Absolutely Kensington & Chelsea May 2022 by ABSOLUTELY Magazines

KENSINGTON & CHELSEA

Kensington & Chelsea MAY 2022 / £3.95

MAY 2022

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WILD AND CULTIVATED Fashioning the Rose at the Garden Museum FLORALS AT HOME The power of ﬂowers EVA SONAIKE Bold patterns and strong colours

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PRESENTS

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WEDNESDAY 15 JUNE 2022

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ABSOLUTELY

Contents M AY 2 0 2 2

113

72 14

C U LT U R E ABSOLUTELY LOVES

H E A LT H & B E A U T Y 55 BEAUTY NOTES

WHAT'S ON

57 CHEEKY TALK

ENGLISH ROSES

64 GINA RIVERA

10 things we’re coveting this month

Your diary for May

The Garden Museum's new show

What's hot and what's new

All the best blushes

An American hair story

FOOD & DRINK 30 KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL

32 RECIPES

92 VENUE GUIDE

FA S H I O N 44 THE SHOOT

INTERIORS 110 INTERIOR INSPIRATIONS

News from the industry

Josh Katz's vegetable expertise

Block prints from Dilli Grey

50 JEWELLERY Flora and fauna

WEDDINGS DRESS DESIGN

Rowley Hessellballe's 1960s-inspired gowns

Where to tie the knot in style

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

News from the industry

113 FLOWER FEATURES Sarah Campbell's floral collection

O N T H E C OV E R Gina Rivera, phenixsalonsuites.com

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Beautiful timber windows & doors

EDITOR IN CHIEF PENDLE HARTE EDITORIAL ASSISTANT RACHEL HOGG MAMA EDITOR CARLY GLENDINNING ART DIRECTOR PAWEL KUBA SENIOR DESIGNERS MIKE ROBERTS SAMANTHA SCOTT MIDWEIGHT DESIGNER CARMEN GRAHAM JUNIOR DESIGNER KAI NICHOLLS MEDIA CONSULTANTS STELLA ADAMS ANABELA KOLECI KATIE WOOD FINANCIAL DIRECTOR JERRIE KOLECI CREDIT CONTROL MANAGER ALEXANDRA HVID DIRECTORS CRAIG DAVIES, LEAH DAY, JAMES FUSCHILLO

Bring the outside in

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ALEXANDRA HUNTER MANAGING DIRECTOR SHERIF SHALTOUT

For editorial enquiries please email: pendle@zest-media.com For advertising enquiries please call 020 3981 7187 or email: craig@zest-media.com

zest.london Zest Media Publications Ltd. cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited submissions, manuscripts and photographs. While every care is taken, prices and details are subject to change and Zest Media Publications Ltd. take no responsibility for omissions or errors. We reserve the right to publish and edit any letters. All rights reserved. Social icon

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Wandsworth | Crouch End | Dulwich

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Editor’s

LETTER ABSOLUTELY’S May issue highlights

Block prints

Dilli Grey's beautiful Indian textiles.

ay is a month of flowers. The Chelsea Flower Show's influence extends far beyond its SW3 base, casting a floral veil over the city. The whole of Chelsea is set to burst into bloom as shops, cafes and gardens take on an extra explosion of petals in celebration of the show, and all over town events are given a dedicated floral theme. In this issue we focus on floral influences in interiors and fashion, as well as floral menus, floral fragrances and flowers to grown in your garden as well as actual florists to visit. We admire the rose and its role in fashion through the ages in a new exhibition at the Garden Museum, we investigate how to achieve the perfect rosy cheek and we enjoy floral cocktails and flower-topped cakes. Our special section this month focuses on weddings, so we look at wedding flowers and botanical gifts too. It's exciting to feel the season changing and a new sense of optimism in the air. Enjoy May.

African prints

Eva Sonaike's new look for Soho Home.

Served in style

Beautiful plates for elegant tables.

PENDLE HARTE EDITOR

Flowers

We're all about flowers this month – read about our favourite florists on page 78.

Rose garden

We love the Garden Museum's exibition about fashion and roses.

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Wish LIST 10 things we Absolutely love COMPILED BY

FINE FLORALS Basak Baykal is a fine jewellery designer whose primary source of inspiration is nature itself, but her references span from Art Nouveau masters to movies and poetry. Through these inspirations she has intertwined this with natural elements to create ethereal, fine, ﬂoral jewellery. bbaykal.com

B L O C K PA R T Y These dreamy block-printed robes are made by a team of female artisans in India from super soft-ethically produced organic cotton, hand-block printed using azo-free dyes. £60 shadesofcoollondon.com

PRETTY PRINTS Yolke and Penelope Chilvers have collaborated on a beautiful design capsule that celebrates Yolke’s nostalgic signature print clothing complemented by Penelope Chilvers artisanal espadrilles, the Africa and the Valenciana. penelopechilvers.com

LEAF ART Caroline Byrne has gone beyond what exists in nature to create her own statement art houseplants, made of high quality materials in lots of shapes and colours. brazenbotany.co.uk

EDITOR’S PICK

PENDLE HARTE

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ABSOLUTELY • LOVES

TROPICAL SUMMER Lise Charmel's stylish tropical print swimwear is available at Amelie's Follies, where a fitting service promises the perfect match. ameliesfollies.co.uk

P E TA L P O W E R East End Press' wooden prints are made from sustainable sourced birch ply and printed by hand on both sides with a colourful ﬂoral bouquet print - perfect for adding a pop of colour. eastendpress.com

BLOOM BLOUSE The Indi by Kika Vargas is a square neck dress in an oversized, romantic silhouette. Featuring a gathered hem, balloon sleeves, and frill detail, it slips on with a simple tie closure. koibird.com

PEONIE PINNY

FLORAL FA N C Y

Sarah Campbell's lovely ﬂoral pinny for Anthropologie is the perfect apron for summer hosting. anthropologie.com

The first Sculpd Home Collection features five different kits that include everything needed to make specific pieces of homeware, from a body form vase to a stylish candlestick holder. sculpd.co.uk

IN BLOOM Emma Dodi's creative cake designs range from stunning hand piped ﬂoral designs to modern architectural pieces and colourful jovial creations. emmadodicakes.com

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C U LT U R E

PHILIP TREACY HAT IN ALEXANDER MCQUEEN SPRING SUMMER 07 RUNWAY COLLECTION ©IMAXTREE - ON SHOW AT THE GARDEN MUSEUM

What's On 18 • Kensington & Chelsea Art Week 20 • Roses at the Garden Museum 22 A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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The Agenda

M A RC H ' S H OT T E ST H A P P E N I N G S

E XH I BI T I ON

Feminine Power 19 May – 25 September THE BRITISH MUSEUM Feminine Power: the divine to the demonic, is the ﬁrst exhibition to focus solely on female spiritual beings and their presence in global mythology. It presents a cross-cultural retrospective of the diverse ways feminine spiritual power has been embodied in ancient sculptures, sacred artefacts and contemporary artworks. britishmuseum.org

A RT

Print Fair S O ME R S E T H O US E • 26- 29 MAY

Somerset House is the new home of the London Original Print Fair, an exhibition that showcases some of the art world’s most celebrated original prints, borrowed from the collections of top international dealers, publishers and studios. It is an unmissable opportunity to browse and buy prints created over ﬁve centuries and is a real must-see for those looking to add to their collection.

A RT

Raphael Until 31 July T H E N AT I O N A L G A L L E R Y His career only spanned two decades, but the impact of Raphael's cultural legacy is still being felt over 500 years after his death. A giant of the Italian Renaissance, Rafaello Santi was a painter, draughtsman, architect, designer and archaeologist and this exhibition explores the full extent of his multimedia work and its impact. nationalgallery.org.uk

londonoriginalprintfair.com

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CULTURE • TALKING TOPICS

ARTIST

E XH I BI T I O N

Our time on earth 5 May - 29 August BARBICAN CENTRE The Barbican’s newest group exhibition wants its attendees to view the global climate emergency from a new perspective, or rather a few new perspectives. The immersive exhibit crosses disciplines and borders to explore how we exist collectively on earth and how we may continue to do so in the future. barbican.org.uk

TO WATC H Lisa Baker picks out an unmissable first ever solo photographic exhibition by

RACHIDI BISSIRIOU Rachidi Bissiriou’s Gloire Immortelle opens in early June at David Hill Gallery in Notting Hill. This remarkable exhibition offers a previously unseen insight into one of West Africa’s greatest photographers. It captures the spirit of a pivotal historical moment by picturing the lives and styles of those who lived it. COURTESY OF DAVID HILL GALLERY AND THE ARTIST, RACHIDI BISSIRIOU, UNTITLED, 1970

T H E AT R E

STRAIGHT-LINE CRAZY

This Month’s Must See

Until 18 June B R I D G E T H E AT R E Ralph Fiennes heads an electrifying cast in David Hare’s new theatrical portrayal of the rise and fall of visionary urban planner Robert Mose. Mose occupied a position as one of the most powerful men in New York, and his decisions not only changed the physical landscape of the city but the socio-economic one as well. bridgetheatre.co.uk

Born in 1950 in the village of Kétou, Bissiriou began photographing members of his community after Benin was ﬁnally granted independence in 1960. He inadvertently documented an intense period of seismic cultural and political shifts through his disarmingly beautiful portraits of

DEU TSCHE BÖR SE

COURTESY OF DAVID HILL GALLERY AND THE ARTIST, RACHIDI BISSIRIOU, UNTITLED, 1978

TH E P HOTO GRAPHER’S GALLERY • UN TIL 12 J UN E

he annual Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation Prize acknowledges the artists that have made a significant contribution to the medium over the previous twelve months. This year’s finalists are all photographers whose work presents a unique vision of a specific region or community and their nominated projects will be exhibited alongside a program of talks and events and the winner will be announced on May 12. thephotographersgallery.org.uk

local people as he found them. The images illuminate the diversity and beauty of West African style during the period, a fusion of traditional attire and a burgeoning westernised youth culture. Bissiriou’s innate photographic talent shines through in the delicate framing and lighting. Rachidi Bissiriou: Gloire Immortelle, 10 June–29 July 2022. For more information visit @davidhill_photo and davidhillgallery.net

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NEW LUAP MURAL PORTOBELLO ROAD

“Windows will be lit up with exceptional artwork by emerging voices on the cusp of greatness”

Word UP Kensington + Chelsea Art Week is back with a focus on poetry alongside the popular art trails and more

KCAW HIGH STREET WINDOWS

ensington + Chelsea Art Week is a free arts and culture festival that shines a spotlight on the area‘s unique cultural variety. KCAW brings together 150+ venues, including studios, museums, galleries, exhibition spaces, and businesses, attracting local and international audiences. The fifth edition of KCAW will take place from 23 June to 3 July, with the muchanticipated Public Art Trail installed across 9 zones from 18 June and will last most of the summer. Expect themed activities, talks, and digital activities, KCAW22 will be an opportunity to discover anew the outstanding cultural offering of the Royal Borough. This year, and back by popular demand, the Art Week welcomes a new curator Bella Bonner-Evans to deliver KCAW x Chelsea Windows in the King’s Road. Here, artists are paired with retailers on this iconic road. The project, supported by Sloane Stanley for the 3rd

year, is focused on platforming emerging talent across the visual culture sector. Bella works with a considerable network of emerging artists who she seeks to champion through exceptional and unusual projects. Her curatorial approach puts the quality, inventiveness, and ingenuity of the work first, spotlighting artists of all identities and experiences equally. She says: "The project brings enrichment to the borough while offering vital opportunities to the young London-based artists who have bravely weathered the pandemic, in line with this year’s Art Week theme 'NOURISH'. For 2022, Kensington and Chelsea Windows will be filled with exceptional artwork by emerging voices on the cusp of greatness. Budding collectors will find their next artist to watch, local people will see delightful surprises along their commute, and all will have the chance to encounter work by London's next generation of artists." In order to give greater visibility to locally based creative talent, for the third year running, KCAW22 is inviting poets and spoken word artists to submit poetry to be displayed in shop and gallery windows during the festival. Their work will be shared on the digital Culture Map, both as text and as spoken word video/audio, in the KCAW printed guide, and be part of guided tours in partnership with the walking app Go Jauntly. Last year’s KCAW High Street Windows artist LUAP, and his much-loved Pink Bear, will return to South Kensington in June. LUAP is creating an immersive corridor of mirrors and light – all free and accessible by all – at the Exhibitionist Hotel in Queensberry Place. Participation in KCAW22 is an opportunity to engage new audiences, provide a platform to publish work in new formats, and this year, with the theme NOURISH, the festival is including food and drinks venues as part of its core programming, via the guided tours and more, all in celebration of our Global culture, people, connections, and joy! kcaw.co.uk

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A ROSE

IS...

INGENUE ROSES. POSTCARD, COLOUR-TINTED PORTRAIT OF A ROSE WITH BUDS, C. 1920S.

The Garden Museum’s new exhibition explores the roles of roses in fashion from the Victorian era to today By P E A R L B OY D

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CULTURE • FOCUS

he rose and fashion are inextricably entwined. Roses, like fashion, are a luxury and they are ephemeral; they are both ‘shown’ seasonally; their appeal is multisensorial, and they each incite passion and obsession. Throughout history artists, designers and writers have explored this fragrant flower and its deterrent thorns (technically they are prickles) – a conjunction of opposites - to draw out illusions to love, beauty, sexuality, sin, rites of passage, degradation, and death. A creative collaboration between guest curator Amy de la Haye and famed set designer Simon Costin, this exhibition will also draw inspiration from the Garden Museum collection and gardens to explore the tensions between wild and

MISS LILLIAN YOUNG, ILLUSTRATION OF ‘ROSE GARDEN’ IN ARDEN HOLT FANCY DRESS DESCRIBED OR WHAT TO WEAR TO A FANCY BALL, 1896

cultivated, natural and artificial roses within fashion apparel, image making and contemporary craft practices. Fashions designed by Alexander McQueen (fashion’s rosarian) and Comme des Garçons will be shown alongside ‘rosy’ undergarments dating from the 18th century and the latest gender-neutral designs by Ashish. Accessories will include including millinery by Stephen Jones and Philip Treacy; a rose bucket bag by Lulu Guinness and a selection of gorgeously decorated fans. Simon Costin’s dramatic ‘Rose and the Nightingale’ neckpiece - which

POSTCARD, COLOUR-TINTED NARRATIVE PORTRAIT SCENE, BRITISH, EARLY 1910S.

ROSE FLOWERSHAPED FAN LEAF. DUVELLEROY, FRANCE, C. 1900-1910

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CULTURE • FOCUS

ruptures the wearer’s skin when worn - and a jet mourning brooch will communicate the rose as a metaphor for the savage pain of love unfulfilled and forever lost. The ways roses can interact with the dressed body will be explored by a group of studio portrait photographs dating from the mid-19th century. Illustrations by JJ Grandville and Walter Crane will highlight mid-to-late 19th century debates on wild and ‘engineered’ cultivated roses, and roses and gendered identities. Painted and botanical portraits and gardeners’ impressions of roses, drawn from the Garden Museum’s archive and special loans, will be shown alongside contemporary images. The Museum is delighted to also feature Nick Knight’s sublime ‘roses from my garden’ and Tim Walker’s romantic surreal photographs. Roses bloom from May until November, and since Ancient Egyptian times, ‘permanent botanicals’ have been crafted as surrogates for when the earth no longer yields natural blooms. The galleries of the Garden Museum and its gardens will be filled with a profusion of wild and cultivated, natural and artificial roses.

Wild & Cultivated: Fashioning the Rose will also include rarely seen items from the Garden Museum Collection, including Ellen Willmott’s volume of botanical lithographic illustrations of roses Genus Rosa, and photographs of roses taken by horticulturist Gertrude Jekyll which illustrate how she used roses in garden design, intertwining them with honeysuckle in arbours and around trellises. Until 19 June; gardenmuseum.org.uk

OLIVER MESSEL, SILVER ROSE FROM DER ROSENKAVALIER, 1959, COURTESY GLYNDEBOURNE ARCHIVE COLLECTION, GLYNDEBOURNE PRODUCTIONS LTD

"A PROFUSION OF WILD AND CULTIVATED, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL ROSES" BIRTHDAY ROSES. POSTCARD, COLOUR-TINTED PHOTOGRAPHIC PORTRAIT, FRENCH, 1920S.

FOLDING FAN ADVERTISING PARFUMS DE ROSINE FOR POIRET. FRANCE, CA. 1911-1914

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A DRAMA THAT CAN NEVER BE WRITTEN

BE PART OF THE DR A M A

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CULTURE • FOCUS

STICKS'N'SUSHI 2021 INNOVATION AWARD WINNER

MORRIS & CO SHOW GARDEN DESIGNED BY RUTH WILMOTT

Back in BLOOM

The world’s most famous ﬂower show is set to make a wild comeback!

he Chelsea Flower Show is set to make its highly-anticipated return this spring season after a two-year absence. Produced by the Royal Horticultural Society, the world’s leading gardening charity, this year’s exhibition focuses on encouraging a connectedness with nature. This year’s designers have taken their inspiration from the British countryside and the main gardens will have a more naturalistic feel. They will be teeming with blossoming hedgerows, lush woodland and wildflower meadow and wildlife-friendly native plants rarely before seen at RHS Chelsea. This year’s gardens are designed to encourage gardeners to embrace the wild and bring nature back into their own homes. By championing biodiversity-rich spaces, they hope to highlight the ecological benefits of a wilded landscape. One of the themes of this year’s event is sustainability and the idea of planet-friendly gardening is set to continue through to the Discovery Zone. This year’s exhibit will include interactive

displays that explore and highlight practices that support sustainable solutions, plant health and biodiversity. By focusing on sustainable solutions, the organisers hope to encourage visitors to consider what they can do to make their green spaces planet-friendly and help combat climate change. Another category set to return is the Small Garden Spaces. Much loved by city gardeners for its focus on making the most of limited space and resources. This exhibition sets out to prove that any space, no matter how small, can be turned into a gardening haven. Finally, an exciting new garden category is coming to the show. All About Plants is the first garden category to join the growers and nurseries in the Great Pavillion and champions the power of plants to positively impact people’s lives. The gardens will visualise the many ways plants can, influence mental health, community, and industry and each garden raises awareness for a UK charity organisation. All of these gardens will be open for the public to explore from the 24-25th of May for RHS members and from the 26-27th of May for non-members. For tickets and futher information, visit rhs.org.uk.

Floral Festivities The streets of Chelsea are springing to life Celebrate the start of summer with a visit to Chelsea in Bloom, London’s largest free-to-attend festival of flowers. The world-class alternative floral art show will return to transform the streets of Chelsea from the 23rd until the 28th of May. Produced by Cadogan, in partnership with the Royal Horticultural Society, the event extends the Chelsea Flower Show throughout the streets of London’s royal borough. Shopfronts and restaurants will be transformed in a competition for the highly coveted ‘Best Floral Display’ award. Each display will reflect a unique interpretation of this year’s theme, British Icons, to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee taking place the following week. This year’s installations will draw inspiration from characters, symbols and emblems famous across the United Kingdom. Attendees will be able to see some of the most quintessentially British figures from the worlds of fashion, art, design, sport, literature, music, and food will come to life in vibrant flowers, from David Bowie to Bond, Mary Poppins, Vivienne Westwood, Big Ben and of course, Her Majesty herself. Visitors will also have the opportunity to enjoy complimentary rickshaw rides, guided walking tours and other exciting pop-ups. For further news and updates visit chelseainbloom.co.uk.

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Life in the French Riviera is warm, effortless, and enduring—a spirit perfectly captured in the new Le Creuset stoneware gifting collection. Featuring ten sets in coastal-inspired hues, the Riviera Collection is unmistakably joyful and the perfect gift for travel and adventure lovers.

EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE WHEN YOU VISIT A LE CREUSET STORE • BESPOKE CUSTOMER SERVICE • EXCLUSIVE PRODUCT RANGES AND OFFERS • PRODUCT EXPERTISE AND AFTERCARE • FREE DELIVERY OVER £50 • LOYALTY REWARDS • FREE RECIPE CARDS CALL & DELIVER. | PAY BY LINK. | FREE UK DELIVERY WHEN YOU SPEND £50 OR MORE. | CONTACT THE STORE FOR MORE DETAILS. LE CREUSET FULHAM ROAD, 156 FULHAM ROAD, LONDON. SW10 9PR. TEL: 0207 3707509 • E-MAIL: FULHAMROAD.STORE.UK@LECREUSET.COM LE CREUSET HAMPSTEAD, 31 HEATH STREET, LONDON. NW3 6TR. TEL: 0207 4356109 • E-MAIL: HAMPSTEAD.STORE.UK@LECREUSET.COM LE CREUSET ISLINGTON, 137 UPPER STREET, LONDON. N1 1QP. TEL: 0207 2261595 • E-MAIL: ISLINGTON.STORE.UK@LECREUSET.COM LE CREUSET MARYLEBONE, 6 NEW CAVENDISH STREET, LONDON. W1G 8UH. TEL: 0207 4865404 • E-MAIL: MARYLEBONE.STORE.UK@LECREUSET.COM

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LE CREUSET MUSWELL HILL, 74 MUSWELL HILL BROADWAY, LONDON. N10 3RT. TEL: 0208 8834394 • E-MAIL: MUSWELLHILL.STORE.UK@LECREUSET.COM LE CREUSET NOTTING HILL, 54 LEDBURY RD., NOTTING HILL, LONDON. W11 2AJ. TEL: 0203 2200017 • E-MAIL: NOTTINGHILL.STORE.UK@LECREUSET.COM LE CREUSET ST. ALBANS, 27 MARKET PLACE, ST. ALBANS, HERTFORDSHIRE. AL3 5DL. TEL: 01727 850453 • E-MAIL: STALBANS.STORE.UK@LECREUSET.COM LE CREUSET WIMBLEDON, 4 CHURCH RD., WIMBLEDON VILLAGE, LONDON. SW19 5DL. TEL: 0208 9440624 • E-MAIL: WIMBLEDON.STORE.UK@LECREUSET.COM

28/04/2022 16:55

FOOD & DRINK

THE PERFECT PAIRING HOUSE OF PIPER-HEIDSIECK

Since its founding in 1785, the House of Piper-Heidsieck has proven its innovative prowess in selecting and blending wines of exception. Now, chef Eric Geoffroy, from Piano des Chefs in France, has created a dish to complement the flavours and aromas of Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel Blanc de Blancs: Tartar of John Dory, leche de tigre and fresh herbs. Discover the full recipe on page 38. piper-heidsieck.com

Food News 30 • Vegan bakes 33 • Josh Katz on vegetables 34 A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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WHAT TO DRINK

GRAPE news

TASTING NOTES

London’s food news and most exciting openings this month B y R AC H E L H O G G

Wine recommendations for the month Champagne Castelnau Rosé Brut, France  £33.50

This perfect rosé champagne alternative is based on 54% Pinot Meunier, 25% Pinot Noir and 21% Chardonnay. The Chardonnay in the blend brings freshness and vivacity, while the Pinots add fruit and structure. wine-hub.co.uk

M de Minuty Limited Edition, France  £17.95 M de Minuty Limited Edition 2020 is produced by the famous Château Minuty, a family-owned wine estate located in southern France’s Provence region, overlooking the Saint-Tropez peninsula and is a splendid, pleasurable rosé wine. ﬁnewinedirect.co.uk

Codorniu Rosado Cava Brut, Spain  £6.99 Codorníu Rosado is made from the two most common red grapes around Southern Penedès. This bright Rosé has the aromas of raspberry and strawberry and is the perfect accompaniment to tapas and light salads. waitrose.com

Sake & Sakura THE IVY ASIA

The Ivy has partnered with Marussia Beverage’s Artisanal Japanese Collection to celebrate Japan’s Sakura Blossom Season. This springtime collaboration features a brand new Sake and sushi pairing menu as well as limited-edition cocktails. Patrons will be able to gather to eat and drink in the restaurant's blossom-ﬁlled interior for six weeks from the 26th of April. theivyasia.com

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FOOD & DRINK • NOTES

BOTANICAL TREATS To put some spring in your step

GORGEOUS GIN ISLE OF BARRA DISTILLERY

BISCUIT BOUQUET

Sharing Time

This gorgeous bunch of botanical biscuits from Biscuiteers are a delicious gift alternative and comes in a beautiful hand-illustrated keepsake tin, £48. biscuiteers.com

CIRCOLO POPOLARE

This Rhubarb and Heather Gin Liqueur has been handcrafted on the Isle of Barra using fresh local ingredients, some of which are sourced directly from their community garden. It makes for a delicious addition to your G&T, or can also be enjoyed over ice if you’re feeling impatient, £22. isleofbarradistillers.com

Upon stepping into Circolo Popolare, you may think you’ve left Fitzrovia and accidentally stumbled into a Sicilian wedding. The restaurant’s interior has been designed to capture the convivial spirit of the old country and provides the perfect setting for people to get together, open a bottle of wine and tuck into an endless spread of antipasti. bigmammagroup.com

F LO R A L F E A ST Mode & Grace's award-winning floral brownies are baked using only the best organic ingredients and topped with an assortment of pressed edible flowers, from £22.50. modeandgrace.co.uk

B O TA N I C A L

INFUSION WILD EVE

Spring Fling D R A K E A N D M O R GA N

You’ll be able to welcome in the warmer months with a cocktail in hand this month at Drake & Morgan. Their fresh spring and summer menu is being rolled out across all of their London locations and features a selection of blooming beautiful cocktails and new seasonal recipes prepared using only the best British ingredients. drakeandmorgan.co.uk

B E AU T I F U L B I T E S The English Garden box includes a selection of Emma Dodi’s signature floral macaroons, all lovingly baked and intricately hand-painted in her Battersea studio, £32. emmadodicakes.com

If you’re in the mood for something non-alcoholic, the new Botanical Infusion from Wild Eve might hit the spot. Handcrafted from ﬂowers, fruits, leaves and seaweeds, all carefully chosen for their ability to relax the mind and body. It makes for a delicious drinking experience, minus the hangover, £32. wild-eve.com A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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FOOD & DRINK • REVIEW

ABSOLUTELY eats out…

“I had to double check that everything was actually vegan”

LELE’S

FOOD Vegan treats

A vegan cafe in Clapton with a TV presence

B y p e a r l b oy d

talian-born Valentina Fois, founder of Lele’s in Hackney is one of the 12 contestants on Gordon Ramsay’s new programme Future Food Stars. She is one of the competing to win a £150,000 investment from Ramsay himself. As well as running a hugely successful vegan cafe, Valentina and her team at Lele’s offer an online shop selling all sorts of crazy popular treats including red velvet donuts, afternoon tea, Bakewell tarts, brownies, banana bread, hampers and award-winning

vegan mixes. With all products hand-made by Valentina and her team in East London, Lele’s is committed to being cruelty-free and environmentally sustainable with recyclable packaging. Valentina’s path has been a colourful and creative one. The Italian-born vegan chef first moved to London in 2009 and worked in fashion, branding and art before taking the plunge and setting up her own business. We took delivery of a Valentina’s cakes – afternoon tea boxes can be delivered all over London – and ours

DECOR Wholesome, simple and dog-friendly

PRICE Slap-up afternoon tea from £35

was impressive to say the least. So much so that I had to double check that everything was actually vegan. Baking without eggs or butter isn’t always successful and it’s easy to end up with a dry or crumbly cake. Our selection included some excellent chocolate chip cookies that had us baffled by their extreme butteryness and excellent texture, as well as various brownies, including one with an excellent salted caramel topping which we couldn’t believe lacked butter or cream. A coconut millionaire’s shortbread tasted like a Bounty from heaven, and Valentina’s flair for presentation is clear: all cakes are topped with pretty pansies or delicate gold leaf, or sliced strawberry. Lemon and poppyseed cakes are iced and sprinked with poppyseed and pansies; chocolate cupcakes are topped with gold-sprayed berries. It’s not every vegan bake and cookie that takes moist and buttery, but at Lele’s they all do.

VERDICT

LELE’S

Vegan has never been so much fun

50 Lower Clapton Road, E5 0RN leleslondon.com

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Vegetables A new book from Berber & Q’s Josh Katz focuses on the simple vegetable Wo r d s J O S H K AT Z Photography JAMES MURPHY

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FOOD & DRINK • RECIPES

Hasselback Butternut Squash With shallot conﬁt walnut tarator Serves 4

Hasselback is a technique for cooking potatoes originating from Hasselbacken, a restaurant in Stockholm where the dish is alleged to have been first served. The potatoes are sliced at intervals but kept connected at the base, and then roasted in clarified butter until crispy on the outside but soft and tender within. This brilliant technique works on a number of different vegetables, including swede and sweet potato, but this is a favourite.

INGREDIENTS Walnut Tarator • 80g (2¾oz) walnuts, toasted • 1 shallot, finely chopped • 1 red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped • 120g (4½oz) Greek yoghurt • ½ bunch of coriander, shredded • 20g (¾oz) sumac • Juice of ½ lemon • Flaked sea salt and ground black pepper Butternut Squash • 1 butternut squash, cut in half lengthways • 80g (2¾oz) unsalted butter • 120ml (4fl oz) olive oil • Rosemary and thyme sprigs • 4 Confit Shallots • 2 tbsp toasted jasmine rice, coarsely ground • 1 tbsp pumpkin seeds, toasted • Few tarragon sprigs

METHOD Walnut Tarator 1 Remove the skin from the walnuts by rubbing them briskly, then chop to a medium crumb, retaining some texture. 2 Combine the chopped walnuts with the rest of the ingredients for the tarator, fold through and adjust the seasoning to taste with salt and black pepper. Butternut Squash 1 Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F)/180°C Fan/Gas Mark 6. 2 Make incisions into each butternut squash half, at intervals of roughly 2mm (1/16in), about two-thirds of the way into the ﬂesh and along its entire length. 3 Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat, add the olive oil,

rosemary and thyme sprigs, and cook for a few minutes to infuse. 4 Dip and roll each squash half in the butter to generously coat. Lay the squash halves alongside the other in a cast-iron pan or roasting pan, season generously with salt and black pepper, and roast in the oven for 45 minutes to an hour, basting regularly with the excess butter mix. The squash should caramelize as it roasts and become soft and unctuous. 5 Once cooked all the way through and meltingly soft, transfer the squash to a plate and garnish with a dollop of walnut tarator, some conﬁt shallots and sprinkle with ground toasted rice and toasted pumpkin seeds. Finish the dish with some picked tarragon leaves.

Cucumber Salad With pomegranate mint Serves 4

Everybody needs a quick and easy cucumber salad to balance a barbecue menu. This pairs well with just about any protein fresh off the grill, especially fish such as salmon or trout, but also chicken.

INGREDIENTS • 5 Lebanese or baby cucumbers, cut to 3mm (1/8in) rounds • ½ tbsp coarse salt, plus extra for seasoning • 1 small red onion, thinly sliced

• 50g (1¾oz) fine bulgur • 2 tbsp lemon juice • 80ml (2½fl oz) extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra to finish • 100g (3½oz) natural yoghurt or Greek yoghurt • 1 tsp dried mint • 1 tbsp pomegranate molasses • 40g (1½oz) pomegranate seeds • 1 red chilli, thinly sliced • Small handful of picked mint leaves • 1 tbsp chopped dill • ½ tsp sumac • Flaked sea salt and ground black pepper

METHOD 1 Toss the sliced cucumber with the salt and set aside in a colander over the sink for 20–30 minutes. 2 Meanwhile, soak the sliced red onion in cold water for 20–30 minutes to remove some of its pungency. 3 Soak the bulgur in enough water just to cover for 5–10 minutes, drain, tip into a dry tea towel and wring dry. Transfer to a bowl and dress the bulgur with 1 tablespoon lemon juice and half the olive oil, then season to taste with salt and black pepper. 4 Combine the yoghurt, the rest of the lemon juice, 2 tablespoons olive oil and the dried mint in a small bowl and season to taste with salt and black pepper. 5 Dress the cucumber in the yoghurt dressing and leave to marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. 6 Spread the dressed cucumber across a large serving plate or platter, drizzle with pomegranate molasses then top with bulgur, pomegranate seeds, drained red onion and sliced chilli. Garnish the salad with picked mint leaves and chopped dill, and ﬁnish with a dusting of sumac and drizzle of olive oil.

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FOOD & DRINK • RECIPES

• 200g (7oz) spinach • 200g (7oz) natural yoghurt • 2 garlic cloves, minced • 1½ tbsp lemon juice • 50ml (2ﬂ oz) extra-virgin olive oil • 1 tbsp dill • Flaked sea salt and ground black pepper • Pita breads or ﬂatbreads, lightly brushed with oil and warmed in the oven or grill, to serve

METHOD 1 Pour sunflower oil into a heavybased saucepan to a 2cm (¾in) depth. Place the pan over medium-high heat until the oil is 200°C (400°F) when probed with a thermometer. Lower the chickpeas into the hot oil to deep-fry for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp. Remove the chickpeas from the oil with a slotted spoon, transfer to a plate lined with kitchen paper, sprinkle with the zaʹatar and turmeric, and season generously with salt and black pepper. 2 Bring a saucepan of salted water to the boil and blanch the spinach for 30 seconds, drain and refresh in a bowl filled with iced water, or under cold running water. Drain and squeeze dry with your hands to remove as much of the liquid as possible. Finely chop the spinach and add to a bowl. Stir through the yoghurt, garlic and lemon juice. Fold in half the olive oil. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. 3 Spread the borani around the base of a plate and spoon over the deepfried chickpeas. Garnish with chopped dill and finish with a generous drizzle of the remaining olive oil around the outside. Serve with warmed bread.

Spinach Borani With fried chickpeas Serves 4

on where you are in the world, some with meat, and many using blanched or sautéed vegetables that are subsequently blended or incorporated into the yoghurt. Fried chickpeas are a great topping for many dips and spreads. At our Shawarma Bar, we garnish our hummus with fried chickpeas. If you’d rather not go to the effort of making them, this borani will taste delicious all by itself.

INGREDIENTS Borani is a dish of Persian origin, though there are Turkish variations, usually involving yoghurt as a base or topping. It comes in all different shapes and forms depending

• Sunﬂower oil, for deep-frying • 100g (3½oz) drained tinned chickpeas, rinsed and patted dry • ½ tbsp za'atar • ¼ tsp ground turmeric

Berber&Q: On Vegetables by Josh Katz Published by Kyle Books

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2022

(ORIGINAL SINGER LIVIN' JOY DREAMER )

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FOOD & DRINK • PROMOTION

French FANCY

“Aboremp orerisque et labor solo volorehenda eiunt, odiam fuga. quam eum volut”

All the best French supermarket produce is now available in the UK, thanks to Mon Panier Latin B y C A S P A R D AV I D

xperiencing authentic French food is now possible and at affordable price in the UK with Mon Panier Latin. When Severine Itany, a mum with two children, couldn’t find her favourite French foods at her local supermarket, she decided to bring the delicacies of France to the United Kingdom, and figured out a way to make it affordable. Mon Panier Latin is an online shop where people can find authentic everyday French products and foods that may be difficult or impossible to find in the UK. You can get your delivery next day across the UK, and same day in London. Plus, take advantage of free delivery on purchases over £65. “Our customers are really at the heart of our project, which is entirely based on satisfying their needs and desires,” Itany said. “We are not a big machine, but a small start-up at the service of expats. We want to pamper our customers and get them to invest in the brand by choosing the products we sell.” There are over 2,000 items to choose from. Shoppers can find fresh food, home items and health and beauty items. All of the big French national brands can be found on the website. “Mon Panier Latin offers to order daily favourites at an affordable price without compromising on quality,” Itany said. If you want to savour French delicacies, Mon Panier Latin is here to make that culinary dream a reality and excite your tastebuds.

“Authentic, everyday French products and foods, delivered to your door”

M O N PA N I E R L AT I N Find your favourite brands and products when you shop monpanierlatin.com

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

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FOOD & DRINK • DRINKS

Tartar of John Dory,

leche de tigre and fresh herbs Serves 4

NOTE PERFECT Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel Cuvée Blanc de Blancs is great with seafood – so here's an accompanying dish for inspiration

ince its founding in 1785, the House of PiperHeidsieck has proven its innovative prowess in selecting and blending wines of exception. As the quintessence of PiperHeidsieck champagnes expression, Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel Blanc de Blancs boasts a precise, fresh and mineral profile. The nose expresses fresh notes of yuzu and lime, lightly underlined by touches of white flowers, acacia, almonds and toasted bread with a mineral finish. A perfect wine profile to pair with seafood. Chef Eric Geoffroy, from Piano des Chefs, has created a dish to complement the flavours and aromas of Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel Blanc de Blancs: Tartar of John Dory, leche de tigre and fresh herbs.

I NG R E DI E N T S - 320g of John Dory ﬁllet cut into 5 mm pieces - 200ml of eggs - 200ml of coconut milk - 1/2 red onions - 1 clove of garlic - 1 stick of lemon grass - 3 limes - 2 tins of fresh coriander - Salt and chilli pepper

M E T HOD Leche de tigre 1 Quickly blend the coconut milk with the coriander, lemongrass, garlic and onion, a pinch of salt and a pinch of Espelette chilli in a blender. 2 Strain the mixture and add the juice of the three limes. 3 Set aside in a cool place. Finishing and presentation 1 Season the tartar with olive oil and salt. 2 Place the fish in a soup plate. 3 Pour the leche around and some fresh herbs on top (coriander, oyster leave and vene cress). 4 Add a dash of olive oil and a pinch of fleur de sel. 5 Enjoy without delay. Visit piper-heidsieck.com to discover more

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

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3 Bennet Court, 1 Bellevue Road, London SW17 7EG

020 3475 6644 • anthonylabanhome.com

For latest news & offers join us @LabanHome

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FA S H I O N

HEADS UP HELEN KAMINSKI

The latest Helen Kaminski hats are handcrafted, respectfully made and designed with effortless, timeless style in mind. Each piece is a unique investment in slow burn artisanal craftspersonship. helenkaminski.com

Indian prints from Dilli Grey 44 • Jewellery 50 A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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F LOW E R

fairies Find sartorial joy with block-printed florals from Dilli Grey D I L L I G R E Y. C O M

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London · Milan · Amsterdam · Hanover · New york

London London Boutique Boutique || Henry Henry Daniel Daniel Roma Roma Fashion Fashion collection collection || Luxury Luxury Style Style Retreat Retreat @ @ Nicola Nicola Donati Donati 60 60 Kinnerton Kinnerton Street, Street, London London SW1X SW1X 8ES 8ES || T T 0207 0207 245 245 6414 6414 || www.henrydanielroma.com www.henrydanielroma.com DANLO.indd 49

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FASHION • JEWELLERY

Garden Glam The ﬁnest ﬂora and fauna inspired jewellery B y R AC H E L H O G G

ALEX MONROE

EMMA CHAPMAN

ANNOUSHKA

Posy Bloom Bee Ring, £210 alexmonroe.com

Tashi Chrysoprase Pendant, £280 wolfandbadger.com

Mythology Rose Gold Topaz Beetle Ring, £4,800 annoushka.com

GIOVANNI RASPINI

MILOU JEWELRY

TIFFANY & CO.

Daisies Garden Bracelet, £220 giovanniraspini.com

Light Purple Petite Flower Earrings, £94 wolfandbadger.com

Silver Olive Leaf Bypass Ring, £310 tiffany.co.uk

LATELITA

OSCAR DE LA RENTA

JENNIFER BEHR

Jasmine Flower Triple Drop Sapphire Earrings, £299 latelita.com

Floral Applique Necklace, £737 farfetch.com

Peri Butterﬂy-Motif Earrings, £193 farfetch.com

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

B E E G LOW GUERLAIN The newest lip balm to join Guerlain’s lip care collection takes advantage of the restorative nourishing and healing properties of honey. Each lipstick has been infused with Eosin, an active ingredient that responds to the natural PH of the lips to produce a shade that is unique to you, £32. guerlain.com

Beauty Notes 55 • Floral fragrances 59 • Fitness Notes 61 A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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HEALTH & BEAUTY • NOTES

BEAUTY NOTES

The latest in luxury makeup and skincare B y R AC H E L H O G G

EDITOR’S PICK

BARRIER

Support

FOCUS

REN

Forever bottle

REN skincare’s newest face oil is a real saving grace for stressed and sensitive skin. The ultra-nourishing formula utilises a combination of nine unique bioactive ingredients to strengthen the skin’s barrier and has been clinically proven to reduce the seven signs of skin sensitivity within 14 days of use, £44.

L’Occitane wants their customers to ﬁll for the future

renskincare.com

Headmasters Turn 40 H E A D M A ST E R S S A LO N

It has been 40 years since Headmasters first opened the doors of their Flagship salon in Wimbledon Village and for the entire month of May, customers will be able to join in on the birthday celebrations. All of the Headmaster’s salons will be offering clients champagne, Belgium chocolates and a range of special offers. headmasters.com

ROSE MASK FOREO

If the weather changing has left your skin in need of a refresh, why not try Foreo’s new Bulgarian Rose Face Mask? Just apply using the UFO mask device, which activates the ingredients and boosts the strength of the formula, and within two minutes your skin will be looking hydrated and reinvigorated, £18.99.

’Occitane's mission to lessen its environmental impact began unofficially in 1976 when founder Olivier Baussan encouraged his customers to reuse and recycle their glass bottles. This Eco-Refill program was made official 32 years later, and to this day is still one of the main ways the company seeks to reduce waste. The program offers customers a sustainable way to consume some of L'Occitane's most loved products, whereby they are able to purchase a reusable bottle made of 85% less plastic than the standard packaging. These bottles are refillable either by purchasing eco-refill pouches or visiting selected stores around the UK and pouring directly from the refill fountain. This program continued to grow in popularity and now 26 product lines are available to purchase with more being added every year. By encouraging customers to make this switch, the company has been able to divert 2000 tons of plastic a year from landfills. To celebrate its ongoing commitment to sustainability, L'Occitane launched Green Day Weekend in 2019. The celebration runs from the 26th until the 29th of May and this year they are offering customers a free beautifully decorated 250ml Forever Bottle when they buy any two Eco-Refills from the 5th of May until the 8th of June 2022. L’OCCITANE EN PROVENCE

250ml Forever Bottle, £3.00 loccitane.com

lookfantastic.com

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

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If something doesn’t feel right, we’re here to help Whether you have an ongoing health concern, you’re waiting for NHS treatment, or want a second opinion, you can access specialist healthcare now. To book an appointment with a consultant doctor or to enquire about self-pay prices, simply phone or email us using the contact details below.

