EAST
AUGUST 2015 / £3.95
SECOND ACT
RICHARD E. GRANT’S CAREER CHANGE
HIPPY CHIC
BOHO THREADS BRING THE HEAT
ONE OF A KIND
THE MINT LIST’S SINGULAR VISION
TICKLED PINK
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contents Aug ust 2015
48
ART & CULTURE
8 WHAT’S ON
Diary dates for Auxgust
10 GRANT & I Richard E. Grant charms us with his
British humour and refreshing honesty
24 WARDROBE MASTER British Esquire’s Senior Style Editor, Teo van
den Broeke, on the trainers shoe trend
HE ALTH & BE AUT Y
28 BEAUTY CONFIDENTIAL August’s best beauty buys and reviews
FASHION
31 FITNESS CONFIDENTIAL
This month’s hottest trends and products
BOOM Cycle’s Bangs, superfood-filled Oppo Ice Cream and Every Second Counts’ new line
FOOD & DRINK
hottest openings and products for August
16 STYLE CONFIDENTIAL
18 BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY Charlotte Adsett explores hippie-luxe with
18
clashing exotic prints and 70s silhouettes
35 TABLE TALK Jane Parkinson’s wine pairings and the 39 FOOD REVIEW Not just for corporates: Stephanie King tests
COVERS
All clothing by ESCADA, 194-195 SLOANE STREET, SW1X 7XL
e s c a d a .c o m P h o t o g r a p h e r D a n i e l J ac k s o n
INTERIORS
56 INTERIOR INSPIRATIONS The best contemporary classic pieces and Jessica
out the City’s newly refurb’d The Sterling
43 SMALL TALK Helen Baron finds the best clothing and
60 ONE OF A KIND We speak with the inimitable Camilla Kelly,
KIDS & EDUCATION
accessories for little ones this summer
TRAVEL
48 CHILL AND THRILL
Catherine Hales travels to Mauritius and uncovers its playful and peaceful sides
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33
Klingelfuss’ latest limited edition discovery
founder of vintage furniture site The Mint List
PROPERT Y
72 PROPERTY NEWS Nigel Lewis shares his property insights, and
recent news and views on the area
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EST. 2005
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EDITOR CATHERINE HALES SENIOR EDITORIAL ASSISTANT ELIZABETH HUTTON EDITORIAL ASSISTANT STEPHANIE KING CONTRIBUTING FASHION EDITOR CHARLOTTE ADSETT CONTRIBUTING INTERIORS EDITOR JESSICA KLINGELFUSS EDITORIAL INTERN ALEX PIOTROW SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER KRISTIAN BRUMBY MAJOR ACCOUNTS DIRECTOR TAMSIN LUCK PROPERTY DIRECTOR ANDY ELMER PROPERTY EXECUTIVE JENNI RAWSTHORNE PROPERTY EDITOR HUGO HUNTER ART DIRECTOR RAY SEARLE SENIOR DESIGNER PHIL COUZENS PRODUCTION MANAGER STEWART HYDE MIDWEIGHT DESIGNER GEMMA ISTEED DESIGNER EKREM YILMAZ JUNIOR DESIGNER REBECCA NOONAN FINANCIAL CONTROLLER AYSHA HABIBI CREDIT CONTROL MANAGER ALEXANDRA HVID PA TO THE DIRECTORS MARIANNE MCFADDEN DIRECTORS ALEXANDRA HUNTER MANAGING DIRECTOR SHERIF SHALTOUT For editorial enquiries please email: catherine@zest-media.com For advertising enquiries please call 020 7704 0588 or email: advertising@zest-media.com Subscriptions are available simply by emailing marianne@zest-media.com You can receive an online subscription for FREE or a postal subscriptions for 12 months, £30 respectively (to cover postage and packaging). Please email us with your preferred option and details.
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Fo l l ow Us O n T wi t t e r @ABSOLUTELY_MAGS Fa c e b o o k ‘ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES’
EDITOR’S letter
A
ugust in London makes it feel like everyone is on holiday – except, of course, for you. Children dominate the tube, every bus is crammed with pushchairs and a day in the park is only possible if you arrive at the crack of dawn and fight off the au pairs with a stick. Bearing this in mind, in this issue we attempt to offer you a little escapism, whether you’re stuck in the office or cooped up at home with the kids. Our travel feature this month has us jetting off to the island of Mauritius. Balancing the indulgence of a beach holiday with the excitement of an adventure-packed break, Mauritius has all bases covered. See page 48 to find out how your editor fared when attempting ziplining for the first time (spoiler alert: I panicked). If you can’t actually jump on a plane and jet off to paradise, you can at least dress the part with our fashion shoot on page 18. Styled by our brilliant
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fashion editor, Charlotte Adsett, the vivid prints and patterns summon up visions of Moroccan markets and sunset over the riads. Our lead interview this month is Richard E. Grant, an expert in the field of escapism, having spent a career creating characters worlds away from his quiet, charming self. Find out why he’s taken a break from acting to dabble in the perfume industry on page 10. Those working in the City who are merely seeking a small escape from their offices should take note of our review of The Sterling on page 39. A little bubble of tranquility away from the hustle and bustle, their comfort grub is just what the doctor ordered. Perhaps not the cardiologist, but still. I hope you enjoy the issue. Tchuss! u
Catherine Hales Editor
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© WARNER BROS, 'CASABLANCA', 1942, SCREENED AT ROYAL OPERA HOUSE, 7 & 8 AUGUST
> WHAT'S ON THIS AUGUST
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INTERVIEW: RICHARD E. GRANT
p. 10
OF ALL THE THEATRES Humphrey Bogart. Ingrid Bergman. One of pop culture’s most iconic films, Casablanca (1942), will be brought to life this August at the Royal Opera House when the on-screen drama is amplified by Cinematic Sinfonia’s accompanying performance. Sounds like the beginning of a beautiful friendship. roh.org.uk
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AJ BELL LONDON TRI
CARSTEN HÖLLER, ISOMERIC SLIDES, 2015
© TAKAHIRO YAMAMOTO
8 -9 Au g u s t Ex C e L L o ndo n his is the world’s largest triathlon and, T with distances to suit all abilities, a must do for all athletes. Over 13,000 entrants will swim, cycle and run around the Docklands, cheered on by thousands of spectators. Very well organised and good fun. u Royal Victoria Dock, E16; thelondontriathlon.com
PHOTOGRAPHY NOW 6 -16 Au g u s t T he B r i c k L a ne G a ll e r y howing local and international S photographers, who explore and reveal different themes and emotions, this show includes the work of Takahiro Yamamoto who captures natural beauty using geometric structures. u 93-95 Sclater Street, E1; thebricklanegallery.com
DECISION Throughout August Haywa rd G a ller y
Belgian artist Carsten Höller has an advanced degree in science and often draws upon the laws of physics for his artwork. His latest interactive exhibition explores perception and decision-making by culminating in his ‘Isomeric Slides’ that fall from the gallery’s roof. This promises to be an educational experience like no other. Belvedere Road, SE1;
carstenholler.southbankcentre.co.uk
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THE CRAYFISH FESTIVAL Un ti l 16 Au g u s t Fi k a L o ndo n elebrate the Nordic summertime C festival and stuff yourself on all-you-can-eat crayfish, herring and gravadlax. Customary accessories include comical paper hats and bibs so don’t take yourself seriously, let loose and have some fun. u 161 Brick Lane, E1; fikalondon.com
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ARTS & CULTURE / TALKING TOPICS
KLEZFEST CONCERT
NOONDAY DEMONS
TRUE ROMANCE © CASSANDRA YAP
1 9 Au g u s t JW 3 o celebrate the return of the world-famous JMI T music summer school, Klezfest, JW3 are putting on an evening of Jewish music. With some of the most significant players in the klezmer revival coming to perform, including the renowned clarinetist, Joel Rubin, this will be a fun, passionate and energetic evening of traditional Eastern Jewish music. u 341-351 Finchley Road, NW3; jmi.org.uk
Summer Screen Prints Un t i l 23 Aug us t S om e r s e t Ho u s e
must see
To mark their third year at Somerset House, Film4 Summer Screen has commissioned screen-prining studio, Print Club London, to curate a series of illustrations inspired by their original posters. Featuring established designers Rose Blake and street artist RYCA alongside emerging talent such as Cassandra Yap, this is an eclectic and inspirational collection of work.
Unti l 2 August Kings Head T h e a t re he tragic and the ridiculous crash into T each other in this rare revival of Peter Barnes’ 1969 anarchic black comedy. Following two hermits as they try to survive in the Egyptian desert, this is a witty and rude play that explores zealotry and extreme violence performed in the name of God – themes that are all too familiar in today’s world. u 115 Upper Street, N1; kingsheadtheatre.com
West Wing Galleries, WC2; somersethouse.org.uk
PLAY OF THE MONTH
THE CAR MAN Un t i l 9 Au gu s t S adle r ’ s We ll s
riginally performed at Sadler’s Wells in 2007, Matthew Bourne’s internationally acclaimed award-winning dance thriller, The Car Man, is back with it’s instantly recognisable score. Loosely based on Bizet’s opera Carmen, the 19th Century Spanish cigarette factory becomes a greasy 1960’s American diner. Here the dreams and desires of a small-town are shattered by the arrival of a handsome
O
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stranger. Full of betrayal and revenge, Bourne combines sexual jealousy and crime passionnel with the absurdity of forties film noir classic, The Postman Always Rings Twice, to create a dangerous and uncompromising vision of the US. The Car Man is a modern day classic so be sure to see it.◆ Rosebery Avenue, EC1R; sadlerswells.com
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GRANT & I Following the launch of his second fragrance, Covent Garden, we speak to Londoner Richard E. Grant about scent and the Spice Girls I n t e r v i e w r o m y va n d e n b r o e k e
I
met Richard E. Grant on a sunny day in April at The Corner Restaurant and Champagne bar in Selfridges. One of Britain's most eminent acting talents, loved as much for his slurring turn in Withnail & I as for his humourless first footman in Gosford Park, I found myself a little intimidated. But when I arrived at the event, Grant got up and meandered over to introduce himself. “Hello, I’m Richard. You must be Romy,” he took my hand and shook it firmly, before making a joke - one I can’t remember because of a mild case of being struck by stardom - and warning me, with a wry smile, to eat all of my breakfast because he had forked out for it himself. Immaculately dressed in a slim cut navy blazer and with a leonine head of perfectly coiffed hair, Grant is every bit the veteran British thespian - but his self-effacing demeanor, raucous sense of humour and effortless British charm put me instantly at ease. Grant’s formidable acting career hasn’t slowed with age (he turned 58 in May).
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[WITHNAIL & I]
deals with failure and that is SOMETHING MORE PEOPLE might be able to EMPATHISE with than success His recent cameo in acclaimed American television series Girls is evidence of Grant’s ability to remain relevant. Lena Dunham, the writer, director and star of the series, wrote Grant into the role of Jasper, an onand-off-the-wagon cocaine addict indulging in an affair with a girl half his age. As a self-confessed fan of Withnail & I, it’s easy to see where Dunham’s inspiration for the character came from. There’s a mutual admiration between the two, palpable in the way Grant speaks about her. “[She] write[s] with such extraordinary insight and honesty,” he continues, describing her as an “uber multi-hyphenate phenomenon”.
Any good actor has a couple of stinkers on their resumé, and Grant is not exempt. 2014's Dom Hemmingway is definitely up there, and let's not forget Spice Girls: The Movie. But in general, Grant’s managed to avoid any major flops. From his recent role as Lord Michael Heseltine in 2011 The Iron Lady, to the voice of Percy in Disney’s Pocahontas, Grant’s repertoire is extensive to say the least - he starred in Francis Ford Coppola’s acclaimed Bram Stoker’s Dracula in 1992, The Age of Innocence in 1993, the aforementioned Gosford Park in 2001 and Bright Young Things in 2003. More recently, Grant played Simon Bricker, an art historian, in Downton Abbey and is currently filming forthcoming ITV drama Jekyll and Hyde. Even with a plethora of box office hits in the bag, the one film most people associate with Grant is Bruce Robinson’s 1987 cult classic, Withnail & I, in which Grant plays an alcoholic Nihlist with a penchant for drinking lighter fluid. Grant attributes the film’s cult success to the fact that it “deals with failure and that is something more people might be able to empathise with than success.”
