Absolutely London Kensington & Chelsea March 2023

CLASSICS IN NEW HUES

Furniture designer Kaare Klint is recognized as the father of modern Danish design. In his work, he insisted on clean lines, logical design, the best materials, and superb craftsmanship. Experience two of Klint’s masterful design classics, the KK41180 Sofa, and KK43960 Mix Chair, in aniline leather, British Racing Green colour, exclusively in Carl Hansen & Søn’s Flagship Stores. In stores from February. | KK43960 Mix Chair, oak, oil, aniline leather, British Racing Green colour, £4,849 | KK41180 Sofa, oak, oil, aniline leather, British Racing Green colour, £9,416

The ultimate luxury is taking time to unwind in a bed so comfortable that you never want to leave

Bed: Sandö I Fabric: Designer´s Guild Rothesay Zinc I Carpet: Soft Greige I Bed Linen: Storm Shell I Bedside table: Holme I Headboard: Rivö I Bed legs: Reling MADE BESPOKE WITH FABRICS FROM AND

EXPRESS YOUR WITH DANISH DESIGN FURNITURE

EXTRAORDINARY

LOCATED AT BATTERSEA REACH, HARRODS, FINCHLEY ROAD, NOTTING HILL, TOTTENHAM COURT ROAD, WESTFIELD LONDON, GUILDFORD, BENTALLS KINGSTON, FENWICK BRENT CROSS AND ST ALBANS

Discover original and distinctive furniture designs with the latest Scandinavian styles. Customise our furniture to suit your lifestyle with the help of our interior designers and nd the perfect t for your home. Change the size, colour, nishes, con gurations and more. Book your free interior design consultation in-store or in the comfort of your own home. For further inspiration, explore our full collection online and in-store.

Beautiful timber windows & doors

EDITOR IN CHIEF

PENDLE HARTE

MAMA EDITOR

CARLY GLENDINNING

ART DIRECTOR

PAWEL KUBA

SENIOR DESIGNERS

MIKE ROBERTS, SUZETTE SCOBLE

MIDWEIGHT DESIGNER

CARMEN GRAHAM

JUNIOR DESIGNER

JOE MUNSEY

PRODUCTION MANAGER

DANICA BRODIE

GROUP SALES MANAGER

JOSEPH HAISMAN

SENIOR MEDIA CONSULTANT

STELLA ADAMS

FINANCIAL DIRECTOR

JERRIE KOLECI

CREDIT CONTROL MANAGER

ALEXANDRA HVID

DIRECTORS

CRAIG DAVIES, LEAH DAY, JAMES FUSCHILLO

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

ALEXANDRA HUNTER

MANAGING DIRECTOR

SHERIF SHALTOUT

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For advertising enquiries please call 07818 690 386 or email: craig@zest-media.com

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LETTER Editor’s

ABSOLUTELY’S March issue highlights

It doesn't feel like it as I write, but spring is almost here and winter is almost over. So we're looking at spring cleaning in this issue – not just the actual cleaning part, though we do touch on that, but the part that involves a refresh of our homes. Whether it's simply buying a new lamp, or some new plates, or designing a whole new kitchen, it's a great time of year to make changes. To freshen things up a bit. When the sunlight starts to stream back through our rooms, highlighting tired paintwork and dusty surfaces, it's time to take action and embrace the new season. Maybe it's time to paint your kitchen green, or book a holiday, or find a new yoga class – and we have suggestions for all of these things. Also in this issue we preview a new exhibition of street art at the Saatchi Gallery, review the West End run of The Lehman Trilogy and test out a recipe box in the hope of reviving our tired suppers. Here's hoping that we can offer some inspiration. Enjoy March.

1

2 3

Hot lava

The enduring legacy of British icon, the lava lamp

PENDLE HARTE EDITOR

Light up

Beata Human's beautiful new lighting for Original BTC

China girl Emma J Shipley's colourful crockery designs

Big apple Iris Apfel's maximalist rug designs

Dream kitchen

Designer Kate Halfpenny's kitchen is both practical and beautiful

Wish LIST

KNIT WIT

Amano's crochet pocket alpaca wrap is hand-knitted in the mountains of northern Ecuador and it's the ultimate in cosiness. £225 foreveramano.com

PEARLY WHITE

Carousel is an independent fi ne and demi-fi ne jewellery brand that takes inspiration from travel, romance and adventure in their timeless designs, Carousel Jewels uses ethically sourced gemstones and materials, ensuring that each stone is unique. carousel-london.com

Arne Jacobsen's City Hall alarm clock was modelled on Copenhagen's Town Hall clock and it's a stylish addition to any bedside table. £89 conranshop.co.uk

PALE AND INTERESTING

Book a fitting at Battersea' s Amelie's Follies and choose from a selection of beautiful and perfectly fitting lingerie. ameliesfollies.co.uk

IN THE SHADE

The Adidas Originals eyewear collection marks an intersection of sport and street style seen through the lens of culture. £129 specsavers.co.uk

GLOW UP

CHANEL Les Beige Healthy Glow

Bronzing Cream glides onto the skin, blending perfectly into a moisturised face. Don’t forget to apply on your neck for extra jaw definition. chanel.com

SILK CUT

What feels more luxe than cream-coloured satin? Probably nothing. Nynne's SS23 collection is all gathered fabrics and shine. nynne.eu

CHECK OUT

Gingham is huge for SS23. We love this pinky neutral throw at John Lewis, £30. johnlewis.com

SECOND HAND

Swiss brand Vacheron Constantin meticulously produces limited batches of its beautiful timepieces. £17,800 net-a-porter.com

TIE IN

Luxuriously so , with a ruffle trim and blouson sleeves, this cable knit dress is both cosy and stylish. somersetbyalice.com

SARAH LAMB IN WAYNE MCGREGORS WOOLF WORKS THE ROYAL BALLET. ©ROH, 2015 PHOTOGRAPHED BY TRISTAM KENTON

The Agenda

EVENTS NOT TO MISS IN LONDON

The Walworth Farce

TO 18 MARCH, SOUTHWARK PLAYHOUSE ELEPHANT

The Walworth Farce is a remarkable play about what can happen when we become stuck in the stories we tell about our lives.

Visceral and tender, it combines hilarious moments with shocking realism. First performed in Galway, Cork and Dublin in 2006 it received its London premiere at the National Theatre in 2008.

southwarkplayhouse.co.uk

FESTIVAL

Women of the World Festival

10-12 March

SOUTHBANK CENTRE

WOW is the world’s biggest and most comprehensive festival celebrating women, girls and non-binary people. Discussion, debate and performance include Emma Carroll and Lauren Child presenting The Little Match Girl Strikes Back (pictured). southbankcentre.co.uk

THEATRE

Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead

15 March - 1 April

BARBICAN THEATRE

Nobel Prize-Winner Olga Tokarczuk’s genre-defying novel comes to the stage in an adaptation by Complicité directed by Simon McBurney. complicite.org

RACHELLE DIEDERICKS

BALLET

WOOLF WORKS

1-23 March

ROYAL OPERA HOUSE

Wayne McGregor’s acclaimed triptych Woolf Works recreates the emotions, themes and fluid style of three of Virginia Woolf’s celebrated novels, Mrs Dalloway, Orlando, and The Waves, as well as elements of her autobiographical writings that echo aspects of her eventful life . roh.org.uk

Sasha Bowles: Taking Liberties with the Masters

Until May 2023

THE EXHIBITIONIST HOTEL

Oil painting interventions onto images of ‘Old Master’ painting that are cut from discarded art books. These oil paintings are a mischievous homage – a collaboration of sorts that remove the human elements of the sitter and seamlessly replacing these parts with replications from other parts of the same painting. sashabowles.co.uk

ART TO WATCH

Why The Other Art Fair is well worth a trip to The Truman Brewery

COLLECT 2023

1-3 MARCH, SOMERSET HOUSE

The leading international fair for contemporary craft features outstanding artworks made in the last five years by living artists and designers represented by close to 40 specialist galleries from across the globe, all selected by an expert advisory panel.

Ceramicist Noa Chernichovsky will show a selection of pieces from her ceramic collection “Facing the Plenty”, including Pier Cap 1, pictured. craftscouncil.org.uk

Celebrated for its unexpected take on the traditional art fair experience, The Other Art Fair returns to The Truman Brewery this month, o ering switched-on art lovers the chance to buy artwork directly from over 150 rising international art stars. Coinciding with International Women’s Day, the Fair boasts an impressive 61% female line-up, championing some of the most exciting emerging female talents working today. Expect an impressive entrance installation created by Glastonbury’s female space The Sistxrhood, and

drop-in workshops throughout the weekend hosted by Collage Club. There’ll be the chance to have your portrait taken by Rankin, and London figurative painter Rod Kitson will be painting live portraits in real time as part of his ongoing portraiture project, Where Are We Now. Each sitting will take two hours and by the close of the weekend he will have created a mini gallery of portraits of visitors.

The Other Art Fair, 9-12 March, The Truman Brewery, E1, theotherartfair.com

SAMUEL RYDE

RAGNI AGARWAL

SARAH LIM-MURRAY

This month’s must-see

The LEHMAN TRILOGY

By PENDLE HARTE

First seen at the Lyttleton in 2018, The Lehman Trilogy was the most awarded play on Broadway earlier this year, winning Best Play, Best Director, Best Set Design, Best Lighting Design and Best Actor at the 2022 Tony Awards®. It also won the Drama League Award for Best Play and six Outer Critics Circle Awards, including Best Play. Directed by Sam Mendes, it's an ambitious production, its story spanning more than 160 years and several generations of the Lehman family, all played by just three actors who remain on stage for the entirety of the three hour performance. It's the story of the Lehman brothers, but also of America, and its boom-and-bust trajectory. We meet Hayum Lehmann straight o the boat in 1844, arriving in the USA from Germany to make his fortune. Immediately rebranding himself as 'Henry Lehman' and soon joined by his

two brothers, he embarks on a business journey that takes him from a small shopkeeper to a founding member of the New York Stock exchange and then governor of New York, and head of a bank. We see him basically invent the concept of brokering, survive the Wall Street Crash and hand the family business over to his son, and the story continues until 2008... and we all know what happens next.

Brilliantly conceived by Es Devlin, the set is a rotating glass box that represents Lehman Brothers' Financial District o ce, complete with the cardboard boxes representative of the bank's collapse. A vast screen behind the stage sets the scene – burning cotton fields, the New York skyline, the Midwestern landscape – and a solo pianist accompanies the action from the side of the stage. Michael Balogun, Hadley Fraser and Nigel Lindsay play all parts, narrating the fast-paced saga with moments of great comedy. It's a gripping, groundbreaking production.

THE LEHMAN TRILOGY

To 20 April, Gillian Lynne Theatre barbican.org.uk

The National Theatre's award-winning production returns to the West End

“The story continues until 2008... and we all know what happens next”

BLOCK

BUSTERS

The UK’s largest ever exhibition of street art comes to the Saatchi Gallery

Words EVE HERBERT

LIL CRAZY LEGS, PHOTO © MARTHA COOPER, 1983

From defiant train writers to powerful large-scale muralists, over 100 international artists are featured in the most comprehensive gra ti and street art exhibition to open in the UK. Saatchi Gallery’s Beyond The Streets London features new works, large-scale installations, original ephemera and extraordinary fashion that capture the powerful impact of gra ti & street art across the world.

Curated by gra ti historian Roger Gastman, the showl examines the fundamental human need for public selfexpression, highlighting artists with roots in gra ti and street art whose work has evolved into highly disciplined studio practices, alongside important cultural figures inspired by this art scene.

The exhibition explores exceptional moments in the history of this artistic movement, including the emergence of

punk; the birth of hip-hop (marking its 50th anniversary in 2023) and street culture’s strong influence in fashion and film. Upon entering the gallery, visitors will explore the gra ti-filled installation The Vandal’s Bedroom by American artist Todd James, whose works have been exhibited twice at the Venice Biennale.

The first chapter ‘Music & Art Converge’ explores the socio-political turmoil of the late 70s and 80s, where the decline of cities met artistic resistance, a shift which was felt in both the US and UK. Youth culture responded by painting gra ti on walls and public transport, creating art that reflected and reimagined the times in an explosion of expression on the streets. It was about identity in the face of oppression, self-awareness, and self-discovery in a moment of a depleted economic outlook.

Through music and art, London meets New York, featuring works including FUTURA2000’s legendary 30 ft. painting,

made on stage with The Clash, displayed along with unparalleled contributions from Malcom McLaren, MODE2 and American photojournalist Martha Cooper. Visitors will be encouraged to browse and enjoy music at Trash Records, an interactive installation within a fully recreated record shop.

No area of Saatchi Gallery is left untouched; visitors will be immersed by works and ephemera on view across hallways,

MARTHA COOPER-LADIES ON TRAIN

SHEPARD FAIREY, ICONS FACES, 2021

KENNY SCHARF, CLOSET #42 BESTEST EVER, PHOTO BY CHARLES WHITE OF JW PICTURES, 2022

tunnels and staircases and will enter rooms exploring the birth of gra ti.

The ‘Dream Galleries’ focus on a selection of American and European originators, photo documentarians and cultural icons who helped contextualise and spread gra ti culture around the world. In André Saraiva’s Dream series, there is a visual articulation of how gra ti, street art, hip-hop, punk, fashion and break-dancing all sprung from the late 1970s and early 1980s into the 90s and today, and became a hybrid celebration of underground culture. The ‘Legends’ chapter presents icons such as legendary NYC artist Eric Haze, a torch bearer for generations to come; a new large-scale

painting by abstract expressionist artist José Parlá; advertisement posters by KAWS, a prominent creative force; and unique ephemera by Keith Haring, one of the most popular street artists of the 1980s. The ‘Blockbusters’ chapter will include works commissioned specifically for this exhibition by gra ti trailblazers Shepard Fairey, LA-based activist, and FAILE, a Brooklyn based artistic duo taking over the streets of NYC since the late 90s.

‘Larger Than Life’ includes a site-specific large-scale installation by LA-based icon Kenny Scharf who will present the largest to date Cosmic Cavern; an immersive and interactive installation consisting of Day-Glo

paintings, ephemera, and reused materials found in the streets of LA. This chapter will also feature the signature puppet characters made from recycled materials by Paul Insect, one of London’s original street art pioneers.

‘Timeline’ takes a deep dive into street culture history through archival photography, ephemera and fashion to contextualize the cross-pollination of influences across music, fashion and film. This chapter will also include a large wall vinyl by infamous feminist collective Guerrilla Girls – a deliberate nod to the fact that most street and gra ti artists, and indeed most well-known artists in contemporary art overall are men.

The closing chapters consist of ‘Social Commentary: Gra ti as a message’; ‘Art with Conscience’ containing works by hip-hop pioneer Fab 5 Freddy, and; ‘Consideration Into Innovation’ showcasing Lisbon-based artist, VHILS, who innovatively utilizes repurposed materials to reimagine city walls.

To 9 May; saatchigallery.comw

“A HYBRID CELEBRATION OF UNDERGROUND CULTURE”

WALL POSSE B-GIRL, ST PAUL_S CARNIVAL, 1986 BEEZER PHOTOS

FELIPE PANTONE, OPTICHROMIE 114, PHOTO © FPSTUDIO, 2019

CRASH - THE AFTERLIFE

FUTURA CLASH

Poggenpohl has 17 points of sale throughout the UK & Ireland · uk@poggenpohl.com

For your nearest Poggenpohl Studio please go to www.poggenpohl.com

SNAP HAPPY

Guest artist Rankin comes to The Other Art Fair this month

By EVE HERBERT

Saatchi Art’s The Other Art Fair returns to The Truman Brewery this March, with yet another dynamic, art filled lineup. This year the Fair welcomes exclusive guest artist Rankin, bringing his ambitious RankinLIVE project to the London edition of the artist-led Fair for the first time.

This event is a unique opportunity for members of the public to be directed and photographed by one of Britain’s most prolific fashion and portrait photographers. Tickets for the experience include time in front of the lens, either solo or with a loved one, as well as a digital version of the final portrait and your very own A4 authenticated Rankin print. It is priced at £420.

Rankin’s portfolio spans photography for print, advertising and exhibitions, shooting portraits of well known and loved cultural icons from Queen Elizabeth II to David Bowie, Kate Moss to The Rolling Stones, as well as producing rule-breaking campaigns for brands such as Rolls Royce and L’Oréal. His career includes publishing, beginning with the co-founding of seminal magazine Dazed & Confused in 1992 alongside Je erson Hack, leading the way for accessible counterculture. Rankin has published numerous projects since, including AnOther and AnOther Man, over 40 books as well as biannual fashion and culture platform Hunger

The first RankinLIVE event back in 2009 saw Rankin take to The Old Truman Brewery with the intention of glamorising public figures in an age of celebrity obsession. During the live exhibition,

Rankin shot 1,800 people across the world, attracting a wide variety of individuals.

