ABSOLUTELY CITY & EAST NORTH BY NORTHWEST
MAY 2017 / £3.95
Rogue Trade Traderr
TOKYO NIGHTS East Asia meets East London
THE FLATS RULING THE FASHION WORLD
TOMMI MIERS KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL
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CONTEMPORARY ELEGANCE IN THE HEART OF THE CITY CITY OF LONDON | OPENING JUNE 2017
DISCOVER MORE info.city@dorsetthotels.com dorsetthotels.com/unitedkingdom/london/city
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May 2017
55 c u lt u r e
21 fa s h i o n
10 ABSOLUTELY LOVES
22 FASHION CONFIDENTIAL
14
WHAT’S ON
24 KHAKI ARMY
TOKYO NIGHTS
32 ROGUE MATILDA
10 things we really want this month
18
Diary dates for May Proud East brings a taste of the oriental to the bank of Regents Canal
This month’s hottest trends and products Military is having a moment
We meet the brains behind the shoe brand
H E A LT H & B E AU T Y
36 BEAUTY CONFIDENTIAL The month's best beauty buys
39 SLEEP CURES
All our favourite skin saviours
Food & Drink
42 KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL Tasty happenings from the local area
Cover: PA P E R L O N D O N R e s o r t We a r 1 7 C o l l e c t i o n a v a i l a b l e : p a p e rl o n d o n .c o m
46 THOMASINA MIERS
Home cooking with the founder of Wahaca
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41
t r av e l
56 THE BIG FIVE
On safari in Tanzania: Discover a once-in-alifetime trip to the African Highlands
interiors
62 INTERIOR INSPIRATIONS News and views from the designers
64 PLAIN ENGLISH
Behind the scenes with the UK's most stylish
PROPERTY
84 PROPERTY NEWS News and views on the area
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EDITOR IN CHIEF PENDLE HARTE DIGITAL EDITOR HANNAH HOPKINS EDUCATION EDITOR AMANDA CONSTANCE ASSISTANT EDITOR HELEN BROWN FASHION & BEAUTY WRITER JOY MONTGOMERY GROUP COMMERCIAL MANAGER JAMES FUSCHILLO COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR LEAH DAY-ABALOS PROPERTY DIRECTOR ANDY ELMER PROPERTY EDITOR TAMAR VANDERHOEK ART DIRECTOR PHIL COUZENS SENIOR DESIGNER PAWEL KUBA PRODUCTION MANAGER CHRIS COUCHMAN MID-WEIGHT DESIGNER EKREM YILMAZ DESIGNER REBECCA NOONAN MARKETING MANAGER NEFELI KRITIKOU FINANCIAL CONTROLLER JERRIE KOLECI CREDIT CONTROL MANAGER ALEXANDRA HVID DIRECTOR ALEXANDRA HUNTER MANAGING DIRECTOR SHERIF SHALTOUT PA TO DIRECTORS KERRY HOLLINGSWORTH
For editorial enquiries please email: pendle@zest-media.com For advertising enquiries please call 020 7704 0588 or email: advertising@zest-media.com
First Floor, 197 City Road, London EC1V 1JN T: 020 7704 0588 F: 020 7900 3020 zest.london Zest Media Publications Ltd. cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited submissions, manuscripts and photographs. While every care is taken, prices and details are subject to change and Zest Media Publications Ltd. take no responsibility for omissions or errors. We reserve the right to publish and edit any letters. All rights reserved.
Fo l l ow Us O n Fa c e b o o k @ABSOLUTELYMAGAZINES T wi t t e r & In s t a g ra m @ABSOLUTELY_MAGS We b si t e
a b s o l u t e l y. l o n d o n
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Editor’s LETTER
L
ondon’s fast pace lends itself perfectly to a pop-up. The continual hunt for the next new thing manifests itself in a wealth of momentary mini-eateries, housed within shipping containers or makeshift bars. Here one minute, gone the next. In this issue, we discover London’s latest offering in this perpetuating trend - Proud East’s Pop-Up Japan. Here you can get stuck into sushi making, discover the fresh flavours of Japanese cuisine and create your own blend of Matcha tea; all with Sake cocktail in hand. From the East of Asia we move to the plains of Africa where the wilderness awaits. Read about a once-in-a-lifetime safari trip in Tanzania on page 56. On the notion of travel, the theme of this season’s Affordable Art Fair explores the relationship between art and travel. It brings the very best of the global art market right here to Hampstead where you can pick up reasonably priced pieces for the home. All this and the usual mix of local events, shopping advice and property news. Enjoy the magazine. ◆
pendle harte Editor
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10
ELLIE LINES
This London-based brand focuses on 100% silk and gorgeous prints. Pieces are luxurious, stylish and fun and encapsulate the jet-set era of the 60’s and 70’s. This dress is from a selection at ellielines.co.uk
Things We
ABSOLUTELY GOLD STANDARD
With its subtle notes of Siberian 'golden root' and beautifully embossed bottle, Russian Standard Gold embodies the vibrant spirit of Russian generosity and gift giving. £22; thewhiskyexchange.com
EXOTIC INTERIORS
Add cheer to your favourite chair with this toucan print yellow cushion. Its bright colours and exotic design will bring an element of fun to vintage home furnishing. £19.54; maisonsdumonde.com
Compiled By
H E L E N B R OW N
ABSTRACT ACCESSORIES
Isabel Marant's earrings have a creative artsy feel. Tap one of this season’s favorite trends and wear yours one at a time. £180; net-a-porter.com
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ABSOLUTELY / LOVES UTERQÜE
Fall in love with Zara’s posh and grown up sister brand, Uterqüe. It has the same knack for nailing styles women want to wear with luxe fabric and high-end designs. uterque.com
HANG TIME
This pendant lamp has been designed by Cristina Celestino with the structure of women’s jewellery in mind. It’s perfect for adding a touch of Italian elegance to any home. £390; theconranshop.com
GOLDEN VIEWS
These Aviator-style sunglasses from Tomas Maier are crafted in Italy from gold-tone metal. The sleek brow bar flatters many face shapes and the yellow lense is perfectly on-trend for spring. £200; net-a-porter.com
SPRING SLIDES
Gucci's horsebit-detailed loafers are so iconic they're included in the costume collection at New York's MoMA. This Princetown pair is reworked into a backless slide style, ideal for warmer days. £480; net-a-porter.com
CULT CARRIES
COLOUR WATCH
Philosophy Di Lorenzo Serafini’s SS17 collection drew inspiration from cult ‘80s film The Blue Lagoon. Perfectly sized for the essentials, this cross body bag will be your spring style staple. £285; farfetch.com
The classic design and radiant green dial of this timepiece from Thomas Sabo radiates positive joie de vivre throughout the year. £210; thomassabo.com
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INSPIRATION & DESIGN
40 Offord Road, Islington, London N1 020 7700 1444 www.thetilebox.co.uk TILE BOX NOV_V3.indd 1
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> WHAT'S ON
p.14
PROUD EAST'S JAPANESE POP-UP
p.18
Illustration by Eliza Southwood
SOUNDS OF THE CITY The London Transport Museum's annual prize for illustration attracted over a thousand entries; the 100 shortlisted works go on display on 19 May and the winning piece will adorn a poster on the tube. ltmuseum.co.uk
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UNDERBELLY FESTIVAL O n go i n g S o u thb a nk nderbelly merges the hugely successful Udderbelly Festival and U London Wonderground into one event running throughout the entire summer. Headline shows include a thrilling new production from acclaimed circus troupe Casus, Edinburgh Fringe hit Catch Me and comedy highlights from James Acaster, Al Murray and Sara Pascoe. u Belvedere Road, SE1; underbellyfestival.com
SUMMER OF LOVE
Russian Revolution
Fro m 1 May Ro y a l Al b e r t Ha ll et ready to explore this iconic venue’s role in the hippie movement. To mark G the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love, the Royal Albert Hall is hosting a fantastic season with gigs, screenings and talks from the likes of Joe Boyd, Billy Bragg, Laura Mvula and The Zombies. u Kensington Gore, SW7; royalalberthall.com
On goin g The Br iti sh L ibrar y
This major new exhibition sheds light on the worldchanging events of the Russian Revolution. With rarely seen items from both sides of the conflict, Russian Revolution: Hope, Tragedy, Myths tells the incredible story through posters, letters, photographs, weapons, recordings, film and more. 96 Euston Road, NW1; bl.uk
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BALANCE FESTIVAL 1 2 -14 May O l d T r u m a n B re we r y alance Festival is London's latest offering for city-goers looking to B embrace a healthy lifestyle. From newbies to gym-bunnies, this event brings together the industry’s leaders in a packed programme of classes, workshops and more. u 91 Brick Lane, E1; balance-festival.com
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ARTS & CULTURE / TALKING TOPICS Pink Floyd, Photographer Storm Thorgerson®Pink Floyd Music Ltd.
CAPTURING LIGHTNESS Archival Inkjet Print Kate Moss [dots], 2017, courtesy of Chris Levine and The Fine Art Society
Un ti l 1 9 May T he Fi ne Ar t S o c i e ty ho are wE_+ presents British W light artist, Chris Levine’s latest portrait series with sitters including the iconic British supermodel Naomi Campbell and fashion designer Paul Smith. With light at their core, the new series follows on from portraits in recent years of The Dalai Lama ‘Compassion’, Kate Moss ‘She’s Light’ and Her Majesty the Queen, ‘Lightness of Being’, described as one of the most iconic images of the twenty first century. ◆ 148 New Bond Street, W1S; thefineartsociety.com
must see
PINK FLOYD From 13 May Vi c to r i a & Albe rt Mu se u m
OTHELLO
Take a spectacular and unparalleled audio-visual journey through Pink Floyd’s unique and extraordinary worlds. Featuring over 350 artefacts from the band's five decades, this specially curated collection chronicles the music, design and staging of the group, from their debut in the 60’s through to the present day.