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ARTS & CULTURE / INTERVIEW
He continues, “[Withnail & I] has no plot nor any of the things every other successful movie relies on. The script is also scabrously witty and infused with profound loss and nostalgia. In other words, it’s truly romantic. “It opened every career door for me. In the three decades since it was made, it still gets quoted at me by total strangers on a daily basis.” With such success so early on his career, has anything else lived up to it? “Writing and directing my autobiographical film WAH-WAH was a real highlight too, as I was able to re-visit my incredibly dysfunctional family life from the safety of middle age.” Born of English, Dutch and German ancestry, Grant’s upbringing was a colourful one. His father, Henrik Esterhuysen, was head of education for the British government administration in the former British Protectorate of Swaziland. When he was ten, Grant witnessed his mother sleeping with his father’s best friend in the back of his car - a cataclysmic event which led to the subsequent divorce of his parents. Writing and producing the film WAHWAH, the autobiographical take on this traumatic period of his life, in 2005 was, for Grant, “very intense and cathartic, while directing it was entirely liberating as we filmed in most of the locations where the key events in the story took place.” Surprisingly, Grant's mother gave the film her blessing, something he describes as “both generous and much appreciated.” A former sufferer of depression, Grant now speaks openly about mental health and attributes his recovery to 18-months of rigorous psychoanalysis, claiming that it saved his life. He also believes that acting has helped him to cope with painful memories from his past. “Acting is a great way of dealing with and confronting difficult issues, as you are always examining behavior and what motivates people to do the things they do.” With this in mind, I ask, is there anything he’d like to tell his younger self? “Rest easy. You will live beyond 52” – the age his father died – “You will fall in love. You will have a child. You
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moon in 1969, when I was 12 years old, have I wanted to go into outer space.” He may not have made it out of the atmosphere just yet, but Grant has recently branched into a surprising new industry. Last year he launched his first fragrance, Jack. Far from the Beyonces and Britneys of the fragrance world, Grant saw Jack as an opportunity to explore his obsession with scent. “I have been led by my nose all my life and compulsively sniffed everything in sight,” he admits. As a boy, his concerned parents asked why he felt the need to smell everything, to which he responded: “All animals smell everything, why not us?” At the age of 12 Grant, taken with a local girl, decided to create a perfume for RICHARD E GRANT’S LATEST FRAGRANCE COVENT GARDEN her by boiling gardenia and rose petals in sugar water, sealing them in jars and burying them in the garden. It didn’t work, but ignited a genuine interest in the art of fragrance making. Forty years later and, with the encouragement of his close friend fashion designer Anya Hindmarch, Grant took the plunge. Sleeved in a Union Jack-adorned canvas bag, the fragrance contains notes of lime, marijuana and mandarin, with heart notes of nutmeg and clove, and base notes of vetiver and musk. Grant attributes the inclusion of cannabis to his upbringing in Swaziland, a place also will live in London. And you will go to known as The Gold Mine of Marijuana. Hollywood.” Grant’s latest scent, Covent Garden, Though Grant’s father wanted him to is now available, having launched in become a barrister, “I was so talkative June. Imbued with notes of rose, orange and argumentative, but law was never and carrot, the fragrance is inspired by a serious consideration,” the actor Covent Garden Market as featured in My originally wanted to tread the surface of Fair Lady - a nod to his theatrical roots. the moon rather than the boards. “Ever Despite travelling the world for work, since Neil Armstrong set foot on the Grant is a determined Londoner. “I love London for the variety of theatre, music, museums, galleries and history. They’re unbeatable. And, if a city could be deemed to have a sense of humour, London most definitely has that.” His favourite gallery is the National Portrait Gallery, while his theatre of choice is the National, and if you’re lucky you might spot him wandering the streets, probably en route to grab a bite at Spring, Skye Gyngell's new eatery in Somerset GRANT IN HIS SEMINAL ROLE IN WITHNAIL & I House. u
Ever since NEIL ARMSTRONG set foot on the MOON IN 1969, when I was 12 YEARS old, have I wanted to go into OUTER SPACE
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Kitchen dreams are coming true...
40, Offord Road, Islington N1 1EB 020 7700 1555 www.conceptkitchensislington.co.uk
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> FASHION CONFIDENTIAL
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BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY
p. 18
WARDROBE MASTER
p.24
NEW GENERATION Shot by Mario Testino, on the streets of Mayfair, the new Burberry campaign for AW15 features a cast of 12 young British actors, musicians and models including Clara Paget, Ella Richards and Tom Odell. burberry.com
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st y l e C e n t r a l
Snakeskin, culottes and statement sandals are at the top of our must-buy list this August Wo r d s c h a r l o t t e a d s e t t
SELFPORTRAIT Wo r d s s t e p h a n i e k i n g
loggers fawn over it; celebrities to wear it; and us, we B clamour just simply want to get our hands on it. Self-portrait, the luxury womenswear label founded in 2013 by Han Chong, is technically an emerging brand; but with such a refined aesthetic and such a clearly defined vision, self-portrait appears as established as the Valentinos and Elie Saabs of this world. The Central Saint Martins alumnus enrobes names such as Reese Witherspoon, Miranda Kerr and Rachel McAdams; yet its figure-flattering cuts are for every shape. Chong uses guipere lace, embroidery and layered textiles to celebrate the female form, where each piece is a veritable head-turner. It is for this very reason that every occasion simply demands a self-portrait ensemble. So with all of our diaries brimming with spring/summer weddings, consider selfportrait’s Pre-Fall ’15 collection your go-to brand. Pick from an array of semi sheer midi dresses, with underlays highlighting gingham and leaf patterns; culottes and co-ord tops with exaggerated box pleat peplums; and a colour palette of black, bordeaux, white and steel blue. With a self-portrait wedding wardrobe, you’ll look so good it will make the relatively miniscule price you pay (for a designer brand, that is) even sweeter. u ● SELF-PORTRAIT From, £140; self-portrait-studio.com
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Making Waves Melissa Odabash
If you are still looking for that dream swimsuit, bikini or kaftan for your summer holiday, then look no further than swimwear designer to the stars, Melissa Odabash. Melissa’s striking brights and trademark animal prints are a hit with the A-list including Kate Middleton, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Kate Moss. melissaodabash.com
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FASHION / NOTES
7
BAGS OF STYLE Liberty Bags
of the best
Liberty London have updated their much loved ‘Iphis’ print handbag and accessories with a new embossed leather range. From classic totes and backpacks, through to wallets and iPad cases – all available in a rainbow of colours – this is a seriously covetable collection. ‘Marlborough’ Large Leather Tote, £595; liberty.co.uk
SNAKESKIN Python is the animal print of the season
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01
editor’s
THE HOT STEPPER
PICK
Paula Cademartori S hoes
One of our favourite handbag designers Paula Cademartori has recently launched her much anticipated shoe line, and we couldn’t be more in lust. The ‘Lotus’ sandal combines intricate Italian craftsmanship and celebrates the namesake flower with laser cut detailing and lace up straps. From £740; paulacademartori.com
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WIDE ANGLE Culottes
The Fash Pack have been wearing them for a while – the early adopters that they are – now wide leg culottes suddenly seem super wearable and the thing we most want to buy. Find the right length for your height and team with high sandals for the most flattering silhouette. Roksanda, £775; net-a-porter.com
06
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HAUTE HIPPIE Vy s h y v a n k a B y V i k a K i n
The current fashion hit of Instagram is cult label Vyshyvanka by Vita Kin, whose bohemian bell sleeve embroidered dresses have caused mega waiting lists around the world. The dresses aren’t currently stocked in the UK, but we have been assured that Matches and Net-a-Porter will be stocking for early August. Phew. Prices from £1,100; coming soon at matchesfashion.com + net-a-porter.com
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01. SAINT LAURENT Sandals, £710; farfetch.com 02. MARNI Handbag, £1,930; net-a-porter.com 03. BARBARA BUI Vest, £102; yoox.com 04. DIANE VON FURSTENBERG Skirt, £240; farfetch.com 05. MELISSA ODABASH Bikini, £81; theoutnet.com 06. ZIMMERMANN, Dress, £195 net-a-porter.com 07. ANCIENT GREEK Sandals, £200; ancient-greek-sandals.com
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Leopard print silk jumpsuit, £210; Rosamosario at theoutnet.com Headpiece, £425; Eugenia Kim at Liberty Earrings, £120 and bangles, £45 each; Pebble London Ring on first finger, £190; Maria Francesca Pepe and on third finger, £108; Maria Black Rug and cushions from a selection; rajtentclub.com
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BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY Mix clashing prints, suede and billowing chiffons for a modern hippie-luxe P h o t o g r a p h y S q u i z H a m i lt o n Styling charlotte adsett
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Leopard print bikini, £140; Rosamosario at theoutnet.com Chiffon kaftan, £825; Matthew Williamson Bangle, £45; Pebble London Silk turban, £180; Etro at Liberty Suede tasselled boots, £975; Paul Andrew at avenue32.com Ring on first finger, £190; Maria Francesca Pepe and on third finger, £108; Maria Black
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Silk scarf worn as top, £375; Liberty London at Liberty Felt hat, £375; The Season Hats Chiffon wide-leg trousers, £495; Anna Sui at net-a-porter.com Sandals, £395; Jimmy Choo Earrings, £375 and rings, from £196; Vicki Sarge
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Suede embroidered kimono jacket, £3,975, and trousers, £2,595; Matthew Williamson Headpiece, £222; Joubi London Earrings £398; Vicky Sarge Ring on right hand £218; Vicki Sarge, ring on left hand, £180; Maria Francesca Pepe
PHOTOGRAPHY Squiz Hamilton FASHION EDITOR Charlotte Adsett MODEL Thayna Brito at Next MAKE-UP Hilla Karmand using Cosmetics a la Carte HAIR Roger Cho using Lauren’s Way FASHION ASSISTANT Rachel Doyle WITH THANKS TO: The Fulham Palace and the use of their gardens which are available for weddings and private event hire; fulhampalace.org Rugs and cushions used throughout available from rajtentclub.com STOCKISTS avenue32.com jimmychoo.com joubi.co.uk liberty.co.uk maria-black.com matthewwilliamson.com mfpepe.com net-a-porter.com pebblelondon.com rajtentclub.com robertocavalli.com theoutnet.com theseasonhats.com vickisarge.com
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THE NEW AUTUMN COLLECTION 2015 NOW AVAILABLE IN STORE & ONLINE OSKA 20 Montpelier Vale London SE3 0TA T 0208 852 9774 blackheath.oska.com OSKA 71 Heath Street London NW3 6UG T 0207 433 1482 hampstead.oska.com
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FASHION / MEN’S STYLE
Wo r d s T e o va n d e n B r o e k e Senior style editor of British Esquire
The Classic
Adidas, Adidas by Raf Simons x Stan Smith Sneakers, £460; farfetch.com
Complete the look with these three essential separates
The Smarter Option
Ralph Lauren, Tan ‘Severn’ Calfskin Sneaker, £410; ralphlauren.com
The Runner
Nike free 5.0 in black/anthasyte, £100; nike.com
The Fashion Sneaker
Dior White Leather Emroidered Sneaker, £780; dior.com
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GIORGIO ARMANI, AW15
The Slip On
Lanvin, Calf Hair and Suede Slip-on Sneaker, £512; neimanmarcus.com
The T-Shirt
Wardrobe Master
Kilgour, Black Silk T-Shirt; No.5 Saville Row
Why the only shoes you should be wearing right now is a pair of solid, sporty sneakers
T
he current mood in menswear is one inspired by the increasing prevalence of sportswear both on and off the runways. Season after season the designers are moving further and further away from the trussedup three piece suit and tie look, which was championed in the hit TV series Mad Men, favouring instead a softer approach. In the place of super slim cut trousers now come baggy double and triple pleated slacks cut from fabrics more commonly associated with sporting pursuits, such as Jersey and pique. Tailored jackets are deconstructed and soft in the shoulder, closer resembling cardigans. In place of shirts and ties, T-shirts and
grandad collared shirts in seersucker and silk are being worn. What’s surprising is the brands which are spearheading this move toward softness. Italian tailoring heavyweights Giorgio Armani, Ermenegildo Zegna and Brunello Cucinelli are all championing a slouchier, more comfort-focused approach. The most obvious example of this shift is the menswear industry’s wholehearted embrace of the sneaker. There’s not one brand who, this season or last, didn’t send out a suit or separates combo teamed with a souped-up running trainer, a tennis shoe or a slip on skate shoe. From Raf Simons’ minimalist take on Adidas’ iconic Stan Smith, to Lanvin’s effortlessly chic slip ons, right now it’s all about sneakers. Here’s my pick of the best. u
The Trousers
Emporio Armani, Trousers in Wool and Seersucker Blend in Dark Blue, £168; armani.com
The Jacket
Berluti, Cashmere-felt Blazer, £2,800; mrporter.com
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BATH SORTS
BATHROOM DESIGN SPECIALISTS
38 Offord Road, Islington N1 1DL 020 7700 1333 www.bathsorts.co.uk
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Transform your life with the help of Valerina Brookes a natural Healer and certified Metamorphic Technique practitioner. With her 20 years’ training and experience in alternative medicine, Valerina uses a soothing touch on your feet, hands and head, to help you to shift deep unwanted habits and energy patterns that no longer serve you. What you think of yourself and your life often becomes a pattern. Unresolved patterns can surface as mental or physical illness, emotional problems, or limiting attitudes and behaviour.
