NORTH BY NORTHWEST JULY 2014

ABSOLUTELY

JULY 2014 £3.95

MAJOR PLAYER MEET GAME OF THRONES STAR NATALIE DORMER

GALLIC EMPIRE HAMPSTEAD WELCOMES CLAUDIE PIERLOT’S FIRST UK BOUTIQUE

RAW TRUTH JULY’S SUSHI DETOX

HELLO SUMMER THE BEACH BODY COUNTDOWN

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Tim Moss Bespoke kitchens www.timmoss.co.uk

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contents JULY 2014

07

EDITOR’S LETTER

10

ABSOLUTELY LOVES

LOCA L 13

WHAT'S ON

16

GAME CHANGER Natalie Dormer: the Northwest London movie starlet on the move

FA S H I O N 22

COAST TO COAST Summer's defining beach looks

29

OH SO FRENCH A lesson in French chic with Claudie Pierlot

H E A LT H & BE AU T Y 36

LET'S GET PHYSICAL Witness the Hybrid Fitness

61

SPA SPECIAL Local plush pampering

INTERIORS 52

SHADY LADY Kate Gould's border planting tips

55

GET THE LOOK The beauty of reclaimed wood flooring

PROPERTY 83

MARTYN GERRARD Celebrating 50 years in the business

100

IN THEIR OWN WORDS Veronica Gray and Linda Leite of Prickett & Ellis, Muswell Hill

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July 2014

EDITOR’S letter

I

t’s time to start the dreaded health-kick. Even more dreaded than at New Year, because we haven’t made ourselves sick with food and pure slovenliness yet. It always seems like such a groan because, in all honesty, who has the time to exercise any more than they already do? Or at least to invest more time finding out what exercises are most effective – because by now we all know that we’re actually meant to be exercising smarter. Gyms get boring and classes get old, and we all lose our enthusiasm along the way, so out with the now archaic-seeming Stairmaster and in with fancy, schmancy, across-the-pond-style hybrid classes. From Piloxing to Voga by way of Kickasana, we’ve done the finding out so that you, dear reader, don’t have to. You just need to show up.

I suppose being healthier also means no longer power-eating for England, ingesting vast amounts of cake and chocolate to keep the 4pm cravings at bay. So long, jammie d’s – crannie b’s are the order of the day; or sushi... head to page 44 for inspirational summer recipes from Itsu.

If you feel short-changed by actually having to watch what you eat in order to make a a mere two-week beach-appearance, (yes, we all know it’s for the betterment of our health, but still), you may as well make yourself feel better with one, two or even three trips to a local spa. That was my approach anyway, because the luxury spa is thankfully no stranger to the city, and as I discovered, there are plenty of high-end options to choose from close to home. Suffice it to say, I really enjoyed putting the July issue together; I mean that in as non-smug a way as possible.

Enjoy the sunshine.

Helen Baron Editor TWEET ME @absolutelyedhel Email: helen.baron@zest-media.com Follow us on Twitter @Absolutely_Mags Facebook ‘Absolutely Magazines’

On the cover

Heidi Klein; heidiklein.com

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ABSOLUTELY EDITOR Helen Baron EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Catherine Hales ADVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGER Tolga Saylan SALES EXECUTIVE Kristian Brumby GROUP PROPERTY DIRECTOR Alexandra Hunter PROPERTY DIRECTOR Andy Elmer PROPERTY MANAGER Emily Saunderson NORTH PROPERTY EDITOR Lucie Pearce ART DIRECTOR Ray Searle SENIOR DESIGNER Phil Couzens PRODUCTION MANAGER Stewart Hyde MIDWEIGHT DESIGNER Gemma Isteed DESIGNER Ekrem Yilmaz JUNIOR DESIGNER Rebecca Noonan PRODUCTION CONTROLLER Christine Mann COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR Simon Caplan FINANCE DIRECTOR Alexandra Hvid M ARKETING MANAGER Leah Day

DIRECTOR Greg Hughes MANAGING DIRECTOR Sherif Shaltout PA TO THE DIRECTORS Marianne McFadden For editorial enquiries please email: editorial@zest-media.com For advertising enquiries please call 020 7704 0588 or email: advertising@zest-media.com Subscriptions are available simply by emailing subscriptions@zest-media.com.

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Please email us with your preferred option and details.

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PISTOL PANTIES

Pistol Panties is celebrating ten years in bikinis and their enduring high-glamour, 1950s pin-up look is a firm favourite.

The Frankie two-piece in gingham is set to cause a splash this summer. £159; pistolpanties.com

10 THINGS WE

ABSOLUTELY

PRADA CANDY FLORALE

L O V E

A variation on the classic Prada fragrance Candy, this incarnation is girlier, sweeter and, well, pink-er, making it our pick of the summer scents. £52; harrods.com

YOLKE PYJAMAS

Formed by two former Temperley designers, Yolke really is the cat’s pyjamas. We love their Feather Silk Pyjama with its cute shorts and pretty print. £220; yolke.co.uk

HOUSE OF HOLLAND SUNGLASSES

We adore these ‘Cage Fighter’ sunnies from designer Henry Holland but be warned: they may leave you with some truly bizarre tan lines. £180; donnaida.com

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OSCAR DE LA RENTA

Published by Assouline, Oscar de la Renta: The Style, Inspiration and Life of Oscar de la Renta is a tribute to one of fashion’s best designers, and is crammed full of gorgeous photos and famous faces. £80; assouline.com

©Bruce Weber Vogue, Condé Nast

ARNE JACOBSEN EGG CHAIR IN ELEGANCE LEATHER

This pricey perch is the brainchild of Arne Jacobsen, master of the ‘Danish Modern’ school of design. Think of it as a work of art you can sit on. £10,818; conranshop.co.uk

TAG HEUER

Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, so why not wear your closest pals decked out on the devastatingly gorgeous Aquaracer watch from TAG Heuer? What's more, the watchface is made from mother of pearl, making it even better than a best friend. An uber-friend, perhaps. £3,350; tagheuer.com

MIU MIU CLUTCH

Get a bit of biker in your life with this motorcycle leathers-inspired clutch from Prada’s little sister Miu Miu. Ideal for summer, team with a floaty, block colour dress and killer heels for maximum impact. £720; net-a-porter.com

DURRAH EARRINGS

Originally from Kuala Lumpur, Durrah’s early obsession with exquisite jewellery soon developed into a full-blown love affair and the resulting designs are to die for. Price on request; durrahjewellery.com

PERRIER-JOUET BELLE EPOQUE CHAMPAGNE

This enchanting bottle of edition premiere is not only filled with scrumptious champagne, it comes in a package so beautiful you’ll never want to throw it away. £240; harveynichols.com

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ABSOLUTELY ART& CULTURE

AgENDA / J U LY

New York, Max Weber

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AgENDA

/ J U LY

don’t miss

Summer Sessions

Throughout_July & August Roundhouse

he incredible Summer Sessions programme returns to Camden’s Roundhouse. This seasonal series of one-off gigs and exclusive events is enough to ensure your summer stays red-hot, culturally speaking (unfortunately, they can’t control the weather). Highlights this year include a masterclass by gonzo rapper-cumclassical ivory-tinkler Chilly Gonzales, presented in PianoVision, and a live performance of Jonny Greenwood’s score to movie classic There Will Be Blood. We advise you to start and end each visit with a trip to the terrace, which will be transformed into the legendary Camden Beach once more. Chalk Farm Road, NW1; roundhouse.org.uk

T

Comics Unmasked Until_19 August British Library

omic fans, take note: the UK’s largest exhibition of mainstream and underground comics arrives at the British Library and includes such iconic names as Neil Gaiman (Sandman), Alan Moore (Watchmen, V for Vendetta), Grant Morrison (Batman: Arkham Asylum) and Posy Simmonds (Tamara Drewe).

Tracing the comic tradition back through classic Seventies titles to 19th-century illustrated reports of Jack the Ripper, the show explores this most dynamic and easily misunderstood medium from preparatory sketches to final artwork. 96 Euston Road, NW1; bl.uk

C

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ABSOLUTELY ART& CULTURE

Zoo Lates

Fridays until_1 August ZSL London Zoo

Open every Friday from 8-10pm, Zoo Lates is for adults only and features street food, wine-tasting, cabaret acts and even a silent dance-off. You can book Ultimate Party Animal tickets for fast-track entrance, a free animal mask and a complimentary drink, and access to Tiger Territory is included for all visitors. Oh, and there’s a new baby sloth in residence, too… Regent’s Park, Outer Circle, NW1; zsl.org

Porgy and Bess

17_July 23_August Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

This season’s programme of events runs until mid-September, but it’s the Gershwins’ classic American musical Porgy and Bess that has us most excited. Telling the story of Porgy, a crippled beggar, and his untameable love Bess, this is musical theatre at its most mature and beguiling.

Regent’s Park, Inner Circle, NW1; openairtheatre.com

Camden Lock Live 11_July Camden Lock

THE BOOK

The Quick

by Lauren Owen

L Max Weber: An American Cubist in Paris and London Until_15 October Ben Uri Gallery

Russian-American Jewish painter Max Weber was instrumental in bringing Cubism to New York during the early decades of the 20th century. Now, in the first major UK retrospective devoted to his work, visitors can view paintings created during the years 1905-1915, when the roving artist lived and worked in Europe, studying under and meeting modern masters such as Matisse and Picasso. 108 Boundary Road, NW8; benuri.org.uk

auren Owen’s eerie debut novel, The Quick, is set in a fantastical, fin de siecle Victorian London. The story follows Charlotte Norbury’s search for her brother, an aspiring young poet who disappears shortly after leaving the siblings’ dilapidated country home to try to make a living in the capital. Despite a growing sense of unease, the naive country girl steels herself and dives headfirst into a twisted labyrinth of underground organisations and shady characters including a female rope walker turned vigilante, a street urchin with a deadly secret, and the chilling “Doctor Knife”.

All of this leads right to the doors of the The Aegolius Club - a club whose members include the most ambitious and dangerous men in England. £12.99; Jonathan Cape

Completely free to enter, Camden Lock Live brings a diverse assortment of artists and musicians to the Lock for a one-day festival. This year’s performers include Jake Isaac, Thumpers and Whinnie Williams alongside a talented selection of artists from the Roundhouse and Amy Winehouse Foundation. Reggae Roast will host the dance tent while street performances and dance classes will be held in Middle Yard. Street performers, hundreds of designer makers, global street-food and an amazing BrewDog Bar complete the offering. Chalk Farm Road, NW1; camdenlockmarket.com

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GAME CHANGER

N

Game of Thrones actor Natalie Dormer speaks to Absolutely about a movie career on the move

o actor wants to be typecast.

Whether through performance, medium or appearance, constant evolution and the defiance of expectations is the ultimate goal – and Natalie Dormer is no different.

The 32 year-old had already made the boldest decision of her life by swapping the relative safety of her hometown, Reading, for the demands of the London stage, when she found herself in danger of being pigeon-holed. Such was the brilliance (and popularity) of her depiction of Anne Boleyn in The Tudors that it seemed we might never again see her out of a medieval bodice.

It was a clever move, then, to follow The Tudors with something not altogether different on the surface, but wilder and more fantastical: HBO hit Game of Thrones. Dormer plays the young queen Margaery Tyrell in the hugely acclaimed show, and while she still does a fine line in bodices, the role allows her to inhabit a far more colourful world of fantasy and magic.

Dormer’s next move will shift the public’s perception of her

SUCH WAS the brilliance (and popularity) OF HER DEPICTION OF Anne Boleyn IN THE TUDORS THAT IT SEEMED WE MIGHT NEVER AGAIN SEE HER out of a

medieval bodice.

even further, as she appears in two forthcoming chapters of the similarly blockbusting Hunger Games franchise: Mockingjay parts one and two. Showcasing a different set of skills was a chance she couldn’t turn down.

‘I’ve never really understood why people think that way… that you are one way and that’s that,’ she says, 'ultimately, we all have different sides to our personality.

For people to be stuck in a type of role must really close off their imaginations. We’re all just human beings and in real life we experience a range of emotions.’

According to North Londonbased Dormer, however, it’s not just the actors who need to stretch their imaginations in modern cinema – producers and directors need to rise to the challenge too.

‘You just have to try and be brave and say no to certain jobs,

and try to prove that your range is wider, but it requires imagination from producers too. And the fact that I’m running around now with a half-shaven head and army boots says a lot about me. That’s the thrill of being an actress – you never know what you’re going to be doing next year. But it’s the directors and casting agents who need to share that vision as well.’

Dormer is no stranger to forging her own path. She showed a similar single-mindedness when, being rejected by Cambridge University, she decided to swap Reading for North London and follow a passion for performance.

