

• 1 small clove of garlic, grated

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

• ½ teaspoon ground coriander

• A pinch or 2 of sea salt

• ½ teaspoon light brown sugar

• ½ teaspoon Kashmiri chilli powder

• ½ teaspoon chilli flakes

• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh coriander

• ½ teaspoon pomegranate molasses

Garnish

• Fresh coriander and mint leaves

• Red chillies

• 65g pomegranate seeds

• Finely sliced spring onions

• Charred lime wedges

METHOD

1 Start with the hariyali marinade. Blitz the coriander, mint, spinach, ginger, garlic, chillies and lime juice in a blender along with a few generous glugs of vegetable oil –enough to make a thick paste.

2 Put the yoghurt into a large mixing bowl and stir in the green paste, then mix in the salt, garam masala, ground cumin and turmeric thoroughly.

3 Cut your chicken into bite-sized pieces, place in the marinade, cover and leave to marinate in the fridge, overnight ideally or for at least 2–3 hours. Preheat the oven to 200°C fan. Cut the pepper and red onion into 2cm chunks, coat sparsely with oil, season with seasalt and a sprinkle of cumin seeds and roast until slightly charred at the edges – about 20-25 minutes.

4 Place the sweetcorn under a very hot grill, and grill until cooked and golden all over with a hint of a char. Hold the corn upright, and slice o the kernels. Discard the core and set aside.

5 Whisk all the dressing ingredients together in a small bowl and set aside.

6 When you are ready to bring the dish together, cook the chicken under a grill on the highest setting to recreate that fierce tandoori heat; you want a little char without burning.

7 Toss the rice and vegetables (including the charred leeks, if using) with the dressing in a large bowl.

8 Serve your sizzling green chicken tikka on top of the rice salad, adorned with the various garnishes. Divine!

38 ABSOLUTELY magazines
FOOD & DRINK • RECIPES
Recipes taken from Desi Kitchen , by Sarah Woods, published by Penguin Michael Joseph

A CULINARY JOURNEY THROUGH THE LUSH LANDSCAPES AND ROLLING HILLS OF ITALY

STRATFORD | BRENTWOOD | LEYTON
www.figorestaurant.co.uk

NIEDEREGGER

Nostalgic egg, £6.99 chocolatesdirect.co.uk

MELROSE AND MORGAN

Large Easter Simnel cake, £27 melroseandmorgan.com

BADIANI

Semifreddo Eggs single £4; egg box of six, £20 badiani1932.co.uk

EDITOR’S PICK

DAYLESFORD ORGANIC Hive showstopper egg, £120 daylesford.com

HARVEY NICHOLS Happy Bunnies, £55 harveynichols.com

ON THE HUNT

All the best Easter treats

NATIONAL TRUST

Chocolate lollipop with egg decoration, £7 nationaltrust.org.uk

BISCUITEERS

Easter egg hunt tin, £48 biscuiteers.com

H!P

Salted Caramel Oat Milk Chocolate Easter Egg, £7.99 wholefoodsmarket.co.uk

LADUREE

Large fi lled white chocolate egg, £50 laduree.co.uk

TONY'S Easter Egg Assortment, £4.49 wholefoodsmarket.co.uk

CUTTER & SQUIDGE

Signature Easter Hamper, £69.99 cutterandsquidge.com

FOOD & DRINK • EASTER

CASK LIST

SINGLE MINDED BALBLAIR

What makes Balblair so exceptional is how its whisky is produced. From sourcing its water from the nearby Allt Dearg burn, to the meticulous cask selection policy meaning only the fi nest handselected casks are used, Balblair has its own distinctive qualities. balblair.com

SWEET 16 LAGAVULIN

Lagavulin is the site of the fi rst legal distillery on the Isle of Islay where with time, this deep and intense 16 year old whisky can be aged to perfection. Stored in oak casks this single malt has a sweet, peat smoke and seaweed fl avour, followed by wood and salt touches. farrar-tanner.co.uk

BIG BLEND

AD GEFRIN

Northumberland Anglo-Saxon Museum and Distillery, Ad Gefrin has launched its inaugural whisky blend. Tácnbora features Scottish and Irish whiskies with notes of honey, vanilla, candied citrus peel and spices. £42.50 adgefrin.co.uk

ONE DIRECTION COMPASS BOX

Renowned for pushing boundaries, the Scotch whiskymakers’ unique creations are blended to entice the senses. From light, delicate and elegant to big, smoky, and peaty, there’s a serve for all whisky-lovers. compassboxwhisky.com

CASK MASTERY EDEN MILL

Scottish distiller Eden Mill has launched three limited edition single malt whiskies, matured in the fi nest rum, port and madeira casks, selected for their distinct and fl avourful characteristics. £170. edenmill.com

1 3 4 5 1 2 3 2 4 5 FOOD & DRINK • WHISKY
NEWS FROM THE WORLD OF WHISKY 42 ABSOLUTELY magazines

Limited to editions of 280, our newly-commissioned Art Deco posters feature glamorous holiday destinations around the world, ski resorts in the European Alps, and the world’s greatest historic automobiles. Over 100 designs to choose from, all printed on 100% cotton fine art paper, measuring 97 x 65 cms. Priced at £420 each (inc. UK sales tax). Private commissions are also welcome.

Private commissions are also welcome.

@pullmaneditionsposters

All images and text copyright © Pullman Editions 2023 Our central London gallery

(0)20 7730 0547 info@pullmaneditions.com

Pullman
Chelsea
Editions 94 Pimlico Road
London SW1W 8PL +44
View and buy online at www.pullmaneditions.com

FASHION

Amazing GRACE

WOLFORD

Grace Jones has been a style icon for Wolford since the 1990s. Her talent and beauty have continued to inspire women over generations, empowering creativity, self-expression and confidence. Jones' first appearance wearing Wolford was a legendary performance on the Spanish Steps in Rome, where she showcased the brand’s famous Fatal tights for the TV show “Under the Stars”. Grace has continued to wear Wolford over the years throughout her incredible career. wolford.co.uk

Rachel Jackson's gems 46 • The sunglasses edit 53 • Seventy+Mochi's eco style 54
ABSOLUTELY magazines 45
Precious metals, gemstones and diamonds look their best with Rachel Jackson RACHELJACKSONLONDON.COM
Metal GURU
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OFFICIAL FORMALWEAR PARTNERS
All the best new sunglasses SHADY BUSINESS FASHION • TREND SILHOUETTE
olivergoldsmith.com THE AVANTGUARD The St Moritz Aviator, theavantguard.com
Embellished
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$515 barton perreira .com TRIBAL EYES The Wanderer, £309 tribaleyesshop.com ADIDAS ORIGINALS Sport sunglasses, £149 specsavers.co.uk TAYLOR
Durham,
taylormorriseyewear.com ABSOLUTELY magazines SILHOUETTE
AKILA
TAYLOR
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thierrylasry.com EDITOR’S PICK MESSY WEEKEND Burt, £85 messyweekend.com
Calella, £270 silhouette.com OG X A-MORIR Embellished Fuz, £POA
OG X A-MORIR
Koko, £POA
PERREIRA Brow Babe,
MORRIS
£160
Ribera, £305 silhouette.com
Phantom, £170 akila.la
MORRIS Faraday, £150
THIERRY LASRY Flexxxy, £395

CUT Jump

Talking fashion and sustainability with Amy Roberton, creative director of Seventy + Mochi

Q Your clothes are very wearable, plus they have lots of unusual design features. What's the design ethos?

A In truth we design for ourselves and our friends. We are constantly inspired by the amazing women around us and we strive to give them season-less, long-lasting denim that easily assimilates into their everyday wardrobe, denim they can dress up and down, that works for their busy lifestyles. We are inspired by workwear and vintage garments, giving them modern twists with crafted elements inspired by our founders’ heritage.

Q You're a female-led brand. What impact does that have do you think?

A We are proud to be a female-led brand; it is huge part of our DNA. We are our customer and so can understand her better than anyone. Personally I love working for female entrepreneurs and have found them to be some of the most creative, hardest working and emphatic leaders.

Q How did the brand come about?

A Our founder, Haya, comes from a family deeply rooted in the denim business in Karachi. After studying in the US she went to work in the family business and felt there was

54 ABSOLUTELY magazines
Interview PENDLE HARTE

a gap in the market for a women’s design-led but sustainable driven brand. At the same time, I was on a personal journey myself, having worked in denim for 15 years. I had been researching the circular economy and I wanted to work with sustainable mills and factories. When we met and shared our views, we knew we could work together.

Q How do you ensure that your fabrics are sustainable?

A We are lucky in that we make all our own fabrics, from sourcing the organic cotton and making our own recycled cotton at our recycling plant, to spinning, weaving and dying. This is all in the same location too, so we can ensure that we are only using organic or recycled materials and we know our carbon footprint is as low as it can be. Our make facility is in the same region, which keeps our carbon footprint as low as I think it is possible for a finished garment to be. All of our organic and recycled materials are certified, to give our customers confidence in what they are buying. I visit the recycling

plant every time I visit the factory: it is so important to stop discarded clothes from being dumped in landfills or burnt. We will never stop trying to source the best and most low impact fabrics possible. This year we are launching an exciting drop made with 100% recycled cotton and no dye. We have other exciting plans, including growing our own organic cotton.

Q Your pricing is quite accessible, especially for sustainable clothing. How do you make that work?

A We work with our parent company to have the best possible materials and practises at the best possible prices, in truth it is a vertical set up. We think it is really important that sustainable clothing is affordable and accessible and not for the elite few.

Q What are your favourite pieces from the current collection?

A I love the Sally dresses and Pablo Waistcoats as well as the Elodie skirt. All are new pieces for us and I can’t wait to mix and match

them. I also love our classic Pablo jacket in the new colour Khaki and Barely Pink.

Q Tell us about the jumpsuit. Why is that such a winner?

A We love ‘one and done’ dressing. Sometimes thinking about putting an outfit together feels too much and the ease of chucking on a jumpsuit is liberating. I also love how they can be super casual with sandals or trainers or dressed up with heels or boots. I have all of our jumpsuits and they are in constant rotation in my wardrobe, we have a new style launching in May called Amelia – she’s a modern flight suit in the softest denim with great workwear styling details and looks great with chunky boots, trainers or sandals.

Q What's next for Seventy + Mochi? We will be doing some pop-ups around the country. There is no better place to develop a new collection than seeing people try the clothes on and watch how they style pieces and talk about them. seventymochi.com

55
FASHION • INTERVIEW ABSOLUTELY magazines
“It is really important that sustainable clothing is affordable”

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Sero Earrings, £230 ellastern.com

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18k White Gold Earrings with White Diamonds, Aquamarine, Labradorite, and Andalusite, £41,200 nakarmstrong.com

REZA

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EMILY P. WHEELER

18k Yellow Gold and Enamel Cheshire Earrings with Morganite, £38,300 emilypwheeler.com

MIPHOLOGIA

Pearl Earrings in Gold, £122 miphologiajewelry.com

YSSO
56 ABSOLUTELY magazines FASHION • JEWELLERY
The Coral Earrings, £340 theysso.com
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& BEAUTY

HAIR STORY

ANTHONY LABAN HOME

Whether you’re after a completely new do, a little extra shape or simply a maintenance cut to keep your hair healthy - the team at Anthony Laban Home have got you covered. They offer a wide range of colour services as well as treatments to suit every clients hair and scalp needs too. anthonylabanhome.com

Beauty notes 63 • Perfect skin 65 • Boxing kit 69 HEALTH
IN ASSOCIATION WITH 59 ABSOLUTELY magazines

BEAUTY NOTES

The latest in luxury makeup and skincare

CALLEN OLIVE

IRÄYE

The first eye cream proven to boost lymphatic activity, IRÄYE’s Eye Revive Cream works to de-puff, brighten, tighten, and eliminate dark circles. The clean formula reduces water retention, and deeply repairs lymph vessels, ridding you of eye bags. £82. irayeskincare.com

BRIGHT EYES UP THE DRAMA

EDITOR’S PICK

HELLO KLEAN

Attaching easily to your shower cord, the Shower Filter from Hello Klean reduces +90% of chlorine, as well as other impurities including copper, iron, and lead. The clever design is also refillable and uses 70% less plastic than most other brands. £56. helloklean.com

BELLA

Made from nourishing ingredients including hemp extract, blackcurrant and jojoba, Bella’s Wanderlash Mascara is free from nasties. The deep-colour formula delivers buildable volume and length to give you seriously fuller lashes. £28. bellaworld.com

Although we’ve recently been experiencing a cold snap, the few milder days we have had have definitely got me thinking about spring dresses and dare I say it – sandals. However, I tend to su er from dry skin during winter, so I’m not automatically ready to ‘get my legs out’ at the first sign of warmer weather. Being a busy toddler mum, my legs (and feet) aren’t always top priority when I’m wearing trousers and boots day-after-day. So to encourage me to keep up my winter skin routine, any products I do use have to be fast-working and results driven. Callen Olive’s Deep Nourishing and Restorative Leg & Foot Serum ticks all of these boxes and more. Developed by Maggie Trevillion, founder of multiaward winning podiatry clinic Walk This Way Podiatry, the serum is seriously luxurious. It’s made from 97% naturally derived ingredients, including avocado oil, carrot seed oil, and jojoba, and is certified by The Vegan Society. The formula is lightweight, and a quick spritz restores moisture, and protects the skin’s lipid barrier. I’ve been using it for several weeks now, but impressively, I noticed that the skin on my legs and feet felt much softer immediately. Now all I need is for spring to actually arrive, and I’ll be more than ready for sandal season.

