KENSINGTON DECEMBER 2014

ABSOLUTELY KENSINGTON

DECEMBER 2014 / £3.95

NIGHTCLUBBING

RICHARD YOUNG'S PARTY PEOPLE

COLIN SALMON PORTOBELLO'S BIGGEST FAN

BISCUITS AND BAUBLES

SUGARY TREATS FOR THE SEASON

Party Pieces

GLAMOROUS GIFTS FOR EVERYBODY

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facebook.com/struttandparker twitter.com/struttandparker

struttandparker.com

Kildare Terrace, Notting Hill, W2

An attractive and well-presented five bedroom, family house, occupying approximately 2,769 sq ft and situated in this very popular, secluded cul-de-sac.

ÂŁ4,250,000 Freehold

2,769 sq ft (257.2 sq m) EPC rating C Entrance hall | Drawing room | Dining room | Sitting room | Two kitchens | Conservatory | Five bedrooms | Two bathrooms | Wine cellar | Terrace | Garden

Notting Hill 020 7221 1111 Nottinghill@struttandparker.com

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Abingdon Villas, Kensington, W8

An outstanding five bedroom family house, with excellent entertaining space, a wonderful garden and off-street parking.

ÂŁ5,900,000 Freehold

2,982 sq ft (277.03 sq m) EPC rating C Drawing room | Sitting room | Kitchen/ breakfast room | Family room | Study | Five bedrooms | Two bathrooms | Shower room | Two cloakrooms | Garden | Off-street parking

Kensington 020 7938 3666 Kensington@struttandparker.com

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MAIDA VALE

FROM KITCHEN, BATHROOM, BEDROOM AND LIVING SPACE DESIGN, WE OPEN UP IDEAS IN INTERIOR DESIGN VISIT US AT OUR MAIDA VALE SHOWROOM OR ONLINE AT DAYTRUE.COM

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Dece mbe r 2014

87

103

38 GIFTS FOR HER

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c u lt u r e WHAT'S ON

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ON THE AGENDA

42 A FRESH COAT

22 NIGHTCLUBBING

48 EYRE TO THE THRONE

Diary dates for December Portobello Eye; Mister Finch and Melissa Greenwood Richard Young's years on the town in one fabulous new volume

26 COLIN SALMON

From Peterborough to Portobello – the actor raves about Carnival

st yle 36 FASHION NOTES

Merchant Archive and party clothes

All women want for Christmas – clothes, shoes and bags mostly Long layers and tactile pieces to keep off the chill In the studio with W10-based goldsmith and gem stone expert Esther Eyre

interiors 66 INTERIORS NOTES

83 FAMILY SHOWS

70 PEDALLING CHRISTMAS

food & drink 92 BISCUIT HEAVEN

All the best baubles and other fabulous pieces for the home Charlie and Caroline Gladstone share their festive inspirations

72 STAFFAN TOLLGARD

The interior designer talks us through a fantastic Notting Hill house

k i d s & e d u c at i o n 80 KIDS NOTES Cover images lickerish

All the best gifts and stocking fillers, plus a fabulous Disney princess experience

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35 'Tis the season to take the kids to the theatre. Here are the best shows for all ages

Christmas biscuit icing for children with the Biscuiteers

98 THE TURKEY ALTERNATIVE

The Ginger Pig has other ideas – think goose, pheasant and partridge

PROPERTY 148 PROPERTY NEWS

News and views on the area

DECEMBER 2014

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N U -L I N E K I T C H E N

S T U D I O

w w w. n u - l i n e . n e t

N u -L i ne Ki t c h e n S tu d io : 12- 14 Malto n rd L o n d o n W10 5U P 0 2 0 8206 5170 w w w.nu - lin e.n et

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EDITOR’S

letter

P

ictures of Lancaster Road and Basing Street have been all over the news again recently as Bob Geldof, 30 years older, wiser and whiter, returned to Sarm Studios with his new Band Aid line-up. Anyone old enough to remember it first time round will be noting, apart from how old everybody is, that the new crowd is actually very similar to the old one. Rita Ora and Paloma Faith in place of Bananarama, Harry Styles instead of George Michael, Chris Martin for Paul Young. Not really all that different. But even if the pop world never changes, the art world does – Tracey Emin's neon slogans share nothing with Peter Blake's paper collage. The record stands a good chance of making the Christmas number one, adding to the huge number of hits produced at the same Basing Street address since the 1960s (everyone from Led Zeppelin to Take That has recorded there, via Brian Eno, Bob Marley, Depeche Mode and the Pet Shop Boys).

So the legacy continues.

Anyway, we certainly know it's Christmas this month at Absolutely.

We have gift guides galore in these pages, alongside all our usual glamorous stories and fabulous people. We meet actor Colin Salmon (even though he's not doing this year's Portobello Panto) and goldsmith Esther Eyre, as well as Pedlars' Charlie and Caroline Gladstone; we make biscuits with the Biscuiteers and imagine ourselves out clubbing in Richard Young's world. Here's hoping this Christmas will be absolutely the best yet. u

Pendle Harte Editor

Email: pendle@zest-media.com Twitter: @Absolutely_mags Facebook: AbsolutelyMagazines

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DECEMBER 2014

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EDITOR PENDLE HARTE EDITORIAL ASSISTANT ELIZABETH HUTTON EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS PEARL BOYD, AMANDA CONSTANCE, CATHERINE HALES CONTRIBUTING BEAUTY EDITOR ARABELLA PRESTON SENIOR ADVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGER ROCHELLE STREATER TRAINEE ADVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGER ABIGAIL CRAMP CENTRAL PROPERTY MANAGER LEAH DAY PROPERTY EDITORS HUGO HUNTER ART DIRECTOR RAY SEARLE SENIOR DESIGNER PAWEL KUBA PRODUCTION MANAGER STEWART HYDE MID-WEIGHT DESIGNER TAHIR KAPUCU PROPERTY EDITORIAL DESIGNER ANDREW MAVIN DESIGNER EKREM YILMAZ JUNIOR DESIGNER REBECCA NOONAN COPY CONTROLLER CHRISTINE MANN FINANCE DIRECTOR ALEXANDRA HVID DIRECTORS GREG HUGHES, ALEXANDRA HUNTER MANAGING DIRECTOR SHERIF SHALTOUT PA TO DIRECTORS MARIANNE MCFADDEN For editorial enquiries please email: pendle@zest-media.com For advertising enquiries please call 020 7704 0588 or email: advertising@zest-media.com Subscriptions are available simply by emailing marianne@zest-media.com You can receive an online subscription for FREE or a postal subscription at £30 for 12 months (to cover postage and packaging). Please email us with your preferred option and details.

Published by

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

We reserve the right to publish and edit any letters.

All rights reserved.

Fo l l ow Us O n T wi t t e r @ABSOLUTELY_MAGS Fa c e b o o k ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

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FESTIVE SPARKLE

Versace's new fashion jewellery for the Christmas season is made from rhinestones with a classic Medusa head detail. Red and shiny, it's a definite festive piece. £1,150; versace.com

10 Things We

ABSOLUTELY PUPPY LOVE

Longchamps' iconic Piliage bag turned 20 this year. To celebrate, Alexa Chung returns to front the campaign for a second season. Embodying the casual sophistication of the brand, this time she's joined by a little Jack Russell pup. £765; longchamp.com

TWINKLE TOES It’s the season to sparkle SO so slipSURREAL on these Glitter Kitties dance the Theand Christian Lacroix Maison's night away. £425; new porcelain gift collection, charlotteolympia.com Love Who You Want, is inspired

by Surrealism as it mixes and matches images from various Lacroix collections. christian-lacroix.com

CLEVER MAN

For a unique and useful gift, give this USB MAN who can hold up to 2GB of data at a time. If only every man was as useful. £55; gift-library.com

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ABSOLUTELY / LOVES

POCKET CLASSICS

Designed by Coralie BickfordSmith, the new Penguin Classics Pocketbooks are beautiful dinky stocking fillers, with works including A Room of One's Own, The Communist Manifesto and The Prince. £10; penguin.co.uk

SANTA'S TIPPLE

Prestat's pretty festive offerings include these delicious baubles. The Fathe Christmas one is filled with Santa's favourite London gin truffles. £6.95; prestat.co.uk

CRUMBS...

We love Anya Hindmarch's beautiful biscuit bags, especially this Custard Cream one, £995; anyahindmarch.com

POM POM POM

Everyone needs a pom pom keyring. We can't decide whether we prefer the green or pink though. £24.50; somervillescarves.com

LIKE A GLOVE

TIME PLEASE

The UK's finest leather gloves are Southcombe Gloves, with almost 170 years of glove-making heritage behind them.Bright colours, hand-stitching and beautiful details make them really special. Pippi gloves, £40; southcombe.com

This glittering, feminine Ballon Bleu de Cartier watch in rhodiumfinished white gold and diamonds is just what we're hoping to find in our Christmas stockings. £108,000; cartier.co.uk

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DECEMBER 2014

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> WHAT'S ON

p.16

NIGHTCLUBBING WITH RICHARD YOUNG

p. 22

COLIN SALMON

p. 26

CULTURAL GIFTS

p. 29

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL Book now for Cirque's return to London in the new year with its stunning big top theatrical production, Kooza, an adrenaline rush of acrobatics in a zany kingdom. It opens at the Albert Hall on 6 January 2015. cirquedusoleil.com/kooza

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DECEMBER 2014

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ICE RINK

Un ti l 4 Ja n u a r y Na tu ra l H i s to r y M u s e u m et in the breathtaking foreground of the Natural History Museum, this ice S rink is a wonderful escape from the mayhem of Christmas shopping. After skating below 80,000 twinkling lights, be sure to stop off at the Lindt Christmas Chalet and sample the delicious delights on offer. ◆ Cromwell Road, SW7; nhmskating.com

CHRISTMAS SHOP

© TIM OLIVER

The Road to Elysium

4 D e ce m b e r Wes tb o u r ne G ro ve & L e db u r y R o ad ith discounts and goodie bags from, among others, Diptyque and W Dalesford, the Westbourne Grove Christmas Shop will make gift shopping painless. With W10 perfromance offering four complimentary peronal traning sessions to anyone who signs up on the day, don't miss out. ◆ Westbourne Grove, W11

Un til 12 Jan uar y Heist G a ller y

Pictures are mirages, telling stories conjured directly from an imagination of a post-apocalyptic world in the distant future. Each of the works on show at the Heist Gallery this December tells an arcadian tale through fairytale sets and arresting visions.

Beautifully artistic and inspiring.

41-43 Linden Gardens, W2 heist-online.com

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MISCAPES

2 1 No v e m b e r t o 4 Ja n u ra r y T he Tab e r na c l e ver wondered what Ketamine looks like? Well, Tim Oliver's abstract E images of crystallised substances are taken though a polarising microscope so offer a fasinatingly scientifuc vision of many everyday substances. A beautifully artistic exploration of both chaos and order in a technological world. ◆ 35 Powis Square, W11; miscapes.com

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ARTS & CULTURE / WHAT'S ON

ART WALL

T h ro u gh o u t D e ce m b e r Ke ns i ng to n Pl a c e n partnership with the Colombo Art Biennale, I Kensington Place will be showing two fascinating works until the new year. Featuring the stunningly detailed work of self-taught artist and self-professed people watcher, Alex Stewart, alongside the more eclectic work of modernist Cora de Lang, who has a far more fantastical approach to art and design, this is an intriguingly delightful curation. â—† 201 Kensington Church Street, W8 kensingtonplace-restaurant.co.uk

EVENT OF THE MONTH

Lights on Th rou gh ou t D e ce m b e r Fl o w G a ll er y

MASQUERADE BALL

To celebrate their re-opening, Flow Gallery have currated a show in which all the artists play with light. With beautiful, functional and sculptural pieces to warm you up during the cold festive period, this is a powerful exhibition that explores how light can affect your state of mind as well as alter how we percieve the world around us.

Ne w Ye ar's Ev e Paradise by Way of Ke n sa l G re e n ollowing the huge success of the last New Year's Eve party, F Paradise will be hosting a right old knees up in the form of a champagne-drenched masquerade ball.

With music supplied by some of west London's finest DJs, including Rum&Tings, Ben Cullum and Asad Naqvi, who will be playing the coolest music across both floors, there's no place we'd rather be on the eve of 2015. â—† 19 Kilburn Lane, W10; theparadise.co.uk

Needham Road, W11 flowgallery.co.uk

PLAY OF THE MONTH 6 - 9 December; The Print Room at the Coronet

A CHRISTMAS CAROL oin the bitter Ebeneezer Scrooge as he fights a loosing battle against the joy of Christmas.

With the help of three ghosts, Scrooge sees the horror of his Christmasses, past, present and future, and in doing so is altered forever. Rather impressively, Clive Francis not only re-enacts this festive masterpiece but spearheads the entire one-man-show show at the J

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Coronet. Rated 'spellbinding' and awarded five stars by The Sunday Times, it's undeniable that in spite of being written in entirely diffferent social and economic times (in 1843 to be exact) this story and its meaning are still poignant and relevant today. u 103 Notting Hill Gate, W11; 020 3642 6606 the-print-room.org

DECEMBER 2014

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MUCH MORE THAN JUST CHRISTMAS SHOPPING

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EFFORTLESS STYLE

EXCLUSIVE GIFTS

FINE DINING

ME+EM, Eliza Jane Howell, Kurobuta, Abasto, Bombay Palace, Cocomaya, Patey Hats, De Roemer, Daniel Mikhael, Fe’ Hair & Beauty, Markus Coffee, Prewett Miller, Stuzzico, Hyde Park Vet Boutique, The Dresser, Viola, Buchanan’s Cheesemonger, LPQ, Colbeh, Ritva Westenius & many more.

WWW.CONNAUGHT-VILLAGE.CO.UK

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THE HYDE PARK ESTATE’S RETAIL & RESTAURANT QUARTER

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C U LT U R E r o u n d u p

ARTS & CULTURE / CALENDAR

THE AGENDA

Our selection of the months' cultural highlights Wo r d s P E A R L B OY D

LUCK OF THE DRAW

elissa Greenwood is a local illustrator specialising in hand-drawn bespoke design. Her speciality is the bespoke unique magic island, a portrait that transforms the things people love into an original drawing in the form of a magical island as a beautiful present. Or there's the Love Tree, where branches are words expressing all the things you love about someone, as well as the lion's head, the skull, the elephant, the otter, the puffin – all made up of illustrations that represent the person you love. She does beautiful wedding invitations too, alongside drawings for all occasions. u melissagreenwooddrawing.com

M

Portobello Eye P o r t r a i t s o f t h e a r e a' s fa c e s

TEXTILE FAIRYTALES

reviously unseen work by Mister Finch, the 'textile artist who lives in a P fairytale world' makes up the Christmas exhibition at Anthropologie in King's Road. Artworks include a crowned swan, a suitcase-carrying toadstool, a seven-foot fox and a brood of other imaginative creatures, all with a sooty smoke-damaged nostalgic look reminscent of something lost and forgotten in the past. There will also be an atmospheric soundtrack to accompany the exhibition with eclectic festive sounds such as crackling fires, the click of a typewriter and tick-tock of a clock. u 139 King's Road, SW3; mister-finch.com

I

nspired by Richard Avedon and Irving Penn, Portobello Eye is a small volume of photographs of people. Taken over a period of 18 months, it documents 23 characters who, in the eyes of Jessica Zambeletti, Caroline Gladstone and Jordan Dean, represent Portobello Road. The idea initially was to draw charcoal portraits but soon it became clear that posing people against a brick wall created continuity and a pure focus, away from the market's

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hustle and bustle. Faces include the market's Cheryl Devlin, Tony Bennett and Ed Cain as well as Mike Hurt (pictured) and others, each of them answering the same eight questions ranging from 'what is your most memorable moment on Portobello Road?' to 'how to you visualise Portobello in 10 years?' and 'what are you reading right now?'. Look out for copies on the market, at Pedlars and at Lutyens and Rubinstein. u portobelloeye.co.uk

DECEMBER 2014

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Oh isn’t it wild?

Nightclubbing is a new book documenting 40 years of global partying by the original paparazzo, Richard Young.

Absolutely has a preview Wo r d s p e n d l e h a r t e

R

ichard Young is the Forrest Gump of the party world. Liz Taylor and Richard Burton? He gatecrashed Burton’s 50th birthday party. Sting and rudie Styler?

He was the official photographer at their wedding. He shot the last pictures of Keith Moon at Paul McCartney’s party just hours before he died, he toured with the Sex Pistols and his personal portrait of Freddie Mercury hangs in the National Portrait Gallery.

After 40 years in the business, he has exclusive access to everyone from Elton John and Kate Moss to Tracey Emin and prides himself on being the only photographer to be invited to events that others stand outside.

With an archive of over two million images, Richard Young’s prolific body of work could easily serve as documentation of popular culture over the past 40 years. His new book Nightclubbing comes with an introduction by Nile Rogers and features iconic images taken at star-studded venues that combine to uncover a crazy and wild, fun-loving, free-spirited and racy

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ARTS & CULTURE / PHOTOGRAPHY Keith Moon.

The Embassy Club, London, 1978.

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DECEMBER 2014

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Kate Moss and Jo Wood, Ronnie Wood’s 50th Birthday Party.

Richmond, London, 1997.

Rubert Everett and Kristen McMenamy, Versace Party. Ritz Hotel, Paris, 1995.

ROCK STARS, socialites, royals AND disco divas FROM THE 70S TO the noughties FEATURE in CANDID, intimate PICTURES

Bianca Jagger and Rocco Forte, California Suite Party. Regine’s.

London, 1979.j

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ARTS & CULTURE / PHOTOGRAPHY Liza Minnelli.

Regine’s, London, 1979.

John Galliano, Alexander McQueen and Annabelle Rothschild, Vogue && Laureus Party. Sporting Club, Monte Carlo, 2000 Rita Ora, Playboy 60th Anniversary Party. Playboy Club, London, 2013.

Joan Collins.

London, 1993

Madonna, Costume Institute Gala. MOMA, New York, 2011.

depiction of nightlife inside London’s most famous clubs. Rock stars, socialites, royals and disco divas from the 70s to the noughties feature in candid, intimate pictures that are not out to expose people, but neither are they products of a PR machine.

Young says: ‘The 70s were wild, with both the gay scene and the punk scene emerging and breaking ground. The 80s saw English society in full swing and the dance scene was embraced with gusto. In the 90s we morphed into colour, not only through photography, but the fashion got more eccentric and creative. The 00s was the decade of supermodels, superstars and super-royals, but also the time where photography became more highly controlled. Somehow I still managed to sneak in a few cheeky shots.’ u Nightclubbing is available at the Richard Young Gallery, 4 Holland Street W8 richardyounggallery.co.uk

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DECEMBER 2014

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Some Boy

Actor Colin Salmon has a long history with Notting Hill.

You'll see him in the latest series of Some Girls… and maybe the next Bond film, too Wo r d s R i c h a r d A l d h o u s

L

ike every August Bank Holiday weekend, if you’d have taken a wander into the fun and frolics of this year’s Carnival, chances are you might have come across Colin Salmon looking a little bit different than he does on your television.

By his own admission, as James Bond’s right hand man Charles Robinson, Salmon is well-known for his stern on-screen presence – or has he puts it, 'a burly man in a suit' – but come Notting Hill Carnival, his inner groove is unleashed.

In conjunction with heart charity Chain of Hope, Salmon and wife Fiona Hawthorne led a collective of no less than 500 people in the Fox Carnival Band.

They took the Sunday of the festival by storm. 'This year was amazing,' Salmon says. 'We had around 500 people with us this year, all from different backgrounds and nationalities, which is great to see. Every year you go you can create a new thing, see new ideas. I was even on the trumpet!' Blowing away didn’t halt his dance moves, though. 'I hardly stopped for seven hours. Most of it was backwards, too!' Anybody who watched the 2012 series of Strictly Come Dancing knows Salmon can do a mean foxtrot.

Salmon has been based in west London since he left Peterborough in the mid1980s; a necessary move in order to pursue his acting career. From the Willesden squat he frequented back then to the Notting Hill abode he now

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Salmon as the Good Angel in the Portobello Panto's Oliver Twisted, 2012

COME

Notting Hill Carnival his innner GROOVE is UNLEASHED

calls home, he and Hawthorne have been Carnival regulars since they met.

Once Salmon starts talking about memories of his early Carnival days - the sights, the sounds, the atmosphere - his notoriously deep voice takes on a whole new reverence. 'I think seeing Rip Rig at the Electric Cinema at the first one in 1985 is a big one for me; the huge massive sound system, it did something to me, did something to my heart…Panorama and the virtuosity of Steel Pan… the amazing nights in Prostons, an old garage that

was sometimes turned into a dancehall.

I remember the joy on the streets, the dancing, the happiness.'

Ever political and civically-minded, Salmon says that communal spirit remains, especially in Portobello Panto and is keen to impress that upon his four children. Salmon makes no secret of his 'other life' – his pre-fame, slightly wild poverty years – and thought the best way for his children to understand his life was to let them live it themselves.

'A few years back, the parents at our children’s school said to us we should get them involved with Carnival, and we jumped at the chance. They love it, and it’s great to introduce them to that Notting Hill tradition.' He won't let his hectic schedule – he has recently been working in America on 24: Live Another Day and Arrow - get in the way. 'I don’t know how we get time to be honest, I’m far too busy for it! I don’t throw many parties so I consider this my chance. You have to make time for a bit of fun, don’t you?'

It’s not just the in confines of W11 where Salmon is making time for mirth.

Some Girls, BBC Three’s smash hit, London-based teen comedy, returns in November for a third series with Salmon relishing his cheeky fatherly role.

'I’ve changed,' he says contently. 'I do comedy now and people see me as funny.

I’ve been doing serious roles all my life and all of a sudden I can play Rob, who is closer to me if I’m honest. So finally this show has helped me too; it’s lots of fun and I get to be more like myself.' u

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ARTS & CULTURE / PROFILE

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DECEMBER 2014

18/11/2014 12:37

Season’s Greetings from Gautier !

