Absolutely Kingston & Raynes Park February 2018 by ABSOLUTELY Magazines

KINGSTON & RAYNES PARK

ABSOLUTELY Kingston & Raynes Park FEBRUARY 2018 / £3.95

Drama QUEEN

FE B RUARY 2018

love ON TOP What to do this Valentine’s Day

Monica Dolan’s ﬁrst solo show

SPICE OF LIFE

Adventurous recipes from Gizzi Erskine

STRIKE A POSE STREET STYLE FOR THE SEASON

ZEST.LONDON Kingston_COVER_Feb18.indd All Pages

STYLISH / INTELLIGENT / ELEGANT 29/01/2018 17:14

Open House

We would be delighted to show you how we turned a victorian terrace house into a bright contemporary design home at Lysia Street, SW6

Viewing times

on Saturday and Sunday: 17th-18th/ Feb - from 10am to 12pm For booking your visit just call us on 0203 405 6820 or email us at info@yourarchitect.london Your Architect London is an award-winning Fulham architectural firm. We offer a range of architectural services, from planning permission, project management, design and build, through to completion, specializing in contemporary design and modern architecture.

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Open house 17th-18th/ Feb

965 Fulham Road, London, SW6 5JJ T: 0203 405 6820 E: info@yourarchitect.london www.yourarchitect.london

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MADE IN GERMANY TO MEET YOUR DESIGN NEEDS Built in Kitchen Specialist

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Kitchen Revolutions Ltd 580 Kingston Road, Wimbledon SW20 8DR T 020 3302 6266 E info@kitchenrevolutions.co.uk W www.kitchenrevolutions.co.uk WE ARE OPEN Mon - Sat 10am - 6pm | Sun 11am - 4pm

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ABSOLUTELY

Contents FEBRUARY 2018

72 10

C U LT U R E ABSOLUTELY LOVES

FOOD & DRINK 48 KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL

AGENDA

50 SPICE OF LIFE

CENTRE STAGE

55 FOOD REVIEW

10 things we’re coveting this month

Diary dates for February

Absolutely meets Monica Dolan

FA S H I O N 28 FASHION CONFIDENTIAL This month’s hottest trend updates and brands to know

32 47

TIED UP

News from the industry

Recipes from Gizzi Erskine

Absolutely visits Sai

INTERIORS 58 INTERIOR INSPIRATIONS News and views

60 COOK OFF

Discover Rosie Birkett's glamorous kitchen

Bow-tie tops are big business this season

H E A LT H & B E AU T Y 40 BEAUTY CONFIDENTIAL The month’s best beauty buys

43 SPOT CHECK Blemish-busting buys

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N The online guide to inspirational London living that helps you stay one step ahead of the crowd and gives you the chance to win exclusive prizes.

T R AV E L SEA VIEW

Sun, sea and style at Danai Beach Resort

PROPERTY 82 LIVING THE DREAM

ON THE COVER TARA JARMON SS18 AVAILABLE AT TARAJARMON.COM

The most luxurious London properties

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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01/07/2016

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EDITOR IN CHIEF PENDLE HARTE DIGITAL EDITOR HELEN BROWN FASHION & BEAUTY WRITER JOY MONTGOMERY LIFESTYLE WRITER MIRIAM CAREY EDUCATION EDITOR AMANDA CONSTANCE GROUP SALES DIRECTOR CRAIG DAVIES MAGAZINE MANAGER ROLLO DENNISON ACCOUNT MANAGER ANABELA KOLECI ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE OLTIAN RUCI PROPERTY DIRECTOR JAMES FUSCHILLO ART DIRECTOR PHIL COUZENS SENIOR DESIGNER PAWEL KUBA, LINSEY CANNON

MID-WEIGHT DESIGNER REBECCA NOONAN

DESIGNER CATHERINE PERKINS

PRODUCTION MANAGER CHRIS COUCHMAN

MARKETING MANAGER LUCIE PEARCE

FINANCIAL DIRECTOR JERRIE KOLECI

CMY

CREDIT CONTROL MANAGER ALEXANDRA HVID DIRECTOR ALEXANDRA HUNTER MANAGING DIRECTOR SHERIF SHALTOUT PA TO DIRECTORS EVA LEHOCZKY For editorial enquiries please email: pendle@zest-media.com For advertising enquiries please call 020 7704 0588 or email: advertising@zest-media.com

First Floor, 197 City Road, London EC1V 1JN T: 020 7704 0588 F: 020 7900 3020 zest.london Zest Media Publications Ltd. cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited submissions, manuscripts and photographs. While every care is taken, prices and details are subject to change and Zest Media Publications Ltd. take no responsibility for omissions or errors. We reserve the right to publish and edit any letters. All rights reserved.

Fo l l ow Us O n Fa c e b o o k @ABSOLUTELYMAGAZINES T wi t t e r & In s t a g ra m @ABSOLUTELY_MAGS We b si t e

a b s o l u t e l y. l o n d o n

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Editor’s

LETTER

eep in the midst of winter and with all New Year's optimism long evaporated, February can seem a bleak month. Yet, somehow it is also supposed to be a month of romance, with Valentine’s Day bringing red roses, sickly sweet cartoon hearts and smug couples aplenty. Meanwhile, singletons around the world are struck with an uncomfortable unrest that only disappears as the clock strikes midnight on the 15th. As a concept overrun by cliché and commercialism, how can we make the day of love enchanting again? Our answer is to celebrate love and passion in forms more palatable. Celeb chef and style icon Gizzi Erskine encourages us to experiment with new textures and ﬂavours on page 60 with a selection of wholesome recipes - perfect if you’re cooking for loved ones. Perhaps your plans involve a trip to the theatre? Monica Dolan tells us about her solo show The B*easts at the Bush Theatre. The subject of the play is both topical and terrifying, making it a must for anyone looking for a captivating night out. Finally, whether you and your partner are an outdoorsy duo or culture vultures, we've found a host of fun, cliché-free date night ideas. There's also plenty of fashion inspiration, a guide to artisan chocolate and a Halkidiki travel story for anyone looking to whisk away the object of their affections. Enjoy the issue!

ABSOLUTELY’S favourite date night spots...

LE GARRICK

If old-school romance is what you’re looking for then Le Garrick is the place for you. Located in the heart of Covent Garden, this underground eatery offers a little slice of France and plenty of cosy, candle-lit corners. 10-12 Garrick Street, WC2E legarrick.co.uk JOY MONTGOMERY FASHION & BEAUTY WRITER

RADICI

Radici in islington has got to be my number one date venue, as I find Italian food unbeatable for romance. The vegan chocolate cake, with its oozing molten centre, is ideal for sharing, and the location great for a post-date stroll. 30 Almeida Street, N1 radici.uk MIRIAM CAREY LIFESTYLE WRITER

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MIRIAM CAREY EDITOR

PITCH BLACK

Test your alcohol knowledge with Pitch Black's immersive cocktail and wine experience in the dark. For 90 minutes your tastebuds will be tantalised by a selection of drinks, as you guess the ingredients placed before you. All the answers are revealed at the end of the night, so prepare to get competitive. 68a Neal Street, WC2H pitchblackbar.com

CLARA VAN DUIVENBODE EDITORIAL INTERN

SWINGERS

With five cocktail bars, three street food vendors and two crazy golf courses, Swingers is the date venue with a twist. This year, just for Valentine’s Day, you can tuck into heart-shaped pizzas and guzzle champagne before getting competitive with a golf club. This place has something for everyone. 8 Brown's Buildings, EC3A swingersldn.com HELEN BROWN ARTS & CULTURE WRITER

THE COW

There's nothing better than a huge seafood platter piled high with oysters, crab, king prawns, clams and the rest – and The Cow in Westbourne Park never changes. It's always small, loud and crowded – and it always does great seafood. 89 Westbourne Park Road, W2 thecowlondon.co.uk PENDLE HARTE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

23/01/2018 11:29

Wish LIST 10 things we Absolutely love COMPILED BY

H E L E N B R OW N

ME+ E M With dreary January behind us, now is the time to look ahead to new hues to lift winter spirits. ME+EM’s workwear essentials and ski-inspired pieces will keep you looking on-trend on and off the piste. Consider the January collection a sartorial breath of fresh air for your wardrobe. meandem.com

Twin Set

There's no conﬁdence boost quite like the one that comes with luxury lingerie, so we're opting for this matching set for a feel-good February. Bra: £36, briefs: £22; uk.intimissimi.com

OOH LA LA LA

Famed for their innovative designs, wearability and playful detailing, Chinti and Parker’s sweatshirts are a must for ﬁghting cold snaps. £275; farfetch.com

K IS S A N D T E LL Handcrafted from ﬂexible crossgrain leather, this wafer-thin notebook is designed to ﬁt perfectly in your pocket. We've gone for the Kiss and Tell motif to add an element of fun to the month of love. £35; smythson.com

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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ABSOLUTELY • LOVES

CARVEN

Taking inspiration from the streets of Paris, Carven’s Resort '18 collection embodies the edgier side of French fashion with eye-catching geometric prints, 1930s-inspired cinched-waist dresses and boxy silhouettes. £570; carven.com

Eternal Flame

Embellished with Piero Fornasetti’s Sardine Rosso artwork, this scented candle looks stylish on any surface and burns with enveloping scents of thyme and cedarwood. £115; farfetch.com

EDITOR’S PICK

PY THO N PART Y Fans of Jimmy Choo's Lockett Petite bag will love the larger Lockett City version where there is more room for necessities. Its bold fuchsia ﬁ nish will add oomph to an otherwise ordinary ensemble. £1,895; net-a-porter.com

S U GAR RUS H For sweet treats this Valentine’s Day look no further than Rococo Chocolates. Finished in rose pink, these Marc de Champagne truffles are almost too charming to eat. £17.95; rococochocolates.com

ON THE CARDS

Keep it chic with this wallet from Gucci. Compact and effortlessly cool, it’s ideal for keeping your cards in once place and slips easily into a crossbody bag. £220; farfetch.com

Gin Wins

Made using a crop of rhubarb originally grown in the garden of Buckingham Palace, Victoria’s Rhubarb Gin is voluptuous on the palate with sweet and tangy rhubarb notes to ﬁ nish. £38; warneredwards.com

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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HHHHH WHATSONSTAGE

‘SO MUCH ENERGY IT ZINGS’ THE TIMES

Marble Arch Theatre | FiveGuysMusical.com

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CULTURE

Eiffel Tower Lenticular, First and Foremost: Peter Blake; Hicks Gallery

What’s On 20 • Absolutely meets Monica Dolan 22 • Theatre Round-Up 20 A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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The Agenda LO N D O N ’S H OT T E ST H A P P E N I N G S

T H E AT R E

Little Did I Know 6-10 February BREAD AN D ROSE S T H EAT RE

In this harrowing ﬁrst person account, Aaneseh shares her horrendous but sometimes amusing journey that led her to Yarl’s Wood Detention and Removal Centre for Women Asylum Seekers. Her wise old grandmother’s Syrian folktales and insights set her on this challenging journey to possible freedom, but the road she travels is anything but safe. 68 Clapham Manor Street, SW4; breadandrosestheatre.co.uk

EXHIBITION

Garden Showdown F RO M 10 F E B RUA RY • K EW GARDEN S

The International Garden Photographer of the Year Competition is back with an impressive line-up in Kew’s Nash Conservatory. This annual extravaganza brings together the best garden, plant and botanical photography from across the world with a ‘Captured at Kew’ category centred on images taken in the local area. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, TW9; kew.org

F E S T I VA L

Thai-inspired Orchid Festival From 10 February KEW GARDEN S

Immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle of Thailand, take part in immersive workshops and discover orchids of all colours at Kew Gardens’ Orchards Festival. The perfect place to shake off the winter blues. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, TW9; kew.org

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CULTURE • TALKING TOPICS

T H E AT R E

Swan Lake 23-24 February

N EW WIMBLEDON THEATRE

Tchaikovsky’s haunting and unforgettable score is brought to life as The Russian State Ballet of Siberia perform the greatest romantic ballet of all time. From the impressive splendour of the palace ballroom to the moonlit lake where swans glide in perfect formation, this compelling tale of tragic romance has it all. 93 The Broadway, SW19; atgtickets.com