CALLEN OLIVE

Deep Nourishing and Restorative Leg & Foot Serum £38; callenolive.com

63 ABSOLUTELY magazines
HEALTH & BEAUTY • NOTES
REVIEW SO
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GLOW RECIPE Strawberry BHA Pore Smooth Blur Drops, £29 sephora.co.uk

NATURA BISSÉ

C+C Vitamin 20% Antiox Solution, £163 net-a-porter.com

DR. HAUSCHKA Cleansing Balm, £24 drhauschka.co.uk

VINTNER'S DAUGHTER Active Treatment Essence, £185 cultbeauty.co.uk

OLEHENRIKSEN Banana Bright+ Vitamin CC Stick, £25 boots.com

DR. BARBARA STURM Hyaluronic Serum, £650 net-a-porter.com

ILODY Luxmi Hydrating Radience Serum, £72 ilodyskincare.com

ALLIES OF SKIN Peptides & Antioxidants Firming Daily Treatment, £118 uk.allies.shop

SKIN PROUD Everything Balm, £7.95 iamproud.com

GIVING FACE

The products that will help to give you your very best skin

FARMACY

1% Vitamin A Retionl Serum, £55 spacknk.com

ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Rose Marine Cream, £94 uk.elemis.com

EDITOR’S PICK

THAYERS Rose Petal Facial Mist, £14 boots.com

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HEALTH & BEAUTY • TREND
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Tried and TESTED

YOUNG LDN

WESTBOURNE GROVE’S FINEST MANICURES

Ican’t cope with gel nails, which is unusual, according to sta at young LDN. This Westbourne Grove salon was, unusually, set up to cater to the beauty needs of young Londoners, but you don’t have to be young to visit. The manicure stations are comfortable and spacious, and fully equipped with countless colours. They specialise in nail art, and for longevity most people choose gels for this. But they took my aversion in their stride and o ered up a million shades of regular polish. I was able to sit back in a plush chair and enjoy a jasmine tea (when my hands were free). I chose my colour from their selection of nontoxic, cruelty-free and vegan polishes, and just sat back and enjoyed the pampering. The result is beautiful, healthy, naturallooking nails that go with everything and look e ortlessly elegant – and I took advantage of the nail art skills to go for a few delicate hearts, delicately outlined with the finest of brushes and filled in with the care and precision of a surgeon. My nails have never looked so stylish. youngldn.com

NEIL MOODIE STUDIO

KERATIN TREATMENT

Hair stylist Neil Moodie has been a leading figure in the fashion industry for over three decades. He debuted into the world of editorial styling in 1993, working with iconic photographer Corinne Day on an editorial for The Face magazine. This led to a quick succession of bookings, the first being for Italian Vogue followed by his first ever advertising campaign for Miu Miu. His new Spitalfields studio is a stylish and popular spot, and a new line of keratin treatments are much in demand – partly, apparently, because they’re huge on Tiktok. I went for the Express version, which promises results that last six to eight

weeks and only takes an hour. There’s a more elaborate treatment that takes longer – and lasts longer – but, there was the risk that it could leave my fine, flat hair even flatter. The Keratin Complex Express Blowout promises to smooth and de-frizz hair, while reducing colour fade and improving the texture generally. It’s a simple process – the keratin is simply brushed on and left for a little while. It feels and smells lovely, and once removed, it’s like I’ve got someone else’s hair. In a good way: gone are my straggly, frizzy locks and in their place is a smooth, shiny head of all new hair. And several weeks later, it’s still going strong. This is going to become a habit. youngldn.com

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HEALTH & BEAUTY • REVIEWS
YOUNG LDN
NEIL MOODIE STUDIO
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TOP PICKS

THE BEST KIT FOR BOXING

FITNESS NOTES

NATURE'S MAGIC

Q How did you come to launch Lab Tonica?

A Prior to launching Lab Tonica I worked in the advertising industry. There was one particular day when I was working late on a pitch and drinking my 5th cup of chamomile tea, when I became struck by how old fashioned and dated most herbal tea packs look. In that moment it became clear to me that there was a gap in the market for a modern herbal brand aimed at a younger, more style conscious audience. With my second baby on the way, it felt like the perfect time to embark on a new direction. My journey also reginited childhood memories of the stories my mum would tell me about her maternal grandmother, Louisa. She was locally renowned in her village as a healer, and she would

“create things in the garden” to help people with their ailments. I like to think that some of her magic and passion has perhaps been passed down to me.

Q What makes herbs so powerful for wellness?

A As humans we are at our most balanced and in tune with the ebb and flow of life, when we work in unison with plants and nature. Living in urban towns and cities removes us from this natural state of being and so I am on a mission to bring back the simple healing power of plants.

Q How are your products developed?

A I wanted Lab Tonica to have the kudos and feel of a boutique perfume brand, but with a more joyful colour palette and down

to earth tone of voice. In terms of product collections, knowing what barriers people struggle with and need natural support with felt very clear to me. We have a huge endemic of stress and sleep problems in the UK, so it was vital I created a collection formulated to support this.

Q How important is sustainability to the brand?

A As a small business it is hard to be the best at everything, but we strive to continuously improve, innovate and evolve. That is why we have zero plastic in our tea packaging, and everything in the box is made from plants. Even the tea bag, inner bag and ‘glue’ that seals the tea bags –everything is compostable. labtonica.co.uk

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HEALTH & BEAUTY • FITNESS
Kate McEntee is the founder of Lab Tonica, a hand-blended botanicals brand THE APP These 'Punch Pods' from Boxx allow you to track your metrics in real time as you train. Includes all tracking and metrics inside the app. £149.99; boxxldn.com THE WEIGHTS Bala Bangles are perfect for adding resistance whilst you train. Available in various designs, they can be worn on your wrists or ankles. shopbala.com THE GLOVES
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Fashion meets function in these beautifully handcra ed boxing gloves from Spendore. Sure to make you stand out in the ring. £233; wolfandbadger.com

STRONG WORDS

Can this non-gym goer complete the F45 challenge and learn to love working out?

I’m not a gym person. Never in my life have I spent more than 15 minutes in a gym, and when friends talk about the gym, I zone out. Gym-going is one of the things that I just don’t do, like owning a dog, or watching football. It’s for other people. But. I used to think that having children and caring about your garden was something other people did, until I did them too. Also: baking cakes, mountain biking, unblocking the sink. I do all of those things now. Obviously, things change. And in middle age, the gym begins to beckon. The combination of lockdown, working from home, a sedentary job and my advancing years is an unfortunate one, leaving me wondering what was happening to my clothes. They just didn’t feel quite right. Maybe they had shrunk in the cupboard. I must have known, subconsciously, what was going on because somehow I found myself in the gym standing on a scanning machine in my bare feet. The F45 phenomenon is wellknown – everyone I have talked to has heard of it but I hadn’t (it’s for other people). F45 is

a global phenomenon originating in Australia, and the popular signature 45 day Challenge is designed to deliver tangible results in just six weeks. Could I become that person?

The journey starts with a body scan that delivers alarming results: my body fat percentage (high), muscle mass (low), visceral fat level (also high - and this is the bad one, an indicator of future stroke, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other nasties). Plus, of course, weight (almost 10kg more than I was used to). The scanner delivers me an overall score: 64 out of 100 – which is worse than it might sound, because the best scores are in fact over 100. The message is clear: I am a candidate for the Challenge.

My first class at the Kensal Green studio is eye-opening. The instructors give us a brief demonstration, in a very upbeat way, of each movement to come, and they all look harmless enough. There are nine different stations, and the idea is to do 40 seconds of work, then 20 seconds of rest; three sets in each station, then move on to the next one. Equipment includes kettlebells, dumbells, barbells, ybells, resistance bands, sandbags.

Staff are so friendly and encouraging that the whole thing seems like it’s about having fun. But once we start, it’s a different story. Each of these harmless-seeming exercises is not harmless at all. To start there are jumps and burpees, which make 40 seconds into an eternity. One exercise involves running sideways across the room – again, looks fine, but feels torturous. And then there are the weights. Even the lightest weights defeat me. I’m easily the worst in the class. But because each exercise is relatively brief, with small breaks in between – and because the whole thing lasts just 45 minutes including the intro and warm-up – I manage to get to the end. Simona, the lovely instructor, texts me after I leave to check if I’m ok. She admits it was a hard class, because "the cardio ones are the worst".

F45’s winning formula is all down to psychology. Everything is geared towards pushing you hard, but not so hard that you give up. So I’m back the next day, for a resistance workout that focuses on the upper body. It takes me a while to get the hang of the circuit – it’s faster than yesterday’s and

70 ABSOLUTELY magazines

seems to be over quite quickly, but then I see we have to do it again. Almost instantly I’m experiencing extreme arm fatigue, even though I am lifting much lighter weights than everyone else. Still, I’m not humiliated, though I’m grateful for the lack of mirrors in the room. There’s another congratulatory text when I get home, and I’ve been added to a Whatsapp group where people share baffling screenshots showing their progress graphs. Each class has an aspirational name that makes it sound more glamorous than the reality. Miami Nights, for instance, might

imply a pool party on Ocean Drive but in fact it’s sweating in a basement in Kensal Green. Foxtrot is not a dance. Mont Blanc is not downhill. But it’s all part of the winning F45 psychology, which clearly works. There are no clocks, but screens show a live countdown of how much of the session is left. With class content changing on a monthly basis, there’s enough variety so that it’s never boring – and the idea is that if you’re doing the Angry Birds class, say, then so is everyone else in the F45 world. Classes are the same everywhere, so if you want to continue training as you travel, you could visit the nearest F45 franchise, as if it were an AA meeting.

The Challenge also includes a nutrition plan, which is much better than it sounds, and there’s an idiotproof app that gives you a menu for each day (three meals plus two snacks) including recipes and even a shopping list that you can add straight to your supermarket order. Obviously there’s no

sugar – and no alcohol – and the focus is on protein, but the recipes are in fact pretty good and you’re even allowed (some) carbohydrates and sweet treats, most of them featuring oats, peanut butter and protein powder.

After about five classes, it’s getting easier and I’m choosing heavier weights. Two weeks in I’m no longer in pain the next day, At class 21, I realise that I’m finding it quite manageable (though the class after that wipes me out). The progress is clear: my posture is better, my shoulders feel freer and my clothes feel more normal. After six weeks, it’s time for another scan and results are impressive. My body fat percentage is down, my muscle mass is up. I have lost several kilos of fat and gained significant muscle. And mentally? Having completed four sessions a week for six weeks, I’m not ready to stop. I’m now officially a gym person.

F45training.co.uk

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HEALTH & BEAUTY • FITNESS
“F45’S WINNING FORMULA IS ALL DOWN TO PSYCHOLOGY ”

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SPRING SKIN GLOW

It’s the perfect time of year to visit your skin practitioner, says Dr Kim Prescott

After a few months of exposure to central heating – or winter sun and icy cold for those who managed a ski tripmany of us start to notice our skin looking dull and tired. With summer around the corner, Dr Kim Prescott discusses how to restore your dewy complexion.

EXFOLIATION

There’s no need to stress the importance of proper cleansing, but not all of us exfoliate regularly. A fruit acid facial wash left on the skin for a few minutes in the shower or glycolic acid overnight cream used once or twice a week can rapidly improve the texture of your skin. Glycolic acid helps to promote turnover of cells, increases absorption of serums and helps to refine skin tone. It’s also the perfect time of year to visit your skin practitioner for deep

cleansing and resurfacing treatments such as chemical peels - which help improve skin tone in general, but also help manage pigmentation and breakout prone skin.

HYDRATION

Well hydrated skin appears plumper and better reflects light to give you a radiant glow. Moisturisers rich in peptides and hyaluronic acid will help the skin retain moisture along with healing and anti-inflammatory properties to reduce the irritation of dry skin. Profhilo is one of the aesthetic treatments of the moment - a highly concentrated injectable hyaluronic acid that acts as a bio-stimulator; integrating with underlying tissues to rebuild and remodel the skin through production of new collagen. It draws moisture in the skin helping to restore firmness, volume and elasticity.

FIRMING AND TIGHTENING

Every clinic has its own version of the SuperFacial – combination treatments that

exfoliate, tighten, plump and infuse nutrients. Radiofrequency microneedling has perhaps been the most popular skin tightening technology over the last couple of years, but with the rise in popularity of facial muscletoning treatments that are combined with skin tightening, we are entering an exciting new era. Keep your eyes peeled for the Lipofirm SMAS Lift and Emface facials.

NUTRITION FOR THE SKIN

With the abundance of excellent products available, all with their own avid fans, it can be difficult to know which ones are worth the investment. Start with a good quality vitamin C serum, a potent antioxidant, helping reverse skin damage caused by sun and pollution and an essential building block for making new collagen. For those with limited budgets, less sophisticated products don’t penetrate the deeper layers of the skin but can still have a significant surface brightening effect, even if they are less effective for anti-ageing.

• Vitamin A derivatives including retinol are known as the rock-star skin ingredients, slowing the breakdown of collagen, encouraging thicker, firmer, more even-toned skin. Retinol encourages cell turnover in every layer (along with a host of other benefits) so plays an essential role in restoring youthful skin.

• Niacinamide is another potent antiaging ingredient. It is best known for reducing the appearance of large pores, uneven skin tone and fine lines and regular use is thought to help reduce long-term DNA damage in the skin.

DR KIM PRESCOTT

practices aesthetic medicine in Surrey and Knightsbridge as well as clinical research, lecturing and training.

You are welcome to send questions to drkim@psmd.co.uk. Drkpclinic.co.uk

ABSOLUTELY magazines 73
HEALTH & BEAUTY • PARTNERSHIP AFTER BEFORE
BEFORE AND DURING A LEGEND FACELIFT PROGRAMME WITH DR KIM

AH OUTDOOR SERIES BY

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IT'S A WINNER

This stunning kitchen in South West London has taken home the coveted title of "Kitchen Design of the Year" at the 2022 Designer Awards. The beautiful handmade cabinets, sleek composite worktops and elegant herringbone floor, were all designed and installed by the team at Kitchens by Holloways. kitchensbyholloways.com

INTERIORS Interior inspirations 76 • Living with colour 76 • Fabulous stripes 89
KITCHENS BY HOLLOWAYS
75 ABSOLUTELY magazines

NOTES INTERIORS

Ideas, designs and styles for your home

IT'S A STEEL

Turkish homeware emporium

Karaca has opened in Islington Square and launched a special cutlery set designed with 316+ steel, one of the most valuable types of steel in the world.Combining elegance with durability, it's like a set of jewellery for your dining table, sparkling and slender silverware with a sharp mirrorfinish that enhances every meal in a variety of design options.

karaca.uk

SHOW TIME

In ‘Can-Can’, Deirdre teases the eye by alternating dark and light shades - 20 altogether - and inverts the grading of each colour. Dramatic colour choices are offset by a black wool background. Deirdre says “The colours are beautiful and showy and reminded me of the CanCan girls’ uniformity and kicking legs." deirdredyson.com

76 ABSOLUTELY magazines
DEIDRE

AURINA

Hetty

MUSHROOM FEVER

HOUSEOF.

The funghi trend meets a 1970's interiors revival in houseof.'s mushroom table lamp. Developed in collaboration with Swoon as part of their sideboard collection, this is a statement piece that's perfect for styling a sideboard or above a fi replace. £249 houseof.com

TAKE FIVE

Egg Cups

FIGURE EIGHT

The Cannage Miss Dior plates designed by Cordelia de Castellane come in a range of new colors including pink, celadon, ochre and fir green. Delicately engraved with the iconic cannage motif, these octagonal plates celebrate the House’s enduring style. dior.com

SOFT SHADE

SOWDENLIGHT

George Sowden's Shades is a collection of lamps with multiple configuration possibilities. It's all down to the modularity of the silicone components, a fabulous material for the diffusion of light, bright colors, resistant and washable. sowdenlight.com

77
Hare egg cup, £8.99 aurina.co.uk DIOR MAISON HK LIVING
INTERIORS • NOTES
70s Ceramics egg cups, set of four, £29 scp.co.uk ROSE & GREY Glass egg cup, £11 roseandgrey.co.uk MISSPRINT Egg cups set of four, £20 puretabletop.com
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REX LONDON Soldiers egg cup, £2.95 rexlondon.com

WORLD AROUND THE

Uplifted by heritage crafts and one-of-a-kind woven wall art, this classic midterrace has a global flavour

78 ABSOLUTELY magazines
Words EMMA J PAGE Photography NATALIE DINHAM An internal glazed window adds punch to this scheme. Plaster-pink walls are contrasted with a zing of sunshine yellow from the hallway beyond.
79 INTERIORS • FEATURE ABSOLUTELY magazines
The outline of the Vora Form rug by A Rum Fellow echoes the shape of the bay window.