FRENCH MANUFACTURER

Be inspired by our stylish range of kids, adult, living and dining room furniture at www.gautier.co.uk

37-41 Westbourne Grove, London W2 4UA

FREE INTERIOR DESIGN SERVICE

Tel. 020 7221 2393 100 STORES WORLDWIDE

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18/11/2014 11:47

ARTS & CULTURE / GIFT GUIDE GERALD LAING

ASSOULINE

Brigitte Bardot, Screenprint in Colour, 1968, £12,000; The Estate of Gerald Laing; gallery.simsreed.com

The Big Book of Chic by Miles Redd, £47; Assouline

LOMOGRAPHY

Smartphone Scanner, £59; conranshop.co.uk

GUSTAV KLIMT

Sea Serpent c1907 Print, £134.99 framed; art.co.uk

STEEPLETONE,

1960's Vinyl Record Player, £79.95; prezzybox.com

V&A

Letterpress Fridge Magnets, £12.50; vandashop.com

BRIDGEMAN ART LIBRARY

London Map Framed Print, £250; johnlewis.com

SONIC EDITIONS

Francoise Hardy at Brands Hatch by Victor Blackman, £115; soniceditions.com

CULTURE VULTURE

ALPHABET BAGS ‘Imagination’ Big Canvas Bag, £20; alphabetbags.com

V&A

Etching Kit, £45; vandashop.com

A round-up of the best artistic buys

Kate Moss, Screenprint in Colours, 2007, £2,880 The Estate of Gerald Laing; gallery.simsreed.com

DE SIMONE

Hand-painted fishing platter, £740; ceramicablue.co.uk

ION AUDIO

THE HUNT GUIDES

Max LP USB Turntable with Built-In Speakers, £79.95; superfi.co.uk

City Guides, £14 each; thehuntguides.com

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GERALD LAING

DECEMBER 2014

18/11/2014 13:14

For Dining or Table Reservations, Event Enquiries or Guestlist please contact reservations@modecollective.com T F @VoiceofMODE

X @ModeCollective

12 Acklam Road, Notting Hill, London, W10 5QZ

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18/11/2014 12:18

ARTS & CULTURE / SOCIAL SKIING WITH HEROES he Skiing With Heroes junior committee hosted its inaugural awareness party at Bodo’s Schloss and the night saw London’s great and good flock together to help raise awareness for this worthy cause. Guests included Tara PalmerTomkinson, Oliver Cheshire, Oliver Proudlock and Spencer Matthews, all enjoying delicious Mahiki Coconut cocktails, Scavi & Ray Prosecco, Iron Maiden Beer and ski-themed bites and canapés. u

T

Party people Our reporters track the season’s hottest parties

HAPPY BIRTHDAY IRIS aris owners Sarah Claassen and Annie Pollet celebrated 10 years of their Queens Park boutique with champagne and canapes from The Salusbury and guests including Rosie Fortescue, Jemma Powell, Lisa moorish, Tori Cook and Zoe Jordan, while goodie bags included gifts from Itis, Swanky lash and nail bar, Hanky Panky knickers, Nail Station and American Vintage. u

I

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DECEMBER 2014

18/11/2014 12:30

Book your Christmas party at Lisa’s now – the traditional Swedish Christmas at Lisa’s starts in November and runs all the way through December.

Visit our website for information about our fabulous New Years Party!!!

Live Jazz bands every Friday and Saturday with candlelight dinners.

OPENING HOURS MONDAY CLOSED TUESDAY - THURSDAY 18.00-00.00 FRIDAY - SATURDAY 11.00 - 00.00 - SUNDAY 11.00 - 17.00 07445 261 778 | BOOKINGS@LISASPORTOBELLO.COM | LISASPORTOBELLO.COM

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ARTS & CULTURE / EXHIBITIONS

Hope and Devotion

Previewing a new exhibition of photography that finds beauty in a challenging world Wo r d s p e a r l b oy d

H

ope and Devotion is a collaborative show from award-winning photographers Chris Roche and Marcus Harris. This collection explores these two themes across the middle East, the Ethiopian Highlands, the Buddhist Himalayas and an Angola emerging from civil war.

We see remote mountain-top monasteries and ancient rituals being celebrated as they have been for two thousand years. We see a stylish new generation of young men and women growing up to face the challenges of their war-ravaged country. The portraits and landscapes that populate this exhibition both celebrate the beauty of their subjects and their traditions and highlight the challenges they face in their uniquely changing worlds.

20% of the proceeds from the exhibition will go to the charity Give A Future, a not for profit fund that invests in children, youth, women and artisans in Africa. u C99 Art Project; 99 Chamberlayne Road NW10; 5-31 December giveafuture.org.uk

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DECEMBER 2014

18/11/2014 12:17

beautiful clothes for gorgeous girls from 0-13yrs

GORGEOUS CHRISTMAS

www.ilovegorgeous.co.uk 0844 371 3301

FF 10% O ORDER FIRST 4 YOUR ode xmas201 with c D 52 Ledbury Road London W11 2AJ 020 7229 5855

AN G APPIN R W T F I FREE G FREE & S TURN UK RE

73 Regents Park Road London NW1 8UY 020 7586 1552

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> GIFTS FOR FASHIONISTAS

p.38

WINTER WARMERS

p. 42

IN THE STUDIO WITH ESTHER EYRE

p. 48

ABSOLUTELY FAB Dutch leather label Fab by Fabienne is all about metallic leather, animal print, stars, hearts and lots of colour. Playful designs in high quality leather span bags of all sizes as well as dinky accessories; theyr'e stocked at the West Village in Kensington Park Road. fabbyfabienne.com

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DECEMBER 2014

18/11/2014 11:42

boutique f o c u s

MERCHANT ARCHIVE Vintage and new

Paint the town red in our favourite Christmas partywear essentials

Wo r d s p e n d l e h a r t e

Wo r d s h e l e n b a r o n

ophie Merchant's fabulous Kensington Park Road boutique S is credited by Kate Moss in last month's issue of Vogue. The model chose some of the boutique's vintage pieces to wear in her vintage showcase, and raves about the copper candles from the shop's homewares range. Other fans include Florence Welch and all the best stylists, who have followed Sophie since her first shop opened in Kilburn Lane in 2007. Known for spotting the best young designers as well as the most wearable vintage pieces, she started designing her own collections last year and now the stylish store is set to stock the Merchant Archive own label exclusively, alongside homewares and accessories (the brass and copper pineapples have been a sell-out). Luxury hand-selected vintage pieces will remain alongside the own label which now in its fifth season is stocked at retailers around the world. Characterised by its classic shapes with contemporary details, favourite pieces for Autumn/Winter include the fabulous cape coat, the pleated culottes and the beautiful pierrot knit, which references Sophie's penchant for the pierrot look. u

Thigh Time allsaints

● MERCHANT ARCHIVE 19 Kensington Park Road, W11 merchantarchive.com

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

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Knitwear needn’t be dour when you can dress it up with oh-soon-trend thigh-high boots. More Barbarella than Pretty Woman, we’re coveting this lush ‘Saris’ pair from All Saints. A bit more bang for your office buck considering they’ll take you from day to night – just swap the chunky knits for an LBD. £298; allsaints.com

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FASHION / NOTES

CLUTTERCLUTCH Clutterclutch

Lovingly handmade in London from 100% leather, these timeless classics are available in a range of fashionable funky colours.

From sophisticated navy, fur hide, various metallics to funky neons. New for Christmas is the gold glitter fabric clutch... from £60 clutterclutch.com

OH SO FAUX net-a-porter

party pieces

The reign of faux fur continues, as exemplified by the new coat collection from Shrimps. The biker jacket is our pick – crafted from brushed felt and interwoven with wool for warmth and durability.

And it’s not all serious – the lightblue faux fur collar adds a typically playful accent. £495; net-a-porter.com

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TOWERING INFERNO mytheresa

04

What could be better for party season than a towering pair of flame-red velvet pumps from Fendi?

Pretty as a picture, they cast your mind back to the golden age of cinema. Think The Red Shoes and The Wizard of Oz, and let your feet do the talking. £465; mytheresa.com

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BLACK MAGIC

06

Charlotte Aluna

We adore the ‘Lottie’ vanity case by new luxe label Charlotte Aluna. The classic box bags are hand made in London, with a bespoke service available.

Already the bag of choice for the fashion pack and It girls, Paloma Faith and Rita Ora. £750 charlottealuna.com

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07 1. CHRISTOPHER KANE, Layered Organza Shirt, £1,200; net-a-porter.com 2. TORY BURCH, Reva Watch, £295; toryburch.co.uk 3. DOLCE & GABBANA, Embellished Hair Slide, £565; mytheresa.com 4. SAINT LAURENT, Monochrome Clutch, £710; mytheresa.com 5. VALENTINO GARAVANI, Rockstud Boots, £743.41; farfetch.com 6. CHRISTOPHER KANE, Ruched Edge Dress, £1,100; farfetch.com 7. NICHOLAS KIRKWOOD, Peter Pilotto Pumps, £722.41; farfetch.com

DECEMBER 2014

18/11/2014 10:48

FASHION / GIFT GUIDE LOST MARCH

No 3 Perfume Set, £160; conranshop.co.uk

HOLISTIC SILK

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN

Single Monogrammed Eye Mask, £46; holisticsilk.com

BALENCIAGA

Leather and Suede Long Gloves, £345; matchesfashion.com

V-neck tulip-jaquard dress, £1,520; matchesfashion.com

ALEXANDER WANG

Prisma EmbossedLeather Backpack, £1,025; matchesfashion.com

MISSONI

Jasmine Long Umbrella, £75; matchesfashion.com

RIFLE PAPER CO

Rorschach Metallic Notebook Set, £11.75; ifeelsmug.com

CARAN D'ACHE

Ecridor Mademoiselle, £180; stonemarketing.com

CADENZZA

RALPH LAUREN

Chunky Chain Bracelet and Rings, POA; ralphlauren.co.uk

GEORG JENSEN

Concave 316 Ladies' Watch, £925; georgjensen.com

B & O PLAY

H6 Leather Over-Ear Headphones, £329.99; selfridges.com

GIFTS FOR HER

St Kilda for Cadenzza Ring, £47; cadenzza.co.uk

GLOBETROTTER

Ivory Blanket and Holder, £390; Globetrotter London

Our edit of the hottest Christmas gifts for women ALEXANDER WANG

WILBUR & GUSSIE

Gabi Leather Ankle Boots, £533; matchesfashion.com

Lily Evening Bag in Black Velvet, £285; wilburandgussie.com

MARNI

Leather Bag Key Ring, £260; Marni London

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

Dec_Her_Gift_Guide_left.indd 38

38 18/11/2014 13:08

Give us 42 days to re-wire how you eat and re-shape your body. Once and for all.

At Louise Parker we’ll show you how eating beautifully and exercising intelligently hold the keys to looking incredible. THE INTENSIVE and the OPTIMUM WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAMME deliver fabulous, long-term results, wherever you are in the world.

Welcome to the new super normal.

2 E ATON GATE, BELGRAVIA, LONDON SW1W 9BJ | 0800 084 2828 | W W W.LOUISEPARKER.UK.COM

louiseparker_DEC.indd 2

06/11/2014 11:18

BOTTOMS UP,

T’WORK IT OUT FOR FREE

THIS XMAS!

Get up to two months FREE membership with no joining fee.*

Join us today for unlimited access to our 88 station gym, functional fitness studio, 70 group classes and more.

Westway Fitness Club 3-5 Thorpe Close London, W10 5XL

Westway Sports Centre 1 Crowthorne Road London, W10 6RP

020 8962 5753

020 8969 0992

fitness.membership@westway.org westway.org * Terms and conditions apply

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FASHION / GIFT GUIDE LEICA

V-Lux 4 Digital Camera, £629; selfridges.com

ROLEX

Cellini Date, POA; rolex.com

MONTBLANC

Meisterstück Solitaire Geometric Dimension Fountain Pen, £1,075; montblanc.com

ALFORD AND HOFF

The Fragrance, £95; alfordandhoff.com

ULTRASONE

Edition 10 Over-Ear Headphones, £1,699; selfridges.com

THE HAIG CLUB

Single Grain Scotch Whisky, £45; alexanderandjames.com

THE MERCHANT FOX

TOM FORD

Beard Oil, £31; Beard Comb, £22; tomford.com

LONDON UNDERCOVER

Oxford City Gent Umbrella, £125; londonundercover.co.uk

Tones by J.M. Weston; jmweston.fr

Fox Mask Sterling Silver Cufflinks, £135; themerchantfox.co.uk

AESOP

Resolute Hydrating Body Balm, from £25; aesop.com

TOM FORD

Buckley Suede Flat Trapeze Briefcase, £1,964; Available at Tom Ford, 201-202 Sloane Street

GIFTS FOR HIM Our edit of the coolest Christmas gifts for men

ASPINAL

iPad Mini Sleeve, £75; aspinaloflondon.com

TED BAKER

Football, £39.95; houseoffraser.co.uk

GOOGLE GLASS Google Glass Bold Frame, £1,120; mrporter.com

THE MERCHANT FOX

Hand Made Bridle Leather Belt, £95; themerchantfox.co.uk

EDWIN JAGGER

Black 3 Piece Shaving Set, £89; theinsideman.co.uk

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DECEMBER 2014

18/11/2014 13:10

Oatmeal Wool Cable Knit Sweater, £165, by Duffy White Silk and Lace Gown, £600, by Myla Diamond Earrings, £120, by Carat London

n

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THAT’S A

WRAP Be it wool blend, cotton or cable knit– when you’ve found your winter coat, why wear anything else?

Photography Louise Samuelsen Styling Charlie Moore

Dec_FashionShoot.indd 43

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Black Roll Neck Body Suit, £119, by Wolford Black Lace Pencil Skirt, £645, by La Perla Diamond Earrings, £120, by Carat London

Dec_FashionShoot.indd 44

18/11/2014 10:57

Cream Cotton Trench Coat, £795, by Pavane at Fenwick Lace Bra (just seen), £110, by Myla Stockings, £6.25, by Charnos at House of Fraser Diamond Earrings, £120, by Carat London

Dec_FashionShoot.indd 45

18/11/2014 10:58

Cream Wool Coat, £695, by Issa Black Roll Neck Body Suit, £119, by Wolford Suede Black Boots, £1,150, by Jimmy Choo Grey Leather Clutch, £450, by Anya Hindmarch Diamond Earrings, £142, by Carat London Leather Gloves, £260, by Corlette

Dec_FashionShoot.indd 46

18/11/2014 10:58

Black Wool Coat, £995, and Leather Belt, £375, both by Amanda Wakeley Metal and Acetate Sunglasses, £235, by Dior Diamond Earrings, £142, by Carat London Leather Gloves, £612, by Corlette Black Leather Embossed Bag, £705,

by Maxmara at Matches

Stockists amandawakely.com anyahindmarch.com aquazzura.com caratlondon.com corlette.co.uk damaris.co.uk Dior Sunglasses 0800 7234 5600 duffyny.com fenwick.co.uk Photographer - Louise Samuelsen at ONE Represents Stylist - Charlie Moore Hair and Make-up - Wendy Turner at Stella Creative Artists using Bumble & Bumble and Cosmetics a la Carte Model - Darya at Premier Photographers Assistant - Sam Jackson

Dec_FashionShoot.indd 47

houseoffraser.co.uk jimmychoo.com matchesfashion.com myla.com net-a-porter.com Wolford 020 7494 4343

18/11/2014 11:43

PROFILE

SHINE ON Absolutely meets W10-based goldsmith Esther Eyre in anticipation of her Christmas open studio on 9 December Wo r d s P e n d l e H a r t e

C

hristian Dior said: ‘Nothing is more elegant than a black skirt and sweater worn with a sparkling multi-stoned necklace.’ Esther Eyre would agree, though she’d make sure that the stones were big. Size matters for Eyre – and the bigger the better in her world, because with size comes sparkle. As a leading expert in the world of precious stones and a professional goldsmith, she has based a long-standing career on creating beautiful and impressive pieces out of the highest quality stones in the world.

‘There are loads of people out there making tiny little things, and they’re lovely. But I work on a big scale and I’m more in the business of dressing people up,’ she tells me. I am visiting her in her small studio, where she opens a large leather multi-drawered jewellery case (inherited from her mother) and takes out an array of regal-looking rings, chains and bracelets. It’s immediately clear what she means by dressing up. Eyre is not interested in making fiddly charms for sentimental bracelets or subtle pendants on fragile chains. Her bold pieces are breathtakingly sparkly and make me feel as though I’m holding the Crown Jewels.

Rose amethyst chequerboard ring

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‘This is a violet sapphire,’ she says, handing me an impossibly sparkly ring, a huge glittering purple stone set in a cluster of tiny diamonds on a bright silver ring, which feels like something a fairytale queen would wear. ‘The tiny diamonds add sparkle – the reason diamonds are so special is that they sparkle however small they are,’ she says with authority.

Then there’s a vast aquamarine pendant mounted in 18 carat gold and diamonds.

‘The huge stone has an intensity of colour that smaller ones don’t have,’ says Eye, almost reverentially. It’s from Brazil, and worth £16,000.

The world of precious stones, as anyone who’s ever seen a Bond movie will know, is one of intrigue and drama.

When small pieces of seductively glittery rock of dubious provenance are valued at thousands of pounds, the bizarre criminal underworld meets the art world of auction houses and their experts.

Before Eyre can set about making her beautiful pieces, she must first make purchases that can involve thousands of pounds changing hands in transactions based largely on trust. ‘It all depends on whom you know, because there are no guarantees,’ says Eyre. We’re talking about provenance as well as quality, because anyone looking for assurance that their stones have been ethically mined must make a few leaps of faith.

‘I went to a lecture by someone from De Beers who said that even a certificate is no real guarantee.’ The best rubies, for instance – worth more per carat even than diamonds – come from a particular mine in Burma. And there’s

48 18/11/2014 11:44

FASHION / JEWELLERY Large oval citrine and diamond necklace, 18 carat

Sheherezade earrings

Jamaican shell bracelet

Kirsti amethyst and pink topaz ring

the REASON DIAMONDS are SO SPECIAL is that THEY SPARKLE HOWEVER small they ARE

no real knowing what goes on there. ‘In my opinion almost nothing is ethically sourced, though we try very hard,’ admits Eyre. Authenticity, on the other hand, is something that experts can largely be relied on for, though even here, it’s back to whom you know. ‘A client came to me once with a ruby that he’d bought at auction, but I could tell immediately from the colour that it was a garnet,’ recalls Eyre. And when you consider that a pea-sized ruby might be worth £5,000 compared to £200 for a garnet of a similar size, that’s a significant oversight.

Eyre went to challenge the auction house’s expert, mentioned the name of Venetian silver bracelet

Chain bracelet

her Hatton Garden gem lab expert and received a settlement.

In this exciting world of cloak-anddagger deals, there’s also the legacy that big diamonds draw bad luck. ‘Take the Hope diamond, currently in the Smithsonian, which is one of the most ill-fated stones’ says Eyre. It’s had a long history of being stolen and hoarded ever since it was first found in India by the seventeenth-century French merchant who sold it to Louis XIV.

49 NH_Dec_ESTHER_EYRE.indd 49

Eyre is interested not only in the stones but also in the history of jewellery and her designs are heavily influenced by the past. ‘I’m very interested in 16th and 17th century styles and I repair anything from ancient to Tudor pieces,’ she tells me. Her specialist knowledge of period jewellery has made her sought after for work on films such as Shakespeare in Love and Orlando, for which she made the locket worn by Quentin Crisp as Elizabeth I. She also specializes in upscaling existing pieces and resetting stones to clients’ requirements.

Eyre’s pieces are characterised by their bright colours and bold, brave, chunky styles. Not for her the delicate unadorned look. ‘I think women who don’t wear jewellery look slightly unfinished,’ she says. ‘Earrings make your eyes sparkle’.

Eyre’s eyes certainly do. u Esther Eyre is having a Christmas open studio on Tuesday 9 December from midday to 8pm at 212 Westbourne Studios, 242 Acklam Road, W10 esthereyre.com

DECEMBER 2014

18/11/2014 11:45

THIS CHRISTMAS GIFT IS FOR YOU

FREE £5.00 Gift Voucher when you purchase £50.00 OR FREE £15.00 Gift voucher when you purchase £100 or more on a gift voucher Offer Ends 2014

PORTOBELLO 335 Portobello Road, London, W10 5SA - 020 8969 7580 KENSAL RISE 26 Chamberlayne Road, London, NW10 3JD 020 8964 2569

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FASHION / JEWELLERY

A Touch of Frosting Dazzle in diamonds and glisten in white gold 1

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1. BOODLES, LARGE CHANDELIER YELLOW DIAMOND EARRINGS IN PLATINUM WITH 8.34CT OF YELLOW AND WHITE DIAMONDS, POA; boodles.com 2. ASPREY, SNAKE PROTECTOR BRACELET IN WHITE GOLD WITH 11.90CT PAVE DIAMONDS AND 0.24CT EMERALD EYES, £30,500; asprey.com 3. BULGARI, OCTO SOLOTEMPO (BVL 191) AUTOMATIC WATCH WITH AN 18CT PINK GOLD CROWN SET WITH CERAMIC, £7,600; bulgari.com 4. LINKS OF LONDON, BEE IN 18CT WHITE GOLD AND DIAMOND CHARM, £450; linksoflondon.com 5. NIQUESA, AURORA PEAR-SHAPED DIAMOND RING, £ 35,000; niquesafinejewellery.com 6. TIFFANY & CO., PINK DIAMOND BOW PENDANT IN PLATINUM AND 18CT ROSE GOLD WITH A FANCY PINK DIAMOND; £2,125; tiffany.co.uk 7. GARRARD, TUDOR ROSE, 18CT WHITE GOLD BRACELET SET WITH CULTURED PEARLS AND DIAMONDS, POA; garrard.com 8. CHANEL FINE JEWELLERY, BAGUE VOIE LACTÉE RING IN 18CT WHITE GOLD SET WITH 45 BRILLIANT-CUT DIAMONDS AND JAPANESE CULTURED PEARLS, £9,950; chanel.com

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DECEMBER 2014

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XXXXXXXX / XXXXXXXXX

LUXE

CHRISTMAS All the most fabulous Christmas gifts, on your doorstep

R.S.CURRIE & CO Come and soak up the festive atmosphere at R.S.Currie & Co. Stocking all the latest Christmas must-haves for 2014 as well as some nostalgic classics from years gone by.