Around Town S P E C TA C L E

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL Ongoing ROYAL ALBERT H ALL

Cirque du Soleil returns with the UK debut of OVO. A colourful carnival of crazy crickets, amazing ants and flexible fleas, the show uncovers the ground at our feet. Rush headlong into an ecosystem teeming with life in this non-stop riot of movement and mindblowing, high-flying acts. Kensington Gore, SW7; royalalberthall.com

EXHIBITION

LAND, SEA AND SKY Until 20 February W I LL’ S A RT WA R E H O US E

This Month’s Must See

Breathe life into these dark February days at Will’s Art Warehouse where the eagerly awaited Land, Sea and Sky exhibition has been met with great applause. Discover a selection of hand-picked artists as they convey their approach to the beautiful outdoors with verdant landscapes and fresh seascapes. 180 Lower Richmond Road, SW15; wills-art.com

CURTAINS F RO M 22 F E B RUARY • ROSE THEATRE KIN GSTON

da’s family is throwing her birthday party; she is 86 and feels she has lived too long, however laboured celebrations continue long into the night. When her third daughter returns after a 25-year absence, things take an unexpected turn. Tensions ﬂare and rivalries reopen in this hilariously painful and moving picture of a family in turmoil. I24-26 High Street, Kingston Upon Thames, KT1;

F E S T I VA L

CHARLES I: KING AND COLLECTOR Ongoing ROYAL ACAD EM Y OF ART

Aside from being the only English monarch to suffer the indignity of having their head chopped off, Charles I was also an avid art collector. This exhibition brings 90 pieces of his collection together and features everyone from Rubens to Titian. Burlington House, Piccadilly, W1J; royalacademy.org.uk

EXHIBITION

WOMEN OF THE FUTURE 8 February LON DON TRA NSP ORT M USEUM

The London Transport Museum is marking 100 years since women received the right to vote with a one-off festival of feminism. Get creative with Buttress and Snatch in a playful twist on bra-burning and enjoy dynamic presentations on the portrayal of women. Convent Garden Piazza, WC2E; ltmuseum.co.uk

rosetheatrekingston.org

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OUTDOORSY DUOS:

Thames Boat Hire Ongoing ❤ What says romance better than a leisurely trip along the River Thames? Escape the bustle of the city streets and hire a rowing boat from Richmond riverside and enjoy seeing London from a new perspective. For bonus partner points prepare a packed lunch and grab a bottle of champagne (or ﬂask of tea, if it's looking a little chilly). totallyrichmond.co.uk

MY FUNNY

valentine Whether it’s an intimate dinner or creative class, celebrate V-Day in style with London’s most romantic happenings

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CULTURE • VALENTINE’S DAY EVENTS DIE-HARD ROMANTICS:

The Petersham Hotel Wednesday 14 February ❤ For a classic Valentine’s evening head over to The Petersham Hotel for fabulous food and panoramic views over the River Thames. Enjoy Champagne on arrival, a delicious ﬁve-course, candlelit dinner and a red rose to take away. Nightingale Lane, Richmond, TW10; £79.50pp; petershamhotel.co.uk

WINTERLAND

FUN-LOVING:

Winterland From 2 February London’s enchanted forest returns with a mouth-watering selection of street food, mulled wine, fondue and more. This month, the much-loved hotspot for frivolity and fun will be offering special packages on its igloos for any lovebirds looking to cosy up in style. 364 Wandsworth Bridge Road, SW6; neverland.com/winterland

GIRL POWER:

London Grace Ongoing Forget Valentine’s Day, why not celebrate the ladies in your life with a Galentine’s gathering at London Grace? You and your girls will enjoy the ultimate in social pampering with a dedicated nail technician, limited edition Flirtini cocktails and Insta-worthy surroundings. 26 Putney High Street, SW15; londongrace.co.uk

CULTURED COUPLES:

Romeo & Juliet 2 — 14 February ❤ Get your theatre ﬁx this Valentine’s Day and enjoy Shakespeare’s epic love story at the Orange Tree Theatre. Six actors fuse physical theatre with the playwright’s sparkling words in a fast-paced 90-minute performance from Director Gemma Fairlie. 1 Clarence Street, Richmond, TW9; orangetreetheatre.co.uk

ROMEO AND JULIET

LONDON GRACE

FILM BUFFS:

Four Weddings And A Funeral Wednesday 14 February ❤ Super charge your ﬁlm night with a screening of Richard Curtis’ romcom classic. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Landmark Arts Centre, you can enjoy a selection of drinks and movie snacks before taking your seats for the main event at 8pm. Ferry Road, Teddington, TW11; landmarkartscentre.org

THE PETERSHAM HOTEL

FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL

CHRISTMAS IN LEICESTER SQUARE

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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ABSOLUTELY Full Pg A4 JAN'18_Layout 1 09/01/2018 11:59 am Page 1

RAYMOND GUBBAY presents

THE UK’S MOST POPULAR CLASSICAL SHOW

RAVEL Bolero HOLST Jupiter from The Planets ROSSINI Largo al factotum VERDI Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves SOUSA Stars and Stripes Forever TCHAIKOVSKY Sleeping Beauty Waltz BIZET Duet from The Pearl Fishers STRAUSS Radetzky March DEBUSSY Clair de Lune ELGAR Nimrod WAGNER Ride of the Valkyries HANDEL Zadok the Priest VERDI La donna è mobile ORFF O Fortuna

LAND OF HOPE AND GLORY RULE, BRITANNIA! NESSUN DORMA HORNPIPE With

1812 OVERTURE

THUNDERING CANNONS and INDOOR FIREWORKS

ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

London Philharmonic Choir (Thurs & Sat) The London Chorus (Fri & Sun) John Rigby conductor Jesús León soprano Nicholas Lester tenor Classical Spectacular Dancers British Imperial Military Band Muskets and Canons of the Moscow Militia Durham Marenghi lighting designer

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CELEBRATING OVER 50 YEARS OF ICONIC MUSIC WITH AN EXPLOSIVE 28-PIECE SHOW BAND

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PLANETS

Holst's powerful planetary masterwork BROADWAY GLAMOUR AND TOE-TAPPING TUNES IN AN ALL-GERSHWIN EXTRAVAGANZA

Plus WAGNER Prelude to Act 3 from Lohengrin

Rhapsody in Blue Shall we Dance Lady be Good But Not For Me S’Wonderful I Got Rhythm Let’S Call the Whole Thing Off Summertime The Man I Love

SAINT SAËNS Symphony No. 3 in C Minor

KATIE BIRTILL & RODNEY EARL CLARKE guest singers VIV McLEAN piano ALFONSO CASADO TRIGO conductor LONDON CONCERT ORCHESTRA Plus a glamorous ballroom duo and two sensational tap dancers.

GOLDFINGER • FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE CASINO ROYALE • YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE • THUNDERBALL DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER • FOR YOUR EYES ONLY THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN • MOONRAKER LIVE & LET DIE • NOBODY DOES IT BETTER THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH • SKYFALL

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra LOUISE DEARMAN & OLIVER TOMPSETT singers JOHN RIGBY conductor LONDON CONCERT ORCHESTRA

ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL

City of London Choir Christopher Warren Green conductor

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CULTURE • THEATRE

Amadeus The story of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, musical genius, at The Olivier By PENDLE HARTE

eter Schaffer’s much-loved account of Mozart’s life may not be entirely historically accurate, but it certainly makes a good story. Michael Longhurst’s hotly anticipated revived production (it was a sell-out in 2016) is a riot of action, spectacle and music, fully inhabiting the Olivier’s vast space with its displays of 18th century decadence, colourful costumes and sheer energy.

Adam Gillen’s Mozart is full of presence, brilliantly irritating with his conceitedness, indiscretion and relentless toilet humour. He’s a slightly creepy young upstart, leaping manically around the stage, conducting wildly, dismissing all music except his own and fully convinced that his work is perfection beyond measure. Spoilt, vain and over-confident yet surprisingly insightful, his performance is intense and physical. ‘A little less enthusiasm please, Mozart,’ says the emperor repeatedly.

“18th century decadence, colourful costumes and sheer energy”

ABSOLUTELY reviews…

Elderly Viennese court composer Salieri (Lucian Msamati) opens the show in his wheelchair, surrounded by the contemporary orchestra (all mobile phones and takeaway coffees) as he reminisces about Mozart’s death. Then suddenly it’s 18th century Vienna, and Mozart’s first arrival in court, where the tale of rivaly between the two musicians unfurls. Salieri is hugely jealous of the newcomer’s sheer talent, which he sees as god-given, from the same god who condemns him to mediocrity by leaving him only able to produce second-rate music. Mozart’s impeccable pieces may be show-offy, but for Salieri they reveal his own lack of talent in comparison, and so begins a long campaign of undermining and blocking Mozart’s career. Most notably in this production, the orchestra is integral to the play and they’re on stage throughout, walking with their instruments and reacting to the action. It’s an entertaining and slick production.

VERDICT

Engaging, entertaining and visually arresting ★★★★★ AMADEUS BOOKING UNTIL 24 APRIL; The National Theatre nationaltheatre.org.uk A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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ORIGINAL, LIMITED-EDITION ART DECO POSTERS

N EW

Limited to editions of 280, our newly-commissioned Art Deco posters feature glamorous holiday destinations around the world, ski resorts in the Austrian, French and Swiss Alps, and the world’s greatest historic automobiles. Over 100 designs to choose from, all printed on 100% cotton fine art paper, measuring 97 x 65 cms.

Priced at £395 each.

Private commissions are also welcome.

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Our central London gallery

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CULTURE • THEATRE

ROUND UP

Best in

MUST SEE

SHOW Spend a cosy evening in Theatreland with our top stage picks for the month By H E L E N B R O W N

MACBETH

Fanny & Alexander ★★★★★

★★★★★ From 26 February

From 21 February

N AT ION AL T HEATR E

TH E O LD V I C

Amongst the gilded romance and glamour of 1900s Sweden, the world of siblings Fanny and Alexander is turned upside down when their widowed mother remarries the iron-willed local bishop. As creative freedom and rigid orthodoxy clash, a war ensues between imagination and austerity in this magical study of childhood, family and love. The Cut, SE1; oldvictheatre.com

FANNY & ALEXANDER

Dry Powder

Girl from the North Country

★★★★★

Ongoing

H A M P STE A D T H E ATR E

NO E L COWARD THEATRE

Sarah Burgess’ breathtakingly witty and virtuosic comedy explores the vision, the vulnerability, and the vilification of those shaping - and skewing - the economy. Dry Powder follows titan of high finance, Rick, as the reputation of his firm crashes and his lavish engagement party turns into a PR nightmare. Eton Avenue, NW3; hampsteadtheatre.com

In 1934, a Minnesota community is living on a knife-edge, huddled together in the local guesthouse. When a preacher and a boxer show up in the the night, things start to spiral. Conor McPherson weaves the iconic songbook of Bob Dylan into this new show full of hope, heartbreak and soul. 85-88 St Martin’s Lane, WC2N; noelcowardtheatre.co.uk

Ruthlessly fighting to survive in the ruined aftermath of a bloody civil war, the Macbeths are propelled towards the crown by forces of elemental darkness. Rufus Norris brings his magic touch to Shakespeare’s most intense and terrifying tragedy, with Rory Kinnear and AnneMarie Duff in the lead roles. Upper Ground, South Bank, SE1; nationaltheatre.org.uk MACBETH

Lady Windermere’s Fan ★★★★★ Ongoing VAUD EV I LLE T HE ATR E

Lady Windermere’s birthday is thrown into turmoil when a seed of marital suspicion upsets proceedings. Poking fun at the moral attitudes of the upper classes, Oscar Wilde’s comedy is brought to life with an all-star cast of comics including Jennifer Saunders and Kevin Bishop. 404 Strand, WC2R; nimaxtheatres.com

LADY WINDERMERE’S FAN

DRY POWDER

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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drama

