EAST FEBRUARY 2015

ABSOLUTELY EAST

FEBRUARY 2015 / £3.95

THE FOOD OF LOVE

HEARTY RECIPES

IN THE KITCHEN WITH GIZZI ERSKINE

WARMING DISHES FROM JASON ATHERTON

MARTIN BRUDNIZKI

THE RESTAURANT DESIGNER’S HOT HANGOUTS

HEAR HER ROAR MASTER THE ART OF SEDUCTION WITH LINGERIE TO SET PULSES RACING STYLISH / INTELLIGENT / ELEGANT C&A_FEB15_COVER.indd 3

14/01/2015 17:16

MERCANTILE.indd 1

12/01/2015 17:01

XXXXXXXXX / XXXXXXXX

contents Febr uar y 2015

63 ART & CULTURE

07 WHAT’S ON

Diary dates for February

10 GIZZI THE GREAT

Ms Erskine’s foodie infatuation

18

FASHION

STYLE CONFIDENTIAL

School up on the newest trends

20 WHAT LIES BENEATH Racy lace for Valentine’s Day

HEALTH & BEAUTY

28 BEAUTY NOTES

HairCVT: the future of hairdressing

18 29 HEALTH NOTES

Stay motivated in 2015 with Luke Meesman from Ten Pilates

FOOD & DRINK

35 TABLE TALK

Catherine Hales reports from Andaz Hotel in Liverpool Street

37 EAT THE SEASONS

Winter recipes to warm the cockles

43 FOOD REVIEWS Opso and DF Mexico

INTERIORS

44 INTERIOR INSPIRATIONS Ten globes and maps we love

50 THE MEAL TICKET

Hot restaurant designer Martin Brudnizki on Scandinavian style

TRAVEL 63 TURKISH DELIGHT C o v e r s C & A : O l i v i a Vo n H a l l e E a s t: H o u s e o f H a c k n e y

Pendle Harte discovers a private peninsula on the south coast of Turkey

3 C&A_FEB15_Contents.indd 3

35 PROPERT Y 73 LOCAL AREA

The latest in buying and letting

84 STYLE BIBLE

Nigel Lewis takes a tour of 1920s style

92 IN THEIR OWN WORDS Views from local estate agents

FEBRUARY 2015

13/01/2015 15:40

www.sweetpeajewellery.com

Fine Jewellery • Primrose Hill The Sweet Pea boutique on Gloucester Avenue stocks both luxury and fashion designer brands including Polly Wales, Jo Hayes Ward, Alex Monroe, Phoebe Coleman, Brooke Gregson alongside the Sweet Pea range.

A bespoke service is available.

10% off on your first purchase - Code LOVE15 - in store or online at www.sweetpeajewellery.com SWEET PEA BOUTIQUE 77 Gloucester Avenue, Primrose Hill, London, NW1 8LD • 020 7449 9292

SWEETPEA.indd 1

13/01/2015 14:42

EDITOR HELEN BARON EDITORIAL ASSISTANT ELIZABETH HUTTON CONTRIBUTING FASHION EDITOR CHARLOTTE ADSETT CONTRIBUTING INTERIOR EDITOR JESSICA KLINGELFUSS CONTRIBUTING HEALTH & BEAUTY EDITOR ALY HAZLEWOOD EDITORIAL INTERN KELSEY DORNFELD ADVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGER KRISTIAN BRUMBY MAJOR ACCOUNTS DIRECTOR TAMSIN LUCK PROPERTY DIRECTOR ANDY ELMER PROPERTY EXECUTIVE JENNI RAWSTHORNE NORTH PROPERTY EDITOR HUGO HUNTER ART DIRECTOR RAY SEARLE SENIOR DESIGNER PHIL COUZENS PRODUCTION MANAGER STEWART HYDE MIDWEIGHT DESIGNER GEMMA ISTEED PROPERTY EDITORIAL DESIGNER ANDREW MAVIN DESIGNER EKREM YILMAZ JUNIOR DESIGNER REBECCA NOONAN PRODUCTION CONTROLLER CHRISTINE MANN FINANCIAL CONTROLLER ZUL MUHAMAD CREDIT CONTROL MANAGER ALEXANDRA HVID ACCOUNTS ASSISTANT AYSHA HABIBI PA TO THE DIRECTORS MARIANNE MCFADDEN DIRECTORS GREG HUGHES, 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.

Published by

ZEST MEDIA PUBLICATIONS LTD 213 Westbourne Studios, Acklam Road W10 5JJ T: 020 7704 0588 F: 020 7900 3020 WWW.ZEST-MEDIA.COM Zest Media Publications Ltd. cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited submissions, manuscripts and photographs. While every care is taken, prices and details are subject to change and Zest Media Publications Ltd. take no responsibility for omissions or errors. We reserve the right to publish and edit any letters.

All rights reserved.

Fo l l ow Us O n T wi t t e r @ABSOLUTELY_MAGS Fa c e b o o k ‘ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES’

EDITOR’S letter

T

his month we’ve embraced the notion of great loves.

For my money, Valentine’s Day is the least beguiling of holidays – and it’s not even a holiday, technically, which makes matters worse. All those cartoon hearts and bland red roses leave me a little cold – far more than Christmas, Valentine’s Day seems to me a concept completely hollowed out by cliche and commercialism. How, then, to make love’s own day seem enchanting again?

Our answer is to take the road less travelled and celebrate love and passion in some of their other forms.

Thus we have celeb chef and style icon Gizzi Erskine on her infatuation with food, while interior designer Martin Brudnizki (the brains behind many a swanky hotel restaurant) talks about his love affair with great design.

5 C&A_Feb_EDS_LETTER.indd 5

Of course, we don’t want to set ourselves against conventional human romance too completely – no Miss Havishams here – so we’ve also got some great stuff to help you woo and win hearts this February 14th. We have a staycation recommendation if you’re looking for some London luxury, a guide to the best chocolate boxes in town and some handy travel suggestions for anyone looking to whisk away the object of their affections. And then there’s our lingerie fashion shoot – no explanation needed.

What’s not to love? Have a great month. 

Helen Baron Editor

FEBRUARY 2015

13/01/2015 16:40

FULL PAGE.indd 2

24/03/2014 15:56

p.08

GIZZI ERSKINE’S LOVE AFFAIR WITH FOOD

p. 10

AUDREY HEPBURN, 1950, ANGUS MCBEAN

> WHAT'S ON

7 C&A_FEB15_Culture Opener.indd 7

FEBRUARY 2015

13/01/2015 09:50

XXXXXXXX / XXXXXXXXX

VINTAGE FASHION FAIR

1 5 Fe b ru a ry T h e Old F i n s b u r y Tow n Hall ind the likes of Chanel, Dior and YSL under one roof this month at the F bi-annual Clerkenwell Vintage Fashion Fair. With live music, a tea room and alterations service, grab your friends and go! ◆ Rosebery Avenue, EC1; BEWENGUNGSSTUDIE (MOVEMENT STUDY), 1926, RUDOLF KOPPITZ

clerkenwellvintagefashionfair.co.uk

BOUNCE

14 Fe b ru a ry B ou nc e P i ng- Pong B ar ide away from lovebirds this Valentine’s Day at our favourite ping-pong bar, Bounce. With a world-class DJ, sweet cocktails and extra garlic-y pizzas, this is the perfect night for anyone single to set aside their worries and have some fun with friends.

H

DRAWN

BY LIGHT

◆ 121 Holborn, EC1; bouncepingpong.com

Th rough out February Sc ienc e Mu seum

Make a date in your diary to go and see the landscapes, still lifes, nudes and portraits collected by the Royal Photographic Society. With over 250,000 images, 8000 items and 3,100 books, periodicals and documents to select from, the society have curated an exhibition that reveals the way that cameras have shaped our perception of the world. This is a visually stunning exhibition.

Exhibition Road, SW7; sciencemuseum.org.uk

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

C&A_FEB15_Whats_On.indd 8

GALA FLAMENCO 16-1 9 Fe b ru a ry S adle r ’s We ll s

very year, Sadler’s Wells celebrates the energy, vibrancy and passion of flamenco. Bringing together the most exceptional dancers, the festival demonstrates the diversity of the dance and will both excite and entertain. Go check it out.

E

◆ Rosebery Avenue, EC1; sadlerswells.com

8 13/01/2015 16:30

© ARMET FRANCIS

ARTS & CULTURE / WHAT’S ON TOP THREE

STAYING POWER

F ro m 16 Feb r u a r y Vi c to r i a & Al b e rt Museum aising awareness of the huge contribution R of black Britons to British culture and society, this exhibition, jointly curated by the Black Cultural Archives and the V&A, is comprised of 118 works by 14 artists and includes the vibrant images of northwest Londoner Normski.

A well-rounded glimpse into the many lives of black Britain, be sure to check it out. ◆ Cromwell Road, SW7; vam.ac.uk

© HOWARD HODGKIN

From 1 2 February B a rbi ca n Art G aller y ollecting objects for research, study and C inspiration, artists are either connoisseurs of memorabilia or horders of bizarre objects, depending on your viewpoint. In this show, the Barbican presents a series of fascinating personal collections allowing us to delve deeper into the artist’s creative psyche. ◆ Silk Street, EC2; barbican.org.uk

© JØRGEN LETH AND OLE JOHN / 1982

B e st fo r T r av el

GET TAXI

Book a licensed black taxi cab from your mobile with this quick and reliable app. With both on demand and prebooking capabilities, 24/7 live customer support and realtime tracking (to the second!) this is the easiest way to scoot around the city. 

must try

MAGNIFICENT OBSESSIONS

B e st for Sh op p in g

GRABBLE

Pulling together heaps of clothes and accessories from your favourite stores, this online fashion platform presents you with beautiful products you can ‘grab’ and save into your ultimate wishlist. Then you whittle it down to what you really want to buy. Simply it’s the fashion industry’s answer to Tinder. 

B e st fo r B e au t y

PRIV

HISTORY IS NOW

Fro m 1 0 Fe b ru a ry Hayw ard G alle r y n the run up to the general election, seven artists ask how we got to where we are today. Providing a fresh perspective on the nation’s journey to the present, this is a fun, radical and illuminating exhibition that explores our modern cultural history. ◆ Belvedere Road, SE1; southbankcentre.co.uk

I

9 C&A_FEB15_Whats_On.indd 9

T h re e ap p s you n e e d th i s Fe b r u a r y

This beauty and wellness app means that you’ll always have a beautician to hand. Whether you need a hairdresser, masseuse or personal trainer, PRIV have got it all. Looking good has never been so quick or so stress free! We’re addicted. 

FEBRUARY 2015

13/01/2015 16:27

Gizzi THE GREAT

Chef, food columnist and North London girl Gizzi Erskine tells Absolutely about cooking, clean eating and chicken curry Interview Alexandra Jones

ALEXANDRA JONES What originally prompted your interest in food?

GIZZI ERSKINE I was lucky to be brought up around great food so I feel like I’ve always been immersed in that kind of culture. My mum was a foodie and has always encouraged us all to cook. She travelled a lot and we did too, so were always surrounded by it. There’s no one defining moment, some of my earliest memories have been of being in a vegetable garden with my mum or standing at the sink and helping to peel vegetables.

I guess, a bit later than that my mum was working in Thailand and we’d talk on the phone and she’d talk me through her recipes and I’d try and recreate them while she was away with work. That definitely got me interested in different flavours.

AJ Did you have a favourite childhood dish?

GE Weirdly, because we were brought up on foreign food, I craved things like shepherd’s pie. And I’ve always loved a roast. Then there were things from Thailand that I really remember; we were eating pad Thai way before anyone else. And my mum had this chicken and coriander curry which was brilliant.

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

C&A_FEB15_Gizzi_Erskin.indd 10

I’m NOT a

DOMESTIC COOK,

I’m a professional CHEF

AJ We know you’ve got an amazing set of wings tattooed on your back, but do you have any awkward teenage tattoos?

GE No, I was really good, I think because I worked in the industry [before she went into food, Gizzi worked as a body piercer] I was surrounded by people with amazing work. I mean, I worked in the industry from when I was 16 and I managed to avoid getting anything awful; in fact I waited until I was 21 before getting anything at all.

AJ How did you get into food professionally?

GE I started out working in restaurants before I went to Leiths [School of Food and Wine] to train properly. After that, I won an intern placement to work for BBC Good Food magazine and I was there for a year.

That’s how I got into food styling and from there into writing columns for magazines.

I started to get recognised within the glossies, while still working behind the scenes with some big TV chefs.

Alongside this, I also always did popups. I had a catering company with my friend Abi and when I left Leiths that went for a couple of years. We’d do these really cool, ad hoc events in galleries and different spaces in East London. And we’d have people pay for them, which now are probably known as classic pop-ups but they weren’t at the time. These have become the main part of my job. So my career is split in three ways; I have an events company, then I’m also a food writer and obviously, I do the TV stuff.

AJ As a female chef was there ever the pressure to do that whole Nigella, finger-in-mouth-while-cooking-tocamera thing?

GE Yeah, I guess. But I’m quite strongminded. I suppose there’s that media perception that, just because you’re female, you fit into that category but I’m not a domestic cook, I’m a professional chef. I’ve never done one of those cooking shows where I cook to camera because I tend to be brought onto shows as an expert in something.

10 13/01/2015 15:44

FOOD & DRINK / PROFILE

11 C&A_FEB15_Gizzi_Erskin.indd 11

FEBRUARY 2015

13/01/2015 16:53

FOOD & DRINK / PROFILE a lot to all the suppliers and have great relationships with the big ones: Waitrose, Fortnums, Harrods, so I know what they’re all looking for, which means I can help discover new talent.

