KENSINGTON JANUARY 2016

KENSINGTON JANUARY 2016 / £3.95

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL A FABULOUS NEW SHOW

RIFAT OZBEK PILLOW TALK WITH THE DESIGNER

EDIBLE EXHIBITS

BOMPAS & PARR'S MUSEUM OF FOOD

Black magic NEW YEAR, NEW WARDROBE

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facebook.com/struttandparker twitter.com/struttandparker

struttandparker.com

Bassett Road, Ladbroke Grove W10

A well-presented, spacious two double bedroom upper maisonette. This super flat offers an open plan entertaining space, plenty of storage throughout and a large utility room off the kitchen.

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OIEO ÂŁ900,000 Leasehold

807 sqft (75 sqm) Entrance hall | Two double bedrooms | Bathroom | Terrace | Open plan kitchen/ reception room | Utility room | EPC rating D

Notting Hill 020 7221 1111 nottinghill@struttandparker.com

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Earls Terrace, Kensington, W8

An outstanding six bedroom house, occupying 4,935 sq ft, with a 93 ft south-facing garden, swimming pool, 24 hour security, underground parking and access to Edwardes Square Gardens.

ÂŁ9,750,000 Freehold

4,935 sq ft (458.5 sq m) Kitchen/breakfast room | Dining room | Drawing room | Master bedroom with en suite bathroom | Five further bedrooms | Four further bathrooms | Swimming Pool | South-facing garden

Kensington 0207 9383666 kensington@struttandparker.com

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LONDON BOUTIQUE - 14A NEW BOND STREET - TEL. +44 (0)207 499 22 25 HARRODS - 87-135 BROMPTON ROAD - TEL. +44 (0)207 893 81 57 B A L H A R B O U R • C O U R C H E V E L • G E N E VA • G S TA A D • K U WA I T • L O N D O N • M O S C O W N E W Y O R K • PA R I S • P O R T O C E R V O • R O M E • S T B A R T H E L E M Y • S T M O R I T Z

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145 Ebury Street, London SW1W 9QN For Beulah Styling appointments please call: +44(0)207 730 0775 General Enquiries: info@beulahlondon.com

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EXPERIENCE THE ZIP EFFECT. MODERN DESIGN. MORE WOOHOO.

The new Zip HydroTap速 design range is available in various contemporary designs.

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c u lt u r e 20 TALKING TOPICS

39 MOODBOARD

24 CIRQUE SPECTACULAR

40 LET'S GET PHYSICAL

fa s h i o n 34 ROLAND MOURET

42 GREY MATTER

Diary dates for January

The Albert Hall prepares to host Cirque de Soleil's new show

The genius dress designer turns his hand to footwear with Robert Clergerie

32 FASHION CONFIDENTIAL Tuxedos, statement sleeves and berets are top of our shopping list this month

Dawn Green of Kokoro London reveals her Japanese inspirations What to wear for a fashionable workout this January

The shoot: kick back in stylish grey shades

H E A LT H & B E AU T Y 54 BEAUTY CONFIDENTIAL January's best beauty buys

Rosy lips are de rigeur this season

The latest openings and food news

66 COSY SUPPERS VIONNET P h o t o g r a p h y b y Dy l a n D o n vionnet.com

Sasonally appropriate recipes from a Winter Cabin

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interiors 72 INTERIORS NOTES

Key industry news and ‘It’ products

57 PINK LADY

Food & Drink 64 KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL

COVERS:

63 78 KIT KEMP

Every Room Tells a Story, says the designer

t r av e l 92 VIVA ITALIA

A luxe family holiday at Sardinia's Forte Village

PROPERTY 114 PROPERTY ROUND-UP

The latest news and views on the area

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XXXXXXXXX / XXXXXXXX EDITOR PENDLE HARTE EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS ELYSIA AGNEW, PEARL BOYD, AMANDA CONSTANCE, EVE HERBERT EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS ELIZABETH HUTTON, STEPHANIE KING CONTRIBUTING FASHION EDITOR CHARLOTTE ADSETT CONTRIBUTING INTERIOR EDITOR JESSICA KLINGELFUSS PROPERTY DIRECTOR ANDY ELMER PROPERTY EXECUTIVE BOBBY WATSON GROUP COMMERCIAL MANAGER JAMES FUSCHILLO SENIOR ADVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGER ROCHELLE STREATER MAJOR ACCOUNTS DIRECTOR TAMSIN LUCK ART DIRECTOR RAY SEARLE SENIOR DESIGNERS PAWEL KUBA, PHIL COUZENS PRODUCTION MANAGER STEWART HYDE MIDWEIGHT DESIGNER EKREM YILMAZ JUNIOR DESIGNER REBECCA NOONAN FREELANCE DESIGNER NATALIE DOURADO FINANCE DIRECTOR ALEXANDRA HVID PA TO THE DIRECTORS MARIANNE MCFADDEN DIRECTORS GREG HUGHES, ALEXANDRA HUNTER MANAGING DIRECTOR SHERIF SHALTOUT 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 christina@zest-media.com You can receive an online subscription for FREE or a postal subscriptions for 12 months, £30 respectively (to cover postage and packaging). Please email us with your preferred option and details.

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

EDITOR’S letter

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anuary. Time for a fresh start. A time to transform, suddenly start running two miles every morning before work and finally give up chocolate. Everyone knows it never happens. So, my resolutions for 2016 are a little more realistic. In that vein, we have an issue packed with entertainment ideas for the new year. We have taken a tour of the British Museum of Food, the latest grand experiment of notorious culinary innovators Bompas and Parr. If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to be chewed, swallowed and digested, then this is the exhibition for you.

We're looking ahead to the rest of 2016 with a spotlight on the National Weddings Show at Olympia, which is (almost) a celebration in itself with all its champagne, silky fabrics and napkins. Weddings aside, we focus on beauty and fitness with the best intentions for the new year, as

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we wonder whether we are able to pull off the impending pink lipstick trend. (Realistically? Probably not.)

If you're feeling the need to kickstart their metabolism after the gluttony of Christmas, our fashion and fitness pages offer some inspiration, with workout gear that’ll look good even if you decide to wear it on the sofa.

Foodwise, we're holing up with warming Winter Cabin recipes as we start planning our summer holidays – and for summer 2016 we are highlighting Sardinia.

Happy new year! ◆

Pendle Harte Editor

JANUARY 2016

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FUR FANCY

At Absolutely, we’re all lusting after Shrimps’ faux fur coats. Whimsical and wonderful, the Winter 15 collection is bright and fluff y so will keep you warm on the coldest of January’s mornings.

Glinda Coat, £695; shrimps.co.uk

10 Things We

ABSOLUTELY WHITE LIGHT

With hashtags encircling the holder, this luxury candle is designed so that you can give a thoughtful gift to friends and family. £78; maison-ves.com

DRY JANUARY

With a recipe taken from a distiller’s handbook written in the 1840s, Jensen’s Old Tom gin is crisp, unsweetened and earthy. thewhiskyexchange.com

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SAINT LAURENT

Simple in design, this bold cornflower-blue leather cardholder is understated but cool. £170; ysl.com

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ABSOLUTELY / LOVES MIDNIGHT MADNESS

Dark and daring, Zadig et Voltaire’s winter campaign sees a mix of texture and shine resulting in the ultimate “I’m With The Band” aesthetic. zadig-et-voltaire.com

LUXE LEATHER

The Petersham Bag from Noble Macmillan is hand crafted in Spain. Made from calf leather with a soft grain, the bag will effortlessly fit comfortably under your arm, making it perfect for everyday use. £375; noblemacmillan.com

SWEET SOUND

Crafted from black leather and gold hardware, these stylish headphones are cleverly angled so that they can be worn with earrings. Ideal for any fashion-forward music lover. £250; net-a-porter.com

COUNT DOWN

Enter the new year with this timepiece by Montblanc. With diamond indexes and blue hands, it’s a stylish but timeless accessory.Boheme Date Automatic, £2,200; montblanc.com

TWINKLE TOES

OPTICAL ILLUSION

Having to get new glasses can be stressful but not when you go to Sid Fiz in Queen’s Park. We like these ones by Face Face. sidfizoptique.com

Dazzle your way into 2016 with these glittery round toe pumps. Featuring the iconic Louboutin red sole, you’ll be the envy of the party. £445; christianlouboutin.com

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> WHAT’S ON

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LIVE: OMAR

2 3 Ja n u a r y Ke ns i ng to n Ro o f G a rde ns nown by some as the father of British K neo-soul, Omar was one of the UK’s most promising R&B hopefuls. Choosing to never compromise his artistic credibility, he has a devoted fan base despite the lack of his chart success – Stevie Wonder is a fan. u 99 Kensington High Street, W8; roofgardensclub.com

AN OPERATIC SOIRÉE

2 9 Ja n u a r y T he Na tu ra l H i s to r y M u s e u m his month, head to the Natural History T Museum after dark and enter an inflatable planetarium for a starlit show that explores the evolution of our solar system.

Afterward, enjoy botanical drinks and delicious food underneath the Diplodocus Dippy. A unique experience that makes a memorable night out. u Cromwell Road, SW7; nhm.ac.uk

SAMMY SLABBINCK Un til 9 Jan uar y Micha el Hoppen G a ller y

Rendering dynamic collage prints and original paper collages, Belgian artist Sammy Slabbinck combines found imagery with contemporary styles. Cutting up and redistributing the images, modern ideals are juxtaposed with traditional states of mind so that his pieces are witty but foreboding and dark too.

A fascinating collection of work.

3 Jubilee Place, SW3; michaelhoppengallery.com

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LONDON WINTER RUN

3 1 Ja n u a r y C e ntra l L o ndo n un off those excess pigs in blankets and R conquer the cold with Cancer Research UK’s closed road 10k run. Starting from Trafalgar Square you’ll make your way through fake snow to St Paul’s Cathedral before finishing up with a hug from a polar bear at Whitehall. A brilliant way to finish the first month of the year. u winterrunseries.co.uk

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ARTS & CULTURE / TALKING TOPICS

MIME LONDON

Fro m 9 Ja n u a r y T h ro u gho u t L o ndo n ringing together the world’s best visual artists for one of the most B brilliant performance festivals, Mime sees 18 productions come from nine different countries for a 29 days of boundary breaking performance theatre.

Promising to be one of the most electric and exciting line-ups, we’re particularly looking forward to “Kite” at Soho Theatre that tells the adventures of a lonely girl who has to leave her life at the seaside behind to go and live with her grandmother. u mimelondon.com

GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES

Enchanted Page

must see

Fro m 2 8 Jan uar y L o ndo n P r i n t S tud i o

Delighting children with an exciting installation, this exhibtion will feature enchanting images and characters that illustrate the theme of friendship.

Suitable for all children up to the age of 11, and anyone interested in contemporary illustration, this is a lovely show for families to come together and have fun.

From 19 Januar y T he Little B l a ck G a ll e r y n 1961, Marylin Monroe invited the 27 year old I photographer Douglas Kirkland to bed. The evening they spent together was produced the famous series “An Evening with Marilyn Monroe”. Meanwhile, Milton H. Greene’s most noted work was with Marylin, having produced over 5,000 images many never published. This exhibition puts them all on show. u 13A Park Walk, SW10; thelittleblackgallery.com

425 Harrow Road, W10; londonprintstudio.org.uk

EXHIBITION OF THE MONTH

CHAMPAGNE LIFE F ro m 13 Ja n u a ry S aatc h i G alle r y elebrating the work of women, this is the first all-female exhibition to have ever been staged at the Saatchi Gallery. Providing a rare opportunity to analyse, reflect and decipher what it means to be a female artist working today, this show hopes to expose the glass ceiling that still applies to the art

© STEVE WHITE, 2015

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world. With a title that suggests high living and glamour, the irony is obviously apparent when you consider the long and lonely hours these women work in the studio. A wonderfully critical exhibition. u  Duke Of York’s HQ, SW3; saatchigallery.com

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THE AGENDA Our selection of the month’s cultural releases Wo r d s P E N D L E H A R T E

MUSEUM OF BRANDS

A new h o me Lan ca s t e r Ro a d , W 11 ne of Britain's most eccentric O museums, Robert Opie's brilliant Museum of Brands features over 12,000 original items that document the history of consumer culture. Opened in Notting Hill in 2005, it has now moved to a new home in the former London Lighthouse in Lancaster Road, a fantastic space that caters to the growing collection and its increasing visitor numbers. ◆ ¢ 111-117 Lancaster Road, W11 museumofbrands.com

5x15

14 Jan u a r y Centra l H a l l , We s t m i ns t e r his special event in aid of the T Women's Equality Party will see party founders Tanya Moodie, Sandi Toksvig and Sophie Walker in conversation with Caitlin Moran, Tanya Moodie and Jo Brand. Subjects will focus on why a Women's Equality Party is needed but in true WE style, there will be some jokes too. The formula remains the same: five speakers, 15 minutes each. Tickets £32.50. ◆ ¢ Central Hall, Westminster, SW1

5x15stories.com

IN THE EYES Julia Margaret Cameron’s hauntingly beautiful images at the V&A

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o mark the bicentenary of the birth of Julia Margaret Cameron (1815-1879), one of the most important and innovative photographers photographers of the 19th century, the V&A is showcasing more than 100 of her photographs as a retrospective of her work.

Cameron is one of the most celebrated women in the history of photography. She began her photographic career when she received her first camera as a gift from her daughter at the age of 48, and quickly and energetically devoted herself to the art

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of photography. Cameron’s photographs were highly innovative: intentionally outof-focus, and often including scratches, smudges and other traces of her process.

Best known for her powerful portraits, Cameron also posed her sitters – friends, family and servants – as characters from biblical, historical or allegorical stories. In her lifetime, Cameron was criticised for her unconventional techniques, but also appreciated for the beauty of her compositions and her conviction that photography was an art form. ◆ To 21 February; Cromwell Road, SW7 ¢ vam.ac.uk

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CIRQUE LINE Amaluna opens at the Royal Albert Hall this month with its mostly female cast.

Absolutely takes a seat Wo r d s E V E H E R B E R T

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or the first time in Cirque du Soleil’s history, Amaluna features a cast that comprises a majority of women, with a 100% female band. “Amaluna is a tribute to the work and voice of women”, explains Director of Creation Fernand Rainville.

“The show is a reflection on balance from a women’s perspective”, he adds. Director Diane Paulus, winner of a 2013 Tony Award (Pippin) and recently listed as one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2014, says: “I didn’t want to build a ‘women’s agenda’ show.

I wanted to create a show with women at the center of it, something that had a hidden story that featured women as the heroines.” Paulus drew from a series of classical influences when creating the concept of the show; including tales from Greek and Norse mythology, Mozart’s The Magic Flute and Shakespeare’s The Tempest.

Never before seen in the UK, Amaluna opens at the Royal Albert Hall on

16 January and will take the audience on a magical journey, loosely based on Shakespeare’s The Tempest.

Awe-inspiring performances and Cirque du Soleil’s mind-bowing acts make up this brand new production that is sure to wow fans.

Among Amaluna’s highly talented cast, three performers and its artistic director hail from around the UK. Marissa King performs on the uneven bars, Rachael Wood is the guitarist in the all-female band, David Rimmer is an acrobat in the teeterboard act and the artistic director is former dancer Rachel Lancaster.

Written and directed by Tony awardwinning director, Diane Paulus, Cirque du Soleil’s 33rd production is a celebration of love and a tribute to the work and voice of women.

This is reflected in the show as female performers make up the majority of the cast, with all eight members of the band also women. The show will join some of Cirque du Soleil’s most loved productions that have also been staged at the worldfamous building such as Kooza last year,

30 years ago,

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL

was the dream of a SMALL GROUP of travellers

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Quidam, Dralion, Alegra and Totum.

2016's Amaluna will not only be the perfect production to celebrate the company’s 20 years in this magical location, but also cement its reputation as one of the world’s greatest entertainment companies.

Some 30 years ago, Cirque du Soleil was the dream of a small community of travelling performers who would do anything to share their love of the stage, of circus and of the world. The family has grown since then and now includes thousands of dreamers—creators, artists, technicians and workers who toil in the shadows. The dream has become a

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ARTS & CULTURE / SPECTACLE

symbol of QuÊbec pride, an international entertainment company that has brought 35 large-scale shows to life—20 of which are still in operation. The company, which celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2014, has brought wonder and delight to close to 150 million spectators in more than 300 cities on six continents. Cirque du Soleil has close to 4,000 employees, including 1,300 performing artists from close to 50 different countries. u Amaluna runs from 16 January to 6 March at the Royal Albert Hall. Tickets are on sale now at royalalberthall.com or by calling 0845 401 5045 or 020 7589 8212.

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FOOD for Thought

Bompas & Parr have opened a British Museum of Food, in which there’s quite a bit to digest W o r d s c at h e r i n e h a l e s

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he British Museum of Food sounds like something that already exists. On first hearing about it, I had to double check that it wasn’t in fact one of the innumerable institutions I had been dragged around on school trips as a child.

And that is sort of the point. Why isn’t there a British Museum of Food?

Sam Bompas and Harry Parr are the people asking this question, having set up a pop-up version of what they hope to turn into a permanent fixture next to Borough Market. The pair first achieved a degree of notoriety in the food world by creating ingenious and gravity defying jellies including luminous, neon confections and an entire jelly-scape capturing the London skyline in wobbly technicolour. They have since expanded their empire (not in jelly) with projects that range from sending coffee into space to filling a room full of a breathable cocktail cloud.

Located next door to their other ongoing project (Alcoholic Architecture, the aforementioned cocktail cloud), the museum looks more like a smart

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The British Museum of Food in Borough Market

SUFFICE IT to say, I HAD A NEWFOUND appreciation FOR WHAT MY food goes

through

Southwark townhouse than your average museum. I am greeted at the entrance and ushered into the first room which is dominated by a large screen and two slightly sinister-looking chairs. This section of the exhibition is called

Be the Bolus: The Peristaltic Experience and its blurb begins: ‘Ever wondered what happens to the food you chew?’ As I slip off my shoes, slide my feet and arms into the plush leather recesses of the chair, I’m about to find out. What follows is a video and a sensation that needs to be experienced to be believed; suffice it to say that by the end I had a newfound appreciation for what my food goes through.

Next up is Choco-Phonica, which is all about how sounds affect the way we taste.

Visitors become part of the experiment as they record the relative bitterness and sweetness of the chocolate in each booth before submitting their answers.

Munching away and feeling like a bona fide scientist, I walk up the stairs through the Atelier of Flavour, a gallery of art and photography centred around the theme of food and the tradition of the Full English Breakfast. The pièce de résistance, however, is at the top.

For The Butterfly Effect, Bompas & Parr have actually set up a fully functioning hot-house filled with butterflies. But what has this to do with food? Heralded as the ‘unsung heroes of pollination’, the UK Government has recently placed a

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ARTS & CULTURE / SPOTLIGHT Sam Bompas and Harry Parr

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JANUARY 2016

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Enjoy our brand new treatment, Untouched Brow, and receive a complimentary Mini Brow Pencil. Perfect for on-the-go glamour.

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ARTS & CULTURE / SPOTLIGHT WE’RE JUST ABOUT to start YOGA WITH THE butterflies which will BE A unique EXPERIENCE particular emphasis on the importance of these beautiful winged creatures in global food security; the Butterfly Effect serves to draw attention to this.

As I walk through the humid, rosehued room, butterflies flit through the air and perch on leaves. Particularly fascinating is the box filled with hanging chrysalises, some yielding butterflies as I watch.

The tour ends with The British Menu Archive, an exhibit that gives a glimpse into the food served not only throughout the ages but in myriad different places.

Entertaining and informative, I can only hope that this brilliant enterprise becomes a permanent addition to London’s cultural landscape. ◆

The Butterfly Effect

Five minutes with

SAM BOMPAS o f B o m p a s & Pa r r

CATHERINE HALES: What initially inspired to you to open the British Museum of Food?

SAM BOMPAS: It’s something that has been percolating in the studio’s consciousness for quite a long time now. I think food has become such a central part of the way people present themselves and the way they define their identity – it almost seems absurd that the British Museum of Food hasn’t existed before. After all, how many people spend their waking hours at work thinking about what they’re going to cook when they get home? What restaurants and bars they’re going to go to? It was just a matter of time and honestly it’s been a race against time; if we didn’t do it, someone else would.

CH: If it were a permanent feature, where would your ideal location be?

SB: I would say Southwark – I was born there and it’s where I’ve always lived.

Having it in Borough Market is absolutely ideal, as the market itself is over 1,000 years old. It has a real resonance there.

The British Menu Archive

● British Museum of Food l 1 Cathedral Street, SE1; bmof.org

CH: The butterfly house is amazing.