‘At the time, not getting into Cambridge seemed like the worst thing that could have happened,’ she admits. ‘But it made me focus on what I really wanted to do, which was be an actress. So instead of going there, I looked in the mirror and said “Are you going to do what you really want?” And that was to venture to London.’

Aspiring actors seldom have fortune fall into their laps, and Dormer’s formative experiences in the capital were no different: holed up in grimy digs in King’s Cross, she soon found that any romantic notions of thespian life were hopelessly misplaced, and that London could be an unforgiving

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ABSOLUTELY PROFILE

My relationship with London CAN

BE DIFFICULT TO EXPLAIN. It’s been tough, BUT SO MANY great things

have happened to me here.

setting for an 18 year-old looking for a break.

‘That first year was terrible, I was having a real crisis,’ she continues. ‘I wasn’t sure who I was or what I was doing. I didn’t have any money, I wasn’t a student but I didn’t have a proper job either. It was the most depressing time of my life.’

Only persistence saw her through, and eventually the jigsaw pieces began falling into place.

Dormer won a place at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art (she was in the same class as Keira Knightley's then-boyfriend, Rupert Friend) and finally began to get a sense of belonging.

‘I discovered that all I needed to do was let my hair down and be less uptight. I am completely different now to how I was back then.’

From that point, her career trajectory has been a fairly

consistent upward curve, from her 2005 break in Casanova to landing a plum role in The Hunger Games, arguably the biggest gig of her life. A thoughtful, articulate type, Dormer retains huge affection for the city that served as her launch-pad.

‘My relationship with London can be difficult to explain,’ she smiles. ‘It’s been tough, but so many great things have happened to me here. It’s where I learned how to act and where I learned about the person I really was.

That was the thing Webber did for me, it wasn’t just learning my craft but finding out who I was. London is also where I got my first few jobs. I walk around and see the places where I first auditioned and found paid work, which is a lovely thing.’

The nature of the job does, however, mean that Dormer can spend months at a time away from the home she shares with her fiancé, Irish film director, Anthony Byrne (the couple met on the set of The Tudors).

‘Spending time in London is becoming more of a rarity, unfortunately,’ she says. ‘Yes, we are based here, but I spend a lot of time in America these days, which is just the way it is I suppose. I try to get back as much as I can, because I know I am on a journey, and everything is going so well, and I want to stay true to the people and places around me and don’t want to jinx anything.’

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13/06/2014 09:39

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ABSOLUTELY FASHION

FOR HIM Flex your fashion muscles in these striking urban pieces: sporty but nice.

A.SAUVAGE ION TEE POLO, £120; asauvage.com

APC WHITE TENNIS SHOES, €265, A.P.C, 15 Redchurch Street, E2; apc.fr

EDITOR’S PICK

APC MOTORCYCLE JACKET, €355, A.P.C, 15 Redchurch Street, E2; apc.fr

The Inspiration…

MOPED CHIC: BARBOUR

WANT: LES ESSENTIELS DE LA VIE BLUE WHITE CHECKER KASTRUP BACKPACK, £435; opumo.com

AARK COLLECTIVE CLASSIC NAVY INK WATCH, £95; opumo.com

APC CLASSIC CAP, €75, A.P.C, 15 Redchurch Street, E2; apc.fr

SUNSPEL JERSEY POLO SHIRT LIGHT PINK, £75, 7 Redchurch Street, E2 sunspel.com/uk

COMMON PROJECTS NAVY ORIGINAL ACHILLES MID SNEAKER, £280; opumo.com

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ABSOLUTELY FASHION

FASHION NOTES GOLD COMFORT

EDITOR’S PICK

CRUISE CONTROL

Comfort Station continues to impress us with collection after sterling collection, and the latest is no exception. Intriguingly named ‘Call of the Deep’ (which is loosely explained as ‘the location of the Challenge Deep; the very deepest part of the ocean’), it proves that jewellery designer Amy Anderson’s imagination leaves no stone unturned in its quest for the new and inspired.

Ocean Fleur Earrings, £129, 22 Cheshire Street, E2; comfortstation.co.uk

What better way to approach summer style than with help from esteemed fashion house Chloé? The brand’s delicious resort collection includes cotton knits, broderie anglaise, jacquard, coupé tops and a delightfully elegant sailor outfit. French, feminine and perfect attire for standing around in disused swimming pools (obviously). chloe.com

HOH SWIMWEAR

House of Hackney’s debut swimwear collection is as diva-ish as it gets, featuring their signature ‘Palmeral’ print from the brand’s Pre AW14 range. You’ll find sporty triangle bikinis, open-back one-pieces and Fifties-inspired silhouettes; whichever you choose, you’re sure to dazzle by the pool. Prices start at £185; House of Hackney, 131 Shoreditch High Street, E1; houseofhackney.com

style tip THE COLOUR BLOCK TREND IS EASY TO ASSIMILATE INTO ANY WARDROBE. Our advice is to fully embrace it: don’t team a bright piece with your usual black or denim – go colour crazy with the three primary hues, à la Kenzo. Take that, drab office outfits.

MOTORCYCLE DIARIES

These days we may associate it with the farmer look, but clothing brand Barbour actually has a rich motorcycle heritage that dates back to 1936. If you fancy evoking achingly cool Mod style then go hell for leather at the Spitalfields store.

Old Spitalfields Market, 113 Commercial Street, E1; barbour.com

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c o a s t

t o

C OA ST Balance pops of leopard print with sophisticated neutrals for grownup summer glamour Photography: HELENE SANDBERG Styling: CHARLIE MOORE

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Leopard print faux fur coat, £200,

by Pepe Jeans; pepejeans.com Bikini top, £127, and high-waisted bottoms, £86, both by Prism at my-wardrobe.com

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Swimsuit, £82,

by Princesse Tam Tam, princessetamtam.co.uk Wool cardigan, £109, by Stills, stills-atelier.com Leopard print belt, £60,

by Twiggy at Fenwick, fenwick.co.uk Leather sandals, £260,

by Pedro Garcia, pedrogarcia.com Suede sandals, £99,

by Boden, boden.co.uk Socks stylist's own

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Bow bikini top, £49, by Princesse Tam Tam, princessetamtam.co.uk Crochet pencil skirt, £399, by Sea Ny at my-wardrobe.com Cream coat, £175,

by Pepe Jeans, pepejeans.com

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Cream shift dress, £302, by Cacharel; colibrifashion.com Leopard print pony hair clutch, £380, by 3.1 Phillip Lim at my-wardrobe.com Suede sandals, £99,

by Boden, boden.co.uk Socks stylist's own

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Cable knit sweater, £180, by MIH, mih-jeans.com Printed towel, £35, by Seafolly, seafolly.com

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Virgin wool sweater, £280, by Escada, escada.com Leopard print bikini bottoms, £16, by asos, asos.com

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Crochet and tassel top, ÂŁ115,

by Eberjey at Heidi Klein, heidiklein.com Leopard print cotton shorts, ÂŁ129, by Hartford at Fenwick, fenwick.co.uk

Photography: Helene Sandberg Styling: Charlie Moore Hair and Make up: Desmond Grundy using Sisley and M.A.C Cosmetics Model: Natalia at Elite

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OH SO

FRENCH

W

rebelliousness; there is a tough girl edge there. While in France we have a nonchalant, relaxed approach to classicism which is a huge part of our style’s allure – this is another thing I like to inject a sense of.

e have the French to thank for the steady rise of a new luxury aesthetic. For some time now, conspicuous consumption has been losing its lustre. Vulgar motifs and overbearing branding have been replaced by something more subtle: a more permanent sense of quality. French designers like Isabel Marant and Vanessa Bruno lead the way, while more accessible labels such as Sandro, Maje, The Kooples and Comptoirs de Cotonniers (as well as Petit Bateau, which recently underwent a complete brand overhaul) account for a ‘French takeover’. Now Hampstead can add heritage brand and purveyor of classic French chic Claudie Pierlot to the list. We talked to Vanessa Pierrat, the label’s Creative Director, about the brand’s recent renaissance.

ABSOLUTELY There are four standalone stores in the capital; why did you choose to move into those particular areas?

VANESSA PIERRAT We started in London just a few months ago and had a very promising start, which is probably due to the location strategy. We actually moved into these particular areas because they are some of the best shopping locations in London and, as we are a brand still new to this market, we need to be where our customers are.

ABSOLUTELY Claudie Pierlot is an unmistakably French brand. Why was it important to have a presence in London?

VANESSA PIERRAT As a brand, Claudie Pierlot is actually in quite a unique position, as it possesses a strong heritage and DNA but at the same time has a real intent to look towards the future. In our approach to design we always reference where we have come from, but at the same time we are curious and open to what lies ahead. For Claudie Pierlot it’s all about reinventing classics, and twisting the silhouette through fun fashion statements. I found that this positioning and the alchemy of heritage and modernity is also very connected

ABSOLUTELY Can you tell us a bit about the history of the brand?

VANESSA PIERRAT Claudie Pierlot was born in Troyes, France and began her career as a fashion designer in 1969 at Dorothée Bis. She traveled the world as a junior fashion designer for Printemps. Her career reached a decisive turning point when she started working at René Dehry; Mrs Dehry encouraged Claudie to create her own brand and contributed financially to her doing so. In 1983, Claudie created her own label, dressing Parisian women. She had immediate success which continued through the Nineties. The style was initially based on classic cuts with original details: a

to how I see London. To me there are real connections between the design of the collection and this market. London is a fashion city and the brand needs to be there; it is our second market after France.

ABSOLUTELY What crossover do you see between Parisian and London styles, or even between French and English?

VANESSA PIERRAT I would say contrast and subverting classics, which is what I love to explore in design.

Both cities have their own unique approach to this and I like to reference this in my designs, from silhouettes and fabrication to texture. London reflects a fusion of classicism and

ABSOLUTELY Claudie Pierlot must be doing well; what would you say is the key to success in such a saturated fashion market?

VANESSA PIERRAT I would say the combination of the right product at the right price and in the right place!

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ABSOLUTELY FASHION

In our approach to design WE ALWAYS

REFERENCE WHERE WE HAVE come from, BUT AT THE SAME TIME WE ARE

curious and open to what lies ahead

bow, a button… the baby doll dress, a knee-length skirt, a cardigan, a turtleneck sweater, the French sailor shirt, a Peter Pan collar… In 2009, Claudie Pierlot was purchased by the shareholders of Maje & Sandro.

Claudie Pierlot died the same year. In 2013, we celebrated the 30 year anniversary of the brand by rejuvenating its image and opening shops around the world. It was a major year for us.

ABSOLUTELY What’s your fashion background and what does it mean to be the Creative Director of a heritage fashion house?

VANESSA PIERRAT I was recently appointed Creative Director after two and a half years as Collection Director. I worked for Sandro for many years and we [Pierrat and the owners of Sandro] decided together to start this new adventure for Claudie Pierlot.

ABSOLUTELY What do you love about the current collections…

VANESSA PIERRAT A mix of casual and a very clean and preppy look, with strong accessories. I like mixing a chic oversize men’s coat with jeans, a great sweater and strong signature boots. Or over a feminine dress at night, with the same boots.

ABSOLUTELY ...And what can we expect from the next one?

VANESSA PIERRAT I have many projects and ideas but the main aim is to appeal to women around the world and share my vision. I would also like to focus on accessories as I believe they are a staple in a woman’s wardrobe. They really define style.

 9 Hampstead High Street, NW3; claudiepierlot.com/en

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B E AU T Y / n o t e s

FLIGHTS OF FANCY Haven’t managed to take a holiday yet? Why not let MW Nails welcome you aboard instead? They can’t whizz you off to sunnier climes, but they can give you a first-class pampering in their sleek salon (which is decked out like the inside of a plane). Manis, pedis and nail art to set you on your way… minus the jet-lag.