Specialist appointments available for: ✓ Cardiology

✓ Men’s health

✓ Cosmetic surgery

✓ Orthopaedics

✓ Dermatology

✓ Pain management

✓ Diagnostic imaging

✓ Physiotherapy

✓ Digestive health

✓ Podiatry

✓ Ear, nose and throat

✓ Private GP

conditions

✓ Sports injuries

✓ General medical

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conditions

✓ Varicose veins

✓ General surgery

✓ Women’s health

✓ Gynaecology

Appointments available from

£220

For appointments call 020 3930 5285 For self-pay prices call 020 3603 1895 or email selfpay@theholly.com Highgate Private Hospital, 17 -19 View Road, Highgate, N6 4DJ

highgatehospital.co.uk/selfpay *Subject to availability

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Customer experience in the crisis

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HEALTH & BEAUTY • TREND

DOLCE & GABBANA Blush of Roses Luminous Cheek Colour, Shade Provocative, £48 feelunique.com

CHARLOTTE TILBURY Beauty Light Wand, Shade Peachgasm, £29 charlottetilbury.com

BEAUTY PIE

ARMANI

Supercheek Cream Blush, £30, £9.90 for members beautypie.com

Neo Nude A-Blush, Shade 30, £32 armanibeauty.co.uk

SISLEY Palette L'Orchidèe Blush, Shade Corail, £82 sisley-paris.com

NARS

EDITOR’S PICK

Orgasm Liquid Blush, £27 narscosmetics.co.uk

ROSY CHEEKS We have found a blush for every season B y R AC H E L H O G G

CLINIQUE Cheek Pop, Shade Ginger Pop, £20 clinique.co.uk

GLOSSIER Cloud Paint, Shade Dusk, £15 glossier.com

PAT MCGRATH LABS Skin Fetish Divine Blush, Shade Lovestruck, £30 patmcgrath.com

MAC COSMETICS Glow Play Blush, Shade Cheeky Devil, £24 maccosmetics.co.uk

B SLO T E LY. A BA SO UL TU E LY m aLgOaNzD i nOeNs

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How you feel tomorrow starts with choosing the right hospital Spread the cost of your treatment with our finance partners, Chrysalis Finance. You can benefit from a 10 month interest free personal medical loan.* To find out more about treatments at your local Nuffield Health hospital, call:

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HEALTH & BEAUTY • TREND

COCHINE Frangipani & Neroli eau de parfum 50ml, £110 cochine.co.uk

CREED Wind Flowers, 75ml, £260 creedfragrances.co.uk

NARCISO RODRIGUEZ Musc Noir Rose Eau de Parfum, 100ml, £101.50 johnlewis.com

ART DE PARFUM CARRIE ELIZABETH

Kimono Vert 50ml, £114 artdeparfum.com

Aura, 50ml, £65 carrieelizabeth.co.uk

DOLCE & GABBANA

ISSEY MIYAKE

Dolce Rose eau de toilette 50ml, £67 johnlewis.com

FABULOUS FLORALS BULGARI Rose Goldea Blossom Delight 75ml, £93 bulgari.com

All the loveliest scents for the season DIPTYQUE Do Son limited edition 100ml, £130 diptyqueparis.com

L'Eau d'Issey Rose & Rose 90ml, £84 johnlewis.com

EDITOR’S PICK

LA MAISON VALMONT Just Bloom 100ml, £230 lamaisonvalmont.com

JO MALONE LONDON Silk Blossom cologne 100ml, £108 jomalone.co.uk

SERGE LUTENS La fille de Berlin 50ml, £110 sergelutens.com

PARFUMS DE MARLY Greenley 125ml, £215 parfums-de-marley.com

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HEALTH & BEAUTY • FITNESS

TOP

FITNESS NOTES

PICKS

By RACHEL HOGG

EXERCISE-FRIENDLY MAKEUP

PLUMP-IT LIP BALM Enriched with a blend of natural oils and shea butter, this is the perfect lip balm for a deeply hydrated, and protected pout, £17.

BLEND-IT CONCEALER A high-performance concealer that stretches and flexes with your skin and will stay put through even the most gruelling workouts, £16.

LIFT-IT MASCARA Say goodbye to panda eyes! This waterproof mascara will lengthen and lift your lashes and won’t budge no matter how much you sweat, £20.

S K I N I N M OT I O N The innovative beauty brand that formulates sweatproof makeup you can move in. skininmotion.com

SURFING CHAMPION STEPHANIE GILMORE

S URFS -UP You can enjoy the ocean without damaging it, with Roxy’s new sustainable swimwear collection

ow the weather is warming up, it means it’s nearly time to brave the sea again. Exercising in saltwater has a variety of benefits for your health besides improving your fitness, including boosting your skin’s health and mental well-being. These benefits are enhanced when the water is on the colder side, but before you dive in, it’s important to make sure you’re wearing the right thing for your safety and comfort. Heritage surf brand Roxy has been making high-quality surf and swimwear for over twenty

years and is a favourite amongst professionals surfers, including seven-time world champion surfer, Stephanie Gilmore. Gilmore is the ambassador for Roxy’s flagship sustainable range, POP Surf, which is a collection of environmentally considered products. This range is just one part of the company's larger commitment to minimising its impact on the environment and making its manufacturing process cleaner and less wasteful. Pop Surf has launched a colourful new collection just in time for Spring, that features brightly coloured neoprene wetsuits made from recycled rubber tyres and

bottles and swimwear made from 100% regenerated nylon. What's more, the light colours and floral patterns have been created using dope-dying techniques, which use less water than traditional dyeing methods. These changes to the manufacturing process have occurred without compromising performance, and all the pieces are twice as resistant to chlorine, sun cream and oils and are built to last longer and stay out of landfills. So whether you are a first-time surfer or a seasoned pro, you can venture into the ocean wearing something that you know is helping protect it for future generations to come.

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Ask the

EXPERTS Your questions answered by specialist surgeons at Highgate Hospital

Knee ligament injuries: everything you need to know B y M R TA R U N TA N E J A

he knee joint is commonly injured during competitive and recreational sports. About 40% of all sports injuries are caused by damaging a band of tissue called the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in your knee. Q What is the ACL? A The ACL is a major ligament in the

knee. Ligaments are bands of tissue that connect one bone to the other. They hold the bones in place and give stability to the joint and surrounding muscles. Q How do I know if I might

have injured my ACL?

A An ACL injury often happens when

you try to change direction or pivot (turn), while your foot is firmly fixed on the ground. This creates force, which can stretch the ACL beyond its limits. Sports like football, soccer, skiing and netball all involve pivoting movements and can lead to ACL injuries. You may hear a popping sound and the knee often swells up shortly afterwards due to bleeding within the joint. Q Do I need surgery to

treat an ACL injury? A Whether you need surgery for an

ACL injury depends on many factors. These include: • what type of ACL injury you have; • whether you have any other knee injuries; • your current levels of activity; • your future goals. It is a good idea to start physiotherapy as soon as possible after your injury has been diagnosed. This helps to strengthen your muscles and maintain your range of knee movement. Q What happens during ACL surgery? A As the original torn ligament does not

heal, surgery involves making a new one. This is done by using a tendon (strong piece of tissue), often from the same knee, to replace the ACL. The tissue used to replace the ACL is called a graft. A keyhole procedure called an arthroscopy is performed. Your surgeon uses a thin, flexible tube called an arthroscope with a light and camera to see inside your knee. They also insert other small instruments to remove the torn ligament. The surgeon then fixes the graft to the bone with special buttons, screws or staples. This tightens the knee and prevents instability.

crucial to achieve a good outcome. Typically, it takes at least nine months before you can return to competitive sport. However, you can resume activities like jogging and cycling earlier by following a graded recovery programme. This is when you gradually increase your level of activity over time. Although an ACL tear is a significant injury, it should only be a temporary setback. With modern surgical and rehabilitation techniques, most people can return to their previous fitness level. Mr Tarun Taneja is a Consultant Orthopaedic Knee Surgeon at Highgate Hospital. For more information, visit highgatehospital.co.uk or to make an appointment call 020 3918 9522

MR TARUN TANEJA

Q How long does it take to

recover from ACL surgery?

A Surgery is not the end, but rather

the start of your journey to recovery. There is a long period of rehabilitation with the physiotherapy team, which is

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HEALTH & BEAUTY • PARTNERSHIP LEADING AN ACTIVE LIFESTYLE WILL ALWAYS BOOST YOUR HEALTH

The possible warning signs of bowel cancer that you should not ignore B y M R S T E P H E N WA R R E N

very 15 minutes, somebody is diagnosed with bowel cancer in the UK. It starts with small, noncancerous growths called polyps in the lining of the colon (large intestine) or rectum (bottom). These growths may become cancerous over time. Q Who is at risk of getting bowel cancer? A Both men and women are at risk of

getting bowel cancer. Various things may increase the risk of this condition: Age: Most people diagnosed with bowel cancer are over the age of 60. As you get older, the small growths called polyps are more common in the digestive system. Diet: If you have a poor diet that is high in fat or red meat and low in fibre, this can increase the risk of bowel cancer. Family history: Your risk of bowel cancer increases with the more close family members that you have who were diagnosed with this condition. The younger the age of your family member when they were diagnosed with bowel cancer, the more likely there is to be a genetic (inherited) link. Sometimes there is an obvious genetic link for cancer passed through the generations. Other risk factors: You may also have a higher risk of bowel cancer if you smoke, drink too much alcohol, are overweight or do not keep active. Q What are the signs and

symptoms of bowel cancer?

Q What else can be done to lower

cancer may include: • Bleeding from your bottom and/ or blood in your poo (stools); • A change in your bowel habit that lasts for three weeks or more, such as looser or more runny poo; • Unexplained weight loss; • Extreme tiredness for no reason; • A pain or lump in your stomach area.

A It is important to take part in bowel

A Signs and symptoms of bowel

“Make small changes to your lifestyle to help reduce the risk of health conditions”

• Try to eat less red and processed meat; • Try to eat more fibre, which is found in fruit, vegetables, pulses and grains; • Drink six to eight cups or glasses of fluid a day; • Aim to keep to a healthy body weight; • Try to be more physically active; • Limit how much alcohol you drink. Men and women are advised not to drink more than 14 units of alcohol a week on a regular basis; • Try to stop smoking.

Q Is it possible to prevent bowel cancer? A My advice is to make small changes

to your lifestyle to help reduce the risk of bowel cancer and many other health conditions. Here are some practical tips:

the risk of bowel cancer?

screening if you are eligible. The NHS bowel cancer screening programme can detect bowel cancer at an early stage in people with no symptoms. If the condition is diagnosed at an early stage, it is easier to treat and there is a better chance of survival. If you are aged between 60 and 74, you should be sent a bowel cancer screening home test kit automatically every two years. To make an appointment with Mr Stephen Warren (General and Colorectal Surgeon at Highgate Hospital, please call 020 3918 9522

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• PROMOTION • XXXXX HEALTH & BEAUTY XXXXXXXX

THE SALONS ARE BRIGHT SPACES

Roots of

SUCCESS

Coming from a family with over 25 hairstylists who have been in the industry since 1929, Gina Rivera was destined to pursue a career in the world of beauty

ina Rivera was first introduced to the beauty industry when she was very young. At only 12 years of age, she started by sweeping hair from the floors of her parent’s salon. As soon as she could, Gina attended Beauty School in America and gained her cosmetology license. She later moved to a ‘booth renter’ salon, which is like a chair rental salon in the UK. She quickly established a winning reputation, her clients loved her, and the staff adored her for sharing her knowledge and offering support where needed. It was while working in that environment that Gina realized that all salons were not created equal and that the majority of the renters had little or no support to ensure their success. With this, Phenix Salon Suites was born, establishing a new experience and opportunity for lifestyle professionals to own and operate a business at a fraction of the cost of traditional salon settings.

Gina opened her first Phenix Salon Suites location in Colorado Springs in 2007. She continued to open additional locations, but it wasn’t until 2012 that she started to franchise the concept. Gina quickly skyrocketed to success when Phenix Salon Suites became the fastest growing salon suite company in the beauty industry and the only one to ever be named in Entrepreneur Magazine’s Top 500 Franchise List. Today, Gina continues to flourish with over 350 locations in the United States and she has just recently opened her first location in Deansgate, Manchester, with extensive plans to rapidly grow in the UK and Europe. To support stylists working inside and outside of her locations, Gina developed a complimentary business app called Gina’s Platform. The intuitive software provides a solution for client scheduling and communication, lead generation, point of sales system, financial reporting, online education, trending industry news and much more. Due to her tremendous success, Gina was a featured guest on the Emmy Award

winning show UNDERCOVER BOSS. This appearance generated a tremendous fan base inside and outside of the beauty world, both domestically and internationally. In 2018, Gina curated her own professional hair colour line, COLOURS By Gina, that has been embraced by stylists for its ability to create beautiful colours while being an affordable solution. The unique line includes 60 shades of colour that have the ability to produce a multitude of shades and tones. The distinctive colour line has been featured and recommended in mainstream publications as well as utilized for hair collections and by top artists in the industry. Under the by Gina brand, she also has a unique line of products that includes a professional wet line and styling tools designed with state-of-the-art infrared technology. Gina also leads a well-established International Artistic Team that has appeared at events such as the GRAMMYs, NBA All Star Week, and the Coachella Music Festival as well as several other high-profile events. Together they create inspiring collections to share with Lifestyle Professionals across the US and now the UK. At the core of all her success, Gina is a hairstylist and an artist. Her family has a 90-year legacy in the industry that includes 25 Salon Professionals working primarily as hairstylist and barbers. Before she founded of a successful international company, Gina was a hairstylist and her passion remains deeply rooted in the business as she seeks to provide opportunities for those that are pursuing careers in the beauty, wellness and appearance industries. phenixsalonsuitesuk.com A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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Knightsbridge

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House STYLE

SPECI A L ISSUE a b s o l u te l y - w e d d i n g s .c o . u k

COUNTRY HOUSE WEDDINGS

Country House Weddings’ stunning venues and teams are exclusively dedicated to weddings – it’s all they do. Their venues are not hotels or corporate event centres, they have been handpicked and refurbished specifically as perfect wedding venues. They offer exclusive use of the house and grounds – it’s your very own country house for the day. countryhouseweddings.co.uk

In this sect ion W E D D I N G E S S E N T I A L S 68 R O W L E Y H E S S E L B A L L E G O W N S 72 T O P F L O R I S T S 78 G R E E N G I F T S 87 V E N U E G U I D E 90

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10 THINGS WE

Absolutely

LOVE Here are ten things we absolutely love for the season to come

EMMA DODI CAKES

Since founding her business in 2016, Emma Dodi has designed unique cakes and macarons that are both luxurious and visually spectacular. Emma’s bespoke wedding cakes capture the personalities, characters and styles of her clients. emmadodicakes.com

PEPA & CO The new Celebration Collection by luxury childrenswear designer, Pepa & Co, has been designed for life’s most memorable moments. The line features a selection of timeless styles alongside a range of complementary accessories. pepaandcompany.com

L EO C E COUTURE

The Nix wedding dress is a part of Leoce Couture’s luxury bridal collection, and is an elegant mermaid style gown, with an detailed lace bodice and a dreamy tulle skirt, £550 leocecouture.com

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WEDDINGS • 10 THINGS LITTLE M I ST R E S S

This grey one-shoulder dress from Little Mistress is an absolute stunner. The pencil skirt cuts a classic silhouette and the intricate organza trim adds a gorgeous feminine twist, £75 little-mistress.com

JOULBERRY

Joulberry jewellery is renowned for distinctive designs, timeless elegance, integrity and understated beauty. The Luna White Gold Eclipse necklace features a beautiful circular layered cluster pendant set with brilliant-cut diamonds, £1,350 joulberr y.com

MIRIAM FAITH The team at Miriam Faith Floral Design thrive on working closely with clients to create elegant, breathtaking bespoke floral arrangements that perfectly complement the atmosphere of their wedding. miriamfaith.com

K AT E S P A D E N E W YO R K

Whether you are a wedding guest or a blushing bride Kate Spade New York’s newly launched wedding shop has everything needed to take you from the bridal shower to down the aisle, including these beautifully pearlescent Rosa Sandals, £275 katespade.co.uk

D U N E LO N D O N

Sparkle your way through wedding season with the glittery Binita clutch bag, £65 dunelondon.com

MICHAEL P L AT T

Michael Platt is an independent jeweller and master goldsmith, whose expertise in jewellery making spans over forty years. michaelplatt.co.uk

J O M A LO N E LO N D O N

The Silk Blossoms Cologne captures the scent of nature’s blooms at their most tempting, £76 jomalone.co.uk A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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WEDDINGS • JEWELLERY

Bespoke BRIDAL What’s new in

wedding jewellery from Annoushka

JEWELLERY DESIGNER ANNOUSHKA DUCAS

he celebrated London jewellery designer, Annoushka, is offering a range of exciting new products and bespoke services for brides, just in time for wedding season. The designer has been moving heavily into the love and commitment market over the last year and a half and is passionate about creating jewellery that will evolve as your relationship does. Engagement rings have always been close to Annoushka's heart, her own having been the first piece of jewellery she ever designed. Annoushka’s newest release includes ten new one-of-a-kind engagement rings, all designed using stones from the designer’s own personal collection. They feature tourmaline, andalusite, aquamarine and sapphire, all surrounded by baguette diamonds and fashioned after her own art deco-inspired engagement ring. For those looking to design their own ring, from May Annoushka will be offering a fully personalised bespoke service to guide them through the process. Clients will be able to work alongside Annoushka and her design team to select from GIA certified diamonds

and traceable coloured gemstones and create a truly one of a kind engagement ring. For those clients who are celebrating a milestone moment or anniversary, Annoushka has also introduced an “upgrade service” inspired by the designer's own engagement ring transformation marking her 30th wedding anniversary. The new range of ring jackets is designed to be worn around engagement rings and is perfect for those looking to enhance their existing rings. So whether you are getting ready to walk down the aisle, or are just about to celebrate ten years together, Annoushka has something for every kind of bride. A N N O U S H K A J E W E L L E RY Visit the team in-store at 41 Cadogan Gardens SW3, or call 020 7881 5828 annoushka.com

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Queen

OF HEARTS Rowley Hesselballe's new bridal collection is inspired by TV's The Queen's Gambit and a 1960s aesthetic R OW L EY H E S S E L BA L L E .CO M

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Photographer OSMAN OZEL Designer ROWLEY HESSELBALLE LONDON Stylist AYDAN SIVACI Model MARIA GORNOSTAEVA TAN Make up ANDREA SHEEHAN Hair ISMAIL INAN Production L'APPART ISTANBUL

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This is our home; experience the best of Greece and Cyprus for your special day.

r u o y g n i t Crea r e t f a r e v e happily

Whilst you do the dreaming, we will take care of your wedding day wish-list in bringing your ideas and dreams to life! Wedding destinations include Cyprus, Rhodes, Zante, and Santorini Our wedding venues include quaint chapel settings, local town halls, beautifully manicured hotel gardens, by the beach or even out at sea Ceremony options we can assist in planning – civil (legal), symbolic, same sex, renewal of vows and religious Dedicated Wedding Co-ordinator in the UK and in resort Award-winning; voted the Best Large Holiday Company for Weddings and Honeymoons at the British Travel Awards consecutively in 2018, 2019 and 2020

For more information call 020 8492 6789 email weddings@olympicholidays.com or visit olympicholidays.com/weddings OLYMPIC Absolutely HOLIDAYS.indd London Weddings76 Advert_Final.indd 1

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WEDDINGS • THE DRESS

Dream

DRESSES

ay & Grace is a fashion-forward bridal boutique owned and run by former fashion designer Emilie Crease. Their team has carefully curated a selection of bold and beautiful gowns, hand-picked from 5 international designers all offering the bride something a little bit different. This season they are showcasing modern and sophisticated dresses designed for a bride with a young spirit who is looking to add a little fun to her wedding day style. 2022 cements the shift that has been emerging from fuller lace gowns to plain, cleaner styles. A trend that was further catapulted into our consciousness by the choices that Meghan Markle and Nicola Anne Peltz made on their wedding days. Some brands that do this look so elegantly and are firm favourites at May & Grace are Canadian brand Mikaella and London based designer Savin. Having unveiled a host of variations on the restrained on-trend look that’s one of their trademarks, the new 2022 collection does not disappoint. The gowns available are a perfect balance between classic silhouettes and the latest bridal trends and start at £1,000 and go up to £4,500. To really appreciate these stunning dresses, you need to see them up close, feel their fabrics against your skin and try them on. The best way to do so is by booking a visit to the intimate May & Grace boutique, the perfect relaxing haven for brides. During your bespoke bridal appointment, one of the expert bridal stylists will help you find the wedding dress of your dreams. M AY & G R AC E info@mayandgrace.com 01428 288012 mayandgracebridal.com

Glorious gowns at May & Grace

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Miriam Faith

The team at Miriam Faith Floral Design pride themselves on their ability to take the stress out of the process of choosing your bridal bouquet. Their florists work closely with each client, to create unique floral arrangements that will perfectly complement the atmosphere of their wedding. miriamfaith.com

Beautiful

BOUQUETS

Our pick of ﬁve ﬂorists to watch

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Blooming Haus

Blooming Haus is the vision of master florist Michal Kowalski and his business partner Michael Dariane and has made a name for itself as one of the most innovative floral design studios in London. They specialise in creating dynamic and experimental bouquets using rare, unusual and locally foraged flowers. bloominghaus.com

Jam Jar Flowers

Inspired by the simple charm of the wildflowers surrounding her childhood home in Sussex, Melissa Richardson founded Jam Jar flowers in 2009. Her bouquets maintain an English garden feel and a sense of sentimentality prevails throughout her design process, particularly in the use of seasonal flowers to tell the story of each couple. jamjarflowers.co.uk

Grace & Thorn Lavender Green Flowers Lavender Green Flowers built a reputation as one of London’s most trusted ﬂorists and have been commissioned by some of the country's top galleries, museums and historic houses. Their expert team of highly trained ﬂorists and designers have been bringing brides' visions to life for nearly three decades.