What was involved in setting that up?

SB: I guess the first thing is the intention: how do you make rather abstract but very important subjects interesting to people? I think the best way is something intriguing and entertaining that makes them curious. We wanted to make the important, not very sexy, subject of global food security a bit more accessible and relevant to people. Our way into doing that was butterflies.

CH: What has the response been like since you’ve been there?

SB: Well, people absolutely love it.

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We’re just about to start yoga with the butterflies which will be a unique experience – thinking about global food security as you’re stretching. Yes, it’s been utterly delightful. I have friends with kids who are still talking about it after visiting.

CH: Did they love the chairs that chew and digest you as you sit?

SB: Yes; it’s fun, it’s playful but it’s also educational. The way that we approach eveything at Bompas and Parr is: serious research goes into a project but then, ultimately, it’s very easy to enjoy it for what it is. Then, hopefully, you’re intrigued and inspired to learn more.

CH: You’re known for pushing the boundaries of food and drink; what has been your most ambitious project?

SB: Oh, gosh – whatever’s most recent!

Anything from flooding Selfridges with 60 tonnes of liquid (which was definitely enough to make the building collapse if we hadn’t done the right engineering calculations), to cooking with lava, to making a chocolate climbing wall that Peter Andre used to conquer his fear of heights.

CH: What have you got planned next?

SB: All the programming for the British Museum of Food and for Alcoholic Architecture. Unlike most of our projects, it is a long-term thing so we can have lots of events that happen there, as well.

For instance, we’re just about to launch our New Year’s Eve plans for Alcoholic Architecture which will involve a medieval foam party. We’ve got a wet room in there so we can use mandrake-infused foam.

It will be outrageous, hallucinogenic and we can party like it’s 1399. ◆

JANUARY 2016

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DYLAN PENN

Paris, Cannes, St Tropez, Courchevel shop.ermannoscervino.it

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JIMMY CHOO, NEW BOND STREET TOWNHOUSE, 27 NEW BOND STREET, W1S

> FASHION CONFIDENTIAL

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TRENDS: WORK IT OUT

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GREY EXPECTATIONS

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SNOW BUSINESS Jimmy Choo’s ‘Moonlight’ Cruise collection has just launched for the winter holiday season and features mirrored paillettes and luxe embellishments such as crystals and feathers. jimmychoo.com

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JANUARY 2016

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st y l e C e n t r a l

Tuxedos, statement sleeves and berets are top of our shopping list this month Wo r d s c h a r l o t t e a d s e t t

THOMAS TAIT Wo r d s S T E P H A N I E K I N G

C

anadian by birth, British by choice, designer Thomas Tait recently scooped up 2015's British Fashion Awards Emerging Womenswear Designer for his conceptual ready-to-wear garments. Now 28 years old, the Montreal transplant remains the youngest ever designer to graduate from Central Saint Martins’ prestigious MA Fashion course aged 22. For his final university collection (SS11), he was awarded the 2010 Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize and has since established himself as one of the Noughties’ most innovative creative talents. Tait’s avantgarde pieces earned him 2014's LVMH Young Designer Prize, where he put these winnings to good use in his latest London Fashion Week efforts: The evocative, suspiria inspired AW15 collection was right out of a Dario Argento “disco-horror” film, and his debut SS16 line for Swarovski Collective presented neomod, Courrèges-like looks. Its solar system theme, unusually placed circular cut-outs and grommet ‘cages’ were further examples of Tait’s elegant integration of unexpected materials. With his signature curvilinear aesthetic, London’s irreverent style could not be a better place for Tait to foster his experimental tailoring. Thankfully we only have to wait a few more weeks to see what he does next. ◆ ● T H O M A S TA I T thomastait.com

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

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Tuxedo Chic Racil

Le Smoking, the iconic tuxedo suit created by Yves Saint Laurent in 1966 remains a groundbreaking classic due to its masculine silhouette. Emerging designer Racil’s debut collection has reinterpreted the trouser suit with luxurious silks from Saville Row and Swarovski stones. Already a hit with the fashion pack, Racil is fast becoming the go-to tailoring label.

Available from avenue32.com & farfetch.com

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FASHION / NOTES

8 OH, LA LA

of the best

Gucci

The French beret hat is the ‘It’ accessory that was all over the catwalks. Gucci’s creative director Alessandro Michele styled her ‘Geek Chic’ beret wearing girls with pussybow blouses and clashing prints.

Knitted cotton beret £205; mytheresa.com

WINTER WARMERS Wrap up with faux fur and cashmere knits

02

01

editor’s

PICK

OVER THE RAINBOW Anya Hindmarch

If London’s grey skies are getting you down, then the ‘Bathhurst Rainbow’ bag by Anya Hindmarch is sure to cheer you up. Part of the 70’s inspired Resort 2016 collection, the rainbow is a key motif that runs throughout the line to represent ‘carefree happiness’.

‘Bathhurst Rainbow’ calf leather bag £1,295; anyahindmarch.com

04 03

SLEEVE Ellery

Australian label of the moment Ellery is best known for its statement sleeves – be it wide bell shape or ruffles. The current collection was based on David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust era, apparent in the avantgarde silhouette of the ‘Dolores’ top. £442; matchesfashion.com

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MODERN MILITARY

07

Burberry

The coat trend that never quite goes away, the Military look is back at the top of the hot list this season. This mid length cashmere Officer’s style ticks all the trend boxes and is sure to be a classic staple for years to come.

Cashmere blend ‘Officer’ coat £2,695 burberry.com

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01. INVERNI Cashmere bobble hat, £195; avenue32.com 02. CHARLOTTE SIMONE Lambswool 'Candy floss' wrap £350; charlottesimone.com 03. STELLA MCCARTNEY Faux fur mini 'Falabella' bag £660; mytheresa.com 04. CHINTI AND PARKER Cashmere 'Star' sweater £375; chintiandparker.com 05. JIMMY CHOO Metallic leather 'Haze' boots £695; mytheresa.com 06. GRACE & OLIVER Boucle wool 'Florence' coat £600; graceandoliver.london 07. JOHNSTONS OF ELGIN Cashmere reversible cape £895; johnstonscashmere.com 08. ME + EM Merino cashmere jumper £148; meandem.com

JANUARY 2016

15/12/2015 12:25

MADE TO LAST Since taking the reigns of Robert Clergerie in 2011, designer Roland Mouret has brought the French heritage label into a new era, one step at a time Wo r d s S t e p h a n i e K i n g

“I

’m not a shoe designer, I’m a fashion designer,” decrees Roland Mouret, the lauded creative director of heritage label Robert Clergerie. “But I understand the bigger vision of the brand and that the shoes are meant to be worn with clothes,” he elaborates. Since 2011 Mouret has been at the helm of the luxury brand, turning his hand from apparel to accessories. The 54-year-old Lourdes native first secured his place in the industry designing womenswear under his own name. But when opportunity struck to head Robert Clergerie’s eponymous brand, accepting the new role was a no-brainer: “When you have a company and a designer who has created more than a product [but] a lifestyle of a generation, it’s quite fantastic to work with that kind of legacy.” Mouret clarifies, “I don’t try to be presented like Robert never exists, I try to be presented like the son, the son who follows his Dad but at the same time [as someone who] really believes what I know.”

The sale of Robert Clergerie to Hong Kong investors Fung Group could have been fatal for the brand. Yet Mouret’s innovative design eye has renewed Clergerie’s equally savoir faire spirit: “I think because there is something in common about the love of legacy in the product I have and that Robert has taught me, that love to learn, to pass on knowledge and to see the future, [means we] have the same customer who enjoys something that has a meaning in their life.

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

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It’s quite fantastic TO WORK with that KIND OF LEGACY

“The Robert Clergerie woman? She is someone who loves shoes like her best friends, and that’s why she likes to have a pair of shoes that she can rely on from day to evening, I think that’s what all women have in common when they come to Clergerie.” This manifests in an aesthetic possessing “a sense of duality: male/female; masculine/ feminine; architectural/comfort,” Mouret elucidates, noting the classic Clergerie brogue: “It was the shoe that everybody took inspiration from.”

His recent AW15 collection, Mouret says, was “really based on the Seventies,

but the Seventies between the countryside and the city. I’m quite inspired by England and the way you can go from nature to urban and vice versa.”

A seemingly abstract concept to capture in shoes, Mouret explains: “It’s really funny, leather and fabric are quite similar.

You never know your favourite until you start to build a shoe and see the reality of the leather and the feel: some embody the shape, they give power…it comes alive. We have a lot of patent leather too because it was really part of [Robert’s] culture.

But we are really open all the time to newness.”

Mouret’s latest initiative for Robert Clergerie is his #ClergerieGirls campaign, which “started from my love of the TV series, Sex and the City. I thought it would be so great on Instagram: girls reacting in different parts of the country, showing themselves as part of a brand but at the same time defining their own identity and competing through social media.”

The winner is soon to be announced and will be selected by fans with input from Mouret and Leandra Medine, founder of lifestyle website Man Repeller. At stake is a trip to March’s Paris Fashion Week amongst several other exclusive prizes.

After being given direct access to emerging talent and not to mention, receiving the largest portion of entries from the US, Mouret has developed a keen sense of ‘British style.’ He reflects: “You can always find the Brit attitude [from] the way they stand, the way they like to present themselves.” On the application assessmemt, Mouret muses, “It was really weird because

34 15/12/2015 11:34

FASHION / PROFILE

35 NH_Jan15_AROLAND MOURET.indd 35

JANUARY 2016

15/12/2015 11:34

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FASHION/ PROFILE

It’s a symbolic VERSION of what we want THE BRAND to become. some of them put a lot of pictures, they didn’t know what they wanted to do, and others were really focused and you could understand why they were completely in sync with themselves and it was brilliant.

This year has also witnessed one of Robert Clergerie’s biggest endeavours: the unveiling of its new retail identity.

In celebration of the 120th anniversary of Clergerie’s manufacturer in Romans, the opening of its Walton Street location marks a significant milestone in the label’s history. Mouret describes Vudafieri Saverino Partners’ design as “a symbolic version of what we want the brand to

become, which is a brand with a strong personal identity of Robert, but at the same time giving you what luxury and service is expected… [Robert Clergerie stores] were the trendy place of the Eighties. To revisit that and reposition it… the atmosphere is supposed to be more personal, more close to home from all of the elements – the walls, the floors – but everything has to have that luxury feel.”

The Mayfair boutique is the second Robert Clergerie outpost in London, the first being on Marylebone’s Wigmore Street. Irrespective of location, each space reflects the neighbourhood it inhabits while paying homage to its Parisian roots. With 2016 upon us, Mouret’s goals for the label are expectedly lofty, but equally achievable, with the designer’s To Do list including: “Focus on what the brand stands for; moving on with the store and establishing it; and just be relevant. I think to be relevant in the future is the biggest challenge.” While he makes a valid point, judging by Mouret’s past success, it seems he’ll do just fine. ◆

● Robert Clergerie

180 Walton Street, W1U robertclergerie.com

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JANUARY 2016

15/12/2015 11:34

Absolute DECEMBER 2015_Layout 1 01/12/2015 15:32 Page 1

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FASHION / MOODBOARD

MY INSPIRATIONS

DAWN GREEN

Dawn Green of Kokoro London shares her personal moodboard

MY FAVOURITE PIECES FROM KOKORO'S COLLECTION ARE...

the Akemi dress – an elegant elongated A-line frock, slim but with pockets in the palest shell pink with an abstract Ikat print in hot acid yellow, pink and orange – and the Imari shirt dress with wrap skirt in white and indigo. Both are in a cotton with a slight stretch for absolute comfort.

Imari shirt dress

by Kokoro London

Marisa Berenson

Hubert de Givenchy

MY FAVOURITE DESIGNER IS...

Hubert de Givenchy, the Couturier. He dressed the most beautiful women of the last century. Audrey Hepburn, Ingrid Bergman, Jackie Kennedy… He adored women.

MY STYLE ICON IS...

Marisa Berenson. Yves Saint Laurent called her 'the girl of the 70s' - she was an actress (Barry Lyndon, Cabaret) and model. Her effortless glamour mixed with sexy 70s styling.

Audrey Hepburn in Givenchy

MY FAVOURITE HOLIDAY DESTINATION IS...

Tokyo. I fell in love with Japan when I travelled there for Paul Smith. A favourite place to stay was the Okura, a glorious retro-glam hotel from the 1960s. I can't believe it was demolished recently. For beauty and the beach always Mauritius.

The people, the food and the stunning seas around the island. Paradise for a water baby.

So Zen and so peaceful.

Diptyque's L'Ombre Dans L'Eau

Clarins Eau Dynamisante

I fell in LOVE with JAPAN MY FAVOURITE BUILDING

MY SIGNATURE SCENT IS...

Clarins Eau Dynamisante – I can't remember a day when I haven't worn it. But for evening it would have to be Diptyque's L'Ombre Dans L'Eau - the limited edition engraved glass bottle is divine.

Franklin Sirmans

MY FAVOURITE PIECE OF ART...

would have to be a favourite body of art: Contemporary Art world 'rock star' Franklin Sirmans is the director of the stunning Perez Art Museum in Miami and any show curated under the direction of this super-talented man is high on my must-see list.

The Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella

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Hotel Okura, Tokyo

The Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella in Florence is supposed to be the oldest perfume laboratory in the world. I adore the ornate painted vaulted ceiling of the ancient chapel that serves as the showroom in the Via Della Scala, and the beautiful old pharmacy cabinets. The heady scents and the history stretching back to the time of the Medici is evocative of centuries of Florentine intrigue, which of course I love. ◆ kokorolondon.com 19 Connaught Street, W2 020 7262 5398

JANUARY 2016

17/12/2015 09:18

FASHION / TRENDS ADIDAS BY STELLA MCCARTNEY 'Barricade' trainers £100; adidas.com

WEAREHANDSOME.COM

HOLISTIC SILK Yoga rug mat £160; holisticsilk.com

ASQUITH Organic cotton 'Blissful' wrap £62; asquithlondon.com

MONREAL LONDON Stretch jersey vest £90; matchesfashion.com

HPE 'Elite' running shorts £48; stylepb.com

VARLEY Marble print sports bra £45 & leggings; stylepb.com

N E W Y E A R , N E W YO U MICHI Stretch body suit £230; stylepb.com

WORK IT OUT Gym, yoga or running aficionado, welcome to your new workout wardrobe B y Charlot te Adset t

FRENDS Rose gold 'Layla' headphones £140; avenue32.com

EVERY SECOND COUNTS Crop 'Time' top £54; everysecondcounts.co.uk

STELLA MCCARTNEY Faux leather 'Falabella' backpack £645; stellamccartney.com

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

Chis_Jan16_Fashion_Prod.indd 40

40 15/12/2015 10:41

INTELLIGENT WEIGHT LOSS Give us six weeks and we will re-shape your body and re-wire the way you eat – once and for all. For nearly two decades our clients have lost weight, found true fitness and discovered a balanced way of living that will outlast a thousand fads.

The Intensive Programme combines our intelligent eating method with world-class personal training in your own home. For six weeks we sculpt your body with metabolic workouts tailored just for you. Your body fat levels will plummet and your metabolism will soar. Our dietitians coach you and monitor your body composition weekly to ensure you’re right on track. Most women lose twenty pounds, men thirty.

The Optimum Weight Loss Programme personally coaches you for 12 weeks from our Belgravia Clinic, wherever you are in the world.

By following our nutrition method, you shed body fat and learn how to eat beautifully forever.

We know results are important so that’s exactly what we give you, along with a blueprint for lasting success.

2 E ATON GATE | BELGRAVIA LONDON | SW1W 9BJ 0044 203 427 5863 INFO@LOUISEPARKER.UK.COM W W W.LOUISEPARKER.UK.COM

LOUISE PARKER.indd 2

07/01/2015 09:25

GREY

EXPECTATIONS From soft dove to graphic granite, grey is the new neutral

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15/12/2015 10:44

ISABEL MARANT ÉTOILE Anthracite Linen Trench Coat £475 PHILLIP LIM Fringed Wool Sleeveless Top £355 PHILLIP LIM Fringed Wool Wrap Trousers £455 All available at avenue32.com

JAN16_FashionShoot_6pp.indd 43

15/12/2015 10:44

:OSMAN Jacquard Midi Skirt £725 CARVEN Wool Double Breasted Coat £690 PHILLIP LIM Alpaca Sleeveless Turtleneck £305 All available at avenue32.com

JAN16_FashionShoot_6pp.indd 44

15/12/2015 10:44

REJINA PYO Wool Tie-Back Rora Top £540 REJINA PYO Wool Sasha Pencil Skirt £550 VANESSA BRUNO Cotton Pintuck Blouse £275 All available at avenue32.com

JAN16_FashionShoot_6pp.indd 45

15/12/2015 10:44

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15/12/2015 10:44

ISA ARFEN Harris Tweed Flares £675 JAMES PERSE Heather Grey Cotton T-Shirt £125 ISABEL MARANTÉTOILE Linen Blend Hali Jacket £290 ISA ARFEN Harris Tweed Top £325 MAKE-UP Emma Broom using Bobbi Brown HAIR Maki Tanaka using Bumble & Bumble FASHION ASSISTANT Ella Cutter EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Felicia Pennant All available at avenue32.com

JAN16_FashionShoot_6pp.indd 47

15/12/2015 10:45

LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO WEAR AVERAGE GLASSES Sid Fiz Optique in London’s Queens Park is a boutique Optical Store in NW6 providing the highest level of optical care together with an eclectic mix of spectacles, sunglasses, contact lenses and Children’s glasses to cater for all your needs.

CALL 020 7625 6694

or email info@sidfizoptique.com to book an eye test. 46 Salusbury ROAD, Queen’s Park, NW6 6NN

WWW.SIDFIZOPTIQUE.COM

JAMIE STEVENS LONDON

JAMIE STEVENS, AWARD WINNING HAIRDRESSER

A

t the Jamie Stevens salon you will be given a warm welcome, you will be offered a coffee, tea, a green juice, glass of wine, whatever you fancy. We can get you lunch and happy to chat away, or keep quiet whilst you work on your phone or simply switch off. But what we won’t ask is “what can we do for your hair today?”

Multi-award winning hairdresser Jamie Stevens, who also manages a portfolio of celebrity clients, is insistent that the stylists at his Kensington salon, are the experts and that their job is to advise clients on the hair they should have.

We’ll give you the hair you should have, not the hair you think you want, or the hair you’ve seen on someone else; those styles might work in the salon, but they don’t last at home. Our job is, after a thorough consultation to understand what you want from your hair, as well as assessing its condition, texture and natural shape, is to advise you on the cut, colour and style you should have.

Opening Times: Tuesday - 10:00 - 19:00/Wednesday - 10:00 - 20:00/Thursday - 10:00 - 20:00/Friday - 10:00 - 19:00/Saturday - 09:00 - 18:00 Monday & Sunday - CLOSED

Russell Gardens Kensington London W14 8EZ | www.jamiestevenshair.com | 020 7371 1944

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16/12/2015 10:36

FASHION / JEWELLERY

Space Rocks 1

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3

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5

1. BOODLES, ‘NEW VINTAGE CUSHION DIAMOND RING’ IN PLATINUM WITH PINK AND WHITE DIAMONDS’ £POA; boodles.com 2. JCM LONDON, COLOURED CUBIC ZIRCONIUM & PEARL SPIRAL EARRINGS, £525; cartier.co.uk 3. BEN DAY, INFINITY BANGLE AND ETERNITY RING, £POA; benday.co.uk 4. SOPHIE BILLE BRAHE, ‘IMAGINE’ EAR CUFF, £POA; sophiebillebrahe.com 5. TESSA PACKARD, ‘CARACOL RING’ IN 18CT YELLOW GOLD AND BLACK SAPPHIRE, £11,000; tessapackard.com 6. CARTIER, ‘AMULETTE DE CARTIER’ IN YELLOW GOLD, DIAMONDS AND ONYX, £47,600; cartier.co.uk 7. GEORGE PRAGNELL, FINE DIAMOND SET NECKLACE WITH TRAP CUT SANTA MARIA AQUAMARINE PENDANT, £POA; pragnell.com 8. LARA BOHINC, PLANETARIA RING IN 18CT WHITE GOLD WITH AMETHYST, £410; larabohinc.com

49 NH_Jan16_JEWELLERY.indd 49

JANUARY 2016

15/12/2015 11:26

Meet the regions best wedding suppliers and experts

Try on hundreds of beautiful dresses from top designer brands Inspirational Catwalk shows

ExCeL LONDON

Find all you need to make your

wedding

30-31 January 2016

Book 2 tickets for £12

truly special

SAVE ££’s* ON TICKETS Quote ABMAG16

Free tips and advice on all your wedding from the experts

Benefit from fantastic show discounts and offers!

theukweddingshows.co.uk *Offer ends the Thursday prior to the show (midnight). Ticket fee applies.