Old Spitalfields Market, 111b Commercial Road, E1; mwnails.com

WORLD CUP CLARINS Didn’t get tickets to the Brazilian World Cup this summer? Inject a pop of Brazilian colour into your life all the same with ‘Colours of Brazil’, the limited edition make-up collection from Clarins. Including the hydrating Lip Balm Crayon in a range of colours – Sweet Cherry, Creamy Pink – and the Truly Waterproof Mascara (containing bitter orange tree wax and olive squalane to protect your lashes from sea-water), with this make-up kit you’re almost guaranteed to score. From £18; johnlewis.com

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ABSOLUTELY B E AUT Y

5 OF THE BEST PRODUCTS WITH

SPF

CARE WITH KÉRASTASE We all wear sun cream, but we often forget about protecting our gorgeous locks. Kérastase Soleil Complete Care Cream is the answer, containing UV filters, repairing oils and illuminating pearls to smoothe and protect. £19.50; kerastase.co.uk

ACQUA FRESH This special birthday fragrance celebrates Acqua di Parma’s 10th anniversary. The Iris Nobile Eau du Parfum claims Bergamot, mandarin and star anise as its top notes, while iris concentrate and ylang-ylang comprise heart notes, and oak musk and ambrette crystals, the base. Presented in an 18CT gold silk-screened bottle to boot. Perfecto. £108 for 100ml Eau du Parfum; acquadiparma.com/en

MATTIFYING Darphin CC Cream Instant Multi-Benefit Care SPF 35, £32; darphin.co.uk FLAWLESS FINISH Elizabeth Arden, Pure Finish Mineral Tinted Moisturiser SPF 15, £27; boots.com

BRUSH UP

BEAUTY ON THE GO What did we do before Yelp or TripAdvisor, when we would book a hotel or restaurant willy nilly?

Unthinkable. If you’re a sucker for a spa treatment, download Wahanda’s clever new beauty booking app pronto. Select a treatment and browse hundreds of salons across the UK, read reviews and make speedy bookings. It’s your little black book of beauty.

Available to download from AppStore.com/Wahanda.

We hate the bristly old brushes currently swimming around our make-up bag. It’s time to update. NARS Artistry Brushes (16 pieces, each with the finest quality hairs, created by Founder and Creative Director Francois Nars and Fabien Baron of Baron&Baron) are our newest purchase. £21.40, narscosmetics.co.uk

SUMMER GLOW Laura Mercier, Tinted Moisturiser in Sand, £34; lauramercier.com

HYDRATION CHANEL, Hydramax + Active Teinte Active Moisturiser Tinted Lotion SPF 15 in Sunlit, £38; chanel.com

I SHOULD COCO The coconut craze shows no signs of slowing down, with Rebel Kitchen leaping aboard the bandwagon with a range of dairy-free drinks for kids and adults alike. Made with hydrating coconut milk, pure Somerset spring water and organic date nectar as an alternative to refined sugar, additives or preservatives, these ‘mylks’ are as natural and addictive as you’ll find anywhere. £1.89, available at Wholefoods; rebel-kitchen.com

HIGH FACTOR Epionce Ultra Shield Lotion SPF50, £40.50; beauty-product-online.co.uk

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ABSOLUTELY B E AUT Y

NIP + FAB 365 BODY GLOW FIX, £9.95; nipandfab.com

CLARINS SELF TANNING INSTANT GEL, £19; clarins.co.uk MADAME LA LA TAN, £36; madamelala.com

CLINIQUE BODY TINTED LOTION LIGHT-MEDIUM, £18; clinique.co.uk

ST. TROPEZ SELF TAN EXPRESS ADVANCED BRONZING MOUSSE, £33; st-tropez.com

CRÈME DE LA MER THE FACE AND BODY GRADUAL TAN, £65; cremedelamer.co.uk

BROWN SUGAR 8 of the best

TANNING PRODUCTS MUST HAVE LANCÔME SELF TAN FLASH BRONZER, £23; lancome.co.uk

VITA LIBERATA PHENOMENAL 2-3 WEEK TAN MOUSSE MEDIUM, £37.50; vitaliberata.co.uk

FAKE BAKE FLAWLESS SELF TAN LIQUID, £22.95; fakebake.co.uk

JAMES READ BRONZING MOUSSE, £24.50; jamesreadtan.com

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Dental and Aesthetic Medicine treatments available.

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Bio Sculpture Gel, the original everlasting manicure, is a chip-free, salon treatment that cures to a strong yet flexible, glossy finish and lasts for up to three weeks. The damage-free, nourishing treatment will protect and enhance your natural nails and is available in over 150 colours. As the original nail gel, Bio Sculpture Gel is tried, tested and proven.

For your nearest salon or further information on starter kits and training courses for beginners and experienced nail technicians visit Proud www.biosculpture.co.uk or call 0845 331 2347

Open evening on Wednesday 25th April. Introducing Zerona Laser Fat Loss Treatment. Champagne reception. Call to reserve your space.

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ABSOLUTELY | XXXXXXX

ABSOLUTELY B E AUT Y

MAKE-UP INSIDER Forget the eyebrow.

This season it’s all about the lash, says Arabella Preston 1

ashes are the new brows. Or so the Spring Summer catwalks decreed.

After seasons of heavy-duty Cara worshipping, there was a new idol in town. A kind of modern Jane Birkin, a doe-eyed sex kitten, with tousled hair and lashings of lashes.

Mascara in the noughties was top heavy, drawing the eyes upwards and outwards into a feline shape. The look for the twenty-tens is based upon placing equal emphasis on the lower lashes to widen the eyes. At the JeanPierre Braganza show, MAC make-up artist Terry Barber even placed individual lashes on the lower lash line creating a model line-up of Bambi-lookalikes.

The key to starting this look is an eye palette like this Estée Lauder one – use the pale shade to sweep all over the eyelid, then a fine brush to line the eyes with the black shade and take it into the socket, using a softer eye brush to blend, blend, blend.

Charlotte Tilbury’s clever Eye Cheat pencil is a modern take on the Twiggy white-pencilin-the-waterline look. It is an instant eye brightener and essential for creating the rounded eye. Follow with a liquid liner along the top lashes, drawing out a soft flick and taking mid-way along the lower lash line. Then curl your lashes like you never have before and load on a volumising and truly black mascara, top and bottom. I love this Hourglass one.

If you can manage it, a set of false eyelashes will set the seal on this look. Eylure are the original and best. I am never without a set of their 020 Naturals. Get a decent glue (the best is DUO, available at MAC and online) and cut the lashes to fit your eye before applying, always snipping at the inner corner.

A pale peach on the cheeks and a nude lip are all that is required for the finishing touches.

It’s a look that has stood the test of time because it is feminine, seemingly effortless and, above all, very sexy.

L

3

2

4

5

6

7

8

9

1 Charlotte Tilbury Rock N Kohl Liquid Eye Pencil Eye Cheat, £19; charlottetilbury.com 2 Aerin Beauty Lipstick in Lady Beige, £25; harrods.com 3 YSL Kiss & Blush, £27; yslbeauty.co.uk 4 Blink Brow Powder, £15; blinkbrowbar.com 5 Eylure Naturals No.020, £5.06; eylure.com 6 Estée Lauder Film Noir Eyeshadow Palette, £22; harrods.com 7 Hourglass Film Noir Mascara, £25; uk.spacenk.com 8 Charlotte Tilbury Eyelash Curlers, £18; charlottetilbury.com 9 Chantecaille Ultra Slim Eyeliner in Black, £27; uk.spacenk.com

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Mango Sportswear

FIX The Mix

Step away from the Stairmaster. If you want to run with the Fit Crowd, the latest craze is for exercise that combines multi-disciplinary movements and burns maximum fat in less time. Absolutely trials the hybrid classes that have taken the capital by storm.

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ABSOLUTELY HE ALTH&FITNES S

How does one combine VOGUING

UP YOU R GAM E WITH TH E S E GYM C L AS S H E RO E S

– POPULARISED BY THE ‘80s drag scene

– with yoga?

Kickasana Think karate-style kicks alongside elements of yoga, Thai boxing, martial arts, ballet, dance and stretching, and you’ve got Sophie Pittaway’s Kickasana. The founder of Kick Studio has developed this fun workout to maximise fat-burning and target multiple muscle groups. As with interval training, people see results more quickly in terms of muscle-to-fat ratio because they are combining a greater number of movements in less time. In a similar vein to Box Fit classes, the many sequences keep boredom at bay while not being as intimidating as a pure boxing class. If you want to up the ante further, the studio offer 4x4 cross-training classes that push fitness levels to the max, increasing lean muscle tissue and toning all over. 274 Richmond Road, E8; kickstudio.co.uk

NIKE Epic Run Printed Running Crops, £50; nike.com

NIKE Premier Tennis Jacket, £70; nike.com

Nia claims to have changed lives with its intriguingly described ‘sensory-based movement practice’. Drawing from martial arts, dance and healing arts, the practice is undertaken barefoot and to music, and is great for those who have sustained injury or for mothers post-pregnancy, because of its non-impact aerobic conditioning and strength training. Fifty-two basic movements and techniques take their influence from a combination of jazz and modern dance styles as well as from Tai Chi, Taekwondo and Aikido (phew), while the body and mind healing arts are reminiscent of the Feldenkrais Method, Alexander Technique and yoga. A hybrid class if ever there was one, this is a positive melting pot of practices and perfect for the more spiritually adventurous. Various classes around London; nianow.com

PINGHE Isabelle dress,

£600; bypinghe.com

SWEATY BETTY Setai Stripe SSLV Top, £45; sweatybetty.com

Vo g a How does one combine voguing – popularised by the ‘80s drag scene – with yoga? Apparently it can be done, as witnessed by the classes at Voga London, where slick, angular poses lend themselves well to classical yoga’s focus on alignment and poise. For those with busy minds and lives who find it a bit harder to keep focus in a conventional yoga class, this is the answer. It combines the expressive moves of a dance class with the synchronised movement of yoga. Leg-warmers are optional and fun is guaranteed: prepare to revisit all those childhood Madonna imitations. Various locations in East and North London; vogalondon.co.uk

A Pilates workout with a military twist, Bootcamp Pilates takes the Pilates experience to a whole new level – which is a relief, because for anyone used to a high-octane workout, mat Pilates, while good for stretching, falls far short of the cardio mark. State-of-the-art reformer machines by Balanced Body account for the ‘bootcamp’ part of the equation – during the first class you get to grips with the machine, springs and props; the workout also uses weights to maximise toning. The moves are quite intense, as you’re always relying on your core for balance while increasing flexibility for a lean and balanced physique, and the first class can be tough, but hang in there and you can move up a level for the ultimate cardiovascular workout – all without breaking into too much of a sweat.

It’s addictive, too, which can only be a good thing. 152-160 City Road (entrance on Peerless Street), EC1; bootcamppilates.com

Nia

Piloxing You might feel a bit silly at certain points, but get a good instructor and this new hybrid class is SO MUCH FUN. Though the boxing moves don’t hit quite as satisfying a stride, the Pilates moves are definitely enlivened and there’s a sense of communal satisfaction when everyone gets the choreography right (don’t worry, it’s easy to pick up). We headed to Energie Fitness to mix up salsa and hip-hop moves with class leader Fernando. Be prepared to sweat; thanks to his pumping soundtrack we left in a better mood and with some new tunes on our playlists. 3 Reading Lane, E8; energiefitnessclubs.com

Bootcamp Pilates

NEW BALANCE Fantom Fit Minimus Hi-Rez, £84.99; newbalance.co.uk

SWEATY BETTY

NIKE X LIBE RTY Blue Liberty Print Internationalist, £75; liberty.co.uk

MUST HAVE

Yoga Pants, £65; sweatybetty.com

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GOURMET SMALL-BATCH ROASTERY We source the world’s finest specialty coffee beans, to produce exceptional espresso and filter coffees, roasted on our lovingly restored and tweaked vintage roasters. Delivered with first class barista training and support.

WWW.VOLCANOCOFFEEWORKS.COM Unit D016, Parkhall Trading Estate, 62 Tritton Rd, London, SE21 8DE, UK. roastery@volcanocoffeeworks.com +44 (0)20 8761 8415

VOLCANO COFFEE WORKS.indd 1

14/05/2014 17:25

ABSOLUTELY FOOD

Summer is Served

Some of the best food takes literally minutes to prepare, which is lucky because we’d rather not be slaving over a hot stove come summer. Valentine Warner shares 150 simple recipes and the secrets of straightforward cooking with naturally delicious dishes that utilise amazing ingredients.

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fo o d

news

{ My LOCAL LARDER { ALESSANDRO DE SANCTIS, Head Chef at Islington’s Vivo Bakery y position at Vivo came about after a day-long cook-off put together by owners Will and Ben Thompson; my flavour combinations and use of quality ingredients set me apart from the competition, so now I get to head up the kitchen at one of the city’s most exciting new eateries.

I read last year that Upper Street, where Vivo is based, also goes by the nickname Supper Street, so we must be in good company. Almost all of the ingredients that we use come from London-based suppliers such as Gastronomica, who import on our behalf directly from Italy. Their broad selection is always fresh and varied.

They really deserve the fantastic reputation they’ve built; their products can also be found at Borough Market.

We also work with Natoora, who supply beautiful French and British food, as well as Italian. They’re based in Bermondsey and all their products are sourced directly from individual producers; they’re fantastic and they make home deliveries too.

