Absolutely Kingston & Raynes Park March 2018

KINGSTON & RAYNES PARK

ABSOLUTELY Kingston & Raynes Park MARCH 2018 / £3.95

FAR FLUNG MARCH 2018

ESCAPE TO SRI LANKA THIS YEAR

THROW

DOWN

Centre STAGE Spring action at the Lantern Arts Centre

The return of Ceramic Art London

STAND TALL CONFIDENCE NEVER LOOKED SO STYLISH

ZEST.LONDON

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

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ABSOLUTELY

Contents MARCH 2018

75 10

C U LT U R E ABSOLUTELY LOVES

10 things we’re coveting this month

14

45 TOOLS OF THE TRADE Gadgets to add to your arsenal

AGENDA

FOOD & DRINK 48 KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL

LANTERN ARTS

53 VEGAN VICES

Diary dates for March

16

30 48

|What's on at the community centre

FA S H I O N 26 FASHION CONFIDENTIAL This month’s hottest trend updates and brands to know

A healthy recipe from Mildreds

INTERIORS 58 INTERIOR INSPIRATIONS News and views

61

The month’s best beauty buys

Escape to sun-soaked Sri Lanka

PROPERTY 80 LIVING THE DREAM

The most luxurious London properties

ABSOLUTELY Kingston & Raynes Park MARCH 2018 / £3.95

FAR FLUNG ESCAPE TO SRI LANKA THIS YEAR

THROW

DOWN

Centre STAGE Spring action at the Lantern Arts Centre

The return of Ceramic Art London

STAND TALL

ON THE COVER

CONFIDENCE NEVER LOOKED SO STYLISH

ZEST.LONDON

H E A LT H & B E AU T Y 40 BEAUTY CONFIDENTIAL

72

T R AV E L FAR FLUNG

MARCH 2018

Brooches to fall for this spring

TERRARIUMS

Tom Dixon's how-to guide

Wild West-inspired style

37 PIN BOARD

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

KINGSTON & RAYNES PARK

30 RODEO DRIVE

News from the industry

Kingston_COVER_March18.indd All Pages

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REISS SS18 AVAILABLE FROM reiss.com

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

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EDITOR IN CHIEF PENDLE HARTE DIGITAL EDITOR HELEN BROWN FASHION & BEAUTY WRITER JOY MONTGOMERY LIFESTYLE WRITER MIRIAM CAREY EDUCATION EDITOR AMANDA CONSTANCE GROUP SALES DIRECTOR CRAIG DAVIES MAGAZINE MANAGER ANABELA KOLECI ACCOUNT MANAGER OLTIAN RUCI ART DIRECTOR PHIL COUZENS SENIOR DESIGNER PAWEL KUBA, LINSEY CANNON MID-WEIGHT DESIGNER REBECCA NOONAN DESIGNER CATHERINE PERKINS PRODUCTION MANAGER CHRIS COUCHMAN MARKETING MANAGER ANGIE KOLECI FINANCIAL DIRECTOR JERRIE KOLECI CREDIT CONTROL MANAGER ALEXANDRA HVID DIRECTOR JAMES FUSCHILLO DIRECTOR ALEXANDRA HUNTER MANAGING DIRECTOR SHERIF SHALTOUT PA TO DIRECTORS EVA LEHOCZKY

For editorial enquiries please email: pendle@zest-media.com For advertising enquiries please call 020 7704 0588 or email: advertising@zest-media.com

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

We reserve the right to publish and edit any letters.

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

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

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Editor’s

LETTER ABSOLUTELY’S literary picks for 2018...

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FEEL FREE

ZA D I E S M I TH This year voice of a generation Zadie Smith has returned with another literary winner. Feel Free is a collection of essays that explores the intricacies of modern life. Touching on Brexit and Beiber and everything in between, this is certain to be a conversation starter. penguinrandomhouse.com JOY MONTGOMERY FASHION & BEAUTY WRITER

WHERE CHEFS EAT:

TH E TH I R D E D I TI O N The fully updated and revised third edition of this critically-acclaimed book comes out on the 21st of March. Containing 4,538 restaurant recommendations in 570 cities, you can be sure that, wherever you are, this book will have the right place. smithandbaxter.co.uk MIRIAM CAREY LIFESTYLE WRITER

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here’s something about the clocks going back that brings a sense of optimism. Even the most cynical of us can’t help but feel a twinge of excitement the fi rst time we leave work in daylight.

The start of a new season also provides us with the chance to take stock and remember the things we’re thankful for. On the 8th we’ll be celebrating International Women’s Day which is made even more poignant as 2018 marks 100 years of votes for women - so make March a month to celebrate the ladies in your life.

In this issue we talk to The Lantern Arts Centre about their upcoming productions and all they are doing to enrich the local community. From performance arts to visual arts, flick to page 20 to read about the dynamic displays from over 90 of the world's most talented ceramicists.

If blossoming spring is unable to revive your weary soul, then booking a holiday will surely do the trick. In this issue we jet off to Sri Lanka, one of this year’s hottest holiday destinations, for sun-soaked sand dunes and eclectic cuisine. If you want to keep it closer to home, you can’t go wrong with some old fashioned retail therapy. Turn to page 38 for plenty of new season inspiration.

We hope this issue gets you out of your winter funk and excited for everything 2018 has to offer whether that’s female friendships, new and old, or the joys of a new season jacket. Summer is on its way - we promise.

MIRIAM CAREY EDITOR

EDUCATED

TARA WE STOVE R I can't wait to read Tara Westover’s journey to receiving a PhD from Cambridge with no formal education in her youth.

The memoir addresses the challenges she faced getting into and attending college at 17, having no understanding of key societal events, such as the Holocaust. This story proves anything is possible with enough determination.

CLARA VAN DUIVENBODE EDITORIAL INTERN

4

5

LULLABY

Heralded as 2018’s answer to Gone Girl, Lullaby is the latest page-turner on everyone’s lips, which sees an idyllic family tableaux shattered upon the hiring of a new nanny.

Faber & Faber, £8.96 on Amazon HELEN BROWN ARTS & CULTURE WRITER

3

THE FEMALE PERSUASION

MEG WOLITZ ER I’m looking forward to The Female Persuasion, which is published in June.

Meg Wolitzer’s writing is insightful and entertaining and she should be counted among the Great American Novelists.

This may well be the book that gets her there.

PENDLE HARTE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

2

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

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Wish LIST 10 things we Absolutely love COMPILED BY

H E L E N B R OW N

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knit it The meticulous handiwork and pointelle knit give this 100% cashmere crew neck pullover a feminine feel as well as a graphic and sensual look. The perfect pop of colour for spring. £200; eric-bompard.com

That’s a Wrap

Crafted from lightweight fabric and adorned with Kenzo's signature eye motif, the soft pink colourway of this scarf looks super chic draped across nonchalant daytime looks. €165; mytheresa.com

SILK ROAD

This pink silk-satin blouse was a standout style from Gucci’s Alchemist’s Garden AW17 show. We love it with high-waisted trousers and mules. £1,610; net-a-porter.com

T H E CAT ’S M EOW One for the feline lovers, this geometric print with vibrant background and mysterious moggy is a conversation starter. We suggest framing the print to enjoy the unique piece in all its intrigue. £35; grahamandgreen.co.uk

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

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ABSOLUTELY • LOVES

Specs Appeal

Pink peepers are set to be a summer staple so get your fi x with these peach sunglasses from Thierry Lasry with a cat-eye silhouette that suits all face shapes. £637; farfetch.com/uk

SOPHIE’S CHOICE Dagny London’s Sophie blouse proffers a feminine update to the classic button-down; perfect with your favourite pair of jeans or dressed up with a sleek pencil skirt. £175; dagnylondon.com

ROS E GOAL S

It’s a Gin Thing

JW Anderson’s disc shoulder bag is the perfect hue for new spring wardrobes and is ideally sized to take you from desk to disco. £975; j-w-anderson.com

TASSEL TREASURES

Family-run brand Katerina Makriyianni creates jewellry that has a vibrant freespirited feel. We love these gold vermeil earrings for adding a element of frivolity to any ensemble. £220; net-a-porter.com

English Rose is a classic gin, combining traditional botanicals and the fi nest English roses.

A celebratory spirit that stands the test of time. £32; silentpooldistillers.com

C H IC S E ATS Be the sultan of style with this colourful suzani print Alpana Cocktail Chair. With its cool modernist shape and psychedelic suzani print, it'll add real bravura to your interiors. £395; grahamandgreen.co.uk

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

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AVAILABLE NATIONWIDE IN WAITROSE, MAJESTIC, 31DOVER.COM AND UK DUTY FREE

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CULTURE

Gas Gallery, Delphine Lebourgeois, ARMY II; Affordable Art Fair; affordableartfair.com

What’s On 14 • Lantern Arts Centre 16 • Theatre Round-Up 19 A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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

EXHIBITION

Peter Rabbit at Kew Gardens From 30 March KEW GARDEN S

Join Peter Rabbit and his furry friends on a botanical bunny adventure packed with games, crafts and storytelling inspired by Beatrix Potter’s iconic tales.

Spring will be well and truly underway in the gardens where visitors will discover the exquisite illustrated world of Peter Rabbit and take part in a range of activity pop-ups for all ages.

Kew, Richmond, TW9; kew.org

INTERIORS

New collection F RO M 3 MA RC H • BE NTA L L S D E PARTMEN T STORE

Whether you're after clever styling, sleek storage or a chic new look for spring, be inspired by the latest homeware launches at Bentalls. With linen from DKNY and Tommy Hilfiger, outdoor furniture from Maze Rattan, Bramble Crest and La Siesta and cookware from Le Creuset, there is something to suit all styles and budgets.

Wood Street, KT1; fenwick.co.uk/kingston

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FA I R

Contemporary Textiles Fair 16-18 March LAN DMARK ARTS C ENT RE

The Contemporay Textiles Fair returns with a diverse range of distinctive textiles from the best designers in the business. From embellished embroidery to hand-dipped shibori, expect everything from the quirky to couture.

Ferry Road, Teddington, TW11; landmarkartscentre.org

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

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CULTURE • TALKING TOPICS

T H E AT R E

George’s Marvellous Medicine

Around Town EXHIBITION

PICASSO 1932: LOVE, FAME, TRAGEDY From 8 March

From 28 March

TATE M OD ERN

ROSE THEATRE KIN GSTON

Journey through Picasso’s year of wonders in this greatly-anticipated retrospective at Tate Modern. With over 100 paintings, sculptures and drawings, as well as family photographs and rare glimpses into his personal life, the myths around the man are stripped away to reveal the artist as you've never seen him before. Bankside, SE1; tate.org.uk

George’s grandmother isn’t like most others. She likes to gobble up slugs and is always bossing him around. So when his parents leave George alone with her, he takes it upon himself to cure Grandmother of her cruelty in this highly imaginative adaptation that brings Roald Dahl’s treasured tale to life.

24-26 High Street, KT1; rosetheatrekingston.org

EXHIBITION

KINGSTON CHARACTERS Until 3 March

ROS E TH E ATR E K I NGSTO N

This Month’s Must See

In an explosion of colour, pattern and texture, local artist Ruth Blackford has created a charming and idiosyncratic gallery of portraits celebrating Kingston’s wonderfully diverse community. From residents to buskers, students to traders, all are captured in Ruth’s clever designs.