TRY IT

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BUY IT

BOOK IT

PLAN IT

ENJOY!

14:19 17/11/2015 09:40

FASHION / WEDDINGS If you’re all about the aesthetics of your venue, a host of wedding planners and stylists will be there to advise you on lighting, tableware, band/DJ ideas and anything else that is part of your vision.

The Designer Flower Market offers displays and advice from top florists, with a variation of themes and colour schemes to suit the desired ambience of your wedding.

Keen to beat the crowds and indulge in extra perks? VIP tickets are on offer with features such as fast tracking, reserved seating at the Catwalk Show, VIP lounge access and a goody box with plenty of beauty pampering products. ◆ The National Wedding Show, 26 - 28 February 2016 London Olympia; nationalweddingshoow.co.uk

TELL THE BRIDE The National Wedding Show returns, bringing with it everything a bride could possibly need Wo r d s e v e h e r b e r t

T

he UK’s biggest wedding show arrives just in time for the approaching wedding season, giving enough time for stressedout brides to organise their perfect day. The National Wedding Show houses endless exhibits under one roof; an opportunity for guests to discover a magical venue, a chance to sample possible food options, choose among exquisite floral arrangements and of course, find the dress of their dreams.

The day begins with the Catwalk Show, in which top designers and boutiques will showcase style options for the whole bridal party. Be inspired by exquisite designs from the likes of Jenny Packham,

Ted Baker and Maids to Measure.

Have a particular style in mind, but haven’t yet found the dress for you? Head to the Bridal Boutique and Designer Boutique to browse a selection of dresses that range from high street to high end, ranging in styles from short to long and extravagant to understated. The diverse selection of beautiful dresses will cater to every style, shape and budget. The Wedding Theatre is your hair and makeup mecca for ultimate big day beauty.

Experts from the teams of bareMinerals and Charles Worthington will be joined by the National Wedding Show’s ‘glam squad’ which includes celebrity hairdresser Cinta Miller, there on hand to provide her top 10 tips for a flawless wedding day finish.

51 C&A_Jan16_Weddings.indd 51

competition We have teamed up with The National Wedding Show to offer 10 lucky readers a pair of tickets to the spring 2016 show, which takes place at London Olympia on 26-8 February. To enter, simply email victoria.hughes@zest-media.com with TICKET OFFER in the subject field.

The first ten entries to be chosen at random on 15 January will win.

Don’t worry, if you’re not a lucky winner, The National Wedding Show is also offering Absolutely readers two tickets for £25 to the London show (26 - 28 February 2016 at London Olympia). To redeem the offer, visit nationalweddingshow.co.uk or call the ticket hotline on 0844 874 0486 and enter the code ABS2016 at checkout.

JANUARY 2016

15/12/2015 11:28

Enjoy the convenience and privacy of a gym in your own home Technogym, the Wellness Company, invites you to view its range of home fitness equipment at the beautifully equipped, brand new showroom in Bracknell, Berkshire.

Health and Wellness are important, but time pressures and busy lives often mean our good intentions to move more and be active are overlooked.

Technogym works with you to design and create the perfect Wellness area, tailored to your home, space, budget and – most importantly – you and your family’s health goals.

To book your visit, please call a Technogym Wellness consultant on 0800 316 2496 or email uk_info@technogym.com Or visit us online at www.technogym.com

TECHNOGYM.indd 1

08/12/2015 12:04

> BEAUTY CONFIDENTIAL

p. 48

LA VIE EN ROSE

p. 51

FITNESS CONFIDENTIAL

p. 56

CLEAN & BRIGHT Fresh, dewy skin doesn’t come naturally to all, especially after the excesses of Christmas, which is why bareMinerals’ Complexion Rescue is such a lifesaver. Oil free and with SPF, it’s a 2016 essential. £26; bareminerals.co.uk

53 CH_Jan16_Beauty_Opener.indd 53

JANUARY 2016

15/12/2015 09:32

B E AU T Y R e v i e w

A fresh take on beauty for the new year and luscious lacquers to keep your nails in check W o r d s R o m y va n d e n B r o e k e

DANIEL GALVIN Kensington

Wo r d s s t e p h a n i e k i n g

I

t’s difficult to avoid restorting to cliché when describing the luxury you experience when visiting Daniel Galvin Kensington. Exceptional service is promised, and it is exactly what you will receive. Walking into the elegant salon you’re greeted by sunny receptionists and a bright interior epitomising refined glamour: white walls accented by state-of-theart equipment, marble counter tops, tall vases filled with freshly cut flowers, Tom Dixon lamps, two-two leather chairs and matte gold finishings. You’d be correct in thinking this foreshadows the type of hair treatment you’re about to receive. I’m here for half a head of highlights. After being escorted downstairs

THIS TRESS wizard only needs to ask a FEW QUESTIONS my wonderful, talented colourist, Lily, asks me the type of look I’d like to achieve, shortly setting to work with surgical precision. Foils in and peppermint tea in hand, I’m left to pore over the wide range of magazines at my station, and the menu from across-the-road Nouvelle Delicatessen. The timer buzzes and, after a good shampoo and condition, the warm, knowledgeable Bradley takes me upstairs. This tress wizard only needs to ask a few questions to gauge my desired hair shape, and in minutes he’s worked his magic. All parties satisfied, I’m on way, leaving not only with one of the best hair cut-n-colours I’ve ever had, but also with the knowledge that the Daniel Galvin team comprises stylists you can trust. ◆

Clean Slate Bobbi Brown

Look at things differently with Bobbi Brown’s new eye-opening mascara. Promising to lift each individual lash, it coats them with intense colour and leaves them looking both longer and thicker. bobbibrown.com

● D A N I E L G A LV I N 67 Abingdon Road, W8; danielgalvin.com

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

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HEALTH & BEAUTY / NOTES

7 of the best

SHINE BRIGHT Burberry

Not available to buy until February, and part of Burberry’s SS16 collection, the white runway palette Ω pictured to the right Ω illuminates and defines the most pallid of complexions for an effortless, pearly glow. £45; burberry.com

NATURAL NAILS

A BED OF ROSES Frédéric Malle

Dans Mon Lit from Frederic Malle does what it says on the tin and leaves your duvet smelling like a bed of roses. The fragrance, filled with floral notes, is guaranteed to leave your room feeling fresh. £80; fredericmalle.com

01

best

BUY

editor’s

PICK REVERSE EFFECT

02

Sisley

Sisley are tackling anti-ageing with its new Sisleÿa global L’Intégral Anti-Age face cream, which works to stimulate, regenerate and restructure the skin, all while protecting it from physical signs of behavioural ageing. £330; sisley-paris.com

03

05

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DEEP SLEEP this works

New from this works, the sleep plus pillow spray promises to soothe restless sleepers into a deep slumber. Containing lavender, the spray has aromatherapeutic powers to help you wake properly refreshed. £25; thisworks.com

55 YES CHIS_Jan16_Beauty_Notes.indd 55

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1. BOBBI BROWN, GLITTER NAIL VARNISH IN BALLET PINK, £12.50; bobbibrown.com 2. CHANEL, LE TOP COAT VELVET, £18; selfridges.com 3. LEIGHTON DENNY, BRIEF ENCOUNTER,£11; ld-boutique.com 4. TANYA BURR, PEACHES & CREAM, £5.99; lookfantastic.com 5. EVE SNOW, NUDIST, £14; evesnow.com 6. TOM FORD, MINK BRULE, £27; selfridges.com 7. ESSIE, TYING THE KNOT, £8.95; hqhair.com

JANUARY 2016

15/12/2015 09:31

As featured in

sablebeauty.com

Unique Beauty, Lovingly Curated sablebeauty.com is your local online beauty boutique with an edit of unique beauty products sourced from all over the world and a personalised customer service. Enjoy Free next day delivery for Notting Hill and Kensington area with code ABSOLUTELY

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25/11/2015 09:34

HEALTH & BEAUTY / PRODUCTS BOBBI BROWN

Rich Colour Gloss, £19; bobbibrown.co.uk

PERRICONE MD

No Lipstick Lipstick, £25; perriconemd.co.uk

MAC

Matte Lip in Steady Going, £15.50; maccosmetics.co.uk

MAC

Pigment Pot in Fuchsia, £16; maccosmetics.co.uk

MAC

Pro Lip Palette in 6 Preferred Pinks, £35; maccosmetics.co.uk

STILA

Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Rosa, £16; feelunique.com

STILA

REVLON

Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Rosa, £16; feelunique.com

NARS FOR MICHAEL COSTELLO SS16

ColorBurst Matte Balm in Showy, £7.99; boots.com

CLINIQUE

Pop Lip Colour in Papaya Pop, £16; clinique.co.uk

CLARINS

ILLAMASQUA

Lipstick in Immodest Vivid Pink, £19.50; illamasqua.com

LA VIE EN ROSE For a fresh look, add a slick of peach, pastel pink or magenta B y R O M Y VA N D E N B R O E K E

Rouge Eclat in Sweet Rose, £19.50; clarins.co.uk

LIPSTICK QUEEN

Cupid’s Bow in Nymph, £20; spacenk.com

TOM FORD

Lip Colour Shine in Chastity, £38; selfridges.com

NARS

Pure Matte Lipstick in Carthage £20; narscosmetics.co.uk

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CHANEL

Rouge Coco Shine in Liberte, £36; chanel.com

JANUARY 2016

15/12/2015 09:33

GE T 1 M O N T H BACK*

3-5 THORPE CLOSE, LONDON, W10 5XL 020 8962 5753 *Terms and conditions apply

WESTWAY.indd 1 Unlimited_Fitness_Jan 2016_A4.indd 1

11:17 14/12/2015 10:53

HEALTH & BEAUTY / FRAGRANCE

NEW WAVE

03

The lowdown on fragrance.

This month: independent scents W o r d s L AW R E N C E R O U L L I E R W H I T E

I

t is unsurprising, given the maverick and enterprising nature of this cool isle, that Britain is spearheading the global rise of the indie perfume house moment. The past few years have seen the arrival of some truly remarkable brands.

In fact, it was the lovely Sarah McCartney of ‘4160 Tuesdays’ (one of the aforementioned brands) who directed me to the door of dashing new brand ‘Handsome London’. Founded by Jason Leonard and Richard Holmes, the duo is inspired by their patch of East London. ‘Master Jojo’ [01] is a modern mix of sandalwood and patchouli that is elegant and refined, while ‘Redchurch’ [02] with its spiced cardamom, apples, green tea and cedarwood is, to my mind, Britishness in a bottle.

Also based in creative East London is Timothy Han, who launched his first ‘Editions Perfumes’ fragrance ‘She Came to Stay’ [04] last year and has just released his second scent, ‘On the Road’ [03]. I am in love with this brand and the exquisite attention to detail that has been paid to it by its self-effacing creator – whose talent 07

05

06

TIMOTHY HAN

As an artist, SCHÜTZE IS one of few TO WORK IN THE MEDIUM OF scent was spotted many years ago by Francis Kurkdijan when Han was displaying the candles he was the making at a Paris trade show.

‘She Came to Stay’ quite literally turns traditional perfumery on his head, inverting the perfume pyramid and opening with what would usually be the base notes; labdanum, patchouli and oakmoss. The middle notes of cedarwood and vetiver remain where they would at the heart, before the typically top notes of basil and lemon take your breath away with a sharp surprise.

Also riding the waves of the indie boom is the beautiful ‘Beaufort London’ with its triumphant trio of fragrances, ‘Come Hell or High Water’, that explores and expounds upon Britain’s maritime history. This is uncharted water in terms of fragrance inspiration and the results are – a witty literary device would be to say ‘admirable’

59 DUL_Nov15_Perfume.indd 59

but that would be doing a great disservice to these gloriously epic and enigmatic scents. ‘1805’ [05], referencing the Battle of Trafalgar, is an explosive mix of smoke, gunpowder, irony blood and brandy with a splash of sea spray and the limey citrus after which British sailors were given the nickname that transferred into popular parlance. ‘Coeur De Noir’ [06] summons images of Admiralty House and naval campaigns being planned; parchment nautical charts spread over leather lined desks, the air heavy with tobacco and dying embers smoldering in the fireplace. ‘East India’ [07] imagines the notes blown by the trade winds as the majestic clippers cut through the crested waves, their holds full of precious tea, tobacco, spices and that most contentious of cargoes; opium.

This month Australian-born, Londonbased, artist Paul Schütze launches his eponymous perfume line. As an artist Schütze is one of the few to work in the medium of scent, captivated by the notion of capturing the ephemeral. His collection of evocative and remarkable scents are olfactory snapshots of three fleeting moments. All I can say is, thank you for the memories. ◆

04

01 02

roullierwhite.com

JANUARY 2016

17/12/2015 09:21

TEN PILATES NH.indd 1

10/12/2015 09:02

review

HEALTH HEALTH&&BEAUTY BEAUTY//NOTES NOTES

BE GOOD

We A r e H a n d s o m e January is the month of good intentions. If you find it hard to stick to your healthy resolutions we recommend investing in some cool activewear by We Are Handsome. This way you’ll actually want to go to the gym. hipandhealthy.com

GET FIT ONLINE

Thanks to .com classes there’s no reason why you shouldn’t move a little bit more in 2016 barrecore

veryone - from supermodels and actors to new mothers and personal trainers Ω loves Barrecore. Renowned for giving clients that enviably long and lean ballerina body, you will work your muscles so hard that you’ll shake uncontrollably. Having now launched their online workout library, members will receive unlimited access to videos as well as monthly challenges.

Perfect for those who want to work hard but in private. ◆ £25 per month; barrecore.co.uk E

body.net work

Fitness

CONFIDENTIAL Get in shape with the top fitness trends, tips and gear Wo r d s e l i z a b e t h h u t t o n

ant to have the same trainer as Tom Ford? With this new online fitness platform, you can.

Created by celebrity PT and best-selling fitness author Matt Roberts, you can download classes and tutorials wherever and whenever you want or need to. With exclusive ‘live’ training sessions and nutritional advice from the England rugby team’s nutritional coach you can be sure of a well-rounded health and wellbeing programme. ◆ £15 per month; body.network W

VIRTUOUS

Sweet Virtues

orget overly processed chocolate spread, this one by Sweet Virtues is a super tasty and nutritious treat with chia, cacao and coconut oil so is high in omega, magnesium and ginseng. harveynichols.com F

the tracy anders on method

ive stream the legendary Tracy Anderson straight from LA into your living room and enjoy her classes alongside her American clients.

Taking place every Wednesday, you’ll benefit from the real in-class experience and a tutorial from one of Tracy’s favourite trainers. Unedited and real, this is just like taking a class with Tracy in one of her state-of-the-art studios. So now you really can workout like Gwyneth Paltrow and Madonna without having to leave the house. ◆ £60 per month; tracyanderson.com L

Press Pause UsT wo

Using the ancient principles of Tai Chi, this mindfulness app uses touch screen technology to make you focus upon the moment. With calming audio and visuals, stress is proven to decrease dramatically. itunes.apple.com

61 C&A_JAN16_Health.indd 61

JANUARY 2016

15/12/2015 10:50

SPOIL YOURSELF WITHOUT SPOILING YOURSELF

Super-healthy, delicious and nutritious food and drink Vegan, raw, organic, sugar-free and wheat-free specialities (also for kids) Alcohol-free sugar-free cocktails, juices, shakes and good-for-you desserts

“If you do spot Stella or Paul, for the love of God don’t let them leave before trying a pudding” ”There’s a constant buzz about cool vegan café and bar Redemption” “Worth staying sober for”

020 7313 9041

6 Chepstow Road, London W2 5BH Monday - Friday 12pm - 11pm Saturday 10am - 11pm & Sunday 10am - 5pm www.redemptionbar.co.uk

Can’t leave the office or don’t want to leave home?

Get our amazing food delivered directly to your door with supper.london @redemptionbar

REDEMPTION BAR.02.indd 1

20/11/2015 15:30

> KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL

p. 64

WINTER RECIPES p. 66 EATING OUT - 45 JERMYN STREET p. 69

BRAINY BREAKFAST Honestly Healthy's Natasha Corrett (daughter of Kelly Hoppen) has introduced an 'intelligent breakfast' menu at Pullman St Pancras hotel, with dishes such as these probiotic-rich green Teff pancakes. Boost your brain power while keeping your new year's resolutions intact. pullmanhotels.com

63 NH_JAN16_Food_Opener.indd 63

JANUARY 2016

15/12/2015 10:54

What to drink

kitchen

CONFIDENTIAL London’s food news and delicious things to see you through January W o r d s R O M Y VA N D E N B R O E K E

A GREAT MATCH Wine & Food Pairings for the Month of January B y J a n e Pa r k i n s o n

SPICED PARSNIP SOUP

talian white grapes work well with vegetable soup and even more so here because this grape, Vermentino – which usually makes Tuscany’s best white wines – is grown and made in California, the warm climate giving it extra flavour. The almond nuttiness pairs the earthy parsnip while the herbal freshness cools the spice. Delicious!

Uvaggio Vermentino 2013 £11.95, bbr.com

I

BEEF WELLINGTON WITH HORSERADISH MASH

e’re spoilt for choice with the range of big and meaty reds that work well with beef wellington, the difference here being the seasonal addition of peppery horseradish, which always loves a red from Portugal’s most famous wine valley, the Douro. The intense fruitcake flavours of spice and fruit marry up the meat and mash a treat.

Quinta dos Frades Vinha dos Deuses 2011 £19.35, bottleapostle.com

W

BLOOD ORANGE TART

his cheeky take on tarte au citron is more wine-friendly than its lemon version, and it’s also a blindingly good match with Cream Sherry (which is something many people might have left over from Christmas). The key flavour in this sweet Sherry is tangy orange rind which, together with its smooth texture melts in the mouth with the tart.

Barbadillo Cream Sherry £11.99, selfridges.com

T

Home Comforts Fa r m D r o p

The future of sustainable food shopping, Farm Drop is an efficient way of eating green. Choose produce from over 70 farmers and local producers and have it delivered to your door in no time, and for no extra charge. farmdrop.co.uk

janeparkinson.com

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

Chis_Jan15_foodNotes.indd 64

64 15/12/2015 10:52

FOOD & DRINK / NOTES JA N UA RY cocktail

Created by redemption

STUCK IN A JAM Arabica

Until recently raspberry jam was my choice of conserves, but that was before tasting Arabica’s brilliant strawberry and rosewater jam, which is the perfect combination of sweet, sticky and delicately flavoured. £5; arabicafoodandspice.com

sweet things pic

ZILLI'S BACK Firezza

Aldo Zilli returns to the London scene with a new menu for fabulous pizza service Firezza. The Zill set meal includes two pizzas, lasagne, doughballs, a delicious semifreddo dessert and a bottle of wine, delivered to your door pronto. firezza.com

Beetrootini INGREDIENTS

Home-made beetroot juice Freshly squeezed orange juice lime coconut water ◆

METHOD

Combine the ingredients and shake over ice.

'Spoil yourself without spoiling yourself' is the motto at alcohol-free Redemption, 6 Chepstow Road, W2

editor’s

PICK

WINE of the month

EASTERN DELIGHTS Simply Chocolate

W o r d s R O M Y VA N D E N B R O E K E

Forget flowers, Danish chocolate advocates, Chokodays, are celebrating every type with its new Simply Chocolate Instead of Flowers boxes, which contain treats such as almond spiked and moca chocolate concoctions. harrods.com

SUGAR AND SPICE Sweet Things

The second outpost of Primrose Hill's Sweet Things has opened in Blenheim Crescent and it claims to be the UK's first cashless cafe. Stop in for crepes, cupcakes and award-winning Brownies. 8 Blenheim Crescent, W11 sweetthings.biz

65 Chis_Jan15_foodNotes.indd 65

f you’re doing dry January, look away now, because this wine may steer you off track. From the Sonoma Coast in California, this 2011 multi-layered wine is bursting with red berry, plum and cranberry notes, complemented by subtle hints of orange zest, anise, cedar and green tea. Wild Ridge have created the perfect Pinot Noir. ◆ I

Wild Ridge Pinot Noir 2011, £34 wildridgevineyards.com

JANUARY 2016

15/12/2015 10:52

XXXXXX / XXXXXXX

GNOCCHI

With Wild Mushrooms Ser ves 4 -6

here is something undeniably comforting about little pillows of potato gnocchi. When cooked properly, they should be tender and fluffy rather than dense and heavy.

