NORTH BY NORTHWEST FEBRUARY 2015

ABSOLUTELY NORTH BY NORTHWEST

FEBRUARY 2015 / £3.95

GIZZI THE GREAT

MISS ERSKINE’S TOP FOODIE FAVOURITES

SWEDISH STYLE

MARTIN BRUDNIZKI ON SCARFES BAR & STOCKHOLM

WINTER WARMERS

JASON ATHERTON’S SEASONAL EATS

LOVE IN A COLD CLIMATE STATEMENT PIECES TO KEEP OUT THE BIG CHILL STYLISH / INTELLIGENT / ELEGANT C&A_FEB15_COVER.indd 2

14/01/2015 17:16

See yourself at Smithfield Square.

A landmark new development for North London. Just launched.

Register your interest today to ensure you don’t miss this unique opportunity.

Smithfield Square is a collection of luxury suites, 1 and 2 bedroom apartments benefiting from a concierge service, gym, underground parking, private gardens and a Sainsbury’s superstore. Located on Hornsey High Street between Crouch End, Muswell Hill and Alexandra Palace, with central London just 15 minutes away, this unique development offers the perfect blend of London living.

1 bedroom apartments from £360,000. 2 bedroom apartments from £470,000.

To find out more call 020 3603 6676 or visit www.smithfieldsquare.co.uk Sales and Marketing Suite open daily, 10am to 5pm at Foxtons, 3-5 Crouch End Hill, London, N8 8DH Proud to be a member of the Berkeley Group of companies

CGI’s indicative only. Prices and details correct at time of going to print. Parking subject to availability and by separate negotiation.

Train time from Hornsey Rail Station to Old Street Rail Station: Source www.tfl.gov.uk.

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12/01/2015 17:28 16:55

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contents Febr uar y 2015

65 ART & CULTURE

07 WHAT’S ON

Diary dates for February

10 GIZZI THE GREAT

Ms Erskine’s foodie infatuation

18

FASHION

STYLE CONFIDENTIAL

School up on the newest trends

20 WHAT LIES BENEATH Racy lace for Valentine’s Day

HEALTH & BEAUTY

28 BEAUTY NOTES

HairCVT: the future of hairdressing

18 29 HEALTH NOTES

Stay motivated in 2015 with Luke Meesman from Ten Pilates

FOOD & DRINK

35 TABLE TALK

Catherine Hales reports from Andaz Hotel in Liverpool Street

37 EAT THE SEASONS

Winter recipes to warm the cockles

43 FOOD REVIEWS Opso and DF Mexico

INTERIORS

44 INTERIOR INSPIRATIONS Ten globes and maps we love

50 THE MEAL TICKET

Hot restaurant designer Martin Brudnizki on Scandinavian style

TRAVEL

63 TURKISH DELIGHT C o v e r N X N W: M a s s i m o D u t t i

Pendle Harte discovers a private peninsula on the south coast of Turkey

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39 PROPERT Y

73 LOCAL AREA

News and views on buying and letting

84 STYLE BIBLE

Taking a tour of 1920s style

92 IN THEIR OWN WORDS Colin Gillibrand at Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward

FEBRUARY 2015

13/01/2015 15:39

www.sweetpeajewellery.com

Fine Jewellery • Primrose Hill The Sweet Pea boutique on Gloucester Avenue stocks both luxury and fashion designer brands including Polly Wales, Jo Hayes Ward, Alex Monroe, Phoebe Coleman, Brooke Gregson alongside the Sweet Pea range.

A bespoke service is available.

10% off on your first purchase - Code LOVE15 - in store or online at www.sweetpeajewellery.com SWEET PEA BOUTIQUE 77 Gloucester Avenue, Primrose Hill, London, NW1 8LD • 020 7449 9292

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EDITOR HELEN BARON EDITORIAL ASSISTANT ELIZABETH HUTTON CONTRIBUTING FASHION EDITOR CHARLOTTE ADSETT CONTRIBUTING INTERIOR EDITOR JESSICA KLINGELFUSS CONTRIBUTING HEALTH & BEAUTY EDITOR ALY HAZLEWOOD EDITORIAL INTERN KELSEY DORNFELD ADVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGER KRISTIAN BRUMBY MAJOR ACCOUNTS DIRECTOR TAMSIN LUCK PROPERTY DIRECTOR ANDY ELMER PROPERTY EXECUTIVE JENNI RAWSTHORNE NORTH PROPERTY EDITOR HUGO HUNTER 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 FINANCIAL CONTROLLER ZUL MUHAMAD CREDIT CONTROL MANAGER ALEXANDRA HVID ACCOUNTS ASSISTANT AYSHA HABIBI PA TO THE DIRECTORS MARIANNE MCFADDEN DIRECTORS GREG HUGHES, ALEXANDRA HUNTER MANAGING DIRECTOR SHERIF SHALTOUT For editorial enquiries please email: catherine@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.

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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

T

his month we’ve embraced the notion of great loves.

For my money, Valentine’s Day is the least beguiling of holidays – and it’s not even a holiday, technically, which makes matters worse. All those cartoon hearts and bland red roses leave me a little cold – far more than Christmas, Valentine’s Day seems to me a concept completely hollowed out by cliche and commercialism. How, then, to make love’s own day seem enchanting again?

Our answer is to take the road less travelled and celebrate love and passion in some of their other forms.

Thus we have celeb chef and style icon Gizzi Erskine on her infatuation with food, while interior designer Martin Brudnizki (the brains behind many a swanky hotel restaurant) talks about his love affair with great design.

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Of course, we don’t want to set ourselves against conventional human romance too completely – no Miss Havishams here – so we’ve also got some great stuff to help you woo and win hearts this February 14th. We have a staycation recommendation if you’re looking for some London luxury, a guide to the best chocolate boxes in town and some handy travel suggestions for anyone looking to whisk away the object of their affections. And then there’s our lingerie fashion shoot – no explanation needed.

What’s not to love? Have a great month. 

Helen Baron Editor

FEBRUARY 2015

13/01/2015 16:43

BIBLIOTHEQUE 230 FORTIS GREEN ROAD

IS MOVING

FIND OUR FULL RANGE OF FABRICATED STONE, WOOD AND PORCELAIN TILES AND ECO GLASS MOSAICS AT OUR MAIN SHOWROOM Arch 2, The Viaduct (Under the Bridge) St. James’s Lane, Muswell Hill N10 3QX

Wall: Stone Dorset Light Grey Floor: Stone Cambridge Mid Grey

Tel: 020 8365 2084 Email: info@bibliotheque.co.uk www.bibliotheque.co.uk BIBLIOTEQUE.indd 1

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GIZZI ERSKINE’S LOVE AFFAIR WITH FOOD

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AUDREY HEPBURN, 1950, ANGUS MCBEAN

> WHAT'S ON

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FEBRUARY 2015

13/01/2015 09:50

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PAPAGAIO

BEWENGUNGSSTUDIE (MOVEMENT STUDY), 1926, RUDOLF KOPPITZ

Thro u gho u t Fe b ru a ry C am de n Ar ts C e ntu re elebrated Portuguese artists João Maria Gusmão and Pedro Paiva C callenge the relability of human perception in this vibrant film installation, named Papagaio (meaning parrot). ◆ Arkwright Road, NW3; camdenartscentre.org

PSYCHODERMABRASION 1 0 -14 Fe b ru a ry Jac k s on’s L ane

ombining comedy and tragedy, this play picks apart the human psyche and will leave you feeling emotionally muddled.

Heavy in subject matter, it draws attention to the importance of speaking out – or rather, the damage caused by not doing so.

C

DRAWN

BY LIGHT

◆ 269A Archway Road, N6; jacksonslane.org.uk

Th rough out Jan uary Sc ienc e Mu seum

Make a date in your diary to go and see the landscapes, still lifes, nudes and portraits collected by the Royal Photographic Society. With over 250,000 images, 8000 items and 3,100 books, periodicals and documents to select from, the society have curated an exhibition that reveals the way that cameras have shaped our perception of the world. This is a visually stunning exhibition.

Exhibition Road, SW7; 020 7942 4000; sciencemuseum.org.uk

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VINTAGE FAIR

1 5 Fe b ru a ry T h e Old F i n sb u r y Tow n Hall ind the likes of Chanel, Dior and YSL F under one roof this month at the bi-annual Clerkenwell Vintage Fashion Fair. With live music, a tea room and alterations service, be sure to grab your friends and check it out! ◆ Rosebery Avenue, EC1; clerkenwellvintagefashionfair.co.uk

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ARTS & CULTURE / WHAT’S ON © NEIL KENLOCK

STAYING POWER

TOP THREE

F ro m 16 Feb r u a r y Vi c to r i a & Alb e rt Museum aising the awareness of the great R contribution of black Britons to British culture and society, this exhibtion, curated by the Black Cultural Archives and the V&A, is comprised of 118 works by 14 artists and includes the vibrant images of north west Londoner Normski.

A well-rounded glimpse into the life of the black Briton, be sure to check it out. ◆ Cromwell Road, SW7; vam.ac.uk

T h re e ap p s you n e e d th i s Fe b r u a r y

B e st fo r T r av el

GET TAXI

Book a licensed black taxi cab from your mobile with this quick and reliable app. With both on demand and prebooking capabilities, 24/7 live customer support and realtime tracking (to the second!) this is the easiest way to scoot around the city. 

must try

FKA TWIGS

1 9 -20 Febr u ary R ound h ou se aving released her first EP just H eighteen months ago, FKA Twigs is already having a sizeable impact on the music industry thanks to her individuality and artistic vision. This performance will be her biggest to date and is set to sell out.

B e st for Sh op p in g

GRABBLE

Pulling together heaps of clothes and accessories from your favourite stores, this online fashion platform presents you with beautiful products you can ‘grab’ and save into your ultimate wishlist. Then you whittle it down to what you really want to buy. Simply it’s the fashion industry’s answer to Tinder. 

◆ Chalk Farm Road, NW1; roundhouse.org.uk

FOR RICHER, FOR POORER

F ro m 13 Feb r u a r y Th e Je w i sh M u s e u m ffering an important insight into social O history with the help of historical wedding objects, this exhibition explores the lives of British Jews from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century and reveals the importance of love and marriage for the Jewish community. ◆ Raymond Burton House, NW1; jewishmuseum.org.uk

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B e st fo r B e au t y

PRIV

This beauty and wellness app means that you’ll always have a beautician to hand. Whether you need a hairdresser, masseuse or personal trainer, PRIV have got it all. Looking good has never been so quick or so stress free! We’re addicted. 

FEBRUARY 2015

13/01/2015 16:47

Gizzi THE GREAT

Chef, food columnist and North London girl Gizzi Erskine tells Absolutely about cooking, clean eating and chicken curry Interview Alexandra Jones

ALEXANDRA JONES What originally prompted your interest in food?

GIZZI ERSKINE I was lucky to be brought up around great food so I feel like I’ve always been immersed in that kind of culture. My mum was a foodie and has always encouraged us all to cook. She travelled a lot and we did too, so were always surrounded by it. There’s no one defining moment, some of my earliest memories have been of being in a vegetable garden with my mum or standing at the sink and helping to peel vegetables.

I guess, a bit later than that my mum was working in Thailand and we’d talk on the phone and she’d talk me through her recipes and I’d try and recreate them while she was away with work. That definitely got me interested in different flavours.

AJ Did you have a favourite childhood dish?

GE Weirdly, because we were brought up on foreign food, I craved things like shepherd’s pie. And I’ve always loved a roast. Then there were things from Thailand that I really remember; we were eating pad Thai way before anyone else. And my mum had this chicken and coriander curry which was brilliant.

