NORTH BY NORTHWEST DECEMBER 2014 by ABSOLUTELY Magazines

ABSOLUTELY NORTH BY NORTHWEST

DECEMBER 2014 / £3.95

CHRISTMAS CAROL

The Ultimate Yuletide Gift Guide

LEE MEAD’S GARRICK THEATRE SING-A-LONG

ALL THE TRIMMINGS

ALTERNATIVE RECIPES FROM THE GINGER PIG

SLOPE STAR

LIVE LUXURIOUSLY & COMBINE SKIING WITH SHOPPING THIS FESTIVE SEASON

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Tim Moss Bespoke kitchens www.timmoss.co.uk

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contents

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Dece mbe r 2014

78 06 ABSOLUTELY LOVES Things we’re hoping will fill our stockings this month

ART & CULTURE

20 22 THAT’S A WRAP

Master the month’s winter essentials

28 HOLIDAY WISHLIST

Fashion insiders style your Christmas

09 WHAT’S ON

Diary dates for December

THE BOURNE IDENTITY

Islington resident and dance-master Matthew Bourne

FASHION

20 STYLE CONFIDENTIAL School up on the newest trends

FOR HER GIFT GUIDE

Glorious gifts for the lady in your life

HEALTH & BEAUTY

36 BEAUTY NOTES

A cut above at Tailored by No.5

39 BEAUTY GIFT GUIDE Gift ideas for beauty obsessives

FOOD & DRINK

42 CHRISTMAS DINNER

Alternative recipes from The Ginger Pig

53 FOOD REVIEW C o v e r N E T- A - S P O R T E R

Helen Baron heads to The Laundry... and not to do her washing

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INTERIORS

66 INTERIOR INSPIRATIONS Ten of the best festive baubles

75 INTERIORS GIFT GUIDE Luxury gift ideas for the homebody

TRAVEL 78 SLOPE STAR

Spend and ski in New York state

PROPERT Y LOCAL AREA

News and views on buying and letting

DECEMBER 2014

17/11/2014 11:29

MATTHEW BOURNE’S enchanting adaptation of TIM BURTON’S modern fairytale returns

EXTRA AY SUND AT S SHOW 7PM 2PM &

A NEW ADVENTURES PRODUCTION

★★★★★ METRO

‘THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS SHOW’ EVENING STANDARD

STRICTLY LIMITED - 6 WEEKS ONLY!

2 Dec - 11 Jan EDWARD SCISSOR HANDS.indd 1

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EDITOR HELEN BARON EDITORIAL ASSISTANT ELIZABETH HUTTON EDITORIAL INTERN LOUISE GODWIN ADVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGER KRISTIAN BRUMBY PROPERTY DIRECTOR ANDY ELMER PROPERTY MANAGER EMILY SAUNDERSON NORTH PROPERTY EDITOR LUCIE PEARCE ART DIRECTOR RAY SEARLE SENIOR DESIGNER PHIL COUZENS PRODUCTION MANAGER STEWART HYDE MIDWEIGHT DESIGNER GEMMA ISTEED PROPERTY EDITORIAL DESIGNER ANDREW MAVIN DESIGNER EKREM YILMAZ JUNIOR DESIGNER REBECCA NOONAN PRODUCTION CONTROLLER CHRISTINE MANN FINANCE DIRECTOR ALEXANDRA HVID MARKETING MANAGER LEAH DAY PA TO THE DIRECTORS MARIANNE MCFADDEN DIRECTORS GREG HUGHES, ALEXANDRA HUNTER MANAGING DIRECTOR SHERIF SHALTOUT For editorial enquiries please email: helen.baron@zest-media.com For advertising enquiries please call 020 7704 0588 or email: advertising@zest-media.com Subscriptions are available simply by emailing marianne@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.

Published by

ZEST MEDIA PUBLICATIONS LTD 213 Westbourne Studios, Acklam Road W10 5JJ T: 020 7704 0588 F: 020 7900 3020 WWW.ZEST-MEDIA.COM Zest Media Publications Ltd. cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited submissions, manuscripts and photographs. While every care is taken, prices and details are subject to change and Zest Media Publications Ltd. take no responsibility for omissions or errors. We reserve the right to publish and edit any letters. All rights reserved.

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

EDITOR’S letter

here’s no use denying it: like a dropped turkey, Christmas with my family has had the stuffing knocked out of it. My sister and I flew the family nest almost a decade ago, and although we’ve been back for short periods since, my mum’s festive efforts have dwindled. First there came a year without the traditional roast; twelve months later there were no chocolates on the tree. Then came a very dark year with no tree at all; we made do with a plastic bough suspended from the ceiling and strung with a sorry bit of tinsel. Calamity! The stack of presents, so large in childhood, inevitably gets smaller with age – fair enough. But the decor, the grub, the spirit of the season? I never could see why these things had to go into terminal decline as well. So Christmas in my parents’ household needs a little oomph. How then to give it some? How to revive some of that good old-fashioned comfort and joy? This year I’ve decided to take a holistic approach, one that tackles the problem from all angles – and just in case you’ve been suffering from the same excitement deficit, we’ve put together a rather handsome

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festive edition full of the things that make Christmas special. First up: pages and pages of lovely gift ideas. But the key here is family, and one yuletide tradition worth upholding is getting everyone together for a festive show. We sent Georgie Lane-Godfrey to talk to singing sensation Lee Mead about Any Dream Will Do and his new Garrick Theatre show. We also preview Christmassy events taking place this month; there’s plenty more to do locally, too, from outdoor ice-skating and midnight mass to Christmas markets and festivals in some of our local green spaces. Back on the home front, there’s more delicious gift ideas for the gourmand and we’ve selected some festive recipe inspiration from our favourite butchers, The Ginger Pig. A lot to gorge on, then, in every sense. Here’s hoping, dear readers, that you (and indeed my mum) are inspired to make this the merriest, most magical Christmas you’ve had in years. See you in 2015. ◆

Helen Baron Editor

DECEMBER 2014

17/11/2014 17:31

10 Things We

ABSOLUTELY

CHRISTKINDL

The beautifully illustrated story of two Bavarian children by Viola M. Jones is made into the perfect clutch for Christmas Eve shenanigans by Olympia Le-Tan. £1,010; theoutnet.com

PUPPY LOVE

Longchamps' iconic Piliage bag turned 20 this year. To celebrate, Alexa Chung returns to front the campaign for a second season. Embodying the casual sophistication of the brand, this time she's joined by a little Jack Russell pup. £765; longchamp.com

TWINKLE TOES

It’s the season to sparkle so slip on these Glitter Kitties and dance the night away. £425; charlotteolympia.com

NO WAY, MOËTT

How anyone could make it through the festivities without a bottle of Moët & Chandon we don't know. Get yours from the great 31Dover. £30; 31dover.com

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ABSOLUTELY / LOVES

SILKEN DREAMS

Inspired by the lounging pajamas worn by Coco Chanel and her contemporaries in the 1920s, these gorgeous sets are what we’ll be waking up in on Christmas day. £330; oliviavonhalle.com

GOLDEN FLAME

Capturing the musky smells of the Chinese herbal market, this cinnamoninfused scent is encased in a hand-spun brass mould – the perfect gift for any house-proud gent. £55; tomdixon.net

ON BOARD

It wouldn't be Christmas without a board game. This year, play in style with this crystal and crocodile backgammon set. £7,900; lalique.com

FESTIVE SPARKLE

Reworking vintage pieces into bold, statement-making accessories, Iosselliani are an Italian power-duo worth keeping an eye on. This Christmas, we're after the gorgeously festive Full Metal necklace. £393; farfetch.com

TIMELESS

This one’s for those who think watches are passé. With a chic art deco face inlaid with gold geometric fretwork and eye-catching orange patent strap, this piece is so stunning it proves that watches are in fact truly timeless. Izzie watch, £395; toryburch.co.uk

CLEVER MAN

For a unique and useful gift, give this USB MAN who can hold up to 2GB of data at a time. If only every man was as useful. £55; gift-library.com

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Ordinary Beauty: The Photography of Edwin Smith, Until 6 December. Architecture Gallery, RIBA, Portland Place, W1. architecture.com. ÂŠEdwin Smith, RIBA Library Photographs Collection

> WHAT'S ON IN DECEMBER

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LEE MEAD'S CHRISTMAS SING-A-LONG

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DECEMBER 2014

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HAMPSTEAD GIFT FAIR 28 - 30 No ve m b e r Ham p ste ad Old Tow n Hall

his new indoor, three-day gift fair is the weary Christmas shopper’s saviour, with hand-picked exhibitors coming from around the UK to the town hall. With everything from jewellery to pet accessories, you’re guaranteed to find the perfect present for your family and friends. ◆ Haverstock Hill, NW3; hampsteadchristmasgiftfair.com

SHERLOCK IN FASHION

Chris Stein

Un t i l 28 D e ce m b e r Mu s e u m of L ondon rthur Conan Doyle once said that Sherlock ‘wasn’t an easy gentleman to A describe’, which, rather ironically, is the best description of the detective and master of disguise. Having inspired this exhibition, we can only say one thing: expect the unexpected. ◆ 140 London Wall, EC2; museumoflondon.org.uk

Me, Blondie & the Advent of Punk Th rough out December Somerset Hou se

To celebrate Blondie’s 40th anniversary, Somerset House is showcasing a series of previously unpublished photographs that will later become available as a beautiful coffee table book. Taken by band co-founder Chris Stein, this is an intimate look at Blondie’s journey and the wild new wave world of the ‘70s and ‘80s. Also captured are Andy Warhol, David Bowie and The Ramones. Strand, WC2, somersethouse.org.uk

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JW3 ON ICE

F ro m 7 D e c e m b e r JW3 ith an outdoor ice rink and festive grub W stands, JW3 becomes Northwest London's very own winter wonderland this Chanukah. Celebrate the Jewish Festival of Lights with a candle and good old dance to both northern soul and gypsy Balkan swing. ◆ Finchley Road, NW3; jw3.org.uk

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ARTS & CULTURE / WHAT’S ON BOOK PICKS

JEWISH COMEDY

Un ti l 2 3 No v em b er JW3 full week of hilarious and insightful shows, A films, conversations and events, the Jewish Comedy Festival celebrates the culture of Judaism. With talks from Ruby Wax, comedy from Perrier Award-winning comic Armold Brown and a screening of the documentary Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work, this festival is sure to be a good laugh. ◆ Finchley Road, NW3; jw3.org.uk

D e c e m b e r’s Top T h re e C hr i s t ma s C la s s ic s

A CHRISTMAS CAROL C h a rles D ic ke ns

Penguin Cla ssic s, £6.99

Delve into a true classic with Charles Dickens' wonderful A Christmas Carol. Follow lonely miser Ebenezer Scrooge on his testing adventure, one that will ultimately fill you with Christmas cheer.

MERCHANT OF VENICE

◆

20 - 23 Nov ember Al m ei d a Theatre

et in Sin City, this modern version of The Merchant of Venice, by artistic director Rupert Goold, is a groundbreakingly good production. With all of the glitter, gambling and greenbacks that come with the golden Las Vegas, this update of the play proves that Shakespeare’s themes of love, greed and revenge are still relevant after 400 years. ◆ Almeida Street; N1; almeida.co.uk

THE GREATEST GIFT P h i li p Va n D o re n Ste rn

Simon and Schu ster, £7

The Greatest Gift is a short story in which a depressed, suicidal man named George is taught, through a series of difficult scenarios, that the greatest gift is the gift of life. The book inspired the acclaimed Christmas film, It’s A Wonderful Life.

◆

THE RAILWAY CHILDREN

F ro m 16 D e ce m b e r Ki ng’s C r os s T h e atre he Olivier Awardwinning production of T The Railway Children returns to the stage this December with Google bringing the show to Europe’s most connected train station, King's Cross. Boasting all the magic of the book and film, this is the perfect play to take the kids to this Christmas. ◆ King's Cross, N1C; railwaychildrenlondon.com

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must read

A CHILD’S CHRISTMAS IN WALES D yla n T ho mas Or ion Book s, £27

A Child's Christmas in Wales is a famous piece of prose from Welsh poet, Dylan Thomas. It nostalgically recounts what it is that makes Christmas truly magical for kids, from the viewpoint of a young child.