So what’s coming out, what’s exciting, hmm… I think Le Bun [lebun.co.uk] who are the brand that I’ve been working with recently, are a great fusion of American and French. As kids they used to holiday in France but found that French food here, in London, wasn’t accessible to younger people, it was too expensive…instead people are going to places like Meat Liquor and Pitt Cue. So their idea is to offer French food in

I am good at FINDING and HELPING set up NEW VENTURES

a diner style, and do it really brilliantly.

I mean, they’re such great cooks; they’re making all their own stocks and really good reduced jus, always using the best ingredients, and just making really accessible French food. They’re definitely ones to watch, for sure.

Also Meringue Girls [meringuegirls.co.uk], I discovered them. They’re completely killing it at the moment; they’ve even got a window in Selfridges. They started off as two pastry chefs in Hackney who both loved Ottolenghi; they both got bored of their jobs and learned how to infuse really concentrated flavours into meringue.

Their concept and execution are great, I think they’ll only get bigger.

To be honest, I’ve been offered those shows, but it’s just never been the thing for me and I've never been that interested in doing them... saying that, Nigella’s an absolute hero of mine, I think she’s awesome, but we’re completely different.

So, I’ve never felt the need to fit in and be the next Nigella.

AJ You’ve been championing Korean food for a while now, any other food trends that you think are on the cusp of being big?

GE It’s funny, I’ve never really gone out and collected food trends. I just love world food and the amount of time we

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

C&A_FEB15_Gizzi_Erskin.indd 12

spent in Asia when I was growing up meant that I experienced those flavours early on and first hand. Korean food came as an extension of that, I got really into Thai food, then Malaysian and food from Borneo and ended up going up through the north of Asia, Japan and Korea, just looking for foods that I’d never encountered before. Then, when I was in New York I found that it was a massive food trend over there and in Los Angeles.

I guess the thing that I am good at is finding and helping set up new ventures.

It’s what I did with [TV shows] Cooks to Market and The Ones To Watch. I speak

AJ What do you eat on an average day?

GE Oh god, well because I’m working every day and developing recipes every day, it’s very hard to say. I generally eat pretty clean, I try to avoid eating huge amounts of carbohydrates. I mean, I eat carbs but I try to eat the right sort of carbs and I try to eat them in the right quantities. The difficult thing is, on average you tend to eat three or four times more carbs than you’re meant to.

I try to eat the right, slow release ones, then also in the right portions, which is about 60g a meal. Otherwise, I eat loads of protein, loads of veg. At the same time, I love fat, I love flavour and I love fried food. It’s about moderation; it’s about being 80% good and 20% bad. u

12 13/01/2015 15:45

CONCEPT

KITCHENS CONCEPT KITCHENS | DESIGN & FUNCTION

Kitchen dreams are coming true...

40, Offord Road, Islington N1 1EB 020 7700 1555 www.conceptkitchensislington.co.uk

Concept kitchens_2014.indd 2

09/10/2014 17:04

We designed and made the ‘Unity’ Collection with cuddles to help raise money for St Mungo’s Broadway Shattered Lives Appeal. A percentage of the price from each piece is given to the charity.

The jewellery is handmade and sold in our gorgeous East London shop ‘Branch on the Park’.

BOTP.indd 1 08.01.15_2.indd 1

227 Victoria Park, London, E9 7HD www.branchonthepark.co.uk julia@branchonthepark.co.uk The jewellery is available to buy from our online shop: www.blossomingbranch.co.uk

09/01/2015 09:18 08/01/2015 17:03

> PINK LADY STYLE

p. 16

WHAT LIES BENEATH: LUXE LACY LOOKS

p. 18

OOH LA LA! With a passion for striking design and beautiful craftsmanship, luxury lingerie brand Bordelle’s SS15 collection is sure to set pulses racing this Valentine’s Day. Tropicana Plunge Bra, £96 and Thong, £54; bordelle.co.uk

15 C&A_FEB15_FASHION_OPENER.indd 15

FEBRUARY 2015

13/01/2015 10:05

st y l e C e n t r a l

FASHION Off the Beaten Track

This month we’re sweet for Charlotte Beecham’s Bon Bon bags and dressing up Pink Ladies style

Wo r d s V i o l e t N ay l o r - L e y l a n d

artorial fashion is as transient as the body shapes that inspire it.

The only body-trend that I’ve been longing to see the back of is this size 4/6 toned clique of shapeless zombies that have not only ruined what is intrinsically beautiful about a woman’s body, but wrecked many centuries of tailoring to boot. The type of figure I’m talking about doesn’t belong to the natural willowy Twiggy-esque physique or petite person; it is that entirely unnatural body that the owner has worked very hard to get, making it as trim and as toned as it is possible to be (without looking ill). The result is no shape at all, no physical personality; just a generic-sized pair of boobs with a small, flattish bum and no hips. It is inspired by celebrities who live in front of cameras, but the reality of this body is in fact boring and unfeminine. Why would you want to get rid of the naturalness that makes you a woman – the softness of your flesh, the nip of your waist and curve of your bottom? It has inspired women’s clothing since time began! So if you’re worrying about having let your New Year’s resolution slide, take a few pictures of Marilyn Monroe, Kate Upton or Kim Kardashian to the mirror with you, and just check you don’t rather suit those few extra pounds? They’re in Vogue after all… u

S

w o rd s charlot te adset t

Candy Crush Bon Bon Bags

● V I O L E T N AY L O R - L E Y L A N D Stylist and owner of fancy dress boutique Violet’s Box;

violetsbox.com

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

CH_Feb_Fashion_Notes_v3.indd 16

Following the huge success of her fake fur popsicle scarves, London fashion designer Charlotte Beecham of Charlotte Simone has launched the ‘Bon Bon’ bag in collaboration with her friend and Rita Ora’s super-stylist, Kyle De’volle. The candy coloured fluffy ‘Bon Bons' (modelled here by Daisy Lowe) look as edible as they sound. Bon Bon Bags, £150; charlottesimone.com

16 13/01/2015 09:57

FASHION / NOTES

8 of the best

LOCKET LOVERS Loquet

PINK PIECES

Nothing says ‘I love you’ quite like a bespoke piece of jewellery. The keepsake ‘Loquet’ concept was created by Sheherazade Goldsmith and Laura Bailey, with the idea that the lockets can be personalised with collectable charms, initials and birthstones. Start dropping hints for Valentine’s Day now. From £450; loquetlondon.com

01

02

HIGH LIFE House Of Hackney x Terr y Havilland

East London fashion and interiors label du jour House of Hackney have joined forces with legendary rock ‘n’ roll shoemaker-to-the-stars Terry de Havilland to create a range of ‘70s-inspired printed wedges and platforms. £375; houseofhackney.com

03

FLORAL FANCY

04

G i a m b a t t i s t a Va l l i

Italian couturier Giambattista Valli, worn by Amal Alamuddin the first time she stepped out as Mrs Clooney, designs beautifully constructed and ultra feminine dresses. This dress (£1,778) is a wise investment for your spring wardrobe. Available from mytheresa.com

06

05

UNDERCOVER LOVER Petit B iscous

Desperately seeking the dream underwear set for yourself or a loved one? Our favourite luxury lingerie boutique Petit Biscous offers a personal styling and fit service, a VIP shopping app and stocks drool-worthy designer collections from labels such as Bordelle, ID Sarrieri and Lascivious. Body by Petit Biscous, £140; petitbiscous.com

17 CH_Feb_Fashion_Notes_v3.indd 17

07

08

01. SHRIMPS Fake Fur Keyring, £50; shrimps.co.uk 02. HONOR Dress, £1,535; matchesfashion.com 03. JENNIFER LOISELLE Perspex Earrings, £45; boticca.com 04. ROKSANDA ILINCIC Silk Midi Skirt, £815; net-a-porter.com 05. CARVEN Wool Coat, £1,060; brownsfashion.com 06. VALENTINO Leather Handbag, £1,550; matchesfashion.com 07. CHARLOTTE OLYMPIA , Perspex Clutch Bag, £875; matchesfashion.com 08. GIANVITO ROSSI Leather Shoes, £635; mytheresa.com

FEBRUARY 2015

13/01/2015 09:56

Cream silk printed pyjama top, £330 (sold as a set with trousers),

by Olivia con Halle Black geometric bra, £43 and shorts £15, by Huit

W ha t li e s

BENEATH Fall in love with the season’s most alluring lingerie P h o t o g r a p h y P h i l i p B ly t h m a n S t y l i n g Ly n d a B e l l

FashionShoot_Feb_5pp.indd 18

13/01/2015 10:06

FashionShoot_Feb_5pp.indd 19

13/01/2015 10:06

by

ecret

Black sequin pencil skirt, £119, by Boden Brown silk and lace bow bra, £79, by Fleur of England Gold long drop earrings, £200, by Dinny Hall

FashionShoot_Feb_5pp.indd 20

13/01/2015 10:06

Black star lace body, £86 and cat ears £135, by Mimi Holliday Silver and crystal ring, £119, by Myia Passiello at Cadenzza

FashionShoot_Feb_5pp.indd 21

13/01/2015 10:06

Red and plum bra, £75 and pants £35, by Maison Lejaby Crystal bracelets, £14 each, by Oasis Crystal earrings, £19 Stella and Dot

Photographer: Philip Blythman Stylist: Lynda Bell Model: Fruzsina at Models1 Hair: Marcia Lee at Caren using Aveda Make-up: Claudine Blythman using Lancôme STOCKISTS boden.co.uk cadenzza.co.uk damaris.co.uk dinnyhall.com fulldisclosureluxe.com huit.com maisonlejaby.com my-wardrobe.com net-a-porter.com oasis-stores.com pepejeans.com petitsbisous.com princesssetamtam.co.uk sea-ny.com

FashionShoot_Feb_5pp.indd 22

13/01/2015 10:07

BATH SORTS

BATHROOM DESIGN SPECIALISTS

38 Offord Road, Islington N1 1DL 020 7700 1333 www.bathsorts.co.uk

BS.indd 2

09/10/2014 17:02

XXXXXX / XXXXXXX SPOTLIGHT

BEST FOOT FORWARD Bespoke shoemaker Anthony Andrews talks designing for Kathleen Turner and clients the world over W o r d s E l i z a b e t h Va n L i e r

T

here is something almost magical about the underground workshop of shoemaker Anthony Andrews.

With its abundant and muti-coloured displays of suede and leather skins, its smell of polish and woodshavings and its shelf upon shelf of shoemaking knick-knacks, it’s like the setting for a modern day fairy tale.

As Anthony (or Tony as he prefers) leads me around the rabbit warren of a basement, he introduces me to various members of his team, joking with them in his deep, cockney dialect. It’s a sprightly working environment, one that is both captivating and alluring. Witnessing first hand, the detail – the minute detail – that goes into every single design (the stitching, the gluing, the measuring) is nothing short of astounding. And the passion – the sheer passion! At one point Tony shows me a pair of American shoes from the 19th century, and he starts to quiver with excitement – ‘Look, just look at that stitching!’ I’d never seen enthusiasm quite like it.

‘My father [Len] was a sergeant major in the army and following that, went to a tech college to learn shoemaking,’ Tony tells me from the comfort of his

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

CH_FEB15_Footware.indd 24

WHAT I DON’T KNOW about

[shoes] isn’t worth KNOWING

rugged but homely office. ‘After that, he went into orthopedic shoes and got a job in a firm – like the guys downstairs – shoemaking.’

A diligent worker, to please a client one day who needed his shoes fixed quickly, Len decided to take them home to work on overnight – a practise which was forbidden. For this ‘gross misconduct’, Len was sacked. None the

wiser, the client returned some weeks later with more work for Len. When he heard of the redundancy, he marched straight out of the shop to give the work to Len direct. He then decided to give all future work to Len and encouraged him to set up on his own. So Len turned his basement into a workshop and set about making orthopedic shoes. After school each day, his son – the 11-year-old Tony – would go downstairs to help him, staying up till midnight most days to get through the workload.

So it was that Tony followed in his father’s footsteps. And nearly 50 years on, he is still as obsessed with shoes as ever – ‘what I don’t know about them isn’t worth knowing’, he tells me.

Whilst orthopedic footwear might be his speciality, Tony can design and make any shoe. Indeed, he can add 6 inches to the height of a man, simply through a carefully crafted heel. ‘Customers come to us to design (with our help) their own footwear. They choose from our vast selection of colours and prints, and animal skins – like crocodile, snake, stingray and ostrich. [Generally] the most common complaint we come across is from customers finding it difficult to buy ready-made shoes because one [of their] feet is bigger than the other.’

For me this was a light bulb moment.

24 13/01/2015 12:02

FASHION / BEHIND THE SCENES Kathleen Turner...

WAS THRILLED TO BITS with our COPPER INSOLES

I have this problem, I thought to myself, why on earth have I not done anything about it before? In fact, why do I always go for the larger-sized shoe, the pair that accommodates ‘bigfoot,’ and totally neglects the swamped and struggling ‘littlefoot’? I peer down at my factorymade clodhopper plus-size left boot and want to throw it out onto the street.

‘Our most popular style for women is the slip-on court shoe, and for men, the Oxford brogue,’ Tony continues. ‘But we can make hundreds of different designs – even copy an old favourite.’

I must confess I drift off at this point, fantasising about the cloning of my beloved (albeit exhausted) pair of leather thigh-high boots. Might they finally now see the light of another party?

And speaking of party shoes, if anyone knows anything about them, it’s Tony.

He has designed many a pair in his time, some of which were for Hollywood

There is something MAGICAL and FAIRY TALE-like about TONY

A-listers. ‘A lot of [celebrities], if they’ve got a problem, [they] don’t really want me to say anything about it,’ Tony continues.

‘But with people like Kathleen Turner, it’s not a problem. She’s thrilled to bits with our copper insoles, which helped her with her arthritis. And we made a couple of pairs of shoes for her as well. She was just blown away by them.’