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I’m NOT a

DOMESTIC COOK,

I’m a professional CHEF

AJ We know you’ve got an amazing set of wings tattooed on your back, but do you have any awkward teenage tattoos?

GE No, I was really good, I think because I worked in the industry [before she went into food, Gizzi worked as a body piercer] I was surrounded by people with amazing work. I mean, I worked in the industry from when I was 16 and I managed to avoid getting anything awful; in fact I waited until I was 21 before getting anything at all.

AJ How did you get into food professionally?

GE I started out working in restaurants before I went to Leiths [School of Food and Wine] to train properly. After that, I won an intern placement to work for BBC Good Food magazine and I was there for a year.

That’s how I got into food styling and from there into writing columns for magazines.

I started to get recognised within the glossies, while still working behind the scenes with some big TV chefs.

Alongside this, I also always did popups. I had a catering company with my friend Abi and when I left Leiths that went for a couple of years. We’d do these really cool, ad hoc events in galleries and different spaces in East London. And we’d have people pay for them, which now are probably known as classic pop-ups but they weren’t at the time. These have become the main part of my job. So my career is split in three ways; I have an events company, then I’m also a food writer and obviously, I do the TV stuff.

AJ As a female chef was there ever the pressure to do that whole Nigella, finger-in-mouth-while-cooking-tocamera thing?

GE Yeah, I guess. But I’m quite strongminded. I suppose there’s that media perception that, just because you’re female, you fit into that category but I’m not a domestic cook, I’m a professional chef. I’ve never done one of those cooking shows where I cook to camera because I tend to be brought onto shows as an expert in something.

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FOOD & DRINK / PROFILE

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FEBRUARY 2015

13/01/2015 16:53

FOOD & DRINK / PROFILE a lot to all the suppliers and have great relationships with the big ones: Waitrose, Fortnums, Harrods, so I know what they’re all looking for, which means I can help discover new talent.

So what’s coming out, what’s exciting, hmm… I think Le Bun [lebun.co.uk] who are the brand that I’ve been working with recently, are a great fusion of American and French. As kids they used to holiday in France but found that French food here, in London, wasn’t accessible to younger people, it was too expensive…instead people are going to places like Meat Liquor and Pitt Cue. So their idea is to offer French food in

I am good at FINDING and HELPING set up NEW VENTURES

a diner style, and do it really brilliantly.

I mean, they’re such great cooks; they’re making all their own stocks and really good reduced jus, always using the best ingredients, and just making really accessible French food. They’re definitely ones to watch, for sure.

Also Meringue Girls [meringuegirls.co.uk], I discovered them. They’re completely killing it at the moment; they’ve even got a window in Selfridges. They started off as two pastry chefs in Hackney who both loved Ottolenghi; they both got bored of their jobs and learned how to infuse really concentrated flavours into meringue.

Their concept and execution are great, I think they’ll only get bigger.

To be honest, I’ve been offered those shows, but it’s just never been the thing for me and I've never been that interested in doing them... saying that, Nigella’s an absolute hero of mine, I think she’s awesome, but we’re completely different.

So, I’ve never felt the need to fit in and be the next Nigella.

AJ You’ve been championing Korean food for a while now, any other food trends that you think are on the cusp of being big?

GE It’s funny, I’ve never really gone out and collected food trends. I just love world food and the amount of time we

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spent in Asia when I was growing up meant that I experienced those flavours early on and first hand. Korean food came as an extension of that, I got really into Thai food, then Malaysian and food from Borneo and ended up going up through the north of Asia, Japan and Korea, just looking for foods that I’d never encountered before. Then, when I was in New York I found that it was a massive food trend over there and in Los Angeles.

I guess the thing that I am good at is finding and helping set up new ventures.

It’s what I did with [TV shows] Cooks to Market and The Ones To Watch. I speak

AJ What do you eat on an average day?

GE Oh god, well because I’m working every day and developing recipes every day, it’s very hard to say. I generally eat pretty clean, I try to avoid eating huge amounts of carbohydrates. I mean, I eat carbs but I try to eat the right sort of carbs and I try to eat them in the right quantities. The difficult thing is, on average you tend to eat three or four times more carbs than you’re meant to.

I try to eat the right, slow release ones, then also in the right portions, which is about 60g a meal. Otherwise, I eat loads of protein, loads of veg. At the same time, I love fat, I love flavour and I love fried food. It’s about moderation; it’s about being 80% good and 20% bad. u

12 13/01/2015 15:45

CONCEPT

KITCHENS CONCEPT KITCHENS | DESIGN & FUNCTION

Kitchen dreams are coming true...

40, Offord Road, Islington N1 1EB 020 7700 1555 www.conceptkitchensislington.co.uk

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09/10/2014 17:04

We designed and made the ‘Unity’ Collection with cuddles to help raise money for St Mungo’s Broadway Shattered Lives Appeal. A percentage of the price from each piece is given to the charity.

The jewellery is handmade and sold in our gorgeous East London shop ‘Branch on the Park’.

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227 Victoria Park, London, E9 7HD www.branchonthepark.co.uk julia@branchonthepark.co.uk The jewellery is available to buy from our online shop: www.blossomingbranch.co.uk

09/01/2015 09:18 08/01/2015 17:03

> PINK LADY STYLE

p. 16

WHAT LIES BENEATH: LUXE LACY LOOKS

p. 18

OOH LA LA! With a passion for striking design and beautiful craftsmanship, luxury lingerie brand Bordelle’s SS15 collection is sure to set pulses racing this Valentine’s Day. Tropicana Plunge Bra, £96 and Thong, £54; bordelle.co.uk

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FEBRUARY 2015

13/01/2015 10:05

st y l e C e n t r a l

FASHION Off the Beaten Track

This month we’re sweet for Charlotte Beecham’s Bon Bon bags and dressing up Pink Ladies style

Wo r d s V i o l e t N ay l o r - L e y l a n d

artorial fashion is as transient as the body shapes that inspire it.

The only body-trend that I’ve been longing to see the back of is this size 4/6 toned clique of shapeless zombies that have not only ruined what is intrinsically beautiful about a woman’s body, but wrecked many centuries of tailoring to boot. The type of figure I’m talking about doesn’t belong to the natural willowy Twiggy-esque physique or petite person; it is that entirely unnatural body that the owner has worked very hard to get, making it as trim and as toned as it is possible to be (without looking ill). The result is no shape at all, no physical personality; just a generic-sized pair of boobs with a small, flattish bum and no hips. It is inspired by celebrities who live in front of cameras, but the reality of this body is in fact boring and unfeminine. Why would you want to get rid of the naturalness that makes you a woman – the softness of your flesh, the nip of your waist and curve of your bottom? It has inspired women’s clothing since time began! So if you’re worrying about having let your New Year’s resolution slide, take a few pictures of Marilyn Monroe, Kate Upton or Kim Kardashian to the mirror with you, and just check you don’t rather suit those few extra pounds? They’re in Vogue after all… u

S

w o rd s charlot te adset t

Candy Crush Bon Bon Bags

● V I O L E T N AY L O R - L E Y L A N D Stylist and owner of fancy dress boutique Violet’s Box;

violetsbox.com

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Following the huge success of her fake fur popsicle scarves, London fashion designer Charlotte Beecham of Charlotte Simone has launched the ‘Bon Bon’ bag in collaboration with her friend and Rita Ora’s super-stylist, Kyle De’volle. The candy coloured fluffy ‘Bon Bons' (modelled here by Daisy Lowe) look as edible as they sound. Bon Bon Bags, £150; charlottesimone.com

16 13/01/2015 09:57

FASHION / NOTES

8 of the best

LOCKET LOVERS Loquet

PINK PIECES

Nothing says ‘I love you’ quite like a bespoke piece of jewellery. The keepsake ‘Loquet’ concept was created by Sheherazade Goldsmith and Laura Bailey, with the idea that the lockets can be personalised with collectable charms, initials and birthstones. Start dropping hints for Valentine’s Day now. From £450; loquetlondon.com

01

02

HIGH LIFE House Of Hackney x Terr y Havilland

East London fashion and interiors label du jour House of Hackney have joined forces with legendary rock ‘n’ roll shoemaker-to-the-stars Terry de Havilland to create a range of ‘70s-inspired printed wedges and platforms. £375; houseofhackney.com

03

FLORAL FANCY

04

G i a m b a t t i s t a Va l l i

Italian couturier Giambattista Valli, worn by Amal Alamuddin the first time she stepped out as Mrs Clooney, designs beautifully constructed and ultra feminine dresses. This dress (£1,778) is a wise investment for your spring wardrobe. Available from mytheresa.com

06

05

UNDERCOVER LOVER Petit B iscous

Desperately seeking the dream underwear set for yourself or a loved one? Our favourite luxury lingerie boutique Petit Biscous offers a personal styling and fit service, a VIP shopping app and stocks drool-worthy designer collections from labels such as Bordelle, ID Sarrieri and Lascivious. Body by Petit Biscous, £140; petitbiscous.com

17 CH_Feb_Fashion_Notes_v3.indd 17

07

08

01. SHRIMPS Fake Fur Keyring, £50; shrimps.co.uk 02. HONOR Dress, £1,535; matchesfashion.com 03. JENNIFER LOISELLE Perspex Earrings, £45; boticca.com 04. ROKSANDA ILINCIC Silk Midi Skirt, £815; net-a-porter.com 05. CARVEN Wool Coat, £1,060; brownsfashion.com 06. VALENTINO Leather Handbag, £1,550; matchesfashion.com 07. CHARLOTTE OLYMPIA , Perspex Clutch Bag, £875; matchesfashion.com 08. GIANVITO ROSSI Leather Shoes, £635; mytheresa.com

FEBRUARY 2015

13/01/2015 09:56

Cream silk printed pyjama top, £330 (sold as a set with trousers),

by Olivia con Halle Black geometric bra, £43 and shorts £15, by Huit

W ha t li e s

BENEATH Fall in love with the season’s most alluring lingerie P h o t o g r a p h y P h i l i p B ly t h m a n S t y l i n g Ly n d a B e l l

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by

ecret

Black sequin pencil skirt, £119, by Boden Brown silk and lace bow bra, £79, by Fleur of England Gold long drop earrings, £200, by Dinny Hall

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Black star lace body, £86 and cat ears £135, by Mimi Holliday Silver and crystal ring, £119, by Myia Passiello at Cadenzza

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13/01/2015 10:06

Red and plum bra, £75 and pants £35, by Maison Lejaby Crystal bracelets, £14 each, by Oasis Crystal earrings, £19 Stella and Dot

Photographer: Philip Blythman Stylist: Lynda Bell Model: Fruzsina at Models1 Hair: Marcia Lee at Caren using Aveda Make-up: Claudine Blythman using Lancôme STOCKISTS boden.co.uk cadenzza.co.uk damaris.co.uk dinnyhall.com fulldisclosureluxe.com huit.com maisonlejaby.com my-wardrobe.com net-a-porter.com oasis-stores.com pepejeans.com petitsbisous.com princesssetamtam.co.uk sea-ny.com

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BATH SORTS

BATHROOM DESIGN SPECIALISTS

38 Offord Road, Islington N1 1DL 020 7700 1333 www.bathsorts.co.uk

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XXXXXX / XXXXXXX SPOTLIGHT

BEST FOOT FORWARD Bespoke shoemaker Anthony Andrews talks designing for Kathleen Turner and clients the world over W o r d s E l i z a b e t h Va n L i e r

T

here is something almost magical about the underground workshop of shoemaker Anthony Andrews.