This Hackney ﬂorist loves to break the rules, and take an off-beat approach to ﬂoral and plant styling. Their bouquets are full of colour, texture and movement and are as untamed as the wild meadows that inspired their design. They also offer a Ready to Wear weddings service that is the perfect thing for brides looking for a fuss-free option. graceandthorn.com

lavendergreen.co.uk

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MARC

DARCY

- AWARD WINNING BRITISH FORMALWEAR SHOP ONLINE AT WWW.MARCDARCY.CO.UK SALES@MARCDARCY.CO.UK | 0161 710 0000 | 271-291 BURY NEW RD, MANCHESTER, M7 2YN MARC DARCY.indd 80

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WEDDINGS • PROMOTION

The Home of

GIFT LISTS

Step into the Home of Gift Lists, at The Wedding Shop’s Townhouse

lanning your big day? Building your gift list is one of the most exciting parts of wedding planning. And when you register for your gift list at The Wedding Shop you’ll find unrivalled gifting choice, flexibility, and exceptional service – all in one place. The Wedding Shop have proudly served thousands of couples for over 30 years, and in that time they’ve perfected the dream gift list service. Curate your registry with a choice of gifts from over 450 of your favourite brands including The White Company, Le Creuset and Soho Home, and also add a mix of honeymoon funds, charity contributions and personalised funds. Their entire service is free of charge to couples, and throughout your gift list journey their team will be on hand to use their knowledge and expertise to make the whole wedding list experience stress-free for both you and your guests – something they guarantee, as the most popular gift list provider in the UK. Not sure where to start with your Wedding Gift List? The Wedding Shop’s Townhouse is your go-to destination. When you book an appointment at their flagship

South West London showroom, you’ll be able to add gifts to your list as you browse their expertly curated home and visualise your gifts in your own home setting. With 11 rooms set over four storeys packed full of inspiring and gorgeous gifts, you’ll be building your dream gift list in no time. Simply step inside to be inspired. From the bar room with drinks trolleys and barware to the fun reception room filled with colourful and vibrant accessories to make a house a home. And in the kitchen, the heart of every home, you’ll be inspired by hundreds of must-have essentials, gizmos and gadgets that every foodie couple will love. You’ll find a huge selection of gifts and will be able to physically see and touch them before adding them to your list. When you register for a gift list at The Wedding Shop you’ll have your own dedicated Gift Guru, who will be on hand to provide guidance and top tips throughout your gift list journey. Knowledgeable, experienced and full of useful wedding gift list tips, your Gift Guru will guide you through the whole process, whether it's over a cup of tea on zoom or a glass of bubbles in the London Townhouse. From the moment you register to your gift delivery and beyond, you’ll have the most wonderful gifting experience at The Wedding Shop. Your gift list will be 100% secure, and you’ll even receive a 10% lifetime discount off any future purchases as a thank you. THE WEDDING SHOP Register for your wedding shop gift list and book your appointment at the Townhouse today and you’ll receive a lovely welcome pack full of treats on your visit. www.weddingshop.com 312 Fulham Road, SW10 9UG 020 7384 8400

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NOTLEY ABBEY

BOTLEYS MANSION

CAIN MANOR

ELEGANT EXCLUSIVITY 0345 130 9966 YOURDAY@BIJOUWE D D INGS.CO.U K

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WEDDINGS • GIFTS

BOOKSTORE Plant Style Book, £15

LSA INTERNATIONAL Grey Pleat Vase, £75

TREES FOR LIFE Gift Donation, from £6

OKA Fern Set Of 8 Framed Prints, £495

NKUKU Large Telaga Terrarium, £95

EDITOR’S PICK

LUNA HOME Orchid Plant, £159

LUNA HOME Large Natural Blush Eucalyptus, £15

HAWS

Something GREEN

Sage Fazeley Flow Watering Can, £32

Beautiful botanical wedding gifts from The Wedding Shop for the nature-loving couple W W W.W E D D I N G S H O P. C O M

NKUKU Viri Hanging Planter, from £15

LSA INTERNATIONAL Flower Garden Bouquet Vase, £50

DESIGN HOUSE STOCKHOLM Grow Medium Greenhouse, £31.50

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LEEZ PRIORY, ESSEX

WEDDED BLISS Here are six reasons why you should choose a Country House Weddings venue

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WEDDINGS • PARTNERSHIP

ST AUDRIES PARK IN SOMERSET

“You have exclusive use: it's your very own country house for the day”

CLEARWELL CASTLE IN GLOUCESTERSHIRE

ountry House Weddings offers six hand-picked wedding venues, chosen for their picturesque settings and opulent interiors, and designed solely with weddings in mind. From castles to country estates, a wedding-day dream can be created for all.

E XC L U S I V E LY W E D D I N G S

GOSFIELD HALL IN ESSEX

As the name suggests, Country House Weddings’ stunning venues and teams are exclusively dedicated to weddings – it’s all they do. Their venues are not hotels or corporate event centres, they have been handpicked and refurbished specifically as perfect wedding venues. They offer exclusive use of the house and grounds, the venues are exclusively yours from midday to midnight– it’s your very own country house for the day.

AWA R D -W I N N I N G C U S TO M E R S E RV I C E They pride themselves on providing outstanding customer service to their couples, starting with their Personal Wedding Managers who are there to hold your hand from six months before your day, right through the day itself - they even sleep at the venue so that they are there in the morning to see you off. Country House Weddings has no fewer than 25 industry accolades between their six venues from the industry’s two largest and most prestigious awards: the UK Wedding Awards and the British Wedding Awards.

VA S T E X P E R I E N C E

With six venues and over 30 years of experience holding weddings, you can entrust Country House Weddings with your special day. Since this family-run business was started in 1989, they’ve held over 15,000 weddings

in their venues. Their flagship venue, Leez Priory, was one of, if not the first Country House in the UK to get a licence to hold civil ceremonies – so they like to think they know a thing or two about running weddings.

C U L I N A RY M A S T E R C L A S S

Country House Weddings offer outstanding food and drink delivered by a dedicated in-house catering team. Their chefs are employed and trained to provide the perfect wedding banquet – it’s their primary focus. Their menus and recipes have been developed and refined to ensure that they are the perfect fit for wedding banquet service.

A M P L E O N - S I T E AC C O M M O DAT I O N

There is plenty of space to breathe, exclusively for you and your guests. Their venues can sleep between 40 and 100 guests within their onsite accommodation. Let us not forget about their honeymoon suites. Adorned with four-poster beds, luxurious features and fittings and a perfect large bath or hot tub to soak in at the end of the day, the honeymoon suites are designed to provide a night as memorable as your day.

YO U CA N K E E P T H E PA R T Y G O I N G

Because one day often isn’t enough, Country House Weddings have been developing their increasingly popular “Night Before” and “Day After” offerings. These food and accommodation packages are designed to keep the party going and are being rolled out across multiple venues, including Clearwell Castle, Gosfield Hall, St Audries Park and Leez Priory. You will be able to spend the night before and/or the day after your wedding relaxing with your nearest and dearest, while a dedicated waiting and bar team will ensure you have everything you need. info@countryhouseweddings.co.uk • countryhouseweddings.co.uk A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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First Look

Be one of the ﬁrst couples to tie that knot by selecting one of these gorgeous new wedding venues

The Mitre HAMPTON COURT

mitrehamptoncourt.com

O “Awarded Best Hotel 2020 by The Sunday Times, The Mitre is set to be a perfect spot on the Thames for a laidback wedding”

ne of the most talked about new openings, this 36-bedroom boutique hotel down by the river is the first to be unveiled from the new The Signet Collection and immediately established its status with a Sunday Times Best Hotel award. Founded by Hector Ross (mastermind behind the Beaverbrook and Bel & The Dragon), the gourmet hangout is set to be a fantastic wedding venue. You’ll find a light-flooded orangery and large terrace looking out over one of the nicest bits of the River Thames, with the world’s first Whispering Angel Boat House Bar offering stunning views to the water. The jewel in The Mitre’s crown is, no doubt about it, Culinary & Operations Director Ronnie Kimbugwe, a foodie extraordinaire with a clear culinary vision. Wedding packages include Espresso Martinis for the toast, a beautiful bridal suite and munchy midnight feast.

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WEDDINGS • VENUES

Petersham Nurseries COVENT GARDEN

petershamnurseries.com/covent-garden

“Iconic Petersham Nurseries has a new address in Covent Garden so more couples will be able to tie the knot in a flower-filled setting”

amily owned Petersham Nurseries started out as a greenhouse in Richmond 20 years ago and has organically grown into the Instagram-famous brand it is today – known for superb food and a perfect garden setting. The second location opened last year in Covent Garden, a welcomed green oasis for bespoke weddings in the heart of the capital’s historic flower-market quarter. The Victorian light-flooded gallery space has twinkling Genoese Chandeliers with modern artwork lining the walls. There’s also the option of the Private Dining Room or The Petersham Restaurant for an elegant fine-dining feast. There’s a beautiful courtyard for alfresco drinks and the in-house florist will ensure The Petersham’s signature wild flowers take centre stage. Always mindful of the Slow Food philosophy, menus are seasonal with an Italian twist, ingredients coming straight from the family farm.

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Celebrate your transform Future Spaces Spaces that that transform Spaces that transform where Past Meets Present Our atatthe Museum easily Ourevent eventspaces spaces theBritish British Museum easily Our wedding event spaces at the British Museum transform into a flexible suite of facilities for any Our event spaces at the British Museum easily transform into a flexible suite of facilities for any day. create a memorable backdrop for your special event. Centrally located, we host everything from transform into a flexible of facilities for any event. Centrally located,suite we host everything from Centrally located, our Galleries and Great Court all-day conferences, product launches and film event. located, we host everything from all-dayCentrally conferences, product launches and film transform into elegant receptions and dinners screenings totoelegant receptions and all-day conferences, product launches and film with screenings elegant receptions anddinners. dinners. your friendstoand family. screenings elegant receptions and dinners. With packages starting With packages startingfrom from£55 £55per perperson, person, contact us now to find out how we can turn Our team can help to organize your wedding With packages £55we percan person, contact us nowstarting to find from out how turnyour yourwith next best everything from favours and to music contact us into now to find outevent. howcatering we can turn your and nextevent event intoyour your best event. lighting sointo youyour can best relaxevent. and celebrate the brand next event To transform your next event, contact us new start of your livesevent, together under our iconic To transform your next contact uson on +44 (0)20 7323 8136 or ‘glass sky’. 7323 To transform your next +44 (0)20 8136event, or contact us on venuehire@britishmuseum.org +44 (0)20 7323 8136 or venuehire@britishmuseum.org Find out more how we can transform your special day by contacting venuehire@britishmuseum.org us on +44 (0)20 7323 8136 or venuehire@britishmuseum.org

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WEDDINGS • VENUES

BOU RTO N HALL

A simply magical new venue – also see our shoot, p16

Bourton Hall •WARWI CKS H I R E• bourton-hall.co.uk

his is the newest addition to the established Country House Weddings collection. A slice of Tuscany in the heart of Warwickshire, it hosted its first wedding this November after an extensive refurb. The Italianate mansion is set in 12 acres of colourful gardens and houses a stunning former Catholic chapel. Inside the main house, there’s an impressive sweeping staircase, banqueting hall and 20 bedrooms for your guests. Plus, you’ll find a Gate House Lodge for the night before. Marry outside under the Portico, a super-romantic setting ideal for those craving a destination wedding. Fittingly, for a venue in Arden country, the Lady Bourton Honeymoon Suite has a dressing area with doors on to a balcony of almost Shakespearean splendour where you can drink in the views of the Leam valley and Draycote Water.

Chapel Barn Estate •SUFFOLK•

stay.wildernessreserve.com

ilderness Reserve’s latest addition, Chapel Barn Estate, is a masterclass in laid-back luxury. Based around an original 15th-century farmstead, this exclusiveuse wedding venue is set amid the best of English nature in the heart of Suffolk: rolling wild-flower meadows, woodland and a beautiful lake. The collection of one-off period properties accommodate up to 90 overnight guests, and Chapel Barn itself is the place to say I do. In true Wilderness style, you’ll find fabulous outdoor activities. Facilities include indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a cinema, spa and hot tubs. For the wedding night, there’s a hopelessly romantic one-bed shack on a private island accessed only by rope bridge.

CHAPEL B A R N E S TAT E

Stunning and secluded Suffolk with every luxury you can imagine

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JUST I M AG I NE A stunning mansion house. The beautiful backdrop. The people you love. A perfect moment. A day to remember. Weddings at Coworth Park.

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WEDDINGS • VENUES

T H E WA L L E D G A R D E N AT C O W D R AY

A wonderfully atmospheric space for romantic outdoor parties

The Walled Garden at Cowdray

Holmewood Hall

SUSSEX

walledgardencowdray

CAMBRIDGESHIRE

n exciting new addition for the Cowdray Events Team, this Tudor Walled Garden sits adjacent to the dramatic Cowdray Ruins (a spectacular backdrop for wedding pics). Think Alice in Wonderland for the setting – you’re even given the rusty key to unlock the original heavy oak door. You and your guests can celebrate in this colourful and historic outdoor space, enjoying the delicious scents filling the air from the garden’s plentiful herbs and lush fruit trees. The venue has just installed a state-of-the-art live streaming facility for your ceremony, so all your loved ones can watch from anywhere in the world.

holmewood-hall.co.uk

ooking for a venue to hold a grand ceremony? Recently opened and lovingly restored to its former glory, this Tudor-style mansion (conveniently placed for guests from both London and across the Midlands) is fast becoming a go-to for glamorous couples, and we can see why. The decadent Gold Room is breathtaking, with a 50-foot aisle and 18-carat gold-leaf ceiling. The Banqueting Hall is a superb space for your wedding breakfast and your guests will want to check out The Vault for a late-night tipple. In summer months, you can marry outside at The Bandstand looking out over rustic parkland. The property sleeps 40 across beautiful accommodation, including the bridal suite with four-poster bed and statement chandelier. Hiring out this spectacular venue ensures you will host an unforgettable celebration.

H O LM EWOO D HALL

A beautiful Country House Weddings addition in the heart of Cambridgeshire

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EST. 2010

JOULBERRY JEWELLERY

To Love & Behold

‘My soul has travelled long and far to find yours’ Ben Maxfield

LUNA White Gold Diamond Eclipse Necklace £1,350 Diamond Spec: Carat: 0.34ct | Colour: H-I | Clarity: VS

GATSBY White Gold Diamond Margot Ring £11,200 Diamond Spec: Carat: 1.36ct | Colour: I-J | Clarity: VS

CASSIDY Platinum Diamond Eternity Clara Ring £1,650 Diamond Spec: Carat: 0.28ct | Colour: F-G | Clarity: VS

BOHO White Gold Noora Twist Diamond Tennis Bracelet £7,300 Diamond Spec: Carat: 2.50ct | Colour: H-I | Clarity: VS

BARDOT White Gold Scarlett Diamond Huggies Earrings £2,650 Diamond Spec: Carat: 0.60ct | Colour: H | Clarity: VS

Luxury Holiday Rentals at Glenmor Make yourselves at home in the heart of Gleneagles The Gleneagles experience is one of 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 £3,500 for a 2 bed, £4,410 for a 3 bed and £4,840 for a 4 bed for 7 nights.

Find out more: GLENEAGLES.COM/GLENMOR +44 (0)1764 694321 OWN@GLENEAGLES.COM

The Timeshare, Holiday Products, Resale and Exchange Contracts Regulation 2010 requires Gleneaglesto provide you with certain key information in relation to the proposed seasonal ownership contract. A standard information form which contains this key information in relation to that contract may beobtained by contacted us via the above methods.

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WEDDINGS • VENUES

T H E N AT U R A L H I STO RY M U S EU M

Splendour and unforgettable photos await in this wonderful landmark

The Kimpton Clocktower Hotel MANCHESTER

The Natural History Museum

kimptonclocktowerhotel.com

LONDON nhm.ac.uk

or the first time, we’re excited to share that couples can tie the knot in an intimate ceremony at this iconic London landmark. For a limited time, a small wedding (or civil ceremony) can be conducted in one of the 12 licensed rooms. Each space is sure to impress your guests. Take the magnificent Hintze Hall with its iconic Victorian architecture, or the Earth Hall with giant globe sculpture and six-metre dinosaur fossil. There are also a number of smaller galleries, such as Earth’s Treasury or Images of Nature, for those looking to host a more cosy affair. It’s destined to be an unforgettable day and has to be one of the most impressive backdrops for any wedding album.

TH E KI M PTO N CLOCK TOWE R HOTEL

his new opening from Kimpton Hotels offers something truly special in the heart of Manchester. Housed in a magnificent landmark building (once an insurance company HQ), the Grade II-listed building is a thing of beauty, and also a short walk from Piccadilly Station. Inside, it’s been artfully designed and offers 270 loft-style bedrooms (including 11 suites) that make use of the building's lofty ceilings. They also pay homage to Manchester’s music scene, with some housing vinyls of its most iconic bands. Your guests can enjoy Kimpton signature treats – think in-room yoga and complimentary ‘tuck boxes’. But beyond the wildly cool vibe, this houses some serious period splendour, not least the fabulous entrance hall and the biggest hotel ballroom in the north west.

City-centre style with cool rooms and the north-west's biggest ballroom

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A modern boutique offering the perfect bridal experience. Come and ﬁnd your dream dress in our luxury Surrey Boutique with your own expert bridal stylist. Each bride is made to feel extra special through our bespoke service, private appointments and our beautiful surroundings May & Grace , 33 Wey Hill, Haslemere, Surrey GU27 1BZ Tel: 01428 288012 | Email: info@mayandgrace.com mayandgracebridal.com

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WEDDINGS • VENUES

HOTEL EN DS LEIG H

An enchanting pastoral setting in Devon with lots of stylish hotel touches

Hotel Endsleigh DEVON

Hales Hall & The Great Barn

thepolizzicollection.com

f you’re looking for a quintessentially English backdrop, look no further than the unbelievably romantic Hotel Endsleigh in Dartmoor, Devon. Part of the Polizzi Collection (and sister to the much-loved Hotel Tresanton in Cornwall), Hotel Endsleigh is set in 100 acres of enchanting woodland, with follies and grottos designed by Humphrey Repton. The fairytale gardens offer cascading lawns looking over the River Tamar. You’ll also find a Parterre garden, a little shell house and fabulous rose aisle. The hotel has colourful interiors with 19 individually designed bedrooms for your guests. The Hayloft is ideal for newlyweds and has a private entrance from the cobbled stableyard, bright floral wallpaper as you enter, a sumptuous bedroom, cosy sitting room and a large bathroom with a roll-top bath. Trust us, you will never want to leave!

NORFOLK

haleshall.com

his glorious medieval estate is home to buttercup meadows, moated walled gardens and sculpted topiary. It’s the epitome of romance, with a great choice of stunning outdoor ceremony options. At the heart of the estate is the magnificent Tudor barn, comfortably seating 200 guests and beautifully adapted to host great parties. Luxury accommodation includes a converted stable block and the lovingly restored Hales Hall with 40-foot kitchen that is ideal for a gathering of friends and family. The Gatehouse is a charming nest for the newlyweds and will encourage you to stay on for a minimoon. Hales Hall is perfect for intimate weddings or large parties and offers a three-day signature wedding package that is ideal for spending quality time with loved ones. There’s also the option to host a luxurious midweek wedding here. Whichever you choose, the dedicated team go above and beyond to make anything possible.

HALES HALL & THE G R E AT B A R N

The perfect retreat for a glamorous weekend or midweek wedding party

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WEDDINGS • VENUES

he British Museum has been welcoming visitors since 1753 when Sir Hans Sloane donated his collection and created the first public Museum. With objects that span centuries and celebrates culture and history, this worldrenowned and much-loved venue is now finally available to provide a picturesque and iconic backdrop to your special day. Whether you hold your event in the Great Court restaurant, featuring the beautiful white stone and glass ceiling, or in one of the galleries, your wedding guests will celebrate with you while enjoying the history of the building and its unique and notable objects.

“The museum is a picturesque and iconic backdrop to your special day”

The British Museum makes an impressive and iconic location for your special day

Your guests will arrive through the main entrance via the Colonnade and up the stone steps into the Front Hall and Great Court, where Event Stewards will direct them to the main event space where wait staff greet them with either Champagne or prosecco upon their arrival. Each hire includes permissions for wedding photos in the Great Court, Front Hall, Colonnade steps and Great Court Restaurant, and of course in your event space. The British Museum has a number of options for any budget and can work with you to create a truly memorable occasion. These spaces will be an amazing and memorable addition to your special day. There is a team of expert event planners who can help you plan everything from start to finish, from creating bespoke menus, identifying unique wedding party gifts and theming to tastings and liaising with a large network of suppliers. Their extensive events experience will help to ensure your wedding has personal and unique touches that you and your guests will remember. Add-ons include privately guided tours, wedding favours for your guests, replica sculptures and artwork for decoration, bespoke table centerpieces and much more. Relax and celebrate the brand new start of your lives together under the musuem’s iconic ‘glass sky’.