From 13 May Wilton’s Mus ic Ha ll ne of Shakespeare’s most O startlingly contemporary plays depicts a life torn apart by racism and the destructive nature of prejudice. This modern retelling takes the timeless tale of love, jealousy and injustice and reimagines it in the present day - a Muslim general faces difficulties when employed by a Christian colonial power. ◆ Graces Alley, E1; wiltons.org.uk
Cromwell Road, SW7; vam.ac.uk
EXHIBITION OF THE MONTH
CASANOVA 9 -13 May S adl e r’s We ll s
elving into the world of passion and politics, the Northern Ballet company reveals the true story behind the notorious libertine and libertarian. The production offers a seductive journey not only through Casanova's romantic exploits, but his unlikely careers
D
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as a priest, musician, and even spy. This is a contemporary representation from Northern Ballet, with choreography by Kenneth Tindall and a live and enthralling original score provided by Kerry Muzzey. ◆ Rosebery Avenue, EC1R; northernballet.com
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Ar t Be yond
BORDERS Affordable Art Fair returns to Hampstead to celebrate the relationship between art and travel Wo r d s H e l e n B r o w n
W
hether you’re an aficionado of art or merely dipping a toe into the collector’s pool, Affordable Art Fair throws the doors wide open to this once exclusive world. The fair returns on the 11 – 14 May offering an unrivalled opportunity to invest in global and home-grown talent at a budget-friendly price. Buying art has never been easier. This year’s event in Hampstead explores the impact of internationalism in the art world. For centuries, artists have travelled to unfamiliar places to be inspired by the cultures, traditions and landscapes of foreign countries. The spring edition of AAF brings together a global selection of galleries to celebrate this relationship between art and travel. In the aftermath of the EU referendum vote, AAF aims to address the importance of cultural diversity. As a result, Made in Arts - a nonprofit
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ARTS & CULTURE / AGENDA
With more
INTERNATIONAL
galleries than EVER , the fair offers the BEST in global talent initiative from the student union at UAL - have curated a unique exhibition. It’s a showcase from the emerging talent of London’s leading art schools, celebrating cultural diversity in light of Article 50. Artists on show include Imogen Parry, whose landscape photography looks at
the concept of ‘paradise’, and Stefon Grant, a London-based photographer who explores urbanism and the city’s changing faces. Elsewhere across the fair, visitors can browse works by hundreds of artists who’ve travelled the globe to find their creative inspiration. These include British artist Dan Hillier who takes inspiration from his time spent with shamans in the Peruvian Amazon, as well as works from BritishIndian artist Natasha Kumar. Kumar’s pieces are inspired by 40 years of annual trips to India. They reflect the impact of western culture on Indian traditions and challenge tourists’ preconceptions of the country. Other artists to unveil new works include Charlotte Keates, whose pieces derive from a recent road trip through North America, and Alberto Sanchez who spends three to six months every year capturing iconic global locations for his sci-fi style landscape pieces. With more international galleries than ever before, the fair offers the very best in global talent. From the Aboriginal art scene in Australia, to the experimental pieces of Korea, there are styles to suit every taste. For those on the lookout for something closer to home, the best
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of British galleries are on display, each exhibiting an international outlook. All works are available from £100 - £6,000, suitable for everyone from seasoned collectors to first time buyers. The Affordable Art Fair Hampstead is open 11 - 14 May, Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday 11.00am - 6.00pm. ◆ Hampstead Heath, Lower Fairground Site, London NW3; affordableartfair.com
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TOKYO NIGHTS Proud brings the tastes, energy and enchantments of timeless Japan to East London with a new spring pop-up Wo r d s H e l e n B r o w n
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ARTS & CULTURE / AGENDA
J
apanese cuisine has long been a gastronomic trend tickling London tastebuds and one we feel fairly confident with. Sushi is fast-becoming a diet staple and Sake bars are popping up city-wide. Proud East are going one step further this spring and bringing Japanese culture in its entirety to the bank of Regent’s Canal. The popular East London venue is inviting visitors to embrace the contemporary sounds, tastes and vibrant street-life of Japan in their twelve-week pop-up. Venture down the blossom-lined paths of Regent’s Canal to experience a fusion of Tokyo’s dynamic cultural hub with century old customs. Combining culinary traditions with the modern theatre of street food vendors, Proud East’s open plan kitchen will be taken over by renowned London
restaurants, Tonkotsu. On offer will be a tantalising menu of fresh gyoza, Crab Korokke, Chicken Kara-age and Tonkotsu’s signature Ramen. If these gourmet dishes leave you wanting more, leading UK Japanese cooking school Sozai Cooking School - are inviting guests to cook up a sushi storm in a series of hands-on workshops. There is also the opportunity to experiment with London’s latest trend in alcohol - Sake. Visitors can discover the exotic world of the Japan’s national drink in a cocktail workshop with Tonkotsu. With Sake cocktail in one hand and gyoza in the other, guests will enjoy an evening of unrivalled entertainment. The venue emulates the neon-lit streetscapes
Sake COCKTAIL in one hand and GYOZA in the other, ENJOY an evening of UNRIVALLED entertainment
of Toyko’s enthralling and eclectic nightlife with an adventurous line-up of Japanese artists, DJ’s, singers and comedians. But it’s not all after-hours. Discover the benefits and spiritual practice of century old tearooms by creating your own blend of Matcha, or learn the traditional craft of Origami in a workshop led by independent Japanese tutors. A special family package affords origami classes for children with delicious coffee and cakes for the parents. For a taste of one of the world’s oldest film industries, Nomad Cinema will transform Proud East’s beautiful riverside terrace into an outdoor cinema. Expect to see an eclectic array of iconic Japanese films titles suitable for all, with all ticket sales donated to ‘Save the Children Japan’. When you’ve finally had too much Tokyo for the night, take an essence of Japan home with a trinket from Proud East’s canal side pop-up market stalls; showcasing Japanese fashion, homeware and crafts. Whether you want to connect with traditional culture, sample new, fresh flavours or experience a neon-lit night to remember, Proud has a corner of vibrant Japan to enthral every visitor. ◆ Pop Up Japan is open throughout May, Monday - Friday 12:00-22:30, Saturdays 10:00-22:30 and Sundays 10:00-21:45. 2-10 Hertford Road, N1; proudest.com
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Sands Exp Black Wave
www.bibliotheque.co.uk
Sands Exp Black
WE COVER IT ALL London Showroom
Hertfordshire Showroom
Arch 2 St James Lane, Muswell Hill London N10 3QX Tel: 020 8365 2084
Devonshire Business Centre Cranborne Road, Potters Bar, EN6 3JR Tel: 01707 649932
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Sand Exp White
Sand Exp Black
Sand Exp Flax
Sand Exp Grey
4 Colours Available • Sands wave available in 60x120cm only • Plain tiles available in 60x60cm & 60x120cm • Plain tiles available in Matt & Polished
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> FASHION CONFIDENTIAL
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TREND: MILITARY DRESS
p.24
HERE COMES THE SUN Everyone’s biggest girl crush, Miranda Kerr, has collaborated with Mother Denim to create a 12-piece capsule collection. Inspired by the 1960s, the line features everything from slogan tees and embroidered shirts to high-rise jeans and cut-out jumpsuits. Bring on summer. motherdenim.com
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st y l e C e n t r a l
Dare to flare, choose sculptural accessories and fall in love with the Boyy bag this May Wo r d s j oy m o n t g o m e r y
BRAND PROFILE:
HILLIER BARTLEY The design duo bringing ageless eclecticism to the style stage WHO
Theirs is a very fashionable love story. Katie Hillier and Luella Bartley’s friendship stretches back to 1999, when they worked together on Luella’s eponymous start-up label. Fast forward 14 years and the design duo took New York, securing prestigious roles at Marc by Marc Jacobs: creative director and womenswear design director, respectively. Their accessible yet adventurous designs sent the FROW into paroxysms of delight. When the brand closed in 2015 Hillier and Bartley announced the launch of their own luxury brand: Hillier Bartley, and later that year they debuted their first collection. Two years later - in January 2017 - the label was awarded the acolade of ‘Brand of Tomorrow 2017’ by Walpole. u
WHAT
With Hillier on accessories and Bartley on read-to-wear, the brand fuses the eccentricity of English aristocracy with the eclectic edginess of London style. Bartley describes the Hillier Bartley woman as “an indie by heart, rakish and irreverent by nature, who is maturing into refinement and naturalness.” The result is an individual, and unusually, non age-specific aesthetic. For SS17 the brand has embraced silk dressing gowns, feather trims with a juxtaposition of high shine fabrics with crisp tailoring. 1970s bohemia meets 1980s power-dressing. It’s statement-making style for the Kate Moss generation. The it-girl has grown-up (ish). hillierbartley.com
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And The Bride Wore… W h i s t l e s We d d i n g
Ready the aisle and grab your bouquet, because Whistles has released their first bridal collection. Designed with the modern bride in mind, the line will comprise of seven pieces in a range of contemporary silhouettes: from stepped hems and one-shoulders, to high necklines and jumpsuits. The looks, which will retail at £499-£699, will focus on fashion forward details and party-ready practicality – whether it’s for a countryside celebration or city wedding. whistles.com
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FASHION / NOTES
5
RETRO REVIVAL Current/Elliott
If you haven’t already got the memo skinny jeans are out, non-stretch ’90s fit is in. This Current/Elliot high-rise pair are a flattering shade of mid blue and offer just the right balance of wide leg silhouette and ankle-flashing crop. These babies will work just as well with a white tee and leather sandals as they would with a sheer cocktail blouse and killer heels; £245. net-a-porter.com
of the best
TRUMPET SLEEVE KNITS ADAM LIPPES
Ruffled two-tone merino wool sweater, £650; net-a-porter.com
SCULPTURAL AFFAIR Uterqüe
Since it’s inception in 2008, Uterqüe has won our hearts with their effortlessly grown-up take on seasonal trends. The brand’s new season offering of sculptural and eclectic jewellery is not to be missed. These Cubist-inspired resin and zinc earrings will be a sunny day essential. Simply pair with an offthe-shoulder sun dress, raffia tote and sun-kissed skin; £45. uterque.com
WAREHOUSE
Flare cuff crew neck jumper, £39; warehouse.co.uk
H&M
Rib-knit frilled jumper, £34.99; hm.com
RANCH STYLING & Other Stories
Characterised by a stylised yolk and whimsical embellishment, western shirts achieved iconic status when worn by silver screen cowboys in the 1950s. They’ve come a long way from their ranch roots, yet their decorative appeal has been well and truly embraced by the fashion industry. & Other Stories’ iteration offers a Dali-inspired twist with quirky lip and lobster motifs; £40. stories.com
editor’s
PICK
THE ROW
Darcy bell-sleeve cashmere silk-blend knit-top, £1,260; net-a-porter.com
BOY TOY Boyy bags
We’re always on the lookout for the next it-bag, and for 2017 the Boyy bag is giving a good run for the title. The accessory brand caught our eye this season with their contemporary spin on the traditional structured handbag. Aside from their signature oversized buckle, Boyy bags come in a plethora of styles: from multicoloured fur to soft suede and sequins. One for every outfit. boyybag.com
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ELLERY
Immortal bell-sleeved cottonjersey sweatshirt, £590; matchesfashion.com
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FASHION / TREND MAISON MICHEL Henrietta showerproof fur-felt hat, £420; michel-paris.com
HAIDER ACKERMANN Raw-edge wool cropped jacket, £654; matchesfashion.com
J.W. ANDERSON Pierce medium leather shoulder bag, £1,450; j-w-anderson.com
KAREN WALKER EYEWEAR Super lunar oversized sunglasses, £195; matchesfashion.com
HELMUT LANG Patch pocket cotton jumpsuit, £580; net-a-porter.com
J.CREW Cotton-twill midi skirt, £120; net-a-porter.com
ALEXA WAGNER Domino leather overthe knee boots, £562; matchesfashion.com
EQUIPMENT Major sleeveless silk maxi dress, £517; matchesfashion.com
VICTORIA BECKHAM SS17
ISABEL MARANT ÉTOILE Khaki canvas ilona oversized jacket, £375; avenue32.com
MILITARY DRESS
TOGA Patch-pocket crewneck sweater, £171; matchesfashion.com
COURRÈGES Cut-off detailing knit blouse, £929; farfetch.com
Stand to attention with spring’s khaki-coloured trend B y J OY M O N T G O M E R Y
JOSHUA SANDERS Zipped slip-on sneakers, £287; farfetch.com
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BALENCIAGA Spy leather sandals, £565; balenciaga.com
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DESIGN & FUNCTION
40 Offord Road, Islington, London N1 020 7700 1555 www.conceptkitchensislington.co.uk CONCEPT KITCHENS NOV.indd 1
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QUEEN of the CASTLE Savin London’ glamorousnew wedding gown collection features elegant silhouettes and luxe details fit for a queen P h o t o g r a p h y J A M E S PA L AT I N O
Foral print strapless Lore dress in gold by Savin London. Diamond halo ring and white gold diamond ring both by Dominic Walmsley
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Bandeau Leader Strapless bandeau Nathalie gown with full skirt by Savin London. Bridal headband by Emmy London
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Hartley gown with three-quarter sleeves by Savin London
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C r ys t a l F i n i s h Embellished Anika jacket worn with Heide dress, both by Savin London. Halo white gold diamond earrings by Dominic Walmsley
Shot on location at: Hever Castle, Edenbridge, Kent; hevercastle.co.uk Photography: James Palatino Photographer's assistant: Ed Findlay Stylist: Leigh Williams Hair & make-up: Nancy Sumner using Liz Earle and Kiehls Model: Sharmina at Storm Models Stockists: Savin London; savinlondon.com • Emmy London; emmylondon.com • Dominic Walmsley Jewellery; dominicwalmsley.com
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FLAT OUT Absolutely meets Katie Harland, the brains behind shoe brand sensation Rogue Matilda Wo r d s j oy m o n t g o m e r y
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ast year the fashion week FROW was a veritable paradise of fashionable flats: from slip-on skaters and lace-up Stan Smiths to androgynous brogues and quirky pointed pumps. Flats are officially back, and it's designer Katie Harland leading the way in a new landscape of elevated basics. Rogue Matilda is the chic shoe brand industry insiders are going mad for. Offering a tightly edited line of lace-ups (and for this season, loafers) in a range of colourful hues, fabrics and prints, Rogues have become a lifeline for every busy woman needing some stylish comfort in her wardrobe. We chatted to Katie about her journey, inspirations and that photo of Gigi Hadid‌ ABSOLUTELY: What motivated you to create a shoe brand devoted exclusively to flats? KATIE HARLAND: The inability to find any flats I liked aside from trainers. I’ve never been a ballet pump girl and I felt that a lot of the brogues and loafers on the market lacked a playful and feminine touch.