With its abundant and muti-coloured displays of suede and leather skins, its smell of polish and woodshavings and its shelf upon shelf of shoemaking knick-knacks, it’s like the setting for a modern day fairy tale.

As Anthony (or Tony as he prefers) leads me around the rabbit warren of a basement, he introduces me to various members of his team, joking with them in his deep, cockney dialect. It’s a sprightly working environment, one that is both captivating and alluring. Witnessing first hand, the detail – the minute detail – that goes into every single design (the stitching, the gluing, the measuring) is nothing short of astounding. And the passion – the sheer passion! At one point Tony shows me a pair of American shoes from the 19th century, and he starts to quiver with excitement – ‘Look, just look at that stitching!’ I’d never seen enthusiasm quite like it.

‘My father [Len] was a sergeant major in the army and following that, went to a tech college to learn shoemaking,’ Tony tells me from the comfort of his

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WHAT I DON’T KNOW about

[shoes] isn’t worth KNOWING

rugged but homely office. ‘After that, he went into orthopedic shoes and got a job in a firm – like the guys downstairs – shoemaking.’

A diligent worker, to please a client one day who needed his shoes fixed quickly, Len decided to take them home to work on overnight – a practise which was forbidden. For this ‘gross misconduct’, Len was sacked. None the

wiser, the client returned some weeks later with more work for Len. When he heard of the redundancy, he marched straight out of the shop to give the work to Len direct. He then decided to give all future work to Len and encouraged him to set up on his own. So Len turned his basement into a workshop and set about making orthopedic shoes. After school each day, his son – the 11-year-old Tony – would go downstairs to help him, staying up till midnight most days to get through the workload.

So it was that Tony followed in his father’s footsteps. And nearly 50 years on, he is still as obsessed with shoes as ever – ‘what I don’t know about them isn’t worth knowing’, he tells me.

Whilst orthopedic footwear might be his speciality, Tony can design and make any shoe. Indeed, he can add 6 inches to the height of a man, simply through a carefully crafted heel. ‘Customers come to us to design (with our help) their own footwear. They choose from our vast selection of colours and prints, and animal skins – like crocodile, snake, stingray and ostrich. [Generally] the most common complaint we come across is from customers finding it difficult to buy ready-made shoes because one [of their] feet is bigger than the other.’

For me this was a light bulb moment.

24 13/01/2015 12:02

FASHION / BEHIND THE SCENES Kathleen Turner...

WAS THRILLED TO BITS with our COPPER INSOLES

I have this problem, I thought to myself, why on earth have I not done anything about it before? In fact, why do I always go for the larger-sized shoe, the pair that accommodates ‘bigfoot,’ and totally neglects the swamped and struggling ‘littlefoot’? I peer down at my factorymade clodhopper plus-size left boot and want to throw it out onto the street.

‘Our most popular style for women is the slip-on court shoe, and for men, the Oxford brogue,’ Tony continues. ‘But we can make hundreds of different designs – even copy an old favourite.’

I must confess I drift off at this point, fantasising about the cloning of my beloved (albeit exhausted) pair of leather thigh-high boots. Might they finally now see the light of another party?

And speaking of party shoes, if anyone knows anything about them, it’s Tony.

He has designed many a pair in his time, some of which were for Hollywood

There is something MAGICAL and FAIRY TALE-like about TONY

A-listers. ‘A lot of [celebrities], if they’ve got a problem, [they] don’t really want me to say anything about it,’ Tony continues.

‘But with people like Kathleen Turner, it’s not a problem. She’s thrilled to bits with our copper insoles, which helped her with her arthritis. And we made a couple of pairs of shoes for her as well. She was just blown away by them.’

My whole morning is whiled away nattering to Tony. He tells me about his varied and fascinating client list, many of whom come to him from all over the world. Like the woman from the Seychelles, who had, alarmingly, a stump for a leg. Tony and his team designed a

25 CH_FEB15_Footware.indd 25

pair of boots with a filler to support it.

When she put them on, ‘you wouldn’t think there was anything wrong with her!’ Tony says, full-of-beans. ‘She was in here, crying…’. Then there was the story of a young boy, whose deformed legs were saved from amputation by a pair of Tony’s miracle shoes.

They are truly touching tales. All of which served to confirm what I had thought at the beginning. There is something magical and fairy tale-like about Tony, his workshop and the work that he does. And that he can design a girl her very own bespoke shoes, tailormade to bigfoot and littlefoot, well, that’s just magic also.  12 New Cavendish Street, W1G, 020 7486 4664; specialfootwear.co.uk

FEBRUARY 2015

13/01/2015 15:05

TREAT yoUR VALENTINE To A

DATE NIGHT INDULGENCE CoMPLIMENTARy

UPGRADE To LUXURy GIFT PACkAGING

when you buy a gift voucher and mention this ad

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12/01/2015 12:04

> BEAUTY CONFIDENTIAL

p. 28

STAY MOTIVATED IN FEBRUARY WITH TOP TIPS FROM TEN PILATES p. 31

SAVING FACE Avoid any make-up blunders this Valentine’s Day with Tom Ford's impossibly elegant make-up collection. Classic colours, subtle glitters and all the tools for a flawless base, this range has got it covered. tomford.com

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FEBRUARY 2015

13/01/2015 09:34

tried & T e s t e d

JOSH WOOD Barber & Parlour Wo r d s H E L E N B A R O N

e’ve always loved Cheeky so it felt like quite the W Parlour, beauty boon when the salon (owned by the Soho House Group) went for a full makeover and rebrand to incorporate partner company (and men’s grooming specialist) Neville. Located above the Electric Cinema in an elegant warehouse conversion on Redchurch Street, the newly named Barber & Parlour quickly added an airy cafe/kitchen and some suitably upscale, Labour and Wait-esque homewares while (this is the best bit) convincing hair colour guru Josh Wood – usually found transforming celeb barnets in West London – to bring his talents eastwards. Josh’s team of talented colourists and stylists completes Cheeky’s circle of beauty offerings – previously it was nails and blow-dries; now you can expect a full hair service at a home-from-home salon which doubles as a great place to chill/do some work/grab some lunch at the salad and juice bar. Prices remain reasonable – which is amazing considering the slick decor – and the quality is sky-high. Forget having a manicure in your high street ‘salon’, breathing in polish fumes while you question the sterility of the instruments. There are plenty of leather seats here, but they’re more like classy booths than the unsightly variety that lesser establishments use to dole out massages (call that a massage?) – and there are now more therapists, so it’s ideal for a gaggle (and a giggle – pretty much everyone gets a glass of bubbly). We were already Cheeky loyalists, but with Barber & Parlour, we might just move in. u

Romance in a bottle, look hot this Valentine’s day and the best sunblocks for February travellers W o r d s R o m y va n d e n B r o e k e

Eye Candy Estée Lauder

● B A R B E R & PA R L O U R 64-66 Redchurch Street, E2; barberandparlour.com

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

C&A_FEB15_Beauty_Notes.indd 28

This year has been quite a year for Kendall Jenner. Not only has she struck up a covetable new friendship with Cara Delevigne and been in the spolight because of a rather famous wedding, she has also landed a job as the face of Estée Lauder. Bravo. esteelauder.co.uk

28 13/01/2015 16:14

HEALTH & BEAUTY / NOTES

8 of the best

RED ALERT

SUNSCREENS

Kevyn Aucoin

New for Valentine’s Day is Kevyn Aucoin's Bloody Gorgeous Box Set, a collection of six of the make-up artist’s most iconic products in his favourite shade, Bloodrose - the ultimate red. £100, spacenk.com

01

02

editor’s

PICK

best

BUY

WHITE LINE Odin

Not only do these fragrances from Odin New York look stylish on your dressing table, they're also unisex so can be spritzed on both you and your partner this Valentine's day. £140; odinedt.com

03

LOVE IN A BOTTLE Lalique

Attention loverbirds! This heavely scent is the perfect gift for a loved one. The L’Amour Lalique perfume comes bottled in a collectable crystal flacon and has top notes of rosebed and neroli. Beautiful.

L’Amour Lalique, £1,100; lalique.com

04

05

SHINE LIKE A DIAMOND BeautyLab

Slather your face in black diamond extract with this energizing serum from grooming giants, BeautyLab. It’s sure to keep you looking fresh this February. £90; beautylab.com

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07 06

08

1. ELEMIS, Liquid Layer SPF30, £27; timetospa.co.uk 2. SOLEIL, Organique Sunscreen Mist SPF15, £24; abeautifulworld.co.uk 3. DERMALOGICA, Dermalogica Super Sensitive Shield SPF30, £39; dermalogica.co.uk 4. LA ROCHE POSAY, Anthelios XL Compact Cream SPF 50, £19.50; boots.com 5. LANCASTER, Sun Delicate Skin SPF50, £21; selfridges.com 6. KIEHLS, Activated Sun Protector SPF50, £25; kiehls.co.uk 7. MURAD, Water Resistant Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF30, £29; murad.co.uk 8. SISLEY, Sisley’s Sunleÿa G.E Age-Minimising Sun Care SPF15, £158; sisley-paris.co.uk

FEBRUARY 2015

13/01/2015 09:36

BLOOM.indd 1

08/01/2015 14:57

to p T i p s

HEALTH & BEAUTY / NOTES

STAY MOTIVATED

By Luke Meessmann Ma s t e r T ra i n e r – Te n P i l a t e s

1. Flings are great, marriage is better

A resolution made in the heat of the New Year moment is like a one-night stand – quick, fun, but all too often doomed to failure. Set your goals, arrange a start date and, committed to your vows, your chances of a long-term successful outcome are so much greater.  2. Get yourself some tough love

Buddy up. We’ve all got one of those friends haven’t we? Someone who tells it how it is, no matter what. Annoying as they can be, they make brilliant workout buddies. If they spot even the first sign of slacking, they’ll tell you. They’ll treat all your excuses with undisguised contempt. 

Fitness

3. ‘Facebook’ your workout

This doesn’t mean posting every little run, but incorporate a significant social element into your workout. We’re social animals and if we can do something with a bunch of like-minded people, rather than alone, we’ll usually do it better, more enthusiastically and more often. 

CONFIDENTIAL Get in shape with the top fitness trends, tips and gear

4. One-trick ponies get fat

Still with me? No? Okay, let me explain: in exercise as in all things, boredom is the enemy of motivation. Try something different; mentally it will stimulate you and physically it will challenge your body.

Here at Ten we enhance our Dynamic Pilates offering with Personal Training, Sports Massage, Cardiolates, TenHIIT and Jumpboard. 

Wo r d s H e l e n B a r o n

ADIDAS

Keep it Moving

● T E N P I L AT E S 38 Hatton Garden, EC1; tenpilates.com

M o v e m e n t Fo r M o d e r n L i f e ovement for Modern Life is revolutionising yoga M access, offering unlimited online classes for the price of one at a studio. Ideal for those struggling to make classes, you simply select a level that suits your need and can even supercharge your system with a New Year cleansing programme. movementformodernlife.com

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BRUSH UP

x Mar y Katrantzou Clock up serious style points with the Mary Katrantzou collection created in collaboration with sportswear titans Adidas. The collection ranges from show-stopping dresses and skirts to sweatshirts, and will take you straight from crosstrainer to club. matchesfashion.com

Net- a-Porter The Issa toothbrush employs high-intensity pulsations from silicone bristles for effective teeth-cleaning. The non-porous silicone design offers a much more hygienic solution than nylon bristles, preventing bacteria build-up – and the clincher? It only needs charging twice a year!

