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ABSOLUTELY

DECEMBER 2012 £3.95

NORTH BY NORTHWEST

THE GOOD STUFF Life on Planet Organic with Renée Elliott

DECK THE HALLS

with Graham & Green

SUNDAY BEST

Local roasts with the most

ONE FINE STAY

Top three townhouse hotels

High Society

Dressing up for the party season S T Y L I S H . I N T E L L I G E N T. E L E G A N T. A B S O L U T E LY NXNW COVER DEC12.indd 1

29/11/2012 14:47

Tim Moss Bespoke kitchens showroom at 328 Dukes Mews London N10 2QN / 10am â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 5pm 020 8444 9911 furniture@timmoss.co.uk www.timmoss.co.uk

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ABSOLUTELY NORTH BY NORTHWEST EDITOR-IN-CHIEF EDITOR EDITORIAL ASSISTANT PROPERTY EDITOR FEATURE WRITERS

HARRIET COMPSTON HELEN BARON SOPHIE THROWER LUCIE PEARCE DANIEL AGNEW GARETH FITZGERALD

ART DIRECTOR

COLON HYDROTHERAPY OF NORTH LONDON

RAY SEARLE

SENIOR DESIGNER

STEWART HYDE

MIDWEIGHT DESIGNER

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DESIGNERS

ANDREW MAVIN MATHEW JOHN ANA OSPINA

PRODUCTION CONTROLLER PRODUCTION ASSISTANT PHOTOGRAPHERS

CHRISTINE MANN LAUREN GILES GEORGE RAMSAY RICHARD CLARK

ADVERTISING MANAGER

DAVID ALLARD

PROPERTY DIRECTOR

ANDY ELMER

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

TOLGA SAYLAN

FINANCE DIRECTOR MARKETING MANAGER DIRECTOR MANAGING DIRECTOR

ALEXANDRA HVID JESSICA BATTEN GREG HUGHES SHERIF SHALTOUT

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

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Subscriptions are available simply by emailing subscriptions@zest-media.com. You can receive an online subscription for FREE or a postal subscriptions for 12 months, £30 respectively (to cover postage and packaging). Please email us with your preferred option and details. Zest Media London 213 Westbourne Studios, Acklam Road, London W10 5JJ, T: 020 7704 0588 F: 020 7900 3020 Zest Media London 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 London Ltd. take no responsibility for omissions or errors. We reserve the right to publish and edit any letters. All rights reserved.

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ABSOLUTELY

Contents December 2012

05 EDITOR’S LETTER 06 ABSOLUTELY LOVES 11 DIARY

61 DECK THE HALLS

Get festive with Absolutely’s favourite baubles

63 INTERIOR INSPIRATIONS

42 ROASTS WITH THE MOST

64 ALL THE GLITTERS

High living at Duck and Waffle

The latest news, trends and products

Interiors

40 JAMIE’S KITCHEN

50 RESTAURANT REVIEWS

Fashion

The smartest in British attire

Planet Organic with founder Renée Elliott

The best Sunday lunches in town

What’s on this month

20 FOR HIM

14 THE RIGHT STUFF

Jamie Oliver on his ever-expanding brand

Arts

19 STYLE FINDER

Food

Travel

The best trends, designers and local gems At home with Graham and Green

Property

80 PROPERTY NOTES

News and views from the property world

52 ONE FINE STAY

84 IN THEIR OWN WORDS

56 IT’S A GOA

90 NEW DEVELOPMENTS

Top local townhouse hotels A heavenly hideaway in India

Nick Moore and Chris Morris from Cluttons Lime Wharf and Goodman’s Fields

FIND US ONLINE @ WWW.ZEST-MEDIA.COM

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Oskar Pink 18a Haverstock Hill Chalk Farm London NW3 2BL Tel: 0207 485 5535

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Editor’s Letter Party people

“T

he age of luxury was ended and that of comfort had begun.” The sentimental reflections of wallflower Fanny in Nancy Mitford’s Love in a Cold Climate are especially apposite these days, as more and more of us hark back to a golden age of character and decadence. Entrepreneurial Londoners’ revivalist tendencies have lately seen a surge in all kinds of opulent leisure pursuits, from speakeasy-styled cocktail bars and Jazz Age supper clubs to Blitz nights, Titanic parties and the retro burlesque renaissance. And with Christmas just ahead, it’s the best time to let the love of luxury and good old-fashioned romance take over. Our attentions this month are thus turned to the merrimaking ahead – and how to make it more merry than ever. For a start, there’s no shortage of festive fun occurring in our neck of the woods – see page 11 for our round-up of the hottest tickets in town. But indulgence means one thing more than any other, and that’s food. One needn’t go underfed in order to squeeze into that all-important party frock, though our focus (as always) is on superb quality rather than quantity. We talk to Renée Elliot about local institution Planet Organic (p14). The Muswell Hill-based health food and wellbeing store has so much to offer in the way of healthy Christmas alternatives - and as a vegetarian myself, I can’t wait to try her lauded Tofurkey vegan feast. Th is issue is Christmassy to say the least – perhaps ‘Christmas incarnate’ is closer to the mark. From what to wear and where to stay over the holidays to festive food news and ingenious gift ideas, we’ve got yuletide all sewn up. Comfort need not mean the end of luxury, despite what Miss Mitford says; I think the two go very well together. Wishing you all an absolutely wonderful Christmas and New Year.

Helen Baron, Editor

EMAIL: HELEN.BARON@ZEST-MEDIA.COM FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @ABSOLUTELY_MAGS FACEBOOK ‘ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES’

Cover Lickerish

#Gladrags

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Christmas is the ideal time to invest in a statement dress. It’s hardly ever appropriate to wear a full-length gown so I’d go for one with massive wowfactor, like this Gucci green leopard-print number. Its full sleeves mean I won’t need to cover my shoulders, while the gold clutch by Yves Saint Laurent adds some high shine glitz. I’ll need shoes to top it all off, of course... lest I look too matchy-matchy, I’ve chosen these classic black sandals by Jerome C. Rousseau – they’ll go with anything but definitely benefit from the dash of gold elsewhere in my outfit. And there we have it, the ultimate party get-up.

’s

Editor

Pick

26/11/2012 19:44

Absolutely

LOVES...

1. VINTAGE AFTERNOON TEA

With the indulgent spirit of Christmas upon us, we can’t think of a better way to spoil ourselves than a decadent spot of afternoon tea. Try the Mandeville’s vintage afternoon tea, starring Scottish smoked salmon, Battenberg cakes and scones with clotted cream, all topped off with a vintage-inspired cocktail. £26.50, The Mandeville Hotel, Mandeville Place, W1; mandeville.co.uk

4 2 2. REIKO KANEKO

We love these quirky and fun festive mugs from Reiko Kaneko; emblazoned on them you’ll find a pig in a party hat, a bearded chap with a bellowing laugh or an angelic skull. Perfect for an unconventional Christmas cuppa. £14.95, stocked at Monocle Shop, 2a George Street, W1; reikokaneko.co.uk

3 3. FESTIVE FOLLY

Set your children’s hearts soaring with the world’s first flying Christmas card. Featuring Santa and his trusty reindeers, this magical flying card is an adorable way to deliver Christmas cheer – just follow the red nose… £4.95; follyhome.co.uk

4. OLYMPIC SPIRIT

This year’s Olympics have reignited our love for all things red, white and blue. We love this snuggly alpine collection from Jan Constantine: with classic colours and gorgeously festive designs, it’s making us dream of a cosy week holed up in a mountain chalet, mmm… janconstantine.com

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5. DECK THE HALLS

Transform your home into a wintry Christmas grotto with a gorgeous wreath from Moyses Stevens. Made with the finest Nordman fir and decorated in gloriously festive colours, they’re guaranteed to make sure Santa stops at your front door. There’s even a bespoke service to tailor the wreaths to suit your every Christmas need. 788a Finchley Road, NW11; moysesflowers.co.uk

6. EASTERN PROMISES

Embrace the Orient with this delightful collection of MT tape rolls, decorated in delicate and pretty prints. Choose between Minä Perhornen’s quirky Japanese floral and dotty patterns or adorable encyclopaedic designs, featuring cutesie animals and deconstructed plants. From £2; nonesuchthings.com

7. ASTRAL

Set your sights on the stars with these cosmological wonders from Astral. Take your pick from a gorgeous range of stellar jewels, including gleaming stars, pretty planets, golden orbits and big bang bracelets; total galactic glamour. Unit 22 & 25 Sunbury Workshops, Swanfield Street, E2; tinalilienthal.com

6 7

9 8. JAM PACKED

Perfect for foodie friends, the range of Christmas boxes this year means you can choose from a range of savoury dishes – such as risotto a Milano, which comes complete with Campari soda, saffron risotto and panettone – or sweeter treats, including bontorta and panettone tradizionale. Mouthwatering Christmas comforts, we think you’ll agree. carluccios.com

10 9. LITTLE FOOT

Vevian’s luxe baby booties are just the thing for stylish pre-walkers to wear on special occasions. Beautifully handcrafted in the UK, these miniature shoes (for little ones aged three months to two years) are keepsakes to remind you of the tininess that was. They come in neat little wooden boxes too. £84; vevian.co.uk

10. CHRISTMAS KNITS

Michael van der Ham and knitwear giant Brora have teamed up to bring us a selection of multi-coloured designs and delicate Intarsia knits. Van der Ham lends his signature to the Brora aesthetic, the cashmere and mohair knits proving a massive improvement on any garish Rudolph jumpers lurking in your wardrobe. 81 Marylebone Hight Street, W1; brora.co.uk 9

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Brighten up your Christmas day Exclusive gifts and souvenirs at London Transport Museum shop, Covent Garden Piazza, London WC2 Shop opens daily or buy online

ltmuseumshop.co.uk

Background poster image: Brightest London is best reached by Underground By Horace Taylor, 1924

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WHAT’S ON December 2012

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THE HIVES The Roundhouse 14 DECEMBER

International rock powerhouse The Hives are back on the musical circuit with an audible bang. Following their hotly-anticipated fifth album, Lex Hives, the sensational pack of musical mobsters will be storming the Roundhouse’s stage with an electric performance. Expect vigour, passion and plenty of volume. Roundhouse, Chalk Farm Road, NW1; roundhouse.org.uk

Diary December 2012

MEET SANTA London Zoo

UNTIL 24 DECEMBER

LIFE SHOW Arts Depot 6 DECEMBER

After its rip-roaring success at this year’s Stockhom Fringe, Parrot in the Tank’s Life Show is set to storm through London with equal gusto. This unique interactive show plays on the traditional tale of Hansel and Gretel, twisting it with a blend of fiction and documentary for a theatrical fantasy-reality drama. Arts Depot, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, N12; artsdepot.co.uk

Immerse yourself in the ultimate Christmas experience by meeting Santa in his festive lodge at London Zoo, where elves will be standing by to capture a snap of the special meeting. Then take a wander to meet with Santa’s favourite flying companions, the reindeers, while the little ones get stuck into preparing treats and gifts for the animals at the zoo. Pure animal magic. Zoological Society of London, NW1; zsl.org

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OLD MONEY Hampstead Theatre

UNTIL 12 JANUARY

JAMES BARTOSIK

Joyce is out to prove that life begins whenever she says so, as she explores her newfound widowhood in Sarah Wooley’s tender comedy Old Money. This endearing and uplifting play delves into her hilarious single life of champagne and strippers, as she stumbles across chance encounters and a whole host of brand new adventures. Hampstead Theatre, Eton Avenue, NW3; hampsteadtheatre.com

CHESSBOXING Scala

8 DECEMBER

THE ELVES AND THE SHOEMAKER Jackson’s Lane 22 DECEMBER

Get creative with Stuff & Nonsense’s rollicking production of The Elves and The Shoemakers. Their fantastically energetic and original performance gives this classic childhood tale a novelty twist, as two cheeky puppets turn an entrepreneur’s life upside down. Full of mischief and mayhem, it’s a magical treat for the whole family. Jacksons Lane, 269a Archway Road, N6; jacksonslane.org.uk

THE KARL FERRIS PSYCHEDELIC EXPERIENCE Proud Camden

6 DECEMBER-3 FEBRUARY

We’re tripping over the incredible Psychedelic Experience exhibition, contemplating the colourful and experimental photographic career of Karl Ferris. Featuring shots of icons such as Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and The Beatles, it’s a psychedelic journey into the unique and vibrant history of a legend. Proud Camden, The Horse Hospital, Chalk Farm Road, NW1; proudonline.co.uk

The gloves are off as eight of the world’s feistiest chessboxers size each other up in the International Chessboxing season finale. Head down to the Scala to watch fighters such as Mike ‘The Bedfordshire Bull’ Botteley and Matt ‘Crazy Arms’ Read battle it out for the glorious middleweight title. Hardcore fans can settle in for the after-party until 3am. Scala, 275 Pentonville Road, N1; scala-london.co.uk

HAÇIENDA 30 Koko

15 DECEMBER

Join Todd Terry, Marshall Jefferson, Mike Pickering and Bobby Langley for a notorious and unforgettable night at Koko. Celebrating 30 years of staggeringly good dance music, these veteran artists and innovators are bringing the very best of dynamic disco, thumping bass, big house and old school rhythms to take you on a hedonistic journey through 30 years of house revolution. 1a Camden High Street, NW1; koko.uk.com

CHRISTMAS NIGHT MARKETS Camden Lock

EVERY THURSDAY

When the lights go down Camden Lock is transforming itself into something of a festive wonderland, with a makeover of twinkly lights, an army of festive trees and the heart-warming sound of local Christmas choirs. Still recognisable with its long-celebrated host of independent craft makers and scrumptious street food, it’s also welcoming some unique pop-up traders to offer an endless choice of gorgeous products and delicious Christmas fare. Camden Lock Market, Camden Lock Place, NW1; camdenlockmarket.com 13

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26/11/2012 17:25

The Right Stuff

Gemma Billington meets author, mother-ofthree and holistic tour de force Renée Elliott, founder of green superstore Planet Organic

t’s hard not to feel a pang of jealousy when speaking to Renée Elliott. I’m conducting an interview with the Planet Organic founder via Skype, with rain crashing against my bedroom window. Renée, on the other hand, is in the comfort of her rustic Tuscan home, where she and her family have been living an absurdly idyllic life for the past three years. I tentatively ask how the move to Italy has changed her lifestyle. ‘It’s been unbelievable,’ she says with a sort of euphoric sigh. ‘We have a huge vegetable garden, fruit trees, nut trees... I’m much more relaxed here, you don’t have the freneticism of London.’ Born and raised in Mississippi, Elliott’s soft southern twang is peppered with subtle British inflections from her many years in London and – no doubt – from her English husband. On the subject of her bucolic Italian lifestyle, Elliott summarises, ‘it’s the embodiment of everything I’ve learned over the last 20 years.’ Though Elliott has been at the top of her game for years, the subject of education – for her customers, readers of her blog, her three children – and the strive to continue learning is still one of the most important elements in her life. Growing up with an abundance of fresh produce at her disposal, Elliott’s life was dotted with hints to a career in food, but she found herself – in professional terms – somewhat lost. ‘At 19 I thought, if I had a cause, I could actually achieve something’ she says, but that ‘cause’ was not yet apparent. In college, she discovered a revolutionary book, Diet for a Small Planet by Frances Moore Lappé, which completely altered her eating habits and views on the farming industry. It wasn’t until 1991, on a trip to Boston, that the eureka moment struck on a visit to organic supermarket Bread & Circus, where she realised that she could emulate the store back in the UK and bring organic to the mainstream. The first opening was not exactly a runaway success back in late 1995 on the ‘dodgy’ end of Westbourne Grove. I am a little taken aback