T

I n g r e d i e nt s • 500 g even-sized small floury potatoes, such as Maris Piper, unpeeled • 100 g 00 flour, plus extra to dust • freshly grated nutmeg • 1 egg, beaten • 30 g unsalted butter • 1 tablespoon olive oil • 2 banana shallots, finely chopped • 2 garlic cloves, crushed • 300 g wild mushrooms, cleaned and sliced if large • 75 ml dry white wine • 150 ml double cream • a small handful of fresh parsley leaves, chopped • fine sea salt and ground black pepper • freshly grated Parmesan, to serve

COMFORT FOOD

Recipes from Winter Cabin Cooking, divine dishes to keep you warm Wo r d s L i z z i e K a m e n e t z k y P i c t u r e s n a s s i m a r ot h ac k e r

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

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M e th o D 1 Cook the potatoes, whole in their skins, in boiling salted water for 25 minutes. 2 Drain the potatoes and, once cool enough to handle, peel the skins off and mash the flesh using a potato ricer or by pushing it through a sieve so it is lump-free and fine. 3 Put the flour, 1 teaspoon salt and a little nutmeg into a bowl and add the potato, mixing with the blade of a knife.

Make a well in the centre, add the beaten egg and mix together until well combined.

Bring together with your hands but don’t knead or you could make your gnocchi tough. 4 On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into sausage shapes, about 1 cm wide, then cut into 1 cm pieces. Use the tines on the back of a fork to roll the gnocchi, giving them the characteristic ridges. Put on a floured baking sheet and chill until you are ready to cook.

(Cook now or chill for up to 24 hours.)

5 Make the sauce. Melt the butter in a pan and add the oil and shallots. Cook for 10 minutes. Add the garlic and fry for a further 30 seconds then add the mushrooms. Increase the heat and fry for 10 minutes until they are golden brown.

6 Add the wine and bubble for a minute.

Add the cream, a splash of boiling water to loosen it a little and plenty of salt and pepper, then stir in most of the parsley.

7 Bring a pan of salted water to the boil and add the gnocchi. They are cooked once they float to the surface, about 1–2 minutes. Scoop out with a slotted spoon and divide among warmed serving bowls.

Warm through the sauce and spoon over the gnocchi. Scatter with the remaining parsley and serve. ◆

66 15/12/2015 12:36

FOOD & DRINK / RECIPES

ESTERHAZY CAKE Ser ves 12–14

his beautiful hazelnut layer cake is a labour of love, but it’s worth every second. I love the way the cake looks, with its spider’s web icing.

Once I got over my initial shock at how many layers this cake needed, I found it to be a simple cake masquerading as a technical challenge.

T

FO R TH E S P O N G E • 400 g blanched hazelnuts • 3 tablespoons plain flour • 9 egg whites • 200 g caster sugar FO R TH E F I LLI N G • 9 egg yolks • 200 g caster sugar • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract • 225 g unsalted butter, softened • 20 g unsweetened cocoa powder

FO R TH E TO P • 3 tablespoons apricot jam • 40 g dark chocolate • 3 teaspoons vegetable oil 300 g icing sugar • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice • warm water • 2 baking sheets, lined with baking parchment • small disposable piping bag M e th o d 1 Preheat the oven to 160°C (325°F) Gas 3.

2 Put the hazelnuts on a baking sheet and roast for 20 minutes. Cool and then blitz in a food processor until roughly chopped. Take out 150 g and set aside.

Add the flour to the food processor and blitz to fine crumbs 3 In a clean bowl, whisk the egg whites to stiff peaks, then whisk in the sugar, a spoonful at a time, until you have a smooth, glossy meringue.

67 B&C_NOV15_RECIPES_2pp.indd 67

Fold in the hazelnut and flour mixture.

Take the lined baking sheets and draw on five 20 cm circles. Divide the mixture among the circles and spread evenly.

Bake for 16 minutes until golden brown and not sticky to the touch. You may need to do this in batches. 4 Make the filling.

Put the egg yolks, sugar and vanilla in a heatproof bowl and set over a pan of barely simmering water. Whisk with an electric hand whisk until pale and voluminous. Remove from the water and whisk for a few more minutes then let cool completely. Beat the butter until light and fluffy, then fold in the cooled egg mixture and cocoa powder. 5 Peel all the meringues off the baking parchment.

Put one on a clean piece of baking parchment on a baking sheet and spread with about one-quarter of the filling. Top with another meringue and layer up in this fashion, ending with a meringue, but reserving a little buttercream. Use the remaining buttercream to spread around the outside of the cake. Top with another piece of parchment then put a baking sheet on top. Weigh down with a couple of cans and chill for 1 hour. 6 Melt the apricot jam in a pan with 1 tablespoon water, then push it through a sieve until smooth. Put the chilled cake on a cake plate, still on its bottom layer of parchment. Spread the apricot jam over the top. Chill for 10 minutes. 7 Melt the chocolate with half the oil in a small heatproof bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water. Pour into the piping bag and set aside. 8 Whisk the icing sugar and lemon with the remaining oil, then gradually add warm water, a little at a time, until you have a smooth, spreadable glaze. Pour about half the glaze over the cake and smooth it out – don’t worry if it drips down the side. 9 You can add more glaze if you need to – you want to create a really smooth layer. Snip a small hole at the bottom of the chocolate piping bag and pipe a spiral of chocolate over the icing. Use the tip of a sharp knife to drag six lines from the centre of the cake to the outside. In between each outward line, drag the tip of the knife back into the centre of the cake to create a spider’s web effect. 10 Clean the sides of the cake with a spatula and press the reserved chopped hazelnuts around the edge. Chill the cake overnight. 11 Carefully remove the parchment from the base and pop the cake back on your cake plate and you are ready to serve. ◆

Winter Cabin Cooking by Lizzie Kamenetzky Ryland Peters & Small, £19.99; rylandpeters.com

JANUARY 2016

15/12/2015 12:36

CARLO ROTTA.indd 1

23/10/2015 17:34

FOOD & DRINK / REVIEWS

THE CAVIAR TROLLEY already HAS QUITE A

reputation

45 JERMYN ST Old-school glamour meets modern dining at Fortnum’s new opening Wo r d s C h a r l o t t e A d s e t t

F

ortum & Mason’s 60 yearold traditional tea spot The Fountain has had a glamourous make-over masterminded by Ewan Venters, the company’s CEO who is transforming the 310 year old store. After a major refit by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio (of Scott's, The Ivy and Hix fame) the new restaurant is dazzling. Gone is the chintz of yesteryear and in its place are coral leather banquettes and booths, bakelite-bottomed lamps and a grey and gold marble-fronted dining counter that feels like a 1940s film set.

Open every day from breakfast until late supper, 45 Jermyn St. harks back to a golden age of dining, when waiters wore bow ties and the maître d’ knew your name and your favourite table.

The menu reflects modern London cuisine, with head chef Lee Stretton (previously at Le Caprice, Daphne’s and The Savoy) serving up an interesting mix of oldschool classics alongside more cosmopolitan urban eats such as Dover sole à la meunière, Kingairloch red deer wellington and monkfish cataplana.

For our dinner visit, I choose the grilled bones with Parmesan to start, and my partner the oak-smoked salmon, which is smoked on site. Both were big hits. For the main course my Beesands scallops with chorizo and neeps were of melt-inthe-mouth quality. The spätzle (a German noodle) with Dorset blue lobster and sea aster was proclaimed as ‘delicious’.

As well as a mouth-watering selection of meat and fish dishes, the vegetarian options

69 NH_Jan16_Food_Review.indd 69

are impressive with dishes such as woodland mushroom pithivier, and pumpkin ravioli.

The restaurant’s caviar trolley already has quite a reputation. We didn’t partake, but it looked like fun. Iranian Beluga 000, Golden Oscietra or Siberian Sturgeon are served with toast, chive bilinis, miniature baked potatoes or scrambled eggs expertly prepared tableside on the trolley’s hot plate.

You can order as little as 10g at a time.

The puddings are pure bliss if you like nostalgia, ice cream or anything laced with liquor. If you like all three, I can most definitely recommend the grown-up floats – the Gosling Black Seal rum over gingerbread ice cream float is my dream dessert.

If you are looking for an indulgent treat or a new date restaurant, I suggest you book a table immediately. ◆

● 45 JERMYN ST

45 Jermyn Street, SW1; 020 7205 4545 45jermynst.com

JANUARY 2016

15/12/2015 10:03

DINING LIVING OFFICE

London & Surrey

KITCHENS

020 7253 3206 or 01372 379810

BEDROOMS

www.wharfside.co.uk

WHARFSIDE.indd Absolutely Magazine1January 2016.indd 1

30/11/2015 27/11/2015 16:35 13:52

> INTERIOR INSPIRATIONS

p. 72

RIFAT OZBEK

p. 74

KIT KEMP

p. 78

NEW BUILD? Nu-Line Builders Merchant has been a supplier of top quality building and hardware products since 1965, and they are now known as one of the UK's leading retailers. nu-line.net

71 NH_Jan16_interior_Opener.indd 71

JANUARY 2016

15/12/2015 11:24

10 of the best for a

clean slate

Minimalistic pieces for a clean look in the New Year

OLIVER BONAS

Luxe Marble Drink Trolley; £350, oliverbonas.com

Wo r d s J e s s i c a k l i n g e l f u s s

GRAHAM & GREEN

Bamboo Lampshade in Black; £125, grahamandgreen.co.uk

MINT

Pixel Table; £POA, mintshop.co.uk

BODIE AND FOU

must

Kaeko Table; £790, bodieandfou.com

HAVE

Tress Code JONATHAN ADLER

Rutledge Sofa; £3,250, jonathanadler.com

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

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Pinch London-based design brand Pinch is bringing a renewed sense of pleasure to routine grooming with its ‘Iona Chevil Mirror’. The fulllength, pivoting elliptical mirror – available in oak with a white oiled finish – features a shaker-style joint and brass rivet detail on one side, supported in an A-frame with a lacquered drawer box below. £2,055; pinchdesign.com

72 15/12/2015 11:07

HOMES & INTERIORS / NOTES ROSE & GREY

Marble White Wallpaper; £199, roseandgrey.co.uk

SHINE YOUR LIGHT

Tom D ixon Extraordinary objects for everyday use; this is the Tom Dixon way. Even something as simple as a tea light holder can be turned into a wood grain shadow maker. Consider us impressed, again. ‘Etch’ Tealight Holder, £50; tomdixon.net

A STITCH IN TIME

editor’s

PICK

STEPEVI Originating in Istanbul, 1919, this luxury carpet company has been creating some of the most inspired rugs, runners and home accessories. Now, STEPEVI combines modern technology with traditional construction techniques and the resulting products are sheer works of art. stepevi.com

NICK FRASER

Geometric Pendant Half Glazed; £36, culturelabel.com

POUR IT UP

Alessi This iconic 9093 stainless steel kettle by Michael Graves is synonymous with Alessi. To mark its 30th anniversary, Graves has redesigned it, replacing the tweeting bird with a Tyrannosaurus rexshaped whistle. £99.95; alessi.com

ARCHITECTMADE

Finn Juhl Clock; £649, skandium.com

HABITAT

Tatsuma White Dressing Table; £150, habitat.co.uk

STREAM STYLIN’

Zip Form meets function with Zip’s popular HydroTap G4 range.

Now available in three striking designs – Arc, Cube, and Elite – get filtered boiling, chilled and sparkling water, instantly, from a tap that complements your kitchen thanks to the four finishes to choose from. zipwater.com

73 CHIS_JAN15_Interior_Insp_.indd 73

OKA

Kumozu Bedside Table; £585, okadirect.com

JANUARY 2016

15/12/2015 11:08

XXXXXX / XXXXXXX

Pillow Talk Rifat Ozbek talks about leaving couture for cushions Wo r d s P e n d l e H a r t e

A

dmittedly, many people might not want to pay £900 for a cushion. But Yastik, Rifat Ozbek’s Kensington shop dedicated to cushions, is no ordinary soft furnishings store.

This white-walled space is a gallery; its cushions the work. The art cushion, in its very limited edition lines, is a highly collectible piece, a world away from the throwaway gift store version.

Turkish-born Ozbek hasn’t been making cushions all his life, of course.

For 20 years he was at the top of his tree in the fashion world, forming part of the 1980s aesthetic created by a new generation of designers including Betty Jackson, John Galliano and Katherine Hamnett. Crowned British Designer of the year twice – in 1988 and 1992 – he fell out of love with fashion when he ‘felt he’d given as much as [he] could’ (and industry demands kept increasing) so he left couture and moved into cushions in a move that quickly revealed itself to be a very canny one.

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IN FASHION, I ensured THAT THE LINING OF a coat was as IMPORTANT AS THE OUTSIDE and it’s the same with THE BACK of a CUSHION

Because cushions, according to Ozbek, are largely overlooked. Probably because most of them are nasty. ‘My and my partner were looking for cushions when we were decorating our house in Bodrum and we couldn’t find any. There were horrible ones everywhere, filled with polystyrene and with lots of sequins and feathers. But I wanted something that you could put your head on without ending up with scratch marks or bleeding.

Something simple that had quality to it.’

So they started making some, filling them with feather, down and a touch of lavender, covering them with beautiful patterned fabrics from Uzbekhistan and paying the attention to detail that he would with his couture lines. ‘The back of the cushion is as important as the front. When I was designing fashion I ensured that the lining of a coat was as important as the outside and it’s the same now. We make sure that you can turn them around and actually use the back of the cushion too.’

The idea originally to do something small and seasonless, an antidote to the relentless new collections required by the fashion industry and the pressure that

74 15/12/2015 11:30

HOMES & INTERIORS / PROFILE xxxxxxxxxx xxxx xxx xxxx xxx

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JANUARY 2016

15/12/2015 11:31

LONDON

SALE

UP TO 40% OFF +44 (0) 333 011 3333

WESTONE BATHROOMS.indd 1

30/11/2015 16:10

HOMES & INTERIORS / PROFILE Yastik in Kensington

Ozbek came under to produce handbags, shoes and accessories for his label when all he really wanted to do was dresses.

But Yastik – named for the Turkish ‘pillow’ – didn’t stay small or seasonless for long. There are now three shops and about 50 outlets around the world, and they produce two collections a year.

Designs have become more complex since copies started appearing on markets in Turkey, with intricately stitched patchwork and one-off fabrics. ‘We block fabrics coming in from Uzbhekistan so people can’t copy them.’ Still, it’s not as easy as originally thought. ‘We spend a lot of time matching and contrasting fabrics, and we make about 800 every season,

YOU’LL NEVER go

to someone else’s house & SEE YOUR CUSHION THERE

with no more than 16 of each style.’

There are no online sales because they simply couldn’t cope with the orders.

‘You’ll never go to someone else’s house and see your cushion there.’ The top-end ones, the £900 lines, are usually unique or a matching pair. ‘People like one-offs,’ says Ozbek.

There’s a theatrical element to the Ozbek’s process and his inspiration is varied – the next collection is inspired by neo-nomads and has a Berber feel.

His other current project is the interior design for Robin Birley’s club at 5 Hertford Street, currently in progress – the basement club, Loulou’s, was designed by him a couple of years ago.

Birley’s wife Lucy is a long-term friend and client of Ozbek’s. ‘He walked into my flat and immediately asked me to decorate his nightclub. I’m one of those designers who needs a theme – say native American, or Mexican, or Arabian. All my fashion collections used to have one.’ So at Loulou’s, the dancefloor is inspired by a Tibetan temple, the bar by African Art Deco and there’s a room dedicated to Russian set designer Leon Bakst. Minimalism is definitely not Ozbek’s thing. He’s all about bold print and striking combinations. Still, cushions aren’t the final destination for him – they’re likely to become a gateway to interiors.

‘Maybe I’ll start another brand,’ he says breezily. ‘I’ve never been scared. I don’t get stuck and I never feel like I have to do something if I don’t like it.’ So watch this space. ◆ Yastik, 8 Holland Street, W8 yastikbyrifatozbek.com

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JANUARY 2016

15/12/2015 11:32

CRIMSON JOY Every Room Tells a Story, says Kit Kemp in her new book.

Here she rhapsodises about red Wo r d s K I T K E M P

R

ed is that very special colour artists return to time and again to create an accent that catches the eye and secures the observer’s attention. Red can bring a room alive but doesn’t have to be used in large doses to be effective. If used too much it can be claustrophobic and overpowering – that is why, when I say ‘just add red’, I mean just a dash and not a dollop.

One of my favourite combinations is black, white and red. It’s a lasting classic combination but still looks contemporary, and there are so many fabulous ways to combine them together.

There are some arresting and individual wallpapers on the market and we chose one with a black-and-white cloud effect to encircle a graceful Regency room at Haymarket Hotel. It’s not a natural choice but it adds to the challenge. I wanted to

limit the colour palette by adding shades of grey and touches of red. The plain grey curtains with a leading edge in red have flat deep buckram pelmets to accentuate the height and elegance of the room.

The furniture was limited to black, including a glass-fronted cabinet and a wine table that doubles as a dining area.

The headboard is black with a witty appliqué of an aeroplane flying through clouds and sits above red handembroidered bed cushions.

We asked the Biarritz artist Mimi to create teapots from mosaic with ceramic motifs. Mimi’s work is always unusual – placed inside the glass-fronted cabinet, it becomes a wonderful collection of imaginative curiosities that are unique and colourful. There is a sofa in black and a deep, comfortable Howard-style chair to curl up in. The detailing on the dining chairs includes a pocket on the side to hold the daily newspaper or maybe a pair of

ONE OF my

favourite combinations is black, WHITE AND RED

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JANUARY 2016

15/12/2015 11:37

HOMES & INTERIORS / COLOUR

When I say ‘JUST ADD RED’, I mean A DASH, not A DOLLOP reading glasses with a well-read book.

Little details like this add so much delight, but are useful too. In the lobby of Haymarket Hotel I have recently introduced a wonderful bold red to a chrome, yellow, black and white scheme.

The space is divided by Tony Cragg’s liquid sculpture taking centre stage. One yellow wall has a large painting in black and white by John Virtue; the other side, a delicate balance of Sue Lawty’s pebble ribbon above a red wool upholstered 18th century Swedish sofa. It’s still a work in progress because we await a carpet based on a Native American design. It will be the final dash of red to complete the look. u Extract taken from Every Room Tells A Story by Kit Kemp, published by Hardie Grant Books, £30

KIT KEMP ON HER COLLABORATION WITH ANTHROPOLOGIE... hen creating a furniture collection for Anthropologie, the detail of each piece was given a great deal of consideration. The way the leg of the dining chair was turned, how the leather holding strap was buttoned to the top curve, and the strength of

W

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the fabric to withstand wear and tear were all key. The mirror-backed shelf unit was designed for use in a multitude of areas in the home – in the bathroom to hold toothpaste and brushes, in the kitchen to hold herbs and spices, or over a mantelpiece to hold treasured collections of

glass vases and bottles.

My favourite chair, the Winged White Rhino, flew out of the shops as soon as it arrived. I added a brass table ruler to divide and encircle each of the oak side tables. The wooden discs at the base of a rectangular table were inspired by the work of British artist Terry Frost. u

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AB Ana Barreto Interiors

Interior Design | Furniture | Accessories | Fabrics www.anabarretointeriors.com sales@ anabarretointeriors.com 4-6 Poplar Court Parade, Richmond Road, Twickenham TW1 2DT

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02/12/2015 16:04

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

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The Fireplace Specialists

“We are the UK’s leading suppliers and installers of luxury fireplaces and stoves manufactured by DRU, Faber, Spartherm, Stovax and many more.