Following Metamorphic Touch sessions with Valerina, clients have experienced: • Headache relief • Ankle pain relief • Increased energy • Clarity of thought • Creativity boost • Increased self-confidence and self-awareness • Deep transformative shifts
FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION 07736 406 858, contact@metamorphictouch.co.uk www.metamorphictouch.co.uk
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FITNESS CONFIDENTIAL
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MELLOW YELLOW It’s never too early to start thinking about the beauty trends you’re going to channel in autumn, we suggest taking inspiration from Peter Pilotto’s AW15 show and roughly line your eyes with mustard yellow. maccosmetics.com
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AUGUST 2015
16/07/2015 14:48
B E AU T Y R e v i e w
Let your true self shine through this August, with no make up and shades of beige W o r d s R o m y va n d e n B r o e k e
VANIDAY
The brand new beauty, fitness and wellbeing app Wo r d s c at h e r i n e h a l e s
I
n this day and age, convenience is everything. Our shortened attention spans and lengthened workdays mean we expect instant solutions. Having the city at your fingertips has been made possible with restaurant apps and conceirge platforms so it’s unsurprising that a beauty and wellness offering wasn’t far behind. Vaniday have a carefully curated catalogue of salons, nail bars and yoga studios arranged according to your location. Their specialised service will also link you to experts in a range of fields including personal trainers, yoga instructors and masage therapists among many others. As I find it next to impossible to squeeze in the time to organise hair and nail apointments (let alone yoga!), Vaniday proved to be a
HAVING THE CITY
at your fingertips is NOW POSSIBLE
brilliantly painless way to find a nearby salon and book within a matter of minutes. I chose to get my nails done at Soho nail bar Cucumba, where I had some white gels applied expertly by an incredibly friendly nail technician whilst taking a break from my hectic day. Whether you’re looking for an easy way to make a serious change by hiring a trainer or just want a way to book beauty appointments on the fly, Vaniday is an essential addition to your smartphone homepage. ◆
● VA N I D AY Throughout central London; Download for free in the App Store
ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES
C&A_AUG15_Beauty_Notes.indd 28
Being Beige Chanel
Still searching for the perfect summer make up? Look no further, Chanel have nailed it with their Les Beiges 2015 collection. Modelled here by the original bronze goddess, Gisele Bündchen, choose from muted peaches, soft tawny and pastel pinks. chanel.com
28 16/07/2015 14:46
HEALTH & BEAUTY / NOTES editor’s
PICK
8 of the best
HAIR REMOVERS NO MAKE UP Perricone MD
The biggest beauty trend of 2015 is one of the hardest trends to pull off: the no make up look. Luckily Perricone MD have just released a collection of skincare make up which subtly covers and keeps your skin healthy. Our hero product is the No Foundation Foundation, which works to minimise wrinkles and correct undertones. perrriconemd.co.uk
01
best
BUY
OVER THE RAINBOW Maria Nila
If you’ve missed the pastel hair trend this summer you must have been living under a rock – or at least somewhere without Instagram. Our favourite temporary pastel look comes from Maria Nila; her Azure Colour Refresh will make you hair mermaid-tastic. marianila.com
03
02
PEACHY POUT M AC C o s m e t i c s
04
Paint a peach hue onto your pout this summer with either subtle apricot or bright coral. Expert tip: make sure you set them off against bronzed skin. Try one of these MAC’s lipsticks – one of which has just launched in collaboration with Giambattista Valli – for the perfect summer accessory. maccosmetics.co.uk
05
06
07
SUNNY SIDE UP Bobbi Brown
Still the face of Bobbi Brown, Kate Upton models the brand’s Sandy Nudes collection with ease. The collection has been updated for summer 2015 with a delicious body oil, summer bronzers and a gorgeous set of nail varnishes in a creamy pale pink and pale mushroom shades. bobbibrown.co.uk
29 C&A_AUG15_Beauty_Notes.indd 29
08
1. BRAUN SILK-EPIL 9, £149.99; boots.com 2. PEARL POLISH, DUAL ACTION BODY OIL, £28; thegroomingclinic.com 3. BLISS, FUZZ OFF FOAM, £26.00; blissworld.co.uk 4. VEET, EASY GRIP READY-TO-USE WAX STRIPS, £7.29; ocado.com 5. MONU, PRO SKINCARE DEPIL LOTION, £14.95; monushop.co.uk 6. NO!NO!, PRO GOLD LIMITED EDITION, £210; harrods.com 7. VICHY, DERMABLEND TOTAL BODY FOUNDATION, £29.50; boots.com 8. ACQUA DI PARMA, COLLEZIONE BARBIERE RAZOR & STAND, £240.00; acquadiparma.co.uk
AUGUST 2015
16/07/2015 14:47
VIP CLUB
SIMON BETTS PERSONAL TRAINING GET FIT... FEEL HEALTHIER
BE MORE PRODUCTIVE
It’s free and easy to join at www.headmasters.com for 25% OFF all hair services and other benefits Terms and conditions apply
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www.headmasters.com
HEADMASTERS.indd 1 _ADVERT PLACEMENTS_AUG.indd 1
20/07/2015 17:21
20/07/2015 17:22
Q&A
HEALTH & BEAUTY / NOTES PLAY BALL
This tennis season, make sure you play in RolandGarros’ collection at Lacoste. Afterall, “without style, playing and winning are not enough”. lacoste.com
A DAY IN THE LIFE of a BOOM cycle instructor B y B a n g s C A R E Y- C A M B E L L
Talk me through your typical day I’ve always been an early riser. I’ll get up around 5:30AM and will either go for a run or take some quiet meditation time. After I shower, I have breakfast, which is the same everyday (oatmeal with blueberries and a cup of Earl Grey), then I’ll walk my dog. Once I’m back at the house, my work day formally begins. I run two websites, write for some others, do some social media for other brands, some consultancy and am generally working towards total global domination on any given day, so my ideal afternoons are the ones where I get to just write. ◆
Fitness
CONFIDENTIAL Get in shape with the top fitness trends, tips and gear Wo r d s e l i z a b e t h h u t t o n
Do you teach BOOM Cycle every day? I teach five days a week. It doesn’t take much for me to get pumped for class ‘cause I genuinely love it. I’m a very energetic person so by the time my class rolls around, I’m happy for the chance to burn off some of that energy and it’s just a nice change of pace from all the sitting at a computer that I do. ◆
I SCREAM! Oppo
rying to be good but fancy a bowl of ice cream? Us too. Why not opt for the healthy alternative from Oppo. Packed with superfoods, natural ingredients and no refined sugar, we could certainly get used to this. oppoicecream.co.uk T
How do you feel after a class? Absolutely PUMPED! There is nothing better than an endorphin high. I love seeing people sweaty and smiling. ◆
What do you do besides BOOM? I run my websites, bangsandabun.com and spikesandheels.com. I have a podcast you can find on my website, I write and read a lot, run a lot (training for London Marathon), spend time with my dog and catch up with friends. ◆
What do you like to do in the evening? I try to stop working on whatever it is I’m doing on that day by around 8pm and wind down. This year I’m trying to get into reading more literature so that’s taking up a lot of my evening time right now and I find it’s the perfect way to relax after a long day. ◆
Boy’s Club
With sleek lines and seamless technology, activewear brand, Every Second Counts, is one of our favourites. To launch their new range for men, ESC called upon Esquire’s fitness man of the moment, Harry Jameson, to model the gear. So guys, get involved, you’ll never look so good. everysecondcounts.com
boomcycle.co.uk
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AUGUST 2015
16/07/2015 15:01
CROCKER’S FOLLY
OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK. 24 Aberdeen Place, St Johns Wood, London NW8 8JR. Nearest tube stations: Warwick Avenue, Maida Vale, St John’s Wood To make a reservation, please call +44 (0) 207 289 9898 or email reservations@crockersfolly.com
www.crockersfolly.com
ENQUIRE ABOUT RENTING OUR LUXURY APARTMENTS AT THIS PRESTIGIOUS LOCATION CROCKERS & FOLLY.indd 1
17/07/2015 15:03
> KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL
p. 35
REVIEW: THE STERLING
p. 39
CHERRY ON THE CAKE Cherries are in season, so make the most of these tasty treats and whip them up into a cherry and almond tarte รก la Natalie Coleman, the winner of 2013 Masterchef. nataliecolemanchef.co.uk
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AUGUST 2015
16/07/2015 15:05
GREAT NORTHERN HOTEL . KING’S CROSS ST PANCRAS STATION . PANCRAS ROAD . LONDON
. N1C 4TB
WWW.PLUMANDSPILTMILK.COM . RESERVATIONS@PLUMANDSPILTMILK.COM . T: 020 3388 0818
GNH_ABSOLUTE_JULY_P+SM_FINAL.indd 1 GNH.indd 1
10/07/2015 13/07/2015 19:31 14:14
What to drink
FOOD & DRINK / NOTES
A GREAT MATCH Wine & food pairings for the month of August B y J a n e Pa r k i n s o n
Peach, Prosciutto & Mozzarella Salad
eaches reign supreme this month, but let’s not confine them the puddings alone. The sweet juiciness of ripe peach works so well with the Pinot Gris grape, and especially those from New Zealand which usually deliver richer fruit. This one tastes of ripe pears drizzled with honey but it’s still dry and perky, and matches perfectly with the dish, even without the prosciutto. ◆
P
TABLE TALK
Frozen treats, signature cocktails and wine pairings by Jane Parkinson are all on the menu this month
Ara Single Vineyard Pinot Gris 2014
FRO-YO DIET
£10.99 Waitrose; waitrose.com
T h e S l o a n e B r o s F r o z e n Yo g h u r t C o . Indulgent, innovative and independently owned: the three ‘Is’ we love to use to describe our food. This newly opened dessert bar serves up fat-free (yes, you read that correctly) frozen yoghurt made and decorated exclusively with ingredients by British suppliers. We’ll have five, please. ◆ l 214 Brick Lane, E1; sloanebrothers.co.uk
Roast Grouse with Blackcurrant Sauce
he grouse season hints that autumn isn’t too far away, and with this bird’s trademark delicate but gamey flavour a lighter, earthy red is the best bet. That could mean Pinot Noir, but a more interesting alternative would be the new trendy Italian red, Etna Rosso from Sicily, which is mostly made from a local grape called Nerello Mascalese. This smells like dried flowers but it’s fruity enough on the palate to match this sauce but finishes savoury. ◆
T
Nicosia Etna Rosso 2012 £9.99 Marks & Spencer; marksandspencer.com
Fresh Cherries
ometimes simplicity is best, and when it comes to freshly-picked S cherries surely there can be no better pudding to serve? Except that everything can be enhanced by a wine, of course! This Californian wine is a rare little treat, a sweet red that’s bursting with fruit flavour, everything from blackberries to a zingy twist of orange. ◆
Andrew Quady Elysium Black Muscat 2012 £10.99 Wine Rack (37.5cl); majestic.co.uk
janeparkinson.com