24-26 High Street, KT1; rosetheatrekingston.org

OF MICE AND MEN 19- 24 MA RC H • N EW WIMBLEDON THEATRE

J

ohn Steinbeck’s powerful play about friendship and holding on to your dreams is brought to south west London from the producers of Avenue Q, The Crucible and Flashdance. Still relevant to modern times, the tale follows George and Lenny, two migrant workers who dream of owning their own ranch.

The Broadway, SW19; atgtickets.com

OPERA

MACBETH From 25 March ROYAL O P ERA H OUSE

Shakespeare’s story of ruthless ambition is brought to life as Verdi’s Macbeth graces the stage of the Royal Opera House. Expect a bristling and dynamic score, rich costuming and magnificent cast. An unmissable production that sees Verdi at his most theatrical. Bow Street, Covent Garden, WC2E; roh.org.uk

EXHIBITION

TACITA DEAN: STILL LIFE From 15 March N ATION AL GALLERY

See still life through the lens of Tacita Dean in this exploration of the genre’s legacy. From the leading contemporary practitioner comes a diverse selection of her own works in a variety of mediums, alongside those of her contemporaries.

Trafalgar Square, WC2N; nationalgallery.org.uk

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

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ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE

The Lantern Arts Centre is bringing the community together through a shared love of performance arts

By M I R I A M C A R E Y

I

t's a Friday afternoon and I am at the The Lantern Arts Centre with actor John Talbot to talk about the place he has worked as artistic director for seven years, his love of acting and everything the fantastic arts venue has done for the community.

At the moment they are rehearsing for The 39 Steps, the spy novel by John Buchanan, which was adapted for the West End by Patrick Barlow. It was also turned into a film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, which follows the character Richard Hannay as he encounters murder, double-crossing secret agents and beautiful women. It is said to be one of the first spy novels and to have inspired subsequent spy novels, such Casino Royale. At The Lantern Arts Centre the production is presented by a cast of just four actors, most playing multiple roles. It is set to be a fantastic, not-to-bemissed performance.

The quality of all productions at The Lantern Arts Centre is second to none, despite being made up of a cast whose experience ranges from beginner to seasoned professional. "All the passion and hard work is evident as soon as the houselights dim, and the play starts.

Everyone involved are volunteers, and yet the sense of commitment and professionalism is as high as you would expect in the West End", explains administration director David Kirkland.

John and his artistic director wife Georgie miss no tricks when it comes to direction, lighting, singing and live music, dance choreography, costumes and props - many of which Georgie makes herself. Recent performances include An Inspector Calls, My

16

Fair Lady, Oklahoma!, while Our Town and Cinderella are in the pipeline for the rest of the year, with Cinderella as the spectacular Christmas Panto.

Another great thing about The Lantern Arts centre is that they are making taking the whole family to the theatre more accessible, with ticket prices at £14 for adults and £12 for children. What's more, the centre operates as a not-forprofit charity and all the money raised by productions goes back into the local community via the many classes and

workshops The Lantern Arts Centre runs.

John tells me on a Tuesday they have community choir and also adult acting classes, on Wednesday they have storytime for children and a children’s theatre group, on Thursday they have youth theatre and Friday they have baby boppers, a dance class aimed at preschoolers. There is also a pensioner’s film club running a couple of times a month. Most groups either pay via contribution or completely free, as everything at The Lantern Arts Centre is based on the principle of community and

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

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CULTURE • LOCAL

“Tim Vine is a patron of the centre and frequently books performances” enjoyment. John tells me after dabbling in one activity most people want to involve themselves more.

This is nicely illustrated by David Kirkland, who likes to get involved in productions and has held parts in Aladdin, Arsenic and Old Lace and Charles Dickens.

David also explains that Tim Vine is a patron of the centre and will often perform there: "We recently got a phone call from him, saying he was going on tour soon, and could he come and do a couple of warmup shows. We, of course, said yes, and he tweeted about it and we had people booking tickets almost immediately."

John and Georgie’s role as artistic directors are on a freelance basis. I ask John, as someone who is a professionally trained actor having studied drama at Manchester Polytechnic alongside big names, what he enjoys most about his job.

John tells me he has been performing from five or six years old and has just always loved acting. He sees the opportunity to play different roles as a valuable form of self-expression. He also believes The Lantern Arts centres gives everyone in the community the opportunity to meet new people, develop self-confidence and become more rounded as they work towards putting together brilliant productions.

Following my visit to The Lantern Arts Centre I am inspired by how the centre runs - through passion and a love for the arts and on the principle that it is somewhere people can come together to explore their talents and enjoy themselves.

LANTERN ARTS CENTRE Tolverne Road, SW20 020 3761 7070 l ant ernart s .org

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

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presents

Picnic concerts 10 July

11 July

the

GIPSY KINGS

ft. NICOLAS REYES & TONNINO BALIARDO

13 July

14 July

15 July

“London’s hottest picnic concerts” Metro

Jools Holland & His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra featuring Gilson Lavis with guest vocalists Ruby Turner and Louise Marshall

10 – 15 July 2018

kewthemusic.org tickets.amazon.co.uk Royal Botanic Gardens Raymond Gubbay

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CULTURE • THEATRE

ROUND UP

Best in

SHOW Get the most out of London's theatre scene with our top stage picks for the month

Good Girl ★★★★★

From 5 March TRAFALGAR STUDIOS

MUST SEE

Naomi Sheldon’s Fringe Festival smash hit, Good Girl transfers to Trafalgar Studios in time for International Women’s Day. Growing up in the 90s, living feels too extreme. GG and her friends obsess over music, vaginas and witchcraft. To be one of the good girls GG learns to make herself numb, but at what cost?

14 Whitehall, Westminister, SW1A; atgtickets.com

By H E L E N B R O W N

His Dark Materials ★★★★★ 20-24 March S O UTH LO N D O N P L AYH O US E

17 years after Philip Pullman’s original trilogy ended, readers are drawn back into Lyra’s universe with his latest radical read, His Dark Materials. SLT Youth Theatre bring to life this modern classic which follows the adventures of Lyra and William as they travel through a multiverse of parallel worlds.

Stanley Halls, 12A South Norwood Hill, SE25; southlondontheatre.co.uk

HIS DARK MATERIALS

Caroline, or Change

The Way of the World

From 12 March

From 29 March

H A M P STE A D TH E ATR E

D O NMAR WAREHOUSE

In a highly anticipated transfer to Hampstead Theatre, this Olivier Awardwinning musical blends blues, soul, Motown, classical music and Jewish folk songs to create a sumptuously uplifting and deeply moving portrayal of America during the social upheaval of the civil rights movement.

Eton Avenue, Swiss Cottage, NW3; hampsteadtheatre.com

Lady Wishfort’s sprawling, dysfunctional family are driven by desire - there’s everything to lose and six thousand pounds to gain. Watch as a glorious ensemble of characters battle it out in this exposing, satirical comedy where everyone needs to win, just to get by.

41 Earlham Street, Seven Dials, WC2H; donmarwarehouse.com

★★★★★

★★★★★

A Passage to India ★★★★★

Until 24 March PA RK TH E ATR E

How can we love each other in a world divided by race, power and religion?

E.M. Forster’s masterpiece poses this question as it transports us to Imperial India; conjuring up elephants and caves, courthouses and temples. A Passage to India is one of the greatest novels of the Twentieth Century, thrillingly adapted for the stage.

Clifton Terrace, Finsbury Park, N4; parktheatre.co.uk

CAROLINE, OR CHANGE

THE WAY OF THE WORLD

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

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Throw

DOWN Ceramic Art London returns to King’s Cross, with dynamic displays from over 90 of the world’s most talented ceramicists B y H E L E N B R OW N

W EMILY MYERS; IMAGE COURTESY OF CERAMIC ART LONDON

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ith packed courses, record sales and prime time TV programmes centred around the stuff, it seems we are a nation potty for ceramics. As one of the most ancient industries on the planet, ceramic artistry boasts an impressive history. From the moment humans discovered clay could be dug up from the ground and fashioned into the ancient urns of antiquity, to today’s commonplace cereal bowl, the technology and techniques in the art have undoubtedly changed but the basics remain the same.

Returning to its home in King’s Cross for a 15th edition, Ceramic Art London is the leading showcase for contemporary ceramic art and one of the most dynamic displays from the best in the business across the globe. This year’s fair takes place from 23-35 March at Central Saint Martins, home to over 100 years of ceramic art teaching.

Guests can expect 91 of the world’s most distinguished ceramic artists and a varied

selection of exciting and ambitious work.

For those already in the know, this is an opportunity to explore further and buy directly from the creator. For gallery owners and collectors, it’s an opportunity to snap up new talent and for the artists, Ceramic Art London offers a unique platform to showcase and sell their work. With pieces starting at just £15, the event offers collectors of all budgets the chance to take something away with them.

A quarter of the exhibiting makers are from overseas this year, with a third of them travelling from Korea. Reflecting the selectors’ desire to showcase CAL favourites whilst introducing new faces, this year’s fair features 20 first-time exhibitors, including well established potters Henry Pim, with his intricately engineered architectural structures, and Monika Debus, whose symbol laden pieces are the product of a practice that focuses on painting, calligraphy, experiment and chance. Rising star newcomers include Marike Jacobs with her multi-textured cups and pitchers and Hilary Mayo whose graceful, paint drip-effect creations subtly satirise the making process.

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

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ARTS & CULTURE • CERAMIC ART ANELISE BREDOW; IMAGE COURTESY OF CERAMIC ART LONDON

“The leading showcase for ceramic art and one of the most dynamic displays across the globe” KEITH VARNEY; IMAGE COURTESY OF CERAMIC ART LONDON

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

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See life in a new light New Pirouette® Shades from Luxaflex® The unique design of our Pirouette® Shades features soft fabric vanes which gently filter light and control privacy. And PowerView® Motorisation also lets you operate your shades with one tap of your smart phone, tablet or remote control.

Find out more at luxaflex.co.uk

LUXAFLEX® SHOWROOMS: Ashtead Interiors Ashtead 01372 275037 | Belle Vue Blinds Egham 01784 471122 Curtain Call Richmond 0208 332 6250 | Gilroy Interiors Gerrards Cross 01753 899007

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ARTS & CULTURE • CERAMIC ART ANNA LAMBERT; IMAGE COURTESY OF CERAMIC ART LONDON

“The fair pops with colour this spring with blooming polkadot vessels in shades of crimson and cobalt”

CLARE CROUCHMAN; IMAGE COURTESY OF CERAMIC ART LONDON

IN HO SONG; IMAGE COURTESY OF CERAMIC ART LONDON

Ceramic Art London is renowned for traversing the boundary between functionality and fine art as demonstrated

by Alison Gautrey’s shell-like tilting bowls, Ashraf Hanna’s undulating modernist lines and Barry Stedman’s colour-splashed wares that bring to mind abstract painting.

The fair pops with colour this spring with Grainne Watts’ blooming polkadot vessels in shades of crimson and cobalt and Lara Scobie’s vases vividly detailed in red, orange and yellow. Sophie Cook’s impossibly elegant bottles return in luminous hues of lemon and lime, while Roger Coll’s idiosyncratic, twisting forms are rendered in bold palettes of red, blue and coral. Sculpture abounds too in Martin Pearce’s Henry Moore-esque forms, Angela Verdon’s sensual works of abstraction and Joachim Lambrecht’s darkly enigmatic forms. While In Ho Song’s playful clay characters push at the boundaries of tradition, and Anelise Bredow’s cartoon-like designs bring some alien-inspired humour to the fair.