QUEEN As BAFTA-winning actress Monica Dolan’s ﬁrst solo show comes to The Bush Theatre, Absolutely meets her to discuss conﬁdence, comedy and learning lines

onica Dolan is learning her lines. She’s got 11,500 words to master and currently she’s nearly halfway there. “You just have to go over it and over it, and keep telling yourself that one day you’ll know it,” she explains, over coffee in the Bush Theatre’s lovely new space, handily near her house. She’s learning these lines for the second time, and even though they’re written by her, it’s still a struggle. A full hour of talking. Dolan’s solo show The B*easts was a hit at Edinburgh last year and now she’s bringing it to The Bush, with an agenda that’s become part of a wider debate. It’s quite a transition from acting to writing, isn’t it? And also from acting alongside other people to standing alone on stage for an hour? For Dolan, The B*easts is her first foray into writing, though it’s something she’s always slightly wanted to do. “Recently I’d been working with a lot of comedians who had cut their teeth in Edinburgh. I’d never

By P E N D L E H A R T E

performed at the Edinburgh Festival and started to think, why aren’t I doing this? I had done a show at the Royal Court where part of it was improvisation with the audience and I really loved that – then I talked to Sarah Pascoe who’s in W1A with me and she said ‘if you have the smallest inclination to do it, then do it,’” she says. Besides, writing a piece for yourself bypasses a lot of the layers of people involved in, say, writing for TV. “Here there’s nobody in between – just you and the audience and your connection,” says Dolan. “I kind of wanted to put myself out there in that way.” The B*easts relies on inspiring a degree of confusion in the audience, so it’s important not to give too much away here, but its subject is both topical and terrifying. It’s about children and their vulnerability to advertising and technology, and the growing quest for perfection, an awareness of which had been slowly growing in Dolan. “A friend texted me an article from The Week called Ban Botox for Children,” she says – “and I saw a documentary about advergames which are games involving little cartoon characters aimed at children, so they don’t know they’re engaging with an advert.” She learned that despite legal age requirements for tattoos and tanning, there is no minimum

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CULTURE • PROFILE

“I’ve learnt that you get really interesting characters who are good, though most people dismiss them”

MONICA DOLAN IN THE B*EASTS, PHOTOGRAPHED BY ALAN HARRIS

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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CULTURE • PROFILE

MONICA DOLAN PHOTOGRAPHED BY BRONWEN SHARP

age for botox, and that there are plastic surgery apps aimed at children as young as nine. “There are so many things being invented and marketed that there are no laws for – and children are starting to brand themselves very early.” The subject has taken on Dolan made contact with an anthropologist in Manchester and a bio-ethics team at Nuffield who are looking at the whole subject of children and cosmetic procedures – they came to see her play and they will be hosting a panel discussion at The Bush in connection with it. Dark subjects are something that Dolan is no stranger to. As research for her award-winning performance as Rosemary West in ITV’s Appropriate Adult, a dramatisation of the Fred West story, she read transcripts of the case provided by West’s solicitor. Which was interesting, she says, in that it was just like reading a play – “they’re all characters,” – apart from that there was loads of it. Surprisingly, she hadn’t wanted the part; she had no existing interest in the Wests. “It wasn’t a massive part for the amount of horrible research I was going to have to do,” – and there’s a line at the end of the production, “you can’t unsee things, you can’t unknow things,” that counts for her experience too. “I got so many intrigued people asking questions when I was doing that but you soon realise that they don’t really want to know.” But fascination with the Wests is a common phenomenon. “My friend who’s the mildest, most gentlemanly person you can imagine, was really interested in the Wests and he lent me Brian Masters’ book She must Have Known, which

“There’s nobody in between – just you and the audience and your connection. I kind of wanted to put myself out there in that way”

argues that there’s no evidence that Rosemary had even met some of the victims. So I was really on her side when I went for the audition. Then I read all the rest of the stuff...” So does she seek out troubling subjects? “Well I’d rather not.” She wasn’t immediately interested in Tess Wall, her character in the television adaptation of JK Rowling’s The Casual Vacancy, because she seemed so good. “When I first read it I couldn’t see anything to her but I’ve learnt that you get really interesting characters who are good, though most people dismiss them. When I looked into it, Tess was fascinating. Trying to be good in an environment that isn’t helping is fascinating.” Dolan started acting at school, when she had a really small part in a play in primary school “and everyone really laughed when I came on and I loved it,” she says. She continued throughout secondary school (“we had an avant garde teacher”) and went to the Guildhall despite her mother wanting her to be a lawyer “or something”. Drama school gave her confidence, she says, though going on stage alone still scares her. Is it lonely doing a solo show? She’s had a lot of support, she emphasises, starting with an early reading that she organised at home, inviting eight friends to eat sausage rolls and listen to her new piece. “The night before, I nearly cancelled. I read it and thought it was terrible, but I did it and what excited me was that everybody started talking about the subject.” For Edinburgh, the piece needed a bit of cutting (“they fine you £10 per minute if you go over the hour) but here in W12 they’re more flexible. The show’s bound to get you talking.

T H E B* E A S T S Runs from 12 February to 3 March at The Bush Theatre, 7 Uxbridge Road W12; 020 8743 5050 bushtheatre.co.uk

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SOUTHSIDE | WANDSWORTH

@skylerlondon

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FASHION

STRIPPED BACK

ELIZABETH AND JAMES Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen’s effortless sense of style clearly embodied in Elizabeth and James' Resort '18 collection. Expect wearable luxury and looks which transcend seasonal trends. matchesfashion.com

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FASHION NOTES

Celebrate fashion month with the hottest new brandsto-watch and the latest collaborations to covet B y J OY M O N T G O M E R Y

5 OF THE BEST

VA L E N T I N E ’ S LINGERIE EDITOR’S PICK

DOING IT FOR THEMSELVES C H I N T I & PA R K E R X WO M E N F O R WO M E N

05 1. Fleur of England, Whiskey lace-hem silk-blend kimono, £400; matchesfashion.com 2. I.D.Sarrieri, Lace bra and thong, from £155; farfetch.com 3. Carine Gilson, Lace-trimmed silk-satin cami dress, £990; matchesfashion.com 4. Bluebella, Lace body, £49; yoox.com 5. Coco De Mer, Sylph strap-detail bra and suspender briefs, £105; selfridges.com

Do one for the girls this season with knitwear favourite Chinti & Parker’s collaboration with Women for Women International. Modelled by Arizona Muse, 100% of all sales from the capsule collection will go to the charity, which helps women survivors of war rebuild their lives. Spread a little love this February. Available from farfetch.com and chintiandparker.com

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FASHION • NOTES O N E S T O WAT C H

LAYER UP

London Fashion Week AW18

REPOSSI

Founded in 1920 in Turin Italy, Repossi is the fashion-savvy, fine jewellery brand with a historic heart. Gaia Repossi took over the family business in 2007 and has moulded the brand into a must-have for celebrities and magazine editors alike. From classic hoops and stacking rings to statement ear cuffs - this is adornment for the styleconscious, modern woman. repossi.com

REJINA PYO

WOOL WORKS THE KNITTER

HANDOVER GUCCI

We might be sick of the cold, but come summer we’re secretly going to miss the luxe layers that winter offers. Make the most of woolly hat weather with Gucci’s embroidered patent gloves. The high-shine fabric is a surefire way to jazz up your winter coat, while the delicate floral detail speaks of an evernearing spring, £405; matchesfashion.com

Founded by New Zealand-born Nicole Leyborne, The Knitter is the woolly fashion brand we can't get enough of. All designs are handmade locally using centuryold methods and include quirky-cool, oversized knits and vibrant scarves.

Before launching her eponymous label in 2014, Rejina Pyo cut her teeth as ﬁrst assistant designer at Roksanda Ilincic, and went on to win the prestigious Han Nefkens Fashion Award. Pyo’s shows are now a hotly anticipated event at London Fashion Week, and her designs instantly recognisable for their innovative take on modern minimalism.

rejinapyo.com

ALICE ARCHER The British-born RCA gradate earned her stripes working as an embroidery designer for Dries Van Noten in Antwerp. Archer's unfurling, intricate threadwork has now become her signature aesthetic. Name checked as a designer-towatch by British Vogue, Alice Archer is certainly a star on the rise.

alicearcher.co.uk

theknitter.co

CITY OF STYLE

CA M B R I D G E S ATC H E L X I N E S D E L A F R E S S A N G E PA R I S

To celebrate the return of London Fashion Week, The Cambridge Satchel Company has joined forces with Ines de la Fressange Paris to create a line of achingly cool bags. The collection includes the brand’s best-selling 11” bag and tiny satchels and comes in quintessentially Gallic hues of red, white and blue - and a dash of molten copper for good measure.

SIMONE ROCHA Dublin-born Simone Rocha caught the industry’s eye when she debuted at London Fashion Week in 2010. Fast-forward eight years and Rocha's frothy yet futuristic designs have won her acolades including British Womenswear Designer Award at the British Fashion Awards and Harper’s Bazaar's Designer of Year 2016.

simonerocha.com

cambridgesatchel.com A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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Sort Out Your Style With Absolutely’s Capsule Wardrobe Guide

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11/07/2017 15:21

FASHION • PRODUCTS EDITOR’S PICK

VALENTINO Pussy-Bow Ruffled SilkSatin Blouse, £633; net-a-porter.com

SEE BY CHLOÉ Ruffled Pussy-Bow Chiffon Blouse, £260; selfridges.com

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN Pussy-Bow Silk Blouse, £995; net-a-porter.com

TORY BURCH AW17

HOBBS

H&M

Erika Shirt, £69; hobbs.co.uk

Long-Sleeved Blouse, £23; hm.com

MSGM Pussy-Bow Striped Cotton-Poplin Shirt, £255; harveynichols.com

TIED UP

Formal yet frou frou: the neck tie blouse is big business this season

KHAITE Natalie Decorative-Bow Cotton Blouse, £410; matchesfashion.com

ROCHAS AW17

B y J OY M O N T G O M E R Y

FENDI RIXO LONDON Moss Blouse - Navy Moonlit Sky, £175; rixo.co.uk

FINERY LONDON Levine Forever Blouse, £59 johnlewis.com

Geometric Pussy Bow Blouse, £1,250; farfetch.com

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W H AT LIES B E N E AT H Nothing says indulgence better than sumptuous new lingerie. After all, great style begins with beautiful foundations.

For Love and Lemons lingerie available from forloveandlemons.com

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28/11/2017 10:40 12:33 21/12/2017

HEALTH & BEAUTY

Get Lippy

MARC JACOBS BEAUTY Marc Jacobs Beauty’s Liquid Lip Crayons are the answer to your date night woes. Coming in nine high-pigment shades, they offer the first-to-market formula which has the feel of a liquid lipstick with the precision of a lip crayon. One swipe of colour + 16 hours of wear = your Valentine’s makeup sorted; £22. harrods.com

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BEAUTY NOTES

You've survived January. Now treat yourself to this month's hottest beauty releases By J OY M O N TG O M E RY

STAR SIGN M AC

Look to the cosmos this season with MAC’s latest makeup drop. Inspired by the Lunar New Year, this radiant collection is composed of an eye shadow palette, lipstick and powder blush, all in the softest shades of blush pink and cream. maccosmetics.co.uk EYELURE Bespoke Mascara, £30; eyeko.com

ELIZABETH ARDEN 8-Hour Lip Repair Balm, £20; boots.com

5 OF THE BEST DATE NIGHT ESSENTIALS

LE LABO Santal 33 Liquid Balm Perfume, £60; libertylondon.com

COVER FX Pressed Mineral Foundation, £31; houseoff raser.com

CHANEL Luminous Matte Lip Colour, £28; chanel.com

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HEALTH & BEAUTY • NOTES SALON REVIEW

STACK ‘EM UP TRINNY LONDON

She was the matriarch of iconic noughties makeover show What Not To Wear, but now Trinny Woodall is braving the world of cosmetics. Trinny London is a clever new beauty concept that offers personalised makeup ‘stacks’ that can include anything from lipstick and concealer to highlighter and eye shadow, all formulated to match your colouring and complexion. A must-have for girls on the go.