ALL THAT JAZZ Ka n s a s S m i t ty’s roadway Market’s latest opening, Kansas B Smitty’s is all about atmosphere. Termed a ‘Jazz and Juleps’ bar, Kansas Smitty’s seeks to bring a taste of the Deep South to the capital with its signature cocktail menu and offering of live music every week. l 63 Broadway Market, E8; kansassmittys.com
PRODUCT OF THE MONTH
In addition to their Champagne ice lollies, POPS have introduced a Bellini POP as well as two non-alcoholic POPS in Strawberry & Mint and Apple & Elderflower. l Available at The Parlour, E14; theparlourbar.co.uk
35 C&A_August15_Food_Notes.indd 35
FEELING FRUITY Maison Pierre Marcolini Master chocolatier and modern day Willy Wonka, Pierre Marcolini has released a new collection entitled ‘Pastel’. Designed to be eaten straight out of the fridge, these beauties contain real lime, passion fruit, mango and yuzu encased in delicious white, milk and dark chocolate. ◆ l £11.90 - £35; marcolini.com
AUGUST 2015
16/07/2015 15:06
CROCKER’S FOLLY The reopening of Crocker’s Folly has given London the chance to reacquaint itself with one of its most glorious edifices. This beautiful Grade II* listed former Victorian gin palace, complete with 50 kinds of marble, Romanesque columns and glass chandeliers, has been painstakingly restored by the renowned Maroush Group. The stylish restaurant and bar serves modern European food – complemented by a selection of wine and signature cocktails. 24 Aberdeen Place, NW8, 020 7289 9898 crockersfolly.com
Taste of
SUMMER Tickle your taste buds during these sunny months as Absolutely recommends some of its favourite summer restaurants, treats and local culinary delights
ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES
C&A_August15_Sales_Feature.indd 36
OKSI’S At Oksi’s, they combine the flavours of your favourite cocktail with a cake to create the ultimate dessert. Their brilliant range of cocktail cakes include Bellini, Irish Coffee and Mojito sponges. Forget artificial icing and heavy buttercream cakes, at Oksi’s the treats are all about texture and taste. Catering for any big or small occasion, go online to find out about their signature and classic collections. 074 9435 0770; oksis.co.uk
36 17/07/2015 15:43
ABSOLUTELY / PROMOTION
BOHO MEXICA Boho Mexica is a strong contender for the crown of best Mexican restaurant in East London. Free from the usual Mexican cliches (sombreros, droopy moustaches), it is rich in imaginative culinary ideas. A low-key, low-lit ambiance is the backdrop to authentic and interesting Mexican dishes while the cocktails (of which there are many) are on another level. 151-153 Commercial Street, E1, 020 7377 8418, bohomexica.co.uk
PAXTON CHOCOLATE
‘SMITHS,’ SPITALFIELDS
Experience a complete sensory shopping experience at this chocolate shop located just off Brick Lane in Shoreditch. Choose from 14 irresistible flavours to create your own personalised box, or select from the Signature, Dark and other ranges. Bespoke orders are welcome, and you can order online for direct postage to loved ones further afield. 38 Cheshire Street, E2; 020 8127 8807; paxtonchocolate.com
All-day dining doesn’t come much more iconic than Smiths, Spitalfields. Housed in a fourstorey industrial edifice with a café, dining room and bar serving amazing £6 cocktails (and bottles of Prosecco for £15), the eatery caters for local residents, workers and visitors – and has the lively vibe and cool decor to suit pretty much any occasion. 109 Commercial Street, E1; thisissmiths.com/spitalfields
MICHAEL NADRA This 2 AA Rosette restaurant, bar and garden serves haute cusine in the heart of Primrose Hill, on the Regents Canal. The Grade II listed building provides the perfect dining setting while the restaurant’s philosophy reflects that of Nadra’s talents. Expect incredible food, served in a relaxed and vibrant environment with great Alfresco dining and lunch time deals this summer. 42 Gloucester Avenue, NW1, 020 7722 2800; restaurant-michaelnadra.co.uk/primrose
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AUGUST 2015
17/07/2015 12:16
87 NOTTING HILL GATE, W11 3JZ, 020 7221 2884
SANTITOS.indd 2
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FOOD & DRINK / RESTAURANT REVIEW The Sterling’s
RECENT OVERHAUL
rouses visions of cool MANHATTAN bars
Power Munch
Your choice of culinary options in the City just got even better, as The Sterling proves it’s not only for the corporate crowd Wo r d s s t e p h a n i e k i n g
G
one are the antiquated days of the power lunch, in which highflying executives treat themselves to a threehour imbibing session masquerading as a “business meeting.” No, today it’s all about the power munch, where colleagues-turned-friends bounce ideas off of one another over cocktails and finger food. But which eatery is responsible for driving this dining phenomenon? Liverpool Street’s The Sterling, of course. And why wouldn’t it be? Situated in the City’s epicentre, on the ground floor of
one of London’s most iconic structures, the Gherkin, The Sterling has positioned itself figuratively and literally smack-bang in the middle of Corporate Territory. Its recent overhaul rouses visions of cool Manhattan bars, the Financial District-esque mahogany and steel finishes adding to its sophisticated feel. While the upstairs champagne bar and fine dining restaurant provide wonderful views through ceiling-length windows, downstairs is really where the action’s at. And so this is where my dinner date and I started off proceedings, selecting The Sterling champagne cocktail and Bramble from its extensive, appropriately named “Drinks Compendium.” Our
39 C&A_AUG15_Review_THE STERLING.indd 39
respective beverages were zingy accompaniments to the incredibly succulent Peanut Butter, Coconut, Lemongrass & Green Chilli Chicken Skewers served with a moreish lime and yoghurt dressing. For mains we did our part to sample The Sterling’s best offerings: an 8oz British Beef Burger, and Roasted Mushroom & Caramelised Onion and Prosciutto San Daniele & Halkidiki Olive Hand-Pulled Pizzettas. The burger’s classic combination of little gem lettuce, red onion and tomato on a toasted brioche bun was, unsurprisingly, a great partner to its patty made even juicier with the house’s special romesco sauce. Naturally we thought it best to amplify the authentic Italian flavours of our pizzettas with Ginchello cocktails comprising Beefeater gin, limoncello, homemade red currant syrup, lychee puree and Prosecco. Finishing off the meal we halved The Sterling’s Chocolate Brownie with Ice Cream. The slab-sized portion was ideal for sharing, and its crunchy exterior and fudge-y inside was too addictive to leave uneaten. All in all? Sure, The Sterling’s key audience is likely to remain the local workers, but its food, and cocktails especially, are two things certainly worth braving the City streets for. u
● ●The Sterling 30 St Mary Axe, EC3A 8BF thesterlingbar.co.uk
AUGUST 2015
16/07/2015 15:08
Summer family
Kids go free
2015 t s u g u A 0 3 27 July – rt Museum anspo r T n o d n o L at E 7BB n WC2 Covent Garde
thames nipper thames snipper Costumer care
WC2E
7BB
MR MEN ™ LITTLE MISS ™ © 2015 THOIP (a SANRIO company). All rights reserved.
Supported by DCMS/Wolfson Fund Luke Rees-Pulley Charitable Trust Optare
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> SMALL TALK: TOP BUYS FOR KIDS THIS AUGUST
p. 43
MOTHER TONGUE
p. 45
PETIT BATEAU Jetting off to a holiday resort? This collaboration between French designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac and Petit Bateau should be your first port of call. Think poncho raincoats, marinieres in bright canvas fabric and nautical tees with a cheeky twist. Launching in October; petit-bateau.co.uk
41 CHIS_AUG15_Kids_Notes.indd 41
AUGUST 2015
16/07/2015 15:16
Lancing College
CHARTERHOUSE
CANFORD
SANCTON WOOD SCHOOL
The
Falcons
Meet the big names of British education
At the Independent Schools Show, 200 of the leading schools gather for a weekend in Battersea Park to meet prospective pupils. This is the UK’s biggest school open day. There is no better place to choose a school that is exactly right for your child’s needs. Meet the Heads and talk to the Admissions teams. Find out about entrance requirements, scholarships & bursaries. Register. Unquestionably this will be the most productive time your family will ever spend in a park.
www.schoolsshow.com a4 iss ad v4.indd 1 ISS.indd 1
Saturday 14 November 10:00 - 17:00 Sunday 15 November 11:00 - 16:30 Battersea Evolution, Battersea Park, London, SW11 4NJ
18/06/2015 14/07/2015 14:44 16:01
KIDS & EDUCATION / NOTES FANCIFUL Fa n c y K i d s
Fancy Kids is a new online shopping destination stocking clothes, toys and lifestyle accessories for style-conscious parents. You’ll find established designers such as Marie-Chantal and Hucklebones – and better still, every piece has been cherry-picked for its ethical credentials.
TRIED
&TESTED
fancykids.com
BT VIDEO BABY MONITOR 7000 Wo r d s H E L E N B A R O N
I
SMALL TALK Super soft sandals, a giant pink flamingo and the best in kids’ summer fashion
CHILD’S PLAY B on Tot
Our current cyber-crush is this curated collection of design-led kid’s clothing and toys, sourced from independent brands around the world. Prepare to covet the hand-knitted jumpers, Liberty print bloomers and organic baby grows. bon-tot.com
n the early days of parenthood, mother and baby are often inseparable, but as little ones grow and (hopefully) learn to rest independently, you’ll probably want some way to stay connected while you get on with all the things you’ve put aside for the last weeks and months. Step forward the BT Video Baby Monitor 7000 – which is so much more than a glorified walkie-talkie. With HD video and sound, you can hear and see your baby clearly - even the tiniest breath comes through loud and clear – and a handy thermometer alerts you if the temperature falls or rises beyond predefined levels. The unit can also play a string of soothing lullabies or nature sounds and project a pretty light-show onto walls or ceilings, so baby has something to distract her if she awakes wondering, ‘Where’s Mum?’ The bad side? No more excuses for not doing the washing-up… ◆
£149; shop.bt.com
HAPPY FEET
BLOW UP
¢ Riding the popularity of their handmade mini moccasins, independent label Monkey & Mole has expanded its repertoire to include summery sandals. Super soft for babies’ delicate (and fast-growing) feet – and simply adorbs. £36; monkeyandmole.com
¢ No splash in the pool is complete without a supersize inflatable. The world is your oyster – or, indeed, flamingo – with this impressive and very pink friend, which is big enough to accommodate adults as well as kids. £49; cissywears.co.uk
Monkey & Mole
cissywears
43 CHIS_August15_Kids_Notes.indd 43
AUGUST 2015
16/07/2015 15:15
GIFTS
•
CLOTHING
•
CARDS
Sublime is a fashion and lifestyle boutique, a haven of delectable delights and everywhere you look there are gorgeous treats and gifts. We source our products from all around the world and because we’re finding new things all the time, with each visit you never know what you might find.