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Absolutely

PROFILE

Christmas Trimmings

Cranberry Ginger Compote at the resounding ‘no!’ when I ask if the store was well received. ‘It was terribly received’ she says with a little sigh, ‘it was so dreadful that by Christmas I was thinking that we would have to pack it in...’ The health-conscious, bohemian vibe of contemporary Notting Hill had not yet bloomed by the mid 90s. Eventually, despite the tumultuous start, the local press began picking up on the store and public interest steadily grew. The main breakthrough, however, came in February 1996 when the country suffered an outbreak of mad cow disease (BSE). ‘Unlike a lot of health stores at that time, we had a fresh organic British meat and fish counter.’ Elliott explains, ‘people started to buy their meat from us because of the fear of BSE.’ I comment on the impact that external social and political events have had on the store and, indeed, the organic movement. ‘People need to be conscious about what they’re eating and it was the food scares that did that; it woke them up,’ she says, ‘what I learned though, is that fear is not a permanent motivator for change. But if you can get some information in that fear period and people change the way they think, then that leads to permanent change.’ For all of Elliott’s friendliness, charm and wholesome family image – portrayed to perfection in her new cookbook, Me, You & the Kids Too – she is also without doubt an intelligent woman who certainly doesn’t mince her words. Her stern views on certain ingredients such as white flour, industrial farming (‘you think the farmers are doing the best for you and the government is protecting you and it’s just so not true’), plus a few eyebrow-raising facts (formaldehyde in curtains, apparently) can leave the average consumer feeling a little deflated; even guilty. Though she does see herself as on a sort of health ‘crusade’, Elliott is not inclined to force her opinions upon the masses and appreciates the stresses of modern life. ‘I understand the pressures on people’s lives,’ she says, ‘my trademark really has become ‘very simple cooking’. This is the main focus of her book and

is clearly an area that she feels passionate about. I feel it pertinent during our conversation to raise the issue of cost when it comes to organic produce and feeding the family; being the primary retort of the anti-Jamie Oliver school lunch brigade. ‘I don’t think it’s too expensive to eat healthily if you’re cooking from scratch and using basic ingredients,’ she counters, and points out that home cooking is increasingly popular, ‘if the price of organic is prohibitive, I say buy what you eat the most of organic.’ But what are the actual benefits of an organic diet? ‘The main thing is that you’re getting the best quality food,’ she summarises, ‘food that is grown in soil that’s healthy. The whole basis of the organic movement is that healthy soil creates healthy plants, healthy animals and healthy people. What people don’t realise is that the soil used in industrial farming is dead, depleted and full of poisons.’ The term ‘organic’ is a complex one, Elliott admits, when I ask if it is still surrounded by misconceptions. ‘The press always want a soundbite and organic is not a soundbite!’ she laughs, ‘it’s very complicated.’ It’s also, as anyone who sets foot in any of the five London Planet Organic stores, a complete way of life. Organic doesn’t just transcend to fruit and vegetables, but to meat, fish, cleaning products and cosmetics, which Planet has stocked ‘from day one’. ‘For me it was about providing a better everything. Elliot says, ‘toothpaste, meat, rice...’ If an Organic overhaul seems too overwhelming, Elliott is vehemently on the side of the working mother, and throughout our hour-long conversation there’s never a hint of preachiness or bragging. Whether you embrace the organic revolution with open arms or with a roll of the eye, it’s difficult to feel nothing but admiration for Elliott; for her phenomenal personal and professional successes and her continuous strive for the good life. 111-117 Muswell Hill Road, N10; planetorganic.com

It wouldn’t be Christmas without cranberry sauce. Kids love its gorgeous colours and flavours, and can help by cutting the apricots and stirring the mixture on the stove. Serves: 6 – 8 Preparation Time: 15 minutes Cooking Time: 10 minutes Storage: Keep in the fridge for 1-2 weeks. Do not freeze. 115g/4oz dried organic apricots, finely cut 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger root 350g/12oz fresh cranberries 135ml/4½fl oz/generous ½ cup brown rice malt syrup (or 110g/3¾oz/½ cup cane sugar) 1 Put the apricots, ginger root, brown rice malt syrup and 250ml/9fl oz/1 cup water (add 60ml/2fl oz ¼ cup water if using sugar) in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over a medium high heat and boil for 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the apricots are soft. 2 Add the cranberries, bring to a simmer and reduce the heat to medium. Let the mixture simmer for 5 more minutes, stirring constantly until the cranberries split and become soft. 3 Remove from the heat and transfer to a medium bowl to cool. Serve chilled.

Extra tip:

It’s fairly easy to plan food for the grownups, but how about something colourful, delicious, and nutritious for the kids to complement the roast? Miso is a wonderful ingredient and one many people have never thought about or tried. A fermented soya food, it already has special qualities, containing high amounts of vitamins and enzymes. It is unique for its ability to remove heavy metals from the body – including radiation, and is thus seen by many as a medicinal food. Abundant in lactic-acid bacteria and enzymes, it helps to digest and absorb food and can be used in many dishes to enhance flavour and richness. It is also great added to soups. Miso may be briefly simmered, but boiling will destroy its flavour and the beneficial enzymes and microorganisms. It is a thick paste, so dissolve it in some of the soup stock, adding it back into the main pot and stir well.

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Absolutely

FASHION

1 LANVIN A/W/12-13

2 3 4

From Russia with love Rich winter opulence, Anna Karenina style

1. DIANE VON FURSTENBERG Victoria fox fur trim coat, £899; harrods.com 2. SERMONETA Ladies’ gloves with scallop trim, £79.95; sermonetagloves.co.uk 3. TOMASSA 18ct white gold 13.56ct tanzanite and diamond ring, £11,000; tomassa.com 4. SOPHIE GITTINS Gold mirror leather city mary janes, £345; sophiegittins.com 5. LANVIN Draped lamé gown, £3,770; net-a-porter.com 6. ZARA Embroidered velvet box handbag, £39.99; zara.com 7. BUNDLE MACLAREN Kitty hat, £88; bundlemaclaren.co.uk 8. KABIRI Checks moonstone opal ring, £1,336; kabiri.co.uk 9. ROGER VIVIER Satin ribbon woven bow sandals, £704.97; luisaviaroma.com 10. ALICE BY TEMPERLEY Vanessa embroidered silk-chiffon shirt, £325; net-a-porter.com 16

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26/11/2012 20:33

Absolutely

FASHION

BAG IT UP It would be heinous not to be

suitably well-turned out for the festive season. Rejoice then for Tusting, purveyors of fine, handcrafted English bags in delicious wintry hues of scarlet, burnt orange, Brunswick green and tan. Handily, they also make beautiful travel holdalls if you’re going away over Christmas. tusting.com

Style Finder The latest news, trends and products... All things fashion, filtered SILKY SMOOTH MAC AND ME

NOT JUST A PHASE

Phase Eight have released a glittering collection of limited edition evening dresses featuring exquisite beading. All are on the glamorous side – ideal for cocktails and cavorting; party season seems even more inviting now we know where to get our posh frocks. All our Christmases have come at once! 211 - 212 Upper St, N1; phase-eight.co.uk

Victoria Murdoch is blazing a silken trail with her hand-drawn illustrated scarves and cushions. Cutesy and kitsch but contemporary too, the intricate ink techniques make them original, otherworldly and altogether wonderful accessories – as well as great gifts (nudge nudge, wink wink). Select pieces at Liberty, Westfield Stratford City; silkenfavours.com

One of London’s most prolific designers, Paul Smith, has collaborated with British heritage kings Barbour to produce an exclusive autumn/winter collection. The range includes 12 pieces for men and eight for women, modelled by suitably melancholic models on a typically lugubrious winter’s day. 113 Commercial Street, E1; barbour.com

PLAYFUL PROMISES

This lingerie label have some saucy gifts in store for Christmas, including frilly knickers for stocking fillers. Part of the Beauty Queen Pin Up Collection, you can collect all twelve months for the complete set. We’re rather taken with the True Love undies – and if your man isn’t confident choosing by himself, you can always ask him to snaffle some gift vouchers... Unit 14, Box Park, Bethnal Green Road, E1; playfulpromises.com 19

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Absolutely

PHOTOGRAPHY: EDDIE JACOB

FASHION

COLD COMFORT

Tucked away at the edge of Spitalfields Market, D.S. Dundee doesn’t blow its own trumpet. Let lesser brands blare: this quintessentially British menswear label has spent the past few years quietly building a devoted global fanbase. Now a firm favourite with everyone from the heritage set to the fashion-forward, check out the sterling AW12 range for top quality suiting perfect for the holiday season. 18 Lamb Street, E1; dsdundee.com

FOR HIM

Show some love for dear old Blighty this Christmas, with our guide to the smartest in Great British attire

ALL WRAPPED UP

Christmas gifts and grown men don’t always mesh, as evidenced by the many awful articles each December advising wives and girlfriends to buy their gents silly gadgets, exotic beers or (horror of horrors) novelty neckwear. So do yourself a favour: nudge your loved one in the direction of Drake’s, makers of the finest accessories England has to offer. No man of taste would turn his nose up at one of their cashmere scarves – this one’s a snip at £175. 3 Clifford Street, W1; drakes-london.com

WRIST ACTION

Any modern gent knows that where cufflinks are concerned, there’s one choice: English field sports specialist Holland & Holland. Solid silver boars, sculpted leopard heads or even the brand’s own logo in silver and vintage walnut – priced from £295, they’re elegant but not ostentatious. 33 Bruton Street, W1; hollandandholland.com

V FOR VICTORY

The latest addition to Lambs Conduit Street is Private White V.C. Manchester-based maker of superb menswear. Named for the company’s founder (and grandfather of the current owner), who was awarded the Victoria Cross for his service in the Great War, the brand does Great British outerwear better than just about anyone. Check out this Twin Track Jacket in charcoal. £495, 55 Lambs Conduit Street, WC1; privatewhitevc.com

SLIPPERY SLOPE

The slipper craze shows no signs of abating, but one thing’s for certain: if you’re enough of a dandy to wear your house-shoes out of doors, they’d better be sufficiently swish to stand up to the inevitable attention. Thanks be, then, to Church’s: their slipper is a shapely triumph that wears its prestigious pedigree lightly – and it’s available in four rich colours priced at £110. 28 Royal Exchange, EC3; church-footwear.com

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The UK’s largest private beauty school, educating since 1995, has moved to a new, custom-built home – an urban style, seven story building right in the heart of The City, London EC1

International Experts MAKE-UP EDUCATION Training by top international freelance make-up artists to those who wish to make a professional career in the world of high-fashion make-up. Traning ranging from basic to creative, photographic, TV, catwalk and ﬁlm.

BEAUTY EDUCATION Premium learning facilities and excellent surroundings for the students, also a professional salon open to the public. The school presents a fully comprehensive timetable of full and part-time courses leading to the most prestigious international qualiﬁcations.

SALON AND SPA Fully operational beauty salon with spa facilities are open to the public. This enables students to put their newly acquired skills into practice in a realistic working environment, equipping them to start their careers with conﬁdence.

RECRUITMENT The school oﬀers excellent career opportunities through our close connections within the industry on cruise ships, spas, health clubs, prestigious stores and hotels.

18-19 Long Lane, London EC1A 9PL Tel. 020 7776 9767 www.beauty-school.co.uk

Hair and make-up by Jay Pinxie Turnbull guest lecturer on our high-fashion make-up courses

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23/11/2012 16:30

High Buttoned up and British: contemporary tweeds for the new gentry Photography by Catherine Harbour Styling by Claudia Behnke

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Red hamish jacket, £595, and red hamish skirt, £395, both by Caroline Charles; khaki shirt, £233, by Winter Kate; broach, £280, by Carole Tanenbaum; burgundy felt hat, £39, by Radley

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Plaid blazer, £310, by Danilo Gabrieli; cream-coloured shirt, £130, by Danilo; plaid skirt, £150, by Danilo Gabrieli; broach, £350, by Carole Tanenbaum

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Blue checked coat, £495, by Beautiful Soul; printed dress, £550, by Beulah; clutch, £198, by House of Harlow 1960; black fur stole, £140, by Danilo Gabrieli

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Tweed jacket, £2,750, by Roubi L’Roubi; salmon-coloured silk satin blouse underneath, £690, by Roubi L’Roubi; jodhpurs, £1,290, by Roubi L’Roubi; Tan leather wedges, £225, by Gérard Darel

CREDITS

MAKE UP: LAN NGUYEN-GREALIS USING MAC HAIR: LAN NGUYEN-GREALIS USING LABEL M PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANCE: SHEREE PORTER STYLING ASSISTANCE: LUISA CLARKE MODEL: MARKETA@LENI’S MODEL MANAGEMENT

STOCKISTS

BASHARATYAN V: BASHARATYANV.COM/ BEAUTIFUL SOUL: BEAUTIFUL-SOUL.CO.UK BEULAH AVAILABLE AT HARVEY NICHOLS CAROLE TANENBAUM VINTAGE COLLECTION FROM KABIRI CAROLINE CHARLES: CAROLINECHARLES.CO.UK/ CLARKS: CLARKS.CO.UK DAKS: DAKS.COM DANILO GABRIELI: DANILOGABRIELLI.COM/ GERARD DAREL: GERARDDAREL.COM HOUSE OF HARLOW 1960 - OXYGEN BOUTIQUE LOOKBOOKSHOP: LOOKBOOKSHOP.COM PRET A PORTOBELLO: PRETAPORTOBELLO.COM WINTER KATE: ZALANDO.CO.UK RADLEY: RADLEY.CO.UK ROUBI L’ROUBI: ROUBI.EU

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26/11/2012 17:02

ABSOLUTELY PROMOTION

Winter Wonderland Our annual guide to inspire you with ideas for gifts, going out, sprucing up and getting down over the festive period BLOOM PERFUMERY SPITALFIELDS

Bloom is a concept scent store offering the best of modern niche perfumes and luxury candles. What a grand gift the smell of Christmas would be, clementines, mulled wine, crisp frosty mornings and green Christmas trees! At Bloom perfumery we’ve got Christmas bottled and jarred, so visit us for cozy candles, luscious bath salts and exquisite perfume. Have a Fragrant Christmas! 4 Hanbury St, E1 6QR; 020 724 6148; bloomperfume.co.uk

LADYBIRD BOHEMIA ROAD

Give something unique this Christmas with a trip to Bohemia Road, where a wide choice of vintage fashion, hats, scarves, handbags and - of course jewellery awaits. There’s also Cocorose London’s folding ballet shoes complete with zip case and, for him, a selection of vintage designer silk ties. If you really can’t decide, they also do gift vouchers! 21 Canonbury Lane, N1; 020 3441 7731; bohemiaroad.co.uk

Winterwonderland feature.indd 28

Ladybird is a speakeasy, cocktail bar and late night music venue offering an extensive range of cocktails and have introduced DJs playing a mix of classic tracks, replayed, remixed and re-edited… soul, disco, house and Balearic beats… Ladybird presents: Abattoir NYE Special 31.12.12, Theme : Love, 8pm until 6am, Limited £5 early bird tickets on sale now, Otherwise £10 before 12pm and £12 thereafter. To Book a table and pre-order your bubbly please contact Bookings@ ladybirdbar.co.uk or 07812390482 70 Upper Street, Islington, London, N1; www.ladybirdbar.co.uk. Please note, Door policy does apply and guests are advised to book a table over the weekend.Bookings: 07812390482

26/11/2012 19:13

BRANCH ON THE PARK

Loved by many, Victoria Park’s jewellery store is a treasure trove packed full with all that glistens and sparkles. Jewellery is mainly made by owner and goldsmith Julia Cook alongside a small selection of local designers. You can also commission Julia for that very special piece! 227 Victoria Park Road , E9 ; 020 8533 7977; julia@branchonthepark.co.uk; branchonthepark.co.uk

WONDERLAND CERAMICS

This new ceramic studio-cumcafé near Victoria Park offers a wide choice of Italian tableware bisque (unpainted ceramics) for you to paint with your own personal design (think teapots, cake stands, espresso sets etc...) Your masterpiece will be fired in the on-site kiln and ready to collect within a few days. Wonderland Ceramics can also set your baby or toddler’s handprints or footprints onto Christmas baubles - and hosts memorably creative birthday parties for all ages. Open Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm and out-of-hours for groups of more than ten people - and don’t miss the special Christmas Thursday evenings, featuring bring-your-own wine and festive treats (booking required). 237 Victoria Park Road, E9; 020 8985 1214; info@wonderlandceramics.com; wonderlandceramics.com

THE DELI DOWNSTAIRS

An award-winning, family-run gem in Victoria Park Village, this deli stocks British and continental cheeses, artisan hams and charcuterie plus fresh, seasonal and organic fruit and veg. Also on offer are organic eggs and dairy products, locally roasted coffee, locally brewed beer and a wine bottle refill scheme, as well as salads, tarts, pastries and cakes prepared on-site daily, plus jams, chutneys, mustards, spices, oils, rare global ingredients and general groceries. The deli’s seasonal stock is now in and they are taking orders for Christmas and New Year hampers and gift vouchers. 211 Victoria Park Road, E9; 020 8533 500; thedelidownstairs.co.uk