Awork in progress’ is how Dylan O’Shea and Caroline Lindsell describe the interiors of their mid-Victorian terrace. From the sunshine-yellow hallway to a selection of handwoven rugs from Guatemala or Nepal, every element is inspired by their travels and a passion for artisinal craft. ‘We allow this house to evolve as we do because we never see ourselves as having arrived at a fixed point, decoratively speaking,’ says Dylan, who along with Caroline is hte founder of design and textile studio A Rum Fellow. ‘So we’ve reworked our home many times over, from the painted floorboards and French antique finds of the early days to the brighter, punchier interiors we currently live with.’

A curious eye and a desire to work with global makers has infused these schemes with a tactile nature. Hand-knotted rugs – many featuring Caroline’ intricate designs – share space with woven artworks, fabric panels and embroidered accessories. ‘Our home is an extension of our design ethos,’ says Dylan. ‘We wanted to create interiors that are visually exciting, but also induce the impulse to reach out and touch. In the same way that a rug features different pile lengths, threads and styles of weave, so we wanted to balance layers, colours and pattern to form an interesting whole.’

A few impactful structural alterations were all that was needed to contemporise the layout. The two living spaces were opened up to each other and in the middle room, a solid wall was partially replaced with a

80 ABSOLUTELY magazines
Fuzl Studio's Totem shelving displays a curated collection of casually propped abstract art, books and contemporary ceramics as well as vintage pieces. The metal wall light was found at the Braderie de Lille flea market. A curved sofa by Roche Bobois adds scale and drama to the living room. The rear of this Victorian home remains in its original condition, without the ubiquitous extension so prevalent in the city. Geometric tiling by Mandarin Stone adds imapct.

triangular internal window to channel in extra light. It echoes the graphic lines of the staircase, while providing a pleasing glimpse of the yellow walls beyond, hung with monochrome glass artworks from Malawi.

The couple have taken a confident colour approach throughout, inspired by the vibrant hues of Guatemala, which Dylan describes as ‘drenched in strong sunlight and therefore warm and a little aged’. And so walls have been treated to notes of burgundy contrasted with sky blue; primary yellow with plaster pink; navy with mustard and monochrome flooring with candy pastels. ‘Our work is driven by colour because it’s emotive,’ says Dylan. ‘We’re drawn towards interiors that offer a sense of drama and theatre’.

The evolution of these schemes maps the many iterations for the pair’s design journey too. A favourite set of ikat printed curtains that they produced when they first set up their studio hangs in the bedroom, while pieces from French brocantes represent a period spent dealing in vintage finds. The bedroom walls are hung with sculptural wall lights by Swiss maker Fabio Hendry, whose work the couple recently discovered. Heritage crafts play a prominent part. ‘We enjoy finding ways to recontextualise artisan woven fabrics, integrating them in contemporary settings,’ says Dylan. Thus, a curved headboard showcases an intricate brocade panel produced by a female Mayan collective in Guatemala, while in

the living room a gently rounded Nepalese rug echoes the shape of the bay window.

Small scale is carefully balanced with large so that the chunky silhouette of a blue sofa from Roche Bobois sits comfortably with a rattan floor lamp in the living room, or modern monochrome mosaic flooring in the kitchen coexists with wooden dining chairs upholstered in delicate candy stripes. ‘I find it a little flat if everything feels uniform within an interior,’ reflects Dylan, ‘The challenge lies in incorporating unusual pieces and shapes, but within limitation lies creativity.’

Though travel plays its part in this home, there’s much inspiration to be found on the doorstep. ‘London is unique in that it contains cities within cities,’ Dylan says. ‘In our own neighbourhood, Turkish, West African, Brazilian and Pakistani communities live side by side. We are fuelled by the combined energy of many people sharing one space.’

Extract taken from London Interiors by Emma J Page, published by Lannoo, £50

81 INTERIORS • FEATURE
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“The couple have taken a confident colour approach, inspired by the vibrant hues of Guatemala”
Deep-blue walls are offset by a curved headboard, featuring brocade panels produced by a female Mayan collective in Guatemala. A painted rattan bookcase and a postboxred fire surround add pops of colour.

JACQUARD FRANCAIS

Pink Woven cotton tea towel, £19 home-landing.co.uk

ABIGAIL BORG Strala Peach Tea Towe, £ 14 abigailborg.com

VILLAGE GREEN HOME

Rolling Green Hills Tea Towel, £12 villagegreenhome.co.uk

PALAVA Tea Towel Yellow Cave, £12 palava.co

THORNBACK

How

TOLLY

EDITOR’S PICK

THORNBACK

WE LOVE CUSHIONS Sweet William Botanicals Tea Towel, £12.99 welovecushions.co.uk

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INTERIORS • TREND
TORI MURPHY Tapestry tea towel, £32 torimurphy.com
the humble teatowel became a style statement CLOTH CLUB
TORI MURPHY Diamond star tea towel, £32 torimurphy.com & PEEL Del Blue Rabbit and Cabbage Tea Towel, £11.95 annabeljames.com MCRAE 3 Kitchen Towel Bundle, £21 tollymcrae.co.uk & PEEL Lobster Tea Towel, £11.95 annabeljames.com TORI MURPHY Harbour stripe tea towel, £32 torimurphy.com LOAF Drapy tea towel in Old Pink 29 for a set of 2, £29 loaf.com
Timeless, enduring garden furniture that blurs the boundaries between indoors and out. Good design never grows old.  Chiswick, 020 3814 1220 Fulham, 020 7371 9997 Wimbledon, 020 3362 8240 neptune.com

In the FRAME

How a Copenhagen-based online gallery is the hottest place for posters right now

Collecting pictures for your walls is a lifetime’s work. It takes time, and a real collection comprises lots of different things. A mix of old and new things, small pictures and large ones, posters, paintings and photography. And for anyone with wall space to spare, Copenhagen-based The Poster Club is a good starting point.

This online emporium offering a unique selection of high-quality posters and art prints from both upcoming and established artists. Inspiration comes from trends in Nordic lifestyle, fashion and interior design, combining the gallery’s roots in Copenhagen and the Scandinavian culture with new and innovative technology in the creative industry.

While the selection is vast, it’s wellorganised, with categories including Abstract, Architecture, Botanic, Figurative, Geometric Shapes, Line Art and Objects. The Poster Club Collection is handpicked selection of art prints, created by different artists, photographers and designers exclusively for The Poster Club and curated inhouse. They’re always looking for new talent and emerging artists are invited to submit works for consideration.

In terms of display, Poster Club’s frames are simple and stylish, and come in a variety of colours. While the typical Scandinavian white walls have a crisp quality about them, an extensive palette ranging from neutrals to pops of saturated colours can enhance the mood of a space. “I like to have a neutral base of beiges, greys and a bit warmer shades

like sand or yellow. These colours tend to smooth everything out, making your home restful for your eyes,” says Poster Club’s in-house stylist Charlotte. She explains that we are met with so many impressions during the day, that a calming and recreational environment at home is a must. “However,” she says, “that does not mean that you should not incorporate brighter elements. We are all different, and at the end of the day the most important thing is that you love your home.”

theposterclub.com

ABSOLUTELY magazines 85 INTERIORS • DECOR
TERN NO. 2 BY MOLLY KYHL
Deirdre Dyson is a registered trade mark of Deirdre Dyson www.deirdredyson.com ANGLES Collection 2023 – Clarity EXCLUSIVE CARPETS AND RUGS ® EXCLUSIVE CARPETS AND RUGS ® Deirdre Dyson is a registered trade mark of Deirdre Dyson EXCLUSIVE CARPETS AND RUGS

Modern HISTORY

Aram: The Home of Modern Design since 1964

Zeev Aram opened his first showroom on London’s Kings Road in 1964 with the mission to bring the very best of modern design to London. Today, almost 60 years on, Aram continues to be family-run and resolute in its goal of being an incredible resource for 20th century and contemporary design.

The showroom now occupies two Victorian warehouses on Drury Lane, which previously supplied the old Covent Garden fruit and vegetable market. Here, spread over four floors, you can discover sofas, dining tables, chairs, storage, lighting, decorative homewares and more. Expect to find exquisite woodwork designs by legends such as Hans Wegner and Kai Kristiansen; upholstery that o ers both comfort and personality; dining tables that push the boundaries of technical ability and a whole host of complementary pieces from Italian post-war masters, American Modernists, Scandinavian craftsmen and women, and the leading designers of today.

All these wonderful designs are set against the backdrop of a light-filled warehouse, with double-height ceilings and raw industrial features, that not only allows Aram to show the widest selection of furniture designs of any store in London, but also a ords its customers the luxury of space in which to make private, unhurried decisions. The team regularly visit the showrooms

and manufacturing facilities of many of the brands sold here to learn about the materiality, construction and capabilities of their designs. This helps to ensure that products are vetted for quality and longevity, in addition to aesthetics and brand history. As such, the whole team – from buying to sales – truly understand the pieces and the store's consultants can therefore provide customers with highly knowledgeable advice.

For instance, as well as understanding the technical abilities of the hundreds of upholstery options available to a given sofa, they are well versed in modular software and can build site-specific configurable storage systems. Just as in 1964, Aram remains committed to bringing the best in modern design to your home.

110 Drury Lane, Covent Garden, London aram.co.uk

INTERIORS • PARTNERSHIP
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“ PIECES FROM ITALIAN POST-WAR MASTERS, AMERICAN MODERNISTS AND DESIGNERS OF TODAY”
PHOTOGRAPHY: OLLIE TOMLINSON
Design | Manufacture | Install Sliding doors • Double doors • Bifold doors • French doors • Fire rated doors Luxury internal and external steel glazing systems 0203 417 5857 | sales@decosteel.co.uk | Gunnels Wood Rd, SG1 2BH

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THE

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ANTIPODREAM Retro Fun Stripe Organic Cotton Duvet Cover, £109 antipodream.co.uk

ELOISE HOME Ikat Stripe Fabric in Red Pale Pink, £125 eloisehome.com

ROCKETT ST GEORGE Set Of 4 Colourful Stripe Side Plates, £62 rockettstgeorge.co.uk

FERMOIE Pink York Stripe Small Cushion, £13 fermoie.com

JOULES Stripe medium storage canister, £15 puretabletop.com

LINES OF BEAUTY

SOFAS & STUFF

Clavering 3 Seater In Flemish Linen, £3,800 sofasandstuff.com

EDITOR’S PICK

COX & COX Blue Stripe Vase, £75 coxandcox.co.uk

TORI

Tablecloth Scallop Stripe Claret, £175 torimurphy.com

Colours Of Arley Pickle Bonbon Stripe Fabric 75pm, £75 arleyhouse.com

INTERIORS • TREND
SECRET
Earn your stripes with these lovely accessories
TORI MURPHY Sleeper Stripe Cottage Pleat Harbour Stripe Frilly Cushion, £75 torimurphy.com
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ROCKETT ST GEORGE Vertical Stripe Flat Mug, £20 rockettstgeorge.co.uk ARLEY HOUSE MURPHY

The home of modern design since 1964

110 Drury Lane aram.co.uk

STRONG STYLE

Designs to elevate the outdoors in sustainable and robust teak from Carl Hansen & Søn

CCarl Hansen & Søn has always believed in the importance of selecting the right materials. The teak used in the outdoor furniture collection is certainly a great example. Prized for its durability and coupled with a warm spectrum of colours, this tropical wood retains its beauty throughout the harshest of weather conditions, ageing gracefully with time.

Striving towards a more sustainable world, all teak in the Outdoor Collection is FSC-certified, which ensures that forests are responsibly harvested, while protecting other plants, the animals of the forests and the people working in and living off the land.

A highly elastic species with a tight wood grain, teak boasts a high oil content that allows untreated teak to last for decades without damage. This natural resistance to fungi, pests and moisture damage makes it a beloved choice for boat building, exterior architecture, and outdoor furniture design.

Carl Hansen & Søn has always been proud of working with inspiring designers in the Outdoor Collection, where they aim to bring original ideas to life with highest quality of craftsmanship.

Each designer brings their own unique vision and personality to furniture design:

Alfred Homann’s sense of clarity and logic is evident in the AH Outdoor Series, where all superfluous details are eliminated in favour of simple expression and high functionality.

Bodil Kjær’s Indoor-Outdoor Series offers an uplifting study in architectural harmony, while a sense of lightness is present in Børge Mogensen’s Outdoor Series in the way the furniture can be arranged and rearranged so easily.

And lastly, Morten Gøttler’s ingenious Cuba Chair proves that a truly timeless design will be at home in a variety of contexts, whether that is inside or out.

What unites all four designers and their work is the powerful idea that modern design can enhance the human experience. Each used their work to bring people and nature closer together in new and thoughtful ways.

carlhansen.com

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“Teak retains its beauty throughout the harshest of weather conditions”

BLOCK PARTY

How Jules Haines is repurposing unused block-printed fashion fabrics for soft furnishings

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Since 2020, Jules Haines has been on a mission to help counter the 400,000 tonnes of homeware textile waste that ends up in UK landfi ll each year. Her business, Haines, is a pioneering online salvage platform for the resale of unwanted textiles and home furnishings and to date, 20,229 metres of fabric have been repurposed, rehomed and saved through Haines’ platform. “Think of us as The Vestiaire Collective for the interiors industry,” she says – and the brand’s latest collaboration project aims to highlight the importance of repurposing textiles rather than creating new ones.

In a new partnership that marks Haines’ fi rst foray into fashion, she has teamed up with Gabby Deeming, founder of block-print fashion studio Daydress, to curate a new limited edition collection of fabrics, soft furnishings and lampshades made from surplus textiles.

“I started speaking to Gabby from Daydress last year about a surplus of last season's fashion fabrics that she thought could potentially be repurposed into soft furnishings,’ says Haines. “We work with a number of luxury fabric brands selling fabrics and o cuts that include defective prints and end of line designs, rehoming these with customers and interior designers who are conscious about

their environmental footprint and prefer to re-use rather than buy new. Working with Gabby, we’ve been able to take this beautifully made, hand block-printed fabric and repurposed it for an interiors audience selling a variety of prints by the metre. It’s a wonderful fabric to use for small soft furnishing projects – and we’ve also created our own ready-made capsule collection of cushions and lampshades so that you can now bring Daydress textiles straight into your home.”

It’s a win-win situation for Deeming too. “It’s been a real joy to see our fabrics re-imagined for interiors,” she says. “I’ve always admired Haines’ approach at turning one person's surplus into another person's treasure for the home. Leftover or misprinted fabric can be a bit of a head-scratcher and when I was left with various lengths from my SS22 collection,

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INTERIORS • FEATURE
PRE-MADE LAMPSHADES FROM £95
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“We’ve taken this beautifully made, hand blockprinted fabric and repurposed it for an interiors audience”
GABBY DEEMING, FOUNDER OF DAYDRESS AND JULES HAINES, FOUNDER OF HAINES

I could see that there was huge potential for it to be more than dresses, and I knew immediately who I should talk to. My fabrics are all hand block-printed by a small workshop in Jaipur. Each print is unique and producing them requires immense skill and patience. The colour palettes that I’ve developed from season to season layer together beautifully, which also makes them perfect for use in interiors too.”