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HOMES & INTERIORS / PRODUCTS DRUMMONDS

Thames Vanity Unit, from £6,300; drummonds-uk.com

SWOON EDITIONS

NATUZZI

Scott Sideboard in Mango Wood, £449; swooneditions.com

Mapa Bowl, from £720; natuzzi.co.uk

THE SOFA & CHAIR COMPANY

RIEDEL

Bowen Side Table, £1,395; thesofa andchair.co.uk

Black Tie Decanter, £495; amara.com

ARTHUR ARBESSER

Wool Throws, from £90; hem.com

ORCHID FURNITURE

19th Century Tall Cabinet, £2,395; orchidfurniture.com

REIKO KANEKO

Large Cylinder Vase, £140; reikokaneko.co.uk

JONATHAN ADLER

Antibes Four Drawer Dresser, £2,450; jonathanadler.com

HENRIK PEDERSEN

Adelaide Chair, £683; boconcept.com

INSIDE OUT

ROSE & GREY

Round Brass & Marble Drinks Trolley, £325; roseandgrey.co.uk

Refresh your home in the New Year with these recent design finds By jessica klingelfuss

SONYA WINNER

Tree Trunk Silk Rug, £7,525; sonyawinner.com

BOCA DO LOBO

VITRA

Occasional Table, £212; skandium.com

Eden Series Centre Table, £POA; bocadolobo.com

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> SMALL TALK

p. 87

AMANDA CONSTANCE: THE TUTOR TRAIL

p. 89

ON POINT Add some magic to the last months of winter with help from French kids fashion house Bonpoint. The latest collection marries vibrant colour, rich texture and elegant cuts to enchanting effect. bonpoint.com

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JANUARY 2016

15/12/2015 12:26

WE ARE WESTONBIRT “Westonbirt has the wow factor” Tatler Schools Guide 2015

• Independent girls school - day, boarding and flexi-boarding

• 25m indoor swimming pool • Golf course

• Individual teaching and learning • Gymnasium • 220 acres of parkland • Tennis courts Westonbirt Schools Tetbury Gloucestershire GL8 8QG E: enquiries@westonbirt.org T: 01666 880333 www.westonbirt.org

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KIDS & EDUCATION / NOTES WINTER WARMERS

Amaia Kids clothing doesn’t come much cuter than the timeless AW15 collection by independent, awardwinning Chelsea-based brand Amaia. The old fashioned knits are definitely on our wishlist; perfect winter attire. amaiakids.co.uk

B ook R eview

THE FOX AND THE STAR

by Coralie Bickford-Smith R e v i e w e d b y P E A R L B OY D

SMALL TALK

Old-fashioned knits, slumber bags for sleeping babes and our pick of this month’s best apps

BAGS OF STYLE JEM + BEA

JEM + BEA is a new British luxury baby changing bag brand, launched by childhood friends with design backgrounds. The collection is stylish, yet practical with internal compartments and even a thermoinsulated bottle pocket, but we love the luxe finishes and embossed leather keyrings.

Prices start at £79; jemandbea.com

Particular Books, £14.99 cb-smith.com

COOL CASUAL

SLEEPY HEAD

¢ This limited edition range from cult French brand émoi émoi include sweatshirts for the kids but also mum and dad. Fashion functionality is key as a parent; luckily with this collection, your style credentials won’t take a hit. ◆ Navy sweatshirt, €45; en.emoi-emoi.com

¢ Increasingly popular in colder months (when blankets won’t cut it), these slumber bags are ethically-sourced using the softest premium cotton, come in four bright colours (as well as a more minimal grey) and a name tag for baby. ◆ £39.95; mybabysnameis.com

émoi émoi

M y B a b y’s N a m e I s

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W

aterstones' Book of the Year 2015 is The Fox and The Star by Coralie Bickford-Smith, a designer at Penguin books. The first book for this London-based author is a beautifully illustrated story about love and loss in a lovely cloth-bound volume and its intricately linked prose and design is inspired by the graphic works of William Morris.

When Fox's greatest friend disappears, his search for Star takes him on a journey of grief before he finds his way is lit with hope. ◆

JANUARY 2016

15/12/2015 12:27

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KIDS & EDUCATION / SCHOOL TALK

Tutor trail

Finding a tutor for your child can seem as overwhelming as finding the right school.

Here are some tips on where to start Wo r d s A M a n d a C o n s ta n c e

Does my child need a tutor?

Extra support can be invaluable for a child who needs help academically or has missed school through illness. For international families with children in the British education system, a tutor can be invaluable for getting a pupil’s English up to speed, exam preparation, or making up for differences in the curriculum.

Lucy Cawkwell of tutor agency Osborne Cawkwell says: “A tutor who can tell a child what school is like, particularly boarding, will provide emotional support as well as preparing them academically.”

At what age should tutoring start?

Tutors often prepare children for specific exams: the 7+, the 11+ and the 13+ or Common Entrance. Tutors will also be called on for GCSE, A-Levels (or IB) and Oxbridge examinations. As Charles Bonas, of blue-chip tutor agency Bonas MacFarlane says: “Everybody needs tuition because the schools system is so competitive and tutoring gives you a clear advantage. To get into the top senior and independent schools – particularly in London – gets more difficult every year.”

How long before ex ams should tutoring begin?

Two years before the 11+ is the ideal.

“This makes it a more relaxed process,” says Stephen Spriggs, managing director of William Clarence Education. “It means we have time to cement good learning habits.” As a minimum, tutoring should start no less than six months before the 11+ exams.

How do I find a top-notch tutor?

Talk to people who have been through the process. Interview owners of several

know you and understand how the whole family is placed. “It is important to get an idea of the personality of the child,” says Stephen Spriggs, “because all too often, even parents will ignore it.” Agencies will devise a bespoke tutoring plan and a shortlist of possible schools. Spriggs says: “ It’s about having a partner in the process. It is not about someone ringing us up and we give them a place at Eton.”

To get into the top SENIOR & INDEPENDENT schools gets more difficult every year top agencies. Question the agencies’ safeguarding protocols. Can you trust them with your child’s education? Ask for parent references and follow them up.

Talk money. And meet the tutor without your child.

How do I know the tutor will be up to scratch?

An agency is as only as good as its tutors.

Some will have a relatively small number of professional tutors, some a vast database of contacts, from jobbing Oxford graduates to career tutors.

How will they assess my child?

All good agencies will want to meet you and your child. They will want to get to

89 CHIS_Jan16_Education.indd 89

How do we avoid putting too much pressure on our child?

“The key is finding the balance between hothousing and giving support,” says Charles Bonas. “We might start at 5 or 6 to prepare a child for 7+ but often that’s too young, it all depends on the child.”

What about online tuition?

Online tuition is a booming business and companies vary hugely. There is a big difference between reputable agencies relying on Skype for overseas students and tuition agencies that only exist online. Many are good, some not so; it is a largely unregulated market. The obvious bonus is that it’s much cheaper.

Lucy Cawkwell says: “You can’t beat one-to-one teaching but our specialist tutors who teach via Skype are able to engage with the pupil and create that relationship virtually.”

Be realistic Don’t push your child towards a school where they won’t make the academic standard. Take advice from your agency.

Don’t be attracted by only the starriest schools. “There are so many fantastic ones that are less well-known,” says Charles Bonas. Stephen Spriggs cautions: “Getting your child into a particular school is one thing, them staying there and being happy is another.” u

JANUARY 2016

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> VILLAGE PEOPLE: PENDLE HARTE IN SARDINIA

p. 92

PURE SHORES Pendle Harte discovers luxury and family fun in Forte Village, south Sardinia.

Think sun, sand and clear blue seas, all on page 92...

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VILLAGE PEOPLE Crowned the world’s leading resort, Sardinia’s Forte Village is a luxurious utopia where everything is flawless Wo r d s P e n d l e H a r t e

I

f your idea of being on holiday is not having to do anything resembling a chore or make any decisions more demanding than what to eat next, Forte Village is for you. And if you’re keen to do these things in an environment that’s beautiful and stylish – and especially if you have active, sporty children – then this spot in the south of Sardinia is hard to beat.

The statistics on Forte Village are impressive. 15,000 trees; two million plants; 55 acres of lushness; 21 restaurants; over 700 bedrooms; more than 1,500 guests at a time. Named the World’s Leading Resort in the 2014 World Travel Awards, this is a sprawling world of its own, a destination that’s designed for an immersive luxury experience. And absolutely everything at Forte Village is world class. Its restaurants are run by celebrity chefs – Gordon Ramsay has an outpost here, as does Alfons Schuhbeck, and there’s a Hells Kitchen staffed by winners of the Italian reality TV show.

Boutiques on site include Bulgari, Galliano and Missoni and the spa counts as one of the world leaders. Even the children’s football club is a soccer school run by Chelsea Football Club and staffed by world standard coaches. The beaches

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are among the world’s finest, the pools are impressive; the weather is faultless.

Arriving at the main gates, we are swept off in a golf buggy down terracottatiled pathways through lush gardens. Our destination is Hotel Castello – a five-star beachfront site and the resort’s only ‘vertical hotel’. Most accommodation here is in villas, small ones for couples and huge ones for extended families – but in Castello our family of four is housed in stylish connecting rooms, which as everybody knows is the best way to travel with children. A wall of glass doors leads to a sunny terrace with views of the sea and the rooms are full of luxurious touches and high-tech specs (multiple ipod docks are standard, but here there’s even a charger for my kindle). Bathrooms come with jacuzzis and what can only be described as disco lights in the shower, while nightly turndown brings a pot of chamomile tea and pillow sweets.

We are here with our two daughters, aged nine and six, and they are booked into the Superskills Academy, an organisation that is all about paring children with actual sporting Legends (thereby freeing up their parents to lie on the beach in peace, or hit the spa, of which more later). Options span cricket, netball and rugby, with coaches including

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The thalassotherapy wellness circuit

Will Greenwood, Austin Healey and Philip DeFreitas. The girls are down for netball, which is led by Karen Atkinson from the senior England team, no less. The games are taken seriously and children are required to report at 9am prompt every morning, wearing their kit and ready to work hard. Which, of course, they are all delighted to do, especially since there’s a lot of emphasis on making friends and socializing. This includes the parents; we’re invited for an introductory drink with the Superskills team and throughout the course of the week various planned activities are devised to get the families together. The highlight for our children is the final prizegiving ceremony, at which each child is presented with an impressive medal and certificate along with a photo op with the Legends.

THIS IS where the Italian SCHOOL OF THALASSOTHERAPY was FOUNDED Forte is a sprawling site, best understood with the help of the fabulous 3D model map found near the main square, and navigated by bicycle.

There are several pools, including our favourite, the small diving pool (which at five metres deep keeps us endlessly entertained with touching the bottom) and an entire children’s village with its own pool and special Barbie/Thomas world for pre-schoolers (here there’s a

crèche too) while at the outer reaches of the resort there’s rumoured to be a go-karting track (this we never visit).

Options for dining are many, even before the season is properly underway: there’s a big buffet option that serves a huge variety of different dishes every day and which can’t be faulted, but there are also the celebrity chef restaurants and a high class traditional Sardinian option, all of which need to be booked (and paid for) separately to the standard halfboard arrangement. For lunch, there’s a pizzeria on the beach, while breakfast is a generous affair with lots of fruit, cold cuts, cereals and yoghurt in addition to classic cooked fare.

If children come here for the sports academies, adults come here for the spa. This is where the Italian school of thalassotherapy was founded and leading international specialists are based here.

Thalassotherapy uses seawater as a cure for virtually all ills and the spa’s stylish wellness circuit takes in six seawater pools at different temperatures and with different salt concentrations, with specific timings for each. It takes over an hour to complete, and starts with a bizarre pool that’s so salty that you’re defying gravity as you float on its surface – and it feels more like bathing in olive oil than anything else – but despite looking like Thames water and tasting unspeakable, it is deeply relaxing and otherworldly.

The following pools vary in size and temperature, some of them with strong massage jets and currents, and the final stop is a large relaxation pool. We emerge feeling lighter, faster and happy, my skin soft and glowing.

At 40 years old, Forte Village is still leading the way for luxe holidays, though due to local laws it can’t actually expand.

Instead, there’s a move towards creating more bigger villas for larger groups, at the expense of some of the smaller accommodations. So organise your extended family and make a booking. ◆ ¢ Forte Village Resort, Sardinia offers a 7 night stay at Hotel Bouganville from £7,699 for a family of four booked through Classic Collection (classic-collection.co.uk) based on 2 adults and 2 children sharing a family bungalow on a half-board basis. Price includes return flights from London Gatwick to Cagliari (other UK departure airports & airlines available) and private transfers.

Departs 23rd July 2016. For further information on Forte Village please visit fortevillageresort.com

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JANUARY 2016

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CHAMBEr furniture The Old Timber Yard • London Road • Halstead • Kent • TN14 7DZ • 01959 532553 • chamberfurniture.co.uk

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IN THEIR OWN WORDS p.128 NIGEL LEWIS: FAMOUS PLACES p.156 PROPERTY NEWS

HOLLAND PARK GARDENS Holland Park, W14

ÂŁ3,150,000

spectacular garden maisonette with a small patio onto communal gardens in the heart of Holland Park. Spanning around 2078 sq ft, the apartment has extraordinary entertaining space with a high-ceilinged double reception along with three good sized bedrooms. u A

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p.122

HOLLAND PARK 020 7371 1111 carterjonas.co.uk

JANUARY 2016

16/12/2015 09:33

• KNIGHT FRANK.indd 1

Absolutley Magazine - Jannuary 2015

14/12/2015 14:26

The Avenue, Queen's Park NW6 Interior designed family home in a prime position

KnightFrank.co.uk/queenspark queenspark@knightfrank.com 020 8022 5465

A unique opportunity to purchase a family house in a prime position in Queen's Park facing Tiverton Green. The house has been newly refurbished to an exceptional standard and extended significantly, providing an open plan kitchen and living space, a further reception room, south facing garden, 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. EPC: D. Approximately 304.6 sq m (3,279 sq ft).

Freehold

Guide Price: £3,300,000

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

KnightFrank.co.uk/QPK150166

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Absolutley Magazine - Jannuary 2015

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Dundonald Road, Queen's Park NW6 A characterful four bedroom Edwardian house with garden This impressive light-filled house is arranged over two floors and is well presented throughout with bespoke fittings and an array of traditional features. 4 bedrooms, 2 reception rooms, bathroom and garden. EPC: D. Approximately 176 sq m (1,895 sq ft).

Freehold

Guide price: £2,100,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/queenspark queenspark@knightfrank.com 020 8022 5465

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

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Clifford Gardens, Kensal Rise NW10 Contemporary two bedroom house with private terrace A wonderful opportunity to own a freehold house close to Kensal Rise overground station and the trendy cafes and shops on Chamberlayne Road. 2 double bedrooms, bathroom, open plan reception room, kitchen and dining area with access to a private terrace. EPC: C. Approximately 76.6 sq m (825 sq ft).

Freehold

Guide price: £950,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/queenspark queenspark@knightfrank.com 020 8022 5465

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

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Absolutley PLC Single - January 2016

14/12/2015 14:27

10/12/2015 11:23:19

Ab

19

Harvist Road, Queen's Park NW6 A handsome five bedroom Victorian terraced home with garden A beautifully refurbished family home overlooking the southern end of the park in Queen’s Park. 5 bedrooms, 3 reception rooms, open plan kitchen/dining room, 4 bathrooms, garden. EPC: C. Approximately 274 sq m (2,957 sq ft).

Freehold

Guide price: £3,200,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/queenspark queenspark@knightfrank.com 020 8022 5465

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

KnightFrank.co.uk/QPK150055

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Absolutley PLC Single - January 2016

14/12/2015 14:27

10/12/2015 11:23:19

Abbotsbury Close, Holland Park W14 A four bedroom house with a garden A fantastic house in Holland Park with off street parking and a garage which has just undergone a complete programme of refurbishment. 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, reception room, kitchen/dining room, utility room, guest cloakroom, paved garden, off street parking, garage. EPC:E. Approximately 250 sq m (2,701 sq ft).

Freehold

Guide price: £5,750,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/kensington kens@knightfrank.com 020 3551 5154

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

KnightFrank.co.uk/KEN150120

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Abbotsbury Close 31

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3315

26

LAWRENCE STREET CHELSEA SW3 Cross Keys A selection of 2 bedroom apartments within a brand new development set within the heart of Chelsea. All of the flats have excellent views and are presented in immaculate condition throughout.

PRICES STARTING AT ÂŁ1,650,000

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facebook.com/struttandparker twitter.com/struttandparker

struttandparker.com

Parkgate Road, Battersea, SW11

Two luxury apartments moments from Battersea Park. Each stunning apartment has two double bedrooms, 3.4m ceilings, excellent security, concierge and private parking.

Price from ÂŁ2,750,000 Leasehold

1,938 sq ft - 2,056 sq ft Living room | Kitchen/dining room Hallway | Two bedrooms | Two bathrooms Cloakroom | Comfort cooling | Passenger lift Concierge | CCTV security | Private internal car park | EPC rating C

Chelsea 020 7225 3866 chelsea@struttandparker.com

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Elm Park Road, Chelsea, SW3

A spacious three bedroom maisonette with a private 45 ft south facing garden. This spacious property has high ceilings and a splendid drawing room overlooking the garden.

ÂŁ2,950,000 Share of Freehold

1,428 sq ft (132 sq m) Drawing room | Dining room | Kitchen/ breakfast room | Master bedroom with en suite bathroom | Two further bedrooms Further bathroom | Cloakroom | Utility room Storage | Garden | EPC rating D

Chelsea SW10 - 020 7373 1010 chelseaSW10@struttandparker.com

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facebook.com/struttandparker twitter.com/struttandparker

struttandparker.com

Cambridge Place, Kensington, W8

An impressive and wide five bedroom house, over four floors with a garage, situated in this most prestigious and sought after street, in the De Vere Conservation Area.

ÂŁ7,350,000 Freehold

3,712 sq ft (344 sq m) EPC rating F Drawing room | Kitchen/family room | Study | Master bedroom suite | Four further bedrooms | Three further bath/shower rooms | Terrace | Garage

Kensington 020 7938 3666 kensington@struttandparker.com

JSA: Knight Frank 020 7938 4311 kensington@knightfrank.com

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Holland Park Mews, Holland Park, W11

An exceptional and beautifully presented three bedroom mews house, occupying approximately 1,386 sq ft, over two floors only, with the advantage of a garage.

£1,350 per week* Unfurnished

1,386 sq ft (128.76 sq m) EPC rating D Reception room | Kitchen | Master bedroom with en suite shower room | Two further bedrooms | Bathroom | Utility area | Garage

*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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facebook.com/struttandparker twitter.com/struttandparker

struttandparker.com

Pembroke Square, Kensington, W8

In need of modernisation, an attractive four bedroom Grade II Listed house with a fabulous 47 ft long west facing garden, positioned on the favoured western side of this well located and elegant garden square.

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ÂŁ3,950,000 Freehold

1,754 sq ft (162.95 sq m) Drawing room | Kitchen/breakfast room | Dining room | Conservatory | Four bedrooms | Bathroom | Cloakroom | Front garden | West-facing rear garden | Access to communal square garden and tennis court

0207 938 3666

kensington@struttandparker.com

14/12/2015 17:35

Abingdon Villas, Kensington, W8

An exceptional three bedroom house, occupying approximately 1,815 sq ft with the advantage of a lovely south-facing garden and terrace.

ÂŁ3,600,000 Freehold

1,815 sq ft (168 sq m) EPC rating E Drawing room | Family room | Kitchen/dining area | Study | Master bedroom with en suite bathroom | Two further bedrooms | Further bathroom | Cloakroom | South-facing terrace | South-facing garden

0207 938 3666

kensington@struttandparker.com

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PROPERTY ROUND UP The inside scoop in your area

PEMBRIDGE VILLAS, W11

HOUSE HUNTING

St Lukes Mews, where I advised the client on acquisition of the property. I was involved with the architect and designers to produce something amazing. It sold a year later for a record £2000/sq ft.

MOST INTERESTING

BEN PODESTA

Sales Director Mountgrange Heritage

and early 2000’s with their gadgetry and innovation. Being able to control your house from New York… bonkers but truly brilliant.

MOST SATISFYING

A Holland Park house on behalf of the Cat Protection League. A nutty old lady had left the house to her cat. It really does happen.

BEING ABLE TO CONTROL YOUR HOUSE FROM NEW YORK...

BONKERS BUT TRULY BRILLIANT

FINEST PROPERTY SHOWCASE

39 Pembridge Villas, W11: £4,500,000. This is a rare investment opportunity to acquire a complete freehold building comprising four wonderful self-contained flats in prime Notting Hill. u

Mountgrange Heritage , Notting Hill, 020 7221 2277; mountgrangeheritage.co.uk

I NEVER THOUGHT I’D SEE

Spink Property amazed me in the 90’s

NEWS

has been instrumental in all sales, as well as the after-sales service. Both departments have the up-to-date knowledge and specialist advice enabling them to deliver the professional service expected. u

UPLIFT FOR KENSINGTON ovember saw a spate of sales across Central London and nowhere more so than in Kensington. Surprising to most, this has been the first serious sustained uplift we have witnessed

N

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

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since 2012. Reflecting on these successful sales, much of the credit has to go to our chartered surveyors for their sound advice regarding enfranchisement and the lease extension process. An equal measure of credit must go to our sales service, which

William Tellwright

KENSINGTON SQUARE, W8

Associate Director John D Wood & Co., Kensington 020 7717 5167; johndwood.co.uk

114 16/12/2015 09:35

PROPERTY / NEWS

NEWS

MARKET COMMENT

ESTAS Absolutely sponsor unique agency awards, the ESTAS

Moving house can be one of the most stressful things many of us will ever experience. So finding the right estate or letting agent is incredibly important.