B y K AT E D U N N

VenueHire@britishmuseum.org

Night at the

MUSEUM

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WEDDINGS • VENUE

Set the SCENE Head to the Lake District for a wedding venue that has it all

torrs Hall is a beautiful and unique destination – arguably one of the most spectacular in the Lake District, if not the whole of the UK. It's rarer than you'd think to find such a strikingly elegant building, with private and peaceful lake frontage in the Lake District. Built in 1797 for a Yorkshire gentleman as an alternative to holidaying in the Swiss lakes, he chose the best location on Lake Windermere. The Grade II* listed building is wrapped in 17 acres of grounds, enjoying miles of views both north and south. His choice of location was equally appreciated by Tatler, who rated it one of the 101 Best Hotels in the World, 2022. The

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Sunday Times listed it as one of the Top 80 British Hotels, 2021 – and it’s still working its magic. With three grand period rooms licenced for your ceremony, and three outside spaces, you’re spoilt for choice – whether it’s just the two of you, or with all your friends and family taking exclusive use. Newly licenced in 2022, the Boathouse Terrace is a unique ‘just for two’ venue, where the unusually large terrace with hot-tub, seating area, firepit and lily pond border the lake, with spectacular views north up Windermere to the central mountains. The luxuries of the Boathouse interiors match the location for your wedding night. Requiring a key code for its private grounds, and private parking, it really is something special and very exclusive. The Garden Pavilion, wrought in lacy ornate ironwork, is romantically pretty, and with the lake behind is a photogenic location for your vows. It’s also a top spot for sunset proposals. Newly licenced for ceremonies in 2022 is the South Lawn, between the hotel terraces and

the lakeshore, where woodland to either side ensures privacy. It’s overlooked by the restaurant, conservatory, and drawing room. Exclusive use maximum number of guests is 60-80, and you can speak to them about the possibility of a marquee on the south lawn. Storrs has a very characterful bar – The Tower Bar, reclaimed from Blackpool Tower itself, a piece of high Victoriana in rich wood and stained glass, it adds another dimension to your celebrations. Menus are devised totally to your tastes by their head chef and team. Storrs Hall is easily accessible, being 30 minutes from junction 36 of the M6, two miles south of Bowness on Windermere – home to Windermere Lake Cruises, who will provide a private lake tour directly from their jetty, for the entertainment of your guests. They also have extensive private parking, and eight VendElectric EV charging points, and helicopter landing is available on the south lawn. For wedding enquiries, email weddings@storrshall.com or call 015394 47111 / storrshall.com

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DESIGNER WEDDING DRESSES MADE TO MEASURE IN ITALY

81 Ebury Street London SW1 020 7901 9020 lesposedigio.com

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Made in cornwall, loved in London

www.peboryon.com enquiry@peboryon.com | 07534617059

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12 CASTLE STREET, GUILDFORD, SURREY, GU1 3UW 01483 566845 | THEMADHATTERMILLINERY.COM

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Not all weddings are traditional. Why should your cake be? ORDER A BESPOKE NOVELTY CAKE FOR YOUR EVENT TODAY

FULL CAKE GALLERY ONLINE

www.coolcakesbychris.co.uk

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WEDDINGS • PROMOTION

Greece

IS THE WORD Island Hop Your Way to Saying…I Do

Whether you’re looking to plan your very own Mamma Mia! style wedding, simply want to escape a deux or celebrate with a small number of friends and family, look no further than the Greek Islands, scattered like gems across two clear seas. Each with their own vibe, views, charm, cuisine, jaw dropping sunsets and beaches… But where do you start trying to figure out where to go? Well, top tip: don’t just limit yourself to one island. Island hopping is taking off is by far the best way to combine a dream wedding and honeymoon in one fell swoop and there really is something for everyone – big, small, budget or blow-out. Numerous companies sell the Greek Island idyll but very few are specialists in co-ordinating a wedding, honeymoon, island hop combo, but Olympic Holidays can provide just that. Whether it’s a religious, civil, symbolic or same-sex wedding, their dedicated team can coordinate the lot. Take Santorini for example, with its Instagram-worthy archetypal properties built into the cliffs,

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instantly recognisable whitewashed facades, blue-domed churches and spectacular sunsets. It’s arguably one of the most romantic of all the Greek Islands and once the nuptials have taken place, is perfect to combine with an island hop over to Mykonos, Naxos or Paros. There’s also Rhodes, with its rich classical heritage and 300 days of sunshine a year, just a short hop from more intimate island gems such as Karpathos, Halki, Symi and Kos. These smaller islands provide the perfect escape for newlywed couples to start their lives together. If you dream of a barefoot wedding with sand between your toes, The Princess Andriana on Rhodes provides just that. Sunset weddings don’t come much better than at the Santorini Gem with magnificent views of the Santorini Caldera, a large volcanic crater off the island’s coast or the Amada Colossus on Rhodes, overlooking one of the finest beaches. For charming chapel weddings, there's Rhodes’ very own St Sophia, perched high on a hill or Aghia Fotini at the Pyrgos restaurant on Santorini. Or for a truly traditional affair, St Pauls Chapel or the Kalithea Spa in Rhodes with its beautiful gardens, mosaic and marble floors won’t disappoint.

THE LOWDOWN Olympic Holidays olympicholidays.com have an award-winning, dedicated wedding team to help you plan your big day. RHODES & KOS A 14-night wedding and honeymoon Island Hop package starts from £8,216 per couple including the wedding and 7 nights on an AI basis at Princess Andriana Resort & Spa and 7 nights at Ikos Aria on an AI basis. SANTORINI & MYKONOS A 15-night wedding and honeymoon Island Hop package starts from £8,910 per couple including the wedding at Santorini Gem, 8 nights at Cliff Side Suites on a B&B basis and 7 nights at the Myconian Ambassador Hotel & Thalassa Spa on a B&B basis. Prices above include flights, luggage, all transfers.

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C O L L E C T I O N www.rosa-clara.com

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INTERIORS

D U TC H D ES IG N HK LIVING

Dutch brand HKliving creates accessible collections with products inspired by traditional and useable designs with a modern look and feel. These pieces are both stylish and accessible. hkliving.com

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INTERIORS N OT E S Ideas, designs and styles for your home By PENDLE HARTE

GREEN SCENE EARTHBORN PAINTS

We're currently obsessed with green walls, and Earthborn's Faerie is just the ticket. This exciting clay-based breathable paint has a distinctive, ultra matt ﬁnish that softens and enhances the light in your room, while its contemporary colours tempt the senses. Green kitchens are trending right now, but we're also thinking green living rooms too. earthbornpaints.co.uk

SHAPE SHIFT NUDE GLASS

Crafted from smoke grey crystalline glass, the Inca vase presents a unique take on geometry. The classic cylindrical shape is given a delightful lift by the undulating surfaces which create an intriguing interplay of light and shadow. nudeglass.com

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INTERIORS • NOTES

TA K E FIVE Vases VICTORIA GILLES FERNANDEZ CERAMICS Lento vase, £144 victoriaceramics.studio

NEW LO O KS

GLASS ART

FLORENCE BROADHURST

ROCKETT ST GEORGE

Rockett St George's selection of colourful and unusual glassware spans vases, candle holders and decorative objects. Display them together for an instant collection, or choose single pieces and find bright spots to show them off. rockettstgeorge.com

Fans of Australian textile designer Florence Broadhurst (1899-1977) have launched an imaginative and modern interpretation of her designs and revived the archive to produce a beautiful collection of wallpaper, fabrics, rugs, lampshades and accessories, all featuring bold, colourful prints. florencebroadhurst.co.uk

DARTINGTON CRYSTAL Little Treasures Amethyst Optic Vase, £22 dartington.co.uk

ROCKETT ST GEORGE Small smoked brown vase, £22 rockettstgeorge.com

KATRIN MOYE Tulip vase, £685 theshopfloorproject.com

DRINK UP DURALEX

THE HAPPY BLOSSOMS Origami vase, £33 thehappyblossoms.com

Founded in France in 1945, Duralex has been manufacturing tempered glassware ever since. These timeless designs have a nostalgic feel and are suitable for everything from coffee to ice cream, via wine, cocktails and water. There's a wide range of shapes, colours and sizes and they're virtually unbreakable and super affordable too. duralex.com

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Be bold! Call now to bring personality to your home heating. Castrads’ bespoke radiators are efficient, beautiful and unique to your home. 020 3397 7295 w w w. c a s t r a d s . c o m

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INTERIORS • SEASONAL

F L O W E R F A I R Y Sarah Campbell’s new designs for Anthropologie are full of summer joy

“ Campbell’s love of pattern and colour is apparent and her style is playful, fresh and joyous ”

extile designer Sarah Campbell has had a long and illustrious career. Best known as half of design partnership Collier Campbell, which she founded with her sister Susan Collier, her love of pattern and colour has created a body of work that includes personal pieces as well as commissions for Liberty and collaborations with countless museums as well as fashion brands and stationers. Now a new collection for Anthropologie is a celebration of summer florals. Campbell’s love of pattern and colour is apparent in all her work and her style is playful, fresh and joyous. The new collection spans everything for the summer garden, ranging from badminton and croquet sets to bunting, picnic blankets, dishtowels and aprons as well as a full selection of melamine plates, cups and even napkin rings. There are candles, chopping boards and journals, notebooks, cushions and a juicer. Everything is adorned with a riotous summer floral print and set to kick off the season in style.

anthropologie.com

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Each design represents a time, place or feeling

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INTERIORS • STYLE

Af rica n

Eva Sonaike’s new collection for Soho Home is bold, distinctive and fresh

horeditch House member and designer Eva Sonaike has created a collection for Soho Home and it’s a luxurious mix of earthy shades, bold patterns and contemporary shapes. Driven by her passion for African fabrics and interior design, Sonaike set up her company in 2009 with a mission to bring the vibrancy of African colours and aesthetics to the home-décor and interior design market. Her signature print and pattern-heavy pieces are characterised by their African feel and bright colours. The Soho Home collection focuses on Eva’s distinctive West African aesthetic and unflinching use of colour and pattern with exclusive Soho Home pieces, reworked in Sonaike’s Ijoba and Okan fabrics. The collection includes hand-knotted rugs, Panama cushions, travertine lamps and House classics in

By P E A R L B OY D

joyous print which recall the tropical greens and rich tones of Aburi botanical gardens in Ghana. Eva founded her eponymous homeware brand in 2009 with a dream of ‘bringing colour to life’, an ethos that’s reflected in her array of vibrant, patterned pieces. Throughout her childhood in Southern Germany, Sonaike was inspired by her family home, a space alive with eclectic furniture, art and artefacts from her parents’ native Nigeria - something that heavily influenced her signature aesthetic. Sonaike elevates each hand-drawn print with vibrant colours and lively geometrics, taking elements from African clothing and European antique furniture traditions. She says: “I think every creative is a storyteller. Each design represents a time, place or feeling, and the prints I’ve used for this collection are inspired by a visit to the Aburi Botanical Gardens in Ghana. It’s a different take on the idea of floral.” sohohome.com A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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INTERIORS • TABLESCAPES

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T A B L E T O P S LAY YOUR TABLE WITH DECORATIVE PIECES THIS SUMMER

F LOW E R S H OW SA R A H CA MPBELL

Sarah Campbell's colourful melamine picnicware for Anthropologie is designed to bring instant joy to even the dullest day. Dinner plates, £9 anthropologie.com

JET SET

GERGEI ERDEI

The former Gucci designer's new Herculaneum collection of textiles, tableware and accessories draws influence from the ‘70s jet-set lifestyle in Florida, Palm Beach and the evocative world of the Italian Riviera. gergeierdei.com

WAT E R M A R K MILA LONDON

Mila-London are redefining classic style with a contemporary twist across their elegant table linens and hand-painted ceramics. The Aeoleian collection is inspired by the colourful deep waters of the Tyrrhenian sea. mila-london.com

PA I N T WO R K

F E LT X E L I Z A H O P E W E L L

London-based artist Eliza Hopewell has created a range of porcelain plates, jugs and platters for Felt Collections, some hand-painted and others with ceramic decals. From £130 felt-collections.com

S E A B LU E JOHN LEWIS

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John Lewis has taken inspiration from the notion of a Coastal Retreat for its SS dining collection. Think stripes, florals and acqua shades, mixed and matched freely. johnlewis.com

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CURATED COLLECTIONS FOR STYLISH GARDENS Instantly elevate your outdoor space with our premium collection of Ca’ Pietra statement stone & designer tiles Visit our boutique destination to peruse our striking selection & discuss your options with expert tile specialists

The Old Firestation, 67 High Street, Ascot SL5 7HP | 01344 620211

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INTERIORS • TREND FRENCH BEDROOM CO Paradise Garden Quilted Floral Bedspread, £148 frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk

WOODCHIP & MAGNOLIA Wisteria Wallpaper, £85 woodchipandmagnolia.co.uk

FLORENCE BROADHURST Fitzpatrick Floor Lamp with Floral Shade, £395 florencebroadhurst.com

GINGER RAY Foiled Floral Fan Decorations, £9.99 gingerray.co.uk

FLORENCE BROADHURST

THE DESIGN ARCHIVES

Velvet Shadow Floral in Pale Teal, £115 florencebroadhurst.com

Grand Floral Velvet Fabric Mulberry, £78 thedesignarchives.com

CHINTZ CHIC

Bold ﬂorals and blooming prints are everywhere this season SWEETPEA & WILLOW Eichholtz Floral Table Lamp, £550 sweetpeaandwillow.com

GISELA GRAHAM Floral Ribbed Vase, £12.50 giselagraham.co.uk

ROCKETT ST GEORGE Floral Block Printed Cushion, £96 rockettstgeorge.com

SOFAS & STUFF Mulberry Floral Pompadour Spice Sofa, £5,263 sofasandstuff.com

EDITOR’S PICK

MADE Abel Bed Curator Floral Print, £449 made.com

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Call Just Shutters today on

01932 500 270

n o i t c e f r e P r Shutte Enhance the style of your home

justshutters.co.uk Local Family Business Based in Surrey A Local AFamily Business Based in Yorkshire T2990 JS APR 2022 Absolutely Surrey 210x297.indd 1 JUST SHUTTERS.indd 119

19/04/2022 13:02 28/04/2022 17:00

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INTERIORS • HOUSE TOUR

DI S PL AY At home in the Barbican with writer and interior designer Tom Morris Wo r d s A L E X A N D E R B R E E Z E

‘I

’ve been fascinated by the dystopian beauty of Brutalism since I was a teenager, when I would pass the Tricorn Centre in Portsmouth on my way to school every morning,’ says Barbican resident, writer and interior designer Tom Morris. ‘Brutalism always seemed so mesmerising to me in its interesting social goals and its courageous forms.’ He talks fondly of buildings that were once (and, in some cases, are still) very much unloved. ‘The Tricorn Centre was another 1960s masterpiece, tragically pulled down and turned into a parking lot in 2004.’ Getting to Tom’s flat is a bit of a mission – certain walkways allow access only to certain areas – but the estate’s fortress-like complexity seems to be part of its charm for the people who live

there. Once inside, the airy, vaulted space feels welcoming and warm, and boasts expansive views over London, with the dome of St Paul’s in the distance. The previous occupant of the flat had done very little to change or adapt the structure, so many of the original features survive. ‘This type of modernism is a wonderful blank canvas, and I think I was interested in avoiding the usual tropes of mid-century style. It’s a small flat so I couldn’t manage that severity of minimalism with all my belongings here.’ So in came groupings of model aeroplanes and ships, of oil paintings in thick impasto, and collections of ceramics. ‘Eclecticism eventually took hold, more accidentally than anything. Fortunately, all the rooms have large, glazed sections in the barrel-vaulted ceiling, so I could get away with squeezing in lots of A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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things – and painting the rooms in the dark colours I’m naturally drawn to – and it still manages to feel fairly bright.’ As well as bargain hunting locally (Tom loves rifling through auctions), many of the pieces were bought while travelling and have a story behind them: ‘Almost everything of importance in my home has been lugged back on a plane with me, between my knees. I think buying one important thing from a trip is more worthwhile than lots of little trinkets, and they dominate here in the flat.’ Arranging his collections by type, or putting together like with like, has meant Tom has zoned out areas of his home here and there: ‘This flat is small and has

“ALMOST EVERYTHING OF IMPORTANCE IN MY HOME HAS BEEN LUGGED BACK ON A PLANE WITH ME” a lot of things in it, so I think grouping things means you can have more out on display without a room feeling disorderly.’ On his penchant for collecting, Tom says, ‘It all started with my Trolls collection when I was about eight years old, I think; then stamps, then planes, then ceramics. I still have all of them, apart from the Trolls, tragically.’ These days the model aeroplanes form squadrons, and fleets of model ships are grouped on shelves. ‘There’s not much storage here, which is why large bookcases lining most of the walls have been crucial.’ But, having said that, Tom espouses the virtues of ruthless editing: ‘I’ve been here a while and so a one-in, one-out policy has to a certain degree been hardwired into me.’ When collating objects and bringing a room together, Tom believes, ‘It’s intuitive. There is always a correct way of putting things next to each other, it’s just a case of finding it and of it making sense to you.’ High up, hidden away on a shelf in the kitchen, are lots of pots of paint samples. Some of these are needed for Tom’s work as an interior designer, but others are for his personal use – the colours of the rooms in the flat often change according to his mood or whim. ‘Apart from a stripe or geometric print, I don’t like pattern,’ says Tom, admitting he largely prefers Le Corbusier’s aesthetic. ‘I find the idea of a floral pattern or anything “pretty” quite stressful. But I love that spark of mixing pieces of different provenance, age or style that somehow have a connection.’ Tom’s book New Wave Clay, about contemporary ceramics, was published in 2018, and whenever he receives a royalty cheque he buys something from a ceramicist he admires, so there are always new pieces joining the ranks of

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INTERIORS • HOUSE TOUR

the old. ‘Some wear and tear is fine, but I’m fundamentally a perfectionist. Maybe it’s also from having spent so much time here in the past 18 months [during lockdown]; I’ve noticed every little fault.’ ‘I’m fine with tech and TVs in rooms – I don’t want to live in an Apple Store, but I don’t mind it being visible either.’ The small kitchen is something of a Barbican signature, and Tom says it is an original design feature. Council by-laws changed partway through the estate’s construction, meaning kitchens were required to have windows or equivalent ventilation. A deal was struck by the architects with the council and instead of being called kitchens they were ‘cooking areas’. They were designed to be compact, sitting directly next to the living room, and were built by Brooke Marine, a Lowestoft-based shipbuilding firm, in the style of a ship’s kitchen. When working at home, Tom likes to mix it up, sometimes working at the dining table, ‘but sometimes I perch in the hall near the boxes of fabric samples,’ he says with a wry smile. ‘Things change, things can go away, and things come back out. Likewise, it’s imperative to acquire things slowly – I tend to only get one important ceramic piece a year.’

Extract taken from The Life Eclectic: Brilliantly Unique Interior Designs from Around the World by Alexander Breeze Published by Hardie Grant, Hardback & Ebook, RRP £30

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MALVERN GARDEN BUILDINGS

Discover our premium range of garden offices, designed for nature-infused homeworking. Gold Medal Winners RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2021

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INTERIORS • BATHS

T U B T H U M P E R FIVE OF OUR FAVOURITE FREESTANDING BATHS

B OAT L I F E BC DESIGNS

The original Copper Boat Baths are made in the traditional handcrafted manner used for centuries. This beautiful antique finish is achieved by applying sulphuric acid and chalk powder before sealing with lacquer. bcdesigns.co.uk

CLEAN LINES L AU F E N

The Lua collection includes this freestanding oval-shaped bath, designed by Toan Nguyen for Laufen to celebrate the ritual of water through a pure and linear design. laufen.co.uk

PA I N T J O B

C AT C H P O L E & R Y E

These luxury copper baths unite classic architecture with contemporary design. Today, this style is coveted by many for its simplistic look, unrivalled comfort – and its ability to completely transform a room. catchpoleandrye.com

H A P PY S OA K

D U R AV I T

Duravit Happy D2 Bath has been created for supreme comfort. The White Alpine finish is smooth to the touch and adds comfort. Designed by Sieger Design, its sanitary grade acrylic body is lightweight and requires minimal cleaning. duravit.co.uk

AVA N T G A R D E A C Q UA B E L L A

Acquabella's Venet tub with overflow is a spa-style centerpiece. With sloping sides and bevelled edges, the Venet freestanding bath will be the place to relax. acquabella.com

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NUMBERS

GAME

Absolutely meets designer Phil McNeill to discuss door numbers and design By PENDLE HARTE

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INTERIORS • DESIGN

t all started when Phil McNeil’s friend Roland Ellis asked him whether he knew of anywhere that sold nice door numbers. Phil and Roland had worked together as designers and become friends; Phil is a graphic designer working mostly in digital media and experiential design, while Roland is an industrial designer with an interest in manufacturing processes and materials. Neither of them knew of anywhere to buy nice numbers for their front doors – everything they found seemed to be ‘a bit mediocre’ – so they devised some themselves. Now Phil and Roland are the duo behind Door No Co, a new online business that is committed to creating attractive door numbers. It may sound niche, but only to people who have never tried to find stylish numbers for their front door. Anyone

“IT MAY SOUND NICHE, BUT ONLY TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE NEVER TRIED TO FIND STYLISH NUMBERS FOR THEIR FRONT DOOR” who has will be familiar with the range of cheap-looking, shiny and inelegant numbers on general sale. For Phil and Roland, the offering is underwhelming. “The quality of the typefaces was a problem,” says Phil. “Especially for anything correct to a period property. Everything was a bit mediocre, like default typefaces on a new computer. We thought they’re probably used because they’re licence-free.” They hadn’t worked together for 10 years, but had often discussed doing something together – “We’ve always wanted to make a simple salt/pepper grinder that’s not flamboyant or statement,” says Phil – and decided that door numbers would be their thing. So far, they’ve designed two families of numbers: Geometric and Art Nouveau. Geometric is modernist and minimal, while Art Nouveau is curvy and elegant; both are suited to all kinds of architecture, though in future the aim is to match typefaces to different architectural periods and offer a larger selection. And crucially, they are supplied with a mounting kit that includes a template, because spacing is crucial to the aesthetic. Phil says: “From a design point of view the spacing is really important and different characters create different spaces between them. The mounting kit adds value to the product, and creates harmony.” The numbers are surprisingly small in real life, and that’s because one of the things Phil and Roland noticed in their painstaking research (observing London’s door furniture has become an obsession) was that: “sometimes people cram them into awkward spaces, so we wanted to create some breathing space.” In terms of production and materials, everything has been carefully considered. Numbers are made of anodised aluminium and are hard-wearing, with a bead-blasted finish, which means they are sandblasted with very fine sand, instead of the stamdard powder coating. “It felt wrong to have a metal number and wrap it in plastic, so we

looked at anodysing as a process. It creates a nice solid finish. We ended up making a machine a bit like a conveyor belt or a printer jet. To create the even finish.” So far they’ve been working on their numbers for almost three years. There will be more designs soon, and next they’ll start targeting ugly letterboxes and inelegant doorknobs. “What we’d like to do is go back to the architectural periods and design them all and finish in the same way,” says Phil. Expect a full front door accessory collection soon. doorno.co

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HOME • TECH

H I G H T E C H OUR PICK OF STYLISH AND FUNCTIONAL GADGETS 1

B A S E C U RV E R UA R K

The R5 is the perfect all-in-one system for music and design enthusiasts alike. Finished in walnut with curved edges and a smooth feel, it's a premium piece of kit. £1099 ruartaudio.com

CLEAN AIR BLUEAIR

This stylish looking unit is a portable air purifier that filters particles like dust, pollen, mold and pet dander that can cause and exacerbate allergies, leaving you breathing and sleeping easy. £179 blueair.com

2 3

TA K E O U T

BA NG & OLUFSEN

Bang & Olufsen’s award-winning Beosound Explore is now available in two beautiful new colourways: Navy Blue and Chestnut. The portable speaker is waterproof and lightweight, with an impressive battery life of 27 hours. £169 bang-olufsen.com

WA L L O F S O U N D MARANTZ

Marantz's Model 40n is an integrated amplifier with outstanding sound quality alongside a vast library of digital music, podcasts and more. £2,199 marantz.com

H E A D S PAC E B&O

Lambskin leather. Memory foam cushions. An ergonomic pressure-relieving headband that fits different types of head. These versatile over-ear headphones give you cocoon-like comfort. £449 bang-olufsen.com

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ALLIUM ‘MIAMI’

In the

GARDEN Five plants to grow in May By LUCY BELLAMY

ature has a way of effortlessly arranging itself into beautiful and harmonious patterns This late-spring plan adopts a pointillist approach, with points of colour working together to create bolder shapes Allium ‘Miami’, Cirsium rivulare ‘Atropurpureum’ and the tall grass, Stipa gigantea, all have flower heads made up of lots of minute flowers. The fennel leaves provide a background foil for the bulbs and perennials, while Iris ‘Sable’ in rock-and-roll purple roves gently through. This meadow-esque design feels unexpected in a small city garden and has even more impact as a result. In summer the fennel has yellow flowers.