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FASHION / SPOTLIGHT
A lot of BROGUES on the MARKET lack a PLAYFUL touch
Taffy brogues
ABS: This season the runways were dominated by flats, while countless fashion editors were photographed wearing trainers. Why do you think the fashion industry has decided to embrace flat shoes? KH: Isn’t it obvious? They’re so comfy! I can’t imagine pacing round all those shows in stilettos. That’s not to say heels don’t have their place, but I think the industry has seen a huge uplift in ‘comfort’ brands. People are willing to pay more for everyday essentials because they see value in cost per wear, rather than splashing out on one-off pieces. ABS: What has been your biggest career highlight so far? KH: Definitely when Gigi Hadid was spotted in Rogues at NYFW – she looked amazing. ABS: Do you think flats are feminist? KH: Certainly not, they’re devoid of a higher meaning - they’re just practical. I don’t think that when women slip on a pair of Rogues they’re doing so for the equality of the sexes, they’re doing it because they feel good in them. All women should be feminists at heart, but for me fashion is apart from this. It’s a feeling, more so in London than other cities in the world, and it’s also an expression of yourself.
come from a background in footwear design so I’m always curious about the engineering of a shoe. ABS: How has social media impacted your growth as a brand? KH: It’s definitely a key component of the brand's growth but I’m not hell-bent on putting across a polished and professional façade. It’s always been about people seeing what goes into creating the brand; the things that excite and inspire collections, news updates and exclusive offers. It’s a very personal account and I love the thoughtful feedback I receive from people who follow the brand. It's such a fantastic tool which is available to start-ups these days. To be able to instantly connect and talk to your customers gives a much more intimate relationship between brand and consumer. As the majority of my sales are through the website, it also keeps me grounded in what people like, want and need. ABS: What are your top tips for styling flat shoes? KH: Flash a bit of ankle. Personally I think flat shoes look their best with an ankle grazing trouser, which is lucky as cropped flares, sawn-off denim, culottes and cigarette trousers are everywhere this season. The combination of trouser length and shoe means that it’s still flattering to a woman’s shape, but in a different way to a heel. The French pull off this look very well.
ABS: If you would love one celebrity to wear a pair of Rogues who would it be? KH: Jennifer Lawrence. Not so much for the impact on sales, I just think she’s awesome. She’s a great example of a woman in the public eye who stands for something. She’s not just a clothes horse, she has a voice.
Cosmic black loafers
Bullseye brogues
ABS: Where would you like to see the brand in ten years? KH: I’d love to have a store in Westbourne Grove or Marylebone High Street. I think for a brand it’s such a great opportunity to be in a position where you can have a store, as it is the only time you can get the brand personality across in the flesh, rather than online. Obviously, on top of this it would help to have a killer collection of stockists globally. ◆ roguematilda.com
Pomme gris brogues
ABS: Where do you draw your inspiration from? KH: Street style is a huge influence, and nowhere in the world is better for this than London. I find that going for a walk around the city is hugely influential. Aside from this, I think you’ve also got to get in to that playful childlike state. Experiment and try things out. I often rip apart previous samples (rip the leather right off the sole!) and stick things on to them - it’s a very physical process for me. I don’t
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ABS: What are your favourite pair of Rogues? KH: Without a doubt Pomme Noir. For a London girl, they are the perfect shoes to take you from day to night. The patent leather looks smart for work and is easy to clean if your evening plans escalate, while the pompoms add a fun detail.
absolutely.london
13/04/2017 11:51
YOUR HAIR. OUR CONCERN
HAIR • BEAUTY • LASER
Tel 020 7936 4005
STUDIO M.A_V2indd.indd 1
34 Bouverie Street, London, EC4Y 8AY
www.studio-ma.co.uk
15/11/2016 16:37
> BEAUTY CONFIDENTIAL
p.36
TREND: BEAUTY SLEEP ESSENTIALS
p.39
BEACH BABE Beauty buffs take note: cult hair styling brand ghd has released a new limited edition collection inspired by summer escapism and exploration. The wanderlust line is made up of five styling tools (AKA hair-smoothing saviours) in a range of lust-worthy shades. This year's beach holiday must-haves. ghdhair.com
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absolutely.london
13/04/2017 11:53
t r e atm e n t R e v i e w
Sleep saviours, stylish spinning and achieving a bridal glow for May W o r d s J OY M O N T G O M E R Y
THE PRIVATE COSMETIC CLINIC Dermal Fillers
Wo r d s H e l e n B r ow n
A
few years ago, the very notion of plastic surgery was taboo. Now it seems more and more people are on the hunt for a tweak here or an enhancement there. Procedures that give no down time, are less invasive and quicker to perform are on the up. We wanted to discover more about the quick-fixes and ‘tweakments’ changing the face of the industry. I’m at The Private Cosmetic Clinic to see Dr. Bruno Amendola about dermal lip fillers. He tells me there are two main types of filler, one designed to add volume - to the lips for example - and one to whisk away lines and wrinkles. They are designed to replace the loss of collagen, recreating the smoother contours of youthful skin without a need for surgery. The treatment is quick and virtually pain-free. A mild anaesthetic cream is applied to the area before a very fine needle is used to inject the filler. It takes around 20 minutes and Dr. Amendola is meticulous in stepping back every few injections to assess the overall look. I see the results instantly and am very happy with them - my lips look pillowy soft yet Dr. Amendola’s work is subtle. I get a few minor bruises on my bottom lip but they fade after a day or two. I can see why these treatments are rising so dramatically in popularity and will be happy to return to The Private Cosmetic Clinic for a subsequent treatment. Dermal filler approx. £300, but prices vary with each treatment. ◆
T H E P R I VAT E COS M E T I C C L I N I C 10 Harley Street, W1G; drbrunoamendola.com
ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES
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Walk the Line Marc Jacobs Beauty
Kaia Gerber is the latest in a long line of genetically blessed celebrity offspring chosen to front a multinational beauty campaign. In an apparent homage to her mother’s ‘80s fame, Kaia's latest campaign for Marc Jacobs embraces crimped hair and leopard print to promote the brand’s new matte highlighter gel crayons. marcjacobsbeauty.com
36 13/04/2017 11:55
HEALTH & BEAUTY / NOTES editor's
BEAUTY SLEEP
6
PICK
M&S Absolute U ltimate Sleep Cream
It's this year's unexpected sellout beauty buy. M&S's Absolute Ultimate Sleep Cream is packed full of fatigue-fighting ingredients that help mimic the look of eight hours' beauty sleep - even when you’ve been burning the wick at both ends. You've got to see it to believe it. Absolute Ultimate Sleep Cream 50ml, £22; marksandspencer.com
of the best
CIATÉ LONDON Lip scrub stix, £15; lookfantastic.com
BRIDAL GLOW Skinade
Every bride wants their skin to look its best on the big day. Although make-up can offer a polished finish, sometimes you need to work from the inside to get real results. Say hello to Skinade: the anti-ageing drink that boosts the body’s natural production of collagen and hyaluronic acid. Results include increased hydration and radiance, reduction of fine lines and healthier looking hair and nails. 30 day supply, £105; skinade.com
BOOKISH CHARM BY R E D O B i b l i o t h e q u e
Inspired by the scent of leather-bound books, Bibliothèque is the latest fragrance release from Byredo. This 100ml collector’s edition eau de parfum is born from the brand's bestselling candle. With base notes of vanilla and patchouli and top notes of peach and plum, the result is a complex and leathery scent that lingers long after it’s sprayed. £150; byredo.com
2 BLISS Fablips sugar lip scrub, £14; lookfantastic.com
3 4 5 DIOR ADDICT Lip sugar scrub, £24; dior.com
FRESH Sugar lip polish, £20; fresh.com
M·A·C Lip scrubtious, £12.50; maccosmetics.com
SPIN DOCTOR Psycle
Everyone’s favourite spinning class is branching out for 2017 with a brand new venue in Shoreditch. Packing all the high energy, music-pumping action of its sister venues, the brand’s new digs will include a 4,500 sq ft studio space, 44 bikes, and Psycle’s signature energy kitchen juice and smoothie bar. psyclelondon.com
37 Chis_May17_Beauty notes.indd 37
1
LIP SCRUBS
CLINIQUE Sweet pots, £15; clinique.com
6
absolutely.london
13/04/2017 11:55
ABSOLUTELY london
www.absolutely.london
Your guide to inspirational London living From the team behind Absolutely Magazines
FOLLOW US AT @AbsolutelyMagazines @absolutely_mags
ABSOLUTELY.LONDON.indd 1
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HEALTH & BEAUTY / PRODUCTS CLINIQUE
Moisture Surge Overnight Mask, £30; clinique.co.uk
NUXE
Creme Prodigieuse Night, £23; uk.nuxe.com
OMOROVICZA
Rejuvenating Night Cream, £110; spacenk.com
MURAD
KIEHL’S
Midnight Recovery Concentrate, £38; kiehls.co.uk
MICHAEL KORS SS17
Essential-C Night Moisturiser, £59.50; feel unique.com
DR. DENNIS GROSS SKINCARE
Ferulic + Retinol Wrinkle Recovery Overnight Serum, £77; net-a-porter.com
ELEMIS BIOTEC
Skin Energising Night Cream, £75; elemis.com
SARAH CHAPMAN
Skinesis Overnight Body Treatment, £49; sarahchapman.net
ORIGINS
Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask, £24; origins.co.uk
GET YOUR BEAUTY SLEEP
CAUDALIE
Vinosource Overnight Recovery Oil, £26; feelunique.com
Make the most of your natural restorative powers B y J OY M O N T G O M E R Y
ESTÉE LAUDER
Advanced Night Repair Eye, £40; esteelauder.com
FIRST AID BEAUTY
Eye Duty Triple Remedy, £26; lookfantastic.com
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CIATÉ
London Knight in Shining Armour, £9; thehut.com
absolutely.london
13/04/2017 11:56
R E S TA U R A N T & B A R D E D I C AT E D TO T H E R E G I O N A L C U I S I N E O F P U G L I A
Q U E E N ’ S PA R K 43–45 LONSDALE ROAD, LONDON NW6 6RA 020 7624 8035 HIGHGATE 1 HAMPSTEAD LANE, LONDON N6 4RS O S T U N I R E S T A U R A N T. C O . U K
OSTUNI.indd 1 OS_AbsNH_A4_advert_FINAL_220316.indd 1
25/08/2016 22/03/2016 10:12 18:28
> KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL
p.42
THOMASINA MIERS
p.46
NATION’S FAVOURITE Curry is the nation’s favourite dish, but it can be daunting to cook. 30 Minute Curries, from Michelin-starred chef Atul Kochhar, is filled with quick and easy curry recipes to transform boring weeknight dinners. £22.99, Absolute Press
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absolutely.london
13/04/2017 12:00
What to drink
GRAPE NEWS
Wine recommendations for the month
kitchen
CONFIDENTIAL London’s food news and delicious things to see you through May Wo r d s H A N N A H H O P K I N S
By B E R RY B R OS . & R U D D
2016 BERRY BROS. & RUDD AUSTRALIAN CHARDONNAY BY FRANKLAND ESTATE £12.50 Aromas of white peach with a fresh sea-salt hint. Ripe pears and yellow apples flavours follow with a lemon citrus note which gives the wine a refreshing zip. A delicious accompaniment to seafood linguine and creamy chicken dishes alike. ◆
2012 BERRY BROS. & RUDD RIOJA BY BODEGAS AMÉZOLA DE LA MORA £11.95 Rich and rewarding and full of blackberry fruit flavours, this is not a shy wine but one that boldly states its origins: coconut and vanilla spice come to the fore and a broad base of warm, dark fruit coats the palate. Perfect with spring lamb. ◆
2015 CHURTON SAUVIGNON BLANC, MARLBOROUGH, NEW ZEALAND £16.95 A vivacious Sauvignon Blanc with fragrances of fresh gooseberry. Its fresh flavours with grassy, lemon and tropical fruit notes make it a perfect match for grilled seafood. ◆
Supper Club
B E R RY B R OS . & R U D D
The Pig & Butcher
Berry Bros. & Rudd is Britain's oldest wine and spirit merchant, having traded from the same shop since 1698. Today the company also has offices in Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong, a Wine School and an exclusive fine wine and dining venue in St James's. bbr.com
Each of the new monthly supper clubs at The Pig & Butcher in Islington showcase one of the restaurant’s producers and farmers. The feasts celebrate produce by taking it from farm to fork, as guests work side by side with Head Chef Michael Chan to create one-off dishes. 80 Liverpool Road, N1 thepigandbutcher.co.uk
ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES
C&A_May17_Foodnotes.indd 42
42 13/04/2017 12:02
FOOD & DRINK / NOTES editor’s
PICK
SIGNATURE SERVE Half Hitch Gin
Produced in the former warehouse vaults of Camden Lock, new spirit Half Hitch Gin is made using a gin base that is blended with tinctures of black tea, pepper, hay, English wood and bergamot. Try their Twisted Martini - Half Hitch Gin on the rocks with a twist of orange. halfhitch.london
TO P 5 F O R . . .