That’s why Absolutely is sponsoring the London region of the ESTAS, a unique awards body with shortlisted and winning agents determined purely on ratings from customers.

The ESTAS not only give agents the chance to be recognised for their excellent service but also provide valuable feedback that enables firms to review their performance and improve in the future.

This year’s best agents will be announced by the country’s favourite property expert Phil Spencer at the 13th annual ESTAS ceremony next April held in Grosvenor House. u

WINNING AGENTS ARE DETERMINED PURELY ON CUSTOMER RATINGS

To find out more about The ESTAS and how your firm can get involved go to theestas.com

Downsizing in

AG E N T O N D E S I G N

2016?

THE AVENUE  NW6

£3,300,000 KITCHEN/ RECEPTION SPACE d A vast open space approximately 38’ from one end of the kitchen to the floor to ceiling glass doors and windows at the rear of the reception space. The dark wood floors and the distinctly laid out ‘zones’ of this impressive space creates a warm and practical room for cooking, dining, entertaining and relaxing.

A WALK-IN WARDROBE IS BECOMING A NECESSITY IN PRIME LONDON PROPERTY

OUTDOOR TERRACE/ BUILT IN DINING TABLE d The house has a fantastic wooden terrace with a built-in dining table and benches. Looking out over the garden, the terrace is perfect to enjoy the spring and summer months. The outdoor space immediately encourages family, children and visiting friends to gather round and is ideal for entertaining.

WALK IN WARDROBE d Dedicating a section of the bedroom to a walk-in wardrobe is becoming a necessity in prime London property. This house offers a marvellous dressing space, complete with characteristic floor to ceiling windows which give plenty of light to a too-often overlooked feature of the bedroom. ◆

D

uring the last year, a notable and expanding client sector is the downsizer. In Richmond and London, we have seen a number of transactions allowing empty nesters to realise their equity in the old family home, and ‘right size’ to a nearby grandly proportioned apartment. The fabulous new homes at The Star and Garter on Richmond Hill are a perfect example.

They have delighted both down and upsizers seeking high quality living and five star facilities. This is an exceptional development from London Square, offering the same level of high quality specification and design detail expected in super prime Mayfair and Knightsbridge properties. Then there are the added advantages of some superior in house spa amenities, as well as living in one of London’s most beautiful locations, atop Richmond Hill. u

THEY HAVE DELIGHTED BOTH DOWN & UPSIZERS

JAMES DAVIES

Associate Knight Frank Knight Frank, Queen’s Park

020 3815 3020;

knightfrank.com

Robert Leigh Managing Director Featherstone Leigh, 020 8940 1575 featherstoneleigh.co.uk

CHANGE IN ACHIEVED PRICES

SPOTLIGHT ON PRIME CENTRAL AVERAGE £ PER SQUARE FOOT & CHANGE IN ACHIEVED PRICES

ONE YEAR

THREE YEARS

FIVE YEARS

£1,233 -0.7% 14.6% 37.5%

Data provided by LonRes

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JANUARY 2016

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W W W. B EC TI V E .CO.U K FIND US ON

Grand Design NORTHUMBERL AND PL ACE NOTTING HILL W2

A beautifully presented family home located in the heart of Artesian Village. This stunning house has been refurbished to a high standard whilst retaining a great deal of period charm.

Rooms are well proportioned throughout with highlights including a spacious and well appointed kitchen/dining room on the raised ground floor, a grand first floor drawing room and a sensational master suite.

3 / 4 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 ) , S H O W E R R O O M , F A M I LY R O O M , K I T C H E N / D I N I N G R O O M , D R AW I N G R O O M , S T U DY, C L O A K R O O M , U T I L I T Y R O O M , G A R D E N .

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FREEHOLD ÂŁ3, 350,000 BOB CROWLEY BC@BECTIVE.CO.UK NOTTING HILL OFFICE 020 7221 4805

1 8 8 SQ M / 2 ,024 SQ FT APPROX E N E R GY R AT I N G F

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CHELSEA

COMMERCIAL

0 20 7589 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

W W W. B EC TI V E .CO.U K

BROOK GREEN

FIND US ON

0 2 0 76 0 3 51 8 1

Luxurious Living SUTHERL AND PL ACE NOTTING HILL W2

A wonderfully proportioned family home in the heart of Artesian Village. This elegant house is bristling with period features such as high ceilings, beautiful fireplaces and floor to ceiling windows. It also offers exceptional entertaining space over two floors with good outside space in the form of a pretty front garden, a decked terrace off the drawing room and a serene patio garden to the rear.

4 B E D R O O M S , 2 B AT H R O O M S ( 1 E N S U I T E ) , D R AW I N G R O O M , K I TC H E N / D I N I N G R O O M , T E R R AC E , F R O N T A N D R E A R G A R D E N , B E D R O O M / S T U DY.

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FREEHOLD ÂŁ4,350,000 BOB CROWLEY BC@BECTIVE.CO.UK NOTTING HILL OFFICE 020 7221 4805

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

14/12/2015 11/12/2015 14:44 17:04

W W W. B EC TI V E .CO.U K FIND US ON

Family Life FINSTOCK ROAD NORTH KENSINGTON W1 0

An elegant family house sympathetically refurbished throughout to maintain period features.

The house boasts a substantial open plan living area with a wood burner which overlooks the pretty garden and an opulent master en suite, in addition to well proportioned bedrooms throughout. The property further benefits from the granted permission on the 10th February 2014 to construct a single storey basement to increase the square footage of the property by approx. 1,000 sq ft.

5 B E D R O O M S , 2 B AT H R O O M S ( 1 E N S U I T E ) , S H OW E R R O O M , D R E SS I N G R O O M , R E C E P T I O N RO O M , RECEPTION/DINING ROOM , KITCHEN , CELLAR , FRONT AND REAR GARDEN.

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

2 14 SQ M / 2 , 3 03 SQ FT APPROX E N E RGY R AT I N G D

14/12/2015 11/12/2015 14:45 17:05

CHELSEA

COMMERCIAL

0 20 7589 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

W W W. B EC TI V E .CO.U K

BROOK GREEN

FIND US ON

0 2 0 76 0 3 51 8 1

Double Fronted B R O N D E S B U RY R OA D Q U E E N ’ S PA R K N W 6

An extremely impressive duel aspect and double fronted Victorian Villa house that has been extensively modernised and extended to create a substantial family home. Enviably located on the end of the terrace, the house benefits from generous entertaining spaces flooded with natural light and a secure garden ideal for children and adults accessed from the large family room and kitchen. The basement level has been expanded to include very comfortable ancillary accommodation to the upper floors.

6 B E D R O O M S , 2 B AT H R O O M S ( 1 E N S U I T E ) , 2 R E C E P T I O N R O O M S , O P E N P L A N K I TC H E N / D I N I N G ROOM , WINE STORE , GARDEN.

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FREEHOLD £4,250,000 M AT T H E W M A R C H A N T MM@BECTIVE.CO.UK LADBROKE GROVE OFFICE 020 7221 0330

3 8 8 SQ M / 4 ,1 85 SQ FT APPROX E N E R GY R AT I N G C

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W W W. B EC TI V E .CO.U K FIND US ON

Prime Location LEXHAM GARDENS KENSINGTON W8

A beautifully designed first floor apartment presented in immaculate condition throughout complete with a pretty south facing terrace. The property has been refurbished to exacting standards throughout, while retaining elegant period features including beautiful high ceilings and ornate cornicing. Prestigiously located within the heart of the Royal Borough, this exceptional property offers luxurious living quarters with light and contemporary entertaining space.

2 B E D R O O M S , B AT H R O O M , 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 , T E R R AC E .

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F R E E H O L D ÂŁ 1 , 4 9 9, 0 0 0 KEITH RIGBY KR@BECTIVE.CO.UK KENSINGTON OFFICE 020 7795 4288

79. 5 SQ M / 8 5 0 SQ FT APPROX E N E R GY R AT I N G D

14/12/2015 11/12/2015 14:45 17:06

CHELSEA

COMMERCIAL

0 20 7589 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

W W W. B EC TI V E .CO.U K

BROOK GREEN

FIND US ON

0 2 0 76 0 3 51 8 1

Communal Gardens UPPER ADDISON GARDENS NOTTING HILL W11

A stunning and unusually wide maisonette spanning the top two floors of this Victorian house.

The entrance to the flat is on the first floor and has a full width drawing room with south facing terrace overlooking the communal gardens. The flat is very well presented and bright with two south facing terraces and fantastic entertaining space with a drawing room. The flat is set on this hugely popular, tree lined road in Holland Park.

M A S T E R B E D R O O M W I T H E N S U I T E B AT H R O O M A N D ACC E SS TO T E R R AC E , 2 FU R T H E R B E D R O O M S , B AT H R O O M , W I D E R E C E P T I O N R O O M W I T H D O O R S O N TO T H E S O U T H FAC I N G T E R R AC E , CO N T E M P O R A RY KITCHEN WITH DINNING OR SECOND SITTING AREA , CLOAKROOM , COMMUNAL GARDENS.

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SHARE OF FREEHOLD ÂŁ2,750,000 KEITH RIGBY KR@BECTIVE.CO.UK KENSINGTON OFFICE 020 7795 4288

143 SQ M / 1 , 539 SQ FT APPROX E N E R GY R AT I N G E

14/12/2015 14/12/2015 14:45 14:29

carterjonas.co.uk

CATHCART ROAD Chelsea SW10

A rare opportunity to acquire this stunning first floor flat on the corner of Cathcart and Hollywood Road SW10. The property comprises of a large south-facing double aspect reception room with impressive views.

Knightsbridge & Chelsea 020 7590 4695 amy.rogers@carterjonas.co.uk

Reception room • 2 bedrooms Bathroom • Roof terrace • First floor Share of freehold • EPC rating D

Guide price £2,150,000

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OVINGTON SQUARE Chelsea SW3

This immaculate flat is located in the desirable Ovington Square just tucked away from the Brompton Road where exclusive shops such as Harrods are situated.

Knightsbridge & Chelsea 020 7590 4695 amy.rogers@carterjonas.co.uk

Reception Room • 3 bedrooms 2 bathrooms • Kitchen • Third floor with lift • Communal gardens • EPC rating D

Guide price £2,700,000

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carterjonas.co.uk

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KENSINGTON GATE Kensington W8

An imposing Grade II* listed semi-detached house situated in an enviable position this highly sought-after garden square and with the rare benefit of a lift.

It has a particularly handsome white stucco facade and extends to approximately 4,952 sq ft over five floors.

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

4 reception rooms • 6 bedrooms 3 bathrooms • Balcony • Paved garden Communal garden

Price on application

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Lettings 020 7751 5100 www.farrar.co.uk

MARGARETTA TERRACE, SW3 A four bedroom townhouse situated in this enviable location just off Kings Road and within walking distance to Sloane Square underground station and Battersea Park. The house has a double reception room and an eat-in kitchen, two bathrooms, a cloakroom and a private garden. This property is neutrally decorated throughout and would make a wonderful home.

EPC Rating: D.

UNFURNISHED

£2,000

per week*

*Tenants are advised when renting a property the advertised rent does not include council tax, water or utility charges. The administration fees are £175 (inc. VAT) and referencing charges of £40 per Tenant/Guarantor. The inventory check in cost will vary but should not exceed £150 and a 6-8 week deposit is required.

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EGERTON GARDENS, SW3 An immaculate and stylishly presented three bedroom lateral apartment on the first floor of a beautiful and well maintained period building. The property has a wonderful reception room with high ceilings and a lovely kitchen, a master bedroom with ensuite bathroom and doors leading to a balcony. Egerton Gardens is superbly situated moments from South Kensington, Knightsbridge and Hyde Park. EPC Rating: C.

FURNISHED

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£2,000

per week*

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ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

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PROPERTY / PROFILE

IN THEIR OWN

WORDS

NICK GAUNT Associate at Knight Frank, Chelsea Photography

R E B ECCA N O O N A N

A

ll I ever thought about when I was young was being a racing driver or maybe a downhill ski racer. I was born and brought up in Kew and then East Sheen in London but spent my holidays and most weekends in Suffolk as a young lad with my brother and sister. Outdoor living and sports were all I focussed on – rugby and cricket at school, and prior to that ski racing at UK Championship levels. All this as well as singing in the West End musical Evita. Girls took over from sports at university, initially studying Building Surveying at Newcastle Polytechnic before going to Brighton for a Business Studies degree. From there I worked in a marketing company and after a career break, I studied for an MA at Sussex Uni. I worked in contract publishing/telesales for two years as I decided I needed to learn

WE HAVE A LOT OF LOCAL EXPERTISE AND KNOWLEDGE HERE IN OUR KING'S ROAD OFFICE

how to sell as a skill. A mutual friend worked here at Knight Frank and decided that my skill set would work, so after meeting some key people I was offered a job – initially in marketing and then as a negotiator. The jump from cold calling and hard selling to ‘How much is that one in the window?’ was massive but very pleasant. Carrying out viewings and processing offers is one thing – winning the business, providing the very best service and handling complicated and sometimes very emotional sales through to the end is the real challenge.

By way of property backgrounds my father cofounded and ran a company of

surveyors and architects in the 70s until about eight years ago. My brother is a Proprietary Partner at Knight Frank on the commercial side.

I love the mix of traditional Chelsea and the vibrant feel of King's Road today. It is still a large draw for friends and family who all seem to envy me working in such an area! They love the bars and restaurants and I hear the shopping is good too.

Most of my clients reflect that Chelsea feel – cool, stylish and successful. Then there are those who have been in the area a long time but still love being here.

The market is quite tough at present but a good agent should shine at times like this. We have a lot of local expertise and knowledge here in our King's Road office and people seem to trust our advice. But Chelsea is a great area and there are few better to live in or indeed invest in. I think I will be seeing my past and present clients for many years to come. ◆

KNIGHT FRANK / 020 7349 4300 / knightfrank.co.uk

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JANUARY 2016

16/12/2015 09:28

London’s most prestigious riverside location featuring 2 and 3 bedroom apartments with an array of exclusive leisure and entertainment facilities.

Prices from ÂŁ1,229,950* Fulham Reach Riverside Show Apartments and Marketing Suite, Distillery Road, London W6 9RU 020 3603 4575 | enquiries@fulhamreach.co.uk | www.fulhamreach.co.uk

Computer generated image is indicative only. *Price correct at time of going to press.

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Proud to be a member of the Berkeley Group of companies

15/12/2015 14/12/2015 09:43 17:07

Lost Consonants #smallthingsbigdifferences © Graham Rawle

James impressed his lady friends with his pethouse apartment

Not quite what you expected?

It’s amazing how the littlest of omissions can have the hugest consequences, which is why when you buy, sell or let property through Aspire there are no unwelcome surprises. We’ve got you covered.

Aspire.co.uk

ASPIRE.indd 1

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Lexham Gardens, W8 ÂŁ1,150,000 Share of Freehold

A substantial two bedroom lower ground floor flat (with lift) located in a well-maintained, portered Victorian building.The property spans some 928 sq ft (approx.) and is decorated in an elegant and tasteful fashion throughout.The apartment benefits from fantastic ceiling height, excellent storage options and a private separate entrance as well as a front door through the main building. EPC=D. Reception, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, study area, kitchen and patio. Joint Sole Agents

020 7937 9976 chloe@mountgrangeheritage.co.uk

mountgrangeheritage.co.uk

Kensington 020 7937 9976 MG.indd 1

North Kensington 020 8960 0181

Notting Hill 020 7221 2277 09/12/2015 14:27

Hyde Park Square, W2 ÂŁ3,500,000 Share of Freehold

Magnificent penthouse apartment (with direct lift access) which occupies the top three floors of an elegant period Grade II listed building located on this highly regarded and sought after private communal garden square.The flat benefits from the most spectacular open-plan entertaining space with views south towards the park. EPC=D.Three reception rooms, four bedrooms, three bathrooms, kitchen, roof terrace, communal gardens and self-contained studio flat. Sole Agents

020 7221 2277 ben@mountgrangeheritage.co.uk

mountgrangeheritage.co.uk

Kensington 020 7937 9976 MG.indd 2

North Kensington 020 8960 0181

Notting Hill 020 7221 2277 09/12/2015 14:27

Lansdowne Road, W11 £4,650 per week Fees Apply

Beautiful house with garden and direct access to communal gardens on this wonderful street in Notting Hill. The property has been designed and furnished with incredible flair to provide the perfect balance of family accommodation and elegant entertaining space. Available for long or short lets immediately. EPC=F.Two reception rooms, four bedrooms, three bathrooms, kitchen, garden and access to communal gardens. Furnished. Sole Agents

0207 221 2277 petra@mountgrangeheritage.co.uk

Kensington Park Rd, W11 £560 per week Fees Apply

St Quintin Avenue, W10 £775 per week Fees Apply

020 7221 2277 neha@mountgrangeheritage.co.uk

020 7221 2277 petra@mountgrangeheritage.co.uk

Refurbished throughout to the highest standard this top floor flat has a wonderful reception room with a vaulted ceiling and is furnished in a contemporary style throughout. Moments from Portobello Road and Westbourne Grove this is the perfect Notting Hill flat. EPC=E. Reception, bedroom, bathroom and kitchen. Furnished. Sole Agents

Charming house arranged over three floors with stylish interior, excellent light and large garden. In addition to the three bedrooms there is a study and useful cellar. Located on a popular tree lined street close to St Helens gardens. EPC=E. Reception, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, study, cellar and garden. Unfurnished.

mountgrangeheritage.co.uk

Kensington 020 7937 9976 MG.indd 3

North Kensington 020 8960 0181

Notting Hill 020 7221 2277 09/12/2015 14:27

Pembridge Villas, W11 £450 per week Fees Apply

Adorable house tucked away in the garden of a villa in the heart of Notting Hill with well planned living space, an abundance of charm and the most delightful sylvan outlook.The property is located just a five minute walk from Notting Hill Gate underground station and all the shops and restaurants on Westbourne Grove. EPC=E. Reception, bedroom, bathroom and kitchen. Furnished.

020 7221 2277 neha@mountgrangeheritage.co.uk

Hyde Park Square, W2 £850 per week Fees Apply

Oxford Gardens, W10 £525 per week Fees Apply

020 7221 2277 neha@mountgrangeheritage.co.uk

020 7221 2277 petra@mountgrangeheritage.co.uk

Superb flat which has been redesigned by an architect to exacting standards and offers generous entertaining and living accommodation.The property has its own private entrance and is just moments from Hyde Park. EPC=D. Reception, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchen and decked patio garden. Unfurnished. Sole Agents

Smart first floor flat with excellent finish, high ceilings, hardwood flooring and generous south-facing reception. Close to local shops on St Helens Gardens and convenient for the tube and delights of Portobello and Golborne Road. EPC=D. Reception, two bedrooms, bathroom and kitchen. Furnished or unfurnished.

mountgrangeheritage.co.uk

Kensington 020 7937 9976 MG.indd 4

North Kensington 020 8960 0181

Notting Hill 020 7221 2277 09/12/2015 14:28

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Fromfi nding finding perfect investment or office From the the perfect home,home, investment or office through to managing a pied a terre, rental property or building we offer the services and advice required the maxium out of our client property throughtotoextract managing a piedvalue a terre, rental property or investment. building we offer the services and advice required to

Finding or looking after a property in London can be complex and stressful – we can ensure your acquisition is achieved with the best possible extract thebest maximum valueand outmake of our clients property terms at the possible value, sure the property is run efficiently in respect of maintenance and outgoings, resulting in the best possible investment. ownership experience – our team is your team. you wewe do the Youbreathe, breathe, do rest. the rest.

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astons absolute 1featured sale-let-Jan-art.indd 1 ASTONS.indd

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11/12/15 14/12/2015 17:21:03 14:07

ASTONS L O N D O N

Gloucester Terrace W2 £750,000 Long Leasehold

Hyde Park location Modern development 609 Square feet Excellent decorative condition Open plan kitchen / reception

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astons absolute 2featured sale-let-Jan-art.indd 2-3 ASTONS.indd

14/12/2015 14:07

Paddington | Notting Hill | Bayswater | Hyde Park Estate | Little Venice | Queensway | Maida Vale

astonslondon.com

Gloucester Mews W2 Mews House Cobbled mews location Own garage Three bedrooms Modern kitchen

£750 per week

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11/12/15 14/12/2015 17:21:37 14:07

Princedale Road

ÂŁ2,595,000 freehold

Holland Park W11

A beautifully presented 4 bedroom mid terrace period house on Princedale Road, in the heart of Holland Park. Arranged over only 3 floors the property offers good lateral living in a central location.