DECEMBER 2014

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XXXXXX / XXXXXXX LOCAL PROFILE

FAN BOY Absolutely talks to North Londoner Lee Mead about Christmas, Casualty and coping with the ‘Meadaholics’ Wo r d s G e o r g i e L a n e - G o d f r e y

ee Mead is in a good mood. The curly-haired crooner, who shot to fame after winning BBC talent show Any Dream Will Do, has just found out that his Casualty contract has been renewed for another season. Having joined the cast earlier this year to play the cheeky yet charming character of Nurse Lofty, ‘My character is like Sherlock Holmes really. Other people often disregard the situation, but Lofty will question it to reveal the other angle and often get into trouble with the bosses in the process.’ His daughter Betsy (from his marriage to Any Dream Will Do judge Denise Van Outen) is apparently also a fan, although Mead is wary of exposing her to his acting career. ‘I’m very conscious of Betsy watching me on television too much because I don’t think that’s very normal. But she does know that during the week when I’m in Cardiff, I’m pretending to be Lofty.’ And while Mead spends five days a week in Cardiff, home is North London – although he’d rather not specify where. A quick Google explains why. Fan page after fan page appears, from the ‘Loppies’ (short for ‘Lee-obsessed people’) to the ‘Meadaholics’ – an online community ‘dedicated to Pure Meaditation’. ‘It’s incredible,’ says Mead with a laugh when I tell him this. ‘They come to every single thing I do. Whether it’s a guest concert or a live show, there will be the same 20 or 30 people who are always there.’ This level of dedication comes at a price: ‘I’ve had a few weird experiences over the years – mainly just random gifts like small dolls of yourself,’ he admits.

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I’ve had a few

WEIRD EXPERIENCES

over the years

Underwear, I suggest? ‘No, I’ve never had that, although there was one woman who would write anonymous letters to me once or twice a week that were, without going into too much detail, pretty graphic!’ But the most unusual thing about Mead’s legions of adoring fans isn’t the naughty notes, or even that they really do span all ages. It’s the fact that there seems to be a mutual affection here. As we talk, Mead reels off many of their personal stories, from the 14 year old girl he’s seen grow up to the grandmother who sends him hand knitted dolls for his daughter: ‘There’s a small group of fans who have been following me since Any Dream Will Do that I’ve known for nearly ten years now.’ Growing up in Southend-on-Sea, Mead started out his career as a cabaret singer on cruise ships, performing a rotation of

six different shows as he sailed between Portsmouth and Bilbao. ‘My room was opposite the morgue, like some kind of horror film! I never saw any go in but…’ he recalls with a chuckle. ‘We had the best time on that ship. One evening the crew’s captain got drunk and spent the night chasing everyone around the ship dressed as a gorilla. After hours were a lot of fun!’ From there, Mead entered and won Any Dream Will Do, leading to a six month West End stint playing Joseph, followed by parts in both Wicked and Legally Blonde. But despite now having a successful career in television, Mead still struggles to escape from Joseph’s technicoloured shadow as every live show he does demands a performance of Any Dream Will Do. Surely this must be must be frustratingly repetitive? ‘I did get a bit bored if I’m honest,’ reveals Mead, ‘because I must have sung the song over 2000 times, but it's what the audience want, so I’ve learnt to accept it.’ This month, however, sees him return to the stage at The Garrick Theatre in a different guise, belting out his favourite festive tunes in a one off show: Christmas with Lee Mead. ‘I’m really excited about it as it’s my first time back in London with my own show since 2011,’ he enthuses. ‘It’s full of big Christmas songs, special guests and a big brass section, so it’ll be a lot of fun!’ Fun, and filled to the rafters with fans, of course. What could possibly suit Lee Mead better? u Christmas with Lee Mead is taking place on 7th December. For tickets, visit nimaxtheatres.com

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DECEMBER 2014

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SHOPPIN G , DININ G & ENT RTAINMENT E NT EERTAINME NT Be sure to visit the N1 Centre in Angel this season for a cracking time with friends and loved ones. Whether youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for gift inspiration, the perfect party outfit or somewhere to dance the night away, make the N1 Centre your one-stop destination for festive shopping, dining and entertainment this Christmas.

The N1 Centre is pleased to host its first ever Christmas market from the 24th November until the 28th December. Inspire someone you love with a unique gift from one of the marketâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sparkling cabins; offering you oneoff handmade crafts and presents with a personal touch for under the tree.

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ARTS & CULTURE / GIFT GUIDE GERALD LAING

ASSOULINE

Brigitte Bardot, Screenprint in Colour, 1968, £12,000; The Estate of Gerald Laing; gallery.simsreed.com

The Big Book of Chic by Miles Redd, £47; assouline.com

LOMOGRAPHY

Smartphone Scanner, £59; conranshop.co.uk

GUSTAV KLIMT

Sea Serpent Print, £134.99 framed; art.co.uk

STEEPLETONE

1960s Vinyl Record Player, £79.95; prezzybox.com

V&A

Letterpress Fridge Magnets, £12.50; vandashop.com

BRIDGEMAN ART LIBRARY

London Map Framed Print, £250; johnlewis.com

SONIC EDITIONS

Francoise Hardy at Brands Hatch by Victor Blackman, £115; soniceditions.com

GERALD LAING

Kate Moss, Screenprint in Colour, 2007, £2,880 The Estate of Gerald Laing; gallery.simsreed.com

ALPHABET BAGS ‘Imagination’ Big Canvas Bag,

£20; alphabetbags.com

CULTURE VULTURE V&A

Etching Kit, £45; vandashop.com

A round-up of the best artistic buys

PENGUIN CLASSICS

Pocketbooks designed by Coralie Bickford- Smith, £10 each; penguin.co.uk

ION AUDIO

Max LP USB Turntable with Built-in Speakers, £79.95; superfi.co.uk

THE HUNT GUIDES City Guides, £14 each; thehuntguides.com

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DECEMBER 2014

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> IT'S A WRAP: KNITWEAR TO BEAT THE BIG CHILL

p. 20

FASHION INSIDERS STYLE YOUR WINTER

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PUCCI PERFECT There isn’t much we wouldn’t do for this Printed Silk Cady Turtleneck Minidress (£5,655) embellished with stainless steel. Perfect partywear attire. emiliopucci.com

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DECEMBER 2014

13/11/2014 11:08

st y l e C e n t r a l

Paint the town red in our favourite Christmas partywear essentials Wo r d s h e l e n b a r o n

LIBERTY STYLE From

Frances Lincoln Publishing

his delightful book surveys eras of taste, from the T various Aesthetic and Arts & Crafts to Art Nouveau, Art Deco and Georgian revival. The thread linking them is Liberty & Co, the West End department store and design house that has served as a byword for style and innovation since its inception in 1875, when founder Arthur Lasenby Liberty first set up shop. The son of a draper, Arthur’s aim was to change the way we look at fashion and interiors by promoting interesting and innovative design. Liberty & Co soon became the epicentre of London style – Oscar Wilde himself shopped there for Japanese silk – and Martin Wood’s new book provides an exquisite overview of the store’s history in over 200 colour photographs and illustrations. ◆

Thigh Time allsaints

● LIBERTY STYLE £35, Frances Lincoln Publishing, out now

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Knitwear needn’t be dour when you can dress it up with oh-so-ontrend thigh-high boots. More Barbarella than Pretty Woman, we’re coveting this lush ‘Saris’ pair from All Saints. A bit more bang for your office buck considering they’ll take you from day to night – just swap the chunky knits for an LBD. £298; allsaints.com

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FASHION / NOTES

CANDY CRUSH Alexa Jay

Stocked in Anthropologie, Alexa Jay handbags and accessories are available in a variety of shades, including pretty pastel combinations. Perfect for adding a pop of colour to your LBD... Pastel Mini Clutch, £145; alexajay.com

party pieces

OH SO FAUX net-a-porter

The reign of faux fur continues, as exemplified by the new coat collection from Shrimps. The biker jacket is our pick – crafted from brushed felt and interwoven with wool for warmth and durability. And it’s not all serious – the lightblue faux fur collar adds a typically playful accent. £495; net-a-porter.com

TOWERING INFERNO mytheresa

What could be better for party season than a towering pair of flame-red velvet pumps from Fendi? Pretty as a picture, they cast your mind back to the golden age of cinema. Think The Red Shoes and The Wizard of Oz, and let your feet do the talking. £465; mytheresa.com

FRESH PRINTS net-a-porter

The late, great Oscar de la Renta’s monochrome elaphe clutch mimics woven raffia, is lined in black suede and has an outer patch pocket perfect for storing tickets or business cards (plus all those numbers you’ve scored). £1,105; net-a-porter.com

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07 1. CHRISTOPHER KANE, Layered Organza Shirt, £1,200; net-a-porter.com 2. TORY BURCH, Reva Watch, £295; toryburch.co.uk 3. DOLCE & GABBANA, Embellished Hair Slide, £565; mytheresa.com 4. SAINT LAURENT, Monochrome Clutch, £710; mytheresa.com 5. VALENTINO GARAVANI, Rockstud Boots, £743.41; farfetch.com 6. CHRISTOPHER KANE, Ruched Edge Dress, £1,100; farfetch.com 7. NICHOLAS KIRKWOOD, Peter Pilotto Pumps, £722.41; farfetch.com

DECEMBER 2014

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Oatmeal Wool Cable Knit Sweater, £165, by Duffy White Silk and Lace Gown, £600, by Myla Diamond Earrings, £120, by Carat London

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THAT’S A

WRAP Be it wool blend, cotton or cable knit– when you’ve found your winter investment piece, why wear anything else? Photography Louise Samuelsen Styling Charlie Moore

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Black Wool Coat, £995, and Leather Belt, £375, both by Amanda Wakeley Metal and Acetate Sunglasses, £235, by Dior Diamond Earrings, £142, by Carat London Leather Gloves, £612, by Corlette Black Leather Embossed Bag, £705, by Maxmara at Matches

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Cream Cotton Trench Coat, £795, by Pavane at Fenwick Lace Bra (just seen), £110, by Myla Stockings, £6.25, by Charnos at House of Fraser Diamond Earrings, £120, by Carat London

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Cream Wool Coat, £695, by Issa Black Roll Neck Body Suit, £119, by Wolford Suede Black Boots, £1,150, by Jimmy Choo Grey Leather Clutch, £450, by Anya Hindmarch Diamond Earrings, £142, by Carat London Leather Gloves, £260, by Corlette

Stockists amandawakely.com anyahindmarch.com aquazzura.com caratlondon.com corlette.co.uk damaris.co.uk Dior Sunglasses 0800 7234 5600 Photographer - Louise Samuelsen at ONE Represents Stylist - Charlie Moore Hair and Make-up - Wendy Turner at Stella Creative Artists using Bumble & Bumble and Cosmetics a la Carte Model - Darya at Premier Photographers Assistant - Sam Jackson With thanks to the Savoy . Strand, Savoy Way, WC2R, 020 7836 4343; fairmont.com/savoy-london/

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duffyny.com fenwick.co.uk houseoffraser.co.uk jimmychoo.com matchesfashion.com myla.com net-a-porter.com Wolford 020 7494 4343

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FASHION XXXXXXXX / INSPIRATION / XXXXXXXXX

Holiday Wishlist Absolutely asks four fashion insiders to style your Christmas...

JAIMIE HOPKINS

LUPE PUERTA

Buying Manager Whistles

Global Head of Personal Shopping NET-A-PORTER NET-A-PORTER

Exclusive Baubles, £50; net-a-porter.com

THE JUMPER

Cashmere Hoodie, £195; whistles.com

HAMMAMAS

THE BAG

Striped Cotton Towels,£50 for 2; net-a-porter.com

Portland Shearling Backpack, £395; whistles.com

AURÉLIE BIDERMANN

18-karat gold charm, £1,520; net-a-porter.com

ALANNAH SPARKS

MONCRIEF

THE TROUSER

Fashion Editor Farfetch

Lizzard-effect travel trolley, £5,450; net-a-porter.com

Cashmere Jogger, £195; whistles.com

THE JACKET

Edie Sheepskin Gilet, £550; whistles.com

NET-A-PORTER

SANDY LIANG

Little NYC Fire engine, £50 for set of 5; net-a-porter.com

Gingham check overcoat, £1,155; farfetch.com

THIERRY LASRY Rounded Sobriety Sunglasses, £305; ln-cc.com

SACAI

PACO RABANNE

Contrast Back Sweater, £550; farfetch.com

Chainlink Clutch, £750; ln-cc.com

COOPS LONDON

Star Squeeze-on Earrings, £135; farfetch.com

MARNI

Contrasted Cap Toe Loafers £387; farfetch.com

JOHN SKELTON Creative Director at LN-CC

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GRADO

MARNI

GS1000I Headphones, £999; ln-cc.com

Embellished Sandal, £420; ln-cc.com

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The Tile Box

40 Offord Road, Islington N1 1EB 020 7700 1444 www.thetilebox.co.uk

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FASHION / GIFT GUIDE LOST MARCH