Celebrating their fifth year on Westbourne Grove, you are sure to be greeted by a friendly face and enjoy a toytastic shopping experience at this magical toy store.

105 Westbourne Grove, W2 4UW, 020 7792 2236; rscurrie.com

Sarah Herriot Sarah’s intention is to create intelligent designs that bring aesthetic pleasure, as jewellery, but also as objects in their own right. She is very much inspired by the urban environment, adding her own organic interpretation.

Engineering and problem solving play their part in her award-winning designs and her solutions are as much of each piece as the design itself. sarahherriot.com

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SWANKY LASH & BROW BAR Shiny, polished talons are a must at this time of year. Visit Swanky’s in December in preparation for party season and perfect your lashes, brows and nails all at once, while enjoying the unique Swanky vibe and a glass of wine. Then hope for a gift voucher in your stocking and take advantage of the clever treatment packages.

335 Portobello Road W10; 020 8969 7580 26 Chamberlayne Road NW10; 020 8964 2569

52 18/11/2014 17:08

ABSOLUTELY XXXXXXXXX//PROMOTION XXXXXXXX

VEZZINI & CHEN

ILOVEGORGEOUS

Inspired by the structure and geometry of natural forms, Vezzini & Chen handmade lighting and glassware express their affinity with nature by encapsulating forms creates in fine bone china and glass from which light is directed and diffused. For MADE London , Vezzini & Chen will be presenting their latest collection of work characterised by an intense use of cuts and textures on both glass and ceramics to create layered patterns similar to a natural scenery. vandcdesign.com

ilovegorgeous is an award-winning girlswear brand, designing beautiful pieces for babies and girls from 0–13 years.

With a devoted fanbase and a high profile following, ilovegorgeous is the go-to brand for gorgeous girlswear. The full range of clothing, gifts and accessories for babies and girls is available online or in store.

52 Ledbury Road, W11 ilovegorgeous.co.uk

LINDA BLOOMFIELD Linda Bloomfield trained as a materials scientist but always dreamed of becoming a potter. She works from her studio in west London, where she has designed and made porcelain tableware ranges for Liberty, Harrods and the Royal Albert Hall. She throws on the wheel in porcelain and makes simple shapes with beautiful translucent glazes. lindabloomfield.co.uk

BRORA

KENT & SONS

Britain’s best-loved modern cashmere brand still has Scottish cashmere at its heart, but every season the founder, sole owner, and creative director Victoria Stapleton creates an ever-growing range of clothing to build a complete wardrobe using only the finest fabrics. Brora remains true to its quirky, vintage-inspired self while moving with the turn of fashion’s wheel each season.

187 Westbourne Grove, W11 2SB; 020 7229 8623 brora.co.uk

Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without the festive lunch. Visit Kent & Sons, a traditional family butchers, first established by Fred Kent in 1919 and situated in the heart of St. John's Wood. Kent & Sons specialises in free range and organic British beef, lamb, poultry and pork, not to mention traditional roast turkeys which are reared by hand for superior taste and texture.

59 St John's Wood High Street, NW8 7NL, 020 7722 2258; kents-butchers.com

COCO NAIL BAR Coco Nail Bar, voted Nail Salon of the Year, has plenty to offer this Christmas.

While you get pampered you can enjoy cocktails, champagne and wine along with a weekend DJ to get you in the festive mood. For an out of the ordinary Christmas party or the perfect gift, look no further than Coco Nail Bar. 267 Portobello Road, W11 1LR 020 7243 1113

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DECEMBER 2014

18/11/2014 17:08

ABSOLUTELY / PROMOTION

PROVENANCE BUTCHER Whether it's a three bird roast, a traditional turkey or a full Christmas consultation, the team at Provenance Village Butcher will make your Christmas a fabulous one.

They have only been open a year but have already been awarded several prestigious awards, the most recent being the UK’s Best New Butchery of the Year.

33 Kensington Park Road, W11; 020 7229 8814 provenancebutcher.com

LE CREUSET Visit our Notting Hill store to view a range of luxury Christmas Gifts. Whether you like to plan early or leave it all to the last minute, why not take advantage of free standard delivery on all UK orders over £50 to buy a treat for your loved ones or for yourself?

54 Ledbury Road, W11; 020 3220 0017 lecreuset.co.uk

JIMMIE MARTIN Swedish design duo Jimmie and Martin work from their Kensington store and design studio, where you'll find an ever-changing stock of new as well as trademark designs.

The brand is offering ABSOLUTELY readers an exclusive 15% off cushions during December, when quoting “ABSOLUTLEYcushions15”, as well as a 10% discount on any stock items or new commissions placed in December.

77 Kensington Church Street, W8; 0207 938 1852 jimmiemartin.com

TIDDLYWINKS @BEN'S

BOUTIQUE SPA

Kids' superstore Tiddlywinks @Ben’s stocks exquisite babywear, stylish down jackets and coats and the most amazing ranges for all ages from the lesser-known to famous designers.

For teens they have a designated floor selling skinny jeans, Michael Kors shirts and jackets and beautiful beaded partywear. You will find wonderful gifts that all the kids will love.

5 St Johns Wood High Street, NW8 tiddlywinks.co.uk

Providing a fabulously high level of service, Boutique Spa’s therapists are trained by the very best in the wellness industry. Offering a wide array of treatments, from ESPA’s massages and facials to Essie manicures and pedicures, the unpretentious staff and tranquil atmosphere will leave you feeling fully refreshed and ready to party this festive season.

123 Queensway, W2; 020 7221 8017 boutiquespa.co.uk

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Basement Design Construction and Complete Project Management

Swimming Pool • Wine Cellar • Family Room • Gymnasium • Guest Suite • Spa • Cinema • Kitchen

www.cranbrook.co.uk 0800 525 883 26 - 28 Hammersmith Grove W6 7BA London Free no obligation initial design survey, feasibility advice, quotation and 3D visualisation

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08/10/2014 11:12 14:48 22/08/2014

ENDS 26.12.14

This December

26.12.14

NOTTING HILL

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CHELSEA

SOHO

CITY

BRISTOL

TOPSHOP

18/11/2014 16:42

> BEAUTY CONFIDENTIAL

p. 58

BEAUTY GIFT GUIDE

p. 60

THE MAKE-UP INSIDER

p. 63

SAVING FACE Avoid any make-up blunders this Christmas with Tom Ford's impossibly elegant AW14 make-up collection. Classic colours, subtle glitters and all the tools for a flawless base, this range has got it covered. tomford.com

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DECEMBER 2014

18/11/2014 11:40

t r e atm e n t R e v i e w

RUSH HAIR & BEAUTY Kensington, W8

Prepare for a party season full of pampering, bright shades and fabulous fragrances

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

W o r d s r o m y va n d e n b r o e k e

ush Hair & Beauty is celebrating years in the business this R 20 year and there are now a whopping 62 franchises in London. The group has won awards spanning the Sunday Times' 100 best companiees to work for as well as the British Hairdressing Awards and the L'Oreal Colour Trophy. I visited Rush in Kensington Church Street for a half head of highlights and cut and finish. My stylist Tina knew exactly what to do with my beleaguered mop, using three honey and blonde colours to brighten me up before cutting a great graduated bob and sending me on my way. Getting colour done can be such a long process – three hours in the chair isn’t unusual – that many of us leave it for too long. Rush has a new solution with the launch it its Speedy Services. Developed

by L’Oreal, there are four different in-salon colour services that will have you in and out again within the hour, so they are perfect for a lunch time touch-up or an evening visit before you head out for the night. u

Read my Lips ● R U S H K E N S I N GTO N 26 Kensington Church Street, W8 4EP A half head of highlights starts at £88 and a cut and blow-dry start at £49. The Speedy Services start from £45 depending on salon location.

Opening hours: Mon to Fri: 9am to 8pm; Thurs: 9am to 9pm; Sat: 9am to 6pm; Sun: 10am to 6pm rush.co.uk

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Guerlain

French beauty giants Guerlain have the Christmas party season covered with its sultry new winter makeup collection modelled here by the brand’s venerable ambassador, Natalia Vodianova. guerlain.com

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HEALTH & BEAUTY / NOTES the guide to gilded fragrances

24 DAYS OF TREATS Jo Malone

01

Absolutely the best Advent Calendar in the world is this luxury Georgian townhouse one from Jo Malone, featuring an unbelievable array of divine goodies, before you've even got as far as presents. £250, jomalone.co.uk

02

03

SHIMMER & SHINE Clarins

New from Clarins is this beautifully presented Essentials Christmas Eye Make-Up Palette, with ten wearable and easy-to-apply shades. It would make a wonderful present... that’s if you can bear to give it away. £35; clarins.co.uk

editor’s

PICK

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05

07

WHAT’S THE BUZZ?

06

Bee Good

A Limited Edition box from Bee Good is a gift that keeps on giving. Not only do they only use the finest, most natural ingredients exclusively from British bees, but a portion of profits goes directly to bee-keeping causes. beegood.co.uk

08

TOUCH OF GOLD Chanel

The holiday collection from Chanel is inspired by the soft, gentle touch of feathers. The Collection Plumes de Précieuses comprises all your beauty essentials, including effervescent eyeshadow and nail lacquer in trademark scarlet. chanel.com

59 Chiswick_Dec_Beauty_Notes.indd 59

09 1. ELIZABETH ARDEN, UNTOLD ABSOLU, £40; debenhams.com 2. CARVEN, LE PARFUM, £38; harrods.com 3. OHN VARVATOS OUD, £90; johnvartos.com 4. CARTIER, EXTRAIT DE PARFUM LA PANTHÈRE, £121; harrods.com 5. ROJA PARFUMS, AMBER EXTRAIT, £275; rojaparfums.com 6. PACO RABANNE, LADY MILLION EAU MY GOLD!, £60.50; boots.com 7. LOEWE, QUIZÁS SEDUCCIÓN, £44.50; thefragranceshop.co.uk 8. LA PERLA, J'AIME GOLD EDITION, £69; johnlewis.com 9. MOSCHINO, CHEAP AND CHIC STARS, £60; harrods.com

DECEMBER 2014

18/11/2014 11:32

BOUTIQUE SPA Nails • Beauty • Massage “We only use the highest quality products for our treatments.

All of our therapists are passionate about providing the best in class beauty treatments. We believe that quality treatments should be very good value... That is why we are the most famous beautician in London...”

Owner, Nicole Thobani

Recommended by

MANICURE AND PEDICURE ESPA MASSAGES ESPA FACIALS LASER HAIR REMOVAL WAXING AND THREADING EYELASH TREATMENTS SPRAY TAN

Boutique Spa, 123 Queensway, London, W2 4SJ Call 020 7221 8017 - www.boutiquespa.co.uk

BOUTIQUE SPA.indd 2

18/11/2014 11:58

BOBBI BROWN

HEALTH & BEAUTY / GIFT GUIDE

Shimmer Nail Varnishes, £11; bobbibrown.co.uk

CARVEN

Ma Griffe gift set, £75; selfridges.com

EVE LOM

Christmas Kiss Mix, £16; evelom.com

CIATÉ

Candy Cane Glitter Nail Varnishes, £25 for set; selfridges.com

NEOM

Christmas Wish Scented Candle, £45; neomorganics.com

CARTIER

La Panthère, from £36; harrods.com

KORRES

Beautiful Blooms Christmas Gift Set, £18; debenhams.co.uk

ELLIE SAAB

TOM FORD

Le Parfum gift set, £54; feelunique.com

Luxury Trousseau, £920; tomford.com

001 LONDON

Selection from decadent gift bar, from £49; 011skincare.com

BEAUTY GIFTS Our edit of the finest gifts for the beauty obsessed

CODAGE PARIS

VERSO

Tryptique Seasonal, £89; selfridges.com

Super Serum Series, £136; uk.spacenk.com

CLARINS CIATÉ

Nail Polish in Confetti, £9; ciatelondon.com

Christmas Crackers, £39; clarins.com

61 Dec_BEAUTY_Gift_Guide.indd 61

DECEMBER 2014

18/11/2014 17:05

W

HYBRID WELLBEING

www.hybridwellbeing.com GYM OPENING TIMES:

Mon-Fri: 6.45am - 8.30pm / Sat-Sun: 10.00am - 2pm

@hybridwellbeing

Hybrid Wellbeing | 020 8962 4019 | stcharles@hybridwellbeing.com | Exmoor Street W10 6DZ

Hybrid_Dec.indd 1

18/11/2014 12:38

Sali’s

Hair & Beauty Spa London At Sali’s Hair & Beauty Spa, we have a passion for creating hair styles and beauty treatments inspired by the latest trends. We use state of the art technology Caci to offer non surgical face and body lifts while our Lite-Flo machine is perfect for quick and painless hair removal.

30%

OFF THE LASER HAIR REMOVAL

OPENING TIMES Monday - Saturday 9AM-6PM Sunday 10AM - 5PM

COURSES

3 Formosa Street, Little Venice, London, W9 1EE | info@salishairsalon.co.uk | www.salishairsalon.co.uk | 020 7286 1761

SALIS.indd 1

_ADVERT PLACEMENTS.indd 8

19/11/2014 10:06

19/11/2014 10:07

HEALTH & BEAUTY / MAKE-UP INSIDER TOPSHOP

Highlighter in Horizon, £10, topshop.com

BURBERRY Lip Glow in Gold, £18.50, burberry.com

DEBORAH LIPPMANN

Nail Lacquer in Gold Digger, £45, selfridges.com

STILA

Magnificent Metals Foil Finish Eyeshadow in Comex Gold, £33.50, stila.co.uk

BY TERRY

All Gold

Ombre Blackstar in Beyond Gold, £28, uk.spacenk.com

BURBERRY

Nail Polish in Oxblood, £15, burberry.com

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a bit of gold. Just go easy on the gold lips

CHANTECAILLE

Le Chrome Duo in Grand Canal, £48, uk.spacenk.com

Wo r d s A R A B E L L A P R E S T O N

C

hristmas parties offer the only solid-gold excuse you’ll have to – quite literally – sparkle all year.

If like me your festival days are well and truly over, dolled-up disco nights a thing of the past, December is the only chance to channel your inner magpie.

Gold is my metal of choice: it stands out beautifully against most skin tones and, unlike silver, radiates warmth.

Used cleverly it can highlight and sculpt a face. It’s remarkably wearable and surprisingly subtle, breathing life into our faces when the Christmas rush can leave us looking at our most tired.

This Stila Foil Eyeshadow is perfect

for popping in your handbag when you leave the house in the morning and later patting into your eyelids in the office for a decadent yet subtle look. Use the By Terry crayon in the tear duct and along your lower lash line, smudging with a finger, for a less studied look. Combine with a little black kohl in the waterline for a rockier effect.

It’s on nails that you can truly indulge your Christmas spirit. This Deborah Lippmann polish has real 24 carat flakes that look dreamy painted on top of a nude, and positively vampish layered on a rich red like this limited edition Burberry shade.

Be very wary of gold on the lips - it can look corpse-like – but a little gold gloss dabbed in the centre and Cupid’s bow enhances the shape of the lip beautifully. u

63 NH_Dec_Makeup_Insider.indd 63

CARITA

Gold Fluide De Beaute, £29.50, carita.co.uk

DECEMBER 2014

18/11/2014 12:13

NEW KITCHENS @ SHOREDITCH

Luxury European Furniture since 1962

London & M25 Showrooms 020 7760 7558 Wharfeside.indd 1 WHARFESIDE.indd 1 absolutely-ad10.indd 1

absolutelywharfside.co.uk 16/10/2014 11:08 14:27 24/10/2014 16/10/2014 10:15

> GIFTS FOR HOMEBODIES p. 69 CHRISTMAS WITH PEDLARS p. 70 STAFFAN TOLLGARD'S NOTTING HILL PROJECT p. 72

FESTIVE COLOUR Christmas decorations needn't be garish or glittery. Add a few touches of bright red to a cosy interior and everything will feel instantly Christmassy. johnlewis.com

65 NH_Dec_Interior_Opener.indd 65

DECEMBER 2014

18/11/2014 11:50

10 of the best

christmas baubles 01

This month we've got Christmas decorating all wrapped up

ANTHROPOLOGIE

Midas Plume Feather Ornaments, £8 each; anthropologie.eu

Wo r d s G e m m a B i l l i n g t o n

WYEVALE GARDENS

Metal Peacock Decoration, £6.99; wyevalegardencentres.co.uk

02

DECORATOR’S NOTEBOOK

03

Mini Picture Frame Decoration (Set of 6), £24.95; decoratorsnotebook.co.uk 04

MARKS & SPENCER

Chocolate filled White Bauble Tin, £5; marksandspencer.com

05

Screen Grab J u l i a Vo g l f o r L u x a f l e x

INDIA JANE

Reindeer Decoration, £9.90; indiajane.co.uk

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

Chiswick_Dec_Interior_Insp.indd 66

Contemporary artist Julia Vogl has teamed up with Luxaflex to produce two limited edition designs. The collaboration is part of Luxaflex’s new Instagram competition, where participants are invited to post images that inspire their style for a chance to win an original artwork by Julia.

Print featured, 'Summer arrives at the Bay’, from £150.

For competition info see luxaflex.co.uk

66 18/11/2014 11:46

HOMES & INTERIORS / NOTES TV UNSER

Original Christmaxx LED Christmas Star, £15.05; amazon.co.uk

STRAWBERRY FIELDS William Morris

Coinciding with current exhibition Anarchy & Beauty: William Morris & His Legacy, the National Portrait Gallery are stocking beautiful homeware inspired by the prolific designer. Strawberry Thief Print Chair, £850; npg.org.uk

06

07

ALL WRAPPED UP Black Magic

Quite possibly the most decadent wrapping paper on the market, this luxurious collection is part of the Black Magic range available at House of Fraser. We like to imagine this is what Joan Collins wraps her prezzies in... houseoffraser.co.uk

NORDIC HOUSE

Bird Tree Ornaments, £5 each; nordichouse.co.uk

08

JONATHAN ADLER

Silver Fox Ornament, £28; uk.jonathanadler.com

STAG PARTY LuxDeco

Christmas table decorations needn’t look tacky. Take a leaf out of luxury online retailer LuxDeco’s book, and make sure this fabulous Silver Stag Candelabra takes centre stage. £89; luxdeco.com

09

editor’s

PICK

INDIA JANE

Hummingbird Decoration, £4.50; indiajane.co.uk

A TOUCH OF CLASS Touchstone B athrooms

East Sheen's Touchstone Bathrooms are stocking the funky new Joyce collection from Villeroy & Boch.

Beautifully stylish yet practical, the range includes cabinets, WCs and washbasins, which can be customised and combined with other Villeroy & Boch collections. touchstonebathrooms.com

67 Chiswick_Dec_Interior_Insp.indd 67

10

PAPERCHASE

Glitter Pinecone Hedgehog, £5; paperchase.co.uk

DECEMBER 2014

18/11/2014 11:47

quarter page ad_Layout 1 30/08/2013 09:13 Page 1

1ST FOLDING SLIDING DOORS LTD www.1stfoldingslidingdoors.co.uk

• High Quality Folding Sliding Doors • British, German & Belgium Designed • A Fantastic Variety of Finishes & Colours

LIGHT STONE AND CERAMIC WAREHOUSE 51/55 STIRLING ROAD, CHISWICK W3 8DJ EXTENSIVE FREE PARKING

020 8993 5545

SPACE

• Virtually Maintenance Free • State-of-the-Art Security Features • Full Fitting Available • Free Survey & Design Advice

STYLE

1

ST FOLDING SLIDING DOORS

Unit 26/3 Silicon Business Centre 26 Wadsworth Road Tel: 0208 997 2448 Perivale, Greenford Middlesex UB6 7JZ Fax: 0208 997 0611

CALL FOR A COPY OF OUR NEW BROCHURE www.sacw.co.uk OPEN 7 DAYS

email: foldingslidingdoors@btinternet.com

STONE CERAMICS.indd 1

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Grate Expectations Ltd. Ltd The Fireplace Specialists

Gtitititi Etitititititititititi tititi titititi tititititititititititi tititi titititititititititititi tititititititi tititi titi tititititi tititi tititititititi ti titititititi tititititititititi Wfi fififi fififi fiK’fi fififififififf fifififififififi fifi fifififififi fififififififififi fififi fifififififi fifififififififififififififi fifi fifififi fifififififi fififififi fifififififi fififi fifififi fififififi fififififi fififi fifififififififi fififififififififififi fifififffififififi fifi Wfififififififififi fifi Wfifififififi fififi’fifi fifififffififf fififi fi fifififi fifititififi fifififififififi fifi fi fififififi fifififififififififi fifififififififififififi fififififififi fififi fffi fifffifi fififi fififi fififififififififi fifififififi ff fifififififififififi fifitifififififi fffififi fifififi fififf fififififi fifififififffi fififififffi fifififi fififi fififififififi fifififififf fi fifififififififififi Ftititi ctitititiltatitititi ti titititititititi titititititititititititititititititititititititi tititititititititititititititititititititititititi

tititititititititi 1-ti titititititi titititititititititi titititititititi tititititi tititititititititi titititititi titititi tititi tititititititititi tititi titititi titititi ti titititititititititititititititititititititititi ti tititititititititititititititititititititititititi Grate_Expectations.indd 1

_ADVERT PLACEMENTS.indd 1

30/04/2014 11:59

19/11/2014 10:08

HOMES & INTERIORS / GIFT GUIDE

FORNASETTI

Giardino Segreto Candle, £99; conranshop.co.uk

HOUSE OF HACKNEY Hackney Empire Stripe Teapot, £70; houseofhackney.com

FOLKLORE

Coffee Pot Day, £19.95; wildandwolf.com

ALESSI

ROBERTS RADIO

LALIQUE

Anna G Corkscrew by Alessandro Mendini for Alessi, £29.95; alessi.com

Revival Mini in Duck Egg, £139.95; johnlewis.com

100 Points Decanter

by James Suckling, £595; lalique.com

KRUPS

EA9000 Bean-to-Cup Automatic Espresso Machine, £1,300; debenhams.com

FLOCK,

Cocktail Chairs, £595; shop.flock.org.uk

ROSE & GREY

World Map; roseandgrey.co.uk

SARA SMITH

Cambridge Blue Teacup & Saucer, £80; luxdeco.com

DECOR WALTHER

Copper Soap Dispenser, £165; conranshop.co.uk

ARTISANTI

Bowes Black and Silver Globe Bookends, £79; artisanti.com

GIFT REPUBLIC

Cluedo Espresso Cups (set of 6), £24.99; houseoffraser.co.uk

ANTHROPOLOGIE Dachshund Letter Holder, £28; anthropologie.eu

ROB RYAN

‘My Home’ Cushion, £35; wildandwolf.com

GIFTS FOR THE HOME Our edit of the best gifts for those with an eye for design IITTALA

Taika Tea Towel, £10; cloudberryliving.co.uk

LOVERAMICS

Flutter Gift Boxed Salad Plates (set of 4), £25.50; occa-home.co.uk

PAUL SMITH

Anglepoise + Paul Smith Lamp, £149; paulsmith.co.uk

69 Dec_Homebody_Gift_Guide.indd 69

DECEMBER 2014

18/11/2014 13:12

XXXXXX / XXXXXXX

OUR STYLE Charlie and Caroline Gladstone, founders of W11's Pedlars, share their Christmas inspirations

CHARLIE: MY STYLE ICON IS… Father Christmas, the original hipster. A fine beard, some natty clothing that never dates and a good pair of specs. Oh, and an admirable work ethic, too.