JELLY LANE CLOTHING

Exclusive and original: think vibrant prints with retro chic vintage styling that harks back to happy heydays. British childrenswear label Jelly Lane Originals put the fun back into Christmas with this party dress (£84). Featuring fine detailing and an eyecatching cowgirl print, it’s top of our list - and it’s lovingly made right here in Britain with gorgeous limited edition pure cotton fabric. Adorable; and if you enter code ‘CITYANGEL’ at checkout, you’ll get free postage and packing! jellylaneclothing.com 29

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26/11/2012 19:14

ABSOLUTELY PROMOTION

PANACHE CASA

Panache Casa has just announced the addition of the 110 square foot Calligaris Gallery to their Islington showroom. Customers can view new UK product lines as well as exclusive ranges in the gallery; combined with the firm’s existing range of designer furniture from the world’s leading brands, the newlook showroom is set to offer an unparalleled collection of contemporary furniture, lighting and accessories right on our doorstep. 85 Canonbury Road, N1; 020 7226 1006; sales.uk@panachecasa.com panachecasa.com

LONDON TRANSPORT

Travel in style with this luxurious holdall crafted by Matt Fothergill and featuring the Midland Red Coach moquette with red and brown leather trim. The Midland Red was one of Britain’s largest bus companies, founded in 1904, based in Birmingham and serving 15 counties. Like London Transport, Midland Red built many of its own buses and coaches and created its own very distinctive design style. For 1959, a leopard print fabric for the coach seat covers was revolutionary, daring and so very fashionable; London Transport has now recreated the fabric as a testament to this fashion classic, and is making it available as beautiful bags, accessories and made-to-order furniture. London Transport Museum, Covent Garden, Westminster, WC2E 7BB 020 7379 6344, www.ltmuseum.co.uk

SHINE

The Shine team delivers a diverse and exclusive range of services and treatments in a professional and stylish environment. Inspired by the philosophy that if you look good, feeling good will follow, Shine offers an unrivaled combination of holistic health care and a creative, forwardthinking approach to beauty. Shine’s expert staff are well-equipped to deal with all your party season requests - whether you’re looking to glam up for Christmas or be pampered by the beauty team, the salon consistently delivers top class customer care and is open seven days a week. Shine Holistic, 52 Stoke Newington Church Street, N16; 020 7241 5033 Shine on the Green, 20 Newington Green, N16; 020 7241 2065 www.shineholistic.co.uk

ROYAL INDIA

Why not celebrate the festive season with Royal India? Whether you’re after an intimate dinner for two or a party for 60, their flavoursome classic Indian cuisine and airy bar (with a large range of fine wines and champagnes) will ensure your festive season is marked with an unforgettable - and truly Royal - experience. 47 Stoke Newington Church Street, N16; 020 7249 7094: royaln16.co.uk

KOBKUN THAI THERAPY

If you’re looking for a Christmas gift for a loved one - or even yourself after a hard-working and exhausting year - then a relaxing massage is the best giftyou can give. At Kobkun Thai Therapy there’s a special seasonal offer available right now: buy five treatment sessions and get an hour completely free! Check the website for more info - though it’s worth noting that the Esher and Kingston branches are exempt from the promotion. Kobkun Queensway has moved to 28A Queensway W2 3RS Only fews minutes away! 93 Upper Street, N1; 020 7288 8702; kobkun.net

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flawless for the festive

season

Get your skin party perfect with Waterhouse Young Our luxury skin care clinic specialises in non-surgical treatments to achieve healthy, younger looking skin. All treatments are performed by the capital’s top aesthetic doctors who take an holistic approach to skin. Waterhouse Young was recently described by Tatler as “the perfect not-quite-ready-to-gounder-the-knife” clinic.

Complimentary consultation Absolutely readers will receive an in-depth consultation including a detailed skin analysis.

Treatments include HydraFacial, Botox, Dermal Fillers, Intraceuticals Infusion

Call: 020

7486 3849

for a complimentary consultation

www.waterhouseyoung.com21 Devonshire Street, London, W1G 6PBinfo@waterhouseyoung.com@Waterhouseyoung WHY.FINAL.2.indd 2

26/11/2012 18:59

Heartcore Fitness offers small group classes in Dynamic Pilates, Kettlebells, TRX, Cycling and Ballet Barre.Fitness Book your class for classes free at in www.heartcore.co.uk - simply choose a time and Heartcore offersfirst small group Dynamic Pilates, Kettlebells, TRX, Cycling class that works and we’ll do the rest you with a challenging and fun workout that and will Book your first class for– providing free at www.heartcore.co.uk - simply choose a time Ballet Barre. Heartcore Fitness offers small group classes in Dynamic Pilates, Kettlebells, TRX, Cycling and give you Visitwe’ll us at class thatresults! works and dowww.heartcore.co.uk the rest – providing you with a challenging and fun workout that will Book your first class for free at www.heartcore.co.uk - simply choose a time and Ballet Barre. give you results! Visit us at www.heartcore.co.uk class that works and we’ll do the rest – providing you with a challenging and fun workout that will give you results! Visit us at www.heartcore.co.uk

Come here if you want results! Come here if you want results! Come here if you want results! AS FEATURED IN VOGUE’S SECRET ADDRESS BOOK AS FEATURED IN VOGUE’S SECRET ADDRESS BOOK AS FEATURED IN VOGUE’S SECRET ADDRESS BOOK

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PHONE 020 7435 5078

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HEARTCORE.indd 2

26/11/2012 17:50

Absolutely

BEAUTY

3 4

Beauty Flash TOP TEN

9 1. BOBBI BROWN BEACH FRAGRANCE, £38; bobbibrown.co.uk 2. DSQUARED POTION FOR WOMEN EAU DE PARFUM, £55; debenhams.com 3. YVES SAINT LAURENT MANIFESTO EAU DE PARFUM, £44; selfridges.com 4. SISLEY EAU DE SISLEY 1, £61; uk.spacenk.com 5. BULGARI MON JASMIN NOIR, £58.65; escentual.com 6. STELLA MCCARTNEY PRINT COLLECTION 3, £38; houseoffraser.co.uk 7. GIVENCHY DALHIA NOIR EAU DE PARFUM, £61; boots.com 8. DIPTYQUE VOLUTES, £50; diptyqueparis. co.uk 9. VERSACE VANITAS EAU DE TOILETTE, £30; johnlewis.com 10. LANCÔME LA VIE EST BELLE, £39; lancôme.co.uk

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26/11/2012 16:09

Dental and Aesthetic Medicine treatments available.

- Dental Implants - Lumineers - Clear braces - Laser teeth whitening

- Wrinkle relaxant therapy - Dermal fillers - Laser Skin rejuvenation - Laser Skin resurfacing - Laser Hair removal - Zerona laser fat loss treatment

Call to book your free consultation. State of the art equipment and latest technology's available. Free Parking 943 Finchley Road, London, NW11 7PE T: 0208 2018080info@lotusclinic.co.ukwww.lotusclinic.co.uk

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22/10/2012 17:31

ruliete • unwanted hair o m o n ll e c s • le k wrin

aesthetic centres non-invasive treatment

Gift vouchers

tika biothecesatére

available

Teeth whitening now available

ift

G cher ty ou V Give the gift of beau

hair orlluelite • unwanted nrionkm les • ce w

fcroneseultation ISLINGTON (London)

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222, Essex road, Islington, London, N1 3AP Ph. No. 07725 836017

islington@biothecareestetika.com

e world Around th

26/11/2012 21:11

Absolutely

BEAUTY lengthy issue Who wants to waste time growing a

lengthy mane? Who, that is, when you can simply nip down to Great Lengths, secret of many an A-list barnet. Using root-to-tip human hair, the salon has over 55 hues, with 17 shades of blonde. And, even better, using ultrasonic technology, it only takes an hour. That’s Christmas party hair in the bag. greatlengthshair.co.uk

the

NAIL INK The beauty diary is now full… with a daily dose

of delectable mini nail treats from Ciaté. Behind each door lies a colourful surprise, deliciously packaged with 17 of Ciaté’s bestselling mini Paint Pots, four mini Caviar blends, and three exclusive Paint Pot glitter shades, to keep your tips looking top for party season. £38; ciate.co.uk

Beauty Edit The fine art of staying beautiful...

SIXTH SENSE If you need to de-stress this Christmas, the spa

at Canary Wharf’s Pan Peninsula is the ultimate in relaxation luxury. As well as the usual massages, it offers enticing treatments such as Slow Life Seaweed Leaf Wrap and Peppermint Sugar Glow. There’s an urban twist on the traditional hammam, the Six Senses signature journeys, facials and beauty treatments and a state-of-the-art hyrdrotherapy whirlpool. All our Christmasses have come at once. 2 Pan Peninsula Square, E14; sixsenses.com

Editor’s

Pick Skinceuticals Daily Moisture Big pores can be a complexion nightmare;

this lightweight moisturiser for normal or oily skin hydrates, nourishes, and helps reduce the appearance of pore size with an exclusive combination of natural extracts. High levels of pure vitamin E heal and protect while Brazilian sea algae deliver proteins, amino acids, and essential minerals to the skin. It contains burnet, cinnamon, and ginger and is non-greasy. £58; skinceuticals.co.uk

INRoxyTREATMENT Beauty is not only a stylish salon, it has the facilities to pamper you from top to toe. The small

but dynamic team have been established for just under a year, building a desirable reputation in those few short months. Offering everything from superb hair design to select beauty treatments, I headed down for some pre-party pampering; a blow-dry and Shellac manicure. One of their biggest accolades is that, whilst they remain an independent salon, they also stock Aveda products exclusively, ensuring that every guest leaves feeling like a million dollars. LD 473 Finchley Road, NW3; 0207 431 0555; roxybeauty.co.uk 35 35

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26/11/2012 18:03

Christmas EnjoyYour

Wish... all I want for

· ‘Long, thick, flowing hair’…. Strand by Strand or Weave Brazilian Hair. No damage or stress to your hair - high quality, amazing results From £500

Christmas...

· ‘Never to wax or shave again’ Pain Free Laser Hair Removal with The Soprano XL Blue. Permanently removes unwanted hair from anywhere on the body, it really is pain FREE! From £55 a session *Body areas vary in price · ‘The perfect Pout’ A smile is everything. Whether it is to add lost volume or to redefine the lip contours you will be left with impressive instant results. From £200 · ‘The Party Look’ Be instantly ready for the party season with a long lasting Geleration Manicure, wash and blow dry and glass of champagne. Only £49

Make everyone’s wishes come true this

Christmas

Gift Vouchers available on all treatments and services

Make sure you visit - www.smoothyou.co.uk daily for an Exclusive Smooth You Advent Calendar with daily special offers! www.smoothyou.co.uk for full treatment listing, book on 02077041955 or E: info@smoothyou.co.uk 70 Essex Road, N1 8LT, www.facebook.com/smoothyou or Twitter @Smooth_u SMOOTH CLINIC.DEC.2.indd 1

21/11/2012 18:20

Absolutely

BEAUTY

WE CAN WORK IT OUT We absolutely love Work Out Life, a transeasonal range of activewear that’s more on-trend than conventional sports gear. We bet the styles on offer will actually motivate you to exercise – because you look so good in them! Begone, slouchy tracky b’s! workoutlife.com

PIC: TIA LITTLE

Feeling good The latest health and fitness trends

SLEEP BETTER

LEADER OF THE SIX PACK The team at SWEAT will make you do just

that... from every last pore. Whether you want to run a marathon, boost body confidence, bulk up or slim down, the SWEAT personal trainers know just the tricks to supercharge your workout. Train one-on-one, with a friend in a group or with the entire office, in various venues around London. There’s still time to squeeze in a last-minute tone-up so you can fit into that all-important LBD for Christmas. sweat-london.com

BetterYou Magnesium Oil Goodnight Spray is 100 per cent natural and delivers the essential mineral directly into the skin tissue, entering cells immediately and efficiently replacing magnesium lost through modern diet and pressured lifestyles. The spray combines magnesium with essential oils to calm and harmonise, aiding a relaxing sleep (a godsend, in our opinion). Ten sprays deliver 150mg (50 per cent of your RDA) of optimally absorbable elemental magnesium. £12.20 for 100ml; betteryou.uk.com

UP IN THE AIR Calling all yogis... aerial yoga may well be the future.

Originally designed for athletes and gymnasts, it combines components from dance, Pilates and Calisthenics with movements that ‘relieve the body of the compression of gravity’. Participants develop overall agility while having fun creating graceful, stretching poses. With a little bit of meditation, you’ll be well on your way to floating yogic goodness. 97 Aldersgate Street, EC1; virginactive.co.uk

All Smiles Pure Periodontics is the only specialist periodontics practice in Central London to have invested in

Waterlase MD Turbo technology. Widely used by specialists in the US, it offers a minimally invasive removal of inflamed tissue and therefore causes less swelling and less post-op sensitivity for those suffering from gum-related disease. The team offer the best in periodontic care using cutting-edge dentistry – so why not head down and put your best smile forward this Christmas! 7 St John Street, EC1; pureperio.com 37

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26/11/2012 18:06

Highgate Contemporary Art

art, ceramics and sculpture for Christmas

Come an visit us for the Highgate Village shopping evenings on 5th and 12th December, 6.30 to 9.00pm Tim Kitchener-Smith from Premier Wines & Events, will also be hosting an informal tasting of fine wines

26 Highgate High Street, London N6 5JG usual opening hours:

020 8 340 7564

info@highgateart.com

www.highgateart.com

Tuesday - Saturday 10.30 am - 6.00pm

SHINE HOLISTIC

SHINE ON THE GREEN

OPENING HOURS

52 Stoke Newington Church Street London N16 0NB T 020 7241 5033 T 020 7249 9671

20 Newington Green, London N16 9PU T 020 7241 2065 T 020 7812 9306

Monday - Friday Saturday Sunday

10am - 9pm 10am - 6pm 11am - 5pm

For Christmas promotions visit - www.shineholistic.co.uk ShineAd_CityandAngel_13_08.indd 1 SHINE-DEC.indd 1

ADVERT PLACEMENTS.indd 7

14/8/11 17:50:05 26/11/2012 11:30

26/11/2012 21:12

Absolutely

BEAUTY

Top to toe

Three beauty treatments on Absolutely’s radar this month Ask for The dermaroller treatment Where? Karidis, The Hospital of St. John & St. Elizabeth, Third Floor, 60 Grove End Road, NW8 The lowdown I’m a massive wimp, but all the same: this treatment hurts. For a moment or two my inner voice was screaming, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me!’ But maybe the dermaroller is like childbirth: the end result makes you so happy, you forget what you went through to achieve it. A topical anaesthetic is used and tiny microneedles rolled along the skin, encouraging collagen and new skin cells to form along with new blood supplies. It can take up to six weeks for regeneration to show visibly (so this isn’t a flash in the pan solution) but the revitalising process continues over the following months. Some bits were easier than others – the nose and cheeks, for example – though of course they’re the areas that need it least. My therapist went hard at the forehead and laughter lines (the procedure is excellent for eradicating smoker’s wrinkles) but fortunately the whole thing didn’t take long. At the end, a cooling mask is applied to soothe the skin before you head home. Almost as painful as the roller, however, was the tube journey that followed (and the crook in the neck I earned by trying to keep my face down). Two teenage boys spent the entire ride trying to sneak a peek at my red face, so I’d advise taking a cab! That said, the last laugh was on me... a few hours later the redness had subsided and my lines seemed somewhat diminished. Plus points This treatment is super effective: a face-lift without the face-lift. My skin is as good as new – and you know how it works... no pain, no gain! HB From £350, two sessions recommended, 020 7432 8754; karidis.co.uk

HERSHESON’S BLOW DRY BAR

Face lift

Mane attraction

Ask for Waterfall waves with a bit of bounce. These stylists really know their stuff, so tell them what you want (or don’t want) and you’ll be sure to walk out perfectly primped and ready to party. Where? Hershesons Blow Dry Bar, One New Change, EC4 The lowdown The Hershesons brand has expanded fast since its debut in the early nineties, making a name for itself among models and celebs. Ever-evolving and seeking new boundaries to push, the salon has secured a reputation as one of the most innovative and creative hair-styling brands around, combining technical wizardry and creative vision to create seemingly effortless hairdos. There is, at least for me, a little stigma surrounding the blow-dry – I admit I was afraid of ending up with a topheavy ‘Wag’ barnet, à la Cheryl Cole. But one trip to Hershesons and I was officially converted. A former blow-dry-phobe, I walked out of the salon with my head held high and killer hair to boot. Plus points Hair says a lot about someone, so never be flat! Treat yourself to a glam blow-dry – it’s worth it for the sky-high confidence that follows. RvdB From £25, 020 7248 6225; hershesons.com

Peel appeal

Ask for The Blue Obagi Peel Where? Destination Skin, 5-7 Folgate Street, E1 The lowdown Skin peels seek to improve texture and smoothness by applying highly effective ingredients tailored to your specific requirements. By removing dull, dead cells from the skin surface, large pores, blemishes and fine lines can all be immediately reduced – and I was so thrilled not to be undergoing anything painful that this treatment was a breeze. I opted for the Blue Obagi Peel for oilier skin – it contains that magic substance, salicylic acid, the only plant acid that can penetrate oil and follicles, encouraging the shedding of dead skin cells and cleansing the pores of cellular debris. It may sound a bit science-y, but it basically means that you feel super clean afterwards – in a way that home-cleansing can’t achieve. Plus points The clinic also stocks Agera and Dermaquest ranges. You can buy salicylic cleansers to carry on some of the benefits of the peel at home, but it’s important not to max out on too many salicylic products, as this will dry out the skin and can cause it to overcompensate - making it oilier. HB Call for prices, 0844 576 8309; destinationskin.com 39

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26/11/2012 16:59

Jamie’s Kitchen Jamie Oliver is a busy man; as Fifteen restaurant turns ten, Absolutely catches up with the super chef behind the pioneering apprentice program to talk about his ever-expanding brand...