My whole morning is whiled away nattering to Tony. He tells me about his varied and fascinating client list, many of whom come to him from all over the world. Like the woman from the Seychelles, who had, alarmingly, a stump for a leg. Tony and his team designed a

25 CH_FEB15_Footware.indd 25

pair of boots with a filler to support it.

When she put them on, ‘you wouldn’t think there was anything wrong with her!’ Tony says, full-of-beans. ‘She was in here, crying…’. Then there was the story of a young boy, whose deformed legs were saved from amputation by a pair of Tony’s miracle shoes.

They are truly touching tales. All of which served to confirm what I had thought at the beginning. There is something magical and fairy tale-like about Tony, his workshop and the work that he does. And that he can design a girl her very own bespoke shoes, tailormade to bigfoot and littlefoot, well, that’s just magic also.  12 New Cavendish Street, W1G, 020 7486 4664; specialfootwear.co.uk

FEBRUARY 2015

13/01/2015 15:05

TREAT yoUR VALENTINE To A

DATE NIGHT INDULGENCE CoMPLIMENTARy

UPGRADE To LUXURy GIFT PACkAGING

when you buy a gift voucher and mention this ad

Book NoW FoR VALENTINE’S DAy 01638 676130 spareservations@bedfordlodgehotel.co.uk www.bedfordlodgehotelspa.co.uk Bury Road, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 7BX

BEDFORD LODGE.indd 1

12/01/2015 12:04

> BEAUTY CONFIDENTIAL

p. 28

STAY MOTIVATED IN FEBRUARY WITH TOP TIPS FROM TEN PILATES p. 31

SAVING FACE Avoid any make-up blunders this Valentine’s Day with Tom Ford's impossibly elegant make-up collection. Classic colours, subtle glitters and all the tools for a flawless base, this range has got it covered. tomford.com

27 C&A_FEB15_Beauty_Opener.indd 27

FEBRUARY 2015

13/01/2015 09:34

tried & T e s t e d

JOSH WOOD Barber & Parlour Wo r d s H E L E N B A R O N

e’ve always loved Cheeky so it felt like quite the W Parlour, beauty boon when the salon (owned by the Soho House Group) went for a full makeover and rebrand to incorporate partner company (and men’s grooming specialist) Neville. Located above the Electric Cinema in an elegant warehouse conversion on Redchurch Street, the newly named Barber & Parlour quickly added an airy cafe/kitchen and some suitably upscale, Labour and Wait-esque homewares while (this is the best bit) convincing hair colour guru Josh Wood – usually found transforming celeb barnets in West London – to bring his talents eastwards. Josh’s team of talented colourists and stylists completes Cheeky’s circle of beauty offerings – previously it was nails and blow-dries; now you can expect a full hair service at a home-from-home salon which doubles as a great place to chill/do some work/grab some lunch at the salad and juice bar. Prices remain reasonable – which is amazing considering the slick decor – and the quality is sky-high. Forget having a manicure in your high street ‘salon’, breathing in polish fumes while you question the sterility of the instruments. There are plenty of leather seats here, but they’re more like classy booths than the unsightly variety that lesser establishments use to dole out massages (call that a massage?) – and there are now more therapists, so it’s ideal for a gaggle (and a giggle – pretty much everyone gets a glass of bubbly). We were already Cheeky loyalists, but with Barber & Parlour, we might just move in. u

Romance in a bottle, look hot this Valentine’s day and the best sunblocks for February travellers W o r d s R o m y va n d e n B r o e k e

Eye Candy Estée Lauder

● B A R B E R & PA R L O U R 64-66 Redchurch Street, E2; barberandparlour.com

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

C&A_FEB15_Beauty_Notes.indd 28

This year has been quite a year for Kendall Jenner. Not only has she struck up a covetable new friendship with Cara Delevigne and been in the spolight because of a rather famous wedding, she has also landed a job as the face of Estée Lauder. Bravo. esteelauder.co.uk

28 13/01/2015 16:14

HEALTH & BEAUTY / NOTES

8 of the best

RED ALERT

SUNSCREENS

Kevyn Aucoin

New for Valentine’s Day is Kevyn Aucoin's Bloody Gorgeous Box Set, a collection of six of the make-up artist’s most iconic products in his favourite shade, Bloodrose - the ultimate red. £100, spacenk.com

01

02

editor’s

PICK

best

BUY

WHITE LINE Odin

Not only do these fragrances from Odin New York look stylish on your dressing table, they're also unisex so can be spritzed on both you and your partner this Valentine's day. £140; odinedt.com

03

LOVE IN A BOTTLE Lalique

Attention loverbirds! This heavely scent is the perfect gift for a loved one. The L’Amour Lalique perfume comes bottled in a collectable crystal flacon and has top notes of rosebed and neroli. Beautiful.

L’Amour Lalique, £1,100; lalique.com

04

05

SHINE LIKE A DIAMOND BeautyLab

Slather your face in black diamond extract with this energizing serum from grooming giants, BeautyLab. It’s sure to keep you looking fresh this February. £90; beautylab.com

29 C&A_FEB15_Beauty_Notes.indd 29

07 06

08

1. ELEMIS, Liquid Layer SPF30, £27; timetospa.co.uk 2. SOLEIL, Organique Sunscreen Mist SPF15, £24; abeautifulworld.co.uk 3. DERMALOGICA, Dermalogica Super Sensitive Shield SPF30, £39; dermalogica.co.uk 4. LA ROCHE POSAY, Anthelios XL Compact Cream SPF 50, £19.50; boots.com 5. LANCASTER, Sun Delicate Skin SPF50, £21; selfridges.com 6. KIEHLS, Activated Sun Protector SPF50, £25; kiehls.co.uk 7. MURAD, Water Resistant Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF30, £29; murad.co.uk 8. SISLEY, Sisley’s Sunleÿa G.E Age-Minimising Sun Care SPF15, £158; sisley-paris.co.uk

FEBRUARY 2015

13/01/2015 09:36

BLOOM.indd 1

08/01/2015 14:57

to p T i p s

HEALTH & BEAUTY / NOTES

STAY MOTIVATED

By Luke Meessmann Ma s t e r T ra i n e r – Te n P i l a t e s

1. Flings are great, marriage is better

A resolution made in the heat of the New Year moment is like a one-night stand – quick, fun, but all too often doomed to failure. Set your goals, arrange a start date and, committed to your vows, your chances of a long-term successful outcome are so much greater.  2. Get yourself some tough love

Buddy up. We’ve all got one of those friends haven’t we? Someone who tells it how it is, no matter what. Annoying as they can be, they make brilliant workout buddies. If they spot even the first sign of slacking, they’ll tell you. They’ll treat all your excuses with undisguised contempt. 

Fitness

3. ‘Facebook’ your workout

This doesn’t mean posting every little run, but incorporate a significant social element into your workout. We’re social animals and if we can do something with a bunch of like-minded people, rather than alone, we’ll usually do it better, more enthusiastically and more often. 

CONFIDENTIAL Get in shape with the top fitness trends, tips and gear

4. One-trick ponies get fat

Still with me? No? Okay, let me explain: in exercise as in all things, boredom is the enemy of motivation. Try something different; mentally it will stimulate you and physically it will challenge your body.

Here at Ten we enhance our Dynamic Pilates offering with Personal Training, Sports Massage, Cardiolates, TenHIIT and Jumpboard. 

Wo r d s H e l e n B a r o n

ADIDAS

Keep it Moving

● T E N P I L AT E S 38 Hatton Garden, EC1; tenpilates.com

M o v e m e n t Fo r M o d e r n L i f e ovement for Modern Life is revolutionising yoga M access, offering unlimited online classes for the price of one at a studio. Ideal for those struggling to make classes, you simply select a level that suits your need and can even supercharge your system with a New Year cleansing programme. movementformodernlife.com

31 C&A_FEB15_Health.indd 31

BRUSH UP

x Mar y Katrantzou Clock up serious style points with the Mary Katrantzou collection created in collaboration with sportswear titans Adidas. The collection ranges from show-stopping dresses and skirts to sweatshirts, and will take you straight from crosstrainer to club. matchesfashion.com

Net- a-Porter The Issa toothbrush employs high-intensity pulsations from silicone bristles for effective teeth-cleaning. The non-porous silicone design offers a much more hygienic solution than nylon bristles, preventing bacteria build-up – and the clincher? It only needs charging twice a year!

£89; net-a-porter.com

editor’s

PICK

FEBRUARY 2015

13/01/2015 10:40

PARADISE.indd 2

09/12/2014 11:51

> FOOD NEWS

p. 35

FOOD REVIEWS: OPSO/DF MEXICO

p. 43

SOCIAL SUPPERS You’ll find photogenic recipes approachable to even the most amateur chefs in this hardback book from Jason Atherton. A welcome addition to every home chef's bookshelf, it brims with stunning photography of inspired dishes perfect for sharing with friends and family.£22, Bloomsbury Publishing

33 C&A_FEB15_Food_Opener.indd 33

FEBRUARY 2015

13/01/2015 10:20

ANTHONY ANDREWS BESPOKE CELEBRITY SHOE DESIGNER FOR LADIES & GENTLEMEN

Start off the New Year on the right foot...

TONY ANDREWS HAS BEEN MAKING BESPOKE (CUSTOM MADE) FOOTWEAR FOR OVER 50 YEARS. Design your own footwear with our guidance.

Largest stock in UK of leathers including calf, animal prints, stingray, crocodile, snake, ostrich and many others.

Home or of fice measuring ser vice available.

Men’s shoes that will increase height by up to 6 inches.

Everything is made in our London W1 shop/workshop.

We welcome you to visit the workshop to see your footwear being made and to look and touch thousands of skins available.

CONSULTATIONS ARE FREE OF CHARGE. Anyone is welcome to come in have a chat and look round our shop plus tea and biscuits.

“

I HAD TWO PAIRS OF SHOES AND A PAIR OF SANDALS MADE .

THE BEST FOOTWEAR AND THE BEST SERVICE I’VE EVER HAD

-Kathleen Turner

”

12 New Cavendish Street, W1G 8UN 020 7486 4664 | info@specialfootwear.co.uk | www.specialfootwear.co.uk

SPECIAL FOOTWEAR.V4.indd 1

12/01/2015 17:25

stay c a t i o n

FOOD & DRINK / NOTES

ANDAZ From street art rooms to DIY Bloody Marys Wo r d s C at h e r i n e H a l e s

erfectly bridging the gap between suave city and edgy East, Andaz Liverpool Street have recently embarked upon two new ventures sure to appeal to both. The first is their ‘Room With A View’ installation, which debuted in October 2014 and will be in evidence until July 2015. The second, the brand new brunch menu in the hotel’s Eastaway restaurant. I was shown up to the ‘One Day Walk’ street art room, adorned with a sprawling mural by artists Patrick Vale and Paul Davis. It must be said that even without the addition of the art wall, the room is spacious, comfortable and luxurious without being cloying. The art adds a wonderful sense of place (depicting East London’s attractions and locals) as well as a unique sense of occasion to the room. A restful and extremely comfortable night’s sleep is enjoyed, preceded by absolutely scrumptious room service and we wake up refreshed and ready for brunch.

Located in the decidedly trendy Eastaway restaurant, the brunch’s crowning glory is indisputably the DIY Bloody Mary bar, offering a range of ingredients, some never dreamed of before. My friend even opts for a crispy bacon garnish. The menu is substantial and inventive, blending New York with East End. My Omelette Wrapped Toulouse is incredibly tasty and filling while my companion’s Eggs Sanchez (soft poached eggs with chorizo, rocket and guacamole) leave me with a serious case of food envy. 

P

● ANDAZ LIVERPOOL STREET 40 Liverpool Street, EC2; andazliverpoolstreet.com

TABLE TALK Keep it local this Valentine’s Day with a staycation or a rooftop tipple FITS THE BILL

Until March, GREY GOOSE® is bringing alpine chic to design hotel ME London’s Radio Rooftop bar. The contemporary bar’s already dramatic surrounds have been transformed to create a magical winter retreat complete with snow-capped mountainscape.

336-337 The Strand, WC2; me-london.melia.com

LA MAISON DU CHOCOLAT

Caramel Sensations £14.50; lamaisonduchocolat.co.uk

5

ROCOCO

Heart Shaped Truffle Box £45; rococochocolates.com

Luxe Boxes for Chocolate Lovers

MONTEZUMA’S

GODIVA

Heart Box £23; godivachocolates.co.uk

PRESTAT

Theatre Heart Box from £6.50; prestat.co.uk

Large Truffle Box £15.99; montezumas.co.uk

35 CH_FEB15_Food Notes.indd 35

RAISE THE ROOF

We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Bill Granger’s Granger & Co to Clerkenwell. The Australian national treasure has won Brits over with his new-world approach and this latest enterprise marks his eighth restaurant opening in total. Expect Japanese, Hawaiian and Korean influences and damn good scrambled eggs.

50 Sekforde Street, EC1; grangerandco.com

FEBRUARY 2015

13/01/2015 10:14

TRO N I H ONT M A £3

DU

FFER O N CTIO

TRY NEW THINGS So far this year, we’ve been up 2 towers- the Oxo Tower and the Shard; we’ve sung our hearts out in a Reggae Choir, gone scuba diving, had walks & picnics, as well as some fantastic nights out!

MEET NEW PEOPLE Through our regular meet ups and events, we give people the opportunity to make new friendships & connect with each other.

CONNECT WITH THE BOROUGH We showcase some of the fantastic things on offer from community organisations and local businesses.

SAVE MONEY Our Camden source & arrange deals for our Members with local businesses. This enables us to support independent business & encourage people to shop locally whilst making great savings.

Contribute.

Celebrate.