Markets such as Cally Market and Chapel Market are fantastic for fruit and vegetables. Whitecross Street Food Market in particular provides a lot of inspiration – I can totally recommend Mario & Carol’s Italian food stall. They used to run a wonderful store selling high-quality Italian groceries before being driven out by a local Waitrose, so it’s great to see them and others like them sharing Vivo’s ethos of commitment to providing a genuinely delicious offering that’s full of character and authenticity.

M

 57-58 Upper Street, N1; vivotaste.com

B LU E S K I T C H E N ans of the Camden hotspot will be thrilled to hear that The Blues Kitchen has opened up a branch on Curtain Road, right in the heart of Shoreditch.

There is very little of the chain mentality here though, as TBK Shoreditch proved at its opening party on 14 May by showing off its singular décor, raucous entertainment and comprehensive selection of bourbon – complete with live marching Mardi Gras band. If your idea of the perfect night out is a New Orleans style, down and dirty shindig with oodles of live music and atmosphere to spare then TBK is the place for you.

F

 111 Camden High Street, NW1; theblueskitchen.com/shoreditch

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ABSOLUTELY FOOD

MAKE THIS

r e c i p e of the month F O R T H E PA S S I O N F R U I T SA L SA

 1/2 hot green chilli, such as jalapeño or serrano, seeds scooped out, very finely diced  3 fat and full passion fruit, flesh and seeds scooped out  1 tablespoon olive oil  juice of 1/2 small juicy lime  2 tablespoons very finely chopped fresh

TYPING ROOM

Town Hall Hotel’s eagerly awaited new restaurant, Typing Room, has opened, taking over from Nuno Mendes’ much-lauded Viajante. Chef Lee Westcott’s first solo venture, Typing Room’s European menu incorporates a pleasing focus on British seasonality; and builds on his years of experience working under the likes of Jason Atherton and Tom Aikens and at establishments including NYC’s Per Se, Noma and Claridges. Check out Westcott’s sixand eight-course tasting menus – and pull up a pew at the hotel’s new bar, Peg + Patriot, while you’re at it. Town Hall Hotel, Patriot Square, E2; typingroom.com

coriander, stalks and all  2 tablespoons very finely diced red onion  flaked sea salt 1. Preheat the grill to high.

2. Slash the mackerel three times down each side, and season well with a good amount of sea salt, probably more than you would normally be inclined to use.

MACKEREL WITH PASSION FRUIT SALSA

3. Lay the fish on the grill and place them not too far from the element.

Cook for approximately 4 minutes on each side, or until the skin is blistered and browned, taking care not to rip the delicious skin when turning them over. The

MUST TRY

mackerel should be cooked, but ever so reluctant to pull from the bone without a bit of prompting. If the flesh is just cooked S E RV E S T WO

but with a red blood line running along the

y friend Joe came across this after filming in Brazil. He told me the story of a man in a battered hat behind his stall on a coastal road, leaning over a tiny barbecue as he knocked up this salsa in seconds to then pour it over a charred and sizzling piece of fish. I went home and cooked it immediately, knowing it would be delicious – and it was! I can imagine that the sauce would also work well with thin slices of raw fish, marinated like ceviche.

If you cook the fish over charcoal, make sure it is wiped totally dry first and heavily scattered with some good, flaked sea salt, as this should prevent it sticking.

Ideally a barbecue would be better than a grill, as charcoal smoke is a magic ingredient.

spine, you have done it perfectly.

M

FOR PRIVATE PARTIES The newly reopened Spread Eagle is back, and is bigger and better than ever, with a new dining space and a renovation that’s in keeping with the pub’s Victorian roots. Food comes courtesy of the Camden Burger crew but there are options for health-freaks too: kale, avocado and pumpkin seed salad, for one thing. For fun times on your birthday, try the Eyrie Room with its flashing neon sign and listed spiral staircase, or The Snug, which fits 20 (rather snugly). 141 Albert Street, NW1; spreadeaglecamden.co.uk

 2 medium mackerel, gutted and wiped as dry as possible  flaked sea salt (approx. 1/2 teaspoon for each fish)  lime wedges, to serve

4. While the fish blisters, make the passion fruit salsa. Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl and season well with sea salt, tasting a few times.

5. Remove the fish to 2 plates and spoon over the salsa.

6. Serve with lime wedges and eat accompanied by cold beer drunk from the bottle, not a glass.

 Taken from What to Eat Next

by Valentine Warner (Octopus Publishing, £20)

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MINI THAI PORK BURGERS hese neat little burgers, which you can eat with your fingers, are great for a picnic, an easy starter or as party snacks. Serve with sweet chilli sauce for dipping.

T

182 CALORIES 3g SATURATED FAT SERVES 4 200g minced pork • ½ lemon grass stalk, finely chopped • 2 lime leaves, shredded • ½ garlic clove, grated or crushed • 10g or 2cm fresh root ginger, grated • 1 hot red Thai chilli, finely chopped • zest of ½ lime • small bunch of coriander, chopped, plus extra sprigs to garnish • ½ tsp salt • 1 free-range egg, whisked • flour, for dusting • 1 tbsp light oil, such as groundnut, for frying • 1 quantity sweet chilli sauce • black pepper 1 Put the minced pork into a bowl and add the lemon grass, lime leaves, garlic, ginger, chilli, lime zest, coriander and salt. Season with black pepper and, using a spoon or your hands, mix together thoroughly.

2 Pour in half the whisked egg to bring the mixture together, adding the remainder if the mixture seems a little dry.

Roll Baby

R OLL Absolutely tests three of Itsu’s deliciously healthy offerings

3 Form the mixture into 12 little balls, then flatten them into fat discs. Put them on a plate and refrigerate for 10 minutes.

4 Sprinkle some flour on a saucer and season with salt and pepper. Dust the burgers on both sides with the seasoned flour.

5 Heat a large frying pan and add the oil. Fry the burgers 4–6 at a time, depending on the size of your pan, for 3–4 minutes on each side. Transfer the cooked burgers to a warm plate and cook the remaining burgers in the same way.

6 Serve the burgers garnished with coriander sprigs and the sweet chilli sauce for dipping.

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ABSOLUTELY FOOD

HOT & SOUR PRAWN SOUP he delicious fragrant flavours of lemon grass, lime and hot chilli make this a fully balanced yet puretasting soup.

T

182 CALORIES 1g SATURATED FAT SERVES 2 800ml chicken stock • ½ tsp salt ½–1 hot red Thai chilli (depending on preference) • 1 tsp palm sugar or brown sugar alternative • 3 tbsp lime juice 1 lemon grass stalk, finely chopped • 4 lime leaves • 2 tbsp fish sauce • 100g shiitake mushrooms, sliced • 150g uncooked peeled prawns TO SERVE 2 spring onions, finely chopped • sprigs of coriander • lime wedges 1 Bring the stock to the boil.

Add all the other ingredients except the prawns, and simmer for five minutes.

Add the prawns and cook for two minutes, until they turn pink.

SALMON SUSHI

2

3 Ladle the soup into bowls and serve with the spring onions and coriander on top, plus a lime wedge alongside for extra zing.

ou don’t have to be a sushi Y master to make these flattened sushi, known as nigiri: you don’t even need a sushi mat. All that’s required is some super-fresh fish and a bowl of rice, and off you go!

134 CALORIES 0.8g SATURATED FAT

MUST TRY

MAKES 6 80g very fresh salmon fillet, skinned and cut into 6 thin slices • wasabi paste 80g cooked Easy Japanese-style Rice TO SERVE soy sauce • ready-made pickled ginger

4 Put your index finger and ring finger on either side of the rice and your middle finger on top and gently press to shape it into a long rectangle. Squeeze the ends to neaten them.

5 Put the sushi on a plate and repeat with the rest of the fish and rice.

6 Serve with soy sauce and pickled ginger.

VARIATIONS Try using sea bass, tuna or sliced scallops instead of salmon.

1 Prepare all the ingredients and arrange them around a clean board.

Place a bowl of warm water alongside.

2 Lay a slice of salmon in the palm of one hand and spread a dab of wasabi over it.

 Itsu, Unit 2, N1 Centre, 21 Parkfield

Wet your fingers in the bowl of water, then take a large pinch of the rice and press it onto the salmon.

3

Street, N1. Recipes taken from Itsu: The Cookbook, published by Mitchell Beazley, £15.99; itsu.com

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ten

TAZ

IO restaurant

tentazioni.co.uk

‘I CAN RESIST ANYTHING EXCEPT TEMPTATION’ - Oscar Wilde

We have been serving fine italian cuisine since1997

TENTAZIONI FINEFOOD DELI 19 The Circle Queen Elizabeth Street London SE1 2JE 020 7407 7529

Tentazioni.indd 1

TENTAZIONI RESTAURANT 2 Mill Street London SE1 2DB 020 7237 1100 020 7394 5248

14/04/2014 17:53

Alfresco Dining Martini Bar & Garden Over 200 different wines A la Carte Menu 6 Course Tasting Menu Prix Fixe menu 2 Courses Lunch £15 all week, Dinner £18 Mon to Fri all evening, Sat 6-7pm COMPLIMENTARY

020 7722 2800

COCKTAIL

Michael Nadra Primrose Hill, 42 Gloucester Avenue

WHEN BOOKING

London, NW1 8JD

(Offer ends 01.08.2014)

FOR YOU AND YOUR GUESTS

primrose@restaurant - michaelnadra.co.uk

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Quote “Absolutely“

YOUR TABLE

04/07/2013 09:48

A BUZZING RESTAURANT IN THE HEART OF CROUCH END SERVING RUSTIC FRENCH/ITALIAN FOOD WITH A CONTEMPORARY TWIST.

Join us for Exciting Brunch; delicious lunch or memorable dinner 45 TOPSFIELD PARADE TOTTENHAM LANE, CROUCH END N8 8PT • 020 8341 1681

12/06/2014 17:32

ABSOLUTELY FOOD

FOOD REVIEW dill (phew!) may work best as a side dish, but that’s fine: there’s a broad range of enticing dishes for it to sit beside.

Desserts are always best shared, I find; mix the incredible lightness of the lychees in jasmine tea (an easy summer recipe) with the denser Shaker lemon pie and clotted cream (which you’ll definitely want to recreate at a dinner party) and you have the perfect rounder-off. The icing on the (non-literal) cake is the wine, which is natural – i.e. has been made with entirely natural methods involving no machinery or artificial additives. I started my meal a natural wine virgin and finished it a fully-fledged convert; even an evangelist. Minus the corrupting influence of regular wine’s added sulphites, I enjoyed a pleasant buzz and avoided a hangover. In fact, I felt so smug the next day that I marched myself straight back to the restaurant to buy up a few bottles of their delicious Pampeneo for

RAW DUCK HELEN BARON falls hook, line and sinker for Raw Duck’s charms

’d dipped my toe in the Raw Duck pond during its brief former life on Amhurst Road. That was before neighbouring construction work made the premises unsafe, meaning diners had to be evacuated and the whole place shut down. That’s a shame, I thought, those were some good eggs.

Despite the setback, the folks behind the restaurant (as well as Soho’s Ducksoup) kept their sights on Hackney – and were vindicated when they discovered a far larger venue just around the corner on Richmond Road.

Suddenly Raw Duck’s earlier misfortunes begin to seem like a blessing in disguise: the new venue is bigger, brighter and more

I

open, with homely wooden tables to add to the poured concrete counters relocated from version 1.0. Floor-to-ceiling shelving houses a collection of natural and biodynamic wines as well as tasteful ceramics, dried flowers and succulents, while vintage vinyl spin one after another on a record player at the rear. It’s a metropolitan melting pot that

references both Scandinavian and Californian style – and that’s before you’ve even got to the food, which draws on influences from, well, just about everywhere.

The menu takes in a series of sharing plates linked by a bold minimalism and a focus on exquisitely sourced ingredients.

Caught up in Hackney’s unrelenting march towards gentrification, most restaurateurs seem to have plumped for posh burgers, pizzas and various other ‘gourmet junk’ gimmicks. Raw Duck, on the other hand, picks up where the Cali-led healthfreak trend of the Noughties left off, with nourishing, deceptively simple food combinations and decor that frames the happy chatter of guests with a kind of laid-back hipster zen.

Thankfully, the food tastes as good as the place looks. The salt-baked bream with aioli is outstanding, while a chunk of silken tofu dressed with green onions and bonito is a bright, chilly delight. The trombette courgette with peas, broad beans, tahini yoghurt, pomegranate and

home use. While there, I opted to sample the brunch – broken eggs with ricotta served in a sizzling skillet, if you must know – and left with yet more praises to sing.