No 3 Perfume Set, £160; conranshop.co.uk

HOLISTIC SILK

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN

BALENCIAGA

Single Monogrammed Eye Mask, £46; holisticsilk.com

Leather and Suede Long Gloves, £345; matchesfashion.com

V-neck Tulip-jacquard Dress, £1,520; matchesfashion.com

ALEXANDER WANG

MISSONI

Prisma EmbossedLeather Backpack, £1,025; matchesfashion.com

Jasmine Long Umbrella, £75; matchesfashion.com

CARAN D'ACHE

Ecridor Mademoiselle, £180; stonemarketing.com

CHARLOTTE ALUNA

Black Patent Lottie Vanity Case, £750; charlottealuna.com

CADENZZA

RALPH LAUREN

Chunky Chain Bracelet and Rings, £POA; ralphlauren.co.uk

GEORG JENSEN

Concave 316 Ladies' Watch, £925; georgjensen.com

B & O PLAY

H6 Leather Over-Ear Headphones, £329.99; selfridges.com

GIFTS FOR HER

St Kilda for Cadenzza Ring, £47; cadenzza.co.uk

GLOBETROTTER

Ivory Blanket and Holder, £390; globetrotter1987.com

Our edit of the hottest Christmas gifts for women ALEXANDER WANG

ILA

Gabi Leather Ankle Boots, £533; matchesfashion.com

Seasonal Saviour for glowing radiance, £150; ila-spa.com

MARNI

Leather Bag Key Ring, £260; marni.com

31 Dec_Her_Gift_Guide.indd 31

DECEMBER 2014

12/11/2014 17:35

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FASHION / GIFT GUIDE LEICA

V-Lux 4 Digital Camera, £629; selfridges.com

ROLEX

Cellini Date Watch; POA rolex.com

MONTBLANC

Meisterstück Solitaire Geometric Dimension Fountain Pen, £1,075; montblanc.com

ALFORD AND HOFF

The Fragrance, £95; alfordandhoff.com

ULTRASONE

Edition 10 Over-Ear Headphones, £1,699; selfridges.com

THE HAIG CLUB

Single Grain Scotch Whisky, £45; alexanderandjames.com

THE MERCHANT FOX

Fox Mask Sterling Silver Cufflinks, £135; themerchantfox.co.uk

AESOP

TOM FORD

Resolute Hydrating Body Balm, from £25; aesop.com

Beard Oil, £31; Beard Comb, £22; tomford.com

TOM FORD

Tones by J.M. Weston; jmweston.fr

LONDON UNDERCOVER

Oxford City Gent Umbrella, £125; londonundercover.co.uk

Buckley Suede Flat Trapeze Briefcase, £1,964; tomford.com

GIFTS FOR HIM Our edit of the coolest Christmas gifts for men

ASPINAL

iPad Mini Sleeve, £75; aspinaloflondon.com

TED BAKER

Football, £39.95; houseoffraser.co.uk

GOOGLE GLASS

Google Glass Bold Frame, £1,120; mrporter.com

EDWIN JAGGER

THE MERCHANT FOX

Black 3 Piece Shaving Set, £89; theinsideman.co.uk

Hand Made Bridle Leather Belt, £95; themerchantfox.co.uk

33 Dec_Mens_Gift_Guide.indd 33

DECEMBER 2014

13/11/2014 12:50

REFINED INDULGENCE...

C UP OM GR PL GI AD IME FT E T NT wh PA O A en CK LU RY you and bu AG XU me y a IN RY nti gift G on vo thi s

uc ad her

THE PERFECT GIFT THIS CHRISTMAS LUXURY SPA DAYS AND BREAKS THE PERFECT COUNTRY ESCAPE AN UNFORGETTABLE GIFT

FOR BOOKINGS OR TO ORDER BESPOKE GIFT VOUCHERS 01638 676130

spareservations@bedfordlodgehotel.co.uk www.bedfordlodgehotelspa.co.uk Bury Road, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7BX

BEDFORDVoucher SPA.indd 1 Christmas ad A4.indd 1

10/11/2014 06/11/2014 10:42 09:44

> A CUT ABOVE AT TAILORED BY NO.5

p.36

THE ULTIMATE BEAUTY GIFT GUIDE p. 39

FROST BITTEN Exclusively at Selfridges for Christmas, Jo Malone’s Pomegranate Noir comes in a bottle inspired by winter frost. With a cherry red cap and ribbon, the fragrance looks as pretty as it smells. £86; jomalone.co.uk

35 C&A_Dec_Beauty_Opener.indd 35

DECEMBER 2014

13/11/2014 10:45

TRIED & T e s t e d

Guerlain’s new lip colour, heavenly scents and fuss-free salon hair W o r d s r o m y va n d e n b r o e k e

TAILORED BY NO. 5 East London

Wo r d s H E L E N B A R O N

ike good men, good hairdressers are hard to find. Perhaps it’s the L fact that hair can’t be treated with one universal approach; everyone’s hair is different and needs bespoke attention. Sadly, it's hard to escape identikit salons and find a stylist with the requisite expertise and sensitivity to get to grips with one’s own hair. Tailored by No. 5 may be the answer. The only thing typical about this salon is its location – although even that is kept secret until you make a booking. The interior embodies the kind of cool, ‘private member’s club’ vibe and design-savvy decor you’d expect from this corner of London. Think whitewash, wood floors, a lone Mac, pot plants and a resident Shar Pei. Oh, and a glass of bubbly if that’s how you roll. The service is amazing. Because the approach is ‘no frills’ (no washing, no bouffant blow-drys), the consultation is lengthy and the focus squarely on you, the customer. (That said, appointments are private so there’s never any waiting – which shaves a fair bit of time off your visit.) Don’t expect the standard ‘off on holiday?’ questions; instead, there’s friendly banter as the stylist assesses your lifestyle and profession to get a sense of the cut you want. Hair is cut when dry, which allows for a better feel of its natural weight and movement and means you leave with a valuable sense of how to maintain it yourself. Rather than a short-lived ‘salon’ style, I get an amazing cut plus lots of genuinely good advice on how to keep my hair looking its best. My stylist shows me how to add volume at the roots and a natural wave at the front with a little styling product and a deft onceover with a hair-dryer. It all takes less than an hour and is completely fuss-free. Could this be the future of hairdressing? ◆

Read my lips Guerlain

French beauty giant Guerlain has the Christmas party season covered with its sultry new winter make-up collection, modelled here by the brand ambassador Natalia Vodianova. guerlain.com

● TA I L O R E D B Y N O . 5 Location available on appointment;

tailoredbyno5.com

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

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36 14/11/2014 13:59

HEALTH & BEAUTY / NOTES the guide to gilded fragrances

HEAVEN SCENT

T o m Fo r d

Possibly the best fragrance in the world (at least to our noses) Tom Ford’s Jasmin Rouge now has a a small range – perfume, soap and body moisturiser – in its honour. Tom Ford, Jasmin Rouge, Prices vary; tomford.com 02

FRESH THINKING

Sachajuan

Heavy night, but no time to wash your hair? Sachajuan comes to the rescue with this protective hair perfume, which keeps hair smelling fresh, reduces frizz and adds maximum shine. £40; harrods.com

editor’s

PICK FACE VALUE Kerstin Florian

Pamper your face with Kerstin Florian’s Pure Transformation deluxe gift box, which includes a daily cleanser, multi-day vitamin créme SPF 30 and brightening eye créme. Kerstin Florian, Pure Transformation Kit, £130; kerstinflorian.co.uk

LOOK SHARP Trevor Sorbie

Get a head start on your hair in 2015 by entering Trevor Sorbie’s competition to win a year’s worth of hairdressing. Check the Hampstead webpage for details. 42 Hampstead High Street, NW3; trevorsorbie.com

37 B&C_Dec_Beauty_Notes.indd 37

09 1.ELIZABETH ARDEN, Untold Absolu, £40; debenhams.com 2. CARVEN, Le Parfum, £38; harrods.com 3. JOHN VARVATOS Oud, £90; johnvarvatos.com 4. CARTIER, Extrait De Parfum La Panthère, £121; harrods.com 5. ROJA PARFUMS, Amber Extrait, £275; rojaparfums.com 6. PACO RABANNE, Lady Million Eau My Gold!, £60.50; boots.com 7. LOEWE, Quizás Seducción, £44.50; thefragranceshop.co.uk 8. LA PERLA, J'aime Gold Edition, £69; johnlewis.com 9. MOSCHINO, Cheap & Chic Stars, £60; harrods.com

DECEMBER 2014

13/11/2014 14:28

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HEALTH & BEAUTY / PRODUCTS BOBBI BROWN

Shimmer Nail Varnishes, £11; bobbibrown.co.uk

CARVEN

Ma Griffe Gift Set, £75; selfridges.com

EVE LOM

Christmas Kiss Mix, £16; evelom.com

CIATÉ

Candy Cane Glitter Nail Varnishes, £25 for set; selfridges.com

NEOM

Christmas Wish Scented Candle, £45; neomorganics.com

CARTIER

La Panthère, from £36; harrods.com

KORRES

Beautiful Blooms Christmas Gift Set, £18; debenhams.co.uk

ELLIE SAAB

Le Parfum Gift Set, £54; feelunique.com

TOM FORD

Luxury Trousseau, £920; tomford.com

001 LONDON

Selection from Decadent Gift Bar, from £49; 001skincare.com

BEAUTY GIFTS Our edit of the finest gifts for the beauty obsessed

CODAGE PARIS

Tryptique Seasonal, £89; selfridges.com

VERSO

CLARINS CIATÉ

Nail Polish in Confetti, £9; ciatelondon.com

Super Serum Series, £136; uk.spacenk.com

Christmas Crackers, £39; clarins.com

39 Dec_BEAUTY_Gift_Guide.indd 39

DECEMBER 2014

13/11/2014 12:20

SPITALFIELDS 2.indd 1

11/11/2014 16:47

> ALTERNATIVE CHRISTMAS RECIPES FROM THE GINGER PIG

p. 42

GLORIOUS GIFTS FOR THE GOURMAND

p. 48

SEASON’S EATING Prepare and serve your Christmas treats in style with one of Rowen & Wren’s Leather Strap Bread Boards. Crafted from irregular slabs of raw alder wood, they’re pleasingly practical too, with buff leather straps by which to hang them neatly on the wall. Next stop: cheesemonger. From £38; rowenandwren.co.uk

41 C&A_Dec_Food_Opener.indd 41

DECEMBER 2014

13/11/2014 11:10

FOOD & DRINK / RECIPES

Three-Bird Celebration Roast S erves 1 0 Takes 5 h ours • 5kg (11lb) goose, tunnel-boned • 1.3kg (3lb) chicken, tunnel-boned and skinned • 1 pheasant, tunnel-boned and skinned • 25g (10oz) flour

For th e stock • Bird bones from butcher • 2 carrots • 2 celery sticks, cut in half • 2 onions, peeled • 1 bouquet garni

For th e stuffi n g • 1kg (2lb 4oz) pork sausage meat • 3 shallots, peeled and diced • 2 garlic cloves, peeled, crushed and diced • 4 apples, peeled and grated • Zest and juice of 2 oranges • 1 tbsp chopped sage leaves • 1 tbsp chopped parsley • Sea salt • Freshly ground black pepper

ME T HO D 01 First make the stock. Place the bones in a pan and add the carrots, celery, onions and bouquet garni, cover with water and simmer for 1 1/2 hours. Strain, discarding the solids, then simmer the stock again to reduce to about 750ml (1 ¼ pints). 02 Meanwhile put all the stuffing ingredients in a bowl, add seasoning and mix thoroughly by hand.

The Ginger Pig’s Alt e r n a ti v e C h r i s t m a s Roa s t

04 Secure each end with a couple of skewers to keep the stuffing inside.

Tired of turkey? We’ve called on local butchers the Ginger Pig for advice on alternative meat dishes to serve this Christmas R e c i p e s b y t i m w i l s o n a n d f r a n wa r d e

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03 Fill the pheasant with a small amount of the stuffing and place inside the chicken. Carefully insert a layer of stuffing between the pheasant and chicken. Place these two birds inside the goose, then insert the remaining stuffing between the chicken and goose, working it to recreate the shape of the outer bird.

05 Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/gas mark 4. Place the three-bird roast in a lightly oiled roasting tin, cover with a foil tent and cook for 3 hours and 20 minutes, checking and basting a couple of times. Remove the foil and roast for a further 40 minutes so that the skin can crisp up. 06 When cooked through, transfer the roast to a warm serving plate, cover and keep warm for at least 25 minutes before carving. 07 Meanwhile, make the gravy. Sprinkle the flour into the roasting tin and blend until smooth. Place over the heat and slowly pour in the stock, stirring constantly until boiling and just thickened. Season and serve hot with the three-bird roast. ◆

42 13/11/2014 11:37

FOOD & DRINK / RECIPES

Indian Roast Game Birds S e r ves 4 - 5 Ta k es 1 ho ur p l us o v e rn igh t m a r i n a ti n g I n gr e d i e nts • 4 small game birds e.g. pigeon, partridge, pheasant • 1 tbsp oil

F or th e Marinade • 6 cloves • 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon • 2 tsp ground coriander • Generous grating of fresh nutmeg • 1 tsp turmeric • 2 tsp ground cumin • 8 cardamom pods • 2 tsp cayenne pepper • 2 tsp sea salt • 5cm (2in) piece of fresh root ginger, peeled and roughly chopped • 5 garlic cloves, crushed, peeled and roughly chopped • 200ml (7fl oz) natural yoghurt • Zest and juice of 1 lemon

ME T HO D 01 First make the marinade. Put all the spices and salt in a blender and whiz together until finely ground. Add the ginger, garlic and onion and whizz again until you have a paste. Finally, blend in the yoghurt, lemon zest and juice. 02 Skin the birds and cut in half along the breastbone and then the spine. Cut these pieces in half and score 3 slashes in the flesh of each piece. Place in the marinade and stir to coat thoroughly. Cover and place in the fridge overnight. 03 Remove the chilled game from the fridge at least 1 hour before starting to cook so it can come up to room temperature. Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/gas mark 6 and heat the oil in a large roasting tin.