Connect. www.ourcamden.org 0203 488 0020 OUR CAMDEN.indd 1

08/10/2014 11:48

FOOD & DRINK / RECIPES STARTER

RABBIT CONFIT Wi th Celeri ac Cream

S erves 6 I n g re di e n ts

For th e rabbi t con fi t and f loss • 5 rabbit legs • 1 tablespoon sea salt • 1–1½ litres duck (or goose) fat, melted

For th e soup • 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra to finish • 2 large celeriacs, peeled and chopped • 1 onion, peeled and chopped • 750ml rabbit stock (or Chicken Stock, • 400ml double cream • a small handful of finely chopped chives or flat-leaf parsley, to garnish • sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

ME T HO D 01 Preheat the oven to 120°C/Gas Mark ½. Put the rabbit legs into a deep ovenproof dish in which the rabbit legs fit snugly. Season with the sea salt then pour in enough duck fat to cover the legs. Place the dish into the oven and gently cook for 1½ hours or until the meat is tender. 02 Meanwhile, make the celeriac soup. Heat the olive oil in a large ovenproof pan. Add the chopped celeriac and onion with some salt and pepper. Sweat the vegetables over a medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes, until the vegetables are tender. Pour in the stock, topping up with boiling water as necessary to cover the vegetables. Simmer for about 20 minutes until the celeriac is soft. Add the cream and season well to taste. Blend the soup using a hand-held stick blender (or a regular blender) until it is smooth and creamy. Reheat before serving. 03 When the rabbit confit is ready, remove from the oven and leave to cool slightly. Reduce the oven temperature to 100°C/ Gas Mark ¼. Once cool enough to handle, take the rabbit legs out of the fat (save it for roast potatoes or another dish) then pull the rabbit meat away from the bones. Set aside the meat from 3 of the legs and finely shred the remaining half. Spread out the shredded meat evenly on a wide baking tray. Place into the low oven and let the meat dehydrate for 45 minutes to one hour or until it dries out and turns crisp. Remove from the oven and leave to cool. 04 Just as you are ready to serve, heat 1–2 tablespoons of the confit duck fat in a wide frying pan. When hot, fry the reserved confit rabbit with a little salt and pepper until evenly golden brown. Take the pan off the heat. 05 To serve, neatly place the seared rabbit meat into the middle of the warmed soup bowls. Arrange small piles of the rabbit ‘floss’ on top of the meat. Carefully pour the celeriac soup into each bowl but do not allow it to come up to the level of the rabbit floss. Sprinkle with chopped chives, drizzle with olive oil and serve immediately. u

Eat the Seasons Chef du jour Jason Atherton shares recipes for a winter dinner party Photography john carey

37 C&A_FEB15_Recipe.indd 37

FEBRUARY 2015

13/01/2015 11:49

FOOD & DRINK / RECIPES dessert

LONDON HONEY & ALMOND CAKE Wit h h o n e y j elly

S er ves 8–10 • 200g unsalted butter • 150g clear honey, plus extra to glaze • 150g caster sugar • 200g ground almonds • 40g plain flour • 8 medium egg whites, at room temperature • crème fraîche or Vanilla Ice Cream

Fo r t he ho n e y j elly • 3 small gelatine leaves • 150g clear honey

• 35ml moscatel or sherry vinegar • 150ml hot water

O ra n ge m arm alad e (opti on al) • 4 Seville oranges, about 500g, well scrubbed, quartered • 500ml water • 700g granulated sugar 01 To make the honey jelly, soak the gelatine leaves in a bowl of cold water. Heat the honey in a heavy-based saucepan until it begins to colour. As soon as it turns a caramel colour,

add the vinegar and water. Stir well to combine. If the honey hardens upon contact with the liquid, continue to heat and stir until it melts. Squeeze the excess water from the gelatine leaves and add these to the pan. Stir to dissolve. Pour the honey mixture into a small sealable container and leave to cool completely.

Cover the container and chill the jelly for a few hours until set. 02 For the marmalade, cut out the segments from the orange quarters. Thinly slice the orange skins using a sharp knife and set aside. Put the segments into a heavy-based pan and add the water and sugar. Bring to the boil then reduce the heat to the lowest setting and gently simmer for about an hour. Strain the mixture through a fine sieve into a clean pan, pressing down on the pulp to extract all the juice. Add the sliced orange skins and bring to a simmer. Gently simmer for another hour until the skins are tender and you have a loose marmalade consistency. To test if the marmalade has reached setting point, remove the pan from the heat then spoon a little on to a cold plate. Leave to cool for a few minutes. If the marmalade thickens and forms a skin, it’s ready. If not, return the pan to the heat and cook for a few more minutes and test again.

03 Preheat the oven to 180°C/Gas Mark 4.

Grease and lightly flour a 20cm loose-bottomed square cake tin. Melt the butter in a saucepan over a medium heat. Let it cook until it turns golden brown and releases a nutty fragrance, then remove the pan from the heat and stir in the honey. Leave to cool. 04 Meanwhile, mix the sugar, almonds and flour in a large mixing bowl. Make a well in the centre of the dry mixture then pour in the butter and honey.

Fold the mixture until combined. Lightly beat the egg whites with a fork in another bowl, then add this to the batter. Fold through until the mixture is smooth and well combined.

Pour the mixture into the prepared cake tin.

Bake for 30–40 minutes, until the top is golden brown and a skewer inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean. Remove from the oven and leave to cool on a cooling rack. While the cake is still warm, brush a little honey on the top to glaze it. 05 Run a thin knife around the cake tin before unmoulding the cake. Cut into slices or squares and serve with the honey jelly, orange marmalade, if using, and crème fraîche or vanilla ice cream, as you prefer. ◆

● Exerts taken from Jason Atherton’s new book, Social Suppers, £17; jasonatherton.co.uk

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

C&A_FEB15_Recipe.indd 38

38 13/01/2015 11:49

The Tile Box

40 Offord Road, Islington N1 1EB 020 7700 1444 www.thetilebox.co.uk

TILE BOX.indd 2

09/10/2014 17:05

XXXXXXXX / XXXXXXXXX

STRIP If your man needs help finding you a gift this Valentine’s, point him in the direction of Strip.

Strip Wax Bar & Boutique is now offering personalised Valentine e-gift vouchers at the click of a button. E-vouchers can be used in stores for their world-renowned waxing services, exquisite lingerie or luxurious skincare products. Buy online now to give you more time to plan that most romantic of nights! Book your free consultation today. Strip One New Change, EC4; 020 7236 0058; stripwaxbar.com

A L L YO U N E E D I S

LOVE Get in the mood for Valentines Day and treat you loved one this year

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

C&A_FEB15_Fashion_ Feature.indd 40

BLOOM PERFUMERY Just across the road from Old Spitalfields Market you’ll find Bloom Perfumery. Discover a new signature scent amongst their carefully curated collection of luxury, niche and independent perfume and candle making maisons from around the world. Or why not treat a loved one to a gift voucher with a fun perfume picking experience led by their friendly and knowledgeable staff?

4 Hanbury Street,E1; bloomperfume.co.uk

40 13/01/2015 14:58

ABSOLUTELY XXXXXXXXX//PROMOTION XXXXXXXX

ANGELA FLANDERS

BRANCH ON THE PARK

A visit to Angela Flanders Spitalfields perfumery is the perfect place to discover that special, individual perfume for your loved one. Whether you are seeking out a romantic rose, luscious white floral or a heady exotic oriental, for him or her, Angela’s personally trained team are experts at guiding you through the tantalising selection of over 30 delicious perfumes, body lotions or candles. 4 Artillery Passage, E1 angelaflanders-perfumer.com

Jewellery shop ‘Branch on the Park’ is a fantastic choice for handmade jewellery for Valentine's Day. Designed in the shop by the owner, goldsmith Julia Cook, who also sells a small range of pieces by other independent designers, prices start at just £10 whileprecious gemstones range from £165£10,000. 227 Victoria Park Road, E9; 020 8533 7977; branchonthepark.co.uk

NICHOLE DE CARLE Spoil the lady in your life this Valentine’s Day with a beautiful lingerie set from Nichole de Carle. Specialising in luxury lingerie and super stylish swimwear, choose from the iconic Black Label Onyx collection for something more daring, the Soiree collection for elegant, feminine design or the Everyday collection for simple but classic and contemporary basics.

The brand also offer a made-to-order service for an exceptional fit. nicholedecarlelondon.com

BOHO MEXICA

SWEET PEA

Treat your lover to a Mexican fiesta this Valentine’s Day. Rich in imaginative culinary ideas, Boho Mexica is a strong contender for the crown of best Mexican restaurant in East London. 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. Margaritas in Shoreditch don’t come better than these. 151153 Commercial Street, E1; bohomexica.co.uk

Sweet Pea is a luxury designer jewellery boutique on Gloucester Avenue in Primrose Hill.

Owned by Siobhan O’Neill, the inviting shop sells delicate 18ct gold jewellery set with diamonds, precious stones and pearls – and makes an ideal destination for Valentine's Day gifts. It also offers a bespoke engagement and wedding ring service – and stocks pieces by fellow designers including Alex Monroe, Polly Wales and Jo Hayes Ward.

77, Gloucester Avenue, NW1 8LD, 0207 449-9292; sweetpeajewellery.com

BEDFORD LODGE If you’re looking to give the gift of total relaxation, do so with personalised gift vouchers from The Spa at Bedford Lodge Hotel. The vouchers can be gift-wrapped in a beautifully packaged box and are available in any denomination. Choose from a range of packages or spa experiences and treat your partner to a romantic weekend away this Valentine’s Day. Bury Road, CB8; 01638 676130; bedfordlodgehotelspa.co.uk/gift-vouchers

41 C&A_FEB15_Fashion_ Feature.indd 41

FEBRUARY 2015

13/01/2015 14:58

‘Probably the best new restaurant in northwest London to open in ten years’ – Giles Coren, The Times

FOOD AND FILM ENJOY BOTH AT JW3.

Dine at our critically acclaimed Zest restaurant, café & bar.

And then head over to our plush boutique Cinema for the newest releases from around the world, plus Jewish and Israeli films curated by our partner UK Jewish Film.

BOOK ONLINE www.jw3.org.uk

Finchley Road Finchley Road & Frognal

JW3, 341-351 Finchley Road London NW3 6ET

&

Quality Vintage Apparel Authentic Designer Pieces This is one NOT to be missed

The most exquisite vintage fashion fair

A treasure trove of inspiration

TIME OUT

VOGUE.IT

GLAMOUR

The Vintage Collections Sunday 15th February The Old Finsbury Town Hall Rosebery Ave, EC1R4RP (5mins from the Angel) 11am-5pm £4 Photograph by Asher Herr

ADVERT PLACEMENTS.indd 1

www.clerkenwellvintagefashionfair.co.uk

14/01/2015 09:54

FOOD & DRINK / REVIEW

DF MEXICO

Thomasina Miers’ new Mexican-American hybrid W o r d s HELEN BARON

’m far from the first to note that London’s restaurant scene seems to have evolved (or degenerated, depending on your appetite for novelty) into a high concept free-for-all, with new openings jockeying for press and popularity by way of ever more arresting culinary conceits.

The public’s fascination with outlandish ideas (witness the ridiculous media back-and-forth over Brick Lane’s Cereal Killer cafe) can be both help and hindrance to those trying to plough their own foodie furrow – but it can also be a surprisingly efficient indicator of quality, winnowing the wheat from the chaff and ensuring that only the strongest ideas outlast the initial hype.

Thomasina Miers’ DF Mexico is holding its own amid this crush of competition.

The place glows like a Hopper painting on the dark evening of our visit, a bright, airy space decked out in the white tiles that have become synonymous with East London - but here enlivened by splashes of Latin-inspired primary colour.

Old favourites like tacos, burritos and tortillas are present, but the focus is on innovative pairings and subtle spins on the classics. Many of the innovations are in the garnishes – chipotle hibiscus salsa, pumpkin seed mayo etc. The entire experience is as bright, breezy and informal as you’d expect from DF Mexico’s dinerstyle design, but the flavours and quality of the food represent a significant step up from tired theme-diner fare. As concepts go, this one looks to have legs: don’t be surprised if DF Mexico is a nationwide success story before 2015 is out. u

I

OPSO

It’s all Greek to Richard Mellor at Marylebone’s latest eatery

T

hink Greek restaurants and you probably imagine quaint, old-fashioned harbourfront tavernas in seaside towns, places of enormous portions and bargain prices.

And yet Opso, just off Marylebone High Street, couldn’t be more different. This is modern Greek – sharing plates, artisan ingredients sourced from the motherland – in a pareddown venue with artsy flourishes. Note the whacking great honeycomb oozing away by the entrance, for instance. Or the many pot plants.

The first question concerns where to sit.

The central, communal table? At the bar? In the basement, which appears to double as a glass-encased Greek history museum? My pal Georgia, an expert on all things Hellenic – in the sense that she dated a Greek bloke around a decade ago – plumps for a traditional two-person table up top, nestled among foliage.

Cocktails come next. Featuring ouzo and violet liqueur, Georgia’s Perfect Thyme is refreshing and zesty and features a sizeable herb garnish. Less attention-grabbing, my Grape Republic utilises tsipouro, a grape pomace spirit, plus lychee liqueur to delicious effect.

And so to the food. We begin with koulouri, scrumptious sesame-seed bread served beside a creamy curd. Chunky salt crystals further enhance the flavours and it vanishes quickly. Eager stomachs are patted and all seems mightily promising.

The main dishes arrive, as is the modern way, in a random order: our smoked metsovone cheese is tasty and made all the more moreish by a of stick rhubarb jam. Feedback for the sliced boar sausages hovers around “bloomin' delicious”.

Morale is boosted further when two mastiha-spiked gin and tonics show up, their slight liquorice edge sweetened by a few sprinkled sultanas. A plate of pastitsio soon follows: no ‘twists’ here: just a simple, delicious dish. Bold meaty flavour, rich béchamel sauce, fresh ingredients – bish bash bosh.