Opening with a keynote speech by Grayson Perry CBE, the always popular

ClayTalks, programmed by the faculty at Central Saint Martins, includes Phoebe Cummings, winner of the Woman’s Hour Craft Prize 2017, Professor Simon Lacey on the history of the Craft Potters Association and artist Keith Harrison, winner of the Jerwood Award for Joyride, to name just a few. Elsewhere, Home from Home celebrates international ceramicists who have made the UK their home, while a number of talks focus on how Stoke-on-Trent is reclaiming its mantle as a global centre for ceramics manufacturing and education. These include lecturer Helen Felcey and Dena Bagi from the British Ceramics Biennial, Lisa Hammond MBE, who recently launched Clay College, and Keith Brymer Jones, who plans to reopen the historic Spode factory.

Also this year, and in a first for Ceramic Art London, CSM students will host a ceramic studio where they will make new work in front of a live audience. As well as gaining insight into all stages of the making process, visitors will be offered the opportunity to comment on the direction the work should take as it is being made.

CERAMIC ART LONDON 23-25 March Granary Building, 1 Granary Square, N1C; ceramicartlondon.com A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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FASHION

GRAND DESIGNS VILSHENKO

Everyone's favourite Russian-born brand, Vilshenko, has taken a trip to the manicured lawns and lofty interiors of the country manor for SS18.

Think English Romanticism meets Eastern-inspired, folkloric flourishes. vilshenko.com

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FASHION NOTES

Usher in budding spring with sunny suits, statement jewellery and the 2018 cardigan

1

By J OY M O N TG O M E RY

J I G SAW S S 1 8 EDITOR’S PICK

2

Last year's suit trend has been given a springtime makeover thanks to Jigsaw. For SS18 the brand has delivered the perfect borrowed-from-the-boys silhouette in a universally flattering shade of yellow: vibrant but not garish, pastel yet not saccharine. Simply add sliders and a tan leather cross-body bag and you’re good to go.

Longline Blazer, £190; Portofino Trouser, £115; Madina Raffia Slider, £75

jigsaw-online.com

5 OF THE BEST

HAMMERED EARRINGS

3 4 Mellow 5 YELLOW 1. JW Anderson, Bird Hammered Earrings, £300; mytheresa.com 2. Annie Costello Brown, Disc Gold-Tone Earrings, £120; net-a-porter.com 3. Isabel Marant, Hammered Gold-Tone Earrings, £130; matchesfashion.com 4. Proenza Schouler, Medium Hammered Earrings, £545; proenzaschouler.com 5. Mango, Embossed Earring, £9.99; shop.mango.com

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FASHION • NOTES

Artistic LICENSE WA R E H O U S E X T H E B A R B I CA N

Warehouse has paired up with leading international arts centre, the Barbican, for a very design-savvy capsule collection. Embellished with bamboo motifs and abstract prints in orange, green and black colourways, the pieces draw inspiration from both the centre’s renowned conservatory and the textured planes of the concrete exterior. warehouse.co.uk

WHAT?

THE KNITTER

RING ON IT

M AYA M AGA L X MM COLLECTIVE

This March, jewellery designer Maya Magal has collaborated with five stylish women - including The Telegraph's Sophie Warburton and Harper’s Bazaar's Charlotte Davey - to create a ring design which expresses both their personal style and Magal's own brand of everyday luxury. We want them all. From £72 mayamagal.co.uk

EDITOR’S PICK

NU

Modern minimalism meets wearable silhouettes in NU’s new season offering

WOOLOVER PUT A

BRAND PROFILE

Thanks to Muiccia Prada and Alessandro Michele the humble cardigan has stolen the sartorial spotlight this season. Madeleine Thompson’s waisttie iteration offers a nod to Gucci with its collegiate red, white and blue hues. £375

NU is the Turkish fashion brand that has been building an international presence since its inception in 2002.

Shaped around an aesthetic of deconstruction, the brand's collections are created by a collaborative team of in-house designers, pattern makers and manufacturers. The finished article is avant garde yet wearable, statement-making yet timeless. Think dramatic silhouettes in a minimalist, tonal colour palette.

WHO?

The NU woman is a city-dweller looking for a hard-wearing uniform with serious style credentials. She is not defined by age but by a timeless approach to trends; she craves cutting-edge design alongside elegance and comfort.

WHERE?

Operating with 16 stores worldwide, NU has steadily built brand loyalty and consumer recognition through its niche positioning in the market. The brand's first London store will be located at 15 New Cavendish Street Marylebone and a second store is to follow in Chelsea. Watch this space.

selfridges.com

GOODY BAG M AY R A F E DA N E

Forget big name brands and lurid logos, because donning the latest under-theradar label is the real way to get style kudos. Our top pick for 2018? Bag designer Mayra Fedane has won us over with her vibrant, personality-packed designs. The ideal pick-me-up for your spring wardrobe. mayrafedane.myshopify.com

nu.com.tr

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CM

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MY

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YMC

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FASHION • PRODUCTS

HUSH

ELLERY

Frayed Star Jeans, £79; hush-uk.com

Nashville Piped SatinCrepe Midi Dress, £1,150; net-a-porter.com

COACH Suede Western Jacket, £1,100; uk.coach.com

TOPSHOP Petra Round Felt Hat, £22; topshop.com COACH 1941 SS18

EDITOR’S PICK OFFICE Abandon High Cut Western Boots, £95; office.co.uk

ETRO Belted Fringed Wool-Blend Gilet, £785; net-a-porer.com

CHLOÉ Marcie Mini Shoulder Bag, £260; chloe.com

Rodeo Drive

LONGCHAMP Silk Scarf With Leather Tassels, £410; uk.longchamp.com

The Wild West gets a high fashion makeover for 2018

DIOR CRUISE 2018

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

COACH Horse Print Pleated Skirt With Side Panel, £595; uk.coach.com

WAREHOUSE

JOSEPH Heart Spot Crosby Dress, £495; joseph-fashion.com

Colour Block Western Shirt, £56; warehouse.co.uk

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

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R

O

AD T R I P Endless horizons and dust-blown planes provide the perfect backdrop for Zimmerman’s modern bohemianism

Zimmerman SS18 available from UK.ZIMMERMANNWEAR .COM

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The Subscription

FOR LUXURY WEDDING INSPIRATION Sign up to Readly for only £7.99 a month and read all back issues of Absolutely Weddings, as well as our entire portfolio, including Absolutely Mama, Absolutely Education and Absolutely Home.

Readly Subscribers also enjoy unbounded access to over 2,300 top titles.

Readly offers the freedom to effortlessly glide between articles and features that cover everything from rings and veils to wedding venues and honeymoon destinations.

Subscribe at gb.readly.com/absolutelyweddings Follow Us On

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01/11/2017 12:40

FASHION • JEWELLERY

Pin Board Add some artistic appeal to your outfit with this season’s brooch 2.0

CRISTINA ZANI

MARNI

GUCCI

Brass Sterling Silver & Wooden Brooch, available at tomfoolery Jewellery Gallery

Geometric Brooch, £228 matchesfashion.com

Hand Crystal-Embellished Brooch, £690 matchesfashion.com

LOEWE

UTERQÜE

THE POMMIER

Gold-Plated Brooch, £75 net-a-porter.com

Crab Brooch, £49 uterque.com

Kozminka Brooch, £577 thepommier.com

ROCHAS

NINA KASTENS

WOLF & MOON

Crystal Bee Brooch, £163 matchesfashion.com

Gold-Plated Face Brooch, £145 available at tomfoolery Jewellery Gallery

Pink Wildflower Brooch, £29 wolf-and-moon.com

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skinade.com

Beautiful skin from the inside We all know the importance of looking after our skin on the outside. To achieve your perfect complexion, you must also support your skin from within.

Discover skinade™ – the skincare drink that nourishes the skin from the inside for beautiful skin on the outside.

Available from skincare professionals only.

To find a stockist go to skinade.com To become a stockist, please call us on 08451 300 205 or email info@skinade.co.uk

MADE IN THE UK

SKINADE.indd 1

NO 1 PROFESSIONAL SKINCARE DRINK IN THE UK

20/12/2017 09:53

HEALTH & BEAUTY

Into the

LIGHT ILLAMASQUA

Everyone’s going gaga for 'the glow', and we’ve just found the highlighter holy grail. Illamasqua’s Beyond Power is a no.1 cult best-seller and this year they’re releasing a new shade: Daze. This iridescent pink highlighter is on the right side of shimmery and will certainly have people asking after your skincare secret. illamasqua.com

Beauty Notes: Sustainable skincare & postal perfume 40 · New beauty tools 45 A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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BEAUTY NOTES

Strip it back this March with sustainable skincare, workout-ready cosmetics and a glow-boosting base

By J OY M O N TG O M E RY

BRIT Girl ALEXA CHUNG FOR

L’O R É A L P R O F E S S I O N N E L

Everyone’s favourite fashion muse, Alexa Chung, has been announced as L’Oréal Professionnel’s International Spokesperson for 2018 and will front two exciting new launches: the Parisian Nudes colour collection and Pro Fiber, a hair repair range.

It-girl tresses here we come. lorealprofessionnel.co.uk SKIN689

MEDIK8

Bio-Cellulose Face Mask, £5.90; skin689.ch

Ultimate Recovery™ Bio-Cellulose Zinc Mask, £60; medik8.com

5 OF THE BEST SHEET MASKS

CHARLOTTE TILBURY

Dry Sheet Face Mask, £18; charlottetilbury.com

ESTÉE LAUDER Concentrated Recovery PowerFoil Mask, £16.50; esteelauder.co.uk

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SWISS CLINIC Face Dry Mask, £29; swissclinic.co.uk

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HEALTH & BEAUTY • NOTES T R E AT M E N T R E V I E W

GAME FACE CLINIQUEFIT

Attention all fitness freaks: Clinique has just released a line of cosmetics that won't compromise your workout.

Suitable for before, during and after exercise, this seven-piece collection is formulated to be longwearing but not poreclogging. From storm-proof mascara to sweat-resistant foundation, these are your new gym bag staples.

EDITOR’S PICK

Step Up

clinique.co.uk

Why the solution to many pain problems lies in the foot

P

By ELIZA GREEN

PURE AND SIMPLE

BY SARAH

Good to Glow

DR BARBARA STURM

Forget contouring and say goodbye to HD brows, because 2018 is going to be the year of low-key beauty.

Step one to achieving that elusive, well-rested radiance?

Dr. Barbara Sturm’s Glow Drops. Used on its own or combined with your favourite skincare product, this super serum will refine pores and brighten the complexion. £105. dr-barbara-sturm.com

By Sarah was born after its founder, Sarah, was unable to find any beauty products suitable for her sister who was recovering from leukaemia. The experience inspired her to create her own line of plant-based, honestlylabelled and sustainablysourced skincare. bysarahlondon.com

Postal Perfumes SNIPH

Match your perfume to your mood and discover new niche fragrances with Sniph, the new monthly subscription service. For just £17.99 a month, fragrance-lovers can road test new scents in the form of purse-friendly 7ml dispensers. Ideal for girls on the go. sniph.co.uk

ain can have a major impact on our lives, affecting work, leisure and general mobility. Even mild pain should never be ignored.