The limited-quantity collection includes 17 original block-print patterned fabrics from the Daydress archive. Each expertly printed by hand using traditional methods, signature floral motifs run throughout with artworks designed both by Gabby Deeming and Daydress print collaborator, Ellen Merchant. Inspiration has been taken from a range of sources – from 18th century Indian and French prints to Ottoman artworks and London’s Fashion & Textile Museum – with ideas re-imagined and translated using modern colour palettes, scale and placement to create a series of unique fabrics that combine past and present. “As soon as I discovered block printing I knew it was the medium for me,” says Gabby. “It’s a centuries-old craft and - despite the advances in technology - still continues in many workshops and studios across India. It might be the simplest and the slowest of all textile-

printing methods, but for me it yields some of the most beautiful results and I know the combination of patterns and painterly printing will be beautiful within an interior setting.”

“With this collaboration we’ve managed to repurpose over 1,000 metres of fashion fabric to be re-used and re-homed via a different industry,” says Jules. “One of the motivations behind this project was to reach new audiences and raise more awareness about the throwaway culture of the interiors world. Unlike the fashion industry, which is reported on and called to account regularly for its sustainability footprint, there is little awareness around the textile waste that is generated by the UK interiors industry, a market that is valued at over £13.8 billion. We all need to make changes to how we decorate and reduce the impact we’re having on the environment. With collaborations like these, we’ll be able to discuss and develop new ways of tackling the world's interiors waste problem, working collectively towards more responsible and sustainable ways of decorating and living.”

94 ABSOLUTELY magazines
FABRIC FROM £65 PER METRE PREMADE CUSHIONS FROM £85
“There is little awareness around the textile waste generated by the UK interiors industry”
HAINES COLLECTION Haines x Daydress launches in May at hainescollection.co.uk

For over forty years, Lagoon Pools have provided families and property developers with swimming pools that are reliable, expertly constructed and built to last.

We pride ourselves on a dedication to embracing both the classic designs of swimming pools as well as the modern aesthetics of a luxury entertaining space, with stunning finishes that make each project unique from the last.

If you are looking to add a new swimming pool feature to your home, please call us today on 01932 569569 to speak to a member of our team or email us at info@lagoonpoolsltd.co.uk.

229 Chertsey Road Addlestone
KT15 2EW
569 569 info@lagoonpoolsltd.co.uk
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Surrey
01932
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swimming pools.

SPRING BLOOMS

COLOUR BURST PETERSHAM NURSERIES

In line with Petersham Nurseries' ethos, the florist at Petersham has an emphasis on seasonal, Britishgrown flowers and responsible sourcing. The bespoke bouquets are dramatic and colourful. petershamnurseries.com

DRY SPELL SHIDA

Shida's dried flowers are a sustainable and lasting alternative to fresh and faux flowers using perfectly preserved blooms that are naturally dried. Enjoy them maintenance free for a year. shida.florist

IN THE MIX WILD AT HEART

Wild at Heart is hosting an Easter wreath making workshop at Liberty on 1 April 2-4pm. Participants will handcraft a beautiful spring wreath; tickets are £120 and include all materials and refreshments. wildatheart.com

MELLOW YELLOW BLOOM

The name Mimosa comes from the Greek “mimos” which means “mimic”. Symbolising tenderness, sensibility & sensitivity, Mimosa is a wonderful flower for spring. £47.50 bybloom.couk

FLAT OUT BLOOM & WILD

Scottish design startup PORT have teamed up with Bloom & Wild for an ingenius letterbox flatpack vase to accompany the clever letterbox flowers. bloomandwild.com

1 3 4 5 1 2 3 2 4 5 INT ERIORS • FLOWERS
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LIFE IS BETTER WITH A VASE OF FLOWERS

ONE STOP SHOP

Kitchens by Holloways have been making kitchens and building extensions for 17 years. Jacqui Murray has experienced the benefits of their design and build approach

To create the kitchen extension of their dreams, most people appoint an architect to design it, a builder to build it, a kitchen company to supply the kitchen, and perhaps a project manager, unless they choose to manage the project themselves. Some years ago, I tried to manage my own kitchen extension project. I didn’t anticipate how many questions the builder would have – even though I had a full set of drawings from the architect. Almost daily, our builder would uncover something they were not expecting. Some of those things a ected the design, all of them a ected my timings and budget, and many of them had implications for other suppliers, such as the kitchen company. I was constantly on the phone trying to keep things on track. Meanwhile, I had decisions to make about floors, lights, patio doors, radiators, handles, wall finishes, furniture etc. It was all quite stressful.

So, when I recently embarked on kitchen extension project no.2, I took a di erent approach. Kitchens by Holloways design and manufacture beautiful kitchens at their workshop in Shrewsbury. They also design and build extensions. Our designer, Charles, knew everything there is to know about kitchens and appliances, but he also took care of the architectural designs, obtained the planning approvals,

designed the interiors, and helped me to choose all my fittings. The design process was collaborative and e cient. While Charles worked with me on the designs, his colleagues organised a structural engineer and pulled together a quote for the building work. Budgets and timings were clear from the outset to avoid any unwelcome surprises. The result is fantastic. The overall design works exceptionally well, the quality of work is excellent, and the Holloway’s team were great to work with. If I ever do a third kitchen extension project, then I’ll be calling Kitchens by Holloways.

INTERIORS • PARTNERSHIP
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Grosvenor are proud to present

A WORKPLACE THAT BLENDS LEADING HOSPITALITY WITH FLEXIBLE WORKING

Private serviced offices, refurbished to the highest standards on the prestigious Buckingham Palace Road.

State-of-the-art meeting rooms and stunning breakout spaces. Offering all-inclusive memberships tailored to your needs.

OPENING MAY 2023

Take the first step towards an impressive workspace, in a building that exudes charm and elegance.

Contact us at sales@25-ep.com

162 Buckingham Palace Road, SW1W 9TR

SLOW BURN

The Stovax range of stoves combines designer flair and high efficiency

The award-winning Riva2 woodburning and multi-fuel fire range from Stovax delivers sophisticated design and Ecodesign performance in equal measure. These spectacular, high-quality inset log burners are available in four sizes, from the smallest in the range that can be installed into a standard 22” high x 16” wide British fireplace opening with the chairbrick removed, to the largest in the range that offers an impressive 8.1kW heat output. With their steel exteriors and ergonomic handle designs, the Riva2 inset fire range is designed with a variety of homes in mind, offering both designer flair and high efficiency heat in four sizes, to suit a host of installations. These stunning fires combine the latest cutting-edge Ecodesign combustion systems with

an expansive viewing window to create a truly mesmerising centrepiece. An advanced DualFlow Airwash that is unique to the Riva2 inset fire range provides convergent airflow to keep the glass clean, for a superb and unbeatable crystal clear view of the spectacular flames within. For a truly mesmerising centrepiece, all Riva2 fires can be selected with one of two decorative frames; the minimalist Profil XS or the slightly wider Profil frame. Both frames are available in either three-sided or four-sided versions, allowing you to hearth mount your Riva2, or elevate the fire’s position for a modern ‘hole-in-the-wall’ look.

STOVAX

The Stovax Group is the UK's largest stove and fireplace producer with a range of designs from contemporary to traditional. stovax.com

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INTERIORS • PARTNERSHIP

ALL ROUND EXCELLENCE

Swimming ensures a whole host of physical and mental benefits for you - and Origin Pools are the company to bring it into your home

When it comes to swimming pools, Origin is a company that stands out from the rest.

With over 40 years of experience, Origin is able to provide their clients with exceptional service and innovative solutions in an ever-evolving industry. Their simple and effective philosophy of ‘we do it all’, combined with a holistic approach and a passion for swimming, continues to set them apart. There are many reasons to have an indoor swimming pool, and even more for Origin to build it.

Origin believes that a successful project requires all the specialist areas to be integrated into a consolidated design from the start. They eliminate the need for you

to hire and manage separate companies for each element of the build, removing the potential risks and headache of liaising between architects, engineers and builders.

The initial steps in creating the perfect swimming pool are planning and design. Origin works closely with you to understand your needs and preferences, and then creates a bespoke design that matches your lifestyle. During construction, only the highest quality materials and latest techniques are used to ensure the pool is built to last. Origin also offer a variety of energy-efficient and environmentallyconscious features that can be integrated from the start or upgraded later on.

Once the pool is built, the work doesn't stop there. Origin offers on-going maintenance and pool valet services to ensure that the pool stays in top condition.

Origin are not only passionate about building indoor pools, but also about swimming itself. Swimming has been proven to be a great physical activity for people of all ages and fitness levels. It’s a great form of cardiovascular exercise that helps burn calories and improve overall fitness, it’s also a great way to build endurance and improve lung capacity. The benefits of swimming don’t stop there, it’s also great for your mental well-being. Swimming can be a relaxing and meditative activity which helps reduce stress and anxiety. The rhythmic movement of swimming can have a calming effect on the body and mind, making it a great way to unwind after a long day.

Whether you swim for fun or as part of a fitness routine, swimming is a great way to improve your overall health and wellbeing. So, if you're looking for a company that can handle all your swimming pool needs, look no further than Origin

originpools.co.uk

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INTERIORS • FOCUS
CURTAIN
Refresh your home with new curtains and blinds made from a wonderful collection of fabrics, including designers Sanderson, Harlequin, Romo and more Browse and buy our gifts online at www.curtain-call.co.uk Bespoke Luxaflex blinds including SmartHome integration Curtains and Blinds by Appointment Only Opening Hours: Tues-Sat 10am to 5pm 52 Friars Stile Road, Richmond, Surrey TW10 6NQ 020 8332 6250 • www.curtain-call.co.uk info@curtain-call.co.uk CURTAIN _CALL_HP_ABS_APR2023.indd 1 10/03/2023 11:17 0800 0742 721 sbiproducts.co.uk SBI Ltd has been providing all of your shelter and shading requirements, since 1998 We provide comprehensive awning services, from cleaning and repairs to seasonal maintenance. Get in touch today for the highest quality awning servicing! Verandas · Glass Rooms · Awnings · Pergolas · Carports · Solar Garage Doors & Shutters SBI_HP_ABS_APR2023.indd 1 22/02/2023 10:54
BLIND AND
SHOWROOM

Adding COLOUR

Neptune’s new colour consultancy guides you in curating a cohesive paint palette that’s tailored to you and your home

One of the greatest joys of interior decorating is that no two homes are ever the same. Our individual approaches to colour and pattern and the stories we tell through our homes means that the opportunity for creativity is never-ending. How we use colour can say so much about us – from the fresh greys and whites of a kitchen to the lively ochres of a dining room. A room’s decor articulates the environment we want to create and live in, as well as our own histories.

Choosing paint colours is one of the most exciting and affordable ways to transform your home, with the ability to create different moods and emotions. Yet, the intricate nuances and interactions between these colours, as well as their response to different types of lighting, can make the process daunting and time-consuming.

Neptune’s new colour consultancy demystifies this process, bringing you the unrivalled understanding of colour held by their own design experts. Neptune’s edited collection of interior paints includes over 50 shades, and they add a new seasonal colour twice a year. They believe that colour is the bedrock from which we weave our stories, whether that’s the enveloping richness of shades like Constable Green, the pale refinement of Salt, or the uplifting joy of their new shade, Rhubarb.

HOW IT WORKS

Book your consultation

A consultation can be arranged online, or by calling or visiting your nearest store.

Initial briefing

Your chance to share your vision with your consultant and give them an idea of the shades and combinations you’re drawn to.

At home visit

Your consultant will visit your home and, at the end, give you a wallet containing swatches of the proposed paint colours for each room.

A custom colour plan

You will then receive a detailed plan outlining the colours, finishes, areas of application, and quantities.

Cost

For £200, you’ll benefit from a one-hour consultation at home, and expertly-chosen palettes for four of your rooms. If you’re looking for help with more than four rooms, it’s an additional £50 for every hour thereafter.

To book a consultation, visit neptune.com/colour-consultancy or call or visit your local Neptune store

“How we use colour can say so much about us and the stories we tell through our homes”
INTERIORS • FOCUS
01932 500 270 | justshutters.co.uk A STYLISH ADDITION TO ANY HOME

SIGNAL BOOST

Frustrated with your home internet?

A WiFi Mesh System could be the solution, says Gary Newson of NETGEAR

WiFi is a fundamental part of life, for both leisure and work. WiFi and internet are so closely related that many people don’t make the distinction between them. But you depend on your internet service provider's router to supply WiFi, and you may be disappointed with the signal strength. Especially if you have a larger home, or a garden which extends some distance from your house. Are you relying on the lagging router from your current internet provider to get strong WiFi everywhere? Have you tried wireless repeaters, but were dissatisfied with results?

WiFi Mesh systems are the solution to spread stronger signals throughout your

home and garden. Unlike WiFi repeaters, which only extend your main router's signal, Mesh systems create a new, boosted wireless network across your entire home.

Mesh systems give you the ability to fully enjoy the internet speeds you have subscribed for, thanks to a WiFi up to ten times faster. They are usually based on two or more units, which create a single, reliable WiFi network, expandable with additionional satellites. Connected devices are handed off seamlessly to the unit with the strongest signal, making Mesh WiFi ideal for large homes and businesses with WiFi 'dead spots'.

For today’s needs as well as tomorrow’s, premium WiFi products are easy to install and use; and they offer the speeds and capacity to support your family’s evolving needs. Premium WiFi upgrades your home, opening new possibilities,

and elevating the things you already love. Imagine your hobby, favourite activity, anything you’re passionate about, taken to the next level with high-speed WiFi. Netgear’s Orbi WiFi 6E Mesh Systems bring unparalleled performance based on cutting edge, patented technology. On top of that, the units are elegant enough to fit unobtrusively into your décor and secure enough to automatically shield your family from external threats such as hackers and identity thieves.

NETGEAR Orbi 960 series Mesh System: No-compromise, best-in-class performance, capacity and range

The Orbi RBKE963 Mesh system features best-in-class, lightning-fast WiFi Internet access to homes of up to 7,500 square feet, with packages available for further coverage of up to 15,500 sq. ft. The Orbi 960 is also available in stylish white or black designs, making it a welcome addition to any home, and with up to 200 devices even the most demanding smart homes are covered.

If you're tired of weak WiFi signals and slow internet speeds, consider a WiFi Mesh System like NETGEAR's Orbi 960 series. You'll enjoy lightning-fast, wall-to-wall WiFi access, seamless network operation, and the ability to expand coverage as needed. Shop online for the white or black edition today. Learn more at netgear.com/uk

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Upgrade to award-winning WiFi at NETGEAR.com/uk/BestWiFi
RUG STORE specialise in a wide selection of new, old and Antique Persian, Turkish, Caucasian and Turkmen Carpets. Various antique, old and new Kilims are available. We offer a professional hand-cleaning and restoration service. We buy old and antique carpets - even damaged rugs. Part exchange and evaluations. 312 UPPER RICHMOND ROAD WEST, EAST SHEEN, RICHMOND, LONDON, SW14 7JN TEL / FAX: 020 8876 0070 • INFO@RUGSTOREONLINE.CO.UK WWW.RUGSTOREONLINE.CO.UK
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Scattered across the alluring Caribbean islands discover our 17 breathtaking resorts, designed exclusively for couples. Enjoy creatively crafted cocktails and indulge in mouth-watering cuisine at up to 16 on-resort restaurants, all included within your stay.