Dessert is crumbled walnut cake with sour-cherry ice cream, and over a concluding coffee, the following is agreed: kudos to Opso for experimenting, for mixing things up. The modernised Greek classics are delicious – we wish there were even more of them on the quarterly-changing menu – and the drinks are top-notch. u

● ops o

10 Paddington Street, W1; opso.co.uk

43 C&A_FEB15_Food_Review.indd 43

● DF MEXICO

Hanbury Street, E1; dfmexico.co.uk

FEBRUARY 2015

13/01/2015 11:58

Luxury European Furniture since 1962

London Luxury Furniture Showroom 020 7253 3206 WHARFESIDE.indd 1

wharfside.london 13/01/2015 17:03

> INTERIOR INSPIRATIONS

p. 46

MARTIN BRUDNIZKI'S HOT HOTEL HANGOUTS

p. 50

IN THE HOT SEAT Feeling bold? ‘Love’ is a luxurious new wallpaper collection by Italian design house Dedar. A striking geometric pattern in berry hues, which draws inspiration from traditional Chinese silk.

What’s not to love? £155 per metre; dedar.com

45 FEB15_INTERIOR_OPENER.indd 45

FEBRUARY 2015

13/01/2015 10:59

10 of the best

MAPS & GLOBES

Map it out & ‘Marsala’ madness Wo r d s g e m m a b i l l i n g t o n

01

BHS

Map Printed Bedding Set, £25; bhs.co.uk

HOUSE OF FRASER

Revival Wire Globe, £50; houseoffraser.co.uk

02

BOMBUS

Bespoke Map Heart, £92; bombus.co.uk

03

ASPACE

Vintage Map Duvet Set, £85; aspace.co.uk

must

HAVE 04

Mellow Yellow Dulux

JEREMY HARNELL

‘Big Nature Small Me’ is a winter colour trend forecast

by Dulux. Inspired by the great outdoors, the ‘rich colours... form a great escape from the streamlined, grey, hi-tech world we increasingly live in’ according to Dulux Interior Designer, Lisa Jennings. dulux.co.uk

Not All Those Who Wander Unframed Poster, £20; johnlewis.com 05

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

C&A_FEB15_Interior_Insp.indd 46

46 13/01/2015 10:57

HOMES & INTERIORS / NOTES NEWGATE CLOCKS

VERY BERRY

Giant World Poster, £252; amara.com

P a n t o n e C o l o u r o f t h e Ye a r

Colour experts Pantone have announced ‘Marsala’ as the Colour of the Year 2015. Described as a ‘naturally robust and earthy wine red,’ many interior brands have followed suit and introduced it to their ranges. Prepare to welcome this rich berry hue into your home and for Marsala madness to hit the high street. pantone.co.uk

editor’s

PICK

10

MY PRECIOUS The Ruby Tree

JAN CONSTANTINE

PHOTO ©JULIAN ABRAMS

Bethan Gray, and Islamic Art & Craft scholar, Mitchell Abdul Karim Crites, have teamed up to launch the Ruby Tree, a collection of beautiful tableware and furniture inspired by Islamic design. The collection is available exclusively at Harrods. therubytreecollection.com

New York Cushion, £128.50 janconstantine.com

MODERN WAY

OLIVER BONAS

He a l s’ Mo d e r n C ra ft Ma rk e t

Globe Decorations, £4.50 oliverbonas.com

Heals’ Modern Craft Market will be returning to the central London store for the second year running.

Taking place for one week this February, the event will showcase the best in contemporary craft as well as giving enthusiasts the chance to take part in a series of live workshops. From 2 - 15 February; heals.co.uk

09

08

ALEXANDER & PEARL Quest Trunk Chest, £575; alexanderandpearl.co.uk

07

BOXING DAY bySTORED

An ingenious storage system this - call a driver, who arrives with crates and complimentary packing and stores your things securely, itemising them on your profile. Book your return slot and be prepared to be moved... bystored.com

47 C&A_FEB15_Interior_Insp.indd 47

ASPACE

Beanbag, £65; aspace.co.uk 06

FEBRUARY 2015

13/01/2015 10:58

Installations and connections you can trust Harris Electrical is a family run business that has retailed domestic appliances and home entertainment from showrooms on Lower Clapton Road, Hackney for more than 80 years.

62-64 Lower Clapton Road, Clapton, London, E5 0RN Tel: 020 8985 6388 - sales@harriselectricalltd.co.uk

www.harriselectricalltd.co.uk

Harris_Electrical.V4.indd 2

12/01/2015 10:13

FOLLOW US

Harris_Electrical.V4.indd 3

12/01/2015 10:14

XXXXXX / XXXXXXX

SPOTLIGHT

The Meal Ticket

Restaurant designer Martin Brudnizki on Scandinavian style, timeless designs and Scarfes Bar words Georgie Lane-Godfrey

I

’m sitting on a plush velvet sofa in the atmospheric lounge in Holborn’s Rosewood Hotel. It’s similar to a classic gentleman’s lounge, complete with smooth dark wood and clever caricatures by the eponymous illustrator adorning the walls. Yet in spite of Scarfes Bar’s quirkiness, it still feels sophisticated and sexy – a perfect example, in fact, of a room designed by Martin Brudnizki.

If his name isn’t familiar, his interiors will be.

Pick any of the capital’s hottest hangouts and most likely, he designed them – 34, The Ivy Club, The Rib Room, Annabel’s terrace, Le Caprice – the list goes on. Brudnizki has quickly become the go-to guy for any aspirational restaurateur looking to open London’s next big thing. His secret? A focus on timeless designs with an ageless appeal, rather than a ‘signature’ style.

‘With this kind of project in a historical building, we couldn’t really change much, so it was more about balancing it to make it feel authentic,’ explains Brudnizki of

Scarfes Bar. ‘People always say after we finish a project that it feels like it’s been here forever. That’s because we use pieces from the Twenties, Thirties, Forties and Fifties, so it’s historically eclectic, almost like a timeline or journey. That’s how you make something that will still be relevant in four years time. That’s how you create something timeless.’

Tall, blonde and lean, with classic clean-cut Scandinavian style, Martin Brudnizki is one of those people you just assume will have impeccable taste. It’s this impression which probably explains why his career has taken such an incredible trajectory since he moved to London two decades ago. Coming over to the capital to study interior design, he arrived, as he laughingly puts it, ‘with absolutely no clue!’

Yet Brudnizki had been surrounded by design from an early age, having been brought up by his German mother and Polish father in Stockholm. ‘It was very austere,’ he tells me. ‘It’s just an attitude and an approach which is about stripped-back simplicity. But Sweden

The KITCHEN in my NEW flat is IKEA

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

C&A_FEB15_MARTIN_BRUDNIZKI.indd 50

50 13/01/2015 11:48

HOMES & INTERIORS / INTERVIEW SOHO BEACH HOUSE, MIAMI. PHOTOGRAPH © JAMES MCDONALD

51 C&A_FEB15_MARTIN_BRUDNIZKI.indd 51

FEBRUARY 2015

13/01/2015 11:48

EVERYDAY STORAGE. TAILORED TO YOU.

“Like Uber for storage!”

— The most seamless storage service

1.

YOU BOOK

2.

WE PACK & COLLECT

3.

WE STORE

4.

WE DELIVER IT BACK

Book a free 1–hour pick–up slot online or over the phone.

We arrive with large crates, can pack for you and accept larger items from suitcases to sofas.

Your items are securely stored in our warehouse and itemised on your online profile.

Book a 1–hour return slot, available as early as the next day.

Find out for yourself why London is loving bySTORED.

bySTORED.com +44(0)20 3637 1234

USE CODE “ABSOLUTELY” TO GET 30% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH

LARGE STURDY CRATES Borrow our 80 litre crates for free.

LARGE ITEMS From suitcases to sofas, garden furniture to bikes...

GARMENT BAGS Specially designed garment bags for seasonal clothing.

MOVING? We’ll help you pack up your old place, and in to your new.

AS SEEN IN

STORED.indd 2

01/12/2014 11:32

HOMES & INTERIORS / INTERVIEW SCARFES BAR AT THE ROSEWOOD HOTEL, LONDON. PHOTOGRAPH © JAMES MCDONALD

has great design history and it gave me a real love of practicality.’ Practicality that also extends to the price tag; postrecession, Brudnizki is still careful to not overspend in any of his projects, turning to Sweden’s most famous export to keep costs down in his own home. ‘The kitchen in my new flat is IKEA,’ he reveals. ‘It’s just so accessible and actually very good quality – you just use other elements to lift it.’ Like a bespoke granite worktop, I suggest? ‘Marble!’ he corrects me, with a disapproving tut. ‘Only ever marble.’

It doesn’t come as a surprise then to discover Brudnizki is rather particular about his projects, and the designer freely admits to being something of a control freak. ‘But not in the sense that I’m stir-crazy,’ he laughs. ‘I just like things in a certain way. I wouldn’t say I’m a perfectionist because I don’t think there is such a thing as perfection, but I like a certain level of order. There are so many variables in life that you need to have at least 50% of things fixed or you’d go mad!’

As to his work, this meticulousness

translates into a level of detail for which Brudnizki is renowned. Each project begins with certain layers: where are the most comfortable places to sit so you won’t be disturbed, how to furnish it so that it’s cool yet comfortable, completing it with those final authentic finishing touches. ‘Here we have the feeling of an old lounge or library so we needed books,’ he explains. ‘But we don’t just buy them by the metre; they have to be picked on both look and subject. For example, when we did

The Ivy Club, we created a fully-curated library, alphabetically organised by relevant subject area. It’s those details that matter.’ For this kind of project, Brudnizki says most require a year from conception to completion… unless, that is, you happen to be a Chelsea institution.

After long-standing Italian restaurant Daphne’s was ruined by a ravaging fire earlier this year, owner Richard Caring called Brudnizki for help. Rather than just remedying the damage, however, Caring wanted a full refurbishment – to celebrate the restaurant’s 50th anniversary and to reinvent it for the next 50 years to come.

‘It’s not an example we should give,’ chuckles Brudnizki. ‘We were given nine weeks. We did it, by hook or by crook, but let’s just say that there’s a very long snagging list!’

The end result, however, was a raging success, refreshing the restaurant’s image and attracting a new, younger crowd.

‘Interior design is just like packaging, created to support the commercial side,’ explains Brudnizki. ‘Because Daphne’s is Italian, the idea was to create the feeling of the Amalfi Coast, which I love. That was, kind of, for me though – so I can go there and enjoy it! Daphne’s is one of my favourite restaurants and I’ve been going there for 20 years.’ u mbds.com

53 C&A_FEB15_MARTIN_BRUDNIZKI.indd 53

FEBRUARY 2015

13/01/2015 11:48

sale now on

Crouch End 128 Crouch Hill London N8 9DY Telephone 020 8341 2020

Islington 42 Cross Street London N1 2BA Telephone 020 7359 4041

www.funktionalkitchens.co.uk

HALF PRICE QUOOKER TAPS* *See in store for terms and conditions

FUNKTIONAL KITCHENS.indd 1

08/01/2015 14:43

HOMES & INTERIORS / PRODUCTS ROBERTS

Revival RD60 DAB Digital Radio, Beach Huts, £200; selfridges.com

ARTHOUSE,

Feather Charcoal embroidered cushion, £24.99; arthouse.com

IN SPACES,

The Dogs Wallpaper Pale Grey, £78; in-spaces.com

WHITE MINT,

Large Hexa Cool Grey Ceramic Vase, £32; whitemint.co.uk

DRIFT LIVING

Ceramic Owl Candle Holder, £6.99; driftliving.co.uk

ALEXANDER AND PEARL Mallard Grey Industrial Metal Pendant, £155; alexanderandpearl.co.uk

LAURA ASHLEY

Dove Grey Gallery Clock, £60; lauraashley.com

JOHN LEWIS,

Copenhagen Double Bed, Lars Bedlinen; johnlewis.com

SHADES OF GREY ORCHID FURNITURE

Typhoon Grey Lacquer Wedding cabinet, £2,395; orchidfurniture.co.uk

Anything but drab, these muted tones and subtle hues add a touch of elegance to a room ALEXANDER AND PEARL

MADE

Area Grey & Copper Industrial Table Lamp, £195; alexanderandpearl.co.uk

Menagerie Decorative Elephant Soft Grey Felt, £129; made.com

55 C&A_FEB15_Interior_Products_Right.indd 55

SOPHIE ALLPORT

Dark Grey & Ivory Baby Alpaca Throw, £165.00; sophieallport.com

FEBRUARY 2015

13/01/2015 11:40

ABSOLUTELY LONDON

S T Y L I S H . I N T E L L I G E N T . E L E G A N T . A B S O L U T E LY

DOWNLOAD THE NEW

i PA D A P P T O D AY SEARCH FOR

‘ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES LONDON’

iTUNES, NEWSSTAND OR APP STORE

ABSOLUTELY CITY & ANGEL

LONDON

FEBRUARY 2015 / £3.95

SWEDISH STYLE

MARTIN BRUDNIZKI ON SCARFES BAR & STOCKHOLM

GIZZI ERSKINE

ON HER LOVE AFFAIR WITH FOOD

ON THE MAP

GLOBETROTTING INTERIOR INSPIRATIONS

Baby, it’s cold outside

TRULY, MADLY,

DEEPLY

IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE THIS VALENTINE’S DAY STYLISH / INTELLIGENT / ELEGANT

Beautiful new timber windows and doors

C&A_FEB15_COVER.indd 1

12/01/2015 14:15

The Best of Local Luxury

NOTTING HILL

SUGAR

KENSINGTON

SUGAR CITY & ANGEL Putney & Wandsworth

ALEX AND ALEXA'S DESIGNER PICKS

FASHION • SHOPPING • FOOD & DRINK • WHAT’S ON • CULTURE • INTERIORS • PROPERTY

WWW.ZEST-MEDIA.COM

ADVERT PLACEMENTS.indd 2

Richmond

MARCH 2013 £3.95

CHILD'S PLAY

NORTH BY NORTHWEST MARCH 2013

Telephone 020 8877 8920 Email enquiries@ayrtonbespoke.com 406 Merton Road, London SW18 5AD

ABSOLUTELY A BSOLUTEL BSOLUTELY RICHMOND

www.ayrtonbespoke.com

Chelsea Fulham

BEST AFTERNOON TEAS IN TOWN

Battersea & Clapham

CREATIVE MINDS

TOP ART HOLIDAYS IN EUROPE

DAVID NASH MAKING SHAPES IN KEW GARDENS

SS TT Y Y LLII SS H H .. II N N TT E E LL LL II G GE EN NT. T. E ELLE EG GA AN NT. T. A AB B SS O O LLU U TTE ELY LY

T: 020 7704 0588 / F: 020 7900 3020

14/01/2015 09:53

> EDUCATION:CRACKING CODE

p. 59

GREAT EXPECTATIONS

p.61

HAPPY FEET Salvatore Ferragamo have launched Ferragamo Mini, which reworks two iconic designs from the women’s collections for girls – the famous round-toed ballerina shoe created for Audrey Hepburn and Varina, the enduring bestseller finished off with the brand’s signature Vara bow. £225-£255, ferragamo.com

57 FEB15_KIDS_OPENERindd 57

FEBRUARY 2015

13/01/2015 11:26

R SP

IN

G

20

15 I S L I N GTON

W I L L B E K N OW N A S . . .