£89; net-a-porter.com

editor’s

PICK

FEBRUARY 2015

13/01/2015 10:40

PARADISE.indd 2

09/12/2014 11:51

> FOOD NEWS

p. 35

FOOD REVIEWS: OPSO/DF MEXICO

p. 43

SOCIAL SUPPERS You’ll find photogenic recipes approachable to even the most amateur chefs in this hardback book from Jason Atherton. A welcome addition to every home chef's bookshelf, it brims with stunning photography of inspired dishes perfect for sharing with friends and family.£22, Bloomsbury Publishing

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FEBRUARY 2015

13/01/2015 10:20

ANTHONY ANDREWS BESPOKE CELEBRITY SHOE DESIGNER FOR LADIES & GENTLEMEN

Start off the New Year on the right foot...

TONY ANDREWS HAS BEEN MAKING BESPOKE (CUSTOM MADE) FOOTWEAR FOR OVER 50 YEARS. Design your own footwear with our guidance.

Largest stock in UK of leathers including calf, animal prints, stingray, crocodile, snake, ostrich and many others.

Home or of fice measuring ser vice available.

Men’s shoes that will increase height by up to 6 inches.

Everything is made in our London W1 shop/workshop.

We welcome you to visit the workshop to see your footwear being made and to look and touch thousands of skins available.

CONSULTATIONS ARE FREE OF CHARGE. Anyone is welcome to come in have a chat and look round our shop plus tea and biscuits.

“

I HAD TWO PAIRS OF SHOES AND A PAIR OF SANDALS MADE .

THE BEST FOOTWEAR AND THE BEST SERVICE I’VE EVER HAD

-Kathleen Turner

”

12 New Cavendish Street, W1G 8UN 020 7486 4664 | info@specialfootwear.co.uk | www.specialfootwear.co.uk

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12/01/2015 17:25

stay c a t i o n

FOOD & DRINK / NOTES

ANDAZ From street art rooms to DIY Bloody Marys Wo r d s C at h e r i n e H a l e s

erfectly bridging the gap between suave city and edgy East, Andaz Liverpool Street have recently embarked upon two new ventures sure to appeal to both. The first is their ‘Room With A View’ installation, which debuted in October 2014 and will be in evidence until July 2015. The second, the brand new brunch menu in the hotel’s Eastaway restaurant. I was shown up to the ‘One Day Walk’ street art room, adorned with a sprawling mural by artists Patrick Vale and Paul Davis. It must be said that even without the addition of the art wall, the room is spacious, comfortable and luxurious without being cloying. The art adds a wonderful sense of place (depicting East London’s attractions and locals) as well as a unique sense of occasion to the room. A restful and extremely comfortable night’s sleep is enjoyed, preceded by absolutely scrumptious room service and we wake up refreshed and ready for brunch.

Located in the decidedly trendy Eastaway restaurant, the brunch’s crowning glory is indisputably the DIY Bloody Mary bar, offering a range of ingredients, some never dreamed of before. My friend even opts for a crispy bacon garnish. The menu is substantial and inventive, blending New York with East End. My Omelette Wrapped Toulouse is incredibly tasty and filling while my companion’s Eggs Sanchez (soft poached eggs with chorizo, rocket and guacamole) leave me with a serious case of food envy. 

P

● ANDAZ LIVERPOOL STREET 40 Liverpool Street, EC2; andazliverpoolstreet.com

TABLE TALK Keep it local this Valentine’s Day with a staycation or a rooftop tipple FITS THE BILL

Until March, GREY GOOSE® is bringing alpine chic to design hotel ME London’s Radio Rooftop bar. The contemporary bar’s already dramatic surrounds have been transformed to create a magical winter retreat complete with snow-capped mountainscape.

336-337 The Strand, WC2; me-london.melia.com

LA MAISON DU CHOCOLAT

Caramel Sensations £14.50; lamaisonduchocolat.co.uk

5

ROCOCO

Heart Shaped Truffle Box £45; rococochocolates.com

Luxe Boxes for Chocolate Lovers

MONTEZUMA’S

GODIVA

Heart Box £23; godivachocolates.co.uk

PRESTAT

Theatre Heart Box from £6.50; prestat.co.uk

Large Truffle Box £15.99; montezumas.co.uk

35 CH_FEB15_Food Notes.indd 35

RAISE THE ROOF

We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Bill Granger’s Granger & Co to Clerkenwell. The Australian national treasure has won Brits over with his new-world approach and this latest enterprise marks his eighth restaurant opening in total. Expect Japanese, Hawaiian and Korean influences and damn good scrambled eggs.

50 Sekforde Street, EC1; grangerandco.com

FEBRUARY 2015

13/01/2015 10:14

TRO N I H ONT M A £3

DU

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

FOOD & DRINK / RECIPES STARTER

RABBIT CONFIT Wi th Celeri ac Cream

S erves 6 I n g re di e n ts

For th e rabbi t con fi t and f loss • 5 rabbit legs • 1 tablespoon sea salt • 1–1½ litres duck (or goose) fat, melted

For th e soup • 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra to finish • 2 large celeriacs, peeled and chopped • 1 onion, peeled and chopped • 750ml rabbit stock (or Chicken Stock, • 400ml double cream • a small handful of finely chopped chives or flat-leaf parsley, to garnish • sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

ME T HO D 01 Preheat the oven to 120°C/Gas Mark ½. Put the rabbit legs into a deep ovenproof dish in which the rabbit legs fit snugly. Season with the sea salt then pour in enough duck fat to cover the legs. Place the dish into the oven and gently cook for 1½ hours or until the meat is tender. 02 Meanwhile, make the celeriac soup. Heat the olive oil in a large ovenproof pan. Add the chopped celeriac and onion with some salt and pepper. Sweat the vegetables over a medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes, until the vegetables are tender. Pour in the stock, topping up with boiling water as necessary to cover the vegetables. Simmer for about 20 minutes until the celeriac is soft. Add the cream and season well to taste. Blend the soup using a hand-held stick blender (or a regular blender) until it is smooth and creamy. Reheat before serving. 03 When the rabbit confit is ready, remove from the oven and leave to cool slightly. Reduce the oven temperature to 100°C/ Gas Mark ¼. Once cool enough to handle, take the rabbit legs out of the fat (save it for roast potatoes or another dish) then pull the rabbit meat away from the bones. Set aside the meat from 3 of the legs and finely shred the remaining half. Spread out the shredded meat evenly on a wide baking tray. Place into the low oven and let the meat dehydrate for 45 minutes to one hour or until it dries out and turns crisp. Remove from the oven and leave to cool. 04 Just as you are ready to serve, heat 1–2 tablespoons of the confit duck fat in a wide frying pan. When hot, fry the reserved confit rabbit with a little salt and pepper until evenly golden brown. Take the pan off the heat. 05 To serve, neatly place the seared rabbit meat into the middle of the warmed soup bowls. Arrange small piles of the rabbit ‘floss’ on top of the meat. Carefully pour the celeriac soup into each bowl but do not allow it to come up to the level of the rabbit floss. Sprinkle with chopped chives, drizzle with olive oil and serve immediately. u

Eat the Seasons Chef du jour Jason Atherton shares recipes for a winter dinner party Photography john carey

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FEBRUARY 2015

13/01/2015 11:49

FOOD & DRINK / RECIPES dessert

LONDON HONEY & ALMOND CAKE Wit h h o n e y j elly

S er ves 8–10 • 200g unsalted butter • 150g clear honey, plus extra to glaze • 150g caster sugar • 200g ground almonds • 40g plain flour • 8 medium egg whites, at room temperature • crème fraîche or Vanilla Ice Cream

Fo r t he ho n e y j elly • 3 small gelatine leaves • 150g clear honey

• 35ml moscatel or sherry vinegar • 150ml hot water

O ra n ge m arm alad e (opti on al) • 4 Seville oranges, about 500g, well scrubbed, quartered • 500ml water • 700g granulated sugar 01 To make the honey jelly, soak the gelatine leaves in a bowl of cold water. Heat the honey in a heavy-based saucepan until it begins to colour. As soon as it turns a caramel colour,

add the vinegar and water. Stir well to combine. If the honey hardens upon contact with the liquid, continue to heat and stir until it melts. Squeeze the excess water from the gelatine leaves and add these to the pan. Stir to dissolve. Pour the honey mixture into a small sealable container and leave to cool completely.

Cover the container and chill the jelly for a few hours until set. 02 For the marmalade, cut out the segments from the orange quarters. Thinly slice the orange skins using a sharp knife and set aside. Put the segments into a heavy-based pan and add the water and sugar. Bring to the boil then reduce the heat to the lowest setting and gently simmer for about an hour. Strain the mixture through a fine sieve into a clean pan, pressing down on the pulp to extract all the juice. Add the sliced orange skins and bring to a simmer. Gently simmer for another hour until the skins are tender and you have a loose marmalade consistency. To test if the marmalade has reached setting point, remove the pan from the heat then spoon a little on to a cold plate. Leave to cool for a few minutes. If the marmalade thickens and forms a skin, it’s ready. If not, return the pan to the heat and cook for a few more minutes and test again.

03 Preheat the oven to 180°C/Gas Mark 4.

Grease and lightly flour a 20cm loose-bottomed square cake tin. Melt the butter in a saucepan over a medium heat. Let it cook until it turns golden brown and releases a nutty fragrance, then remove the pan from the heat and stir in the honey. Leave to cool. 04 Meanwhile, mix the sugar, almonds and flour in a large mixing bowl. Make a well in the centre of the dry mixture then pour in the butter and honey.

Fold the mixture until combined. Lightly beat the egg whites with a fork in another bowl, then add this to the batter. Fold through until the mixture is smooth and well combined.

Pour the mixture into the prepared cake tin.

Bake for 30–40 minutes, until the top is golden brown and a skewer inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean. Remove from the oven and leave to cool on a cooling rack. While the cake is still warm, brush a little honey on the top to glaze it. 05 Run a thin knife around the cake tin before unmoulding the cake. Cut into slices or squares and serve with the honey jelly, orange marmalade, if using, and crème fraîche or vanilla ice cream, as you prefer. ◆

● Exerts taken from Jason Atherton’s new book, Social Suppers, £17; jasonatherton.co.uk

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

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The Tile Box

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

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09/10/2014 17:05

XXXXXXXX / XXXXXXXXX

STRIP If your man needs help finding you a gift this Valentine’s, point him in the direction of Strip.

Strip Wax Bar & Boutique is now offering personalised Valentine e-gift vouchers at the click of a button. E-vouchers can be used in stores for their world-renowned waxing services, exquisite lingerie or luxurious skincare products. Buy online now to give you more time to plan that most romantic of nights! Book your free consultation today. Strip One New Change, EC4; 020 7236 0058; stripwaxbar.com

A L L YO U N E E D I S

LOVE Get in the mood for Valentines Day and treat you loved one this year

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

C&A_FEB15_Fashion_ Feature.indd 40

BLOOM PERFUMERY Just across the road from Old Spitalfields Market you’ll find Bloom Perfumery. Discover a new signature scent amongst their carefully curated collection of luxury, niche and independent perfume and candle making maisons from around the world. Or why not treat a loved one to a gift voucher with a fun perfume picking experience led by their friendly and knowledgeable staff?

