FULHAM NOVEMBER 2013 by ABSOLUTELY Magazines

ABSOLUTELY Fulham NOVEMBER 2013 £3.95

CAPITAL FELLOW

AUTHOR PETER ACKROYD AND HIS LONDON OBSESSION

QUEEN OF TARTS TAMASIN DAY-LEWIS ON BOOKS AND BAKING

GEORDIE GREIG

TALKS LUCIAN FREUD AND THE JOYS OF REPORTING

THE LITERARY ISSUE 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 CHELSEA COVERS OCT 13_v2 2.indd 2

31/10/2013 09:22

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Settrington Road, SW6

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21/10/2013 16:11

ABSOLUTELY

NOVEMBER 2013

contents 10 ABSOLUTELY LOVES

Absolutely’s top picks this month

12 WHAT’S ON

What’s on and buzzing in Fulham

STYLE 34 PATTERN PALETTE Get the catwalk look

36 NEW WAVE

Work AW13’s Punk with a punch

42 CASHMERE IN

Brora’s Victoria Stapleton on 20 years in the business – and how to banish moths

44 A SCENT OF SELF

Choosing the perfect perfume, with Lawrence Roullier White

46 BEAUTY CONFIDENTIAL Where to clean neglected teeth and how to ‘have beauty’

Contents Fulham_Nov.indd 5

FEATURES 19 COVER TO COVER

FOOD & TRAVEL 68 RESTAURANT REVIEW

28 THE LONDONER

70 TART IT UP

53 EVERY INCH A GENTLEMAN

78 TOMB RAIDER

Catherine Hales discovers Shakespeare and Chaucer at The London Library Author Peter Ackroyd on his love of London and why writing isn’t ‘work’ Geordie Greig reveals how he stalked Lucian Freud to Edwina Langley

INTERIORS 59 INTERIOR INSPIRATIONS Tara Craig and Emma Storey find Classical Mythology in furniture

63 TO THE SIDE

Need a new end table? Find one here

Alice Milner truffle hunts at Tartufo whilst Emma Storey tucks into Pont St

Alice Milner meets Tamasin DayLewis to discuss reading, writing and why her publisher calls her ‘Maj’ Take a journey through Khmer Culture

PROPERTY 92 IN THEIR OWN WORDS

Benson Beard, Associate Director of Bective Leslie Marsh, Chelsea, on his career in property

124 PROPERTY NEWS News and views on the area

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ABSOLUTELY Fulham

EDITOR EDWINA LANGLEY CHIEF EDITORIAL ASSISTANT CATHERINE HALES EDITORIAL ASSISTANT MIA HUMBER FASHION FEATURES EDITOR VIOLET NAYLOR-LEYLAND INTERIORS EDITOR TARA CRAIG CONTRIBUTING EDITOR ALICE MILNER, EMMA STOREY ADVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGER NICOLA OWENS • ADVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGER ALICE MILNER GROUP PROPERTY DIRECTOR ALEXANDRA HUNTER • pROpERTy EDITOR HUGO HUNTER CENTRAL PROPERTY MANAGER ANNA HUTTON-POTTS ART DIRECTOR RAY SEARLE • SENIOR DESIGNER PHIL COUZENS DESIGNERS GEMMA ISTEED, TAHIR KAPUCU, ANDREW MAVIN • ARTWORKER EKREM YILMAZ • jUNIOR DESIGNER EDWARD TAYLOR PRODUCTION MANAGER STEWART HYDE • pRODUCTION ASSISTANT CHRISTINE MANN • FINANCE DIRECTOR ALEXANDRA HVID FINANCE MANAGER MARIANNE MCFADDEN • MARKETING MANAGER LEAH DAY DIRECTOR GREG HUGHES MANAGING DIRECTOR SHERIF SHALTOUT PA TO THE MANAGING DIRECTOR CLARISSA FORREST

Published by ZEST MEDIA PUBLICATIONS LTD 213 WESTBOURNE STUDIOS, ACKLAM ROAD W10 5JJ WWW.ZEST-MEDIA.COM T: 020 7704 0588 F: 020 7900 3020 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.

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29/10/2013 09:28

EDITO R ’ S

LETTER November 2013

‘There is no friend as loyal as a book’ Ernest Hemingway

ood old Ernest; sums up in a sentence what I have spent the last few days trying to squash into this letter. To me, books are friends – there to counsel, console, educate, entertain, inspire… I could go on but, don’t worry, I won’t. The one thought that frightens me most in life is that there is a book I won’t read. To look at a book, any book, The Guide to Boring Reading book, and say to myself ‘I will never ever read that!’ makes me feel sick. I’d definitely have to read it. Because you never know which books will turn out to be life-changers, lifesavers, coreshakers. And that’s just how it is with friends. In view of this, it made total sense for me to feature in this, our Literary Special, a book about friends, or rather, a friendship. Journalist and The Mail on Sunday editor, Geordie Greig, talks to me in great detail about his friendship with an artist whose biography he has recently published. That artist is Lucian Freud. If the mere mention of his name doesn’t have you flicking to the feature with paper cut inducing quickness, Alice Coke’s book review of it on our culture pages certainly will. Eminent historian, novelist, poet and writer-of-basicallyevery-medium, Peter Ackroyd, talks about his special friendship with... London, his premier protagonist. Alice Milner chats to the delicious Tamasin Day-Lewis all about tarts and the arts, whilst Catherine Hales gets an entrée into book heaven (other name: The London Library). My only sadness with this issue, in fact, is that it is a magazine and not a book. So it may not make the British Library, but it might inspire you to add to your own.

Edwina Langley Editor

FIND US ON FACEBOOK ‘ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES’ & TWITTER ‘ABSOLUTELY_MAGS’

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10 T H I N G S W E

THOMAS SABO

The Rebel at Heart watch by Thomas Sabo may be a bit sporty and a bit punky but it's rubbish at making a long day shorter. For you know what they say: time flies when you don't have a really cool watch to auspiciously check every five minutes... £339, 33E King’s Road, SW3, 020 7824 1810; thomassabo.com

absolutely

LOVE

MONCLER

RIVER ISLAND

Everyone swooned when Prada came out with their colour-blocked fur stoles a few years back. And we’re delighted to see they're making a comeback, in the form of this faux fur scarf from River Island. £25, 39-40 King Street, W6, 020 8741 0288; riverisland.com

Living in London can mean a life without flora and fauna. Thankfully, the fantastical AW13 line by Moncler and Mary Kataranzou exists for those with a particular predilection for petals. From £1,250, Selfridges & Co, 400 Oxford Street, W1, 0800 123 400; Selfridges.com

ANDY WARHOL & CAMPBELL’S SOUP

Many people bemoan the fact that anything can be considered art. We are not those people. For Campbell's Tomato Soup inspired by Andy Warhol not only looks good, but tastes good too; and if that's considered 'modern art', then we are all in flavour... err, favour. 402 North End Road, SW6, 0800 188 884; waitrose.com

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24/10/2013 09:39

OLIVER BONAS

’s itor

PIC

There's no need for confetti canons (is there ever a need?) for this lace throwback party dress makes quite a bang of its own. If we could call it ours, we'd put on a pair of low-slung t-straps and start to do the jitterbug. 801 Fulham Road, SW6, 020 7736 1763; oliverbonas.com

VENETIAN VIOLET FLOWER WATER

We can't guarantee that it will transport you to the floating city but this subtle perfume from Crabtree & Evelyn does manage to evoke a sense of the romance of Venice with its delicate glass bottle and elegant violet scent. 151 Regent Street, W1, 020 7734 6043; crabtree-evelyn.co.uk

G STAR Denim, all the time, is the current mantra for many designers but nobody does it better than the jean experts at G-star. gstar.com

WHISTLES

Everyone needs a weekender: a bag that looks polished from the outside whilst actually playing host to a knotted mess of clothes, books and squashed granola bars. This quintessential navy carry-all would, we are certain, give Mary Poppins a run for her money £450, 303 Brompton Road, SW3, 020 7823 9134; whistles.com

BIRCHBOX

Who doesn’t love getting post? Especially when it’s full of luxury goodies just for you. Like celebrating your birthday without getting any older, these boxes are the perfect way to treat yourself. From £7.50 per month, plus postage; birchbox.co.uk

LUSH

This red-orange lip tint was designed for girls on Santa's naughty list. Cola-tasting ('Holidays are coming!'), this 'scrub' contains shea butter to keep your pout soft and wonderfully kissable. Great preparation for those moments under the mistletoe. £5.50, 123 King’s Road, SW3, 020 7376 8348; lush.co.uk

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25/10/2013 14:30

NEW WORKS ON PAPER & CANVAS IAP Fine Art, Until 30 Nov An exhibition celebrating both artist Chris Gollon’s 60th year and IAP Fine Art’s 20th it covers some of Gollon’s favourite subjects: women, wine, food, music, bistros and bars. The works, which are presented on both paper and canvas, also contain self-portraits of the artist who has been represented by IAP since 1993. 23a, St James’s Street, SW1, 0844 561 1833; iapfineart.com

Don’t Miss

WHAT’S ON

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ART&CULTURE

BBC: CHILDREN IN NEED ROCKS EDITOR’S

PICK

Hammersmith Apollo, 12~13 Nov Gary Barlow pairs up with the BBC to put on a benefit show for the thousands of disadvantaged children across the country. Night one features performances by Dizzee Rascal, Little Mix and Robbie Williams. Bastille, Ellie Goulding, Passenger and Rizzle Kicks are scheduled for night two. Barlow won’t reveal what other surprises he has in store, but hints that he may take the stage himself! 45 Queen Caroline Street, W6, 0844 249 1000; hammersmithapollo.com

Artist of the Month

MEEKYOUNG SHIN

Chelsea-based art consultant Nicholas Campbell chooses November’s top talent f you are a lover of illusion then look no further than Meekyoung Shin. Everything is not as it seems when looking at the South Korean’s work, especially this new collection of Ming style vases which are actually made out of soap. Shin has used soap as a medium for many years and her work has secured worldwide success. Earlier this year she had works

showing at the V&A and currently, her sculptures are exhibited in 16 museums and galleries across the country. For a lover of modern day antiquities, sculpture, contemporary art, or quite simply Jo Malone, I recommend buying the work of Meekyoung Shin. Nicholas is Head Consultant and Director of Narcissus Arts; narcissusarts.com

RAYMOND BRIGGS’ FATHER CHRISTMAS Lyric Hammersmith, 22 Nov~4 Jan After last year’s sell-out success, Lyric revives Father Christmas, a play inspired by beloved wintertime storyteller, Raymond Briggs. Briggs’ Mr. Claus is slightly more curmudgeonly than your standard jolly Santa but no less loveable as the audience sees him grumbling about his workload, preparing for the big night. Lyric Square, King Street, W6, 020 8741 6850; lyric.co.uk

6 BOTANICAL GARDENS TALK Fulham Palace, 18 Nov An event for the green fingered among us, Dr. Mark Spencer, curator of the Natural History Museum’s Botany Collection, will be giving a talk at the historical Fulham Palace. Home of Europe’s first magnolia, the collection has been long celebrated for its rare species; some of the plants in the collection were harvested during the 17th century when Bishop Compton, an avid lover of botany, called the gardens his own. Fulham Palace, Bishop’s Avenue, SW6, 020 7736 3233; fulhampalace.org

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ART&CULTURE

SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS FAIR Olympia, 5~10 Nov Take a pause from pounding the high street and pop into the Spirit of Christmas Fair. There you will find unique gift ideas from independent boutiques, plenty of seasonal food and drink, and various workshops such as present wrapping, flower arranging and truffle rolling. rolling.Hammersmith Road, W14, 020 7385 1200; spiritofchristmasfair.co.uk

WINTER WONDERLAND

Hyde Park, 22 Nove~5 Jan Sleigh bells ring, are you listening? In the lane, snow is glistening… Well, perhaps not quite yet but regardless of this Winter Wonderland is indeed back in residence in Hyde Park. Iceskating, circus tents, fairground rides, Santa Land, Christmas markets and, of course, lashings of mulled wine – what more could you want? Hyde Park, W2; hydeparkwinterwonderland.com

CHARITY NIGHT

606 Club, 10 Nov Pull out your favourite drop-waisted dress, don a pair of Mary Janes and rewind to the jazz age at the 606 Club. Eat, drink and enjoy soulful performances by Liane Carroll, Polly Gibbons, Norma Winstone, Nikki Iles, Peter Ind and a few other mystery guests to be revealed on the night. 90 Lots Road, SW10, 020 7352 5953; 606club.co.uk

EDITOR’S

PICK THE ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

Cadogan Hall, 12 November Prepare to soar and perhaps also weep: the Philharmonic is paying homage to Tchaikovsky. Highlights include a serenade of strings, a violin concerto and redesigned excerpts from Swan Lake, courtesy of conductor, Barry Wordsworth. 5 Sloane Terrace, SW1, 020 7730 4500; cadoganhall.com

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25/10/2013 11:06

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18/10/2013 03/10/2013 16:05 12:12

ART&CULTURE Don’t Miss WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

Chelsea Country Diary

NSPCC CHRISTMAS FAIR

Castle Howard, 8 November troll through the magnificent state rooms of Castle Howard as you browse stall after stall brimming with jewellery, flowers, toys and innumerable other gift ideas. While you shop, keep in mind that a share of the proceeds from each square of fudge and each sparkling ornament you buy benefits the NSPCC in the fight against child abuse – so no need to feel guilty if you get derailed and buy something for yourself. Castle Howard, Yorkshire, YO60 7DA, 01653 648333; nspccastlehowardchristmasfair.org

Natural History Museum, Until Mar 2014 For most of us, trawling through pictures on Instagram is about as close as we get to appreciating wildlife photography. This exhibition at the Natural History Museum is an opportunity to experience the real thing. Featuring a selection of 100 wildlife photographs out of the thousands of hopeful entries, the exhibitions gives all city dwellers a glimpse into nature’s boundless majesty. Selected works include shots from visionaries as young as 14. Cromwell Road, SW7, 020 7942 5000; nhm.ac.uk

CURIOUS ARTS OF THE CASTLE TOUR

Leeds Castle, 22 November eeds castle has only been around since the dawn of time (aka 1119), so we went giddy when they announced a guided tour of the treasures within. This special tour guides you through the castle’s many paintings and other fascinating objet d’art. As you walk through the collection, your guide will explain how each piece is woven into the castle’s rich history. Leeds Castle, Maidstone, Kent, ME17 1PL, 01622 765400; leeds-castle.com

BONFIRE NIGHT

Chatsworth House, 2-3 November s it possible for Chatsworth House to be any more wonderful than it already is? With bonfires, fireworks, steel drum bands, aerial displays, fire performers and a Parkour troupe this Bonfire Night, the answer is, apparently so. We think this dazzling evening is the perfect way to kick off November and in case you’ve made other plans we’d just like to reiterate: Parkour troupe. Chatsworth, Bakewell, Derbyshire DE45 1PP, 01246 565 300; chatsworth.org