CHARLIE: MY FAVOURITE PEDLARS CHRISTMAS DECORATION IS without question our fluoro Christmas tree baubles. Three years ago we did a Fluoro Christmas theme because we were tired of the traditional thing. Our theme was picked up by The Wall Street Journal who put it on the cover of their weekend mag.

CAROLINE: MY FAVOURITE PEDLARS CHRISTMAS DECORATION… this year I love our Christmas cards. A customer bought some 1940s signs from us and within 24 hours she had based some Christmas cards on them.

We commissioned her to make them for us straight away.

CHARLIE: MY FAVOURITE HOLIDAY DESTINATION IS Burgundy, France…low key, beautiful, great weather, amazing wine, sensational cheese, the best beef.

CAROLINE: MY FAVOURITE DESIGNER IS Martin Billingham, the founder of Billingham bags. He created something perfect; one simple product that has become an icon. It’s simple, fit-for-purpose, elegant… .perfect!

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

NH_Dec_Moodboard.indd 70

70 18/11/2014 12:18

HOME & INTERIORS / MOODBOARD

CHARLIE: MY MOST TREASURED POSSESSION IS… (apart from my wife and six children) I’d have to say, my collection of axes.

CHARLIE: MY FAVOURITE DESIGNERS ARE the guys at Best Made Co in New York. They make amazing axes and lots more besides, all beautifully and all with the finest manufacturers.

They flew over for our inaugural festival The Good Life Experience (created by us and Notting Hill resident/DJ/writer/musician Cerys Matthews) in September and now Pedlars is the only place outside America to carry their products.

CAROLINE: MY FAVOURITE HOLIDAY DESTINATION… I grew up in Paris and we’d spend our summers away from the city, as all Parisians do. Every summer, we rented a house on the Isle aux Moines off the coast of Brittany. I don’t think there can be a more perfect place for a young family to spend their summers… freedom, beauty, friendliness, and no cars. 25 years later we went back and the butcher recognised us.

CAROLINE: MY STYLE ICON IS Ines de la Fressange. She shows us all how to grow older gracefully, with incredible poise, elegance and energy.

Charlie and Caroline Gladstone

71 NH_Dec_Moodboard.indd 71

CAROLINE: MY FAVORITE PIECES FROM OUR CURRENT STOCK ARE our cappuccino beakers. They were designed for us by our friend, the designer Gail Bryson and hand-made in Portugal. Each one is slightly different. They have been a big success for us.

DECEMBER 2014

18/11/2014 12:19

XXXXXX / XXXXXXX

Inner vision DESIGN

This Notting Hill house has been transformed into an atmospheric Gothic-influenced residence. The interior designer takes us on a tour Wo r d s S TA F FA N T O L L G A R D

T

his impressive Victorian residence in Notting Hill underwent a dramatic transformation at the hands of its new owners. Determined to restore its architectural integrity as well as to carve their own character into the interiors, the result is a space that truly reflects the people that live within it.

The brief to us as designers was to be respectful to the architectural heritage we were working within. We sourced Portland stone to match the existing stone staircase and landings, repaired the metal balustrades, replaced all of the non-original window furniture with beautiful bronze fittings from Joseph Giles. Yet the owner’s vision for their life in the house was anything but traditional. The five metre-long fish-tank designed for the cloakroom was probably the first clue that this house was going to be out of the ordinary.

At a very busy period of the client’s lives (they were planning their wedding) we were charged with organising the ongoing build and interior design of the house. Respect for the original architecture infused with drama, a little darkness (the owners' love of taxidermy and other gothic touches are one of the red threads that weave through the story of the house) and a lot of detail. They had an almost cinematic vision of how each space would live and feel, and this is visible in some of the materials chosen: the dark floors on the second floor

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

NH_Dec_STAFFAN_TOLLGARD.indd 72

72 18/11/2014 12:42

HOME & INTERIORS /SPOTLIGHT

73 NH_Dec_STAFFAN_TOLLGARD.indd 73

DECEMBER 2014

18/11/2014 12:42

3 sessions at £139 Notting Hill: 12 Notting Hill Gate, London W11 3JE 020 7243 6932 Knightsbridge: 19 – 21 Pavilion Rd, London SW1X 0HD 020 7245 6677 Mayfair: 136 Wigmore St, London W1U 3SF 020 7935 7075

www.londontanningandbeauty.co.uk

London Tanning & Beauty

*All offers subject to t&c E&O.E. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer

Samples

21 Walton St Knightsbridge London SW3 2HX

Showrooms

Stock

020 7589 7386 www.waltonceramics.co.uk

84 The Hill | October 2012 walton.indd 1

24/10/2012 17:24

Sleep in heavenly peace Beautiful new timber windows and doors

The curtain consultants Advise | Design | Create Luxurious bespoke to customised ready-made curtains Blinds, poles, upholstery and accessories

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

+44 (0)755 150 8960 cutterandbarr.com andrea.r@cutterandbarr.com

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19/11/2014 10:08 19/11/2014 10:09

HOME & INTERIORS / SPOTLIGHT living room together with the reclaimed brick slips on the wall of the library; the dark stained floor-to-ceiling doors throughout; the beautiful and atmospheric wall lights in the central staircase and landings; the decorative extravagance of the Timorous Beasties iguana wallpaper: unusual pieces and materials that combine to form a unique home that captures the personality and quirkiness of its owners.

Aynhoe is a dramatic country house that the clients mentioned as a source of inspiration. The owners share a love of taxidermy, entertaining and dramatic

vistas. The underpinning architectural bones of the spaces are similar in some ways too: enduring materials like stone and solid wood; beautiful period architectural details that evoke a grander and more extravagant age.

One half of our couple clients had lived in the house for a few years prior to the refurbishment. The impetus for change was a new life to be lived together in the house. At the same time as managing the refurbishment they were also planning their wedding.

Construction had already started in some parts of the house and our role on the project was to bring the client’s vision for their home to life, paying careful attention to the impressive period features of the house and the original materials used. The staircase was absolutely a

75 NH_Dec_STAFFAN_TOLLGARD.indd 75

DECEMBER 2014

18/11/2014 12:43

DESIGN CONSULTANCY BESPOKE FURNITURE LIGHTING CURTAINS & BLINDS WALLPAPER & PAINT CARPETS & RUGS FABRICS & TRIMMINGS UPHOLSTERY & RESTORATION

INSIDER DEALINGS 135 CHISWICK HIGH ROAD, LONDON, W4 2ED • 020 8994 1030

WWW. I N S I D E R D E A L I N G S W 4 . COM InsiderDealings1411_Absolutely_NottingHill&Kensington.indd 1

13/10/2014 16:51

020 8876 1246 Coopers Appliances 441/445 Upper Richmond Road West, London, SW14 7PJ www.coopersappliances.com / info@coopersappliances.com

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19/11/2014 10:09

HOME & INTERIORS / SPOTLIGHT

The OWNERS share a love of TAXIDERMY, ENTERTAINING and dramatic VISTAS focus for the house. The existing Portland stone was one of the key materials that we matched in the kitchen and hallway. The original metalwork on the balustrade was carefully restored and we lit the staircase atmospherically with bronze and glass

wall lanterns rather than introducing contemporary downlights.

The cornices on the first floor were absolutely beautiful and original. We stopped the kitchen short of the ceiling in order not to cover them up, and put uplighters on the kitchen cabinets in order to highlight them. The floorboards on the second and third floors were also original and were stained a deep brown / black rather than replaced.

The clients wanted a very dramatic entrance to the house and we spent a long time looking for pieces that would add the impression of width or a room beyond the

77 NH_Dec_STAFFAN_TOLLGARD.indd 77

corridor as well as lighting fixtures. When they went to go and see a production of Frankenstein at the National they were thrilled by the idea of having a sea of lights with exposed filaments in the hallway. We spoke to lighting artist Alex Randall with this inspiration in mind and she in turn interpreted it in her own manner, moving the plane of lights from the ceiling to the wall. The lights are reflected in the huge antique mirrors that the clients sourced in London, creating an incredibly atmospheric and almost Gothic welcome to the home. u tollgard.co.uk

DECEMBER 2014

18/11/2014 12:43

RS CURRY.indd 2

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> KIDS CONFIDENTIAL

p.80

THE BEST FESTIVE FAMILY SHOWS

p.83

SCHOOL TALK

p.85

EXTRA FRILLS Every girl wants a tutu for Christmas.

And the biggest, frilliest, most voluminous layered ones come from Angel Face, in all colours and sizes (babies and grown-ups too).

Plus they're packaged in the most wonderful hat boxes, making them absolutely the most exciting gifts for girls. £35-£65, angels-face.co.uk

79 NH_Dec_Kids_Opener.indd 79

DECEMBER 2014

18/11/2014 12:11

Kids

14 of the best

KIDS PRODUCTS

CONFIDENTIAL The ultimate princess experience at Harrods, a fabulous new doll and lots of brilliant gifts Wo r d s P E N D L E H A R T E

WILD & WOLF

Mr Men & Little Miss Breakfast Set, £14.95; wildandwolf.com

RATATAM

Tiger and Polar Bear Costumes, £88 each; en.smallable.com

GIGI BROOKS

Black UK 3D Bike, £650; gigibrooks.com

MARKS & SPENCER Santa Dress, £14; marksandspencer.com

MARKS & SPENCER Snowman Plush, £19.50; marksandspencer.com

Real princesses

HEDGEHOG

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, Harrods

Table Football, £2,995; hedgehogshop.co.uk

PROFESSOR PUZZLE

Dinosaur Construction Kits and Activity Book, £5; habitat.co.uk

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

NH_Dec_Kids_Notes.indd 80

For little girls who have everything, the Disney Store at Harrods has Bibbidi Bobbidi, a boutique that offers a real princess experience. Girls aged three to 12 will be met by their very own fairy godmothers and pampered beyond recognition before emerging as the princess of their dreams. New for Christmas 2014 are the fabulous Frozen packages, transforming children into Anna or Elsa and sending them home with vast goodie bags. Experiences are priced between £100 and £1000; booking is essential. disneyboutiqueatharrods.com

80 18/11/2014 12:08

KIDS & EDUCATION / NOTES BRITISH LIBRARY

London in a Bag, £12.50; shop.bl.uk

CHOCOLATE COUNTDOWN Carluccios

Of all the fabulous advent calendars on the shelves at the moment, our absolute favourite chocolate one is this Carluccio's version. There's a cute chocolate character for every day in December. No cheating. £11.95, carluccios.com

editor’s

PICK

GIGI BROOKS

Sofa Moog, £398; gigibrooks.com

TAKE ME HIGHER

HEDGEHOG

Clip and Climb

Chelsea's most fun children's parties are now happening at Clip and Climb, a brilliant new climbing adventure centre for ages four plus. Challenges include the Leap of Faith and the Vertical Slide Drop as well as 22 different walls to navigate. Just clip on and go. Book individual sessions or parties at clipnclimbchelsea.co.uk

Indian Teepee, £83; hedgehogshop.co.uk

THE FOLIO SOCIETY The Hobbit, £29.95; foliosociety.com

CHRISTMAS JUMPERS Cashmirino

Cashmirino, the world’s first luxury children’s wear brand dedicated to cashmere, is calling all little budding fashion designers to design their ultimate Christmas jumper. The winning design will become part of the actual AW15 collection. cashmirino.com

STEIFF

Classic 1935 Fellow Terrier, £135; steiff.com

GIGI BROOKS Rocket

Beanbag, £140; gigibrooks.com

STEIFF

Mickey Mouse, £150; steiff.com

HISTORY GIRLS A Girl for All Time

The fourth Girl for All Time (after Matilda the Tudor girl, Amelia the Victorian girl and Clementine the 1940s girl) is Lydia, the Georgian girl, currently selling a top seller at Harrods and Honejam. This high quality doll with its historically accurate costume and accompanying biography is a world away from Barbie and her thigh boots, guaranteed to inspire dreamy play in the over-sevens. agirlforalltime.com

81 NH_Dec_Kids_Notes.indd 81

DECEMBER 2014

18/11/2014 12:07

The Kindergartens are delighted to announce that they are opening two new nursery schools in Holland Park, W14 and Aubrey Walk, W8.

These will be sister nurseries to their highly successful Pooh Corner Kindergarten in SW7.

The new kindergartens will offer a very exciting and unrivalled education.

Morning places are available now.

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Mini Picassos

Total Beginners

Where kids create masterpieces !

Art classes & Birthday Parties

Life Drawing

Contact us for a free class

Tel: 07903638817

info@minipicassos.co.uk • www.minipicassos.co.uk

Mini Picassos, 8 Station Terrace, Kensal Rise, London NW10 5RT

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Evening classes for adults @ Mini Picassos 8 Station Terrace, Kensal Rise NW10 5RT www.minipicassos.co.uk info@minipicassos.co.uk tel:07903638817

19/11/2014 10:11 19/11/2014 10:12

KIDS & EDUCATION / FAMILIES

Show Time

DISNEY ON ICE The O2 Arena

oin the celebration as 65 of Disney’s unforgettable characters J from 18 beloved stories come to life in Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic. Be thrilled by exciting moments from The Lion King; Mulan; and Disney/Pixar’s Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, and Toy Story films; in a skating spectacular filled with magical Disney moments you’ll remember forever. u  24 December - 4 January;

The season’s best family productions Wo r d s p e n d l e h a r t e

theo2.co.uk

THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL

THE NUTCRACKER C o l ise u m

Lilian Baylis Studio

ased on Hans Christian Andersen's classic story, this B touching tale of a young street girl's hopes and dreams is beautifully told through dance, song and live music. A snowy stage sets the scene for an ice cold Christmas eve, where the little match girl sees a vision of her beloved grandmother and is guided up to the moon by her grandmother. u  13 December - 4 January 2015; sadlerswells.com

O

n an enchanted Christmas Eve, under the heavy boughs of the candlelit tree Clara battles with the Mouse King and falls in love with a handsome stranger. As the air grows colder and snowflakes begin to fall, Clara and her valiant Nutcracker take a hot air balloon ride across the frost-dusted London

skyline to the glistening Land of Snow where her adventure really begins. First performed in 2010 to celebrate English National Ballet’s 60th anniversary, Wayne Eagling’s version has since been seen by over 300,000 people and is a firm Christmas favourite.u  11 December to 4 January 2015; ballet.org.uk/nutcracker

WIND IN THE WILLOWS Vaudeville Theatre

he Royal Opera House's production of The Wind in T the Willows, directed and choreographed by Will Tuckett was named Best Entertainment for Family at the 2014 Olivier Awards.

Based on Kenneth Grahame's timeless classic, the escapades of hot-headed Toad, debonair Ratty, shy Mole and wise Badger are brought to life through dance, song, music and puppetry. u  To 17 January 2015; roh.org.uk

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DECEMBER 2014

18/11/2014 10:42

DISCOVERMORE

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

Open Days December 3rd/9th (7pm/9.30am) January 12th/21st (9.30am/7pm)

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

January 30th (9.30am)

discovery, laughter and friendship.

February 11th (7pm)

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

The new independent co-educational senior school for students aged 11-18 in West London

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@kewhouseschool

18/11/2014 12:02

KIDS & EDUCATION / SCHOOL TALK

Grab a Granny

Can’t pay the school fees? Then find yourself a wealthy grandparent who can. Absolutely learns how the older generation are lending a helping hand Wo r d s A m a n d a C o n s ta n c e

‘Y

ou should see them at the school gates,’ says a teacher at a desirable west London prep.

‘They are amazing, dressed head-totoe in expensive clothes. They come swanning in to the playground like it’s a catwalk.’

She’s not talking about the mothers, but the glamorous grannies who are becoming a more familiar sight in London’s smartest playgrounds. And more often than not, these turbo-charged septuagenarians are not just doing the school run but often paying the school fees, too.

With exorbitant school fees, maxed out mortgages, rising living costs and salary increases in the deep freeze, many parents are struggling to manage. Their own parents, on the other hand, are rolling in it. Due to the property boom, many over-60s are sitting pretty on a pile of dosh – either because of sizeable equity in their home or because they realized good returns when downsizing.

A spokesman at the Independent Schools Fees Advice service says: ‘We are increasingly finding grandparents assisting in the funding of their grandchildren’s school fees. Some independent schools are even holding open days just for grandparents.’

And their help is much needed. Figures from the Independent Schools Council last year showed that where three children between the ages of eight and 18 are at an independent school simultaneously, the average cost can reach more than £60,000 in one year alone.

Another survey found a quarter of parents who send their children to private schools could only do so with

SOME INDEPENDENT

schools are holding OPEN DAYS just for

GRANDPARENTS

the help of their parents. And one in ten of those questioned admitted to using retirement savings to cover the cost of spiralling school fees. Richard Boyd of Duncan Lawrie Private Bank, which commissioned the poll, says: ‘While many children may be lucky enough to benefit from scholarships and bursaries, there are still many parents who are having to find significant amounts of money to keep their children in private school.’

For many parents, it is a constant – and private – struggle. A mother with children at a well-known south-west London prep says, ‘You’d actually be amazed at how many parents aren’t paying the fees, more often than not it’s their own parents, but you wouldn’t know it in the playground.’

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Another mother, whose children are at a smart north London prep, is less charitable. ‘You can just tell the ones who aren’t paying by the way they look,’ she says, witheringly.

Aside from the warm glow they achieve by funding their grandchildren’s education, drip-feeding those school fees has other advantages for grandparents.

The real bonus is the efficient use of inheritance tax (IHT) allowances that come as a result of setting up discretionary trusts for school fees.

Grandparents can hollow out their equity or pass on savings to the tune of £325,000 – the threshold for the nil-rate tax band – in the form discretionary trusts without incurring any taxation – provided they survive for seven years after making the contribution. If they survive for this period the gift falls outside their estate under IHT rules.

There are also potential income tax advantages, too, as a grandchild – as a nontax payer - can often reclaim significant income tax (most often at 50%) already paid by the grandparents on the funds.

A study done last December has suggested that grandparents supplementing school fees was one of the reasons that pupil numbers at independent schools did not fall with the recession. The study by mtm consulting questioned 6,200 parents with children at fee-paying schools. It found that 25% of London parents admitted to receiving financial help with their fees.

One London parent says, ‘It’s the ultimate shame... Not being able to manage the school fees.’ But another sums up what many of us probably feel: ‘If my parents could afford to pay for my children to go to private school, I’d be bloody thrilled.’ u

DECEMBER 2014

18/11/2014 10:39

Away

TA K E

A healthy lunch @ santo

AVA I L A B L

E

Every Friday & Saturday 12 to 5 pm 299 portobello road, notting hill, w10 5td | 0208 968 4590

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17/06/2014 12:17

> CHRISTMAS WITH BISCUITEERS

p. 92

GIFTS FOR FOODIES p.97 GINGER PIG'S TURKEY ALTERNATIVES

p. 98

STOLLEN MOMENTS You can keep your Christmas pudding.

And even your mince pies. But there's one Christmas treat we'd never give up – Stollen.

The oozing almond paste, the crumbly pastry, the dusty icing. Never.

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DECEMBER 2014

18/11/2014 11:06

E AT

SUSHI LONDON

We want to be your neighbourhood favourite. Our simple, fresh and tasty Japanese dishes will bring delight to you. You can come and dine in our cozy sushi bar, call for takeaway, or order for delivery.

We dont just sell fish! Eat Sushi provides lots of Japanese food including japanese curries, rice dishes and noodles.

Mention ABSOLUTELY when ordering a delivery and you’ll receive 20% off your bill * This offer can only be used once

020 8969 4386 | info@eat-sushi.co.uk 16 Station Terrace, Kensal Rise, London NW10 5RX www.eat-sushi.co.uk

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20/10/2014 15:19

GOODE & WRIGHT Goode & Wright an eclectic bistro in the heart of Notting Hill is now under new ownership thanks to manager, Alex Herb joining head chef Finlay Logan in the running of the restaurant. The menu boasts Great British produce with a gutsy French influence offering up dishes such as ‘Foie Gras with Gingerbread Ice Cream and Aged Balsamic’ and to top it all off they have recently launched a cutting edge cocktail list created by the innovative Matt Whiley of Talented Mr. Fox.

271 Portobello Road W11 1LR, London | +44(0)2077275552 | eat@goodeandwright.co.uk Monday Closed | Tue - Fri 11am - 11pm | Sat 9am - 4pm 7pm - 11pm | Sun 9am - 4pm

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20/10/2014 11:40

19/11/2014 10:14

FOOD & DRINK / NOTES

5

of our favourite

C H A M PAG N E S BILLECARTSALMON

Brut Rose, £55.25; fortnumandmason.com

NYETIMBER

Blanc de Blancs 2007, £39.95; bbr.com

TABLE TALK The best of the fizz, treats at Gails, more pizza and great spice gifts for foodies

PERRIER JOUET

Belle Epoque Rose 2004, £140; 31dover.com

FREREJEAN FRERES

GAILS

ARANCINA

The time for mince pies is here and with it come gingerbread reindeers and spiced Christmas cakes that Gail’s have been maturing for months. If Yuletide to you means goodies galore, a stop at the famous artisan bakery is mandatory.