You’ve had a huge influence on the way that the public think about food, from school dinners to encouraging people to cook from scratch – what has been the proudest moment of your career thus far? I think getting half a billion quid out of the British Government for school food back in 2005/6 was a high point, but I am worried about all that hard work being undone at the moment with the coalition government not making sure that Academies follow the nutritional standards – which we all fought for. To be honest, there are so many proud moments; when Fifteen restaurant opened in 2002, that was another one that stands

out – it was incredible and the fact that we’re still training young people ten years later is so inspiring. Every time I go to one of the graduation days, either in London, Cornwall or Amsterdam (where we also have restaurants), it’s always an emotional time. But I’ve got loads still to do and so I hope there are more memorable moments to come. Do you have any culinary heroes? So many! To start, Rose Gray and Ruth Rogers, of course; also Gennaro Contaldo, the Italian Stallion and my mentor; Alice Walters; And Keith Floyd – for me, he embodied everything that’s exciting about cooking.

Three ingredients you couldn’t survive without? I’m a chilli freak so I couldn’t live without a bit of heat, and then probably some good quality extra virgin olive oil and definitely lemon. Having a family and being so busy yourself, who does the cooking at home? And whose food do the children prefer? I do the cooking when I’m there, which is usually the weekends, although I am also trying to have as many Fridays off as I can this year. During the week Jools is the cook and she’s become really good over the years. I couldn’t say whose food the kids prefer, I’d get in trouble!

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26/11/2012 16:37

Absolutely

FOOD Do you have a guilty food pleasure? Green and Black’s Chocolate, although it is an occasional treat. Can you tell us about your biggest kitchen disaster? That would have to be the well-documented Valentine’s Day mishap many years ago when I tried to cook naked for my wife and ended up scalding myself with hot steam in a delicate area. Has any one meal changed your life? Probably the one I was preparing at the River Café back in 1998 when I got filmed by the documentary TV crew. When the show ended up on TV, I started getting phone calls from TV producers wanting to make a series with just me and – to cut a long story short – the naked chef was born. What is your earliest food memory? The smell of mum’s roast chicken on a Sunday.

15 Westland Place, N1; fifteen.net

HOW IT STARTED...

In late 2002, Jamie Oliver opened Fifteen London and recruited 15 young apprentices to train alongside a team of 25 professional chefs and mentors. He also set up a charity – The Better Food Foundation – that would receive all the profits from the restaurant to help fund the scheme. Fundraising events, such as The Big Feastival with Alex James and The Big Night Out take place throughout the year in order to raise awareness and inspire people to reconnect with food. jamieoliver.com/foundation/

the remainder of the marinade. Stir in the coconut milk, bring to the boil and simmer gently for 8 minutes until the chicken is cooked. NOTE – please check your chicken by removing a small piece and cutting it in half to check it is cooked through. Season to taste. The flavour should have a kick but be reasonably mellow – very fresh and fragrant. Put some rice into the base of your bowl, add in the chicken curry – ensure you add in the liquid. Top with chopped pistachio nuts, toasted coconut flakes and fresh coriander. Sprinkle with poppadoms for an added crunch.

RECIPE:

FRAGRANT GREEN THAI CURRY

CHUNKY COCONUT, TOMATO, CUCUMBER & LIME RELISH This is a really nice fresh salad/relish and is very simple to make. It goes especially well with fragrant green chicken curry.

(Serves 4)

4 chicken breasts without bone and skin, each cut into five large pieces (or substitute for vegetables of your choice) 2 x 400ml tins of coconut milk 1 handful of pistachio nuts Green curry paste: 6 spring onions, washed and trimmed 4 - 6 medium green chillies, deseeded and finely chopped 2 cloves of garlic 1 tablespoon fresh root ginger, peeled and finely chopped 1 tablespoon coriander seeds, pounded or crushed ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper Maldon sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste Half a handful of lime leaves, torn

1 teaspoon soy sauce 3 drops of fish sauce 2 lemongrass stalks, trimmed back & finely chopped 2 good handfuls of fresh basil on the stalk 3 food handfuls of fresh coriander on the stalk 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil Zest and juice of 3 - 4 limes, to tast Put all the green curry paste ingredients in a pestle and mortar or food processor and mash/whizz to a smooth green paste. Marinate the chicken or vegetables in a little of the paste for 30 minutes, then add a little oil and the chicken pieces to a hot casseroletype pan or wok. Fry for 4 minutes, then add

16 cherry tomatoes, quartered or roughly chopped ½ fresh coconut, grated or shaved 1 small handful of basil or coriander, roughly chopped 15cm/6 inches of cucumber, skinned, seeds removed and roughly chopped 1 tablespoon olive oil Salt and freshly ground black pepper Juice of 1 - 2 limes 1 thinly sliced red chilli (optional) Put the tomatoes, coconut, basil, cucumber and chilli (if using) into a bowl and toss. Just before serving, toss in the olive oil, salt, pepper and lime juice to taste. 41

DEC_LEAD_INTERVIEW_JAMIE_v2.indd 41

26/11/2012 18:09

Roasts with the Most

‘Tis the season to be jolly - and indulge in many a festive feast. Romy van den Broeke uncovers the area’s finest roast dinners with all the trimmings

The Drapers Arms This Barnsbury treasure has remained an

Absolutely Sunday favourite for many years – and it seems that tons of our fellow Londoners feel the same, with many travelling far and wide for a taste of the pub’s famous Sunday lunch. We love the interior so much we once did a fashion shoot there, but it’s their sharing roasts – which come piled high with more than enough for several helpings per person – that keep us coming back. Choose from a beef and oyster suet pudding, a fore rib chop or a ‘label Anglais’ chicken (a favourite fowl of Gordon Ramsay, apparently), all served alongside the essential trimmings (including enormous Yorkshire puddings, crispy roast potatoes, seasonal veg and a jug of fresh gravy). There are other, single plate options that are just as tasty, of course, but we have to say the sharing plates steal the show – they’re what Sundays are all about. 44 Barnsbury Street, N1; the drapersarms.com 42

DEC_FOOD_DPS_ROASTS.indd 42

26/11/2012 16:19

Absolutely

FOOD

The Wells

Looking for a London eatery with the charm of a country pub? Then look no further – the next stop on our tour of the best local Sunday lunches has character in spades. The Wells Tavern is situated in a traditional Georgian villa in picturesque Hampstead. The pub is split into two distinct dining areas: downstairs is more lively and pub-like while upstairs offers a more formal and elegant dining experience. On our visit, the team were knowledgeable and attentive to our needs, catering for a fussy wine drinker and a vegetarian and helping us to choose a marvellous Chablis as well as a veggie option that could hold its own on a table full of meaty roasts. When it arrived, the slab of pumpkin, aubergine and courgette bake was confirmed as a winning choice. The Wells’ classic Sunday roasts offer a choice between corn-fed chicken or roast Charolais fore rib of beef, each served with perfectly prepared trimmings and extra gravy to boot. For dessert our group shared a trio of sorbets (raspberry, lemon and peach and champagne), a melt-in-the-middle chocolate fondant and a sticky toffee pudding. The food was beyond delicious, and the cosy atmosphere made for an ideal (and indulgent) Sunday afternoon. A great way to warm the spirit on a cold, wintry day. 30 Well Walk, NW3; thewellshampstead.co.uk

The Albion

Cosy, traditional and blooming with pretty rustic touches, the Albion is thought by many to be Angel’s best pub, and it certainly offers everything you could ask for in a Sunday afternoon – from first-class grub and obliging staff to a welcoming atmosphere and comfy seating. The impressive Sunday lunch line-up has something for all, with beef, pork, poussin, sea bass, gnocchi and more on the menu, and you’re welcome to share with friends if you wish. In addition to this, there are specials scribbled on the blackboards. On our visit the meat du jour was Chateaubriand, a pleasure-packing dead cert for hungry carnivores; extravagant hunks of beef served pink, lean and sliced to perfection – and accompanied by all the necessary trimmings doused in a rich, meaty gravy. One word of warning for those hoping not to max out their daily calorie intake: the sticky toffee pudding is too heavenly to miss. 10 Thornhill Road, N1; the-albion.co.uk

And one for veggies... The Cat and Mutton

Who knew The Cat did such a superb veggie roast? Well... we did, but it’s a fact you might miss if you’ve only ever plumped for meat and two veg. When we last visited, the veggie option was a sumptuously savoury nut-roast Wellington, though, of course, die-hard meat-freaks will find much to please their palate too. We advise booking your table early: Sundays at the Cat are always packed to the rafters as the hangover crowd rush to get their food fix. Still, if you reserve in time, this is the perfect local pub in which to warm your cockles. 76 Broadway Market, E8; catandmutton.com 43

DEC_FOOD_DPS_ROASTS.indd 43

26/11/2012 18:12

NOËL & NYE CELEBRATE THE FESTIVE SEASON IN SPLENDOUR

BEACH BLANKET BABYLON INVITES YOU TO ITS...

INTIMATE DINNERS Friends & family celebrations Corporate Christmas parties Elaborate cocktail receptions Book a private area in the restaurant or bar

PRIVATE PARTIES Hire The Champagne Lounge for up to 300 Champagne & cocktail canapé Receptions for up to 175

DINNER

LOUNGE

4 course set menu £85 Includes a glass of Champagne

Bar & lounge entry £25 Tables for 10 Min. spend £500

3 course Christmas dinner menu £49.50 (including glass of Cava) 3 course Christmas lunch menu £35.50

THEME: ROARING 20’S! ~ DRESS CODE: BLACK TIE & COCKTAIL DRESSES PARTY IN THE BAR WITH SPECIAL GUEST DJS

Christmas canapés & platters also available Open for lunch & dinner throughout December

RESERVATION & PRE-PAYMENT REQUIRED TO MAKE YOUR PARTY RESERVATIONS PLEASE CONTACT SADIE@BEACHBLANKET.CO.UK

closed on the 24th, 25th & 26th December

CHRISTMAS AT THE HOUSE OF

reservations@beachblanket.co.uk ~~ reservations@beachblanket.co.uk

020 7749 020 77493540 3540

www.beachblanket.co.uk www.beachblanket.co.uk

Beach Blanket Babylon 19 - 23 Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, E1 6LA

BEACH BLANKET BABYLON 19 - 23 Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, E1 6LA BB.DEC_NEW.2.indd 1

26/11/2012 20:26

Absolutely

FOOD

1776 Soren Jessen’s latest food venture, 1776

at 1 Lombard street, is a new restaurant offering simple, elegant dishes. His idea is to appeal to local customers – City folk – with innovative reworks of classic dishes. Head chef Juri Ravagli has worked with Jessen to update well-loved staples such as steak tartare, oysters and fillet of cod – and in keeping with this approach, the drinks menu will be accessed via iPads at each table. Futuristic fun. Mansion House Place, EC3; 1lombardstreet.com/soren-jessen

XOXO’s Christmas Cocktail Hazelnut & White Chocolate Martini

Bite Sized Romy van den Broeke finds out all the food news – one bite at a time

Angela Hartnett for Whitechapel Gallery The Full Effect, Smart Hospitality and Whitechapel Gallery are 30ml Frangelico 30ml Baileys 30ml Mozart Chocolate Cream White 30ml Mozart Chocolate Pure 87 Black Cinnamon Powder ••••••

Pour the Frangelico and Baileys in a glass, then add the white and black chocolate liquors. Top up the glass with ice cubes and shake using a cocktail shaker. Strain it into a Martini glass then sprinkle cinnamon powder on top xoxolondon.co

offering the opportunity to enjoy an exclusive Christmas party in the Grade II-listed gallery. Smart’s Creative Director and renowned chef Angela Hartnett has designed a three-course Christmas menu for anyone who fancies dining surrounded by Giuseppe Penone’s Bloomberg Commission artwork, Spazio di Luce (Space of Light). The menu includes delicious roast partridge, braised venison shoulder and chestnut risotto, and will be topped off with rich desserts and selected wines. Sounds like a work of art in itself. 77-82 Whitechapel High Street, E1; whitechapelgallery.org

Christmas at Melrose and Morgan Melrose and Morgan, the award-winning North London kitchen and grocer, have us feeling festive.

They’ve been slaving away creating Christmas delights for the season, from pear and ginger trifles to mince pies; you can also purchase their speciality hamper, ‘Christmas in a Box’, which is stuffed full of festive goodies including a Bronze turkey, stuffing, bread sauce, cranberry and orange sauce, gravy, chipolatas wrapped in bacon, some heavenly veg, festive desserts, a cheese selection and fine wines hand-picked to suit each course. 42 Gloucester Avenue, NW1; melroseandmorgan.com

Get in my pop up The foodie pop-up of the year is set to take place over three nights from 6 to 8 December at a secret venue in

Dalston. A three-course meal will be followed by ‘cheese from cows and goats’ and ‘Nan’s mince pies’ – if you can handle more grub by that point. Choose from mains of all-day long-roast pork belly, boozy beef stew or nutroast of sweet potato and date Wellington. Bread will be provided by thelazybaker.co.uk. To make a reservation or pre-order, email popup@getinmygob.co.uk; getinmygob.blogspot.co.uk

DEC_FOODIE NEWS.indd 45

26/11/2012 18:15

Absolutely

FOOD

Restaurants YUM YUM THAI RESTAURANT 3183-187 Stoke Newington High Street N16 0LH 020 7254 6751 OISHII 67 Stoke Newington Church Street N16 0AR 020 7254 3488

DOLLAR GRILLS & MARTINIS 2 Exmouth Market EC1R 4PX 020 7278 0077

Top Tables A bite-sized guide to this month’s foodie destinations

Dirty Burger

79 Highgate Road, NW5; 020 3310 2010; eatdirtyburger.com Mantra Keeping it real (as opposed to dirty). What’s the deal? Much revered purveyors of top-quality beef-on-a-bun, this Soho House offering is shacked up around the back of Pizza East Highgate, upstairs from the Chicken Shop, forming an incestuous triangle of food love. Why should you go? The food is outstanding and the burgers have a higher than usual meat content with only 15% fat. You order from the counter so it’s better for a more informal lunchtime munch.

FORMANS Stour Road, Fish Island E3 2NT 020 8525 2365

BUNDU KHAN 43 Commercial Street E1 6BD 020 7375 2595

DISHOOM 77 Boundary Street E2 7JE 020 7420 9324

HARRY MORGANS 29-31 St John’s Wood High Street NW8 7NH 020 7722 1869 MEAT PEOPLE 4-6 Essex Road N1 8LN 020 7359 5361

3 more meaty destinations...