STARS ROCKING

Sotheby’s, 14 November CHIVA Africa, a charity fighting AIDS in Africa, has recruited a long list of celebrity artists and personalities to design their own take on the famous Stevenson Brothers rocking horse. Sotheby’s will be holding an auction for the horses, with all proceeds going to the Paediatric and Adolescent AIDS program in South Africa. Tickets to the auction are available for £150. 34-35 New Bond Street, W1, 020 7293 5000; starsrocking.com

WAR REQUIEM

Royal Albert Hall, 10 Nov Each year we remember the sacrifice made by those brave service men and women who gave their lives to serve this country. Benjamin Britten’s iconic ‘War Requiem’ combines the moving poetry of Wilfred Owen with the words of the Requiem Mass. In this moving tribute, the BBC Symphony Orchestra will be conducted by Semyon Bychkov. Kensington Gore, SW7, 020 7589 8212; royalalberthall.com

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25/10/2013 11:15

CHELSEA CHRISTMAS GIFT FAIR

7-8 December Chelsea Old Town Hall Kings Road SW3 5EE

GIFTS FOR HIM

GIFTS FOR HER

GIFTS FOR THE KIDS

GIFTS FOR THE HOME

Over 50 unique exhibitors all under one roof. DO ALL YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING IN ONE GO

Another great London event organised by Clever Creations Ltd FULL PAGE.indd 2

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ART&CULTURE

C U L T U R E

FLASH

Book Review

BREAKFAST WITH LUCIAN

Film Review

A PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST, BY GEORDIE GREIG

By Alice Coke

BLUE JASMINE Directed by Woody Allen

formerly Croesus-rich acquaintance who had since fallen on hard times once recounted a story of her newly impoverished children’s first trip on a commercial airline, and their astonishment that so many other people were on their plane. What I found startling was, if her circumstances were as bad as she pleaded, the fact of their being on a plane at all. I was reminded of this in one of the first scenes of Woody Allen’s latest tragi-comic creation, when Ginger (Sally Hawkins) struggles to understand her impecunious sister Jasmine’s (Cate Blanchett) choice to fly first class and her inability to see that giving up the private jet wasn’t enough, she really ought to be turning right on the flight too. There are no sympathetic characters in this Madoff-inspired film. Allen, supreme

JERUSALEM

BY JEZ BUTTERWORTH AT RIVERSIDE STUDIOS Directed By Max Key

creator of the neurotic protagonist, has produced perhaps his most disturbed. Desperately vulnerable yet steely Jasmine is a bare caricature of the fragile ‘society wife’, possessing an incapacity to connect, borne from a lack of fidelity and a self-absorption which distances her from reality and society, if not ‘High Society’. Having tied her destiny to the fortune of her husband Hal (Alec Baldwin), once this has been ripped away from her, Jasmine must cling, with a perilously weak grip, to both her polished wardrobe and her precarious sanity. Her only salvation seems to be found in the fortunes of a man once again, this time the faintly oleaginous Dwight (Peter Sarsgaard). Allen does not make this fall from the upper echelons into a morality tale: he does not for one moment suggest that Ginger’s less privileged life would be preferable. But there is the hint that, reliance on oneself (rather than the wits and fate of a man) may stand women in better stead. I doubt, however, that Allen intended such a feminist interpretation of his highly watchable film. By Camilla Norton

es it was Mark Rylance who made the role of Johnny ‘Rooster’ Byron, that drug dealing, alcoholic gypsyesque West Country character, famous, but there’s no reason why other actors can’t try their luck at it. This well-known modern drama, depicting how far our country has strayed since John of Gaunt’s vision of ‘England’s royal throne of kings’, makes for intriguing viewing. Do not miss. 25-28 November, tickets from £7.50, Crisp Road, W6, 020 8237 1111; riversidestudios.co.uk

anish any winter blues with the art book of the year – if not, the decade! Geordie Greig’s elegant Breakfast with Lucian is the first authorized biography of Lucian Freud – Kensington’s most starry artist. The cast of characters glitters – from Kate Moss and Jerry Hall to Greta Garbo, numerous aristos and even The Queen. Although more about sex than art, the book is riveting throughout, and one wonders how Lucian ever found the time and energy to paint his masterpieces. As sexually voracious as Casanova, he needed lovers as badly as a vampire needs fresh blood! Greig’s extensive interviews with Lucian’s friends, lovers and art dealers reveal different facets of the artist’s complex character. Little was previously known about the studio life of this most private of painters, as lovers, sitters and friends were sworn (or intimidated) into silence. Having initially been fobbed off, Greig befriended the charismatic artist during his last ten years of life. Invited into the inner circle he would meet Lucian and his assistant, David Dawson, for breakfast at Clarke’s on Kensington Church Street. Over tea and the morning papers Lucian would relate tantalising stories: of fleeing Nazi Germany; joking with his grandfather, Sigmund Freud, burning down his art school, escaping from his mother and the Krays, gambling, painting in Greece with John Craxton and his friendship with David Hockney. Forget buying a novel – Greig’s extraordinary biography, illustrated with many unseen photographs, is unputdownable!

Jonathan Cape, £25

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BEHIND THE SCENES

COVER COVER TO

Catherine Hales lifts the lid on one of the capital’s best kept secrets – The London Library

ver since being given my great uncle’s copy of The Hobbit at the age of seven, I have been a literature obsessive – a fi xation encouraged by my mother, and thankfully not cured by studying English Literature at university. So when I was invited to have a look around The London Library, you can imagine my initial reaction: 'Hurray, yes please!' Had I known my visit would entail sharing the same airspace as books predating Shakespeare, I think I almost certainly would have fainted. Established in 1841 by Robert Carlyle and situated in the ever-impressive St. James’s Square, The London Library seems like the kind of place all Londoners should have heard of. But perhaps it's the fact that the library is 'members only', which keeps it off many people's radar. Even so, a small amount of research will reveal its rich history and incredibly impressive patronage. Dickens, Eliot, Darwin and Churchill all number among The London Library's roster of members, and these famous names only represent a small fraction of the influential members (cultural and academic) spanning several generations.

©LONDON LIBRARY

BEHIND THE SCENES_Oct.indd 21

On arrival I note that the unassuming yet attractive façade gives nothing away and if it weren’t for the small sign I would have walked straight past. I am greeted by the library’s Press and Marketing Manager, Chloe Brookes who in turn introduces me to Helen O’Neill, the Archive, Heritage and Development Librarian, both of whom act as my tour guides for the day.

The first leg of our tour takes us up to the oldest part of the library, the 'Stacks', and to what is known as the ‘Science and Miscellaneous’ section. Despite the somewhat hilarious pairing of the two subjects it is not this that first grabs my attention. 'If you’re afraid of heights its probably best not to look down,' warns Chloe. Too late. As I step out onto the floor I see that it is made up of thin but sturdy iron slats, offering a vertiginous view of tiers below. After I have adjusted to this peculiarity (the very best in modern Victorian engineering, I am told) I am to discover another peculiarity – there is not a paperback in sight. It turns out that even if a book is unavailable in hardback form, the library will have it bound in order to better preserve it. This is an important part of the library’s ethos: they do not throw books away, which explains why there are over a million volumes housed there. This also means that some of the books resting on the shelves are incredibly old and incredibly rare. No special protection is placed over these tomes however. Instead, members are entrusted to treat them with care, both within the confines of the library and in the comfort of

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BEHIND BEHIND THE THE SCENES SCENES

and which turns out to be a miniscule copy of Dante’s Divine Comedy. It not only took 11 years to complete but is also said to have actually damaged the eyesight of both the compositor and the corrector. Further wonders such as a Fourth Folio of Shakespeare's Comedies, Histories & Tragedies from 1685, open at the title page of Richard III, almost floors me, as does a volume which is one of only two to have survived the Mutiny on The Bounty (1789). My favourite, however, is a hand-printed collection of The Works of Geoffrey Chaucer. Bound in white pig’s skin with silver clasps, it was the personal project of William Morris, featuring his own designs, and illustrated by his friend, Edward Burne-Jones. There is a real magic to these books, some of which were recovered from charity sales and many more of which were donated by dedicated members of the library. It is clear that those charged with their care are fully aware of this – Stella’s eyes still light up when she handles her favourite book despite the countless times she must have done so. The London Library stands as a testament not only to its founder and dedicated staff but to its members also, who at present number 8,000. It is clear that those savvy enough to have discovered this

©REBECCA NOONAN

BEHIND THE SCENES_Oct.indd 23

©REBECCA NOONAN

their own homes. It may seem a risky policy but I am assured that it really works. 'Members here have a vested interest in the library,' explains Helen. 'They look after the books.' A simple statement conveying the profound covenant between lender and borrower that exists here. As we make our way up to one of the reading rooms we pass several framed photographs of previous presidents and librarians including T.S. Eliot and the present incumbent, Sir Tom Stoppard. In spite of the multitude of famous names associated with this singular institution there is an incredible lack of elitism, an impression reinforced when I glimpse into a reading room. A silent space, where laptops are banned, I find it occupied by a range of visitors – old and young, male and female, smartly dressed and more casually attired. There is no average 'London Library member', it seems. The second stage of my peek behind the scenes is a viewing of some of the rare books owned by the library. These are the ones too valuable to live on the shelves and as I enter a more restricted part of the building, I am placed in the capable hands of Stella Worthington, Head of Preservation & Stack Management. After explaining with great enthusiasm all that goes into maintaining and preserving the books, Stella then begins to show me the volumes she has lain out for my viewing pleasure. We start with a King’s Bible from 1611; it is enormous and frankly looks like a prop from a period drama, except for the fact that it is genuine, has most of its original binding (including clasps), and is the culmination of 50 scholar’s work over four years from 1604 to 1608. This colossal manuscript is thrown into sharp relief by one of the tiniest books I have ever seen

Previous Page Art Room

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Rare book bound in white vellum

Above

Traditional bookbinder

hidden treasure truly value it and I can see why. After my extensive tour, I feel I have only scratched the surface of this institution, one that has provided enlightenment and inspiration to so many great minds, whilst also acting as an oasis for anyone wanting to curl up and have a jolly good read. In view of this, I know what's going to be on my Christmas list – a subscription please, dear Mama. 14 St. James's Square, SW1, 020 7930 7705; londonlibrary.co.uk

25/10/2013 16:13

December games now on sale Tottenham Hotspur – Wednesday 4th December, 8pm. Aston Villa – Sunday 8th December, 1.30pm. Manchester City – Saturday 21st December, 3pm.

Visit fulhamfc.com/tickets to buy today. All tickets are subject to availability. Terms, conditions and booking fees apply.

FULL PAGE.indd 2

25/10/2013 12:02

AMBER LE BON & JACK GUINNESS

CHILLED NIGHT OUT

Chelsea’s partygoers flocked to secret speakeasy bar, Barts, and boutique 80s-style club, Maggie’s, for the launch of ‘Chilly Tuesdays’, last month. On arrival guests were welcomed ‘All Aboard the Uncle Barts Polar Express’ by a ravishing conductor checking golden tickets and teacups of Hot Reyka Vodka Chocolates. Following a spot of Arctic ice fishing, attendees were then whisked in rickshaws to Maggie’s, for the ‘Lake Placid Winter Olympics’, encompassing a ‘Schnapps Ski-Jump Ice Luge’ – now that’s a sport worth partaking in.

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Sloane Street journeyed to Azerbaijan last month to Baku Cellar 164, for the Gavin Turk Private View. Guests, who included Otis Ferry, Shirley Leigh-Wood Oakes, Blaise Patrick and Blake, marveled at works by Turk, and associated artists from his charity ‘The House of Fairy Tales’. Model and DJ Amber Le Bon rocked the floor with her playlist, whilst magician, Drummond MoneyCoutts, had a number of tricks up his sleeve. A mesmerizingly magical night had by all.

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07/10/2013 14:32

EDUCATION

OPTING

OUT?

Why are so many of our leading private schools dropping A-levels for international alternatives? Amanda Constance investigates t wasn’t a good summer for Michael Gove. The education secretary has already faced a surge of criticism over his reforms, but now some of our most elite private schools are dumping A-levels for an international alternative in protest at the changes. During the summer, members of the Headmaster’s and Headmistress’s Conference (HMC) – which represents top private schools such as Eton, Harrow and Winchester – spoke out against the ‘huge gamble’ Gove was taking with A-level reform. From 2015, AS-levels are to be separated from full A-levels to form a qualification in their own right. In England, new linear A-levels where all assessment takes place at the end of two year courses will replace the modular system, in an effort to end the constant treadmill of exams and to generate a ‘revival of the art of deep thought’. But many don’t agree. Andrew Grant, a former HMC chair and head of St Albans School, Hertfordshire, said he was concerned that Mr Gove was ‘throwing the baby out with the bath water’ by de-coupling AS and A levels and said he was looking for alternatives for his school. ‘We at St Albans School are looking very, very seriously at International A-levels because we feel there is a tremendous value in the feedback provided by AS levels at the halfway point.’

So are private schools just opting out of Gove’s reforms? Despite the Coalition’s insistence that it is addressing major concerns over standards, Ed Elliott, head of The Perse School, Cambridge, said many schools were unwilling to wait for the reforms or risk them being reversed by a future Labour administration. ‘The Perse does not want to be part of a game of political ping-pong which will destabilise the exam system to the disadvantage of students,’ he explains. ‘By sitting international qualifications we can take a ‘wait and see’ approach to UK exam reform, whilst ensuring our pupils benefit from studying proven and internationally recognised qualifications free from political interference.’