‘Any time Rankin takes a picture he knows what he wants, and there is really no chance of being anyone but who you are, even if you try.’ – Kate Moss, British Vogue

Rankin’s photography has been published everywhere from his own publications to Elle, Vogue, Esquire, GQ, Rolling Stone, and Wonderland, and exhibited in galleries globally, including MoMA, New York, and the Victoria & Albert Museum, London.

THE TRUMAN BREWERY

85 Brick Lane, London, E1 6QR 9-12 March

Opening Night 9 March 5-10PM

DAVID BOWIE, DAZED & CONFUSED, 1995 ©RANKIN

GLYN & JERMAINE, RANKINLOVES, 2020 ©RANKIN

F.A.M.E X RANKIN, 2018 ©RANKIN

MORE THAN JUST A CLUB

Carmen Delprat Art

The Australian artist Carmen Delprat captures an allegory of the world around her and transforms it into dream like interpretations with vivid colour and imagination.

Carmen’s art merges in several styles including fine art, surrealism and symbolism. Her work is a symbol of empowerment and visual delight.

Visit the full collection carmendelpratart.com

IG Carmen Delprat Art.

Have you ever wondered about the benefits of joining an exclusive private members club?

If so why not take advantage.

PHYLLIS COURT

OPEN DAY

SUNDAY 2ND APRIL 12 – 4pm

Come and look around the Club and see our facilities.

Bars, Restaurants, Hotel, Fitness Centre, Sports Facilities, Interest Groups, Regatta, Moorings & Worldwide Reciprocal Clubs

For further info contact: membership@phylliscourt.co.uk or call 01491 570 500

Marlow Road, Henley on Thames, RG9 2HT phylliscourt.co.uk

The SUPPORT TEAM

Recognising Cheltenham Festival’s biggest cheerleaders who play a part in bringing racehorses to the track

Known as the Olympics of horseracing, it is no surprise that it ‘takes a village’ to get the equine athletes to the start line during Cheltenham Festival. From 14-17 March, more than 150 horses will perform on one of sport's greatest stages.

The thrill of horseracing has long captured our nation, in fact it’s our second biggest spectator sport. Cheltenham Festival itself hosts some of racing’s most talented animals and one of jump racing’s most famed races, the Cheltenham Gold Cup, which dates back to 1924. It is made clear by the racegoer’s legendary ‘Cheltenham roar’ when a horse crosses the winning line what an exhilarating and heart-warming sport horseracing is.

But the high-octane thrill of the raceday is a far cry from the calmer day-to-day life of these

spectacular athletes. Whether it’s a morning run on the gallops, taking a restorative swim in a state-of-the-art equine swimming pool or a physiotherapy session to ease away any aching muscles, there’s a huge team involved in keeping a racehorse fit and healthy.

Like all athletes, racehorses have tailored training programmes to suit their individual needs and it takes an extraordinary partnership between a racehorse and those that support it to understand what works best.

Typically, a racehorse will have a team of at least six core people involved in the 365 days of care and raceday preparation. The core team is made up of a trainer, yard sta , work rider, farrier, vet and physio not to mention the wider dedicated team members such as the secretary, jockey, nutritionist, chiropractor, travelling team and equine dentist.

Yard sta spend the most time with the horse and have a vital role to play in a racehorse’s day-to-day care that contributes to their performance on a raceday. Each horse will be tended to by a member of yard sta who will feed them, wash them down after exercise, ensure the horse is the right temperature and often travel with the horse when racing for familiarity. It is also their duty to make sure the space in and around the yard is well-kept to create a calm and relaxing atmosphere each day. As well as the current equine stars of the sport, Cheltenham Festival hosts parades from former racehorses who have gone on to new careers in dressage, show jumping or eventing, as well as those who have turned their foot to a slower pace of life.

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL FACTS

• 12,320 yards of running rails surround the track;

• 5,000 bundles of birch are used every season to make the jumps;

• Racecourses across Britain, including Cheltenham, have changed jump fences from orange to white to improve equine vision and safety;

• There are 28 jump races run during Cheltenham Festival;

• 22 fences are jumped during the Cheltenham Gold Cup;

• The Gold Cup dates back to 1924 when Red Splash ridden by Dick Rees won;

• The shortest distance raced is two miles;

• On average 65,000 people attend the festival each day.

Visit greatbritishracing.com to find out more. Cheltenham Festival will air live on ITV Racing 14-17 March

Fri 14th

Sat 15th

Sun 16th

featuring GILSON LAVIS with special guests PAULINE BLACK and ARTHUR ‘Gaps’ HENDRICKSON from THE SELECTER and guest vocalists RUBY TURNER, LOUISE MARSHALL & SUMUDU

– 16 July 2023

ESCAPE WITH A LUXURY FOODIE BREAK AT THE HAND & FLOWERS

Tom Kerridge’s The Hand & Flowers is the only two-Michelin starred pub in the UK. With 15 beautiful rooms, guests can enjoy a selection of in-room treats, king size beds, luxury freestanding roll top baths, whilst some have Jacuzzis and terraces, all are individually designed with a cosy, country feel.

A RANGE OF OVERNIGHT PACKAGES ARE AVAILABLE FROM A MONDAY NIGHT STAY, A MID-WEEK BREAK AND EVEN A GASTRONOMIC GETAWAY FOR FOODIES, THERE IS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE.

AN INCREDIBLE SET LUNCH MENU IS ALSO AVAILABLE WITH TWO-COURSES FOR £39 AND THREE-COURSES FOR £46.50.

The Hand and Flowers

126 West Street, Marlow, SL7 2BP contact@thehandandflowers.co.uk | 01628 482277

www.thehandandflowers.co.uk

FOOD & DRINK TO THE MEX

ZAPOTE

Contemporary Mexican eaterie Zapote opened recently in Shoreditch, headed up by chef Yahir Gonzalez. Hailing from the city of Aguascalientes, known as el corazón - the heart - of Mexico, he has created a menu that is both innovative and traditional, taking familiar Mexican dishes and executing them with a flair and precision honed over 20years as a chef in renowned restaurants in Mexico, Spain and London. zapote.co.uk

WHAT TO DRINK GRAPE news

Wine recommendations for the month

By HATTINGLEY VALLEY

The award-winning Blanc de Blancs 2014 is made using only the finest Chardonnay grapes. This deliciously fruit and honeyed wine, with its pastry and brioche notes, has well-balanced acidity and is perfect for enjoying with dishes including a charcuterie board and prosciutto.

TASTING

NOTES

London’s food news and most exciting openings this month

By PENDLE HARTE

Made from a blend of the finest Pinor Precoce, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, this rosé is delicate and elegant, yet full of flavour. On the nose are vibrant notes of pomegranate, raspberries and strawberries, contrasted with a subtle savoury hint of freshly cut hay. On the palate, this wonderful wine provides a lovely light texture.

A very limited release, this new vintage of the award-winning King’s Cuvée that is pale golden and made from a premium blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. A soft, creamy and spicy wine, is deep and rich, yet with a refreshing bright, with flavours of brioche, vanilla and creamy oak.

HATTINGLEY VALLEY

Hattingley Valley is one of the UK’s most successful wineries, winning over 100 medals, 13 trophies, and Best in Class for its English sparkling wines. It is recognised for its innovative approach to winemaking, with award-winning English sparkling wines exported internationally to 16 countries. hattingleyvalley.com

Spice of life

Shoreditch newcomer Zapote has an open charcoal grill, creating a dramatic focal-point for the 65-seat dining room. Tortillas will be made in-house using native Mexican corn varieties. Mexican chillis, spices and other dried goods will be imported quarterly; menu highlights include scallop ceviche with persimmon, orange and grilled corn.

zapote.co.uk

Blanc de Blancs  £41.50

Still rose 2021  £17

2015 King's Cuvee  £85

ZAPOTE

Flavour and culture

Jikoni's delicious menu is inspired by immigrant cuisine and the rich, shared flavours and cultures across parts of South Asia and the Far East, the Middle East, East Africa and Britain. The roasted tandoori cauliflower with spicy chickpea relish is to die for. jikonilondon.com

HOT SHOTS

Three of the best co ee blends

The curated box showcases the best speciality coffee from around the world. Each box contains 2x200g bags of coffee, ground or whole bean, from different independent UK roasters. batchcoffee.co.uk

NOODLE LOVE

Hand-made noodles, kake-dashi broth and piping hot tempura are prepared fresh everyday in Marugame's kitchens, which are springing up across London. Noodle-lovers rejoice, and stop in for a speedy bowl of udon. marugame.co.uk

Animal instinct

ELEPHANT GIN

Elephant Gin's Oak Aged Bottled Negroni is the ultimate bittersweet aperitif. Containing equal parts gin, vermouth and bitter liqueur, the bottled cocktail contains no artificial flavours or animal products. 15% of bottle profits also go directly to the Elephant Gin Foundation, which protects the African elephant. elephant-gin.com

Grind is the first in the world to use micro bacterial fermentation to create eco-friendly coffee pods that fully decompose within 26 weeksthat’s quicker than grass cuttings. grind.co.uk

MOUNTAIN DIET

HAUGEN

Missing your ski trip?

Tambia's single origin speciality coffee is grown on their own mountain farms and picked, processed and packed by hand –then expertly roasted in the UK for maximum freshness.

tambiacoffee.com

Haugen's set menu o ers all the apres-ski favourites. To start, try twice baked sou e (creme cheese sauce, melted cheese, chives) or the classic steak tartare, and follow it up with cheese fondue (to share) which comes with all the delicious dippers. Round it all o with a decadent Swiss chocolate fondue.

haugen-restaurant.com

BATCH COFFEE CLUB

MARUGAME

TAMBIA

GRIND

JIKONI

ABSOLUTELY eats out…

MORTY & BOB’S

Comfort food, cocktails and stylish surroundings in Kensal Rise

By PENDLE HARTE

Morty and Bob’s started life as a purveyor of grilled cheese sandwiches at food markets and festivals.

Founder Charlie Phillips named the business after his grandfathers and when he landed a permanent spot in London Fields he expanded the repertoire from cheese sandwiches to include a seasonally changing series of options for breakfast, brunch and lunch. Now there are

three sites: Coal Drop’s Yard, Westfield White City and Kensal Rise. The newest one, Kensal Rise, is more of a neighbourhood eaterie than the others, set in a residential area and this is where we visit for our Sunday brunch. It’s busy – packed, in fact – when we arrive, with families, couples and dogs populating the small and well laid-out space. The vibe is relaxed diner, with a stylish tiled bar, elegant school pendant lights and bare, cream-coloured walls. Sta are young and enthusiastic and the menu is small and simple.

First o is co ee, which is excellent, followed swiftly by my sliced avocado on sourdough toast with spiced yoghurt and poached egg. Good bread and delicious avocado –but a solo egg was not quite enough. Next time I’d order an extra one. The aged HG Walter bavette steak sandwich with chimichurri, pickled shalott, mustard mayo and rocket came in an excellent rosemary-infused focaccia bun with a generous helping of excellent fries, and the signature burger and fries was exactly what you want from a burger and fries: juicy meat, salty cheese, pickles and crispy chips. For pudding, a warm cookie with ice cream was a comforting indulgence, while an impressive half banana with caramelised honeycomb and chocolate mousse was delicious and decadent. Next time we’ll be back for cocktails, or for the newly announced grilled cheese and wine pairing evenings, hosted by sommelier Benedict Butterworth alongside Charlie Phillips.

MORTY & BOB’S

118 College Road, NW10 mortyandbobs.com

“The signature burger and fries is exactly what you want from a burger and fries”

MENU Three course

Tom Kerridge introduces a trio of recipes from his acclaimed Marlow institutions: The Hand & Flowers, The Butcher’s Tap & Grill and The Coach

Words TOM KERRIDGE

Photographs CRISTIAN BARNETT

The Hand & Flowers Smoked Haddock Omelette

Serves 4

A delicate, beautiful omelette is one of those pure dishes that makes you realise great food does not have to be about hundreds of ingredients on a plate. It’s about allowing a simple product to sing. I learnt that lesson back in the day when I worked for Gary Rhodes and we used to do a lobster omelette, which showcased the chef’s technique rather than putting a load of fancy things on the plate.

POACHED SMOKED HADDOCK INGREDIENTS

• 1 side of smoked haddock, 600g, skin and pin bones removed

• 600ml whole milk

METHOD

1 Check the smoked haddock for any tiny pin bones.

2 Bring the milk to the boil in a wide-based saucepan.

3 Carefully lay the smoked haddock in the pan, ensuring it is covered by the milk. Place a lid on the pan, turn o the heat and leave the fish to poach in the residual heat for about 10 minutes.

4 Once the haddock is cooked, remove it from the milk and gently flake the fish into a tray lined with greaseproof paper. Cover the tray with cling film and place in the fridge until ready to serve.

5 Pass the milk through a fine chinois into a clean saucepan and keep to one side.

SMOKED FISH BÉCHAMEL INGREDIENTS

• 250ml smoked haddock poaching liquor

• 15g unsalted butter

• 15g plain flour

• Sea salt and freshly ground pepper

METHOD

1 Bring the smoked haddock poaching liquor to a gentle simmer.

2 In a separate pan over a medium-low heat, melt the butter. Stir in the flour to make a roux and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Gradually ladle in the warm

poaching liquor, stirring as you do so to keep the sauce smooth.

3 Cook gently over a very low heat for 20 minutes.

4 Pass the sauce through a fine chinois and cover the surface with a piece of baking parchment or cling film to prevent a skin forming. Set aside until needed.

OMELETTE GLAZE INGREDIENTS

• 4 tbsp warm smoked haddock béchamel

• 4 tbsp hollandaise sauce

• 4 medium free-range egg yolks

• Sea salt and freshly ground pepper

METHOD

1 Gently warm the béchamel in a saucepan then pour into a bowl and whisk in the hollandaise and egg yolks.

2 Season with salt and pepper to taste and pass through a chinois into a warm jug or bowl. Keep warm to stop the glaze from splitting.

SMOKED HADDOCK

OMELETTE

To assemble & cook the omelette

INGREDIENTS

• 12 medium free-range eggs

• 4 tbsp unsalted butter

• 100g aged Parmesan, finely grated

• Sea salt and freshly ground pepper

METHOD

1 Crack the eggs into a jug blender and blend briefly to combine. Pass through a chinois into a measuring jug.

2 Place 4 individual omelette pans (we use Staub) over a low heat.

3 Take the smoked haddock from the fridge, remove the cling film and lay on a grill tray. Warm under the salamander or grill.

4 To each omelette pan, add 1 tbsp butter and heat until melted and foaming. Pour the blended egg into the pans, dividing it equally.

5 Using a spatula, gently move the egg around in the pans until they start to firm up. Remove from the heat; you want the eggs to be slightly loose, as they will continue to cook o the heat.

6 Season the omelettes with salt and pepper and sprinkle the grated Parmesan over their surfaces.

7 Divide the flaked smoked haddock between the omelettes, then spoon on the glaze to cover the fish and extend to the edge of the pans. If the glaze spills over the side of the pan, wipe it away, as this will burn on the side when blowtorching.

8 To finish, wave a cook’s blowtorch over the surface of the omelettes to caramelise the glaze. Allow the glaze to become quite dark, as the bitterness will balance out the richness of all the other ingredients.

THE ULTIMATE HOT DOG

The Ultimate Hot Dog

Serves 4

These hot dogs are based on everyone’s favourite Christmas side: pigs in blankets. Like Christmas trees, hot dogs are thought to originate in Germany, so I’ve added a bit of curry powder, German mustard and Bavarian cheese as a nod to that. The Butcher’s Tap & Grill is the place to get great hot dogs and bacon from to make this at home.

BARBECUE BURNT ONIONS

INGREDIENTS

• 2 large onions, finely sliced

• 3 tbsp vegetable oil

PIGS IN BLANKETS

INGREDIENTS

• 4 jumbo sausages

• 2 heaped tsp mild curry powder

• 12 rashers of streaky bacon

GERMAN MUSTARD MAYO

INGREDIENTS

• 100g thick mayonnaise

• 40g German mustard

• 3 tsp finely chopped shallot

• 10 cornichons, finely sliced

• 2 tbsp finely chopped dill

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

TO ASSEMBLE

• 4 long hot dog rolls

• 8 thick slices of smoked Bavarian cheese

• 8 large slices of dill pickle

• A bunch of spring onions, green part only, finely sliced

METHOD

1 To cook the onions, place a cast-iron pan on the hot barbecue and add the oil. When it is hot, add the onions with a generous pinch of salt. Stir well and cook for about 20 minutes until softened, dark and caramelised.