Method

1 Use a spade to dig over the

soil to a crumbly consistency, breaking up any big lumps. 2 Gather together all the plants. 3 Starting with the Stipa gigantea, space

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the plants out on the soil, still in their pots.This is a tall, airy plant, so consider how it will look in different spots, including when you view the scheme through the windows of your home. 4 Add the Cirsium rivulare ‘Atropurpureum’ and Foeniculum vulgare, in ones and twos, so that the flowers and foliage mingle at the tips. 5 Dot the Iris ‘Sable’ at random among the other plants. Make sure not to place them too close together as they will grow to be quite hefty plants. 6 When every plant has a spot, dig a hole for the Stipa, Cirsium and Foeniculum. Tap each plant from its pot and winkle out a few of the roots using your fingertips. Dig a hole for each plant to the same depth it was in its pot before planting and firming the soil down gently with your hands. 7 Next, plant the irises. Take care not to plant them too deeply, as the top of the rhizome (the woody stem that looks like a root) needs to stay above the soil. Water thoroughly. 8 Alliums are best planted as dormant bulbs in the preceding autumn. Bury

STIPA GIGANTEA GOLDEN OATS

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INTERIORS • GARDENS

The ﬁve plants 1 ALLIUM ‘MIAMI’ ORNAMENTAL ONION Geometric spheres of violet flowers thatare good for bees. Architectural seedheads in winter. • bulb • height 80cm (32in) • 5 per m2 (10ft2) • flowers from late spring to early summer

2 CIRSIUM RIVULARE ‘ATROPURPUREUM’ PLUME THISTLE A colourful cultivated form of the wild thistle, with jagged, dark green leaves and toasted-pink flowers. • perennial • height 1.5m (5ft) • 1 per m2 (10ft2) flowers from early summer to early autumn

3 FOENICULUM VULGARE FENNEL Feathery, bright green foliage and chartreuse, umbel flowers. Edible, from root to flower. • perennial • height 1.8m (6ft) • 2 per m2 (10ft2) • flowers from midsummer to late summer

FIVE PLANTS

the bulbs, 10–15cm (4–6in) deep, with their pointy ends facing upwards, tucking them between the other flowers. You can also buy them as budding bulbs in early summer, if you prefer. Note: The flowers in this display shed their petals discreetly, which is useful in a small space.

4 IRIS ‘SABLE’ BEARDED IRIS A scented iris in vibrant purple. Elegant and not too big. • perennial • height 90cm (36in) • 1 per m2 (10ft2) • flowers from late spring to early summer

5 STIPA GIGANTEA GOLDEN OATS Ribbon leaves and tiny, papery flowers on stems 2m (6ft) tall. The delicate seedheads last all winter. Semi-evergreen. • grass • height 2m (6ft) • 1 per m2 (10ft2) • flowers from early summer to mid-summer

GOOD FOR...

Extract taken from Grow 5 by Lucy Bellamy, published by Mitchell Beazley, £22

bumblebees solitary bees hoverflies butterflies damsel bugs shield bugs ladybirds hibernating lacewing larvae

O TL E U LY T E LY. A B SAOB LS U m aLgOaNzD i nOeNs

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ABSOLUTELY • PROMOTION

PLANTS AT HOME

After huge success at its debut in 2021, the Houseplant Studios area is returning to RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May

alvern Garden Buildings have supplied the garden studios for the plateau in Ranelagh Gardens at RHS Chelsea Flower Show for almost a decade. In previous years, botanically inspired craftspeople like Rob Ryan, Nikki Tibbles, Cath Kidston, Orla Kiely and Lou Gardiner have occupied the studios. However, last year they became home to six houseplant specialists, who showed visitors to RHS Chelsea how they could bring the splendour of growing to interior spaces. With the trend for houseplants showing no sign of slowing down, this year six new houseplant enthusiasts will use the garden studios to showcase their designs and give visitors the inspiration to create plant-filled

rooms of their own. Styling the garden buildings at this year’s show will be Hutch Houseplants, a husband-and-wife team who will create a walk-in terrarium celebrating houseplants in their natural state, alongside Happy Houseplants, who aim to demonstrate the impact plants have on our wellbeing, and The Planted House, with a dramatic aerial garden using willow and rattan. Also in show will be The Aroid Attic, showcasing their intriguing design that explores the juxtaposition of social media and reality, and The Edible Bus Stop, working on behalf of Close Brothers Finance, who specialise in creating transformative designs for interior and exterior environments. Charlotte Durrant, owner of The Aroid Attic said: “Houseplants can really transform the feel of a room, adding life and colour. The studio provided by Malvern

Garden Buildings is the ideal space for us to demonstrate to visitors how rooms in their own homes can be enhanced with plants.” Last year, Malvern Garden Buildings worked with Ian Drummond of Indoor Garden Design to transform one of the Houseplant Studios into The Green Room, winning an RHS Gold medal. This year, they’re working with up-and-coming designer James Whiting of @Plantsbythere to create Planet Studio, inspired by iconic Manhattan club Studio 54, where retro classics and wonderful oddities of the houseplant world will collide in a nostalgic feast for the eyes. Andrew Peck, Managing Director at Malvern Garden Buildings is excited to see how the buildings will be utilised by the designers this year: “The Houseplant Studios area was an amazing spectacle last year and we’re hoping to make an even bigger bang this year. By providing these practical and usable buildings, the houseplant designers can demonstrate to visitors that they too can bring their homes to life – quite literally – with plants and create enviable spaces in any home.”

To find out more about the RHS Chelsea 2022 Houseplant Studios and their designers, head to malverngardenbuildings.co.uk/chelsea

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Sited_FullPage_Advert.pdf

03/06/2021

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LIVE THE DREAM

An aspirational site finding service.

At Sited we source exceptional sites for clients requiring a bespoke service – facilitating the dream of developing their own home.

See it, Source it, Sited. Sited Limited 78 St Johns Road Tunbridge Wells Kent TN4 9PH 07739 514350 01892 579937

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www.sited.land

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INTERIORS • TREND

EDITOR’S PICK PEPPER SQ Cone Pendant Lamp Honey Yellow, £259 peppersq.com

EICHHOLTZ Contessa Vase, £235 sweetpeaandwillow.com

SECRET LINEN STORE Big Waffle Cushion Cover, £13 secretlinenstore.com

ROCKETT ST GEORGE Sustainable Velvet Small Sofa, £1645 rockettstgeorge.com

ROCKETT ST GEORGE Recycled Glass Yellow Vase, £60 rockettstgeorge.com

KN INDUSTRIES

GOLDEN YEARS Why yellow is the colour of the moment

The Saucepan, £78 collected.daytrue.com

MUSTARD MADE The Lowdown locker, £249 mustardmade.com

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

LOAF Truffle sofa, £1745 loaf.com

POOKY Shibori Shade With Phoebe Wall Fitting, £97 pooky.com

ATKIN & THYME Archie Armchair, £449 atkin&thyme.co.uk

TALKING TABLES THE NORTHERN LINE Yellow Dipped Glaze Mug, £12.95 thenorthernline.co.uk

Yellow Glass Candle Holder, £14 talkingtables.co.uk

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Purchase direct from 90 of the UK’s leading designer makers

CHELSEA OLD TOWN HALL

27 - 29 MAY

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Admission £10 10am - 5pm Daily £7 in advance with code CIFADV22

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✓ Friendly in-home service

✓ Options for every budget

✓ Price includes measuring & fitting YOUR LOCAL BLINDS, CURTAINS & SHUTTERS SPECIALIST • I provide expert advice on the best window solutions • Flexible appointment times • Blinds & curtains tailor-made here in the UK • Ask me about multi-blind discounts

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BLIND AND CURTAIN SHOWROOM Refresh your home with new curtains and blinds made from a wonderful collection of fabrics, including designers Sanderson, Harlequin, Romo and more Bespoke Luxaﬂex blinds including SmartHome integration Browse and buy our gifts online at www.curtain-call.co.uk Please call for showroom appointments Opening Hours: Tues-Sat 10am to 5pm 52 Friars Stile Road, Richmond, Surrey TW10 6NQ 020 8332 6250 • www.curtain-call.co.uk info@curtain-call.co.uk CURTAIN _CALL_HP_ABS_APRIL.indd 1

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The Planter Specialist

From window boxes to tree planters, choose from wide range of stocked designs or custom-made to suit your space

www.iotagarden.com

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DISCOVERMORE

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

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.

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Book your place at one of our Open Events at www.kewhouseschool.com/ openevents T: 020 8742 2038 W: www.kewhouseschool.com @KewHouseSchool

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E D U C AT I O N

PLAY TIME Q U E E N E T H E L BU RGA ' S

Performing arts are very much at the centre of school life at Queen Ethelburga's and attract students of all ages, interests and backgrounds with the opportunity to perform in productions, musical concerts and dance performances throughout the year.

Queen Ethelburga's – an enjoyable learning experience

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EDUCATION • FOCUS

Time to

THRIVE

Mental health and resilience are top of the agenda at Queen Ethelburga’s

s the education sector moves into the bright light of the Summer Term and towards the annual exam season, Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate’s (QE) focus on delivering pastoral care of the highest standard for its students continues to be of utmost importance. Nestled in 220 acres of beautiful North Yorkshire countryside but still under 2.5 hours from the capital by train, our location is ideal. Our highly secure, rural campus, with state-of-the-art facilities and exceptional staff community will ensure that your child has a safe, enjoyable learning experience that they'll remember always. The academic results speak for themselves, but what really sets QE apart is the wraparound pastoral support for

students and the incredible facilities and accommodation that they benefit from as part of campus life. Care is the most important element within the QE Community; every member of the Collegiate, staff and student, is responsible for the pastoral care and happiness of the site. QE offers support and guidance to all students and parents to ensure that we are

“A safe, enjoyable learning experience that they'll remember always”

all working to support individual students needs and equipping them with the right skills, not only to be successful in education, but to excel in their chosen career and life in general. We are focused on developing our students’ skills and resilience, while nurturing their wellbeing. We have a dedicated team of trained staff on call 24 hours a day to offer support and guidance to all students within a specialist welfare area. QE’s innovative THRIVE@QE programme offers each and every student the opportunity to access a huge range of activities to support their positive mental health and wellbeing. Students at QE also have an opportunity to link in with the extensive Peer Mentoring System which runs across the whole Collegiate. At QE, everything possible is done to prepare students for the many experiences they will encounter as they move through their educational journey and future life. . Come and see us in person at The Independent School Show Summer Fair on 10 May at The Hurlington Club in Fulham to find out more about QE. You can also book on our next Open Day on Saturday 14 May - visit www.qe.org to book your place.

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EDUCATION • FOCUS

MAKING IT REAL The Head of St Margaret's School discusses the value of presenting the right role models as a way to reassure young people and give them self-belief

chools and parents are acutely aware of the reported rise in mental illness among young people. Our young have been significantly impacted by both the uncertainty and the adversity of the current time. It is also apparent that the last 18 months have amplified teenage anxieties and self-doubt. Even though the road ahead looks brighter, uncertainty remains around exams, university education, career prospects, travel and social gatherings. For adults, managing this level of uncertainty is stressful enough, but for our young people, it is harder. During school closures, it was important to help young learners to focus on the promise on the horizon. In school, we found that organising sessions about university and careers helped – events were very well attended. This became particularly evident where recent leavers or alumni shared their personal experiences. Hearing from likeminded young people helps students to visualise the ‘normal’ or ordinary paths taken, despite challenging times. Young people are desperate for social time, so meeting with other young, inspirational people has never been more important. Devices and phones have played a huge part in young people’s lives – in some cases, it has been the only way they can connect. I suspect

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STUDENTS AT ST MARGARET'S SCHOOL

much of what we are seeing now around the overuse of mobile phones is a direct response to that imbalance. Teenagers have also been bombarded with imagery of ‘perfection’ and ‘filters’ during isolation. In recent weeks, we have found that introducing what we call 'ordinary extraordinary people' into our school community and allowing them to share their challenging experiences and milestones has been incredibly powerful – a positive source of inspiration. Paralympian and MBE Claire Harvey gave a speech to us recently. She reflected on the fact that her entire career and direction was impacted by a life-changing accident. The impact of this, and how she went on to be part of the 2012 Paralympic Volleyball Team, really highlighted how we can all overcome challenges. Role models like this strike a chord with young people. Their openness and their vulnerability demonstrate what can be achieved by the human spirit. In recent weeks, through many conversations with teenagers, I have seen

the power of involving them in a new or bigger challenge. A task where you have to overcome doubt is time consuming, it requires help and it distracts from whatever else might be troubling you. Ultimately, this is about helping young people see the importance of working collaboratively, being there for others and taking reassurance that other people face trials. Meeting 'ordinary extraordinary' role models, our young people also witness a breathtaking level of courage which they identify with and can often relate to on another level. It is often the case that 'ordinary' people are the most relatable – both capable and vulnerable. These people are the role models to present to our young people right now because young people desperately need to feel that being ‘normal’ is enough.

LARA PÉCHARD Head St Margaret's School

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North Bridge House

New tion 4+ Recep ep, r entry to P Regent’s Park

North Bridge House is on a constant journey of getting to know and understand every child as an individual, realising their true academic and personal potential through specialist provision at every school stage. NURSERY & PRE-PREP WEST HAMPSTEAD 2 - 7 YEARS FRIDAY 6 MAY FRIDAY 10 JUNE

NURSERY & PRE-PREP HAMPSTEAD 2 - 7 YEARS TUESDAY 7 JUNE (NURSERY 2+) THURSDAY 9 JUNE (PRE-PREP 4+)

PREP SCHOOL REGENT’S PARK 4 - 13 YEARS FRIDAY 20 MAY

SENIOR HAMPSTEAD 11 - 16 YEARS THURSDAY 30 JUNE

SENIOR CANONBURY 11 - 18 YEARS TUESDAY 3 MAY

Book an open day or private tour at northbridgehouse.com/open

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YES, IT’S A CRYING SHAME…

…that she left it too late to apply for Hurtwood House, because it’s simply the best for acting, dancing, singing, film-making – “A utopia for creative minds” – as the Good Schools Guide says. And crucially, this exciting school is equally successful academically. In fact, it’s statistically one of the top co-ed boarding schools in the UK. So, if you’re looking for a really exciting and rewarding change of school at 16 – don’t leave it too late. Contact Cosmo Jackson or visit our website for more information.

T: 01483 279000

E: info@hurtwood.net

hurtwoodhouse.com

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Bring kids together for summer fun! Host a Play Date this July and raise money to help seriously ill children being treated at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Sign up now for your free Play Date pack:

gosh.org/playdate

*Any donation(s) received in relation to the GOSH Charity Play Date event(s) will be used to fund the Play Services at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust. Our target for this appeal is to raise £101,250. In the event that additional donations are received over and above our target and/or the needs of the hospital or patients change, we reserve the right to redirect funds for use against the hospital’s most urgent needs. Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity. Registered charity no. 1160024.

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SPECI A L ISSUE

absolutely-mama.co.uk

In this section:

REAL TALK

Dani Dyer on motherhood and mental health

•

BATH TIME

Products for mamas and minis

•

FAMILY FESTIVALS

Summer fun with your littles

•

TRIED & TESTED

Bebe Organic’s new collection is inspired by long, carefree summers in the French Provence countryside. Full of romantic, holiday-ready pieces for mamas and minis, we love the dreamy tie dye prints, pretty embroidered detailing, and natural and organic fabrics. All we need now is to book our plane ticket. bebe-organic.com @bebe_organic

I M A G E : E M M A D O N N E L LY , T A K E A P I C T U R E L A D Y , T A K E A P I C T U R E L A D Y . C O M

We review the latest kit

MAMA & MINI

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ART FAIR 20-22 MAY 2022

Fri: 1pm-8pm Sat & Sun: 10am-4pm www.landmarkartscentre.org

Ferry Road, Teddington, TW11 9NN Admission: £5, Concessions £4, U16s & LAC Members FREE 020 8977 7558 landmarkarts landmarkartfairs landmarkspringandautumnartfairs Image: Marianna Bettini

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Registered Charity No: 1047080

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mam a WELCOME

LITTLE ORCHARD P.157

SILVER CROSS P.163

Editor’s

LETTER

t’s been a busy and exciting month for me as my daughter turned one! With parties and family visits coinciding with sleepless nights (more on that later), I’ve found myself to be one tired-out mama. If, like me, you’re a bit frazzled at the moment, then this issue is for you. First up, is our interview with Dani Dyer. Chatting about motherhood and mental health, Dani shares some useful resources for navigating life with little ones. And on the subject of support for new parents, I tried out a sleep consultant to see if their advice could help with my daughter’s early morning wake ups. Find out if it worked (and if I’m now sleeping past 5am!) on our Tot Gear page. We also have the best pampering beauty buys for mamas and minis; a Q&A with author, journalist, influencer and mama-of-two Katherine Ormerod; as well as the best family-friendly festivals this summer. And finally, as usual our Tot Gear and Tried & Tested sections have all the latest parenting gear for you and your little ones. Enjoy!

JEM + BEA P.163

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C a rly Gl e n di n n i n g E DITOR

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@carlyjglendinning carly@zest-media.com

SPECI A L ISSUE

absolutely-mama.co.uk

In this section:

REAL TALK

Dani Dyer on motherhood and mental health

•

BATH TIME

Products for mamas and minis

•

FAMILY FESTIVALS

Summer fun with your littles

•

TRIED & TESTED

I M A G E : E M M A D O N N E L LY , T A K E A P I C T U R E L A D Y , T A K E A P I C T U R E L A D Y . C O M

We review the latest kit

MAMA & MINI Bebe Organic’s new collection is inspired by long, carefree summers in the French Provence countryside. Full of romantic, holiday-ready pieces for mamas and minis, we love the dreamy tie dye prints, pretty embroidered detailing, and natural and organic fabrics. All we need now is to book our plane ticket. bebe-organic.com @bebe_organic

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ON THE COVER: @bebe_organic bebe-organic.com

WHIRLI P.165

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R E A L T A L K Dani Dyer on motherhood, mental health, and why she's become an ambassador for Tiny Happy People, the BBC's early years language and communication initiative… I n t e r v i e w C A R LY G L E N D I N N I N G

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ma m a PROFILE

Q What do you love most about being a mama? A I love the unconditional love that you

have for your child. Every day Santi does something new for me. I’m really enjoying this age, he’s just one now and we’re starting to see his personality. It makes me so happy. It’s the hardest job but the best job in the world. There’s no love like it, I’m so proud of him and I love being a mum. Q You’ve spoken about how you

found the first year of motherhood a little bit lonely sometimes. Do you think the pandemic changed your experience of being a new mum? A Now I’m able to go to baby groups, I absolutely love them, I’ve met some amazing mums there. I feel like we all have a bond and it’s had a positive impact on me and the baby. Sometimes you’ve had a rough night and there’s someone there in the same shoes as you. It makes you think ‘I’m so glad I’m not in this alone’! Parenthood can be lonely. It’s weird for me now when I go out and see mums with newborns, I think I never got to do that because we were in the middle of the pandemic. I feel like that was hard because when I was in the newborn bubble I wasn’t able to have visitors, I didn’t have someone walking in and saying are you alright? I think that was sometimes a little bit harder but, because I was in that bubble, I just got on with it. I’m looking forward to having a newborn out of a pandemic! Because you do struggle with the baby blues and it’s such an adjustment. Now, I’ve adjusted so well to it and it’s great to be able to go out and do normal things. I think it’s so important to keep your social life as much as possible. Just because you’ve had a baby, it doesn’t define you, you should always still be you.

Q How have you navigated solo

parenting? Has it been important to have a good support network? A You always need a support network, whether it’s friends or family, it’s so important. You go through such a rush of hormones and the feelings you get are such a roller coaster. Having people there for you is really important. BBC Tiny Happy People has been really useful because there’s so much information on there for all ages. The milestones which babies reach from 0 to 12 months are so incredible, so it’s nice to be able to go on to the Tiny Happy People website and read about child development and the little activities that I can do at home with Santi, it’s so beneficial.

“You always need

a support network, whether it's friends or family, it's so important” Q What have you found most

surprising about motherhood?