138 Portobello Road, W11

It may be Christmas but we're still hankering after pizza – our current favourites are the Arancina ones with their super crispy Roman-style dough. Italians say you can smell the authenticity; we say 'another slice please'. And now they deliver too – within two miles of the Pembridge Road and Westbourne Grove sites. arancina. co.uk

Premier Cru Brut £31.80; honestgrapes.co.uk

Spice Pots hese dinky and stylish spice pots contain Indian spice blends and come with recipe cards, making them brilliant gifts for aspiring foodies. Buy them individually as stocking fillers or go for the lovely gift box that contains a Korma Spice Pot (mild), a Bhuna Spice Pot (medium) and a Goan Spice Pot (hot). spicepots.com

BRUNO PAILLARD

T

Blanc de Blancs, £64.99; selfridges.com

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DECEMBER 2014

18/11/2014 11:02

Laurent Perrier RosĂŠ Champagne Birdcage Edition comes in a pretty pink birdcage that acts as a carrying case. It also comes with a matching stopper to preserve the Champagne once opened. ÂŁ69.95

I

magine a single website where you can do all your Christmas shopping at once. Where a few clicks can cater for your mum, your friends and your clients, and you'll be sure to keep them all happy.

Shopping for alcohol is something that lends itself brilliantly to the web and new site 31dover.com is revolutionising the way that Londoners buy drinks, whether it's a single bottle, enough for a wedding party or even a mass corporate gifting initiative.

Styling itself as the net-a-porter of the alcohol world, 31dover.com offers not only a wide range of products but also a very reliable next-day delivery service and a price match guarantee. Besides making drinks buying easier, 31dover.com will help buyers make informed choices.

Want to try something unusual? Browse the range of spirits and you'll find a rare Guatemalan rum, a Roberto Cavalli vodka and over 40 types of whisky, all of them personally recommended by the team of experts. You'll find cocktail suggestions and lots of Champagne, plus wine, beer and mixers too. Whether it's a Christmas party, a beautifully presented gift or a regular cocktail cabinet refill, 31dover.com is the site to visit. u

Liquid

GIFTS 31dover.com is the perfect place to order gifts for everybody, from family members to corporate contacts. Absolutely takes a sip

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gift boxes

stylishly presented bottle works as the ultimate gift for all occasions. Whether it's a colleague, a client or a family member, a bottle of their favourite tipple, arriving in a beautiful matte black box, is sure to create an impression. From trusted favourites to obscure brands, there's a drink for everyone at 31dover.com. â—†

A

90 18/11/2014 14:44

ABSOLUTELY / PROMOTION

GREY GOOSE

WANT TO TRY something UNUSUAL or find that special gift FOR CHRISTMAS?

rey Goose's Le Fizz is an elegant and refreshing combination of Grey Goose vodka, fresh lime juice and elderflower, served in a flute topped with chilled soda. This gift pack provides the recipe, the vodka and the flutes, in a stylish cool blue box. £54.95 ◆

G

Dalmore

roduced deep in the Scottish Highlands, this 12 year old single malt is initially matured for 9 years in ex-bourbon casks before being carefully divided to continue its maturation in 30 year old sherry casks.The result is a complex, yet balanced Whisky with chocolate and aromatic spice aromas, as well as flavours of sherry and dark chocolate orange on the palate. £34.50 ◆

P

JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE

his limited edition Crystal Glass Pack is a very classy presentation box for the Johnnie Walker Blue Label. It comes with two highly desirable Glencairn crystal glasses and of course a bottle of the world's most famous ultrapremium blended Scotch Whisky. Look out for the taste of honey and fruit as well as the unmistakable aroma of smoke which makes this one of Johnnie Walker's very best. £194.95 ◆

T

WILLIAMS CHASE ELEGANT GIN nlike most other gins, where a neutral grain spirit is simply redistilled, this Elegant Gin is created by first pressing cider apples, fermenting the juice into cider, then distilling into Naked Chase Apple Vodka with 11 carefully considered wild botanicals, including juniper, angelica, orange and lemon peel, hops and elderflower. £37.50 ◆

U

DOM PÉRIGNON 2004 METAMORPHOSIS

by Iris Van Herpen Limited Edition

nspired by the way Dom Pérignon champagne transforms over time, fashion designer Iris van Herpen has created this incredible limited edition bottle with signed gift boxes.“Metamorphosis represents continued creation, energy and transformation,” said Richard Geoffroy, Dom Pérignon's Cellar Manager. £120 ◆

I

CRYSTAL HEAD

wo Crystal Head shot glasses are included in this collector's presentation box. Not considering quadruple-distilled Vodka to be pure enough, founders Dan Aykroyd and John Alexander decided they needed to filter it through 500-million-year-old crystals known as Herkimer diamonds to add the finishing touch. They then went and topped it all by housing their Vodka in this spectacular skull. This isn't just a prop, it's serious Vodka. £52.95 ◆

T

91 NH_DEC_31dover_v3.indd 91

● 31dover.com promises next day delivery, whether it's one bottle or 100 –and free next day delivery when you spend over £100. For top rated service, a great selection and the best prices online, visit 31dover.com DECEMBER 2014

18/11/2014 15:08

XXXXXX / XXXXXXX

Rules of

CRUMB Biscuiteers icing workshops are fun for adults and even better for children. Absolutely tries out a kids’ Chtismas biscuit session Wo r d s

Pendle Harte

Photographs rebecca noonan

B

iscuits are big business in Kensington Park Road. The season is year-round and the number of collections per year rivals the most enthusiastic fashion label’s offerings. When Biscuiteers launched seven years ago as an online business, the idea was to supply beautiful personalised biscuits to order, and since then the number of plausible excuses for a biscuit has increased vastly. The biscuit can do everything the greetings card does and more, because you can eat it too. There are now back-toschool biscuits and Mexican Day of the Dead biscuits as well as the inevitable thank you biscuit and getwell-soon biscuit. There are flower biscuits and cup of tea biscuits, housewarming biscuits and apologies biscuits and there are even biscuits iced to look like cakes. Plus biscuits iced to look like Christmas baubles, which is why we’re here.

We’re in the icing café for a Christmas biscuit workshop. Christmas biscuits aren’t new, but these ones, designed to hang on the Christmas tree, are decorated to look like baubles. Icing workshops are a deadly serious business when adults are involved – competitiveness meets perfectionism under a veil of sugar – but with children, it’s an entirely different flavour frosting. Our small group – two five-year-olds and two eight-yearolds – is here to make their own Christmas biscuits, and they arrive fully expecting to eat their body weights

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DECEMBER 2014

18/11/2014 10:33

WINNERS!

UK New Butchery of the Year 2014 Provenance have WON UK New Butchery of the Year. We could not have done it without you, our loyal customers.

We take our responsibilities in the community seriously and are very proud of what you have helped us achieve. We have been open for just over a year and are very grateful for your support, friendship, advice and hungry appetites (!).

We look forward to seeing you over the coming months to celebrate along with enjoying Thanksgiving, Movember (and the end of the itchy moustaches) and of course, Christmas.

33 KENSINGTON PARK ROAD, LONDON W11 2EU 020 7229 8814 | ORDERS@PROVENANCEBUTCHER.COM | WWW.PROVENANCEBUTCHER.COM

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FOOD & DRINK / CHILDREN

in sugar and not really caring whether their creations look like the biscuits in the shop. Most of which don’t look like biscuits anyway – the window display is a London cityscape, while the shelves are full of biscuits in the shapes of everything from vegetables to super heroes to tools, alongside Christmas-themed ones including characters from the Nutcracker and a nativity scene. The more elaborate Biscuiteers creations (such as a miniature Leeds Castle commission they are currently working on) are designed by architects and artists rather than pastry chefs.

Taking their seats in the basement icing café, the children (all girls – this is very much a girlie activity, according to Biscuiteers founder Harriet Hastings, and boys are rarely keen) put on their dinky child-sized Biscuiteers aprons and grab their piping bags enthusiastically. They’re told to hold them like pens and there’s a

you can bear the excitement. There are also regular icing workshops, mostly for serious-minded adults but children’s ones are popular too.

Once our group has realised that the icing bags are full of sugary icing, the smaller ones keep putting them in their mouths, while the elder girls' approach is slightly more sly, spilling a bit more than strictly necessary with a view to extra finger licking. They all soon get the hang of icing a straight line, after a fashion, as they embark on simple shapes including baubles, bells and candy canes. Nobody is very bothered about minor inaccuracies – ‘I don’t care, it’s

It’s a WIN-WIN SITUATION: everyone loves DECORATING BISCUITS and everyone loves eating THEM comedy moment when they all find their hands covered in red icing and reach for tissues before realising that they can simply lick them. ‘It’s sugar!’ Children’s icing parties are big business for Biscuiteers and it’s a win-win situation: everyone loves decorating biscuits and everyone loves eating them. Parties can be held in the icing café as well as off-site, so a team will bring equipment and expertise to your own kitchen if

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still going to taste very yummy.’ The elder children manage to create plausible baubles while the littler ones’ skills are more limited, but after two hours of pretty deep, tongue-out concentration, each child leaves with a bag of biscuits ready to hang on a Christmas tree. u Icing workshops take place regularly at Biscuiteers, 194 Kensington Park Road W11; biscuiteers.com

DECEMBER 2014

18/11/2014 10:33

The diversity of ravenous At Ravenous we work with clients who wish to step out of the box and produce imaginative events and unique guest experience. Please give us a call and we can discuss how best to apply our most exciting, on-trend and delicious food and event services within your private house or venue of your choice You can book a table at Mode Collective on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings throughout December 2014 and during the year 2015 for a truly Ravenous restaurant or event catering experience Smart & Balanced (S&B) is the sister brand to Ravenous.

We are London's largest provider of free-from wheat and dairy, alkalizing food for the Events industry, Photographic industry and Conference services.

Both services are available at Mode Collective

Both catering brands can provide Canapes • Bowled food • Fine dining bowls • Conference days • Buffets • BBQs • Seated lunches and dinners Authentic Street Stalls

www.ravenous.info 07876 136305 / ali@ravenous.info Ravenousindd.indd 2

18/11/2014 12:49

FOOD & DRINK / GIFT GUIDE

CULINARY CONCEPTS Côtes de Provence Butter Dish with Glass Insert, £52; johnlewis.com

ANTHROPOLOGIE Farmer's Cabinet Cheese Knives, £38; anthropologie.eu

ALESSI

Ossidiana Espresso Coffee Maker by Mario Trimarchi, from £35; alessi.com

VANQUISH

Cognac Delemain Voyage Carafe, £5,150; gift-library.com

MAKERS & MERCHANTS

Very Merry Christmas Bauble Chocolates, £4; heals.co.uk

THE LEXINGTON COMPANY

Hampton Bayside Apron, £85; lexingtoncompany.com

WHITTARD

The Luxury Hot Chocolate Hamper, £15; whittard.co.uk

HARRODS

Moving Train Cake, £150; harrods.com

SALVATORE FERRAGMO

100 Points by James Suckling Leather Briefcase for Lalique, Black Edition, £5,900; lalique.com

HARRODS

Daylesford Complete Christmas Hamper, £500; harrods.com

GIFTS FOR FOODIES

GLEN GRANT

The Glen Grant 50 Year Old, £3.500; thewhiskyexchange.com

CARLUCCIO’S

Albero di Natale, £2.95; carluccios.com

GÜ

Limited Edition Luxury Bauble Collection, £85; gupuds.com

Christmas is a time for gluttons, so spoil them rotten ROCOCO

Nutcracker Chocolate, £42; conranshop.co.uk

WILLIAM CURLEY

The Wuyi Collection, £25; williamcurley.com

THE FOOD MINISTRY Cake in a Can, £4.99; yumbles.com

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DECEMBER 2014

18/11/2014 12:55

FOOD & DRINK / RECIPES

Three-Bird Celebration Roast S erves 1 0 Takes 5 h ours • 5kg (11lb) goose, tunnel-boned • 1.3kg (3lb) chicken, tunnel-boned and skinned • 1 pheasant, tunnel-boned and skinned • 25g (10oz) flour

For th e stock • Bird bones from butcher • 2 carrots • 2 celery sticks, cut in half • 2 onions, peeled • 1 bouquet garni

For th e stuffi n g • 1kg (2lb 4oz) pork sausage meat • 3 shallots, peeled and diced • 2 garlic cloves, peeled, crushed and diced • 4 apples, peeled and grated • Zest and juice of 2 oranges • 1 tbsp chopped sage leaves • 1 tbsp chopped parsley • Sea salt • Freshly ground black pepper

ME T HO D 01 First make the stock. Place the bones in a pan and add the carrots, celery, onions and bouquet garni, cover with water and simmer for 1 1/2 hours.

Strain discarding the solids, then simmer the stock again to reduce to about 750ml (1 ¼ pints).

02 Meanwhile put all the stuffing ingredients in a bowl, add seasoning and mix thoroughly by hand.

The Ginger Pig’s Al t ern ati v e Ch ri st m a s R o a s t

Tired of turkey? This year we’ve called on local butchers the Ginger Pig for advice on alternative meat dishes to serve this Christmas R e c i p e s b y f r a n wa r d e

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03 Fill the pheasant with a small amount of the stuffing and place inside the chicken. Carefully insert a layer of stuffing between the pheasant and chicken. Place these two birds inside the goose, then insert the remaining stuffing between the chicken and goose, working it to recreate the shape of the outer bird.

04 Secure each end with a couple of skewers to keep the stuffing inside.

05 Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/gas mark 4. Place the three-bird roast in a lightly oiled roasting tin, cover with a foil tent and cook for 3 hours and 20 minutes, checking and basting a couple of times. Remove the foil and roast for a further 40 minutes so that the skin can crisp up.

06 When cooked through, transfer the roast to a warm serving plate, cover and keep warm for at least 25 minutes before carving 07 Meanwhile, make the gravy. Sprinkle the flour into the roasting tin and blend until smooth. Place over the heat and slowly pour in the stock, stirring constantly until boiling and just thickened. Season and serve hot with the three-bird roast. ◆

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FOOD & DRINK / RECIPES

Indian Roast Game Birds S e r ves 4 - 5 Ta k es 1 ho ur p l us o v e rn igh t m a r i n a ti n g I n gr e d i e nts • 4 small game birds e.g. pigeon, partridge, pheasant • 1 tbsp oil

F or th e Marinade • 6 cloves • 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon • 2 tsp ground coriander • generous grating of fresh nutmeg • 1 tsp turmeric • 2 tsp ground cumin • 8 cardamom pods • 2 tsp cayenne pepper • 2 tsp sea salt • 5cm (2in) piece of fresh root ginger, peeled and roughly chopped • 5 garlic cloves, crushed, peeled and roughly chopped • 200ml (7fl oz) natural yoghurt • Zest and juice of 1 lemon

ME T HO D 01 First make the marinade. Put all the spices and salt in a blender and whiz together until all finely ground. Add the ginger, garlic and onion and whiz again until you have a paste. Finally, blend in the yoghurt, lemon zest and juice.

02 Skin the birds and cut in half along the breastbone and then the spine. Cut these pieces in half and score 3 slashes in the flesh of each piece. Place in the marinade and stir to coat thoroughly. Cover and place in the fridge overnight.

03 Remove the chilled game from the fridge at least 1 hour before starting to cook, so it can come up to room temperature. Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/gas mark 6 and heat the oil in a large roasting tin.

04 Arrange the game in a single layer in the tin and place at the top of the oven. Cook for 8-10 minutes, then turn and cook for a further 8-10 minutes. Serve with spiced rice, a tomato, onion and coriander salad, and naan breads. ◆

Roast Duck With Cherries Cherries will be out of season over Christmas but don’t feel ashamed to use a tin of cherries to add a juicy sauce to this simple, but delicious, roast duck.

S erves 2-3 I N G RE DI E N TS • 2kg (4lb 8oz) Yorkshire duck • sea salt • freshly ground black pepper • 200g (7oz) cherries, stoned • 50ml (2fl oz) Port • 75ml (3fl oz) chicken stock • 4 sprigs of thyme • 2 tbsp Ginger Pig Redcurrant jelly

ME T HO D 01 Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/gas mark 4. Trim the duck of any excess skin and remove the fat from the inside cavity at the neck end. Jab the duck all over with a finepronged fork to help release the excess fat while cooking. Season well and place the duck on a roasting cradle over a roasting tin. Cook in the oven for 1 ¼ hours.

02 Increase the oven temperature to 220°C/425°F/gas mark 7 and roast for a further 20 minutes until the juices run clear when the thickest part of the leg is pierced with a skewer and the skin is crispy. Remove the duck from the oven and leave it to rest in a warm place for 15 minutes.

03 Remove the excess fat from the roasting pan with a metal spoon and pour the cooking juices into a saucepan with the cherries, Port, stock, thyme and Ginger Pig redcurrant jelly. Bring to a boil and simmer to reduce by half. Add any juices that have come from the resting duck. Carve the duck and serve with the cherries and juices. ◆

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18/11/2014 12:45

Ukai (oo-kaaee), our name, is inspired by the traditional method of river fishing practiced for some 1,300 years using Cormorant birds to catch sweetfish.

Due to interest, many of its various Japanese inspired products including flower teas (which blossoms in front

UKAI SUSHI_APRIL.indd 1

of you eyes), and a variety of stylish tableware are now available to be purchased.

Ultimately, Ukai’s passion is sushi. With the simplest recipe; the freshest sustainable fish, the highest quality of ingredients and a trained and loving chef.

18/03/2014 09:58

FOOD & DRINK / REVIEW

Royal China

There’s a new dim sum menu since we last came, this one with photography and a more streamlined list, featuring fewer of the more bizarre items. We suspected this was the one for English people. All our favourites were still there, happily, even the chicken feet, and we feasted on steamed prawn and chive dumplings as well as prawn and coriander ones, vegetable cheung fun, scallop dumplings, pan fried gyozas and a big plate of steaming stir fried noodles with prawns.

I had forgotten that having dim sum with a vegetarian friend limits your options slightly, though happily we were eating fish, because the vegetarian rolls were the least exciting option. Tea is poured and repoured as our food arrives swiftly in bamboo steamers and sitting in the windowless space, you lose all sense of time. Pudding ingredients include beancurd, custard, tapioca and sesame, with textures mirroring the main dim sum line. Royal China will never disappoint. u

A revisit to Queensway's ever-popular dim sum staple Wo r d s p e n d l e h a r t e

A

fixture in Queensway for nearly 20 years, Royal China has a loyal following. Not only are there queues outside on weekends, thanks to a no-bookings policy, but during the week, the place is full of loyal diners including lots of Chinese people (and, on Wednesdays, Tom Parker Bowles has a regular table). The beauty of it is that it never changes – the large interior is like a big lacquered box, all shiny surfaces, Asian wave paintings and gold ceilings. Service is efficient and brusque, and the food is delicious. Famously, everything is made freshly on site every day, unlike inferior dim sum places who are rumoured to use (whisper it) frozen dumplings. There's a retro feel here, maybe because we're now

CELEBRATE WITH MAOTAI

C unusued to unreconstructed, non-ironic and authentic places. This is an actual Chinese eaterie, not somewhere cleverly referencing the Chinese eaterie, and somehow that marks it out.

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elebrate the Chinese way at Royal China with a luxurious bottle of Maotai, a highly alcoholic spirit priced at £280 per bottle.

Maotai is used as a toast during Chinese celebrations, banquets and business meetings.

As one of the most popular brands of Chinese liquor, it has a distinctive, gentle aroma of soy sauce, being sometimes called ‘sauce-fragranced’.

Maotai is named after its origin at Maotai town in the Guizhou province and made with a unique distilling process that involves several fermentations of sorghum (Chinese Grass).

Apparently the process is so pungent, the entire town of Maotai smells of fermenting sorghum.

The alcohol content varies from 35%-53% (Royal China’s is 53%) and is a favourite national drink.

● royal china

13 Queensway, W2; 020 7221 2535 rcguk.co.uk

DECEMBER 2014

18/11/2014 12:41

FULL PAGE.indd 2 AbsolutWarhol_AdResize_18Nov.indd 1

19/11/2014 18/11/2014 10:16 16:40

> UK GETAWAY: FOUR SEASONS HAMPSHIRE

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SKIING, SHOPPING AND SIGHTSEEING IN NEW YORK STATE

p. 106

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Don't miss Abigail Butcher's upstate ski special on page 94, which takes us out of the Big Apple to the surrounding mountains for snowsports (and après-ski) with a twist.

103 Chis_Dec_Travel_Opener.indd 103

DECEMBER 2014

18/11/2014 13:19

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TRAVEL / UK GETAWAY THE SITE

B

uilt in 1727 as Dogmersfield House and subjected to several incarnations and a devastating fire before becoming a Four Seasons hotel ten years ago, this is a beautiful mansion house set in large, landscaped grounds. Legend has it that an early owner had the entire village moved and rebuilt, brick by brick, to allow him a view of the lake from his window. Now the sprawling grounds are home to an equestrian centre and a new highwire adventure course, while the hotel offers all the luxury expected from a Four Seasons outpost. You enter via discreet gates and approach the imposing building down a sweeping driveway, feeling like a movie star. u

FOUR SEASONS

THE ROOM

H A M PS H I R E

I

nterconnecting rooms are the perfect solution for families.

Ours were spacious and brilliantly equipped, with every attention to detail. Vast beds, outsize televisions and enormous bathrooms. The children were welcomed with personalized plates of sweet treats and their names spelled out in bath toys as well as miniature bathrobes and delightful child-sized slippers. u

THE SPA

H

Wo r d s P E N D L E H A R T E

ACTIVITIES

T

here’s no shortage of things to do here.