•

SHOPPIN G

•

D IN IN G

•

EN TERTA IN MEN T

•

ANGELCENTRAL.CO.UK

‘Extraordinary. There’s circus, and then there’s these guys’ New York Post

ABSOLUTELY MAGA ZINES

Dance Consortium presents

BOOK YOUR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN NOW TO GET SPECIAL EARLY BIRD ADVERTISING RATES FOR THE WHOLE OF 2015.

Kids go half price this half term* *Terms and conditions apply

Tue 17 Sat 28 February

ADVERT PLACEMENTS.indd 3

0844 412 4322 sadlerswells.com

Call Kristian Brumby on 0203 397 3834 or email kristian.brumby@zest-media.com

14/01/2015 09:55

KIDS & EDUCATION / NOTES MINI ME Preen

This very ‘British’ label set up by Thea and Thornton Bregazzi, a married couple with an ardent appreciation of the Victorian era, incorporates prints from the mainline collection so that kids can be as stylish as their parents. preenbythorntonbregazzi.com

SHELF LIFE

DOODLE FLIP DRESS UP

SMALL TALK Doodle fashion and Bloom & Blossom’s skincare range for mums

JITTER BUG Blade & Rose

Blade & Rose specialise in ‘bootyful’ legging designs that will ensure baby is well on the way to her first stylish steps. The playful designs are perfect for climbing toddlers with their cheeky bottom-prints, while the soft yarn mix is durable and stretchy to accommodate exploring. £10; bladeandrose.co.uk

Illustrator h e n n i e h aw o r t h

ring out the budding stylist in your tots B with this delightful Doodle Flip Dress Up book. Who could fail to be charmed by the ingenious page flip sytem that allows you to design and then mash up your wildest fashion ideas? The fantastic range of dress-ups includes swashbuckling pirate attire, intergalactic space-wear and fairy princess clobber. So grab your felt tips and design a tiger in a tutu or an astronaut in cowboy boots then flip it over and start all over again. Doodle Flip Dress Up is published this month; illustrator Hennie Haworth’s clients include The New Statesman, The Guardian and Penguin Books. ◆

READY, GIFT-SET, GO

SLEEP EASY

Bloom & Blossom is an awardwinning natural skincare range for mums and babies. Surprise a mum-to-be with a gift-box that includes anti-stretch mark cream, an indulgent bath oil and foot spray (she’ll pick up swag for the baby from everyone else). £45; bloomandblossom.com

The Kit for Kids Ellergenic Spring Cotbed Mattress features not only a sealed spring but the latest in antiallergy and anti-bacterial materials.

The ultimate in hygiene protection, it’s the only mattress approved by Allergy UK – and £2 from every sale is donated to The Lullaby Trust. £119; mothercare.com

Bloom & Blossom

Mother Care

59 C&A_FEB15_Kids_Notes.indd 59

£ 7. 9 5 L a u re n c e Ki n g

FEBRUARY 2015

13/01/2015 11:22

THE NEW KIDS BAG WITH TABLET!

A NEW F RANGE O ’S CHILDREN D DESIGNE S K C A P K BAC U, BOTH YO TO KEEP PPY KIDS, HA AND THE UT AND WHILST O ABOUT KIDS CAN USE THE TABLET WHILST SAFELY PROTECTED IN THE BACKPACK Watch films, Play games, Take, and store photos • Includes many kids fun / educational games, pre-loaded Dual core Chip, WIFI, 1024 x 800 touch screen, 8GB storage Micro SD slot expandable to 32GB • USB and HDMI ports to connect to TV/PC Dual Camera • Bumper protector integrated into tablet • Use in car, on train, on plane.

OUR ON THE MOVIES BAG MAKES A GREAT GIFT FOR LITTLE ONES, AND COMES COMPLETE WITH TABLET FOR ONLY £89.95

FOR KIDS ON THE MOVE

On the Movies backpack. The new kids bag with tablet! visit our store at onthemovies.co.uk

ON THE MOVIES.indd 1

15/10/2014 10:34

KIDS & EDUCATION / SCHOOL TALK

Working Partnership Shadow education secretary Tristram Hunt wants independent schools to work more closely with state schools, yet many are doing so already.

Wo r d s A m a n d a C o n s ta n c e

I

n north Kensington, in the backwoods of Notting Hill, there is a state-of-the-art, brand spanking new school. This is Kensington Aldridge Academy, a secondary school for the local community. Nearly all the pupils live within a mile, the majority from the surrounding estates. It couldn’t be more inner city. Yet who are its educational partners? Two bastions of private school privilege – Godolphin & Latymer and Charterhouse.

Eton College has sponsored a new school, too; Holyport College, a state free school which also opened its doors to Year 7 last September. The Independent Schools Council (ISC) – which represents the majority of the UK’s private schools - says nine out of 10 independent schools already take part in partnerships with state schools.

Was Tristram Hunt ignorant of examples such as these when he pledged before Christmas to strip fee-paying schools of business rate relief?

The shadow education secretary provoked a furious backlash from private school leaders when he said that, if Labour came to power, independent schools could lose tax relief worth a combined total of £147m a year unless they worked more closely with the state sector.

Under the plan, independent schools would be expected to sponsor state academies, share teachers, train new staff, help state pupils apply to top universities and provide and run joint extra-curricular activities.

Jo Heywood, headmistress of Heathfield in Ascot says: ‘Almost all of us are already involved in partnerships with excellent schools in the state sector,

THE advantages

of these partnerships are COMPLETELY TWO-WAY

including many of the initiatives he has suggested, and we are fed up with these repeated attacks on our schools.’

Perhaps the problem for private schools is that, while many have established strong partnerships with the state sector, they just haven’t done a very good PR job explaining it.

‘If there is one mea culpa in all of this, it is that we haven’t done what we’re normally good at doing, which is blowing our own trumpet,’ says Charlotte Vere, the ISC’s general secretary.

Mark Beard, headmaster of University College School in Hampstead, alma mater of the Honourable Tristram Hunt, himself the son of a baronet, accused Labour of

61 C&A_FEB15_Education.indd 61

displaying great ignorance of how modern private schools work.

‘If the shadow education secretary were to visit his old school, what would he find?,’ asks Beard. ‘A nest of privilege, devoted to raising the children of oligarchs and City financiers in secluded, toffish privilege? On the contrary, he would find a diverse population of pupils, from all creeds and backgrounds.’ UCS spends £1m a year on fees assistance and has a range of collaborations with state secondary schools, including Westminster Academy, UCL Academy, London Academy of Excellence, and a number of primaries.

It doesn’t take much digging on the websites of London’s top schools to find a list of their ‘community’ work. Latymer Upper, for example, runs a successful Saturday school, where local pupils are taught by its staff. King’s College School in Wimbledon has no academic lessons on Friday afternoons and the majority of pupils from Year 9 and above do volunteer work. Some sixth formers, overseen by a teacher, teach Latin to girls in Kingston, some coach rugby and cricket. Others help severely disabled children at a special school.

King’s also runs top-up lessons in the spring term for hundreds of local Year 11 children preparing for their GCSEs in key subjects, plus an ‘Aspirations’ programme for gifted and talented Year 9 pupils from local state schools.

‘This is not all as selfless as it may sound,’ says King’s headmaster, Andrew Halls.

‘The advantages of these partnerships are completely two-way’. Halls says King’s parents know the programme has a cost – which they are effectively bearing in their fees – ‘but not one of us, not a single parent, would wish it otherwise’. u

FEBRUARY 2015

13/01/2015 15:32

DISCOVERMORE

Embracing an innovative, modern approach whilst keeping traditional values at its core, Kew House School takes an exciting stance on 21st century education. With state-of-the-art facilities, a broad curriculum and excellent pastoral care, Kew House is

Open Days January 12th/21st (9.30am/7pm) January 30th (9.30am)

a place where you would want to be – a place of learning and

February 11th/25th (7pm/9.30am)

discovery, laughter and friendship.

March 23rd (9.30am)

T: 0208 742 2038 E: info@kewhouseschool.com W: www.kewhouseschool.com

The new independent co-educational senior school for students aged 11-18 in West London KEW HOUSE.indd 1

@kewhouseschool

06/01/2015 16:37

KIDS & EDUCATION / MUM-TO-BE

GREAT EXPECTATIONS A regular column tracking the highs and lows of pregnancy from the first inkling to the final push Wo r d s H E L E N B A R O N Illustration Annie Smith

S

o, what else is there to do to feel ready – or as ready as you’ll ever be – for baby’s impending due (guess) date. Personally, I’ve been thoroughly enjoying my antenatal classes with doula Bridget Baker; they’ve been instrumental in helping me to feel confident about a more natural birth preference (we steer clear of the word ‘plan’ so as to keep an open mind).

Unsurprisingly, I was pretty naive about the whole process to begin with. I had blithely assumed I would labour in an obstetric ward; now I feel very happy about delivering in a midwife-led birth centre after attempting to labour for as long as possible at home. I’ve even been switched on to the idea of a full home birth for next time around (if I fancy another go, that is).

Although the recent revisions to official guidelines, which now say that low-risk mothers should be encouraged to have babies at home, has stirred a bit of a backlash about state cost-cutting, there’s no doubt home birth can be safer (less germs) and more comfortable as well as more sustainable: a relaxed mother-tobe is far less likely to require potentially stressful interventions. I wonder that many women, myself included, have been indoctrinated into thinking that hospital is the obvious choice for birth. But if you are low-risk and do arrange a home birth, you can still transfer to the hospital should you need to. What’s to lose?

There’s also the question of my beloved first baby, my dog. If you have one, now’s the time to get him used to baby’s

MANY WOMEN have

3

of the best

NURSERY PICKS

01

03

02

1. SEBRA KILI COT & JUNIOR BED IN DARK GREY, £699; nubie.co.uk 2. CHARLIE CRANE LEVO BABY ROCKER IN FROU FROU BLUE, £170; nubie.co.uk 3. WHITE WITH GREY LAPIN BUNNY LIGHT, £39.95; thismodernlife.co.uk

things. The Darling Dog Company offers one-on-one training sessions for anyone nervous about introducing the two; you can read founder Louise Glazebrook’s innumerable glowing testimonials online.

Caring properly for both a dog and a baby isn’t always easy, and too many people simply give up on their canine companion the moment the baby arrives. In Glazebrook’s view, a dog should never be a stop-gap while you wait to have a child.

And for those who already have dogs, Glazebrook’s new book Dog About Town: How to Raise a Happy Dog in the City, has useful tips on how to keep your pooch occupied during periods when you're unable to get about as much.

The final month before birth is also a good time to start tinkering with the nursery. If you’re like me, you’ve developed an unhealthy obsession with mummy blogs; the upshot is that you’ll have amassed plenty of interiors inspiration. Of course, newborns tend to sleep in the same room as their parents, but you’ll need space for stuff like a changing table and mat, to save your back from the strain of the bajillionth nappy-change. Besides, doing up the nursery is the fun bit, the calm before the storm. And when everything’s ready… all there is left to do is wait. Good luck, and see you on the other side!  thedarlingdogcompany.co.uk

63 C&A_FEB15_GREAT EXPECTATIONS.indd 63

been indoctrinated into THINKING that hospital is the OBVIOUS CHOICE for BIRTH

FEBRUARY 2015

13/01/2015 10:51

First class Private Healthcare on your doorstep...

020 8341 4182 | www.highgatehospital.co.uk

HIGHGATE HOSPITAL.indd 1

15/10/2014 10:07

> A TASTE OF TURKEY

p. 66

BEFORE SUNRISE Guests at Rio de Janeiro’s iconic Belmond Copacabana Palace can enjoy a private sunrise picnic at Christ the Redeemer as part of an exclusive package. A once in a lifetime opportunity and another reason Rio’s top of our travel bucket list. To book, visit belmond.com

65 C&A_FEB15_Travel_Opener.indd 65

FEBRUARY 2015

13/01/2015 12:04

XXXXXX / XXXXXXX SPOTLIGHT

Turkish Delight A private peninsula on the south coast of Turkey proves the ultimate spot for a family to relax in the sun Wo r d s P e n d l e H a r t e

A

s a mother of three, businesswoman and former model, Jasmine Guinness is a woman who needs a holiday, and knows it. When she explained that: ‘people who read on holiday always have a better time because it’s total escapism, both physically and mentally,’ she articulated my feelings exactly. Because what I want most from a holiday is a place to read. A beautiful place in the sun, where all my immediate physical needs are met – and those of my family are met, so that I can be left in peace to read. But this is harder to achieve than it sounds. Anyone with children knows that for a holiday to be a holiday, you need to be able to reclaim your own brain for yourself, away from the incessant random demands made on it, and this is not something that happens easily.