www.sublimeshop.co.uk 225 Victoria Park Road, London E9 7HD 020 8986 7243 & 126 St. John Street, London EC1V 4JS 020 7253 1112
SUBLIME.indd 1
11/02/2015 11:55
KIDS & EDUCATION / SCHOOL TALK
ASK THE EXPERT
Mother Tongue
Amanda Constance reports on the UK’s first English-Mandarin bilingual nursery Wo r d s A M a n d a C o n s ta n c e
david w el l esl ey w esl ey Fo under Indepe n d e n t Sch ool s Sh ow
STATE Versus PRIVATE he argument of state versus private education is T unending and inconclusive. It is perhaps simplest just to apply the idea that, ‘one size does not fit all’. Finances are often the driver in the decision of whether to place your child in a state or independent school. To privately educate a child from nursery through to university costs an average of £150,000. This exorbitant figure means it is an option available to few. As such, mixing and matching between state and private schools during the formative years, can provide a valuable balance. Supporting a child at state school with private tuition can also be a successful way of ensuring they have access to one-to-one teaching. In spite of much controversy, independent schools do have a higher success rate of pupils going on to higher education than the state sector. As such, if only an option for sixth form, going private at this stage could be hugely beneficial for your child. ◆
Private education
is INCREASINGLY becoming a LUXURY and INVESTMENT
W
hen a friend bought Mandarin flash cards for her nanny to brandish in front of her dribbling toddler, I thought she was mad. But go onto the internet and you will see she is not alone; Mandarin flash cards, printable pdfs, downloadable apps – they are all there at the click of a button, every tool needed to turn your pre-school child into a world-beating Sinologue before their fifth birthday. The government announced last year that it’s putting Mandarin on the national curriculum and training 1,200 more teachers in the language by the end of the decade. Independent schools are ahead of the state sector, with many now including Mandarin either within the curriculum or offered as an extra-curricular activity. But Mandarin for toddlers? Do parents really want their infants mastering what is now the world’s most spoken language before they are out of nappies? The people behind the UK’s first bilingual Mandarin-English day nursery certainly think so. Hatching Dragons, housed in a church hall round the corner from the Barbican, opened in May. It is much like any other nursery except the staff are predominantly Chinese and they employ a 50:50 split between English and Mandarin when speaking to the children. Hatching Dragons is the brainchild of educational consultant Cennydd John. He had the idea for the nursery when he was looking for childcare for his young son. “I started thinking about what I would value in a nursery environment. I’d been to China, studied at a Chinese university but then I’d struggled with the language since. And so it dawned on me that having an immersion experience between the ages of nought and five would be a way for my son to pick up Mandarin immediately and naturally.”
45 CHIS_AUG15_Education.indd 45
Mandarin is not ‘taught’ at Hatching Dragons, there is no hot-housing or formal lessons, the idea is that the toddlers will simply pick it up through exposure at such a young age. This is nothing new, many nurseries in London offer the same experience with French or German. And well-heeled families have long hired nannies who speak a foreign language for their young families. Charles Bonas, founder of blue-chip educational consultancy Bonas MacFarlane says they are placing more and more Mandarin speaking nannies with families, particularly in Singapore and Hong Kong where the family’s mother tongue is English or Cantonese. The most obvious reason for Mandarin to be in vogue is that as Chinese reaches economic superpower status parents want to give their children the edge in a competitive world. Nearly 17% of the planet’s population are native Mandarin speakers, English speakers come in at 5%. Native French speakers? They barely scrape in at 1%. In many ways, the UK is behind the curve on offering English-Mandarin bilingual nurseries, there are already more than 180 in the US. ◆ hatching-dragons.com
AUGUST 2015
16/07/2015 14:51
ABSOLUTELY / PROMOTION
Customers praise LAUNDRAPP for being FLEXIBLE to their BUSY LIFESTYLES
CLEAN MACHINE London’s most popular laundry app gives you more free time this summer!
D
id you know that the average family spends five hours on laundry every week? That’s over 23,000 hours of your life spent sorting, washing, folding and ironing when you could be doing something fun instead! That’s why Laundrapp was created: a new on-demand laundry and dry cleaning app that takes care of your washing in just 30 seconds, not five hours. How it works is simple: just download the app or place an order online. A friendly Laundrapp driver will collect your clothes at a time you choose, take them to be professionally cleaned at Laundrapp’s local facilities, then bring them back at a time and place that suits you. It’s the first laundry and dry cleaning service for modern Londoners and it’s available seven days a week.
ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES
C&A_August15_Laundrapp.indd 46
Collection and delivery – anytime, anywhere Building London’s most popular dry cleaning and laundry app hasn’t been easy, but by remaining flexible and easy to use, Laundrapp has achieved exactly that – all without costing more than a regular dry cleaners. “Laundrapp offers a professional service but we remain very affordable,” says Laundrapp CEO Edward Relf. “We clean and press shirts from just £2.50 each and we offer professional, delivered dry cleaning from as little as £1.50 too.” More important than the price is the level of convenience Laundrapp offers though, says Relf. Many customers praise Laundrapp for being flexible to their busy lifestyles and the team is always on standby to go the extra mile. One customer even arranged to have his laundry delivered to his local pub so he wouldn’t miss his pub quiz, says Relf “Life in London is always hectic and
everyone in the city is different. Some people cycle to work and want freshly pressed shirts delivered to the office, for example. Others are new parents who don’t want to hang clothes around the flat or listen to a noisy washing machine full of baby clothes every night. Either way, Laundrapp can help.” A modern day dry cleaning service on your phone One of the biggest frustrations Laundrapp solves is the hassle of finding and carrying your clothes to a local dry cleaner. Dry cleaners in the UK have shrunk drastically over recent decades but Relf believes the time is ripe for a resurgence. Laundrapp’s free collection and delivery service is key to this as expecting customers to bring dirty clothes to a bricks and mortar shop isn’t realistic anymore. There’s simply too much to do in London! By offering a more convenient way to do dry cleaning and by working exclusively with the very best local partners, Laundrapp is supporting local businesses at the same time as offering great benefits to Londoners. u
DOWNLOAD LAUNDRAPP FOR YOUR PHONE OR ORDER ONLINE TODAY AT l au n drapp.c o m Save £10 on your first order with the voucher code ‘ABSOLUTELY’.
46 17/07/2015 12:35
> CHILL AND THRILL: DISCOVER BOTH SIDES OF THE MAURITIUS EXPERIENCE
p. 48
ADVENTURE TIME Mauritius: come for the white sands, crystal sea and azure skies, stay for the charming towns, vibrant markets and thrilling exploits in the mountains. Catherine Hales discovers all Mauritius has to offer, read on for more...
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AUGUST 2015
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XXXXXX / XXXXXXX
HOLIDAY
CHILL & THRILL There is adventure to be had on the island of Mauritius Wo r d s c at h e r i n e h a l e s
T
he thoughts that go through your mind while standing on a swaying bridge over a ravine, staring at your feet to judge your next step, are many and varied. ‘Why am I doing this?’, ‘If I fall will the safety wire hold?’ And, finally, ‘Did I leave my hair straighteners on?’ That last one I attribute to hysteria and the willingness to worry about anything other than plunging downwards into the river below. I was in Casela Nature Park, a reserve in the western part of Mauritius, home to a profusion of wildlife that offers several different activities, including quad biking, canyon swinging and ziplining. My driving skills aren’t up to much and, frankly, canyon swinging sounds petrifying, so ziplining it was. That was how I found myself, dressed incredibly impractically in a dress and leggings, midbridge and practically mid-panic attack. For many, Mauritius represents the epitome of beach holiday relaxation.
Miles of white coastline, crystal waters and blazing sun make it a tourist magnet, renowned for its luxury hotels. One such hotel is the Royal Palm Mauritius, located in the North near the town of Grand Baie, where I stayed for five days. Living up to it’s name, scores of swaying palm trees populate the charming and tranquil resort, whose stunning suites look out over the beach. My room was an Ocean Suite that came with a postcardperfect view of said palms and the sea beyond. The generous terrace (complete with table and chairs) was ideal for enormous room-service breakfasts and snoozing in the shade in the afternoons. Equipped with three restaurants, each serving a different type of cuisine, the temptation to stay in the resort is huge. Those seeking ultimate relaxation could easily wander down from their rooms, straight onto the beach and stretch out one of the loungers reserved for Royal Palm guests. If a thirst hits mid-morning, they could order a fresh coconut water,
For many, MAURITIUS represents the EPITOME OF BEACH holiday RELAXATION
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TRAVEL / ISLAND LIFE
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Fine fitted kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms
3,200 Square feet of contemporary kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms from Italy and Germany. Mark Nicholas Design one stop shopping for the finest home interiors on display in London. Why not call today to arrange a consultation to find out what we can do for you.
48 Penton Street, Islington, London N1 Tel: 020 7278 7573
MARK NICHOLAS.indd 1 MARKnicholas.indd mark NICHOLAS DESIGN.RHP.indd 1 2
Fax: 020 7833 2273
Email: enquiries@marknicholasdesign.com
www.marknicholasdesign.com
15/09/2014 16:32 01/06/2012 14:08 17/04/2013 13:49
TRAVEL / ISLAND LIFE ADVENTURE wasn’t A WORD I HAD previously ASSOCIATED with the ISLAND served in an enormous hollowed out coconut then for lunch, stroll down the beach to the discreetly positioned Le Bar Plage. This beautifully appointed restaurant’s menu comprises fish so fresh it’s practically wriggling, in addition to Western classics like steak tartare and Caesar salad. The afternoon can be spent in the Clarins spa, an oasis nestled in the secluded garden behind the hotel, trying out treatments (I recommend the full body massage) and being generally pampered. A host of watersports is also on offer for those after a more active afternoon; waterskiing and sailing are
particularly popular and the ocean is so warm that falling in is all part of the fun. Balmy evenings can be whiled away at the open-air bar on the main terrace, listening to the live band, before heading down to La Brezza, the hotel’s superb Italian restaurant, run by esteemed chef Alessandro Morino. My only advice? Eat a light lunch because Alessandro serves up a feast and you won’t want to leave a bite. As I mentioned before, Mauritius has luxury and leisure in spades. But what about adventure? It wasn’t a word I had previously associated with the island but, as I hung, hundreds of metres up, suspended from a wire, I decided I should rethink this. Ziplining aside, Mauritius has a vibrancy and vitality that it owes in part to its rich cultural heritage and diverse history. Originally colonised by the Dutch, it was then taken over by France who renamed it Isle de France before it was invaded by the British in 1810, who promptly changed the name back. It wasn’t until 1968 that Mauritius gained independence, although the French influence has remained strong. Locals, many of whose forbears came to the island from both Africa and Asia tend to speak French and English but generally converse in Mauritian Creole. Walking through both the small town of Grand Baie and the capital, Port Louis, there is much to see and, without generalising too much, an incredibly friendly populace to guide you through. On my day trip to Port Louis, I spent time roaming through the market, soaking up the sights
CATHERINE ZIPLINING IN CASELA PARK
and smells and doing a little souvenir shopping – I was sorely tempted to purchase a rather fetching puffer fish lamp but resisted the urge. Though less fraught than the bazaar in Istanbul, the market is similarly home to some real treasures and, if properly investigated, could easily yield interior design gold (puffer fish lamps notwithstanding). It was, however in the smaller Grand Baie that I hit shopping paydirt with several shops selling bargain cashmere clothes and other textiles. In terms of food, fresh fish and seafood occupy every menu. For a casual lunch in Grand Baie, I would recommend the Beach House for its devilishly good battered shrimp and atmospheric live music, as well as its breezy beachside location. My experiences, both flying through the air in Casela Park and trawling through the markets in Port Louis, as well as soaking up the sun and sailing on the sea, ticked every box on the holiday agenda, with more still to be experienced. The terrain and climate of the island mean that the mountains are covered lush greenery, and are perfect for hiking and trekking. Those with a penchant for bathing in waterfalls can visit the Tamarind or Black River Falls or perhaps the brilliantly named Pamplemousses Botanical Garden. If you fancy a day trip off the island, catamarans go from Grand Baie to the small islands located north of the mainland. Whether you’re looking for adventure or a break from reality, Mauritius has it all. ◆ u Suite prices for September 2015. Prices are based on booking at least 30 days prior to travel. Nightly rates: Junior Suite – Bed & breakfast, cost per suite £395; Tropical Suite – BB, cost per suite £528; Ocean Suite – BB, cost per suite £579; Palm Suite – BB, cost per suite £773. Call Beachcomber on 01483 445 685 or visit beachcombertours.co.uk
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TRAVEL / UK GETAWAY THE SITE This dreamy fairylit, bunting-strewn field houses six gleaming retro caravans, all of them sourced in the States and lovingly restored and decorated. The lovely Armstrong family moved their Airstream business from Dorset to Suffolk earlier this year and anyone interested in vintage vehicles, anyone charmed by cosy interiors and anyone with children will love it here. And everyone else will too. u
THE AIRSTREAM
W
e are bowled over by the pure cuteness of Betsy, an original 1971 model, all polished chrome outside and clever formica compartments inside. A dining booth converts into a comfortable double bed and there are two further bunks and a kitchen area, plus a dinky bathroom. Small, yes, but with concealed cupboards and equipped with an oven, fridge and sink, it feels like living in a first class sleeper carriage. Bunting and floral curtains enhance the cheeriness.