2 Meanwhile, prepare the sausages. Poke a metal skewer through the length of each sausage and lay the skewers on a tray. Season with the curry powder, trying to get an even coating all over the sausages. Wrap each one in bacon, using 3 rashers per sausage, and secure the bacon with a couple of cocktail sticks.

3 Lay the bacon-wrapped sausages on the hot barbecue and cook for about 10 minutes, turning every minute or two. While they are on the barbecue, mix the German mustard mayo ingredients together in a bowl, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste; set aside until needed.

4 Once the sausages are cooked through, lift them o the barbecue and place on a tray. Remove the cocktail sticks and metal skewers.

5 To build the hot dogs, slit the rolls open through the top and lay the cheese slices in them. Add the bacon-wrapped sausages and top with plenty of caramelised onions and the pickle slices.

6 Place the hot dogs on a sturdy baking tray on the barbecue, put the lid on and leave for a minute or two so that the cheese becomes all gooey and melted. Transfer the hot dogs to plates and spoon on the German mayo. Scatter over the spring onions for freshness and serve.

Mushroom Risotto

Serves 6

There isn’t a grain of rice in sight in this tasty ‘risotto’, which is made using two di erent kinds of mushrooms instead. The process is relatively simple, we combine finely diced king oyster mushrooms with a creamy mushroom puree. Parmesan and fresh chives finish it beautifully.

INGREDIENTS

• 500g king oyster mushrooms, finely chopped (approx. 4mm)

• 315g button mushrooms, washed and finely chopped

• 140ml double cream

• 12g fine salt

• 40g button mushrooms, washed and finely chopped (additional to finish)

• 40g diced Mozzarella cheese

• 10g chives, finely chopped

• 25g best-quality Parmesan cheese, finely grated

METHOD

1 Place the finely chopped king oyster mushrooms in a pan along with 100ml water. Cover with a lid and cook for 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.

2 Place the finely chopped button mushrooms into a medium pan along with the cream and salt.

3 Cover with a lid and cook over medium heat until the mushrooms are tender. Transfer this mixture to a blender and blend to a smooth puree.

4 Place equal amounts of the cooked king oyster mushrooms and mushroom puree into a pan over a medium heat to warm through.

5 Stir through the additional 40g finely chopped button mushrooms, then add the diced mozzarella about 30 seconds later.

6 Finish with the chopped chives and grated Parmesan before serving.

For more recipes and details about Tom Kerridge’s restaurants, visit tomkerridge.com

MUSHROOM RISOTTO

Photograph by Oladimeji Odunsi

FASHION

Renaissance WOMAN

DIOR

For the Dior spring-summer 2023 ready-to-wear line, Maria Grazia Chiuri explores the different facets of feminine power through a wardrobe imbued with sovereign grace, inspired by the figure of Catherine de Medici. A (Re)naissance of Dior style, brought to life in a series of shots by photographer Brigitte Niedermair, revealing a world tinged with mystery. dior.com

Hellessy's new shapes 46 • Jewellery: diamond life 52

A Forever Thing

Show

By CARLY GLENDINNING

DINNY HALL

LIBERTY

9k Gold and Diamond Initial Signet Ring, £510 libertylondon.com

ANNA SHEFFIELD

14k Gold Aries Charm Pendant With Bezel Set Charm, £763.25 annashe eld.com

DE BEERS

Aura Heart Platinum and 0.29ct Brilliant-Cut Diamond Ring, £3200 selfridges.com

YVONNE LÉON

JEMMA WYNNE

18k Yellow Gold Anniversary Diamond Bracelet, £14000 jemmawynne.com

52 ABSOLUTELY magazines FASHION • JEWELLERY

MATEO

Initial 14k Gold, Quartz and Diamond Necklace, £1860 net-a-porter.com

SUZANNE KALAN

18k Yellow Gold Heart Pendant with 0.2ct White Diamond Baguettes, £2124 harrods.com

JUDITH PETERHOFF

Vitium Single Bead Stack Ring with Diamond, £830 judithpeterho .com

callen olive

Experience leg and foot care like no other

A splash of indulgence for your legs and feet

Formulated to help you take clinic-level care of your legs and feet while enjoying a dose of every day luxury.

All our products contain the finest naturally derived ingredients for safe use on all skin types and proven efficacy.

callenolive.com

& BEAUTY

RED ALERT

CHANEL

The ultimate symbol of beauty, red lipstick exemplifies Chanel’s passion for colour. Worn proudly, it speaks volumes about the power and freedom that Gabrielle Chanel wanted to give women when she created her first lipstick in 1924. New Rouge Allure Velvet is equal parts matte and luminous. chanel.com

EXPERT IN THE NATURAL LOOK

TREAT YOUR MOTHER TO ETERNAL BEAUTY

Doctor Nyla is a skin specialist, trusted by TV personalities, well-known celebrity figures and some of Britain’s most familiar faces in the media industry. Founder and Medical Director of Doctor Nyla Medispa Cheshire is a highly respected and much sought after cosmetic Dermatology GP and is considered one of the top cosmetic doctors in the country. Having practised medicine for over 20 years and having personally delivered over 100,000 treatments with truly exceptional results, she has gained the admiration of the industry.

TRANSFORMATION FACELIFT TM

The Transformation Facelift TM is a bespoke treatment from Doctor Nyla, unique to her clinics and combining a variety of incredible anti-ageing treatments to make you look and feel 10 years younger in the space of only six weeks! The next generation, multiplatform transformational facial offered exclusively at Dr Nyla. This treatment offers nonsurgical skin tightening and lifting to treat all anti-ageing concerns – from textured, dull skin, to deep wrinkles and loss of laxity.

The treatment programme can combine a number of super technologies dependant upon your specific concerns such as Ultherapy, Exilis Elite radio frequency, Morpheus skin needling as well as tweaking with injectable enhancements where necessary, to give immediate & longterm results with minimal downtime. The skin will begin to feel smoother and tighter after the first treatment and results will continue to improve for up to six months.

WHY CHOOSE MEDISPA

EMFACE

EMFACE is a revolution in facial treatments. By emitting both synchronized RF and HIFESTM energies, it simultaneously affects the facial skin and muscles.The end result is less wrinkles and more lift naturally without needles. Best of all, EMFACE treats full face in only 20 minutes.

EMSCULPT

EMSCULPT is the only procedure which helps women and men build muscle and burn fat simultaneously. In addition, EMSCULPT provides the world’s first non-invasive buttock lift. EMSCULPT is based on high-intensity focused electromagnetic energy. A single EMSCULPT session causes thousands of powerful muscle contractions which are extremely important in improving the tone and strength of your muscles.

Please scan QR code to book complimentary consultation

Winner of the prestigious “BTL Face of the year” award.

The largest Skin Tightening clinic in the United Kingdom.

The largest Ultracel Clinic outside of London.

The only Diamond Premiere Coolsculpting clinic outside London and the second largest Coolsculpting clinic in Europe

“Clinic of the year 2019/20” at the safety in Beauty Awards.

World-class medical treatment. Truly personal care.

123

patient centred care in the heart of London.

Treatment centred around you

At King Edward VII’s Hospital, modern medicine and traditional values are combined to provide the very best individualised care. From the warm welcome patients receive at reception to the reassurance we give them as they leave, we aim to make every patient feel like our only patient.

Experts in Women’s Health

Our Women’s Health department includes renowned specialists in: •

•

• Breast Health

• Pelvic Floor Health

• Rheumatology

Our highly skilled teams will create a uniquely tailored care plan to help you get back to feeling like yourself again.

BEAUTY NOTES

The latest in luxury makeup and skincare

By CARLY GLENDINNING

ECO SCENTS SHINE ON

HERLUM

CALLEN OLIVE

EDITOR’S PICK

SCANDI SECRETS

NÓTTNUIT

Founded by a female duo (one of whom is a homeopath), Nóttnuit’s range of clean skincare taps into Scandi beauty secrets. The brand’s VOW Barrier Repair Overnight Mask soothes and hydrates the skin and is packed with hardworking ingredients such as bilberry seed oil and jojoba esters. £92; nottnuit.com

RAHUA

A British brand with Brazilian heritage, Herlum ‘s range of body care and candles is ecoconscious luxury at its best. The brand works with a UK based laboratory, using upcycled fragrance ingredients of the highest quality. herlum.co.uk CALLEN

100% natural, plant-based and sulphate and silicone-free haircare brand Rahua has launched a new glossing oil mist. Delivering serious shine, the formulation also enhances colour – brightening natural and colour-treated hair. £58; rahua.uk

Ithink most people are guilty of neglecting their feet during winter. Mine tend to get quite dry, so the extra e ort involved in taking care of them often falls to the bottom of my priority list when I’m in boots instead of sandals. That being said, if I don’t keep up my routine, I tend to su er from cracked heels and calluses. So I’m always on the lookout for low-e ort products that actually deliver. Callen Olive’s Foot Sole and Heel Saviour Balm definitely falls into this category. A lightweight cream that isn’t greasy, it absorbs quickly and leaves your skin feeling instantly moisturised. It’s made from 96% naturally derived ingredients, containing hydrogenated castor oil and provitamin B5 to protect and nourish the skin. The range is the brainchild of Maggie Trevillion, founder of multi-award winning podiatry clinic ‘Walk This Way Podiatry’. After a chat with Trevillion’s expert team, I am advised to exfoliate my feet first to get rid of the dryness and cracked skin. Then, after a shower or bath, to massage the balm into all areas of my foot. I’ve been using it for several weeks now and I’m finding I need to use my foot file less and less. My feet feel much more hydrated, the skin is softer and seems to be more resilient to cracking. I couldn’t recommend this balm more, and I can already tell it’s going to become a must-have in my year-round foot care routine.

Foot Sole and Heel Saviour Balm, £47; callenolive.com

Foot Sole and Heel Saviour Balm

Myopia Management at The Eye Place

Myopia, also known as short-sightedness, is when distant objects appear blurred due to the axial elongation of the eyeball, the eye getting longer, and usually develops in childhood. Noticing symptoms in children can be difficult as they may not realise their vision is abnormal.

At The Eye Place we are passionate about helping children and parents understand myopia and slowing down myopia progression.

For more information about myopia, or any queries you may have, contact your local Eye Place.

www.the-eye-place.co.uk

ANOKHA Rosehip Replenishing Balm, £110 anokhaskincare.com

TATA HARPER Rejuvenating Serum, £176 selfridges.com

AÉSOP Geranium Leaf Body Scrub, £29 net-a-porter.com

ERE PEREZ

Australian Blue Cypress Face Nectar, £35 naturisimo.com

EVOLVE BEAUTY Liquid Radiance Glycolic Toner, £20 evolvebeauty.co.uk

LUXE BOTANICS Marula Hydrating Serum, £78 counterculturestore.co.uk

SPRING GLOW

By CARLY GLENDINNING

EDITOR’S PICK

OSKIA

Micro Exfoliating Balm, £56 oskiaskincare.com

LANCER

The Method: Cleanse, £37 net-a-porter.com

FAIS

Restore It Antioxidant Marula + Palmarosa Facial Oil, £25 counterculturestore.co.uk

Q+A Super Greens Facial Oil, £8 qandaskin.com

GUY MORGAN Dagger Rose Treatment Balm, £55 earlofeast.com

TOP PICKS

FOR A RESTFUL NIGHT'S SLEEP

FITNESS NOTES

By CARLY GLENDINNING

PERFECT TEMP

This Dohar blanket is made from hypoallergenic 'mulmul' cotton that helps to naturally regulate your temperature as you sleep. £145, shadesofcoollondon.com

LOVE SUPREME PROJECTS

Absolutely London tries Manizeh Rimer's Jivamukti Open class at the yoga studio she co-founded with Nadia Narain

SWEET DREAMS

This candle is scented with Jasmine essential oil – which has been found to have a positive effect on sleep quality. £55, polkra.com

Love Supreme Projects has only been open 11 months when I visit one Saturday morning at the beginning of February, but it’s packed to the rafters. And ‘rafters’ is definitely an appropriate word considering the yoga studio is housed in a stylishly converted church on Notting Hill’s buzzy Golborne Road.

BURN OUT

Burning these Palo Santo sticks before bed can help your body relax and reduce stress, getting you ready for a solid night of rest. £25, rahua.uk

I’m up on the top floor for co-founder Manizeh Rimer’s popular Jivamukti Open class. The room might be full (and more join us via Zoom from all over the world), but the energy is palpable as Rimer leads us in a chant to begin our practice. The Vinyasa style class aims to bring together the physical poses with the philosophies, chanting,

and meditation of yoga.

Rimer tells me afterwards that when she started teaching yoga, she found that many people were a little hesitant about chanting. But she’s seen it slowly grow in popularity in recent years, especially since the pandemic. She explains that chanting is an easier path to meditation, cutting out all of the noise of the mind. Or as Rimer puts it, it helps you to ‘crack your heart open’.

Listening to Rimer’s beautiful voice helps me to feel grounded and shake o a sleepless night with my toddler. Being a relatively new mum, I must admit that I haven’t practised yoga for a while. The class is open to all abilities, but I find my basic knowledge of the yoga poses

helps to get me into the flow, even if I’m not the most limber.

A long time student of Sharon Gannon, David Life and Jai Uttal, Rimer’s twenty years’ experience of teaching yoga has given her the wisdom to be able to adapt the class according to the energy of the room. We start o slow, building the tempo, until we find ourselves bouncing on the spot, waving our hands jubilantly in the air to the duration of Radiohead’s Weird Fishes/Arpeggi. At the end, I’m sweating, but I feel great. It’s easy to see how people get hooked on Rimer’s classes and I have a feeling I’ll be back, even if it’s just to tune in via Zoom.

Drop in class: choose your price, £10 - £25 lovesupremeprojects.com

At Loveday Abbey Road, care is in our nature

Loveday is proud to introduce Loveday Abbey Road, and its beautiful sensory garden. Whether it’s potting, painting or socialising all our Members can enjoy its thoughtful design.

Loveday is the club where care meets hospitality, blending tailored, compassionate care with a world-class experience and environment. And because of our industry leading Member to staff ratios we build stronger relationships with you and your loved ones, all of which helps us provide care beyond compare. To discover the Loveday difference, please come and visit our new property Loveday Abbey Road.

lovedayandco.com

info@lovedayandco.com | 0203 2811 890

PAIN EXPLAINED

Expert gynaecologists from King Edward VII’s Hospital in Marylebone explain endometriosis

Endometriosis: What is it and how is it treated?

Severe period pain? Pain during sex? Pain when you poo? If these symptoms sound familiar to you then you may have endometriosis. On average, a diagnosis takes around 7.5 years from the onset of symptoms, so it’s important for women to understand what endometriosis is and how it might a ect them.

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a condition that causes tissue from the lining of the womb to migrate to other areas of the pelvic cavity such as the fallopian tubes and ovaries. It can also migrate further to the outside of the bowel and bladder. This tissue then behaves in the same way as it would inside

the womb – it builds up and then breaks down and bleeds. When this tissue bleeds in the womb, it leaves the body in the form of a period. When it bleeds in other areas of the pelvic cavity, it builds up, forming cysts, scar tissue and inflammation.

Endometriosis signs and symptoms

Endometriosis a ects di erent women in di erent ways. Some may have severe endometriosis but not experience any symptoms, whilst other women may only have minimal endometriosis but experience severe symptoms.

The most common presenting symptoms are:

• Severe period pain

• Painful sexual intercourse

• Painful bowel movements

Other symptoms of endometriosis include:

• Pelvic pain

• Ovulation pain

• Back, loin & leg pain

• Pain on passing urine

• Blood in the urine

• Bleeding from the back passage

• IBS symptoms

• Pain and di culty during a smear test

• Fatigue

• Low mood

• Di culty getting pregnant

Endometriosis does not cause heavy periods. However many women with endometriosis have a condition called adenomyosis. Some women may experience many, or all, of these symptoms, while others may experience a small number of them.

Getting an endometriosis diagnosis

If you have any of the symptoms above and you think you may have endometriosis, it’s important to speak to your GP who can begin the process of you getting a diagnosis. They may feel around your abdomen and perform an internal vaginal examination. Your specialist may arrange either an internal ultrasound scan or an MRI, to help make a diagnosis based on your symptoms and examination findings. Depending on the results the specialist could recommend that you have a surgical procedure called a laparoscopy, which is the only way to get a definitive diagnosis of endometriosis. Your specialist will be looking for scar tissue and lesions caused by endometriosis within your pelvic cavity. Although the scarring caused by endometriosis can be surgically removed, there is no cure for the condition, only management.