Roast Duck with Cherries

04 Arrange the game in a single layer in the tin and place at the top of the oven. Cook for 8-10 minutes, then turn and cook for a further 8-10 minutes. Serve with spiced rice, a tomato, onion and coriander salad, and naan breads. ◆

Cherries will be out of season over Christmas but don’t feel ashamed to use a tin of cherries to add a juicy sauce to this simple but delicious roast duck.

S erves 2-3 I N G RE DIE N TS • 2kg (4lb 8oz) Yorkshire duck • Sea salt • Freshly ground black pepper • 200g (7oz) cherries, stoned • 50ml (2fl oz) Port • 75ml (3fl oz) chicken stock • 4 sprigs of thyme • 2 tbsp Ginger Pig redcurrant jelly

ME T HO D 01 Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/gas mark 4. Trim the duck of any excess skin and remove the fat from the inside cavity at the neck end. Jab the duck all over with a finepronged fork to help release the excess fat while cooking. Season well and place the duck on a roasting cradle over a roasting tin. Cook in the oven for 1 ¼ hours. 02 Increase the oven temperature to 220°C/425°F/gas mark 7 and roast for a further 20 minutes until the juices run clear when the thickest part of the leg is pierced with a skewer and the skin is crispy. Remove the duck from the oven and leave it to rest in a warm place for 15 minutes. 03 Remove the excess fat from the roasting pan with a metal spoon and pour the cooking juices into a saucepan with the cherries, port, stock, thyme and Ginger Pig redcurrant jelly. Bring to a boil and simmer to reduce by half. Add any juices that have come from the duck. Carve the duck and serve with the cherries and juices. ◆

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DECEMBER 2014

13/11/2014 11:37

FOOD & DRINK / RECIPES

Pork & Cranberry Sausage Roll Ma k es 12

MET HOD To make the pastry, sift the flour into a large bowl. Melt 50g (2oz) of the butter and mix with the salt, vinegar and 230ml (8fl oz) of ice cold water. Add this liquid to the flour and mix to a smooth dough. Cover in Clingfilm and place in the fridge for 1 hour. 01

I N G R E D I E NTS • 550g (1lb 4oz) minced pork • 175g (6oz) pork fat, minced • 100g (3½oz) breadcrumbs • 2tsp dried mixed herbs • 1tsp chopped sage • 150g (5½oz) stilton cheese, crumbled • 50g fresh cranberries • Sea salt • Freshly ground black pepper • 1 egg, beaten (for brushing the pastry)

F o r th e pa stry • 600g (1lb 5oz) very strong white flour, preferably ‘00’ • 450g (1lb) chilled butter • Pinch of salt • 2tbsp white wine vinegar

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02 Place the remaining butter between 2 sheets of Clingfilm and roll it out to finger thickness. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the chilled pastry to a rectangle just over twice the size of the butter. Place the butter in the middle and fold the sides of the pastry over it. Roll out again to a rectangle the same size as it was before the butter was added, then fold in thirds. Roll out once more, give it a quarter turn and fold in thirds again. Cover in Clingfilm and chill for 1 hour. Repeat the rolling and folding 4 more times, adding a light dusting of flour each time, then wrapping and chilling. Leave to rest overnight.

03 Combine the pork and fat in a bowl. Add the breadcrumbs, herbs, cheese, cranberries, seasoning and 125ml (4fl oz) of water. Mix with your hands. Chill overnight. 04 Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/gas mark 4. Roll the pastry out to about 40 x 30cm (16 x 12in) and cut it into 3 lengthways strips about 10cm (4in) wide. Work the sausage meat into a long roll as thick as your thumb and place along a strip of pastry. Brush the exposed pastry with egg, then roll over and crimp the edges. Repeat twice more. Brush with egg and bake for 50 minutes. ◆

● Recipes taken from The Ginger Pig Meat Book and Farmhouse Cook Book (Mitchell Beazley)

44 13/11/2014 16:34

Rest... Experience luxury and a warm welcome with a weekend unwind package at the Great Northern Hotel a boutique hotel in an extraordinary location, a restorative bolthole at the heart of city life. Our offer includes welcome cocktail at the GNH Bar and breakfast prepared to order at our highly acclaimed restaurant Plum + Spilt Milk. As your evening concludes, glide back upstairs, perhaps via our pantry for a late night snack and take advantage of the comprehensive in-room media on your Loewe HD TV with its extensive movie & music library, all of which are complimentary

Our unwind offer allows you to enjoy the weekend with effortless grace. KINGâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CROSS, ST PANCRAS STATION, PANCRAS ROAD, LONDON, N1C 4TB WWW.GNHLONDON.COM T: 020 3388 0800

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13/11/2014 13/11/2014 14:25 16:05

Relax THE PERFECT PLACE TO MEET, EAT, WORK OR RELAX IN THE HEART OF LONDON’S KING’S CROSS ST PANCRAS. SIMPLE CLASSICS, BEAUTIFULLY COOKED, COURTESY OF HIGHLY ACCLAIMED CHEF MARK SARGEANT, IN AN ATMOSPHERE ELEGANT YET RELAXED. WE OFFER FOUR SPACES THAT CAN BE EXCLUSIVELY HIRED FOR PRIVATE PARTIES.

KING’S CROSS, ST PANCRAS STATION, PANCRAS ROAD, LONDON, N1C 4TB

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13/11/2014 13/11/2014 14:25 16:05

GNH

14:25

Indulge...

EXPLORE OUR SEASONAL MOUTHWATERING FEASTS, CREATED BY HIGHLY ACCLAIMED CHEF MARK SARGEANT

GOOSNARGH CHICKEN ROAST SIRLOIN OF BEEF SUCKLING PIG ROASTED SHELLFISH

WWW.GNHLONDON.COM T: 020 3388 0800

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13/11/2014 13/11/2014 14:25 16:05

ABSOLUTELY / PROMOTION leftovers. Ricky even manages to squeeze in some birthday cake between meals, as well as a special present of thanks from family for a memorable day that began at 3am! Cooking is Ricky’s life and love; something regular diners – whether ordering takeout or home delivery or seated at one of the tables in this Vietnamese shophouse-style open-plan restaurant – will appreciate with every authentic pan-Asian mouthful. Family has always played a major part in the executive chef’s dishes, and his beef rendang, slow-cooked with roasted coconut and sweet potato, is made from a closely guarded recipe handed down by his grandmother. But it’s no secret that only the finest ingredients and premium range products are used in all dishes – and with the restaurant’s own minimarket on site, customers can always try making their own. Tootoomoo’s relaxed, family-friendly ethos makes it a great choice for special celebrations and office parties as well as meals with friends or intimate one-toones. But in the run-up to Christmas one thing’s for sure: it’s going to be busy, which is just the way Ricky and his team like it. So from all at Tootoomoo, ‘Merry Christmas’ – or should we say, ‘Xin Tan Kwai Lec’. u

TOOTOOMOO WISHES YOU ALL A HAPPY NEW YEAR xecutive chef Ricky Pang is used to catering to the E masses. When Tootoomoo welcomed its first diners to Crouch End two years ago, the initial stream of custom soon became a flood. The pan-Asian eatery quickly trebled in size, with takeaway outlets opening in Highgate and more recently Islington. At Christmas, the extended family masses around the culinary master. They get Ricky’s full attention – and like the guests at his Crouch End restaurant, they all want to be fed. In fact, as with most households over the festive period, it’s all about the food! When Tootoomoo shuts its doors on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, Ricky

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turns his attention from his signature dishes of grilled salmon miso and grilled sirloin steak with wasabi jus to more traditional festive fare – roast turkey, saddle of lamb, venison and roast aromatic goose and yuzu jelly and lemon oysters; less familiar than brussels sprouts, perhaps, but no less delicious. And with wishes for good health, luck and prosperity liberally sprinkled over every portion, you have to hope there’s more to come… Once gifts are unwrapped under a tree adorned with lights and ‘ang pow’ lucky money, the focus moves to a dinner of steamed bass, sautéed prawns, stir fry noodles, chicken and pork belly, followed three hours later with a supper of

Tootoomoo is open 12 midday to late, seven days a week. 278 St Pauls Road, N1, 020 7704 6687 12 Crouch End Hill, N8, 020 8340 2633 230 Archway Road, N6, 020 8342 9112 tootoomoo.co.uk

48 13/11/2014 16:35

& Recline

A CHIC, CONTINENTAL BAR IN LONDON’S EXQUISITE GREAT NORTHERN HOTEL.

SERVING NOT ONLY THE FINEST WINES, COCKTAILS AND SPIRITS BUT ALSO FOOD BY HIGHLY ACCLAIMED CHEF MARK SARGEANT.

KING’S CROSS, ST PANCRAS STATION, PANCRAS ROAD, LONDON, N1C 4TB WWW.GNHLONDON.COM T: 020 3388 0800

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13/11/2014 13/11/2014 14:25 16:05

B Street Deli

Christmas Hampers Packed full of delicious fine foods from around the world, the contents have been hand selected by our expert foodies. Baskets include fine charcuterie, artisan cheese, crackers, speciality coffee and teas, fine wines, cognac and champagne just to name a few.

TO PLACE AN ORDER PLEASE CONTACT US

info@bstreetdeli.co.uk | 020 7403 3943 f u @BStreetDeliLDN

B STREET DELI.indd 1

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FOOD & DRINK / GIFT GUIDE

CULINARY CONCEPTS

Côtes de Provence Butter Dish with Glass Insert, £52; johnlewis.com

ANTHROPOLOGIE Farmer's Cabinet Cheese Knives, £38; anthropologie.eu

ALESSI

Ossidiana Espresso Coffee Maker by Mario Trimarchi, from £35; alessi.com

VANQUISH

Cognac Delemain Voyage Carafe, £5,150; gift-library.com

MAKERS & MERCHANTS

Very Merry Christmas Bauble Chocolates, £4; heals.co.uk

THE LEXINGTON COMPANY

Hampton Bayside Apron, £85; lexingtoncompany.com

WHITTARD

The Luxury Hot Chocolate Hamper, £15; whittard.co.uk

HARRODS

Moving Train Cake, £150; harrods.com

SALVATORE FERRAGAMO

100 Points by James Suckling Leather Briefcase for Lalique, Black Edition, £5,900; lalique.com

HARRODS

Daylesford Complete Christmas Hamper, £500; harrods.com

GIFTS FOR FOODIES

GLEN GRANT

The Glen Grant 50 Year Old, £3.500; thewhiskyexchange.com

CARLUCCIO’S

Albero di Natale, £2.95; carluccios.com

GÜ

Limited Edition Luxury Bauble Collection, £85; gupuds.com

Our edit of the best gifts for bon viveurs ROCOCO

Nutcracker Chocolate, £42; conranshop.co.uk

WILLIAM CURLEY

The Wuyi Collection, £25; williamcurley.com

THE FOOD MINISTRY Cake in a Can, £4.99; yumbles.com

51 C&A_Food_Gift_Guide.indd 51

DECEMBER 2014

13/11/2014 16:37

IL BORDELLO RESTAURANT & PIZZERIA

The finest Italian food made to order with the freshest ingredients. Add sparkle to your celebration this festive season, with our warm ambience, sumptuous food, seasonal tipples & enough cheer to last well into 2015. From lunches to dinners, we invite you to indulge in a feast of festivity. Rest assured weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll take care of every detail to make it a truly unforgettable occasion.