Pain-killers offer short-term respite, but they only treat the symptom. For long term relief, it’s important to treat the cause of the pain. The source of many types of pain, including in the back, hips and knees is the foot. Pain in the lower back is often caused by over-pronation of the feet which occurs when the arch collapses.

The solution is custom arch supports and well-constructed footwear. Custom arch supports and properly-fitted shoes also help the hip joint. Stabilising the feet helps realign the skeletal system thus decreasing stress on the hips during walking or running.

Knees rely on the feet for stability.

Over-pronation or excessive supination in the feet can affect the position of the ankle, and lead to knee pain. Again, custom arch supports worn with quality orthotic-friendly footwear provide foot stability and help maintain the ankle in a neutral position thus reducing pressure on the knee joint.

Local business, Foot Solutions, offers a free foot assessment and gait analysis to identify the source of your pain.

Their custom arch supports match the contours of your feet and they have an extensive range of stylish, comfortable and orthotic-friendly footwear for all occasions.

FOOT SOLUTIONS 4 Red Lion St, Richmond TW9, 020 8940 1814 footsolutions.co.uk/richmond

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

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STARTS SATURDAY

3 MARCH •Tempur BENTALLS.indd 2 ad PRINT.indd 1

020 8546 1001 KT1 1TX

20/02/2018 20/02/2018 17:05 15:50

HEALTH & BEAUTY • SCENT

PERFUME

New Kids on

THE BLOCK Add something new to your olfactory oeuvre with this year’s new fragrance talents B y M I C H A E L D O N OVA N

A

s I scour the globe for original, exciting scents, every once in a while I experience a moment for which all true perfume believers hope and pray the discovery of a brand new talent.

Lucy Atkinson arrived at the Perfumery just before Christmas and blew me away. Her passion, fervour and joy when describing her scents meant I had found a kindred spirit.

The first thing that alerted me to greatness were the caps of her bottles. The first contact with a scent is important and Lucy has covered hers with high quality velvet ribbon.

It feel luxurious, warm and soft like skin - the perfect introduction to a perfume.

Then there are the scents themselves. Lucy is half French, and obviously it’s the right half, as these are perfumes of great style and poise.

‘Samedi A Paris’ oozes that nonchalant, je ne sais quoi for which Les Parisiennes are famed. Sunshine in the form of bergamot and mentha citrata echo Paris in the spring, uplifting and full of life and promise.

The heart has a crisp cotton note with soft woods warming it to skin temperature. And what would a jaunt along the boulevards be without the scent of coffee? Here it lies at the base with the soft summer scent of hay and a glowing, bewitching amber.

‘APÉRO’ is incredibly intoxicating with the cocktail bite of bitter orange, juniper and lime at the top fizzing across my one of my favourite aromas, that of Garrigue herbs in the summer sun. Team this with salt, black pepper, star anise and soft tobacco and you are transported to a fabulous bar in Juan Le Pins at sunset.

“Her passion, fervour and joy when describing her scents meant I had found a kindred spirit” Bruno Fazzolari is a hugely talented, self-taught perfumer based in San Francisco. He is a successful visual artist and his paintings are often inspired by the fact he has the condition ‘synesthesia’. This cross-wiring of the senses manifests in different ways, but in his case Bruno smells in colour. I have found that many people come to fragrance with this condition as they use the olfactory creative process as a kind of therapy. They construct a fragrance visually as well as with the nose and therefore can conjure some of the most arresting and innovative scents.

Bruno came to perfume very recently, yet he won an ‘Art & Olfaction Award’ for his fragrance ‘Lamp Black’. However it was ‘Au Delà Narcisse’ that captured my imagination. This is without doubt the most glorious conjuring of the narcissus on the planet. A classic white-floral chypre, made in the old-school way with genuine oakmoss and labdanum. The narcissus note is clear, fresh and unmistakable, supported by heavy doses of highest quality absolutes of Egyptian jasmine and French orange flower. Made with a very rare and exquisite extraction of Narcissus, but this is no fading flower, instead the blooms soar over a classic base, richly spicy and resinous with just the right amount of animalic purr.

The olfactory world is now that little bit more wonderful. roullierwhite.com A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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SELF PAY

at Parkside Hospital

Affordable private healthcare available right now.

Why wait?

Whether you are waiting for treatment or simply want a second opinion, you can access specialist care now.

Just phone to book an appointment for a detailed discussion with one of our specialists for the fixed cost of ÂŁ200.

Call 020 8971 8026 or email

selfpay@parkside-hospital.co.uk PARKSIDE.indd 1

53 Parkside, Wimbledon London, SW19 5NX www.parkside-hospital.co.uk

19/02/2018 12:00

GHD HAIR

HEALTH & BEAUTY • PRODUCTS

YU LING ROLLERS Jade Facial Roller, £18 cultbeauty.co.uk

EDITOR’S PICK JULEP Chacoal Kongjac Sponge, £7 julep.com

SWISS CLINIC Skin Roller, £42 swissclinic.co.uk

DR. DENNIS GROSS SKINCARE

NU FACE

Spectr Lite Eye Care Pro LED, £168 spacenk.com

TWEEZERMAN Bright Complexion Facial Dermaplaner, £33 boots.com

TOOLS OF THE TRADE

Mini Facial Toning Device, £150 lookfantastic.com

GHD HAIR Soft Curl Tong, £120 ghdhair.com

CHARLOTTE TILBURY Hollywood Complexion Brush, £30 charlottetilbury.com

From micro-needling to facial massage: introducing the new gadgets for your beauty arsenal B y J OY M O N T G O M E R Y

BEAUTY BIOSCIENCE GloPro Micro Stimulation Facial Tool, £240 qvcuk.com

TARTE COSMETICS

FOREO

Five-Piece Limited Edition Brush Collection, £41 qvcuk.com

UFO, £249 foreo.com

CARITA My C.L.E., £399 carita.com

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

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REAL FOOD RESTAURANT & BAR

Introducing our

deliciously nutritious Spring menu

Roasted lamb rump

Triple berry & yoghurt crumble

Vegan falafel burger

absolutely mar18

ENJOY OFF AT THE WILLOW* Name

Email

The Willow 16 The Triangle, Kingston, Surrey KT1 3RT Tel 020 3034 2424 Email info@yourwillow.co.uk Web yourwillow.co.uk *COMPLETE FORM & PRESENT UPON ORDERING. VALID UNTIL 31 MAY ’18. DISCOUNT ON A LA CARTE MENU ONLY. MIN SPEND £20. ONE VOUCHER PER GROUP. NOT VALID WITH ANY OTHER PROMOTION.

WILLOW.indd 1

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FOOD & DRINK

FEAST FROM THE MIDDLE EAST COMPTOIR LIBANAIS Comptoir Libanais has launched their third cookbook, written by founder Tony Kitous, full of recipes to be shared. Pick up a copy and try making mouhalabia, Lebanese milk pudding.

3 Riverside Walk, KT1 comptoirlibanais.com

Wines of the month 48 • Our favourite Easter eggs 49 • Food Review: The Willow 55 A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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WHAT TO DRINK

GRAPE news Wine recommendations for the month

TASTING NOTES

London’s food news and delicious things to see you through March

By MIRIAM CAREY

By BERRY BROS. & RUDD

2013 Berry Bros. & Rudd English Sparkling Wine £25.95 Produced in Appledore vineyards in Hampshire, this sparkling wine is created from a blend of 72 percent Chardonnay, 22 percent Pinot Noir and six percent Pinot Meunier and is the perfect aperitif for Easter.

2016 Berry Bros. & Rudd Old-Blocks Chenin Blanc by Tierhoek £14.25 Brand new to the Berry Bros. & Rudd own-label range, this chenin displays the grapes classic citrus and orchard fruit aromas. It is an elegant and refreshing wine, ideal to enjoy with charcuterie or white meat.

2015 Barbera d’Asti, La Mora, Laiolo Reginin, Vinchio, Piedmont £14.75 Bursting with aromas of blueberry and blackcurrant with a hint of white pepper, this juicy fruity red wine has both refreshing acidity and silky tannins.

Great with a tomato-based pasta dish.

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

bbr.com

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Great British Gastronomy F OX A N D T H E G R A P E S

The Fox and the Grapes on Wimbledon Common has now reopened after refurbishment. Owned by chef Paul Merrett and business partner Tim Woodcock, they have designed a new menu boasting great British classics to go hand in hand with the fresh new look of the kitchen and restaurant.

9 Camp Road, Wimbledon, SW19 foxandgrapeswimbledon.co.uk

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FOOD & DRINK• NOTES Our pick of the best

EASTER EGGS DAYLESFORD Organic Dairy-Free Rose Petal Egg, £15; daylesford.com

OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!

HARRODS Alistair Birt Chocolate and Salted Caramel Egg, £50; harrods.com

FOOD MARKET CHISWICK

HOTEL CHOCOLAT Ostrich Egg, £75; hotelchocolat.com

OLD HAND T H E V I C TO R I A

Great local gastro-pub The Victoria has announced their new head chef Damo Ciolik. Damo previously worked at the pub for eight years, as the protégé of Paul Merrett, before leaving in 2015 to launch The Malt House, winning Best Pub Food at the Casual Dining Awards. He has now returned to The Victoria to head up the excellent team.

10 West Temple Sheen, SW14 victoriasheen.co.uk

On the 25th March Food Market Chiswick is organising an Alice in Wonderland Easter Treasure hunt, with a chocolate egg for those who find all the clues. Profits raised will be put into the surrounding Dukes Meadows, in the past they have funded a paddling pool and adventure playground.

The Pavilion, Market Drive, W4 thefoodmarketchiswick.com

L’ARITSAN DU CHOCOLAT Dark Chocolate Gold Leaf Sculpture, £35; artisanduchocolat.com

BOOJA BOOJA Organic, Dairy-Free, Hazelnut Chocolates in Decorative Egg, £12.99 boojabooja.com

LAKRIDS Chocolate Coated Liquorice in Dulce de Leche or Passion Fruit, £26.99; int.lakrids.nu

HOT CROSS BUNS GAIL’S

PIERRE HERME Ouef Lucio Fontana, £136; pierreherme.com

LA DOLCE VITA T H E I TA L I A N J O B

In exciting news for foodies, The Italian Job pub has revamped its menu. Try the delicious burrata with mache lettuce, croutons and red pesto for starters and the stellar pumpkin ravioli with butter sage sauce for main. While you’re there, don’t forget to sample the traditional craft beer sourced from microbreweries across Italy. Or even better, visit during National Beer Week in March for a bespoke beer flight experience.

13 Devonshire Road, W4 theitalianjobpub.co.uk

SELFRIDGES Milk Chocolate Easter Egg, £29.99; selfridges.com

LIBERTY Chocolate Society Fried Easter Egg, £29.95; libertylondon.com

Gail’s Bakery has a delicious new range out, just in time for Easter. They will be baking up spiced hot cross buns packed with juicy sultanas and cranberries, and chocolate sourdough with chunks of bittersweet chocolate stirred through. Perfect with lashings of butter and marmalade.

12-13 Sheen Road, TW9 gailsbread.co.uk A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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A taste of India

Authentic Indian cuisine can be found in Raynes Park at Sai Restaurant

Wo r d s G A B R I E L L E H E R N A N D E Z

50

I

ndian food is a favourite of Londoners.

Little do they know, they are missing out on authentic cuisine. In the heart of south west London, Vinod Trivedi is treating people’s palates to the true taste of India.