MEM & LAZ 8 Therberton Street N1 8LN 020 7704 9089

Chooks

Tommi’s Burger Joint

Beard to Tail

The Crunch A new restaurant in Muswell Hill whose chooks are all reared and freshly delivered from a Suffolk farm. The sides sound amazing – dirty rice, coleslaw, mac ‘n’ cheese – classics made all the more mouth-watering when accompanying buttermilk chicken. The dinner tray comes with mash and gravy, onion rings and baked beans. Pull up on the birch bench and tuck in.

The Crunch Jumping aboard the burger trend is this cute little place on Marylebone Lane. The brainchild of Icelandic Tomas ‘Tommi’ Tómasson, who owns a chain of burger joints in his native country, this is the first London premises. A patty mix of rump, rib-eye and filet with their signature Béarnaise sauce is flipping good.

The Crunch The owners of Callooh Callay have made this sell-out pop-up permanent. As the name suggests, it serves meat from the whole of the animal, making the most of the one-ingredient trend. There’s a gargantuan range of US whiskies and ryes plus the BBQ Bourbon ribs, a sweet-success mix of the restaurant’s main pulling points.

43 Broadway, N10; chooks.me

58 Marylebone Lane, W1; burgerjoint.co.uk

77 Curtain Road, EC2A; beardtotail.co.uk

SU SAZZAGONI 136 Lauriston Road E9 7LH 020 8985 8448

THE ROTISSERIE 87 Allitsen Road NW8 7AS 020 7722 7444

LA COLLINA 17 Princess Road NW1 8JR 020 7483 0192

DEC_FEATURED BAR_RESTAURANT.indd 46

26/11/2012 16:18

This

NEW YEAR’S EVE 3 COURSE DINNER, SHOW &

will you be…

EXPERIENTIAL 3 COURSE DINNER, SHOW, DANCING & CLUB ENTRY UNTIL 4AM

MASQUERADE BALL

EARLY BIRD TICKETS AVAILABLE AT JUST

£79 pp EARLY BIRD SHOW ONLY TICKETS £40

£69 pp Proud Cabaret Camden London, NW1 8AH

Proud Cabaret City London, EC3R 7AH 0207 283 1940 Cabaretreservations @proud.co.uk

0207 482 3867 Camdenreservations @proud.co.uk

SOPHISTICATED or MISCHIEVOUS

CABARET & BU RLESQU E SHOW

BAR

DANCI NG

DI N N ER

Y Y O O J J N N E E Y Y O O J J N N E E Y Y O J N ENJO E Y Y O O J J N N E E Y Y O O J J N N E E Y Y O O J J N N E E Y Y O JO N ENJ E Y Y O O J J N N E E Y Y FROM O O J J N N E E Y Y O O J J N EN Y O J N ENJOY E E 95 Y Y O O J J N N E E Y Y O O J J N N E E £ 3. Y Y O O J J N N E YE O J N ENJOY E Y Y O O J J N N E E Y Y O O J J N N E E Y Y O O J J N N E E Y O J N ENJOY E Y Y O O J J N N E E Y Y O O J J N N E E Y Y O O J J N N E E Y Y JO N ENJO E Y Y O O J J N N E E Y Y O O J J N N E E Y Y O O J J N N E E Y Y O O J J N EN E Y Y O O J J N N E E Y Y O O J J N N E E Y Y O O J J N N E Y O J N ENJOY E E Y Y O O J J N N E E Y Y O O J J N N E E Y Y O J O J N N E E Y O J N ENJOY E Y Y O J O J N N E E Y Y O J O J N N E E Y Y O J O J N N E E Y Y O J N ENJO E Y Y O J O J N N E E Y Y O J O J N N E E Y Y O J O J N N E E Y Y O O J N ENJ E Y Y O J O J N N E E Y Y O J O J N N E E Y Y O J O J N E N E Y Y O J O J EN N E Y Y O J O J N E N E Y Y O J O J N E N E Y Y O J O J N E N E Y O J ENJOY N E Y Y O J O J N E N E Y Y O J O J N E N E Y Y O J O J N E N E Y Y O J ENJO N E Y Y O J O J N E N E Y Y O J O J N E N E Y Y O J O J N E N E Y ENJO ENJOY

ENJ Y

FIND US...

Opening Hours: Mon-Sun 12pm-5am

WWW.WOKTOWALK.COM

ADVERT PLACEMENTS.indd 4

4 Brewer St, / 020 7287 8464 / Piccadilly Circus 21 Cranbourne St,WC2H 7AA / 020 7240 5797 / Leicester Square

26/11/2012 21:17

A NE Wprivate family club for parents and children under 5 Only opening just a minute away from St. John’s Wood High Street!

What

3 Hoouffseers

Club

cafe with a healthy, organic and * Childfriendly delicious menu for kids and parents, soft play

* Pilates, yoga and other ﬁtness opportunities

* Beauty and massage days for parents. * Weekly popup shop from independent online

area and outdoor playground, place for buggies.

Our classes are inspired by child development specialists all around the world including Reggio Emilia School and Glenn Doman’s of The Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential

* Activities for babies, toddlers and preschool children that are not only fun, but also advance their curiosity, confidence, coordination, communication andconcentration.

* Workshops expert presentations and moderated

discussions groups on parenting, health, career and other relevant topics.

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boutiques for parents and small kids.

* WiFi internet access and a Quiet Zone to catch up on your emails, work or reading while your baby is having a nap or your toddler is having a class.

* Crèche, so you actually can take advantage of what we are offering.

* Great venue and entertainment for birthday parties for children.

22/10/2012 13:58 26/11/2012 21:25

Absolutely

FOOD

Bars/Pubs BABBLE JAR 176 Stoke Newington High Street N16 7JL 020 7254 7666 69 COLEBROOKE ROW 69 Colebrooke Row N1 8AA 07540 528 593

THE NORTHGATE 113 Southgate Road N1 3JS 020 7359 7392

Reserved The tippler’s guide to this month’s buzzing bars

Barrio East

141-143 Shoreditch High Street, EC1; 020 7688 2882 (Barrio North); welovebarrio.com

Mantra Cocktails, cantina, club. What’s the deal? A clash of Latin cities, cultures and quarters with a neighbourhood vibe, the Barrio collective (or ‘ghetto archipelago’) prides itself on fresh cooking and its appreciation of world music with monthly parties and guest DJ sets. Why should you go? If the weather is getting you down, head to Barrio East (or Barrio North on Essex Road) for a shot of South American sunshine vibes.

THE HIGHBURY BARN 26 Highbury Park N5 2AB 020 7226 2383

JOHN SALT 131 Upper Street N1 1QP 0207 359 7501

XOXO 74 Upper Street N1 0NY 020 7226 6799

FIFTY FIVE BAR & LOUNGE 31 Jamestown Road NW1 7DB, 020 7424 9054

PROUD CAMDEN The Horse Hospital NW1 8AH 0207 482 3867

3 more bars with a difference...

THE LORD’S TAVERN Lord’s Cricket Ground NW8 8NQ 020 7266 5980

Town Hall Hotel Bar

House of Wolf

Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town

The Vibe Blink and you’d miss it, but housed within the old Bethnal Green Town Hall, this splendid bar is well worth a visit. With seasonal concoctions that combine muddled herbs and flower-infused spirits, it’s nothing short of elegant, in keeping with the Art Deco grandeur of the wider building. Jazz age music plays to complete the retro (though never kitsch) experience.

The Vibe A self-professed ‘multi-functional, multi-sensory, experimental pleasure palace’. With more than a nod to lavish, turn-of-the-century drinking dens, the mixologists here distil their potions, making their own botanicals and syrups in the aptly-named Apothecary Bar. Head here for a vibrant Victorian-tinged thrill.

The Vibe An underground speakeasy, the entrance is through... drum-roll please... a Smeg fridge. Capacity is low, but the ‘insider’ feel only adds to the fun (just like the ‘smallest disco in the world’ sign on the toilet door). Within the bar, dim lighting reveals a sort of lumberjack cabin peppered with moose heads. Just ask to see the mayor.

Patriot Square, E2; townhallhotel.com

181 Upper Street, N1; houseofwolf.co.uk

12-16 Artillery Lane, E1; thebreakfastclubcafes.com

THE WELLS 30 Well Walk NW3 1BX 020 7794 3785

THE YARD Queens Yard Hackney Wick E9 5EN

OFF BROADWAY 63-65 Broadway Market E8 4PH 020 7241 2786

DEC_FEATURED BAR_RESTAURANT.indd 49

26/11/2012 16:17

Absolutely

FOOD

Oliver’s Twist Romy van den Broeke reviews Fifteen as it celebrates the close of its tenth year in the business

What’s Up, Duck? A Helen Baron goes in search of next level food at Heron Tower’s Duck and Waffle

ll aboard, I thought, climbing into a great glass elevator as it prepared to scale the dizzy heights of the City’s Heron Tower. Moments later my companion and I were zooming upwards at lightning speed, central London crowding into view below. Our destination was the restaurant perched on the building’s 40th floor: Duck and Waffle. It had been on our hit-list since it opened two months ago, and everything we’d heard about it suggested a (literally) next level experience. It’s actually a brilliant idea to build a restaurant at the top of something. Whether you’re dining amid treetops, rooftops or – as we did – at the summit of a sparkling tower, the panoramic views create a sense of sheer excitement from the outset. Looking out across soaring skyscrapers, looming cranes, the impressive new Shard building and, further off still, the Olympic stadium and BT Tower, we saw the City spread before our eyes, all its iconic landmarks seemingly close enough to reach out and touch. Of course, such reveries are all the more enjoyable when experienced with a cocktail in hand: we chose the cinnamon smoke-doused Manhattan, in keeping with the skyline theme of the evening. The bar at Duck and Waffle is just as impressive as the view, stationed in the centre of the restaurant with a glittering array of coloured bottles reflecting the sunlight. Even the smoking area boasts

something a little different, with its painted tree and open fire-pit. To the food, then. My companion and I ordered three sharing dishes, each quite sizeable. We eschewed the signature, eponymous dish (a leg of crispy duck over maple syrup-doused waffles, topped with a fried egg) and plumped instead for a slightly healthier-sounding duck egg en cocotte (though with glorious amounts of truffle, gruyère and house bread I’m not sure how much healthier it was). In addition, we ordered a helping of roasted Essex beetroot with goat curd and honeycomb (which also turned up in our dessert of warm brownie and peanut butter ice-cream). The food was delicious and hearty; even the artichoke broth had a wholesome way of being filling, and there’s definitely no need to go overboard on the small plates – portions are generous and the chef is clearly keen to flex his flavour-combining muscles, interlocking sweet and savoury ingredients like nobody’s business (think bacon and caramel, that kind of thing). We were spot on in our orders and ate the perfect amount, sharing a dessert so as not to spend the rest of the afternoon in a snoozy sugar-coma. What’s more, Duck and Waffle is open 24 hours, American diner-style, so it’s the perfect pitstop for hungover City boys in need of a salt fix.

s possibly the last person in Britain never to have visited a Jamie Oliver restaurant, I was eager to head down to his Hoxton flagship – now with ten years under its belt – to see what all the fuss is about. Fifteen serves up large portions of honest Italian grub, but it’s not just the food that sets the restaurant apart from its contemporaries. Oliver famously established Fifteen to combine his love of cuisine and his enthusiasm for the underdog, initiating the Fifteen apprenticeship programme – which still runs today. The programme targets young people who struggle to get work because of a lack of skills or education, training them up to become top chefs. A worthy cause, you might think, and you’d be right – but one still worthier when you recall that all profits from the restaurants go to the Better Food Foundation charity. Two reasons to book a table, and we’re yet to taste a thing. Sipping our pre-dinner prosecco, we browsed the large menu and, with the help of the in-house sommelier, chose a crisp Riesling to accompany the feast. A selection of starters including octopus, beef carpaccio, dressed crab and focaccia also helped to set us on our way. The octopus was undoubtedly the highlight; cooked in a tomato and black olive sauce, it was zesty and fresh. The carpaccio and Devonshire crab with fennel and anchovy aioli were also a delight. For our mains, my companion and I selected the oxtail ragu, served with small, dense radiatori pasta. The ragu was perfect, though perhaps better suited to a more ribbony pasta to ensure a more ample coating of the sauce. For desserts we ordered sticky toffee pudding and a classic chocolate brownie; the former was soaked in a divine sweet toffee sauce, while the brownie was served cold – a novel approach and, while we did miss the irreplaceable texture and aroma of hot melted chocolate, the allimportant flavour was still there. Great atmosphere, good food and all for a brilliant cause: we left feeling very impressed indeed.

Heron Tower 110 Bishopsgate, EC2; duckandwaffle.com

DEC_FOOD_REVIEWS.indd 50

26/11/2012 16:21

A truly Royal experience

Bring in the New Year with hugs and kisses at BAR AND RESTAURANT



4 course Pan-Asian meal with a bellini

Come dine and party the rest of the year away with our guest DJs at our not-to-be missed

1/2 Price Drinks to Celebrate Our 10 Year Anniversary

New Years Eve Party!

Why not come and celebrate the festive season with Royal India

royaln16.com 020 7249 7025 020 7249 7094 47 Stoke Newington Church Street London N16 0NX info@royaln16.com

74 Upper Street, Islington, N1 0NY

Terms & Conditions: 1/2 Price on first round of drinks only. Dining In customers only. Valid throughout December 2012. Monday - Thursday Only. Maximum of 6 diners per voucher. Voucher must be present to qualify for the offer. Promotion can be withdrawn at anytime without notice.

reservations @ xoxolondon.com

ROYAL INDIA.3.indd 1 ADVERT PLACEMENTS.indd 1

26/11/2012 10:27 XOXO.DEC.FINAL.indd 1

0207 226 6799

26/11/2012 16:03 26/11/2012 21:26

Townhouse Hotels in London 3 of the best

Need a smart, stylish place to stay or somewhere to accommodate relatives over Christmas? Absolutely picks the best bolt-holes in the area...