On behalf of our Team, we look forward to making this a very Merry Christmas for all who visit us 0207 481 9950 | www.ilbordello.com | 81 WAPPING HIGH STREET LONDON E1W 2YN

Lunch daily Monday to Friday : 12 Noon to 3pm | Dinner Mon-Sat 6pm to 11pm | Sunday: 1pm to 10:30pm

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12/09/2014 16:28

RESTAURANT REVIEW / FOOD & DRINK This is everything a

BIG-MONEY, BIG-NAME OPENING should be

The Laundry Head down to Warburton Road – and not to do your washing

businesses – and this former Sixties laundry ticked every box. The fledgling enterprise now consists of 26 artist studios on the top floor and a basement club venue for up to 700; I’m here though for the ground-floor restaurant, which owes much to the new wave of hip hotels and their design-led approach. The working lunches are a real treat for locals. Old school fish and chips, burgers and curries are surprisingly fairly priced considering their quality, and while the salads are not quite as dazzling as an Ottolenghi offering, they certainly beat the supermarkets for freshness. The space comes into its own at dinnertime, with its echoey, artsy, warehouse vibe and aproned hipster staff making for a lively, sociable ambience. That said, the venue’s sun-trap yard also makes for a great brunch destination: the huevos rancheros were back-every-weekend good, blowing your typical eggy breakfast out of the water. In short, this is everything a bigmoney, big-name opening should be, while somehow retaining the modesty of a smaller, community-led offering. It operates all day – so you could go for breakfast, stay for lunch, drink till dinner and finish your night with a gig or event downstairs (think Aphex Twin listening party or Neneh Cherry DJ set). Big name, big space, big potential. u

Wo r d s h e l e n b a r o n

he Laundry arrived quietly this summer, taking up residence on a Hackney back-street a stone’s throw from local luminaries E5 Bakehouse and Rita’s. At first, it seemed a brave move – the creative types who fill the local warehouse spaces were already pretty well served by the aforementioned eateries, along with The Advisory (the local burger joint) and Mare & Beck (which specialises in tacos, sourdough toasties and super healthy salads). And that’s before we even get to Broadway

Market. Was this particular strip – once a light industrial wasteland with little to recommend it – nearing saturation point? And could the Laundry’s scale (it’s BIG) be its undoing? The answer is a resounding no. Step inside the New York-y space, with its lofty ceilings and poured concrete floor, and you’re immediately aware that this is more than just another opening. The Laundry is, in fact, a ‘creative arts hub’, and one with a pretty unassailable pedigree – Radiohead’s Ed O’Brien is an investor. Apparently, O’Brien spent years looking for the perfect spot for his vision – a cultural and culinary hub for creative

53 C&A_Dec_Food_Review.indd 53

● the l aundry

2-18 Warburton Road, E8; the laundrye8.com

DECEMBER 2014

12/11/2014 15:14

BLOOM PERFUMERY Bloom Perfumery is your one-stop shop for all things divinely scented this Christmas. With the help of their specialist staff, you’ll be sure to find the perfect gift among a curated collection of the best in luxury and niche perfume and candles from around the world. Open Monday to Sunday, 11am to 7pm. 4 Hanbury Street, E1; 020 7247 6148; bloomperfume.co.uk

TIS THE SEASON

“On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me” some of Absolutely’s favourite things to buy and places to go.

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

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THE SPA AT BEDFORD LODGE HOTEL The perfect way to treat a friend or loved one is the gift of total relaxation, and a great way to do that is with personalised spa gift vouchers from The Spa at Bedford Lodge Hotel. The vouchers can be gift-wrapped in a beautifully packaged box and are available in any denomination. The ideal Christmas indulgence. Bury Road, CB8; 01638 676130; bedfordlodgehotelspa.co.uk/gift-vouchers

54 13/11/2014 15:43

ABSOLUTELY XXXXXXXXX//PROMOTION XXXXXXXX

ATISSU

ABSOLUTELY RECOMMENDS Here are some of our top picks for Christmas gifts and things to do

Working with talented designers and illustrators, Atissu make everyday objects more lovely. Their launch collection of boxed tissues debuts ten striking designs, all with stylish modern interiors in mind. Made in Britain with responsibly sourced materials and printed in London, this festive pop-up offers a chance to explore this beautiful new brand. Runs December 1114. northandsouth Ideas Gallery, 82 Highgate High Street, N6; atissu.com

BRANCH ON THE PARK

ANGELA FLANDERS

Jewellery shop ‘Branch on the Park’ is ready for Christmas and bursting with all that sparkles and glistens. The jewellery is made and designed in the shop by the owner, goldsmith Julia Cook, who also sells a small range of pieces by other independent designers – and with prices starting at just £10, it’s an ideal spot to find Christmas gifts. Jewellery in photo: 18ct gold, silver, precious and semi-precious gemstones, £165-£10,000. 227 Victoria Park Road, E9; 020 8533 7977; branchonthepark.co.uk

Angela Flanders handmade candles contain up to 20% fragrance in the wax for maximum fragrance. For the festive season, choose from Aqua d’Or, a limited edition for 2014, or Mr Severs, a perennial favourite. The perfect gift, both scents can be found alongside all manner of perfumed treats for men, women or the home at Flanders’ artisan perfumery in Spitalfields. 4 Artillery Passage, E1; angelaflanders-perfumer.com

PRECIOUS This Christmas, Precious celebrates the festive season with a Nordic theme. Featuring cosy Danish knitwear, unique scarves from Becksondergaard, vintage-style watches from Olivia Burton, pretty bags by Maison Francaise and gorgeous knitwear from 360 Cashmere. A wide selection of affordable jewellery sits alongside fashion from international and niche collections. Browse the store’s website or pop in to find your perfect Christmas gift. 16 Artillery Passage, E1; precious-london.com

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PAXTON CHOCOLATE Located just off Brick Lane in Shoreditch, this new boutique makes chocolates which offer a complete sensory experience. Choose from 14 irresistible flavours to create your own personalised box, or select a box from the Signature, Dark and Christmas ranges. Bespoke orders are welcome, and you can order online for direct postage to loved ones further afield. 38 Cheshire Street, E2, 020 8127 8807; paxtonchocolate.com

THE QUEENSBURY

M.E.G.

The Queensbury is happy to announce it’s new seasonal offerings. Besides traditional Christmas fare, festive specials such as the succulent seared pheasant breast and the slow-cooked blade of beef will appear on the menu. For the New Years Eve party, their in-house DJ will be counting down with the crowd to ensure an amazing start to 2015. 110a Walm Lane, NW2, 020 8452 0171; thequeensbury.co.uk

A mainstay in the heart of Victoria Park, this independent shop specialises in unique gifts and homeware for all occasions including picture frames, candles and candlesticks, shabby chic side tables, jewellery, decorations and much more. Whether you’re trying to find a card that says it all or a thoughtful gift (all at very affordable prices) this is a treasure trove waiting to be explored. 164 Victoria Park Road, E9; 020 8533 4433

TOMFOOLERY It’s that time of year again, when women across North London hope to discover some fine and fashionable jewellery underneath the Christmas tree. Fortunately for those doing the purchasing, the tomfoolery jewellery shop in Muswell Hill has an exclusive range of contemporary jewellery from top designers across the globe. The new Métier collection, made from 9ct gold and luxurious precious stones, is not to be missed! 109 Fortis Green Road, N10; tomfoolerylondon.co.uk

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

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BRORA

SWEET PEA

Britain’s best-loved modern cashmere brand still has Scottish cashmere at its heart, but every season the founder, sole owner, and creative director Victoria Stapleton creates an ever-growing range of clothing to build a complete wardrobe using only the finest fabrics. Brora remains true to its quirky, vintage-inspired self while moving with the turn of fashion’s wheel each season. 186 Upper Street, N1, 020 7354 4246; brora.co.uk

Sweet Pea is a luxury designer jewellery boutique on Gloucester Avenue in Primrose Hill. Run by Siobhan O’Neill and her friendly team, this inviting boutique sells delicate 18ct gold jewellery set with diamonds, precious stones and pearls. It also offers a bespoke engagement and wedding ring service – and stocks fellow designers including Alex Monroe, Polly Wales and Jo Hayes Ward. 77 Gloucester Avenue, NW1 8LD, 020 7449 9292; sweetpeajewellery.com

CHRISTMAS GIFT FAIRS Do all your Christmas shopping in one go at these two annual indoor Christmas Gift Fairs in Hampstead and Islington. Dozens of high end exhibitors will be selling everything from fashion and jewellery to food, childrenswear and homeware, so there’s bound to be a unique gift for everyone on your list. The Hampstead fair runs 28-30 November while Islington runs 5-7 December. Check the websites for further details. hampsteadchristmasgiftfair.com; islingtonchristmasgiftfair.com

TIDDLYWINKS @BENS

MERCANTILE

St John’s Wood High Street is home to the most exciting kid’s superstore: Tiddlywinks @Ben’s. Stocking babywear, stylish down jackets and coats and ranges for all ages from the lesser known to famous designers. For teens there’s a designated floor selling a selection of skinny jeans, Michael Kors shirts and jackets and beautiful partywear up to 16 years. Hats and gloves are in abundance as are the ever popular Ash boots. You will find wonderful gifts that all the kids will love. 5 St John's Wood High Street, NW8; tiddlywinks.co.uk

This festive season Mercantile is packed to the rafters with gift ideas from a vast array of jewellery and apothecary. The newly opened basement houses homeware, stationary, woollen blankets, watches and artefacts. Not just a clothing boutique, this family- run business is a local gem and an easy way to make light work of your Christmas shopping list. 17 Lamb Street, E1; 020 7377 8926; mercantilelondon.com

KENT & SONS Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without the festive lunch. Visit Kent & Sons, a traditional family butchers, first established by Fred Kent in 1919 situated in the heart of St. John's Wood. Kent & Sons specialises in free range and organic British beef, lamb, poultry and pork, not to mention traditional roast turkeys which are reared by hand for superior taste and texture. 59 St John's Wood High Street, NW8 7NL, 020 7722 2258; kents-butchers.com

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THE OLIVIER AWARD-WINNING SHOW RETURNS FROM 16 DEC!

KING’S CROSS THEATRE Good’s Way, King’s Cross, London N1C 4UR

0844 871 7604 RAILWAY CHILDREN.indd 1 1967_03_RC_AbsNorth_A4_AW.indd 1

(bkg fee)

RailwayChildrenLondon.com 12/11/2014 09:12 09:43 12/11/2014

> PERFECT CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR LITTLE ONES

p. 61

GREAT EXPECTATIONS

p. 63

TWINKLE TOES Stockings are not just for Christmas. Falkeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fabulous range of snuggly socks and cosy tights are high quality, resilient and warm, as well as looking stylish and bright. falke.com

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DECEMBER 2014

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beautiful clothes for gorgeous girls from 0-13yrs

GORGEOUS CHRISTMAS

www.ilovegorgeous.co.uk 0844 371 3301

FF 10% O ORDER FIRST 4 YOUR ode xmas201 with c D 52 Ledbury Road London W11 2AJ 020 7229 5855

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KIDS & EDUCATION / GIFT GUIDE GIGI BROOKS Rocket

Beanbag, £140; gigibrooks.com

GIGI BROOKS

Sofa Mood, £398; gigibrooks.com

PAPERO

Hot Air Balloons, £12 set of 3; conranshop.co.uk

STEIFF

Classic 1935 Fellow Terrier, £135; steiff.com

THE FOLIO SOCIETY The Hobbit, £29.95; foliosociety.com

RATATAM

MARKS & SPENCER

Tiger and Polar Bear Costumes, £88 each; en.smallable.com

Snowman Plush, £19.50; marksandspencer.com

STEIFF

Mickey Mouse, £150; steiff.com

SKOOT

Ride-On Suitcase, £57.95; harrods.com

BRITISH LIBRARY

Paddington Suitcase Set of 8 Books, £14.99; shop.bl.uk

WILD & WOLF

Gruffalo Cutlery Set, £11.95; wildandwolf.com

WILD & WOLF

Mr Men & Little Miss Breakfast Set, £14.95; wildandwolf.com

GIGIBROOKS.COM

GIGI BROOKS

Army Grey Shark Attack 3D Bike, £650; gigibrooks.com

GIFTS FOR KIDS Stocking fillers and showstoppers for little ones

HEDGEHOG

Table Football, £2,995; hedgehogshop.co.uk

ELFIE

Dorothy Gold Glitter Shoes, £54; elfielondon.com

HEDGEHOG

Indian Teepee, £83; hedgehogshop.co.uk

MARKS & SPENCER Santa Dress, £14; marksandspencer.com

BRITISH LIBRARY

PROFESSOR PUZZLE

London in a Bag, £12.50; shop.bl.uk

Dinosaur Construction Kits and Activity Book, £5; habitat.co.uk

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‘TIS THE SEASON TO BE SOCIAL Visit the N1 Centre online to win prizes throughout December. Win over £400 of goodies this Christmas, including £250 vouchers to be redeemed at any retailer within the N1 Centre. We will also be offering an array of fab miniprizes throughout the month in the run-up to Christmas such as gift sets from L’Occitane and Paperchase, tickets to O2 Academy’s Christmas ‘Festive-all’event, vouchers for GBK, Pret a Manger, Itsu, wagamama, Mr. Pretzels and more! Tune in to our social channels and check out the website to get involved.*

*See full terms and conditions at www.n1islington.com

n1islington.com

n1shoppingcentreislington

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@jw3London /jw3London

JW3 ICE RINK 7 December 2014 – 11 January 2015 (Including Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day!) Come and skate on North West London’s winter ice rink, in the Piazza at JW3. Online Discount Enter Code ABSOLUTELYFIRSTICE to get 20% off tickets booked online for skating sessions 7-12 December.* BOOK ONLINE www.jw3.org.uk BOX OFFICE 020 7433 8988 info@jw3.org.uk As well as the skating area, Zest café is open to all visitors (including non-skaters), so come and warm up with a full range of tasty food and refreshments. *Terms and conditions may apply. Discounts cannot be combined. Family tickets and members’ tickets exempt from this offer.