BHUTI

trinnylondon.com

B y LUCY BUT TERFIELD

EDITOR’S PICK

NIGHT OWL LA PRAIRIE

Back to Base CLARINS

Heralded for their complexion-perfecting powers, colour correctors are officially here to stay. This February, Clarins is taking the concept to another level with SOS Primers, a six-piece collection of problem-solving formulas - from green for redness to coral for dark spots. These clever primers can be used by themselves, mixed together or added to your usual foundation. £26.50 each clarins.co.uk

Born from Dr Paul Niehans’ work in cellular therapy, La Prairie’s Platinum Rare Cellular Night Elixir is the most potent potion to emerge from the brand’s labs. This light serum works overnight to enhance the skin’s natural detoxifying process. laprairie.co.uk

J-Beauty SHISEIDO

Forget K-beauty, because this year it’s all about J-beauty. Inspired by traditional Japanese concepts of life and wellness, Shiseido’s Future Solution LX range combines high-performance formulas with a holistic heart. The Firming Contour Serum and Total Radiance Foundation are the latest additions to the range and both use powerful antioxidant ingredients to deliver dreamy skin day after day. shiseido.co.uk

hanging seasons cause our skin to freak the hell out. Dryness, oiliness, even full-on breakouts are all on the cards. My face is no exception, so I headed to Bhuti in Richmond for their 75 minute Signature Glow Facial. Bhuti describes itself as an ‘eco-wellbeing centre’, and seems to do just as it says on its biodegradable tin. White wood and neutral colour schemes abound, the spa complemented by a vegan café and enviably sunlit yoga studio. After ﬁlling in a background form (being asked ‘what makes my heart sing’ almost drove me to existential crisis) I was handed over to my marvellous therapist, Becky. She cleansed and examined my face, pronouncing it in fairly good shape. I was even complimented on the tightness of my pores. So far so good. But several areas remained stubbornly dry, so my treatment was tailored to rehydrate my skin. This facial used Oskia products, which slid on without stickiness and bore those slightly medicinal fragrances which seem to herald actual nourishment to your skin. Lymphatic drainage and acupressure lift techniques were equally relaxing and restorative. The room was candle-lit, the music unobtrusive, and Becky’s massage skills were top notch. When my 75 minutes were up, I was led to Bhuti’s relaxation room to drift about with fellow Bhutians, all draped across day beds or ensconced in egg-shaped chairs. I felt like I’d joined a clan of Dornish women in GoT. And it was excellent. My face felt extraordinarily soft for days. Even my landlady remarked that I looked particularly well. If you’re looking for a sub-£100 treat, this is the place. Bhuti Signature Glow facial, £95. BHUTI

50 Hill Rise, Richmond TW10 bhuti.co

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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ABSOLUTELY • PROMOTION

Party Feet Jane Dowrick wanted some shoes to help her dance all night. Foot Solutions had the answer

rimary school teacher Jane Dowrick wanted to look her best for her son’s wedding. Being a keen dancer she was looking forward to stepping out onto the dance floor. But she faced a problem. As Jane explains, “I can’t wear high heels for very long because I suffer from back and hip pain. To make matters worse I also have a bunion.” But she was determined to have a good time and decided to splash out on a new outfit for the day and a cocktail dress for the evening. However, she was

still unsure what shoes she could wear for style and comfort. “I decided to visit Foot Solutions – and I’m so glad I did,” adds Jane. “I spent an hour with their staff undergoing tests and scans to monitor how I walked and pinpoint any problems. To my surprise they had a great range of fashionable heels. I chose a pair of gold Ziera shoes which were perfect. These, together with the special custom inserts supplied by Foot Solutions, meant I was ready for the big day. I was the first one on the dance floor and the last one off – I could have danced all night!” “The staff at Foot Solutions were so helpful and professional,” says Jane. “It was a genuinely lovely experience.”

“I could have danced all night” FOOT SOLUTIONS Contact the Richmond store on 020 8940 1814 to arrange a FREE foot analysis. 4 Red Lion Street, Richmond, TW9 1RW footsolutions.co.uk/richmond

WE MAKE FEET HAPPY! Correct footwear and arch supports can improve balance and posture and relieve pain.

At Foot Solutions, our trained consultants use high-tech foot scanning equipment and gait analysis to help ﬁnd the perfect customised footwear and arch supports for your feet.

Visit our RICHMOND store today TO ARRANGE A FREE FOOT ANALYSIS call: 020 8940 1814 email: richmond-surrey@footsolutions.com FOOT SOLUTIONS, 4 RED LION STREET, RICHMOND, TW9 1RW /footrichmond @footrichmond

A short walk from Richmond station, opposite Pizza Express www.footsolutions.co.uk/richmond

OPEN MON - SAT: 10AM - 6PM OPEN SUN: 11AM - 5PM

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B Y B U S • B Y T U B E • B Y T R A I N • B Y L O N D O N O V E R G R O U N D • PA R K I N G N E A R B Y

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SS18 Alexander Wang Beauty

HEALTH & BEAUTY • PRODUCTS EDITOR’S PICK

LA ROCHE-POSAY Effaclar Duo, £16; lookfantastic.com

SISTER & CO Bamboo Charcoal Deep Cleanse Detoxifying Soap Bar, £13; selfridges.com

ESTÉE LAUDER

VICHY

DayWear Multi-Protection Moisture Creme, £44; esteelauder.co.uk

3-in-1 Scrub, Cleanser & Mask vichy.co.uk

SKINCEUTICALS Blemish + Age Solution, £34.65; skinceuticals.co.uk

OLAY Blemish Control Cleanser, £2.99; feelunique.com

SPOT CHECK

LA PRAIRIE Cellular Refining Lotion, £77; laprairie.co.uk

TROPIC SKINCARE Clear Skin BlemishFighting Mask, £16; tropicskincare.com

The best blemish busters for stressed city dwellers

JURLIQUE Blemish Cream, £20; jurlique.co.uk

MANUKA DOCTOR ApiClear Purifying Face Mask, £24.99; manukadoctor.co.uk

B y J OY M O N T G O M E R Y

MURAD SKINCEUTICALS Blemish + Age Defense, £82.95; skinceuticals.co.uk

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Blemish Clearing Solution, £32; murad.co.uk

THE ORDINARY Salicylic Acid 2% Solution, £3.90; theordinary.com

LANCER The Method: Cleanse Blemish Control, £48; spacenk.com

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

17/01/2018 16:57

#LOOKING MINT Welcome to MINT, our fresh new hair and makeup studio at 113 Northcote Road it provides great cuts, colouring and make-up too. Our talented make-up consultants offer everything from a personal make-up lessons to total glam makeover. You can even bring your own make-up and learn how to create a beautiful new look using your current products. To make make-up or hair booking, just call 0203 745 3126 Download our booking app minthairlondon at the app store

113 NORTHCOTE ROAD LONDON SW11 6PW 020 3745 3126 HELLO@MINTHAIRLONDON.COM MINTHAIRLONDON.COM @minthairlondon NEW_ANTHONYLABAN_USE.indd 1

23/01/2018 16:49

HEALTH & BEAUTY • ACTIVE

FITNESS NOTES

Take a Spin

Seriously good cycling in London BOOM CYCLE

● With the lights low and a worldclass sound system, riders at Boom Cycle get the ultimate ‘party on a bike’ experience. The brand has recently opened its fourth studio in Monument, offering its signature moves and badass tunes. boomcycle.co.uk

PSYCLE LONDON

● Psycle sets the spin bar high with its inspirational instructors and specially curated soundtracks. This full body workout takes you through climbs, sprints, jogs and HITT, to give you the best cardio workout possible.

SPINNOFF LONDON

psyclelondon.com

Long known to reduce fat and drop the pounds, spinning is having a resurgence

ONE 10

● Fast-paced and addictive, the Paceline class at One 10 promises to maximise your performance and promotes a metabolic surge. A HITT sequence is designed to give you your best fitness results yet. one-10.com

ANOTHER_SPACE

’m in Hampstead to try out SpinnOff London, a hidden gem which delivers more than just the undeniably fun, dance club atmosphere found at London’s myriad cycle classes. The 1/2 Spinn, 1/2 Core workout begins with half an hour on the Spinn bike; an intense cardio burst to really get the blood pumping. SpinnOff promises a long and lean ﬁgure which is conducive of having the

correct posture and position on the bike. I am instructed to keep heels down, wrists light and core strong. Eileen takes the class and is motivational throughout, without being too intense. Upbeat music and her continuous encouragement make the half hour pass by quickly. When sufficiently sweaty, the class drops to the mat for 25 minutes of strengthening and sculpting ﬂoorwork. Mairead

leads this section which involves a range of exercises from planks and crunches, to glute-sculpting pulses and pilates-style sequences. They really don’t miss a muscle. What’s evident from this class is that there is a fierce focus on technique at SpinnOff, which undoubtedly leads to maximum results. As the highest ranking class on Classpass, SpinnOff is welcoming of all levels of fitness and appears to have built up a strong community of friendly regulars. It’s definitely one of the best full-body classes I’ve done in a while and a must for those looking to shake-up their sweat session this year.

S P I N N O F F LO N D O N 17 Rosement Road, NW3; spinnofflondon.com

E C O - F R I E N D LY F I T N E S S

Our top picks of ethically-conscious activewear and accessories

● This class has been specifically designed to strengthen the core and tone the whole body whilst burning maximum calories. anotherspace.london

1REBEL

● This high-energy, full-body workout incorporates hand weights as well as immersive staging never seen before in a fitness studio. 1rebel.co.uk

1. S’WELL Stainless Steel Water Bottle, £35; selfridges.com 2. H&M Medium Support Sports Bra, £9.99; hm.com 3. Silou Gigi Sweatshorts Light Heather Grey, £189; siloulondon.com 4. Silou Audrey Crop Bra, £99; siloulondon.com 5. SixtyNinety Gigi Leggings Camouﬂage, £58; sixtyninety.co.uk

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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Celebrate at A Cena on Wednesday 14 February, from 6pm

£55 for 3 courses · BOOKING ESSENTIAL (BY PHONE ONLY) 020 8288 0108 A Cena · 418 Richmond Road, TW1 2EB · just over Richmond Bridge

acena.co.uk

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BOOK NOW

FIN D US ON SOCIAL ME DIA

22/01/2018 22/01/2018 10:32 10:08

FOOD & DRINK

DECADENT DATE NIGHT

PETERSHAM NURSERIES CAFÉ This Valentine's Day Petersham Nurseries, the charming restaurant set inside a plantfilled glasshouse, is holding a chocolate and wine tasting event that is not to be missed. Church Lane, Petersham Road, TW10 petershamnurseries.com

Top wine picks 48 • A guide to artisan chocolate 49 • Food Review: Sai 55 A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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WHAT TO DRINK

GRAPE news

Wine recommendations for the month

TASTING NOTES

London’s food news and delicious things to see you through February By MIRIAM CAREY

By BERRY BROS. & RUDD

2013 Berry Bros. & Rudd Barolo by Giovanni Rosso, Piedmont  £28.50 This Barolo offers classic Nebbiolo character. The fine yet densely packed tannins are enveloped in scented cherry and cranberry fruit, with florals that hint at dried violets. It will benefit from being decanted.

2016 Berry Bros. & Rudd Reserve Red by Collovray & Terrier  £8.75 Fruits of the 2016 vintage, which was so much kinder in the South of France than elsewhere. Our blend this year marries plots of Merlot from varying altitudes, with uplifting Syrah and Grenache. Finely crafted, and reassuringly gregarious.

Prosecco di Valdobbiadene, Trevisiol L. e Figli, Italy  £15.50 The Valdobbiadene region is regarded as one of the best sources of Prosecco grapes, coming from vineyards 300 metres above sea-level. Here, the Glera grape is blended with 15 percent Chardonnay by father-and-son team Eduardo and Paolo Trevisiol.