Zetter Townhouse

his is surely in the running for the best boutique hotel in London. Elegant and unassuming, its 13 rooms are spread across two beautiful Georgian townhouses – and from the moment you cross the threshold, you’ll be won over completely. The conjoined bar, lounge and breakfast area is an eccentric riff on Alice in Wonderland or Great Expectations (minus Miss Havisham’s cobwebs): a quirky, esoteric and essentially British fracas of velvety textures, rich colour and exotic taxidermy which includes a cat in crinoline and a boxing kangaroo. The owners have clearly let their imagination run wild with this venture, having originally opened the more demure Zetter Hotel across the road. And where the latter hotel aims for clean, contemporary design, the townhouse furnishes a more

intimate and fantastical collection of individually designed rooms. Ours was compact but delightful, centring on a sturdy oak four-poster draped in a Union Jack flag and classic British bunting – but it’s not just about bold beds. The hotel is also incredibly well-serviced, with free Wi-fi and amazing

food options (charcuterie and snacks from the bar, or a hop across the cobbles to Bruno Loubet’s bistro for something more formal). We ordered room service and remained ensconced in our cosy den, but a drink at the bar comes highly recommended – the menu being a collaborative effort with local cocktail kings, Colebrooke Row. The concoctions at the Zetter are apparently inspired by the area’s Dickensian history – and that’s the final flourish: Clerkenwell is a great place to stay, whether you’re local and looking for a special treat or an out-of-towner after something central but not stupidly priced. In fact, the Zetter Townhouse is practically perfect in every way. From £246 a night, 49-50 St John’s Square, EC1V; zettertownhouse.com

DEC_LOCAL_SPOTLIGHT_v2.indd 52

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Absolutely

TRAVEL

Rough Luxe Occupying a townhouse on Birkenhead Street, almost directly opposite King’s Cross station, Rough Luxe is a sleep-stop for those tired of identikit lodgings, or anyone who likes their accommodation to have real character. The hotel is at the forefront of the regeneration of King’s Cross, refusing to operate by the area’s old standards and doing everything in its power to up the ante for the next generation. It succeeds admirably: on

the night we stayed, the hotel – which offers bed and breakfast – was fully booked, and our fellow guests included everyone from Japanese fashion students to a Brit businessman whose luggage looked to be worth more than most people’s homes. The hotel’s diverse fanbase love its location (forty seconds from one of London’s busiest and best-connected transport hubs), great value and excellent online reputation. Oh: and its incredible individuality. Rough Luxe

eschews both generic corporate interiors and those other weary tropes of hotel design – polished minimalism, pickled Victoriana etc – opting instead for something much more unique: a camp and contemporary spin on the kind of old-school British lodgings that may once have occupied this very spot. What that means is ten individually designed rooms that combine nods to traditional luxury – rich burgundy carpet, sleekly exquisite bathroom with copper bath and vast day-bed – with rough edges deliberately designed to offset and enhance the indulgences. A mix of Orwellian imaginings, bare walls and floorboards and vintage TV sets casts the mind back to a Britain of bohemian bedsits and artists’ garrets. The little luxuries (like fluffy white towels and decadent murals) were much appreciated – but the sense of experiencing something raw, humorous and historically aware was truly refreshing. From £199, 1 Birkenhead Street, WC1; roughluxe.co.uk

The York and Albany The York and Albany is definitely a worthy competitor... Located in a prime spot between Camden and Regent’s Park in the picturesque heart of North London, there is no shortage of things to see and do in the immediate vicinity – if you can bring yourself to leave the hotel, that is. The first thing to mention is the building, which was originally designed by John Nash (of Regent’s Park and Buckingham Palace fame). Inside are nine beautiful bedrooms individually designed by Russell Sage and brimming with grand mahogany furniture, sumptuous antiques and works of art. An aura of understated elegance pervades the entire place, from the opulent fourposter standing proud in each bedroom to the crisp linens spread across the mattresses like icing on particularly inviting cakes. Downstairs are a stylish, pewter-topped bar, a formal dining room, a laid-back pizzeria and even ‘Nonna’s Deli’, providing a wealth of foodie options under one roof – no surprise, really, when you consider that Gordon Ramsay is the York and Albany’s culinary captain. The restaurant here is a stunning reminder of

Ramsay’s talent for all things tasty, and a series of faultless gastronomic encounters – among them scallops, perfectly prepared sea bass, a lethal sticky toffee pudding and magnificent mushrooms on toast – added immeasurably to the hotel’s (already significant) appeal. The sense of heritage standards and old-school

refinement is present in the service, too – the concierge slipped a handwritten note under our door with the next day’s weather scribbled on it. A townhouse hotel with a truly personal touch. From £140 a night, 127-129 Parkway, NW1; gordonramsay.com/yorkandalbany 53

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TRAVEL THE HOTEL

The Scarlet is ultra-modern, smart, luxurious and eco-friendly. There are surprises in every corner, epitomised by the modern Ayurvedic spa which sits on a ridge just above the splendid Mawgan Porth. Details are key here; instead of a reception desk, friendly staff welcome guests with pots of tea and biscuits, and the hotel’s dog is available to take for walks on the beautiful beach below (guests’ dogs are welcome too). Split over four floors, the soothing aromas emanating from the spa waft through the hotel, including the restaurant, library and the ultra-relaxing retreat upstairs. Mawgan Porth awaits below with its host of walkers, kite-flying children and daredevils who do battle with the waves.

UK TRAVEL

The Scarlet Hotel, Cornwall THE SPA THE BEDROOM

With a door-less, curtain-less shower carved out from the sandstone bedroom wall and its equally-pleasing and spacious freestanding bath lying just at the end of an oversized bed, a room at The Scarlet Hotel immediately impresses with its original flair. The rooms are all different, but they share inviting on-trend individuality. Our bath looked out onto a decked and roomy courtyard, while a modern staircase beside the open shower, led up to a lighthouse-like turret, from which splendid views of the vast beach below could be enjoyed from the padded cushions in the lounge area. The sustainability theme continues into the bedrooms at The Scarlet, where hot water is warmed by a biomass boiler fuelled on wood chips, while all the products are natural and smell as fresh as the environment that plentifully surrounds the hotel.

A floor down from The Scarlet’s restaurant is the Scarlet Spa. A whole host of treatments (all carried out with the Scarlet’s own range of Ayurvedic products, of course) await the newcomer: from facials administered with wildcrafted herbs and hot steamed poultices to a two-person rhassoul (a steam and mud-like hammam) so there’s no shortage of indulgences on the list. To spoil you further, there are yoga, meditation and mother and baby classes, including the chance to use both the spa’s un-chlorinated indoor swimming pool and reed-filtered natural clifftop outdoor pool, whose nearby hot tubs provide the perfect spot from which to storm-and-cloud-gaze.

THE RESTAURANTS

Before one’s even tasted the freshly-caught, elegantlypresented Cornish grub served up at The Scarlet’s restaurant, it’s hard not to fall for the views outside the tall glass windows overlooking Mawgan Porth. Chef Tom Hunter goes by the seasons, meaning that while fish is constantly on the menu (as well as a range of delicious cuts of meat and vegetarian options), all side-dishes, salads and components of the restaurant’s main meals are characterised by the freshest and most recently-picked natural wonders growing all around. Expect puddings laced with fresh berries in the summer and hearty grouse and red cabbage in the autumn.

THE BATHROOM

Be sure to request a bedroom with a private bathroom if that’s what you prefer, as many at The Scarlet are designed for those who don’t embarrass easily. But whatever you opt for, the mosaiclined showers and capacious baths, fit for the most indulgent of bubble baths (with in-built televisions, of course), are rewardingly soothing.

GET THERE

A regular service runs between London Paddington and Bodmin Parkway on First Great Western Trains, after which The Scarlet is a 25 minute drive. There is also the ‘Night Riviera’ sleeper train available for overnight journeys to the South West coast from London. firstgreatwestern.co.uk

PRICE TAG

From £190 per room. To book, call 01637 861800 or visit scarlethotel.co.uk

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26/11/2012 17:04

Not just This Morning... but every morning

Marilyn Stowe is the senior partner at Stowe Family Law and resident family law expert on ITV’s This Morning. Leading the UK’s largest dedicated family law firm, she has more than 30 years’ experience handling divorce cases and family law proceedings.

· One of the first solicitors to qualify as a family law arbitrator through the newly-formed Institute of Family Law Arbitrators (IFLA).

· The first Chief Assessor and Chief Examiner of the Law Society’s Family Law Panel.

· A Fellow of the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers: a global association of lawyers recognised for expertise in their respective countries.

Located in WC1, Stowe Family Law specialises in family law issues and covers a wide range of cases. From divorce to cohabitees’ rights, with dedicated international and children’s teams. The team also offers mediation, arbitration and collaborative approaches and benefits from a specialist in-house forensic accountancy department that tracks down hidden assets and can provide immediate financial advice.

If you need family law advice, early support can be essential. Stowe Family Law can help. Contact 0207 7421 3300 or email chiefexecutive@stowefamilylaw.co.uk 8 Fulwood Place, Gray’s Inn, London WC1V 6HG www.stowefamilylaw.co.uk www.marilynstowe.co.uk

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TRAVEL

It’s a Goa Jess Batten discovers a heavenly hideaway on India’s west coast

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TRAVEL pool is dazzling beneath the whispering palms, the rooms kitted out with iPod docks and flat-screen TVs. The open-air living rooms add a novel twist to the retreat, and allow guests to delight all the more in the area’s invigorating tropical sunshine. A series of wellbeing packages complete the Coco Shambhala experience, and we took advantage of both full body massage and private yoga sessions during our stay. The treatments aim to return the mind and body back to a healthy state of balance, and the option to enjoy them in the comfort of our tranquil villa lifted the entire experience onto another plane of relaxation. Situated in the charming fishing and farming village of Nerul, on the southern tip of the Bardez district of north Goa (a 10-15 minute walk from Coco Beach and a few miles drive from Candolim), there’s plenty to see and do in the surrounding area. Taking in the old town and the Portugese-influenced architecture is a must – think vividly coloured colonial mansions and red roof-tiles. And the perfect way to follow a morning’s ambling? Stretching out on the stunning beaches of Arambol and Palolem – which should ensure you’re sufficiently rested to take advantage of the buzzing nightlife of Calangute and Baga. Goa is a good introduction for any newcomers to India or the wider subcontinent; a still point in a restless world, a tropical paradise more languid and laidback than the teeming country around it. Lying in one of Coco Shambhala’s beautiful, peaceful villas, you would hardly believe you were in one of the most densely populated countries in the world.

had heard Goa described as ‘the Thailand of India’, and it’s long been true that its reputation as a party hang-out has made it a gathering place for hippies, backpackers, tourists and Indian revellers looking to make the most of the relatively liberal atmosphere of the smallest Indian state. In the end, however, my trip was mercifully free of dreadlocked ravers and gap-year adventurers; staying at Coco Shambhala, you see another side of Goa: seriously upscale. The hotel goes above and beyond to provide the personal touch. As we snaked along winding roads and dense forest to reach our destination, the departure of our worries felt almost tangible – a sense only furthered by the manager’s warm greeting, a delicious welcome tipple and an introductory tour that ensured we were comfortably settled in no time at all. When in need of anything, we were informed, we could contact a member of staff via the provided mobile phone; though there wasn’t much call to do so, as someone checked in with us each day to make sure we were enjoying ourselves and to offer pearls of local wisdom. We were even given our very own personal driver, on hand 24 hours a day! At Coco Shambhala, breakfast and lunch are included in the rates; dinner can be arranged upon request, but residents are

Rates start at £3,294 for a week in peak season; cocoshambhala.com

encouraged to eat out and support the wonderful local restaurants. Responsible tourism is a running theme, with each villa designed to exist in harmony with the natural environment, combining cooler ground floor bedrooms with open-walled living areas upstairs. The hotel is also keen to recycle and donates five per cent of its annual profit to a local charity. Set in the quiet backwater and lush environs of flower-scented tropical gardens, Coco Shambhala’s English owner, Giles Knapton, put four years of hard graft into the design of the place – and it shows. The 57

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TRAVEL

INTO THE WILDERNESS Wilderness Safaris has announced that it is to open

a new camp at Hoanib Skeleton Coast in Namibia. Ninety kilometres south-east of its previous camp, it is positioned in the Palmwag area, one of the most remote parts of the Kaokoveld. Expect rugged scenery, mountains, vast plains, plus sightings of giraffe, antelope, black rhino, leopards and cheetahs. Explore by foot, vehicle or by air, and learn about the wildlife and history of this barely touched landscape. wilderness-safaris.com

Travel Notes UNDER AFRICAN SKIES Bamboo bike riding, plunging into ‘the devil’s pool’ on Livingstone Island, white water rafting… Zambian Horizons offers the intrepid a myriad of high octane pursuits. But while it’s all go at Stanley Safari Lodge, the tour operator also arranges plenty of opportunities for getting back to nature. We’re loving the sound of Chongwe River Camp’s canoe trails down the Zambezi River. zambianhorizons.com

MOUNTAIN HAUTE Chefs – both of the Michelin-garlanded and ungarlanded variety

– are set to descend upon the Dolomites from 20-26 January for the Chef’s Cup, in which they vie to outdo one another both on the slopes and in the kitchen. Norbert Niederkofler (who is also the man behind the two-Michelin starred St Hubertus at Relais & Chateaux Rosa Alpina) hosts on the Gran Risa ski slopes, while guests checking in can expect the culinary gamut, from ‘slope food’ and picnics to ‘gourmet safaris’ and biodynamic wine tastings. Rosa Alpina offers six nights B&B for the Chef’s Cup 2013 from 20 to 26 January from €2015 (£1,614) per person based on 2 adults sharing.

WINTER WARMERS We do so love the Berkeley. If the clever chaps there aren’t knocking up high fashion teas or holding

synchronised swimming lessons, they are – as it turns out – beavering away to bring us a dose of lovely winter schmaltz. For the festive period, the hotel’s health club roof terrace temporarily transforms into a pine-filled forest cinema, which is scheduled to show Christmas classics such as Miracle on 34th Street and Love Actually. And if that isn’t enough to warm the cockles, there’ll be Moncler blankets, Berkeley mince pies, heating lamps and hot water bottles. Free for guests; £55 for non-guests, including cinema tickets, mince pies and hot chocolates (available to non-guests on weekdays only). the-berkeley.co.uk 58

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winter sale

www.panachecasa.com Contemporary Furniture, Lighting & Accessories London Showroom 85 Canonbury Road, N1 2DG Open 7 days a week Free customer parking T: 020 7226 1006 E: sales.uk@panachecasa.com

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70 UP TO

% OFF

“selected products, excludes sale items, offer expires 01/02/2013”

23/11/2012 10:57

Sale starts January

Crouch End 128 Crouch Hill, London N8 Telephone 020 8341 2020

Islington 42 Cross Street, London N1 Telephone 020 7359 4041

www.funktionalkitchens.co.uk

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INTERIORS

Deck the halls

Spice up your Christmas tree with our pick of the best baubles on the market

8 5 4

1. Harlequin Faceted Bauble, £4.50; johnlewis.com 2. Santa on a Scooter Decoration, £10; berryred.co.uk 3. Glass Heart Decorations, £6; paperchase.co.uk 4. Woodland Bauble, £18; foundhomestore.co.uk 5. Wooden Bauble, multi, £3.50; johnlewis.com

6. Cartoon Christmas Bauble, £56; alessi.co.uk 7. Faun Bauble, £8; berryred.co.uk 8. Black & Gold Beaded Striped Bauble, £2; johnlewis.com 9. Sequin Bird Decorations, £3; johnlewis.com

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Christmas

SALE 20%

discount

on furniture

residential cleaning

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WHAT ELSE CAN WE CLEAN? Myhome Carpet & Fabric Cleaning doesn’t just clean your carpets.You can also have your rugs, mattresses, chairs, sofas, leather and curtains cleaned. And in keeping with our ﬁve star service, we will always go the “extra mile”. For example, there is no need to take down and put your curtains back up because we can clean them in situ, still on the hooks.

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26/07/2012 12:25

26/11/2012 21:28

Absolutely

INTERIORS FLAT-PACK FUN

Want the Ikea price tag without the bland, uniform flat-pack look? Welcome to the world of Mykea, an ingenious initiative set up by a group of friends who wanted to add a touch of personality to their budget furniture. We love the fun, colourful illustrations and the fact that it works as a great platform for up-and-coming designers, who can submit their portfolio. thisismykea.com

Interior Inspirations Gemma Billington rounds up the best trends, designers and local gems ANIMAL COLLECTIVE

Juliet Thornback and Delia Peel met in 2003 and decided to put their considerable creative talents together to produce beautiful, intricate screen-printed homeware. Their style is inspired by the natural world and Victorian curiosities, and they’ve assembled the best range of non-cutesy Christmas cards on the market. Mixed Box of Christmas cards, 7 Rugby Street, WC1; thornbackandpeel.co.uk

CARTOON NETWORK

ECO-CHIC

It’s time to dust off the baubles and decorate the tree once again. If you’re fed up with the traditional reindeers and Santa Clauses, these cartoonish creations from Italian kitchen giants, Alessi, will be a real talking point. £56, available at Haus, 39 Morpeth Road, E9; alessi.com

Of all the innovative exhibits at this year’s 100% Norway at Tent London, it was these charming wooden birds that really struck a chord. The fact that nature-loving designer Lars Fjetland Bellers makes them from 100% recycled furniture only makes them more special. beller.no

SHOWROOM OF THE MONTH: ONEDEKO OLD SPITALFIELDS

Spitalfields is London’s Aladdin’s cave of vintage jewellery, collectables, curiosities and clothing. If you’re not in the mood to trawl through stalls for one-off buys, however, there’s also a host of inspiring shops and boutiques. The sleek OneDeko showroom is our pick of the month; being the home of contemporary lounge and dining furniture. Sunday Times Style Guide writer Pip McCormack commented that he ‘wanted to buy everything in the shop.’ Well, if it’s good enough for him... Old Spitalfields Market, 7 Horner Square, E1; onedeko.co.uk 63

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All that Glitters Deck the halls with the best in contemporary interiors, thanks to the good folk at Graham & Green PHOTOGRAPHY: MEL YATES

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26/11/2012 16:37

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INTERIORS

Can you outline your philosophy and tell us why you decided to open a store? It was mum who opened up the shops back in 1974. She was inspired by interior design, and her love of travelling the globe in search of the unique and the stylish inspired her to share her finds with the bohemian residents of 1970s Notting Hill. After graduating from Kingston University with a furniture degree, I immersed myself and decided to launch the online/mail order side of the business.