ADVERT PLACEMENTS.indd 1

JW3 341-351 Finchley Road London NW3 6ET Finchley Road / Finchley Road and Frognal

14/11/2014 11:58

KIDS & EDUCATION / MUM-TO-BE

GREAT EXPECTATIONS A regular column tracking the highs and lows of pregnancy from the first inkling to the final push

BY SERAPHINE

Wo r d s H E L E N B A R O N

’ve decided to look at being pregnant at Christmas as some sort of weird and wonderful social experiment. I refuse to be put off by a month that is traditionally filled with office gettogethers, fun outings with family and friends and booze-fuelled parties. Surely I can reconceptualise socialising as an opportunity for riveting (rather than drunken) conversation? I can spend quality time with friends capitalising on the season’s wealth of decent exhibitions, plays and cultural pursuits, things I would never usually get round to doing – like going to see The Nutcracker or perusing a Christmas market. Or maybe now is the time to make new friends – pregnant ones, the kind who can become a pillar of support in the months to come? My calendar needn’t be dry just because I am… right? One positive is that I can eat mince pies and stollen (love that stuff ) with abandon this year. In addition, I have the perfect reason not to be drawn out of my zen state by the usual stresses of yuletide logistics. I shall embrace my urge to nest and get cosy; I shall make the most of the virtues of online shopping (all the better for being able to buy a few super cute baby things while I’m at it); and I’ll be distracted, I hope, from the recent, nagging idea that pregnancy seems to last an awfully long time.

Until now, I’ve remained surprisingly un-hormonal and calm – only succumbing to the occasional freak-out over the ever-expanding ‘no-can-do’ list. (In a well-intentioned bid to get my baby off to a superfood-laden start, I knocked back a cold-pressed kale juice only to discover that unpasteurised juices are a no-no: error. I’ve already switched to decaf coffee because, and maybe this seems silly in retrospect, I wasn’t quite aware of how much caffeine I was actually consuming what with my tea, chocolate and Diet Coke intake. Though I by no means guzzle any of the above, it’s better to err on the side of caution. As my bump gets bigger and the temperature turns, I can also no longer get away with maxi dresses – my so-called ‘baggy’ boyfriend jeans aren’t so baggy anymore and my trusty dungarees look decidedly too tight for purpose. Tiffany Rose is a good heads up for maternity occasionwear at this time of year (they even do ballgowns for mums-to-be, if you’re in need of such attire) and discovering Seraphine maternity jeans (seraphine.com) has saved me from the perilous lure of maternity leggings. Come the new year, I’ll be looking more closely at antenatal classes and birth plans, as I pass the halfway point and head into the home straight. Until then, Santa and I have something in common – we’re both big fans of elasticated waistbands. 

of the best for

EVENINGWEAR 01

UNPASTEURISED juices are a NO-NO: ERROR

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1. VINTAGE CAPE GOWN DRESS IN BLUSH NOIR, £249 2. LUCIA WINDSOR DRESS IN BLUE, £225 3. CHLOE LACE DRESS IN BLACK, £140 All from tiffanyrose.com

DECEMBER 2014

12/11/2014 15:19

NEW KITCHENS @ SHOREDITCH

Luxury European Furniture since 1962

London & M25 Showrooms 020 7760 7558 WHARFSIDE.indd1 1 Wharfeside.indd absolutely-ad10.indd 1

absolutelywharfside.co.uk 04/11/2014 14:27 09:46 16/10/2014 16/10/2014 10:15

> TEN OF THE BEST CHRISTMAS BAUBLES

p. 66

GENIUS GIFT IDEAS FOR THE HOMEBODY

p. 75

SCANDI COOL John Lewis bring a touch of Scandinavian styling into your home this year. Combining cool minimalism with traditional reds and whites, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no one like our Nordic neighbours when it comes to tableware, decorations and foodie gifts. johnlewis.com

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10 of the best

christmas baubles ANTHROPOLOGIE

This month we’ve got Christmas decorating all wrapped up

Midas Plume Feather Ornaments, £8; anthropologie.eu

Wo r d s G e m m a B i l l i n g t o n

WYEVALE GARDENS

Metal Peacock Decoration, £6.99; wyevalegardencentres.co.uk 02

DECORATOR’S NOTEBOOK Mini Picture Frame Decoration (Set of 6), £24.95; decoratorsnotebook.co.uk

MARKS & SPENCER Chocolate Filled White Bauble Tin, £5; marksandspencer.com 05

Table Talk House of Hackney

INDIA JANE

Reindeer Decoration, £9.90; indiajane.co.uk

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

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House Of Hackney are not just print pioneers – they’re purveyors of the Good Life, too. Check out their latest collection of tableware, released in time for the festivities and sure to make this year’s Christmas spread your most stylish yet. 131 Shoreditch High Street, E1; houseofhackney.com

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HOMES & INTERIORS / NOTES editor’s

PICK

TV UNSER

Original Christmas LED Christmas Star, £15.05; amazon.co.uk

STRAWBERRY FIELDS William Morris

Coinciding with current exhibition Anarchy & Beauty: William Morris & His Legacy, the National Portrait Gallery are stocking beautiful homeware inspired by the prolific designer. Strawberry Thief Print Chair, £850; npg.org.uk

ALL WRAPPED UP Black Magic

Quite possibly the most decadent wrapping paper on the market, this luxurious collection is part of the Black Magic range available at House of Fraser. We like to imagine this is how Joan Collins wraps her prezzies... houseoffraser.co.uk

NORDIC HOUSE

Bird Tree Ornaments, £5 each; nordichouse.co.uk

JONATHAN ADLER

Silver Fox Ornament, £28; uk.jonathanadler.com

STAG PARTY LuxDeco

Christmas table decorations needn’t look tacky. Take a leaf out of luxury online retailer LuxDeco’s book, and make sure this fabulous Silver Stag Candelabra takes centre stage. £89; luxdeco.com

INDIA JANE

Hummingbird Decoration, £4.50; indiajane.co.uk

DOOR POLICY Abigail Ahern

The interior designer will be running a Christmas Wreath workshop in her Islington shop on 3 December. Customers can take their artful arrangements home and the evening includes prosecco and a 10% discount on the night. 137 Upper Street, N1; abigailahern.com

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PAPERCHASE

Glitter Pinecone Hedgehog, £5; paperchase.co.uk

DECEMBER 2014

13/11/2014 11:31

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S AV I N G S H

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HOMES & INTERIORS / PRODUCTS PH 3½-3 PENDANT LAMP, by Louis Poulsen, £632; skandium.com

PK22 LOUNGE CHIAR IN WALNUT LEATHER, Republik of Fritz Hansen, £3,686; fritzhansen.com

therugcompany.com

VICTORIA’S SECRET,

Beach Hair Wave Spray, £7; victoriassecret.com

EASTERLY BLANKET

by Eleanor Pritchard, £320; eleanorpritchard.com

KAISER IDELL table lamp, £537; fritzhansen.com

PORCELAIN BAUHAUS LIGHT SWITCH, Berker Serie

1930, POA, ivoryegg.co.uk

WHITE BRICK CLOCK, Leff, £239; beut.co.uk

JUX COAT STAND,

£160; habitat.co.uk

MR CHAISE LONGUE,

BAUHAUS STYLE

JOOST SCHMIDT (1883-1948) STAATLICHES BAUHAUS AUSSTELLUNG

lithograph in colours, sold at Christies last year with an estimated sale price of £200,000

The ongoing influence of the German design collective

by Mies van der Rohe, from £7,152; aram.co.uk

NESTING TABLES by Josef Albers, €1,595; markanto.de

BAUHAUS CHESS FIGURES, £450;

britishmusuemshoponline.org

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timeless

Crouch End 128 Crouch Hill London N8 9DY Telephone 020 8341 2020

Islington 42 Cross Street London N1 2BA Telephone 020 7359 4041

www.funktionalkitchens.co.uk

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ABSOLUTELY / PROMOTION

WINTER WARMERS

Wimbledon-based fireplace providers, Grate Expectations, introduce new fires to their portfolio just in time for autumn ith the impending cold weather and the reality of W extortionate bills on the horizon there is no better time to find an alternative and effective way to heat the home. Thick winter knits and hearty food may warm a little, but nothing beats a roaring fire on a chilly winter night. Luxury fireplace dealers, Grate Expectations, know a thing or two about heating the home sourcing some of the best fireplace and stoves from producers around the world. Grate Expectations are stockists of one of the most successful fireplace producers in the world, DRU, a company

hailing from the Netherlands who has been leading the way in the market since 1754. New to Grate Expectations’ portfolio is the Metro 100XT: a contemporary letterbox gas fire. Unlike the original Metro fire, the 100XT has more height and can thus display big realistic logs and higher flames. The fire also has an efficiency rating of 85%, making it one of the most proficient and impressive gas fires on the market. The Global Beau freestanding stove from DRU is a contemporary take on a classic, despite being powered by gas. The stove is available in either traditional black or ivory, for a modern feel.

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Norwegian producers Jøtul have been “fighting the cold since 1853”. The Jøtul F373 wood-burner won the Best of the Best award at the Red dot design awards and is the first wood stove to have ever won this prestigious accolade. With creativity, functionality and craftsmanship Dik Guerts offer an extensive range of robust free-standing stoves, insert and built-in fires. DG Fires design and manufacture contemporary stoves that are easy to use and highly efficient. Comprised of the latest in stove technology DG Fires are suited for both urban and rural homes. Grate Expectations Ltd are expert distributors and installers of Dru, Dik Guerts, Jøtul and many more manufacturers of luxury gas and wood burning fires. Established for over 25 years they remain a successfully running family business with many satisfied clients. Our aim is to ensure our team offer the assistance required in choosing your fire giving you peace of mind and complete satisfaction on your purchase. u 1-3 Station Buildings, Kingston Road, Wimbledon Chase, London, SW20 8JT, 020 8540 8387 grateexpectations.com

DECEMBER 2014

13/11/2014 15:34

Installations and connections you can trust Harris Electrical is a family run business that has retailed domestic appliances and home entertainment from showrooms on Lower Clapton Road, Hackney for more than 80 years.

Seasons greetings from 62-64 Lower Clapton Road, Clapton, London, E5 0RN Tel: 020 8985 6388 - sales@harriselectricalltd.co.uk

www.harriselectricalltd.co.uk

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INTERIOR DESIGN SPACE PLANNING DECORATION FURNISHING DESIGN & BUILD LIGHTING

Sleep in heavenly peace Beautiful new timber windows and doors www.ayrtonbespoke.com Telephone 020 8877 8920 Email enquiries@ayrtonbespoke.com 406 Merton Road, London SW18 5AD 07850 101011 www.sarahrossdesign.com

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HOMES & INTERIORS / GIFT GUIDE

FORNASETTI

Giardino Segreto Candle, £18; conranshop.co.uk

HOUSE OF HACKNEY Hackney Empire Stripe Teapot, £70; houseofhackney.com

FOLKLORE

Coffee Pot Day, £19.95; wildandwolf.com

ALESSI

ROBERTS RADIO

LALIQUE

Anna G Corkscrew by Alessandro Mendini for Alessi, £29.95; alessi.com

Revival Mini in Duck Egg, £139.95; johnlewis.com

100 Points Decanter by James Suckling, £595; lalique.com

KRUPS

EA9000 Bean-to-Cup Automatic Espresso Machine, £1,300; debenhams.com

FLOCK

Cocktail Chairs, £595; shop.flock.org.uk

ROSE & GREY

World Map; roseandgrey.co.uk

SARA SMITH

Cambridge Blue Teacup & Saucer, £80; luxdeco.com

DECOR WALTHER

Copper Soap Dispenser, £165; conranshop. co.uk

ROB RYAN

PRIMROSE HILL LONDON

‘My Home’ Cushion, £35; wildandwolf.com

Limited Edition Gold Candle, £25; shop.primrosehillcandles.com

GIFT REPUBLIC

Cluedo Espresso Cups (set of 6), £24.99; houseoffraser.co.uk

ANTHROPOLOGIE Dachshund Letter Holder, £28; anthropologie.eu

GIFTS FOR THE HOME Our edit of the best gifts for those with an eye for design IITTALA

Taika Tea Towel, £10; cloudberryliving.co.uk

LOVERAMICS

Flutter Gift Boxed Salad Plates (set of 4), £25.50; occa-home.co.uk

PAUL SMITH

Anglepoise + Paul Smith Lamp, £149; paulsmith.co.uk

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DECEMBER 2014

13/11/2014 12:19

TRO N I H ONT M A £3

FFER O N CTIO

TRY NEW THINGS So far this year, we’ve been up 2 towers- the Oxo Tower and the Shard; we’ve sung our hearts out in a Reggae Choir, gone scuba diving, had walks & picnics, as well as some fantastic nights out! MEET NEW PEOPLE Through our regular meet ups and events, we give people the opportunity to make new friendships & connect with each other. CONNECT WITH THE BOROUGH We showcase some of the fantastic things on offer from community organisations and local businesses. SAVE MONEY Our Camden source & arrange deals for our Members with local businesses. This enables us to support independent business & encourage people to shop locally whilst making great savings.