ILLUSTRATION BY PHIL COUZENS

In total 72 schools entered pupils for International A-levels this summer, but it is believed numbers could soar in coming years. However, it isn’t just the international A-levels that are being used by private schools. More pupils are taking the Cambridge Pre-U, which is seen as a return to traditional, rigorous A-level study, and the International Baccalaureate diploma is increasingly popular. 99 British schools have pupils taking the Pre-U this year and 188 offer the IB. And it isn’t just A-levels. Last month it was revealed that almost 2,700 secondary schools now offer the

International GCSE amid fears over falling standards and questionable reforms planned for 2015. This huge shift towards IGCSEs follows a Coalition decision to scrap rules imposed under Labour that effectively barred state schools in England from offering them as an alternative qualification. Today, it is believed that around 6/10 state and private schools across the UK are teaching the course in at least one subject. Other independent schools such as Sevenoaks in Kent and Bedales in Hampshire are going a step further by devising their own in-house alternatives to GCSEs.

top of the cl ass

ing’s College School, Wimbledon, is celebrating record IB results this year, with over 51% of all grades being at Level 7 – the equivalent of A* at A Level. 12 King’s students also achieved the extraordinary score of 45/45, which fewer than 100 IB candidates in the whole world achieve each year, whilst 55 received prestigious Oxbridge offers. Congratulations KCS! kcs.org.uk

Nov_Education_Notes.indd 27

24/10/2013 16:43

The

LONDONER Biographies, histories, novels, it’s ever-present, Edwina Langley talks to author Peter Ackroyd about his love for our great capital

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ART&CULTURE

I don’t think I am very clever, I just have a very good method of working. I think that’s what it is,’ says Peter Ackroyd CBE, FRSL, biographer, novelist, historian and critic; an author who never reads his reviews, puts his success down to luck and ambition, and once said, ‘I’m not very keen on talking about myself, it’s a subject I approach with trepidation. I’d much rather talk about my work.’ It was just as well, therefore, that I was there to interview him about his work. For approaching one of the greatest writers of our generation and asking him to retell his life’s story without so much as a hook would be a subject that I would approach with trepidation. Three Brothers is Ackroyd’s most recent novel, charting the lives of Harry, Daniel and Sam Hanway. Growing up in a council estate in Camden, they find their lives suddenly fracture when their mother

abandons them. Embarking on different careers, their paths only cross when they are in London (Ackroyd’s fourth ‘protagonist’) dealing with dodgy characters ensconced in the seedy underbelly of Sixties London. ‘The idea for the story just came to me out of the blue,’ Peter tells me. ‘It was one of those few books where I didn’t know what was going to happen from page to page, often paragraph to paragraph. I just carried on writing it.’ I question him about this, for when reading it there appeared to be strong autobiographical elements to the story, most notably through the experiences of ‘Daniel’. Ackroyd writes, for instance, how Daniel ‘took out an extended loan of each volume of Arthur Mee’s Children’s Encyclopaedia’, a book Ackroyd devoured as a child. Similarly Daniel attended Cambridge (as did Ackroyd), and came across a movement there called ‘Totalism’ (which Ackroyd

‘IT WAS ONE OF THOSE FEW BOOKS WHERE I DIDN’T KNOW WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN FROM PAGE TO PAGE, OFTEN PARAGRAPH TO PARAGRAPH. I JUST CARRIED ON WRITING IT.’

invented at the university). But when I ask him about the links, he denies all knowledge. ‘I’m sure there are injections of reality into it, but that all came to me instinctively. I didn’t plan it out in advance.’ Peter Ackroyd was born in East Acton in 1949 and grew up on a council estate. A ‘lapsed Catholic’, he was educated at St Benedict’s School in Ealing, before arriving at Cambridge to study English Literature. ‘In the first year I didn’t much enjoy it,’ he says, ‘I don’t know why, I was out of place. But then I got to meet some friends and I did, in the end, very much enjoy it.’ There he discovered poetry and published a volume of small poems entitled Ouch. It was during that time that he and two friends invented the aforementioned ‘Totalism’. I wonder what it even means and ask him to explain. He chuckles heartily. ‘It didn’t

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25/10/2013 14:52

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ART&CULTURE

mean anything at all! We just thought it sounded like a nice title for something.’ From there he won a Mellon Fellowship to Yale (an honour awarded to just two students a year) and moved to the States. A year later, he returned to England and took up the role of literary editor for The Spectator in 1973. ‘I was there until 1982, as literary editor for a few years then joint managing editor. I enjoyed being literary editor, obviously, because it was the sort of thing I like to do. But in the last few years, I didn’t find it very interesting.’ So he left to follow his passion – writing. ‘The first book I had published,’ he remembers, ‘was called Notes for a New Culture (1976) which I’d written when I was at Yale. Then after that came Ezra Pound and his World (1980) and T.S. Eliot (1984).’ Since then he has published over 50 books in all manner of mediums, from fiction to history. One can’t help but admire his skilful command of the English language, which seems to secure him success in each. ‘I don’t have a preferred medium. For me it’s all part of the same process. Whether it’s fiction, biography or cultural history, they all take place within the same parameters.’ But whilst his mediums may differ, his work routine remains constant. Immersing himself in his subject with an almost

obsessive intensity, he reads everything ever written about it (or, in the case of his biographies, them) and only once he feels he is adequately informed will he begin to write. For someone who claims he has no time to read for pleasure, I wonder how his interest in such subjects are born. The answer, he tells me, is London. ‘They are part of my fascination with it; it’s all sprung from there. That emerged first, although I’d written about it in [T.S.] Eliot and The Great Fire of London. It first emerged in a novel I wrote called Hawksmoor, which was devoted to unearthing the hidden secrets of London. And from that time forward, I became obsessed with London

‘LONDON IS THE LANDSCAPE OF MY IMAGINATION... IT’S THE PLACE I WAS BROUGHT UP IN AND HAVE LIVED IN ALL MY LIFE. THE WRITERS I MOST ADMIRE ARE ALL LONDON WRITERS.’

and Londoners - its history, its tradition, its past, the fact that I can walk down the street and know a great deal about it… I like to see the patterns in London life that recur time and time again. It’s just a historical experience for me.’ Ackroyd’s home is Knightsbridge, for its ‘anonymity’ and ‘impersonality’, though admits he has no special affinity with Kensington or Chelsea. ‘It serves its purpose,’ he says. ‘I’d rather live here than elsewhere because it’s convenient.’ Though if he were to live elsewhere it would still be in London. Were it more convenient to live abroad, I doubt he’d even consider it. ‘London is the landscape of my imagination, if that doesn’t sound too pompous. It’s the place I was brought up in and have lived in all my life. ‘The writers I most admire are all London writers, and the filmmakers I most admire, like Chaplin and Hitchcock, are also London-born, cockney-born. Everything comes together to make London the most inspiring city for me.’ His reference to Chaplin reminds me he’s in the middle of Charlie Chaplin’s biography, due out next year alongside another History of England (Volume III of a planned VII), which he is also penning. He says he’ll bring out a book on Alfred Hitchcock ‘in a couple of years’ and will ‘obviously’ continue with his volumes of history books. For someone in his sixties, I wonder if he ever gets fed up and just longs to down pen for a month or two. ‘No, not really,’ he says, almost confused by my question. ‘I enjoy it.’ He must have a break every now and again though, I counter, otherwise how on earth does he ever unwind? ‘I drink,’ he says bluntly and frankly. ‘That’s my way of relaxing.’ Three Brothers by Peter Ackroyd Chatto & Windus, £12.99 Available nationwide

PETER ACKROYD.indd 31

25/10/2013 14:52

STYLE

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STYLE

CASH { MERE} IN Victoria Stapleton, founder of Brora, on building a business, Sophie Dahl and Mongolian goats

ABSOLUTELY: Congratulations on 20 years of Brora – you must be so proud! VICTORIA STAPLETON: It is an amazing feeling. I have worked with so many of the same skilled crafts people for so many of those years and I celebrate the achievement with all of them! ABS: You’re launching a capsule collection to mark your anniversary. What was the inspiration behind it? VS: I knew I had to mark the 20 years with something special. We are often asked to bring back a certain knit or tweed so I thought this was the perfect opportunity to delve back into the Brora archive designs and pull out the pieces that stood out as signature Brora moments. ABS: Brora begun in Brora Scotland, with Hunters of Brora, the 100-year-old tweed mill which your father bought. He asked you to manage the mill’s shop. Is that right? VS: I worked for the mill for 18 months and yes, resurrected the mill shop in the village of Brora learning on the job. But the mill decided it didn’t have the finance to do retail and manufacturing of tweed so they closed down the retail department and that was when I took my learnings and set up Brora.

ABS: Where was your first shop? VS: I opened on the King’s Road in 1995 and we’re still there today. We bought a 17-year lease off a wonderful antiques dealer plus half his stock! We recently signed a new lease and hope to be in the heart of Chelsea for many years to come. ABS: I read in your first year of trading your turnover was £180,000... VS: Yes that is right! I think as I sort of inherited a business, which started under the umbrella of Hunters, it was not like starting from scratch. None of it was planned but I knew quite soon after university that I wanted to do my own thing. I worked hard doing most of the jobs myself. ABS: You teamed up with Sophie Dahl earlier this year to design a capsule collection. Was she very hands on? VS: The collection was very much her thing. She spent several days in head office working with the design team and myself, talking her ideas through with our pattern cutter, designing labels with our graphic design team. She was involved with every element of the collection.

ABS: Your cashmere is sourced from Mongolian goats – is this correct? VS: The cashmere goats are reared by nomadic herdsmen in the harsh conditions of the Mongolian desert where the temperatures reach –40°C in winter, making sure the goats develop a thick downy fleece, ready for harvesting in the spring.

NONE OF IT WAS PLANNED BUT I KNEW QUITE SOON AFTER UNIVERSITY THAT I WANTED TO DO MY OWN THING

ABS: Onto miscellaneous things: moths. What is your solution? VS: I have just been through a terrible moth invasion and am taking a new tack. All my jumpers have been thoroughly washed, combed and pressed. They are zipped in Brora storage bags with a cedar ball in each; moths hate strong smells. I have also put a bar of soap on every shelf of my jumper cupboard as well as sticky pads for attracting the moths. ABS: What’s happening in 2014? VS: We have just shot an incredible campaign for the SS14 collection and there are so many pieces I completely love. Exciting times! 344 King’s Road, SW3, 020 7352 3697; brora.co.uk

BRORA Q&A.indd 42

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23/09/2013 12:59

HEALTH&BEAUTY

The Scent of

SELF Lawrence Roullier White gives Absolutely his top tips on how to create a fragrance wardrobe…

n Hollywood’s heyday it wasn’t unusual for stars to be synonymous with one particular scent. Gloria Swanson scented the set of Sunset Boulevard with Caron’s Narcisse Noir, Cary Grant spritzed Eight & Bob and Grace Kelly famously walked down the aisle — a walk that was to make her Princess of Monaco — wearing a perfume created to replicate the aroma of her wedding bouquet: Fleurissimo by Creed. But that was then. Too often people focus on trying to find that single signature scent. My best advice? Spare yourself the struggle and start your own ‘fragrance wardrobe’. In the same way that your weekday suit should be different to the red-carpetworthy gown you might throw on for an evening out, no one perfume should be expected to fit every occasion. For day try something light, fresh and zingy. Carthusia’s Mediterraneo is a chic and sparkling number from Capri with crushed lemon leaves and green tea. Or Caldey Island Lavender Water made by Cistercian monks of coastal Wales is a cool and sophisticated minty

lavender. La Tulipe by Byredo is uncomplicated, fun and fresh, whilst Aedes de Venustus – a new scent from the New York perfumery of the same name – is an addictive combination of rhubarb and vetiver. This remarkable scent leaps from the bottle and I defy anyone to wear it without a smile. Evening fragrances are inevitably more sensual. Tuberose is a nightblooming plant said to drive men wild with desire and thus traditionally harvested only by married women in India. Mona di Orio’s incandescent Tubereuse teamed with an LBD is bound to turn heads. There are no hard and fast rules when choosing a fragrance, but it is wise to remember the perfume mantra: mood, occasion and season. It is also important to remember that everyone’s

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a ch n in a y em er tl ev en g HOW TO CHARM LUCIAN FREUD? GEORDIE GREIG HAS THE ANSWER, DISCOVERS EDWINA LANGLEY

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©GEORDIE GREIG

What type of person could stalk notoriously private and unpredictable artist Lucian Freud into a decade-long friendship? ‘Thank you so much for you interest in my book. Thank you, thank you, thank you.’ That type of person. This is Geordie Greig, author of Breakfast with Lucian and editor of The Mail on Sunday. Softly spoken, Greig’s unassuming manner reveals instantly why, upon first meeting, the great Freud might have ‘stared intently’ at him and proffered a warm ‘if cautious’ greeting. But it wasn’t an easy first meeting to arrange. By his own admission, it took Greig 20 years to turn ‘stalking into talking’. At 17 years old on a school trip from Eton, Geordie Greig first laid

eyes on a piece of Freud’s work, Naked Man With Rat (1977-78). Instantly captivated, he fired off a letter to Freud requesting an interview for the school magazine. He received no response. Other letters he sent over the next two decades went unanswered too and Greig had no choice but to observe the intriguing Freud from afar. This was until 1997. As literary editor of The Sunday Times, Greig found himself flicking through a monograph of Stanley Spencer’s work that had appeared on his desk. He was suddenly struck by how much Spencer’s nudes reminded him of Freud’s. Might Freud consider writing a review? Off went another postcard, but this one secured a response, a personal phone call from Freud himself. Whilst Freud was adamant Spencer’s work was ‘absolutely nothing like mine... the opposite,’ Greig had aroused his interest and Freud requested a copy of the book. He eventually turned down the review but at least (and at last) contact had been made. That phone call marked the beginning of a friendship that spanned ten years and resulted in Greig’s biography, Breakfast with Lucian: A Portrait of The Artist. ‘He was the most mesmerising person to meet,’ Greig tells me

Lucian Freud with Geordie’s son, Jasper Greig

over the telephone. ‘He had an incredibly complicated and complex life. He went from high society to lowlife - hanging out in slum dwellings in Paddington, to weekends at Badminton with the Duke of Beaufort. At the end of his life, his paintings were going for £17.2million (to Roman Abramovich) but at low points, he owed millions and was on the run from debtors and criminals who’d lent him money. It was a roller coaster of a life, and by all means, he was the cultural Forrest Gump of our time, of our century. He was probably the last great bohemian of Chelsea, always seen at Clarke’s on Kensington Church Street or The Wolseley in Piccadilly.’ And so Greig meticulously (and mindfully) picks through Freud’s life, in a ‘warts and all’ fashion, describing minute details – from how he liked his tea, to his often irrational selfishness, the lives behind his muses, to Freud’s preference for anal sex (which demonstrated, he believed,

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ART&CULTURE ©GEORDIE GREIG

ultimate female submission). A fascinating insight for outsiders but what would the secretive Freud, who compartmentalised virtually every aspect of his life – work, family, friends, lovers – have made of it? After all, Greig reveals at the beginning how Freud pulled the plug on an authorised biography once, horrified by its level of detail. ‘He had the most incredible observation of himself,’ said Greig when I asked. ‘His mantra was to be ferociously honest with what he saw and what he did. I took that same standard. I hope he would have appreciated the care I took to try to bring ferocity to what I saw and heard.’ Renowned for ending friendships on a whim or for trifling reasons (such as with his daughter, Annie, who he distanced himself from after she refused to let her own daughter, his granddaughter, May, suffer the exhausting ordeal of sitting for him) I wondered whether a balanced friendship with Freud was ever possible. In essence, did Greig ever feel he could be ‘ferociously honest’ with the artist or was he constantly treading on eggshells? ‘True, it was a friendship I valued very much, but I was very lucky in that we never did fall out. It was always possible with Lucian. And it might have been over some minor thing or some idiocy that I might have done. But luckily that never happened. You always knew you were fine because he saw you. I didn’t have his telephone number so it always had to come from