Tell us about the villa in Goa. Mum and I bought the house a few years ago, at the end of a Graham & Green buying trip. We thought we would treat ourselves to a couple of days in Goa after the shows. We came across this delightfully run-down Portuguese colonial villa that was crying out for some love. The three-bedroom house, which we rent out, has been lovingly restored and is furnished in true Graham & Green style with plenty of bone inlay and embossed white metal furniture mixed with Indian antiques and modern lighting. It’s the ideal stylish retreat and is not far from beaches and the famous Mapusa market. The only downside is I don’t have many opportunities to enjoy it!

What’s your background? What do you think are the main tenets of good design? Having always been interested in furniture and product design, the natural path for me was to gain a degree in it. I don’t like to follow rules so try to avoid the mainstream. My mother taught me to trust my ‘third eye’ and encouraged my vision of Graham & Green. What is your best-selling product? There are so many staples that have been bestsellers for years now. Our bone inlay collections, Moroccan pouffes, stag heads and our Jamie Dream upholstery range are but a few! Where do you find inspiration for the kind of products you like to stock, and for the catalogues? Do you put together mood boards? I’m continually inspired by the vibrancy and possibilities when working in India and I’m a total shopaholic, so trade fairs are second nature to me. Having my family close by and going on buying trips – and to flea markets in far-flung parts of the world – make my job lovably hectic and inspiring. Are there certain looks and styles that you favour? I’m a huge fan of mid-century design, the Art Deco era and the vibrancy of Asian interiors.

How do you source your products? I am always on the lookout for new products and ideas. Whether I am flicking through a magazine, travelling, wandering around a trade show or antiques market, I’m constantly scouring and taking in things around me. I photograph everything! And what’s your favourite new product? My favourite new product has to be the Yogi Bear lamp base, which was inspired by an antique find one Sunday morning! Why did you decide to open in Primrose Hill? Because the area has a great village vibe but still remains fairly central and close to Camden and Regent’s Park. The customers appreciate unusual design and are brave with their interiors.

We bet Christmas is fun at Graham & Green; is it your busiest time of year? Christmas is fun but extremely hectic. It starts in summer, when we finalise stock, and culminates in the ‘grand finale’ of December which sees over 500 orders being posted every day up until the 20 December. I feel like Father Christmas when I visit the warehouse and see our packers (or elves) getting lots of lovely Christmas presents out of the doors for our customers! What plans do Graham & Green have for the festive period? We have a few surprises up our sleeve for the customers, with online competitions, offers and a Twitter ‘gift clinic’. On a personal note, we have just finished renovating our house – so we are looking forward to spending our first Christmas in our lovely new home with friends and family. 164 Regents Park Road, NW1; grahamaandgreen.co.uk

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10/08/2012 14:29

ABSOLUTELY Property December 2012

ALEXANDRA PALACE N22 £1,350,000 Freehold A tastefully refurbished, semi detached, “Collins” built house, with a delightful interior décor, in the Rhodes Avenue School catchment area. The garden is approximately 60ft. long and faces South Westerly - landscaped by “Beauchamps” - with a Summer House or office at home. The house is situated in a sought after, tree lined residential road, within easy walking distance of good local shops and Muswell Hill Broadway, and close to Bounds Green Tube Station or Alexandra Palace Mainline Station - for speedy journeys to the City and West End. JHK Estate Agents 336 - 338 Muswell Hill, N10 020 8883 5485; jhk.co.uk

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To introduce our service in West we’re offering a With 35 years’ experience in the London property market and a network of 50 branches across London, we can find you the right tenants. And, as an added bonus, landlords who instruct us to let their property before 31st December 2012 will benefit from an introductory offer – a letting fee of just 5%. To take advantage of this limited offer, contact us at KFH West Hampstead 199a West End Lane, NW6 2LJ Tel 020 7604 5150 Email lwh@kfh.co.uk

Completely Completely West West Hampstead Hampstead *This offer is made by the West Hampstead branch of Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward of 199a West End Lane, NW6 2LJ (KFH). The property to let must be a residential property within the West Hampstead branch’s coverage area which is determined by KFH at its absolute discretion. Subject to the terms and conditions below, under this offer, the letting service fee on a property let by KFH will be 5% for the term of the tenancy and any subsequent renewals. The management service is an additional, optional service which will be provided at KFH’s standard rate. Instructions to let a property must be agreed on or before 31 December 2012. Instructions to let a property received after that date will be subject to the standard letting service fee offered by KFH.

HEARTCORE.indd 2 DPS.indd 1 NXNW West Hampstead

26/11/2012 12:41 14:56 17/10/2012

r new lettings Hampstead * 5% letting fee.

The property to be let must be available for occupation on or before 31 January 2013. The minimum duration for the let is 12 months. Subject to any local planning or other restrictions, KFH shall be entitled to place a branded letting board on the property to be let. This offer may not be used in conjunction with any other offer or discount. The offer is for a sole agency letting service. If another agency(ies) are instructed (from 8 October 2012 up until 31 January 2013) the offer shall cease to apply. Please contact the West Hampstead branch to obtain our standard terms of business and to discuss any related costs which apply to this offer.

HEARTCORE.indd 2 DPS.indd 2 NXNW West Hampstead

26/11/2012 12:41 14:56 17/10/2012

Bramalea Close, Highgate, N6 £1,375,000 Freehold Highgate 020 8341 6666 Email shi@kfh.co.uk

HEARTCORE.indd 12.12 KFH Absolutely2 NXNW.indd 3

Stunning four bedroom contemporary mews house finished to an exceptional standard featuring a tremendous array of technological and environmental features situated close to Highgate Village.

• • • • • • • •

Four double bedrooms L shaped living space Fantastic kitchen/diner Utility room Sauna and wetroom/WC South west facing garden Off street parking for two cars Close to Highgate tube station

26/11/2012 10:16 14:57 06/11/2012

Willesden Lane, Kilburn, NW6 £2,578 pcm Unfurnished West Hampstead 020 7604 5150 Email lwh@kfh.co.uk

HEARTCORE.indd 12.12 KFH Absolutely2 NXNW.indd 4

A newly refurbished and extremely spacious three bedroom apartment with an additional bedroom which would be ideal as a study or walk in wardrobe. This property is located in a purpose built block with stunning communal gardens.

• Newly refurbished apartment • Three bedrooms, fourth room ideal • • • •

for a study Extremely large reception room Two stunning, newly installed bathroom suites Communal gardens Available now

26/11/2012 09:50 14:57 05/11/2012

Property Notes Arlington Update GUY FISHER RETURNS We are delighted to announce the return of Guy Fisher to the sales team atArlington Residential. Having proven himself to be an asset to our company several years ago Guy then pursued a career creating his own successful property consultancy firm outside of London. A combination of achieving his goal and missing working with homes at the top end of the market in St John’s Wood, Regent’s Park and Hampstead have resulted in Guy returning to the sales team at ArlingtonResidential. He has already rekindled relationships with several clients, some of whom have retained our firm exclusively to acquire homes and investments in St John’s Wood and have also appointed us on the sale of their existing properties. Yet again we are sure he will be a valuable asset to our firm and will be welcomed to our clients. 020 7722 3322; arlingtonresidential.com

WHICH PROPERTY WOULD YOU LIKE TO PURCHASE? EITHER FINANCIALLY, OR PERSONALLY. Marc Schneiderman, Director of Arlington Residential My heart lies in Hampstead, that is where I currently live and have for over 20 years. If I were to move from my current house, it would really have to be for one of the few very special houses in the village. There are a handful of Georgian “hidden gems” discreetly located behind high brick walls and private driveways and set within large gardens. They are infrequently available on the open market- as an agent it has always been more of a question of approaching owners of those homes from time to time with buyers who are likely to pay 40% plus premiums to own some of the most coveted homes in North West London. The beauty of these houses, aside from their architecture, is that they are so understated. Often these houses are totally concealed from the road or accessed through a discrete gate in a high brick wall. There is the added appeal of being a few minutes from Hampstead Heath, 800 acres of ancient London park position on one of the highest points in London. My firm acted on the sale of one of these houses some years ago. The buyers we introduced fully appreciated how rare the opportunity was to buy the house, having waited 5 years for one to be available, and whenever I walked past them in Hampstead High Street the first thing they say is “Marc, don’t even ask !” 020 7722 3322; arlingtonresidential.com

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PROPERTY MUSWELL ROAD, N10 Set on the first and second floors of this double fronted mid terraced Edwardian residence is an extremely spacious (1340 sq ft) and absolutely stunning three/four bedroom split level conversion. This fine property has been tastefully modernised whilst retaining many original period features. £749,950 Tatlers 288 Muswell Hill Broadway, N10 020 8444 1771, tatlers.co.uk

STOCKHOLM APARTMENTS, CHALK FARM ROAD, NW1 Stylish, recently developed two double bedroom, two bathroom apartment situated in a small secure modern block a short walk from Camden, Primrose Hill and Chalk Farm. The property is situated on the second floor and offers a large open plan kitchen/reception room leading on to a private balcony, two excellent sized double bedrooms with excellent built in storage and one with en-suite bathroom, large family bathroom, wooden floors, high spec fixtures and fittings. The vibrant nightlife of Camden and Kentish Town is on your doorstep, as are the more relaxed charms of Primrose Hill and Hampstead Village, and their unrivalled green spaces. £575,000 Leasehold London Residential 103 Parkway, NW1 020 7424 3222; londonresidential.uk.com

SIMON GERRARD, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF MARTYN GERRARD ESTATE AGENTS HAS BEEN ELECTED AS VICE PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ESTATE AGENTS The NAEA is recognized as the UK’s leading body representing the estate agency profession. Membership of the Association is through formal qualification ensuring that NAEA member agents have the knowledge and experience to guide you through your property transaction as smoothly and painlessly as possible. Operating under strict rules of conduct, members must meet certain standards relating to professional and ethical practice. When Buying or selling a property, which is likely to represent most families greatest single investment, the public should be able to rely upon their agent to be properly trained and to properly qualify buyers and sellers so that the general buying public do not find themselves incurring surveyors and solicitors

fees unnecessarily. Property chains failing as a result of amateur, unqualified agents representing customers, causes the greatest delay and distress to the public as well as unnecessary cost. In his role as vice president Simon Gerrard brings experience, enthusiasm, and a passion for property. He feels that

it’s essential for compulsory licensing of all estate agents to be introduced to ensure that the public can be guaranteed a level of service and professionalism. Martyn Gerrard Estate Agents are committed to raising professional standards which is why we expect and financially support all our staff in their study and training, so that they obtain the Technical Award in Sales or Lettings and then become members of the association. The NAEA promotes the highest standards of professionalism and integrity among those working within the industry and encourages members of the public to proactively seek out its members when involved in any kind of property transaction. You can be sure you are dealing with an experienced and professional agent, by choosing an NAEA member. martyngerrard.co.uk, naea.co.uk

Pictured are the NAEA Presidential Team – Mark Hayward, Jan Hitch & Simon Gerrard

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22/11/2012 11:35

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Fusionresidential.co.uk ď źAll enquiries please contact Debbie Williams 01923 216535 or Nick Staton 07970 700600

FUSION.indd 2

26/11/2012 11:25

A P E R F E C T P E N T H O U S E W I T H A P E R F E C T V I E W

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njoy the spectacular view of the Hertfordshire

flat screen TVs, a bespoke Poggenpohl fitted kitchen

countryside or of the 8th hole of Hadleywood

with a range of Miele integrated appliances and

Golf Course from Murano House. Winners at the

“Smart Home” technology delivered via wall inset

2011 UK Property Awards, Fusion have followed the

iPads allows remote programming and control of

blueprint from their hugely successful Amara Lodge

lighting, heating, air-con, audio, vision and security.

project and are very proud to present the exquisite

The property also boasts three double bedrooms, a

Murano House Penthouse in Cockfosters Road, Hadley

living room, study, large kitchen/ diner, utility room,

Wood. The property provides a luxurious concierge-

and an expansive terrace.

serviced home boasting everything from waterproof

Offers are invited in the region of £3 million.

26/11/2012 11:26

IN THEIR OWN WORDS PHOTOGRAPHY: ARMAND HOUGH, IAMFOTOGRAFIE.COM

Chris Mullins, Sales Manager at Hamptons International, Muswell Hill

I ‘‘

’ve worked in property for around 12 years having previously worked travelling far flung corners of the globe in a recruitment role, and before that in Arts Administration. I started as a Saturday Assistant, coincidentally, for Hamptons International at our Islington office, and was hooked from the first day. I loved the whole aspect of discussing people’s requirements, showing them round properties, getting their feedback and views, and either securing interest or finding them something different to consider. I moved to a full time role at an independent agency in the City where I spent the next 10 years and progressed through the industry to manage my own office. As a manager it’s all about forging relationships with people looking to sell either now or in the future. When I visit a client for the first time, it’s with the understanding that it will hopefully be the start of a working relationship that will last many years. When I learnt of Hamptons International’s new office expansion plans, to my delight I discovered one of the new London offices was about a mile from my house. I’ve been in neighbouring N22 for almost 20 years and having lived in the area for such a long time it was an obvious move for me. I love working so near to where I live and whist I think everyone should have the experience of working in the City, for me personally and where I am now, there’s a better life/work balance of working here. The clientele are also more interested in your personal experiences of living here too; where to eat and shop and so forth, and everyone seems to have more time. People are making a much more considered decision about buying and selling given it’s done so with a much longer term in mind. Whilst there was a real buzz from my previous role in selling 50 flats for a developer to an overseas investors, for me personally there’s nothing better or more satisfying than finding someone a home. Having said that, one of our first sales in the area was selling a block of flats to an overseas investor, so the experience I gained in the City definitely comes in handy. We cover predominantly Muswell Hill, East Finchley, Crouch End and Alexandra Palace, but we will happily consider further afield if we feel we have the buyers and can service the clients accordingly. All of these are established residential markets and due to the popularity of the schools there is always a high demand from people wanting to move into these areas. Hamptons work closely with each office’s local community and have a real passion for this. We are currently sponsoring Coldfall Primary School’s Winter Fair and running a drawing competition with Muswell Hill Primary School. When I’m not working I like to meet up with friends to eat out but we have a dinner party club too. I have a dog so like to get out and walk a lot, in nearby Alexandra Park, Highgate Woods and Kenwood. I’ve been fortunate to have travelled a lot but my favourite holiday escape is actually on our door step – Scotland – and I’m often up there recharging generally getting away from it all. Although I’ve lived in London for over 20 years I’m originally from Derbyshire so I think there’s definitely a bit of the county lad still in me!

‘‘

Hamptons 256 Muswell Hill Broadway, N10 020 8454 7241; hamptons.co.uk 102

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Absolutely

PROPERTY

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Independent Estate Agents Residential Lettings & Management

Central Muswell Hill

N10

£1,795,000 Freehold

Situated in one of Muswell Hill’s most prestigious Avenues, is an impressive Edwardian semi linked house, spread over 3 floors, which retains masses of original features. The house has 5 double bedrooms - one with a fitted en suite bathroom and and another, a huge loft bedroom with potential - 3 reception rooms and a spacious dining room leading to a smartly fitted kitchen. Also an interesting hallway with a large stained glass panel, a family bathroom, a downstairs bathroom and separate shower room, GCH, a Tradesmen’s entrance, an approx. 65ft. long, South Westerly facing, split level, landscaped garden and off street parking for 2 or 3 cars.

Alexandra Palace

N22

£1,350,000 Freehold

A tastefully refurbished, semi detached, “Collins” built house, with a delightful interior décor, in the Rhodes Avenue School catchment area. The house has 6 good sized bedrooms - 3 with en suite or adjacent shower rooms - and 2 reception rooms, plus a lovely fitted kitchen, opening to a large dining room. There is also a downstairs loo and a utility room, a white fitted family bathroom, gas central heating and an approximately 60ft. long, South Westerly facing garden - landscaped by “Beauchamps” - with a Summer House or office at home. The house is situated in a sought after, tree lined residential road, within easy walking distance of good local shops and Muswell Hill Broadway, and close to Bounds Green Tube Station or Alexandra Palace Main Line Station - for speedy journeys to the City and West End.