Endometriosis treatment

Depending on the severity of your symptoms, there are a few di erent treatments for managing the symptoms of endometriosis to help improve your quality of life. Pain relief can be helpful, especially around the time of your period. You may also benefit from hormone manipulation through the oral contraceptive pill, the minipill or a Mirena device. Some women may be recommended a hysterectomy in conjunction with excising the endometriosis, particularly if you have associated adenomyosis or very severe endometriosis.

The important thing is to know you are not alone in your journey and to reach out to medical professionals if you are in pain.

The King Edward VII’s Hospital Gynaecology Department is a leader in gynaecology. They specialise in diagnosis and treatment and offer oneto-one support from our Clinical Nurse Specialist. For more information, contact: Mon- Fri 020 4571 2097 or visit kingedwardvii.co.uk

DESIGN VISIONS

CARL HANSEN & SON

With the heart of a cabinetmaker and the mind of a modern functionalist, Hans J. Wegner continually pursued simplified forms and perfect functionality. The CH44 lounge chair is one of the results of these efforts. Read more about Carl Hansen & Søn’s iconic designs and how each piece tells a story on page 98.

inside this section

TOP 10: GREEN DAYS p68

DESIGN NEWS: THE LATEST LAUNCHES p71

INSIDE KATE HALFPENNY’S KITCHEN p72

A NEW LOOK AT PATTERN p90

GREEN HOUSE

10 of the best... emerald pieces

COMPILED BY PENDLE HARTE

COME ROUND

These beautiful Scallop Placemats in Moss Green have a wonderful handpainted centre giving depth and a unique twist to the design. £56 monicapepper.com

PLANT LIFE

Divine Savages have teamed up with the Natural History Museum to create this beautiful Little Botanize wallpaper in a stylish Palm Green colourway, £150 divinesavages.com

PANE RELIEF

Bored of your plain windows? Add some instant colour and privacy with Purlfrost’s Green Flutterby Stained Glass Film, from £11.50 purlfrost.com

STEM SUBJECT

Green-stemmed glasses are an enduring classic.We love Rose & Grey’s green engraved leaves champagne coupes, £32 for two. roseandgrey.co.uk

OFF THE WALL

Ca Pietra’s Tunstall brick evokes the richly toned puddle glaze effect that was popularised by the British ceramics industry during the Victorian era. These green ceramic bricks will add drama to any interior. capietra.com

HOT POT

Procook’s casseroles come in all shapes and sizes but for us the winner is shallow and green. £89 procook.co.uk

MINT OR SAGE?

Dream kitchens are all green these days and the best ones combine lots of shades. Mix sage, olive and mint for the fi nest culinary backdrops. Green shaker kitchen, from £10,000. oliveandbarr.com

ZIG ZAG

Kate Loudoun Shand’s Chaand is a zingy stripe to bring your room alive. It’s block printed in Jaipur on thick, strong, luxurious linen woven in Mumbai. kateloudounshand.com

SOLID COLOUR

Farrow & Ball’s new Beverley is a dependable, uncomplicated colour, with the ability to feel even greener in bright daylight or more conservative in lower light. farrow-ball.com

GREEN BOTTLE

This shapely green vase is part of a Bohemian Home collection and has a beautiful green fi nish and a stylish shape. £45 thewisteriatree.co.uk

IN THE

NEWS

Updates from the industry

Compiled by PENDLE HARTE

CLEAR WINNER

DECO STEEL

Crittal-style windows offer a timeless, contemporary yet traditional design, the use of minimal sightlines ensures light floods throughout your home giving a feeling of space whilst adding character and a focal point. decosteel.co.uk

AN APFEL A DAY

RUGGABLE

Ruggable have revolutionised the rug with their clever machine-washable rug and underlay combinations that are as stylish as they are practical. There are multiple designs, including a collection designed by global design icon Iris Apfel. ruggable.co.uk

WIND UP

JOHN LEWIS

John Lewis's new season lamps are stylish and grown-up – we're particularly taken with this navy Bobbin Lamp, £80. johnlewis.com

AND REPEAT

COLEFAX & FOWLER

Colefax & Fowler's Bees

Aqua design comes as both wallpaper and fabric; we love the muted colours and simple repeat pattern. sybilcolefax.com

CREATURE COMFORTS

EMMA J SHIPLEY

The Lynx china collection was inspired by travels to South Africa. The enchanting, hand-drawn design features winged lynx leaping through a starry sky, soaring over a world of magic beneath them. emmajshipley.com

GOODS DEPARTMENT

Designer Kate Halfpenny shows us around her beautiful kitchen

Words EVE HERBERT

DEPARTMENT

Bridal designer Kate Halfpenny relocated from Camden to the historic market town of Faversham, Kent, with her family four years ago. Now, her newly refurbished, once crumbling Grade II listed vicarage is a warm and welcoming home filled with a treasure trove of pre-loved furniture, quirky and eclectic pieces, plush seating and a beautiful kitchen.

“The kitchen truly is the heart of our home, and the existing space wasn’t suitable, so we had to completely relocate it to another part of the house and start from scratch. James and I love to cook and entertain so we needed a kitchen that could keep up with a pair of foodies,” says Kate.

Fisher & Paykel innovative appliances were a perfect fit for the style and design of Kate’s new kitchen, complementing and enhancing the aesthetics of the dark furniture

by Woodchester Cabinet Makers and the Arabescato marble worktops. Kate wanted appliances that were beautiful to use which would also give her perfect results when entertaining. Ever the hostess, Kate opted for a wine cabinet with a capacity to hold 27 bottles. With dual temperature zones, this fridge can perfectly home wines of all varieties.

For cooking, she opted for a freestanding large capacity dual fuel range cooker, complete with six powerful gas burners and the cooking flexibility of two convection ovens. Fisher & Paykel’s integrated insert cooker hood offers lighting and powerful extraction, while remaining subtly stowed away within the kitchen’s cabinetry.

Kate also chose Fisher & Paykel’s freestanding refrigerator freezer which features a water tap, ice maker and cuttingedge technology. This technology reduces

temperature fluctuation from when the doors are opened, by adjusting airflow to help food stay fresher for longer.

Fisher & Paykel’s famous double DishDrawer™ expertly demonstrates where design and innovation can go hand in hand. Featuring flexible racking that can be folded down to fit bigger dishes, it also boasts six wash programs. This smart appliance integrates into the kitchen space seamlessly, with the ability for front panels and handles to be matched to the kitchen’s design.

It’s no surprise that this home is a love letter to design. With a brilliant eye for detail, Kate Halfpenny is a celebrity stylist, highly respected fashion designer and founder of Halfpenny London, one of the UK’s leading luxury bridalwear brands. Coveted by the fashion elite, Halfpenny London weaves Brit cool with a luxe sensibility, creating innovative, chic dresses and separates for the modern woman.

Kate explains her choices: “A dear friend had recommended Fisher & Paykel and I’m so pleased to have discovered their range of smart, efficient and stylish appliances. James and I are both designers and, although we’d never sacrifice form over function, it was important to us that the appliances fit the aesthetic of our space. Not only do we love how they look, they are also cleverly designed, with all the features we could ever ask for. The cooker is honestly the best range I’ve ever had. The fridge freezer holds plenty for a family of foodies and we also opted to add a wine fridge in the pantry to keep well-stocked for when we’re entertaining.

I also love that they’re kinder to the planet without compromising on performance. I'm so thrilled with how the space turned out and it's wonderful to host our friends and family here.”

“James and I love to entertain, so we needed a kitchen that could keep up with a pair of foodies”

DINING SET

HANS J. WEGNER

HANS J. WEGNER | Wegner is known as the master of the chair and designed over 500 chairs during his career. Combine di erent chairs to create a personal style with your favorite designs | CH26 Chair, oak, walnut, oil, natural paper cord, £1,423 | CH23 Chair, oak, oil, natural paper cord, £836 | CH33T Chair, oak, walnut, oil, £844 | CH29P Sawbuck Chair, oak, oil, Leather Loke 7110, £1,087 | CH37 Chair, oak, black, black paper cord, £878 | CH47 Chair, oak, oil, natural paper cord, £976 | CH327 Dining Table, oak, oil, £3,826

CHS | LEATHER BIRDS

Set of 6 pcs. in di erent colours

Crafted from leather remnants from our furniture production £16

Carl Hansen & Søn Flagship Store 48A Pimlico Road, Belgravia London, SW1W 8LP

CARLHANSEN.COM

london@carlhansen.com

@carlhansenandson_london

CHS | EASTER EGGS

Set of 3 pcs. | Oak or walnut

Crafted from our leftovers from our furniture production £23

+44 0 (20) 7730 8454

Monday - Friday: 10 am - 6 pm

Saturday: 10 am - 5 pm

CHS | CLAY VASE

Set of 2 pcs. | 2 colours

Handcrafted | H: 80 mm £50

Carl Hansen & Søn Flagship Store London

A COOK'S KIT

ESSENTIALS FOR A WELL-EQUIPPED KITCHEN

HEAT UP STAUB

Cast iron distributes heat evenly and holds it for a long time, while Staub's tight-fitting Cocotte lid makes sure all evaporating moisture is dripped back on the food, resulting in juicy meat and tender vegetables. £259 zwilling.com

KNIVES OUT STELLAR

Stellar has just launched Poise, its most precision-led range of knives to date. The Santoku Knife has a scalloped blade that creates air pockets allowing it to glide through meat, fish and vegetables for clean, precision cutting. £35 stellar.co.uk

IN THE BAG ZWILLING

Sous-vide cooking doesn't have to be complicated. The compact and handy ZwillingEnfinigy sous-vide stick not only takes control of the water temperature and cooking time, but is also easy to use. £129 zwilling.com

5

ZEST FOR LIFE MICROPLANE

The Microplane Premium Classic Zester is a cult classic and the latest limited series of handles includes this stylish Ombre design. Why not match your zester to your outfit? £24.95 hartsofstur.com

ON TAP PLANK

Armstrong is a dynamic, compact tap design for the modern home. Shorter than other taps and designed to save space, it has an angular crane shaped neck and a contemporary silhouette. £139.95 plankhardware.com

From Our Home to Yours

As a family company, we know exactly what goes into our paints. We make eco-friendly paints in our own factory tucked away in the foothills of Snowdonia, using only the very highest quality ingredients. These are blended by our dedicated team who have been creating lovely paints in wonderful colours for generations.

Showrooms – Marylebone | Chelsea | Notting Hill | Islington | Richmond

Colour consultancy & home delivery available nationwide and online Order free colour cards or find your nearest stockist on our website

littlegreene.com

HOME COOKING

How to find inspiration when cooking for a family? Absolutely tries out the Mindful Chef recipe box

Words PENDLE HARTE

Cooking for a family is a chore. Ask anyone who puts a meal on the table every evening and they’ll agree.

In my house, the teenagers start asking about dinner as soon as they get home from school. At that point, I have learnt, it’s best to say you don’t know what’s for dinner yet. It’s best not to tell them at all, to eliminate any negotiation. If you tell them it’s lentils, they will probably be disappointed and complain – and if there are several hours until supper then that’s a long time to listen to complaining. However, feigning ignorance until the lentils are on the table mostly results in empty plates and only a bit of complaining. Essentially, they are disappointed with most things that aren’t pasta, and this I have just learnt to live with.

So, we have a repertoire of meals that are mostly based on compromise, and everyone is quite bored of them. We needed a bit of new inspiration. Mindful Chef offers recipe boxes that provide variety and low-carb, low-sugar meals, along with convenience and ease. It’s a simple system: sign up and choose four options from a selection of 20 that change every week. If you subscribe, it’s flexible: you can skip a week or cancel easily. Meals work

out at about £6 per portion when ordering for a family of four and for this you are looking a generous portion of high quality protein with plenty of vegetables (really, much more than we would usually serve) and a complete lack of refined carbohydrates. Literally everything is included, down to small sachets of soy and single stock cubes. Our week kicked off with tamari salmon with pak choi and sweet potato mash, which was excellent and came with idiot-proof instructions. In fact, the teenagers could have made it themselves (they didn’t). For four of us there was a large packet of tenderstem broccoli and four pak choi, which

amounted to double the amount of greens I would usually deliver. Sweet potato mash contained no oil or butter, and instead was flavoured with lime zest (not popular with the teenagers). The next day brought lentil dal with roasted vegetables (“what’s for dinner?”

“don’t know yet”) which was good – red lentils, coconut milk, coriander and a ready portion of ginger and garlic paste for ease. A sachet of ‘Mindful Chef dal spice blend’ felt a smidge infantilising – next time would you tell us what spices we are using please?

Roast vegetables in place of rice made this into a low-carb, healthy dinner. Flat iron steak with roasties and carrot mash was a crowd-pleaser (roast potatoes midweek!) and everyone loved the pea shoot garnish. Least popular was teriyaki mushroom bake, which I tried to bill as a vegan shepherds pie. Still, we’ve acquired some new recipes for the repertoire (all the week’s recipes are included in the booklet) and enjoyed a run of conversation-starting meals. We’ll certainly do it again.

mindfulchef.com

A PERFECT

FIT

How Poggenpohl continues to deliver the ultimate in timeless kitchen design

By EVE HERBERT

Having chosen an alternative high end kitchen manufacturer, with plans and designs already created, the owners of this new build property stumbled across the Poggenpohl Studio and changed their minds. Won over by the beautiful showroom as well as the understated luxury of the German manufacturer, the clients quickly settled on the brand famous for designing the original fitted kitchen.

Not content with just a new kitchen, Poggenpohl also designed and installed a boot room and utility to go alongside this fabulous open plan space in this high end home. The furniture surrounding the television and media unit was also supplied, ensuring a seamless aesthetic throughout the space.

Nicole Walsh, who project-managed this design said of the project: “the client had already chosen a beautiful porcelain floor and wanted the worktops to match. We then made sure that the colour scheme and tone of the fitted furniture

complemented this much admired focal point”.

Gaggenau appliances were to feature throughout. Knowing the industrial look of the ovens, Nicole suggested a palette for the cabinetry to create warmth and marry all aspects of the design together. Golden White Satin Porcelain was therefore paired with a combination of Bronze Anthracite and Diamond Grey furniture. To create a central symmetry (as is such a widely recognised design addition in many Poggenpohl kitchens) a pair of stunning Black Satin Glass wall cabinets finished the look. Nicole adds: “Our customer is delighted with the finished article, and I am too. I believe we have created an unpretentious, timeless and elegant design that complements the open plan living area in the heart of this beautiful family home”

To find out more about Poggenpohl or to see first-hand the products on offer, find your nearest studio at poggenpohl.com or call 01727 738 100

POGGENPOHL

“The brand famous for designing the original fitted kitchen”

ENVY KITCHEN

Why green is the most sought-after colour in kitchen design

Words RICHARD DAVENPORT, DAVENPORT.COM

Green kitchens havebeen growing in popularity over the last couple of years, whether in paint, tiles or the kitchen itself. In fact, the use of green in a kitchen is now as popular as blue, which has been the reigning champion when it comes to colourful kitchens.

There is no hard and fast rule as to which shade of green to go for either, as both sage and dark earthy greens have been just as popular. The big difference for 2023 will be the emergence of Mint, which is fast gaining traction in kitchens.

If you do decide to go green, there are several ways to bring the colour to life, whether through just choosing it for a kitchen island, or the whole kitchen. There is also a growing trend for combining several shades of green in the same space in what is known as a monochromatic kitchen that has real standout – think lighter shade kitchen wall and base units, with a darker green for the kitchen island.

Q Why is green such a popular colour in the kitchen?

A After the pandemic, and now with so much economic and social uncertainly, we tend to design our homes with comfort in mind, creating cocoons where we can bunker down with family and friends. This means we turn to colours and textures that help us to create this, with much of it being routed in natural materials, forms and colours as a way of bringing a smoothing and grounding feel to our homes.

For 2023, mint green is making its way into kitchens. It’s an uplifting, zingy yet calming and subtle shade, an evolution of the sage green that we’ve seen dominate over the last couple of years. Mint also works well alongside other green shades and contrasting with a forest green island can add more depth and a further dimension to the space.

Q How do you style green kitchens?

A As we’ve established that using the colour green is about bringing nature indoors, using similar materials for a cohesive look

“Mint green is making its way into kitchens –and it’s an uplifting, zingy shade”

is important. Choosing warm woods for your floor options, or a reclaimed wooden table for your seating area carries on this theme while also adding textural elements both a visual and touch perspective.

When it comes to your hardware and brassware choices, green is a colour that works across pretty much the full spectrum of metallic finishes, giving you plenty of choice. In fact, another trend for 2023 is to mix metallics – no more than three though – so you can have some fun with your new green kitchen.

Q What about worktops?