Freud in bed

©GEORDIE GREIG

him or via his amazing assistant, David Dawson. If you were cast out, there was no way of getting hold of him. But if you were inside the tent, it was an incredible place to be.’ The loyalty and devotion commanded by Freud is almost palpable. One heartily doubts their friendship would have been in jeopardy had it been Freud himself committing the idiocy. After all those years of interest and effort on Greig’s part, I rather feel he deserved the honour of sitting for Freud. I tell him so and add that I waited the whole book long to read he was at least asked. ‘He never did! Lucian never did anything he didn’t want to do and he knew I was very busy. When we first met for breakfast I was editor of the Evening Standard and I used to get up at 4:30 in the morning. So it was a very long day. But he was the most extraordinary companion at breakfast.’ I can quite imagine he was. But whilst Greig’s book is full of stories, anecdotes and memories of how Freud affected the lives of those around him, what about how those lives – the muses, dealers, lovers, friends – affected the work and life of Freud himself? Touchingly, it seems to have entirely skipped Greig’s attention that Freud would not have sparked up a friendship with just ‘any’ journalist, and in fact, there must be something rather extraordinary about Greig himself, to have piqued Freud’s interest for a decade of breakfasts. So with that in mind (and realising half our interview time

had been taken up discussing Freud), I sharply turned my attention to Greig. Whilst I understand it’s disconcerting for a journalist – nay, editor of The Mail on Sunday – to be the one answering questions, he was, after all, the focus of my interview. I had read that following graduation from St. Peter’s College, Oxford, Greig had been offered two jobs. One with a £15,000 salary for The Continental Illinois National Bank in Chicago and another for the rather more modest figure of £2,500 at the South East London and Kentish Mercury. ‘I told my dad (who was chairman of The Baltic Exchange) that there was no choice. He thought I meant ‘Chicago’...but I meant ‘Deptford’! We laughed about it many times afterwards. You’ve got to follow your passion in life. To me the great thing about journalism is [...] you have the ability to ask questions amongst people you’re interested in. And what’s amazing is you get paid to find the answers! I always see myself as a reporter. To be able to listen, record, direct questions and find answers – that’s what I enjoy.’ With the Mercury he honed his skills, living the life of a war reporter in the Falklands and a crime reporter in the tower blocks of South East London –

Freud with David Dawson

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ART&CULTURE ©GEORDIE GREIG

I turn to more trivial topics, to enquire if, following the years at Tatler (which he once described as more ‘a lifestyle’ than a job), whether he is bored rigid by champagne and might now have a different tipple of choice. I willed him to say ‘Lambrini’ but instead he said: ‘I made a mad vow when I was writing this book on Lucian Freud, that I would not have a drink until publication day. So for two years I didn’t.’ And what did he drink when he was finally able to again? ‘A glass of champagne.’ Today he lives with his wife and three children in Notting Hill, an area he loves owing to its Metropolitan buzz. ‘I used to live

‘the opening of a whole new life to me.’ From there he went to the Daily Mail, to Sunday Today and spent 12 years at The Sunday Times (five years in America, four years as literary editor). It was there he received yet another life-changing phone call. ‘I was catapulted when the telephone rang and the head of Conde Nast, Nicholas Coleridge, said, ‘Please don’t put the phone down, this is the maddest call, would you consider becoming editor of Tatler?’’ For Greig, it was a nobrainer. He went on to enjoy 10 ‘extraordinary’ years at the publication, in the ‘greatest magazine company in the world.’ But, ever the reporter, the pull of newspapers was strong, and he eventually left to assist negotiating the buying of the Evening Standard, before taking over editorship of that too. Three years on, he jumped ship again (but retained Directorship of Independent Print Ltd and London Evening Standard) to arrive at where he is now, The Mail on Sunday, steering the helm of a ‘juggernaut of a paper’ (as he puts it) with nine million readers. That must vary somewhat from his Tatler tenure, I observe. Our interview occurred at the tail end of the Ralph Miliband debacle and I ask if he has any hair left at all? He laughs heartily. ‘You’ve seen the pictures, you’ve seen the pictures! Every job has its own pressures and you just try to do what you feel is instinctively right inside you.’

©GEORDIE GREIG

Freud’s Studio

David Dawson and Freud

in Greenwich Village in New York, and so for me there are great echoes [in Notting Hill] of that very happy time. It’s when I met my American wife, so it’s got very good vibes...’ I am left with the same impression I formed at the beginning: that of a man who is both charming and personable. Geordie Greig – the reporter who stalked Lucian Freud into a friendship, which culminated in a heartfelt biographical tribute to the great artist’s life. With the benefit of hindsight, perhaps Lucian Freud should have stalked Geordie Greig. Breakfast with Freud: A Portrait of the Artist, by Geordie Greig Jonathan Cape, £25. Available nationwide 57

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The Romans ate them and they are still a culinary delicacy in parts of the world, so adorn your walls with them – the humble dormouse. This tranquil sketch by artist Beatrice von Preussen uses drypoint technique, similar to etching, to create this adorable dormant creature. £75, Sleeping Mouse; beatricevonpreussen.com

INTERIOR

INSPIRATIONS TARA CRAIG & EMMA STOREY DISCOVER CLASSICAL MYTHOLOGY & LITERATURE IN DESIGN

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THE COMMODE DIRECTOIRE MEZERAY BY MOISSONNIER

The sunny yellow GrecoBuddhist pattern breathes new life into the spirit of traditional cabinetry, from the established French makers, Moissonnier. The union of historicism and avant-garde makes this lacquered beech wooden cabinet stand out as a centrepiece. €7,700 Special Edition, Lacquered beech with brass handles, 01983 873691;

CORINTHIAN CAPITAL CHAIR BY FORNASETTI The Corinthian capital is the most ornate of ancient Greek and Roman architecture and inspires this witty chairback by Piero Fornasetti, which uses original engravings. Each chair is Limited Edition and handcrafted in the Atelier Fornasetti, to an exceptionally high standard. £2,250, 231 Westbourne Grove, W11, 020 7727 5531; themesandvariations.com

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IN THE BEGINNING THERE WAS LIGHT Michael Potter talks to Absolutely about the importance of lighting and how to get it right this winter ow many times have we heard: ‘The lighting’s fantastic!’? Almost as many times as we hear: ‘The lighting’s all wrong!’ Lighting creates ambience. That’s why candles work wonders. There is an intimacy, a protective yet playful sense in the flickering fire, in the soft glow of the light, and the deep chocolate and russet shadows of the rest of the room. It’s the canvas for conviviality, friendship or a quiet and relaxing evening. Lighting is as important to interiors and gardens as the right cooking utensils are to a chef. If you are insensitive to it, you probably don’t mind what you eat either. Increasingly we are all more aware, at an almost subliminal level, as to why we like well-lit places. Lighting generally works best in layers. At ceiling, shoulder and hip height, and when placed correctly, creates an elusive ambience almost irrespective of furniture, scale of the room or décor. But the placement, wattage and nature of light sources are where it all gets tricky.

Put that together with EU directives on energy saving lamps, LED lamps (light emitting diodes) and a plethora of switch gear from rotary dimmers to wireless and remote digital dimming systems, and it’s darn right baffling. In the UK we have seven months where it is dark at 6.30 in the evening until 8.30 in the morning. My consultancy, Michael Potter Studio. co.uk, can help. We have been working in London and abroad for over 15 years, helping clients solve lighting problems from new build to retro-fitting, and from offices to popular restaurants. Lighting is the single most important interior ingredient after central heating – and a hot shower – so as the winter months set in, make sure you’ve got yours sorted.

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HALLWAY FLOOR

This large format tile is a classic antique hand-distressed white limestone with black octagons. £55 per tile, Blenheim, 117-119 Fulham Road, SW3, 020 7589 0489; firedearth.com

‘Elephant’s Breath’ is Farrow & Ball’s interpretation of this famously named colour by John Fowler. A popular shade in its own right, it works as part of a ‘stone’ scheme too. Precursor to the now popular ‘Mole’s Breath’. £34.50, Elephant’s Breath, Estate Emulsion, 2.5l; farrow-ball.com

03 SITTING ROOM FLOOR

Sadolin Oak Floor Varnish. Durable and holds the colour of even well-used floors. A good choice for hardwoods, softwoods and even parquet. £42.99, 2.5l, Available from Leyland SDM 347-349 King’s Road, SW3, 020 7352 4742; leylandsdm.co.uk

‘Pointing’ is named after the colour of lime pointing used in traditional brickwork. This popular and versatile off-white can be the perfect base for any room. £34.50, Pointing, Estate Emulsion, 2.5l; farrow-ball.com

Portland Decorating Ltd, 368 North End Road, SW6, 020 7385 7686; portlanddecorating.co.uk 65

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08/08/2013 12:03

ABSOLUTELY PROMOTION

SOMETHING NOUVEAUX COMES TO CHELSEA LOOK SHARP, ROCHE BOBOIS HAS ARRIVED

uxury French furniture brand Roche Bobois has opened their newest London showroom in the heart of Chelsea’s interior design district on the Fulham Road. Bringing high-end luxury design and inspiration to the affluent district, Roche Bobois have pieces to suit any taste. Be it cutting edge new design, crafted from the most innovative materials, or more classic fruitwood furniture inspired by yesteryear à la française, visitors can find one of the widest selections of Roche Bobois’s ‘Contemporains’ and ‘Nouveaux Classiques’ ranges, all under one roof. Inside too, they

IT’S INCREDIBLY EXCITING TO BE OPENING A SHOWROOM IN CHELSEA, A DISTRICT LONG ASSOCIATED WITH ECLECTIC DESIGN, FASHION & STYLE. Martin Gleize, Roche Bobois International Director

will meet an experienced team of talented design consultants, happy to help visualise ideas via advanced 3D planning tools. In addition to the staple designs, Roche Bobois offer a plethora of new AW13 collections. Visitors can, for example, lose themselves amongst the exclusive, charming and distinctive new Jean Cocteau accessories and limited edition ceramics, created to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the great protean artist’s death. Roche Bobois Chelsea, 286-296 Fulham Road, SW10, 020 7352 5421; roche-bobois.com 67

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29/10/2013 10:07

YOUR CHRISTMAS PARTY ~ C H E LS E A ~

FESTIVE MENUS

STARTING FROM £30 with an assortment of drinks packages. bumpkinchelsea

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@bumpkinlondon

ARE OPEN WEWE ARE ALSO OPEN CHRISTMAS DAY CHRISTMAS DAY. FOR LUNCH

NEW YEAR’S EVE

JOIN US FOR DINNER

020 3730 9344 /bumpkinlondon

www.bumpkinuk.com

21/10/2013 12:34 21/10/2013 10:28:10

RESTAURANT

Review

FOOD&TRAVEL

Alice Milner gets stuck into mushrooms and truffles at Tartufo, whilst Emma Storey gives top points to Pont St

PONT ST AT BELGRAVES

ith the cold season taking hold, it was a pure delight to recline in a Kaare Klint safari chair by the sleek open-fire lobby at the Belgraves whilst waiting for eating companion, T, who was running ridiculously late. After T arrived, we took a booth (plush mohair) and considered that with such lavish surroundings, it was a shame there weren’t more people around. What followed though, made up for the lack of atmosphere. Our rainbow-coloured amuse-bouche Crudité and delicate Pea Shoot Blinis with Brown Shrimp were accompanied with a glass of fizz and were simply delicious. We skipped starters in favour of sharing a plate of flavoursome and rich ‘house made’ tagliatelle with tender lobster – the pasta, I must say, was particularly good. Our waiter helpfully recommended a spicy Bordeaux to pair with it and to cleanse our palates for the main. I opted for Halibut with Samphire and Clams, which came with beautifully crispy skin, whilst T chose the odd-sounding

TARTUFO

or any mushroom addict like me, Chelsea’s new hot spot Tartufo (meaning ‘white truffle’) is kryptonite. Tucked away in the surprisingly bright basement of luxury hotel No.11 Cadogan Gardens, head chef Manuel Oliveri (formerly from Gauthier Soho) serves up dish upon dish of truffle treats. Come expecting mushroom everything –

Miso Glazed Lamb with Cucumber, which worked a treat. Both kale fanatics, we had this on the side, and just reading the words ‘Truffle and Parmesan Fries’ was enough to have us beckoning the waiter for a bowl. T went kitsch for pud, with Doughnut Balls and a Malt Shake whilst I stayed elegant with the Honey Parfait with Caramelised Figs – a medley of sweet spice in each mouthful. Executive Chef Sophie Michell’s menu at Pont St is exceptional for a hotel

restaurant and will cater to any mood, be it dinner or lunch. Just don’t forget to order the ‘Naughty Bits’ for afters (gold absinthe truffles and dark chocolate nuggets), saunter to the bar upstairs and settle in for the night. By Emma Storey

even peculiar combinations like salmon and mushroom. My dining companion and I both agreed the star dish of the night was the Autumn Truffle Tortellini, with its little pasta parcels bursting with distinct woody mushroom, mascarpone and a subtle crunch of fresh walnut. We savour every mouthful. I’m surprised my dessert doesn’t arrive embellished with a shaving of truffle, but ‘Dark Chocolate Crunch’, adorned with a caramel glazed hazelnut fascinator-like top, does not disappoint. I relish every layer of

rich praline and chocolate ganache that I find underneath. Sure, the Tartufo/truffle gimmick might be a little overcooked and the wine list needs work, but the service is superb and the charm of Restaurant Manager, Antonino, makes me want to go back for my next fix. By Alice Milner

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Belgraves Hotel, 20 Chesham Place, SW1 020 3189 4800 thompsonhotels.com

11 Cadogan Gardens, SW3 020 7730 6383 tartufolondon.co.uk

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TArT iT Up Tamasin Day-Lewis talks food, ﬁction and why her nickname is ‘maj’ to Alice Milner

Am: Have your three children inherited any of your distinct family traits? tdl: My three children have not escaped the genes. They do what they do for passion not money. Miranda wrote her first published book, a student cookbook, at 18. Harry has given up a high-powered job to be a singer with his group The Fireﬂies. He is writing songs and performing. Charissa is a young actress. Her first film Philomena comes out on 1st November and The Invisible Woman, in February, where she plays Ralph Fiennes’ daughter ‘Katey’ to his ‘Charles Dickens’. She has a day job to keep aﬂoat.

AlICe mIlNer: How did you get your nickname as ‘The Queen of Tarts’? tAmASIN dAY-leWIS: I guess the sobriquet was a natural since I originally wrote The Art of the Tart and have now written Smart Tart. My publisher John Mitchinson at Unbound calls me ‘Maj ‘when he writes to me. I in turn call him ‘Ors’ as in ‘the low-rent Orson Welles’.

Am: Your father was Poet Laureate. Did he encourage you to read and write? tdl: My father, the poet C. Day-Lewis, got me to read all the childrens’ books he published at Chatto and Windus and write the blurbs for them. He read to my brother Daniel and me every day and instilled a love of words from the moment we were sentient beings. It wasn’t forced upon us, it was a house where the written and spoken word were intrinsic to daily life. I wrote my first short novel at nine, I just assumed

Robert Fairer

Am: What inspired you to write your new book Smart Tart? tdl: Well, it was a dozen years and many tarts later and much, much better technique and a new generation of tart makers and munchers wailing: ‘How do I make pastry?’ I didn’t want a companion volume that covered the same territory, I wanted to write a book of essays about where I am in my life now; about place, portraits, landscape, ideas, what has happened in the last three decades for women and men, about Ireland, philosophy, the horror of how people are wrecking their bodies and the planet from generation to generation. Nothing too serious!

that’s what children did. Papa wrote in his study everyday so I wrote in the nursery. Am: Can you describe one of your most vivid childhood memories? tdl: My most vivid memory is of my west of Ireland summers and staying with my grandparents in Sussex. And roller-skating everywhere, from the park to competitions, dance and free skating. Am: What are the people and places that have most influenced your life and the way that you write? tdl: Growing up amongst writers it’s difficult to single out one influence, it’s more about the nature of the profession and the discipline. I was a documentary filmmaker for 15 years, so I have visual influences too.