BERRY BROS. & RUDD Berry Bros. & Rudd is Britain's oldest wine and spirit merchant, having traded from the same shop since 1698. Today the company also has offices in Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong, a Wine School and an exclusive fine wine and dining venue in St James's.

bbr.com

Lobster For Two H I G H R OA D B R A S S E R I E

High Road Brasserie is the perfect spot for an intimate dinner. Situated on the historic site of Foubert’s Hotel, it has cool vintage interiors and a romantic terrace overlooking the high street. Share the native lobster for a delicious starter and the chocolate fondant for an opulent dessert. 162 Chiswick High Road, W4 highroadbrasserie.co.uk

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FOOD & DRINK• NOTES Our pick of the best

ARTISAN CHOCOLATES

PIERRE MARCOLINI LOVE FOLLIES

The Valentine’s Day collection from Pierre Marcolini has six colourful flavour varieties that taste delicious and look delightful. Packed full of exotic ingredients from Moroccan pink peppercorn, Iranian pistachio, and Sichuan pepper, to Tahitian vanilla and Sicilian lemon, these beauties are guaranteed to pique the interest of those who receive them. marcolini.com

NATURE’S DELIGHTS T H E W I L LOW

In February The Willow is holding a Valentine's Day charity event in aid of Love Kingston, the Mayor of Kingston's official charity. The Willow is a unique restaurant serving delicious, gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, paleo, and reﬁned sugar-free food. The bar also offers gluten-free beers and organic, biodynamic wines. 16 The Triangle, KT1 yourwillow.co.uk

BOTTOMLESS BUBBLES CAU

Ultra-modern CAU captures the spirit of Buenos Aires by serving mouth-watering steaks, burgers, and sandwiches with a distinctive Argentinian twist. Visit on Saturday for brunch with bottomless beer or prosecco, or on Sunday for the sumptuous house roast. Riverside Walk, KT1 caurestaurants.com

RAW HALO GIFT SET

Raw Halo artisan chocolate is the ideal treat for the vegan loved one in your life. The bars are made of rich Peruvian cacao, are raw, organic, and free from lactose, wheat, and refined sugar. They come in 12 delicious flavours and the beautiful rose gold packaging make them perfect gifts. rawhalo.com

FORTNUM & MASON HEART BOXES

RIVERSIDE RETREAT GAU C H O

Gaucho Richmond is the perfect sophisticated setting for a meat lover’s Valentine's Day feast. They serve cocktails, seafood, sharing plates, and Argentine steaks. Gaucho is located in a lovely boathouse building with panoramic views of Richmond Bridge and Petersham Meadows. The Towpath, Richmond Riverside, TW10 gauchorestaurants.com

Show the size of your love this February with Fortnum & Mason’s most generous selection of chocolates yet. Beneath the lid of the 1kg heart chocolate box is a double layer of indulgence, including old Fortnum's classics and exciting new creations. fortnumandmason.com

COCO CHOCOLATIER GIFT BOX

The Edinburgh chocolatiers have created milk and dark chocolate in flavours such as lavender, artisan espresso, and gold, frankincense and myrrh. They show love to the arts community by coming wrapped in artworks from artists around the UK. Buy all the different flavours and stack them in a gift box. cocochocolatier.com

OBSCURE ALES BOATERS INN

February will see the return of the famous meet the brewer nights at The Boaters Inn. The pub is known for their interesting and obscure ales, has an amazing location on The River Thames, and serves a cracking Scottish rib-eye steak. Canbury Gardens, Lower Ham Road, KT2 boaterskingston.com A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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Avocado Salad with Wasabi, Wakame & Spring Onions Serves 4 • Preparation time 20 minutes

vocado is not a traditional Japanese ingredient, though we do associate it with Japanese cuisine due to the brilliant Japanese fusion food that comes out of California. Avocado just works so well with Japanese flavours. This salad also includes wasabi, which is Japanese horseradish, for those of you still living in the Dark Ages, and wakame, which is dried and then rehydrated seaweed. This healthy salad is delicious on its own and is also great served alongside teriyaki or miso fish.

INGREDIENTS 25g dried wakame seaweed 4 ripe but ﬁrm avocados 10 pink radishes, very thinly sliced 6 spring onions, ﬁnely chopped 1 tablespoon black sesame seeds, toasted 1 tablespoon white sesame seeds, toasted

SPICE of LIFE

Gizzi Erskine encourages us to experiment with new textures and ﬂavours

very week, when I open up a newspaper or women’s magazine there’s a new bit of health information that puts a spanner in the works of what I had previously thought was the right way to be healthy. So here is my ethos, how I feel about food trends and what we can learn from them. Firstly, I believe that having a better understanding of nutrition

is not just about making your body healthier, it can also make you a better cook. The more I learn about different ingredients or come across a new cooking technique, vegetable or cut of meat, the more inspired I tend to be. It’s good to love food in all its guises and sometimes your body needs to be fed what it's craving. The chapters of this book are divided into textures and flavours. For me, those textures and flavours often reflect my mood. For example, if I crave something braised or oozy it may mean that I’m after something rib-sticking and comforting but if I want crunch or crispness then I probably feel the need for something clean and fresh. Sometimes I want fiery food, so we have a chapter for spice, and other times I just need something sweet, and there’s a chapter for that too. Ultimately, I want people who are reading this book to try new things and push themselves into new areas of food, be it going to your local Asian supermarket or having a go at cooking with a new ingredient or gadget. I just hope people are inspired to cook fresh food using good ingredients.

Fo r t h e d r e s s i n g 3 teaspoons wasabi paste (use the best you can find) 4 tablespoons rice wine vinegar 4 tablespoons light olive oil 2 tablespoons sesame oil sea salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper Place the wakame in a heatproof bowl and cover with boiling water. Leave to soak for 15 minutes. The wakame will rehydrate and grow in size, so cover with plenty of water to allow for this. It’s ready when it has doubled in size and you can bite through it but it still has chew. Drain, and then rinse under cold running water to cool. Alternatively, you can cool the wakame in a bowl of iced water. Drain again and gently pat dry with kitchen paper. To make the dressing, place the wasabi, vinegar, oils and some seasoning in a bowl and whisk together until it has fully emulsified into a thickish sauce. Cut the avocados in half, slice, and place on a platter. Once you’ve done this, gently press the top of the avocados to fan out the slices a little. Top with the dressing, then the wakame, then the radishes, then the spring onions and finally sprinkle over the sesame seeds. Serve straightaway.

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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FOOD & DRINK • RECIPES

I’ve served the stew with something completely odd – Vietnamese banh cuon rice wrappers, which I’ve used like big, fat, wide noodles. If you can’t find them, any Vietnamese rice noodle will do or you can even use rice, which is wicked to soak up the stew.

INGREDIENTS 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 lemon grass stick, very thinly sliced 4–5 thin slices of fresh root ginger 3–4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced 350g baby plum tomatoes, halved 400ml fresh White Chicken Stock (you can buy this or make your own) 2 tablespoons lime juice 2–3 tablespoons fish sauce 5–7 kaffir lime leaves, thinly sliced 12 raw tiger prawns, peeled, deveined and cut quite deeply Down the back 1 sea bream, filleted and each fillet cut into 4 lengthways 1 squid, gutted, slashed and cut into bitesized pieces sea salt flakes a good handful of Thai holy basil Crispy Shallots to garnish coriander leaves, to garnish banh cuon rice wrappers or rice noodles or rice, to serve

Fo r t h e p a s te

Tom Yum Goong (Hot & Sour Fish Stew)

Serves 4 • Preparation Time 25 minutes • Cooking Time 15 minutes

bloody love tom yum goong, the hot and sour prawn soup from Thailand. There’s also a similar dish from Cambodia called solmar machoor, which is a soupy fish stew that is as fiery as it is sour – this is my take on them both. All the legwork for this stew is in the paste and in cooking down the tomatoes, so it’s really important that you take your time and do this slowly to encourage the natural sweetness you want from the dish.

3 shallots 3 lemon grass sticks, bashed and root removed 4cm piece of galangal (or fresh root ginger) 5 kaffir lime leaves, thinly sliced 6 Thai bird’s eye chillies 1 teaspoon Thai roasted chilli paste or hot chilli powder ½ teaspoon dried shrimp paste 1 teaspoon palm or brown sugar 5 coriander roots To make the paste, pound together all the ingredients to form a smoothish paste. I prefer to do this using a pestle and mortar, but this can be time-consuming so blitz the ingredients in a food processor or blender if you’re in a rush. Heat the oil in a large saucepan. Fry the lemon grass, ginger and garlic for 2 minutes. This is a little unconventional but it will give the stew a deeper, more caramelized flavour. Add 3 tablespoons of the prepared paste and fry for 1 minute, then add the tomatoes and cook for 3 minutes, or until they start to melt. Pour over the stock, lime juice, fish sauce, kaffir lime leaves and cook for 5 minutes. Add the prawns, fish and squid, season with salt and cook for 3–4 minutes, or until the seafood is just cooked and the prawns are pink. Stir through the holy basil and garnish with Crispy Shallots and coriander leaves. Serve the stew with flat rice wrappers, rice noodles or rice.

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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FOOD & DRINK • RECIPES Rinse the garbanzo beans thoroughly and place in a large pan and cover generously with cold water. Cover with a lid and bring to the boil for 25 minutes, or until the outsides feel cooked. Preheat the oven to 200°C. I like to cook my stew in stages and fry everything separately in a frying pan, but by all means, brown everything off straightaway in the casserole. Heat the oil in a frying pan. Season the chicken pieces with salt, then add them to the frying pan, skin-side down, in batches and brown them thoroughly. Once the chicken pieces are browned, remove them from the frying pan with some tongs and set aside on a plate. Brown the chorizo all over in the same frying pan, then remove and set aside. Next, lay the garlic bulb halves in the frying pan, cut-side down, for a minute, until golden, then remove and set aside. Now you need to pour away the excess fat from the frying pan until you are left with about 2 tablespoons of oil. Add the onions and fry them slowly for about 10–12 minutes, until they have softened, then transfer to a casserole. Pour over the sherry, sherry vinegar and stock, add the saffron, bay leaves, rosemary, thyme and half the parsley and bring to the boil. Add the chicken, chorizo, garlic and beans to the casserole. Top up with more stock to ensure the chicken is immersed, Pop the lid on the casserole and place in the oven for 15 minutes. Turn the oven down to 180°C/Gas Mark 4 and cook for a further 45 minutes.

Spanish Chicken Stew with Chorizo, Sherry & Garbanzo Beans 200g dried garbanzo beans (chickpeas), soaked for 12 hours 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 large free-range chicken, skinned and jointed into 10 pieces 240g raw cooking chorizo sausages 1 bulb of garlic, cut in half horizontally 2 onions, finely chopped 350ml dry sherry 1 teaspoon sherry vinegar 1 litre fresh White Chicken Stock a generous pinch of saffron 2 bay leaves 1 rosemary sprig a few thyme sprigs, leaves picked a small bunch of flat leaf parsley, chopped grated rind of ½ lemon sea salt flakes and black pepper

R E C I P E S TA K E N F R O M

INGREDIENTS

GIZZI’S HEALTHY APPETITE

herry has a bad reputation, doesn’t it? It still conjures up thoughts of old ladies at Christmas but in Spain, where sherry originates, it’s a whole different ball game and sherries are prized as some of the greatest wines in the world. Sherry is not only delicious to drink, it’s also terrific to cook with. Together, sherry, chicken, chorizo and garbanzo beans (the most wonderful Spanish chickpeas, to you and me) make this one damn sexy dish. Stews are best made the day before you need them and it’s particularly worth doing so when cooking a stew with beans because it balances out the seasoning and homogenizes.

by Gizzi Erskine is published by Mitchell Beazley, £15 (www.octopusbooks.co.uk) Paperback out now

Serves 4 • Preparation times 30 minutes, plus soaking • Cooking time 2 hours

Now, this is where it gets complicated. Remove the casserole from the oven and carefully remove the chicken breast pieces and set aside, leaving the chorizo and chicken thighs and leg meat in the casserole. There will still be a fair amount of liquid in the casserole and the beans will not be fully cooked yet, so pop the casserole on the hob, with the lid off, and cook over a lowish heat for another 15–20 minutes to reduce the sauce, making it taste nice and strong, and until the beans are cooked fully when they are completely tender. Don’t worry about the chicken thighs and leg meat as they are hard to overcook. Once you’re happy with the ﬂavour and thickness of the stew and the beans are cooked through, return the chicken breast pieces to the casserole. Remove from the heat, stir in the remaining parsley and the lemon rind and season to taste. Pop the lid on and leave the stew to rest for 10 minutes. Remove the chorizo from the casserole and slice each sausage into about 10 pieces. Pop the slices back in the casserole and stir through. Spoon a couple of pieces of chicken, some chorizo, beans and sauce on to each plate and serve with a fresh green salad.