A From our experience, most homeowners who decide to choose green cabinetry – no matter the shade – will choose a lighter

worktop. However, we have designed and fitted green kitchens with dark worktop, and this works just as well.

Q Is there a style of kitchen that works best with the colour green?

A Shaker cabinetry is by far the most popular; however, shaker doesn’t necessarily mean traditional. It can transcend across both modern and traditional kitchens, depending on how you style it; from door handles, taps, appliances and finishing touches. Therefore, green is very much a colour that works in all shape, sizes and style of kitchen, which is perhaps another reason why it is the most popular kitchen colour of 2023.

“Another trend for 2023 is to mix metallics – but no more than three”

The home of modern design since 1964

NATURAL BEAUTY

By EVE

No matter what era a design comes from, whether from the golden age of Danish Design or from the first decades of the 21st Century, every piece of furniture and every handcrafted lamp produced by Carl Hansen & Søn comes with a unique and meaningful story. Every piece tells a story about the strength and beauty of nature, a story of a designer with a vision to combine elegance with practicality, a story of craftspeople passionate about both tradition and innovation. And, of course, once a piece of furniture leaves the factory and finds its way into someone’s home or business, an entirely new story begins.

Among Danish furniture designers, Hans J. Wegner is considered one of the most creative, innovative, and prolific. Often referred to as the master of the chair, he designed more than 500 – many of them considered masterpieces. Hans J. Wegner was part of the spectacular generation that created the first wave of Danish Modern design. “Many foreigners have asked me how we created the Danish style,” Wegner once

At Carl Hansen & Søn, every piece of handcrafted furniture tells a story

“A designer with a vision to combine elegance with practicality”

HERBERT

said. “And I’ve answered that it was a continuous process of purification and of simplification - to cut down to the simplest possible design of four legs, a seat, and a combined back- and armrest.”

The core of Wegner’s legacy is his focus on showing the inner soul of furniture pieces through a simple and functional exterior and his background as a cabinetmaker gave him a deep understanding of how to integrate exacting joinery techniques with exquisite form.

Hans J. Wegner had the special ability of designing furniture that harmonised with its surroundings while staying relevant for the future. His aesthetic was also based on a deep respect for wood and its characteristics, and a vast curiosity about other natural materials that enabled him to bring an organic, natural softness to formalistic minimalism.

Hans J. Wegner created a series of chairs for Carl Hansen & Søn in 1950, including the Wishbone Chair, which has been in production at Carl Hansen & Søn ever since.

CARL HANSEN & SØN FLAGSHIP STORE

48A PIMLICO ROAD, SW1W8LP carlhansen.com

01 Hans J. Wegner | From le : CH22 Walnut oil, papercord black | CH163 Walnut oil, Melange Nap 271 | CH004 Walnut oil | CH25 Walnut oil, papercord natural | CH008, Ø78cm, Walnut oil | MO320 Black | CH885 Oak oil | 80160132 Agner Rug, Beige, 200x300 cm, 100% wool.

02 The 2022/2023 Flagship Store edition CH24P Wishbone Chair designed by Hans J. Wegner in an elegant combination of FSC™-certified teak and seat in olive tanned leather, cradle-to-cradle certified. The so olive-tanned aniline leather is available in two colors Vitoria 7874 Moss and Vitoria 2122 Ebony.

03 Hans J. Wegner is known as the master of the chair and designed over 500 chairs during his career. Combine different chairs to create a personal style with your favorite designs. From le : CH26 Chair, Oak oil, Walnut oil, natural paper cord | CH23 Chair, Oak oil, natural papercord | CH33T Chair, Oak oil, walnut oil | CH29P Sawbuck Chair, Oak oil, Leather Loke 7110 | CH37 Chair, Oak black, black papercord | CH47 Chair, oak oil, natural paper cord | CH327 Dining Table, Oak oil.

Next year...

You will really be in love with your Valentine, now they have found you the magic gift!

Fusiontables present the new Black Label Edition

A new digital printed tempered glass table top. Technology to open an unlimited range of design possibilities and customization Black Label turns your dining pool table concept into a glamourous, scratch resistant and timeless piece of art. More than ever it is time to take care of your family and your home.

TALK TABLE

Former creative director

Daniel Baer got the ceramics bug when he couldn’t find the kind of simple yet stylish tableware he wanted for himself. So Monoware was conceived as a response to his struggle to find welldesigned tabletop essentials for everyday eating and entertaining. Pottery classes in the UK and Japan further focused his attention on the joy of timeless tableware and brought him to like-minded makers, leading to the curation of a collection of feasting fundamentals made to last.

Monoware is a British tableware brand, offering a timeless collection of tabletop essentials, crafted with highquality materials for everyday luxury at home. Blending the modern with the traditional, the range is designed in a considered natural colour palette to suit every aesthetic and to endure and grow with every home: a table set for life.

Born from the idea that everyone deserves to own a set of tableware for keeping, Monoware aims to challenge the culture of fleeting trends and disposability by offering a collection of everyday essentials with beauty, quality and practicality at the core. Baer believes informal dining does not mean one needs to compromise on quality or style, that all meals are a celebration, whether enjoyed alone or with company. What was missing, he found, was beautiful pieces for everyday use that would endure the test of time, not only in quality, but in style too. The Core Ceramics collection was designed in close collaboration with ceramic designer Ian McIntyre and made

in the family-run stoneware factory just outside of Porto in Portugal. The matt-glazed stoneware range is defined by simple shapes, elegant forms, earthy tones and effortless adaptability.

The range includes dinner and side plates, grain and cereal bowls, pitchers, everyday mugs, serving platters and serving sets in three core glazes: Chalk, an elegant and matt off-white with a fine dusting of speckles, Slate, a cool grey with a slight blue undertone and Pebble, a neutral beige with texture reminiscent of smooth rocks. The pitcher and the serving platter are also available in Onyx, the limited edition black glaze. The sophisticated colour palette makes it easy to pair and layer different tones together, creating a seamless tablescape for every meal and every occasion.

monoware.com

“Well-designed tabletop essentials for everyday eating and entertaining”

PAINT ON PAPER

Floral patterns, fantastical motifs and imaginative worlds of colour characterise this collection from textile house

Christian Fischbacher

Words EVE HERBERT

Anew collaboration between Christian Fischbacher and Malaysian-British artist Rebecca Duckett-Wilkinson explores their shared passion for design with a colourful and captivating capsule collection of decorative prints and embroideries alongside handmade cushions and rugs. Caught off-guard by the onset of the pandemic, Rebecca spent several months in Piedmont, Italy, where she set herself the creative goal of painting 100 patterns in 100 days. During this time, expressive works of art emerged inspired by her daily walks in the surrounding area capturing dream-like landscapes, the opulent colourfulness of seasonal change and the richness in detail of nature. At the peak of restrictions Rebecca could only venture 250m from home. As the surrounding area became more wild and overgrown, she found even more inspiration in aspects of nature she had previously not noticed. Rebecca also depicts from memory symbolic motifs including the cherry blossom and Malayan tiger which features in the capsule collection’s hero design.

The collection ‘100 Patterns in 100 Days’ sees textile house Christian Fischbacher bring to life a small snapshot of the 100 designs conceived by Rebecca. Together with long-time friend Creative Director Camilla D. Fischbacher, Rebecca translated her poignant library of paint on paper designs into textile form and in her original colour palette. A inspiring story of creativity in a time of turmoil, Rebecca’s detailed floral patterns, fantastical motifs and imaginative worlds of colour will add a flourish of artistic and original design to any interior.

Ikan is a cheerful fish motif digitally printed on a smooth medium-weight cotton ground. This characterful design captures the motion of energetic painterly brushstrokes and

“Expressive works of art emerged, inspired by her daily walks in the surrounding area”

REBECCA DUCKETT-WILKINSON’S HOME IN PIEDMONT

features a layered palette of colour and pattern. Blossom is a playful celebration of colour and pattern which sees a cheerful hot pink floral motif scattered across a geometric background. It is an exuberant design with an eclectic mix of colours that is digitally printed on a smooth, crisp cotton. Pinkweed is a charming composition of weeds and fallen leaves digitally printed on a medium-weight cotton weave. An indulgent depth of colour is explored in this scene through a bold combination of rich, vibrant tones. Poppy is a medium-weight fabric featuring a bright and bold wildflower motif. Digitally printed to perfectly capture the bloom’s vibrant scarlet red petals on a vibrant background of cobalt blue, this uplifting design is printed on a smooth cotton weave that captures the detail of this striking print. Dawon is a lustrous linen-cotton blend embroidery which features intricately embroidered Malayan tigers interspersed with stylised tropical banana leaves and flowers with an abundance of colour and vibrancy. The embroidered outlines of the design are combined with hand crewel work. For this centuries-old technique, originally from Kashmir, a particularly thick wool yarn is used, creating a design with a bold visual appeal, intriguing depth and soft handle. Harimau, meaning tiger in Malay, is a hand-knotted rug depicting a Malayan tiger amongst stylised bamboo leaves and flowers. The finest New Zealand wool is tied in a Tibetan knot to create a deep pile and silky soft feel. A percentage of sales from the collection’s tiger designs will be donated to the charity initiative “Save Wild Tigers”, a global tiger conservation campaign to raise awareness and help protect tigers around the world.

“Intricately embroidered Malayan tigers interspersed with stylised tropical banana leaves and flowers”

CUSHIONS DISPLAYING THE PRINTS

PINKWEED

DEIRDRE DYSON DESIGN IS ART

22ND MARCH – 6TH APRIL 2023

Deirdre Dyson, renowned for her subtle and inventive carpet designs, is first and foremost a painter. This March, she opens a show of new art works that openly revel in the interplay between her painting and design. Trompe-l’oeil designs and subtle effects of colour and light, once achieved through silk and wool, are here translated into oil paintings.

CULT ’ S eco edit

Having sustainable furniture in your home is hugely beneficial in the long run. Good quality furniture offers a longer lifespan which benefits the environment by not adding to landfill. The Cult Eco Edit range is made from more conscious, yet still high-quality materials that will last. Cult is committed to offering more sustainably conscious furniture, accessible to everyone.

It all starts with fabrics and textiles. A number of Cult’s best-selling styles

are now available in recycled velvet such as the Sylvia, Harriet and Nova ranges. Made from 100% recycled PET yarns of the highest quality, you can shop for furniture with the environment in mind.

The science bit: many woods are long-lasting and eco-friendly including mango wood, which is quicker to grow than many other woods. Solid woods like oak, beech and ash are highly durable, meaning they’re going to last a long time. Materials such as rattan, cane and cord have an extremely sustainable process.

Rattan is dried out in the sun and 100% biodegradable.

Cult’s eco-friendly living and dining ranges will be a real talking point among your guests, so dive into luxurious recycled velvets and mango wood for style and sustainability. The Sylvia Dining Chair (from £129) features an on-trend curved ribbed backrest, upholstered in super-soft recycled velvet. The herringbone Connor 6 Seat Dining Table (£549) in walnut mango wood makes for a statement dining space, with a textured herringbone walnut finish adding warmth and texture.

Relax and unwind in the Lambert Accent Chair ( £249). This on-trend accent chair features both sustainable biodegradable rattan and a plush recycled velvet seat. Pair with the Etta Hand Woven Jute Rug £189 featuring a braided design that is not only stylish but will suit any contemporary area within your home.

The Lydford storage side table (£279) is made from eco-friendly mango wood and natural marble. It features a hidden door, perfect for storing all your essentials. The Matcha Bouquet is a beautiful, environmentally friendly way to add some life into your space. All bouquets are hand tied and made from natural preserved flowers which means they last up to 12 months and don’t require any water.

There are no lengthy delivery times here; with 24 hour delivery on in stock items. Head down to Cult’s London showroom to browse endless inspiration.

Sustainable interiors are not another home design trend, but a different mindset

LAMBERT ACCENT CHAIR, £249

CONNOR 6 SEAT DINING TABLE, £549

“Have

The Legacy Hot lava

The story of the iconic lava lamp

Love it or hate it, the lava lamp is an enduring icon of British manufacture. First launched in 1963 by Edward Craven Walker, the lava lamp, with its mesmerising molten swirl, has been in continuous production ever since and is widely recognised as a 20century design classic.

Craven Walker was a great British inventor, entrepreneur and eccentric. Aside from inventing the lava lamp and various other patented inventions he also made underwater naturist films, owned helicopters and fire engines, was a World War Two pilot and owned a naturist camp in Dorset.

He developed the lava lamp from an invention for an egg timer he saw in a Dorset pub. When the Astro came to market in 1963, Craven Walker and his wife travelled the country selling the lamps from the back of an ex-postal van known as Smokey. He said:

“If you buy my lamp, you won’t need drugs... I think it will always be popular. It’s like the cycle of life. It grows, breaks up, falls down and then starts all over again”. The lamp was an instant hit, becoming a defining product of the swinging ‘60s appearing in cult TV series The Prisoner and Dr Who. In 1964 the Astro lamp was taken on by Selfridges and Habitat and was soon followed by the Astro Mini.

In 1968 Lava lamps appeared on stage with Paul McCartney’s band, Wings. Linda McCartney loved them and likened them to “a pet goldfish that never dies”. David Bowie was photographed with an Astro Mini lava lamp in his recording studio in 1971. A bespoke lava lamp was designed for the hotel suite scene in Superman II in 1980.

Lava lamps fell out of fashion in the 1980s until the Craven Walkers teamed up with young entrepreneurs, Cressida Granger and David Mulley. Cressida had realised the lamps’ potential after selling them on her stall in Camden Market, where Marc Almond was a regular buyer. They launched the lava lamp to a new generation, changing the company name from Crestworth to Mathmos in 1992, taking the word Mathmos from 1960s cult film Barbarella

Millions of lava lamps have been sold throughout the world. New innovations include a range of candle-powered lava lamps as well as wall-mounted and giant lava lamps. The factory is still based in Poole, Dorset and to this day the wax formula remains a strict trade secret.

mathmos.com

Words PENDLE HARTE

ORIGINAL ASTRO LAMPS

CRAVEN WALKER AND HIS WIFE WITH THEIR EX-POSTAL VAN

BESPOKE FITTED WARDROBES, STUDIES & LIVING ROOM UNITS

BRENTWOOD | CHELSEA | HAMPSTEAD | HAMPTON HILL | HATCH END WWW.NEATSMITH.CO.UK

WAYFAIR

Isacc Sunburst Wood Wall Mirror, £38.99 wayfair.com

ROSE & GREY Round Black Bobble Mirror, £195 roseandgrey.com

MELODY MAISON

Large Antique Glass Framed Silver Wall Mirror, £99.95 melodymaison.co.uk

MELODY MAISON

Gold Art Deco Wall Mirror, £109.95 melodymaison.co.uk

MELODY MAISON

Black Glass Art Deco Arch Fan Wall Mirror, £84.95 melodymaison.co.uk

MELODY MAISON

Glass Framed Art Deco Rectangle Wall Mirror, £89.95 melodymaison.co.uk

MIRROR MIRROR

Through the looking glass

By PENDLE HARTE

MELODY MAISON

Large Round White & Gold Wall Mirror, £94.95 melodymaison.co.uk

MELODY MAISON Gold Ornate Art Deco Fan Wall Mirror, £169.9 melodymaison.co.uk

MELODY MAISON

MELODY MAISON

Large Gold Art Deco

Framed Mirror, £219.95

melodymaison.co.uk

Large Arch Antique Gold Ornate Overmantle Mirror, £244.95 melodymaison.co.uk OKA

Tall Sorrel Mirror, £995 oka.com

FREE HAND

Deirdre Dyson, renowned for her subtle and inventive carpet designs, is first and foremost a painter. This March, Dyson opens a show of 17 new artworks that have, in a reciprocal exchange of inspiration, been directly stimulated by her designs. Visitors will discover trompe-l’oeil imagery and subtle gradations of light and colour painstakingly achieved through silk and wool, from sketches originally drawn up in pencil, here translated into oil paintings.

Deirdre says: “It has been wonderful to please myself with colour instead of restricting myself to subtle colours, mindful of what a client might select for their floor. With these paintings, I felt completely free to play with colours and to make them sing on the canvas. Nothing had to represent anything, they were already my creations and I could do just what I liked with them. They have proved technically difficult to paint but joyous fun too.”

The ‘Design is Art’ series began in lockdown, when, confined to her London apartment, Dyson could draw only on what she could see from her window and her meticulous archive of designs. These included a series of carpet designs (Looking Glass) inspired by the effect of looking at the world through a curved glass bottle - but have gone on to encompass other more abstract distillations of visual experience - such as the multi-coloured ribbons that evoke a line of Can-Can dancers, in her 2023 Angles series. Seizing on paint’s potential to create multiple overlapping layers of colour, Dyson has transformed these complex geometric patterns and imagery drawn from natural phenomena into a series of vibrant art works. Dyson reports that part of the excitement has been experimenting with scale and colour contrasts, without the need to conform to the conventional dimensions and tonal range of carpetry. All the art works reflect her interest in pattern, movement, light and shadow, and the multifarious impacts of refracted light on form and colour.