HAPPY DAYS Suffolk
Happy Days Retro Vacations Wo r d s P e n d l e H a r t e
WHAT TO DO
J
oin the throng of people crabbing at Walberswick, where the ice cream van sells bait, buckets and lines alongside cones and flakes (this was home to the annual British Open Crabbing Championships until the event was cancelled in 2010 due to overattendance). Tour the coastline and return for a barbecue on site, and spend the evening by the firepit. The cosy Airstreams are fully equipped with heating, blankets, board games and dvd players for chilly evenings. There’s a playground with an enormous trampoline and you could happily spend your entire stay sitting under your awning, admiring the iconic trailers. u
THE AREA
S
uffolk is England’s driest county, and Happy Days is just five miles from the beach. The sandy stretch at Southwold is lovely with colourful beach huts and an unreconstructed pier, while the towns of Aldeburgh and Thorpeness offer pebbled beaches and English tearooms, vintage stores and nostalgic horse and cart rides. u
THE DAMAGE We e kend s star t at £ 2 5 0 for a two - night stay The Airstreams sleep four or five people. It’s possible to book the entire field for a party; the site is open May to November. Wardspring Farm, Leiston Road, Saxmundham, Suffolk IP17 1TG; 01728 603424 happydaysrv.co.uk
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DINING
LIVING
London & Surrey 020 7253 3206 or 01372 379810
WHARFESIDE.indd 1 Absolutely Magazine August 2015 London version 2.indd 1
KITCHENS
BEDROOMS
www.wharfside.co.uk 02/07/2015 10:42 02/07/2015 10:23
> INTERIOR INSPIRATION: CONTEMPORARY CLASSICS
p. 56
PROFILE: THE MINT LIST
p. 60
DARK MATTER This month we’re choosing the dark side, courtesy of designer Abigail Ahern’s sumptuous capsule paint range. Inspired by a stint living in the US, the 13 hues will cocoon your room with sense of intrigue and tranquility. Available from abigailahern.com and craigandrose.com
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AUGUST 2015
16/07/2015 15:12
10 of the best
contemporary classics
Rud Rasmussen pays tribute to Denmark’s first modern design classic Wo r d s J e s s i c a k l i n g e l f u s s
GRAHAM & GREEN
Clio Sofa Collection, From £2,450; grahamandgreen.co.uk
SARAH CAMPBELL
Mosaic Jewellery Box, £74; westelm.co.uk
must
HAVE
TIVOLI
Model Three Clock Radio in Cherry/Taupe, £199; goodhoodstore.com
LUNA & CURIOUS
Large Striped Throw, £85; lunaandcurious.com
JONATHAN ADLER Delphine Mirrored Bar, £2,995; jonathanadler.com
ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES
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Danish Modern Rud Rasmussen Kaare Klint’s iconic ‘Faaborg Chair’, the chair that helped to propel Denmark onto the global design map, is turning a grand 100 years old. In celebration of this centennial, Rud Rasmussen is releasing a ten-piece special edition alongside a numbered anniversary edition in walnut and upholstered in a lush, black Niger leather. Snap up the latter now. ‘Faaborg Chair Anniversary Edition’, £3,160, available from 16A Bowling Green Lane, EC1R; rudrasmussen.com
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HOMES & INTERIORS / NOTES WEST ELM
Palmette Chenille Wool Kilim Rug, From £299; westelm.co.uk
BIRDS OF A FEATHER Oliver Bonas
Flock together, as the saying goes. We say, you can never have enough salad servers especially when this pair is concerned. Featuring elegant gold tone feather handles even the plainest of salad bowls will look instantly sophisticated. £24; oliverbonas.com
TO THE MOON AND BACK Nelly Duff
Sabrina Kaici’s hand signed screenprint, ‘Full Moon Silver’ is one of the many cool, incredibly affordable works available at this Columbia Road gallery. But really, it’s yet another example of why we love this East London shop to the moon and back. £40; nellyduff.com
PAOLA PETROBELLI ‘Doppio’ Small Vase in Orange/Grey, £1,700; othercriteria.com
FRAMA
Copper Light Fitting with Black Cord, £35; goodhoodstore.com
WEAVE TEAM Donna Wilson x SCP
Quirky textile designer Donna Wilson has teamed up with modern furniture store SCP. Their recent collaboration sees whimsical products, such as the ‘Henry’ pouffe, make their mark in SCP’s Central London and Shoreditch showrooms. £208.25; scp.co.uk
OLIVER BONAS
Astrid Chevron Photo Frame, £16; oliverbonas.com
LIGHT MY FIRE P. F C a n d l e C o .
These hand-made soy candles are the hand poured result of Thomas Neuberger and Kristen Pumphrey’s efforts. The husband and wife team release small batches of their scents including Fig & Jasmine, Teakwood & Tobacco, and Sweet Grapefruit (left). Simply heavenly. £18; couvertureandthegarbstore.com
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MONOLOGUE
Hexagon Slit Table in Brass, £339; monologuelondon.com
AUGUST 2015
16/07/2015 15:11
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For more information please contact us on 020 7431 7974 or tag.arch@virgin.net or visit our website at www.tag-architects.co.uk
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HOMES & INTERIORS / PRODUCTS CANE-LINE
ALEXANDER ROSE
Strand+Hvass ‘Breeze’ Collection, from £164; cane-line.co.uk
San Marino Relax Hut, £2,495; outhereinteriors.com
must
HAVE
RO CO
Himmeli Kit Hanging Planter, from £35 trianglestore.co.uk
RICHARD SCHULTZ
‘Schultz 1966’ Contour Chaise, £1,347; aramstore.co.uk
OXYLEY’S
‘Rissington’ Table, made to order, from £2,795; chelseagardener.com
MOROSO
Tord Boontje ‘Shadowy Chaise Lounge’, £1,608; thelongeststay.com
FERM LIVING
Rose Circle Plant Wall, £35.50; hollys-house.com
PILAR WILEY
Large Meteor Planter in Black/Green, £190; thegardenedit.com
BODIE & FOU
Pure Nature Wooden Stool, £115; bodieandfou.com
NATIVE & CO.
FOSCARINI
Oiled Paper Umbrella, from £45; nativeandco.com
Ludovica & Roberto Palomba Outdoor Poly Gregg Floor Lamps, £335; ariashop.co.uk
GARDEN PARTY
CANE-LINE
Strand+Hvass ‘Breeze’ Highback Chair, £750; cane-line.co.uk
Enjoy outdoor living with these polished must-haves JONATHAN ADLER
Brass ‘Ulu’ Side Table, £1,200; jonathanadler.com
By Jessica klingelfuss
BAXTER
‘Loren’ Side Tables: Square, £2,085; Round, £2,484; Oval, £3,024; baxterlondon.net
RICHARD SCHULTZ
‘Schultz 1966’ Adjustable Chaise, £1,836; aramstore.co.uk
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XXXXXX / XXXXXXX Q&A
ONE OF A KIND
Absolutely speaks with website owner and interior designer Camilla Kelly about antiques, The Mint List and beyond I n t e r v i e w c at h e r i n e h a l e s
CATHERINE HALES: How did the Mint List start? What was the inspiration? CAMILLA KELLY: The Mint List started when I was working in advertising. I’ve grown up in the antiques industry, and I just thought it was a shame that there wasn’t a one place to go where everything has been curated, an assemblage of pieces that have been gathered from interesting places by lots of interesting buyers. And when I went off to have my daughter it gave me, for the first time in my life, a few months time to think and I just couldn’t stop thinking about the idea of launching this business. CH: Were you always interested in antiques and vintage furniture? CK: Yes, from a very small age I was, because my parents had antique shops around London. They would buy in France or they’d buy in the markets, and they actually had a shop in Greenwich called Pennies Antiques, a kind of emporium, they had loads of storeholders in one big three floor building. CH: That sounds amazing! CK: It was really good fun as a kid - there were just so many different characters, lots of different storeholders, doing lots of different bits and bobs. And it was only recently that I realised “God, that’s what I’m
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doing, but online!” I didn’t really make the connection. So, from when I was four and my sister was six we were constantly running around those sort of places, auction houses and antique markets – I grew up in that world. CH: Do you think interior design was a logical next step? CK: I suppose in advertising I honed my marketing, and because I worked at BSkyB for five or six years, I learned the various steps of working for a big corporation, and then I went to work for quite a small production company that was doing really well in Soho, but quite a small outfit so I learned how small businesses operate too. So, it felt like everything came together at the right time. I could use all of those skills and then apply it to my passions. CH: So how did the Chick'n'Sours job come about? It’s in Dalston, isn’t it? CK: Yes, it’s in Dalston. Carl [Clarke, the owner] is a friend of mine and at first I thought they would do their interiors themselves. It started off well, but there was just so much to do and he picked up the phone and asked will you step in? I really like working with him, he gives you a completely open reach. He’s from Birmingham and he’s just like, “Make it look cool,” you know? And he’s really up for anything, he’s a star, a really open-minded, creative person.
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HOME & INTERIORS / INTERVIEW
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16/07/2015 15:34
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HOME & INTERIORS / INTERVIEW CH: How would you describe the overall look? CK: It’s a combination of raw, organic surfaces with a 70s vibe. We left a lot of surfaces exposed. There were lots of different wall areas; when there was a wall of rough hewn concrete we just left it and put some light fittings over the top. Rough and ready, I suppose, but we added finishing touches. We wanted it to look mismatched but all to sit together. And it does – it’s got a brilliant atmosphere as soon as you walk in. CH: It fits in with the area, then? CK: Yes, but it feels quite New York when you step inside, and they play good tunes, and funnily enough that’s the plan: roll it out in a few more London spots and then head up north and then in New York. It’s got that vibe, we’ve got some neon up there, and we’ve got some artwork by Charlie Ward on the walls. CH: Is everything a one-off on the Mint List? CK: Not everything, but there’s a good selection of unique pieces. There are some repeatables like lighting, storage stuff, and one of our best-selling products is a vintage dressing table, which we sell on repeat, so they’re made up. I’d say 80% of the Mint List is a one-off. CH: What’s the most unusual item you’ve come across or sold on the website? CK: I’m selling a lot of crocodile heads on the website at the moment. We have a crocodile head and a stuffed blowfish. CH: I’m sensing an aquatic theme... CK: There are definitely some bonkers things on there. We’ve got tables made out of old pinball machines. And one of our artists frames up curiosities, like retro collections of rubbers and keyrings from the
CH: Do you have a particular place that you source things from? CK: All over the shop. When it comes to antiques and vintage, I’ve got suppliers in this country, regionally as well as London antique shops, salvage yards, private sellers, people with warehouses, prop sellers, and then we’ve got a whole list of contacts abroad as well. We buy a lot of furniture from Berlin and we've got suppliers in Norway, Denmark and France. We’ve got a good address book.
of CROCODILE HEADS on the website AT THE MOMENT
80s, in huge old box frames. We’ve got quite a collection of oddities. CH: Do you that the age of Ikea and very utilitarian-type furniture is over? CK: I do think that people are definitely more aware of being unique. But I do also think, annoyingly, that companies like Ikea and even Tesco Home are savvy to that and they update their collections accordingly. CH: What’s your most treasured item of furniture? CK: I’ve got a rather eccentric bespoke light-up stoat holding a globe, that I’m very fond of. ◆ themintlist.com
QUICKFIRE QUESTIONS FAVOURITE INTERIOR DESIGNER? I’d have to say Tom Dixon. He’s more a designer than an interior designer but I love his work. ◆ FAVOURITE INTERIOR IN LONDON? I absolutely love Wilton’s Music Hall
CH: A good chain of supply CK: Exactly, but especially in a project like Chick‘n’Sours it’s all about being resourceful. And that for me is the most exciting part of the job: finding things other people can’t.