Raw Duck’s new guise has already proven wildly popular, even among Hackney’s fiercely competitive culinary scene, and draws in locals seeking anything from a daily coffee (beans by Caravan) or health-conscious anti-oxidant juice to brunch, lunch or dinner. An all-day winner that’s nutritious and delicious.  Raw Duck 197 Richmond Road, E8; rawduckhackney.co.uk

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ABSOLUTELY KIDS

STREET FEAST

As the nation’s love affair with food continues, Talking Tables have come up with these quirky street stalls, ideal for birthday parties. Forget lemonade; choose a specialty from fish and chips, hotdogs and popcorn, ice cream or this Gourmet Food stall and you’ll have the kids queuing up to join in the fun. £16.50; talkingtables.co.uk

KIDS NOTES

KIDDIE COOL

MUST HAVE

Looking to update your little one’s wardrobe without breaking the bank? M&S’s Indigo Collection features pretty pinks and mint greens with a cool retro American vibe, making it a great option for everyday summer style. marksandspencer.com

DUNGAREES, PLEASE

Kids can keep their boho credentials in the pool as well as on dry land, thanks to What Mother Made’s summer and swimwear collection.

Handmade with locally sourced fabrics and often produced to order, you can pick up a few pre-made pieces every Saturday at Broadway Market. whatmothermade.co.uk

EDITOR’S PICK

MONSTER TRUCK

ake playtime on the road with The Monster Factory’s cute miniature tent versions of the iconic 1965 Split Screen VW Camper Van. Offering UV protection and completely waterproof, it’s fun-in-the-sun guaranteed. £54.99; themonsterfactory.com

T

SWEET RELIEF

Eczema can make life pretty miserable, can’t it? If your child suffers its itchy horrors, give Child’s Farm Hand Wash for Mucky Mitts a try. Containing grapefruit and organic tea tree essential oil, it cleanses, moisturises and hydrates to soothe scratchy skin. It’s even suitable for newborns. £4.69 for 250ml, Available from Face to Face, 60 Chetwyn Road, NW5; childsfarm.com

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ABSOLUTELY INTERIORS

Character Building Dominic McKenzie Architects specialise in modern residential projects, and their online portfolio provides a stunning snapshot of their vision for high-end contemporary design. Whether effectively doubling the size of a period townhouse in Barnsbury through the addition of a basement living area and rear and roof extensions or creating a beautiful new home from scratch in a terraced street in Stoke Newington, their work is subtle yet striking.

97 Cloudesley Road, N1; dominicmckenzie.co.uk

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ABSOLUTELY INTERIORS

INTERIOR NOTES HOT TILES

top three HoMe Fragrances

Topps Tiles have done it again with their most recent range of patterned tiles. We love these Henley floor tiles – perfect for adding a pop of colour to your kitchen. £12.49 per tile, 159 Upper Street, N1; toppstiles.co.uk

1 3 2 1. Crabtree & Evelyn Rosewater Room Spray, £10; crabtree-evelyn.co.uk 2. Jo Malone English Pear & Freesia, £54; jomalone.co.uk 3. Aromatherapy Associates Revive Fragrance, £22; feelunique.com

Perfect Poise

We cannot express how much we love this Anglepoise Giant 1227 Classic Lamp from Occa Home.

Never before have we come across an item of furniture that makes us feel so much like a Borrower – what more could a lover of literature want? £2,349; occa-home.co.uk

Board Meeting

New start-up Ensemblier applies British craftsmanship and sustainable materials in the fashioning of cute, quirky and downright desirable headboards. It may sound niche, but one look at their fancy-but-fun designs and you’ll be picturing the difference they could make to your bedroom. ensemblierlondon.com

Happy Birthday Habitat!

Habitat has come a long way since it was first launched by Terence Conran in 1944 to cater for ‘young moderns with lively tastes’ (yes, that really was their tagline). Despite now reaching the grand old age of 50, it’s still our go-to destination for cool, contemporary designs.

02 Centre, 255 Finchley Road, NW3;

habitat.co.uk

EDITOR’S PICK

SALVAGED FLIP-UP CHAIRS £295 for a set of four, 1016 Harrow Road, NW10;

retrouvius.com

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ight plant, right place is what I was taught. It is so easy to get swept up in the bright summer displays in garden centres and nurseries, and tempting to plant impulse purchases in difficult and challenging spaces. Although hope over experience can get you so far, with conditions such as those found in a shady border, it is much wiser to select your plants with planning and care.

A shady border need never be dull.

Texture is the key to adding interest, but before we consider plants we should evaluate the aspect. There is shade; gentle and dappled with shafts of bright light at different times of the day, and then there is shade; dry, dark and unforgiving. Needless to say, if you are dealing with latter conditions, establishing any planting will be a labour of love.

Most often, shady gardens are shady because of overhead tree cover which makes them too dry. Preparing your ground is vital. Well rotted organic matter, pH-appropriate to your site, should be incorporated in and around the generous planting hole. Prior to planting deluge, empty two or three full two-gallon watering cans of water into each hole before you put the plant in to soak the surrounding earth. Let the water drain away, and then

R

S h a dy

L A DY

Absolutely gardening contributor Kate Gould offers advice on getting the best results from challenging spaces

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Some plants to consider for a successful partly shady border

Colours that work best IN THE

SHADE ARE, NOT SURPRISINGLY, WHITES, pale blues

SHRUBS

BULBS

Hydrangea vars

Crocus speciosus

Leaf:Deciduous Colour:White, Blue or Pink S ize:2m x 2m Do not let them dry out as the flowerheads will not develop. For an easier approach stick to white varieties which are reliably white regardless of soil pH.

Leaf:Deciduous Colour:Blue, pink, white and purple S ize:10cm high Plant in a massed group underneath Cornus vars or spring flowering shrubs.

For added impact plant groups of Helleborus close by.

and pinks.

place the plant in the hole, backfill with the original soil mixed with new organic matter, top soil, fertiliser and compost and then a final water and a mulch over the top to prevent water loss through transpiration.

While the plants are young, watering will be vital throughout the drier months.

It is tempting to buy larger specimen plants to start a scheme, but in shady spaces starting small (2-3l) is more likely to produce results than planting a mature shrub. Smaller plants establish better and will attune themselves to the location and conditions much more easily.

Colours that work best in the shade are, not surprisingly, whites, pale blues and pinks. These shades help to brighten a dull space and work well against the foliage shades of dark green supplied by most shade -loving shrubs.

In order for your shady area to be successful, the key is in the preparation and research. Prepare your ground well and choose plants that the RHS’s A-Z of Garden Plants terms shade tolerant. For a more contemporary approach, websites such as crocus.co.uk and shootgardening.co.uk are extremely informative and provide excellent advice. Taking the time to plan your border means that a once difficult space could be transformed into a colourful border that provides interest throughout the seasons.  Kate Gould is an award-winning garden designer and a regular exhibitor at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, where she has been awarded three Gold medals. kategouldgardens.com

Sarcococca vars

Leaf:Evergreen Colour:White S ize:1.2 x 1.2m Highly scented in the winter, so plant where you will appreciate the scent.

Sarcococca and Daphne vars with Deutzia make a great combination.

Anemone blanda

Leaf:Deciduous Colour:Blue, pink, white and purple Size:15cm high Anemone blanda look best on a sunny spring day in bold swathes in a woodland and combine well with ferns, emerging Hosta and Paeonia leaves and white Narcissi.

D icksonia antarctica

Leaf:Depending on your climate, Dicksonia can hold their leaves all year.

Colour:Green S ize:A mixture of 3’, 4’ and 6’ plants are a good combination Great for a tropical looking scheme with other ferns.

Er ythronium ‘Pagoda’ Leaf:Deciduous Colour:Yellow Approx S ize:50cm x 30cm

Nodding yellow trumpet-like flowers are held on plants in groups. These woodlanders combine well with ferns and blue-flowered bulbs.

Rhododendron vars

Leaf:Evergreen or deciduous Colour:White, blue, pink, red, yellow, orange, purple, mauve S ize:From 1m to large tree-like forms Appreciative of shade and adds colour to spring borders. Acidic soil is important but if your soil is pH-neutral then the acidic ratio can be added via specific food from garden centres.

Convallaria majalis Leaf:Deciduous Colour:White S ize:30cm x 20cm

Lily of the Valley will spread to form wide clumps if allowed and their scented blooms are an added bonus. Best planted at the edge of a border under shrubs where they can be kept in check.

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ABSOLUTELY INTERIORS

Absolutely shows you how to highlight natural wood flooring with this Clerkenwell conversion

GET THE LOOK Photography Oliver Bebb

4

3

2

1. HANGING GLASS PENDANT

A pendant is a good option for smaller rooms; a chandelier, for example, needs plenty of ceiling height for its grandeur to be fully realised. Glass pendants come into their own in a room with large windows; not only will clear glass refract the natural light beautifully, but its effect is as lovely lit as when not. We love the curved elegance of this Ligne Roset Bonbonne model from Heal’s. Ligne Roset Bonbonne Glass Pendant Light, £290; heals.co.uk

2. CONTEMPORARY SCREENPRINT

A cool wall print injects colour and a sense of fun while ensuring a more personal touch. The designers of Harry Potter – Woop studios – specialise in bold, graphic prints based around the English linguistic quirkiness of collective nouns. woopstudios.com

3. MID-CENTURY MODERN DANISH CHAIR

Retro pieces such as this add a certain modernity to a Victorian conversion.

Avoid overdoing it with too many; often the combination of a vintage sideboard, coffee table and chair can add up to something cloyingly kitsch. A sculpted frame like the one seen on this Kai Kristiansen compass chair adds dimension while maintaining the clean lines of the room. It works wonderfully and is more of a focal point than a typical piano stool.

Kai Kristiansen Compass Chair, £150; gnfurniture.co.uk

4. RECLAIMED WOOD FLOORING

A floor is a canvas and definitely not an area to skimp on. As Robert John Henry, founder of the Reclaimed Flooring Company, puts it, ‘It's the statement by which all other elements are set, embodied with spirit, personality and a heart of its own.’ Henry’s boutique Clerkenwell store offers natural, exclusive and rare hardwoods (including driftwood and tropical varieties), various reclaimed boards (French oak, American barn and railway, to name a few) antique panels and parquet – as well as offering a tailor-made patina service. Choose Castle ‘Natural Undulating Surface’ Wood Floor for boards with individual surface characteristics. Solid Castle Oak, mixed widths 185/220mm, £69/m2 +VAT, 64 Clerkenwell Road, EC1; reclaimedflooringco.com

1

5. GEOMETRIC PATTERNED CUSHION

To continue the contemporary mood, choose geometric patterned cushions rather than a floral or busy print. Here, the colours subtly match others in the room while remaining muted, adding to the cohesive neutrality throughout. Bolder tastes may like something slightly more illustrative, like these limited edition cushions, exclusive to Heal’s. Daniel Heath cushions, £95; heals.co.uk

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ABSOLUTELY PROMOTION

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Outfitters

ow many really great furniture brands can you name off the top of your head? It’s a funny thing, but despite the public’s everincreasing interest in luxury interiors and the ever-growing number of companies striving to meet our evolving expectations, few suppliers have the range and reputation – not to mention the eye for design and quality – to hang around in the memory.

Wharfside buck this amnesiac trend. A family-owned business, for over forty years they’ve operated at the forefront of custom-made luxury furnishings. Each piece is made to order according to the customer’s needs and specifications,

H

Few suppliers have the range and reputation and the styles on offer strike a fine balance between retro chic and contemporary polish. An hour spent browsing their beautiful website provides some valuable pointers in aesthetics and elegance, with heaps of ideas that are at once refined, striking and eminently applicable to real homes. We love the vintageinspired coffee tables and Danishstyled dining chairs: pretty and practical in equal measure.  66 Buttesland Street, N1; wharfside.co.uk

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ANOTHER PLANET.indd 1

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ABSOLUTELY PROMOTION

2

Vitra Eames Lounge Chair

1

Danish Retro Sideboard In Ash, Walnut Or Oak

3

Erik Jorgensen Cicero Sofa

6

Team7 Cubus Plus Dining Table and Chairs

Retro Revivals Contemporary furniture with a ‘60s twist from Wharfside

4

Erik Jorgensen Blue Sofa

5

Flaye Round Dining Table and Chairs

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LIVING IN SPACE.indd 1

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ABSOLUTELY HE ALTH&B E AUT Y

The

SPA GUIDE 2014

ONLY HAVE A WEEKEND TO SPARE? NEVER FEAR – RELAXATION ISN’T FAR AWAY. WELCOME TO ABSOLUTELY’S GUIDE TO THE BEST SPAS IN THE UK

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take in the breathtaking views across the mountainous countryside of north Wales and the waters and wind farms of the Irish Sea. Back in Bodysgallen, wooden staircases, antique furniture and crackling wood fires combine with delicious food and incredibly comfortable bedrooms to give the hotel a warm, traditional feel. The spa, located in an airy, spacious building (formerly the stables) has a more modern aesthetic, with neutral decor perfectly suited to its Welsh surroundings – no garish, faux orientalism here. The spa is also the first in the UK to offer Environ treatments, using a machine that produces a mild electric current to help active ingredients, such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C and other anti-oxidants, penetrate more deeply into the skin. The Environ Active Vitamin treatment in particular is great for Londoners,

BEST FOR RURAL RETREATS

BODYSGALLEN HALL HOTEL & SPA Wales

by CATHERINE HALES et in the midst of 200 acres of gardens, Bodysgallen Hall is a sympathetically restored 17th century Historic House Hotel with glorious gardens, a top notch spa and views that stretch all the way to Conwy Castle, Snowdonia National Park and beyond. The hotel is located a stones throw from the virtually untouched seaside town of Llandudno, whose rural charm and quaint architecture make it well worth a visit.