Dyson trained at the Byam Shaw School of Arts, and then Wimbledon College of Art, where she took a three year diploma in illustration and graphic design. Since then she has continued to paint alongside her design work. Her distinctive practice combines a fascination for the natural phenomena of water, light and reflection, achieved through a free handling of paint, with a strong command of geometry, colour and pattern. These interests have fed directly into Dyson’s distinctive carpets.

DEIRDRE DYSON “DESIGN IS ART”

22 March-6 April, Gallery Eight, 8 Duke Street, SW1Y 6BN

Deirdre’s paintings will hang in her London Gallery (554 King’s Road SW6 2DZ) from 24-28 April as part of the Chelsea Design Quarter Springtime Sessions (25-27 April) with an art & aperitivo event and chance to meet Deirdre on 25 April 4-6pm. deirdredyson.com/art

Deirdre Dyson may be best known for her carpet designs, but this month she is exhibiting her paintings

Words EVE HERBERT

For over forty years, Lagoon Pools have provided families and property developers with swimming pools that are reliable, expertly constructed and built to last.

We pride ourselves on a dedication to embracing both the classic designs of swimming pools as well as the modern aesthetics of a luxury entertaining space, with stunning finishes that make each project unique from the last.

If you are looking to add a new swimming pool feature to your home, please call us today on 01932 569569 to speak to a member of our team or email us at info@lagoonpoolsltd.co.uk.

PRETTY PLATES

GRACE SISTERS Fasano Face Plate, £60 gracessisters.com

MINEHEART Stack Funk Putti Plate, £32, mineheart.com MONOWARE Dinner plate in slate, £20 monoware.com

By PENDLE HARTE

CLEM & CO Carved Centrepiece Plate, £12.50 clemandcolifestyle.com

THE KEW SHOP Kew Living Jewels dinner plate, £12 shop.kew.org

EMMA J SHIPLEY Lynx dinner plate, £36 emmajshipley.com

REBECCA UDALL Cabbage Dinner Plate, £22 rebecca udall.com CHASE & WONDER Butterfl y lady fi ne china plate, £28 chaseandwonder.com

THE FIND STORE Moroccan Dinner Plate, £18 thefi ndstore.co.uk

FY Shallow plate in cobalt blue, £30 iamfy.com

CREAM CORNWALL Seahorse Dinner Plate, £24 creamcornwall.co.uk

LIGHT SOURCE

HOW

ILLUMINATE

HANG IT UP

DAVEY

The industrial style Tiled Diner incorporates geometric bone china tiles set within a sturdy weathered brass frame, providing a unique statement piece to hang above a dining table. £poa lightandyou.com

STAR GAZER

ORIGINAL BTC

Alma is a collaboration between Original BTC and Swedish interior designer Beata Heuman. The shade features 41 hand-made holes which when lit look like little glowing stars at night. £549 originalbtc.com

POWER PACK CONTARDI

Ongo is a mushroom-shaped rechargeable lamp infusing some magic throughout the house. This iconic portable table lamp has petite proportions but a considerable impact contardi-italia.com

SCHOOL DAYS MULLAN

The Schoolhouse Pendant Light Fitting, with its simple form, is produced in Mullan, Northern Ireland, in the historic "Old Mill" shoe factory. £375 bildenhome.com

CRIMP AND CURL

DAVID HUNT

The new Finchley pendant light is a versatile and pretty design combining style and function with a crimped edge opal glass shade and a classic antique brass fi nish. £150 davidhuntlighting.co.uk

LIVE EKSTRAORDINÆR

We reveal how BoConcept create extraordinary spaces

When it comes to Scandinavian design, one word immediately comes to mind - Hygge. Hygge, a Danish concept that embodies cosiness and contentment, is at the heart of BoConcept, the leading Danish design furniture brand. With a commitment to exceptional design and quality, BoConcept has been synonymous for over 70 years with great design. With over 300 stores worldwide, including Battersea Reach, Harrods, Finchley Road, Notting Hill, Tottenham Court Road, Westfield London, Fenwick Brent Cross, Bentalls Kingston, Guildford and St Albans, each is a state-of-the-art store that provides customers with a one-of-a-kind shopping experience, allowing you to

interact with BoConcept’s stunning collection and find the perfect pieces to suit your taste and needs.

BoConcept offers an array of elegant and functional furniture pieces that embody the latest Scandinavian styles. BoConcept’s modern furniture designs are specifically designed for urban life, so whether you have a big or small home, you can customise their furniture to suit your lifestyle, and their range is big enough for you to find your own personal interior style.

Their collection includes custom wall units and designer bookcases, a wide range of extendable dining tables, stylish Scandinavian armchairs, and designer sofas in fabric and leather – everything you need to furnish a whole home or simply add some Danish style to your existing home furniture.

At the heart of BoConcept is a commitment to great design, which includes collaborating with some of the most renowned designers in Denmark and around the world. Morten Georgsen, Henrik Pedersen, ARDE, Anders Norgaard, Frans Schrofer, Oki Sato, and Karim Rashid are among the featured designers. These talented individuals bring a fresh perspective to their designs, ensuring that each piece is not only functional and high-quality, but also visually stunning. Their quality is more than aesthetic, though. They stand for craftsmanship, uncompromising attention to detail, and exceptional materials. Their reputation and global footprint let them handpick the best experts from around the globe. And they do it, remembering the well-being of animals, workers, and our planet.

When browsing through their furniture range, you might fall in love with a design, but it isn’t quite right. Don’t worry! With BoConcept, you’re not just buying off-the-shelf furniture, there are endless possibilities behind everything you see.

Embracing the Scandinavian idea of Hygge, BoConcept believes its designs should never compromise the individuality or lifestyle of its customers. Approximately 90% of BoConcept’s designs can be customised for size, colour, material, configurations, and much more to meet your specific requirements. This customisability enables customers to create a completely coordinated style throughout their entire home, even complementing what you already have, making BoConcept’s designs versatile, functional, and easy to fit seamlessly into any home.

Though the customisation options are vast, BoConcept’s approach ensures a consistent look throughout the home. They take a holistic approach to the development and design of their products, enabling a coordinated look where design, colours and materials always match. In this way, you can choose from the exact same materials across categories and designs, ensuring a unification of your décor.

All this choice can be daunting, sometimes we need guidance, but BoConcept have that covered too. One of the unique things about BoConcept is that the company provides its own comprehensive interior design service to customers for free. All interior designers are in-store and work exclusively for BoConcept. They delve into the customer’s specific requirements and lifestyle, take measurements, and create detailed 3D plans in-store or at your home. This service is an invaluable tool for customers looking to restyle their home. The company’s expert in-house interior designers and design professionals are always on hand to offer free, noobligation styling advice.

So whether you’re looking for a complete home makeover or just a small update, BoConcept has everything you need to create an extraordinary space.

BOCONCEPT

Stores located at Battersea Reach, Harrods, Finchley Road, Notting Hill, Tottenham Court Road, Westfield London, Fenwick Brent Cross, Bentalls Kingston, Guildford and St Albans. Get inspired at boconcept.com

BEDDING DOWN

SHEEP WELL

THE WOOL ROOM

Wool is hypoallergenic and naturally temperature regulating, making it the ideal material for mattresses, duvets and pillows, as well as pyjamas. thewoolroom.com

WELSH WEAVE

WELSH OTTER

This Welsh tapestry style blanket features a stunning geometric design based on the traditional and iconic Caernarfon pattern. It's luxurious and thick, but also super so and comforting to touch. welshotter.co.uk

LUXE LINEN

BED THREADS

Once you've slept in linen sheets, you'll never look back. Bed Threads' duvet cover sets come in a huge range of colours for mixing and matching – and they're the so est we've found. bedthreads.com

WELL SPRUNG VISPRING

Vispring's hand-made mattresses are some of the best in the world – and they're designed to last at least 30 years, making them a worthwhile investment in decades of excellent sleep. vispring.com

DOWN UNDER FRENCH BEDROOM

CO

Hungarian goose down is the world's fi nest duvet fi llling. With excellent bounce, marshmallow so ness and enduring warmth and comfort, there's nothing better for a good night's sleep. frenchbedroomcompany.com

FURNISH YOUR BED WITH STYLISH NATURAL FIBRES

Onyx Avanti 190RW Electric, installed as a three-sided fire

01932 500 270

justshutters.co.uk

Forever HOME

Since the shift to home working over three years ago, 56% of us report increased levels of happiness. This newfound flexibility has allowed many of us to spend more time with families and find time for exercise. However, remote working has its drawbacks. Nearly one in three of us put in more hours and feel under pressure to always be available.

Who knows whether there will ever be a return to the pre-pandemic way of working. Some companies have decided to go fully remote. Others are adopting a more hybrid approach. The next big experiment is the four-day working week trial.

The pandemic has forced us all to live and work in very different ways. It has prompted us to reassess how and where we work. After all, work is what we do, not where we go.

Whether you’re craving a return to the office as it was, or you have no intention of giving up remote work privileges, a garden office is proving to be a very popular choice.

Jason Preece, General Manager of Malvern

Garden Buildings, says sales of garden offices have tripled. “Companies spend huge amounts bringing nature into the office to improve productivity and creativity, but what’s better than putting your office into nature?” he says.

“A garden building adds to your property’s value and is away from all the distractions of the house. Most importantly, it helps you to switch off at the end of the day when you leave work in the garden.”

As you work more from home, are you struggling to keep a healthy work-life balance? Without the commute and separate workspace to break up the day, remote work has made the lines between professional and personal blurrier. We all know we should set boundaries for the good of our health, but most of us worry we’ll look less committed.

Yet when you establish boundaries, your worth rises. When you value yourself and your own time, your company will follow suit.

Set yourself up for success with a dedicated garden workspace to give you the mental and physical separation between work and home life you deserve.

The remote work revolution means we have more control than ever before over our work environment. Is it time to level up your workspace? Call time on making kitchens, bedrooms, and sofas places of work. Regain focus and motivation to do your very best work in a garden office with nature breaks to lower stress and super-charge creativity.

MAKE WORK ‘WORK’ FOR YOU

To fi nd a garden office to bring out the best in you, visit the Malvern Garden Buildings website where you can download a copy of the free ‘Work from Home Forever’ guide for inspiration and to start to explore the options.

Malvern West Buckingham

Buckingham Garden Centre, Buckingham, MK18 4AE, 01280 823300

buckingham@malverngb.co.uk

Malvern Berkshire Ladds Garden Village, Berkshire, RG10 9SB 0118 338 4515

berkshire@malverngb.co.uk

malverngardenbuildings.co.uk

Malvern Garden Buildings suggest how to make the most of remote working

A GARDEN MUSIC ROOM AND WORKSPACE

A MALVERN GARDEN OFFICE

you can rely on us

FIRST PERSON

Nikki Ashton introduces her business HeartART Homeware

Iam the founder and Artist behind HeartART homeware. I am originally from Bristol, but until recently lived and worked in the city of London for 25years. For as long as I can remember, my passion has always being involved in Art and creativity in some way, heavily influenced by many factors that surround us all in our daily walks in life. From the abundance of colour in nature's paint palette, to the high streets of fashion, to the amazement of architecture throughout the world, to the artists of past, they all are relevant.

My professional journey has been extremely diverse, but has always remained in the creative industry. Working at the Natural History Museum London in the Display/ Art Department. Working for a High street Retail Store as a Creative/Art Manager, as well as working in the Art/Design Departments of Inner London Schools.

With all that done, I found myself wanting to work and design for myself and others in some way.

I wanted to make Art that not only looks beautiful but also encompasses everyday living, but having a functional purpose as well, for any Interior space, adding that stylish, timeless beautiful element, to be seen and enjoyed by all.

Taking all this into consideration ` HeartART was formed throughout the lockdown period, which was extremely challenging, but it also gave to me the chance to develop the skills that I needed to run a business, and to accumulate a portfolio of designs over time.

I realise that accomplishing your dreams doesn’t happen overnight, and after a lot of hard work my products were eventually seen in a few establishments within the UK and temporarily in John Lewis Store. My ultimate vision and dream for

HeartART going forward, would be to supply all major high street brands in the UK and beyond.

If you purchase any products from HeartART, I can assure you that everything is sourced from the UK, and we have sought out the best ethical suppliers we could find, as reducing our carbon footprint is very important to us and of course the planet. All our ceramics are from the world renowned potteries of Stoke-0nTrent Staffordshire. It was integral for all of our products to be sourced from the Uk, to support our declining industries, and be committed in helping to sustain crafts in the UK. I now have the pleasure of working alongside Fegg Hayes Pottery, a family run business ,which has been established since 1975.

All our textiles are sourced from the Lancashire area, which was well known for its textile industry. All printing processes are used with water-based inks.

Ultimately, I would like my customers, to not just feel like they have found a quality product, but a unique piece of Artwork, a “statement piece”, and have contributed to sustaining the Artisan skills for generations to come.

heart-art.co.uk

“Everything you can imagine is real”

PABLO PICASSO

Keeping your home CONNECTED

Adding more connected devices to your home?

Make sure your broadband can keep up

Is your home packed with new tech?

You might be enjoying a new Peloton Bike along with a fancy Ring doorbell system, but might have also noticed Netfl ix is buffering more than usual. And perhaps the quality of those work calls is getting worse by the day.

So, what’s going on? The problem might be that your new gadgets are competing with each other for bandwidth, and your current broadband isn’t able to support all this extra demand.

The average UK home now has nine devices connected to the internet at once. Along with phones, TVs and laptops, more people are splurging on Alexas, smart speakers, exercise equipment and security devices. But many households aren’t taking the crucial step in ensuring their broadband is fast enough to make all this new technology work properly.

MAKE YOUR HOME TRULY ‘SMART’

An essential component of smart home living is a Full Fibre broadband connection. Whereas most broadband providers promote their broadband as ‘fibre’, many will only connect your street to their fibre network, completing the connection to your home with old copper cables which severely reduces your broadband speeds. Real Full Fibre means the fibre optic cables will reach right up to your home, giving you a reliable connection.

The incredible bandwidth Full Fibre broadband is capable of means it will easily support your home’s internet needs, whether you’ve got 10, 20 or 30 devices connected at once. Good fibre optic networks are also future-proof, so no matter how fast internet speeds get in the coming years, or how much bandwidth your devices require, you won’t have to upgrade.

WHICH BROADBAND IS RIGHT FOR ME?

Before upgrading your broadband, it’s important to make sure you’re going with the right provider and have selected the right package. Be sure to choose a Full Fibre broadband that offers the speeds and reliability your home needs, especially if you have a lot of tech or work from home.

And remember, as technology continues to advance, Full Fibre broadband will become more essential than ever for a modern home. Ten years ago most people didn't have multiple streaming devices and Alexas in their homes – who knows what sort of internet-using technology we’ll have in our homes a decade from now?

There’s a reason why people are starting to call broadband ‘the fourth utility’. It really is becoming as crucial as electricity, gas and water to make your home function properly.

Visit swishfibre.com/absolutely to see how Full Fibre broadband can support the technological needs of your home

A MILLION MILES FROM EVERYDAY

TRAVEL

ROOM WITH A VIEW

PRIOR PARADISE

Surrounded by greenery, yet in the heart of the city, Lisbon's Prior Paradise is a beautiful and stylish base from which to explore Portugal's ever-popular capital. Enjoy sea views from the terrace in this stylish urban sanctuary. theluxurytravelbook.com

Portugal DELIGHTS

A

trip through Portugal, from lively Lisbon to uninhabited beaches

By SANDY CADIZ-SMITH

Lisbon, Portugal’s vibrant, picturesque capital, is uniquely made up of seven hillsides overlooking the magnificent River Tagus. They stand guard over the city’s winding cobbled alleyways and are topped by terraces known as miradouros which provide the perfect viewpoints to get your bearings. As Europe’s second oldest capital (after Athens), Lisbon has a rich and somewhat dramatic history, including being decimated by earthquake, tsunami, and fire in 1755. It prides itself on its resilience and being home to some of the world’s greatest explorers, including Vasco Da Gama and Ferdinand Magellan.

The first stop in our two-centre villa stay is Prior Paradise in the stylishly peaceful Lapa neighbourhood, known as Lisbon’s embassy quarter. The elegant four-storey townhouse is surrounded by greenery, from its beautiful courtyard with a tinkling fountain to the terrace and plunge pool at the front. Blooming multihued bougainvillea cascades down the walls, and the sweet scent of jasmine fills the air. The

villa has five bedrooms, four bathrooms and a high-ceilinged, light-filled interior with white polished wooden floors. There’s an on-site butler, and all other services can be organised on demand. It's a stylish urban sanctuary that makes the perfect base for exploration.