◆ FAVOURITE ERA IN TERMS OF DESIGN? I love every era, really. but probably the 60s and 70s are my favourites.
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I'm selling a lot
AUGUST 2015
17/07/2015 15:34
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PROPERTY ROUND UP p.72 NIGEL LEWIS p.76 IN THEIR OWN WORDS p.80
BUTLER HOUSE EC2
£975,000 Le a s e h o ld
his bright and spacious live/work loft apartment is set on the second floor of a former Victorian warehouse. Spanning approximately 1,000 sq ft of versatile space, the property is currently configured as a one bedroom apartment. Comprising a generous open plan kitchen/reception with dual-aspect windows, large double bedroom with en-suite bathroom, master bathroom and a storage area. T
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SHOREDITCH 020 7749 3838 stirlingackroyd.com
AUGUST 2015
17/07/2015 11:07
currell.com
Lauriston Road, E9 £975,000 Share of Freehold
A splendid three bedroom home, arranged over the raised ground floor and first floor of a Victorian conversion in the heart of Victoria Park village. The property has lovely features including a wood burning stove, double glazed sash windows and a large west facing garden. EPC Rating: C
Chatham Place, E9 £425 per week* A modern apartment set within this former factory development and situated in the ever-growing “Hackney Fashion Hub”. Offering open plan living, large windows, and high ceilings, this two bedroom apartment is laid out over the third floor with stunning west facing views. Available mid-August, unfurnished.
*Tenancy fees apply. For more information visit www.currell.com/info/fees
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Victoria Park 020 3222 5555 victoriapark@currell.com
10/07/2015 16:22
currell.com
Lavender Grove, E8 £1,295,000 Freehold Located on a sought after residential street in London Fields is this charming three bedroom, mid-terrace, Victorian house. This property would make an excellent family home due to its fabulous Hackney location and well-proportioned accommodation over 1421sqft. EPC Rating: D
Fassett Square, E8 £1,325,000 Freehold A beautiful mid-terrace house set in a private garden square with residents’ only access. Arranged over three floors, the house is deceptively spacious at 1520sqft, including basement, and has many period features. Fassett Square is excellently located, with both London Fields and Broadway Market nearby. EPC Rating: E
Hackney 020 7241 4111 hackney@currell.com
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BlakeStanley BROADWAY MARKET
Wilton Way, E8
020 7254 7554
£1,350,000 Sandringham Road, E8
Three bedroom mid-terrace house located on a popular residential street north of London Fields. Offering a dual aspect double reception, a separate dining room and a kitchen with folding doors leading to the 45ft garden. The property is ideally positioned for numerous transport links and amenities.
A well-proportioned top floor two bedroom period conversion presented in excellent decorative order. Benefits from a spacious lounge, a separate kitchen, two generous double bedrooms and a four piece bathroom suite. Located within close proximity to the vibrant life of Dalston.
Freehold
Downs Park Road, E8
Share of Freehold
£350 per week* All Nations House, E8
A spacious one bedroom flat to rent in this Victorian Conversion. The property consists of a large lounge with stairs leading down to a good sized kitchen, there is a large bedroom with a bay window and a bathroom with shower over bath.
Furnished
£575,000
£450 per week*
A rare opportunity to rent this apartment with views directly across London Fields. This first floor property offers a spacious open-plan reception with modern fitted kitchen, two double bedrooms - one with en-suite bathroom, bathroom with shower over bath and ample storage throughout.
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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11-13a Broadway Market, Hackney, London, E8 4PH 15/07/2015 15:23
blakestanley.co.uk
CHATSWORTH ROAD
Dunlace Road, E5
020 8986 2743
£820,000 Thornby Road, E5
BlakeStanley are pleased to offer a unique opportunity to purchase a thoughtfully designed and exceptionally finished mews house located in a sought after area of E5. Thyme Walk, a small, contemporary development which is accessed through a discreet arch on Dunlace Road.
Set in this popular tree lined street west of Millfields Park in this top floor split level two bedroom flat within this period house conversion in need of complete refurbishment.
Freehold
Riverwalk Apts, E9
Leasehold
£400 per week* Roding Road, E5
A spacious two double bedroom apartment with a balcony to rent on the second floor of this modern development. The property benefits from being situated right next to the canal with good bike and bus routes into the City. Available mid-September.
Part furnished
£410,000
£600 per week*
A beautiful three bedroom, Victorian property to rent on this tree lined street minutes from the buzzing Chatsworth Road. The property boasts many original period features such as solid wood flooring and fireplaces. Available early August.
Part 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.
info@blakestanley.co.uk BLAKE STANLEY.indd 2
57 Chatsworth Road, Clapton, London, E5 0LH 15/07/2015 15:23
PROPERTY ROUND UP The inside scoop in your area
BRITTON STREET, EC1M: £3,200,000
Definitely my first ever sale. It was a very rundown, un-modernised probate sale in central Angel. It was lovely to sell it again for the buyer six years later!
quite so quickly. My first ever apartment was on Columbia Road and, as a student fresh from Lincolnshire, it was a big change from open fields, farms and tractors! Apartments there now sell like hot cakes.
MOST INTERESTING PROPERTY
FINEST PROPERTY SHOWCASE
JO-ANNE NEIGHBOUR
It’s always interesting dealing with celebrities wanting to buy, keeping their identities secret whilst trying to negotiate and complete a sale.
We have a beautiful late Victorian terraced house on Britton Street, with fantastic period features and huge windows. It’s a fabulous house.
I NEVER THOUGHT I’D SEE
Savills, Islington
Hackney’s popularity go through the roof
Savills Islington, 020 7226 1313; savills.com
HOUSE HUNTING
MOST SATISFYING TRANSACTION I’VE HAD
new property comes to fruition, it will represent exactly the heavy-duty response needed to start filling the housing hole. Our analysis shows London needs to build an average of 57,000 new homes a year just to cope with expected population growth over the next decade. That means astronomical improvements in approvals and building starts need to be sustained, and even improved upon, for
A N A LY S I S
PLANNING SURGE PUTS LONDON’S NEW HOMES TARGET WITHIN TOUCHING DISTANCE
N
ew homes are on the way. Having stuttered for so long, London has developed a clear housing deficit. If this pipeline of
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LONDON NEEDS TO BUILD AN AVERAGE OF 57,000 NEW HOMES A YEAR TO COPE WITH POPULATION GROWTH
the next three quarters to meet what’s needed this year. Londoners should hope this is more than a brief alignment of the stars, and any complacency now would be a mistake. But the good news is beyond doubt – things are finally going in the right direction.
Andrew Bridges Managing Director Stirling Ackroyd
72 17/07/2015 14:22
PROPERTY / NEWS NEW BUILD
DIARY
THE HERON
FAMILY LIFE IN
EC2
£4,500,000 his stunning two bedroom apartment boasts panoramic views across London. This apartment is situated on the thirtysecond floor and comprises over 2000 sq ft of living space. Styled to an impeccable degree, this apartment has been immaculately designed with stunning furniture
HACKNEY
T
MAKING THE WHOLE OF LONDON VISIBLE & ACCESSIBLE
and features an impressive open-plan reception with a modern and sleek kitchen, two spacious bedrooms and luxurious bathrooms. The property benefits from having large proportions, lavish décor including white marble finishes in both the bathroom and kitchen area.
This beautiful apartment is located on Silk Street, next to Moorgate and Liverpool Street stations, making the whole of London visible and accessible in minutes. My London Home City & Docklands 020 7227 0044; mylondonhome.com
LUX LET
LENTHALL ROAD
I’M NOW TAKING TIME TO EXPLORE THE FAMILY CHOICES IN THE BOROUGH
E8
£1,000
Per Week
stunning architecturally designed, double fronted house, available to rent from 28th August. This fantastic property consists of a large open plan bespoke kitchen, dining and lounge area
A
with double height ceiling. This bright living room leads onto a beautiful south facing, walled garden. Also on this floor are a large separate lounge, an office, utility area and wet room. Upstairs leads to three good sized bedrooms, a family bathroom with shower and bath, there is also quirky hammock area overlooking the living room. This fabulous
property is completely unique, with bespoke, specially sourced finishes throughout. It has been lovingly refurbished to a very high standard. Well located for the buzz of Broadway Market, London Fields and close to Dalston Junction Overland Station. BlakeStanley, Broadway Market,
£839,891
E1
Hackney is also fab for boutique shops. If you fancy a treat for your little ones, there is a great range of kid’s shops around, from Buggies and Bikes on Broadway Market, E8 to Hop and Molly Meg on Chatsworth Road, E5. Or if you’ve just moved into a new home and need to be inspired on how to fill it, then you will be excited by the plethora of furniture shops, try out Furnish, everything but the dog for retro furniture or The Hackney Draper for a new pair of feature curtains to spruce up your home. To all the parents and parentsto-be out there… enjoy Hackney!
020 7254 7554; blakestanley.co.uk
POPPY JARRETT
SPOTLIGHT ON [ AVERAGE ASKING PRICE ]
S
o now I’m in my fifth month of pregnancy and my bump is starting to look more like a baby than a big lunch. As I’m settling into this new stage in life, I’m loving seeing Hackney in a whole new light. Whilst the area is great for the many bars and restaurants around, I’m now taking time to explore the family choices in the borough. There is so much around for families in Hackney. Walking and swimming are great exercise whether you’re pregnant or with youngsters so what better than a breeze through London Fields, up to the lido or a stroll along the canal through Victoria Park and up to the Olympic site where you can swim at the Aquatics centre for around £4.
Lettings Manager [ AVERAGE PROPERTY VALUE ]
£531,182
Blake S tanle y
BlakeStanley 020 8986 2743; blakestanley.co.uk
Data provided by zoopla.co.uk
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AUGUST 2015
17/07/2015 12:54
ASK THE EXPERT
D AV E Y S OF SPITALFIELDS
ANDREW FLINT Property Partner
From Colman Coyle gives his expert advice on all your legal property questions ARTILLERY LANE, E1 > SPITALFIELDS 2 BED £925,000
Q&A I LIVE IN A HOUSE CONVERTED INTO THREE FLATS. WE ARE THINKING OF BUYING THE FREEHOLD BUT WE ARE NOT SURE HOW THE FREEHOLD INTEREST SHOULD BE OWNED. COULD YOU PLEASE ADVISE US.
Y
ou can own the freehold interest in one or two ways. Firstly you and the other two leaseholders could own the freehold as individuals. Secondly, you could buy an off the shelf company to acquire the freehold interest. If you go down the latter route, then you will need to decide whether the company should be limited by shares or guarantees. The disadvantage of owning the freehold on an individual basis is that each time a flat changes hands all the freeholders will have to sign a document called a Transfer. This may be easy to arrange if all three freeholders live in the property but there can be logistical difficulties if a freeholder lives abroad, for example. Whenever I encounter this type of freehold structure I always prepare the Transfer document at an early
ALBANY WORKS, E3 > 2 BED WAREHOUSE £400 PW
CHARLOTTE RD, EC2A > STUNNING PERIOD 2 BED £825 PW
A dynamic and vibrant agency, working for you... Don’t miss this opportunity, fees from 5% for letting, from 0.5% sales and no VAT! CALL US QUOTING CODE: ABSOLUTELY DAVEYS
020 7871 9599 info@daveys.co
I www.daveys.co
Contact property partner Andrew Flint with no obligation on 020 7354 3000 or email andrew.flint@colmancoyle.com.