A I read some books when I was pregnant

but without really taking on board all the different changes babies go through. I think what’s most surprising is how much change they go through and once you’ve got one thing, then another thing crops up. If it isn’t the whole newborn phase, then it’s weaning and then crawling, talking, walking, there’s so much. There’s always a new change. With Tiny Happy People, there’s loads of information about child development. It’s so important to interact with the child. With Santi, I chat to him all day long and now I feel like he’s started to pick up some words, which I absolutely love. At first I thought ‘should I be singing all these songs?’ but the experts on Tiny Happy People say how repetition and singing songs to your baby are so important. I play a game with him called Pots, Pans and Bangs (banging pots and pans to make music) and Santi loves to dance. Q What are the best bits and

worst bits about parenthood?

A The worst bit is sleep deprivation!

When you’ve not slept and you’ve been up all night, how do you function? The best bit is watching him grow and learn new things. Now Santi’s trying to walk, that’s the best thing. They make you laugh. He’s like a little best friend. Although apparently I pamper him a bit too much!

Q Do you think motherhood

has changed you?

A Absolutely, motherhood has changed me

for the better. I know my priorities now and you’ve got more responsibility when you’re not just looking after yourself but looking after a little one as well. I definitely think it’s put my head on my shoulders a bit more. Q How do you juggle everything and make time for yourself? A With the help of my mum! I feel like at

the beginning it’s so hard to juggle, I don’t even think I could put a dinner in the oven but you adjust to it. During the day, I’m always on the go and there’s always something going on but at night-time, once Santi goes to bed, it’s my time to have my dinner and watch Bridgerton. Some days are harder than others. I’m really lucky with my job that sometimes it’s really busy, but sometimes I can be at home for weeks on end. It’s juggling but I quite like being busy. Q And finally, any advice for other new mums? A To enjoy every minute of it. Some days are

going to be harder than others, especially in the newborn bubble. We all struggle because there are so many different emotions that we go through, there’s so much pressure but there’s no such thing as being a perfect mum, we’re all doing our own thing. I’d also recommend going on to the Tiny Happy People website to get as much information as you can, right from pregnancy, I feel like I definitely should have done that a little bit more. Always chat to your baby, it’s so important to communicate with them in those early years and to have fun with them. Dani Dyer is an ambassador for BBC Tiny Happy People: bbc.co.uk/tiny-happy-people @bbctinyhappypeople

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Where tomorrow’s leaders meet independent thought Open Mornings 5 May 15 June 22 June morehouse.org.uk

RAVENSCOURT PARK

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” ‘’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 To book your place on an open morning,

9.15am Thursday 9th May 2019 please go to www.rpps.co.uk/openmornings 9.15am Thursday 18th January 2018 9.15am Tuesday 11th June 2019 or phone 020 8846 9153

9.15am Thursday 1st February 2018

To your place on an open morning, pleasemornings, go to To book register your attendance at one of our open rpps.co.uk/admissions phone 020secretary@rpps.co.uk 8846 9153 please phone 0208 846 or 9153 or mail

Ravenscourt Park Prep School 16 Ravenscourt Avenue, London W6 0SL

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m a m a Q&A

STYLE ON R E P E AT Author, journalist, influencer and mama Katherine Ormerod her new collaboration with Baukjen…

Q Tell us about your new collaboration

“I’ve kept so many

of the classic Baukjen pieces over the years...”

with sustainable womenswear brand Baukjen. How did it come about? A I’ve been working with Baukjen on content projects for five years now and the team and I have always had a natural affinity. I so believe in everything they have done to turn their business upside down to become a BCorp business, putting planet and people first. I’ve also kept so many of the classic Baukjen pieces over the years, and so when we started talking about a bigger project, it felt natural that it would be a collection of contemporary staples which would work season after season. Q How did you design the

collection and how does it reflect your own personal style? A I worked with Baukjen and her design team firstly to come up with the 10 signature pieces which I rely on every spring. We then put together a moodboard of shared images and started talking about the cuts, silhouettes and – something that is really important to me – the way the garments would feel on the body. It is everything that I wear – a mixture of feminine shapes with more masculine detailing, simple, distinctive staples which you can wear in hundreds of different ways. Q What’s the transition from

being a mama-of-one to having two little ones been like? A It’s been very seamless, but that’s because

we got an angel after having an extremely challenging first baby! I think the most important difference is that I don’t care what anyone else thinks this time around and am very much in my stride as a parent. We started paying for childcare from 14 weeks when I started easing back into writing and I stopped breastfeeding and started sleep training when both issues were negatively impacting the family as a whole. Those were steps which I should have taken with my first baby, instead I pushed myself to the brink doing all sorts of frankly insane things trying to please people I didn’t even know. I think when you have had a really tough experience with an unsettled child it can be so daunting to think about having another – but it’s always going to be yin and yang – have you ever heard anyone say, ‘my children are exactly the same’? Never! Q On a busy day juggling mum

and work duties, what would be your go-to, failsafe outfit? A I don’t really dress like I’m juggling even when I am. If I’m doing soft play, I’ll do a jumpsuit in a bright colour with Converse, but otherwise it’s a printed dress with heeled boots or polished trousers with a Breton, and slip ons. I never leave the house without clean hair, perfume and my jewellery – I don’t need makeup, but I do need a clean fringe if I’m going to be able to shake off a bad night and feel bright for the day ahead. Q And finally, what’s your

favourite piece from the Katherine Ormerod X Baukjen collection? A You’re asking me to choose between my babies, here, but probably the Gigi jumper because it works with everything. The Katherine Ormerod X Baukjen collection is available now at baukjen.com A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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FAMILY-FRIENDLY CORNBURY FESTIVAL

Family

FESTIVALS From forest school adventure clubs, to sack races and tug of war, this summer's music events have lots on offer to keep little ones entertained...

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Cornbury Festival THE GREAT TEW PARK, COTSWOLDS, OXFORDSHIRE 8TH - 10TH JULY -

This year is the ‘last hurrah’ for Cornbury, a much loved family festival set in the lush Cotswolds countryside. Head to the VIP village fete for one last year of big bands and artists including Bryan Adams, The Darkness and Ronan Keating. Fun-filled as ever, the Cornbury Kids Zone will also offer a cornucopia of workshops, activities and shows to delight children of all ages. cornburyfestival.com

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mam a

WHAT'S ON

Rochester Castle MEDWAY, KENT • 6TH - 9TH JULY

Rochester Castle provides the epic backdrop for this four-day music extravaganza in Medway, Kent. Put on your dancing shoes and get ready for a monumental line up including The Human League, James Blunt, Cameo, The Specials and many more. rochestercastleconcerts.com

Little Orchard

A Perfect Day

HEALEY’S CORNISH CYDER FARM, PENHALLOW, TRURO, CORNWALL 9TH - 10TH SEPTEMBER

POWDERHAM CASTLE, EXETER 3RD JULY

Little Orchard is billed as a charming Cornish party in the UK’s grooviest cyder farm. With camping and glamping, there’s something for all ages to enjoy – from big live bands including Feeder, Kula Shaker and The Wurzels, to a silent disco in the orchard and a forest school adventure club for mini revellers. cornwallciderfestival.co.uk

LITTLE ORCHARD

A Perfect Day is a brand new day festival offering chilled acoustic music in a beautiful setting. Taking place at scenic locations across the UK, first up is the picturesque grounds of Powderham Castle in Exeter. Grab your picnic blanket and enjoy music from some of the greatest singer songwriters, including David Gray, James Morrison, Gabrielle, The Shires and many more. aperfectdayfestival.com

THE SHIRES, A PERFECT DAY

THE GREAT ESTATE FESTIVAL

The Great Estate Festival SCORRIER HOUSE, REDRUTH, CORNWALL 2ND - 5TH JUNE -

Set in the grounds of Scorrier House in Redruth, Cornwall, this quirky family boutique festival promises a fun day out for all ages with music from big acts including Manic Street Preachers, Sugarhill Gang, Grandmaster Melle Mel’s Furious 5 and DJ Yoda, as well as adventures and cabaret. Little festival goers will enjoy getting dressed up and joining The Royal Garden Games – with sack races, croquet and tug of war. greatestatefestival.co.uk

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P I O N E E R I N G F E RT I L I T Y T R E AT M E N T N O W AT T H E P O RT L A N D H O S P I TA L Lister Fertility Clinic has grown and is now accessible at The Portland Hospital, the UK’s only private hospital solely dedicated to the care of women and children. We offer a comprehensive range of fertility treatments, including IVF, egg freezing, egg sharing and more. We’re also specialists in treating low ovarian reserve. If you have a chance of success, we will treat you.

Before you start a family, visit ours.

hcahealthcare.co.uk/portlandfertility 020 3811 6133

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m a m a BEAUT Y

editor’s pick

Bath TIME Absolutely Mama rounds up the best pampering products for mamas and minis…

GREEN PEOPLE Nordic Roots Apple Complex Moisturiser 50ml, £26; Hyaluronic Booster Serum 28ml, £28; Marine Facial Oil 28ml, £28; Cranberry Micellar Foam 150ml, £19; greenpeople.co.uk

WE TWO Post Pregnancy Conditioner 250ml, £24; Post Pregnancy Shampoo 250ml, £24; wetwolondon.com

LITTLE BUTTERFLY LONDON Wrapped in Love Calming Anti Pollution Baby Face Cream 50ml, £27; littlebutterflylondon.com

BLOOM & BLOSSOM Elastic Fantastic Stretch Mark Cream, £24; bloomandblossom.com

WELEDA Calendula Nappy Cream 75ml, £7.75; weleda.co.uk

we love

MUTHA Body Butter, £80; No.1 Serum 30ml, £105; cultbeauty.co.uk

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

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Enjoy spring with your little one!

Leclerc Baby makes traveling with children comfortable and convenient. Easy & Safe Lightweight & Compact Cabin Proof Fold & Unfold in 1.5 seconds www.leclercbaby.com LECLERC.indd 160

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mama PROMOTION

WIN A £250 voucher to spend on maternity wear that’s comfortable & stylish with Mamatoto

B U M P T A L K Fulfil all your pregnancy needs at Mamatoto

amatoto is a new brand started by two women who want to make the pregnancy chapter of your life as smooth as possible. Navigating the changes that the female body goes through can be tricky, so making sure you have all the help you need in one safe space is the true aim of Mamatoto. There’s a wealth of knowledge out there for expecting mothers and Mamatoto have reached out to and engaged with plenty of experts in various fields, making sure the advice and tips shared on the site are safe for you and your baby. A range of topics around pregnancy that an expecting mother – and father – would find useful are covered. From managing backache to dealing with nausea and calming all the anxiety that pregnancy can bring with it, it’s all there, from credible sources. If you’re looking for more help or bespoke advice, you can also get in touch with these experts themselves. Alongside the health and wellness section on the site, you’ll also find some stylish and comfortable maternity wear that makes the mother’s comfort a priority. With Mamatoto,

care has been taken to ensure getting ready feels like a breeze and that you feel confident in what you wear so you don’t have to worry about itchy fabrics or stiff buttons. With years of experience in the clothing industry, Mamatoto’s maternity wear is designed to allow you to keep things stress-free and easy post-natal as well. With hidden zips, hooks, and buttons, you can continue wearing your pieces while you feed or express, should you choose to do so. It’s not easy handling a newborn and the last thing Mamatoto wants you to worry about is whether you’ve got appropriate clothing on. And the best part is that the clothes still look just as good. Along with clothing, you can also find

“Alongside health

and wellness, there's stylish and comfortable maternity wear”

natural and organic skincare so that the mom-to-be can indulge in some self-care. Before the baby comes is the right time – later, managing that might prove to be slightly tricky. Mamatoto will also be introducing some baby shower gifts so that little ones can get some goodies as well. These will be added to the website very soon. In a nutshell, Mamatoto is a safe space for expecting mothers to learn about many aspects of pregnancy and help make their journey into motherhood easier with a touch of retail therapy. Join the community on Facebook & Instagram where you can learn more about the brand and find out more about their health and wellness experts. facebook.com/MamatotoWorld instagram.com/mamatotoworld mamatotos.com

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

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We are your one stop shop to help you sell your buggy or donate it to charity!

All of our prams are pre-owned, preloved or second hand, however you prefer to say it, and we like to think of ourselves as the good push, want to know why? Good for the planet by reducing the amount of prams ending up in landfill Good for your wallet by giving you great buggies at a fraction of their original price tags Good for supporting families in need by donating yours through our charity partners www.buggypark.co.uk THE BUGGY PARK.indd 162

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mam a

TOT GEAR

CARRY ME BABYBJORN

Inspired by Nordic nature, BabyBjörn has introduced a new ‘Landscape’ print for two of its most popular products. The ‘Baby Carrier Mini’ and the ‘Bouncer Bliss’ are both available in the stylish monochrome design now. babybjorn.co.uk

TOT GEAR

Inspired kit to make parenting easier

FOREVER BAG

LOVED by MAMA by Carly Glendinning

What we’re using for our own babies this month:

BABOG U E

JEM + BEA New for 2022 at Jem + Bea is the Remy Eco Backpack. Sustainablymade from RPET recycled nylon, this stylish and durable changing bag has a serious amount of space for all of your essentials. jemandbea.com

STYLISH STROLLING S I LV E R C R O S S

Silver Cross has introduced two new stylish travel systems: the Dune and the Reef. The Dune is a compact urban stroller and the Reef offers a smooth ride on any terrain. silvercrossbaby.com

or the past three months my one year old has been waking up at 5am. We’ve tried and failed to get her to sleep in later and hadn’t enlisted the help of a sleep consultant until now. I’ll admit I was hesitant, but the 5am wake ups eventually became unsustainable so I decided to book a ‘1:1 Virtual Sleep Solution’ call with Erica Hargaden, founder of award winning sleep consultancy, Babogue. Erica immediately put me at ease, telling me she disliked the term ‘sleep training’. She takes an evidencebased approach in her practice and tailors her advice according to your parenting style. Erica gave me several ideas to try to encourage my daughter to sleep until at least 6am. Although I felt confident after our call, I was dubious that my daughter would respond to the changes. But lo and behold, after just three days she started sleeping through the night and waking up at just before 6am. In addition to my call with Erica, I also signed up to her ‘Complete Sleep Series’, which offers lots of helpful content and support for parents. Complete Sleep Series £49 | 1:1 Virtual Sleep Solution £359,

babogue.com

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▶ Less

Stress ▶ More Energy ▶ Better Life

With Integrative Coach and Therapist

Byfleet Village, Surrey & Harley Street, London 0345 130 0854 yourempoweredself.co.uk

KEW GREEN preparatory school

TW.indd 1

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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 KGPS.indd 1

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TRIED & TESTED

IN-DEPTH REVIEWS OF THE LATEST PARENTING KIT

ma m a REVIEWS

Nuby Portable Steriliser Whirli Toy Subscription

R e v i e w e d b y C A R LY G L E N D I N N I N G

S huge selection of toys to choose from with everything from developmental toys to imaginary play. We’ve been swapping for about six months now, and we haven’t run out of things to play with yet. Whirli regularly adds new items to their library and we’ve really been impressed with the condition and cleanliness of the toys. Good for the planet (and your purse strings), we couldn’t recommend Whirli more.

terilising bottles, pump parts, dummies, teethers and toys can be a bit of a faff. Especially in the middle of the night, when you’re on-the-go, or aaway way from home. The Nuby Portable Steriliser makes sterilising super easy. Using the power of UV, it allows you to sterilise your baby items in just three minutes with no water, chemicals, cooling time, or even drying. Genius! Encased in a handy travel bag, you can either plug the steriliser in or charge up the battery pack. You literally just pop the items you want to sterilise in the case, zip it up, press go and after three minutes everything will be germ-free. The case itself is spacious enough to fit several items and there’s a useful zipped section at the bottom that you can use for storage. We also love that the case has a shoulder strap, so it can be carried or attached to your buggy with stroller clips. Super handy for days out and holidays! A brilliant piece of parenting kit that we couldn’t do without.

From £8.99 per month; whirli.com

£132; nuby-uk.com

R e v i e w e d b y C A R LY G L E N D I N N I N G

y daughter is one and she’s at the age where she gets bored of toys very quickly. We live in a small flat though, and we just don’t have the space for mountains and mountains of toys. When I do invest in toys, I tend to go for wooden ones for both their style and eco credentials. But sometimes something plastic and flashing is far more fun! Toy swapping subscription service Whirli solves all of these problems. It’s a brilliant concept where you pay monthly for a token allowance that you can exchange for toys. When you send a toy back, your account is immediately credited with the same number of tokens so you can order something new. You can swap toys as often as you like and if your little one gets attached to something, you have the option of buying it. Aimed at little ones from newborn to age eight, Whirli has a

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PROPERTY

CALDER, COOMBE LANE WEST KT2

OIEO £3,100,000

alder is a stunning, 5 bedroom family home with some striking contemporary features. An impressive triple height entrance atrium leads directly onto a large open plan reception room with a beautiful modern fireplace. There is also a spacious family room with glass bi-fold doors onto the garden. The kitchen runs the full length of the house and there is ample, gated, secure parking at the front.

ROBERT HOLMES COOMBE OFFICE

020 8947 1100

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www.johnmartinestates.com 1995-2020

TO T W KE NE AR M

EALING W5

£925,000 FREEHOLD

An attractive bay fronted period villa on the ever popular Brentham Garden Estate. The property is well presented and offers spacious intercommunicating reception rooms and traditional fitted kitchen to the ground floor, two bedrooms and large family bathroom with separate shower cubicle to the first floor and further bedroom to the second floor. There is an array of period features including fireplaces and coved ceilings, good storage throughout, gas fired central heating and a lovely south facing rear garden. Energy Performance Certificate E.

82 Pitshanger Lane, Ealing W5 1QX jmesales@johnmartinestates.com JOHN MARTIN DPS_LONDON MAY 2022_ABSOLUTELY LONDON.indd 168

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“PITSHANGER’S COMMUNITY ESTATE AGENT”

TO T W KE NE AR M

EALING W5

£895,000 FREEHOLD

A charming end of terrace Brentham cottage in the heart of the popular Conservation Estate. The property is offered in good decorative order and has a bright and airy feel throughout. The accommodation is larger than average comprising two reception rooms, ground floor cloakroom, modern fitted kitchen, three e cellent si ed bedrooms and modern family bathroom to the first floor and further bedroom to the second floor. There are a number of period features and an e cellent si ed, well stocked, split level rear garden as well as garden room o ce. Energy Performance Certificate E.

T: 020 8998 3333 JOHN MARTIN DPS_LONDON MAY 2022_ABSOLUTELY LONDON.indd 169

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www.johnmartinestates.com 1995-2020

EALING W5

£ 95,000 HARE OF FREEHOLD

A spacious first floor purpose built two bedroom apartment a short stroll from the heart of Pitshanger illage. The property offers an impressively si ed lounge dining room with open plan fitted kitchen, two bedrooms, and modern bathroom. There is gas fired central heating, uP C double gla ed windows, ample storage space, entryphone system, well maintained communal areas gardens and unallocated off street parking. Energy Performance Certificate B.

82 Pitshanger Lane, Ealing W5 1QX jmesales@johnmartinestates.com JOHN MARTIN DPS_LONDON MAY 2022_ABSOLUTELY LONDON.indd 170

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“PITSHANGER’S COMMUNITY ESTATE AGENT”

TO T W KE NE AR M

EALING W5

5,000 LEA EHOLD

An attractive well presented split level maisonette in a uiet cul de sac only moments from Pitshanger illage. The property, arranged over the second and third floors, offers spacious lounge, modern fitted kitchen diner, two good si ed bedrooms, modern bathroom with separate cloakroom, part gas fired lower level and part electric heating upper level , uP C double gla ed windows, well maintained communal gardens and unallocated parking space. Energy Performance Certificate D.

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Wi l t on

Ave n u e , W4

£1,350 per week Ram

Retaining plenty of period charm with a twist of modern living, this family home has been finished to a high standard and offers five bedrooms and a landscaped garden, energy rating d.

i l l i e s Road

, W4

Located in a highly desirable area, a four bedroom house with a large through reception room which occupies the entire ground floor and opens onto an attractive west facing garden, energy rating b.

020 8742 4100 chiswicklettings@fletcherestates.com

Cas t l e P l ac e , W4

020 8742 4100 chiswicklettings@fletcherestates.com

, W14

Th ga

£900 per week

Situated on a quiet tree-lined road, this terraced house has four bedrooms and three bathrooms. There is a spacious eat-in kitchen and a reception room with direct access to a garden, energy rating e. 020 7603 0603 brookgreenlettings@fletcherestates.com

fletcherestates.com

FLETCHERS.indd 174

020 8742 4100 chiswicklettings@fletcherestates.com

£650 per week Ar c h e l Road

Close to the open space of Chiswick Common, a charming cottage arranged over three floors. There are three bedrooms and a modern fitted kitchen leading to a conservatory, energy rating d.

£1,245 per week

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Se fiv sp

00 m

WhWhi t e i t h e al h al P l ar P ar k k RoRo ad ad , W4 , W4 five five bedroom bedroomictorian ictorian house house providing providing a host a host of of period period features features with with a contemporary a contemporary finish. finish. There There is is a double a double reception reception room room and and anan open open plan plan kitchen kitchen which which leads leads onto onto a landscaped a landscaped rear rear garden, garden, ideal ideal forfor entertaining, entertaining, energy energy rating rating d. d.

£1,600,000 £1,600,000 020 020 8987 8987 3000 3000 chiswicksales@fletcherestates.com chiswicksales@fletcherestates.com

03 m

B ar B ar t on t on RoRo ad ad , W14 , W14 SetSet in in a sought a sought after after location location in in thethe arons arons Court Court Conservation Conservation rea, rea, anan immaculately immaculately presented, presented, five five bedroom bedroom family family home home arranged arranged over over four four floors. floors. There There is is a dining a dining room room which which leads leads onto onto a a spacious spacious reception reception room room overlooking overlooking thethe garden, garden, energy energy rating rating e. e.