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in this section

SPECIAL TRAVEL
PERFECT SAND: THE MALDIVE S 112 ALG ARVE LUXURY 119 CHA TEAU LIFE IN AIX-LES-BAINS 124 THE APPEAL OF COSTA NAVARINO 124 TU SCAN PALAZZO STYLE 126 INTERCONTINENTAL MALDIVES MAAMUNAGAU 111 ABSOLUTELY magazines
MAAMUNAGAU IS A MUCHHERALDED MALDIVES ADDITION 112 ABSOLUTELY magazines

OCEAN HEAVEN

From the awe-inspiring sea-and-sky surroundings to the sumptuous food and service, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau is a destination like no other

The Maldives is the most recognisable (and Instagramable) island nation. A sea-and-sky setting of perfect sand and swaying palm trees. As first timers, we are prepared for that, just not for the wistful responses when we say that's where we're heading. A friend sighs and says: "it's my place". Another, a rugby lover not known for poetic outpourings, talks about his four dream holidays there and looks longingly into the middle distance. If that intrigues us, then the prospect of a week on its most celebrated recent opening – InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau – becomes even more intriguing. Here we

have a small-scale resort on Raa Atoll, lovingly conceived and designed as a nextlevel Maldives experience. The team who crafted it were dropped off – Robinson Crusoe style – to develop it sustainably, and that took two years. We have the feeling we are going next level when we are asked to fill in a pillow preference form.

The adventure gets off to a fine start with the journey. Air travel has largely been stripped of romance, but seaplanes are different. Having worked out we have a 45-minute seaplane ride to Maamunagau, I am beyond excited. Seaplanes have been on my bucket list since I was seven and read about these magnificent flying boats in The Famous Five.

And it is magical when we are ushered away from the crowds of Velana Airport

TRAVEL • MALDIVES
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A staycation portfolio of unique and quirky stays across Wales.

With over 90 properties and specialising in fabulous views, ranging from unique family getaways, to romantic retreats. HolidaysWales was founded in 2020 by Ben Powell who also runs a luxury glamping site - The Views, home to 8 Underground Houses burrowed into the hillside, set alongside pet friendly Shepherds Huts and Glamping Pods, each with a private hot tub, set a stones throw from Rhayader, the gateway to The Elan Valley Dams & Reservoirs, an International Dark Sky Park.

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by our Manta Air rep to a cool and elegant terminal containing the largest fleet of seaplanes in the world. The ride to our island destination gives an extraordinary bird's eye perspective as you see some of the 26 atolls (made up of over 1,100 coral islands) unfolding below like a yellow ribbon. Landing in the Indian Ocean, we watch with admiration as the barefoot seaplane stewardess leaps from the plane and, with steady seafarer's hands, moors us on the pontoon. Whisked by speedboat to shore, we arrive to the most gracious of Maldivian welcomes, and within minutes we are in our overwater villa.

This is where the next-level luxury of Maamunagau reveals itself. We are in a totally private detached pad, a dreamtime space between earth and ocean. There's a giant bed with a multitude of fluffy pillows (pillow request had been actioned) and this overlooks a view that stretches to infinity. Private plunge pool, ocean all around and steps down to the beautiful briny – even a deliciously deep bathtub overlooking the deck.

The pace of life slows to a blissful calm in Maamunagau almost instantly. Usually on a holiday, it takes a day or so to unwind, but not here. Our villa is on the long boardwalk

that runs like a ribbon down the island. Our wonderful concierge tells us that shoes are optional – and to call him anytime we need anything at all. Every day we try to think of something, anything, we need, but most days we fail. It's all here. Many guests use the handsome black bikes that are parked outside every villa. Being pragmatic, I decide that if anyone is going to wobble slowly and emphatically into the ocean it will be me. The views are just too distracting.

Travel on foot is a pleasure but takes longer than it should because fish spotting becomes our thing. One day we stop to watch a tiny baby shark foraging on the rich marine life. We delight at the bored (and extremely well fed) heron in residence on the water at The Retreat, the super-calm lagoon where swimming, sunbathing and live lounge music make for a chilled and adults-only alternative to the beach (there is a fabulous kids' club here to give parents down time).

We love the lagoon swimming, but the beach is our usual spot – white sand, gentle waves and a delightful swim-up bar where we discuss cricket in some depth with an extremely well-informed barman from India. The team of staff are very international, just like the guests, and all delightful.

The bar sits close to the all-day and evening dining spot Café Umi, where breakfast starts the day right. All great hotels know you have to give everyone their

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OUR OVERWATER VILLA IS NEXT-LEVEL LUXURY
TRAVEL • MALDIVES ABSOLUTELY magazines
A PERFECT LAGOON IDYLL AT THE RETREAT

perfect breakfast. Here, the incredible team of chefs have done that – with everything from sushi to eggs benedict to dosa to fabulous breads and pastries to exotic fruits. It becomes even more difficult to choose what to have at lunch – fish, grills and salads are all divine, but we've invariably eaten rather too well at breakfast.

The food is exceptional wherever you choose to dine. We eat at The Fish Market a couple of times and love the Maldivian and East Asian flavours. Located right on the water at the end of a dock, it's a romantic spot for dinner – especially with the Sunset Bar upstairs for sundowners and nightcaps. The Lighthouse offers truly standout Spanish and Mediterranean-inspired food. We are seated at the base of the tower and are mesmerised by the intricate tiled ceiling reproducing an ancient seafarers' map. There is a lot of swimming – at the beach

or the lagoon, and with a morning and evening dip off our deck. My companion's new GoPro is tested underwater when we snorkel off our deck and house reefs. Every day he tries, but fails, to capture the lightning-fast schools of fish that churn the water and leap past our villa twice a day, on the clock. The fish are so prolific here you barely need a snorkel. With so much sea life around –including a protected manta ray reserve – there's a strong ecological focus. That means no plastic, anywhere – water is freely available but in reusable glass bottles – and we like that. One evening we join a dolphin spotting boat ride led by the British marine biologist in residence Emily, and it turns out to be a highlight. We have been on enough of these trips on past holidays not to expect too much. This one feels a bit different when the team tell us we're going out quite far to a channel that's favoured hunting ground for spinner dolphins. It's

a beautiful sunset ride, and then suddenly we spot them. There are scores of them all around us, spinning and leaping, babies and adults together. They are so synchronised, so balletic, that it feels – bizarrely –like we've landed in some maritime homage to a Busby Berkeley musical.

On one of our last nights, I mention to a member of the team what people had told me about the Maldives, and that was before we'd experienced Maamunagau for ourselves. She tells me how all the staff love watching this kick in – shoes are shrugged off, shorts thrown on and people forget the stresses of busy lives and lean in to the elemental sea and sky environment. As the seaplane carries us back along the ribbonlike atoll, I realise that Maamunagau – after one utterly dreamlike week – has achieved a miracle. It already feels like 'our place'.

For more information about InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau, visit maldives.intercontinental.com

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“THE DOLPHINS ARE SO SYNCHRONISED THAT IT FEELS LIKE WE'VE LANDED IN A MARITIME HOMAGE TO A BUSBY BERKELEY MUSICAL”
A MANTA RAY RESERVE IS CLOSE BY THE FISH MARKET IS A FAVOURITE RESTAURANT VILLA LIVING ON THE OCEAN – WITH VIEWS TO INFINITY

BEST of all WORLDS

How the Algarve’s Four Seasons Fairway brings together all the elements of a luxurious getaway

Four Seasons Fairways in Quinta do Lago is a true hidden gem, exquisitely nestled within the Ria Formosa nature reserve. What makes it so special is that they have brilliantly and cleverly combined the best bits of a villa holiday with the amenities and conveniences of a hotel.

Open year round, this discreet and elegant villa resort is home to 132 newly refurbished traditional style villas and apartments set in verdant landscaped gardens. Each seamlessly blends authentic Portuguese style with a modern and vibrant interior plus their very own pool or jacuzzi, terrace or garden area and outdoor BBQ/cooking station.

The stylish villas complement the resort's Clubhouse area, which is home to stunning heated indoor and outdoor pools, Kids’ Club, wine cellar, fully equipped gym, treatment rooms and an ingeniously designed indooroutdoor bar that sits alongside cosy areas for relaxing along with a spectacular fireplace. Crittall doors and windows are in abundance and have been skillfully designed and finished with a brushed copper effect to reflect the traditional Portuguese ‘Cataplana’, an item of cookware used to prepare Portuguese seafood dishes. Handmade pendant lights using linked copper rings to emulate beehives hang throughout and have been designed to reflect the local area’s sizeable production of honey. The Clubhouse is also home to VIVO Bistro & Cocktail Lounge and Amara, an intimate restaurant where they have twinned sophistication and Portuguese traditions with contemporary cuisine to give guests an unmistakable and memorable experience. This month will see the opening of a brand-new outdoor terrace dining area at Amara – the perfect spot to take advantage of the long, warm, and peaceful evenings.

The area surrounding the resort is home to numerous championship golf courses and is a haven for those into the game, but also caters to those who aren’t. The resort is just a stone’s throw from the stunning Ria Formosa nature reserve, making it the perfect setting for walking, running, and cycling.

Four Seasons Fairways effortlessly manages to cater for couples and families alike with guests and staff greeting each other like long lost friends. The warmth on display is palpable and is no surprise that guests return year on year – the love and attachment to the resort is clear with memories made spanning generations. And with 3,000 hours of sunshine and just three hours flight from the UK, the Algarve really is unique in that it offers a truly delightful year-round destination.

FOUR SEASONS FAIRWAYS offer seven nights in a two or three-bed villa or apartment with swimming pool or Jacuzzi from £1,300 on a self-catering basis –  fourseasonsfairways.com

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TRAVEL • OVERSEAS

MODERN CHATEAU

After an extensive, decade-long refurbishment, Chateau Brachet is restored to its former glory

Not far from the shores of Lake Bourget, this 4-star hotel is housed in a beautifully restored historic residence. It features 15 rooms and suites, a wellness area, a gastronomic restaurant and a six-hectare landscaped park, in which guests can enjoy an 18-metre long outdoor swimming pool, and a wide selection of outdoor games: tennis and padel, pétanque, croquet, badminton and volleyball courts, a giant chessboard as well as an Executive Golf training area covering more than one hectare.

Staying at Château Brachet is not just about pampering your body and indulging in gastronomy, but it's a chance to travel back in history.

The current owners aquired the building in 2010. It was a case of love at first sight – but also a major gamble. They confide: “We had to wake up the sleeping beauty. Turning it into a hotel was a rather wild dream. This renovation, which we wanted to be as faithful as possible to the 'soul' of the buildings, was enhanced by the fact that, just before the purchase, we were made aware of many historical details about this residence and its owners/visitors. Our goal

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then became for the château to embody the French art of living and to convey the power of attraction of Aix-les-Bains, where aristocrats, crowned heads, artists, and intellectuals all flocked to enjoy the thermal seasons. After a 10-year restoration, the building has now been brought back to life and transformed into an elegant boutique hotel that offers modern comfort as well as a unique journey back into a forgotten era: Aix-les-Bains' golden age as a spa resort.

Dr Léon Brachet was born and raised in the Château until he left to study medicine in Montpellier where he met his wife Nelly. Upon his return as a doctor at the thermal baths in 1864, he resided in the centre of Aix-les-Bains in the Villa Frieda, which he renovated at great expense. When he

inherited the family château in 1886, it was too far from downtown Aix-les-Bains, given the means of transport of the time. For 10 years, he therefore rented it out to an English countess, Lady Virginia Somers. Born and raised in India before returning to England at the age of 18, she was the greataunt of celebrated writer Virginia Woolf. At Château Brachet, she hosted lavish picnics and parties throughout the spa season, which were regularly attended by Dr Brachet and his wife. In 1890, Queen Victoria herself came for High Tea with her compatriot at the château, which she described as a “small picturesque house with its old-fashioned charm”. Also hosted by Lady Somers, Mary, the wife of Victorian painter George Frederic Watts, spoke of the “charming house in Grésy... and its garden of a thousand roses”.

Nicknamed the "Doctor of Kings", Dr Brachet was very instrumental in the development of Aix as a world-renowned spa resort. He wrote books in English on the matter such as “Aix les Bains in Savoy, the medical treatment and general indications” as early as 1887 and threw himself into the creation of the Revard rack railway, the first local Golf course, the Racecourse and the Alpine Club. A pioneer in the field of tourism, he also served as deputy mayor of Aix-les-Bains and even as president of the Casino Grand Cercle.

The restaurant, La Table du Château, has been decorated using noble materials

and finishes. The granite tables, made from Egyptian stone that required an old quarry to be reopened, echo the anthracite cabochons of the travertine floor and the shades of the Belle Époque glass roof. But when the weather is clement, nothing compares to al fresco dining on La Broderie, the outdoor terrace seating 50, to take in the exceptional panorama of the landscaped gardens and flowerbeds.

Each category of rooms and suites is decorated in a unique style featuring luxurious details, harmonious colours, refined prints and noble materials.

All capture the soul of this stately home back in its Victorian heyday, without skimping on the excellence of modern comfort (topof-the-range bedding, smart gadgets, etc.)

Finally, particular attention has been paid to the bathrooms. Laid out and furnished as havens of elegance, they have been designed as chic water rooms to be admired for their aesthetics. Most of them are equipped with comfortable bathtubs, in addition to spacious showers.

CHATEAU BRACHET

Restaurant open every day except Tuesdays and Wednesdays. A special amenity gift will be yours when you indicate the following promo code upon booking your stay with us: ALCB-2023

chateaubrachet.com

infos@chateaubrachet.com

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“In 1890, Queen Victoria herself came for High Tea at the château ”

Coastal HIDEAWAY

Discover hidden gems on the West Sussex Coast with Wellies & Windbreaks

The promise of summer with its longer days and a warmer temperatures is just around the corner so it is time to start planning some family holiday fun.

Nothing beats a trip to the Great British seaside and to escape London without travelling for hours, the Witterings is an ideal destination. West Wittering beach always seems to grab the headlines as day-trippers flock to its soft white sands as soon as the sun comes out. It is undoubtedly one of the best beaches in Britain, but its lesserknown neighbour, just down the coast at Bracklesham Bay, is a hidden gem which thankfully none of the crowds know about.

Bracklesham Bay lies at the quieter end of this West Sussex coastline, a short walk along the beach to the Medmerry Nature Reserve. Not being well served with public car parks makes it largely inaccessible if you are not staying there, so holidaymakers enjoy the beach to themselves, along with

the die-hard watersports enthusiasts who brave the surf all year round.