Sai creates authentic Punjabi cuisine and the core values of the restaurant are found in head chef Trivedi’s heritage. “Where I am from in India, the food is very flavoursome, the spices are prominent,” he says. “My Punjabi background enhances this. We believe strongly in ‘eat, drink and be merry.'”

He says his skills in the kitchen derive from his family. “I’ve never been to culinary school, I

learned plenty of cooking from my mum when I was younger.”

Though his passion for food has always been prevalent in his life, he says it was not his initial career move.

“I qualified as a pharmacist. I was practicing medicine and working in hospitals. But I’ve always wanted people to try my cooking.”

Trivedi says he would often go out looking for new restaurants. “I love to explore food and wines.” The chef soon decided that this was his true calling. “I told myself I should showcase food with my Indian background. I needed to create my own restaurant to show what Indian food really tastes like.”

At the start of his restaurant venture, Trivedi was working as both a pharmacist and chef. His pharmacy neighboured the restaurant, so he would tend to patients on one side and create Indian food on the other.

When the initial head chef at Sai stepped down, Trivedi took his ultimate place in the kitchen. “It was a bit of a struggle initially, but I was passionate about it. I changed the menus and started cooking my way, in a traditionally Punjabi style.”

Thus the unique legacy Sai carries was born. “The dishes I create you won’t find anywhere else,” he says. The capital boasts ethnic diversity, but the chef says the dining options are not as numerous as people might think. “In London we don’t have a lot of Indian restaurants. They are Pakistani or Sri Lankan, but not typically Indian restaurants.

We have maybe 15 or 20 true Indian restaurants in the entire city.”

Some people are caught off guard by the flavours and will tell him his food isn’t what they are used to. Trivedi says he simply asks them, “Where have you been eating?” He says the dishes Londoners assume are Indian are tailored specifically to the English rather than relying on the Indian influence.

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“I haven’t anglicised my food at all. It is not a curry house,” he says.

The chef stresses the importance of their preparation methods. “We cook everything fresh to order. People have to come and wait for their dish. It won’t be prepared in five minutes. Once the food comes, then they will understand.”

Not only will you be surprised by the incredible food, but the actual design of Sai is also not what you would expect from an Indian restaurant. Upon entering, you probably wouldn’t be able to make an initial assumption on what type of food the establishment serves based simply on decor. Trivedi says this is not on accident.

“The interior is majorly designed by myself,” he says. He wanted to take a step back from the overly Indian influenced interior designs of other restaurants so as to not take away from the actual food. “I wanted to give it a fresh look and a bit off-beat. It is a western look with Indian soul.”

Though he has plenty of regular customers, new visitors are welcomed for a delicious dining experience. If seeking recommendations, a board containing the chef’s specials is updated daily and features new recipes as well as old favourites. Trivedi says he also tailors a dish to each person’s specifications. He takes into consideration meat choice as well as level of spice to ensure that each meal is a pleasurable dining experience.

This intimate setting accompanied with expertise cooking creates an Indian delicacy haven. Trivedi sets out to share not only the tradition of Punjabi cuisine, but also his philosophy for enjoying life through food.

S A I R E S TAU R A N T 193 Worple Road, SW20 sairestaurant.co.uk

“A philosophy of enjoying life through food”

FOOD & DRINK • RECIPES

Butter Chicken for two

Chili Paneer for two

INGREDIENTS

INGREDIENTS

½ kg chicken breast, cut into cubes 2 chopped onions 2 tbsp ginger/garlic paste 4 tbsp tomato puree 2 tsp corriander powder 1 tsp chilli powder 1 tsp turmeric 2 tbsp oil 2 tsp cumin powder ½ cup of yogurt 2 tsp dried fenugreek ½ cup of cream

1 slab of paneer cubes 1 red and 1 green pepper, cut into cubes 1 red onion/1 white onion, cut into cubes ½ tsp chilli flakes ¼ tsp chilli powder salt to taste 2 tbsp tomato ketchup 1 tsp soy sauce 2 tbsp ginger/garlic paste 2 tbsp oil Coriander/spicy onion, to garnish 2 tsp corn flour

METHOD Marinate the chicken with yogurt and spices for two hours. Grill it in the oven at 250° for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile add oil to a pan and cook the onion, ginger/garlic paste with tomato puree and chillis. Cook for 40 minutes and add salt if needed. Add cream and cook for a further ten minutes. Add the chicken and let rest for ten minutes.

METHOD Coat the paneer cubes with corn flour and soy. Add oil to a wok then cook the ginger and garlic paste. Add capsicum and onion, then the spices, ketchup and finally, soy sauce. Add the fried paneer and toss it well.

Garnish with chopped spring onion and coriander. Serve.

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

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

Richmond.

Surrey Surrey TW9 TW9 2PN. 2PN.

JANUARY SALE – SEE IN STORE FOR DETAILS

BELLA.indd 1

13/12/2017 15:08

FOOD & DRINK • RECIPES

Yellow Courgette, Asparagus & Pea Shoot Salad with Red Basil Oil & Cashew Cream Serves 4-6

T

his elegant and simple raw salad is all about letting the natural colours and flavours of summer vegetables shine through. If you can’t get yellow courgettes, you can use regular green ones.

INGREDIENTS

Bright Food, BOLD FLAVOURS An exciting and sustainable recipe from Mildred’s first Vegan Cookbook

B

ack in the late 1980s, when London’s Soho was still edgy, we launched Mildreds on an unsuspecting public. Those were the days when diners were all too accustomed to vegetarian food being brown and ‘worthy’, dished up on earthenware pottery. But our aim at Mildreds was – and still very much is – to deliver an inspiring eating experience with fresh, vibrant vegetarian dishes featuring ideas from a wide variety of culinary styles.

Despite prophecies of early closure from the local community, which gave us six months at the

most, Mildreds thrived from the start and has gone from strength to strength to become the worldrenowned restaurant it is today.

The original Soho restaurant has now been joined by three sister restaurants in Camden, Kings Cross and Dalston, and in 2015 Mildreds The Cookbook was published, showcasing some of our favourite recipes from the restaurant. We are now extremely proud to present Mildreds Vegan Cookbook, where we have chosen to focus exclusively on vegan cooking.

Vegan cooking is often regarded as a relatively complicated way of preparing food, and it can seem daunting to make the move away from the more traditional approach to working with unfamiliar ingredients. But there is now an abundance of vegan ingredients and substitutes readily available at all major supermarkets, and we show you how a well-stocked larder and refrigerator, together with a little forethought, can help make the process easier.

2–3 yellow courgettes 12 asparagus spears juice of ½ lemon 1/3 teaspoon sea salt flakes 150g pea shoots 4–6 tablespoons Cashew Cream, to serve

Fo r t h e r e d b a s i l o i l 30g red basil, tough stems removed grated zest and juice of ½ orange ¼ teaspoon agave syrup 100ml light olive oil sea salt flakes Using a French-style peeler, slice long thin strips off the courgettes until you reach the seeds, then discard the seedy centre.

Remove the tough part of the asparagus by bending each spear at the stalk end and allowing it to snap where the tender part begins. Cut the tender part into strips as thin as you can manage.

Toss the courgette and asparagus strips with the lemon juice and salt in a bowl, cover with clingfilm and leave them to stand in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

To make the red basil oil, simply blend all the ingredients in a blender, or in a measuring jug with a stick blender, until smooth.

Give the courgettes and asparagus a little squeeze to remove the excess liquid, then toss with the pea shoots and four tablespoons of the red basil oil.

Put a tablespoon of the cashew cream on each plate and then a small handful of the salad. Drizzle over more red basil oil.

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Authentic Punjabi Restaurant

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

J. Macdonald,Wimbledon

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

SAI.indd 2

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Authentic tradition and striking modernity combine at Patara Wimbledon to provide an unrivalled dining experience. Join us in the elegant comfort of the restaurant or sun-drenched terrace to enjoy our classic speciality and a la carte menus. Or, for those who want something truly unique, take a place at the 12-seater Yum Bar where our Thai tapas-style smaller plates find a natural home.

Open 11am to 11pm, Monday to Sunday Instagram: @pataralondon Twitter: @pataralondon Facebook: @pataralondongroup

www.pataralondon.com PATARA WIMBLEDON 18 High Street Wimbledon, London SW19 5DX For reservations: 0203 931 6157 & infowimbledon@pataralondon.com Patara.indd 2

_Kingston_ADVERT PLACEMENTS.indd 1

13/07/2017 15:56

20/02/2018 16:46

FOOD & DRINK • REVIEW

ABSOLUTELY eats out…

“The vegan falafel burger is understandably The Willow’s bestseller”

The Willow Beautiful and creative cooking is custom at Kingston’s local health food haunt

FOOD Beautiful, creative and healthy dishes from all cuisines

B y MIRIAM CAREY

Y

ou might expect The Willow to be, if not clinical, at least casual - like the myriad of modern health food restaurants and cafés popping up in the capital at the moment. Even more so, because it is attached to Irrefutable Health, a holistic health clinic offering everything from chiropractic to nutritional therapy.

However, The Willow is quite the contrary - it’s more of an all-day brasserie-cum-fine-dining restaurant, that wouldn’t be out of place at a five star hotel and spa. On a Friday evening it is full of guests

DECOR enjoying a leisurely evening and sharing bottles of wine.

The menu boasts all types of cuisines, blending British influences with Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and Persian flavours. It also offers gluten-free, dairy-free, grain-free, paleo, vegan, low FODMAP and low carb options – all of which are clearly labelled on their menu. Dishes include rabbit pâté with apple and cinnamon chutney, slow-cooked artichoke hearts with sundried tomato, wild rocket and parmesan, Turkish stew and lamb rogan josh.

The lamb rogan josh with taro crisps is to die for. The lamb melts in the mouth and the curry is rich

All day brasserie style restaurant attached to a health clinic

PRICE Starters from £4.95, main dishes from £15, desserts from £5.50

VERDICT Healthy food with no compromise on flavour

and perfectly spiced. The scallops are also fantastic - tender in a rich gravy made of curried cauliflower, and topped with carrot crisps and sharp pomegranate. The shiitake and halloumi bites are also exactly how you would imagine - chewy, gooey in the middle, crisp on the outside and incredibly moreish dipped in homemade romesco sauce.

The baked sea bream is cooked to perfection and balanced on a bed of grilled and smoky Mediterranean vegetables. The vegan falafel burger is understandably The Willow’s bestseller - the hearty chickpea patty, smothered in almond butter and stacked between two huge portobello mushroom buns, makes for an idyllic combination of textures.