EPC rating E

Notting Hill

020 3040 8585

sales.nottinghill@chestertons.com

chestertons.com

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ALL FIRST TIME CLIENTS WILL BENEFIT FROM THE FOLLOWING PROMOTIONAL FEES

0.5% SALES 5% LETTINGS NO R E N E WAL S

Merry Christmas 020 7339 3073 LONDON

OPC DEC.indd 3

•

NEW YORK

•

TOKYO

10/12/2015 17:40

£2,250 P e r We e k

0 1 CUMBERLAND TERRACE, NW1; £2,250 PER WEEK 0 2 THE REGENT, HALLAM STREET, W1W; £6,500 PER WEEK

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

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PROPERTY / PRIME RENTING

AT THE

TOP

Nigel Lewis pays a visit to London’s extraordinary and unashamedly expensive central lettings market Wo r d s N I G E L L E W I S

I

t’s not unusual to hear estate agents say that after New York, London is one of the costliest places on the planet to rent a home.

This will not surprise most Londoners, many of whom already pay an average weekly rental of £340. But what many won’t realise is that rents in central London have soared in recent years, so much so that some properties in Mayfair and Knightsbridge are now rented for up to 100 times the London average.

£6,500 P e r We e k

LONDON HAS WON ITS REPUTATION FOR HIGH RENTAL PRICES AMONG THE WORLD’S WEALTHY BUSINESS PEOPLE

“To rent a large house in Knightsbridge, Belgravia or Mayfair can cost up to £30,000 a week, and for short lets this figure can hit £40,000 for the largest six or seven bedroom houses with a gym, pool and off-street parking,” says Nicole Ratzker of lettings agent Aston Chase. “There was a house on Brick Street in Mayfair recently that rented for £25,000 a week, but there aren’t that many properties in the area which can command that sort of money; our average is around £2,000 a week.

“Homes to rent for up to £5,000 are usually corporate lets; over £5,000 and the renters become more independently wealthy, for example, Russian and Middle Eastern families.” What does the market expect for £30,000 a week? In the most expensive areas, Mayfair and Marylebone,

143 CHIS_JAN16_NIGEL PRIME RENTING_DPS.indd 143

you’ll get a house with a swimming pool, a gym, at least six or seven bedrooms, underground or off-street parking and a size of approximately 10,000 sq ft.

But despite being a preferred place to live for millionaires and billionaires, “The prime central London rental market is intrinsically linked to the recruitment policies and relocation plans of these large corporate entities in the city,” says Peter Hermon-Taylor of lettings agent Maskells.

“Overall, both demand for properties and prices dipped in the second half of 2015. There’s a lot of nervousness within banks about the economy and we’ve seen the banks scaling back spending plans, recruitment and therefore relocation. Because it’s such a wealthy group of people who will only live in a handful of London’s postcodes, according to Nicole it’s “never going to be the same as the normal market.”

It is not difficult to see, therefore, why London has won its reputation for high rental prices among the world’s wealthy business people. But, apparently this is the price they have to pay to live in a global hub for the banking and IT industries. ◆

JANUARY 2016

16/12/2015 09:33

EPC - D

Glynfield Road, NW10

£749,950 Freehold

Newly refurbished terraced property stylishly redecorated and

• 3 bedrooms, spacious reception room

offering many contemporary style fixtures & fittings in a

• Fully fitted kitchen + underfloor heating

convenient position close to Willesden High Road with its

• Modern luxurious bathroom

numerous shops & cafes. Light bright accommodation.

• 23 ft paved rear garden

EPC - D

Dartmouth Road, NW2

£1,150,000 Share of Freehold

Beautiful 1512 sq ft Garden Flat situated within the Mapesbury

• 3 bedrooms, large reception room

Conservation Area located close to Willesden Green station

• Large kitchen/diner & utility room

(Jubilee) and the amenities of the area. Many original features

• 157 ft south facing mature rear garden

including sash windows, wood strip floors and tessellated tiles.

• Fully insulated office/studio at rear

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Season’s Greetings and Happy New Year to all our clients

EPC - D

Leighton Gardens, NW10

£1,399,950 Freehold

Situated on this popular road is this period family home within

• 5 bedrooms, intercommunicating reception rooms

easy access to College Parade with its popular bars &

• Extended kitchen, utility room

restaurants & Princess Frederica Nursery/Primary School -

• New slate roof, converted loft, d/g

close to transport & offered in good decorative condition.

• South facing garden with raised decked area

EPC - E

Keslake Road, NW6

£1,875,000 Freehold

Charming semi-detached period residence situated in the

• 5 bedrooms, 2 reception rooms

heart of Queens Park offering 2000 sq ft of space but is in

• 21 ft extended kitchen/diner

need of some modernisation.

• 27 ft south facing rear garden

Great position close to

Salusbury Road & Chamberlayne Road.

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• Loft room (5th bedroom) + 27 ft decked roof terrace

14/12/2015 17:05

EPC - F

Chelmsford Square, NW10

£1,499,950 Freehold

Great opportunity to purchase this spacious 1989 sq ft semi-

• 4 bedrooms, 3 reception rooms

detached 30's built property that is in need of complete

• Original features - parquet flooring, panelled walls

refurbishment. Great location with surrounding tennis courts

• South west facing 95 ft rear garden, garage with OSP

close to Willesden Green and its local facilities.

• Excellent transport links via Overground and Underground

EPC - C

Donnington Road, NW10

£1,695,000 Freehold

Stylishly designed & refurbished 1930s built semi-detached

• 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 receptions

family home with lovely views over the Park in Kensal Rise,

• Open plan kitchen/dining room with bi folding doors

offering bright & spacious contemporary style accommodation

• Large tiered landscaped 51 ft garden & OSP

of some 2349 sq ft. Large converted loft. Close to transport.

• Underfloor heating, GCH, alarm, entry phone

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Season’s Greetings and Happy New Year to all our clients

EPC - E

Chatsworth Road, NW2

£1,999,950 Freehold

An opportunity to purchase this spacious detached 30's built

• 3 bedrooms, 2 receptions, large loft

house arranged as two self-contained flats over 2626 sq ft.

• Own private entrances & separate utilities

Close to Kilburn station (Jubilee).

• New double glazing, original features • OSP, garage, south facing garden

EPC - D

Chudleigh Road, NW6

£2,999,950 Freehold

Substantial detached double fronted house arranged over

• 6 bedrooms, 4 reception rooms, 3 bathrooms

three floors offering 3900 sq ft of accommodation and situated

• Contemporary kitchen leading onto garden

within the heart of Brondesbury Park close to local transport,

• Garage, OSP and 112ft rear garden

amenities including sports clubs.

• Early viewing is highly recommended.

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

EPC - D

MILMAN ROAD, NW6

£2,999,000 Freehold

Fantastic 2407 sq ft period house overlooking Queens Park, which has been lovingly maintained and offering 4 bedrooms, 2 receptions, 2 bathrooms, garden, double garage & OSP for 2 cars. Situated close to Salusbury Road & Chamberlayne Road with their numerous cafes & transport facilities.

• Spacious terraced house • Beautifully presented • Garage & OSP • Must be viewed

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EPC - D

BURROWS ROAD, NW10

£1,725,000 Freehold

Beautifully presented 5 bedroom/2 bathroom extended mid-terraced period house in Kensal Rise. This lovely home comprises of double reception, 25 ft kitchen/diner opening onto a 56 ft south facing garden, 4 bedrooms, converted loft with master bedroom & ensuite bathroom. Must be seen to be appreciated!

• 1738 sq ft • 5 bedrooms • 2 bathrooms (1 en-suite) • Close to amenities

EPC - F

WHITMORE GARDENS, NW10

£1,600,000 Freehold

A stunning architecturally designed 4 bedroom family home with incredible features such as SWIMMING POOL, SAUNA and SEPARATE STUDIO IN THE GARDEN. The loft has been converted to form the master bedroom & en-suite shower room. Conveniently positioned just off Chamberlayne Road with excellent transport facilities. Seeing is believing!

• Uniquely designed • 1550 sq ft • Swimming pool & sauna • Garden with studio

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

EPC - C

BRONDESBURY VILLAS, NW6

£1,600,000 Leasehold

Stunning split level apartment spanning an impressive 2085 sq ft with 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 23 ft reception, modern kitchen/diner opening onto the rear garden & roof terrace. Enviably positioned close to Queens Park & Kilburn Park Bakerloo Line Stations (Zone 2) as well as the popular Salusbury Road.

• Split level flat • Arranged over 3 floors • Garden & roof terrace • Master bedroom with en-suite

EPC - F

CHARTERIS ROAD, NW6

£1,500,000 Freehold

Conveniently located close to the bustling Salusbury Road & the open spaces of Queens Park is this charming 4 bedroom/3 bathroom mid-terrace house, retaining many period features and benefitting from a roof terrace. The property also boasts double reception, modern kitchen & south facing garden.

• Spanning over 1511 sq ft • Spacious reception • Garden & terrace • Viewing recommended

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EPC - D

TENNYSON ROAD, NW6

£575,000 Leasehold

Ideal for a first time buyer is this immaculately presented 1 bedroom garden flat set on the ground floor of a period property benefitting from bright reception room, modern kitchen/ diner, 30 ft east facing garden, family bathroom. Within walking distance to the amenities of Salusbury Road. Viewing is highly recommended.

• Ground floor flat • 525 sq ft • Eat-in kitchen • Private garden

EPC - D

THE AVENUE, NW10

£450 Per Week + Fees

Available now this bright, well presented 2 double bedroom flat arranged on the first floor of this 4 storey residence situated within walking distance to Queens Park & the amenities of Salusbury Road. Benefitting from modern kitchen and bathroom, large reception & communal garden. Must be seen!

• Available now • Furnished or unfurnished • 2 bedrooms, 793 sq ft • Communal garden

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true associates ltd CHARTERED SURVEYORS

•

ESTATES AGENTS

Wakeman Road, NW10

•

PROJECT MANAGERS

£1,050,000 OIEO

A well presented mid-terrace, Victorian house in this convenient location. Arranged over three floors, the ground floor features a double reception room, spacious kitchen dining room leading to a patio garden, a shower room with W/C, and utility room. The first and second floors have four double bedrooms, one family bathroom and a further separate W/C. Viewing is highly recommended.

True Associates Limited 32 Chamberlayne Road London NW10 3JE

TRUEASS.indd 1

T: 020 8960 3663 F: 020 8960 3883 E: info@trueassociates.co.uk W: www.trueassociates.co.uk

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14/12/2015 15:58

INSTANT VALUATION INTERACTIVE Get a Free Instant Valuation at www.portico.com/valuation Call to arrange a Free Valuation on

0207 099 4000 or email Abigail@portico.com

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LE T TINGS

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12:02 15/06/2015 11:46

KILMAINE ROAD, FULHAM, SW6 ÂŁ1,499,950

KE Y FE AT URES Four Bedrooms Two Bathrooms South Facing Roof Terrace South Facing Garden Immaculate Condition Throughout Freehold

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14/12/2015 14:33

Acton 020 8993 6767 Battersea 020 7738 1538 Bloomsbury 020 7291 0650 Camden 020 7482 1060 Clapham 020 7501 0454 Dulwich 020 8299 6066 Fulham 020 7731 7788 Hammersmith 020 8748 3630 Highbury 020 7288 9440 Islington 020 7354 3283 West Hampstead 020 7794 1000

portico.com

FULHAM ROAD, FULHAM, SW6 ÂŁ999,995

KE Y FE AT URES Three Double Bedrooms Split-Level Private Entrance Two Bathrooms Fantastic Bright Reception Room Fantastic Condition

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PROPERTY / COUNTRYSIDE

FAMOUS PLACES

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

WHERE LENNON PENNED SOME OF THE BEATLES’ BEST KNOWN WORK moved her family to LA. It’s now on the market for £11.5m. u Ian Green Residential 020 7586 1000; iangreenresidential.com

LENNON’S SONG WRITING RETREAT

uring the late 1960s this respectable family home was home to John Lennon, wife Cynthia and son Julian, where Lennon penned some of the Beatles’ best known work, including much of the Sgt. Pepper album.

Lennon had a room at the top of the house where he kept most of his musical equipment, writing and recording on tape recorders. The cover photograph for Rubber Soul was taken here, and Lennon parked his garishly decorated Rolls-Royce in the drive.

The house, which is in Weybridge, Surrey, cost the singer £20,000 in July 1964, but he’d sold it by 1968 after starting a relationship with Yoko Ono. Set over 1.5 acres with large gardens and new indoor swimming pool complex, it’s on the market for £10.5m. u Knight Frank 020 7861 1378; knightfrank.co.uk

D

Words NI G EL L EWI S

DRAMATIC ADDRESS FOR RICHARD E GRANT

ichard E Grant is currently making headlines in the gory version of Jekyll and Hyde on ITV. Some viewers recoiled when a half-man, half-dog monster was shot by members of a shadowy organisation led by his characters, Bulstrode, with characteristic comic relief and a hint of menace.

Grant’s most famous turn was as a failed actor in Withnail & I, but he also won good reviews for his role as a grieving widow in in the 1995 film, Jack & Sarah.

This was Jack’s house in the romcom: a grade II-listed four bedroom house in Holland Park with views over a communal garden and St James’s Church.

The terraced property, which has been in the same family for 58 years, comprises three bathrooms, two studies, and two cloakrooms, which are in need of updating, according to agent Savills.

It also has a lift shaft and front basement access that would need to be removed within three months of moving in. It’s on the market for £5.25m. u Savills 020 7727 5750; savills.com

R

alongside Des O’Connor and reportedly had an affair with Marlon Brando when she was 15 and he was 29. She and sister Joan started appearing in British B movies, but Collins largely gave up acting in the 1960s.

The novelist, who died of breast cancer in September aged 77, sold more than 500 million copies in 40 countries with her tales of the rich and famous, in a career spanning four decades.

This tasteful five-bedroom property in St John’s Wood was her home in the 1980s with second husband, gallery and nightclub owner Oscar Lerman, before she

HOME TO THE ‘QUEEN OF STEAM’

uthor Jackie Collins had a private life almost as colourful as some of the characters in her raunchy novels. As a young stage singer she appeared

A

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

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£5.25 Million

156 16/12/2015 09:29

PROPERTY / STAR HOMES

£10.5 Million

£11.5 Million

WHERE MANY OF THE 007 BOOKS WERE WRITTEN BY IAN FLEMING

WHERE VICTORIA BECKHAM DESIGNED

ictoria Beckham was recently named the UK’s top entrepreneur by a magazine that praised her “finelytuned business acumen” for running her eponymous fashion brand, which now turns over millions each year.

While she opened her flagship store in London last year, her former design studio has been converted into two luxury apartments. The three-bedroom flats are on the first floor of a former industrial warehouse in Ransome’s Dock in London’s Battersea, and one’s now up for grabs at £3.5m.

V

Right next to fellow Brit designer Vivienne Westwood’s fashion house, the 2,000 sq ft flat has been renovated with no expense spared.

It comes with upmarket furniture, a customised Italian kitchen, a large living space with polished concrete floors and wooden panelling. u Douglas and Gordon 020 7720 8077; douglasandgordon.com

THE BLOCK WHERE FLEMING CREATED BOND s the nation, and world, crams into cinemas to watch Spectre, so a flat is for sale in the block where many of the 007 books were written by Ian Fleming. He wrote the first book, Casino Royale, while living in this imposing building on Cheyne Walk in the early 1950s.

A

£6.459 Million

157 Chis_Jan16_NL_DPS.indd 157

£3.5 Million

The writer is said to have begun writing to distract himself from his forthcoming wedding, and the property is nicknamed Writer’s Block because of the many famous authors who’ve lived in Carlyle Mansions.

As well as Fleming, other literary luminaries include Henry James, T. S. Eliot and W. Somerset Maugham, who spied for Britain during the First World War. This top floor flat in a Victorian portered block has been designed and kitted out by Fiona BarrattCampbell who currently owns it, along with husband, former England and Arsenal player Sol Campbell.

It has four bedrooms and three bathrooms, great views over the Thames, and is on the market for £6.495m. u Strutt & Parker 020 3553 7978; struttandparker.com

JANUARY 2016

16/12/2015 12:07

BROOK GREEN 138 SHEPHERDS BUSH ROAD W6 7PB SHEPHERDS BUSH 113 ASKEW ROAD W12 9AS ACTON 27 CHURCHFIELD ROAD W3 6BD

SO LD

SO LD

www.finlaybrewer.co.uk

HAMMERSMITH GROVE W6 £3.52M FREEHOLD

BROOK GREEN W6 £3.4M FREEHOLD

• 5/6 BEDROOMS • DOUBLE RECEPTION • KITCHEN/BREAKFAST ROOM

• 6 BEDROOMS • 2 RECEPTIONS • KITCHEN/FAMILY ROOM

• 3 BATHROOMS • ROOF TERRACE • WEST FACING GARDEN

LD

BROOK GREEN 020 7371 4171

SO

SO

LD

BROOK GREEN 020 7371 4171

• 2 BATHROOMS • 2 ROOF TERRACES • 66 x 22 APX GARDEN

LUXEMBURG GARDENS W6 £3.1M FREEHOLD

BROOK GREEN W6 £2.556M FREEHOLD

• 5 BEDROOMS • DOUBLE RECEPTION • KITCHEN/BREAKFAST ROOM

• 4 DOUBLE BEDROOMS • 2 RECEPTIONS • KITCHEN/BREAKFAST ROOM

• PLAYROOM/MEDIA ROOM • 3 BATHROOMS (2 EN SUITE) • WALLED & PAVED GARDEN

BROOK GREEN 020 7371 4171

• 2 BATHROOMS • GUEST CLOAKROOM • PATIO GARDEN

BROOK GREEN 020 7371 4171

LOCAL . INDEPENDENT . INVOLVED

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ANLEY ROAD W14 £1,300 PW / £5,633 PCM

BRACKENBURY ROAD W6 £625 PW / £2,708 PCM

• 6 DOUBLE BEDROOMS • 3 BATHROOMS • DOUBLE RECEPTION

• UPPER MAISONETTE • 3 DOUBLE BEDROOMS • DOUBLE RECEPTION

• WOOD FLOORS • EAT-IN KITCHEN • EPC RATED D 59

• SEPARATE KITCHEN • GARDEN AND ROOF TERRACE • EPC RATED E 53

ROWAN ROAD W6 £690 PW / £2,990 PCM

ST. QUINTIN AVENUE W10 £775 PW / £3,358 PCM

• 2 BEDROOM COTTAGE • DOUBLE RECEPTION • WOOD FLOORS

• 3 BEDROOM HOUSE • MASTER BEDROOM • EN-SUITE BATH

• FULLY FITTED KITCHEN • SECLUDED GARDEN • EPC RATED E 51

• AMPLE STORAGE • LARGE PRIVATE GARDEN • EPC RATED E 39

LOCAL . INDEPENDENT . INVOLVED

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09/12/2015 14:24

PROPERTY / NEW TO THE MARKET

Prime

PURCHASE LONDON’S FINEST ASSETS

PARKGATE HOUSE  SW11

£2.75 Million

arkgate House has been converted from a former Victorian bakery building into eight bespoke apartments by boutique London development firm, Banda Property. The remaining two-bedroom apartments are extremely spacious, stretching to almost 2,000 sq ft. The 3.3m ceiling heights create a remarkable feeling of space and light and the sophisticated apartments make the most of the building’s original features. u  Strutt & Parker Chelsea 020 7225 3866; struttandparker.com bandaproperty.co.uk

P

2

HURLINGHAM WALK

courtyard of impressive landscaped gardens. Other features include underfloor heating, fitted wardrobes and custom-designed kitchens.u  Berkley Group, St James 020 8246 4199 berkleygroup.co.uk

 SW6

£690,000

Starting Price

brand new show home has launched at the A exclusive St James development, Hurlingham Walk. Perfectly located on the Fulham riverside, the stylish show home designed by interior decorator Laura Hammett, will showcase the exclusive collection of 68 apartments. Each apartment is complete with its own balcony and is set around a central

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

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RIVERMEAD COURT  SW6

£2,550,000

fabulous four bedroom flat of approximately 2,060 sq ft with wonderful direct views over the River Thames and communal gardens. Positioned in arguably the best part of the block, the flat offers a wealth of living and bedroom space including an

A

elegant double reception room leading to a formal dining room. It boasts a kitchen/ breakfast room, generous master bedroom, three further bedrooms and three bathrooms. With spectacular views from all principal rooms,

Rivermead Court is idyllically situated on the banks of the River Thames, adjacent to the Hurlingham Club and Hurlingham Park.u  John D Wood & Co., Fulham 020 3151 2336; johndwood.co.uk

160 16/12/2015 09:36

lawsons & daughters

DE MORGAN ROAD, SW6 £1,300,000

PROPERTY FEATURES • 4 double bedrooms • 3 Bathrooms • Double reception room • Arranged over 3 floors • Private Garden • Freehold