For those unafraid of sheer drops and winding roads, visitors can also drive up the cliffs and

S

BEST FOR WEIGHT LOSS

LUCKNAM PARK HOTEL & SPA Wiltshire

by Emma J Page

nspired by its natural surroundings, the spa at Lucknam Park effortlessly combines a holistic approach with modern innovation.

Far-reaching views of the kitchen gardens, an outdoor saltwater plunge pool and an elegant terrace harness the power of nature, while four thermal cabins, nine treatment rooms, a vast indoor pool and a new Well-being House promise to nourish mind, body and soul.

A comprehensive approach means that guests can choose tailor-made treatments that deliver specific results, from anti-

I

BEST FOR YOGA BREAKS

YOGA RETREAT AT OCKENDEN MANOR West Sussex

by Leo Bear

ckenden Manor’s yoga retreats are enough to make Gwyneth come back from LA and move to the South Downs. With a roster of smoothies, Ila treatments, flotation therapy, reflexology and sun salutations, they might be at the gentler end of the ‘retreat’ spectrum, but throw in a dash of Nordic walking and your gluts will know about it.

The spa itself is modern and magnificent: a rusted-aluminium glass box surrounded by cow-speckled pastures – not what you’d expect in the sleepy Tudor village of Cuckfield.

O

ageing facials courtesy of high performance brands Anne Sémonin and Carita, to the cocooning effects of an organic massage using all-natural Ila products. Look out for a series of inspiring two-day courses in conjunction with visiting consultants, including expert nutritionist Katie Sheen, who’ll shine a friendly light on your diet and advise how to optimize it during an invaluable one-to-one session. On day two, you can bring her dietary advice to life in a hands-on cookery class under the inventive eye of chef Hrishikesh Desai. Covering topics from Happiness and Vitality to Purity and Mindful Eating, there’s no doubt that revitalised visitors will leave with a spring in their step.

Two-day Well-Being retreat, £695 per person, including overnight accommodation, breakfast lunch and supper. Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa, 01225 742777, lucknampark.co.uk

On the treatment side, Ila and Ren products predominate, and a vast indoor/outdoor pool (a favourite with Ralph Fiennes) lies at its core.

Chief yogi Sal Jefferies is in charge of the retreat itineraries designed for small groups of no more than 10. A soft-spoken twinklyeyed soul with world-class flexibility, he’s been practising Vinyasa-Flow yoga for more than ten years, and has quite a following. He encourages people to take it slow, and beginners are more than welcome. Save time for a chat after yoga sessions – Sal’s an expert on everything from sleep patterns to mind-mapping.

Beyond the spa, Ockenden Manor comprises an Elizabethan manor house boasting 28 rooms and a Michelin-star dining room (although retreat guests are assigned suites within the spa building itself). Miranda Carminger, who runs Ockenden Manor with her husband Pontus, has a discernable passion for interior

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ABSOLUTELY HE ALTH&B E AUT Y

designed specifically to stimulate collagen and to hydrate and reduce redness, fine lines and the ravages of pollution.

The treatment involves an application of moisturiser to the face with the aid of the electric current and soundwaves, followed by a very cold heavy gel mask, which then sets, sealing in the product. The current is used again, along with a hand-held roller to aid deep absorption. Throughout the process, high squeaks can be heard and a sensation of mild pinpricks is felt, which, although not painful, isn’t necessarily relaxing – more of what you’d call ‘an active treatment’. The result? Very good – the redness in my cheeks was reduced and my skin was left plumped and rehydrated.

Active Vitamin Treatment (three areas) one hour, £60; bodysgallen.com

We Also Love...

CHEWTON GLEN HAMPSHIRE Detox in the skies in one of the romantic treehouses set in the beautiful woodlands of this country house hotel and spa. Treatments can be taken in the luxurious spa (which boasts Europe’s largest hydrotherapy pool) or in the privacy of your own rooms.

From £325 a night;

chewtonglen.com

BEST FOR RELAXATION

HOUSE SPA AT DORMY HOUSE Cotswolds

by Leo Bear

merging from a £10m facelift, this charming 17th-century farmhouse hotel now packs an impressive spa punch. Two years in the planning, the groundwork has paid off: everything from the deeply comfy massage beds to the posttreatment sorbets shout ‘indulgence’. At the heart of the spa lies a generous relaxing-areacum-café dominated by a towering funnelshaped fireplace. Chess sets and cashmere throws add to the informal atmosphere, while a selection of ‘posh nibbles’ from the pastry chef ensures spa-goers don’t go hungry.

Sticking to a British theme, treatments are

by Temple Spa (a family-owned English brand), and for a touch of glamour, there’s an ultragirly Veuve Clicquot nail bar.

Therapists are trained by Pure Massage (so expect the best) and for something a bit different, there’s Rasul Mud therapy or an enriching ‘Mediterranean marinade’ facial available. One of the signature treatments is the ‘Silent Night Lavender Sleep’, which consists of two and a half hours of massage, scrubbing and foot rubbing certain to settle even the most jittery of souls. I roadtested the lavender sauna, but it didn’t have quite as much lavender in the air as I would have liked. The salt-infused steam room and outdoor hydrotherapy pool, on the other hand, were fantastic.

If you’re staying the night, expect to be spoilt rotten. Rooms are homely yet hi-tech – a tablet allows you to order fresh milk at the touch of a button – whilst in the communal areas, original flagstone floors, wood panelling and exposed stone hearths come together to create a most welcoming rural retreat. My favourite spot was the chic blue lounge just off the lobby – the perfect blend of Soho House and mummy’s living room.

E

GILPIN LAKE HOUSE LAKE DISTRICT Overlooking its own private lake, the Jetty Spa Trail incorporates five hours of pure indulgence, including a bespoke aromatherapy blend consultation, a dip in the pool, a sauna and body scrub, a blissful massage, afternoon tea in the cosy little boathouse and a spell in the outdoor hot tub with a glass of champagne.

The Jetty Spa Trail, £300 for two people;

thegilpin.co.uk

design. Rumour has it she even has a room in her house dedicated to mood-boarding – and we can believe it; the wallpaper in the drawing room had us stroking the walls and purring.

Carminger is also the brains behind the spa, so it comes as no surprise that the spa suites are airy and contemporary with plenty of attention to detail.

Overall, Ockenden Manor’s yoga retreats are well conceived and hugely enjoyable.

You’re certain to come away feeling pampered and clearer headed. Our only quibble is the scheduled 9pm dinner times, which made rising for early morning yoga a bit of a challenge.

Places on three-day yoga retreats are available to book at Ockenden Manor this July, September and November; hshotels.co.uk

THE SCARLET CORNWALL Capturing the essence of the coast, The Scarlet’s spa offers facials administered with wild-crafted herbs and hot steamed poultices, and a reed-filtered natural cliff top outdoor pool, with nearby hot tubs providing the perfect spot from which to storm and cloudgaze. From £285 a night;

scarlethotel.co.uk

Silent Night Lavender Sleep treatment (£195); dormyhouse.co.uk

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BEST FOR THE ECO-CONSCIOUS

BEST FOR CITY ESCAPES

GRAYSHOTT SPA

TITANIC SPA

By Georgie Lane-Godfrey

By Alexandra Jones

ax intrantibus. Salus exeuntibus. reads the motto engraved above the entrance at Grayshott – ‘Peace on arrival. Health on departure.’ It’s a statement which really does ring true. Secluded and peaceful, Grayshott lies in the heart of the Surrey countryside, a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of London, yet just an hour’s drive down the A3.

A historic country house that was once the home of Victorian Poet Laureate Lord Alfred Tennyson, Grayshott has been showered with awards over the fifty years it has been in business. Admittedly the rooms feel a bit dated, but we can pretty much guarantee you’ll spend little enough time indoors; you only have to look out of the window to yearn to be outside. Set amongst 47 acres of beautiful gardens and adjoining over 700 acres of National Trust woodland, it’s a haven for walkers and cyclists – bikes are available to hire from reception.

The spa itself has a real health focus and their celebrated 7 Day Regime centres on the digestive system, getting back in shape so that your body can restore, renew and cleanse. But all the usual high-end treatments are also on offer, as well as a few off-beat options too. One of which is the Equilibrium Therapy, a slow, rhythmic massage of the body, face and scalp designed to release negative emotions and give

t is worth noting from the start Titanic Spa’s sublime setting, on the edge of the Pennines. Long after your patience for being wrapped, plucked and primped has worn thin, the beauty of Linthwaite and the views of the surrounding countryside from the riverside terrace will keep you entertained. It is truly idyllic.

To the ‘UK’s first eco-spa,’ then.

Measures have been taken to reduce Titanic’s carbon footprint, including making the building ‘green’ (electricity, for example, is derived from solar roof panels) and putting in place systems which have the lowest possible impact on the environment. As its name

Surrey

Yorkshire

I

P

relaxation and peace. Highly recommended for those escaping the city, it’s so relaxing that you’ll struggle to stay awake.

Spa treatments aside, it’s the food here which really caught our attention. Despite the obvious focus on digestive health, dishes still feel indulgent. Buffet style breakfasts and lunches let you pick and choose from the range of dairy and grain-free food, whilst à la carte dinners serve healthy spins on firm favourites – we even had apple strudel for dessert! A great option for gourmands looking to loosen their waistbands.

Equilibrium therapy, £85; grayshottspa.com

might suggest, the spa is one of epic proportions, offering a dizzying array of treatments. It is also wildly popular.

Combined, these things can, at times, make the experience less than relaxing.

It attracts groups and caters well to them, but you might feel a little outnumbered if you go, as I did, for a quiet weekend with just one other person. The treatments themselves do make up for that: the therapists are bright, friendly and adept at creating a serene environment. The ‘beauty’ treatments were more accomplished than the massages: we sampled the Exotic Lime and Ginger Salt Glow and felt suitably squeaky-clean afterwards.

The massages didn’t have quite the same impact; billed as ‘deep tissue’, mine felt a little limp.

Titanic is perfect for a stylish, robe swaddled, hen weekend. You’ll score extra points for your eco-awareness.

Exotic Lime and Ginger Salt Glow, £50; titanicspa.co.uk

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THE SPA WHO LOVED ME

Thought luxe day spas were reserved for the high-rollers of West London? Old news… the latest luxurious treatments are appearing in heavenly spas the city over. HELEN BARON gets pampered and pummelled in three lush local favourites.

ST PANCRAS RENAISSANCE SPA King’s Cross

o call this spa a hidden gem is something of an understatement. Set beneath the awesome station building, you would never guess that such a peaceful haven reclined beneath the clatter of King’s Cross. The basement spa runs the length of the hotel, with seemingly endless treatment rooms.

The big draw has to be the impressive

T

relaxation pool, located in the former Steam Kitchen and surrounded by great brick archways. Amazing Victorian tile-work, two hydro loungers, a sleek eucalyptus steam room and a sauna add to the sense of secret luxury; with hints of Middle Eastern style, you can imagine yourself in an exotic riad spa.

W H AT TO H AV E

The menu takes travel and exploration as its theme, with a list of exotic treatments. I chose the Sublime Massage, which certainly

lived up to its name. My therapist got straight down to work, kneading, bending and using her forearms to work out tension. The treatment can be painful – I realised that I’m probably not stretching enough after working out, my calves as tight as a ball of rubber bands, but the massage went some way to relieving and relaxing stressed muscles. The nourishing oils were ideal for my dehydrated skin, which still hasn’t seen much sun this year. Afterwards, I sipped on Damask Rose tea in the relaxation room.