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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Authentic Punjabi Restaurant

Vin and his team specialize in the ﬁnest, most authentic Punjabi cuisine, using traditional Tandoor cooking methods and family recipes passed down from generation to generation Try our magniﬁcent champagne beer as well, Curious Brew, the perfect accompaniment to wash down our delicious food “This is the best Indian in London. I work in central London and haven’t found anywhere that compares, brick lane falls way short in comparison…” J. Macdonald,Wimbledon

~ 193 Worple Road, Wimbledon SW20 8RE 020 8947 2212 info@sairestaurant.co.uk www.sairestaurant.co.uk

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15/01/2018 13:43

Tim Vine 2 nd February 2018 to 3 rd February 2018 at 8pm

Lantern Arts Studio Theatre, Raynes Park

We are very pleased to be able to welcome back good friend and patron of the LAC, Tim Vine Call us 0203 761 7070

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_Kingston_ADVERT PLACEMENTS.indd 1

Text us 07902 033 605

Email us lac@lanternarts.org

Lantern Arts Centre Tolverne Road, Raynes Park London, SW20 8RA 23/01/2018 19:09

23/01/2018 19:14

FOOD & DRINK • REVIEW

ABSOLUTELY eats out…

“Both dishes work well individually, yet also complement each other when combined”

Sai

Boasting a masterful menu of exceptional taste, discover more than your traditional curry at this authentic Punjabi eatery

B y C H A R LOT T E E M E R S O N

ince opening its doors ten years ago, Sai has increasingly become one of Wimbledon's most favoured Indian restaurants, and it’s easy to understand why. Upon arrival, we are transported into a space of brilliant Indian culture, unable to stop ourselves from admiring the antique entrance chandeliers, wall hangings and atmospheric music. The menu is simply gratifying, we are spoilt for choice, browsing

over the sublime options. There is an extensive range of traditional to contemporary meat and vegetarian dishes and something for everyone. Our drink of choice is the recommended one-of-a-kind Curious Brew Beer, a cool, crisp and refreshing concoction of beer, wine and champagne - which wonderfully complements the striking and dynamic flavours of our upcoming dishes. For starters, I ordered paneer tikka alongside the chicken samosa, while my companion opts for the

FOOD Traditional to contemporary indian food

DECOR Antique pieces, chandeliers and Punjabi wall hangings

PRICE Starters from £4.25, and main dishes from £8.50

VERDICT Atmospheric and unbeatable for authentic Indian food

garlic prawns. They arrive swiftly in an abundance of colour and flavour all excellently presented. The Indian cottage cheese of the paneer tikka is marinated with fresh Indian spices and soft to chew, the garlic prawns cooked in a homemade sauce and grilled in tandoor. The delicately spiced chicken samosa is equally divine, wrapped in a thin layer of crispy melt-in-the-mouth pastry. For mains we select the nihari gosht and chicken biryani - with two side orders of cucumber salad and traditional garlic naan. The nihari gosht lamb shank is presented beautifully and tastes heavenly. The meat is incredibly tender, oozing juice and effortless to slice - pulling away from the bone with little force. The chicken biryani is cooked in fresh herbs, combined with basmati rice and a generous pot of deliciously rich curry sauce. Both dishes work well individually, yet also complement each other when combined. The side dishes of naan bread and cucumber salad perfectly balance the spice within our courses, the creamy yoghurt topping the salad and cooling and refreshing our palate. ● SAI WIMBLEDON 193 Worple Road, SW20 sairestaurant.co.uk A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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FREE Decorating for Absolutely Readers (Terms Apply)

Loft Conversion – Extensions – Project Management Bespoke Client Focused Service – Design

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23/01/2018 18:48

INTERIORS

COLOUR WAYS RUBELLI

Rubelli’s 2018 collection features vibrant colours spanning lime, aquamarine, dusky pink and Tiffany blue as well as an oxidised bronze and the return of red. rubelli.com

Interiors Notes 58 • In the kitchen with Rosie Birkett 60 A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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INTERIORS NOTES

Ideas, designs and styles for your home By PENDLE HARTE

Surface area OLIVIA ASPINALL

In collaboration with Ornamental Grace, Olivia Aspinall has created a series of handmade Jesmonite vessels in her distinctive patterned surfaces. Her surfaces make stylish and practical worktops and tabletops too. olivia-aspinall.com.

SHELF LIFE STRING

The String system can offer a stylish kitchen solution with its simple and ﬂexible versatility that suits traditional as well as contemporary kitchens. Pictured is the String system in oak with white wall and ﬂoor panels, from £42. skandium.com

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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INTERIORS • NOTES O

ITE

TS E G

F AV UR

BARISTA TOUCH Sage, £999.95 johnlewis.com

ART OF GLASS TOM DIXON

ELECTRIC KETTLE Michael Graves for Alessi, £159.95 alessi.com

BASKET CASE

Deliccately handmade with pink and grey tones, this Bump glass teapot by Tom Dixon has a range of stylish accessories to match. £100 tomdixon.net

ARCHITECT TOASTER Toaster £89; Kit Miles panels £24.95 dualit.com

LA BASKETRY

La Basketry was founded to share a traditional Senegalese craft with the world and generate regular employment for their weavers. They bringing colour and individuality to contemporary houses while creating a sustainable life for their artisans.

HAND BLENDER Smeg, £119.95 johnlewis.com

labasketry.com

EDITOR’S PICK

PEANUT BUTTER MAKER Simple and healthy. £44.95 cuckooland.com

SMARTER WIFI COFFEE MAKER Control it with your phone. £179.95 cuckooland.com

WHITE OUT STELTON

Stelton's iconic and everpractical vacuum jug was designed by Erik Magnussen and is celebrating 40 years in production with a range of new metallic colours. We're fans of the classic white, however. stelton.com

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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A cook’s

TABLE Food writer and stylist Rosie Birkett shows us around her London kitchen B y E L L I E S T E WA R T F O R H A B I TAT

Q Tell us a bit about yourself. Can you summarise what you do for a living? A All things food. I’m a food writer, cookbook author, food stylist and cook. Q Is this your dream job? A Pretty much yes. Of course all jobs have their off days but I feel incredibly lucky to do something I’m so consumed by. The beauty of my job is that it’s incredibly creative and I do so many different things, so no day is the same, but each day invariably involves some good food and drink. Q What inspires you to do what you do? A Growing up, it was all about food and cooking. My family are a greedy bunch and we always came together over my mother’s delicious home cooked food. I think this, and the fact I was so aware of us growing our own veg, keeping chickens and fishing etc has had a big influence on my love of food. Q What exciting projects have you been working on lately? A I’ve been doing lots of events and pop up dinners, including a collaboration with the fab cinema supper club, Kino Vino, during which we screened an old Ealing Studios film called It always rains on Sunday set in and around east London; the second was a charity banquet organised by Bristol chef Romy Gill for Action Against Hunger with a load of other female chefs and food writers. We had to serve eight courses to 112 in a hall in Borough Market we weren’t cooking in, so it was very challenging but great fun and we raised over 10k which was amazing.

Q How would you describe your interior style? A Whimsical, eclectic and natural. I love collecting beautiful objects and handmade treasures such as ceramics, vintage furniture and art. Also, you’ll notice I’m a sucker for a house plant. We don’t have a garden so I definitely like to bring the outdoors in. Q You must spend a lot of time in the kitchen. What’s your favourite thing about it? A I spend at least four days a week in the kitchen. What drew me to our house is that the kitchen is pretty much the whole of the downstairs. It’s open plan and flooded by natural light by a glass ceiling, so I’m really happy cooking here. There are plenty of units for storage and I love being able to display my props on top of the cupboards. I’m very proud of the marble tiling and hexagonal tiles behind the sink, as well as the second hand stainless steel catering cupboard which is an island and storage solution in one. Q What would you change about your kitchen space? A I would love a big range cooker.

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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INTERIORS • FOCUS

“What drew me to our house is that the kitchen is pretty much the whole of the downstairs”

Q Where do you find interior inspiration? A Elle Decor, Remodelista and interior design books. Instagram too of course, including Habitat’s. Q Which instagram accounts would you recommend for interior inspiration? A As above. Apartmenttherapy and Jungalow too. Q What’s your favourite interior trend at the moment? A I love the pink trend. I’ve never been a girly girl or that into pink but recently something has changed and I can’t get enough of little hints of pink, particularly when it’s dusky, faded, pastel or stone washed. Q Which habitat products do you love and why? A I adore my new pink stonewashed bedspread which sits atop our gorgeous new wooden bed, both from Habitat. Having a wooden bed is a real statement and brings so much character to an otherwise simple room. The grain of the wood on the bed is beautiful. I really love the gorgeous green marble of the coffee table too. Watch out for many Instagram food shots featuring A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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17/01/2018 17:19

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INTERIORS • FOCUS

this. Also the marble lamp is just dreamy – bringing a hint of luxury to the spare room. Q What’s your favourite thing about your home? The light and sense of space. Floor-to-ceiling windows and our double-height glass ceiling make it a really light, airy space. Q What was your last interiors project and purchase? A Doing up our spare room and putting in some shelves for my huge library of cookbooks. Q How have you made this house your home? A By filling it with our most-loved objects and people. We are always hosting dinners and drinks at ours and we’re such home bodies. Q Tell us about your most treasured possessions? A The rug in the spare room was brought in Argentina. I was really broke at the time and really agonised over whether to buy it but I’m so glad i did, it makes me so happy. Our vintage Ercol dining set was a total bargain from Ebay and I’m so thrilled we found it, even though we had to hire a van and drive to the middle of nowhere to this really posh lady’s country house, it was so worth it. Q Where is the heart of your home? A The kitchen of course. Q If you could re-live one moment in this house what would it be? Tell us about your favourite memory. A Our first Christmas party in the house was pretty epic. We got an 13ft Christmas tree, I made venison stew and there was a lot of prosecco and mulled wine. It was so brilliant to finally have our own space and be able to host our friends whose houses we’ve been partying in for years. Q What would complete your home? A I would love a wood fired log burner but unfortunately it’s not possible in this house. Q Tell us something interesting about yourself or your home that not many people know. A Cyril our dog calls the shots. Seriously, he thinks the sofa, our bed and the spare room bed all belong to him. Q Who would you invite to your dream dinner party? A My late dad, I would love to cook for him and catch him up on the last 12 years.

“I’ve never been a girly girl but recently I can’t get enough of pink”

H A B I TAT For more cool habitats visit habitat.co.uk/blog

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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17/01/2018 17:19

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23/11/2017 17:17

KIDS & EDUCATION

STREET STYLE STELLA MCCARTNEY

The collection captures the energy and essence of childhood while remaining effortlessly cool and stylish - a testament to her understanding of fashion and its ever-changing demands. stellamccartney.com

Small Talk: World Book Day, French fashion and stylish toy storage 67 A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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The Subscription

FOR MINDFUL PARENTS Sign up to Readly for only ÂŁ7.99 a month and read all back issues of Absolutely Education, as well as our entire portfolio, including Absolutely Mama, Absolutely Weddings and Absolutely Home. Readly Subscribers also enjoy unbounded access to over 2,300 top titles.