Am: What are you reading at the moment and which writers do you most admire? tdl: I am reading the German social scientist Erich Fromm’s To Have or To Be? and The Art of Loving, Meister Eckhart, and Colum McCann’s Let the Great World Spin. I always have several books on the go. Am: What are your thoughts on Kindles? tdl: I don’t have a kindle… yet. Am: Top Chelsea bookshop? tdl: John Sandoe is my second home. They are the most lovely, proper bookshop and find books I want really quickly and suggest what I should read. If you don’t have a relationship with your independent bookseller it is a sad state of affairs. Am: You used to live in Chelsea, yes? tdl: Yes, when I first left home I went to live in Cadogan Square, so I spent every

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FOOD&TRAVEL Saturday on the King’s Road thinking it was the coolest place in London. I still love it. I love Manolo Blahnik’s shop, which I have been loyal to since I first met Manolo when I was 18. I used to be great friends with Catherine Walker, so her shop was a home from home too. I love Rex Goldsmith’s fish shop on Chelsea Green. I support Chelsea Football Club, just wish I had a season ticket. Since Drogba left, Eden Hazzard’s my man. AM: What’s your favourite restaurant in Chelsea? TDL: My favourite restaurant in Chelsea belongs to another friend, Ninai, it’s called Manicomio. They have a cafe too, and you can just have a drink at the restaurant bar and feel comfortable. Exquisite, simple Italian cuisine with the best ingredients and NO pretension. AM: As someone who believes in high quality ingredients, where do you do your food shopping? TDL: I shop for cheese at Hamish Johnson in Northcote Road, Borough market when I’m in London, and the old Soho delis like Lina Stores and Camisa (porcini at the moment, white truffles any moment). Vegetables at my Somerset organic local farm. Waitrose on the King’s Road. Rex for fish. I get middle white pork and longhorn beef sent from Richard Vaughan in Herefordshire. AM: What’s next? TDL: That would be telling! It’s still brewing. I never get revved up until I have an idea and a deadline. And the script of my father’s Nicholas Blake The Private Wound is something I want to finish writing and then make, the big wish. Always something different.

ø Smart Tart by Tamasin Day-Lewis can be purchased online at unbound.co.uk Also available at Waterstones, Amazon & other independent book stores unbound.co.uk/books/smart-tart

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24/10/2013 16:20

FOOD&TRAVEL SWEET CRUST PASTRY d d d d

RECIPE TAMASIN’S CHOCOLATE & CHERRY BROWNIE TART

180g ‘00’ flour 90g unsalted butter, cold, cubed 2tbsps unrefined icing sugar 1 egg yolk

FILLING d 3–4 dozen cherries, stoned and soaked in 2 tbsp cherry eau de vie or cognac with a fewdrops of bitter almond essence d A few brace of cherries to decorate the top d 200g dark chocolate (Valrhona le Noir 68% is the best, keep 50g for the top) d 250g unsalted butter d 4 eggs d 150g light muscovado d 150g vanilla caster sugar d 1 tsp vanilla extract d 120g plain or ‘00’ flour d a level tsp baking powder d a pinch of sea salt d 2 tbsp dark cocoa powder (like Green & Black’s)

Serves 8~10, 26cm/10inch tart

• •

• • •

For the sweet crust pastry, shoot the flour into a Magimix. Add the butter, icing sugar and egg yolk. Pulse briefly before adding a tbsp of chilled water. Pulse again until the crumbs cohere into a ball. Immediately remove the ball and flatten. Wrap in cling film and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 180°C/Gas 4. Then sprinkle a cold work surface with flour, roll your rolling pin in it and roll the chilled pastry away from you, picking it up and turning it, making sure surface and pin don’t become sticky and remain floury after each roll. Once the pastry is thin, drape it over a 26cm/10inch tart tin and ease it in with room to spare. For the brownie mix, melt the chocolate and butter together gently in a pan over a low heat. Remove from the heat before the chocolate becomes all liquid so it doesn’t separate. Cool. Beat the eggs, sugars and vanilla in a Magimix and whisk until really light and considerably thickened, for 2–3 minutes. Sift in the flour, baking powder, salt and cocoa powder, scrape in the chocolate and butter and beat briefly to combine. Remove the cup from the mixer and add the stoned cherries in their liquor with a rubber spatula, folding them in. Then scrape the mixture into the pastry case, smooth and return to the oven to bake for 35–40 minutes. A skewer should come out a little sticky, but not coated with liquid chocolate. Remove to a rack and cool until warm. Turn out the brownie tart. Warm the rest of the chocolate very gently and then dip in a few pairs of cherries and place them on top of the tart. Drip melted chocolate over the tart. Serve warm, room temperature, or chilled – though the texture is much more fudgy when cold – with Jersey or clotted cream. And a shot of cherry eau de vie.

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24/10/2013 16:21

CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL

Philharmonia Chorus London Philharmonic Orchestra The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines

BOOK TICKETS NOW

MONDAY 9TH DECEMBER 2013 WWW.ROYALALBERTHALL.COM • PHONE: 020 7589 8212

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24/10/2013 16:22

Pop into one of our stores and find out which Comte is your favourite! At Bayley & Sage having the right Comte is a must, and Marcel Petite Comte is arguable the finest. The Petite family have brought its own range of sensibilities to the craft for more five generations; in 1962 this journey reached new heights when Marcel Petite, a visionary in the world of cheese, discovered the abandoned military fort of St Antoine in the midst of the Haut-Doubs forest. Here the vault and stone galleries provide the perfect natural atmospheric conditions in which to ripen cheese. We have worked closely with Marcel Petite to select a range of Comte at different stages of maturation, with each wheel carefully chosen to complement its time ripening. We have four Comte, with different levels of flavour, texture, and character. The range begin with the mild and creamy wheels of 12 month mature Comte St Antoine Meule we work our way through, Comte Symphonie 18 months, Plenitude 24 month, with the selection climaxing Plenitude 30 months, with its deep flavours and complex layers. 60 High Street Wimbledon Village SW19 5EE 020 8946 9904 BAYLEY&SAGE_Nov.indd 1

34 New Kings Road Parsons Green SW6 4ST 020 7736 2826 10/10/2013 15:48

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;TIS THE SEASON

With glamorous surroundings and a unique Knightsbridge location, Christmas at Jumeirah Carlton Tower is always one to remember. Choose from a range of festive options including your own dining room at The Rib Room Bar & Restaurant.

For more information visit at jumeirah.com/jct or call 020 7235 1234 View our Christmas offers and competitions on Twitter @JumeirahCT

17-10-13, Abs Chelsea half page JCT Christmas October 2013.indd 1

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18/10/2013 13:31:40

28/10/2013 10:34

FOOD FOOD& &TRAVEL TRAVEL PEARL OF WISDOM

Bibendum Oyster Bar is reopening and whilst we’re sad to say goodbye to the flower stall, we’re delighted to say hello to a breakfast menu, featuring Viennoiserie and Eggs Bibendum. Complementing perfectly Simon Hopkinson’s new all-day menu (Tarte flambée) we know where our next lunch is coming from – breakfast too. Michelin House, 81 Fulham Road, SW3, 020 7589 1480; bibendum.co.uk

RECIPE

MUSHROOM STUFFED TURKEY EN CROUTE

INGREDIENTS d 2 x 500g/1lb 2oz British Turkey boneless turkey breasts d 2tbsp olive oil, plus extra for greasing d 125g/4 1/2oz portobello mushrooms, peeled and finely chopped d 1/2 finely chopped red pepper d 3tbsp chopped fresh parsley d 100g/4oz fresh breadcrumbs d 1 egg, beaten d Salt and black pepper d 550g/1 1/2lb ready to use puff pastry d Milk or beaten egg, to glaze

LIGHTBI TES SUMPTUOUS SOUFFLÉ

Have your cake and eat it in a cup? Yes please. And if it’s a warm Belgian chocolate soufflé cake with salted caramel, we say, so much the better. £24.95, Cake in a cup, available from Harvey Nichols, 109-125 Knightsbridge, SW1, 020 7235 5000; harveynichols.com

METHOD Fry the mushrooms in oil for 5mins. Add red pepper. Cook for 2-3mins. Place in a bowl. Mix in parsley, breadcrumbs, egg and seasoning. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4. Spread out a large sheet of foil. Brush with olive oil. Place a turkey breast in the centre, cut side up. Spread with stuffi ng. Lay the second breast on top, cut side down. Wrap foil tightly around the turkey. Oven bake in a shallow roasting tin for 75mins. Leave to cool. Roll out 1/3 of pastry to an oblong. Put on a baking sheet. Place the turkey in the middle. Leave a border of 2.5cm. Roll out the rest of the pastry, large enough to cover the turkey. Brush edges with milk or beaten egg. Press together to seal. Chill for 30mins. Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6. Brush the pastry with milk or beaten egg. Bake for 25mins until golden. britishturkey.co.uk

Editorc’ks Pi WE HEART HARTNETT

We’re smacking our lips at the thought of Angela Hartnett’s second solo venture, Café Murano, opening later this month in St James’s. Fettuccine with wild boar, gnocchi with sautéed ceps, pork with cocoa beans, and a fig ice cream, spells ‘yum’ with a capital Y. Prepare your tum for a feast. 33 St. James’s Street, SW1

DID YOU KNOW…

AMERICANS CONSUME OVER 675 MILLION POUNDS OF TURKEY ON THANKSGIVING DAY 75

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TL12 FD Absolutely:Layout 1 10/10/2013 18:54 Page 1

Established in 1946 Frank Dale & Stepsons are the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oldest independent Rolls-Royce and Bentley specialists. With up to fifty vintage, classic and modern cars for sale at any one time, we can cater for almost every requirement, offering trustworthy advice with regards to investment potential and the market in general. Alongside our showroom is our 6,000 square foot workshop manned by highly experienced Rolls-Royce trained engineers. Maintenance, restoration and general servicing is all carried out on site for our customers at very competitive rates. Complimentary collection, delivery and valeting all comes as part of our service. Whether you are looking to acquire the car of your dreams, considering investing in a classic Rolls-Royce or Bentley, or simply need to arrange a service for your motor car, Frank Dale & Stepsons can assist with all of your needs. If you would like to arrange a visit to our facility or to discuss your particular requirements we would be delighted to hear from you.

S a l e s S e r v i c e T r i m m i n g R e s t or at i on 125 Harlequin Avenue, Great West Road, London TW8 9EW, UK

Tel: 020 8847 5447 Fax: 020 8560 5748 www.: frankdale.com Email: info@frankdale.com

French office: Christian Teissier, 8 Avenue J.Bordeneuve, 47300 Villeneuve-Sur-Lot, Bordeaux France Tel: 0033 55 340 3470 Fax: 0033 55 340 3481 christeissier@yahoo.fr Japanese Office: Mr Kiyoharu Wakui, Kuruma Doraku 2-10-11, Yayoi Bunkyo Ku, Tokyo, Japan Tel: 0081 33 81 16 170 Fax: 0081 33 81 66 175 kuruma.doraku@nifty.com

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14/10/2013 09:40

FOOD FOOD& &TRAVEL TRAVEL THE HOTEL

Once described as the ‘Riviera of the Highlands’, this worldfamous French chateau-style hotel has been synonymous with golf for years, thanks to its three championship courses hosting countless competitions. Yet Gleneagles is about far more than just golf. Set within 850 acres of rolling Perthshire countryside, there’s country pursuits galore – think shooting, falconry, fishing – as well as an eponymous train station, an award-winning spa and a two Michelin-star restaurant. And for the kids? A spy school, bug hunting and junior off-road driving. Bring the dog too – they even offer training classes.

GLENEAGLES HOTEL Perthshire

THE FOOD

There are four places to eat, catering to every whim: the Mediterranean-style ‘Deseo’ (great for little ones with its option of customising your own pizza), classic bar food in the ‘Dormy House’ or the award-winning ‘Strathearn’, known for its excellent breakfasts – think Marburry salmon from Dumfries, Loch Fyne kippers, stone-baked breads, three different choices of Ayrshire bacon and the obligatory haggis. However, the main attraction is the two-Michelin starred ‘Restaurant Andrew Farlie’. Serving a blend of Scottish and French cuisine, the signature smoked lobster with warm lime and herb butter is not to be missed.

THE BEDROOMS THE SPA

Featuring the ESPA Life programme, this is a place where every issue is tackled – depression, IBS, bad back, low confidence… It’s all about taking a holistic approach here, combining treatments with personal training and nutritional advice to come up with a solution in seconds – we recommend the fantastic acupuncture with Ailsa. In addition, there’s a 20-metre swimming pool, Jacuzzi, outdoor hot pool, gym and aerobics studio so that you can work those muscles before a relaxing massage.

Fresh from a £1million revamp, there are 232 rooms, including 26 sumptuous suites. The look is classic and comfortable, with original art deco features, Zoffany furniture and thick carpets with underfloor heating. Asprey products pepper the massive, marble bathroom, which boasts an elegant claw foot bath. Choose a room in the 60-to-90 block series – spacious with excellent views.

THE DAMAGE

Doubles from £335, including breakfast. 0800 389 3737; gleneagles.com

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24/10/2013 12:19

TOMB

RAIDERS Sarah Gilbert takes a journey through Khmer Culture in Cambodia

ipping on a ‘Femme Fatale’ – Jackie Kennedy’s favourite mix of champagne, crème de fraise sauvage and Cognac – in the Elephant Bar at Raffles Grand Hotel D’Angkor in Siem Reap, it was hard to believe that just a few hours earlier we’d been mud-spattered and sticky, scrambling through the Cambodian jungle exploring the remote remains of the lost city of Mahendraparvata, still swathed in vegetation. The hotel opened its doors in 1932 and has kept its French colonial charm with its wrought-iron lift, the black and white marble floors in the lobby, the polished wood floors in the rooms and the elegant Khmer furniture, and updated them with contemporary comforts.

Siem Reap is the starting point for exploring the dazzling temples of Angkor – the world’s largest complex of sacred temples and a Unesco World Heritage site – and our days were skilfully planned around early starts, visiting the more popular temples minus the crowds and heat. Angkor Wat is the jewel in the crown. Built in the 12th century, it’s believed to be the world’s largest religious building, with one kilometre of bas-reliefs that tell tales from Hindu mythology and the Khmer Empire. But it’s not the only masterpiece: the immense walled city of Angkor Thom is home to the stunning Bayon, its 54 towers each topped with colossal heads depicting four faces of Buddha. Ta Prohm’s crumbling temples are wrapped in the ruthless embrace of strangler figs, and the elaborate carvings of the diminutive Banteay Srei are unmissable.