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SENSE SPA Holborn

o beautiful is this spa, you’ll be hard-pressed not to go the whole hog and order just about every treatment on the menu. The smell of eucalyptus hits you in the corridor before you even reach your destination. Once there, you’re sequestered away in tranquility beneath the Grade II-listed hotel, in a series of dimly lit but stunningly designed rooms. Decked out in ancient Asian style, you cross little wooden bridges over rippling water to get to the gold-tinged relaxation room (the beds come with their own little reading lights). The list of treatments isn’t long, but there’s more than enough to please - especially given the fact that you’ll want to make the most of the sauna, steam room and even the changing rooms, which boast rainforest showers.

S

W H AT TO H AV E

LANDMARK HOTEL SPA Marylebone

most prestigious one this, The Landmark being one of the most well-known of the capital’s five-star hotels. Both the building and its location are bywords for British elegance and grandeur, and there’s a lovely feeling of history and heritage. The spa doubles as a health club with state-of-the-art facilities – steam rooms, a sanarium, a Jacuzzi and a 15-metre chlorine-free pool; it is also one of the few exclusive users of Voya – the luscious organic brand from Ireland that harnesses the beautifying powers of the sea. Not your average ‘organic’ brand, the products come with an actual certification and are next-level natural – products are created around hand-harvested seaweed (a natural antioxidant) and based on local Irish traditions of seaweed baths and remedies.

... and in NW London

A

COWSHED With outposts in New York, Miami, Berlin and London, Cowshed is the international jet-setter’s spa of choice. The newest addition on Regent’s Park Road has six fancy recliners (perfect for gaggles of girls), is bigger than its Shoreditch counterpart and has a farmhouse-style café homely enough that you’ll want to grab lunch.

I had the Deep Tissue Massage after an insanely stressful month which led to a weird tingling sensation in my neck. Applying the strongest pressure (Swedish and aromatherapy variants tend to apply lighter, more soothing movements), this treatment can be a little painful and works to relieve more specific muscle tightness. A course of treatments will likely be needed for complete rebalance, or if you do intense exercise on a regular basis, but this was an invaluable start to unwinding some of my built-up muscle tensions.

Prices start at £75 for 45 minutes. 252 High Holborn, WC1; rosewoodhotels.com/London

115-117 Regents Park Road, NW1; cowshedonline.com

W H AT TO H AV E

The recently-launched Voya Illuminating Facial is the latest treatment from a long-list of organic seaweedy goodness. Described as ‘warming, cocooning and deeply detoxifying’, Kaolin clay, the powerful active ingredient, absorbs oils and dirt and combines with marine minerals to restore a youthful complexion. It’s also packed with marine anti-oxidants and skin-loving botanicals.

What’s more, the facial is complemented by a reflexology-inspired foot massage – so you get a real top-to-toe treatment.

Prices start at £60, available at the Landmark Spa or selected spas and salons nationwide.

222 Marylebone Road, NW1; landmarklondon.co.uk

LABSPA The list of treatments – beauty-based, cosmetic and holistic – is as long as your arm, and because there’s a gym, 25-metre pool, marble steam rooms and Scandinavian sauna, it’s an ideal place to spend the day. There’s even a juice bar that serves protein shakes and other super healthy goodies. Time Out voted it the ‘Best Private Health Club’ in London and it’s easy to see why.

labspa.co.uk

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Two Days In

PARIS Absolutely spends 48 hours exploring

the most romantic city in the world...

Illustration by phil couzens

S TAY

If what you want from Paris is a touch of exclusivity and indulgence, One Fine Stay (onefinestay.com) is the ticket.

Reinventing the short-stay experience, the company’s hand-picked collection of luxurious homes is a far cry from the motley assortment of studio flats all too prevalent on other (well-known) rental sites – and offers that ever-elusive sense of authenticity that’s so necessary to living la vie Parisienne.

They'll even provide a French mobile phone for the duration of your visit, so that you can find your way around the city, look up host recommendations and contact the OFS team with any queries or requests.

ART

Avoid the big tourist queues at the Pompidou Centre; compared to Tate Modern it’s surprisingly underwhelming. And while the Louvre is a mammoth job, the Musée d'Orsay is a much more manageable prospect.

A beautiful building, it houses plenty of French greats – Gauguin, Renoir, Degas and Lautrec among them.

DON’T MISS

EAT

If you’re in Montmartre, try Bistrot Le Village a short walk away on Rue Abbesses for breakfast. The minimalist Formica decor makes for a cute (and truly Parisian) cafe vibe, and while you can grab a coffee and a croissant, they’ll also rustle you up an omelette. Be sure to sit outside.

Further east in the Marais (formerly the Jewish ghetto), sit beneath the awnings of the Boulangerie Florence Kahn with a coffee and and an old-shul kosher pastry. It’s a great corner from which to peoplewatch… we spotted Scarlett Johansson hiding behind big sunglasses. Candelaria is another hot tip: a hipster Mexican drinking den-cumrestaurant with late-night queues that wind around the block. Seats snake around the main cooking area while the underground bar is through the secret back door.

DRINK

Looking for a little bit of London in Paris? Master mixologist Tony Conigliaro (of Islington’s ‘Bar with No Name’, 69 Colebrooke Row) has taken his particular brand of clandestine cool to Paris in the form of Le Coq. For a rather more surreal experience there’s Silencio, conceived by film director David Lynch and modelled on the bar from his movie Mulholland Drive. Nonmembers are welcome after midnight and it stays open until an unearthly 6am.

N E XT M O NTH …

Why not head to gay Paris for the city’s annual Rock en Seine festival? Headliners this year include Arctic Monkeys, The Prodigy and Lana del Rey. 22, 23 & 24 August onefinestay.com

Rue Tardieu, Montmartre

TIP

Taxis are nigh-on impossible to hail in Paris without prebooking. Be sure to download the Uber app to avoid getting stranded after dark.

Move over macarons, ‘boutique’ eclairs are the new currency of cool and L’eclair du Genie takes the top spot in our book. At €5 a pop, they’re not cheap, but they’re damn good and make excellent gifts to take home (providing you can get them back in one piece).

In opera season, the Palais Garnier hosts top-class productions in opulent Second Empire surroundings. Even if tickets are unavailable, it’s worth visiting to gawp at the incredible building.

French fashion brands are leading the way in affordable luxury, so take advantage of the (slightly) cheaper prices at Isabel Marant, A.P.C., Comptoir des Cotonniers, Sandro and Maje before checking out emerging menswear labels Melinda Gloss and Maison Kitsuné. It’s best to roam the centre of Paris on foot, taking in the city’s many quirky boutiques – among them Claudie Pierlot, Noir Kennedy and April 77.

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THE HOUSE

UK

g e t a w a y

ST MAWES RETREATS Cornwall WORDS GEORGIE LANE-GODFREY

T

THE LOCATION

rundle two minutes down the hill, past the village church, and you’ll find yourself on the seafront in the middle of St Mawes.

Lacking the glitz and glamour of some of its more high-profile neighbours, St Mawes still retains a quaint bygone charm. Walk along Marine Parade and you’ll find the local bakery serving freshly baked authentic Cornish pasties, a small arcade of shops peddling local pottery and delicacies (think clotted cream fudge and shortbread) and several pubs with a view of the trawlers and crabbing boats bobbing on the tide. In the

other direction lies St Mawes Castle, a stony legacy of Henry VIII dating back to 1538, worth visiting mainly for its uninterrupted views across the bay.

Continue past the castle and carry on round the coast, walking through cow-filled fields and down into secluded coves along the beach for a taste of the real Cornwall.

Perched on a hilltop overlooking the Roseland Peninsula, Dreamcatchers is one of five luxurious self-catering St Mawes Retreats properties on the Cornish coast. Only 200 yards from the water, this place really is all about the sea views – the huge glass doors of the open plan kitchen and living room offer spectacular panoramas across the blue waters of the bay. Downstairs, two of the four deluxe double bedrooms also boast this view, which can be enjoyed from the bubbles of your extravagant freestanding roll-top bath looking out to sea.

Bright, modern and brand-spanking new, Dreamcatchers has a real family focus, boasting its own playroom, a cupboard full of cute dressing-up costumes and a separate family room complete with wifi and piles of the latest DVD releases – plenty to keep you entertained if the weather turns sour.

THE EXTRAS

With a bespoke concierge service on offer, St Mawes Retreats are all about going that extra mile. Expect a chilled bottle of champagne upon arrival as well as freshly baked scones and a breakfast box filled with local produce. Private spa treatments can also be arranged as well as childcare, boat charters and a range of activities, from trips to the world-renowned Eden Project to private classes from an art teacher. Nothing is too much trouble.

We recommend booking a visit from The Chef on the Roseland (thechefontheroseland.co.uk), Haydn Treneary, who will come to Dreamcatchers and cook a luxurious three-course meal for you complete with wine, canapés and home-made bread. Expect Michelin-quality dishes without having to move a muscle.

£ THE DAMAGE Prices at Dreamcatchers start from £1,275 for guests staying one week and £950 for up to 4 guests staying in low season for a 3-night weekend break. To make a booking call 0800 088 6622 or visit stmawesretreats.co.uk

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THE JUNGLE, BOOKED. Sarah Gilbert discovers serenity and seclusion in the Indian paradise of Maharashtra

I

f you escape the chaotic megacity of Mumbai, with its terrifying, tumultuous traffic, and drive for a few hours past Lonavala, a hill station on the road to Pune, you’ll find yourself in the midst of the northern reaches of a spiny mountain range that stretches from Gujarat in the north to Kanyakumari, at the southern tip of India.

These are the Sahyadri Mountains, or Western Ghats, and they form

the breathtaking backdrop to the Hilton Shillim Estate Retreat and Spa. Nestled in the 3500-acre private Shillim Estate in the bucolic district of Maharashtra, the retreat feels blissfully serene and secluded – a verdant haven after the hubbub of the city.

Created with an emphasis on wellbeing and relaxation, the retreat’s watchwords are conserve, sustain and heal. Ninety-nine contemporary villas were built from local stone, designed to blend into the natural landscape. Inside, all have the same aesthetic: there’s no ostentation, just clean lines, neutral tones, space and privacy. No trees were cut during their construction; in fact, thousands of endemic trees and shrubs were planted, creating a lush paradise for over 120 species of birds. It feels wonderfully remote, like your own jungle hideaway. But with butler service just a phone call away.

The place is huge – look in any direction and as far as the eye can see is part of the estate. It’s flanked by mountains cloaked in evergreen forest, framed by rice fields and bamboo plantations and topped by the ruins of hilltop forts that date from the 7th century and the time of the great Maratha Emperor Shivaji. Exploring the region, we drove along winding,

unpaved roads through sleepy villages, witnessing a kaleidoscope of rural life. A crocodile of immaculately dressed schoolchildren giggled as we passed. Women in vivid red, orange and pink saris stood out against the emerald-green, post-monsoon landscape, walking along the road carrying anything and everything on their heads, from firewood to gourds of water and bushels of wheat. In the fields, wooden ploughs were still pulled by oxen.

Back on the retreat, there are electronic buggies to ferry you back and forth across its 320 acres, but it’s a paradise for walkers. Early

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one morning, we trekked up through steamy rainforest to Shillim Peak; at 920 metres it’s the estate’s highest point. Arriving on top of its grassy plateau, we found a breakfast feast laid out for us, which we devoured as we looked out on the show-stopping views over the valley and Lake Pavna.

And although the surroundings are beautiful, it’s the spa here that is the real draw. I began each day with a yoga class on an open-sided pavilion, surrounded by verdurous foliage and bird song. I sweated it out in the steam

room, infra-red sauna and hot tub before cooling off in the outsized swimming pool, and ended the day staring into the flickering flame of a candle in their contemporary take on a meditation cave. With over 150 treatments on offer, it’s also one of the most extensive spas in the world, and many can also be taken in the privacy of your own villa.

You can also learn to conjure up your own favourite Indian dish in a cookery class with the Executive Chef, who showed us the artistry and spices – bright red chilli powder, orange cayenne, golden turmeric – behind some traditional recipes.

Incredibly diverse, Indian cuisine is based on Ayurvedic principles and differs by climate and geographic

region. That evening, after a cucumber ginger martini at the Valley Bar, we opted to sample more of his delicious dishes at the Chef’s Table. You can dine anywhere on the estate and on a balmy evening, sitting by the lake under the stars, it’s really something special.