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01/11/2017 12:36

KIDS & EDUCATION • NOTES

F O CU S

French chic B O N TO N

Cool but classic; understated but bold; classy but contemporary; French brand Bonton’s collection of contradictions is the only thing to wear as this winter continues. bonton.fr

READ IT Wo r l d B o o k D a y

SMALL TALK French fashion, World Book Day and some stylish toy storage

EDITOR’S PICK

HOUSE STYLE ROCK AND PEBBLE

Make tidying up easier (and more fun) with this ‘safe house’ for toys – an organic canvas storage bag complete with ladder and key-shaped charm. £59;

thismodernlife.co.uk

THINK TANK

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MIND HUG Children's Mental Health Week starts on 6 February and this sweet storybook is all about introducing mindfulness from an early age in a child-friendly way, focusing on moods and feelings. Part of every book sale goes towards Place2Be's work in schools. £9.99 circus-house.com

orld Book Day returns on 1 March with its mission to celebrate reading for pleasure and encourage children and young people to read and love books. A stellar line-up of authors, illustrators and events is planned across the country alongside a series of special new works that will cost just £1 or free in exchange for a £1 World Book Day book token. Bestselling children’s authors and illustrators for 2018 include broadcaster Clare Balding, musician Tom Fletcher, comedian Julian Clary and top illustrator David Roberts, sports journalist Gerard Siggins and further favorites Pamela Butchart, Andy Griffiths, Terry Denton and Kes Gray. The £1 World Book Day book tokens are available to all nursery and schoolchildren in the UK and Ireland. worldbookday.com

ALLAN AHLBERG

WORST BOOK EVER

My Worst Booke Ever is a clever story is about the making of a book and all the things that can go wrong. Allan's idea features a crocodile, but the publishers want a dinosaur and the illustrator's keen on a hippo... and further problems arrive at the printer. £10.95 thameshudson.co.uk

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An academically challenging education for girls from Nursery to Sixth Form 60% of all A Level grades at A* - A in 2017

Book now for our

Open Events: 14 March 9 May Sutton High School 55 Cheam Road, Sutton, Surrey SM1 2AX T.0208 225 3001 E.admissions@sut.gdst.net

CURTAIN CALL INSPIRED INTERIORS Our redesigned and extended showroom is now open, incorporating a large Luxaflex design studio showing the latest motorised blinds, nestled alongside nearly new curtains and a huge choice of fabrics to be made to measure as curtains and blinds

Opening Hours Mon-Fri 9am-5.30pm Sat 10am-6pm Evenings by appointment 52 Friars Stile Road, Richmond, Surrey TW10 6NQ 020 8332 6250 curtaincall@blueyonder.co.uk

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EDUCATION • FOCUS

Making their mark The Early Years coordinator at Dallington School in Islington on the importance of encouraging young artists By AMBIKA CURBISHLEY

he children I have taught over the years arrive having already had a range of different experiences when it comes to art. Some children immediately experiment and explore and think creatively when they are making or drawing, others do not want to get paint on their fingers, or say, 'I can’t do it!' As my teaching career continues, I have come to question how we as adults influence children’s attitudes to art and how we impact on children’s interest in this area. Often talking to parents gives an insight into

how their own experiences at school or their outlook on art has an impact on how they approach the subject with their children. I have heard people say, ‘It doesn’t look like anything, it’s a scribble.’ I then spend time explaining that that ‘scribble’ is where the child is at developmentally and that the child has just told a whole story whilst making those marks. I also hear parents describe how they felt they were not very good at art at school and, therefore, they don’t know how to go about teaching their own children. So, did someone along the way dismiss attempts they had made as a child, squashing confidence?

“There is great value in allowing children to make choices and express themselves”

A YOUNG PUPIL AT DALLINGTON

There is great value in allowing children to express themselves, to make choices about the media they wish to use, to learn through the process of creating and to praise each child’s art work. Those early ‘scribbles’ and the freedom to make them, cannot be emphasised enough. If opportunities do not arise, does the child miss a stage of building up a repertoire of marks? Can this gap then be filled at a later date? As early years educators we can do that to a degree but children also need those opportunities at home. Sometimes, people have asked me whether the reason a child does not draw or take part in art activities is because they are not interested. I then question why they might not be interested at the age of three! Do they find it difficult or has an adult influenced their desire or opportunity to participate in art-based activities. So when a child shows an adult a drawing, we need to think about our responses, instead of, “What is it?” which for a child, that knows exactly what they have just drawn, is a little deflating “Can you tell me about it?” leads to a far more in-depth discussion. You may be very surprised to find that those several lines across a page are a ladder that goes up to a fairy castle or that those circles that go round and round are the movement of a car. Let children create and make a mess, it can be cleaned up but a child’s confidence takes a lot longer to rebuild. I am fascinated by the early marks that children make and the insight they give into different areas of development. For example, their language skills can be heard through their descriptions whilst drawing; their physical development observed by looking at their self awareness depicted in their figurative pictures or how they hold a paint brush; to their emotional development, where drawings can depict how a child is feeling. As long as I teach, I hope I will be able to place an importance on art in the early years and recognise all that it can lead to.

AMBIKA CURBISHLEY Early Years Coordinator Dallington School

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Valentine’s Day Available from 9th to 18th February

3 COURSES £35 per person Dorsett Shepherds Bush. London

Book Now:

58 Shepherds Bush Green, London W12 8QE

T: +44 (0) 203 262 1026

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TRAVEL

HEADING NORTH GREECE

Unspoilt beauty, expansive beaches and an authentic dose of the region’s culture, this month we argue the case for a holiday in Northern Greece at one of the country’s swankiest resorts.

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THE RESORT BOASTS IMPRESSIVE VIEWS OVER THE AEGEAN SEA

“Look out from the French doors and see sun, sea and private pool blend seamlessly into a postcard image of utter perfection” 72

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TRAVEL • WANDERLUST

A Trident’s

TALE Discover what it truly means to be stress-free amidst the unspoilt beauty of Halkidiki By H E L E N B R O W N

ell anyone of your holiday to Greece and they’ll immediately picture the pretty island harbours and tavernas of the south. Where sun is aplenty and the vista one of gleaming white against sparkling azure. Make your way north however, and the pictureperfect views bloom with verdant greenery and Greece’s best-kept secret lies, unhassled by summer holiday-makers. Fabled for its heart-stopping beauty and boundless hospitality, Halkidiki is the trident of Greece; three unspoilt, forested fingers stretching out into the Aegean Sea. Our Greek odyssey brings us to Sithonia, the central peninsula with a backbone of mountains and pine forests. More rugged and less populated than the left prong, Kassandra, Sithonia has long been a favourite vacation destination for locals. Along the coast, sweeping beaches are interspersed by secret coves, and the east side offers commanding views of Mount Athos, the third peninsula. On Sithonia you’ll find gorgeous, sleepy towns, a wealth of charming treasures to unearth and our home-from-home for the week, Danai Beach Resort. Easily reached from Thessaloniki, this luxurious hideaway is a haven of lush Mediterranean gardens and an expansive sandy beach. A family-run establishment, Danai offers a broad range of suites and villas, each

unique in style and boasting impressive views over the gardens or the ocean. Our two bedroom suite falls into the latter; here you can look out from the French doors and see sun, sea and private pool blend seamlessly into a postcard image of utter perfection. Fresh flowers, captivating wall art, Bose wi-fi music system, walk-in wardrobe and Bulgari bathroom products complete the scene. With all sense of the nine-to-five forgotten, we head to the Sea Horse Grill. On offer here is authentic Greek flavour and the freshest of fish and seafood. There is an ancient concept of hospitality and guest-friendship in this country, known as Xenia, and from this first meal we truly get an understanding of it. Hungry from the morning travelling, we gorge at a table laden with sharing plates until we can eat no more, only to find it relaid with a second wave of larger dishes. A true Greek feast. With bellies full and the sound of lapping waves tempting us into culinary-induced comas, we head to the beach. More than 300 meters long and absent of crowds, this is where London life is truly left behind. Stretchers and daybeds are available to hire for all guests, but to really get into holiday mode, a beach cabana does wonders. With this comes a private section of beach, a sitting area and comfortable double bed. Hotel staff are on hand to wipe clean your sunnies, serve fresh fruit platters and pop the corks from Perrier Jouet. Our beach lounging is interspersed with turns on the resort’s paddle boards, dips in the pool and a A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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Support the Head Held High appeal and provide quality education to Africa's most vulnerable children #HeadHeldHigh

Donate before 23rd December 2017 and your donation will be matched by the UK Government

Discover more at www.hope-for-children.org Reg. Charity No. 1161729

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TRAVEL • WANDERLUST EVERY SUITE AND VILLA IS INDIVIDUAL IN STYLE

fantastically indulgent facial. Danai’s prestigious spa is a real haven of tranquility, comprising multiple massage rooms, a nail spa and trilogy room with reflexology bed and a Cleopatra’s Bath with double bed for relaxation. Dinner is another exciting affair with three restaurants to choose from and a traditional Bachtses Night. Put on once a week in an intimate outcrop of garden overlooking the sea, this is a spectacular evening steeped in Greek authenticity. Live cooking, traditional dishes, locally produced drinks, music and dancing make this a night to remember. Our second evening is spent at the open-air Andromeda Restaurant, where modern Mediterranean fare is the order of the day. Sitting on the restaurant’s terrace, we tuck into strawberries with seafood, elegantly cooked lamb and a lemon meringue pie like no other, against a backdrop of splashing waves. For something a little swankier, The Squirrel has a well-earned reputation for being one of the principle culinary addresses in the country. If Halkidiki is the trident of Greece, then Poseidon is certainly smiling on those who manage to get a table here. Or perhaps Dionysus of wine, parties and fruitfulness; the food here certainly tastes otherworldly. The elaborate degustation menu offers a daring variety of Willy Wonka-esque plates, French and Mediterranean in flavour and expertly paired with wine

THE MAIN FOCUS OF THE SPA IS SET ON ORIENTAL HOLISTIC THERAPIES

of which hail from Greece and prove that the region’s reputation as a producer is on the rise. If it’s an apéritif you’re after, the Philosophy Seaside Bar prides itself on its creative drinks menu and incomparable setting. Located on the beach, an evening here is certainly appealing. The bar staff demonstrate impressive flair and the premium cocktail list attracts both guests and locals alike. Providing your hangover isn’t too severe, a number of excursions from Danai are available to fully explore the peninsula of Halkidiki. By yacht or by speedboat is the ideal way to combine leisure with sightseeing, and to fully get a feel for the area. One of the resort’s most popular routes will take you to the old city of Neos Marmaras. Departing from the hotel’s private beach, the tour follows the coastline of Nikiti, Ai Giannis, Kastro, Kalogria, Elia and Paradeisos beach, finally reaching Neos Marmaras. This is a must-see village with wild entertainment and plenty of romantic walks. The route then passes by the impressive complex of Porto Carras - cocooned with vineyards and its picturesque harbour -

“Hotel staff are on hand to wipe clean your sunnies and pop the corks from Perrier Jouet”

from Danai’s on-site wine cellar. The restaurant won the FNL Award in 2016 as one of the best three restaurants in Greece, while the wine list came in at number one. So what of this impressive purveyance of wine? Built deep into the side of the mountain in the heart of the resort, Danai’s private cellar boasts a lauded collection of around 1,700 wines, carefully collected over decades. Varieties range from the old to the new, and from producers SWEEPING PRIVATE TERRACES both local and farPROVIDE UNPARALLELED VIEWS reaching. Kitted out with antique furnishings and maintaining an old-world ambience, the wine cellar plays host to an incredibly awe-inspiring tasting session. Within this mystic and medieval candle-lit cave, Danai’s competent sommelier talks us through a cleverly curated selection of wines, many

before passing by the tortoise-shaped, deserted island of Kelyfos and the sandy beaches of Diaporos. Another must for culture vultures is a visit to Nikiti where a quaint church marks the highest point of the village and the seafront is a bustling jumble of authentic beach eateries. The village epitomises Halkidiki’s compelling blend of beach holiday with authentic Greek buzz, and proves there is more to the area than meets the eye. Top up your tan, feast on local cuisine and luxuriate in a lifestyle where schedules are few and far between; Halkidiki is the hidden gem to have on your holiday radar this year.