The new equestrian centre offers an ‘Own a Pony’ experience to children aged seven to 16, while riders of all ages can enroll in lessons or hacks. Also on site there’s clay pigeon shooting, tennis and falconry as well as canal boating, fishing, croquet and

oused in a separate building, the spa is sprawling and offers lots of treatments as well as a large pool, surrounded by loungers and equipped with floats, goggles and even swim nappies for the truly forgetful. An outdoor hot tub connects to the indoor pool and the changing rooms score top marks for luxury – they’re spacious and stacked with everything you’ve forgotten – combs, moisturizer and an excess of towels among everything else. u

cycling (bikes are available to borrow). For children there’s a playground and a kids’ club, as well as the newest attraction, the Highwire Adventure, an exciting treetop challenge for adults and children that incorporates a 235 metre zipwire and a rope course through the forest (definitely not for the faint-hearted, but adults are allowed to opt for the lower children’s course, which suited us fine).

There’s no reason to leave the hotel at all. u

THE DAMAGE Quick escapes from £251 per night are available – book seven days in advance to receive 15% off the room rate.

Four Seasons Hampshire, Dogmersfield Park, Chalky Lane, Dogmersfield, Hampshipre RG27 8TD; 01252 853 000 fourseasons.com/hampshire

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DECEMBER 2014

18/11/2014 12:49

XXXXXX / XXXXXXX CITY GUIDE

A Tale Of Two Cities The backdrop for so many Hollywood blockbusters, everyone knows New York... or do they? Our reporter travels across the pond to discover the real Big Apple Wo r d s E d w i n a L a n g l e y

I

n my mind, there are two types of New York: the factual and the fictional. The latter is the one I first heard of. It’s Sinatra’s city that ‘doesn’t sleep’; it’s where I would go to eat breakfast at Tiffany’s, to shop on Madison Avenue like Carrie Bradshaw, to discover Tom Hanks (or similar) on top of the Empire State Building.

Then I actually went to New York, and discovered that Tiffany’s is closed for breakfast, that I could afford little more than a pretzel on Madison Avenue and that all I discovered on the top of the Empire State Building was that I have vertigo.

Having come to terms with the fact that fictional New York is a myth, I made a return visit to the Big Apple with my eyes open. No rushing round Central Park singing to myself like Charity Hope Valentine in Sweet Charity, and absolutely no ‘I Love New York’ t-shirts. I was there to see New York, the proper New York.

And nothing was going to get in my way.

So, having flopped my jetlagged body onto an enormous bed at the Loews Regency Hotel, and woken up to discover my room overlooked the bustling Park Avenue, I felt none of the exhilaration that, say, Annie might have felt in her

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I was there to see NEW YORK, the proper NEW YORK

eponymous film, when she woke up at Daddy Warbucks’ mansion on Fifth.

None at all. I merely noted, nonchalantly, that in addition to the gigantic, soft bed, and spacious cupboards, the en-suite bathroom featured a TV built into the mirror so I could watch Food Network as I showered. The American dream.

Having recently undergone a $100million renovation, Loews Regency New York is undoubtedly one of the smartest hotels Midtown has to offer.

An ornate entrance lobby greets you and leads into a bar and restaurant discretely to the left. Famous for its cuisine, food at the Loews Regency is some of the finest you’ll eat in the city, and the ‘Power Breakfast’ is what they’re best known for. Running from 7-10am on weekdays, you have to book well in advance to get a table. When you finally do, it’s obvious why it took you so long. Because as Wall Street hot shots chat numbers on nearby tables, you too find yourself numbercrunching: ‘how many eggs can I fit in in one sitting?’ And then ‘do I have the Three-Egg Omelette, the Eggs Benedict, the Eggs Florentine or the Smoked Salmon Benedict?’ It’s a very taxing decision first thing in the morning.

Upstairs, the 379 guest rooms include 58 suites, all designed in muted colours, classic and chic, and each boasting dramatic views of the city. On the first floor you’ll find the magical Julien Farel Restore Salon & Spa, which includes a wellequipped fitness centre and a salon with 32 cutting stations. I went in for the ‘Power Hour’ – three services in 60 minutes – and I tell you, my body has never seen so much

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DECEMBER 2014

18/11/2014 12:23

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18/11/2014 12:37

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TRAVEL / CITY GUIDE pampering. In just over an hour, my hair had been blow-dried so expertly it actually ‘swooshed’, my nails had been polished so well they practically blinded me, and I underwent an extreme MAC makeover. I looked really quite Hollywood – had it been 7am, I could have ordered Tiffany’s for breakfast. Probably.

But it wasn’t 7am, it was 7pm, and since I was dolled up, I needed somewhere to go. Tourists (and fantasists) would take on Broadway, but since I was there to discover the real New York, I did as real New Yorkers would do: went ‘off-Broadway’. Queen of the Night by Randy Weiner (directed by Christine Jones) is an ‘immersive theatre experience’. Set in the Paramount Hotel, it’s a bit like London’s The Box in Soho – a sort of weird and wonderful nightmare (if such a thing exists) made-up of daredevil acrobatics, kinky dance acts and circus tricks. For a Premium Reservation ticket at $190, you enjoy an all-you-can-drink bar tab and an excessively gluttonous dinner (think: towers of hot lobsters served in cages and suckling pigs on platters). Neither the show, nor the dinner, were for the faint hearted. If suggestive codpiece rubbing, or being led backstage to be stroked, don't float your boat, steer clear. As a closeted extrovert, and after a decanter of wine, I was more than up for both. In fact, I’ve still got the note given to me by my backstage stroker [sic]. Written on a Guest Check receipt, it cryptically reads: ‘Pass your kiss to a stranger that gives you pause’.

When you’re not out kissing strangers like real New Yorkers (apparently) do, perhaps you might consider learning a bit about the city itself. I’m not suggesting a day-long schlep through the Metropolitan Museum of Art, but a morning spent in the city’s finest living museum, Central Park. A tour with the park’s Conservancy Historian and Photographer, Sara Cedar

Miller, is the way to do it. Why? Because there’s no traipsing round miles of parkland involved (though, in truth, I’d have also loved that). All it entails is a leisurely drive to various park locations, where you get out to learn about them, and also, the park’s history in general.

Did you know, for example, that Central Park was originally a rocky swampland, chosen as the park’s location because it was cheap to buy? That there is an ‘adopt a bench’ programme where you can adopt one of the park’s 3,000 benches (for $7,500) to support the park’s conservation? That chipmunks have finally returned, and that I got to see one?

Sara’s intelligent guide was enchanting; you knew you were in the presence of a truly passionate pro.

Alternatively, if it’s an indoors activity you’re after, you won’t regret the hardto-book (but totally worth it) ‘secret’ tour round Grand Central Station with Daniel Brucker. The first thing you’ll learn on the tour though, is that the title ‘Grand Central Station’ is entirely wrong. Its real name is Grand Central Terminal.

The world’s largest for trains, with over 750,000 people pass through it each day.

In his comically loud delivery (guaranteed to shock you out of your Queen of the Night-induced stupor) Daniel divulges all sorts of nuggets of information. Such as: the most expensive artefact in the Main Concourse is the clock (with its four oval opal faces, it’s been valued at between $10-20 million). And that the lagoon-coloured zodiac on the ceiling is

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actually one big mistake (it was painted backwards). And that there’s a rather large hole in the ceiling made from the Redstone rocket displayed there in the late Fifties to counter the Space Race media advantage gained by the Soviet Union following Sputnik’s launch in 1957.

Behind the scenes, you scuttle through underground tunnels before climbing to the highest point of the terminal, to view the Main Concourse via the half-moontopped glass windows. Not ideal for me and my vertigo, but luckily I kept the fear at bay just long enough to realise this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

In fact, my entire trip was a once-in-alifetime experience. And I mean that to sound like a cliché, because it ties-in with the fictional New York I had described earlier; the one I thought didn’t exist.

Now I know it does exist. It is possible to explore the factual, actual New York, and still experience an almost too-goodto-be-true, worthy-of-Hollywood, side to it as well. That was probably the most surprising element of my return trip to the metropolis; that and the realisation that (like the mug I bought in Departures at Newark Airport) I really do love New York. ◆  For reservations or more information about Loews Regency, call 1-800-23-LOEWS or visit loewshotels.com/Regency-Hotel  For flights from London to New York, book via Delta Air Lines; delta.com

DECEMBER 2014

18/11/2014 12:24

XXXXXX / XXXXXXX ADVENTURE

STATE OF PLAY This year, combine skiing, shopping and sightseeing in New York State for a quirky alternative to the Alps Wo r d s A b i g a i l B u t c h e r

T

o walk through Central Park, snow falling softly all around, temperatures of -20c nipping at your cheeks, must be one of the most magical of New York experiences.

The ‘city that never sleeps’ is at its most atmospheric in the winter, encased in a thick blanket of snow to temporarily muffle the sounds of the bustling streets and slow the traffic.

Bright yellow cabs throw a sharp contrast of colour against the white park, and a low winter sun burns brightly in the blue sky, belying the chilliness of the morning.

Diving into a café for blueberry pancakes and a steaming mug of coffee to warm my hands, I feel hugely grateful for the warm clothes I packed in order to explore a side of New York rarely considered by Brits, outside the city. New York State is scattered with a surprising number of ski resorts to which city dwellers bolt at weekends and which offer a snapshot of rural America just a few hours’ drive from the Big Apple.

The most obvious first stop is Windham Mountain in the Catskill Mountains; the

East Coast ski version of The Hamptons.

A two-hour drive out of the city, this boutique resort is home to stunning, million-dollar timber-clad chalets dotted around the 52 tree-lined pistes — or ‘trails’ as they are called Stateside. This is no Trois Vallées, but there are 278 skiable acres served by 12 lifts — plenty to keep you amused for a weekend including a couple of unexpected steeps. Perhaps the name Upper Wheelchair should have been a warning — with a burst of enthusiasm on the beautifully groomed descent I went head over heels and decided it was time for a break, and retired to the divine oak-panelled Club at Windham to warm up with a hot cider. The waiters know a chilly skier when they see one and persuaded me to try a shot of cinnamonflavoured Fireball whisky — creating possibly the best après-ski drink known to man.

US ski resorts are not known for their ski-in, ski-out accommodation and New York State is no different. So instead grab a taste of rural Catskills in nearby North Creek, a slightly hippy but all-American town lined with clapperboard houses,

CATSKILL MOUNTAINS are the SKI version of The HAMPTONS

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DECEMBER 2014

18/11/2014 12:47

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TRAVEL / NEW YORK

antique shops, bakeries and delicatessens as well as a couple of bars and eateries, including the fabulous Bar Vino, which offers around dozens of wines by the glass. It’s also home to the charming Alpine Lodge with sprawling, rustic but luxurious beds. Heaven after a hard day on the slopes.

Drive on upstate another few hours towards the border with Canada, and you reach the Adirondacks, and stunning wooded scenery surrounding the two biggest New York State resorts of Gore and White Face. The 1980 Lake Placid Olympics were held up here and the US Olympic teams return each season to train — it’s ‘proper’ skiing here, with off-piste options, double blacks and wonderful long cruises among the glades.

Neither resort is vast but both offer plenty for a couple of days on the slopes.

The Adirondacks have a distinctly

Alpine feel, with all of the skiing in the treeline; silver birch mixed with Scotch pines and oaks. You can see for miles around from the top of these mountains — with views from Little White Face back on to Lake Placid a particular highlight.

One of the best things about skiing in the US is the service, and the luxurious Whiteface Lodge in Lake Placid is the best there can be. A 20-minute drive from White Face, the lodge was built

by Olympic luge athlete Joe Barile and offers five-star US accommodation at its best, with a leading spa, cinema, ice rink, bowling alley, outdoor pool and hot tub and a huge platter of s’mores (a sickly biscuit/Hershey bar/marshmallow mix) set beside a roaring fire.

These ‘ma and pa’ resorts don’t compete with the likes of Aspen and Vail for ski area nor infrastructure, but they are filled with incomparable charm.

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Driving through the Adirondacks in the snow, watching children file on and off their yellow “cheese buses”, and meeting the local characters who run these little resorts is an experience that will stay with you for life.

Fly in to Montreal and drive down state to New York City, or top-and-tail a weekend in the hills with time in the Big Apple and you’ll enjoy a winter trip to the States like no other. Mix up the rustic charm of the hills with glitz and glamour of the city with a stay at the Mandarin Oriental, or the new Mad Max-styled Viceroy, both of which offer spectacular views of snowy Central Park and just a stone’s throw from Columbus Circle.

East Coast resorts get a bad rap for being chilly — but if you’re ready for that, and pack enough merino wool, it’s just part of the fun. It also means you are wrapped up properly for doing what visitors to New York City do best: tramping the salted streets, taking a trip on the Staten Island Ferry or walking across Brooklyn Bridge — just plunge yourself into New York’s frozen winter wonderland. u u Rates at Mandarin Oriental, New York start from £395 per night on a B&B basis.

For further information and bookings please call +1 (212) 805 8800 or visit mandarinoriental.com/newyork. u Viceroy New York is from £185 per room/ night ($309). Bookings: viceroyhotelsandresorts.com, +1 855 647 1619. u British Airways flies Heathrow and London City Airport to New York; ba.com  For more information on New York State, visit iloveny.com

DECEMBER 2014

18/11/2014 12:48

PL.indd 1 420x297 2014 10 07.indd All Pages V1 PL Zest

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FIND

THE

HOME

YOU D E S E RVE

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We’ve married the iconic styling of our 50s and 60s furniture, with our renowned comfort and craftsmanship.

Original inspiration. Timeless quality.

Be inspired at your local G Plan Vintage specialist.

gplanvintage.co.uk Image shows The Fifty Nine in Tonic Charcoal.

G PLAN.indd 1

Opening Times After Noah Ltd, 121 Upper Street, Islington, London N1 1QP

www.afternoah.com

020 7359 4281

Mon-Sat: 10am – 6pm Sun: 11am – 5pm Easter Sun and Christmas Day to New Year’s Day: Closed

14/08/2014 17:21

Property Absolutely

December 2 014

> IN THEIR OWN WORDS p.130 NEWS p.140 LIVING THE DREAM p.152 PRIME PURCHASE p. 124

Queensdale Road, Holland Park W11

Guide Price ÂŁ4,500,000

A superb house on the corner of Queensdale Road and Queensdale Place with a south/westerley aspect, a good sized garden and an upper terrace. The house has been totally refurbished and is beautifully presented throughout. There is also the provision for off street parking. EPC Rating F.

020 7371 1111

JSA with Knight Frank 020 7229 0229 and Domus Nova 020 7727 1717

gareth.jones@carterjonas.co.uk

117 PROPERTY FRONT COVER.NH.indd 123

DECEMBER 2014

17/11/2014 15:31

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17/11/2014 09:52

Opening doors in London since 1856 From the moment you walk through one of our doors, you’ll only deal with someone who lives and breathes your local property market.

Someone who knows exactly which buttons to press to sell or let your home. And someone who understands that determination and integrity will open more doors for you than any other approach.

So why not visit one of our 22 London offices? As we’ve been saying since 1856, our door’s always open...

marshandparsons.co.uk

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Local know-how. Better results.

Askew Road

Bishops Park

Clapham

Hammersmith

Marylebone & Mayfair

Richmond

Balham

Brook Green

Earls Court

Holland Park

North Kensington

South Kensington

Barnes

Camden

East Sheen

Kensington

Notting Hill

Battersea

Chelsea

Fulham

Little Venice

Pimlico & Westminster

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Follow us on Twitter: @marshandparsons

Join us on Facebook: facebook.com/marshandparsons

Visit our YouTube channel: youtube.com/user/marshandparsons

LETTINGS

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

Agate Road W6 £2,595,000 This fabulous four-bedroom family home is presented in excellent condition throughout. The double reception room benefits from excellent ceiling height, original fireplaces and wooden flooring can be separated by the original Victorian sliding doors, which retract neatly into the walls. The kitchen is much larger than average and leads out to a large garden. The lower ground floor offers additional entertaining space with a media room and cloakroom/utility room. Freehold. EPC=E. Sole Agents.

BROOK GREEN: 020 7605 7760 sales.bkg@marshandparsons.co.uk

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carterjonas.co.uk Offices throughout the UK

KENSINGTON Pembroke Road W8 A well proportioned apartment set in this popular portered block. This flat is well presented throughout and is positioned at the quiet, south-facing rear of the block.

Reception room • 2 bedrooms 2 bathrooms • Kitchen • Lift • Communal gardens • EPC rating D

Guide price £995,000 Holland Park & Notting Hill 020 7371 1111 gareth.jones@carterjonas.co.uk

WEST KENSINGTON Fitzgeorge Avenue W14 Comprising approximately 869 sq ft, this good sized apartment boasts excellent ceiling height allowing lots of natural light which gives a real sense of volume.

Reception room • 2 bedrooms • Bathroom Kitchen • EPC rating D

Guide price £730,000 Holland Park & Notting Hill 020 7371 1111 gareth.jones@carterjonas.co.uk

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QUEENSDALE ROAD Holland Park W11

A superb house on the corner of Queensdale Road and Queensdale Place with a good sized garden and an upper terrace.

Holland Park & Notting Hill 020 7371 1111 gareth.jones@carterjonas.co.uk

JSA Knight Frank 020 7229 0229 Domus Nova 020 7727 1717

Reception room • 4 bedrooms, 2 en suite Bathroom • Kitchen • Dining room Family/media room • Roof terrace Garage (held on separate lease of approximately 93 years) • EPC rating F

Guide price £4,500,000

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PROPERTY | NEW TO THE MARKET

Prime Purchase VENDOR ADVICE

What kinds of properties represent the best capital appreciation?

W

hen looking for capital appreciation, the most important thing to consider is location. Homes close to the local shops and transport hubs will nearly always increase in value more quickly than those which are less well connected. Being within walking distance of a good school will also be a big bonus when it comes to family properties.

Conventional flats and townhouses with lots of practical living space are usually the safest bet. People tend to prefer sticking with a tried and tested formula when investing in property.

ALISTAIR HEATHER

Associate Partner at Strutt & Parker, Notting Hill

020 7221 1111; struttandparker.com

What are the potential hold ups in the exchange process?

O

A five floor stucco fronted property on one of the prime residential roads that define Notting Hill

S

killfully and exceptionally redefined to create one of West London’s most exciting contemporary homes.

Applying materials normally associated with the built environment, Cubic Studios has readdressed their abilities to create elements such as a stunning raw steel and glass stairway, hand aged solid wood shelving and storage, and a bespoke steel bath. This house offers an enviable

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London lifestyle, including open plan entertaining space, media room, luxury jet stream swimming pool and steam room. The lower ground floor can also be self-contained as an au pair suite.

Ladbroke Road, W11 ÂŁ6,500,000 Freehold Bective, Notting Hill 020 7221 4805; bective.co.uk

nce the sale of your property is agreed, your aim should be to remove as many obstacles as possible to facilitate a speedy exchange. Hold ups can be caused by anything from delayed paperwork and poor communication to solicitor delays and difficult buyers. We advise sellers to carefully choose a solicitor once marketing begins and furnish them with as much advance information as possible.

Your agent should then act as the fulcrum for communications between all parties to ensure that the sale keeps ticking over. In short, communication is key.

MATTHEW STYLIANOU

Associate Director at Westways

020 7286 5757; westways.co.uk

124 17/11/2014 14:48

Garage optional.

Chimney essential.

No matter what your must-haves are, our experienced team will endeavour to find your perfect fit, whether you’re searching for a buyer or a new home. All with the undivided attention and professionalism that Strutt & Parker has come to be known for.

303 Westbourne Grove, London W11 2QA 020 7221 1111 | struttandparker.com

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facebook.com/struttandparker twitter.com/struttandparker

struttandparker.com

Princedale Road, W11

A beautifully presented four bedroom, non-basement, end of terrace house on this extremely popular Holland Park address.

ÂŁ2,700,000 Freehold

1,642 sq ft (152.5 sq m) EPC rating D Entrance hall | Drawing room | Kitchen/ dining room | Master bedroom with en suite bathroom | Three further bedrooms | Bathroom | Cloakroom | Roof terrace | Patio

Notting Hill 020 7221 1111

Nottinghill@struttandparker.com JSA Anthony Sharp 020 7243 8398

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Zetland House, W8

An impressive and beautifully presented four bedroom flat occupying 2,124 sq ft on the third floor (lift) of this well maintained portered mansion block.

ÂŁ4,600,000 Share of Freehold

2,124 sq ft (197.3 sq m) EPC rating D Drawing room | Dining room | Kitchen | Four bedrooms | Bathroom/ Shower room | Further shower room | Cloakroom | Porterage | Balcony | Lift

Kensington 020 7938 3666 Kensington@struttandparker.com

Campden House, W8

ÂŁ2,600,000 Leasehold

Undemised flat roof

A beautifully presented two bedroom flat, on the first floor of this popular and well maintained portered mansion building.

The flat benefits from overlooking the beautiful communal gardens.

1,321 sq ft (123 sq m) EPC rating C Entrance hall | Reception room | Kitchen | Dining room | Two bedrooms | En suite bathroom | Shower room | Resident porter | Lift | Access to communal gardens

Kensington 020 7938 3666 Kensington@struttandparker.com

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struttandparker.com

Bathurst Street, Notting Hill, W2

An impressive three bedroom apartment situated on the first floor of a period conversion moments from Hyde Park.

£2,999 per week* Furnished

1,677 sq ft (155.8 sq m) EPC rating D Reception | Eat-in kitchen | Master bedroom suite | Second double bedroom en suite | Third bedroom/ Study | Further bathrooms | Roof terrace

Notting Hill 020 7221 1111 Nottinghill@struttandparker.com

*The following Tenant charges may apply prior to tenancy commencement: Tenancy Agreement £210 (inc VAT) Credit References per application £54 (inc VAT). All advertised prices are excluded and other associated services.

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Sheffield Terrace, Kensington, W8

Rarely seen on the lettings market, a truly exceptional property offering opulent living in the heart of Kensington.

£2,500 per week* Furnished

2,434 sq ft (215.9 sq m) EPC rating E Open plan kitchen/reception room | Master bedroom suite | Second bedroom | Shower room | Cloakroom

Kensington 020 7938 3866

Kensington.lettings@struttandparker.com

*The following Tenant charges may apply prior to tenancy commencement: Tenancy Agreement £210 (inc VAT) Credit References per application £54 (inc VAT). All advertised prices are excluded and other associated services.