65 Brick Lane, London E1 6QL *Subject to terms and conditions
80 Upper Street, Islington, N1 0NU colmancoyle.com
Terms & Conditions Apply
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stage and arrange for it to be executed and held on file before exchange takes place to avoid delays at a later stage. The advantage of a company owning the freehold is that each time a flat changes hands all the seller needs to do is sign a Stock Transfer Form transferring the share in the company to the buyer on completion. If the company is limited by guarantee then the seller doesn’t need to sign anything. The disadvantage of having a company own the freehold is that there are initial set up costs and the company books will need to be kept up to date as well as complying with Companies House filing requirements. There can only ever be a maximum of four individuals registered as freeholders so the default position for large blocks is always going to be a company. For a block such as yours, you will need to decide what suits you best. ◆
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14/07/2015 17:04
17/07/2015 11:00
Smart pinpoints exactly where they want to live.
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PROPERTY / HOMES WITH HERITAGE
£525k
£5.995m
HOME TO A FAMOUS HOUSE HISTORIAN
or anyone with architectural leanings, discovering your house is ‘in Pevsner’ – a definitive series of books about England’s historic buildings – is the next best thing to a blue plaque. The Buildings of England, a 46-volume set that lists important houses county-bycounty, is seen as the most authoritative source on the subject. The author was Sir Nikolaus Pevsner, a writer, art historian and fan of Victorian architecture, who founded The Victorian Society and lived in this red-bricked terrace in Wildwood Terrace, London. Pevsner moved here in 1936 and loved the Victorian three-bedroomed house so much he stayed until his death in 1983. Now on the market for £2.8m. u Savills 020 7472 5036; savills.co.uk
F
FAMOUS PLACES There is hardly a square mile of London that doesn’t hide a plethora of celebrity homes or historic addresses and every month a clutch of them come up for sale. Here are the more recent ones on the market that can claim famous connections. Words NI G EL L EW I S
GOODBYE PINNER HILL ROAD
ir Elton might be known S for his many glamorous pads dotted around the globe but his childhood home was far from that. Until the age of 11 he lived in this north London semi on Pinner Hill Road in Middlesex. Then known as Reg Dwight he hammered away at the ivories in his family’s three-bedroom home which is now on the market for £525,000. Some of the décor appears to be original including the kitchen and 1970s style carpets, so there’s a fair amount of updating to do. Current owner Bill Purcell said at one stage he would pocket up to £2,000 a year from film crews eager to capture images of Sir Elton’s former home. He is now selling up after 40 years, which means one of these
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£2.8m
A PIECE OF GREECE IN MAYFAIR?
fans has the chance to sleep in the same box room as their hero. Agent Gibbs Gillespie describes it as perfect for a growing family seeking a home to put their own stamp on, located just a short walk from local schools, shopping and transport facilities. u Gibbs-Gillespie 020 8866 2777; gibbs-gillespie.co.uk
PEVSNER FOUNDED THE VICTORIAN SOCIETY AND LIVED HERE UNTIL 1983
eiress Christina Onassis H was notorious for her lavish lifestyle, turbulent personal life and the fact that her father - billionaire Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis married former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. From an early age Onassis had an international lifestyle and went to school in London. When her father died in 1975, leaving her more than $200m, she was 24, and owned this swanky three-bedroom flat on Reeves Mews in Mayfair. Now up for sale for £5.995m, it was built in 1720 and features a sizeable south-facing roof terrace. u Jackson-Stops 020 7664 6644; jackson-stops.co.uk
76 17/07/2015 11:37
Call on 020 7354 3000 for a FREE quote Commercial & Residential Property • Corporate & Commercial Disputes • Employment • Insolvency • Wills & Probate
HELP WITH THE LEGAL ISSUES WHEN YOU BUY OR SELL YOUR HOUSE
Andrew FLINT
Partner Residential Property
“I highly recommend Andrew Flint. He is extremely courteous, efficient and thorough.” “A very efficient service. Colman Coyle did particularly well dealing with difficulties arising at the last minute.”
PROPERTY LAW SERVICE
Buying or Selling Commercial Property Enfranchisement Landlord & Tenant Lease Extensions Property Disputes
80 Upper Street, Islington, London N1 0NU 020 7354 3000 • property@colmancoyle.com
www.colmancoyle.com
forward thinking • straight talking COLEMAN COYLE_C&A_JAN.indd 2
1984 - 2014
anniversary
Celebrating 30 YEARS in business | 1984 - 2014
10/02/2014 10:24
IN THEIR OWN
WORDS
FREDDIE DANIELS Sales Negotiator at Currell, Hackney Photography
R E B ECCA N O O N A N
I
grew up in a small, fairly quiet town in Cambridgeshire along with my three younger siblings. We were lucky enough to go to a great school that boasted fantastic sports facilities, including vast amounts of land, where myself and my closest friends would play football for as long as our lunch breaks would allow us. I knew, from about the age of seven, all I wanted to do was play football. That desire expanded over the years to wanting to be part of the general sporting world, specifically to sit on the Sky sports sofa talking about football all day, and to this day I sometimes question why I didn’t pursue a sports related degree. When I was 18, I felt I was rushed into making a decision on what to study, without being able to consider it thoroughly and carefully. I ended up journeying to York to study Media, where I would later meet my best friend whose wedding I have just recovered from, as the best man. When I look back over the last 10 years or so, I still can’t
I HAVE DEALT WITH SOME FAMOUS CLIENTS & SEEN SOME ASTOUNDING VICTORIAN PROPERTY
quite understand how I ended up at the stage I’m at, but I do believe that certain aspects in life are just out of your control. My working career began in retail, starting out as a delivery boy for my mum’s place of work, organising stock packages. My mum has an extremely disciplined work ethic and I have always felt like a carbon copy of her for most of my life. From that point, like so many others in the retail sector, I fell into a full time job working for the British Heritage retail brand, Jack Wills, during my time at university. During eight years of loyal service, I was lucky enough to work in various areas of the UK including London, Edinburgh and Dublin, where I enjoyed a real party lifestyle, promoting the brand at various student events. In this time I met some of
the greatest friends I could ever wish to meet, as well my beautiful girlfriend. Ultimately, once the parties were over and I was staring the big 30 in the face, I felt I needed to make that big career decision. After navigating various LinkedIn profiles, I came across Currell. I am one for judging companies by their online profile and after browsing their website, I felt assured that this was a company that takes every little detail into account and is extremely professional. Approximately four weeks later, I found myself in the Hackney office on Kingsland Road, where I have been working as a sales negotiator for nearly a year now. In that time I have dealt with some famous clients, seen some astounding Victorian property and been very fortunate to work alongside an absolutely fantastic team. For me, looking back, I can say with some certainty that I most definitely made the correct decision to move and I am really looking forward to a highly successful career with Currell. u
C U R R E L L / 020 7241 4111 / currell.com
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PROPERTY / PROFILE
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AUGUST 2015
17/07/2015 12:35
PROPERTY / PRICE COMPARISON NIGEL LEWIS
LONDON’S AVERAGE HOUSE PRICE IS EXPECTED TO GO OVER £500,000 SOON
MILLION
PRICE BANDS Where can you buy a house for £1m?
A
not always one to believe everything estate agents tells me, I set out to do my own research. One thing is for sure; London has seen aggressive price rises recently, and even the usually cautious Land Registry puts them at 10.9% this year. Also, the capital’s average house price, it says, is expected to go over the half a million pound mark soon. So, to the research. There are currently 491 homes for sale at between £1m and £1.25 million in London and they’re distribution across the capital makes for interesting reading. While anyone outside London might think up to £1.25m would buy
Greenwich
HAMPTONS 020 3151 7294
SO WHERE CAN YOU BUY A FOUR-BEDROOM HOUSE FOR BETWEEN £1M AND £1.25M?
£1 FOUR BEDROOM HOUSE Dulwich
WINKWORTH 020 8022 7080
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you a palace anywhere in the UK, much of London is too expensive to include properties in this band. Central London is a no-go zone that includes Chelsea plus many streets in Fulham and much of Shepherd’s Bush. Also, don’t bother in Paddington, Notting Hill, swathes of North London (the first one is to be found in Golders Green), Chalk Farm, Camden and even Wapping. u
FOUR BEDROOM HOUSE
MILLION
n estate agent recently told me that if you’re after a four-bedroom house not too far from central London on a smart street and with a garden then you’ll need a budget of £1m to £1.25m these days. After a substantial pause to digest this information I asked her which patch of London she covered and, perhaps more surprisingly, the answer was South West London – surely not? Several phone calls to other agents across London confirmed her statement to be correct. But, as I’m
£1.05
£
The answer is, anywhere outside the triangle of central London. This runs south of the river from Greenwich to East Sheen before running north across the river up to Hampstead and then back down through Islington before returning to Greenwich. Anywhere inside this triangle is pretty much bereft of four-bedroom houses at this price – unless you count the occasional ex-council house that pops up. And if you’re looking for the greatest choice then you might want to talk to my agent in SW London – because 176 of the homes in this price band are in this part of London, or 35% of the total – so it won’t be long before south of the river catches up with its northern neighbour. u
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Stirling Ackroyd All around East London E1
E14
£795,000
£750,000
SHOREDITCH SALES - COMMERCIAL ROAD A bright & spacious newly built penthouse apartment that spans just under 1,000 sq ft on the fringe of the City's financial district. EPC pending
SHOREDITCH SALES - COLMANS WHARF A truly stunning 2 bedroom warehouse conversion set within the hugely popular Victorian former "Spratt's Dog Biscuit Factory". EPC - E
E8
E5
£665,000
£825,000
HACKNEY SALES - MARTELLO STREET Rare to the market & positioned within one of Hackneys most sought after locations is this larger than average 2 bedroom apartment. EPC - D
CHATSWORTH ROAD SALES - KINNOUL MANSIONS A stunning larger than average 3 bedroom apartment measuring almost 1,000 sq ft & occupying the top floor of an imposing Edwardian mansion block. EPC - E
BANKSIDE 020 7940 3888
SHOREDITCH 020 7749 3838
CLERKENWELL 020 7549 0606
HACKNEY 020 7749 3807
WEST END 020 7256 3244
IBIZA 0034 971 326 788
COMMERCIAL OFFICE ISTANBUL +90 (0)444 4493 020 7729 7763
CHATSWORTH ROAD 020 7549 0611
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EC2A
N1
£925 pw
£550 pw
SHOREDITCH LETTINGS - PAUL STREET A spectacular 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom loft apartment spanning approx. 1,150 sq. ft. & situated close to Old Street & Liverpool Street stations. EPC - D
SHOREDITCH LETTINGS - EAST ROAD A stunning 1 bedroom apartment situated on the 6th floor of a striking modern development near Old Street. EPC - B
N5
E5
£795 pw
£425 pw
HACKNEY LETTINGS - LECONFIELD ROAD A truly stunning 3 bedroom family home situated on a much sought after residential road, moments from Canonbury Station. EPC - E
CHATSWORTH ROAD LETTINGS - DUNLACE ROAD A very well presented duplex apartment occupying the 1st floor & part of the 2nd floor of a 4 storey Victorian house. EPC - D
LETTINGS PRICES EXCLUDE ADDITIONAL FEES. PLEASE SEE WEBSITE FOR DETAILS.
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HACKNEY SQUARE HACKNEY SQUARE•E9
HURRY, THEY ARE ALMOST SOLD OUT LAST REMAINING APARTMENTS
90% SOLD The final superb collection of three bedroom apartments located around a central courtyard in one of the capital's most bohemian and vibrant cultural centres. Homes that are as stylish and exciting as they are well-connected.
PRICES FROM £567,500 * Sales & Marketing Suite Open Daily HACKNEY SQUARE // FRAMPTON PARK // LONDON // E9 Monday - Saturday 10am - 6pm • Sunday 11am - 5pm
020 3620 8004 WWW.HACKNEYSQUARE.CO.UK Computer generated images of internal and external spaces at Hackney Square. *Price correct at time of going to press.
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