DA N A I B E AC H R E S O R T & VILLAS Junior suites from £375 on a B&B basis, based on 2 people sharing +30 2375 020400 danairesort.com

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ALL ALLASPECTS ASPECTSOF OFHOME HOMEREFURBISHMENT REFURBISHMENT KITCHEN, KITCHEN,BATHROOMS BATHROOMS&&BEDROOMS BEDROOMS Renovating RenovatingInteriors InteriorsSince Since1985 1985 www.bellainteriors.co.uk www.bellainteriors.co.uk T 020 T 020 8332 8332 9898 9898 / F/ 020 F 020 8332 8332 9777 9777 / E/ sales@bellainteriors.co.uk E sales@bellainteriors.co.uk / 137 / 137 Kew Kew Road Road Richmond. Richmond. Surrey Surrey TW9 TW9 2PN. 2PN.

JANUARY SALE â&#x20AC;&#x201C; SEE IN STORE FOR DETAILS

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PROPERTY Living the dream 82 Famous Places 86 Nigel Lewis: Luxe 88

COOMBE PARK KT2

ÂŁ8,995,000

his is a beautiful six bedroom house set in half an acre of landscaped gardens. Highlights of the property are the spacious rooms, swimming pool, double garage and off-street parking. Coombe Park is a private gated community close to Kingston. Between Coombe and Wimbledon, the area offers great schooling, seven golf courses, and plenty of activities.

KNIGHT FRANK Wimbledon Office 020 8946 0026 knightfrank.com

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Winner

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LIVING THE

DREAM The most luxuriously appointed properties on the market

LIVERPOOL ROAD K T 2 , ÂŁ3,4 00,0 0 0

his stunning period home, dating from 1856, backs onto Richmond Park and has lovely views. Set over four floors, the property has five to six bedrooms, and a wonderful balance of bedroom and living space. The well landscaped garden is mainly laid to lawn with some mature shrubs and hedging, and a private terrace off the back of the house. The house also benefits from a garage and off street parking. KNIGHT FRANK Richmond Office 020 3504 6958 knightfrank.com

GEORGE ROAD

K T 2 , ÂŁ10,0 0 0 P C M

his is an exceptional eight bedroom stately home in the heart of Coombe Estate. The grounds include a 16th Century Conduit House believed to have been built under instruction of Cardinal Wolsey. The ground floor comprises six reception rooms including a beautiful kitchen, with stunning views over the landscaped gardens. On the first and second floors, there are eight bedrooms and seven bathrooms. KNIGHT FRANK Wimbledon Letting 020 8946 0026 knightfrank.com 1

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PROPERTY • NEW TO THE MARKET

BEECH RIDGE

KT 2 , £ 3 ,49 9, 5 00

his is a newly renovated six bedroom detached property on one of the most sought after roads off Kingston Hill. The accommodation is spread over three floors, with generous entertaining space and a stunning kitchen and breakfast room. The property has an Arts and Crafts architectural style and a shingle driveway with granite sett edging. COOMBE RESIDENTIAL 020 8947 9393 coomberesidential.com

DAWSON ROAD

GIBBONS ROAD KT 2 , £ 1 , 89 5 ,0 0 0

his extraordinary six bedroom Victorian house has been outstandingly renovated. Each room exudes charm and personality, culminating in an incredible kitchen, dining and living space. Situated on one of Kingston’s most desirable residential streets, The River Thames and good transport links are within a ten minute walk away. FEATHERSTONE LEIGH

Kingston 020 8549 9449 featherstoneleigh.co.uk

K T 1 , £ 74 9,9 5 0

his property is a stunning Victorian family home that has been extended to offer plenty of living space whilst retaining its period features. The property comprises three bedrooms, three receptions rooms, three bathrooms, and to the rear a private rear garden. The grand family home is situated on a quiet residential road, located close to Kingston and Surbiton train stations. KFH Kingston, 020 3792 4524 kfh.co.uk

A STUNNING VICTORIAN FAILY HOME THAT HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO OFFER PLENTY OF LIVING SPACE WILST RETAINING ITS PERIOD FEATURES

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GIBBON ROAD, KINGSTON UPON THAMES An exquisite six bedroom detached family house with off street parking, extended to the rear, side and into the loft, whilst offering nearly 2500 square feet of internal accommodation. Arranged over three floors and finished to the highest specification throughout, this sumptuous property retains much of its original charm and character features whilst having been fully modernised to a truly stunning standard. EPC = D

ASKING PRICE

ÂŁ1,895,000

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Chiswick Hammersmith West Kensington Fulham Chelsea

Battersea Clapham Putney Barnes Richmond

Kew Sheen Twickenham Teddington Kingston

featherstoneleigh.co.uk

STOKE ROAD, KINGSTON UPON THAMES A substantial period home offering over 6000 square feet in an enviable residential street within moments of Coombe Wood Golf Club and offered with no onward chain. Comprising six generous double bedrooms and seven receptions, this incredibly flexible home also offers an annex above a triple garage whilst gated driveway and secluded garden are on offer. Stoke Road is in the heart of Coombe and perfectly placed for both Kingston and New Malden town centres. EPC = D

ASKING PRICE

ÂŁ3,250,000

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FA M O U S P L AC E S by N I G E L L E W I S

London hides a plethora of celebrity homes. These are the most recent to come on the market

JEEVES TO MCQUEEN

BELLA’S BOLTHOLE

ella Freud is best known for her fashionwear, father Lucien Freud, and famous friends, but now she’s turned her talents to interior design. The 56-year-old has put the finishing touches to a 2,300-sq-ft apartment within the BBC’s former White City TV studios. Bella, who counts Kate Moss as one of her close friends, has been moving into interior design, and recently launched her own range of scented candles.

Her designs for the apartment are still under wraps, but will be influenced by both her fashion background and the TV heritage of the site. It’s within a £1.5 billion mixed-use development, which is retaining both the original Blue Peter garden and crescent shape of the former TV Centre building. Bella’s apartment is to be launched in the Spring and will cost approximately £3 million; a final price is yet to be decided.

his elegant Georgian property was once the home of both fashion designer Alexander McQueen and author PG Wodehouse, but at different times. The property is located on Dunraven Street in the centre of Mayfair, only a stone's throw from Hyde Park In 2010 McQueen was half way through refurbishing the top floors of the property, with the intention of restoring it to it's former status as a family home, when he committed suicide at a rented flat nearby. PG Wodehouse, the author of the Jeeves and Wooster books, lived at the house between 1927 and 1934 while at the height of his creative powers. It was his last home in the UK. After selling the property Wodehouse moved to France but, after being captured by the invading Germans in 1940 at the seaside town of Le Touquet but later being released, then moved to the US where he remained until the end of his life. After McQueen’s death, the refurbishment of the property’s top floor three-bedroom maisonette was completed and the flat later sold for £8.5 million. The other part of his planned project, an apartment below, is now for sale, having also been refurbished. It’s a one-bedroom property with a single reception room and two bathrooms, a small rear balcony off the bedroom, a new kitchen and wooden flooring throughout.

More information from Knight Frank, 020 7629 8171.

More information from Dexters on 020 7590 9590.

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PROPERTY • STAR HOMES

BROADCASTER’S HOUSE

oan Bakewell is one of the nation’s best-known writers and broadcasters. She was made a baroness in 2011, but is bestknown for her relationship with playwright Harold Pinter. The relationship went on for seven years and during all this time she has lived in the same house in Primrose Hill which she bought in 1963. Neighbours have included Alan Bennett, Ted Hughes and his wife Sylvia Plath, Jon Snow and Robert Plant. But now Bakewell is downsizing and has put her home on the market for £6.25 million. Overlooking a pretty green, the large Victorian house includes a selfcontained two-bedroom flat, a garden and four bedrooms. More information from David Birkett Estate Agents, 020 3641 2618.

"Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne lived in the property during Ozzy's well-documented battle with alcohol"

OZZY MANSION

eel House near Amersham has been home to actor Dirk Bogarde, songwriter Matt Aitken of Stock, Aitken and Waterman and TV chat show host Robert Kilroy-Silk. But they are all eclipsed by Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne who lived in the property during Ozzy’s welldocumented battle with alcohol during the late 1980s. During their time there, in 1989, Ozzy was arrested at the property by police for threatening to kill his wife and subsequently spent time at a nearby rehab clinic. The Osbournes eventually resolved their marital problems, sold Beel House and moved to Los Angeles and gained worldwide fame with their TV reality show The Osbournes. Beel House is back on the market and the current owner is asking £3.95 million for the property. The seven-bedroom house has extensive gardens, a pool and a spa complex, and is located near Amersham in Buckinghamshire.

More information from Knight Frank (01494 854579).

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IS THE LUXE LOOK OVER? We’ve all heard of them, but few of us have seen inside London’s high-end luxe-look apartments. Nigel Lewis went to look around the first of a new breed that eschew bling, for sale at £12.75 million.

hen a property is so expensive its guest bathroom is worth more per square foot than your car then you really pay attention while being shown around it. Even the most mildly curious mind is looking at every fixture, fitting and feature to work out where the money went. Is the loo handle ten times better than the one at my home? Does the golden brass balustrade justify the overall spend despite its wow factor? Does anyone really need four dishwashers? Walking around The Penthouse on the freshly-minted Fitzroy Place, these

questions pop into your head a lot. One thing’s for sure. This is a truly oneoff property. And that’s what the people who will eventually call this two-floor apartment home will be looking for. While most people are focussing on the huge price tag, house hunters in this category want to know how much exclusivity their millions buy. And the answer is, a fair amount. The property is on the top two floors of an already select new-build block that’s just five minutes from Oxford Street, and is the only penthouse on this square. And to top that, Fitzroy Place is the first new square to be built in London’s central districts for over 100 years. Replacing what older Londoners will

remember as the Middlesex Hospital (until it closed in 2005), it includes the HQ of Estée Launder as well as two apartment blocks, restaurants, shops and the one part of hospital that remains; its chapel, which has been deconsecrated but can still be rented out for functions. The penthouse is the icing on this mixed-use cake and comes with two parking spaces in the basement and a lift, the entrance of which can be monitored via a CCTV link upstairs. Once you’re up there are several jaw droppers to take in within the threebedroom duplex. One is the interior design, which has been completed by Caroline Paterson, who was given over £100,000 and a remit to create something European, contemporary and that wasn’t bling. We wanted to steer clear of the Knightsbridge or Mayfair luxe look that many developments feature elsewhere which are aimed at Middle Eastern buyers,” says Lucy Arthur from Ashby Capital, which is the financial force behind Fitzroy Place. “Instead we wanted this to be the kind of cool European apartment that would appeal to everyone whether they’re European, Asian or from the Middle East.” The other attraction of this penthouse duplex is that it’s relatively ‘affordable’ within the mildly crazy world of prime property. Lucy says it’s hard to find a penthouse like this one for less than £3,000 per square foot – and this one comes in at £2,800. It's considerable square footage comes from the duplex design. The 26ft long

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PROPERTY • NEW TO THE MARKET

lower floor is almost entirely open plan featuring floor-to-ceiling glass terrace doors along each side. Therefore, as you glide out of your kitchen clutching a gin and tonic after a long day in the City, on the left the doors lead out onto a terrace with views over the square looking east, while the bedroom – which has its own terrace – offers stunning views of the roofs of the West End and, on a clear evening, amazing sunsets. But part of the high price of living here is the area. Fitzrovia, which used to have a reputation as a posh but hard-working area famous for the rag trade, has now gone upmarket. These days it’s dominated by the

“ House hunters in the category want to know how much exclusivity their millions will buy”

higher end of the corporate world. One add on residents of Fitzroy Place get is access to their own private club, the facilities of which are free. This includes a gym, offices, an 18-seat cinema, and concierge service. Fitzroy Place, is also home to award winning restaurant The Detox Kitchen. Further, in December 2017 one of the two architects responsible for the design of Fitzroy Place won the Architect of the Year prize at the Architect Journal’s annual awards for the project which, it was said, wowed the judges with its design. So perhaps the £12.75 million price tag for its penthouse might be justified after all. A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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