4 Hanbury Street,E1; bloomperfume.co.uk

40 13/01/2015 14:58

ABSOLUTELY XXXXXXXXX//PROMOTION XXXXXXXX

ANGELA FLANDERS

BRANCH ON THE PARK

A visit to Angela Flanders Spitalfields perfumery is the perfect place to discover that special, individual perfume for your loved one. Whether you are seeking out a romantic rose, luscious white floral or a heady exotic oriental, for him or her, Angela’s personally trained team are experts at guiding you through the tantalising selection of over 30 delicious perfumes, body lotions or candles. 4 Artillery Passage, E1 angelaflanders-perfumer.com

Jewellery shop ‘Branch on the Park’ is a fantastic choice for handmade jewellery for Valentine's Day. Designed in the shop by the owner, goldsmith Julia Cook, who also sells a small range of pieces by other independent designers, prices start at just £10 whileprecious gemstones range from £165£10,000. 227 Victoria Park Road, E9; 020 8533 7977; branchonthepark.co.uk

NICHOLE DE CARLE Spoil the lady in your life this Valentine’s Day with a beautiful lingerie set from Nichole de Carle. Specialising in luxury lingerie and super stylish swimwear, choose from the iconic Black Label Onyx collection for something more daring, the Soiree collection for elegant, feminine design or the Everyday collection for simple but classic and contemporary basics.

The brand also offer a made-to-order service for an exceptional fit. nicholedecarlelondon.com

BOHO MEXICA

SWEET PEA

Treat your lover to a Mexican fiesta this Valentine’s Day. Rich in imaginative culinary ideas, Boho Mexica is a strong contender for the crown of best Mexican restaurant in East London. A low-key, low-lit ambiance is the backdrop to authentic and interesting Mexican dishes while the cocktails (of which there are many!) are on another level. Margaritas in Shoreditch don’t come better than these. 151153 Commercial Street, E1; bohomexica.co.uk

Sweet Pea is a luxury designer jewellery boutique on Gloucester Avenue in Primrose Hill.

Owned by Siobhan O’Neill, the inviting shop sells delicate 18ct gold jewellery set with diamonds, precious stones and pearls – and makes an ideal destination for Valentine's Day gifts. It also offers a bespoke engagement and wedding ring service – and stocks pieces by fellow designers including Alex Monroe, Polly Wales and Jo Hayes Ward.

77, Gloucester Avenue, NW1 8LD, 0207 449-9292; sweetpeajewellery.com

BEDFORD LODGE If you’re looking to give the gift of total relaxation, do so with personalised 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. Choose from a range of packages or spa experiences and treat your partner to a romantic weekend away this Valentine’s Day. Bury Road, CB8; 01638 676130; bedfordlodgehotelspa.co.uk/gift-vouchers

41 C&A_FEB15_Fashion_ Feature.indd 41

FEBRUARY 2015

13/01/2015 14:58

‘Probably the best new restaurant in northwest London to open in ten years’ – Giles Coren, The Times

FOOD AND FILM ENJOY BOTH AT JW3.

Dine at our critically acclaimed Zest restaurant, café & bar.

And then head over to our plush boutique Cinema for the newest releases from around the world, plus Jewish and Israeli films curated by our partner UK Jewish Film.

BOOK ONLINE www.jw3.org.uk

Finchley Road Finchley Road & Frognal

JW3, 341-351 Finchley Road London NW3 6ET

&

Quality Vintage Apparel Authentic Designer Pieces This is one NOT to be missed

The most exquisite vintage fashion fair

A treasure trove of inspiration

TIME OUT

VOGUE.IT

GLAMOUR

The Vintage Collections Sunday 15th February The Old Finsbury Town Hall Rosebery Ave, EC1R4RP (5mins from the Angel) 11am-5pm £4 Photograph by Asher Herr

ADVERT PLACEMENTS.indd 1

www.clerkenwellvintagefashionfair.co.uk

14/01/2015 09:54

FOOD & DRINK / REVIEW

DF MEXICO

Thomasina Miers’ new Mexican-American hybrid W o r d s HELEN BARON

’m far from the first to note that London’s restaurant scene seems to have evolved (or degenerated, depending on your appetite for novelty) into a high concept free-for-all, with new openings jockeying for press and popularity by way of ever more arresting culinary conceits.

The public’s fascination with outlandish ideas (witness the ridiculous media back-and-forth over Brick Lane’s Cereal Killer cafe) can be both help and hindrance to those trying to plough their own foodie furrow – but it can also be a surprisingly efficient indicator of quality, winnowing the wheat from the chaff and ensuring that only the strongest ideas outlast the initial hype.

Thomasina Miers’ DF Mexico is holding its own amid this crush of competition.

The place glows like a Hopper painting on the dark evening of our visit, a bright, airy space decked out in the white tiles that have become synonymous with East London - but here enlivened by splashes of Latin-inspired primary colour.

Old favourites like tacos, burritos and tortillas are present, but the focus is on innovative pairings and subtle spins on the classics. Many of the innovations are in the garnishes – chipotle hibiscus salsa, pumpkin seed mayo etc. The entire experience is as bright, breezy and informal as you’d expect from DF Mexico’s dinerstyle design, but the flavours and quality of the food represent a significant step up from tired theme-diner fare. As concepts go, this one looks to have legs: don’t be surprised if DF Mexico is a nationwide success story before 2015 is out. u

I

OPSO

It’s all Greek to Richard Mellor at Marylebone’s latest eatery

T

hink Greek restaurants and you probably imagine quaint, old-fashioned harbourfront tavernas in seaside towns, places of enormous portions and bargain prices.

And yet Opso, just off Marylebone High Street, couldn’t be more different. This is modern Greek – sharing plates, artisan ingredients sourced from the motherland – in a pareddown venue with artsy flourishes. Note the whacking great honeycomb oozing away by the entrance, for instance. Or the many pot plants.

The first question concerns where to sit.

The central, communal table? At the bar? In the basement, which appears to double as a glass-encased Greek history museum? My pal Georgia, an expert on all things Hellenic – in the sense that she dated a Greek bloke around a decade ago – plumps for a traditional two-person table up top, nestled among foliage.

Cocktails come next. Featuring ouzo and violet liqueur, Georgia’s Perfect Thyme is refreshing and zesty and features a sizeable herb garnish. Less attention-grabbing, my Grape Republic utilises tsipouro, a grape pomace spirit, plus lychee liqueur to delicious effect.

And so to the food. We begin with koulouri, scrumptious sesame-seed bread served beside a creamy curd. Chunky salt crystals further enhance the flavours and it vanishes quickly. Eager stomachs are patted and all seems mightily promising.

The main dishes arrive, as is the modern way, in a random order: our smoked metsovone cheese is tasty and made all the more moreish by a of stick rhubarb jam. Feedback for the sliced boar sausages hovers around “bloomin' delicious”.

Morale is boosted further when two mastiha-spiked gin and tonics show up, their slight liquorice edge sweetened by a few sprinkled sultanas. A plate of pastitsio soon follows: no ‘twists’ here: just a simple, delicious dish. Bold meaty flavour, rich béchamel sauce, fresh ingredients – bish bash bosh.

Dessert is crumbled walnut cake with sour-cherry ice cream, and over a concluding coffee, the following is agreed: kudos to Opso for experimenting, for mixing things up. The modernised Greek classics are delicious – we wish there were even more of them on the quarterly-changing menu – and the drinks are top-notch. u

● ops o

10 Paddington Street, W1; opso.co.uk

43 C&A_FEB15_Food_Review.indd 43

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MARTIN BRUDNIZKI'S HOT HOTEL HANGOUTS

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FEBRUARY 2015

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10 of the best

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Map it out & ‘Marsala’ madness Wo r d s g e m m a b i l l i n g t o n

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BHS

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P a n t o n e C o l o u r o f t h e Ye a r

Colour experts Pantone have announced ‘Marsala’ as the Colour of the Year 2015. Described as a ‘naturally robust and earthy wine red,’ many interior brands have followed suit and introduced it to their ranges. Prepare to welcome this rich berry hue into your home and for Marsala madness to hit the high street. pantone.co.uk

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JAN CONSTANTINE

PHOTO ©JULIAN ABRAMS

Bethan Gray, and Islamic Art & Craft scholar, Mitchell Abdul Karim Crites, have teamed up to launch the Ruby Tree, a collection of beautiful tableware and furniture inspired by Islamic design. The collection is available exclusively at Harrods. therubytreecollection.com

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SPOTLIGHT

The Meal Ticket

Restaurant designer Martin Brudnizki on Scandinavian style, timeless designs and Scarfes Bar words Georgie Lane-Godfrey

I

’m sitting on a plush velvet sofa in the atmospheric lounge in Holborn’s Rosewood Hotel. It’s similar to a classic gentleman’s lounge, complete with smooth dark wood and clever caricatures by the eponymous illustrator adorning the walls. Yet in spite of Scarfes Bar’s quirkiness, it still feels sophisticated and sexy – a perfect example, in fact, of a room designed by Martin Brudnizki.

If his name isn’t familiar, his interiors will be.

Pick any of the capital’s hottest hangouts and most likely, he designed them – 34, The Ivy Club, The Rib Room, Annabel’s terrace, Le Caprice – the list goes on. Brudnizki has quickly become the go-to guy for any aspirational restaurateur looking to open London’s next big thing. His secret? A focus on timeless designs with an ageless appeal, rather than a ‘signature’ style.

‘With this kind of project in a historical building, we couldn’t really change much, so it was more about balancing it to make it feel authentic,’ explains Brudnizki of

Scarfes Bar. ‘People always say after we finish a project that it feels like it’s been here forever. That’s because we use pieces from the Twenties, Thirties, Forties and Fifties, so it’s historically eclectic, almost like a timeline or journey. That’s how you make something that will still be relevant in four years time. That’s how you create something timeless.’

Tall, blonde and lean, with classic clean-cut Scandinavian style, Martin Brudnizki is one of those people you just assume will have impeccable taste. It’s this impression which probably explains why his career has taken such an incredible trajectory since he moved to London two decades ago. Coming over to the capital to study interior design, he arrived, as he laughingly puts it, ‘with absolutely no clue!’

Yet Brudnizki had been surrounded by design from an early age, having been brought up by his German mother and Polish father in Stockholm. ‘It was very austere,’ he tells me. ‘It’s just an attitude and an approach which is about stripped-back simplicity. But Sweden

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has great design history and it gave me a real love of practicality.’ Practicality that also extends to the price tag; postrecession, Brudnizki is still careful to not overspend in any of his projects, turning to Sweden’s most famous export to keep costs down in his own home. ‘The kitchen in my new flat is IKEA,’ he reveals. ‘It’s just so accessible and actually very good quality – you just use other elements to lift it.’ Like a bespoke granite worktop, I suggest? ‘Marble!’ he corrects me, with a disapproving tut. ‘Only ever marble.’

It doesn’t come as a surprise then to discover Brudnizki is rather particular about his projects, and the designer freely admits to being something of a control freak. ‘But not in the sense that I’m stir-crazy,’ he laughs. ‘I just like things in a certain way. I wouldn’t say I’m a perfectionist because I don’t think there is such a thing as perfection, but I like a certain level of order. There are so many variables in life that you need to have at least 50% of things fixed or you’d go mad!’

As to his work, this meticulousness

translates into a level of detail for which Brudnizki is renowned. Each project begins with certain layers: where are the most comfortable places to sit so you won’t be disturbed, how to furnish it so that it’s cool yet comfortable, completing it with those final authentic finishing touches. ‘Here we have the feeling of an old lounge or library so we needed books,’ he explains. ‘But we don’t just buy them by the metre; they have to be picked on both look and subject. For example, when we did

The Ivy Club, we created a fully-curated library, alphabetically organised by relevant subject area. It’s those details that matter.’ For this kind of project, Brudnizki says most require a year from conception to completion… unless, that is, you happen to be a Chelsea institution.