Lisbon is a great city to wander around, though you’ll need to be prepared for a healthy dose of exercise with all those hills. One enjoyable alternative was to explore by motorbike and sidecar with Bike My Side (bikemyside.com). We whizzed through the streets taking in the sights and stopping to learn about the city’s history and traditions. We felt like celebrities as people photographed us at every turn – these sidecars are a show-stopper. Full of Lisbon knowledge, we returned to the comfort of our villa, where pre-dinner cocktails and our private chef awaited with dinner. The perfect end to the day.

For our next destination, we took the short drive to Setubal and an even shorter ferry ride to Comporta, a stunning coastal town that is also a highly protected nature reserve. This is an unspoiled part of Portugal where we felt we were treading the road less travelled. The biggest rice paddies in Portugal

criss-cross the landscape, nesting storks pepper the skies, and the most stunning of unspoiled (and uninhabited) beaches await backed by pine forests and dunes. We stayed at Herdade Da Comporta, a secluded 17-acre estate down a dusty road through rows of the flu est pampas grass. The ultimate dream beach house, with six separate bungalows decorated in muted shades and natural materials. We spent relaxing hours in the enormous garden (there are loungers, sofas, and chairs around every corner), taking long walks on the secluded beach, just five minutes away through the dunes and even galloping along the sands on horseback with the wind in our hair. Our private chef provided the most sumptuous breakfasts, with the large table covered in local treats, including delectable orange cake - yes, cake for breakfast. We also enjoyed a cookery course and ate delicious soup, seabass and traditional pastel de nata we helped to create. The villa has its own vegetable garden, and there’s also plenty of tasty local produce. Like the wine. We visited Adega da Herdade la Comporta for a tasting - so good we couldn’t resist taking some home. We also ate out at a couple of the local restaurants, one of them, Sublime, a short walk along the beach from our seaside sanctuary. Herdade da Comporta is a hidden gem of a discovery any explorer would be proud of…but don’t tell too many people.

FACT FILE

How to get there

We flew on TAP from London Heathrow to Lisbon. TAP offers daily connections from London Heathrow, London Gatwick and Manchester to Lisbon. The Luxury Travel Book offers a carefully selected collection of luxury holiday properties, unparalleled personal service, and personalised luxury experiences for customers looking for a home away from home. Their experts will tailor each holiday to the customer’s needs. They can provide everything from bespoke travel itineraries to personally-tested experiences and a number of in-home concierge services. The company prides itself on speaking directly to each customer to finalise the details for their perfect getaway. theluxurytravelbook.com

“The ultimate dream beach house, decorated in muted shades and natural materials”

LISBON

HERDADE DA COMPORTA

COMPORTA BEACH

PRIOR PARADISE

Alegoria Casa is based in Brazil, our mission is to transform tables into a place full of smiles and joy, not only for Brazil, but the world

Our work starts from extensive research, study and sourcing of the best materials. A truly handmade, manual creation, which makes each piece of our Art unique.

Paints are imported from the United Kingdom and nited tates, Alegoria asa selects only rst rate crystals for its productions.

The result is a portfolio of over 50 unique prints for cups, glasses, plates and vases which are shipped worldwide.

Visit www.alegoriacasa.com.br @alegoria.casa

Luxury Holiday Rentals at Glenmor

Make yourselves at home in the heart of Gleneagles

The Gleneagles experience is oneof a kind – you can now enjoy it from the comfort of a Glenmor luxury holiday home, located in the heart of Gleneagles. On your stay you can enjoy complimentary golf for one person, plus access to all of the leisure, dining and pursuits of the 5 star estate. We have 2, 3 and 4 bedroom properties available, perfect for all the family. With prices starting from £3,680 for a 2 bed, £4,630 for a 3 bed and £5,080 for a 4 bed for 7 nights.

Embracing an innovative, modern approach whilst keeping traditional values at its core, Kew House School takes an exciting stance on 21st century education. With state-of-the-art facilities, a broad curriculum and excellent pastoral care, Kew House is a place where you would want to be – a place of learning and discovery, laughter and friendship.

EDUCATION

HEADINGTON SCHOOL

Headington School, Oxford firmly believe that single-sex education is best for girls. Girls are consistently shown to perform better when taught without boys, and the aim at Headington is to provide a stimulating, enriching and forward thinking environment for all pupils, where achievement, enterprise, creativity and leadership are nurtured and developed. headington.org

New

SCREEN TIME

A Levels in a year – live lessons straight to you at home. Interactive teaching from Charterhouse Online

On the face of it, A levels in one year feels all wrong: these are challenging qualifications and that’s why they take two years.

However, this conventional approach does not suit everyone and sometimes circumstances dictate that it might not be the approach that all students need.

During the pandemic, all of us in education recognised the challenges of delivering online, but we also saw

that for some students, learning online was more successful than being in school. There were many reasons for this: the freedom from distractions; from peer pressures; from having to do sports and activities you didn’t want to.

Instead, there was the upside of more time at home, less hours in the classroom and the freedom to choose how to make best use of your free time. So, if you preferred to only do weights, or yoga, or swimming and can’t stand cricket, hockey and tennis, then lockdown gave you these choices.

Other factors might also mean that a one-year option makes sense. Perhaps, you made the wrong choice of subjects and don’t want to take two years to change direction; you might have had to miss a lot of school through illness or injury; you might have simply moved house, school or even country at a time that interfered with your education. Maybe you want to take a gap year without falling behind your age-group peers or you might simply prefer the idea of studying from home, but in a sociable and supportive structure. If any of these apply to you, then Charterhouse Online is a great choice. You will have daily live lessons, subject clinics and tutorials and the interactive self-study skills you will learn will be a considerable advantage when you move onto university.

So, if you are an academically ambitious and self-motivated student, then think about how opening the doors to some of the world’s best universities in only one year might benefit you. Because after all, the conventional approach doesn't suit everyone.

“For some students, learning online is more successful than being in school”

“Little people often have big feelings, and the goal of baby signing isn’t to get rid of those feelings but to help them better communicate them”

TIME to SIGN

By RACHEL HOGG

Picture this, you are taking your baby to the park, and you tell them this by using the signs for ‘walk’ and ‘park’. Your baby keeps signing back to you the words ‘cat’ and ‘bed’ and at first you think they have misunderstood. But then you remember that this time last week, when you were heading along this same road, you saw a cat sleeping on a wall. Your baby has remembered that encounter and wanted to share the memory. This was, in fact, a real experience between a mum and a baby and illustrates just how rewarding baby signing can be. The experts say it’s a tool capable of opening up dialogue between parents and children well before spoken conversation begins. It is important to distinguish ‘baby signing’ from ‘sign language’. British Sign Language (BSL) is specific to the deaf community and is a complete language in its own right. Baby signing, on the other hand, is the use of gestures with spoken language. It is not meant as a substitute for the spoken word, but rather as a means of supporting language and helping young children engage with their world. Baby signing involves parents using a limited number of simple gestures to support words as they are spoken. This underpins the natural development of your child’s speech.

Baby signing today has its roots in the US and is generally acknowledged to have started with the work of Dr Joseph Garcia (then an American Sign Language interpreter). He noticed that children of deaf friends who used ASL communicated by six months old. A similar concept was pursued by two University of California academics in the 1990s, Dr Linda Acredolo and Dr Susan Goodywn. They spent some 20 years developing an impressive body of evidence and techniques for baby signing. Here in the UK, baby signing has found many champions. Sasha Felix developed one of the first parent programmes, Sing and Sign, some 20 years ago. This has now introduced thousands of families to baby signing using music.

Baby signing is a way to open up conversation with your child before they can talk – and with potential benefits that last beyond infancy

BABY SIGNING HELPS CHILDREN TO ENGAGE WITH YOU AND SUPPORTS THEIR DEVELOPMENT

Baby signing does not require a huge investment of time and nor does it feel like an imposition. Gesturing when we speak is something most of us do instinctively. Baby signing also acts as a natural extension of children’s own gestural stage, which is an important part of speech and language acquisition in early years.

You can get started by reading books or watching online videos, but a popular (and social) option is to attend in-person classes with your baby. Whatever route you choose, once you have started to pick up the basics it’s easy to implement these throughout your daily life. Armed with this new simple language of gestures, you then pass on these communication tools to your child.

A popular age to start implementing baby signing is around 6 months – once an infant can sit up and use their hands to sign things out. Sasha Felix believes this is the best age to start, but some parents are keen to get

going even earlier. Baby signing does not interfere with your child’s natural speech development. Once your child becomes verbal, they will typically start to phase out their signing. That said, children may still continue to include a sign for emphasis, out of habit or when they are being particularly insistent.

FAMILY BENEFITS

The broader goal of baby signing is to help families to communicate, and the benefits are felt by parents and children alike. For parents, it is a good way of learning how to speak clearly and communicate words and concepts at a level infants can understand. It also gives vital, and fascinating insight into how children navigate the world. “It means they can communicate so much of what they are seeing, experiencing and feeling, so it’s a wonderful tool for bonding and getting to know your child”, says Sasha Felix.

While communication is the first goal, when a child has the opportunity and means to express their thoughts, feelings and desires this can also have a positive impact on behaviour. “I would never be so presumptuous as to say that it takes away the frustrations of a two-year-old,” says Sasha Felix. “Little people often have big feelings, and the goal of baby signing isn’t to get rid of those feelings but to help them better communicate them.”

So don’t expect a total absence of temper tantrums or meltdowns – there is no such

thing as a weak-willed two-year-old. That said, arming them with extra communication skills does help with conflict de-escalation. Children are likely to pause to respond, and may also feel more understood through the process of signing to you.

Another big benefit is that baby signing naturally kick-starts the process of learning to recognise and label feelings, which is an important step in developing emotional intelligence.

While learning to hold a conversation with someone still in nappies may seem strange at first, baby signing is fun for both sides and establishes an environment of positive communication from the earliest years. Families that implement these simple language tools often continue to feel the benefits long after their little ones have moved on from signing and grown into talkative young people.

For more about baby signing classes and resources, visit singandsign.co.uk

“Baby signing helps children to recognise and label feelings – also building emotional intelligence”

CHILDREN TYPICALLY PHASE OUT SIGNING ONCE THEY BECOME VERBAL, BUT MAY STILL USE IT FOR EMPHASIS

BREAKING NEWS

The death of The Queen, the war in Ukraine, climate change, costof-living crisis – today’s breaking news headlines are worrying for us all but can be particularly frightening for younger children if not handled sensitively. Developing an understanding of world events and global issues is an important part of a good education, but current a airs and political threats need to be discussed in an age-appropriate way.

Many schools use assemblies or ‘circle time’ to talk about news-related topics. Secondary school students have exposure to news at home and, of course, via their smartphones and social media channels, and increasingly schools are having to provide students with workshops on how to spot ‘fake’ news. These encourage students to evaluate news sources and examine why governments or organisations might want to spread false information.

Students might be encouraged to have an open classroom discussion and to explore topics from di erent angles and di erent points of view. For example, the recent death of the Queen can be placed in a historical context and perhaps can open up debate into the role of the monarchy.

These concepts are likely to be a little too sophisticated for the younger prep school pupils. They will relate more closely to the very moving images of Prince George and Princess Charlotte at the funeral. Quite often these issues dovetail closely with a school’s PSHE (personal,

social, health and economic education) programme and can be approached from a pastoral care and emotional wellbeing perspective. This might entail happiness and wellbeing projects such as ‘Think Positive’ and ‘Time for Laughter’, providing ‘worry’ buckets for pupils to share their concerns and, when appropriate, speaking to children individually and providing them with comfort and reassurance.

Whatever the age of the students, combatting any feeling of helplessness is very important and finding a way for pupils to respond positively to a crisis can be mutually beneficial. Fundraising is an excellent way to provide ageappropriate information and to help children engage positively with global issues. For instance, recently we saw many schools in the UK fundraise considerable amounts to support Ukrainian refugees. At Redcli e, students, sta and parents supported the Refugee Response

programme run by the local church to provide refugees and asylum seekers with hot meals and English lessons. In March, we were lucky enough to have a visit from His Royal Highness, King Charles III, who came to learn first hand about the important work the church was doing.

Environment is another area where schools are doing fantastic work in harnessing students’ energy and passion into positive action. Many schools run schemes to discourage car use for the school run, promote recycling, cultivate their own vegetables and plant trees.

For younger children there are age-appropriate news resources, such as The Week and BBC’s Newsround, which can be invaluable. But being in a smaller school where teachers can quickly spot and step in if a pupil is upset can also really help. Sometimes just taking time to really listen to a child’s concerns and letting them know that it is OK to be worried is what is needed most.

SARAH GLENCROSS Head , Redcliff

e Gardens School

Sarah Glencross, the new Head of Redcli e Gardens School, examines how to discuss upsetting news stories, particularly with younger children.

“Combatting any feeling of helplessness is important and fi nding a way to respond positively can be mutually beneficial”

KING CHARLES VISITED REDCLIFFE GARDENS IN MARCH

CHILD-LED LEARNING

Unlike Montessori, the Reggio Emilia approach is not well known in the UK. Pioneered in Emilia Romagna, northern Italy after World War II, it is now gaining popularity worldwide. Reflections Nursery and Small School is an early adopter – one of the only Reggio School settings in the UK.

Loris Malaguzzi was a young teacher when he met a group of women determined to build a school. It grew from a shared ethos that the next generation, their children, would grow up as free thinkers who would fight against injustice and inequality. Malaguzzi joined the women and became instrumental in the development of the Reggio Emilia approach. It is a democratic educational construct where educators and children are partners in the learning process. At its core was Malaguzzi’s belief that social learning precedes cognitive development, so environment has a key role to play in the process of learning, as well as creativity. The

seven key principles include an ‘emergent curriculum’ based on the child’s individual experiences and interests. There is a focus on community and teachers are partners. Children’s learning is documented, and parental participation is vital.

At Reflections, our approach is rooted in Malaguzzi’s belief that all children are capable thinkers and learners as well as creative communicators and conversationalists. The possibilities for their ‘languages’ include drama, painting, dancing, playing, questioning, singing, dreaming and experimenting.

The environment is our third teacher, a space for providing numerous opportunities and experiences. In one of our Ateliers you may find resources such as light boxes, digital overhead projectors and ‘provocations’, in the form of objects that inspire children to question and create theories between themselves. We allow the children to follow a self-guided curriculum. The principles of respect, responsibility and community are promoted. Children work in small groups and the adult will o er open-

ended questions or discussions – allowing the children to teach each other. This develops children’s ability to research, listen to opinions and develop confidence in sharing their own ideas.

Children develop their own theories to make sense of the world and we explore these theories together. We listen to their ideas and take them seriously – and facilitate their research through ‘project work’. Whereas topic work is planned by adults, and with a determined outcome, project work is guided by children’s own interests and questions. We document these projects with notes and photos to show the children, other educators, and parents. This tells the story of the project and gives the children authorship of their work.

At Reflections, we see the Reggio Emilia philosophy during these early childhood years as an approach that can embed the foundations for learning and, in turn, shape how children proceed through their educational journey.

These foundations enable them to become capable and curious learners for life.

LIZ BROWN

Headteacher, Reflections Nursery and Small School

“Malaguzzi believed that social learning precedes cognitive development –environment plays a key role in learning”

Liz Brown, Headteacher of Reflections Nursery, on the history and guiding philosophy of its Reggio Emilia approach to Early Years education

Call

Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate

“To be the best that I can, with the gi s that I have.”

Where

enquiring minds meet creative thinkers

Open Mornings

3 May 2023

7 June 2023

22 June 2023

morehouse.org.uk preparatory

An Independent School for Boys and Girls aged 4-11

Quality of Pupils’ Achievement and Learning - “Excellent”

Quality of Teaching - “Excellent”

Quality of Extra-curricular Provision - “Excellent”

Quality of Pastoral Care - “Excellent”

Quality of Links with Parents - “Excellent”

Quality of Pupils’ Personal Development – “Excellent”

‘’The curriculum is excellent for all ages and abilities, and is expertly matched to meet the needs of the range of pupils in the school.’’ Independent Schools Inspectorate Report - March 2016

Open Mornings

Open Mornings

9.15am Tuesday 14th November

9.15am Thursday 9th May 2019

9.15am Thursday 18th January 2018

9.15am Tuesday 11th June 2019

To book your place on an open morning, please go to www.rpps.co.uk/openmornings or phone 020 8846 9153

9.15am Thursday 1st February 2018

To register your attendance at one of our open mornings, please phone 0208 846 9153 or mail secretary@rpps.co.uk

To book your place on an open morning, please go to rpps.co.uk/admissions or phone 020 8846 9153

Ravenscourt Park Prep School

16 Ravenscourt Avenue, London W6 0SL www.rpps.co.uk

MUSIC MAKER

The new Director of Music at Wells Cathedral School Alex Laing on how young talent and musicianship are nurtured and supported

Q Could you sum up your overarching vision as the new Director of Music?