TEL: 0208 563 0202 | 404-406 N ORTH E ND R OAD, F ULHAM, L ONDON SW6 1LU

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

TASSO ROAD, W6, Three double bedroom, two bathroom house with potential to extend. The property has been improved to include new bathrooms and double glazing, but would benefit from updating. EPC: D DOUBLE RECEPTION ROOM, KITCHEN, THREE DOUBLE BEDROOMS, TWO BATHROOMS, GARDEN

1175000

Larnach Road, W6, Spacious extended house in a very convenient location for Hammersmith and Barons Court underground stations as well as local amenities and Thames Path. EPC: TBA Four Double Bedrooms, Double Reception Room, Fitted Kitchen With Dining Area, Study, Family Bathroom, Shower Room, Garden

750 pw

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Riverside living at its best

Flats to rent at Fulham Reach starting at £475 per week

1 Beds from £525 pw

n Pool, Gym, 24hr Concierge, Air-conditioning n 3 minute walk to Hammersmith Tube (District, Piccadilly, Circle, Hammersmith & City Lines) 2 Beds from £750 pw

Call us now on 020 8528 4110 or email fr@brlets.co.uk or visit www.brlets.co.uk Unit C, Distillery Wharf, Chancellors Road, London W6 9GX London offices: Canary Wharf | City | Colindale | Ealing | Fulham | Greenwich | Hammersmith Hampstead | Highgate | Hyde Park | Kensington | Knightsbridge | Surrey Quays | Wapping International: Dubai | Hong Kong | India | Malaysia | Singapore

Additional charges apply: Tenancy Agreement, Credit Check & Inventory Report. For details visit www.brlets.co.uk/tenantinfo

• NEW_B&R_DEC_15.indd 6

On-site letttings office at Fulham Reach

14/12/2015 15:51

Kensington

ÂŁ1,450 pw Unfurnished

3 Bedrooms | Reception | 3 Bathrooms | Period Apartment Balcony | Close To Amenities | Near Tube | EPC - D Kensington 020 3302 5674 kens@brlets.co.uk

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

• NEW_B&R_DEC_15.indd 2

14/12/2015 17:18

London’s Letting Agency

To arrange a viewing or for more information call

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

020 7319 9783

Notting Hill Borders

£500 pw Furnished

Battersea

£525 pw Furnished

1 Bedroom | Reception | 1 Bathroom | Apartment Terrace | Parking | Lift | Near Amenities | EPC - C | Sole Agents Hyde Park 020 3417 3703 hyde@brlets.co.uk

1 Bedroom | Reception | 1 Bathroom | Apartment Balcony | 24hr Concierge | Lift | EPC - B | Sole Agents Knightsbridge 020 3302 7174 knight@brlets.co.uk

Kensington

Imperial Wharf

£850 pw Furn/Unfurnished

3 Bedrooms | Reception | 2 Bathrooms | Apartment Close To Amenities | Near Tube | EPC - D | Sole Agents Kensington 020 3302 5674 kens@brlets.co.uk

£1,400 pw Furn/Unfurnished

3 Bedrooms | Reception | 2 Bathrooms | Apartment Balcony | 24hr Concierge | Lift | Gym | EPC - C | Sole Agents Fulham 020 3503 0015 iw@brlets.co.uk

Dubai | Hong Kong | India | Malaysia | Singapore

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Battersea

ÂŁ850 pw Furnished

2 Bedrooms | Reception | 2 Bathrooms | Prime Riverfront Balcony | 24hr Concierge | Close To Tube | EPC - C Knightsbridge 020 3302 7174 knight@brlets.co.uk

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

• NEW_B&R_DEC_15.indd 4

14/12/2015 17:18

London’s Letting Agency

To arrange a viewing or for more information call

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

020 7319 9783

Knightsbridge

£495 pw Furnished

Imperial Wharf

£565 pw Furnished

1 Bedroom | Reception | Shower Room | 2nd Floor Period Building | Near Harrods & Tube | EPC - C Knightsbridge 020 3302 7174 knight@brlets.co.uk

2 Bedrooms | Reception | 2 Bathrooms | 4th Floor Apartment Balcony | 24hr Concierge | Lift | Gym | EPC - C | Sole Agents Fulham 020 3503 0015 iw@brlets.co.uk

Hammersmith

Hyde Park

£1,250 pw Unfurnished

3 Bedrooms | Reception | 3 Bathrooms | River Views Balcony | 24hr Concierge | Gym | EPC - C | Sole Agents Hammersmith 020 8528 4110 fr@brlets.co.uk

£1,495 pw Unfurnished

3 Bedrooms | 2 Receptions | 2 Bathrooms | Townhouse Garage | Terrace | Near Amenities & Tube | EPC - D Hyde Park 020 3417 3703 hyde@brlets.co.uk

Dubai | Hong Kong | India | Malaysia | Singapore

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Kensington’s new quarter n Situated in one of the most desirable locations in London n 24hr concierge, secure parking, gym, pool, spa, private screening room, business suite

375 Kensington High Street, W14

n 5 Minute walk to Tube & Underground stations

Apartments to rent from £600 per week 1 Beds (avg 520 sq ft) from £600 per week

2 Beds (avg 950 sq ft) from £950 per week

Deluxe residents leisure suite

Call us now on 020

3302 4797, email kens@brlets.co.uk or visit www.brlets.co.uk 5 Thackeray Street, Kensington, London W8 5ET London offices: Canary Wharf | City | Colindale | Ealing | Fulham | Greenwich | Hammersmith Hampstead | Highgate | Hyde Park | Kensington | Knightsbridge | Surrey Quays | Wapping International: Dubai | Hong Kong | India | Malaysia | Singapore

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PROPERTY / PRICE COMPARISON £

NIGEL LEWIS

PRICE BANDS London’s astonishing new average house price

just after crossing the Thames, you have seen the Westmoreland Triangle. It’s a local term for the handful of streets at the south side of the bewildering grid of roads that make up Pimlico. This flat is on Westmoreland Terrace, where The Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein is said to have had his first LSD trip.

APARTMENT OVERLOOKING THE RIVER

PRICE: £500,000 LOCATION: Kingston-upon-Thames WHAT YOU GET FOR YOUR MONEY: Two bedroom

I

n London's property market, an extraordinary milestone has been reached. It’s one that speaks volumes about how unusual it is.

The capital now has an official average house price of just over £500,000 following the latest House Price Index published by the Land Registry. Such figures generally prompt aghast bewilderment outside the capital.

For example, in the UK’s second city, Birmingham, the average house price is just £121,700 and the national average is £186,350. But despite London pulling away so fast from the rest of the country, what does £500,000 buy you in London?

Here we explore the different, and sometimes astonishing, properties it can secure.

CENTRAL LONDON PAD

PRICE: £500,000 LOCATION: St Johns, SE8 WHAT YOU GET FOR YOUR MONEY: Three bedroom

PRICE: £500,000 LOCATION: Pimlico borders WHAT YOU GET FOR YOUR MONEY: One bedroom

ABOVE

basement flat with a patio garden. f you’ve ever sat on the right hand side of the train I chugging into Victoria, then

ELVERSON ROAD, SE8

OLD DOVER ROAD, CT4

LEFT BELOW WESTMORELAND TERRACE, SW1V

Victorian terrace. o can you buy a family home with a garden within S striking distance of central London? This Victorian semi could do with an upgrade, but St Johns has been undergoing gradual gentrification since the arrival of the DLR in 1999.

PENTHOUSE FLAT

PRICE: £500,000 LOCATION: Upper Tulse Hill, SW2 WHAT YOU GET FOR YOUR MONEY: Two bedroom

apartment covering entire top floor of a Georgian mansion. his property was once the London home of Lord T Mountbatten. It is half way between Brixton and Tulse Hill but not near any train or tube stations, which probably explains the price.

Because the property is on the heights of Tulse Hill the apartment offers amazing views.

DETACHED HOUSE

PRICE: £500,000 LOCATION: Blackheath, SE3 WHAT YOU GET FOR YOUR MONEY: One bedroom

THE CAPITAL NOW HAS AN OFFICIAL AVERAGE HOUSE PRICE OF JUST OVER £500,000

detached house t is probably a bit of a cheat to call this property a house I – a detached studio house would be better.

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HOUSE IN ZONE THREE

apartment overlooking the Thames at Kingston Bridge. his apartment may be modest but it’s good value T for money if you want Thames views. A similar flat down the river at Battersea, for example, can cost £200,000 more.

JANUARY 2016

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CHELSEA GALLERIES, SW3 Chelsea Galleries, with its rare Dutch gable façade, was once a hub of London’s art scene. Now, via the portered entrance, it is a gateway to this elegant and private newly built townhouse. Approx. 2,432 sq ft.

Energy Rating: C. 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2 receptions, guest cloakroom, parking, courtyard garden, underground parking.

Lease to 3014 Guide Price £5,750,000

OLD CHURCH STREET, SW3 This beautifully refurbished non-basement terrace house is arranged over only three floors with a secluded rear garden and garage. Approx. 2,106 sq ft. Energy Rating: E. 3 bedrooms, dressing room, 2 bathrooms (1 en suite), drawing room, family/dining room, cloakroom, laundry room, garden, garage.

Freehold Guide Price £4,950,000

CHELSEA 020 7293 0360 chelsea@johndwood.co.uk

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THORNWOOD GARDENS, W8 A superb 1st floor apartment, with three double bedrooms, two underground parking spaces, and a 24/7 concierge service. The property is ready for immediate occupation. Thornwood Gardens is an exclusive development offering excellent security, landscaped gardens, and a central Kensington location.

Approx. 2,330 sq ft. Energy Rating: B. 3 bedrooms, 2 dressing rooms, 2 en suite bathrooms, shower room, open-plan reception/dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, 2 underground parking spaces, communal gardens.

Freehold Share Guide Price ÂŁ5,950,000

KENSINGTON 020 3151 6269 kensington@johndwood.co.uk

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ROLAND GARDENS, SW7

BRAMHAM GARDENS, SW5

A wonderfully indulgent flat in this wide Victorian house, with generous room sizes. Approx. 1,442 sq ft. Energy Rating: D.

On the 3rd floor of this red brick mid-terraced property is this beautifully presented flat with delightful southerly views over the communal gardens. Approx. 1,095 sq ft. Energy Rating: D.

3 bedrooms, bathroom, en suite shower room/steam room, reception room, utility room/bar, external patio with storage.

2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (1 en suite), reception, communal gardens.

Lease to 2122 Guide Price £1,875,000

Freehold Share Guide Price £1,850,000

IFIELD ROAD, SW10

STANHOPE GARDENS, SW7

A very well presented garden maisonette in this period, terraced Victorian house with a lovely private west facing garden.

Approx. 839 sq ft. Energy Rating C.

Arranged over the 1st floor of this period, part stucco-fronted, mid-terrace building. Approx. 791 sq ft. Energy Rating: D.

2 bedrooms, 2 en suite bathrooms, cloakroom, reception room.

2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (1 en suite), reception room, balcony, access to communal gardens.

Lease to 2114 Guide Price £1,275,000

Lease to 2043 Guide Price £1,150,000

SOUTH KENSINGTON 020 3151 6332 southken@johndwood.co.uk

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SIRDAR ROAD, W11 An immaculately presented and newly-built house with lovely views over Avondale Park. Approx. 1,756 sq ft.

Energy Rating: B. 3 bedrooms, bathroom, shower room, reception room, kitchen/dining room, media room, cloakroom, utility room, balcony.

Freehold Guide Price £1,775,000

BRACEWELL ROAD, W10

PORCHESTER SQUARE, W2

A fastidiously refurbished Victorian family house offering a contemporary open-plan living space with a patio garden.

Approx. 1,823 sq ft. Energy Rating: C.

An impressive maisonette with its own front door, elegant high ceilings and lovely views over the square gardens.

Approx. 1,254 sq ft. Energy Rating: C.

5 bedrooms, bathroom, shower room, double reception room, kitchen/dining room, cloakroom, garden.

2 bedrooms, bathroom, reception room, open-plan kitchen/dining room, patio, square gardens.

Freehold Guide Price £1,750,000

Lease to 2073 Guide Price £1,450,000

NOTTING HILL 020 3151 6283 nottinghill@johndwood.co.uk

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PROPERTY / NEW TO THE MARKET

Luxurious

LETTINGS LONDON’S FINEST ASSETS

LEINSTER GARDENS W2

£6,067

Per Calendar Month

stunning two bedroom apartment available to rent long-term in the heart of Bayswater. Situated only moments away from Hyde Park, the modern apartment benefits from great natural light, high ceilings and a private patio. Just a short walk from Paddington station, the property has excellent transport links in and out the city. u l KFH Bayswater, 020 3792 1093; kfh.co.uk

A

CHEYNE TERRACE SW3

£5,250 Per Week

his brand new two bedroom property has been redesigned by the owner to be the ultimate luxury living space. The 2,747 sq ft space comprises of two spacious bedrooms with built in storage and modern bathrooms. There is a state of the art media room, discreet utility room, and a fully equipped kitchen and dining area with high end appliances.

This leads into the beautiful curved reception room. The

apartment also boasts a 620 sq ft private terrace, two underground parking spaces, an underground storage room, and a secure wine storage within a specially allocated tasting room. The development has a serene swimming pool, gym and a spa treatment room. u l Strutt & Parker Chelsea 020 7589 9966; struttandparker.com

T

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

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ROWAN ROAD

Broadway. There is a double reception with wooden floor and a separate fully fitted kitchen complete with french doors that lead to a secluded patio garden area. Upstairs, the bright and airy cottage boasts two spacious double bedrooms and a contemporary shower room.

W6

£690 Per Week

charming two double bedroom Victorian cottage in excellent condition close to both Brook Green and Hammersmith

A

This property is perfectly accessible with its prime Brook Green location close to all amenities. It also has the added benefit of off-street parking. u l Finlay Brewer Brook Green, 020 7371 4171; finlaybrewer.co.uk

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Established 1897

CHELTENHAM TERRACE, Chelsea SW3 A spacious three double bedroom ground floor apartment on Cheltenham Terrace. Located in Whitelands House but with its own private entrance, the apartment benefits from both a quiet and convenient location. Generous accommodation is provided throughout with further scope to improve the current layout should it be desired. The apartment is located moments from the King’s Road and its world class shopping and dining and would make an ideal pied-a-terre. Offered with no onward chain. EPC rating C. Share of Freehold Guide price: £3,500,000 020 7225 5911 mark.greenway@harrodsestates.com

KNIGHTSBRIDGE OFFICE: 82 BROMPTON ROAD LONDON SW3 1ER T: 020 7225 6506 MAYFAIR OFFICE: 61 PARK LANE LONDON W1K 1QF T: 020 7409 9001 CHELSEA OFFICE: 58 FULHAM ROAD LONDON SW3 6HH T: 020 7225 6700 KENSINGTON OFFICE: 48-50 KENSINGTON CHURCH STREET LONDON W8 4DG T: 020 3650 4600

HARRODSESTATES.COM @HarrodsEstates

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Established 1897

SUTHERLAND HOUSE, Kensington W8 A superb three bedroom apartment (approximately 1,344sq ft/ 124.86sq m) on the fifth floor of a portered building in the heart of Kensington, which has been meticulously renovated to an exquisite standard. The accommodation comprises a large reception room, separate kitchen, master bedroom with ensuite, a second double bedroom, a further bedroom/study and separate bathroom. The property has been reconfigured to provide the optimal layout, meaning that the property flows extremely well and benefits from fantastic 3m-high ceilings. The finish of the apartment is superb, incorporating marble and light wood flooring and an integrated Bose sound systems. Sutherland House is located on Marloes Road which is just to the south of High Street Kensington. Holland Park and Kensington Gardens are both within walking distance as are the numerous shops, restaurants and transport facilities that Kensington have to offer. EPC rating E. Share of Freehold Guide price: ÂŁ2,895,000 020 3650 4602 nicholas.shaw@harrodsestates.com

KNIGHTSBRIDGE OFFICE: 82 BROMPTON ROAD LONDON SW3 1ER T: 020 7225 6506 MAYFAIR OFFICE: 61 PARK LANE LONDON W1K 1QF T: 020 7409 9001 CHELSEA OFFICE: 58 FULHAM ROAD LONDON SW3 6HH T: 020 7225 6700 KENSINGTON OFFICE: 48-50 KENSINGTON CHURCH STREET LONDON W8 4DG T: 020 3650 4600

HARRODSESTATES.COM @HarrodsEstates

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Established 1897

THE TOWER, Vauxhall SW8 A fantastic three bedroom apartment situated on the third floor of this luxurious riverside development in SW8, overlooking The Thames and the London skyline. The building itself offers superb amenities to residents and a second-tonone living experience, boasting a luxury gym and spa, cinema, lounge areas, meeting rooms, panoramic swimming pool with stunning river views and Harrods Estates 24-hour porter and concierge services.This apartment is offered on an unfurnished basis and early viewings are recommended due to the high demand to live in this exclusive building. EPC rating B. Price: £1,500 per week plus property fees* (£180 admin, £175 checkout) References £42 per person* * http://www.harrodsestates.com/tenants 020 7225 5822 tobias.king@harrodsestates.com

KNIGHTSBRIDGE OFFICE: 82 BROMPTON ROAD LONDON SW3 1ER T: 020 7225 6506 MAYFAIR OFFICE: 61 PARK LANE LONDON W1K 1QF T: 020 7409 9001 CHELSEA OFFICE: 58 FULHAM ROAD LONDON SW3 6HH T: 020 7225 6700 KENSINGTON OFFICE: 48-50 KENSINGTON CHURCH STREET LONDON W8 4DG T: 020 3650 4600

HARRODSESTATES.COM @HarrodsEstates

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Established 1897

TRINITY HOUSE, Kensington W14 A stunning three bedroom penthouse apartment located on the 11th and 12th floors of this landmark development on Kensington High Street. The spacious open-plan reception room has been beautifully designed to incorporate a kitchen, dining and living area, opening onto a huge terrace with incredible views over London. There are also three bedrooms all with ensuite bathrooms, a further cloakroom and secure underground parking. 375 Kensington High Street is a luxurious new development located at the western end of Kensington, benefiting from 24-hour concierge and security supplied by Harrods Estates Asset Management, underground parking and a stunning leisure suite for residents only, comprising of a gym, swimming pool, spa, treatment rooms and cinema. EPC rating C. Price: £3,500 per week plus property fees* (£180 admin & £175 checkout) References £42 per person *harrodsestates.com/tenants 020 3650 4604 sam.wright@harrodsestates.com

KNIGHTSBRIDGE OFFICE: 82 BROMPTON ROAD LONDON SW3 1ER T: 020 7225 6506 MAYFAIR OFFICE: 61 PARK LANE LONDON W1K 1QF T: 020 7409 9001 CHELSEA OFFICE: 58 FULHAM ROAD LONDON SW3 6HH T: 020 7225 6700 KENSINGTON OFFICE: 48-50 KENSINGTON CHURCH STREET LONDON W8 4DG T: 020 3650 4600

HARRODSESTATES.COM @HarrodsEstates

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Harrods Estates brings

LONDON property to the world

• LONDON RESIDENTIAL SALES • LONDON RESIDENTIAL LETTINGS • ACQUISITIONS • NEW DEVELOPMENTS • ASSET MANAGEMENT • PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

KNIGHTSBRIDGE OFFICE: 82 BROMPTON ROAD LONDON SW3 1ER T: 020 7225 6506 MAYFAIR OFFICE: 61 PARK LANE LONDON W1K 1QF T: 020 7409 9001 CHELSEA OFFICE: 58 FULHAM ROAD LONDON SW3 6HH T: 020 7225 6700 KENSINGTON OFFICE: 48-50 KENSINGTON CHURCH STREET LONDON W8 4DG T: 020 3650 4600

HARRODSESTATES.COM @HarrodsEstates

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Completely at home in London.

Our services Sales and Lettings Property Management Block and Estate Management Property Solicitors Chartered Surveyors Financial Services Visit kfh.co.uk

With over 35 years’ experience in the London property market and more than 50 branches across the Capital, we draw on our existing London-wide and international network and local expertise to deliver the right result, whatever your requirements.

If you are looking to buy, sell, rent or let contact us today.

KFH South Kensington 29 Harrington Road SW7 3HD Sales 020 3792 5321 southkensington.sales@kfh.co.uk

Lettings 020 3792 5322 southkensington.lettings@kfh.co.uk

KFH Fulham and Chelsea 29 Effie Road, SW6 1EN Sales 020 3792 5318 fulham.sales@kfh.co.uk

Lettings 020 3792 5319 fulham.lettings@kfh.co.uk

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