Whether it’s a still, sunny day or a windy, stormy one, the beach is always popular with families enjoying the shingle, sand and surf and if you take a stroll along the shoreline on a falling tide, you may well find one of the area’s famous sharks tooth fossils. Bracklesham Bay is one of the South Coast's leading centres for windsurfing and other board sports and is a great place to learn to surf or kitesurf. The area is well-served for holidaymakers with shops, takeaways, a great coffee shop called

GOAT and Billys on the Beach, arguably the best beachfront restaurant for miles around. This glass-fronted diner looks out on all the beach action and is as enjoyable on a blissfully sunny day with the doors open as it is when there is a good storm building and the woodburner is blazing. There are some superb self-catering holidays properties along East and West Bracklesham Drive and Wellies & Windbreaks, a small independent holiday rental company, has some of the best. Amanda Pugh, founder of Wellies & Windbreaks says: “Bracklesham Bay is an excellent holiday choice. It has some of the largest and highest quality beachfront properties in the area which enjoy far more privacy than those on the footpaths of East and West Wittering. It’s a real hidden gem”.

To see the full Wellies & Windbreaks portfolio visit welliesandwindbreaks.co.uk

“Bracklesham Bay has some of the highest quality beachfront properties”
STORMCHASE, A STRIKINGLY MODERN BEACHFRONT FAMILY HOME SLEEPING 10 IN 5 BEDROOMS SEABREEZE, A LUXURIOUS AND CONTEMPORARY
TRAVEL • PARTNERSHIP
FAMILY HOLIDAY HOME SLEEPING 13 IN 5 BEDROOMS, JUST 20METRES FROM THE BEACH
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PEBBLES, A COSY BEACHFRONT HOLIDAY BUNGALOW WITH FABULOUS BEACH DECK SLEEPING 8 IN 4 BEDROOMS.

IN ITS PRIME

Enjoy a Greek golfing odyssey – or a luxurious family break – at Costa Navarino

Greece may have a population of just over ten million, but that has certainly not proved a barrier to it making a lasting impression on the world.

Throughout the sands of time, the Greeks have set the benchmark for others to follow, including being recognised as the birthplace of democracy and the Olympic Games, and Greece is now making global headlines again in a sport that you would not immediately associate them with: golf.

The dream of ship owner and keen environmentalist Captain Vassilis Constantakopoulos to create a sustainable tourism development in his home region, Costa Navarino opened in 2010 in Messinia in Greece’s southwest Peloponnese.

Thirteen years later and ‘The Captain’s’ vision has become a stunning reality with Costa Navarino establishing itself as Europe’s newest golf destination.

A short and scenic drive from Kalamata International airport, Costa Navarino was

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THE HISTORIC BAY OF NAVARINO PROVIDES A SPECTACULAR BACKDROP FOR THE BAY COURSE

named as the ‘World’s Best Emerging Golf Destination’ at the 2022 World Golf Awards. Further accolades look set to follow in 2023 following a period of fresh investment with the opening of new hospitality o erings and unrivalled experiences – paving the way for a new era at the Mediterranean’s prime sustainable destination.

Having taken its status to new heights with last year's opening of two new José María Olazábal-designed layouts at Navarino Hills – the world’s first International Olympic Academy Golf Course and The Hills Course – to complement the two existing signature designs, The Dunes Course and The Bay Course, golfers can now enjoy the choice of four courses within a maximum distance of 13km.

Along with three five-star luxury hotels (plus a fourth to open this summer) and an array of leisure and lifestyle facilities, it is easy to see why Costa Navarino is considered

a flagship of modern golf resort development. The first layout to open and measuring 6,018m, the par-71 Bernhard Langer and EGD-designed The Dunes Course o ers spectacular sea and river views and incorporates links-style features in areas closest to the sea, while occasionally venturing into olive and fruit groves.

Surrounded by olive groves and overlooking the historic Bay of Navarino, the par-70, 5,422m The Bay Course was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jnr and meanders through three distinct settings – seaside, canyon, and grove – to provide striking contrasts.

Launched in partnership with the International Olympic Academy and the Hellenic Olympic Committee, the par-72 International Olympic Academy Golf Course routes around the western part of the Navarino Hills property. Measuring 6,366m, more than half its

holes play along the ridge overlooking the historic Bay of Navarino and the Ionian Sea, providing spectacular sea views.

Also designed by Olazábal, The Hills Course o ers a scenic golf journey through nature, along the way passing old olive trees, ancient rock walls and stunning ravines that carve deep into the Kinigou Hills. Measuring 6,280m in length, the par-72 course o ers a good balance and variety, while myriad strategic options await, providing a good test for creativity and course management.

Costa Navarino o ers a range of fivestar hospitality o erings: The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort that is ideal for couples seeking a distinctive luxury holiday; The Westin Resort Costa Navarino which is the perfect choice for families; and W Costa Navarino, which opened last summer and has a more vibrant atmosphere suited to groups and the young at heart.

All guests have access to an array of more than 40 dining and entertainment venues, state-of-the-art sports facilities, world-class spa centres and a wealth of experiences to engage with the region’s culture, history and nature, and the customer experience set to be enhanced even further over the coming months.

This summer will see the highly anticipated Greek debut of Mandarin Oriental at Costa Navarino, with the destination’s fourth hotel o ering guests a premium experience with earth-sheltered villas and guesthouses designed for absolute privacy and tranquillity.

In addition, Navarino Agora will showcase a wide choice of shops, open-air stalls, street food, outdoor cinema, and live events when it launches this month, while a new Watersports Hub at Navarino Waterfront will open at the same time, o ering a wide range of watersports, plus state-of-theart equipment and training options.

costanavarino.com

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“State-ofthe-art sports facilities, hotels and a wealth of experiences”
THE HILLS COURSE AT COSTA NAVARINO RELAX IN STYLE AT THE W COSTA NAVARINO RESORT

Tuscan DELIGHTS

Living the Tuscan dream in magnificent hilltop villa Palazzo Cheto

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The Tuscan countryside subtly seduces at every step. The gently rolling hills, silvery olive groves, glossy emerald vineyards, medieval hilltop villages, and avenues of statuesque cypress trees create the complete picture of Tuscan splendour. A breathtakingly beautiful land that feels comfortingly familiar as the location of many a film set. The perfect bucolic setting for indulging in la dolce vita to the fullest.

Our charming destination is Palazzo Cheto, just over an hour’s drive from Florence airport and 20 minutes from the gorgeous ancient town of Siena. The final approach through a tree-lined avenue led to a magnificent villa on a hilltop. Originally a 13th-century monastery, Palazzo Cheto has been superbly and sympathetically renovated and has nine individually decorated bedrooms, plenty of living space inside and out, and breathtaking views at every turn.

Our cares soon melted away at Palazzo Cheto. We awoke to a cacophony of birdsong and the sight of the mist swirling through the hills in ghostly gossamer clouds. A

sumptuous breakfast was served in the large dining room (the villa comes with a chef), where we planned our dream-like days. We lounged beside the large swimming pool with plenty of dips for cooling, went for energising walks in the nearby forests, and lazed in the sunshine in many of the spaces around the vast landscaped gardens. We devoured plates of delicious local dishes created by our skilled private chef using seasonal local ingredients. Lunch was served in the shade of the gazebo with breathtaking views towards Siena. We sipped our apertivo beside the pool taking in the sunset views and savoured al fresco dinners and local wine in the inner courtyard with its twinkling fairy lights.

Speaking of wine, when we could tear ourselves away from our palatial Tuscan paradise for a moment, we enjoyed winetasting at nearby Estate Montechiaro in the most picturesque of settings surrounded by vines and olive trees. We also visited the charming ancient town of Siena. It’s built over three hills with the majestic Il Campo at its heart - the square famous for the Palio horse race, contested by representatives of the city’s historic contrade (districts) every summer. Siena is a real feast for

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“The perfect bucolic setting for indulging in la dolce vita to the fullest”

The Tuscany Now & More Experience

Tuscany Now & More is a luxury villa company that offers outstanding hand-picked Italian holiday rental properties in Tuscany and beyond. Each property is personally inspected by one of the team from Italy, who spend several weeks every year visiting the villas and their surrounding areas. Personal service ensures guests can be matched to their perfect villa, and the entire trip can be tailor-made to suit their needs, including unlimited 24-hour concierge services. tuscanynowandmore.com

the senses with its diverse architecture, incredible artworks, cobbled streets lined with artisanal boutiques, aromatic pastry shops, and tempting restaurants serving tasty local dishes. We explored the streets on foot to absorb the art and culture before soaking up the friendly Tuscan ambiance over a fabulous lunch at Osteria Il Vinaio. A veritable feast of antipasti in many forms, homemade pasta with sublime sauces, and more of that local wine. There are other exciting ways to experience glorious Tuscany, as we discovered when we took to the skies. We awoke early to meander through the winding lanes to our hot air balloon waiting in a nearby dewy field with its multi-coloured balloon ready for inflation. We bravely clambered into the basket and, with a woosh of flames, magically ascended high into a world of perfect stillness and gasp-inducing views that seemed to go on forever. On landing, we were greeted in a field surrounded by olive trees with chilled Bellinis and a spread of local delicacies from pastries to prosciutto. The perfect ending to an exceptional experience. No matter what your perspective, whether it's exploring the beautiful landscape, enjoying the warm welcome across a delicacy-laden table, or flying high hot-air balloon style, Tuscany certainly delivers in its inimitable style. Living la dolce vita indeed.

tuscanynowandmore.com/ villas/palazzo-cheto

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TRAVEL • TUSCANY
“Lunch was served in the shade of the gazebo with breathtaking views towards Siena”
PERSONALISED HOLIDAYS TO INCREDIBLE DESTINATIONS CANADA • AMERICA • AUSTRALIA • NEW ZEALAND • SOUTH AFRICA Start planning your dream holiday with First Class Holidays T: 0161 888 5632 E: enquiries@fcholidays.com W: fcholidays.com Visit your independent travel agent

PRIVATE LIFE

For an adults-only

only one destination: The Ixian Grand & All Suites

retreat in Rhodes, there's

Whether you like grand romantic gestures or intimate candle-lit dinners, The Ixian Grand & All Suites is the ultimate beachfront hideaway for couples looking to experience a carefree fivestar adults-only break in Rhodes.

Set upon the blissful Ixia beach on the island of Rhodes, the retreat provides an all-inclusive haven full of spontaneous excitement. Located just a short distance away from the island’s airport and from a plethora of key landmarks on the island, The Ixian Grand & All Suites is the ideal hub for exploring the magical surroundings such as the Ancient Ialysos, Filerimos Hill and Rhodes town.

The resort features an array of accommodation options with 10 different, ultra-modern suites with private pools and spa tubs to choose from. New for this season are the renovated Design Inland View rooms, only a few steps away from the main amenities of the hotel and home to state-of-the-art décor oozing soft tones, bohemian design and offering innovative high-tech facilities.

For foodies, The Ixian Grand & All Suites takes guests on a gastronomic journey around the world with the multitude of cuisines available. There are four restaurants on site that offer Mediterranean, Greek, Japanese and Peruvian flavours. Rejoice over a candle lit dinner for two while embracing the spectacular atmosphere. There are two bars on site that benefit

from the most delicious, refreshing cocktails and premium drinks all day long so you can sip on liquid heaven while soaking up that vitamin D. For relaxation lovers, the resort is home to three freshwater pools on site that benefit from breath-taking sea views. Those looking to nourish the body and soul can enjoy a Turkish bath at the Aegeo Spa or treat themselves to a couples massage which will melt away tension and allow you to reconnect with your loved one.

theixiangrand.gr/en/ m

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TRAVEL • PARTNERSHIP

Start making plans for your next family holiday to the beaches of West Sussex

Wellies and Windbreaks

offer the finest collection of holiday homes in the West Sussex coastal villages just south of Chichester. West Wittering is the most well known, famous for its blue flag beach with powder soft sand and the rolling dunes of East Head. The coastal villages of East Wittering, Bracklehsam Bay and Selsey, plus the Chichester Harbour villages of Itchenor and Bosham are equally as popular.

For more information visit our website: www.welliesandwindbreaks.co.uk

Winward West Wittering Anchor East Wittering Seaspray Selsey

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Island LIFE

Discover beautiful beaches and unspoiled countryside laced with miles of footpath offering breath-taking views around every corner. Explore pretty seaside towns and charming rural villages, home to traditional country pubs and luxury waterfront bistros. The Isle of Wight is a destination like no other. Whether it is the unique landscape, the relaxed way of life or the character and charm of the place, the Isle is an unforgettable destination drawing you back time and time again. Leave your passport behind as you relax on sandy beaches and bathe in clear waters. Dine alfresco on local produce and locally distilled spirits, ales and wine and enjoy more hours of sunshine than anywhere else in the UK. Firm summer favourites for outside dining by the sea include The Hut at Totland, Smoking Lobster in Ventnor, The George at Yarmouth and The Crab & Lobster in Bembridge.

Just 1 hour from London and a short ferry hop from Southampton, the Isle of Wight is the jewel in the crown of the south coast – a true paradise Isle. Walk straight from the Hi-Speed Red Jet into the popular sailing town of Cowes with its bustling high street adorned with bunting and flowers. Boutique shops sell everything from fashion and art to homeware and jewellery, while great places to eat and drink with unparalleled Solent views adorn the waterfront.

Coming by car? Arrive with Red Funnel at East Cowes in just 1 hour, a town steeped in maritime and royal history and home to Queen’s Victoria’s palatial Island escape, Osborne. To upgrade your journey, book into Red Funnel’s ‘Signature Lounge’ and sail over in style.

A comfortable and contemporary space, the Signature Lounge offers 360 views of the glistening Solent, enhanced Wi-Fi, table service, complimentary refreshments, a premium bar service and panoramic views of the Solent. See redfunnel.co.uk/signaturelounge for more info and to book your Island escape.

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“More hours of sunshine than anywhere else in the UK”
Fall in love with the Isle of Wight, – the jewel of the south coast
TRAVEL • PARTNERSHIP

Alegoria Casa is based in Brazil, our mission is to transform tables into a place full of smiles and joy, not only for Brazil, but the world

Our work starts from extensive research, study and sourcing of the best materials. A truly handmade, manual creation, which makes each piece of our Art unique.

Paints are imported from the United Kingdom and United States, Alegoria Casa selects only first-rate crystals for its productions.

The result is a portfolio of over 50 unique prints for cups, glasses, plates and vases which are shipped worldwide.

Visit www.alegoriacasa.com.br @alegoria.casa

Luxury Holiday Rentals at Glenmor

Make yourselves at home in the heart of Gleneagles

The Gleneagles experience is oneof a kind – you can now enjoy it from the comfort of a Glenmor luxury holiday home, located in the heart of Gleneagles. On your stay you can enjoy complimentary golf for one person, plus access to all of the leisure, dining and pursuits of the 5 star estate. We have 2, 3 and 4 bedroom properties available, perfect for all the family. With prices starting from £3,680 for a 2 bed, £4,630 for a 3 bed and £5,080 for a 4 bed for 7 nights.