After long-standing Italian restaurant Daphne’s was ruined by a ravaging fire earlier this year, owner Richard Caring called Brudnizki for help. Rather than just remedying the damage, however, Caring wanted a full refurbishment – to celebrate the restaurant’s 50th anniversary and to reinvent it for the next 50 years to come.

‘It’s not an example we should give,’ chuckles Brudnizki. ‘We were given nine weeks. We did it, by hook or by crook, but let’s just say that there’s a very long snagging list!’

The end result, however, was a raging success, refreshing the restaurant’s image and attracting a new, younger crowd.

‘Interior design is just like packaging, created to support the commercial side,’ explains Brudnizki. ‘Because Daphne’s is Italian, the idea was to create the feeling of the Amalfi Coast, which I love. That was, kind of, for me though – so I can go there and enjoy it! Daphne’s is one of my favourite restaurants and I’ve been going there for 20 years.’ u mbds.com

53 C&A_FEB15_MARTIN_BRUDNIZKI.indd 53

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Revival RD60 DAB Digital Radio, Beach Huts, £200; selfridges.com

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DRIFT LIVING

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ALEXANDER AND PEARL Mallard Grey Industrial Metal Pendant, £155; alexanderandpearl.co.uk

LAURA ASHLEY

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JOHN LEWIS,

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SHADES OF GREY ORCHID FURNITURE

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KIDS & EDUCATION / NOTES MINI ME Preen

This very ‘British’ label set up by Thea and Thornton Bregazzi, a married couple with an ardent appreciation of the Victorian era, incorporates prints from the mainline collection so that kids can be as stylish as their parents. preenbythorntonbregazzi.com

SHELF LIFE

DOODLE FLIP DRESS UP

SMALL TALK Doodle fashion and Bloom & Blossom’s skincare range for mums

JITTER BUG Blade & Rose

Blade & Rose specialise in ‘bootyful’ legging designs that will ensure baby is well on the way to her first stylish steps. The playful designs are perfect for climbing toddlers with their cheeky bottom-prints, while the soft yarn mix is durable and stretchy to accommodate exploring. £10; bladeandrose.co.uk

Illustrator h e n n i e h aw o r t h

ring out the budding stylist in your tots B with this delightful Doodle Flip Dress Up book. Who could fail to be charmed by the ingenious page flip sytem that allows you to design and then mash up your wildest fashion ideas? The fantastic range of dress-ups includes swashbuckling pirate attire, intergalactic space-wear and fairy princess clobber. So grab your felt tips and design a tiger in a tutu or an astronaut in cowboy boots then flip it over and start all over again. Doodle Flip Dress Up is published this month; illustrator Hennie Haworth’s clients include The New Statesman, The Guardian and Penguin Books. ◆

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Bloom & Blossom is an awardwinning natural skincare range for mums and babies. Surprise a mum-to-be with a gift-box that includes anti-stretch mark cream, an indulgent bath oil and foot spray (she’ll pick up swag for the baby from everyone else). £45; bloomandblossom.com

The Kit for Kids Ellergenic Spring Cotbed Mattress features not only a sealed spring but the latest in antiallergy and anti-bacterial materials.

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KIDS & EDUCATION / SCHOOL TALK

Working Partnership Shadow education secretary Tristram Hunt wants independent schools to work more closely with state schools, yet many are doing so already.

Wo r d s A m a n d a C o n s ta n c e

I

n north Kensington, in the backwoods of Notting Hill, there is a state-of-the-art, brand spanking new school. This is Kensington Aldridge Academy, a secondary school for the local community. Nearly all the pupils live within a mile, the majority from the surrounding estates. It couldn’t be more inner city. Yet who are its educational partners? Two bastions of private school privilege – Godolphin & Latymer and Charterhouse.

Eton College has sponsored a new school, too; Holyport College, a state free school which also opened its doors to Year 7 last September. The Independent Schools Council (ISC) – which represents the majority of the UK’s private schools - says nine out of 10 independent schools already take part in partnerships with state schools.

Was Tristram Hunt ignorant of examples such as these when he pledged before Christmas to strip fee-paying schools of business rate relief?

The shadow education secretary provoked a furious backlash from private school leaders when he said that, if Labour came to power, independent schools could lose tax relief worth a combined total of £147m a year unless they worked more closely with the state sector.

Under the plan, independent schools would be expected to sponsor state academies, share teachers, train new staff, help state pupils apply to top universities and provide and run joint extra-curricular activities.

Jo Heywood, headmistress of Heathfield in Ascot says: ‘Almost all of us are already involved in partnerships with excellent schools in the state sector,

THE advantages

of these partnerships are COMPLETELY TWO-WAY

including many of the initiatives he has suggested, and we are fed up with these repeated attacks on our schools.’

Perhaps the problem for private schools is that, while many have established strong partnerships with the state sector, they just haven’t done a very good PR job explaining it.

‘If there is one mea culpa in all of this, it is that we haven’t done what we’re normally good at doing, which is blowing our own trumpet,’ says Charlotte Vere, the ISC’s general secretary.

Mark Beard, headmaster of University College School in Hampstead, alma mater of the Honourable Tristram Hunt, himself the son of a baronet, accused Labour of

61 C&A_FEB15_Education.indd 61

displaying great ignorance of how modern private schools work.

‘If the shadow education secretary were to visit his old school, what would he find?,’ asks Beard. ‘A nest of privilege, devoted to raising the children of oligarchs and City financiers in secluded, toffish privilege? On the contrary, he would find a diverse population of pupils, from all creeds and backgrounds.’ UCS spends £1m a year on fees assistance and has a range of collaborations with state secondary schools, including Westminster Academy, UCL Academy, London Academy of Excellence, and a number of primaries.

It doesn’t take much digging on the websites of London’s top schools to find a list of their ‘community’ work. Latymer Upper, for example, runs a successful Saturday school, where local pupils are taught by its staff. King’s College School in Wimbledon has no academic lessons on Friday afternoons and the majority of pupils from Year 9 and above do volunteer work. Some sixth formers, overseen by a teacher, teach Latin to girls in Kingston, some coach rugby and cricket. Others help severely disabled children at a special school.

King’s also runs top-up lessons in the spring term for hundreds of local Year 11 children preparing for their GCSEs in key subjects, plus an ‘Aspirations’ programme for gifted and talented Year 9 pupils from local state schools.

‘This is not all as selfless as it may sound,’ says King’s headmaster, Andrew Halls.

‘The advantages of these partnerships are completely two-way’. Halls says King’s parents know the programme has a cost – which they are effectively bearing in their fees – ‘but not one of us, not a single parent, would wish it otherwise’. u

FEBRUARY 2015

13/01/2015 15:32

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

S

o, what else is there to do to feel ready – or as ready as you’ll ever be – for baby’s impending due (guess) date. Personally, I’ve been thoroughly enjoying my antenatal classes with doula Bridget Baker; they’ve been instrumental in helping me to feel confident about a more natural birth preference (we steer clear of the word ‘plan’ so as to keep an open mind).

Unsurprisingly, I was pretty naive about the whole process to begin with. I had blithely assumed I would labour in an obstetric ward; now I feel very happy about delivering in a midwife-led birth centre after attempting to labour for as long as possible at home. I’ve even been switched on to the idea of a full home birth for next time around (if I fancy another go, that is).

Although the recent revisions to official guidelines, which now say that low-risk mothers should be encouraged to have babies at home, has stirred a bit of a backlash about state cost-cutting, there’s no doubt home birth can be safer (less germs) and more comfortable as well as more sustainable: a relaxed mother-tobe is far less likely to require potentially stressful interventions. I wonder that many women, myself included, have been indoctrinated into thinking that hospital is the obvious choice for birth. But if you are low-risk and do arrange a home birth, you can still transfer to the hospital should you need to. What’s to lose?

There’s also the question of my beloved first baby, my dog. If you have one, now’s the time to get him used to baby’s

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things. The Darling Dog Company offers one-on-one training sessions for anyone nervous about introducing the two; you can read founder Louise Glazebrook’s innumerable glowing testimonials online.

Caring properly for both a dog and a baby isn’t always easy, and too many people simply give up on their canine companion the moment the baby arrives. In Glazebrook’s view, a dog should never be a stop-gap while you wait to have a child.

And for those who already have dogs, Glazebrook’s new book Dog About Town: How to Raise a Happy Dog in the City, has useful tips on how to keep your pooch occupied during periods when you're unable to get about as much.

The final month before birth is also a good time to start tinkering with the nursery. If you’re like me, you’ve developed an unhealthy obsession with mummy blogs; the upshot is that you’ll have amassed plenty of interiors inspiration. Of course, newborns tend to sleep in the same room as their parents, but you’ll need space for stuff like a changing table and mat, to save your back from the strain of the bajillionth nappy-change. Besides, doing up the nursery is the fun bit, the calm before the storm. And when everything’s ready… all there is left to do is wait. Good luck, and see you on the other side!  thedarlingdogcompany.co.uk

63 C&A_FEB15_GREAT EXPECTATIONS.indd 63

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Turkish Delight A private peninsula on the south coast of Turkey proves the ultimate spot for a family to relax in the sun Wo r d s P e n d l e H a r t e

A

s a mother of three, businesswoman and former model, Jasmine Guinness is a woman who needs a holiday, and knows it. When she explained that: ‘people who read on holiday always have a better time because it’s total escapism, both physically and mentally,’ she articulated my feelings exactly. Because what I want most from a holiday is a place to read. A beautiful place in the sun, where all my immediate physical needs are met – and those of my family are met, so that I can be left in peace to read. But this is harder to achieve than it sounds. Anyone with children knows that for a holiday to be a holiday, you need to be able to reclaim your own brain for yourself, away from the incessant random demands made on it, and this is not something that happens easily.

So we came to an all-inclusive resort. It might not be the most imaginative holiday option, but when your ambition is to find rest and relish it, the promise of having no decisions to make for a full week is an exciting one. Letoonia in Fethiye, on Turkey’s south coast, is a vast hotel on a completely private peninsula. Set in absurdly lush surroundings (over 268 varieties of flora, requiring near-constant watering in this dry part of the world) it’s a beautiful spot. Imagine pine trees, bougainvillea, jasmine and roses all vying for space and creating a wilderness of colour. There are three private beaches, four pools (one indoor), eight restaurants, nine bars, a spa, a kids’ club and countless available sporting

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TRAVEL / WANDERLUST

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TRAVEL / WANDERLUST activities. It’s almost a village in itself, a sprawling, hilly one with funicular railways and golf buggy taxis (flag them down when you’re flagging) connecting locations such as the pools and the beaches with the life-sized chess board, the theatre and the eateries, plus the archery course, the tennis courts and the water slides.

But if this sounds big and busy, it doesn’t feel it. On our visit, in high season and during the school holidays,

THIS is a UTOPIAN, moneyfree SOCIETY where everything IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE accommodation is at full capacity but still there is no crowding, queueing or scrambling for pool loungers. Everything is quiet and seamless. The all-inclusive ethos creates a utopian, money-free society where everything is always available to everybody and there’s no competitiveness or conspicuous consumption (nobody seems to overeat or drink despite the bottomless plates and glasses, which makes a convincing case for the goodness of human nature). We walk round the village unencumbered by anything as pedestrian as a wallet.

Accommodation is in bungalows with carved wooden details designed by award-winning Turkish architect Nail

Çakırhan. Our two bedroom suite is comfortable and spacious, with a shady balcony offering impressive sea views, so quite quickly we settle into a form of routine, loosely based around meals.