I am completely amazed by the creativity of the menu at The Willow. Despite marketing itself as a health restaurant, there is absolutely no compromise on indulgence and everything I sample is filling, flavourful and immaculately presented. It just goes to show that enjoying delicious food needn’t mean sacrificing your health. That, or The Willow are genius. ● THE WILLOW REAL FOOD RESTAURANT 16 The Triangle, KT1; 020 3034 2424 your_willow /yourwillow yourwillow.co.uk A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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BALMORAL 150CM DIVAN SET WAS £3,939 NOW £1,969 PLUS 2 Free Drawers & 150cm for 135cm Price

MARQUESS 150CM DIVAN SET WAS £5,019 NOW £2,499 PLUS 2 Free Drawers & 150cm for 135cm Price

VICTORIA 150CM DIVAN SET AND HEADBOARD WAS £4,739 NOW £3,549 Plus 2 free Hungarian Goose pillows worth £159

MILLENIUM 150CM MATTRESS WAS £1,999 NOW £1,499 Plus 2 free pillows

STARTS SATURDAY

3 MARCH •Beds BENTALLS.indd ad PRINT.indd3 1

020 8546 1001 KT1 1TX

20/02/2018 20/02/2018 17:05 16:25

INTERIORS Interiors Notes 58 • Tom Dixon's Terrarium How To Guide

fenwicks.co.uk/stores/kingston

61 • Stelton's

legacy

63

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INTERIORS NOTES

Ideas, designs and styles for your home

By P E A R L B OY D

True Blue LE CREUSET /

BENTALLS

Learn more about Le Creuset and develop your cookery skills at their workshop in the Living Kitchen, Lower Ground Floor at Bentalls on 15 March.

Book online now. fenwick.co.uk/kingston

VILLA STYLE

DEDAR

Lovers of interiors will enjoy Oscar-nominated ďŹ lm Call Me

By Your Name, whose lavish villa interiors feature beautiful Dedar fabrics such as their Dalie Papaveri Tulipani and Abstract.

Look out for them.. dedar.com

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INTERIORS • NOTES F AV UR

OR

ITE

CU G EG O

PS

AUDENZA Aniimal egg cups, £10.95 audenza.com

TROPICAL FLORA

LUCIE KAAS Bordfolk Danish egg cups, £13.50 brassicamercantile.co.uk

DESIGNERS GUILD

A new range of wallpapers

by Christian Lacroix for Designers Guild includes this dramatic Birds Sinfonia Crepuscule, pictured, a lavish and colourful fresco. designersguild.com

EDITOR’S PICK

ETERNAL FLAME

L E C R E U S ET PIC

MARBLE HILL FIREPLACES

Specialising in Balanced Flue Gas Fires, traditional and contemporary fireplaces, Marble Hill was established in 1974 and offers the largest and most comprehensive selection of fireplaces in the UK. Mantels range from elaborate antique pieces to minimalist modern ones, and they'll advise, install and service.

SCP Beardy man egg cups, £10 scp.com

marblehill.co.uk

ALESSI Cico egg cup and spoon, £13.50 selfridges.com

WINDOW SHOPPING P AND P GLASS

OMM Frida egg cup, £16.95 cultfurniture.com

DESIGN LETTERS E for Egg cups, £24 for two, teaandkate.co.uk

Double glazing, conservatories, bifold and sliding doors are all covered by P&P Glass.

They can help you decide between bifold and sliding doors, and as registered installers, they guarantee peace of mind. pandpglass.co.uk

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

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LA SIESTA ALABAMA HAMMOCK RRP £899 NOW £699

MAZE RATTAN OXFORD 6 SEAT BAR SET RRP £1,799 NOW £1,299

BRAMBLECREST MONTEREY CASUAL MODULAR SOFA SET RRP £2,499 NOW £1,849

BRAMBLECREST MONTEREY ELLIPTICAL DINING SET WAS £2,869 NOW £1,999

Second floor

STARTS SATURDAY

3 MARCH •Garden BENTALLS.indd 4 ad PRINT.indd 1

020 8546 1001 KT1 1TX

20/02/2018 20/02/2018 17:05 16:37

INTERIORS • DESIGN

A HOW-TO GUIDE

Terrariums

1

Tom Dixon’s Plant is a double headed vase designed for the curation of floral arrangements and micro ecosystems

2

3

2 Clean the inside of the vessel to ensure there’s no residue that could harm the plant.

5

4

3 Add a layer of potting soil made for succulents. It should be deep enough for the plants to root to, so roughly 2 1/2 inches.

4 Remove the largest plant from its container and dust excess soil off the roots. You may want to trim the roots, so they aren’t too long.

A terrarium is a lowmaintenance instant indoor garden

67

1 Fill the bottom of the vessel with a 1 1/2 inch layer of small rocks to collect the water drainage.

5 Using a long-stemmed implement, make a hole in the soil for the roots and nestle the plant inside. Then part the soil down firmly to hold the plant in place.

6 Plan for approximately 1 plant per inch of container diameter.

Reproduced courtesy of tomdixon.net

7 Continue placing the smaller plants using this method, trying to keep them away from the edges.

8

8 Clean off any excess soil around the glass of the container and add a small amount of water.

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

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DESIGNERS GUILD TULIPANI DOUBLE DUVET COVER WAS £105 NOW £35

SANDERSON HOME DAWN CHORUS DOUBLE DUVET COVER WAS £100 NOW £45

JIGSAW WATER STRIPE DOUBLE DUVET COVER WAS £90 NOW £39

STARTS SATURDAY

3 MARCH •Linen_Ad_PRINT.indd BENTALLS.indd 1 1

020 8546 1001 KT1 1TX

20/02/2018 20/02/2018 17:05 15:47

INTERIORS • DESIGN

The Legacy Danish brand Stelton’s vacuum jug and stainless steel tableware are classic designs

By EVE HERBERT

A

These products are highly functional while remaining affordable

shoes and furniture, but their business did not really take off until they heard about a small factory in Fårevejle, Denmark, called Danish Stainless.

Danish Stainless produced stainless steel tableware, which was very much in vogue in Denmark’s 1960s. Upon entering into an agreement with Danish Stainless, Stelton began marketing a stainless gravy boat that sold like hotcakes in Danish hardware stores and was also a hit outside of Denmark. In the United States, Stelton products were the epitome of Danish Design and sold at ten times their Danish prices in high-end department stores and design boutiques.

The next important collaboration with a designer was with Erik Magnussen who designed the iconic EM77 vacuum jug. The true DNA of Stelton comes from these wellknown products, which are highly functional while being affordable.

Since then Stelton has elaborated its collaboration with international designers and architects assuring that the form and function of their product families create a synthesis that embodies innovative and different ideas in relation to concept, design and materials.

“Together with our talented and carefully selected designers, our ambition is to create timeless and functional designs that make everyday life a bit more beautiful,” said Michael Ring, Stelton’s CEO. Stelton.com

simple drawing of a teapot on a napkin during a family dinner. That was the starting point for Arne Jacobsen’s tableware design. After three years of intensive development, Cylinda-line was launched in 1967. At that time the cylindrical characteristic profile was avant-garde.

Today the series is recognized as a symbol of classic, timeless style.

Stellan and Carton were two friends who merged their first names in forming one of Denmark’s best-know design brands, Stelton. Niels Stellan Høm and Carton Madelaire were army pals who joined forces more than 50 years ago to start a trading company. They tried their hand at sports A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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ad_A4__03_16_Layout 1 05/04/2016 11:02 Page 1

MARYMOUNT INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL LONDON

International Catholic Day and Boarding School for Girls

Education that is formed from our past and transforms for the future.

LONDON

•

PARIS

•

ROME

•

NEW YORK

•

LOS ANGELES

www.marymountlondon.com

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23/11/2017 17:17

KIDS & EDUCATION

SOFT FOCUS PIUPIA

London-based childrenswear brand Piupia was born in 2013 after Claudia Carvalho became a mum to Noah, now four. The collection is characterised by soft colours, playful illustrated prints and simple shapes as well as ethical manufacturing. piupia.co.uk

Small Talk: Sustainable Fashion 67 ¡ Education: Southbank School 69 A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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The Good Schools Guide

O

A Sa PE ll W tu N rd M elc ay om O 12 R e M N ay IN 20 G 18

“Dauntsey’s is ... Fab”

Discover Dauntsey’s

Please get in touch to arrange a visit

Boarding & Day School Co-educational 11-18 www.dauntseys.org West Lavington, Devizes, Wiltshire, SN10 4HE T. +44 (0)1380 814500 DAUNTSEYS.indd 1 Absolutely Education Spring 2018.indd 1

29/11/2017 17:19 29/11/2017 14:32:33

KIDS & EDUCATION • NOTES

R EV I EW

Eco fashion C I T Y G OAT S

HONEY PIE

City Goats uses only 100% organic cotton and natural, botanically-derived dyes – think pomegranate, turmeric and onion – and the clothes are super covetable. city-goats.com

Silly Old Bear tea

SMALL TALK Sustainable fashion, Winnie the Pooh, nature fun and colourful clobber

NATURE TOTS H E L LO N AT U R E CA R D S

Children can explore the natural world around them with these beautiful illustrated activity cards based on Nina Chakrabarti’s awardwinning Hello Nature book. This pocket-sized set is perfect to help outdoor adventurers identify a tree from its seed, learn how a frog is different from a toad, where to find the Big Dipper and much, much more. laurenceking.com

veja

EDITOR’S PICK

T

he V&A's Winnie the Poo exhibition is brilliantly designed to appeal to adults who remember reading Winnie the Pooh when they were little as well as to tots. It's even good for little ones who don't care at all about Ernest Shepherd and his wonderful characters, because there's an actual slide, a colouring-in zone and a real bridge for playing pooh sticks. And any visit to the exhibition is enhanced by the Pelham Hotel's excellent themed afternoon tea offering. The special children's tea is served on an elegant treestump and includes a cute tigger-striped macaroon, a darling marzipan bee and a little honey parfait as well as little sandwiches and scones that come in a little basket. Of course it's wildly popular with children – and at £43 per head, it includes tickets to the exhibition too.

Silly Old Bear afternoon tea is available at The Gore and The Pelham hotels until 8 April

ART & SOLE

RAINY DAZE

V E JA X H U N D R E D P I E C E S

BOBO CHOSES

French footwear master Veja has teamed up with Hundred Pieces to create these snazzy (and eco-friendly) kids’ sneakers, featuring easy Velcro fastening and a fun, faintly Eighties colourbar print. From €75 en.smallable.com

The new Bobo Choses collection doesn’t disappoint. We suggest protecting your mini-me from spring showers with this lightweight hooded rain coat, featuring a colourful leaf motif. £103 en.smallable.com A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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The Subscription

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

Readly offers the freedom to effortlessly glide between articles and features that consider every essential piece of advice and info needed for education in the independent sector.

Subscribe at gb.readly.com/absolutelyeducation

EDUCATION_Readly_A4.indd 1

01/11/2017 12:36

Code WORDS Coding is the future and children benefit from starting young, say the team at Blue Shift B y H E AT H E R LYO N S

O

ur children interact with technology every single day and in every part of their lives. They play games on iPads, stream TV via Netflix and watch videos on YouTube. They do research for projects using the web and are taught via smart whiteboards and interactive learning platforms at school. Whatever their lifestyle, you can be assured that your child will be extremely familiar with a wide range of electronic devices

and concepts by the time they reach primary school age.

But how many primary school children have been encouraged to think about how all these things work? How many of them are aware that someone somewhere had to design, build and bring to life their favourite toys and gadgets?

Technology isn’t going away and there’s an increasing likelihood that the best paid and most sought-after jobs they’ll be competing for as adults will be in the tech industry.

Who will build the Googles, Apples, and Facebooks of the next 20 years? It is becoming increasingly clear that understanding how

“The best paid and most sought-after jobs our children will be competing for as adults will be in the tech industry”

EDUCATION • FOCUS computers work and learning how to program them is a basic form of literacy that every child should be equipped with.

This is where organisations like Blue Shift education come in. Founded by a Notting Hill mum of three in 2013, Blue Shift offers creative coding courses for boys and girls aged 5 to 13 in a range of different tech areas.