One afternoon, renowned American photographer John McDermott, whose dramatic black and white prints of Angkor are for sale in his gallery at Raffles, took us behind the scenes at the atmospheric temple of Preah Khan, where we put his professional tips to good use as we watched the setting sun turn the temple walls to gold, with hardly another tourist in sight. That evening, the apsaras – the dancers from the celestial Hindu court of Indra – stepped off the temple walls and came to life on the stage in Raffles’ garden, with their glittering costumes and graceful gestures. Khmer is the country’s original culture and can be traced back to the 9th century AD. But in the 1970s, the brutal regime of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge, as well as killing millions of Cambodians, tried to obliterate all traces its artistic, culinary and musical heritage.

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Journey Through Khmer Culture starts from $3,187 (£2,073) per person based on two people sharing the tour. This includes 5 nights’ accommodation in Landmark Rooms with Raffles Hotels & Resorts on a bed and breakfast basis; the legendary 24-hour Raffles Butler Service; all activity options and additional meals stated in the itinerary; entrance fees; English speaking local guide and transfers. A 5 Night Suite option (Balcony Suite in Raffles Hotel Le Royal and Personality Suite in Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor) would start from $4,230 (£2,752). To book, visit raffles.com. Thai Airways International (THAI) flies twice daily to Bangkok leading to over 70 countries across five continents. A return flight to Cambodia starts from £808 including taxes and fuel surcharges. THAI constantly has special promotions so check out the website for the latest deals. Further information: 0844 561 0911; thaiairways.co.uk

The frenetic capital Phnom Penh, may be changing at breakneck speed but The Raffles Hotel Le Royal, built in the 1920s, remains a lemongrass-scented haven of colonial sophistication, its lush gardens and swimming pool, a peaceful oasis from the chaos of tuk-tuks, motorbikes and cars that choke the streets. The hotel was once a safe haven for journalists during Pol Pot’s merciless regime. We visited Tuol Sleng, a former school that became the city’s main internment camp, where the cramped cells are still stained with blood. We talked with 72 year-old Bou Meng, one of the few remaining survivors. He was saved by his ability to paint and spent his days replicating a photograph of Pol Pot – his wife was not so lucky. Choeung Ek, 10 miles south of the city, is one of the notorious ‘Killing Fields’ where the Khmer Rouge butchered fellow Cambodians before throwing their bodies into large pits. At

its centre stands a 40 metre-high glass stupa, packed with skulls and bones as a testament to the horror. After a gruesome reminder of the country’s darkest time, a visit to the charity PSE – Pour un Sourire d’Enfant – focussed on a brighter future. Here, we watched a heart-wrenching film about young children forced to forage on a city centre rubbish dump, before it was transformed into a school and training centre, giving even the most disadvantaged the chance of a better life. Indeed, some of the original children helped by PSE are now at university. Since the demise of the Khmer Rouge, Cambodians have strived to reignite Khmer culture and Siem Reap is at the heart of the country’s burgeoning arts scene. Now chic boutiques and galleries stock the work of native and expat artists and designers, nurturing local talent and preserving traditional crafts. At Theam’s

House, Cambodian artist Lim Muy Theam updates traditional handicrafts with his neon-bright sculptures, while the Frenchowned Wa Gallery stocks funky homeware and jewellery from around the region. And a tuk-tuk ride from the centre, Artisans d’Angkor sells beautiful silk clothes, bags and soft furnishings made in its own onsite workshop. Back at Raffles, the perfect antidote to a long, hot day pounding the pavements and exploring dusty temples was a trip to the spa for a relaxing massage and the traditional Khmer Herbal Body Wrap, which uses local ingredients, such as turmeric, galangal and lemongrass. Later, we indulged in a Khmer feast at the elegant Restaurant Le Grand, and raised a glass to a new chapter in Cambodia’s history.

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24/10/2013 13:54

Grate Expectations has been established and successfully running for over 25 years and remains a family business. Whether you're looking for a rare antique feature, a classic reproduction, or a truly impressive contemporary feature we offer you the technical advice & assistance required with full in house bespoke design fans and chimney lining a speciality.

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17/01/2013 14:08

23/10/2013 13:15 28/10/2013 10:35

FOOD&TRAVEL

BORDEAUX, BALLET & BALCONIES 7 We hear Christmas, we think

ballet. And where better to see one than in the romantic city of Bordeaux? Teaming up with L’Opéra National de Bordeaux, Grand Hotel de Bordeaux & Spa present visitors with the ‘Prokofiev Winter Ballet Package’, which includes tickets to Prokofiev’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’, backstage access to the opera-house, R&J inspired cocktails, and, of course, a stay at the hotel. For ultimate romance, make sure you book a room with a balcony. 16 December˜1 January 2014, from €457; ghbordeaux.com

TRAVEL NOTES SUN, SEA, SURPRISE 6 If you’re fed up of the cold

already, it’s time to think of the sun. And heat. And relaxation. Nowhere has more of these three in abundance than the newly opened Cheval Blanc Randheli in the Maldives. Think Jean-Michel Gathy interiors, a never-ending list of spa treatments by Guerlain, Japanese or Iberian live cooking displays in the garden, heavenly sea views, bespoke surprises… we could go on but we don’t want to ruin it. Click onto the website and see for yourself. Open from 15 November, prices vary; chevalblanc.com

SCUFFLE FOR TRUFFLE 4 Oh to be a truffle hunter, what a life t’would be! If this mirrors your sentiments, get yourself to Chies Del Carmine, the glam country villa lying in the heart of Umbria, Italy. This 18th century farmhouse sleeps 14 guests, all of whom can hunt for truffles in the woodlands, before enjoying a magnificent truffle degustation in the local town, Montone. Scrambled eggs with truffle shavings, bruschetta with extra virgin olive oil and truffles, Taglierini with fresh black truffle… and with a trip to Vineyard Palazzone on the offing as well, we’re quite certain you won’t find a more scrumptious escape. From €4,000 per week, truffle hunting package at €60 per person, wine tasting package at €45 per person, +39 075 9414219; chiesadelcarmine.com

BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY If you’re looking to take a holiday before Christmas, get into the seasonal spirit with a merry weekend in Prague. Stay at the Mandarin Oriental and admire the exquisite angel’s touch crystal decorations by Czech glass designer, Borek Sipek, whilst staying in one of the hotel’s 99 luxury rooms. Outside the hotel, there’s plenty to do and see – Charles Bridge, the Old Town Square, Bunkr Parukarka and a host of Christmas markets, to name just a few. Let Christmas come early and get booking. From €355 per night, The Bohemian Christmas package includes breakfast, €50 credit to spend in the hotel restaurant, bar or spa. mandarinoriental.com

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NOVEMBER 2013

ABSOLUTELY

PROPERTY

SLOANE STREET, LONDON SW7 This beautifully refurbished first floor apartment is situated in a popular portered building on Knightsbridge’s premier street. The accommodation comprises; a reception room, kitchen, two bedrooms and a shower room.

Guide price £1,795,000 Leasehold Knightsbridge & Chelsea | 020 7584 7020 | anita.sanford@carterjonas.co.uk | carterjonas.co.uk

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Offices throughout the UK

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KNIGHTSBRIDGE

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ELM PARK GARDENS SW1 A stunning fully refurbished apartment with private entrance in a period building just off Fulham Road. Open-plan reception/kitchen area n 2 bedrooms n 2 bathrooms n Separate vault Underground parking n Access to communal gardens n Energy efficiency: Band D

GUIDE PRICE ÂŁ1,295,000

THIS PROPERTY AT YOUR FINGERTIPS ON MOBILE OR DESKTOP SIMPLY VISIT

Knightsbridge & Chelsea 020 7584 7020 anita.sanford@carterjonas.co.uk

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HERBERT CRESCENT SW1X A rare opportunity to acquire an elegant first floor apartment in this central Knightsbridge location, a moments stroll from Harrods. Reception room n Kitchen n 2 bedrooms Bathroom n Energy efficiency: Band C

GUIDE PRICE ÂŁ1,750,000

En suite shower room THIS PROPERTY AT YOUR FINGERTIPS ON MOBILE OR DESKTOP SIMPLY VISIT

Knightsbridge & Chelsea 020 7584 7020 anita.sanford@carterjonas.co.uk

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Offices throughout the UK

CARTERJONAS.CO.UK To view The Collection 2013/14, simply visit cjview.me/thecollection

Bullet point

KNIGHTSBRIDGE

Bulle

LOWNDES SQUARE SW1X A newly refurbished ground floor apartment in a purpose built block in this prestigious Knightsbridge location, close to Harvey Nichols. Open-plan reception/kitchen area

2 bedrooms

2 bathrooms

Energy efficiency: Band D

GUIDE PRICE ÂŁ2,555,000 THIS PROPERTY AT YOUR FINGERTIPS ON MOBILE OR DESKTOP SIMPLY VISIT

Knightsbridge & Chelsea 020 7584 7020 anita.sanford@carterjonas.co.uk

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CADOGAN SQUARE SW1X A beautifully refurbished apartment with its own private entrance situated on this prestigious square with access to communal gardens. Spacious reception room n Kitchen n Master bedroom with en suite bathroom 2 further bedrooms n Shower room n Store Room n Access to patio Energy efficiency: Band D

GUIDE PRICE ÂŁ2,875,000

THIS PROPERTY AT YOUR FINGERTIPS ON MOBILE OR DESKTOP SIMPLY VISIT

Knightsbridge & Chelsea 020 7584 7020 anita.sanford@carterjonas.co.uk

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ur of ces:

Burnsall Street SW3 ÂŁ4,250,000 This stunning period house boasts over 2,200 sqft of accommodation, including a double reception room and a large eatin kitchen with plenty of natural light, leading out to a superb west facing patio garden. The renovated basement provides a fabulous guest suite, a well proportioned reception room, utility room, gym and a wine cellar. Thebedroom accommodation includes a grand master suite, three double bedrooms and three bathrooms. Freehold. EPC=F. Sole Agents.

H L

A: 020 7 9

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SALES

See all of our properties online: marshandparsons.co.uk

Tamworth Street SW6 £2,250,000 An exquisite family house located on the Fulham/Earls Court border., that has just undergone an extensive refurbishment. The property provides a bright reception room and an enormous kitchen/dining room at the rear of the property, which leads to a large west facing landscaped garden. The bedroom accommodation includes a master bedroom suite on the ﬁrst ﬂoor, three further double bedrooms (one en suite) and a family bathroom. Freehold. EPC=D. Sole Agents.

FULHAM: 020 7736 9822 sales.ful@marshandparsons.co.uk

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ABSOLUTELY Property

IN THEIR OWN

WORDS BENSON BEARD Associate Director Bective Leslie Marsh, Chelsea

helsea has long been renowned as one of London’s most prestigious addresses. It has been named a ‘village of palaces’ for centuries with many historical connections to the monarchy. The famous King’s Road with its array of designer boutiques once served as a private road for Charles II, connecting St James Palace to Fulham – a compelling history to say the least and one which first drew me to this part of town. My agency career began in the early 1990s when I qualified as a Chartered Surveyor. The variety of properties in Chelsea fascinated me; from sheer grandeur to small studio flats. Twenty years on and I have not looked back. Many things have changed here over the last two decades but the demand for property has remained consistent. There are copious reasons as to why buyers choose to invest in Chelsea. Whether it be the excellent schools, the high end shopping, the many unique garden squares, or the traditional Victorian architecture, the SW3 postcode is enough on its own to draw people to this part of London. Property here is not just a lifestyle choice; it is a leading investment and one which will continue to flourish. A year ago we were revelling in the glory of hosting the very successful Olympic and Paralympic games. The Chelsea Market was reawakened, especially at the very top end, which

was mainly due to the troubled currencies of the Eurozone and unrest in the Middle East. London was fast becoming the safe haven of the world, and money was flooding in as buyers snapped up their ‘trophy homes’. These days, the property market in Prime Central London below £2 million is especially busy. Investors from across the world simply cannot resist the capital and, as a result, demand heavily outstrips supply, causing prices to rise at a rapid pace. This trend was, and still is, particularly prominent in the Chelsea area. The market above this £2 million price bracket is a very different story however. ‘Mansion Tax’ is the cloud lurking on the horizon and in some cases is causing investors to re-think their property purchases. The autumn sales market is now in full swing and business is showing encouraging signs. Although nowadays there are more barriers in place, the history and distinction of this unique neighbourhood continues to attract people in their thousands and I see no sign of this stopping. Chelsea, in my opinion, will never cease to be one of the most sought after addresses in the world and it is a true privilege to call it my home and my workplace. � 020 7589 6677; bective.co.uk

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Monarch Point, SW6

£1,350,000 for sale

Three Bedroom Flat For Sale in Imperial Wharf A superb, contemporary styled, 3 bedroom, ground floor apartment located in the heart of Fulham on the river with views over landscaped gardens. Imperial Wharf is an exclusive riverside development situated on the Chelsea/Fulham borders.

 

Coulson Street, SW3

£1,850 per Week

Three Bedroom House For Rent On Coulson Street A beautifully presented three bedroom period house which offers flexible accommodation with excellent reception space and pretty walled patio garden. The house is on a sought after street just off the Kings Road and close to all the superb shops, restaurant and transport facilities.

3 Bedroom  1 Reception Rooms 2 Bathrooms  Approx 1309 Sq ft

 

3 Bedroom  4 Reception Rooms 2 Bathrooms  Approx 1555 Sq ft

0207 584 1100

chelsea@engelvoelkers.com

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87% of our London Your London gateway to the most properties were exclusive global property agency purchased or let by foreign buyers OF LONDON BUYERS & TENANTS and tenants in 2012. HAVE COME THROUGH OUR GLOBAL NETWORK IN 2013. Isn’t it time you chose ISN’T IT TIME YOU CHOSE A TRULY INTERNATIONAL AGENCY a truly global agency TO GET THE BEST POSSIBLE RESULT? to get the best result?

93%

OUR

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Established in 1977, Engel & Volkers is a premium brand and one of the largest

Established 1977 , Engel Völkers is a premium internationalin estate agencies in the& world. With our unrivalled network andbrand reach, we can attract potential buyers and tenants for your property from London and all over and one of the largest international estate agencies in the world. Our experienced and dedicated London office will ensure that you receive theunrivalled best possible sales and lettings service. the world. With our network and reach, we can attract potential buyers and tenants for your property from London and all over the world. 293 Brompton Road SW3 2DZ, London | chelsea@engelvoelkers.com | www.engelvoelkers.com/chelsea

Our experienced and dedicated London office will ensure that you receive the best possible sales and lettings ENGEL VOLKERS_CHELS_NOV.indd 3

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ABSOLUTELY Property

Prime Purchase

Vendor Advice The Process

nce you instruct your agent, your property will then come onto the market. At this stage, Maskells always advises our client to instruct their solicitor to prepare all the legal documentation a buyer will require. Once a buyer is found, it is essential that they receive these documents immediately in order to keep up momentum. It can be problematic if this information is not immediately to hand as it can create delays of several weeks and frustrate the process. Once the buyer is found and terms have been agreed, they will carry out their Due Diligence on your property to ensure it is a secure purchase legally and physically, allowing them to proceed and complete the purchase. Be prepared for a buyer to try and re-negotiate the price should unexpected defects be found in the Survey. This is not uncommon and it is up to you and your agent to reach a reasonable solution that’s is satisfactory to both parties. The key to effectively selling your property is to be as prepared as possible and to put yourself in a position where you are able to provide all the information a purchaser will reasonably require in a timely manner.