£2,850,000 £2,850,000 020 020 7603 7603 1415 1415 brookgreensales@fletcherestates.com brookgreensales@fletcherestates.com

fletcherestates.com fletcherestates.com

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Copse Hill, Wimbledon

£3,750,000

Lambourne Avenue, Wimbledon

£3,250,000

An elegant and versatile home located a short walk of the Common and excellent schools including King’s College. Reception hall, 3 reception rooms, kitchen/family room, utility room and boot room, 6 bedrooms, 5 bath/shower rooms (4 e/s), gym/studio room, 2/3 car garage with flatlet above, gated drive, lovely walled garden ER/C

On a plot of 0.2005 acres (811.23 sq m) with a wonderful west facing garden close to the Village and Wimbledon Park. Living room, dining room, kitchen, breakfast room, 5 bedrooms, 2 bath/shower rooms, OSP ER/D

Hillside, Wimbledon Village

Marryat Place, Wimbledon Village

OIEO £3,500,000

An innovatively modernised and extended house located in a sought after road close to local shops, the Village and schools. Open plan reception rooms, sitting room, TV/family/playroom, study area, kitchen/dining room, 5 double bedrooms, 4 bath/shower rooms, cellar, southerly garden, OSP ER/C

£3,000,000

An impressive townhouse set in a quiet cul-de-sac near the Village, the Common and the All England Lawn Tennis Club. 2 reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room, principal bedroom suite, 4 further bedrooms, 3 further bath/shower rooms, terrace and garden, OSP ER/B

Wimbledon Village Office Sales: 020 8947 9833 Lettings: 020 8879 9669 ROBERT HOLMES DP.indd 176

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www.robertholmes.co.uk

Oakwood Road, Wimbledon SW20

£2,150,000

Barham Road, Wimbledon SW20

£2,200,000

Stunning, newly refurbished 5 bedroom family house with a brilliant glass loggia and a beautifully landscaped garden. Modern open plan kitchen with wood burner and lovely, separate front reception. Near excellent schools. Off street parking. No onward chain. ER/D

A charming detached 4 bedroom family home located on a prestigious road in the Drax Estate. Large double aspect reception room and spacious conservatory. Garage and ample off street parking. Beautifully designed mature garden with a wonderful large, pergola perfect for outdoor entertaining. ER/E

Carlton Road, KT3

Ashcliffe, Traps Lane KT3

£1,950,000

Rarely available Edwardian detached family house in one of the best roads in New Malden. 5/6 bedrooms, 3 Bath/Shower rooms, large west facing garden, double garage, and a carriage drive with ample parking for several cars. Over 3000 sf with the potential to extend even further - subject to planning. ER/E.

£2,750,000

Beautiful, double fronted period house with large front garden and carriage drive. bedroo , athroo with lovely high eiling , gro nd floor re e tion rooms including a separate dining room. Superb master bedroom suite. Modern kitchen and large utility room. Rear garden with mature landscaping and a super gymnasium. ER/D

Coombe Office Sales: 020 8947 1100 ROBERT HOLMES DP.indd 177

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SALES

5- 7 Tur n h a m G ree n Te rra ce, C h isw ic k , Lon don , W 4 1R G Te l 0 2 0 8 7 4 7 8 800 · Fa x 020 8995 7275 E - ma i l i n fo @ wh itma n a n dco.com · We bsite w w w. w h i t m a n a n dco. co m

CHISWICK LANE, W4

FAIRLAWN AVENUE, W4

£549,950

£465,000

LETTINGS

A fabulous two double bedroom top floor apartment with a west-facing roof terrace and lovely open views from all rooms located within a short walk of An amazingly light, numerous well presented tripleThe aspect with the added benefit of a balcony private two garden. Three bedrooms, luxurywardrobes, bathroom, Chiswick High Road’s amenities. flat isflat presented in excellent order throughout andand comprises double bedrooms with fitted reception room, fully integrated kitchen, firedwindow centraloverlooking heating, share in the Recreation freehold, balcony private garden with side access.with Ideally a14' 15’11 open plan kitchen/reception room with agas picture Homefield Ground, and a bathroom, a west-facing roof terrace an open aspect, share in the freehold.ofThe flat is very located within a short walk ofshopping The River, and opposite a park facilities and within few minutes walk of Chiswick situated within close proximity Chiswick Parkwell tube station and the extensive restaurant ona Chiswick High Road. High Road’s shops, cafes, and restaurants. Transport links include Turnham Green and Stamford Brook stations, local bus routes, and the A4/M4 for routes in and out of London. No chain.

LINDEN GARDENS, W4

LAMB COTTAGE, W4W4 LINDEN GARDENS,

£330 PER WEEK

£1.600,000 GUIDE PRICE £750,000

A newly decorated lower ground floor garden flat with private west facing garden. Large double bedroom with wardrobes, reception room with An exceptionally spacious (1288 sqft) split-level apartment with a private entrance and open aspect south-facing roof terrace located just off Chiswick High wood floors, bathroom with shower over, fitted kitchen, garden. The flat is on one of Chiswick's best located roads, moments from the shops, Road in the heart of Chiswick. The flat offers excellent proportions throughout with the accommodation comprising a 21’7 south facing reception room, restaurants cafés on the High Road and 5 minutes from Turnham Green station. The property is available early September, furnished. 19’2 full-width kitchen/dining room, two double bedrooms, lovely south-facing roof terrace with far-reaching views, two bathrooms, entrance hall, eaves storage, and a share in the freehold. The flat is in a superb location just off the High Road close to numerous shops, cafes, and restaurants. Transport links include Turnham Green station, local bus routes, and the A4/M4 for routes in and out of London. No chain.

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NETHERAVON ROAD, W4

GUIDE PRICE £2,500,000

An imposing semi-detached Victorian family home with a large garden located on this premier tree-lined residential road running south off Chiswick High Road. This natural three-storey property, in need of updating, offers excellent proportions throughout with the accommodation comprising a 31’6 double reception room, original tiled entrance hall, kitchen/breakfast room, conservatory, large mature garden, huge master bedroom suite with a 17’9x16’9 bedroom opening onto a dressing room then onto the bathroom, three further double bedrooms, family bathroom, spacious cellar, host of period features and high ceilings. There is potential to extend the property on the ground floor and top floor to create extra bedroom/bathroom space STPP. Netheravon Road is in a superb location being moments from Chiswick High Road’s shops, cafes, and restaurants and a short walk from the River. Transport links include Stamford Brook and Turnham Green stations, local bus routes, and the A4/M4 for routes in and out of London.

LAMB COTTAGE, W4 CAVENDISH ROAD

GUIDE PRICE £3,500,000

A unique double fronted detached family home of 3500 sqft offering an excellent balance of living and entertaining space, unrivalled views across playing fields, £1.600,000 and sitting on a plot of approximately 1/3 acre. This superb family home offers a master bedroom with a large ensuite bathroom/dressing room and balcony overlooking the garden, four further bedrooms all with wonderful views, three further bathrooms (one ensuite), a majestic entrance hall with galleried landing, stunning reception room with feature curved glass French doors opening onto the garden, two further reception rooms, 40’ bespoke kitchen/dining/family room, 125’ x 91’ (at maximum) private landscaped garden with stunning raised deck area and off street parking for three cars. Ideally located in this prestigious residential road as a stand-alone residence with uninterrupted views and close proximity to numerous amenities. WHITMAN.indd 179

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LETTINGS NETHERAVON ROAD, W4 POINT WHARF LANE, TW8

GUIDE PRICE £2,500,000

£350 PER WEEK

An imposing semi-detached Victorian family home with a large garden located on this premier tree-lined residential road running south off Chiswick High Road. This natural three-storey in need of updating, offers excellent proportions throughout the accommodation comprisingdevelopment. a 31’6 double reception room, original tiled entrance Beautifullyproperty, presented two double bedroom second floor flat in this with highly sought after riverside Boasting a stunning open plan hall, kitchen/breakfast room, conservatory, mature garden, huge ensuite master bedroom suiteLarge with aopen 17’9x16’9 bedroom opening onto a dressing thenwith onto granite the bathroom, kitchen reception room, a river sidelarge balcony and a master bedroom. plan reception room, fully fitted room kitchen work three bedrooms, bathroom, cellar, hostparking of periodspace features and high ceilings. There is potential to extend the property on the ground floor and tops,further fitteddouble wardrobes andfamily riverside views.spacious Underground included. top floor to create extra bedroom/bathroom space STPP. Netheravon Road is in a superb location being moments from Chiswick High Road’s shops, cafes, and restaurants and a short walk from the River. Transport links include Stamford Brook and Turnham Green stations, local bus routes, and the A4/M4 for routes in and out of London.

QUEEN ANNES GROVE, W4

LAMB COTTAGE, W4 CAVENDISH ROAD

£430 PER WEEK

GUIDE PRICE £3,500,000

A large, light and beautifully presented two double bedroom flat on this highly desirable road in the heart of Bedford Park, just minutes from A unique double fronted detached family home of 3500 sqft offering an excellent balance of living and entertaining space, unrivalled views across playing fields, Turnham Green underground station. Top floor position ensures beautiful views from the reception and bedrooms. £1.600,000 and sitting on a plot of approximately 1/3 acre. This superb family home offers a master bedroom with a large ensuite bathroom/dressing room and balcony overlooking the garden, four further bedrooms all with wonderful views, three further bathrooms (one ensuite), a majestic entrance hall with galleried landing, stunning reception room with feature curved glass French doors opening onto the garden, two further reception rooms, 40’ bespoke kitchen/dining/family room, 125’ x 91’ (at maximum) private landscaped garden with stunning raised deck area and off street parking for three cars. Ideally located in this prestigious residential road as a stand-alone residence with uninterrupted views and close proximity to numerous amenities. WHITMAN_LONDON MAY 2022_ABSOLUTELY LONDON.indd 179

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East Molesey

Computer Generated Image

Designed for contemporary living, this magnificent residence offers nine beautifully designed 2-bedroom apartments with private parking and communal landscaped gardens. Located on Church Road in East Molesey, perfectly placed for the village high street and a picturesque stretch of Thames promenade, Chapel View offers the finest of this popular Surrey neighbourhood.

Guide Prices from £750,000 - £1,300,000 Completion September 2022

CALL CURCHODS NEW HOMES 01483 479050

020 8481 7500 | OCTAGON.CO.UK

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ABSOLUTELY • PROMOTION

WARM WELCOME Wimbledon locals can ﬁnd Fuller Gilbert’s expert service at their new ﬂagship office

uller Gilbert has been providing outstanding service to the local families of Wimbledon, Coombe and Raynes Park since 2001. As a fully independent ‘boutique’ firm, the ethos and backbone of the Company is the importance of ‘people’ and their requirements. The local community is also of great importance to us, hence our sponsorship of local schools such as The Study and local events. In addition to our long-established office in Raynes Park, West

Wimbledon, our new flagship office in the heart of Wimbledon Village at 95 High Street opened at the beginning of this year. Overseen by the office head Dominic Pasqua, whose experience includes 16 years working in the Village running the sales departments at both Knight Frank and Robert Holmes, the new office offers unrivalled levels of service to all our clients from a warm, welcoming and completely re-furbished office. In addition to Dominic, we have Jay Collins, a director of the Company, and James Nouri – both of whom have over 10 years of experience, a track record of success and many very

JAY COLLINS Director

DOMINIC PASQUA Office Head Wimbledon Village

flattering testimonials! We believe that our ability to deliver the highest level of customer service is the reason why our clients not only come back to us again and again but also recommend us to their friends and family. In the past, there have been many families with whom we have had the pleasure of working with who have come back to ask us to help find homes for their children or investment properties for themselves.

DAN ARCHER

Office Head West Wimbledon

JAMES NOURI Sales Executive

FULLER GILBERT GRANT FULLER Founder

For advice on the Wimbledon property market, please call 020 8016 9700, or visit fullergilbert.co.uk

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

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country house town house period house modern house dream house moving house?

Estate agency has moved on. house. is different We know people are starting to consider online only estate agents, but still want the reassurance of face-to-face help from local experts. You get both with us, because we provide that personal service without expensive high street locations that customers have to pay for.

We also go further to ensure your property and the lifestyle it enables is shown in the best possible light. Sumptuous photography and video, and a contemporary web experience not only shows buyers how your home looks, but how it feels to live there. It’s the new, innovative way to add value when selling your house. The premium online estate agency.

London, Surrey and Sussex 0800 917 0447 info@housepartnership.co.uk

housepartnership.co.uk

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A BESPOKE AGENCY FOR THE DISCERNING CLIENT

San

d b an

k s , B ou

r n e m ou

Sole Agency - Coming Soon Guide Price - £6,500,000 Direct Access to the Beach

5 & 6 Crescent Stables, Upper Richmond Rd, London SW15 2TN 020 4524 9345 | 07931 771760 FINE AND COUNTRY.indd 186

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PROPERTY • PROMOTION

“Sidcup is a popular town among ﬁrsttime buyers and families alike”

Hillcross PLACE Brand new apartments selling fast in one of South-East London’s most popular areas

idcup’s latest new development, Hillcross Place, has enjoyed massive success since launching at the start of the year and is now 65% sold. The scheme comprises 42 one and two-bedroom apartments that have been designed by Shanly Homes with great attention to detail and feature enviable specifications to bring you the best of spacious, modern living. The kitchens and bathrooms are sleek and contemporary, and the main bedrooms benefit from bespoke, built-in wardrobes. All the apartments also include beautiful openplan living spaces and private balconies, and parking is available for selected apartments. A popular town amongst both first-time buyers and families alike, Sidcup represents the best of suburban lifestyle whilst still being only a short commute

to Central London. Residents are able to easily access the A20, A2 and M25, and can catch a train to London Bridge in under 30 minutes from Sidcup railway station (Zone 5). Hillcross Place is just a short walk from Sidcup High Street, which offers a kaleidoscope of shops and an eclectic choice of restaurants, cafés and bars. The area also boasts access to beautiful green, open spaces including Foots Cray Meadows and there are number of highly-rated schools nearby. Prices start from £315,000 and all apartments are available with a 5% deposit on Help to Buy. To come and see for yourself, you can visit the show home from Thursday to Monday between 10am and 5pm. AC O R N N E W H O M E S For further information, please contact 020 8315 6902, or visit acorngroup.co.uk/hillcross

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Cambridge Road, Wimbledon SW20

£3,950,000 freehold

Lambton Road, Wimbledon SW20

£2,650,000 freehold

A magnificent detached family home with generous garden and garage, situated in the sought-after Lambton Conservation Area in West Wimbledon, opposite Holland Gardens. 6 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 2 reception rooms, well appointed kitchen/dining room, garage, garden and summerhouse.

An exceptional double fronted detached house with a beautiful southwest facing garden, approached via an attractive gated forecourt with ample parking and garage. 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 3 reception rooms, kitchen/dining room, utility room, garage, garden, off-street parking.

Melbury Gardens, Wimbledon SW20

Lambton Road, Wimbledon SW20

£1,750,000 freehold

A beautifully presented linked detached property which has been tastefully modernised and extended throughout to provide comfortable family living located opposite Cottenham Park. 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 3 reception rooms, kitchen/dining room, utility room, garden, off-street parking

£1,250,000 freehold

A semi-detached contemporary 4 bedroom townhouse with elevated westerly aspect, garage and off street parking, located close to Holland Gardens. 4 bedrooms, 2 reception rooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen/dining room, garage, off-street parking, garden.

West Wimbledon office: 316 Worple Road, Wimbledon SW20 8QU Tel: 020 8947 4764 westwimbledon@fullergilbert.co.uk FULLER GILBERT.indd 188

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Lancaster Place, Wimbledon SW19

£850,000 freehold

Winchester Close, Kingston upon Thames KT2

£2,750,000

A charming period 2 bedroom cottage located in a quiet cul-de-sac in the heart of Wimbledon Village with the open spaces of Wimbledon Common close at hand. 2 bedrooms, bathroom, living room, kitchen/breakfast room, utility room, front garden.

A superbly presented, bright and spacious detached family home offering in excess of 3500 ft2 across three floors. 6 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, double reception room, kitchen/dining room, study, garden, off-street parking

Coombe Hill Road, Coombe KT2

Warren Road, Coombe KT2

£4,500,000 freehold

A substantial, gated detached family home offering complete privacy, ideally located on a private road within the heart of the Coombe Estate overlooking the golf course. 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, 4 reception rooms, kitchen/ breakfast room, indoor pool, garden, garaging for 4 cars

£6,000,000

A stunningly presented double fronted detached house on one of the most prestigious private roads within the Coombe Estate offering exceptional family space. 7 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, 5 reception rooms including home cinema and gym, bespoke kitchen/breakfast room, gated carriage driveway, garage, garden

Wimbledon Village office: 95 High Street, Wimbledon Village, SW19 5EG Tel: 020 8016 9700 wimbledonvillage@fullergilbert.co.uk FULLER GILBERT.indd 189

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Here for your property journey, wherever it takes you. acorngroup.co.uk/journey

Bellingham Road, SE6 £625,000 F/H

A brand new, three double bedroom, mews house featuring a beautiful open-plan living space, plus an additional study room. 1

Contact New Homes 020 8315 6996

Chadwick Road, SE15

Byne Road, SE26

%HDXWLIXOO\ SUHVHQWHG WZR EHGURRP ƓUVW ŴRRU 9LFWRULDQ FRQYHUVLRQ situated on one of Peckham's most sought-after roads, within 5 minutes walk of Peckham Rye station.

6W\OLVK 9LFWRULDQ FRQYHUVLRQ DSDUWPHQW SURYLGLQJ PDVVHV RI natural light, situated on one of Sydenham's most quiet streets DQG EHQHƓWWLQJ IURP D SULYDWH ORZ PDLQWHQDQFH JDUGHQ

Guide Price £500,000 - £525,000 S/O F/H

Contact Peckham Rye 020 7771 6777

OIRO £500,000 L/H

Contact Sydenham 020 8776 7070

Visit us online at acorngroup.co.uk

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65% now sold – new plots released Hillcross Place is a stunning new collection of modern 1 & 2 bedroom apartments for sale. Prices starting from £315,000, available with a 5% deposit on Help to Buy.*

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Perfectly positioned on Sidcup Hill, each apartment has been designed with attention to detail and features an enviable specification to bring you the best of spacious, modern living. Hillcross Place is located a short walk from Sidcup High Street, where you can enjoy a kaleidoscope of shops and a delicious selection of restaurants.

Commuting from Hillcross Place is easy with quick access to the A20, leading into central London. You are also within a 20-minute walk of Sidcup Railway Station, with trains to London Bridge in under 30 minutes.

Show home open Thursday-Monday, 10am-5pm. Call 020 8315 6902 or visit acorngroup.co.uk/hillcross

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Developed by:

Subject to terms & conditions

Selling agent:

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Here for your property journey, wherever it takes you. acorngroup.co.uk/journey

Orpington Road, BR7 £2,850,000 F/H

An impressive detached family home, fully UHIXUELVKHG WR WKH KLJKHVW VSHFLƓFDWLRQ ZLWK wonderful open-plan living spaces. 4

Contact Chislehurst 020 8295 4900

Pine Coombe, CR0

West Common Road, BR2

Set amongst the pine trees of Shirley Hills in an exclusive area of private roads, is this four bedroom detached house sitting on a beautiful secluded plot with further development potential (STPP).

Situated in Belgrave House, a fully refurbished Grade II listed FRXQWU\ PDQRU KRXVH LV WKLV WUXO\ PDJQLƓFHQW WZR EHGURRP WZR EDWKURRP ƓUVW ŴRRU DSDUWPHQW

£1,450,000 F/H

£875,000 L/H

Contact West Wickham 020 8432 7373

Contact Locksbottom 01689 882 988

Visit us online at acorngroup.co.uk/lr

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Internal photos depict previous development

S H O W H O M E O P E N T H U R S D A Y - M O N D A Y 10 A M -5 P M The Gables is a luxurious new development of one and two bedroom apartments located in the heart of Beckenham, Kent. Designed to complement the local Victorian architecture, each apartment provides a generous layout with high

specification finis es a private balcon and off street parking on selected units. The Gables is situated just moments from the vast array of restaurants, bars, cafés and shops that Beckenham High Street has to offer.

1 bedroom apartments now from £400,000 | 2 bedroom apartments now from £480,000

For more information, contact our show home on 020 8315 6903 or visit acorngroup.co.uk/gables

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Selling agent:

Developed by:

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Here for your property journey, wherever it takes you. acorngroup.co.uk/journey

The Glebe, SE3

Guide Price £3,500,000 F/H $ WDVWHIXOO\ UHIXUELVKHG GHWDFKHG 9LFWRULDQ 9LOOD WKDW RIIHUV FKDUPLQJ JDUGHQV ORFDWHG RQ WKH IULQJH RI %ODFNKHDWK 9LOODJH 5

Contact Blackheath Village 020 8318 1311

Halstow Road, SE10

King George Street, SE10

,PPDFXODWHO\ SUHVHQWHG IDPLO\ KRPH EHQHƓWV LQFOXGH D GRXEOH aspect reception, low maintenance garden and a roof terrace. Located in close proximity to Halstow school catchment area.

Stunning end-of-terrace family home measuring over 2,400 sqft, situated in a desirable location just moments from Greenwich 5R\DO 3DUN %HQHƓWV LQFOXGH RII VWUHHW SDUNLQJ

£1,125,000 F/H

£2,250,000 F/H

Contact East Greenwich 020 3846 1414

Contact West Greenwich 020 8858 9911

Visit us online at acorngroup.co.uk/jp

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Your new home awaits 1 bedroom prices from: £330,000 2 bedroom prices from: £425,000 3 bedroom prices from: £525,000

Show home available to view. Vixen Heights is a brand new development of 1, 2 & 3 bedroom apartments for sale in Grove Park. Featuring modern, high-tech specifications, open-plan living spaces and private balconies or terraces to all apartments. Available with a 5% deposit on Help to Buy.*

*Subject to terms and conditions

To arrange a viewing, call 020 8315 6996 or visit acorngroup.co.uk/vixen

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