MEAT FEAST Blacklock City
Opening up on Philpot Lane is the hotly-anticipated new chop house and brother restaurant to the renowned Blacklock Soho, Blacklock City. If you love Hawksmoor, you’ll be equally-taken with this meat-heavy menu... 13 Philpot Lane, EC3M theblacklock.com
AFTERNOON TEA Afternoon tea is a delightful tradition thank goodness the Duchess of Bedford created it in 1840. Here are some of the best places to try in your area. Wo r d s C H A R L O T T E J O H N S T O N E
01 TING AT THE SHARD
High tea takes on a whole different meaning at the top of Europe’s biggest tower. Guests can choose from two unique offerings; a traditional English tea or an Asian-inspired alternative. the-shard.com
PIZZA PERFECT Radio Alice
Radio Alice in Hoxton Square have launched a series of weekly masterclasses, revealing the secrets to their take on the humble pizza. Hosted every Saturday afternoon guests will get to try their hand at perfect pizza with the help of Head Chef Matteo Aloe. 16 Hoxton Square, N1 radioalicepizzeria.co.uk
02 GERMAN GYMNASIUM
Have your cake and eat it in a building that once housed Britain’s first purpose-built gym in the heart of King’s Cross. There are two unique options to pick, ‘The German’ or ‘The Austrian’. germangymnasium.com
03 THE MODERN PANTRY CLERKENWELL
Clerkwenwell’s offering satiates famished tea takers with their unique twists on classics. Menu items include the lavender & Earl Grey scone with clotted cream and parmesan & thyme buns with whipped sumac feta. themodernpantry.co.uk
SHAKE IT UP TT Liquor
East London drinks hub TT Liquor is a subterranean cocktail bar that focuses on important eras of cocktail history. Create cocktails from scratch and partake in Tasting Experiences hosted in converted historic police cells. Yes, really... 17B Kingsland Road, E2 ttliquor.co.uk
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04 HOI POLLOI AT ACE HOTEL
Good things happen when you ‘Shoreditchify’ traditional afternoon tea. Against an Art Deco-style backdrop, Hoi Polloi offers laid back charm with an indulgent menu packed with all the favourites. acehotel.com
05 SWAN AT THE GLOBE
To tea or not to tea? Swan at The Globe offers a fun Midsummer Night’s Dream-themed menu inspired by the romance and journeys of the tale. swanlondon.co.uk
absolutely.london
13/04/2017 12:02
W W W. W R I N G E R A N D M A N G L E . C O M
0203 457 7285 info@wringerandmangle.com 13–18 SIDWORTH STREET LONDON FIELDS E8 3SD
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FOOD & DRINK / REVIEW
A MEAL that is all about SIMPLICITY, NO FUSS and NO POMPOSITY
Berber & Q
Former Ottolenghi chef Josh Katz’s hip Middle Eastern and North African grill house Wo r d s H a n n a h H o p k i n s
M
iddle Eastern food is having a moment, with a burst of new places like Honey & Smoke and Le Bab bringing complex plates to the masses. But it’s Josh Katz’s Berber & Q - opened in 2015 within the railway arches of Haggerston - which has set the bar high for delectable Middle Eastern and North African food in the capital. Having previously worked at Galvin
Bistrot de Luxe, Ottolenghi and Zest, Katz combines his varied skill set and influences from all over the world London, Marrakech, Istanbul, Tel Aviv and New York - to create pitch-perfect food mash-ups. This combo of cultures is reflected in the restaurant itself. The outside is clad with rusted and corrugated metal sheets and inside the open kitchen serves as a backdrop lending it a New York City vibe. Diners eat on communal sharing tables made from railway sleepers, all overhung with lights made from sheet metal. It’s
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ideal for sharing good food with a good group of friends, especially if you are looking for somewhere fun and informal. With the open mangal, charcoal grill and smoker at the centre of the cooking, the menu is split into ‘Meat’, ‘Pickles’, ‘Mezze’, ‘Sandwiches’ and ‘Sweets’, that come served on communal mess trays. You can see how Katz’s exploration of Mangal restaurants in Turkey, the kebab houses of Istanbul and food stalls of Jmaa el Fna in Marrakech have influenced the food, which includes signature ‘Meats’ like lamb Mechoui (pulled forequarter of lamb) and fennel seed & paprika smoked pork belly. Along with two choices from the meat menu we’re recommended the blackened aubergine with walnut and tahini and the cauliflower shawarma. Messy and delicious, they’re the perfect complement to the richer meat dishes. Drinks are also Middle Eastern. We opt for the hilariously-named Scammed in Marrakesh Punch and Haggerstoned, both a steal at £7 each. Desserts including rose Malabi and saffron rice pudding with green pistachio are the perfect end note to a meal that is all about simplicity, no fuss and no pomposity. ◆ BERBER & Q
Arch 338, Acton Mews, E8; 020 7923 0829 berberandq.com
absolutely.london
13/04/2017 12:03
ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES
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46 13/04/2017 12:05
FOOD & DRINK / INTERVIEW
Home
COOK Absolutely meets Thomasina Miers to talk about kitchen management, Mrs Beeton and Bake Off words pendle harte
T
homasina Miers – Masterchef winner, founder of Wahaca, food columnist and mother of three – is not too busy to have written a new book. Well, actually she is – in fact she turned the project down four times – but being pregnant with her third and unable to sleep created a new window of nocturnal opportunity, which she saw as a chance to write. The resulting book, Home Cook, is focused on family life and the domestic kitchen, so it’s fitting that I have come to her actual home to discuss it. There’s an appealingly chaotic feel to Tommi Miers’ Kensal Rise house – toys strewn, children chattering, walls crowded with pictures and a lively, busy kitchen. Not for her the ubiquitous minimalist white surfaces; hers is a kitchen where things happen. The new
book is about sharing the wisdom that she’s gathered: how to make a kitchen work even when you’re pressed for time, how to make healthy dishes for whoever’s around without feeling stressed, and how to shop properly to enable all this. ‘It’s old-fashioned really. It definitely goes back to Mrs Beeton but I felt there was a gap in the market for a common sense approach,’ she tells me. ‘I feel that people really get their knickers in a twist about food a lot. I used to too – about eating and what to eat. But all the faddism is crazy; it’s a lot easier to feed people than you’d think. It’s just not that difficult to cook affordable, fun, healthy food, and it doesn’t take forever.’ She doesn’t look quite as relaxed as she says she is, however – and no wonder, because who can run a large business, write a column, cope with three tiny children and publicise a new book, all while being primed to throw dinner on the table
It's just not that difficult TO COOK
FUN, HEALTHY FOOD
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absolutely.london
13/04/2017 12:06
All the tenderness of Spring in LIMITED EDITION
shop.leonidas.com/uk
LEONIDAS.V2.indd 1
11/04/2017 15:23
FOOD & DRINK / INTERVIEW
For me FOOD is the GEL that BINDS US ALL TOGETHER , it’s a common LOVE that people bond over for 12 unexpected guests without so much as a tiny trip to Tesco? Not to mention the huge and ongoing project she has launched with her local primary school, devising and fundraising for a vegetable garden and an outdoor classroom. She concedes that her husband thinks she does too much. But she is clearly on a mission, or a variety of missions. ‘We worry about obesity – yet we feed our children chicken nuggets and chips! And just look at the children’s yogurts in the supermarket! We have none of that. But then if we’re baking we do use sugar and butter because
it should be about pleasure. If you’re mainly eating fibre and wholegrains and vegetables, then it’s fine.’ Miers complains that there’s too much neurosis around, and yet she will only buy farmers’ market milk, which she agrees sounds a bit inconsistent. ‘As a mother you do think about nutrition and our soil nutrition has plummeted. But I’m very suspicious of fads.’ As well as representing her cooking present, the book harks back to Miers’ cooking past, which is home-taught and family-oriented. ‘I grew up cooking by my mother’s side and I’ve returned to the kind of cooking we did at home.’ Her mother would buy cheap ingredients – ‘like marrow’ – because money was tight, and Tommi, who wasn’t interested in toys, or in playing with her siblings, would hang around the kitchen, developing an interest in cooking. ‘I started asking, can I
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cook? Because I wanted to do something more interesting with what we had, and I found it so boring eating the same things over and over again.’ At 26 she went to Ballymaloe (the Irish cookery school whose alumni includes Stevie Parle) and at 29 she won Masterchef, and after that she was slightly surprised to find herself actually in a career as a chef. ‘For a few years I felt like I should have spent years in the kitchen as an apprentice, so my food got more cheffy as I tried to prove myself.’ It’s not cheffy now, she insists – it’s simple, practical and healthy. ‘I spend money on ingredients – the kitchen is about management. I’ve always got livers for chicken liver pate and cods roe for taramasalata, and those things are cheap as chips. If I come home shattered there’s always something I can make. I’ve always got the basics.’ What would she suggest for an easy dinner party? ‘Roast chicken definitely,’ she says. 'With lots of tarragon, butter, garlic and lemon. It’s just delicious. With boiled new potatoes – and if you have time, smash them, cover them in thyme, garlic and olive oil and roast them. There’s so much anxiety about whether it’s pretty enough, exotic enough and whether there’s too much fat, but for me food is the gel that binds us all together, it’s a common love that people bond over. The way I see my friends is around this kitchen table. I am very social and I love people.’ Running Wacaha is a three days a week job, something Miers built into her contract from the start to give her space to write. She manages it all with the help of two PAs (one at home, one at work). The day before we meet, the Standard has suggested that she might be the next Bake Off presenter – is it true? I ask? ‘Not true! They came to my book launch and I’d had a few mezcals, so when they asked me about it I said yes, great idea, and of course it all got printed word for word.’ She would, however love to do Strictly, she says, if she had time. And with that, it’s time for the school pick up, and she's got to go. ◆
Home Cook by Thomasina Miers is published by Faber, £25 h/b
absolutely.london
13/04/2017 12:07
Study | Explore | Succeed
For more information or to arrange a visit contact: 01822 813193 admissions@mountkelly.com Mount Kelly . Parkwood Road . Tavistock . PL19 0HZ . UK www.mountkelly.com MOUNT KELLY.indd 1
03/10/2016 16:47
> SMALL TALK: COLLABS AND GIFT IDEAS
p.53
ON THE WATERFRONT Inspired by the sea, Missoni's SS17 girls collection is as versatile as it is elegant. Separates combine effortlessly, while dresses make graceful occasionwear. missoni.com
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absolutely.london
13/04/2017 12:08
Stonyhurst St Mary’s Hall Open Doors 1st May 9.00a.m - Noon
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KIDS & EDUCATION / NOTES
BRAND FOCUS
GLOBAL NOMAD O utside th e L in es
SS17 takes its inspiration from global travel combining bohemian 70s style with contemporary looks for free-spirited girls. outsidethelines.com
KIN G D O M O F ORI G I N Their debut collection looks to the 60s and 70s
SMALL TALK The new season's looks, fun fashion, bird facts and mazes POP ART
G.Kero The latest arrrivals from Marguerite Bartherotte at G.Kero just fizz with colour. Featuring hip-hop sweatshirts, shirts and tee-shirts, she harmonises colours and shapes to produce clothes guaranteed to brighten up any drab day. en.smallable.com/gkero
kingdomoforigin.co.uk
BIRD TRUMPS
LOST AND FOUND
Little Lulubel ¢ Forget football, My Little Pony and Minions. The only Top Trumps worth having are these brilliantly educational birdlife ones, full of intriguing facts and figures. Tweet tweet. £8.99; laurenceking.com
MAZE PIC
53 Chis_MAY17_Kids.indd 53
K
ingdom of Origin's creative director Vanessa Wright is constantly inspired by her love of British fashion and textiles, and the launch collection, for ages four to 11, features contemporary shapes and exquisitely soft fabrics, over 90% of which are sourced and milled in the UK. Inspiration stems from the rock ‘n’ roll era: think Jane Birkin, Pattie Boyd and Mary Quant. Being adventurous and creative is fundamental for a Kingdom of Origin girl. Vanessa also designs timeless pieces which can work across seasons. Using adjustable straps on dungarees, rolled up hems and cuffs and soft elasticated waistbands, she hopes that each piece can be worn and cherished as children grow, and then passed on. We want it all. ◆
Amazed ¢ Readers must navigate towering treetops, prickly cactus fields, mysterious caverns and crumbling statues in Aleksandra Artymowska's beautifully illustrated book that features ten compelling mazes to solve. ◆
absolutely.london
13/04/2017 12:09
JAMAICA • ANTIGUA • SAINT LUCIA • BAHAMAS • GRENADA • BARBADOS
2016
VOTED THE WORLD’S LEADING ALL-INCLUSIVE RESORTS – 21 YEARS IN A ROW –
SANDALS ROYAL CARIBBEAN RESORT & PRIVATE ISLAND, JAMAICA
VISIT OUR LUXURY TRAVEL STORE AT 135 FULHAM ROAD, SW3 6RT Behind the doors of this one-of-a-kind store in the heart of London is a multi-sensory experience waiting to be explored. Immerse yourself in a range of our engaging and interactive experiences and either make an appointment with one of our expert travel advisors, or simply stop by for a refreshment in our Research Lounge.