Contribute. Celebrate. Connect. www.ourcamden.org 0203 488 0020 OUR CAMDEN.indd 1

08/10/2014 11:48

> SKIING, SHOPPING AND SIGHTSEEING IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK

p. 78

FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK There’s nothing like New York in winter. Don't miss Abigail Butcher's upstate ski special on page 84, which takes us out of the Big Apple to the surrounding mountains for snowsports (and après-ski) with a twist.

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13/11/2014 14:32

XXXXXX / XXXXXXX SPOTLIGHT

STATE OF PLAY This year, combine skiing, shopping and sightseeing in New York state for a quirky alternative to the Alps Wo r d s A b i g a i l B u t c h e r

o walk through Central Park, snow falling softly all around, temperatures of -20c nipping at your cheeks, must be one of the most magical of New York experiences. The ‘city that never sleeps’ is at its most atmospheric in the winter, encased in a thick blanket of snow to temporarily muffle the sounds of the bustling streets and slow the traffic. Bright yellow cabs throw a sharp contrast of colour against the white park, and a low winter sun burns brightly in the blue sky, belying the chilliness of the morning. Diving into a café for blueberry pancakes and a steaming mug of coffee to warm my hands, I feel hugely grateful for the warm clothes I packed in order to explore a side of New York rarely considered by Brits, outside the city. New York state is scattered with a surprising number of ski resorts to which city dwellers bolt at weekends and which offer a snapshot of rural America just a few hours’ drive from the Big Apple. The most obvious first stop is Windham

Mountain in the Catskill Mountains; the East Coast ski version of The Hamptons. A two-hour drive out of the city, this boutique resort is home to stunning, million-dollar timber-clad chalets dotted around the 52 tree-lined pistes — or ‘trails’ as they are called Stateside. This is no Trois Vallées, but there are 278 skiable acres served by 12 lifts — plenty to keep you amused for a weekend including a couple of unexpected steeps. Perhaps the name Upper Wheelchair should have been a warning — with a burst of enthusiasm on the beautifully groomed descent I went head over heels and decided it was time for a break, retiring to the divine oak-panelled Club at Windham to warm up with a hot cider. The waiters know a chilly skier when they see one and persuaded me to try a shot of cinnamon-flavoured Fireball whisky — creating possibly the best après-ski drink known to man. US ski resorts are not known for their ski-in, ski-out accommodation and New York State is no different. So instead grab a taste of rural Catskills in nearby North Creek, a slightly hippy but all-American

CATSKILL MOUNTAINS are the East Coast SKI VERSION of the HAMPTONS

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

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TRAVEL / NEW YORK

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DECEMBER 2014

12/11/2014 15:24

ABSOLUTELY CITY & ANGEL DECEMBER 2014 / £3.95

ABSOLUTELY LONDON

LONDON

MATTHEW BOURNE

LIMBERS UP FOR CHRISTMAS

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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

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PAINT THE TOWN RED THIS DECEMBER

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12/03/2014 16:37 14/11/2014 12:00

TRAVEL / NEW YORK

town lined with clapperboard houses, antique shops, bakeries and delicatessens as well as a couple of bars and eateries, including the fabulous Bar Vino, which offers around dozens of wines by the glass. It’s also home to the charming Alpine Lodge with its sprawling, rustic but luxurious beds. Heaven after a hard day on the slopes. Drive on upstate another few hours, towards the border with Canada, and you reach the Adirondacks, and stunning wooded scenery surrounding the two biggest New York state resorts of Gore and White Face. The 1980 Lake Placid Olympics were held up here and the US Olympic teams return each season to train — it’s ‘proper’ skiing here, with off-piste options, double blacks and wonderful long cruises among the glades. Neither resort is vast but both offer plenty for a couple of days on the slopes. The Adirondacks have a distinctly

Alpine feel, with all of the skiing in the treeline; silver birch mixed with Scotch pines and oaks. You can see for miles around from the top of these mountains — with views from Little White Face back on to Lake Placid a particular highlight. One of the best things about skiing in the US is the service, and the luxurious Whiteface Lodge in Lake Placid is the best there can be. A 20-minute drive from White Face, the lodge was built by Olympic luge athlete Joe Barile and offers five-star US accommodation at its best, with a leading spa, cinema, ice rink, bowling alley, outdoor pool plus hot tub and a huge platter of s’mores (a sickly biscuit/Hershey bar/marshmallow mix) set beside a roaring fire. These ‘ma and pa’ resorts don’t compete with the likes of Aspen and Vail for ski area nor infrastructure, but they are filled with incomparable charm. Driving through the Adirondacks in the snow, watching

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children file on and off their yellow 'cheese buses', and meeting the local characters who run these little resorts is an experience that will stay with you for life. Fly in to Montreal and drive down state to New York City, or top-and-tail a weekend in the hills with time in the Big Apple and you’ll enjoy a winter trip to the States like no other. Mix up the rustic charm of the hills with the glitz and glamour of the city with a stay at the Mandarin Oriental, or the new Mad Max-styled Viceroy, both of which offer spectacular views of snowy Central Park and are just a stone’s throw from Columbus Circle. East Coast resorts get a bad rap for being chilly — but if you’re ready for that, and pack enough merino wool, it’s just part of the fun. It also means you are wrapped up properly for doing what visitors to New York City do best: tramping the salted streets, taking a trip on the Staten Island Ferry or walking across Brooklyn Bridge — just plunge yourself into New York’s frozen winter wonderland. u u Rates at Mandarin Oriental, New York start from £395 per night on a B&B basis. For further information and bookings please call +1 (212) 805 8800 or visit mandarinoriental.com/newyork. u Viceroy New York is from £185 per room/ night ($309). Bookings: viceroyhotelsandresorts.com +1 855 647 1619. u British Airways operates a daily service from London Heathrow to New York fifty-six times a week. From £609 return incl taxes and charges. 0844 4930787; ba.com/New York  For more information on New York State, visit iloveny.com

DECEMBER 2014

12/11/2014 15:24

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THE

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We’ve married the iconic styling of our 50s and 60s furniture, with our renowned comfort and craftsmanship. Original inspiration. Timeless quality. Be inspired at your local G Plan Vintage specialist.

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Opening Times After Noah Ltd, 121 Upper Street, Islington, London N1 1QP

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Mon-Sat: 10am – 6pm Sun: 11am – 5pm Easter Sun and Christmas Day to New Year’s Day: Closed

14/08/2014 17:21

Property Absolutely

December 2 014

> PROPERTY ROUND UP p. 90 IN THEIR OWN WORDS p.96 SHOWCASE p.102

Chesterford Gardens, NW3

ÂŁ4,500 Per Week

This Victorian residence in Chesterford Gardens, Hampstead is one of the few properties in Hampstead that has been preserved as a single family residence. Detached and double fronted, this Victorian home is set in extensive gardens with accommodation comprising: massive master bedroom with en suite bathroom and 6 further double bedrooms, 3 full modern bathrooms, elegant and well windowed 60ft reception, spacious separate dining room, and family room.

Benham & Reeves Residential Lettings hamp@brlets.co.uk, www.brlets.co.uk

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DECEMBER 2014

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50 years of fulfilling dreams

...for all generations

INTRODUCING . . .

. . . AN EXQUISITE NEW DEVELOPMENT IN LONDON, N20

Computer generated images.

pplegrove and Gardenvale are two exclusive six/seven bedroom, six bathroom luxury homes situated in the leafy Nor th London area of

Oakleigh Park. These residences are being constructed to provide an exceptional standard of tradition, elegance and comfor t whilst offering state-of-the-ar t technology throughout. Both homes have their own private, spacious and beautifully landscaped gardens and offer wonderful views of London from the first and second floors.

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Gardenvale floorplans: Ground, First and Second floors. MG.indd 2

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Computer generated images.

The uniqueness of these new homes is in the ability of the new owners to create their dream property by incorporting their selected customisation of the finished product. The bespoke specification includes Valentino tile options,

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state-of-the-art media and security systems including automated TVs in both master bedroom and living room.

All enquiries exclusively through sole selling agents. Land and New Homes: 020 8343 4340 ext 2

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Applegrove floorplans: Ground, First and Second floors.

Please note: the Directors of Martyn Gerrard Estate Agents have a substantial interest in the Vendor company.

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12/11/2014 16:31

Property Round Up 5

MINUTES with...

CLAIRE MURRAY

Sales Manager at Edmund Cude, Camden 020 7482 8920; edmundcude.com

What is your company ethos? Our aim is to provide our landlords and sellers with the best quality applicants. We achieve this in two ways: firstly, we generate a large choice of applicants by advertising widely and secondly, we subject each tenant to a thorough reference checking process to eliminate any unsuitable applicants. We strive to provide exceptional levels of customer service by recruiting the brightest and most reliable employees. We only consider candidates who have been to university, and we believe passionately in training and development. In fact, we require every single employee to undertake the ARLA or NAEA Technical Award.

XY Apartments, Camden One beds start at

£450,000, two beds at £635,000 and three beds at £705,000

The London borough of Camden is launching XY Apartments through its agent Savills. A collection of 273 stylish and sustainable 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments in Maiden Lane, NW1 offering private, shared ownership and rented homes. With great transport links, art, music and recreational spaces, the area is just north of the biggest regeneration project in London. XY apartments is delivered through Camden’s Community Investment Programme (CIP). The CIP is the Council’s

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15 year plan to invest much-needed money into schools, homes and community facilities. The Council may sell or redevelop properties that are out of date, expensive to maintain or are underused and difficult to access. This will help generate funds that are not otherwise available to reinvest into improving other services and facilities. Savills 020 3320 8220; savills.co.uk

Exciting properties on your books? Finchley Road, NW3. A rare opportunity to obtain this semi detached house which is currently designed to cater for seven self contained studio rooms and a one bedroom apartment for rentals. Located on the lovely Finchley Road. Predictions for the Market? Across the board there has been a shortage of properties available to buy, which has seen house prices return to – or in some cases surpass – the height of the 2007. London is a place that people will always want to live and own property and this is also amplified by the number of overseas investors looking to purchase here, the BoE have put in measures to ensure mortgage debt doesn’t become unsustainable but that will not stop the want to own and live in the greatest city in the world so we foresee that the demand for properties in the area is going to be stronger than ever for 2015.

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PROPERTY | NEWS

The INSIDE SCOOP of NEWS in your area KFH’s latest autumn property analysis

fter a frenzied start to the year the market has settled, with the number of new buyers registering and levels of stock more balanced. We have seen a welcome rise in new instructions, up 22% in Q3 2014 compared with Q3 2013. With more stock available, prospective buyers now have the advantage of being able to view a number of properties before deciding to purchase. Demand for rental properties continued to build over the summer months, with the number of registered tenants registering up 25% compared with the same period a year ago. Crouch End and West Hampstead have been particularly busy, with the number of properties let up 25% compared with the same period 12 months ago. However, stock remains scarce, with the number of properties on our books down 34% compared with the corresponding period last year.