The youngest children are taught the principles behind computer programming and discover that an understanding of programming can be used to paint pictures, tell stories and bring their ideas to life.

Older children build robots, design their own games and learn how to modify their favourite games (yes, including the ubiquitous Minecraft to make whole new worlds). The only limits are their imaginations.

Blue Shift runs coding camps every half term and school holiday in west London, as well as popular after-school clubs at some of the city’s most prestigious schools including Knightsbridge School, Eaton Square Prep, Thomas’s in Battersea and Wetherby Prep, Notting Hill Prep and Sussex House. Of course many of the children from the after-school clubs attend the holiday camps too, often coming back again and again to be inspired to create and have fun with the new friends they make.

Blue Shift sees children every day who are delighted and beguiled by the things they achieve through code. Learning to code teaches problem solving, real world skills, creativity and resilience. What could be more important than that in this day and age?

BLUESHIFT CODING blueshiftcoding.com

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

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Sofas for when they’ve flown the nest* c o p ming hom e e k t u b * e to roost

Armchair critics welcome: Chelsea | Islington | Bankside | Guildford | Bath | Harrogate | Edinburgh | Glasgow | Amsterdam Call us on 0345 400 2222 or, of course, visit us online

SOFA.indd 1

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TRAVEL

FAR AND WIDE SRI LANKA

Timeless ruins, endless beauty, wide-reaching beaches and some out-of-this-world accomodation; we discover it all on the trip of a lifetime.

Discover Sri Lanka: An island of charms 72 A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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BOUTIQUE HOTEL, TRI LANKA OFFERS VIEWS OVER SRI LANKA'S LARGEST NATURAL LAKE, KOGGALA

SRI LANKAN SPLENDOUR TRI LANKA'S ROOMS ARE SLICK BUT COSY

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TRAVEL • WANDERLUST CAPE WELIGAMA AFFORDS UNMATCHED PANORAMAS OF THE INDIAN OCEAN

This island nation has myriad charms, from timeless ruins to rolling surf

S

By HANNAH HOPKINS

DINE IN WILD COAST'S BEACH GARDEN UNDER A SRI LANKAN NIGHT SKY

ri Lanka packs in an astonishing variety of places to visit within its modest size, with a natural environment full of beauty and diversity. Its myriad charms, from timeless ruins, welcoming people and oodles of elephants to rolling surf, famous tea and flavourful food, make it irresistible to travellers.

With this in mind, my friend and I set out on a tea, sea and safari trip across the country – taking in an Instagram-famous hotel along the way. After a ten-hour flight and a four-hour drive from Colombo airport, we arrived exhausted (and ever-so-slightly carsick) at Tea Trails, a bungalow resort tucked up in verdant tea country. Five bungalows, plus one private cottage, are resplendent in their colonial style and stretch along the banks of Castlereagh Lake and down into the Bogawantalawa valley. We stayed in Norwood bungalow, packed with ‘50s character and beautiful communal spaces, including an elegant dining room and lounge where there were roaring fires at cocktail-hour. Rooms are named after past tea planter occupants and, in keeping with the hotel’s concept that the bungalow is your home, there are no keys to lock rooms.

If peace and quiet is your bag, then this is the place for you. Mornings began with Bed Tea – an age-old colonial tradition where a butler serves you tea to gently wake you up. At breakfast, mists roll in off the plantations and the atmosphere is utterly tranquil; there were wide verandas for reading in the afternoon and butler service on tap. Attention to detail is paramount in the service, and even the friendly chef says hello each day to tailor meals to your tastes and preferences.

On our first night, blissfully full after a feast of Sri Lankan curry and hoppers, we passed out as the fresh mountain air took its toll. Next day we strolled the hotel grounds – replete with roses, spring crocuses and croquet lawns, then visited one of the famous Dilmah Tea factories. You really can’t visit Sri Lanka without learning about their most successful export, and at Dilmah you can experience the tea process from picking to packaging.

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STARTS

3 MARCH

CHRISTY BRIXTON HAND TOWEL WAS £12 NOW £5

VOSSEN HIGHLINE HAND TOWEL WAS £9 NOW £6.75

020 8546 1001 KT1 1TX

Bentalls_Home_Event_Towels_half_page_PRINT.indd 1 _Kingston_ADVERT PLACEMENTS.indd 2

20/02/2018 17:25 20/02/2018 17:41

TRAVEL • WANDERLUST WILD COAST'S COCOON POOL SUITE BOASTS A PRIVATE POOL AND VIEWS OF THE BEACH

WILD COAST SITS ON THE PRISTINE BEACHES OF YALA NATIONAL PARK

MIST ROLLS ACROSS THE TEA PLANTATIONS AT BUNGALOW RESORT, TEA TRAILS

Next up on our travel itinerary was Sri Lanka’s largest natural lake, Koggala – home to boutique hotel Tri Lanka. With its slickly designed rooms, airy spa and treetop yoga (set in a space designed to float above bamboo groves), it is perfect fodder for travel bloggers. Dotted around were rooms housed in a cinnamon-clad water tower and swirling hillside houses with sumptuous suites. Traditionalists might be irked by the pared back, ultra-contemporary interiors and the communal style dining-cum-barcum-reception area, but a swim in the hotel’s beautifully designed pool over the lake might just sway them. Only 25-minutes’ drive away

is the majestic city of Galle, known for its colonial fort, whitewashed sea walls and excellent boutique shopping. On the way, we stopped off to see the stilt fisherman of Kogalla and the Yatagala Raja Maha Viharaya temple in Unawatuna. Set in the ramparts of Galle Fort is Amangalla – a hotel of stately grande dame period charm that’s well worth booking for lunch in between shopping and exploring. We enjoyed the lobster tagliatelle and tuna tartare.

Travelling further along the coast we reached the breathtaking Bay of Weligama, famed for whale watching and one of Sri Lanka’s most glamorous beach resorts, Cape Weligama. A model village of sorts, it's set on an amazing headland site - we were told that many guests never leave the complex.

It’s no surprise; every curvaceous corner of the resort – masterminded by Thai architect Lek Bunnag – is designed with privacy in mind. Villas were carefully placed in clusters of two or three around generous pools shielded by trees and the iconic cliff-top pool was crescent-shaped to offer 270-degree panoramas of the Indian Ocean, regardless of who was sitting near you. From seafood at the alfresco Ocean Terrace to the more intimate Ocean House Steakhouse (book in advance), the food was delectable. You can visit the Cape Colony Club for Ceylon high tea and sunset cocktails, book into the revamped spa to unwind, learn to dive, go on a bike tour, go whale watching, or, if you really get bored, go to the fully-equipped gym.

There were staff on hand to help at all times and they were the most polite we’d ever encountered. You could want for nothing.

Just when we thought life couldn’t get any better, we arrived at Wild Coast, a brand new wildlife lodge on Sri Lanka’s south east

coast. Set along a pristine beach on the fringes of the renowned Yala National Park, it blends the comforts of a luxury hotel with the back-to-nature excitement of a wilderness safari camp.

Guests stay in tented ‘cocoon suites’ with vaulted ceilings, large windows and colonial chic design – think freestanding copper bathtubs, four-poster beds, teak floors and repurposed metallic hardware.

Some have private plunge pools – ours didn’t, but was clustered around a waterhole – more exciting as you have the chance of seeing wildlife from your private deck. This being a new opening, there were still a few teething problems – most notably copper taps that were too hard to turn and no food or drinks menus at the open-air bamboo-clad restaurant - but those will easily iron themselves out. Kudos though, to the hotel’s safari guides, who were exceptionally wellinformed, friendly and whisked us to the quietest corners of Yala National Park to see elephants, leopards and sloth bears.

At one point, we were within touching distance of an elephant, who was enjoying his dinner as the sun set. When it comes to magical holiday moments, it doesn’t get much better than that.

TEA TRAILS Rooms at Tea Trails start from $722 per night on an all-inclusive basis, based on double occupancy. resplendentceylon.com/teatrails

CA P E W E L I G A M A

Rooms start from $624 per night on a half board basis, based on double occupancy. resplendentceylon.com/capeweligama

W I L D C OA S T T E N T E D LO D G E

Rooms start from $890 per night on an all-inclusive basis, based on double occupancy. resplendentceylon.com/wildcoastlodge-yala

TRI LANKA

Rooms start from $325 per night on a half board basis, based on double occupancy. trilanka.com

A M A N GA L L A Lunch starts from around £18 per person aman.com/resorts/amangalla

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LOFT CONVERSION AND EXTENSION SPECIALISTS

Loft Conversions • Extensions • Project Management Bespoke Client Focused Service • Design

020 8715 0893 beaconlofts.co.uk

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GRENEHURST PARK RH5

ÂŁ299,500

his top floor apartment is set within a magnificent period country mansion house entered via a grand entrance hall. Inside the apartment you have a large open plan lounge with a fully fitted kitchen overlooking the stunning communal gardens.

The proeprty has a study, a double bedroom and shower room and the property benefits from the superb communal recreational facilities.

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TENNISON PROPERTY Kingston Office 02085430074 tennisonproperty.com

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A TRUSTED ESTATE AGENT Absolutely talks to Tennison Property about how the business has grown and what drives them to do a good job

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ennison is well on its way to becoming a well known and trusted estate agent with a fast growing network of landlords, vendors, buyers and property developers.

Their success can be attributed to their small yet effective team and their customer centric attitude.

Absolutely speaks to Angela Allright from Tennison Property to talk about how the business has grown and what drives her to do a good job.

Q How long have you worked in property?

A I have worked in property on and off for over 25 years. Firstly in commercial property in the licensed trade for a pub leasing company, and then managing my

own properties, before opening Tennison Property ten years ago.

Q What drives you to do a brilliant job?

A A passion for property, people and being the best is the driving force behind our business. We strive to become the most trusted estate agent in the area and continue to help alleviate the buying, selling, letting, and management stress, and confusion that clients face. We want to provide our clients continuing guidance through the maze of processes, whilst leaving them in complete control to get the best results for their sales or lettings.

Q What is the most satisfying part of your role?

A The most satisfying part of the role is

helping clients achieve their goals and keeping great relationships with our vendors, landlords and tenants. Many people in the team are also involved in local networking groups such as Wimbledon Women in Business, Athena and the Wimbledon Business Group.

We are prominent members of the community through our support of local charities, schools and other initiatives such as Young Enterprise. We are proud to be winners in the Merton Business Awards, winning The Best Business in Raynes Park 2015, The Extra Mile 2016 and finalist in Best Service Excellence in 2017.

Q What has been your most memorable transaction?

A We have had a number of memorable transactions but probably the most memorable one is the manor house we sold in Sussex. The house had been on the market with local agents for two years and we managed to get it under offer after only a few weeks of having it on our website and portals.

Q If money were no object where would you live and why?

A If money were no object I would like to live in a rambling old farmhouse overlooking the sea, surrounded by open fields with spring lambs playing.

Add some sunshine and a couple of Vietnamese pot bellied pigs scratching around some oak trees. However, as I don’t have a bottomless pit of money I am very happy living in Wimbledon.

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Q What do you love about the area you operate in?

A I love the area we operate in, I have lived in Wimbledon for 25 years and love the open spaces of Wimbledon Common, the eclectic mix of people and all the friends I have made whilst living here.

Q What advice would you give to someone moving here for the first time?