MORE QUALITY INCLUSIONS THAN ANY OTHER RESORTS ON THE PLANET.
TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH A SANDALS SPECIALIST, VISIT SANDALS.CO.UK/STORE
CALL 0800 742 742 • VISIT SANDALS.CO.UK COME IN STORE • SEE YOUR LOCAL TRAVEL AGENT
SANDALS.indd 1
24/02/2017 16:18
> ON SAFARI IN TANZANIA
p.56
THE WILDERNESS AWAITS We explore the amazing and evocative country of Tanzania in a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Highlands.
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absolutely.london
13/04/2017 12:10
ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES
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TRAVEL / WANDERLUST
Out of
AFRICA Safari holidays will always be popular but Asilia makes discovering Tanzania feel like a whole new adventure W o r d s C at h e r i n e H a l e s
O
n a trip to the Highlands, you might expect to see a fat grouse flying out of the heather, some shaggy horned cattle grazing gently and perhaps the odd stag standing atop a hill. You’re less likely to see a zebra. Not so at The Highlands in Tanzania. Named for its Scottish counterpart, Asilia’s camp is perched on the slopes of the Olmoti volcano, high above the famous Ngorongoro Crater and offers a completely unique way to experience safari. The camp itself takes some getting to. After an eight-hour flight to Nairobi, an hour to Kilimanjaro and then a short trip in a small aircraft, we arrive at a tiny airport in Lake Manyara, met by our guides who introduce themselves as Baraka and Lenga, both of them dressed in full Maasai regalia of vivid reds and blues. We pile into an enormous 4X4, somewhat beleaguered by our journey and start along the road to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area not knowing that this is the last time we will
experience anything resembling our idea of a road. Soon the terrain begins to become rougher and the ride significantly less smooth. As I attempt to drink from a glass bottle, I almost take out a tooth going over a pothole. Lenga looks in the rearview mirror with a grin and asks, ‘Do you know what we call this?’ I shake my head. ‘An African massage.’ Our guides take us for a hike before we head to the camp and we are joined by a ranger, who leads us up the steep incline of the Olmoti volcano. For a long time, there is not much to see other than the ground rising before us and for an inexperienced hiker, the going is a little tough due to the heavy dust kicked up by our boots and the afternoon sun beating down. I do learn my first bit of Swahili though, as the ranger catches me almost tripping. ‘Polepole!’ she cries, which I learn to my great amusement means ‘Slowly, slowly!’ As soon as we reach the top, the walk is worth it. The landscape sprawls below us, undulating hills and vast plains carved up by a river glistening in the sunshine. Spying two Maasai children driving a
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absolutely.london
13/04/2017 12:29
tiles etc. tiles etc.
The only rattle you’ll hear is your baby’s
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_C&A_ADVERT PLACEMENTS.indd 1
13/04/2017 12:47
TRAVEL / WANDERLUST
There, in the distance, IS A
MOTHER RHINO
with her calf
herd of rail-thin cattle through the water creates one of those moments when the untalented wish they could paint – instead I snap pictures on my iPhone. We arrive at camp dusty and exhausted – though ‘camp’ does the set-up a disservice. Futuristic-looking domes constructed from taut canvas and rigid exoskeletons dot the area connected by paths and wooden gangways. They are exquisitely decorated with stylish wooden furniture, furry throws and accents of tartan as a nod to The Highlands’ namesake. Our dome features two double beds facing a clear window looking out on the stunning scenery, meaning that we wake up to an unrivalled sunrise every day. Staff are all African and the camp is designed to leave a minimal ecological footprint; it balances a feeling of being in the wild with exceptional comfort, offering peace rather than quiet with the sounds of the hectic bush all around. The obvious draw of Ngorongoro is safari. We set out stocked with snacks and drinks; the drive to the crater itself takes an hour or so. On our way we spot zebras and birds including the amusingly coiffed kori bustard before descending into the crater. The ambition of most safari goers is to spot the Big Five – the African lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, African leopard and rhinoceros – all of which can be found here. Those
hoping for giraffes will be disappointed, but we happily cross off three of the five almost immediately, spotting the enormous buffalo, an elephant and, most unusually, a pride of lions feasting on the carcass of a hippo. Baraka and Lenga explain that the hippo must have been old and dying, otherwise lions would never risk attacking it. As we sit and watch, jackals circle the male lion guarding his prey, coming too close every so often and getting a roar of disapproval and a swipe of his claw. The most magical part of the day comes when Baraka and Lenga drive us to a secluded spot and lead us to a beautiful picnic set up under the trees complete with wine and and buffet. We eat looking out at the buffalo in front of us. As our day in the crater draws to a close, we lament having not seen a rhino until Lenga suddenly slams on the brakes and points. We scrabble for our binoculars and there, in the distance is a mother rhino with her calf, plain as can be. Four out of five ain’t bad.
59 B&C_May17_ TANZANIA.V2.indd 59
At the end of our stay, we pack our bags with regret. Asilia has achieved something remarkable up there on the slopes of that volcano, combining genuinely wonderful people with untouched surroundings and high quality facilities that, when added together, really do equal a once in a lifetime experience. ◆
Catherine Hales was a guest of Kenya Airways (kenya-airways.com) and The Highlands (asiliaafrica. com). Kenya Airways fly from London Heathrow to Kilimanjaro via Nairobi, from £777 return; Coastal Aviation (coastal.co.tz) has connections to Lake Manyara from £130. The Highlands costs £700 per person per night including full-board with drinks and activities; low-season rates drop to £330. Ngorongoro Conservation Area fees are £54 per person for 24 hours and the crater descent fee is £227 per vehicle.
absolutely.london
13/04/2017 12:29
ABBEY ROAD
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> INTERIOR INSPIRATIONS
p.62
PLAIN ENGLISH
p.64
ROCKS OFF The JJ chair, designed by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia,comes in a variety of forms but our favourite is the rocker covered in Mongolian lamb fur. £POA chaplins.co.uk
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absolutely.london
13/04/2017 12:30
10 of the best
time pieces
Modern ideas, designs and styles for your home
NEWGATE
Pluto Starburst Wall Clock, £125 heals.com
Wo r d s p e n d l e h a r t e
GEORG JENSEN Koppel clock, £185 scp.co.uk
HABITAT
Perdy metal desk clock, £15 habitat.co.uk
TIKTAK TIME Concrete clock, £49.95 cuckooland.com
Go green PROGETTI
Little Red Riding Hood Wall Clock, £150.00 amara.com
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Graham and Green Graham and Green's new spring catalogue is full of beautiful things, laced with references to the natural world. There are plants, vases and planters, as well as artificial plants and lots of prints and pictures featuring animals, plants and wildlife. grahamandgreen.co.uk
62 13/04/2017 12:33
HOMES & INTERIORS / NOTES
PRINT RUN
Lucienne Day at John Lewis To mark 100 years since Lucienne Day’s birth, John Lewis have released an exclusive collection of elegant cushions and fabrics using six of the designer’s most renowned designs - including Calyx. johnlewis.co.uk
DOTCOM GIFT SHOP 1950s Wall Clock In Pink £19.95 dotcomgiftshop.com
editor’s
PICK HIDE AND SEEK
MENU
McCarron and Co Clever storage is what makes a kitchen work. The team at McCarron and Co are experts in making use of space in unexpected ways. We love this ingenius knife drawer that utilises otherwise wasted inches. mccarronandco.com
Marble wall clock in green, £240 finnishdesignshop.com
UMBRA
Ribbon Wall Clock, £40 johnlewis.com
SOFT TOUCH
must
Piglet in Bed Stonewashed linen is the ultimate in comfortable, stylish and practical bedlinen, and the new range from London-based Piglet in Bed is soft, durable and beautiful, and designed to improve with age. pigletinbed.com
HAVE
HAY
Wall clock in mint, £85 futureandfound.com
GET FIZZY
Sodastream If buying sparkling water in bottles is creating a recycling surplus in your house, the simple solution is here: a Sodastream. Slimline and simple to use, it turns tap water into fizzy in seconds. sodastream.co.uk
63 Chis_May17_Interiors_Notes.indd 63
BLUE BRIDGE DESIGNS
Citrus Clock, EUR 45.00 designist.ie
absolutely.london
13/04/2017 12:34
Plain
TRUTHS
Katie Fontana is the driving force behind Plain English, creators of traditionally crafted and understated kitchens. Absolutely gets a dose of scullery envy Wo r d s N a n c y A l s o p
O
n the day we meet, Katie Fontana has just returned from an intrepid solo expedition to Scotland, where she found herself within spitting distance of the legendary Loch Ness. “I had to drive 22 miles up a dead-end track. The countryside was so amazing, I kept wishing someone else had been there to see it too. When I got the end of the path, I was met by a seaman who took me to this fantastically remote house by boat. It’s one I won’t forget.” For one of the most distinguished kitchen designers anywhere, it’s all in a day’s work. “If they do decide to commission us,” she notes in an aside, “the kitchen will have to get there by boat” – just another of a litany of specific requirements she, her Marylebonebased design team and Suffolk-dwelling craftsmen cater for daily. As she says, “I like working with the spectrum of houses – from the grand to the humble. In the early days I remember calling a
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HOMES & INTERIORS / DESIGN
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13/04/2017 12:35
XXXXXX / XXXXXXX
I work HARD with our CREATIVE TEAM on proportion. We’re losing our INSTINCTIVE feel for it and it’s NOT TAUGHT in art school
client to ask how we’d find their house; their response was “you can’t miss it, it’s just across the lake.” As we arrived, there stood a stately home so splendid as to be straight out of Jane Austen. We just looked at each other and laughed. But equally I love working in modest homes like crofters’ cottages. I just don’t like to trot out the same-looking kitchens.” Plain English was conceived by accident 25 years ago when Fontana, and her husband and Plain English managing director, Tony Niblock, swapped life in the capital for a rural idyll in Suffolk. In the years preceding, Fontana had graduated from art school and found herself a job as a junior interior designer; overjoyed at the prospect of work – and in the vicinity of design mecca the Michelin building, no less – the sheen quickly wore off when she found herself labouring on shop outfits that were, let’s say, less than inspiring. After a happier stint at the Design Council, she was enticed back to the corporate world on the basis that it would just be for a few years. But when they lost the contract with a major high street client, it was time to take stock. “We decided to move to Suffolk and take the time out to build our own house, so it was an interesting year of living in a caravan.