Buffet dining suits us and the largest restaurant is situated at the tip of the peninsula, by the lighthouse, offering sea views in all directions. Options are endless and alongside all the high class if fairly standard international fare is a good selection of Turkish meze – every day brings a delicious new twist on the aubergine – and there’s enough variety not to ever get bored. There are two à la carte restaurants too, one of them offering a curious fashioning of Japanese

food and the other a beachside fish venue, but we stick to the buffets with their wide array and child-friendly setup. We quickly discover our favourite place for lunch – on the beach, where salads and Turkish flatbreads offer light options alongside a chilled glass of wine. The children choose pasta with tomato sauce every day without exception, fully believing themselves in culinary heaven, and we are delighted that the ice cream stall opens punctually after lunch every day and then closes for the rest of the afternoon.

Days pass in a haze of swimming – the pool? Or the beach? Which pool and which beach? – and we enjoy everything from the waterslides that drop into the sea to the pedalos and rowing boats in the bay, as well as the elegant bananaleaf style hammocks that dot around the resort. One day we take a trip on Letoonia’s luxury yacht, which takes us around the peninsula, stopping to swim in clear turquoise waters and to shop in the market. In the evenings we enjoy all-singing, all-dancing performances from the in-house amateur dramatics group, whose enthusiasm and fantastic costumes fill the village amphitheatre with energetic shows every night.

So, the reading count went well. Not only did I reread Jayne Eyre but I caught up with Meg Wolitzer and Philip Roth too.

In terms of physical and mental escapism, I certainly had my fill. u Special offer for Letoonia bookings before end of January 2015 - 7 nights all-inclusive including flights from £504 at letoonia.com

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Muswell Hill: 148 Fortis Green Road, London N10 3DU Tel: 020 8444 2900 Queens Park: 68 Salusbury Road, London NW6 6NU Tel: 020 7624 8687 West Hampstead: 148 West End Lane, London NW6 1SD Tel: 020 7372 4222 Stanmore: 15 Church Road, Stanmore, Middx HA7 4AR Tel: 020 8954 9554

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

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"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

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

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1984 - 2014

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Celebrating 30 YEARS in business | 1984 - 2014

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Property Absolutely

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> PROPERTY ROUND UP p. 78 IN THEIR OWN WORDS p. 86 NIGEL LEWIS p. 79

Well Walk, NW3

ÂŁ675 Per Week

Situated in a beautiful Edwardian building in the heart of Hampstead is this stunning two bedroom apartment. The property is moments from Hampstead Heath and the amenities of Hampstead Village. The accommodation has a wonderfully light and large reception room with high ceilings and impressive floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking one of the most scenic streets in Hampstead.

020 7435 9681

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

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APPLEGROVE

GARDENVALE

Two exclusive six bedroom luxury homes situated in the leafy area of Oakleigh Park.

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to ur w yo e. no ise om ire m h qu sto ew En cu e n lp ok he esp b

An exceptional standard of traditional elegance and comfort with state-of-the-art technology throughout.

ÂŁ Price on application

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A new development of 7 luxury apartments.

Secure gated parking, lift and quality finishes.

O A K L E I G H PA R K S O U T H N 2 0

Alisa Lodge is a development of one and two bedroom apartments with a magnificent three bedroom penthouse. The development has been constructed to an exceptional standard and sits among the affluent surroundings of Oakleigh Park. All of the apartments overlook the beautiful landscaped gardens and most have wonderful views of London.

All enquiries via sole agent:

LAST ONE REMAINING ÂŁ500,000

Computer generated images of development exterior, penthouse kitchen/living area and master bedroom of flats 3 and 5.

Untitled-1 1

020 8446 2111

Another quality development by

12/01/2015 15:52

50 years of fulfilling dreams

...for all generations

FAWLEY ROAD, WEST HAMPSTEAD, NW6

£1,199,999

A four double bedroom first floor apartment, close to many amenities on West End Lane.

THE OWNERS LOVE…

WE’VE NOTICED…

“The kitchen with the sliding door into the reception has been great for dinner parties”

‘The property is offered for sale with no onward chain.’

“West Hampstead is full of lovely coffee shops, restaurants and bars along with very friendly people” “Great location for transport with tube, overground and mainline trains”

‘Ideal for as a family home or investment purposes.’

• 4 Double bedrooms • 1 Reception room • 3 Bathrooms (1 en-suite) • Modern kitchen • Long lease • Energy rating: D

Kentish Town Office • T: 020 7267 3737 • E: Nw5@martyngerrard.co.uk • 304 Kentish Town Road, London NW5 2TH MG_NXNW.indd 1

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PROPERTY | NEWS

Property Round Up The INSIDE SCOOP of NEWS in your area

EXPERT ADVICE

ANDREW FLINT FROM COLMAN COYLE GIVES HIS EXPERT ADVICE ON ALL YOUR LEGAL PROPERTY QUESTIONS Q. I have recently bought a flat. A few weeks after I moved in, the managing agents sent me a service charge demand that includes some service charge relating to a period before I purchased the property. Do I have to pay this element of the demand?

T East Village: just ten minutes from the City

E

ast Village, formerly the London 2012 Athletes’ Village, sits on the doorstep of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and Westfield Stratford City, and includes just over 1,400 private rental homes. The commute is simple; Jubilee, Central, DLR and National Rail from Stratford, the DLR from Stratford International, or the Javelin train to St Pancras in just 7 minutes.

Get Living London is the rental owner and residential manager behind East Village and prides itself on doing things differently.

Charging no fees or hidden costs and with flexible and long-term tenancies. Each of the

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one to four bedroom homes feature openplan living, underfloor heating, and fitted wardrobes in every bedroom. Spacious balconies, terraces or winter gardens and an abundance of natural light via floor to ceiling windows offer stunning views of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and the London skyline.

Get Living London residents can also opt for complimentary furniture packages selected by acclaimed designer Wayne Hemingway, along with free Hyperoptic broadband. Prices start from £355 per week for a 1-bedroom apartment, £410 per week for a 2-bed, £490 per week for a 3-bed, and £650 per week for a 4-bedroom townhouse.

020 3714 8083; getlivinglondon.com

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he short answer is yes. As the owner of the property, you are responsible for all service charges and ground rent even if there are arrears that relate to a period before you bought the property. Your solicitor would have ensured that the seller’s solicitor undertook to discharge any arrears at the date of completion. However, what is likely to have been unknown at the time of your purchase is whether there was an excess service charge for the last financial year.

An excess service charge will arise if the budgeted service charge is exceeded by the actual expenditure for the year in question.

Because it can take 6 to 9 months for accounts to be audited, it will not be known whether there is an excess until such time as the final accounts are published. Because of this, it is common on the sales of flats for the seller’s solicitors to retain the sum of money to cover any possible excess that might arise relating to the seller’s period of ownership.

As well as the last financial year, the seller would also be liable for a proportion of any excess that might be due for the current financial year so the retention will be held until such time as the final liability is known.

I would therefore suggest that you contact your solicitors as I expect you will find that such an arrangement was made in relation to your own property.

Contact property partner Andrew Flint with no obligation on (0)20 7354 3000 or email andrew.flint@colmancoyle.com

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

Spotlight on N8 Average asking price - £642,707 | Average asking rent - £1,573 pcm | Average property value - £655,720

Data provided by ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

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PROPERTY | NIGEL LEWIS

London's MOST POPULAR

Wo r d s N I G E L L E W I S

Flats in London: 10, St Stephen’s Gardens, Notting Hill

T

his one bedroom apartment is not unique in London even if (for anyone outside the capital), its asking price of £850,000 might be. Selling agent Gareth Kelly of Marsh & Parsons is consequently puzzled that it’s been viewed 5,000 times on Zoopla since he was instructed to sell it two months ago.

Gareth, who is sales manager at his company’s Notting Hill office, has shown 40 people around the property and says its location, large floor-to-ground windows and high quality interior finish make it popular.

Also, he says one unusual feature is that it’s a raised-floor apartment, which helps give it the feel of a first floor flat when it isn’t one. “The road is also a cul-de-sac, so it’s quieter than the surrounding streets,” he says. “And this is a really massive flat for a one bed in this area.” But when Gareth says ‘location’ is a factor, what he really means is ‘Notting Hill’. It’s one of those iconic London areas that has effortlessly become uber fashionable over the past three decades, a rise that’s been helped of course by Richard Curtis’s eponymous 1999

film starring Hugh Grant. And St Stephen’s Gardens has a film connection of its own.

A property a few doors down from No.10 was a film location for Michael Caine’s 1966 film Alfie. Also, talking of celebrities, until a few years ago Stella McCartney owned a house in an adjacent street and Ruby Wax lives nearby too. People like this are drawn to this neighbourhood of Notting Hill because it’s the best of many worlds – near Portobello Road but far away enough not to be too mobbed during the annual carnival but not far from Bayswater and also walking distance of three tube stations on two different lines.

St Stephen’s Gardens is also well placed for Notting Hill’s best eateries and places to hang out including Tom Conran’s champagne and oyster bars, The Cow and The Westbourne, both of which are just around the corner. On Chepstow Road there’s The Napoleon Bonaparte – famous for being pop band Blur’s favoured pub during the 1990s.

Another reason for the property’s popularity on Zoopla is its price. Those outside London might baulk at £850,000 for a one bedroom apartment but in Notting Hill it represents reasonable value and onebedders closer to Bayswater and Notting Hill Gate can fetch up to £1.2 million.

“The market around here, like the rest of

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prime central London, cooled off rapidly this summer but recently it’s picked up again and we’ve been really busy – so I’m confident that we will find a buyer for this apartment fairly soon,” he says.

For more information about the property call Gareth on: 020 7313 2592.

FEBRUARY 2015

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Completely at home in North London.

Our services Sales and Lettings Property Management Block Management Property Solicitors Chartered Surveyors Financial Services Visit kfh.co.uk

With over 35 years’ experience and 50 branches across the Capital, our local knowledge and London network will ensure we achieve the right result for you.

Our dedicated North London branches include • Belsize Park • Muswell Hill • Crouch End • St John’s Wood • Highgate • West Hampstead

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Sumatra Road, West Hampstead, NW6 £1,600,000 West Hampstead 020 7328 2238 westhampstead.sales@kfh.co.uk

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An impressive five double bedroom Victorian house offering 1,823 sq ft of living space, three bathrooms, downstairs WC and beautiful kitchen/ diner. The property is situated in a sought after road close to the amenities of West End Lane and West Hampstead train station.

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Five double bedrooms Three bathrooms Through reception room 31 ft kitchen/dining room Downstairs WC Rear garden Freehold EPC rating D

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Dresden Road, Whitehall Park, N19 £1,350,000 Highgate 020 8341 6666 highgate.sales@kfh.co.uk

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A stunning four double bedroom extended and refurbished house offering two bathrooms, two open plan reception rooms and landscape garden. The property is situated in the Whitehall Park Conversation Area close to Archway tube station.

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Four double bedrooms Two bathrooms Two reception rooms Extended kitchen/diner Landscaped garden Excellent transport links Freehold EPC rating E

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Woodland Rise, Muswell Hill, N10 £3,879pcm Muswell Hill 020 8883 2340 muswellhill.lettings@kfh.co.uk

A stunning four bedroom detached house boasting two bathrooms, open plan kitchen, private garden and full length roof terrace. The property is situated close to Highgate tube station.

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Four bedrooms Two bathrooms Modern fitted kitchen Cloakroom Full length roof terrace Private garden Unfurnished EPC rating D

£210 tenancy agreement fee per property. Other fees apply, visit kfh.co.uk/lettingsfees

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Adelaide Road, Belsize Park, NW3 £3,142pcm

A stunning split level three double bedroom, two bathroom apartment set within a private development. The property is situated in close proximity to Primrose Hill and Chalk Farm tube station.