The Chilterns: The West End's Premier Development Frogmore & Galliard Homes have launched the premier apartments and penthouses at The Chilterns, their flagship luxury residential development at 74-76 Chiltern Street in Marylebone W1: the residences are the finest homes in London’s West End. The epitome of opulence and style, the six premier and penthouse residences provide an abundance of lateral living space, large private roof gardens or balconies (one penthouse has the largest roof gardens in the West End) and benefit from outstanding 5-star amenities. Lifestyle facilities are planned to include a signature restaurant with in-room chef and dining; private gymnasium and sauna; private cinema; underground parking with valet and 24 hour hotel style concierge. 020 3740 9656; galliardhomes.com

kfh.co.uk

North London’s Gold Award Winning Estate Agent SIMON GERRARD

Managing Director of Martyn Gerrard Estate Agents & President of the National Association of Estate Agents 020 8343 2322; martyngerrard.co.uk

of entries from across London and the UK. Martyn Gerrard won GOLD for Best Marketing Campaign of the year, and the BRONZE for Best Large Agency. Winning these accolades reinforce our company’s passion for property. We have been selling and letting homes in the North London area for over 50 years. Demonstrating that, with knowledge, experience and innovative marketing we can achieve the best price for our clients.

artyn Gerrard Estate Agents are again proud to have won awards at The 2014 Negotiator Awards held at the prestigious London Hilton Hotel. Open to all estate agents there were hundreds

Experts Our panel of PROFESSIONALS give you the edge in the property market

What would the impact of the Mansion Tax mean for London’s property market?

n its crudest form the mansion tax, as originally proposed by the Lib Dems, could have caused huge social changes in London. A family in the same house they bought in the 1970s for £5000 might have found it officially labelled a ‘mansion’ with a large annual bill. The market would potentially have been flooded with those who couldn’t afford to pay it, leading to an obvious drop in value for those properties affected. Frightening thoughts for many of us but thankfully we are now talking about a much reduced and watered down version as the politicians fear a loss of votes inside the M25 (46% of the homes affected in the U.K. are in two central London boroughs). The spectre of this tax still hangs over the market with some buyers cautious about buying over £1.8m. Generally speaking speculation and uncertainty about proposed policies cause more harm than an actual policy coming into effect. Labour’s version focuses on overseas owners and investors but not many of us are lucky enough to own a single investment property worth more than £2m. I, like you, will be watching the debate closely.

CONTACT

SIMON POWER

Director, Prickett & Ellis, Muswell Hill 020 8883 9797; prickettandellis.com

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Ask the

DECEMBER 2014

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LANDMARK POSITION…

LoNg sTaNdiNg NamE you CaN RELy oN.

12 Topsfield Parade Crouch End London N8 8PR 020 8348 5515 www.castles-estateagents.co.uk

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020 8348 5515

crouch.end@castles-estateagents.co.uk

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Rathcoole Gardens, N8

ÂŁ1,100,000 FREEHOLD

Exceptionally well-presented five-bedroom family home. Ideally positioned equidistantly between Crouch End Broadway and Hornsey British Rail Station with both Rokesly and Weston Park schools within a moments" walk away. The property offers an abundance of space and bright rooms throughout and further comprises through reception, kitchen diner, guest ground floor wc, family bathroom and a private and desired south west facing garden.

Middle Lane, N8

ÂŁ535,000 SOFH

A delightful and charming two-bedroom, first floor conversion. Ideally positioned within a moments walk of Crouch End Broadway and Priory Park. Further comprising kitchen, reception and bathroom. The property offers an abundance of light and character throughout and is set within a substantial period residence.

12 Topsfield Parade, London N8 8PR CASTLES.indd 1

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The Plimsoll Building at King’s Cross edroom o and three b tw f o e as le re Final 0 om £1,060,00 apartments fr ent’s Canal; across the Reg s ew vi r la cu courtyard, With specta a landscaped nd ou ar s ie s balcon residents’ room terraces and ivate gym and pr e, rg ie nc co ace. a dedicated and gallery sp conservatory p to of ro a d an : Contact us on s.co.uk gs ingatkin cros enquiries@liv 91 3969 or call 020 36 oss.co.uk plimsollkingscr

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17/11/2014 13/10/2014 11:22 16:23

IN THEIR OWN WORDS

Manuel Costa Managing Director of MH Costa Construction

Photography: rebecca noonan

am originally from Portugal and come from a family of traditional builders. I have an engineering background but my early passion was carpentry and I spent several years working alongside my father training to become a master carpenter. It was through working closely with him that I think I acquired my “eye for detail” for which I will always be grateful. I remember my dad was a hard task master and working with him was never easy. In the early eighties I moved to England and began working mainly in London for various building firms to develop my skills. I was lucky enough to work on many prestigious properties such as Nash Terraces in Regent’s Park and The National Gallery. I have lived and worked in London ever since. Eventually I decided to go it alone working for myself. At first it was quite difficult trying to build up my own business having to be salesman, builder and finance director whilst trying to find time for my family including my young son and daughter. Luckily for me I was soon able to employ some very good and highly skilled countrymen from Portugal, some of whom have been with me now for over twenty years, and my business began to grow. I have seen a lot of changes particularly over recent years

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within the UK construction industry and have gone through some tough trading times including during the recent recession. I have learned to concentrate on what we are good at and these days we are in the fortunate position of being able to work on some very fine projects. These days we concentrate on mainly high specification residential refurbishment projects in and around central London. I still get a thrill in seeing an old and tired property transformed and brought back to life with a modern twist. I am very proud of my company MH Costa Construction which is now in its twelfth year of trading. We are passionate about what we do and thrive on seeing our clients' expectations exceeded time after time. For the foreseeable future I see myself continuing to be involved with residential refurbishment projects with the odd spattering of new build properties and one or two commercial projects just to keep the interest level up. I will continue to monitor the strength of the London market and when the conditions are right I will “dip my toes” into property development again.

020 8450 7341; mhcostaconstruction.co.uk

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PROPERTY | PROFILE

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all on 020 7354 3000 for a FREE quote Commercial & Residential Property Corporate & Commercial Disputes Employment Insolvency Wills & Probate

HELP WITH THE LEGAL DETAIL WHEN YOU WANT TO EXTEND YOUR LEASE OR BUY YOUR FREEHOLD

Hema

Partner, Enfranchisement and Commercial Property

"Efficient, thorough, and always a pleasure to tal to. Hema was particularly good at providing reassurance and clarity." "I always felt that with Hema we were in really safe hands."

PROPERTY LAW SERVICE

Buying or Selling Commercial Property Enfranchisement Landlord & Tenant Lease Extensions Property Disputes

pper treet, Islington, ondon 020 7354 3000 property@colmancoyle.com

www.colmancoyle.com

forward thin ing straight tal ing COLEMAN COYLE.indd 2

1984 - 2014

anniversary

Celebrating 30 YEARS in business | 1984 - 2014

10/03/2014 11:44

London’s Finest Residences 74 - 76 Chiltern Street, Marylebone w1 Six premier and penthouse residences providing an abundance of luxury living space, private roofgardens, balconies and 5-star amenities including – • Restaurant in-room dining • Wine cellars with tasting room • State of the art Gymnasium • Private Cinema • Private Art Gallery by David Bailey

M a r k e t i n g S u i t e AT 1 1 - 1 5 W i g m o r e S t r e e t, L o n d o n W 1 PRICES ON APPLICATION For more information about The Chilterns or to arrange a private appointment, please contact Oksana d’Offay on +44 (0)20 8418 1070 or email oksana@thechilternsw1.com CGI of Private Lobby Gallery and Garden Terrace

www.TheChilternsW1.com

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Smart doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t settle for less than the best price. Make sure your agent is on Zoopla.

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A COLLECTION OF STRIKING NEW HOMES FOR CAMDEN & KING’S CROSS 273 stylish and sustainable 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments are being created at Maiden Lane, NW1 together with beautifully landscaped public spaces and improved facilities. Prices starting from £450,000* Shared ownership available in later phases. 273 BEAUTIFULLY CRAFTED 1, 2 AND 3 BEDROOM APARTMENTS PRIVATE SALE / SHARED OWNERSHIP / CAMDEN RENTED HOMES

VISIT XYAPARTMENTS.COM OR CALL 020 3320 8220 FOR MORE INFORMATION

Delivered by Camden’s Community Investment Programme

*Prices correct at time of going to press. CGI of XY exterior.

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PROPERTY | PRIME LIVING

Showcase HEMA ANAND 020 7354 3000 / colmancoyle.com

FROM COLMAN COYLE GIVES HER EXPERT ADVICE ON ALL YOUR LEGAL PROPERTY QUESTIONS I have a 65 year lease of a flat and I am unable to locate my landlord. How can I extend my lease?

Located in one of Muswell Hill’s finest avenues is this beautifully presented five bedroom mid terraced Collins built family home

ffording light and airy accommodation over three floors, this fine property is being offered in very good decorative order and retains a wealth of original period features throughout; added benefits also include a fantastic John Lewis fitted kitchen/diner that leads out to a delightful

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and secluded 60’ rear garden. The house is situated just a short walk from the bustling promenades of Muswell Hill Broadway and its excellent bus services to Highgate tube (Northern Line), also within catchment of Tetherdown primary and Fortismere secondary schools. Early viewing of this quality home is strongly advised. Grand Avenue, N10 £1,750,000 Freehold Tatlers, Muswell Hill 020 8444 1771; tatlers.co.uk

ubject to meeting the relevant criteria under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993, there is a way to obtain a lease term extension even where the landlord is missing or cannot be found. In order to qualify to apply for a lease term extension, this generally involves owning a flat subject to a long lease i.e. a lease longer than 21 years when it was originally granted, for a period of at least two years. Essentially, an application is made to the County Court requesting that the need to serve formal notice to acquire a lease term extension upon the landlord is waived on the basis that the landlord cannot be found or is missing. Before such an application can be requested, reasonable efforts must be made to try and locate the landlord. Such efforts may have been made at the time you bought your property. Recent efforts would include placing adverts in papers local to the property in question and the last known address of the landlord. Other measures can also be deployed. You are required to supply evidence to the Court that the landlord is missing and cannot be found. Thereafter, there is a mechanism to decide the premium payable for the lease term extension as well as execution of the relevant paperwork. Contact property partner Hema Anand with no obligation on (0)20 7354 3000 or email andrew.flint@colmancoyle.com

www.colmancoyle.com 80 Upper Street, Islington, N1 0NU

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Carlow House LONDON NW1

exclusive new loft style suites and 1 & 2 bedroom apartments within 8 minutes walk of Regent’s Park Prices from £470,000 • Legal fees paid. • Letting & management fee paid for 1 year. • Free furniture pack.* STUNNING 4 STOREY ATRIUM INTERIOR DESIGN BY RABIH HAGE

Computer generated image of proposed show apartment with some non standard specifications and finishes.

savills.com

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carlow@galliardhomes.com

020 7409 8756

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APPOINTED LETTING AGENTS * Terms and conditions apply to all incentives.

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Offices throughout London

East Finchley, N2

ÂŁ400,000

A truly unique one bedroom detached house conveniently located just a few minutes walk to East Finchley Station on the Northern Line Zone 3, with great connections to the city and Central London. The property is offered on a chain free basis and comprises of one good sized double bedroom, a separate fitted kitchen, large living space with wooden flooring, bathroom and private patio garden. The house is detached and benefits from a private gated entrance. Freehold. EPC = D Camden Office | 020 7482 8920 | Camden@edmundcude.com

Regents Court, NW8

ÂŁ620,000

A contemporary one bedroom apartment set on the sixth floor of this prestigious gated apartment building. Offering a bright and airy living space featuring a spacious reception room opening onto private balcony. Regent Court also comes with the benefits of a private parking space, on site residents gym, and concierge. Located ideally to the shops and amenities of St John's Wood while further benefiting from its placement moments from Regent's Park. Leasehold. EPC = C Camden Office | 020 7482 8920 | Camden@edmundcude.com

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Camden High Street, NW1

ÂŁ880,000

A contemporary two double bedroom two bathroom & shower room apartment set on the third floor of this newly refurbished block ideally located opposite Camden Town tube station. This stylish property features high ceilings, modern shower room and kitchen. Ideally situated in the heart of Camden Town next to great transport links and local amenities. This property is offered on a chain free basis with a lease in excess of 200 years. Leasehold. EPC = B Camden Office | 020 7482 8920 | Camden@edmundcude.com

Cholmley Gardens, NW6

ÂŁ1,150,000

A magnificent four bedroom ground floor apartment in this popular mansion block close to the local amenities of West Hampstead. The property benefits from four bedrooms, a bathroom and separate wc, fitted kitchen, spacious reception room, additional dining room, private garden with access to communal gardens that consist of tennis courts and a play area. The flat is conveniently located close to West Hampstead Tube & Thames link offering great transport links to central London. Leasehold. EPC = E Camden Office | 020 7482 8920 | Camden@edmundcude.com

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MH Costa construction is a privately owned, London based construction company that is re-defining the art of quality renovations and craftsmanship in the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s property industry. Proudly demonstrating more than 25 years of industry success in a highly competitive and dynamic arena, MH Costa commands an impressive portfolio of exquisitely regenerated and refurbished properties. For more information call +44 (0) 208 450 7341, email info@mhcosta.com or vistit our website www.mhcosta.com

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Our doors are always open, in branch or onlineâ&#x20AC;Ś With 11 well placed lettings branches, we are able to give tenants a wide choice of properties across London For landlords we offer a full lettings and property management service, furnishing packages plus refurbishment and a home staging service

Expert local knowledge in just one call

Freephone 0800 092 9656 or email info@brlets.co.uk or visit www.brlets.co.uk

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