A Music should be celebrated by all and at all levels. This means everything from the high-profile successes on concert platforms and in competitions such as BBC Young Chorister of the Year to singers and bands appearing at Glastonbury, our two-year-olds learning music through play and all in our school community who love to sing together and support each other at concerts and events.

Q Wells is renowned for its cathedral choir but embraces all genres and styles of music making. How do you balance traditional and modern?

A Traditional and modern approaches enhance each other at Wells. We are lucky

WELLS CATHEDRAL

to have a large music department that can support all genres equally and varied concert venues built over 700 years. Music is also spontaneous, with jazz appearing in marquees and foyers as well as on stage. We are one of the very first schools to appoint a Visiting Music Teacher for Songwriting to work alongside our traditional composition teachers. I have heard several tributes from our pop and jazz musicians that their music making has been enhanced by a grounding in classical traditions and techniques.

Q How are non-specialist musicians supported by the school?

A Everyone at Wells has access to topquality musical opportunities. Non-specialist musicians outnumber the specialists, and many opt to take GCSE and A-level Music and Music Technology. Over 50 di erent ensembles and choirs at all levels cater for multiple tastes. Non-specialists can perform at concerts or events alongside specialists or opt for occasions of their own, like our Going Solo series.

Q Wells seeks to explore the ‘interface’ between music and other disciplines. Could you explain key approaches here?

A It is regularly reported how much music and learning an instrument support and enhance other disciplines. Practical musicmaking connects neural pathways and encourages thoughtful approaches useful for myriad other endeavours. Of course, our music and drama departments collaborate all the time on musical productions. Music and history combine yearly, with lectures and workshops putting music in historical context and vice versa. Learning an instrument has parallels with learning a sport, too. There are shared physical and

psychological goals: awareness of posture, body-mapping, e cient and relaxed movement and strategies for dealing with performance anxiety. Wells puts on regular sessions enhancing these shared messages.

Q How does Wells support young musicians’ career development?

A This is incredibly important to us, and we like to think that we are providing a model for others to follow. It is no longer realistic to expect to become solely a performing musician. We must all embrace much more varied and exciting musical careers. In addition to being accomplished players, we must now be entrepreneurs, teachers, presenters, administrators. Wells puts on weekly Professional Practice seminars to focus on building these skills, as well as resilience and strategies for living with nerves and anxieties. Our musicians support each other brilliantly during lows as well as highs. This camaraderie also helps us

to celebrate di erent skills. Wonderful technical performers may not be natural presenters. The peer-on-peer support networks allow our pupils to practise and teach each other in very constructive ways.

Q How does Wells share music with the wider community?

A We regularly welcome pupils from other schools for free sessions, including instrumental skills and study days. We also give around 250 public concerts a year, including ‘Event on The Lawn’, which is organised and performed by pupils. Many concerts are free as part of our local outreach. Others are in aid of our activities in Sierra Leone, where we continue to support the building and running of a music school. We have a huge number of bursaries and scholarships and our goal is that anyone with talent can study here, irrespective of financial circumstances – we can’t always make that happen, but we do our absolute best.

“At Wells, our goal is that anyone with talent can study here – irrespective of financial circumstances”

Alex Laing studied Music at Cambridge and the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Alongside his role at Wells, he works for the Benedetti Foundation as conductor and tutor.

PUPILS HAVE ACCESS TO A WEALTH OF MUSIC EXPERTISE

MUSIC TECHNOLOGY IS A POPULAR OPTION AT THE SCHOO

KEW GREEN preparatory school

An Independent School for Boys and Girls aged 4-11

Quality of Pupils’ Achievement and Learning - “Excellent”

Quality of Teaching - “Excellent”

Quality of Extra-curricular Provision - “Excellent”

Quality of Pastoral Care - “Excellent”

Quality of Links with Parents - “Excellent”

Quality of Pupils’ Personal Development – “Excellent”

“Pupils of all ages benefit from a rich and exciting curriculum.”

Independent Schools Inspectorate Report - July 2015

To book your place on an open morning, please go to www.kgps.co.uk/openmornings or phone 020 8948 5999

Kew Green Preparatory School

Layton House, Ferry Lane, Kew Green, Richmond TW9 3AF www.kgps.co.uk

BRIDGING THE GAP

The beginning of this school year marked an exciting addition to the learning landscape of London, Cavendish Education and my career as Headteacher of a new prep school – Burlington House Prep. The school takes pupils from seven to 13 (Years 3-8) and, most excitingly, is for children with a specific learning di erence such as dyslexia or dyspraxia. The new prep school is an expansion of the current successful senior school, The Moat – now renamed Burlington House Senior. With the new prep school just a seven-minute walk away from our Fulham base, the two schools are able to share outdoor space as well as a fabulous indoor sports hall.

One of my personal education heroes Ken Robinson once said: “Education needs to be transformed. The key to this transformation is not to standardise education, but to personalise it, to build achievement on discovering the individual talents of each child”. Burlington House aims to do just that,

providing a unique, supportive learning environment where pupils with a specific learning di erence can progress and flourish. Every child is respected as an individual, with their own valuable strengths and talents, alongside learning challenges.

Our schools are, as we describe them: ‘mainstream in structure but specialist in nature’. Our pupils may need additional support to help bridge the gap between their performance and their potential. Therefore, every aspect of the education provided at Burlington House is designed to support pupils as they meet the challenge of bridging this gap. Provision for speech and language and occupational therapy are both integrated within the curriculum and small class sizes guarantee high levels of attention from our empathetic sta .

Having taught in mainstream and independent primary schools, internationally and, more recently, in a specialist setting, I have witnessed the importance of a nurturing environment where a child feels understood and so ready

to learn. Self-belief, confidence, the ability to reflect on mistakes and a growth mindset are just some of the foundations of a child’s learning. They need a safe, happy environment so that they are motivated to learn.

Headteacher, Burlington House

Children with specific learning di culties often have an incredible sense of creativity, as well as an aptitude for many subjects, but they may also face di culties with reading, writing, spelling and numeracy, as well as organisational skills or speed of processing. I envisage every child to be on a journey at Burlington. Not every child will reach the same destination at the same time, but we will help them to discover their strengths at their own pace. For some children, delays to literacy or numeracy development lead to frustration, anger or a reluctance to learn and this can lead to false belief about their real ability which, down the line, will a ect them socially and emotionally. Once a false belief is ‘set’, it can be di cult to reverse – and that is why early intervention is key for an individual. At Burlington House, we are championing the individual.

NICOLA LOVELL

Prep School

“Every child is respected as an individual, with their own valuable strengths and talents, alongside learning challenges”

The Head of newly opened Burlington House Prep on its mainstream approach to help children with specific learning di erences to thrive

STUDENTS AT BURLINGTON HOUSE PREP

BABY BLOOM

Danish children’s brand BIBS has launched a new exclusive floral collaboration with iconic British brand Liberty. Liberty’s heritage prints meet BIBS’ popular pacifiers, and other new baby essentials. Seriously dreamy, this is a collection where we can honestly say we want every single piece.

bibsworld.com

@theofficialbibs

SPECIAL ISSUE

absolutely-mama.co.uk

In this section:

MOTHER’S DAY GIFTS

What to put on your wishlist

•

10 THINGS

Everything we love this month

• TRIED & TESTED

We road test the latest parenting kit

10 things we Absolutely

L O V E

The products and brands getting our attention this month

SUMMER FUN

TIA CIBANI

Renowned designer Tia Ciabani has launched her SS23 collection for little ones. Inspired by a family road trip, expect colourful and fun pieces made for play. tiacibani.com

STYLE STAPLE

NINE THE LABEL

The stylish Rhea jumpsuit from Nine The Label is made from vegan leather. The perfect wearanywhere piece, it can be worn whether you have a bump or not. ninethelabel.com

Editor’s Pick

HUSH HUSH

SLEEPYTROLL

Recreating the rocking motion of the womb, the Sleepytroll helps your little one to sleep better. It can be used on the pram or cot with the correct adaptors. sleepytroll.com

GO GREEN

BRAVADO DESIGNS

Lingerie brand Bravado Designs have achieved the huge goal of converting all their existing and future products to sustainable yarns. We love the nursing-friendly styles. bravadodesigns.com

MILK IT

ÉLHÉE

Seriously stylish, Élhée’s new learning bottle is designed to be gripped easily by little hands. Made from so silicone, it can be used from 6 months +. bubbaandme.co.uk

PLAY TIME

LOVEVERY

Montessori-inspired, Lovevery has just launched ‘The Playshelf’. The 2-in-1 design combines clever hidden storage and open shelves for toy rotation. lovevery.co.uk

ROLL WITH IT

OLLI ELLA

With spring well and truly on the way we’re looking ahead to picnics and beach days. This rattan ‘wonder wagon’ is perfect for carting all of their special things. smallkins.com

NATURAL NURSERY

CUDDLECO

CuddleCo’s collection of rattan nursery furniture has just landed at Scandiborn. We love this beautiful changing table, which has plenty of space for baby essentials. scandiborn.co.uk

Music Makers

LIEWOOD

Music time has never looked as stylish as with this drum from Liewood. Perfect for future rhythmmakers and family dance parties. liewood.co.uk

COSY UP

MAMA SHACK

With a super cute frill edge, Mama Shack’s cosy knitted blanket would make a lovely new baby gi . Knitted perfection. mamashack.co.uk

TRIED & TESTED

Venicci Empire Ultra Black Pushchair

Reviewed by CARLY GLENDINNING

Compact pushchairs sometimes compromise on function in favour of portability. This might not be that important if it’s just needed for the nursery run. However, if you live in the city like me, nippiness shouldn’t come at the expense of comfort and good suspension.

Impressively, the new Venicci Empire Pushchair has it all. With a sleek chassis, the Empire is beautifully made with elegant design details.

The Empire can be used from birth in the lie-flat position, or with the addition of the newborn insert (which is so cosy that you won’t miss having a bassinet). Designed to grow with your little one, the Empire can be used up until 4 years of age.

My toddler found the plush padded seat to be really comfortable and had no problem napping in it on-the-go. We love how you can recline it to be completely flat, a feature that’s not always available on compact pushchairs. The roomy extendable hood is made from protective UV 50+ fabric, and has

a mesh viewing window. The stroller fabric is also water-resistant, so you can use it year-round come rain or shine.

The seat can be positioned to either be parent-facing or world-facing and with a 5-point harness, the straps also felt nice and secure. What we really loved though is the smooth one hand fold. The Empire folds to the size of a compact suitcase –perfect if you live in a tiny London flat like me! It also folds both ways, another feature that not all strollers have.

The four-wheel suspension is brilliant and it has 360° rotary wheels at the front, which make navigating uneven city pavements a breeze. The frame is also super lightweight and easy to push. Another big tick is the roomy basket. The handle can be adjusted to the perfect height and there’s a bumper bar for extra safety. The Empire can also be used as a travel system, with the appropriate car seat adapters.

All in all, the Empire is a really hardworking compact stroller – that will last from birth well into the toddler years.

The Empire pushchair with accessories pack retails at £499 and comes complete with raincover, pouch bag, and a cosy apron. venicci.co.uk

The Venicci Empire is a compact pushchair that has it all – from portability to functionality

Mother’s Day

Carly Glendinning rounds up the best gi s for mamas and mamas-to-be

JUMP TO IT

Beyond Nine’s brilliant jumpsuits are designed to be worn before, during, and after pregnancy – making them perfect for whatever stage of motherhood you’re at. beyondnine.co.uk

Made from recycled fabric, Jem +

Pu y pouch is just the right size for nappies and wipes. It’s stylish enough for your mama essentials too. £25; jemandbea.com

MAGICAL

SHE’S LOST CONTROL

This New Mama Modern Magic Gift Set from She’s Lost Control is something a bit di erent to the usual flowers and chocs. It contains everything you’ll need for healing and selfcare. £85; sheslostcontrol.co.uk

LIGHT MY FIRE

MARIE-CHANTAL

Marie-Chantal’s fi rst signature candle is a soft blend of powdery notes accented by fresh bergamot and light summer florals. A gorgeously luxurious gift. £59; mariechantal.com

TIME TO REST PATAPATA

What could be better than the gift of a more restful night? This Natural Sleep Easy Baby Balm from Patapata can be used by both little ones and parents. £12.99; patapata.com

DRINK UP

LAB TONICA

With seriously cool packaging, Lab Tonica’s Breathe Tea makes a thoughtful and stylish gift. The minty, fresh and comforting fl avour is blended to bring a moment of calm to your day. £7; labtonica.co.uk

5 on our WISHLISTS

Start dropping hints about these gifts now...

1. 19-69 Higher Peace Perfume, £150; earlofeast.com

2. HAY, Complot Candleholder £65; endclothing.com

3. HKliving, Glass Tealight Holder £22; bode-living.com

4. Luna & Curious, Cashmere Hat, £70; lunaandcurious.com

5. Shades of Cool London, Organic Cotton Kimono Robe, £60; shadesofcoollondon.com

PROPERTY

HOME PARK ROAD

SW19

£4,325,000

This elegant and spacious modern family house enjoys far reaching views across Wimbledon Park and towards the The All England Lawn Tennis Club. The property o ers a reception hall, two reception rooms, a combined kitchen, dining and family room, a multi-purpose room, a main bedroom suite, three bedrooms, three bathrooms, southerly gardens, a garage, gated OSP and a wine store. ER/C.

ROBERT HOLMES & COMPANY

Wimbledon Village, 35 High Street, London SW19 5BY 020 8947 9833

enquiries@robertholmes.co.uk robertholmes.co.uk

Avenue Gardens, W3

£2,307 per week

ith ve bedrooms and two reception rooms, this impressive house has been recently refurbished throughout. There is the added bonus of a wine cellar and a split-level garden, energy rating c.

020 87 2 00 chiswicklettings@fletcherestates.com

Hartswood Road, W12

£2, 92 per week

Located close to a fantastic range of shops, bars and restaurants, is a semi-detached family home with ve bedrooms. There is an open plan kitchen with dining space and a reception room, energy rating c.

020 87 2 00

chiswicklettings@fletcherestates.com

Wilton Avenue, W4

£ ,3 0 per week

Situated moments from the Thames, a ve bedroom family home which has been nished to a high standard and provides contemporary living with a blend of period charm, energy rating d.

020 87 2 00

chiswicklettings@fletcherestates.com

Bridge Street, W4 £807 per week

Close to the transport links of Chiswick Park station, this three bedroom house has a modern kitchen, a large reception room and a rear garden as well as off-street parking, energy rating c.

020 87 2 00

chiswicklettings@fletcherestates.com

Homefield Road, W4

Positioned in the heart of Chiswick, a six bedroom, semi-detached house providing excellent entertaining space. There is a generous reception room and a dining room opening onto the rear garden. Chiswick House, Ravenscourt Park and the River Thames are all within easy reach.

A Norman Shaw, Grade II Listed house which has been tastefully updated to create a wonderful family home. Arranged over three floors, there are four bedrooms and a landscaped garden. Moments from an array of boutique shops, cafés and restaurants.

£2,800,000

Queen Anne’s Grove, W4

Parkside, Wimbledon Village £7,750,000

A substantial house with separate Coach House and studio bungalow on a plot of approx half an acre.  3 reception rooms, conservatory, kitchen/breakfast room, 11 bedrooms, 6 bath/shower rooms, double garage and OSP ER/E

Marryat Road, Wimbledon Village

£4,850,000

A charming house on a plot of over 0.2581 acre with potential to extend subject to planning permission.  2 reception rooms, study, kitchen/ breakfast room, 5 bedrooms, 2 bath/shower rooms (1 e/s), 128’ garden, detached garage/potential studio OSP ER/D

Belvedere Grove, Wimbledon Village £3,950,000

A comprehensively refurbished and extended house situated in the heart of Wimbledon Village.  Open plan kitchen/dining/drawing room, reception room/gym, cellar rooms, 6 bedrooms, 3 bath/shower rooms, 71’ garden with summerhouse, OSP ER/C

Parkside, Wimbledon Common

£3,750,000

With planning permission to demolish current house and replace with a house of approx. 7,976 sq ft (741 sq m).  2 reception rooms, conservatory, kitchen/breakfast room, 7 bedrooms, 3 bath/shower rooms, 86’ garden, garage & OSP ER/D