ALLEGORY_HOUSE_ABS_APR2023.indd 1 21/03/2023 14:44
Find out more: GLENEAGLES.COM/GLENMOR + 44 (0)1764 694321 OWN@GLENEAGLES.COM The Timeshare, Holiday Products, Resale and Exchange Contracts Regulation 2010 requires Gleneaglesto provide you with certain key information in relation to the proposed seasonal ownership contract. A standard information form which contains this key information in relation to that contract may beobtained by contacted us via the above methods.
BOOK AN APPOINTMENT TO VISIT OUR LUXURY LIFESTYLE SHOWROOM | UXBRIDGE ROAD HATCH END HA5 4JS | 020 8421 1779 Spring Sale Now On 30 EST. 1993 WWW.CHAPLINS.CO.UK 25,000 SQ FT SHOWROOM - 180 TOP BRANDS UNDER ONE ROOF - CELEBRATING 30 YEARS

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in this section

POGGENPOHL KITCHENS 139

FORTY FIVE KENSINGTON 140

IN & OUT 143

LOVEDAY ABBEY ROAD 145

SUMMER BREEZE

The Lavinia wallpaper was inspired by a 1920s Chinese silk shawl, which influenced this exquisite design. temperleylondon.com

TEMPERLEY LONDON X ROMO
137 ABSOLUTELY magazines

WOW FACTOR

What makes a premium kitchen? It's all in the details, says Poggenpohl

Premium products are often set apart from mid-market competitors by design components so subtle that it takes the most discerning eye to spot them. In this instance, the door fronts are bookmatched with vertical grain in Smoked Oak. The division of where each door or drawer starts and another one finishes is almost invisible, allowing the beauty of the wood and the overall design to take centre stage.

The resurgence of darker hues has definitely been seen across all Poggenpohl Studios, and in this kitchen, dark cabinetry pairs with paler worktops as well as metallics to help lift the room and bounce light around the space. The walls are decorated with antique bronze mirror glass, which creates muted reflections and warms the space.

Here, the designer opted for open wall shelving to display visually appealing items, while the large drawers and doors below the Calacatta Imperiale Porcelain are for everyday crockery and cutlery. A fabulous addition to this space was the creation and installation of a bespoke hanging shelf from the ceiling above

the peninsula, made in the same Smoked Oak as the doors and with an embedded LED strip for overhead task lighting.

The ‘Showcase’ glass fronted cabinets that sit under the hob also have Antique Bronze Mirror Glass in the backs, sending light bouncing around and filling the inside with a soft, warm glow. The glass on the doors is tinted, and encased in bronze Aluminium frames. These stunning display cabinets with integrated lighting can be used for decorative items, as well as ornaments that should be protected from little fingers.

By using open shelving, rather than filling the walls with cabinets, the room appears lighter and brighter. But there is no shortage of storage for all the necessary pots and pans. In fact, large drawers can offer a much better ergonomic use of storage. The end result is a truly stunning space that will stand the test of time and will continue to be a real ‘wow’ factor when guests arrive into this home.

There are 17 Poggenpohl studios in the UK. For your nearest or for further information, visit poggenpohl.com or call 01727 738 100.

ABSOLUTELY magazines 139 INTERIORS • PARTNERSHIP
POGGENPOHL

THE PLACE TO BE IN KENSINGTON

Scan here for more information

Located in the heart of London’s Royal Borough, Forty Five Kensington offers a refined, but thoroughly enjoyable experience.

Whether you’re looking to dine, simply find a relaxing but classy bar to catch up with friends, or fancy the excitement of the Gaming Floor, we pride ourselves on offering the opulence that comes with being in London’s most-prestigious Borough, whilst making it an unassuming and easygoing visit.

Try the delights of our restaurant, which offers fine dining in an intimate yet welcoming setting, with service that leaves you feeling truly satisfied. Our wildly enticing menu gives you options from locally sourced steaks cooked to taste, to the finest quality seafood, we pride ourselves on having something to suit your entire party.

Enjoy a drink in our elegant bar area located downstairs next to our lively gaming floor which holds all your favourite table games. Or if electronic gaming is more your thing, head upstairs where you’ll find state-ofthe-art gaming machines with all the ambience of larger gaming venues.

Whether you’re a discerning gamer wanting to take your skills to the next level or looking for somewhere to have an enjoyable evening of dining and entertainment, Forty Five Kensington promises to go above and beyond every expectation.

OPENING TIMES

GAMING

2PM TO 5AM EVERY DAY

RESTAURANT

7PM - 1AM

TUESDAY- SATURDAY

Forty Five Kensington | 45 Cromwell Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 2EF | +44 (0)20 7589 4041
Your Stately Home chateaubrachet.com +33 (0) 458 62 01 01 48 impasse des Couduriers Grésy-sur-Aix - Savoy - France See You @ Château Brachet

Looking for the perfect place to tie the knot?

Look no further than The In & Out – home of the Naval and Military Club. This gorgeous and versatile venue, steeped in tradition, can accommodate a variety of weddings, from intimate ceremonies to grand receptions up to 120 guests.

Nestled in the heart of London, this Grade II* Listed Building offers an array of licenced rooms filled with history, large windows, beautiful paintings, sparkling chandeliers, sweeping staircases, double height ceilings and spectacular fireplaces, leading out to a secluded outdoor Courtyard which is a sheer delight for taking scenic photographs, alfresco soirées and receptions.

WEDDING BLISS

Tie the knot in style at The In & Out

which make a spectacular setting to enjoy an intimate moment as the newlyweds, a perfect spot for photographs or to host your champagne reception.

Meticulous care has been taken to retain all the original features that adorn the magnificent palladium style across the diverse spaces that makes The In & Out so unique. The other distinctive privileges include private access to the stunning adjacent St James’s Gardens

A variety of customisable wedding packages are available to suit your specific needs and preferences. The opulent Bridal Suite offers you a haven to enjoy on your first night as newly-weds! Or check in the night prior to start the celebrations early. With additional 52 newly refurbished bedrooms and suites for your guests to enjoy which offer a perfect end to the day’s celebrations, with group bookings easy to arrange.

So why wait? Contact this unique venue, schedule a tour, and start planning the wedding of your dreams.

weddings@theinandout.co.uk theinandout.co.uk

ABSOLUTELY magazines 143
LUXE • PARTNERSHIP

A MILLION MILES FROM EVERYDAY

of
Coworth
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JOIN

THE CLUB

Loveday, London’s first private members club with care built in, has just opened in St John’s Wood.

Loveday Abbey Road is a brand-new property with care at its core not only offering unparalleled hospitality and round-theclock care support, but also a power-house for cutting edge design and beautiful, tailormade environments – both inside and out.

Loveday Abbey Road is an elegant 26-suite residence with an uncompromising and never-ending commitment to

care, ideally situated no distance from Lord’s cricket ground, Abbey Road studios and internationally-acclaimed hospitals such as The Wellington.

Providing the benefit of the highest ratio of carers to members in the country, the team at Loveday Abbey Road are passionately devoted to providing specialist care for those living with dementia and/or age-related conditions, as well as hospitality that would not be out of place in a 5-star hotel.

The property opened in January 2023 and presents an ingenious blend of modernity and history, having been created together with leading hospitality architects ReardonSmith to guarantee a structure with the ultimate care and safety features, innovative technology and high standards of luxury and comfort, whilst retaining the original historic façade.

Loveday are unique in offering a Membership that opens up all of Loveday to families, from a few hours of support

at home, spending the day at Abbey Road enjoying the events programme and a stunning lunch, to short respite stays or even moving in full time, the choice is yours. All backed up by exacting hospitality standards, award winning chefs and our lifestyle and medical concierge.

The centre piece of Loveday Abbey Road is the large sensory garden, opening out from the dining room to a terrace café, sumptuous planting, a scattering of benches to enjoy every angle of the waterwall and a corner dedicated to the Member’s gardening club. Loveday look forward to welcoming our new neighbours to enjoy the garden for themselves.

LOVEDAY

Loveday are open to tours and visits, please contact Lisa Nichols on info@lovedayandco.com to arrange your visit.

020 3281 1890

ABSOLUTELY magazines 145
LUXURY • PARTNERSHIP
Loveday Abbey Road is London's first private members' club with care built in
“Specialist care for those living with dementia”
No.4 St James’s Square, London SW1Y 4JU +44 (0)20 7827 5757 | weddings@theinandout.co.uk www.theinandout.co.uk “Begin your journey behind the door of number 4”!

Embracing an innovative, modern approach whilst keeping traditional values at its core, Kew House School takes an exciting stance on 21st century education. With state-of-the-art facilities, a broad curriculum and excellent pastoral care, Kew House is a place where you would want to be – a place of learning and discovery, laughter and friendship.

Book your place at one of our Open Events at www.kewhouseschool.com/ openevents @KewHouseSchool DISCOVER MORE T: 020 8742 2038 W: www.kewhouseschool.com An independent co-educational senior school for students aged 11-18 in West London

EDUCATION

SUPER SIXTH

MAIDA VALE SCHOOL

Sixth Form Facilities at Maida Vale School include a large Independent Learning area containing a café, library, social break-out spaces and quiet study areas. There's also an impressive roof terrace, audio-visual suite, recording studio and bright classrooms. maidavaleschool.com

Talking head: London Park School 151 • Prioritising mental health 152
149 ABSOLUTELY magazines

SOCIAL Entrepreneurship

Paul Vanni, Founding Head of the soon-to-open Senior London Park School Clapham, discusses its approach

Schools have for decades taught business studies and economics. For longer still they have taught numeracy and financial literacy and have instilled in generations of students the kind of dynamism and chutzpah that traditionally have seemed essential to business, particularly the world of the entrepreneur.

Over the years, competitions such as Young Enterprise have done much to promote the entrepreneurial spirit. Sir Alan Sugar and the glamour of The Apprentice have only served to make entrepreneurial pathways more attractive to young people. This approach to business, however, centres on the bottom line. In a modern, progressive school we should be able to harness this in a way which is more altruistic.

At London Park School Clapham, we want our students to have a real understanding of the world around them and of their place in it, and to have the wherewithal to be positive changemakers. We want the school to be a base camp for inquisitive

minds and to empower leaders for a new world. As such, we have a focus on social entrepreneurship – we want our students to have the skills and real-world understanding to develop, fund and implement solutions to social, cultural and environmental issues. These solutions eventually need to be self-propelling and sustainable, not reliant on the industry of one or two individuals. Students will work hard to develop an understanding of the challenges facing the world and – alongside our academically rigorous curriculum – we run our own courses structured around the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Once you have understood an issue and felt that sense of personal agency, the next challenge is to decide what to do to tackle it head on. This is really where social entrepreneurship comes in. Our students will be encouraged to develop innovative solutions to real-world problems and much of what we will do will be centred on encouraging critical thinking and the links between di erent disciplines.

In Design Technology, for example, students will look at practical issues faced by people su ering from rheumatoid arthritis. Building on this, and drawing on skills learnt in Mathematics, Computer Science and IT, they will design – and in some cases build – devices to improve the quality of life of others. Students will be given the guidance to take their ideas and make them accessible.

Young people will learn financial literacy and digital marketing. They will also learn to work together to formulate plans and develop ideas, turning them into real business outcomes. Support will be given not just by teachers, but also by local professionals who share our sense of community and our desire to be ethical changemakers.

These mentors will work with us to deliver student-led ventures, providing invaluable experience of entrepreneurship and of how to run a start-up business. We will provide the space and the platform at London Park School Clapham. Our students will demonstrate their capacity for understanding and empathy, and their ability to make the world a better place.

“We want the school to be a base camp for inquisitive minds and to empower leaders for a new world”
LONDON PARK SCHOOL CLAPHAM WILL PRIORITISE REAL-WORLD LEARNING
EDUCATION • TALKING HEAD 151 ABSOLUTELY magazines

HEALTHY MINDS

Knightsbridge School’s pioneering Place2Be partnership prioritises good mental health across the whole community. Absolutely Education finds out more

152 ABSOLUTELY magazines

Child mental health has risen up the agenda over the past decade. This is thanks, in part, to landmark work by the charity Place2Be. High-profile support – notably from HRH The Princess of Wales – has helped to spread the message about the value of early support to build children’s wellbeing and their ability to talk through emotions and problems. It’s so obviously a good idea that it’s easy to forget we weren’t always so attuned to the challenges young people face.

Knightsbridge School stands out for spotting the need early. KS Principal and Founder Magoo Giles brought Place2Be into the school back in 2014 as a partnership. It was the first independent day school to take this step. The partnership is supported enthusiastically by pupils, parents and staff

– all benefit from Place2Be’s independent counselling support and advice service.

Paula Losch is the School Project Manager for Place2Be and is based at KS for three days a week. While she is employed by the charity, she considers herself part of the school team and is very much involved with day-to-day life. “Anyone can talk to me – we offer a service to the parents, the students and the staff,” she says, adding: “As Mr Magoo always says, ‘It’s a compassion service’”. Compassion is an important word here –offering a service that anyone can use freely helps to embed a mindset of self-care, also, as one staff member put it: ‘a level playing field’. Visibility is key to this school culture. Take, for instance, the location of the Place2Be office, a few steps from the school’s dining hall – a place children pass every day. This reinforces the idea that it’s as normal to tend to your mind as to refuel your body. There’s an open-door approach – so any

child or young person can knock on the door for a ‘Place2Talk’ session and get counselling for whatever is bothering them. It might be worries about work, friends, or something that makes them sad – perhaps the absence of a family member or loss of a pet. There are other ways to approach Place2Be. Children can leave a slip in a box, ask their teacher to book them in or their parents can email at any time.

“When a child comes to us, what we do, depends on the child,” says Paula Losch. “Children communicate in so many ways and are eager to express themselves. We offer them a safe space to share their feelings and thoughts verbally, but also through art and play.” Alongside one-to-one chats, there are in-class circle times where children

are encouraged to discuss issues together. This feeds back into the knowledge KS and Place2Be have of wider potential problems –think of it as an early warning system for the issues that might be coming down the track. Parents can and do access support, too. This is a vital part of the service, and what KS calls the Parent Partnership. Family therapy is offered, along with one-to-one support if parents request it. “It’s not an easy job parenting,” says Paula Losch. “It’s difficult for everyone. We’re not there to humiliate or shame any parent. We offer this to parents to empower them and say, ‘you know, it’s really not easy, what can we do to support you in this?’.”

Knightsbridge School has a very international cohort, wonderful for the life and spirit of the community, but it can bring its own difficulties. Families may be a long way from home and their own support networks, and they may be adjusting to life in a busy city

ABSOLUTELY magazines 153 EDUCATION • WELLBEING
“The Place2Be office is near the school’s dining hall –reinforcing the idea that it’s as normal to tend to your mind as to refuel your body”
KNIGHTSBRIDGE SCHOOL WELLBEING AMBASSADOR WITH YOUNGER KS PUPILS

environment. And, like every school, KS feels the impact of geopolitics – for instance, there are families from Ukraine and Russia here. While there can be worries specific to families, Paula Losch says parents around the world share a lot of common ground when it comes to concerns about their children. “Parents all deal with the same sorts of issues – children struggling with friendships, with anxiety related to friendships, to social media.”

With this in mind, Place2Be hosts a forum for parents every term on a key issue. This is ‘ear to the ground’ stu gathered via in-class circle times or the things that individual students are mentioning. “Without divulging who brought the issues, we talk about the things we are hearing, the things

our pupils are struggling with.” Parents can also flag up issues they are worried about – there’s a vibrant parent group called Knowledge Society, which co-ordinates many elements of the wider Parent Partnership.