So we came to an all-inclusive resort. It might not be the most imaginative holiday option, but when your ambition is to find rest and relish it, the promise of having no decisions to make for a full week is an exciting one. Letoonia in Fethiye, on Turkey’s south coast, is a vast hotel on a completely private peninsula. Set in absurdly lush surroundings (over 268 varieties of flora, requiring near-constant watering in this dry part of the world) it’s a beautiful spot. Imagine pine trees, bougainvillea, jasmine and roses all vying for space and creating a wilderness of colour. There are three private beaches, four pools (one indoor), eight restaurants, nine bars, a spa, a kids’ club and countless available sporting

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

C&A_FEB15_Turkey.indd 66

66 13/01/2015 12:05

TRAVEL / WANDERLUST

67 C&A_FEB15_Turkey.indd 67

FEBRUARY 2015

13/01/2015 12:05

TRAVEL / WANDERLUST activities. It’s almost a village in itself, a sprawling, hilly one with funicular railways and golf buggy taxis (flag them down when you’re flagging) connecting locations such as the pools and the beaches with the life-sized chess board, the theatre and the eateries, plus the archery course, the tennis courts and the water slides.

But if this sounds big and busy, it doesn’t feel it. On our visit, in high season and during the school holidays,

THIS is a UTOPIAN, moneyfree SOCIETY where everything IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE accommodation is at full capacity but still there is no crowding, queueing or scrambling for pool loungers. Everything is quiet and seamless. The all-inclusive ethos creates a utopian, money-free society where everything is always available to everybody and there’s no competitiveness or conspicuous consumption (nobody seems to overeat or drink despite the bottomless plates and glasses, which makes a convincing case for the goodness of human nature). We walk round the village unencumbered by anything as pedestrian as a wallet.

Accommodation is in bungalows with carved wooden details designed by award-winning Turkish architect Nail

Çakırhan. Our two bedroom suite is comfortable and spacious, with a shady balcony offering impressive sea views, so quite quickly we settle into a form of routine, loosely based around meals.

Buffet dining suits us and the largest restaurant is situated at the tip of the peninsula, by the lighthouse, offering sea views in all directions. Options are endless and alongside all the high class if fairly standard international fare is a good selection of Turkish meze – every day brings a delicious new twist on the aubergine – and there’s enough variety not to ever get bored. There are two à la carte restaurants too, one of them offering a curious fashioning of Japanese

food and the other a beachside fish venue, but we stick to the buffets with their wide array and child-friendly setup. We quickly discover our favourite place for lunch – on the beach, where salads and Turkish flatbreads offer light options alongside a chilled glass of wine. The children choose pasta with tomato sauce every day without exception, fully believing themselves in culinary heaven, and we are delighted that the ice cream stall opens punctually after lunch every day and then closes for the rest of the afternoon.

Days pass in a haze of swimming – the pool? Or the beach? Which pool and which beach? – and we enjoy everything from the waterslides that drop into the sea to the pedalos and rowing boats in the bay, as well as the elegant bananaleaf style hammocks that dot around the resort. One day we take a trip on Letoonia’s luxury yacht, which takes us around the peninsula, stopping to swim in clear turquoise waters and to shop in the market. In the evenings we enjoy all-singing, all-dancing performances from the in-house amateur dramatics group, whose enthusiasm and fantastic costumes fill the village amphitheatre with energetic shows every night.

So, the reading count went well. Not only did I reread Jayne Eyre but I caught up with Meg Wolitzer and Philip Roth too.

In terms of physical and mental escapism, I certainly had my fill. u Special offer for Letoonia bookings before end of January 2015 - 7 nights all-inclusive including flights from £504 at letoonia.com

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

C&A_FEB15_Turkey.indd 68

68 13/01/2015 16:25

“ Fast, fun and devastatingly effective at sculpting legs, backside and above all the stomach” S TA N D A R D

W I NNER BEST P I LAT ES ST U DI O – TAT LE R G YM AWARD S 2 0 1 3 & 2 0 1 4 YOUR FIRST CL ASS JU ST £ 1 2 . 5 0 .

Notting Hill, Chiswick, Mayfair, St James’s, Hatton Garden, City | www.tenpilates.com

TEN PILATES.indd 1

09/01/2015 15:56

PL.indd 1

12/01/2015 10:49

FIND

THE

HOME

YOU D E S E RVE

PL.indd 2

12/01/2015 10:49

all on 020 7354 3000 for a FREE quote Commercial & Residential Property Corporate & Commercial Disputes Employment Insolvency Wills & Probate

HELP WITH THE LEGAL DETAIL WHEN YOU WANT TO EXTEND YOUR LEASE OR BUY YOUR FREEHOLD

Hema

Partner, Enfranchisement and Commercial Property

"Efficient, thorough, and always a pleasure to tal to. Hema was particularly good at providing reassurance and clarity."

"I always felt that with Hema we were in really safe hands."

PROPERTY LAW SERVICE

Buying or Selling Commercial Property Enfranchisement Landlord & Tenant Lease Extensions Property Disputes

pper treet, Islington, ondon 020 7354 3000 property@colmancoyle.com

www.colmancoyle.com

forward thin ing straight tal ing COLEMAN COYLE.indd 2

1984 - 2014

anniversary

Celebrating 30 YEARS in business | 1984 - 2014

10/03/2014 11:44

Property Absolutely

Februar y 2 0 1 5

> PROPERTY ROUND UP p. 76 IN THEIR OWN WORDS p. 82 NIGEL LEWIS p. 84

Wayland Avenue, E8

ÂŁ1,450,000

This exceptionally spacious Victorian terraced house is situated on a quiet turning off Dalston Lane. This stylish property has been painstakingly refurbished by the current owners over many years and demonstrates plenty of period features in a thoroughly modern home. The living accommodation is well proportioned and comprises a large double reception boasting a choice of an open fire or a convenient gas coal-effect fire, three double bedrooms and a single bedroom-cum-study.

020 7241 4111

Currell, Hackney, currell.com

73 PROPERTY FRONT COVER.indd 1

FEBRUARY 2015

13/01/2015 14:55

urrell. o

Killo en oad, , hare of reehold on erted i torian

aisonette

three dou le edroo i torian on ersion, situated ust north of the rett assland ardens, is ell la ed to en o the green s a es of i toria ar . ating

assland oad, , easehold on enient it li ing o dou le edroo a art ent, erfe tl lo ated for a ess to the it . o ents a a fro i toria ar illage and its a enities. ating B

i toria ar i toria ar

CURRELL_EAST.indd 2

urrell. o

12/01/2015 10:06

urrell. o

a land , ,

enue, reehold

t lish fa il ho e s a ious, four edroo i torian terra ed house, this ro ert has een ainsta ingl restored. lose to alston un tion and ust inutes to i er ool treet. ating

Hertford ,

harf, easehold

anal ie s t o edroo a art ent o erloo ing the Kingsland Basin, on the fourth floor. Haggerston erground tation and e ellent a enities are all near . ating B

Ha ha

CURRELL_EAST.indd 3

ne

ne

urrell. o

12/01/2015 10:06

Property Round Up FEATURE PROPERTY Anchor Brewhouse, SE1

T

he Anchor Brewhouse development offers unrivalled views of Tower Bridge and the Thames, and has been designed to the highest specifications. The seemingly floating dining area is a feat of architecture, while the entrance over a glass footbridge over a waterway makes it truly unique.

ÂŁ2,500 Per Week, Cluttons, Tower Bridge 020 7407 3669; cluttons.com

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

PROPERTY ROUND UP.indd 2

76 13/01/2015 14:56

PROPERTY | NEWS

The INSIDE SCOOP of NEWS in your area The Skyline Collection, E8

C

onsisting of twelve 2 and 3 bedroom highly specified penthouses, the homes are situated between levels 6 and 9. Their elevated position provides spectacular views, and the apartments include balconies, terraces and roof terraces. The north and east side of the development provide a prime position for showcasing the iconic Olympic Park; while the south-facing apartments have striking views of Canary Wharf and the City’s bright lights. Looking west from the Skyline Collection, it is possible to spot the London Eye and the BT tower.

The apartments are priced from £800,000.

0844 406 9289; thecitymills.co.uk

Stratosphere, E15

T

elford Homes’ latest addition to the central Stratford skyline is a new 36-storey residential tower on Great Eastern Street, Stratford E15. Stratford has recently benefitted from investments of more than £15bn, and an estimated 62,000 new jobs from the Olympic legacy for Stratford City.

It has also recently been announced that as of January 2016, Stratford will be categorised as a Zone 2 destination on the Tube network.

Telford Homes 020 3538 8265; telfordhomes.plc.uk

PRIME LOCATION.COM

SUGGESTS

You can use our market-leading free smartphone and tablet apps on any device to search over a million properties instantly whilst on the move. So, no matter where you are or what device you're on, you can now access properties for sale and to rent and much more when you are out and about. Find out more here: primelocation.com/apps

Spotlight on E5 Average asking price - £548,271 / Average asking rent - £1,686 pcm / Average property value - £466,635

Data provided by

77 PROPERTY ROUND UP.indd 3

FEBRUARY 2015

13/01/2015 14:57

BlakeStanley

Victoria Park Road, E9

ÂŁ775,000

Offered with no onward chain is this beautifully presented Victorian terraced house with two bedrooms. The property has been entirely refurbished over the past 10 years and maintained to a very high standard. The ground floor comprises a double reception / dining room, a separate kitchen, utility room and a conservatory which has previously had planning permission to be integrated into the house. The private landscaped garden offers a decked entertaining area and lawn. Rear access is also available via the garden. The first floor comprises two double bedrooms, master with views of Victoria Park and a high spec.

Freehold

info@blakestanley.co.uk BLAKE_STANLEY.indd 1

11-13a Broadway Market, London Fields, London , E8 4PH 12/01/2015 16:24

www.blakestanley.co.uk

Malvern Road, E8

020 7254 7554

£1,500,000

Situated on a quiet and popular road to the west of London Fields is this three storey, three bedroom mid terrace house. The property offers a kitchen/diner, double reception with interconnecting doors and lower ground and raised ground access. It also benefits from period features such as sash windows, shutters and cornercing. The house is located close to Broadway Market, Regents Canal and the amenities and transport links of Dalston/Kingsland.

Freehold

The Colonnades, E8

info@blakestanley.co.uk BLAKE_STANLEY.indd 2

£340,000

Conveniently located within central Hackney is this ground floor one bedroom apartment. Situated within a modern gated development the property offers an open-plan reception with fully fitted kitchen, a private decked garden, spacious double bedroom also with access to garden, three piece bathroom suite and plenty of storage. Moments away from numerous local amenities and within walking distance of Hackney Downs and Hackney Central stations.

Leasehold

£425 pw

A fantastic opportunity to rent this gorgeous warehouse apartment in Hackney.

The property comprises a large lounge with stairs leading upto a bedroom area with fitted bed and wardrobe. There is a separate bathroom and kitchen. The property benefits from having original parquet flooring and high ceilings, there is also a lovely communal garden. Available 20th February, unfurnished except for all fitted furniture.

Unfurnished

Pembury Place, E5

Arthaus, E8

£395 pw

A rare opportunity to rent this large one bedroom apartment on the top floor of this fantastic development. The property consists of a large open plan lounge and kitchen, with solid wood flooring, there is a good sized bedroom with ensuite shower/ wet room. The property is finished to a very high standard and benefits from having access to a communal roof terrace, 24 hour concierge, three restaurants, a bar, bike storage and a lift.

Private parking available to rent. Available 30th January. Unfurnished or part furnished.

Unfurnished

11-13a Broadway Market, London Fields, London , E8 4PH 12/01/2015 16:24

020 8985 0106

hackney@castles-estateagents.co.uk

www.castles-estateagents.co.uk

Hackney Sales & Lettings

Powerscroft Rd, E5 0PP

Amhurst Rd, E8 2AZ

• Period conversion • op loor lat • 1 o le edroom • p r location

• ewl re r is ed • 1st loor conversion • 2 Bedrooms • antastic location

£ 330,000 LEASEHOLD

£ 450,000 LEASEHOLD

Hacon Square, E8

Martello Street, E8 3QP

• t lis rd loor partment • 1 o le Bedroom • antastic Location • P ating / 1 - / 1

• Live/work residence • Open-plan work space • 1/2 Bedrooms • Private garden

£ 390,000 LEASEHOLD

£ 550,000 LEASEHOLD

44 Lower Clapton Road, London E5 0RN CASTLES_EAST.indd 1

13/01/2015 11:16

WELCOME TO THE END OF AN ERA

JUST FIVE STYLISH TWO BEDROOM APARTMENTS REMAINING Only 0.7 miles from the lively town of Brentwood and the station Brentwood Station to London Liverpool Street by train in less than 40 minutes

PRICES FROM ÂŁ420,000* Viewings by appointment only 01279 817 882 sales@cityandcountry.co.uk Pastoral Way, Brentwood, CM14 5GF Prices correct at time of going to press

Internal photographs taken from show homes

www.cityandcountry.co.uk

C&C.indd 1 Absolutely Magazine JAN ISSUE 297x210 FP_AW_PRINT.indd 1

08/12/2014 10:39 08/12/2014 09:46

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

ITOW.indd 2

82 13/01/2015 14:58

PROPERTY | PROFILE

IN THEIR OWN WORDS

Neil Young Chief Executive, Get Living London

I

Photography: rebecca noonan

grew up in Southgate and have largely lived in London all my life. Aside from a few years at university, and then some time in Hong Kong, London has always been home. Like many Londoners, I was a tenant for more than a decade. And for a city that packs such a punch, my experience of renting in the capital was awkward and archaic, frequently characterised by frustration and poor service.