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18/11/2014 12:18

IN THEIR OWN WORDS

Shauna Walsh

Sales Associate at Mountgrange Heritage, North Kensington

I

Photography: rebecca noonan

grew up in a small town called Ballyhaunis in County Mayo on the West Coast of Ireland with my brother and parents. My early years were spent lugging around various musical instruments and playing at weddings, funerals and local pubs. To my parents delight I won many medals which adorned the mantel piece in our sitting room. I had the ability to go and study at The Royal Irish Academy of Music to which I said absolutely no way – that was not for me. I wanted to get out into the real world instead. At the tender age of 21 after college I decided to open my own shop near home called ‘Little Piggys Shoes for Kids’. Growing up in a family with masses of kids, I realised how difficult it was to get nice shoes for them. If any of you have children, you will know that kids grow out of shoes VERY quickly so I had many a special bond with my little shoppers.

Three and a half years later, Ireland was in the middle of a major recession and I was selling more shoes in sale than at full price. It was during a three week back packing holiday in Thailand that I decided it was time for a new start. So I decided to head to London to train as a make-up artist.

I spent four glorious weeks in Soho learning everything that there was to know about the makeup world. It took a little while after my course to find the right job but eventually an amazing artist who I had previously worked with offered me the opportunity to begin my journey in the make-up industry at London Fashion Week. From here I met another fellow Irish (we do all tend to stick together!) and he offered me a position working on a Giorgio Armani Counter in Selfridges. I really

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enjoyed my years in retail but working against impossible targets can become quite tiresome.

I decided that once again it was time to try something new. I handed in my notice and began my new life at Mountgrange Heritage.

I knew from the moment I stepped onto St Helen’s Gardens in North Kensington that this was where I wanted to be. Sitting in St Helens Deli having my first round interview made me think of home – lots of families and young professionals, everyone stopping and chatting to one another – a 1,000 miles away from the hustle and bustle of Oxford Street.

Having only been in the property industry since mid-April, I have been witness to the fluctuating London market which has been heavily influenced by media, politics and the looming election. The market has slowed down which 100% needed to happen – buyers just need to realise that this is actually a good time to buy simply because most people think it is NOT a good time to buy. There are deals to be made. I am looking forward to my continuing career with Mountgrange Heritage. I am certain that there will be many highs and lows in the coming months but one thing is for certain – I will be working alongside a great team of agents who have all been handpicked by our experienced directors for their ability to get on with people – the most important part of our job.

020 8960 0181; mountgrangeheritage.co.uk

130 17/11/2014 14:51

PROPERTY | PROFILE

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DECEMBER 2014

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You may know us from walking your dog, local charity events or simply recognise a familiar face.

Because many of our agents live where they work, they really understand what matters to buyers and sellers there. And because people know us, time and again we are able to sell and let properties more quickly and more profitably than anyone else.

K A T E F LY N N A S S O C I AT E D I R E C T O R

Kate has been a lettings force in Notting Hill for Bective for over 8 years and knows pretty much every square inch of W2, W11 & W10. This intimate knowledge, superb contacts and genuine expertise makes her the “go to” agent when letting your property. You will be assured comprehensive and professional advice backed with plenty of energy and enthusiasm.

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

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

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FIND US ON

Artesian Delight MOORHOUSE ROAD NOTTING HILL W2

A handsome period house occupying an enviable position at the southern end of Moorhouse Road.

The property is triple aspect, ensuring a flow of natural light throughout and offering charming views of the surrounding streets. I also has well proportioned private gardens to front and rear. Internally, this beautiful home offers an abundance of entertaining space and generous sleeping accommodation.

5 B E D R O O M S , 2 B AT H R O O M S , 2 R E C E P T I O N R O O M S , K I TC H E N / D I N I N G R O O M , U T I L I T Y R O O M , C LOA KROOM , GARDEN.

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FREEHOLD ÂŁ3,750,000 BOB CROWLEY BC@BECTIVE.CO.UK NOTTING HILL OFFICE 020 7221 4805

22 0 SQ M / 2 , 3 6 8 SQ FT APPROX E N E R GY R AT I N G F

17/11/2014 17/11/2014 14:57 12:59

CHELSEA

COMMERCIAL

0 20 75 89 6 67 7

020 7985 0715

KENSINGTON

LAND & NEW HOMES

020 7795 4288

020 7313 7711

NOTTING HILL

PROPERT Y MANAGEMENT

020 7221 4805

020 7221 0099

LADBROKE GROVE 020 7221 0330 BROOK GREEN

FIND US ON

0 2 0 76 0 3 51 8 1

Heavenly Views TA L B OT R OA D N OT T I N G H I L L W 2

An exquisite family home with serene outlook in a sought after Notting Hill enclave. This stunning property has been meticulously designed with emphasis on sophisticated, contemporary living space and natural light. Highlights include charming front and rear gardens, a magnificent double reception room, a sensational 36 ft+ open plan kitchen/dining room and an indulgent first floor master suite.

5 B E D R O O M S , E N S U I T E B AT H R O O M , 2 S H OW E R R O O M S , R E C E P T I O N R O O M , K I TC H E N / D I N I N G R O O M , UTLITY ROOM , CLOAKROOM , GARDEN .

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FREEHOLD ÂŁ4,650,000 BOB CROWLEY BC@BECTIVE.CO.UK NOTTING HILL OFFICE 020 7221 4805

253 SQ M / 2 ,72 0 SQ FT APPROX E N E R GY R AT I N G D

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FIND US ON

A Hidden Gem BLENHEIM CRESCENT NOTTING HILL W11

A spacious maisonette located in this well maintained Victorian conversion. The property benefits from high ceilings, original features and is ideal for entertaining. Blenheim Crescent is a pretty tree lined road located a short distance from the popular restaurants and shops around Kensington Park Road and Portobello Road.

3 B E D R O O M S , 2 B A T H R O O M S ( 1 E N S U I T E ) , 2 R E C E P T I O N R O O M S , K I T C H E N , S T U D Y/ S T O R A G E A R E A , GARDEN , TERR ACE .

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LEASEHOLD ÂŁ2 ,250,0 0 0 M AT T H E W M A R C H A N T MM@BECTIVE.CO.UK LADBROKE GROVE OFFICE 020 7221 0330

147 SQ M / 1 , 582 SQ FT APPROX E N E R GY R AT I N G D

17/11/2014 14:57 17/11/2014 12:59

CHELSEA

COMMERCIAL

0 20 75 89 6 67 7

020 7985 0715

KENSINGTON

LAND & NEW HOMES

020 7795 4288

020 7313 7711

NOTTING HILL

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

020 7221 4805

020 7221 0099

LADBROKE GROVE 020 7221 0330 BROOK GREEN

FIND US ON

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Park Life A RGY LL PL ACE N O RTH KE N S I N GTO N W 1 0

A stunning collection of luxurious and contemporary Town Houses located in a beautiful and tranquil corner of North Kensington. Built to an exceptional standard, these homes have been meticulously designed by boutique property developer Taylor Wimpey Central London. The properties benefit from fabulous views across Kensington Memorial Park.

5 B E D R O O M S , 3 B AT H R O O M S ( 1 E N S U I T E ) , E N S U I T E S H OW E R R O O M , R E C E P T I O N R O O M , K I TC H E N , D I N I N G R O O M , B R E A K F A S T R O O M , F A M I LY R O O M , S T U D Y/ P L AY R O O M , M E D I A R O O M , G Y M / B E D R O O M , U T I L I T Y R O O M , C L O A K R O O M , 3 T E R R A C E S , C O U R T YA R D , G A R D E N , U N D E R G R O U N D P A R K I N G .

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FREEHOLD ÂŁ3,400,000 M AT T H E W M A R C H A N T MM@BECTIVE.CO.UK LADBROKE GROVE OFFICE 020 7221 0330

31 0 SQ M / 3 , 3 41 SQ FT APPROX

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FIND US ON

Luxurious Lifestyle Q U E E N ’ S GAT E M E WS S O U T H K E N S I N GTO N S W 7

UNFURNISHED £2 ,495 PER WEEK

A luxurious interior designed house within this popular mews in South Kensington. Refurbished to the highest standard, this elegant property offers a PoggenPohl kitchen, with stone heated flooring in the kitchen and dining area, hardwood floors throughout and garage. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (1 en suite), reception room, kitchen, dining room, cloakroom, garage. EPC Rating C.

F R A N C E S C A F O R T U N AT I FF@BECTIVE.CO.UK KENSINGTON OFFICE 020 7795 4288

Contemporary Design O PA L M E WS Q U E E N ’ S PA R K N W6

UNFURNISHED £2 ,250 PER WEEK

A rare opportunity to let this stunning contemporary designed mews house. The house has been thoughtfully designed for modern living with spectacular natural light and volume, unparalleled levels of interior design and a wealth of bespoke installations. 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (1 en suite), 2 shower rooms (1 en suite), 2 reception rooms, kitchen, utility room, cloakroom, communal garden, bike storage, allocated parking. EPC Rating C.

K A T E F LY N N

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KF@BECTIVE.CO.UK NOTTING HILL OFFICE 020 7221 5388

17/11/2014 14:57 17/11/2014 13:01

CHELSEA

COMMERCIAL

0 20 75 89 6 67 7

020 7985 0715

KENSINGTON

LAND & NEW HOMES

020 7795 4288

020 7313 7711

NOTTING HILL

PROPERT Y MANAGEMENT

020 7221 4805

020 7221 0099

LADBROKE GROVE 020 7221 0330 BROOK GREEN

FIND US ON

0 2 0 76 0 3 51 8 1

Classic Comfort OA K WO O D CO U R T H O L L A N D PA R K W 1 4

U N F U R N I S H E D £1 ,9 5 0 P E R WE E K

A substantial newly decorated 4th floor (with lift) apartment within this extremely popular Edwardian portered mansion block in Holland Park. 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms (1 en suite), 2 reception rooms, dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, utility room, dressing room, balcony, lift, porter, communal gardens. EPC Rating D.

F R A N C E S C A FO R T U N ATI FF@BECTIVE.CO.UK KENSINGTON OFFICE 020 7795 4288

Lateral Living HEREFORD ROAD NOTTING HILL W2

UNFURNISHED £1,595 PER WEEK

A stunning lateral apartment on the fourth floor (with lift) of this well maintained purpose built block. The property boasts a spacious open plan reception space with vaulted ceilings, ideal for entertaining and well proportioned bedrooms with excellent built in storage. 3 bedrooms, 2 en suite bathrooms, en suite shower room, reception room, kitchen, cloakroom, lift, allocated underground parking. EPC Rating C.

K A T E F LY N N

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KF@BECTIVE.CO.UK NOTTING HILL OFFICE 020 7221 5388

17/11/2014 14:57 17/11/2014 13:01

Property News Douglas & Gordon in partnership with Kids Company, Christmas Decoration Project: Help us help them

T

Fairholt Street, SW7

Knightsbridge knock out snapped up quick!

KIERAN RYAN

Managing Director of Rickman Properties 020 7937 9777; rickmanproperties.com

I

must say that our lettings department staff were always keen to just show this wonderfully refurbished house in heart of Knightsbridge (Fairholt St) not only for its proximity to Harrods, Armani, etc., but they were proud to show

Pet Friendly Lettings Leap into London

O

bserving the critical shortage of landlords in London willing to accept pets, Mountgrange Heritage launched their highly successful Pet Friendly Lettings scheme eighteen months ago, matching pet owners with a property which is right for them. Liz

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off this executive home. Sadly, however, this has ground to a halt, but this is only because we let this property in a very short space of time.

Houses of this quality don’t come on to the rental market very often.

It is a wonderfully refurbished 2,150 sq ft 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom house with air conditioning & media/cinema room in the centre of Knightsbridge yet remaining tranquil in this village setting. With plenty of stock coming onto the market we hope for more of the same.

his year the Douglas & Gordon and Kids Company partnership gets real with three D&G teams restoring three properties you simply wouldn’t believe could be home to children. It’s practical and we’d love you to help us help them.

Many inner-city children live in chronic deprivation due to their parents/carers being unable to sustain an appropriate standard of living. Kids Company has set up a housing intervention programme that aids families by creating a healthier and happier environment for these children by completely redecorating parts of their homes. This unique intervention improves a childs sense of dignity and wellbeing.

We will be deep-cleaning, decluttering, painting, hanging wallpaper, assembling flatpack-furniture, doing household repairs and lots more. So we need your help!

Look out for more information through your doors but in the meantime, to find out more, please pop into your local D&G office or visit our website. douglasandgordon.com/kidsco2014

Thomson, Director and Head of Lettings, comments on the success of the scheme to date: “Pet Friendly Lettings has proven extremely popular with applicants, and many have contacted us specifically because we are pet friendly. Some landlords initially take a bit of convincing, but when faced with a the challenging lettings market, we always advise landlords not to limit their options.”

020 7221 2277; mountgrangeheritage.co.uk

140 17/11/2014 15:34

PROPERTY | ROUND UP

The INSIDE SCOOP of NEWS in your area

SAFE AS HOUSES

2014 Round Up!

MATTHEW HARROP

Director of John D Wood & Co., Kensington 020 7908 1100; johndwood.co.uk

ALAN ISAACS

Director of Queens Park Partnership 020 7328 2828; queensparkpartnership.co.uk

M

atthew Harrop, Director of John D Wood & Co. has worked for the Kensington branch since 2003. He is in his 25th year of working for John D Wood & Co., and previously worked in the company’s Belgravia and Fulham offices. He looks through twenty years of property details, showcasing the outstanding price increases whilst highlighting what a sound investment bricks and mortar can be.

A

s we approach Xmas and the end of the year, it’s time to look back at 2014 and look forward to 2015. Queens Park Partnership have ended the year with unusually both the sales and letting market moving up a gear in tandem as calmer competition for available homes boosts the confidence of home buyers and pedals the wheels of activity. 2014 was a year that could be described in sporting terminology as a "game of two halves". In the first six months, the market was frantic with talk of a ‘housing bubble’; the second half has seen more natural trading conditions kicking in, as greater supply soothes both competition and price rises. Buying your first property or trading up is less disheartening than it was a few months ago and the added choice available at buyers' fingertips will ensure sales climb comfortably in 2015.

On the letting front, London is becoming even more transient, welcoming people from throughout the globe as it is now established as one of the business centres of the world. These people have to be housed, putting even more pressure on the letting market where demand is very much outstripping supply.

Sold as seen?

I

have been fortunate over recent months to have spoken to a number of large developers keen to investigate how my company might be able to provide their buyers with an after-sales service worthy of their projects and in line with the prices that they hope to achieve. Sadly however not all are quite as insightful as this.

It is not my intention to paint a valuable section of the property industry with the same brush. Instead, I wish to highlight and challenge what is a curious phenomenon in the London market; whereby purchasers spending millions of pounds are provided with an after-sales service more akin to that of a second-hand

Campden Street, W8 Sold in 1995 for £365,000 Estimated worth today is £2,790,000

car dealer than that of a high-end luxury retailer. Developers for the most part are in it to make a margin, and rightly so. However, their reputation is quite literally built on the quality of the product they deliver. More and more of London’s top developers are realising that they’re no longer selling the sum of the parts, but a product, a product that’s representative of a lifestyle. Nonetheless it is surprising how many developers are still happy, to wash their hands of responsibility post-completion and rely upon the old adage of "sold as seen".

Brand and reputation are important when trading in this competitive market and both are built upon time and relationships, not single transactions. Would it then not make sense for developers who produce million pound products to fix problems within their

Kelso Place, W8 Sold in 1986 for £255,000 Estimated worth today is £2,950,000

properties and do it promptly with a smile, rather than dragging their heels and muttering Caveat Emptor. Perhaps then developers might add even more value to their properties, as buyers and agents alike will be able to transact confident in the fact that any issues with the newly refurbished unit they’re selling or buying will be fixed post haste.

RUPERT COLLINGWOOD

Founder & Managing Director at The London Management Company 020 7193 5580;

thelondonmanagementcompany.com

Spotlight on W10

Average asking price - £1,006,181 | Average asking rent - £2,685 pcm | Average property value - £808,744

Data provided by

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DECEMBER 2014

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Hyde Park

ÂŁ1,750 pw Furn/Unfurnished

4 Bedrooms | Reception | 3 Bathrooms | Period Apartment Balcony | Near Park | Near Tube & Amenities | EPC- D Hyde Park 020 3417 3703 hyde@brlets.co.uk

Eleven offices open six days a week Monday - Saturday Beaufort Park | Canary Wharf | City | Ealing | Greenwich | Hampstead | Highgate | Hyde Park | Imperial Wharf | Kensington | Knightsbridge Additional charges apply: Tenancy Agreement, Credit Check & Inventory Report. For details visit www.brlets.co.uk/tenantinfo

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To arrange a viewing or for more information call

020 7319 9783

Paddington

£450 pw Furnished

London’s Letting Agency

info@brlets.co.uk www.brlets.co.uk

West Kensington

£625 pw Furnished

1 Bedroom | Reception | 1 Bathroom | Apartment 24 Hr Concierge | Near Tube & Amenities | EPC – B Hyde Park 020 3417 3703 hyde@brlets.co.uk

2 Bedrooms | Reception | 2 Bathrooms | Apartment Balcony | Porter | Gym | Amenities Closeby | EPC – C Kensington 020 3302 5674 kens@brlets.co.uk

Marylebone

Kensington

£1,100 pw Furnished

3 Bedrooms | Reception | 2 Bathrooms | Apartment Near Regent’s Park | Close To Amenities | EPC – D Hyde Park 020 3417 3703 hyde@brlets.co.uk

£2,950 pw Furn/Unfurnished

4 Bedrooms | Reception | 3 Bathrooms | Mansion Block Lift | Near Hyde Park | High Street Closeby | EPC – D Kensington 020 3302 5674 kens@brlets.co.uk

Dubai | Hong Kong | India | Malaysia | Singapore

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020 7328 2828 62 Salusbury Road, NW6 6NS www.queensparkpartnership.co.uk

Wishing all our clients and the readers a Happy Christmas & Healthy New Year

EPC - D

VICTORIA ROAD, NW6

£735,000 Share of Freehold

A bright, spacious and very well presented 2 bedroom duplex apartment set overtwo floors in a converted period house. The flat boasts a large receptionroom, a modern family bathroom and a kitchen/diner with French doors leadingdown to a 50 ft south facing rear garden.

• Wood floors & plenty of storagel • 846 sq ft of living spacel • Close to Salusbury Rdl • Great location - viewing a must!

EPC - D

WINCHESTER AVENUE, NW6

£799,950 Leasehold

Interior designed 2 bedroom garden flat set within this imposing period propertywith a 18 ft reception room, modern fully fitted kitchen with doors opening onto a 95 ft sunny rear garden. Great location just off Salusbury Road close to transport facilities & local amenities.

• Well maintained + original featuresl • Modern kitchen & bathrooml • Light, bright & airy throughoutl • Viewing essential

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EPC - D

KESLAKE ROAD, NW6

£1,999,950 Freehold

A charming 4 bedroom semi-detached period house in one of the areas’ primeroads. The property boasts a 27 ft double reception room, 23 ft extended kitchen/diner opening onto a sunny rear garden. Keslake Road is a cul-de-sac situated by Queens Park within easy reach of both Chamberlayne Road & Salusbury Road.

• Well presented family home • Converted loft space with en-suite • 45 ft private rear garden • Great location close to Park

EPC - E

PLYMPTON ROAD, NW6

£1,699,950 Freehold

We are delighted to offer for sale this spacious and very well presented period house arranged over 3 floors with access to a cellar ideal for storage & a 20 ft kitchen/diner with doors opening onto a 30 ft south facing garden. Great location.

• 4 bedrooms + 2 bathrooms • 20ft roof terrace • Double reception room • 2020 sq ft of living space.

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18/11/2014 14:13

275 Willesden Lane, Willesden Green, London, NW2 5JA Tel: 020 8459 1133 Fax: 020 8451 2008 enquiries@cameronsstiff.co.uk www.cameronsstiff.co.uk

EPC - E

Hamilton Road, NW10

£839,950 Freehold

Situated over two floors is this 3 bedroom end of terrace

•

Full of charm & character with original features

Edwardian property arranged over two floors close to the

•

Stunning contemporary style conservatory

stunning Gladstone Park and Dollis Hill station (Jubilee –

•

Mature rear garden of 38ft with small terrace

Zone 3) with large contemporary style conservatory.

•

Viewing highly recommended to fully appreciate

EPC - D

The Oasis, Harlesden Rd, NW10

£849,950 Freehold

Unique State of the Art house designed for living, working

•

Designed with low maintenance in mind

and entertaining - inspired throughout with a contemporary

•

Short walk from Willesden Green station (Jubilee)

feel. Tucked away in the discreet location of Harlesden Road

•

3 beds, 2 bathrooms and downstairs cloakroom

and set in a peaceful secure courtyard.

•

34 ft open plan living area & modern kitchen

www.cameronsstiff.co.uk

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Wishing all our clients and readers a Happy Christmas & Healthy New Year

EPC - E

Linden Avenue, NW10

£1,395,000 Freehold

Delightful end of terrace period family home combining

•

5 bedrooms, 2 reception rooms, 2 bathrooms

both contemporary & period features offering 2100 sq ft of

•

Refurbished 19ft kitchen with bi folding doors

accommodation. Situated on a quiet residential road just off

•

Underfloor heating, original stripped flooring

Chamberlayne Road close to good transport facilities.

•

Pretty 35ft south east facing garden

EPC - D

Donaldson Road, NW6

£1,599,950 Freehold

Exceptionaly stylish & well presented terrace house cleverly

•

5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms over 2 floors

combining original & contemporary features & offering a

•

32ft kitchen/breakfast room with bi folding doors

unique home of 18880 sq ft of space. Close to Queens Park

•

Flooded with natural light with glass roof

& its amenities.

•

Well laid out 22 ft rear garden + decking

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18/11/2014 14:09

PROPERTY | NEW TO THE MARKET

Luxurious Lettings LOWDOWN FOR LANDLORDS

What do I need to do to my property before I rent it out?

T

he decorative condition of the property is an important factor not only aesthetically but in order to start a tenancy in the right way. A landlord with a conscientious attitude to their investment will make tenants feel more obliged to keep it in a good decorative condition throughout their tenancy.

When renting your property you are also renting a lifestyle. Prospective tenants want to see how they would live there. No one likes mess, especially someone else’s! It is imperative to be ready for viewings at all times.