�

A striking top floor flat with wonderful light via large windows and huge skylight, and a south-facing roof terrace and balcony.

wonderful bright 965 sq ft three bedroom two bathroom flat, with lift, which enjoys fabulous long south westerly views over Blacklands Terrace, quietly located at the rear of a corner period

building. The flat has a big reception room with huge windows and could be moved into without further expense. Draycott Place is close to the excellent shops and restaurants of Sloane Square and a moments walk from the underground station.

Jamie Hope Director at Maskells

� 020 7581 2216; maskells.co.uk

Details

Draycott Place, SW3 £2,250,000 Share of Freehold

Contact

020 7225 1225; douglasandgordon.com

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020 7381 4998 • 190 Fulham Palace Road London W6 9PA sales@lockettestates.co.uk • lettings@lockettestates.co.uk • www.lockettestates.co.uk

Waldemar Avenue, SW6

Price On Application

A meticulously refurbished modernised mid terrace family house arranged over four floors, with oak flooring throughout and many unique Italian finishes, particularly to the bathrooms. EPC Rating D Five Bedrooms, Study/Bedroom 6, Bathroom, Three Shower Rooms (One En-Suite), Double Reception Room, Kitchen/Breakfast Room, Garden.

020 7381 4998

Tasso Road, W6

£1150 Per Week

An impressive and outstanding property that has been newly renovated throughout and provides superb interiors and a high quality finish. Unfurnished and available immediately. EPC Rating C Five Bedrooms, Two Bathrooms (One En-Suite), En-Suite Shower Room, Cloakroom, Double Reception Room, Kitchen/Dining/Family Room, Garden.

020 7381 4998

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ABSOLUTELY Property

Luxurious Lettings Lowdown

For Landlords

Taxes

ll UK based landlords are required to notify the HMRC if they are renting out their properties. Income tax is payable on any rental income the landlords receive from letting out their properties. The tax depends on the declared income. For around 98% of tenancies the tenant will pay the council tax and all utility bills for the property whilst they are renting it. Overseas based landlords are advised to contact their lettings agent to discuss these matters further. Landlords can also place their rental property into a company, and then tax is payable on the overall income of the company, which may also engage in other sources of business income. Rental property can be a very cost effective investment because there are many expenses that can be written off as non-taxable expenses. These include legal/professional fees, advertising costs, inventory charges, cleaning, maintenance, rent collection fees, council tax while the property is vacant and available for letting, gardening costs, ground rent, insurance costs, maintenance charges made by the freeholder or superior leaseholder, mortgage interest charges, interest on loans to build or improve premises, letting agent fees, revenue costs of travelling between different properties and water rates.

Karolina Fiszbak, Lettings Manager, Beauchamp Estates 020 7499 7722; beauchamp.co.uk

ďż˝

An imposing residence near Green Park and Belgravia that has been fully refurbished.

n exceptional property that has been fully refurbished by an experienced interior designer with over 3000 sq ft of accommodation. Situated close to the amenities of Belgravia and Green Park, the property is adjacent to The Goring and convenient for transport via Victoria station. There is a large first floor

Details

Victoria Square, SW1 ÂŁ3,250 Per Week

drawing room with views across the square, and a formal dining room. For those intending to entertain, there is further kitchen space on the lower ground floor. Accommodation is situated over five storeys and throughout there is ample storage and light. The accommodation is flexible and can provide a sixth bedroom if required.

Contact

020 7834 7316; hamptons.co.uk

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Wexford Road, SW12 | ÂŁ3,500,000 Freehold This truly magnificent semi detached Victorian house is arranged over four floors and boasts two reception rooms and a beautifully extended kitchen/ family room which leads on to the secluded west facing garden. Along with five double bedrooms and a double garage, the house is also close to the popular Bellevue Road, Northcote Road and Wandsworth Common.

34 Bellevue Road London SW17 7EF

89 Nightingale Lane London SW12 8NX

020 8767 2222

020 8045 8989

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Lyford Road, SW18 | ÂŁ3,300,000 Freehold On one of the most prestigious residential roads within the Magdalen Estate, this semi-detached family home offers almost 3,700 sq ft of living space. Along with six bedrooms, a double reception room, an impressive extended kitchen/family room, a superb converted lower ground floor, there is also a beautiful 70ft landscaped south west facing garden.

rymer-irens.com

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Balham Park Road, SW12 | ÂŁ4,250,000 Freehold With six double bedrooms, this outstanding double fronted Victorian family home is situated in this very enviable location, moments from Wandsworth Common and Bellevue Road. The house offers almost 4,200 sq ft of beautifully proportioned living space and to the rear there is an exquisite 50ft landscaped south facing garden.

rymer-irens.com

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P H OTO G R A P H S BY T I M CO L E W W W.TI M - CO LE .CO M

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Bect

You may know us from walking your dog, local charity events or simply recognise a familiar face. Because many of our agents live where they work, they really understand what matters to buyers and sellers there. And because people know us, time and again we are able to sell and let properties more quickly and more profitably than anyone else.

S O P H I E M U R R AY RESIDENTIAL LETTINGS

Sophie has been a “Chelsea Girl” all her working life and is one of a rare breed of letting agents that combines old fashioned client service with a modern, can do attitude. Sophie loves the history and provenance of this most famous part of London and has been a pivotal player in its constantly developing housing market.

C H E L S E A 0 2 0 7 5 8 9 6 67 7 — K E N S I N G T O N 0 2 0 7 7 9 5 42 8 8 N O T T I N G H I L L 0 2 0 7 2 2 1 4 8 0 5 — L A D B R O K E G R O V E 0 2 0 7 2 2 1 0 3 3 0 — B R O O K G R E E N 0 2 0 76 0 3 51 8 1 W W W. B EC TIVE .CO.U K FIND US ON

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The Old Dairy OLD CHURCH STREET CHELSEA SW3

Surely one of the most distinguishable houses in Old Chelsea. An individual period house arranged over four floors with excellent living accommodation and a fantastic roof terrace. Built on the original site of Wrights Dairy. Old Church Street runs south of King’s Road to the river close to the many excellent restaurants and shops situated in this fashionable and sought after location. 3 B E D R O O M S , 2 B AT H R O O M S ( 1 E N S U I T E ) , D R E SS I N G R O O M , C LOA K R O O M , 2 R E C E P T I O N R O O M S , K I T C H E N , C O U R T YA R D , R O O F T E R R A C E , S H A R E D P A R K I N G .

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FREEHOLD £4,250,000 ANDREW EVERILL AE@BECTIVE.CO.UK CHELSEA OFFICE 020 7589 6 67 7

170 SQ M / 1 , 82 9 SQ F T APPROX E N E R GY R AT I N G E

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CHELSEA 0 20 75 89 6 67 7 KENSINGTON 020 7795 4288 NOTTING HILL 020 7221 4805 LADBROKE GROVE 020 7221 0330 BROOK GREEN

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Classic Belgravia Townhouse W I LT O N P L A C E B E L G R AV I A S W 1

An elegant house situated on this extremely attractive terrace with views across to St Paul’s Knightsbridge. The house is presented beautifully throughout and offers flexible accommodation and opulent reception spaces. Just around the corner from Hyde Park and a short distance to Green Park and the world renowned shopping district of Knightsbridge, including Harrods and Harvey Nichols. M A S T E R B E D R O O M W I T H E N S U I T E B AT H R O O M , 5 FU R T H E R B E D R O O M S , B AT H R O O M , 2 S H OW E R R O O M S , 3 R E C E P T I O N R O O M S , C L O A K R O O M , GY M , K I T C H E N / B R E A K FA S T R O O M , L A U N D R Y, VA U LT S , G A R D E N , TERR ACE .

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FREEHOLD £8,000,000 ANDREW EVERILL AE@BECTIVE.CO.UK CHELSEA OFFICE 020 7589 6 67 7

31 0 SQ M / 3 , 3 6 3 SQ FT APPROX E N E R GY R AT I N G E

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Luxury Custom Barge - Unique 115 Year Mooring OYS T E R P I E R LO M B A R D R OA D B AT T E R S E A S W 1 1

London’s newest concept in luxury living has finally arrived! Each custom luxury barge is built to the specification of the buyer offering 2,000 sq ft of premium living space and up to 730 sq ft of outdoor space. Buyers will also be given the rare opportunity to purchase a 115 year lease at Oyster Pier making this an exceptional opportunity. 3 B E D R O O M S , 3 B AT H R O O M S , R E C E P T I O N R O O M , K I TC H E N / D I N I N G R O O M , L AU N D RY R O O M , WHEELHOUSE , OPEN AIR DECK, CLOAKROOM.

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LEASEHOLD FROM £995,000 BENSON BEARD BB@BECTIVE.CO.UK CHELSEA OFFICE 020 7589 6 67 7

1 85 SQ M / 2 ,0 0 0 SQ FT APPROX

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Unspoilt Family House L ANGTON STREET CHELSEA SW1 0

A rare opportunity to acquire an unspoilt family house on the western side of this quiet street having both garden and roof terrace with potential to extend subject to the necessary consents. Langton Street is a wide attractive street between the King’s Road and the Fulham Road, both offering a wonderful selection of shopping facilities, restaurants and bars. 6 B E D R O O M S , 2 B AT H R O O M S ( 1 E N S U I T E ) , C LOA K R O O M /S H OW E R R O O M , D O U B L E R E C E P T I O N R O O M , DINING ROOM , KITCHEN , GARDEN , ROOF TERR ACE .

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F R E E H O L D £ 3 ,9 5 0 , 0 0 0 ANDREW EVERILL AE@BECTIVE.CO.UK CHELSEA OFFICE 020 7589 6 67 7

222 SQ M / 2 , 39 0 SQ FT APPROX E N E R GY R AT I N G G

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Iconic Address KINGS ROAD CHELSEA SW1 0

U N F U R N I S H E D £ 1 ,9 9 5 P E R W E E K

A recently refurbished and immaculately presented house, stylishly finished with superb designer fixtures and wooden floors throughout. The property further benefits from under floor heating, bright rooms and plenty of storage. 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms (1 en suite), reception room, dining room, kitchen, patio, balcony. EPC Rating D.

S O P H I E M U R R AY SSM@BECTIVE.CO.UK CHELSEA OFFICE 020 7589 6 67 7

Ten Acre Estate L ANGTON STREET CHELSEA SW1 0

U N F U R N I S H E D £ 1 ,9 0 0 P E R W E E K

A beautiful unspoilt family house on the western side of this quiet street having both garden and roof terrace. Langton Street is a wide, attractive street forming part of the Ten Acre Estate a popular grid of roads located between the King’s Road and the Fulham Road. 6 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (1 en suite), cloak room/shower room, double reception room, dining room, kitchen, garden, roof terrace. EPC Rating G.

S O P H I E M U R R AY

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SSM@BECTIVE.CO.UK CHELSEA OFFICE 020 7589 6 67 7

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CHELSEA 0 20 75 89 6 67 7 KENSINGTON 020 7795 4288 NOTTING HILL 020 7221 4805 LADBROKE GROVE 020 7221 0330 BROOK GREEN

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Prime Square ONSLOW SQUARE SOUTH KENSINGTON SW7

FURNISHED £1,600 PER WEEK

A fabulous newly refurbished flat on the fifth floor situated in a well maintained portered building. This property benefits from wood flooring throughout and offers light and spacious accommodation. Onslow Square is in the heart of South Kensington and ideally situated for the local amenities. 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, reception room, kitchen, porter, lift. EPC Rating C.

S O P H I E M U R R AY SSM@BECTIVE.CO.UK CHELSEA OFFICE 020 7589 6 67 7

Period Gem

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FURNISHED £895 PER WEEK

A wonderfully bright and newly refurbished modern flat on the second floor of a period conversion. This highly sought after property benefits from wood floors throughout, a private balcony and plenty of storage space. Queens Gate is ideally located close to all the shops and amenities of South Kensington. 2 bedrooms, en suite bathroom, shower room, reception room, kitchen, balcony. EPC Rating C.

S O P H I E M U R R AY

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SSM@BECTIVE.CO.UK CHELSEA OFFICE 020 7589 6 67 7

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OARE, WILTSHIRE ÂŁ2,750,000 FREEHOLD West Warwick Place, SW1V ÂŁ1,200,000 Share of Freehold

An extraordinary and individual modern country house in a stunning location. Built originally in 1962 for the artist John Merton, Pound House A fantastic, two bedroom, split level maisonette offered in superb condition with a share of the freehold and lots of private outside space. is broadly Palladian in style and is a wide, single storey building with large windows over looking the gardens. It was extended in 1978 to The apartment is situated in the heart of Pimlico with convenient access to the transport links of Victoria Station and the amenities of include a garden room and a large studio complex including a workshop and dark room . The property currently has very high ceilings and Wilton Road or Warwick Way. The apartment has additional useful vaults for storage. brick parapets surrounding the roof which has good storage space. Four bedrooms | four bathrooms | garden room | hall | drawing room | studio complex | dining room | wine cellar | integrated garaging | small lake arboretum | Two Bedroom Maisonette | Two Patio Gardens | Two Bathrooms (One En-suite) | Share of the Freehold | Located in the Pimlico Grid over six acres of land

Scan this code to download the Winkworth iPhone app

winkworth.co.uk/pimlico

See things differently.

020 7828 1786 pimlico@winkworth.co.uk WINKWORTH_CHELS_NOV.indd 1

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OARE, WILTSHIRE £2,750,000 FREEHOLD Regency Street, SW1P £550,000 Leasehold

An extraordinary and individual modern country house in a stunning location. Built originally in 1962 for the artist John Merton, Pound House A very rare opportunity to acquire an apartment of superb proportions, with private parking and unrivaled views across South West is broadly Palladian in style and is a wide, single storey building with large windows over looking the gardens. It was extended in 1978 to London, from the twenty ﬁrst ﬂoor (with lift). The internal condition is excellent and the spectacular views can be appreciated from within include a garden room and a large studio complex including a workshop and dark room . The property currently has very high ceilings and the apartment or the rooftop. The apartment is located in Westminster offering easy access to Pimlico Underground, Victoria Station and brick parapets surrounding the roof which has good storage space. amenities of Victoria Street, Wilton Road or Horseferry Road. Four bedrooms | four bathrooms | garden room | hall | drawing room | studio complex | dining room | wine cellar | integrated garaging | small lake arboretum | Stunning Views | Well Presented | Private Parking Space | Generous Proportions | Abundance of Light | Access to Communal Garden over six acres of land

Scan this code to download the Winkworth iPhone app

winkworth.co.uk/pimlico

See things differently.

020 7828 1786 pimlico@winkworth.co.uk WINKWORTH_CHELS_NOV.indd 2

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Ultimate elegant city living

Set in the desirable neighbourhood of Fulham, Hurlingham Gate presents a superb collection of just 13 four bedroom classic townhouses, all benefiting from private terraces, secluded gardens and gated off-street parking.