All KS parents also have access to Place2Be’s Parenting Smart website and online courses – a series of online modules that talk about situations every parent deals with – such as setting boundaries, giving praise and reward and managing temper tantrums. It’s designed for parents of 4 to 11-year-olds and free to access.

There are, as we are all coming to realise, specific issues since the pandemic. Paula Losch shares that teenagers have been particularly badly a ected. “We see more

and more teenagers having issues with depression and thinking they’re not capable, and that it is all too much.” Pre and post pandemic, boys are harder to reach – more reluctant to get help when they are down – something the whole team at Place2Be are working hard to address. “Whereas girls come, they talk, and they are used to having support – and then they can work through their emotions,” says Paula Losch.

“That’s something therapy gives you – you become much more resourceful.” In other words, it builds tools and inner resources to help with current problems and problems you might face down the line.

“Counselling is not about giving advice, but asking the right questions so that the child can find the best solution,” she adds.

And that’s the thing about Knightsbridge School’s work with Place2Be. It is embedding the kind of child-centred support that builds a toolkit, giving young people strength and resourcefulness for today’s and tomorrow’s challenges. It’s a mark of how e ective – and well-loved – the partnership has become that parents have made Place2Be a cornerstone charity, alongside Royal Chelsea Hospital and The Knightsbridge School Education Foundation (which provides generous full bursaries). This means Place2Be fundraising takes place all year round and KS has also helped to pass it forward by supporting its services in local partner state schools.

Speaking about the partnership, Head, Shona Colaço has said: “Place2Be has opened our young people’s eyes to the importance of good mental health and helped to nurture empathy and self-awareness in our school community. We owe it to our children to care for their mental and physical wellbeing as the springboard to success in school”.

“Parents all deal with the same sorts of issues – children struggling with friendships, with anxiety related to friendships, to social media”
EDUCATION • WELLBEING
KS PUPILS KNOW IT’S GOOD TO SHARE HOW THEY FEEL MAGOO GILES (RIGHT) AT A PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION FUNDRAISING GALA

Exceptional

English-French bilingual education for boys and girls aged 3 to 15.

Based in the heart of London, Collège Français Bilingue de Londres (CFBL) provides exceptional English-French bilingual education to girls and boys from Nursery to Year 10. Our pupils are nurtured in a welcoming environment where they can discover the joys of learning, supported by attentive teaching staff. CFBL is a multicultural environment with over 35 different nationalities, where pupils grow into creative, open-minded individuals.

To find out more and book an open day, please visit: cfbl.org.uk/open-days 87 Holmes Road, London NW5 3AX | www.cfbl.org.uk admissions@cfbl.org.uk | 020 7993 7400

Surf’s Up

Surfing is officially among the fastest growing sports in the UK, but if you’re a parent you probably know that already. It has seen an explosion recently despite the unpredictable British weather and, if you add in body boarding and other permutations, figures suggest a doubling in participation over the past five years. Children love it, it doesn’t require too much expensive kit, they can continue into adult life, and they are generally good at it. Parents, on the other hand, may struggle to keep up. It’s physically exhausting and it can be a trial if you’re not a natural water baby – or a natural surfing teacher.

Enter Schools Go Surfing, offering a smart alternative with school trips that let every level of surfer from 13-18 develop

their skills. Little wonder many schools are already signing up for an activity-based trip that teaches a really cool sport, as well as confidence, endurance and have-a-go spirit. Surf training is taken as seriously as the fun on the water, so small group lessons (typically 5-8) enable every ability and aptitude to improve skills and confidence. The company was founded by William Carr, a Hartbury alumnus and surfing aficionado. The idea grew from surf trips he had organised for university students. After spending four years working within the school travel market, he developed Schools Go Surfing to deliver surfing and wellbeing holidays for school-led groups. Wellbeing elements are – the company believes –intrinsic to surfing, thanks to close contact with waves and ocean. But trips also include yoga sessions, and outdoor experiences in some of the most beautiful locations around.

Cornwall remains a first choice among schools, but some are setting their sights further afield and Schools Go Surfing also takes groups across Europe and to top surf spots in Morocco, Costa Rica, Sri Lanka and the Indonesian island of Bali. This offers eye-opening opportunities beyond the beach – from visiting UNESCO World Heritage sites and ancient souks to wildlife reserves. It also means trips can be organised year round.

Tailormade elements are often requested – for instance, language learning, city trips, ocean conservation and craft workshops. Of course, school trips need to have a holiday flavour, and there’s everything from volleyball and football tournaments on the beach to star gazing, talent shows and live music in the evenings. There’s also a strong focus on getting the comfort right, so accommodation ranges from specialist (and vetted) surf camps and villas to boutique hotels. Just as importantly, perpetually ravenous teens are kept surf primed-and-ready with food that balances fuelling up needs with good nutrition.

schoolsgosurfing.com

“Surf training is taken as seriously as fun on the water, so small group lessons enable every ability and aptitude to improve”
A Schools Go Surfing holiday is about catching the waves, and with cool extras ranging from yoga to ocean conservation
EDUCATION • SCHOOL’S OUT
SCHOOLS GO SURFING TRAVELS TO TOP SPOTS FOR WAVE ACTION
JOIN US FOR OUR OPEN DAY 20th May 2023 Award winning education set in a 30 acre Tudor Estate, nestled between Snowdonia National Park and the North Wales coastline GLODDAETH HALL, LLANDUDNO LL30 1RD | ADMISSIONS@STDAVIDSCOLLEGE.CO.UK | TEL: +44 (0)1492 875974 For more information, scan this QR code or visit STDAVIDSCOLLEGE.CO.UK Independent Day & Boarding School Ages 9-19

STAYING in CONTROL

Why you should use parental controls (and how to make sure they work)

Nine out of ten children in the UK will own their own smartphone by the time they’re 11, according to a 2022 Ofcom study. While this adoption of internet devices comes with many social and educational benefits, parents can be forgiven for wanting some sort of control over their kids’ digital lives. Despite this, Ofcom found that while 90% of parents are aware of internet safety controls, only 70% use them. As children’s lives become more entwined with the internet, it’s more important than ever for parents to understand exactly how parental controls work and how they protect kids.

SAFETY FIRST

More than a third of children have seen something ‘worrying or nasty’ online in the past 12 months, according to Ofcom.

Parental controls can help reduce this risk by limiting what kids see and who they speak to online, allowing parents to track their digital activity and keep an eye on what they’re exposed to. No more watching over shoulders when the kids are on their phones. You can get peace of mind and let them explore the world of the internet with your own boundaries in place.

HEALTHY ONLINE HABITS

The younger generation are often described as ‘digital natives’, but even natives can be naive. Ofcom found that while the majority of 12-17-year-olds were confident they could identify a fake site online, only 11 per cent correctly clicked on the genuine social media post in a test. Parental controls can block these kinds of suspicious posts or websites, giving children an ongoing lesson in what sort of websites, links and posts to avoid.

TIME LIMITS

Worried the kids are spending too much time on TikTok? Parental controls can let you set up time-restraints, helping reduce screen time and tackling unhealthy habits. You can also set access limits during certain hours of the day. This means you can prevent children from waking up in the middle of the night, grabbing their phone, and scrolling through social media until sunrise.

MAKING SURE CONTROLS WORK

Rather than setting up controls in every device and app your children use, one option to protect your family is to use parental controls that are set directly at your Wi-Fi router. There are a number of products that give you this control. Some broadband suppliers, like Swish Fibre, provide customers with routers featuring built-in parental controls which are managed with an app. This means that no matter what devices your children are using, you can be sure any parental controls you’ve set are keeping them safe.

Visit

All statistics in this article were found in the following Ofcom report: (ofcom.org.uk/research-and-data/media-literacyresearch/childrens/children-and-parents-mediause-and-attitudes-report-2022)

ABSOLUTELY magazines 159 EDUCATION • PARTNERSHIP
swishfibre.com to see how you can enjoy fast, reliable broadband that works for the whole family
PARENTS SHOULD BE AWARE OF WHAT THEIR CHILDREN ARE USING THE INTERNET FOR

An

Independent School for Boys and Girls aged 4-11

Quality of Pupils’ Achievement and Learning - “Excellent”

Quality of Teaching - “Excellent”

Quality of Extra-curricular Provision - “Excellent”

Quality of Pastoral Care - “Excellent”

Quality of Links with Parents - “Excellent”

Quality of Pupils’ Personal Development – “Excellent”

‘’The curriculum is excellent for all ages and abilities, and is expertly matched to meet the needs of the range of pupils in the school.’’

Independent Schools Inspectorate Report - March 2016

Open Mornings

Open Mornings

9.15am Tuesday 14th November

9.15am Thursday 9th May 2019

9.15am Thursday 18th January 2018

9.15am Tuesday 11th June 2019

To book your place on an open morning, please go to www.rpps.co.uk/openmornings or phone 020 8846 9153

9.15am Thursday 1st February 2018

To book your place on an open morning, please go to rpps.co.uk/admissions or phone 020 8846 9153

To register your attendance at one of our open mornings, please phone 0208 846 9153 or mail secretary@rpps.co.uk

Ravenscourt Park Prep School

16 Ravenscourt Avenue, London W6 0SL www.rpps.co.uk

preparatory school RAVENSCOURT PARK
RPPS.indd 1 23/04/2019 12:48
RPPS_PRINT.indd 1

An Independent School for Boys and Girls aged 4-11

Quality of Pupils’ Achievement and Learning - “Excellent”

Quality of Teaching - “Excellent”

Quality of Extra-curricular Provision - “Excellent”

Quality of Pastoral Care - “Excellent”

Quality of Links with Parents - “Excellent”

Quality of Pupils’ Personal Development – “Excellent”

“Pupils of all ages benefit from a rich and exciting curriculum.”

Independent Schools Inspectorate Report - July 2015

To book your place on an open morning, please go to www.kgps.co.uk/openmornings or phone 020 8948 5999

Kew Green Preparatory School

Layton House, Ferry Lane, Kew Green, Richmond TW9 3AF www.kgps.co.uk

KEW
GREEN preparatory school
KGPS.indd 1 22/07/2020 12:52 Where inquisitive minds meet future trailblazers Open Mornings 3 May 2023 - FULLY BOOKED 7 June 2023 22 June 2023 morehouse.org.uk
AWARD WINNING BATHROOM SHOWROOM & TILE GALLERY Tel: 01784 426900 193 L ondon Road I Staines-upon-Thames I TW18 4 HR E-mail: sales@batheandbeyond.com Monday - Saturday: 9.00am - 5.00pm www.batheandbeyond.com PROUDLY INDEPENDENTSince 1989 Over 50 Bathroom Displays l Working Displays l 4D Design Service l Quality Brands l Large Car Park

PROPERTY

HOME PARK ROAD

SW19

£4,325,000

This elegant and spacious modern family house enjoys far reaching views across Wimbledon Park and towards the The All England Lawn Tennis Club. The property offers a reception hall, two reception rooms, a combined kitchen, dining and family room, a multi-purpose room, a main bedroom suite, three bedrooms, three bathrooms, southerly gardens, a garage, gated OSP and a wine store. ER/C.

ROBERT HOLMES & COMPANY

Wimbledon Village, 35 High Street, London SW19 5BY 020 8947 9833

enquiries@robertholmes.co.uk robertholmes.co.uk

ABSOLUTELY magazines 163

Avenue

£2,307 per week

With five bedrooms and two reception rooms, this impressive house has been recently refurbished throughout. There is the added bonus of a wine cellar and a split-level garden, energy rating c.

020 8742 4100

chiswicklettings@fletcherestates.com

£1,500 per week

An exceptional double fronted home offering plenty of living space. There are five bedrooms, two reception rooms, a large eat-in kitchen and a beautiful secluded garden, perfect for hosting, energy rating e.

020 8742 4100 chiswicklettings@fletcherestates.com

Upham Park Road, W4

020 8742 4100

chiswicklettings@fletcherestates.com

Moments

020 8742 4100 chiswicklettings@fletcherestates.com

fletcherestates.com
Located just off Chiswick High Road, a four bedroom family home arranged across three floors. The property has a modern kitchen and dining room which opens onto a patio garden, energy rating d. £1,211 per week from Chiswick Park station, a five bedroom Victorian house which is well-presented throughout. There is an open plan kitchen with bi-folding doors leading to the garden, energy rating d. Ivy Crescent, W4 £1,211 per week Gardens, W3 St Mary’s Grove, W4

Homefield Road, W4

Positioned in the heart of Chiswick, a six bedroom, semi-detached house providing excellent entertaining space. There is a generous reception room and a dining room opening onto the rear garden. Chiswick House, Ravenscourt Park and the River Thames are all within easy reach.

fletcherestates.com 020 7603
1415 brookgreensales@fletcherestates.com £4,150,000
A striking three bedroom apartment set within an exclusive development. There is an open plan reception area which leads onto a wraparound balcony providing panoramic views of the Thames. Residents have access to a swimming pool, gym and spa, energy rating b.
020 8987 3000 chiswicksales@fletcherestates.com
Parr’s Way, W6 £3,000,000

Lambourne Avenue, Wimbledon

£5,300,000

Enjoying an excellent positon on a plot of 0.428 acre in a quiet culde-sac with a superb, spacious annexe. 4 reception rooms, kitchen/ dining/family room with study, 6 bedrooms, 4 bath/shower rooms (incl annexe), terrace and garden, garage & OSP ER/C

St John’s Road, Wimbledon Village £ 4,250,000

Re-built and extended to an exceptional standard in a peaceful location with far reaching views. Open plan reception/hall/dining, drawing room, sitting room/snug, sleek kitchen, basement with courtyard, 3/4 bedrooms, 3 bath/showers, gardens, gated OSP ER/C

Queensmere Road, Wimbledon

£3,850,000

With a large 113’ secluded Southerly facing garden well placed for Wimbledon Common. Double reception/dining room, family room, kitchen/breakfast room, 5 bedrooms, annexe/bed 6/gym, 3 bath/shower rooms, OSP & garden storage ER/C

Lancaster Road, Wimbledon Village

£3,650,000

Located in the heart of the Village, with a south facing garden and offstreet parking. 2 reception rooms, family room, kitchen, breakfast room, study, 5 bedrooms, 3 bath/showers, OSP ER/D

www.robertholmes.co.uk Wimbledon Village Office Sales: 020 8947 9833 Lettings: 020 8879 9669

Redhill, Surrey A NEW LANDSCAPE for luxury living

Oakley Gardens, it is a beautiful gated designed collection of 8 luxury apartments and two, three, four bedroom boutique houses, nestled within spectacular countryside surroundings, close to an abundance of amenities with convenient transport links.

•Set in a gated estate of a Grade II Listed Manor House.

•2 acres of private parkland.

•Less then 10 minutes drive to Redhill and Reigate historic town centre.

• 35 minutes via train to London Victoria.

• 37 minutes via train to London Bridge.

• 16 minutes Gatwick Airport.

STAGE 3 LAUNCH

21-22 April

Please call Dion Homes on 020 3633 6527 to arrange an appointment

www.dionhomes.co.uk

Welcome to Oakley Gardens a premier development by Dion Homes
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