336-338 Muswell Hill Broadway - London N10 1DJ JHK.final.DEC.indd 2

info@jhk.co.uk 23/11/2012 14:18

020 8883 5485

www.jhk.co.uk

Sutton Road

N10

£599,950 Freehold

Situated in a tree lined, residential road, is a “Chain Free”, detached, 1930’s built bungalow, priced to allow a new purchaser to decorate, refurbish or extend as they wish. The bungalow which is only a few moments walk from a parade of good local shops and a short car or bus ride from Muswell Hill Broadway, has 2 double bedrooms - plus a loft studio or guest bedroom - with potential to further extend by creating a dormer window - a spacious reception room, a fitted kitchen/diner, a pale coloured fitted bathroom and gas central heating. The house also has a long single garage and an off street parking space and a 30ft. wide and approximately 85ft. long, Southerly facing lawned garden.

Muswell Hill

N10

£400,000 Leasehold

Set within a Victorian semi-detached house is a delightful split level top floor flat which has 2 double bedrooms - one with an en suite shower room and delightful rooftop views - a reception room with a cast iron fireplace and a fitted kitchen. There is also a bathroom with a pale coloured suite, gas central heating and an entryphone system. The flat is conveniently situated within very close proximity to Muswell Hill Broadway with its wide variety of shops, restaurants and transport facilities including bus routes to Highgate and East Finchley Tube Stations.

JHK.final.DEC.indd 3

23/11/2012 14:18

HEMA ANAND

from Colman Coyle, gives her expert advice on all your legal property questions

Absolutely

NW10

David Ruddock, Director of Prickett & Ellis Favourtise Restaurant Majjo, just at the end of Fortis Green is well worth the trip for their fabulous Kashmirie cooking. It’s mainly a take away, but you can eat in. Try the lamb with beetroot and the wonderful Punjabi samosas.

I own a leasehold house with 70 years left to run and want to know a little bit more about buying the freehold. I have read a lot about buying the freehold of blocks of flats but not a lot about houses. The Leasehold Reform Act 1967 gives leaseholder’s of houses the right to buy the freehold or extend the lease. In order to qualify to buy the freehold of the house, it is important to focus on the issues set out below. These are generally but not exclusively the criteria that needs to be met in order to qualify to acquire the freehold of your house. The House There is a lot of case law and commentary on what is a house. In order to keep things simple, let’s work on the premise that a house is one which is divided vertically from any adjoining building and looks like a house.

Best kept secret The view from Alexandra Palace, eat your heart out Parliament Hill. Or, food wise, Walter Purkis the fishmongers in Muswell Hill Broadway; try to land some of their line caught squid. Finest Cocktail I’m not really a cocktail man, but after a winter walk a mulled cider is great or a gluhwein skiing!

The Lease You must have a long lease which was granted originally for more than 21 years or as a lease you have a right to renew. There are other categories of leases which can satisfy the relevant criteria, as well. The Leaseholder In order to qualify, a leaseholder must have owned the lease of the house for the past two years. Valuation A key question is how much it will cost to buy the freehold. The Leasehold Reform Act 1967 contains two methods of valuation and it is in your interest to instruct a specialist surveyor to better understand how much the extension shall cost; your surveyor who will need to consider on what basis the house would qualify. Essentially there is an original valuation basis and a special valuation basis. A special valuation basis does generally mean that you shall pay more to acquire the freehold than under the original valuation basis.

ASK THE EXPERTS

Anand with no obligation on

(0)20 7354 3000 or email

80 Upper Street, Islington, N1 0NU

Property Abs Postcode.indd 91

A lost hour I’d definitely pick an autumnal walk through Queens Wood and Highgate Wood with my dog Haggis.

Contact property solicitor Hema

hema.anand@colmancoyle.com

Ø www.colmancoyle.com

Stylish Boutique Frocks Away in Fortis Green Road; a stylish family business.

An exceptional property Wood Vale. A stunning family house renovated in the Arts and Crafts style with a modern twist. The garden backs onto Queens Wood and the house is very convenient for Highgate Tube. Prickett and Ellis 020 8444 8484; prickettandellis.com

26/11/2012 20:49

Eton Garages, Belsize Park, NW3 Sole Agent

£1,150 Per Week Unfurnished

A fabulous, spacious, three bedroom family mews house arranged over three floors and located within easy walking distance of both elsi e ark and wiss ottage nderground stations. round floor comprises a double bedroom, en-suite bathroom, guest wc, access to double integral garage and additional room containing acu i, sauna and shower cubicle. irst floor comprises a spacious and bright double aspect reception with exposed brickwork, two fireplaces and fantastic floor to ceiling arched windows and fully fitted kitchen with high gloss units and white granite worktops. Top floor comprises a spacious master bedroom with copious fitted wardrobes and en suite bathroom (with bath and walk in shower) and a further bedroom with en-suite wc and basin. Available for long let from early June 2012.

Diary of a Property Diva

The Moon Walk London 2012

We have had a busy month to date with new properties coming onto the market (is Spring at last in the air)?, our days however interspersed with sore feet and aching limbs as “The Divas” decided to participate in the Moon Walk May 12th in aid of breast cancer (in recognition of our company being 5 years old this April) and subsequently change heels for trainers and march down to Regent’s Park to train for the looming event. We return to the office (did you realize how steep Fitzjohns Avenue is)?? in need of sustenance frequently changing back to attend evening viewings. I take my hat off to the team here; they have risen to the challenge with their usual aplomb and done us proud. More importantly however, we are overwhelmed by the response to date and have increased our target due to the generosity of our sponsors and the amount raised is rising. If I ever had a moments doubt why we are doing this, it was re-affirmed in an instant when a close friend of mine had to be airlifted to the mainland, interrupting her honeymoon (!) due to a sudden deterioration in health. She has been living with cancer for a few years now. In that moment I understood why we are doing it….. The rest of April has been dotted with our dodging the rain drops on appointments (sorry did someone say there is a water shortage)?? and a number of new sale instructions being prepared ready to bring to market early May pending the return of copious pages of energy performance certificates (!), along with our overseeing the design and finish of several refurbishment projects which will be new to the rental market on behalf of the owners overseas. Hey ho – busy divas!!!

We did it! we finished it and we loved being part of it!!! What a wonderful experience. Thank you so much to all of you that have supported us. Monies raised by the divas (and divos)! to date in aid of breast cancer £10,447.50 and rising…. I’d like to start by saying a big thank you to all our sponsors who supported our efforts. We Divas walked through London in the small hours of Saturday 12th May as we participated in the oon alk. The whole team finished around 4am (and it was without doubt the coldest we have felt in ages)! The atmosphere of the event tent was fabulous and real pride was felt by all 15,000 participants that somehow we were making history, walking for a cause, hopefully making a difference to people’s lives;…. nice. Our trainers now sit neglected as we prepare for June, yesterday a string of meetings with a team of contractors to finalise a new refurbishment pro ect of a duplex apartment in NW3 for the owner. e repeatedly find ourselves looking at the clock at 3pm saying “anyone for some lunch”? It’s interesting that more and more people come to us asking us to source a property, oversee the refurbishment, thereafter rent and manage it on their behalf or sell. Our team works in an open plan office as constantly we find the different departments all working together with a client. I like that we have started to create a niche for ourselves in being able to offer this across the board service. As a result we are exploring further ancillary bespoke services for incorporation onto our web site, so we can supply our clients with every aspect of their property requirements from mortgages to insurance to foreign exchange along with our core lettings, sales, bespoke management and property finder service. For all enquiries on our services please contact helen@propertydivas.com

Helen Duncan

Property Divas Limited

34a Rosslyn Hill, Hampstead NW3 1NH 020 7431 8000, info@propertydivas.com

PROPERTY DIVAS3.indd 3

lettings | sales | bespoke property management | property finder service

Diary of a Property Diva

Platts Lane, Hampstead, NW3

£735,000 Share of Freehold

Sole Agent A stylish, open plan, light and airy, two bedroom, one bathroom (comprising large shower cubicle and separate bath) apartment comprising 1170 sq ft (109 sq m) refurbished to a high specification in 2010, with light oak engineered wood flooring throughout, located on the lower ground floor of a well maintained 1930’s art deco block with direct access from the kitchen to a communal courtyard area. The main lobby entrance to the apartment is accessed via a small gated area leading off the courtyard. Option to purchase garage for one car and thereby off street parking space to garage front in gated courtyard by separate negotiation.

If you would like to support us and make a small donation to The Divas Walk the Walk fundraising page please go to www.propertydivas. com and click on the link on the home page or go to www.walkthewalkfundraising.org/ propertydivas

Helen Duncan

25/05/2012 16:53

34a Rosslyn Hill, Hampstead NW3 1NH 020 7431 8000, info@propertydivas.com

PROPERTY DIVAS MAY 12.indd 3

“The Divas and Divos” will be taking part in “The Moon Walk London 2012” on May 12th in aid of breast cancer. We have set a target of £5000 representing a £1000 for every year since Property Divas opened its doors April 2007 We think this the perfect way to celebrate our being 5!

Morshead Road, Maida Vale, W9

£650 Per Week

If you would like to make a donation, however small, please click on the link below to our fundraising page; www.walkthewalkfundraising. org/propertydivas

Furnished | Sole Agent Beautifully presented two double bedroom apartment situated on the 2nd floor of a popular mansion style block overlooking Paddington Recreation Ground. The apartment benefits from wood flooring throughout, large reception room with working gas fireplace, family bathroom with power shower, fully fitted eat-in kitchen with all appliances, additional secure basement storage and access to communal gardens. Available from 25th March on a furnished basis.

Our team of proud walkers; Sharron Nachoom Helen Duncan | Sara Cane Jayne Maxwell Giulio Santangelo | Linda Ford Joanna Oliver | Raj Shah Property Divas - Silver winner of the 2010 Estate Agent of the Year Awards- ESTAS- for London lettings | sales bespoke property management refurbishment | international holiday lets | small block management | valuations

Eton Garages, Belsize Park, NW3

£1,995,000 Freehold

For enquiries about our bespoke services please contact Helen Duncan helen@propertydivas.com

Joint Sole Agent Stunning, bespoke, modern mews house in the heart of Belsize Park arranged over three floors comprising three double bedrooms, four bathrooms, one including a steam room, separate utility, additional study/ dressing room and fabulous first floor reception with Juliet balcony. All bedrooms en suite with access to the rear balcony via French doors from the 2nd floor bedroom. Integral garage accessed from the entrance hallway and two private parking spaces. Freehold. 1981 sq ft (184 sq m).

30/04/2012 12:13

34a Rosslyn Hill, Hampstead NW3 1NH 020 7431 8000, info@propertydivas.com

Wessex Gardens, Golders Green, NW11 Joint Sole Agent

Property Divas Limited

www.propertydivas.com

PROPERTY DIVAS APRIL 12.indd 3

£870,000 Freehold

A recently refurbished and well presented four bedroom three bathroom semi detached house comprising approximately 1652.20 sq ft / 153.50 sq m arranged over three floors with private patio garden and an off street parking space. The house comprises a double reception room, dining area with bi-fold double glazed doors opening onto the patio garden, a modern fully fitted kitchen, shower room/guest wc, four bedrooms and two bathrooms (one en suite).

Property Divas Limited

www.propertydivas.com

lettings | sales | bespoke property management | property finder service

IN HONOUR OF OUR 5TH BIRTHDAY IN APRIL

For all enquiries on our services please contact helen@propertydivas.com

Property Divas Limited

www.propertydivas.com

lettings | sales | bespoke property management | property finder service

‘‘

lettings | sales | bespoke property management | property finder service

29/03/2012 21:27

34a Rosslyn Hill, Hampstead NW3 1NH 020 7431 8000, info@propertydivas.com

PROPERTY DIVAS.indd 3

www.propertydivas.com

29/06/2012 12:03

Thank You

for being part of our 2012. We look forward to being part of your 2013... lettings | sales | bespoke property management | property finder service

lettings | sales | bespoke property management | property finder service

Canfield Gardens, South Hampstead, NW6

lettings | sales | bespoke property management | property finder service

‘‘ £565 Per Week Sole Agent

Proud sponsor of the Petting Zoo Hampstead Christmas Festival 2012

Beautiful, elegant, two bedroom apartment with high ceilings and floor to ceiling sash windows, refurbished to a high specification. The property comprises of a spacious reception with stylish separate kitchen and modern bathroom, the apartment also boasts under floor heating and access from the communal hallway to a private roof terrace. The property is available immediately on a furnished basis.

Eton Avenue, Belsize Park, NW3

Fitzjohns Avenue, Belsize Park, NW3 £650 Per Week Sole Agent

Beautiful, two double bedroom, own entrance apartment located within a detached red brick conversion, with access from both the reception and gated side entrance onto a private, stunning, mature and secluded 43 ft south facing garden. Currently undergoing some rejuvenation including re decoration, new blackout blinds to bedrooms and new carpeting, the apartment is available for rent on an unfurnished basis available immediately. The kitchen and bathroom are refurbished to a good specification and the flat itself is situated moments from the amenities of England’s Lane. Viewing by appointment.

34a Rosslyn Hill, Hampstead NW3 1NH 020 7431 8000, info@propertydivas.com

£1,495 Per Week Sole Agent

Imposing, bright and spacious, ground floor, five bedroom, three bathroom apartment available unfurnished for long family let from early October. The apartment will undergo re decoration prior to commencement of the new let. The apartment boasts off street parking for one car, fabulous terrace off the reception to the rear, white kitchen and separate dining area, utility room, guest cloakroom, limestone flooring to hall and reception and wood flooring to all bedrooms. Viewing by prior appointment.

Property Divas Limited

PROPERTY DIVAS - OCT.indd 1

Helping to house

All creatures great &small

www.propertydivas.com 20/09/2012 13:00

‘‘

Helping you find 1st place...

34a Rosslyn Hill, Hampstead NW3 1NH 020 7431 8000, info@propertydivas.com

PROPERTY DIVAS - SEPT.2.indd 1

Fitzjohns Avenue, Hampstead, NW3

£700,00 Per Week Sole Agent

A beautifully appointed two bedroom garden flat with its own separate entrance set in a period conversion and located on the leafy Fitzjohns Avenue moments from Hampstead Underground station and Hampstead High Street. The property currently being rejuvenated in neutral tones comprises of a wonderful open plan reception room with French doors leading to the garden, modern kitchen with cream gloss cabinets and black granite worktop, sunny dining area leading to the garden through glass sliding doors, spacious master bedroom with ensuite shower room and fitted wardrobes, family bathroom, further bedroom with fitted wardrobes and wood flooring throughout. The property is available from early September on an unfurnished basis.

Property Divas Limited

www.propertydivas.com 20/08/2012 16:30

34a Rosslyn Hill, Hampstead NW3 1NH 020 7431 8000, info@propertydivas.com

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www.propertydivas.com 25/07/2012 13:47

Winchester Road, Belsize Park, NW3 £790 Per Week

Carlingford Road, Hampstead, NW3 £2,250 Per Week

Beautiful, owners own, three bedroom, two bathroom ground and raised ground floor duplex apartment with high ceilings to stunning double reception, wood flooring throughout and access to private rear walled garden both from the bedroom level and upper terrace leading from the kitchen. The apartment with feature fireplaces, original features, 3m ceiling height wi fi, sky and security alarm is offered unfurnished for family let immediately.

Stunning, bespoke, five bedroom family home over three floors, approx 2,842 sq. ft (264sqm) finished to the highest of specifications with bespoke glass features and light wells for dramatic effect. The property comprises; fabulous reception: living/dining/open kitchen/glass roofed atrium sunroom and high ceilings, large master suite with dressing room and en-suite, four further bedrooms, two further bathrooms, laundry room, play room, flexible office area, off street parking and terrace with stairs leading to contemporary tiered garden. Available early November.

Unfurnished.

Property Divas Limited

34a Rosslyn Hill, Hampstead NW3 1NH 020 7431 8000, info@propertydivas.com PROPERTY DIVAS - NOV.2.indd 1

Sole agent - Unfurnished.

www.propertydivas.com

22/10/2012 11:23

Property Divas Limited

34a Rosslyn Hill, Hampstead NW3 1NH 020 7431 8000, info@propertydivas.com

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21/11/2012 13:32

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Wishing you all

Seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Greetings & Happy New Year from the team at London Residential

www.londonresidential.uk.com 020 7424 3222

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