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66 13/04/2017 12:35
HOMES & INTERIORS / DESIGN
When it came to the kitchen, I assumed that I’d be able to find something and just buy it. But there was nothing I liked. Everything had twiddly bits or was too look-at-me flashy. In the end I found a local joiner and we did it ourselves.” That might have been the end of the story had it not been for the nudge from a friend to enter the house into a Telegraph competition for the best self-build house in the country. “We came runner up and were later featured in a magazine. People kept calling to ask where we’d got our kitchen. So without thinking things began to take shape. I was quite resistant at first; to me, as an interior designer, just doing kitchens seemed quite limited, but Tony insisted.” It’s a good job he did. Twenty-five years on, Plain English is still the cognoscenti’s favourite, its incomparable honest craftsmanship and its spare simplicity continues to outstrip other, slicker, contenders. At the start, says Fontana, it was all pretty makeshift, with their home doubling as showroom. “The house was more or less finished but the garden was about three-foot high in nettles. So we’d have these important clients walking down our path trying not to get stung.” Soon the workshop decamped to a nearby tannery, and as the business grew, so did the demand for space; these days Plain English’s joiners operate from a Georgian farmhouse in bucolic Suffolk, which makes a certain aesthetic sense. After all, Plain English’s style is inspired by that most elegant of periods in architecture. “Tony and I often marvel at the Georgian
houses in London. They are so simply beautiful. When I was younger and used to go shopping for antiques, I didn’t know much about what I was looking at other than my immediate response to it. But invariably everything I ever liked turned out to be Georgian. They just had the proportions right. I work hard with our creative team on proportion – we’re losing our instinctive feel for it and it’s not taught in art school. We’re fed on wretched computers – I have to fight so hard against the computer,” she laughs. As for her Georgian forebears, Plain English’s making process takes a satisfying length of time; here there are no cookie cutters. During the three months you’ll have to wait, there are consultations, fittings, redesigns and, of course, meticulous craftsmanship. Why, I ask, is it that Plain English Kitchens are so versatile, as at home in country homes as they are in more urban settings? “I think it’s because we’re selling good, honest, non-branded cupboards, so you can dress them up or down. I am very anti-ostentation and I hate this obsession with logos emblazoned everywhere. Historically, kitchens were just functional,
We're selling GOOD, HONEST, non-branded cupboards that you can DRESS UP or DOWN
plainenglishdesign.co.uk britishstandardcupboards.co.uk
67 B&C_May17_PlainEnglish.indd 67
which is why I’ve always liked the below-stairs kitchen quarters of stately homes. Ultimately, I like the elemental things in life: marble, slate, wood. I think sub-consciously it’s all about stuff that will stand the test of time.” On Fontana’s watch, the likes of pantries and sculleries are afforded their place once more, rescued from the wasteland of upstairsdownstairs period dramas. “In the 1960s, everyone wanted to be so modern and get rid of the larder. You can understand it – they’d all been to the Ideal Home Show! But like pendulum swinging, now we’re seeing the value in those rooms again.” Happily, for those on a budget (and PE kitchens start at £45k), Fontana and Niblock established British Standard in 2011, a sort of diffusion line where customers can buy off-the-peg cupboards in the Plain English style. “It got slightly sidelined for various reasons,” she says. “Now I’m giving it my full attention again, because we’d begun pricing ourselves out of the market as we expanded.” The range of options is the same as some of those with PE, but the materials are simpler, and there is no design service. Fontana is patently excited by its renaissance. “It’s like having a second bite of the cherry. I want to set it up in a different way, perhaps a little like Jamie Oliver did with his Fifteen apprentices. I see us having a rolling stock of 12 new apprentice craftsmen each year who then graduate and go on.” With a parent company as consummate as Plain English and a creative director as capable as Fontana, success is plainly assured. ◆
absolutely.london
13/04/2017 12:35
“It’s fine.
The heart wants what the heart wants. Discover rural homes with sea views using keyword search.
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11/07/2016 15:20
We’ll shop
online.”
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11/07/2016 15:19
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03/04/2017 14:54
PROPERTY NEWS
p.84
TAPESTRY, CANAL REACH N1C
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
NIGEL LEWIS: INTERVIEW
p.94
beautifully presented two bedroom apartment accessed from the garden square within an exciting new King's Cross development. This unique apartment is split across three floors and features a superb master bedroom and a spacious living room overlooked by the kitchen on a separate mezzanine level. The building benefits from excellent amenities including a residents' gym and a communal sky garden. u
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£1,295,000
KING’S CROSS 020 3764 8910
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knightfrank.com
absolutely.london
13/04/2017 13:00
50 years of fulfilling dreams
...for all generations GOLD
silver
london lettings agency
london estate agency
2016
me dium agency
QUERNMORE ROAD, STROUD GREEN, N4
2016
me
d i u m a g en c y
£1,600,000 FREEHOLD
A five bedroom family house with generously proportioned rooms, excellent natural light and plenty of period character throughout. THE OWNERS LOVE…
WE’VE NOTICED…
“The large, light and airy feel of the rooms”
The property has good storage including a cellar and easily accessible walk-in loft.
“The surrounding nature of the Parkland Walk and the green open spaces of Stationers and Finsbury Parks” “The location of the house in a peaceful road and yet so close to the station”
Some of the features include fireplaces, cornicing and large French doors with stained glass panels leading to the garden. • Five bedrooms • Two large reception rooms • Kitchen/diner • Three bath/shower rooms & downstairs WC • Utility room • Cellar & loft storage room • EPC Rating - E
Contact Mark Fordham at our Crouch End office on 020 8348 5135 MG_NXNW.NEW.indd 1
www.martyngerrard.co.uk 13/04/2017 15:57
50 years of fulfilling dreams
...for all generations GOLD
silver
london lettings agency
london estate agency
2016
me dium agency
CAMDEN ROAD, TUFNELL PARK, N7
2016
me
d i u m a g en c y
£475,000 LEASEHOLD
A one bedroom, second floor apartment situated in a contemporary lift-serviced purpose built building close to transport and amenities. THE OWNERS LOVE…
WE’VE NOTICED…
“It is a 15 minute walk to Kings Cross, Kentish Town and Camden so super convenient”
The common areas are kept clean and tidy.
“Well maintained and light interior” “Bright and spacious, good for entertaining”
The flat has double glazing and central heating. • Double bedroom • Fully integrated kitchen • Modern bathroom suite • Close to amenities • Good transport links • Long leasehold • Chain free • EPC Rating - B
Contact Mark Newton at our Kentish Town office on 020 7267 3737 MG_NXNW.NEW.indd 2
www.martyngerrard.co.uk 13/04/2017 15:57
50 years of fulfilling dreams
...for all generations GOLD
silver
london lettings agency
london estate agency
2016
me dium agency
FORTIS GREEN, EAST FINCHLEY, N2
2016
me
d i u m a g en c y
£2,149,000 FREEHOLD
A semi-detached Grade II listed Regency Villa situated in the Fortis Green Conservation area. THE OWNERS LOVE…
WE’VE NOTICED…
“The beautiful William IV period features of a Grade II listed building give us continual pleasure as we walk around the house.”
It is not necessary to have an EPC for a listed building.
“In this house, Coventry Patmore entertained Pre Raphaelite painters and wrote his long poem The Angel of the House.” “A long, wide south facing garden belonging to a regency period house is very rare in this area.”
Confirmation about listed building status can be found on the Haringey website. • Five double bedrooms • Three bathrooms (1 ensuite) • Four receptions rooms • Off street parking for multiple vehicles • Large mature south facing garden • Lower ground floor studio apartment with private entrance • School catchment & great transport links • EPC Rating - N/A
Contact Chris Fairclough at our East Finchley office on 020 8883 0077 MG_NXNW.NEW.indd 3
www.martyngerrard.co.uk 13/04/2017 15:57
50 years of fulfilling dreams
...for all generations GOLD
silver
london lettings agency
london estate agency
2016
me dium agency
WOOD VALE, MUSWELL HILL, N10
2016
me
d i u m a g en c y
£1,775,000 FREEHOLD
A five bedroom semi-detached family home with garage and off street parking located near Queens Woods. THE OWNERS LOVE…
WE’VE NOTICED…
“The house is literally surrounded greenery; Queen’s Wood is over the road and we look onto the lovely mature trees that border Crouch End playing fields at the back”
There is potential for further extension subject to the necessary consents.
“Folding glass doors lead through from the lounge to the conservatory creating a fabulous entertaining space” “The vibrant high streets and amenities of both Muswell Hill and Crouch End are equally accessible, not to mention Highgate Station which is only 10 minute walk away”
The house has a lovely aspect at the back as it is not overlooked from the rear. • Five bedrooms • Conservatory • Kitchen diner • Spacious entrance hall • Period features • Loft space • EPC Rating - D
Contact Rowland Slinn at our Muswell Hill office on 020 8448 3388 MG_NXNW.NEW.indd 4
www.martyngerrard.co.uk 13/04/2017 15:58
PROPERTY / COUNTRYSIDE
FIELDING COURT £3.8M
FA M O U S P L AC E S by N I G E L L E W I S
London hides a plethora of celebrity homes. These are the most recent to come on the market
SWAN COURT £1,235,000
COULD SWEET DREAMS BE MADE OF THIS?
A
Seven Dials apartment once owned by Eurythmics co-founder Dave Stewart is for sale. The three-storey, three-bedroom penthouse which features two rooftop terraces belonged to the ‘Sweet Dreams Are Made of This’ songwriter during the late 1990s and early noughties, and was visited by dozens of famous names. These included George Harrison, David Bowie, Joe Strummer, Lou Reed, Damon Albarn, Sinead O’Connor, Gwen Stefani, Tracy Emin and Robin Williams. The reason so many stars visited the flat is due to Stewart becoming a prolific hit maker for other artists after the band split, recording songs in his home studio, which is now the second reception room. The flat, which is within Fielding Court near Covent Garden, is for sale at £3.85 million through agent Tavistock Bow (020 7477 2177).
IRON LADY’S DIYDECORATED HOME
T
hatcher was known as the Iron Lady for her uncompromising political stances and steeliness, but she had a softer side. In her early political years when she was a freshfaced MP, this sixth-floor, two bedroom apartment in London’s Chelsea was her home where, at one point, she was pictured papering its walls. The flat is within an Art Deco apartment block off the King’s Road called Swan Court, where she lived at
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the time with her husband Denis and twins Carol and Mark. Swan Court was built during the 1930s and was originally meant for bachelors, although the flats eventually appealed to a much wider audience including young families such as the Thatchers. The wallpaper has long gone, and agent Edward Thomson of Strutt & Parker (07917 067469) says the property now needs a complete refurbishment. It’s on the market for £1.235 million but has a very short lease, which could cost approximately £600,000 to extend.
“Swan Court was built during the 1930s and was originally meant for bachelors, although the flats eventually appealed to a much wider audience including young families"
76 13/04/2017 14:24
PROPERTY / STAR HOMES
DENHAM FILM STUDIOS £350,000
FLAT WHERE CHURCHILL’S CAREER TOOK OFF
A
huge apartment that was home to Winston Churchill during his early years in government is available to rent in central London for just short of £20,000 a month. The property at 33 Eccleston Square in Pimlico was lived in for four years - starting in 1909 - by then business minister Winston Churchill. While Churchill and his family lived here his career took off after several failed attempts at political success. In four short years he had held the post of President of the Board of Trade from; Secretary of State for the Home Department and then First Lord of the Admiralty. The property has four bedrooms, 4,000 sq ft of space, three reception rooms, a roof terrace, several bathrooms and a steam spa. It’s available through Savills (0203 430 6872).