Prices from ÂŁ1,975,000 * For more information call 020 8246 4199

Traditional vernaculars and beautiful interiors by Martin Goddard showcase exceptional quality and award-winning design from St James.

*Prices correct at time of going to press. CGIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s are indicative only.

Classic luxury townhouses in Fulham SW6

Visit Hamptons International 193-195 Kings Road, London SW6 4SS Open Monday-Friday 9am to 6pm, Saturday 9am to 2pm

St James is proud to be a member of the Berkeley Group of companies

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www.hurlinghamgate.co.uk

22/10/2013 10:13

Beyond your expectations

Felden Street, SW6 A superb wider than average family home in this highly sought after residential street. There are 6 bedrooms on the upper floors, and spacious reception area on the ground floor, with double reception room, dining room and a bright kitchen/ breakfast room leading on to a private patio/garden. EPC: D

£1,995,000 Freehold • • • • •

2 Reception Rooms Kitchen/ Breakfast Room 6 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms Private Garden

Hamptons Fulham Lettings. 020 7717 5447 | Sales. 020 7717 5445

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Gatliﬀ Road, SW1W £725 Per Week Furnished A stunning sixth floor, two bed apartment located in this prestigious development. The apartment has a large balcony overlooking the square with access from both the reception room and master bedroom. It benefits from being within walking distance to Sloane Square and Battersea Park. . EPC: B

Lower Sloane Street, SW1W £750 Per Week Furnished A light and bright refurbished one bedroom flat in a fantastic location, close to Sloane Square. This beautiful flat offers an incredible double reception room set on the second floor of this striking period building and benefits from access to the communal garden. EPC:C

Hamptons Sloane Square Lettings. 020 7717 5483 | Sales. 020 7717 5481

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Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk

TO LET

Coleridge Gardens SW10, £895 per week Two bedroom apartment in modern gated development

TO LET

Sumner Place SW7, £1,195 per week A fantastic three bedroom first floor apartment in South Kensington

TO LET

Cromwell Road SW5, £795 per week A wonderful three bedroom converted artist’s studio

TO LET

Redcliffe Street SW10, £580 per week A beautifully presented two bedroom raised ground floor apartment

TO LET

Lamont Road Passage SW10, £895 pw A three bedroom terraced family house

TO LET

Fulham Road SW10, £795 per week A modern two bedroom second floor apartment

Redcliffe Gardens SW10, £715 per week Top floor two bedroom split level apartment

TO LET

Park Walk SW10, £475 per week A third floor one bedroom mansion block apartment with kitchen dining room

Edith Grove SW10, £460 per week A fantastic two bedroom first floor apartment with wood floors

Hamptons Chelsea Lettings. 020 7717 5433 | Sales. 020 7717 5431

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TO LET

Emery Hill Street SW1P, £995 per week Immaculately presented three bedroom mansion flat

TO LET

Victoria Square SW1W, £3,250 per week Completely refurbished prestigious house situated on the edge of Belgravia

TO LET

Gloucester Street SW1V, £1,850 per week High specification family home in the Pimlico Grid

Strutton Ground SW1P, £750 per week Exceptionally spacious split level one bedroom apartment

TO LET

Caxton Street SW1H, £740 per week Stunning two bedroom conversion apartment with open plan living accommodation

Chapter Street SW1P, £675 per week Three bedroom modern apartment with porter, balcony & parking

TO LET

Eccleston Square SW1V, £595 per week With access to the gardens this is an exceptional two bedroom conversion

TO LET

Letting your property? All we need are your keys & we will take care of the rest. Because it’s important to you.

www.hamptons.co.uk

Beyond your expectations

Grosvenor Road SW1V, £725 per week Modern two bedroom apartment with parking & porter situated on the river

Hamptons Pimlico and Westminster Lettings. 020 7717 5479 | Sales. 020 7717 5477

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ABSOLUTELY Property

Ask the Sales Experts

Our panel of professionals give you the edge in the property market

Should I redecorate pre-sale?

would definitely recommend a lick of paint before marketing a property if it needs freshening up, as this goes a long way in terms of first impressions and can make a property look more up to date, especially if the previous colours were a bit old hat.

Where should I invest?

helsea is a very established market place and has proven to be an extremely reliable location in Central London for property investment. The tight squeeze on supply and demand has seen a rapid and consistent rise in property values, and even in times of tough economic turmoil, Chelsea has remained resilient. The UK, and particularly Central London, has proved to be a very safe haven for the international community, and indeed domestic buyers to invest in Chelsea. Capital growth in Chelsea has been phenomenal in the last 15 years, outperforming many other asset classes, largely driven by strong international demand looking to invest in a politically stable country.

What common mistakes do sellers make?

eing over optimistic on the value of your home can be damaging to its sale. Buyers are savvy, especially with the use of internet portals that list how long a property has been on the open market for, so it is important to make your home attractive to these buyers by having a realistic asking price. A property is worth what the highest bidder is prepared to pay and if you can generate a high level of interest, it is more than possible through competitive bidding to achieve well in excess of an asking price. Ask your agent to show you the details of comparable properties that have sold, as this will provide guidance on what your property may be worth.

“

Being over optimistic on the value of you home can be damaging to its sale

“ Why hasn’t my property sold?

here can be many attributing factors to this, but I believe the main one is the valuation stage. Often properties are not optimised to reach the full price capability because clients have been over promised by agents on the marketing price or been given a naive valuation of what the market determines the value of the property to be. If the valuation is done in an experienced and reputable manner it will allow your clients to achieve the best prices and even create some market competition, which often results in properties exceeding the asking price.

Even in times of tough economic turmoil, Chelsea has remained resilient

“

Carter Jonas, Associate

nytime, as motivated buyers are always around. We currently have 4,430 live applicants registered with our offices in the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea alone. It’s true that the busiest times seem to be linked to the school terms, but a good agent will get you a good price, no matter what time of year it is.

“

1. Anita Sanford

When is the best time to sell?

2. Harry Wigram

3. Jamie Hope

Strutt & Parker, Partner

Maskells, Director

� 020 7591 6691 • struttandparker.com

� 020 7584 7020 • carterjonas.co.uk

4. William Hughes-Ward

� 020 7581 2216 • maskells.co.uk

4. Leo Comer

Marsh & Parsons, Associate Director

Engel & Volkers, Head of Sales

� 020 7590 0800 • marshandparsons.co.uk

� 020 7584 1100 • engelvoelkers.com

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OFFICES THROUGHOUT SOUTH WEST LONDON clapham south

balham

battersea

clapham north

020 8673 6111

020 7801 3400

020 7840 3700

020 8675 1222

fulham central

fulham south

tooting

020 7381 7381

020 7736 6110

furzedown 020 8769 7900

020 8772 7080

Waldemar Avenue, SW6

POA

A beautifully presented house that has been recently refurbished and decorated throughout providing a fantastic starting point for a family home. Comprising five double bedrooms, four bathrooms and a bespoke kitchen. • Double reception room • Bespoke kitchen extending to the private patio garden • Log store • Excellent location close to Fulham Road

aspire fulham central 020 7381 7381 c.fulham@aspire.co.uk

SOUTH WEST LONDON’S LEADING ESTATE AGENT

ASPIRE_CHELSEA_NOV.indd 149

.co.uk

24/10/2013 10:10

OFFICES THROUGHOUT SOUTH WEST LONDON clapham south

balham

battersea

clapham north

020 8673 6111

020 7801 3400

020 7840 3700

020 8675 1222

fulham central

fulham south 020 7736 6110

furzedown

tooting

020 7381 7381

020 8769 7900

020 8772 7080

Settrington Road, SW6

£2,650,000

A completely re-built, five double bedroom house of 2,500 sq ft plus two South facing roof terraces having absolutely stunning views directly over South Park. Complete with an entertainment system throughout; a Sonos sound system, built in televisions and a large sound proofed cinema room.

• Vast entertaining area and contemporary kitchen • Wine room • Thermostatically controlled heating • Re-faced front elevation

aspire fulham south 020 7736 6110 fulham@aspire.co.uk

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Lilyville Road, SW6

£2,300,000

Located on a quiet residential road, close to the Fulham Road is this fantastic family home complete with a unique and large kitchen, a very pretty South-West facing patio garden, two receptions areas, four double bedrooms and three bathrooms. • Prime location • Large master bedroom with a large en-suite bathroom • Large worktop area in the kitchen • Short walk to Parsons Green

aspire fulham central 020 7381 7381 c.fulham@aspire.co.uk

SOUTH WEST LONDON’S LEADING ESTATE AGENT

ASPIRE_CHELSEA_NOV.indd 151

.co.uk

24/10/2013 10:10

ABSOLUTELY Property

Property News

Mathew Goss Sales Manager at Bushells, Fulham

� 020 7731 9680; bushells.com

Has there ever been a better time to sell?

Settrington Road

HOUSE Hunting Tom Ward Sales & Lettings Manager, Aspire, Fulham South � 020 7736 6110; aspire.co.uk

1. Property I’d most like on my books? I think something ‘Royal’ would be good for kudos. Buckingham or Kensington Palace would be quite fun to conduct viewings on. 2. Best place to invest? Fulham remains strong benefitting not only from direct overseas investment, but also the overspill from Central London. The prices have risen by as much as 12% in the last year. 3. The most interesting property I’ve been involved with... You can’t find many detached houses in Fulham. However, we sold one lovely two bedroom

detached home on a pretty road not far from the River Thames this year. 4. The toughest sale and why? Perhaps one of our toughest sales belonged to a house without a roof. The house was sold during the construction phases and involved a few unique viewings dodging the English elements. 5. Finest property... Settrington Road, SW6 - A totally re-built house of 2,500 sq ft plus two south facing roof terraces and stunning views directly over South Park. £2,650,000.

s we go into quarter 4, we can already reflect on what has been an amazing 2013 for Fulham as an area and for our Fulham Office with sales currently 25% up on last year. The market is seeing less property transactions taking place in general due to stock levels being at their lowest for over a year. The increase in business is down to record levels of applicants registering throughout 2013, meaning we currently have twenty-two buyers for every one property that comes onto the market rather than the previous average of ten to fifteen. This basic gulf on supply vs. demand is seeing Bushells achieve record prices in the area. With confidence back in the market from both buyers and lenders, coupled with both government schemes now available, we are expecting applicant levels to rise even further in the coming months and going into 2014. With this amount of buyer activity, has there ever been a better time to sell?

Sellers: be bullish about asking prices Peter Shaw Fulham Director at Featherstone Leigh, Fulham � 020 7610 9755; featherstoneleigh.co.uk

emand for properties in Fulham continues to go from strength to strength, with many selling within days of coming onto the market. With that in mind, I’d advise potential sellers to be bullish about asking prices, and appoint

Featherstone Leigh, who have excellent local knowledge and ensure properties are sold for the best possible price. Potential purchasers should be prepared whilst searching to act quickly and decisively when they find their perfect property.

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ABSOLUTELY Property

5 minutes...

Michael van de Vyver, Director at Martin & Co., Chelsea

1. Why did you choose this area to open your branch? I opened an office on Lots Road 10 years ago as it has always been the less fashionable, yet more enchanting area of Chelsea, and there are no other estate agents here. The prices are more affordable than the rest of Chelsea, and with the close proximity to Imperial Wharf Station & the brand new riverside developments, I knew interest in the area would only increase over time.

2. What is your company ethos and how do you translate that into giving the best customer service? We combine local franchisee owner expertise with national brand strength. Martin & Co. has a huge network of nearly 200 UK offices. Our focus in the Chelsea & Riverside office is driven by our excellent knowledge of the local area – all of our staff live, or have worked, locally for a number of years. 3. What properties are you most excited about having on your books? I love the pretty terraced houses on Lots Road that face the river. They combine the best of both worlds – period features, and great views of the Thames. 4. What do you predict for the property market for 2013/14? We predict the rental market will rise by approximately 5%, and the sales market will continue to thrive - with property in SW10 rising by 5-10%. � 020 7351 0387; martinco.com

Adam Stackhouse Director, Bective Leslie Marsh, Land & New Homes Division

� 020 7313 7711; newhomes@bective.co.uk

Bective invests in Prime

ective Leslie Marsh has announced its acquisition of Land and New Homes business, Prime Asset Properties, launching its specialist division that will cater for residential and mixed use investment and development opportunities. They will provide consultancy, disposal and re-sales advice for land owners, developers, investors and financial institutions within Greater London. Adam Stackhouse will be Director and shareholder of the newly created business. Prior to launching his own firm, he was a member of the Management Board at Marsh & Parsons, heading up the successful RDI & New Homes department.

Market Report by

Edward Sinclair Lockett Estates � 020 7381 4998; lockettestates.co.uk

he current property market remains as imbalanced as it has been for some time now. So far, the traditional autumn uplift in properties coming onto the market has been slow. Demand from good buyers for both flats and houses remain high and properties are still attracting the highest values, and many are achieving record prices. The high demand is likely to continue for probably at least another year. The imbalance will hopefully be rectified to some extent by the Government’s ‘help to buy scheme’, with the recent implementation date announced earlier. The Government scheme should substantially boost the early level of the market, enabling more people to be in a position to buy, which in turn should filter through to the rest of the market.

Strutt & Parker Q3 STATISTICS National estate agency Strutt & Parker has reviewed the 2013 Q3 results across Prime Central London and revealed some significant results. Looking at all the transactions that have taken place over the last quarter the comparisons from the last 12 months are dramatic.

NUMBER CRUNCHING

13.8%

 increase in house & flat prices from Q3 2012 to Q3 2013.

VOLUME OF TRANSACTIONS  The number of transactions is at its highest since Q4 2006. Comparing Q3 2013 to Q3 2012:

21.5%

 increase in total volume of all transactions • Sub £2M: 12.6% increase • £2-5M: 65.8% increase • £5M+: 39.6% increase

VALUE OF TRANSACTIONS Comparing Q3 2013 to Q3 2012:

40.6%

 increase in total value of all transactions • Sub £2M: 22.6% increase • £2-5M: 68.9% increase • £5M+: 40.8% increase Data provided by Lonres.com and analysed by Strutt & Parker. � struttandparker.com

A New Flagship Earls Court Branch For Home House Estates

ome House Estates are proud to announce the opening of our new office at 233 Earls Court Road. The office is just a few moments away from Earls Court underground station. The new branch has been opened on the back of the success of the 2011 opening of the Mayfair office, and this summer’s inauguration of the Notting Hill office. The Branch Sales Manager, Tiana Everett, has ten years of property sales experience in

Prime Central and has vast knowledge and expertise in helping an end user find their dream home, as well as advising investors on a potential investment. Mark Warren, Branch Lettings Manager, comments, ‘Having been in the lettings world since 1998, it is a great pleasure to be heading up the lettings side of our flagship office at 233 Earls Court Road. If you are in the area, pop in to say hello.’ 020 3747 4997; homehouseestates.co.uk

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Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity

Carol Concert

St Paul’s Church, Knightsbridge Thursday 5 December 2013 at 6.00pm

Special guest readers to include actors Eddie Redmayne & Danny Huston