Fast forward to 2012 and the eyes of the world turned to Stratford to see if it could deliver on the promise of the Olympic legacy.

This was an opportunity that was recognised as a unique chance to do something differently and enact positive change, not just for the local area but for wider London and the private rented sector at large.

Get Living London launched in 2013 as the residential owner and rental management company behind East Village, the former London 2012 Athletes’ Village. Offering 1,439 private rental homes via a unique model, with institutional backing and progressive policies, the company set out to be a pioneer in the private rental sector and has since continued to change the face of renting in the capital for the better. I was working at Young Group at the time, which I founded in 2003, aiming to deliver a premium level of service in residential asset management advice, lettings and management services. At Young Group we worked closely with Get Living London from the start, advising on the set up and operation of the management and letting business at East Village. During this time I was exposed to businesses across the sector, all of which supported my view that customer service and

property management are central to keeping residents happy. I joined Get Living London in October 2014, just as the 1,000th Get Living London resident was welcomed to East Village.

Get Living London takes a unique approach, committed to charging no fees, residents–only break clauses and cutting out the middleman–a direct relationship with our residents is ensured by the on-site management office open seven days a week. Flexibility, freedom and attentiveness are assured as part of the service, a notion that would have been very welcome during my years as a tenant.

What has happened at East Village since the departure of the world’s sporting elite represents a truly remarkable transformation.

Empty homes have become a vibrant neighbourhood, independent retail outlets are arriving, Chobham Academy – the local school – is thriving and the whole rental process is managed entirely through a progressive model, where the residents’ needs are put first.

Just over a year since our doors opened to the public, the majority of East Village is now full, with some great feedback from those renting here. The initial vision was to create a neighbourhood in which residents would love to live and feel the benefits of renting. That this vision has been brought to life in the form of the dynamic East Village community is really gratifying. The private rented sector in the capital still has a long way to go but I am truly proud of what we have achieved at Get Living London and feel confident that, as others start to follow suit, the future for generation rent need not be bleak.

020 3714 8083; getlivinglondon.com

83 ITOW.indd 3

FEBRUARY 2015

13/01/2015 14:58

PROPERTY | NIGEL LEWIS

London's MOST POPULAR

Wo r d s N I G E L L E W I S

Flats in London: 10, St Stephen’s Gardens, Notting Hill

T

his one bedroom apartment is not unique in London even if (for anyone outside the capital), its asking price of £850,000 might be. Selling agent Gareth Kelly of Marsh & Parsons is consequently puzzled that it’s been viewed 5,000 times on Zoopla since he was instructed to sell it two months ago.

Gareth, who is sales manager at his company’s Notting Hill office, has shown 40 people around the property and says its location, large floor-to-ground windows and high quality interior finish make it popular.

Also, he says one unusual feature is that it’s a raised-floor apartment, which helps give it the feel of a first floor flat when it isn’t one. “The road is also a cul-de-sac, so it’s quieter than the surrounding streets,” he says. “And this is a really massive flat for a one bed in this area.” But when Gareth says ‘location’ is a factor, what he really means is ‘Notting Hill’. It’s one of those iconic London areas that has effortlessly become uber fashionable over the past three decades, a rise that’s been helped of course by Richard Curtis’s eponymous 1999

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

MOST POPULAR.indd 136

film starring Hugh Grant. And St Stephen’s Gardens has a film connection of its own.

A property a few doors down from No.10 was a film location for Michael Caine’s 1966 film Alfie. Also, talking of celebrities, until a few years ago Stella McCartney owned a house in an adjacent street and Ruby Wax lives nearby too. People like this are drawn to this neighbourhood of Notting Hill because it’s the best of many worlds – near Portobello Road but far away enough not to be too mobbed during the annual carnival but not far from Bayswater and also walking distance of three tube stations on two different lines.

St Stephen’s Gardens is also well placed for Notting Hill’s best eateries and places to hang out including Tom Conran’s champagne and oyster bars, The Cow and The Westbourne, both of which are just around the corner. On Chepstow Road there’s The Napoleon Bonaparte – famous for being pop band Blur’s favoured pub during the 1990s.

Another reason for the property’s popularity on Zoopla is its price. Those outside London might baulk at £850,000 for a one bedroom apartment but in Notting Hill it represents reasonable value and onebedders closer to Bayswater and Notting Hill Gate can fetch up to £1.2 million.

“The market around here, like the rest of

prime central London, cooled off rapidly this summer but recently it’s picked up again and we’ve been really busy – so I’m confident that we will find a buyer for this apartment fairly soon,” he says.

For more information about the property call Gareth on: 020 7313 2592.

84 13/01/2015 14:59

See yourself at Smithfield Square.

A landmark new development for North London. Just launched.

Register your interest today to ensure you don’t miss this unique opportunity.

Smithfield Square is a collection of luxury suites, 1 and 2 bedroom apartments benefiting from a concierge service, gym, underground parking, private gardens and a Sainsbury’s superstore. Located on Hornsey High Street between Crouch End, Muswell Hill and Alexandra Palace, with central London just 15 minutes away, this unique development offers the perfect blend of London living.

1 bedroom apartments from £360,000. 2 bedroom apartments from £470,000.

To find out more call 020 3582 5697 or visit www.smithfieldsquare.co.uk Sales and Marketing Suite open daily, 10am to 5pm at Foxtons, 3-5 Crouch End Hill, London, N8 8DH Proud to be a member of the Berkeley Group of companies

CGI’s indicative only. Prices and details correct at time of going to print. Parking subject to availability and by separate negotiation.

Train time from Hornsey Rail Station to Old Street Rail Station: Source www.tfl.gov.uk.

BERKELYHOMES.indd 1 20813_StJames_SS_Ads_Local_Absolutely_East_FP_AW_19_Jan.indd 1

12/01/2015 17:26 16:54

PROPERTY | AWARDS

The ESTAS awards Why is customer service so important for estate agents? Any agent not providing excellent service will get found out very quickly, especially in this day and age of social media. To help agents we’ve designed an auto Tweet facility so agents can get their positive feedback comments straight out on social media networks creating their own online ‘customer care’ PR campaigns.

Why have the ESTAs joined forces with the Absolutely London titles this year?

We just want to spread The ESTAs message to as many quality agents as possible and Absolutely has lots of those!

They are just the type of agents who would benefit most from taking part.

How can members of the public vote/ rate their agent? Your agent needs to be registered with us before you can rate them so if they’re not let them know and email us via our website.

Absolutely Property is joined by…

SIMON BROWN

Why did you decide to start the ESTAS? My wife Sarah used to work for a local agent and it wasn’t until then that I realised how hard the job was. There are so many different factors to every deal and so many problems that can cause chains to fail. I realised then that most estate and letting agencies have a reputation they really don’t deserve. So I decided to start an award

Has it grown over the years?

Absolutely! It’s gone from strength to strength because the concept is simple and the benefits to agents start as soon as they sign up. The ESTAS logo on an agents’ website sends a clear message to new customers that the agent believes in providing the best service and they’re happy to prove it. As part of the competition process we also provide detailed client feedback reports to all agents taking part which enables them to measure their performance, highlights their strengths and weaknesses and helps them improve their service.

The 12th annual ESTAS ceremony takes place at the Hilton Park Lane on 17th April 2015. The awards will be presented by TV Property Expert Phil Spencer.

Phil Spencer

Founder of The ESTAS, Estate & Letting Agent Awards

scheme which recognises agents for the levels of customer service they provided their clients. However, I didn’t want to go down the route of a judging panel. I think if you’re going to judge any company in any industry on service the best people to rate that experience are the customers themselves. We managed to get Phil Spencer, the TV Property Expert, involved so in 2004 The ESTAS were born.

How can estate agents enter?

Agents can register by completing a simple entry form at www.theestas.com.

theestas.com ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

ESTAS.indd 124

86 13/01/2015 15:00

the

Shadwell DLR station

the L O N D O N

E 1

CITY FRINGE LIVING. BE JUST MINUTES FROM THE BUSTLING HUBS OF THE CITY OF LONDON AND CANARY WHARF

LAUNCHING 29TH JANUARY 2015 FROM 5PM An exclusive collection of just 26 one, two & three bedroom high specification apartments, most featuring fantastic vistas and all with private outside space. Just a short distance from St. Katharine Docks and The River Thames.

Put yourself at the heart of modern London living at The Junction.

CALL US NOW TO BOOK YOUR PRIORITY APPOINTMENT AT THE LAUNCH

020 3538 4859 or visit www.thejunctionapartments.co.uk

Selling Agent:

Computer generated images of The Junction externals.

TELFORD HOMES.indd 1

14/01/2015 09:30

PROPERTY | EXPERT ADVICE

ANDREW FLINT

D AV E Y S OF SPITALFIELDS

FROM COLMAN COYLE GIVES HIS EXPERT ADVICE ON ALL YOUR LEGAL PROPERTY QUESTIONS Q. I have recently bought a flat. A few weeks after I moved in, the managing agents sent me a service charge demand that includes some service charge relating to a period before I purchased the property. Do I have to pay this element of the demand?

RICHMOND, TW10 > UNIQUE 6 BED £14,500PCM or £4.6M

T

he short answer is yes. As the owner of the property, you are responsible for all service charges and ground rent even if there are arrears that relate to a period before you bought the property. Your solicitor would have ensured that the seller’s solicitor undertook to discharge any arrears at the date of completion.

However, what is likely to have been unknown at the time of your purchase is whether there was an excess service charge for the last financial year. An excess service charge will arise if the budgeted service charge is exceeded by the actual expenditure for the year in question. Because it can take 6 to 9 months for accounts to be audited, it will not be known whether there is an excess until such time as the final accounts are published. Because of this, it is common on the sales of flats for the seller’s solicitors to retain the sum of money to cover any possible excess that might arise relating to the seller’s period of ownership. As well as the last financial year, the seller would also be liable for a proportion of any excess that might be due for the current financial year so the retention will be held until such time as the final liability is known. I would therefore suggest that you contact your solicitors as I expect you will find that such an arrangement was made in relation to your own property.

HACKNEY RD, E2 > PERIOD 1 BED £725 PW

PRINCELET ST, E1 > RARE & ELEGANT 3 BED £1,150 PW

A dynamic and vibrant agency, working for you...

Don’t miss this opportunity, we will agree a fee that ensures we get your business!

Contact property partner Andrew Flint with no obligation on (0)20 7354 3000 or email andrew.flint@colmancoyle.com

020 7871 9599 info@daveys.co

www.colmancoyle.com 80 Upper Street, Islington, N1 0NU

I www.daveys.co

65 Brick Lane, London E1 6QL

*Subject to terms and conditions offer expires 01.12.14, one case of wine is equal to 6 bottles, over 18’s only.

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

DAVEYS.indd 1

COLMAN C.indd 2

88

07/01/2015 15:09

13/01/2015 15:03

Smart knows where the buyers are.

Make sure your agent is on Zoopla.

V1 ZOOPLA A41Advert 210x297_2014 12 19.indd 5 ZOOPLA.indd

08/01/2015 09:50 11:35

Stirling Ackroyd All around East London E5

E8

£550,000

£750,000

HACKNEY SALES - DUNLACE ROAD A well presented duplex apartment comprising 2 double bedrooms, charming & bright reception room & eat-in kitchen/diner. EPC - C

HACKNEY SALES - DEKKER HOUSE Set within one of Hackney’s most sought after developments is this larger than average 3 bedroom apartment. EPC - C

N1

N1

£750,000

£2,400,000

SHOREDITCH SALES - ANGEL WHARF Set on the 4th floor of this well located canal side development is a well presented 2 bedroom modern apartment. EPC - C

SHOREDITCH SALES - SHEPHERDESS WALK A truly fantastic warehouse conversion spanning 2,711 sq ft of lateral space on the 2nd floor of the sought-after Shepherdess Walk Building. EPC - C

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

StirlingAckroyd.com SA_IBDPS_EAST.indd 1

12/01/2015 11:27

E5

E9

£645 pw

£525 pw

HACKNEY LETTINGS - GLYN ROAD A beautifully finished 3 double bedroom Victorian terraced house moments from the ever popular Chatsworth Road in Hackney E5. EPC - D

HACKNEY LETTINGS - TEXTILE BUILDING Set on the top 2 floors of the popular Textile Building in Hackney Central E8, is this fantastic 2 bedroom penthouse apartment. EPC - C

E1

EC2A

£995 pw

£725 pw

SHOREDITCH LETTINGS - HANBURY STREET A fantastic first floor character filled 1,650 sq ft 1 bedroom loft apartment boasting strip wood flooring & exposed brickwork. EPC - C

SHOREDITCH LETTINGS - RIVINGTON STREET A fantastic 2 bedroom duplex penthouse apartment situated within the heart of the Shoreditch Triangle. EPC - D

LETTINGS PRICES EXCLUDE ADDITIONAL FEES. PLEASE SEE WEBSITE FOR DETAILS.

SA_IBDPS_EAST.indd 2

12/01/2015 11:27

4 BEDROOM HOUSES LAUNCHING MARCH 2015 P R I C E S S TA R T AT £9 8 5,0 0 0

HAGGERSTON, E2 The much anticipated launch of The City Mills Phase Two offers a further opportunity to buy at this award-winning development on the fringes of the city.

• Zone 2 connections • An abundance of green spaces • Adjacent to ‘Haggerston Riviera’ • The city on your doorstep and iconic West End within easy reach

REGIS T ER YOUR IN T ERE S T TODAY

THECIT YMILLS.CO.UK

OR CALL 0844 406 9289

Prices are subject to change. See website for full terms and conditions at www.lqgroup.org.uk

L&Q_OBC.indd 1

07/01/2015 15:07