THE PLOT THICKENS AT EX-FILM STUDIOS
I ECCLESTONE SQUARE £20,000 P.M.
f you fancy moving to more bucolic surroundings and you’re a movie buff, then a new development being built in Denham should be idea. Denham Film Studios was at the centre of the UK’s film industry for nearly two decades until its stages closed in 1952. It’s where many famous films were shot including A Matter of Life and Death, Great Expectations and Brief Encounter. But Denham’s film connections are now being revived. The site has been bought by developer Weston Homes and is having £120m spent on it to create hundreds of new homes. As well as new-build apartments and townhouses it includes homes built within the old film studios’ Grade II listed Art Deco headquarters and laboratories. Other retained features of the site include its cinema, where
77 SW_May17_Famous Places.indd 77
“The property has 4,000 sq ft of space, four bedrooms, three reception rooms, a roof terrace, and a steam spa” movies were first screened to directors, and a famous cocktail bar. The development provides 224 converted and newly built homes including 154 one, two and three bedroom apartments and 70 four and five bedroom family townhouses. Prices start at £350,000 for a one bedroom apartment and £800,000 for a townhouse. For more visit www.weston-homes. com or call 01279 873 300.
absolutely.london
13/04/2017 14:24
St. Pancras Chambers, King's Cross NW1 An impressive fourth and fifth floor duplex apartment in this iconic London landmark in King's Cross. This very bright duplex apartment boasts wonderful period detailing, dramatic spaces including a vaulted styled bedroom with a large reception room and part - separated kitchen. The development additionally has 24hr porterage, gym (by subscription) and use of room service (There is a minimum spend) serviced by the 5 star Marriott Renaissance Hotel. Approximately 81.8 sq m (880 sq ft). EPC:D. Leasehold Guide price: £1,095,000 KnightFrank.co.uk/kingscross/isl150058
KnightFrank.co.uk/kingscross kingscrosssales@knightfrank.com 020 8033 9667
@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk
KF.indd 1
Absolutely City & Angel (Sales) April 17
13/04/2017 15:49
12/04/2017 10:42:04
A VERY IMPORTANT DECISION With the lettings market in full flow, now is the time to maximise your rental income. So if you are considering letting a property this year, call us today on 020 3764 8915 to arrange your free market appraisal or visit KnightFrank.co.uk/kingscross
Guide price: £450 per week
Tapestry Apartments, King's Cross N1C A brand new studio flat situated on the fourth floor of Tapestry, phase three of the new luxury King's Cross development. This spacious studio offers an open plan living area, modern bathroom, fully fitted kitchen and balcony. Residents' will benefit from a 24 hour concierge service, residents' lounge, communal sky garden and fitness suite. EPC: B. Available furnished. kingscrosslettings@knightfrank.com Office: 020 3589 2840
All potential tenants should be advised that as well as rent, an administration fee of £276 and referencing fees of £48 per person will apply when renting a property. Please ask us for more information about other fees that may apply or visit KnightFrank.co.uk/tenantcharges
@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk
Guide price: £800 per week
Plimsoll Building, King's Cross N1C A modern 2 bedroom apartment situated on the 2nd floor of the Plimsoll Building.The flat comprises a large open plan living area, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, fully fitted kitchen and balcony. Benefiting from a 24 hour concierge and fitness suite. EPC: B. Available furnished. kingscrosslettings@knightfrank.com Office: 020 3589 2840
• KNIGHT FRANK.indd 2
Absolutley City and Angel - April 2017 (Lettings)
13/03/2017 15:05
13/03/2017 13:16:21
I WANT TO EXPAND MY INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
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23/03/2017 11:54
PRIME CENTRAL E1 LIVING Introducing a stylish new collection of one, two and three bedroom apartments set around the beautifully landscaped grounds of Mallon Gardens. Intelligently designed and well-appointed, each apartment has a private balcony, winter garden or terrace and all benefit from daily concierge services. With easy access to the best of the City and London’s vibrant East End, London Square Spitalfields also enjoys outstanding transport links from both Aldgate East and Liverpool Street.
Prices from £680,000 To make an appointment call 0333 666 0110 The Sales Suite, Commercial Street, London, E1 7SA, open Tuesday - Saturday.
0333 666 0110
www.londonsquare.co.uk
External computer generated images depict London Square Spitalfields, internal computer generated images depict Apartment 10 at London Square Spitalfields and are indicative only. Details are correct at time of going to press, March 2017.
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PROPERTY R O U N D U P
THE INSIDE SCOOP IN YOUR AREA
Most satisfying transaction:
I never thought I’d see:
I sold my best friends parents’ house in Blackheath. I was working in Shoreditch at the time but still managed to find the perfect buyer.
HOUSE HUNTING
Most interesting property: When I first started in agency I dealt with a 2500 sq ft 1 bed on St John Street in an old Smokehouse. It had so much character and is still my favourite property I have seen to date.
by GEORGE DAVEY SALES MANAGER Stirling Ackroyd
A TIME WHEN EAST LONDON WOULD BE MORE POPULAR THAN THE WEST
A time when East London would be more popular than the West. When I landed my first agency job in Clerkenwell about 10 years ago it was definitely not quite the same as it is now.
Finest property showcase: The Factory, 1 Nile Street, N1. £2,100,000. A stunning split level penthouse with two bedrooms.
WEST END & CLERKENWELL / 020 7549 0606 / stirlingackroyd.com
SPOTLIGHT ON
NORTH LONDON
£896
House
£568
3+ bedroom flat
£419
2 bedroom flat
1 bedroom flat
Achieved rental values £ per week (last 12 months)
£1,185 Credit: LonRes
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PROPERTY / NEWS AG E N T ON DESIGN
LADY MARGARET RD N W 5, £1 , 2 0 0,0 0 0
SOF
OUTDOOR SPACE Not one, but two outdoor spaces are offered in this split level period conversion. There is an East facing balcony with attractive wrought iron work and a roof terrace benefitting from westerly afternoon sun, perfect for al-fresco dining during the summer evenings. LARGE BATHROOM Freestanding bathtubs make for a unique addition to any bathroom, and being placed in the middle of the space adds a luxurious touch. This large bathroom not only offers this distinctive feature, but also has the practicality of a shower cubicle and two full-length mirrors.
New Build
Expert Advice
COMPETITION
STATION HOUSE
by ANDREW MILSOM
250 YEARS AND STILL GOING STRONG!
SALES MANAGER
Where should I invest?
N 2 , £6 8 5 ,0 0 0 - £ 1 , 2 1 0,0 0 0 Behind the iconic period police station facade you will find a development of seven new state of the art apartments and two houses. Built in 1904, with its red brick and contrasting buff coloured stone dressing and steeply pitched roof, Muswell Hill Police Station is a prime example of Edwardian architecture.
Within walking distance of Dalston Station ahead of the proposed Crossrail link coming in.
What have you learnt recently about the local market? The amount of properties coming onto the market at the moment is around half of what we would expect to see at this time of year.
KFH
WINKWORTH
New Homes, 020 3792 4062;
Islington, 020 7354 2480; winkworth.co.uk
kfh.co.uk
LOCATION Located in Kentish Town, this duplex apartment is situated close to the shops and amenities of the area including excellent transport links, yet resides on a quiet road. The current owners love that the property is “close to Hampstead Heath and Camden Town”.
Prickett & Ellis are running a ‘Spot-it’ competition as part of their 250th celebrations. There is a winner each month throughout 2017. The company which was founded by John Prickett of Highgate in 1767 is now up to the fifth generation of Ellis following four generations of Prickett. To have a chance at winning one of the prizes supplied by local businesses go to our website for the details. Contestants simply have to follow the Prickett & Ellis blog and identify a local landmark. Simply scan the QR code below which will take you to our website. This month's prise is a year’s joint Coliseum membership at East Finchley’s Phoenix Cinema!
PRICKETT & ELLIS
Muswell Hill, 020 8883 9797; prickettandellis.com
MEET THE TEAM KNIGHT FRANK
“Not one, but two outdoor spaces are offered in this split level period conversion" MARTYN GERRARD
Kentish Town, 020 7267 3737; martynger rard.co.uk
ANDREW THOMAS
NICK MOORE
DANIEL FOX
LETTINGS NEGOTIATOR
ASSOCIATE
LETTINGS MANAGER
Joining Knight Frank just over 12 months ago, in a somewhat unpredictable market, has surprisingly proved fruitful. Achieving the offices largest annual lettings income to date, the team and I have managed to pull together and successfully surf Islington’s infamous Christmas flooding.
I’ve been working in Islington for 18 years this year and I still love it. The amazing architecture, the lifestyle and above all the people make Islington what it is today. Whilst I don’t have much time to myself with two young children, on the odd occasion that I do get some time off, I like to get out on my bike.
After studying a Masters in Sports Psychology, I went on to work for some renowned sports clubs. In 2011, I made the switch to property and now manage the lettings department for Knight Frank Islington. I love the fact that players from my beloved Arsenal FC stay at the Hilton next to our office during every home match!
ISLINGTON / 020 3657 7340 / knightfrank.co.uk
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BlakeStanley BROADWAY MARKET
Valentine Road, E9
020 7254 7554
£700,000 Wharf Place, E2
Nestled between London Fields and Victoria Park is this excellently presented and generously proportioned two bedroom Victorian uppermaisonette with garden. Bathed in natural light the property comprises a spacious reception with feature bay window and a separate kitchen/diner.
Overlooking Regent's Canal is this generously proportioned and excellently presented two bedroom, two bathroom warehouse conversion. The property comprises a spacious reception room with Juliet balcony over the canal, a separate kitchen and two well-sized bedrooms.
Leasehold
Broadway Market, E8
Share of Freehold
£525 PW* Martello Street, E8
A newly built two bedroom top floor apartment comprises a double height open-plan reception/kitchen/diner, a master bedroom leading to a 100sqft roof terrace, a second double bedroom with mezzanine bed area and ensuite shower room and a further three piece bathroom suite.
Furnished
£685,000
£365 PW*
A one bedroom apartment overlooking London Fields within moments of London Fields B.R station and Broadway Market with its plethora of cafes bars and restaurants. The property offers a open-plan reception with fitted kitchen, bathroom, double bedroom and a small private courtyard.
Unfurnished
*Additional fees payable at the start of the tenancy - £120 inc vat admin fee per property and £60 inc vat reference fee per person. A check out fee is payable at the end of the tenancy, price varies on property size.
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11-13a Broadway Market, Hackney, London, E8 4PH 13/04/2017 16:06
blakestanley.co.uk
CHATSWORTH ROAD
Chatsworth Road, E5
020 8986 2743
500,000 Lockhurst Street, E5
Set on the upper two floors of this Victorian conversion, BlakeStanley have the pleasure of presenting to the market this one bedroom duplex apartment offering a south west private roff terrace
BlakeStanley are pleased to offer the opportunity to purchase this two double bedroom garden flat set on the raised ground and first floor of this three-storey period conversion
Share of Freehold
Cadogan Terrace, E5
Leasehold
£380 PW* The Lock Building, E15
A two bedroom apartment located on the sought after Cadogan Terrace overlooking Victoria Park and is just a short walk to Victoria park village with its cafes, bars and restaurants. The property has a good size open plan lounge, fitted kitchen, two double bedrooms and a bathroom
Part Furnished
580,000
£345 PW*
The property offers a spacious open-plan living area with large balcony a modern kitchen, two double bedrooms including master with built-in wardrobes and a bathroom. A short walk from the numerous transport links of Stratford and the vast array of shops and amenities at Westfield.
Furnished
*Additional fees payable at the start of the tenancy - £120 inc vat admin fee per property and £60 inc vat reference fee per person. A check out fee is payable at the end of the tenancy, price varies on property size.