A My advice to anyone wanting to move to the local area would be to get involved in the local community, make friends and support your local businesses.

Q What are the best kept local secrets?

A The best kept local secrets are some of the wonderful open spaces in the area, Wimbledon Common, John Innes Park

and Recreation Ground and Cannon Hill Common.

Q Why should a vendor or landlord instruct your office?

A At Tennison Property we go the extra mile for our vendors, landlords and tenants. We have developed a reputation for providing exceptional customer service along with approachable team members who are dedicated to integrity and responsiveness to every client. We set ourselves apart with outstanding customer service, expertise and unrivelled knowledge.

At Tennison Property we’re with you every step of the way. We view our relationship's with our clients as a partnership and you benefit from our expertise, assistance and advice throughout your journey.

We also view ourselves as experts, having sold and let many properties in the local area we know our stuff. We’ve invested in bespoke systems to match potential tenants and buyers to their perfect property.

Lastly, we have unrivalled local knowledge.

As an established agency we boast a wide network of local clients, relocation agents and local tradesmen which means there is no one better placed to help you buy, sell or let your home efficiently within the local market.

Tennison Property 312 Kingston Road, Wimbledon Chase, SW20 tennisonproperty.com

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

ASKING PRICE

ÂŁ1,895,000

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KINGSTON 020 8549 9449

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Chiswick Hammersmith West Kensington Fulham Chelsea

Battersea Clapham Putney Barnes Richmond

Kew Sheen Twickenham Teddington Kingston

featherstoneleigh.co.uk

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

ASKING PRICE

ÂŁ3,250,000

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FA M O U S P L AC E S

by N I G E L L E W I S

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

PEPYS’ HOUSE

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PHANTOM HOME

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he film Phantom Thread, released this February, tells the story of a bachelor dressmaker in the 1950s whose life becomes difficult when he finds love.

Starring Daniel-Day Lewis in what is said to be his final screen role, the film also features Lesley Manville and Vicky Krieps.

Phantom Thread was filmed on location in the UK in two key places – Lythe in North Yorkshire and in Fitzrovia in central London. In the

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capital, many of the scenes were shot at a Grade I listed, five-storey, sevenbedroom mansion on Fitzroy Square, which in the film is the workshop and home of the fictional Reynolds Woodcock that Day-Lewis plays.

The property where all the fashion and failed love takes place is now for sale. The Robert Adams-designed terraced property, which was built in 1790, also features eight reception rooms, private parking, 3.5m high ceilings and a full height cantilevered stone.

amous diarist Samuel Pepys was born in London and lived in the capital most of his life.

Pepys was born in the Square Mile, living through the English civil wars, the Great Plague, the Great Fire and the threat of Dutch invasion, before dying in Clapham in 1703.

In 1666 Pepys visited a ‘bear pit’ and saw animals including horses and bulls being baited for public amusement, which he described as “a rude and nasty pleasure”.

Bear baiting is both illegal and widely despised these days but when Samuel Pepys was writing his famous diaries during the 1660s it was a popular form of entertainment.

The original bear pit Pepys visited was an octagonal theatre open to the air on what is now London’s South Bank. It sat just behind The Globe Theatre.

The bear pit is long gone but a home was built in 1860 on the site that records his visit called Pepys House, on Park Street.

Excavations of the property’s basement have revealed that elements of the original bear pit remain. The striking four-bedroom house is now for sale for £3.5 million.

It is a beautiful Grade II Listed building, with high vaulted ceilings that expose the original timber trusses, positioned just 90 meters from the River Thames.

“In the area housing stock at this price point tends to be modern apartments so Pepys House offers something different for buyers at this level,” says agent Laura Laws.

It’s for sale at £15 million through Knight Frank (020 3813 3647).

More information from Savills, (020 7456 6800).

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SCORES ON THE DORS

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he antics of today’s celebrities occasionally shock the nation, but for many decades actress Diana Dors took it to a whole different level. Her fame came from two sources – her reputation as the English Marylyn Monroe and an outrageous personal life.

It included two spells working in Hollywood, an appearance alongside Joan Collins and work on TV. She also liked her houses to be luxurious and, as well as a country manor house, her former home on Burnsall Street in London’s Chelsea is no exception.

The terraced property, which has recently had a blue plaque added in memory of her career, is now for sale.

It’s a double-fronted, four-bedroom house recently extended at the rear, just off the King’s Road.

For sale at £2.85m with agent John D Wood (020 7352 1484).

"Diana Dors liked her houses to be luxurious and her home on Burnsall Street in Chelsea is no exception"

HOME GAMES

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ctress Tara Fitzgerald has enjoyed an illustrious stage, film and TV career, but despite multiple plaudits for her work, she is best known to people as Selyse Baratheon, Lady of Dragonstone in Game of Thrones.

But despite her global fame after joining Game of Thrones, the 50-year-old has for some time lived in a modest house in the suburbs of West London. Or at least she used to.

Tara has sold the property for £1.75 million, £145,000 less than she had hoped to get for it.

It has four bedrooms and two reception rooms and a long and wide rear garden, at the end of which is a substantial outbuilding.

“There is a real serenity to this place,” says Tara. “The flow of the house means it is somewhere that people feel comfortable from the moment they cross the threshold, and it has the charm of a country dwelling in the midst of the city.”

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LIVING THE

DREAM The most luxuriously appointed properties on the market

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BIRCHGLADES

BEECH RIDGE K T 2 , ÂŁ3,49 9, 5 00

K T 2 , ÂŁ8,995,0 0 0

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irchglades in an elegant six bedroom family home in Coombe Park set in over half an acre of landscaped gardens.

On the ground floor the house comprises a generous entrance hall, drawing room, dining room, study and beautiful kitchen and dining room. On the first floor and second floor the property has a games room, library and cinema and below there is a gym, pool, and gated driveway.

KNIGHT FRANK Wimbledon Office, 020 8946 0026 knightfrank.com

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

The local area offers a wide range of schools and sporting activities.

COOMBE RESIDENTIAL Coombe Residential 020 8947 9393 coomberesidential.com 1

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LIVERPOOL ROAD KT 2 , £ 3 ,4 00,000

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ating from 1856 this stunning period family home backs onto Richmond Park.

Set over four floors, the property has five to six bedrooms, and a wonderful balance of bedroom to living space. The well landscaped garden is mainly laid to lawn with some mature shrubs and hedging, and a private terrace off the back of the house. There is also plenty of parking.

KNIGHT FRANK Richmond Office, 020 3504 6958 knightfrank.com

EASTBURY ROAD

GLAMORGAN ROAD KT 1 , £ 3 9 0,0 0 0

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et within a pretty Victorian building, this is a stunning one bedroom conversion flat. The property is full of character, boasting period features, and has a dual aspect living space and separate kitchen. It is located close to Hampton Wick station only a short walk to the River Thames and Kingston town centre.

Hampton Court and Bushy Park are also located nearby.

KFH

Kingston Office, 020 3792 4524 kfh.co.uk

K T 2 , £ 1 ,0 5 0,0 0 0

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n one of Kingston’s desirable river roads, this three bedroom detached Victorian house features plenty of period charm It has been renovated to suit accomodate modern family living. Canbury Gardens is on its doorstep and Kingston town centre is just a ten minute walk away with plenty of shops, restaurants, entertainment and great transport links.

FEATHERSTONE LEIGH Kingston Office, 020 8549 9449 featherstoneleigh.co.uk

AN ELEGANT SIX BEDROOM FAMILY HOME IN COOMBE PARK SET IN OVER HALF AN ACRE OF LANDSCAPED GARDEN

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PORTUGAL'S GREAT OUTDOORS Designed to appeal to the sort of people for whom endless days snoozing by the beach is anathema

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isbon Green Valley, the substantial new villa complex under construction outside the tourist crush of Lisbon, is not the usual holiday homes resort most Brits are used to viewing when house hunting under the Mediterranean sun.

Instead of golf courses, beaches or vast swimming pool complexes, the resort is designed to appeal to the sort of people for whom endless days snoozing by the beach is anathema – the jogging, cycling and hiking set.

Lisbon Green Valley, as its name suggests, overlooks a verdant swathe of mountain criss-crossed by mountain biking and hiking paths and thousands of acres of wild countryside.

And if you do need to get to the beach but don’t want to drive, there’s a trail for the more adventurous that leads eventually to the nearest beach.

The resort has a way to go before it’s finished. The JCBs and construction workers have recently begun mauling its rich brown earth, and new wide boulevards are slowly forming to accommodate the 16 apartments, 14 townhouses and detached bespoke villas that will soon line them.

Like the modernist leanings of its partbuilt main apartment block and finished show townhouses, in many respects Lisbon Green Valley is a fresh approach to what a Mediterranean country resort should be.

And that means community, a model that’s been tried next door at its sister resort. There buggies whirr, children bob

along the sidewalks and local office workers and residents return for lunch. The number of people lunching in the club house was surprising for the early Autumn day when Absolutely London paid a visit.

Developer Gilberto Jordan, whose father André created two of Europe’s most famous resorts – Quinta da Lago and Vilamoura – says Lisbon Green Valley will bustle like its sister resort Belas Clube Campo because he expects 90% of residents to live there year-round.

It’s why the new resort is to have both a large school and a health centre. Lisbon Green Valley is also likely to have the same mixture of residents as Belas – retired golfing expats, professionals from around the world living in the sun but managing businesses remotely, and

“ if you do need to get to the beach but don’t want to drive, there’s a trail for the more adventurous that leads eventually to the nearest beach.”

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Lisbon commuters.

It’s this mix that makes Belas alive in comparison to the shuttered ghost resorts.

The ones that are all too numerous in Spain and other parts of the Mediterranean, only coming to life during the busy high-season Summer months and half-term breaks.

Lisbon Green Valley is also close to the main motorway network that cradles the capital and spreads out into the surrounding sometimes suburban countryside.

This makes many of the area’s main destinations around 20 minutes away – assuming you don’t drive at rush hour, including the regal mountains of Sintra, which can be seen from the resort in the distance, as well as the seaside resort of Cascais, historic Belem’s tower and the varied delights of Lisbon, including its bourgeoning celebrity chef scene.

Lisbon is the city break destination du jour for many northern Europeans helped by the arrival of Madonna, who has bought a house in Sintra and is now often seen in Lisbon with her son after he gained a place at the training academy of the city’s football club.

Mention of celebrities does not fluster Gilbert Jordan. His father’s first two resorts Vilamoura and Quinta do Lago were in part built on a reputation for celebrity residents from the footballing sublime to the reality TV ridiculous.

Dozens of world class football players including Christiana Ronaldo and Teddy Sheringham have resided at the two resorts, alongside reality stars such as Binky Felstead from Made in Chelsea, Ant & Dec, Holly Willoughby and Jose Mourinho.

Gilberto says he already secured several

famous names for Lisbon Green Valley, who are likely to buy one of the secluded $325,000 plots available, with building costs on top.

Further down the price list are completed apartments at Green Valley starting at €325,000 for a one-bed on the bottom floor to €520,00 for a two-bedroom unit on the top floor.

Townhouses kick off at €905,000 for the smallest three-bed units. All of which come with access to mountain bike storage facilities, of course.

For further information contact the team and get to know the Lisbon Green Valley project in detail: Call +351 219 626 616 Email: casadevendas@planbelas.pt www.lisbongreenvalley.pt

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What are they going to see from down there, really?

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