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Three double bedrooms Two bathrooms Reception with wooden floors Top floor with lift Unfurnished EPC rating B

Belsize Park 020 7586 9006 belsizepark.lettings@kfh.co.uk £210 tenancy agreement fee per property. Other fees apply, visit kfh.co.uk/lettingsfees

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Grove Hall Court, St John’s Wood, NW8 £3,250pcm St John’s Wood 020 7586 8817 stjohnswood.lettings@kfh.co.uk

An impressive three double bedroom, two bathroom apartment set in a portered development in the heart of St John’s Wood, close to St John’s Wood and Maida Vale tube station.

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Three double bedrooms Two bathrooms Fully modernised Portered Good transport links Furnished EPC rating C

£210 tenancy agreement fee per property. Other fees apply, visit kfh.co.uk/lettingsfees

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PROPERTY | PROFILE

IN THEIR OWN WORDS

Colin Gillibrand Lettings Manager at Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward, Belsize Park

A

Photography: rebecca noonan

lthough I was born in London, my family moved to Devon when I was quite young so I’ve been lucky enough to grow up surrounded by beautiful English countryside. It was always a dream to move back to London though so in my early twenties, in search of excitement and adventure, I found myself back here. I developed a fascination with the variety of architecture on offer in London and also with the property industry so getting into this sector was an obvious choice for me and one which I’m extremely pleased I made. I started out at a small, boutique agency in Holland Park, thereafter moving to a larger South West London based agency a few years later. I’ve always been interested in the more premium areas of London. I’ve managed a number of branches in Fulham, South Kensington and now lovely Belsize Park. I joined KFH at this branch in 2010 and it’s been a fantastic move for me as I’m really passionate about the area.

I live locally in West Hampstead which is really an ideal location for me. In this industry you do find yourself working extended hours so being a short commute from work is a real help. I am a keen cyclist and can often be spotted riding around Regent's Park Outer Circle, however, my real passion is snowboarding and I’m actually a fully qualified instructor. A few years ago I took some time out and worked a few seasons in the American Rocky Mountains, which I

found an incredible opportunity. Although I can’t do it full time anymore, I try to get away to the mountains at least once a year.

Belsize Park is an incredibly sought after area that has the benefit of being close to the city but is not congested or overcrowded. It has managed to retain a distinctive village feel and is surrounded by popular areas including West Hampstead, Highgate and St John’s Wood. Many of our tenants are Belsize Park locals who love the location and are looking to move within the area while we are also a key spot for overseas tenants who are drawn to the area for its charm, transport links and the excellent selection of schools, both state and private.

Recently we’ve seen an influx of corporate tenants, which is further evidence of London’s economic recovery.

Our corporate services department is ideally placed to assist with these tenants who enjoy the Victorian conversion property stock the area offers. In general, tenants looking to live in Belsize Park can expect to pay between £350 per week and £500 per week for a one bedroom flat up to around £2,000 per week for a spacious family house. There is no shortage of celebrities in the area and we regularly see the likes of Helena Bonham Carter and Tim Burton, David Mitchell, James Cordon and Peter and Abbey Crouch in the High Street.

020 7586 9006; kfh.co.uk

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Grosvenor Road, Muswell Hill, N10

£1,595,000 Freehold. Sole Agents

Leaside Avenue, Muswell Hill, N10

£1,575,000 Freehold. Sole Agents

A unique and rare opportunity to acquire this semi detached double fronted five double bedroom house which occupies a prominent corner position. This well presented family home is set over two floors and provides extremely spacious accommodation throughout (2,388 square feet); the property also benefits from a super 70’ southerly facing garden with a cross-over and gates providing access to off street parking and a large detached garage. There is also a large loft space with potential to convert and the possibility of a single storey rear extension (subject to relevant consents). Located within catchment of Rhodes Avenue primary and Alexandra Park secondary schools, also close at hand is Muswell Hill Broadway.

Contact our Muswell Hill Office on 020 8444 1771

A beautiful family home in a desirable tree-lined avenue close to Tetherdown primary and Fortismere secondary schools. This attractive, bay-fronted, Collins-built house offers spacious accommodation over two and a half floors, retains a wealth of period features and benefits from a large loft with potential for creating a fifth bedroom and en-suite bathroom, stpp. Located in the Fortis Green conservation area, giving easy access to Muswell Hill Broadway’s boutique shops and restaurants, close to the green spaces of both Highgate and Cherry Tree Woods, and with Highgate and East Finchley Northern Line stations nearby.

Contact our Muswell Hill Office on 020 8444 1771

BRANCHES AT MUSWELL HILL, CROUCH END AND EAST FINCHLEY TATLERS_NXNW.indd 1

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www.tatlers.co.uk

Lyttelton Road, Hampstead Garden Suburb, N2 ÂŁ800,000 Share of Freehold.

Presenting this stunning top floor penthouse apartment in this prestigious award winning art deco purpose built Grade II listed, 1930s block designed by Ernst Ludwig Freud. Occupying a prominent position within its own grounds situated between The Bishops Avenue, East Finchley and Hampstead Garden Suburb and within close proximity to East Finchley Tube station (Northern Line). The property is being offered in excellent condition with a 27ft through lounge, kitchen with granite work tops and fitted Bosch appliances, three double bedrooms, one with en-suite and further benefits include residents parking and share of freehold. Being offered chain free.

Contact our East Finchley Office on 020 8883 1001

Mayfield Road, Crouch End, N8

ÂŁ390,000 Share of Freehold. Sole Agents

A well maintained split level one bedroom apartment. Forming part of a Grade II listed church conversion the property retains some architectural features, it offers allocated off street parking and some private outside space. The sitting room is open plan to the shaker style kitchen. The bedroom is a good size double and is set off with a beautiful stone surround window with stain glass detail. Accessed via the sitting room there is a private courtyard garden laid mainly to decking with concealed floor lighting. There are local shops close to hand with Crouch End Broadway within easy walking distance. Haringey Station and bus links to Finsbury Park Station give easy access to central London.

Contact our Crouch End Office on 020 8341 4050

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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

www.castles-estateagents.co.uk

Stapleton Hall Road, N8

ÂŁ375,000 LEASEHOLD

A bright and spacious one-bedroom, first floor conversion set within an imposing period residence. Ideally positioned for an array of desired amenities including Haringey and Finsbury Park stations. Further comprising kitchen, reception and bathroom. Located equidistantly for Crouch End Broadway and Stroud Green.

Ferme Park Road, N8

ÂŁ425,000 LEASEHOLD

A fabulous opportunity to purchase this immaculately presented, 2 double-bedroom, split-level conversion occupying the upper floors of a handsome, period residence. Further comprising spacious reception, separate kitchen and stunning bathroom whilst benefiting from a host of period features and ample storage space throughout.

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PROPERTY | AWARDS

The ESTAS awards Why is customer service so important for estate agents? Any agent not providing excellent service will get found out very quickly, especially in this day and age of social media. To help agents we’ve designed an auto Tweet facility so agents can get their positive feedback comments straight out on social media networks creating their own online ‘customer care’ PR campaigns.

Why have the ESTAs joined forces with the Absolutely London titles this year?

We just want to spread The ESTAs message to as many quality agents as possible and Absolutely has lots of those!

They are just the type of agents who would benefit most from taking part.

How can members of the public vote/ rate their agent? Your agent needs to be registered with us before you can rate them so if they’re not let them know and email us via our website.

Absolutely Property is joined by…

SIMON BROWN

Why did you decide to start the ESTAS? My wife Sarah used to work for a local agent and it wasn’t until then that I realised how hard the job was. There are so many different factors to every deal and so many problems that can cause chains to fail. I realised then that most estate and letting agencies have a reputation they really don’t deserve. So I decided to start an award

Has it grown over the years?

Absolutely! It’s gone from strength to strength because the concept is simple and the benefits to agents start as soon as they sign up. The ESTAS logo on an agents’ website sends a clear message to new customers that the agent believes in providing the best service and they’re happy to prove it. As part of the competition process we also provide detailed client feedback reports to all agents taking part which enables them to measure their performance, highlights their strengths and weaknesses and helps them improve their service.

The 12th annual ESTAS ceremony takes place at the Hilton Park Lane on 17th April 2015. The awards will be presented by TV Property Expert Phil Spencer.

Phil Spencer

Founder of The ESTAS, Estate & Letting Agent Awards

scheme which recognises agents for the levels of customer service they provided their clients. However, I didn’t want to go down the route of a judging panel. I think if you’re going to judge any company in any industry on service the best people to rate that experience are the customers themselves. We managed to get Phil Spencer, the TV Property Expert, involved so in 2004 The ESTAS were born.

How can estate agents enter?

Agents can register by completing a simple entry form at www.theestas.com.

theestas.com ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

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Smart knows where the buyers are.

Make sure your agent is on Zoopla.

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Albert Street

Camden NW1

A wonderful Grade ll listed maisonette in one of Camden’s most sought after streets. The accommodation is arranged over the top 3 floors of this attractive period house. The 1st floor offers a large reception with high ceilings, a feature fireplace with wood burner & exposed wood floors which follow through to the kitchen/diner. The 2nd floor has 2 bedrooms & a modern bathroom. The 3rd floor boasts a large bedroom with en-suite with free standing roll top bath & has the potential to be turned into 2 bedrooms.

ÂŁ1,450,000 leasehold

Camden

020 7267 2053 sales.camden@chestertons.com

EPC rating E

chestertons.com

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Offices throughout London

Chesterford Gardens, NW3

ÂŁ999,950

A substantial top floor flat of a period conversion located on one of Hampstead's premier tree lined roads being only moments of Hampstead Village. The apartment offers great living space including a large reception room with a separate dining area, two large double bedrooms, two bathrooms (one en-suite) and a separate fitted kitchen.

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

Acton | Balham | Bloomsbury | Battersea | Camden | Clapham | Dulwich | Fulham | Hammersmith | Highbury | Islington | West Hampstead

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Parkway, NW1

£880,000

Caroline Close, N10

£315,000

A contemporary two double bedroom two bathroom & shower room apartment set on the third floor of this newly refurbished block. This property features high ceilings, modern shower room and kitchen. Ideally situated in the heart of Camden Town next to great transport links. Leasehold.

Set within a secure development in desirable Muswell Hill. It is this beautifully presented one double bedroom ground floor apartment. Offering light interiors, the property consists a spacious double bedroom, separate lounge, fitted kitchen and a family bathroom. Offered on a chain free basis.

Camden Office 020 7482 8920Camden@edmundcude.com

Camden Office 020 7482 8920Camden@edmundcude.com

Finchley Road, NW3

The Avenue, NW6

£1,950,000

£470,000

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. Perfectly situated on Finchley Road, the area offers many shops, restaurants and bars. EPC = C

A truly bright and very spacious two bedroom garden apartment occupying an imposing Victorian period property situated on one of most sought after tree lined roads that is within close proximity to the underground and overground station. On the door step is the vibrant queens park.

Camden Office 020 7482 8920Camden@edmundcude.com

Camden Office 020 7482 8920Camden@edmundcude.com

Acton | Balham | Bloomsbury | Battersea | Camden | Clapham | Dulwich | Fulham | Hammersmith | Highbury | Islington | West Hampstead

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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 region’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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DUBAI | HONG KONG | INDIA | LONDON | MALAYSIA | SINGAPORE

Our doors are always open, in branch or online‌ 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 020 7319 9783 or email info@brlets.co.uk or visit www.brlets.co.uk

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