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57 Chatsworth Road, Clapton, London, E5 0LH 13/04/2017 16:06
407-409 Holloway Road, London N7 6HP
020 7607 5001 drivers.co.uk
SALES
Sussex Way, Holloway, N7 | ÂŁ1,300,000 Super 4 bedroomVictorian terraced house featuring a stunning full-width rear extension providing an open-plan kitchen and dining room.The accommodation comprises 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, two connecting reception rooms, large kitchen and dining room and a downstairs WC. OriginalVictorian Features | Gas Central Heating | Front & Rear Gardens | Well Located for Shops & Transport | Freehold | EPC Rating: Band D
Hornsey Road, Holloway, N7 | ÂŁ550,000 Tastefully refurbished two bedroom 2nd/3rd floor duplex flat.The property comprises large reception room, open plan fully fitted kitchen with integrated appliances, 2 double bedrooms, contemporary bathroom/WC and additional WC.The property is situated on Hornsey Road directly opposite Mayton Street. Contemporary Bathroom | Double Glazed Windows | Feature Lighting | Fitted Carpets & Wood Flooring | Leasehold | EPC Rating: Band C
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LETTINGS
Gainsborough Road, North Finchley, N12 | ÂŁ300.00 per week A newly built, luxury one bedroom flat with sunset views, just a stones throw from Woodside Park Station. Benefits include; wooden flooring throughout, modern fitted kitchen with integrated appliances, large reception, large bedroom with fitted wardrobes, modern bathroom, double glazing & gas central heating. New Build | One Bedroom | Modern | Integrated Appliances | Good Transport Links | EPC Rating: Band B
Monnery Road, Dartmouth Park, N19 | ÂŁ600.00 Per Week This newly refurbished three double bedroom upper maisonette with private roof terrace is situated in the heart of Dartmouth Park. Property includes: modern kitchen, spacious reception room ideal for entertaining guest or relaxing in privacy, two fully tiled bathrooms and gas central heating. Three Double Bedroom | Modern Fitted Kitchen | Gas Central Heating | Good Transport Link | EPC Rating: Band TBC
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PROPERTY / PROFILE KFH
I N T H E I R OW N WO R D S
Chris Rowe From small town beginnings, the Clerkenwell Sales Manager shares anecdotes and upcoming events in this exciting pocket of London Photography by R E B E C C A N O O NA N
H
aving grown up in a small town just outside Brighton, I had never thought about moving to London, let alone managing one of London’s largest estate agency’s branches! My grandparents own an estate agency in Newcastle and from a young age, I had always loved listening to them talking about houses and spotting the “for sale boards” (soon to be sold boards) as we drove down the street. This is where my love for the property industry came from. My estate agency career started at the age of 19 after a mix of door to door and business to business sales. Before this, while at college, a cheery local estate agent came in to discuss his how his business worked and I always remember how passionate he was. I thought I would give him a call to see if he had any positions going and luckily he did! Two days are never the same in estate agency, and as we all do, I’ve had my fair share of embarrassing moments. A true great
was when I reached up for a loft ladder so my prospective buyers could have a look round the roof space. The unattached loft ladder flew down, mildly grazed my finger (which in a panic I thought had been cut off) and I passed out mid-viewing! After being fully entertained, and having a quick look around the loft, they made an offer, and the vendor was thrilled – no sympathy for my finger! After a successful four years, I took a negotiator's position at KFH’s Canada Water branch and my girlfriend and I made the big move to London. Fast forward a couple of years, we have bought our first apartment, and I am managing KFH’s Clerkenwell branch. Clerkenwell has a superb mix of architecture. There are some beautiful listed buildings alongside distinctive modern developments. Also, there is a fantastic range of coffee shops, bars and restaurants which I love to make the most of. Between 23-25th of May, Clerkenwell hosts its annual design week. It is a fantastic time to visit, where the world’s most famous designers come to showcase their new and future designs, while all the local businesses open up their showrooms to the public. Leading pioneers in the creative industry present their
“THE EXISTING LOCAL COMMUNITY IS WHAT MAKES CLERKENWELL A BRILLIANT RESIDENTIAL AREA” new design projects and structures throughout the heart of Clerkenwell. There is also a range of events for both adults and children to enjoy. As a whole, Clerkenwell has something for everyone and continues to develop. The introduction of Crossrail in 2018 will be a tremendous asset providing links to outer London, Canary Wharf and the City, making it a great investment for landlords. Yet the existing local community is what makes Clerkenwell a brilliant residential area. u
CLERKENWELL • 020 3199 3314 • kfh.co.uk
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ARE YOU GETTING THE CUSTOMER SERVICE YOU DESERVE? The ESTAS is the largest independent customer service awards scheme for estate agents, mortgage brokers and conveyancers in the UK property industry. Companies who sign up to The ESTAS are committed to giving YOU the best possible service they can. So if you’re searching for an estate or letting agent, conveyancer or mortgage broker look out for the official ESTAS logo to give you peace of mind and the service you deserve. Whatever your experience, you’ll have the chance to give your feedback, helping us recognise firms that provide excellent customer service throughout the home moving process. To find out more visit our website
theestas.com
Because Service Matters ESTA.indd 0048 ESTAS1Absolutely Magazine Ad Oct 2016 AW.indd 1
02/11/2016 12:42 10:35 19/10/2016
NOW AVAILABLE Contemporary living, classic Islington Discover a range of charming townhouses and apartments with outdoor space located moments away from the cultural heart of Islington.
Last remaining 2 beds from ÂŁ830,000* Please call our selling agents for more information
020 3797 3462
canonburycross.com
*Prices correct at time of going to print February 2017
Canonbury Road N1 2UH
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f r o m b a k e - o f f to m ov i n g O U T by N I G E L L E W I S
Why the Great British Bake-off Finalist Jane Beadle kneads to move
J
ane Beedle enjoyed ten weeks of national fame when she made it to the final of last year’s The Great British Bake Off, the last one before the programme transfers to Channel 4. The 61-year old mother of three says her life hasn’t changed since baking famed beckoned and that she’s been busy back at her garden design business that she runs with her best friend, although she’s also been doing some TV work from her home kitchen for
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both the Good Morning Britain and Lorraine TV shows. “The big different I noticed in my life is that suddenly everyone wants to talk to you,” she says, which most recently included launching the new Beckenham Market. Her bake off journey started when her business partner Harriet kept on hounding her to apply to be on the show, and on the third attempt, she was accepted. Jane says she remembers two of the episodes the best, but for different reasons. She says her
mini mouse cakes made for the showstopper section of week seven were her proudest moment. “I pity the poor people who had to clean my bench area after that; I have never seen so much mess in all my life,” she says. But the next week disaster struck when her three-tiered floral cake went wrong and, at the time, left her “fed up and miserable; it was my worst week on the show,” she says. What a lot of the programme’s fans won’t know is that contestants have a week to practice each of their bakes at home before filming, and Jane used her kitchen in her home in Beckenham as her practice area. “Lord knows how much icing sugar is hiding behind the units left over from that time,” she says. The next owners of the house will soon find out. Jane says that now their children have left home, she and her husband want to sell their home and move to a more rural and slower-paced area. They bought the property pretty much as a wreck. It had belonged to the local Conservative Party and served as their clubhouse and constituency office for over fifty
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PROPERTY / INTERVIEW
“At one point I saw my six-footfive-inch tall son trying to wash his feet in one of the tiny loo washbasins, which was entertaining. “We put in a new kitchen, but it wasn't a really posh catering one because we always knew we’d be selling up this year and anyway there was such a lot to do here. “I put in a kitchen that works rather than a really expensive one my kids have always loved sitting at the breakfast bar and chatting while I cook.” Jane says they always intended the property to be their final push to create a pension pot and that being on TV didn’t deflect them from their plans, which is why they are selling up now. “My husband wants to work much less, and I want to concentrate on my baking more and do less gardening, so now we can move to somewhere more rural,” she says. u
“My kids have always loved sitting at the breakfast bar and chatting while I cook”
years before Jane bought it, so the first thing she had to do was convert back into a home. “They had divided the building into two sets of offices and knocked two bedrooms to make a meeting room. When we moved in it still had pictures of all the former Tory leaders hanging on the wall,” she says. “There was no kitchen to speak of, no bathrooms – just loads of men’s and women’s urinals – and we lived in a small back room and cooked using an electric frying pan and a kettle during the six months that the work took to complete.
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For more information contact Foxtons on 020 7579 2929 foxtons.co.uk
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PROPERTY / FEATURE Chamonix’s off-piste property appeal by N I G E L L E W I S
Nigel Lewis visits the famously gnarly Alpine resort to see what you can buy.
T
he day I visited Chamonix the skiing conditions did not look good. The snow was mostly cannon-created, thin and there were rumours in the nearby Three Valleys of resorts being partially closed as water reserves ran low. Then the next day the clouds gathered, darkened and dumped. Chamonix’s pistes were transformed into a powdery heaven and for a time the volume of snow – ironically – closed one of its ski stations. Such conditions, in which my skis disappeared into huge drifts even on the main pistes, are manna from heaven for Chamonix. It’s where serious skiers go to test their skills and, rather than being a ski resort, it’s more a winter sports wonderland and the town describes itself as the best ‘freeride resort’ in the world. Walk down Chamonix’s high street on a late January afternoon and you’ll see who the resort tends to attract; weathered Nordic types clutching long, fat skis and plenty of technical bits hanging off carabiner clips clump merrily down to their après dens. Chamonix has an unusual layout with two ski areas directly above the town but the other ski areas are outside the town. The skiing in the two nearest areas – Le Brevent and Le Flegere – can, in places, be hairy although there are some blues. But both require a black run or a bubble to get you back to town. There’s also a cable car
on the outskirts of town that takes you to the famous Aiguilles du Midi viewpoint, from where you can ski the 20km-long and world-famous off-piste Vallee Blanche routes. Up from Chamonix is Argentiere which, once you’re up on its pistes, you can only return to via a red or the bubble and it offers mostly blacks and reds with a handful of short blues. For less proficient skiers or those who just want an easier day’s skiing
then down the valley and 10 minutes along the motorway is Les Houches. It is a nice mix of blues and easy reds and offers stunning views over the Chamonix valley on a clear day, and has a pretty village below it where you can have lunch, as well as several piste-side eateries too. The property market in Chamonix is comparable to other high-profile Alpine resorts, but on average it’s less expensive, partly because demand is lower. It’s not somewhere you own a property for the caché so much, but rather because you’re a serious skier. It’s a market heavily dominated by apartments; studios kick off at €250,000 while two-bedroom flats start at €450,000 and three-bedroom apartments at €600,00. The region’s largest house builder, MGM, is also busy in and around Chamonix. It has a large ‘hotel-apartment’ style development called Le Crystal de Jade recently completed next to the Aiguilles du Midi cable car. It’s a five-star development of 56 luxury one to four-bedroom apartments in chaletstyle, four-storey properties. Attached to them is hotel-style reception with a resident’s lounge, a small bar as well as a sauna, spa, indoor pool, ski lockers and underground parking. The remaining available properties within the development are being sold via the French leaseback system. “Leaseback means that you own the freehold but lease the property back to MGM; in return the French government gives you back the 20% VAT it charges on new apartments, if you agree to rent it out,” says Richard Deans of MGM. MGM also has two other developmets under way near Chamonix. ◆ More information from www.mgmfrenchproperties.com/property
“It's more a winter sports wonderland and the town describes itself as the best 'freeride resort' in the world” ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES
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D AV E Y S OF SPITALFIELDS
To all Spitalfieldians... This perfect three bedroom London sancturary, nestled on Spitafields most
prestigious address... Princelet Street. Ideally located for the City or for any Eastend officado’s seeking out the delights this area has to offer. £1,600,000 or £1,150 pw.
020 7871 9599
info@daveys.co
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Hampstead
£2,500 pw Unfurnished
6 Bedrooms | Reception | 3 Bathrooms | House Garden | Roof Terrace | Garage | EPC - F Hampstead 020 3503 0908
hamp@brlets.co.uk
Sixteen branches open six days a week Monday - Saturday Canary Wharf | City | Colindale | Ealing | Fulham | Greenwich | Hammersmith | Hampstead Highgate | Hyde Park | Kensington | Kew | Knightsbridge | Nine Elms | Surrey Quays | Wapping Additional charges apply: Tenancy Agreement, Credit Check & Inventory Report. For details visit www.brlets.co.uk/tenantinfo
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To arrange a viewing or for more information call
020 7319 9783
Highbury
£375 pw Furnished
London’s Letting Agency
info@brlets.co.uk www.brlets.co.uk
Hampstead
£425 pw Furnished
1 Bedroom | Reception | 1 Bathroom | Apartment Lift | 24hr Concierge | Communal Garden | EPC - B
2 Bedrooms | Reception | 2 Bathrooms | Apartment Communal Garden | Close to Tube & Amenities | EPC - D
Highgate 020 3302 2601
Hampstead 020 3503 0908
Hampstead
high@brlets.co.uk
£500 pw Furnished
Highgate
hamp@brlets.co.uk
£850 pw Unfurnished
2 Bedrooms | Reception | 1 Bathroom | Apartment Garden | Amenities Nearby | EPC - D | Sole Agents
4 Bedrooms | 2 Receptions | 3 Bathrooms | Apartment Private Garden | Close to Tube | EPC - E | Sole Agents
Hampstead 020 3503 0908
Highgate 020 3302 2601
hamp@brlets.co.uk
high@brlets.co.uk
Hong Kong | India | Malaysia | Singapore
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Faster. Sell or Let with Knight Frank. Our understanding of the ever-changing market enables us to price properties accurately. So whether you’re looking to buy or sell, let or rent; you can rely on Knight Frank to get you moving. Knight Frank Islington 353 Upper Street London N1 0PD 020 3657 7340 @islington_N1 islington@knightfrank.com
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