KATE MARQUART Lettings Manager at Winkworth, North Kensington

020 7792 5000; winkworth.co.uk

First impressions count

Light and bright one bedroom apartment in a central Kensington location

N

ear the amenities of High Street Kensington and the open spaces of Hyde Park. The property comprises of: a split level, open plan reception flooded with natural light through large windows and leading out onto a private balcony, high specification kitchen, spacious bedroom with ample storage and a smart bathroom.

PRIME LOCATION.COM If you’re thinking of selling or letting your home, make sure you choose an agent that will advertise your property on PrimeLocation. The vast majority of agents (over 80%) do advertise with us

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A Queens Gate, SW7, £550 Per Week Benham & Reeves Residential Lettings, Kensington 020 7938 3522; brlets.co.uk

SUGGESTS

and understand the importance of making sure that your property gets the exposure it deserves. Find an agent to help sell/let your home here www.primelocation.com/find-agents/

s a landlord it is important to realise that first impressions count, make sure your property is well presented inside and out, fresh paint; clean carpets and curtains all have a positive impact on any new tenant. Replace items which show heavy signs of wear and tear to make the property feel fresh and clean. The exterior and approach to the property is as important as the interior so try and make sure there is no rubbish cluttering the entrance or hallways. Any outside space should be as well presented as the inside of the property. Create a clutter free, neutral, light, safe and secure environment which should appeal to the masses.

SALAR MAJNOUNI Managing Director of Prime Realty

020 7148 1109; prime-realty.co

148 17/11/2014 15:02

Managing a building can be fraught with problems.

Let us help.

Leaky roof Major works

Section 20 notices

Fire safety regulations Chasing arrears

Damp problems

Ground rent

Sales. Lettings. Property Management. www.westways.co.uk 20 Great Western Road, London W9 3NN 020 7286 5757 | sales@westways.co.uk | rentals@westways.co.uk

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Smart doesn’t settle for less than the best price.

Make sure your agent is on Zoopla.

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28/10/2014 15:03 10:23 21/10/2014

020 7371 4171

BROOK GREEN 138 SHEPHERDS BUSH ROAD W6 7PB ASKEW ROAD

LOCAL

.

113 ASKEW ROAD W12 9AS

INDEPENDENT

.

INVOLVED CMYK

GODOLPHIN ROAD W12 SUBSTANTIAL 5 DOUBLE BEDROOM FAMILY HOUSE • DOUBLE RECEPTION KITCHEN/BREAKFAST/FAMILY FLOOR • 2 BATHROOMS (1 EN SUITE) • SHOWER ROOM UTILITY AREA • GUEST CLOAKROOM • WALLED GARDEN • EPC RATING D 67

GUIDE £2.35M

FREEHOLD

www.finlaybrewer.co.uk

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18/11/2014 14:12

PROPERTY | IDEAL HOMES

Living the Dream The MOST LUXURIOUSLY appointed PROPERTIES on the market

Godolphin Road, W12 £2,350,000 Freehold

A fabulous five bedroom family house The property has undergone extensive back to bare bricks restoration with new appliances, wiring and plumbing throughout, including a new roof with a two flat panel solar system. The garden level has been opened up back to front offering a fabulous kitchen/ breakfast/family room with under floor heating. To the rear there is the bespoke kitchen with glass sliding doors to the walled garden.

Finlay Brewer, Brook Green 020 7371 4171; finlaybrewer.co.uk

Palace Court, W2 £1,100 Per Week

Princes Mews, W2 £3,250,000 Freehold

An impressive, beautifully refurbished first floor flat which has been finished to an extremely high standard. The flat is situated in this private courtyard with off street parking and is located a short walk from Kensington Gardens and Notting Hill Gate (Central, Circle & District underground lines).

A stylish three bedroom Mews house located along a charming cobbled road, a short walk from Hyde Park and Notting Hill. At almost 1,850 sq ft, this substantial property has been completely redeveloped and beautifully refurbished behind it's handsome white facade and includes a magnificent first floor master bedroom suite, fantastic family kitchen/diner and a generous living room.

Douglas & Gordon, Kensington 020 7792 1331; douglasandgordon.com

KFH, Bayswater 020 7724 1222; kfh.co.uk

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

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152 17/11/2014 15:08

PROPERTY | NEWS

CASH RICH BUT TIME POOR? WE HAVE THE BUYING SOLUTION JONATHAN MOUNT

Partner at The Buying Solution, London 020 7591 2640; thebuyingsolution.co.uk

The Buying Solution As the independent buying consultancy of Knight Frank, The Buying Solution finds and secures exceptional properties in prime central London and throughout the UK quickly, efficiently and at the best possible price for our retained clients. As a retained client, our dedicated buying agents will take the time to understand your exact property requirements so that they can introduce you to unparalleled properties, often before they come to the open market.

What is the best thing about your job?

The relationships I build with my clients. I love the diversity of people that I have been able to work for, it is always very enjoyable learning about what makes them tick and ultimately finding them a home. The role of a buying agent is about people first and foremost, property just happens to be the commodity we deal in.

The London Management Company provides both property and related lifestyle services to both private and corporate clients.

From finding the perfect home, investment or office through to managing a pied a terre, rental property or building we offer the services and advice required to extract the maximum value out of our clients property investment.

If you could live anywhere in prime central London, where would it be? I count myself as very lucky to work in prime central London and there are a lot of areas that I love. If push came to shove I would probably go with Notting Hill. There is something for everyone there; you have the hustle and bustle of the Portobello Road juxtaposed with the up-market boutiques and cafes of Westbourne Grove. It is also home to some of my favourite properties which back onto the wonderful communal gardens of the Ladbroke Estate.

You breathe, we do the rest.

How is the property market? Turbulent(!) but not without opportunity. I have witnessed a marked change in the market over the past few months following a bumper start to the year. There is currently a lot of property on the market, and for the first time in years instead of it being a sellers’ market, the pendulum has swung in favour of the buyer. Uncertainty will be rife until after the General Election next May, particularly as talk of a mansion tax festers. For those brave enough to dip their toe in the market, the next six months could be the best opportunity to buy property since 2009.

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08/08/2014 11/08/2014 DECEMBER 2014

10:13 10:50

18/11/2014 17:28

FIND YOUR PERFECT HOME TO HOUSE YOUR MOST PRECIOUS POSSESSIONS

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18/11/2014 16:29

LONDON RESIDENTIAL SALES • LONDON LETTINGS • ACQUISITIONS • NEW DEVELOPMENTS • ASSET MANAGEMENT • PROPERTY MANAGEMENT We are offering 100,000 bonus Harrods Rewards points when you buy or sell property through Harrods Estates.*

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For full terms and conditions, please see harrodsestates.com/company-info/rewards points

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18/11/2014 18/11/2014 16:29 16:19

PROPERTY | AGENT ADVICE

Ask the Lettings Experts

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

1. How can I achieve the best possible rent?

3. How will I receive my rental income?

resentation is key; applicants look for hard wood flooring, contemporary colours and freshly painted walls, in addition to modern kitchens and bathrooms. If you are furnishing a property, spend a little more as a well dressed flat can go a long way to increasing your rental price.

ettings can be a seasonal business with summer traditionally being the busiest period due to the high number of international students, post graduates, corporate relocations and families coming over to study and visit.

The school summer holiday period is also very busy, with families finding it easier to move around without any time limitations. The weather also puts people in a good mood and helps properties look their best, especially if they have a garden or roof terrace.

P

2. How can I reduce void periods?

T

he best method to reduce void periods is to start marketing the property 4-6 weeks before the current tenant is due to move out, this has its draw backs, with restrictions on access to the property and its general presentation. Most applicants start looking for new property 4-8 weeks before their current tenancy expires, and finding a new tenant early gives the agent a healthy time frame to carry out all necessary checks and searches to make sure you are getting a quality tenant. Another important point is that applicants are less likely to make a reduced offer on a tenanted property compared with a vacant one.

L

4. How often should my property be inspected?

I

nspections are vital part of renting out your property, not only to ensure that your tenant is looking after your investment, but also to ensure that any necessary maintenance is carried out promptly and professionally. A good managing agent will inspect your property at least twice a year and will feed back as to its condition and any works required. Not only does

this keep your property looking its best, it also prevents minor problems becoming major (and potentially expensive) problems, it helps to keep maintenance between tenancies to a minimum and, last but not least, it results in a happy tenant.

5. What are the best buy to let bargains in west London?

I

f you are looking for a good value buy-to-let property, first you will need to decide whether your priority is growth, income or a combination of the two from your investment. More affordable areas such as Stonebridge and Neasden offer better annual yield (income), whereas areas which are not as well-known but sort after, such as the period properties found in the Mapesbury Conservation Area, offer higher growth (capital growth). For a combination of the two, look at a less desirable styles of property in a good location close to transport, such as the 1930’s houses of Dollis Hill.

CONTACT

1. KATE FLYNN

Associate Director, Bective Leslie Marsh 020 7221 5388; bective.co.uk

2. SALAR MAJNOUNI

Managing Director, Prime Realty 020 7148 1109; prime-realty.co

4. LAURELIN TAYLOR

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Lettings Manager, KFH, Bayswater 020 7563 5090; kfh.co.uk

5. PHILIP JOHAL

Head Of Lettings, Carter Jonas, Holland Park 020 7371 3377; carterjonas.co.uk

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

3. JONATHAN MCCORMACK

Lettings Manager, Camerons Stiff & Co. 020 8450 9377; cameronstiff.co.uk

156 17/11/2014 15:10

Internationally respected, locally renowned

HOLLAND PARK ROAD, KENSINGTON, W14

Rickman

£849,950

A bright first floor flat set in this beautiful red brick house in a quiet residential road. A bright first floor flat set in this beautiful red brick house in a quiet residential road. Entrance Hall, Bedroom suite, 'L' shaped Reception, Cloakroom & Kitchen. EPC rating C. Lease 90 years from 21/6/1995

SOUTH WHARF ROAD, LONDON, W2

£1,150,000

A well presented 2 Bedroom apartment in Paddington Basin. Located on the F/F, 24hr Concierge, Entry Phone & Lifts. Good size hallway, Open plan Reception/Fitted Kitchen, Dining/Bedroom 2, Master Bedroom Suite, 2nd Bathroom PLUS secure underground parking. EPC rating B.

21 Earls Court Road, London W8 6EB I 020 7937 9777 I info@rickmanproperties.com

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rickmanproperties.com

18/11/2014 17:10

CALLING ALL LANDLORDS! RENTING YOUR PROPERTY?

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR FREE AND IMPARTIAL APPRAISAL SERVICE TODAY. WE STRIVE TO PROVIDE A TRANSPARENT AND UNPARALLELED SERVICE TO ALL OUR CLIENTS, PROVIDING YOU WITH THE BEST REPRESENTATION FOR ALL YOUR PROPERTY NEEDS.

TEL: 020 7148 1109  WWW.PRIME-REALTY.CO 288 KENSINGTON HIGH STREET.LONDON W14 8NZ

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20/10/2014 16:57

London’s Finest Residences 74 - 76 Chiltern Street, Marylebone w1 Six premier and penthouse residences providing an abundance of luxury living space, private roofgardens, balconies and 5-star amenities including – • Restaurant in-room dining • Wine cellars with tasting room • State of the art Gymnasium • Private Cinema • Private Art Gallery by David Bailey

M a r k e t i n g S u i t e AT 1 1 - 1 5 W i g m o r e S t r e e t, L o n d o n W 1 PRICES ON APPLICATION For more information about The Chilterns or to arrange a private appointment, please contact Oksana d’Offay on +44 (0)20 8418 1070 or email oksana@thechilternsw1.com CGI of Private Lobby Gallery and Garden Terrace

www.TheChilternsW1.com

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13/11/2014 12:04 14:30 13/11/2014

A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE ON BUYING, RENTING AND SELLING HOMES.

BASSETT ROAD, W10 £1,300,000

SHARE OF FREEHOLD

A stunning two double bedroom apartment on the raised ground floor of an immaculate corner building on assett oad. The main feature of the property is a stunning reception room with full height ceilings, original fireplace and large bay windows.

JAMES HOUSE, W10 £495 PER WEEK An immaculate two bedroom penthouse in a well-regarded , modern development in North Kensington. Tastefully decorated to a high standard this apartment offers well-proportioned bedrooms, two modern bathrooms and a spacious and bright open plan reception leading onto a large balcony with fantastic views of London.

NORTH KENSINGTON | 020 7792 5000 northkensington@winkworth.co.uk

winkworth.co.uk/north-kensington

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Scan this code to download the Winkworth iPhone app

OFFICES IN LONDON, THE COUNTRY AND OVERSEAS. SEE THINGS DIFFERENTLY

18/11/2014 17:27

375 Kensington High Street

A classic London address, an outstanding collection of apartments 375 Kensington High Street is one of London’s most sought after new addresses and boasts the highest levels of design and luxury.

Benson House offers an exclusive collection of contemporary one, two and three bedroom apartments, duplex apartments and penthouses with access to world class residents facilities including 24 hour Harrods concierge, luxurious pool, spa, gym and private cinema.

1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments from ÂŁ925,000

Call 020 3538 9496 to register your interest www.375kensingtonhighstreet.co.uk

Proud to be a member of the Berkeley Group of companies

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Prices correct at time of going to press and subject to availability.

Computer generated image depicts 375 Kensington High Street.

LONDON

St Edward Executive Sales & Marketing Suite open daily 10am to 6pm (Thursdays until 8pm).

375 Kensington High Street, London, W14 8QA

14/11/2014 10:20

w

Sandersons have provided a first class job over the years, they have delivered beyond expectation, first with the letting of our flat and recently selling it. Impressed with their wealth of knowledge and breadth of experience gives them the edge over their competitors

Westbourne Park Road W2 SALE AGREED

MW, W14

For Sale - An outstanding five bedroom double fronted family residence offering 3122 sq ft of living space.

Arranged over five floors and benefiting from a self-contained flat on the lower ground floor this property is situated on a prime leafy road a short stroll from local amenities and stations. The property benefits from high ceilings, beautiful cornicing, wooden flooring and a wealth of elegant period features.

Upper Addison Gardens £1,100,000

Merchant Square W2

£1,395,000

For Sale - A choice of two stylish 2 bedroom - 2 bathroom apartments in the heart of London. High-end specifications include oak herringbone flooring, heated bathroom walls, and delightful winter-gardens. Units benefit from dual aspect balconies, maximizing daylight and affording stunning views across London.

t: 020 7602 6725 SANDERSONS.indd 2

£4,750,000

Clanricarde Gardens W2

£480,000

For Sale - Superbly located one bedroom flat in an attractive period building near Hyde Park. The property features a 20ft reception room and a modern fitted kitchen. Clanricarde Gardens is located moments from the restaurants, shops and bars of Notting Hill, Kensington High Street and Portobello, and open spaces of Hyde Park.

Ink building W10

Offers in excess of £775,000

For Sale - A two bed- 2 bathroom apartment with large south facing terrace. The Ink building is a high specification development with lifts, a communal garden, bike parking, concierge service and CCTV. The area is well served by local transport is convenient to restaurants and bars along Portobello Road.

www.sandersonslondon.co.uk 18/11/2014 14:15

Victor contacted me out of the blue regarding our apartment in the Ink Building, it had been on the market for over a month with several local agents. He and his team were extremely pro-active. Within a week of instructing Sanderson’s a new long term tenancy was secured.

Great work by Victor and his team!!

Pembridge Mews W11 LET BY

Gina, W10

Barlby Road

Linden Gardens W2

Let By- Nestled in the heart one of Notting Hill’s most sought-after mews, this unique character property highlights its classic elements whilst incorporating state-of-the-art features. Set across four floors, skylights, glass panelling and an impressive glass staircase allow for an abundance of natural light to flow through the property.

£550 p/w

£700 p/w

To Let - A fabulous two bedroom apartment in a beautiful converted building just off Notting Hill Gate. This stunning flat boasts a generous reception room with high ceilings, large master bedroom with good wardrobe space, second bedroom with fitted storage, modern kitchen with appliances.

t: 020 7602 6725 SANDERSONS.indd 3

£1,700 p/w

Holland Park Gardens W11

£595 p/w

To Let - Set within a Victorian building is this fantastic 1100 sq.ft, 2 bed garden flat. The property is well presented throughout and features a large reception room ideal for entertaining. Additional benefits include access to communal gardens.

Arundel Garden

£600 p/w

To Let - A light and wonderfully presented 2 bedroom property on one of Notting Hill’s most distinguished streets.The flat occupies the entire top floor of a beautiful period building consisting of two double bedrooms, modern bathroom and fully equipped integrated kitchen.

www.sandersonslondon.co.uk 18/11/2014 14:15

Holland Park, W11 £850 per week Fees Apply

Fabulous flat benefiting from a large reception room in a beautiful period villa in the heart of Holland Park. EPC=E. Reception room, kitchen, two bedrooms, two bathrooms and communal garden. Furnished. Sole Agents

020 7221 2277 camilla@mountgrageheritage.co.uk

Treadgold Street, W11 £1,500 per week Fees Apply

Simply stunning house tucked out of sight in a secure courtyard and offering stylish well planned accommodation with fabulous wood floors throughout.

EPC=C. Reception room, kitchen, four bedrooms, three bathrooms and balcony. Furnished. Sole Agents.

020 7221 2277 petra@mountgrageheritage.co.uk

Lexham Mews, W8 £895 per week Fees Apply

A refurbished mews house with garage in the heart of ‘Stratford Village’. EPC=D. Reception room, kitchen, two bedrooms, two bathrooms and garage. Unfurnished.

020 7221 2277 neha@mountgrageheritage.co.uk

Rosary Gdns, SW7 £3,000 per week Fees Apply

Kensington High Street, W14 £1,095 per week Fees Apply

A most spectacular flat on the top two floors of this beautiful period conversion. EPC=E. Double reception room, kitchen, three bedrooms, three bathrooms and two terraces.

Furnished.

A beautifully presented flat finished to the highest standard in this truly spectacular development. EPC=B. Reception room, kitchen, two bedrooms, two bathrooms and roof terrace. Furnished.

020 7221 2277 petra@mountgrageheritage.co.uk

020 7221 2277 abigail@mountgrageheritage.co.uk

mountgrangeheritage.co.uk Bayswater 020 7402 0070

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Kensington 020 7937 9976

North Kensington 020 8960 0181

Notting Hill 020 7221 2277

17/11/2014 16:45

Not just any estate agent… proudly pet friendly

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17/11/2014 16:45 11/17/14 5:02 PM

Cornwall Gardens, SW7 ÂŁ2,200,000 Share of Freehold

A spectacular first floor apartment (with lift) located on the one of the most desirable garden squares in SW7. The property boasts features such as an original Victorian tiled floor and grand ornate period archways in the entrance hall, fabulous ceiling height (over 4m) and a stunning floor to ceiling bay window with working shutters in the reception room. EPC=C. Reception room, kitchen, two bedrooms, mezzanine study/bedroom and bathroom.

Sole Agents

020 7937 9976 chloe@mountgrangerheritage.co.uk

mountgrangeheritage.co.uk Bayswater 020 7402 0070

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Kensington 020 7937 9976

North Kensington 020 8960 0181

Notting Hill 020 7221 2277

17/11/2014 16:45

Holland Park, W11 ÂŁ1,850,000 Share of Freehold

An exquisite raised ground floor apartment located in the heart of Holland Park. The property was remodelled by renowned architects Michaelis Boyd and offers grand proportions with natural light flooding in through the huge windows. EPC=D. Reception room, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and communal gardens. Sole Agents

020 7221 2277 sam@mountgrangerheritage.co.uk

mountgrangeheritage.co.uk Bayswater 020 7402 0070

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Kensington 020 7937 9976

North Kensington 020 8960 0181

Notting Hill 020 7221 2277

17/11/2014 16:45

Ruston Mews W11 ÂŁ1,799,500 Freehold Notting Hill Sales 020 7727 7777 | nhsales@dng.co.uk

North

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Chelsea

Fulham

A completely renovated and restored mews house, generous in size and arranged over three floors. The property is set within a private and gated mews and offers a private, off-street, parking space.

Hammersmith & Shepherd’s Bush

Kensington

Kensington Gate

3 double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, Shower room, Open-plan kitchen/ reception room, Off-street parking, Roof terrace, EPC: D.

South Kensington

Notting Hill

Pimlico & Westminster

13/11/2014 12:13

douglasandgordon.com

Stanhope Gardens SW7 ÂŁ1,650,000 Leasehold South Kensington Sales 020 7581 8888 | sthkensales@dng.co.uk

South

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Balham

Battersea

Battersea Park

A spacious, 1,425 sq.ft. apartment providing generous accommodation throughout. Just moments from South Kensington and Gloucester Road the property offers a private courtyard and access to communal gardens.

Clapham

East Putney

Southfields & Earlsfield

Master bedroom with en-suite bathroom, Second bedroom, Bathroom, Reception room, Kitchen, Courtyard, Communal garden, EPC: C.

West Putney

13/11/2014 12:13

Colville Terrace W11 ÂŁ1,000,000 Share of Freehold Notting Hill Sales 020 7727 7777 | nhsales@dng.co.uk

North

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Chelsea

Fulham

A unique apartment set over the raised ground and lower ground floor of this attractive period building. The property offers wonderful open-plan living and has a perfect space for entertaining.

Hammersmith & Shepherd’s Bush

Kensington

Kensington Gate

2 bedrooms, Bathroom, Shower room, Open-plan kitchen/reception room, EPC: C.

South Kensington

Notting Hill

Pimlico & Westminster

13/11/2014 12:13

douglasandgordon.com

Albert Hall Mansions SW7 ÂŁ2,950 per week Fees apply Unfurnished Kensington Gate Lettings 020 7589 5252 | kengatelets@dng.co.uk

South

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Balham

Battersea

Battersea Park

An impressive property ideal for families located in this prestigious portered building. The property benefits from two spacious formal reception rooms with, a separate eat in kitchen and four good sized double bedrooms.

Clapham

East Putney

Southfields & Earlsfield

4 double bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 2 reception rooms, Kitchen, Porter, EPC: TBC.

West Putney

13/11/2014 12:14

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