Mark Twain once said, ‘India (is) the most extraordinary country that the sun visits on his rounds.’ And the moon

Cox & Kings offer three nights at the Hilton Shillim Estate Retreat and Spa (hilton.com/shillim) from £1,295 per person, including flights from London to Mumbai, return private transfers and breakfast. 020 7873 5000; coxandkings.co.uk

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Sweet Pea C r e at i n g D r e a m s Fine Jewellery Handcrafted In Primrose Hill

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ABSOLUTELY PROMOTION

Based in Primrose Hill, the Sweet Pea boutique is a treasure trove brimming with exciting jewellery, featuring ranges from Sweet Pea’s own luxury collections alongside designs by the cream of London’s contemporary jewellers.

With an array of handmade 18ct gold engagement and wedding rings, necklaces and bracelets, the Sweet Pea shop offers a tempting selection for visitors looking for that very special, understated piece.

THE GEM HUNT

Sweet Pea founder Siobhan O’Neill, has been making jewellery since the early 1990s. Drawing on her unique sense of colour, and passion for all things vintage, she travels the world searching for those rare coloured precious stones, diamonds, sapphires and pearls which inspire her seasonal collections.

ALL PIECES ARE handmade on site IN THE SWEET PEA

workshop.

CREATING DREAMS

The Sweet Pea team offer a bespoke service, working closely with you to create a handcrafted unique piece: whether a couture engagement ring or a stunning new heirloom to treasure forever.

THE JEWELLE RY BOX

Siobhan hand-picks her favorite Jewellery collections to complement her range, all of which are exciting and creative additions.

Fine and fashion Jewellery provide a dynamic mix for the customer, whether it be a ‘statement’ aquamarine necklace by Brooke Gregson, a knot of 18ct gold with a sprinkle of the tiniest of diamonds by Kerry Huff, or an ‘of the moment’ fashion piece by Phoebe Coleman. Other designers featured in the store include Polly Wales, Jo Hayes Ward and Alex Monroe.

Siobhan’s vast experience and fashion flair makes her the ideal personal stylist to help you choose either your perfect finishing touch for any occasion, or a gift for someone special.

For further information or to book an appointment to discuss your ideas please contact us on 0207 449 9292 or email mail@sweetpeajewellery.com

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A stunning four double bedroom house perfectly blending original period character with a contemporary living style. The property is situated on a highly requested residential road between the parks.

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Junction Road, Archway, N19 £2,384 pcm Furnished Highgate 020 8342 7030 Email lhi@kfh.co.uk

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Rosemont Road, London, NW3 £4,312 pcm Furnished West Hampstead 020 7604 5150 Email lwh@kfh.co.uk

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5 Bedrooms | 2 Receptions | 3 Bathrooms | House Garden | Near Tube & Amenities | EPC - D Highgate 020 3302 2601 high@brlets.co.uk

Dubai | Hong Kong | India | Malaysia | Singapore

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Property

Round up

SAVILLS SPONSORS HAMPSTEAD AFFORDABLE ART FAIR

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KFH EXPANDS ITS LETTINGS REACH INTO HIGHGATE, N6

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he Affordable Art Fair will return to Hampstead Heath this year from 12-15 June and it promises to be an exciting line up with 113 galleries exhibiting a huge array of affordable contemporary art, with pieces by established names sitting alongside work by the emerging stars of tomorrow. With something to suit every budget, paintings, photographs, sculpture, and original prints will all be for sale between £40 and £4,000. The Fair is not just for adults, there also will be an ‘Education Space’ where children of all ages (and parents) can take part in drawing activities and artist-led workshops.

Savills is sponsoring the Late Night View on Thursday 12th June from 5.30pm – 9.30pm.

Frank Townsend, Director of Savills Hampstead comments: “We are very excited to be sponsoring The Affordable Art Fair, which started with a South West London warehouse and has now grown into an international phenomenon. The Fairs now take place all over the globe, in Amsterdam, Brussels, New York and Milan to name only a few. The vast green space of Hampstead Heath is the perfect backdrop for this family friendly event and we hope to see plenty of familiar faces.”

inleigh Folkard & Hayward, one of London’s largest independent estate agents with over 50 branches across the Capital, has expanded its already established Highgate sales branch to include a new lettings division.

James Thornett, Regional Lettings Director at Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward, comments: “The opening of this branch considerably strengthens our position in the North London lettings market and means that we are now even better placed to assist landlords and tenants in the area, with supporting offices in Muswell Hill, Crouch End and Finchley.

“Complementing our very successful sales team managed by Matthew Smith, our new lettings operation is headed up by George Sifonios, who has a large amount of experience and knowledge in Highgate and North London generally. George has worked in lettings for nearly ten years now, and joined Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward in 2012 as an Assistant Manager for the Muswell Hill Lettings branch.”

Located at 58 Highgate High Street, London, N6 5HX, the branch is situated in the heart of Highgate village, across the road from Pond Square. The area is characterised by traditional period properties, which are typically Georgian, Victoria and gothic in style. With the very popular Waterlow Park and Hampstead Heath nearby, the area is also hugely sought after among families and young professionals.

� 020 7472 5015; savills.com, affordableartfair.com/hampstead

� Sales: 020 8341 6666 / Lettings: 020 8342 7030 kfh.co.uk

WHITTLEBURY MEWS EAST, NW1

£1,500 Per Week

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n ultra contemporary town house situated within a gated mews moments from Primrose Hill Village.

This newly built house offers great living accommodation throughout as well as an abundance of natural light. Situated over three floors, the house comprises a large reception room with recessed kitchen area, access onto a private courtyard, three well proportioned double bedrooms, three bathrooms, study/reception area and a guest cloakroom.

Stones Residential � 020 7483 0685; stonesresidential.co.uk

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ABSOLUTELY Property PROPERTY OF THE MONTH

SOUTH HILL PARK NW3 OIEO

£2,900,000 Freehold

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liver’s Estate Agents in Hampstead are currently offering this amazing family house for sale. Glorious views over Hampstead Ponds evoke an almost rural ambiance, but the house is contemporary in style and was designed

by Howell & Amis architects in 1950’s. Its layout is flexible but overall could provide five bedrooms, two reception rooms, kitchen, and two bathrooms. What’s more there is a private garden plus a communal one with access to the Ponds, two balconies and off street parking. The house is located in the sought-after South Hill Park close to the pretty village centre serviced by the London over-ground from Hampstead Heath rail station.

Oliver’s , Hampstead

� 020 7431 1020; oliverstown.com

 THE LEXINGTON,

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suggests:

t’s that time of year again when the Chelsea Flower Show inspires the greenfingered god and goddess in all of us and thoughts turn wistfully to barbeques over long bank holiday weekends as temperatures start to soar. If you’re a garden lover and looking for a property with outside space, now is one of the optimum times to view.

But before you buy, make sure you check the orientation of the garden, pay attention to any potential problematic trees and check your boundary rights and responsibilities.

NW11 LAUNCHES THE MEWS

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s a result of the phenomenal sales success at its flagship development, The Lexington, London NW11, Affinity Sutton is delighted to announce that it is now launching The Mews Houses. The Mews is a boutique collection of just three houses, spacious and light and tucked away with their own private entrance overlooking

a landscaped garden. These exclusive two and three bedroom homes are peaceful and secluded but enjoy all the benefits of living at The Lexington including access to the gym, secure underground parking and an on-site hour concierge service provided by Harrods Estates Asset Management.

The two bedroom mews houses start from £1,175,000. To book an appointment, please contact The Lexington on 0845 60 60 765 or visit the website: thelexington-nw11.com

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FOR SALE www.prickettandellis.com

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6 NETWORKED LOCAL OFFICES

CENTRAL - 020 8444 8484 • 020 8883 9797 - MUSWELL HILL CROUCH END - 020 8340 8900 • 020 8340 7000 - HIGHGATE EAST FINCHLEY - 020 8883 0033 • 020 8444 2444 - LETTINGS

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Woodberry Crescent, Muswell Hill, N10

£1,395,000 Freehold. Sole Agents

Muswell Avenue, Muswell Hill, N10

£1,350,000 Freehold. Sole Agents

Having undergone extensive renovation is this truly outstanding four bedroom, three bathroom mid terraced three storey late Edwardian family home. This fine property is equipped to the highest level of specification which includes a stunning fitted kitchen/ diner/reception room that leads out to a delightful southerly facing garden. The house also retains many original period features.

Conveniently located in the heart of Muswell Hill Broadway with its vast array of shops, restaurants and excellent bus services to Highgate tube (Northern Line). Within catchment of Fortismere secondary and Coldfall primary schools.

Contact our Muswell Hill Office on 020 8444 1771

Tucked away in a quiet and closed gated section of a desirable road is this impressive five double bedroom, three bathroom, mid terraced Victorian residence which retains an abundance of original period features and high ceilings throughout. This fine home boasts a 32’ x 13’2 through reception room and a fantastic 26’9 x 9’10 kitchen/diner that leads out to a 60’ westerly facing garden.

Located within a short distance from Muswell Hill Broadway and its large selection of boutique shops and restaurants, excellent bus services to Highgate (Northern Line) and Bounds Green (Piccadilly Line) tube stations. Within favourable distance of Fortismere and Alexandra Park secondary schools. Being offered Chain Free.

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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Creighton Avenue, Ringwood Estate, N2

ÂŁ1,550,000 Freehold. Sole Agents

Tatlers are pleased to offer this well appointed double fronted semi detached family home located on Creighton Avenue, very near to Coldfall Woods. This four double bedroom house benefits from some fine features including en-suite bathroom to the master bedroom, off street parking to the front and fully wired garage providing further living area and a large loft which could be converted (subject to relevant consents). The property is presented with no on-going chain and an early viewing is highly recommended to avoid disappointment. The house is located within walking distance to Eden primary school and within favourable distance to Fortismere secondary school and within half a mile of the fantastic array of shops in the High Road and East Finchley tube station (Northern Line). Also within easy walking distance to Muswell Hill.

Contact our East Finchley Office on 020 8883 1001

Nightingale Lane, Crouch End N8

ÂŁ780,000 Freehold. Sole Agents

Originally a local corner shop! This deceptively spacious house has bags of personality with potential (subject to necessary permissions) to develop the loft space. Positioned at the end of a terrace the property benefits from side access both to the house and garden. Arranged over two floors with a central staircase the property features a large reception room, master bedroom with en-suite bathroom, two further double bedrooms and a delightful Shaker style kitchen/diner opening to garden. Located within favorable distance of Campsbourne School and between Alexandra and Priory Park, there are local shops close by on Priory Road and Crouch End Broadway is within walking distance. This property comes highly recommended.

Contact our Crouch End Office on 020 8341 4050

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ABSOLUTELY Property

Martyn Gerrard, fifty years of fulfilling dreams.

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n 1964, Beetlemania hit America, the first Notting Hill Carnival was held and the classic musical, Mary Poppins, was released. A little less well documented was the opening on Monday 25th May in Whetstone, North London of the first Martyn Gerrard office.

Fifty years on, Martyn Gerrard Estate Agents have gone from strength to strength and now have ten successful offices covering North and North West London, from High Barnet to Kentish Town and from Hendon to Crouch End. Martyn Gerrard Estate Agents is a family run business and has always been proud of its traditional values of professionalism and a personal, hands on and trusted service. Set up by Martyn, who remains as Chairman, the Company is run by his son Simon. This key year for the company also sees its Managing Director taking on a prestigious role in the leading industry body as Simon Gerrard will assume the role of President of the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) in June.

The first properties that Martyn Gerrard Estate Agents marketed in 1964 were an “ultra modern” apartment in Barnet for £3,250 and a three bedroom house in Whetstone for £4,650, their first sale was a three bedroom house in Barnet for £4,950. That same property would cost well in excess of £500,000 in today’s market. Times and the property market have certainly moved on, but one thing that has not changed is Martyn Gerrard’s approach of being at the cutting edge of technology. Martyn Gerrard were one of the first estate agents to use colour photographs for their advertising, and they are still renowned for using the latest innovations available, to create the best and most user friendly experience for their SIMON AND MARTYN GERRARD TOASTING THEIR SUCCESS

customers, picking up awards for innovation on the way. In fact, Martyn Gerrard are leading the way once again with their use of video and the introduction of MGTV. An interactive website designed to promote the properties being marketed with individual micro sites and personal micro sites for buyers and tenants.

The 50th anniversary was marked with a lavish party held in the Palm Court at Alexandra Palace. Over 350 invited guests including, the Mayor of Barnet and senior figures from the property world, current staff and many from the past 50 years attended. This including Martyn Gerrard’s first secretary who made a special trip from Cumbria to be there on the night. They enjoyed an evening which featured a surprise video rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody performed by the Directors and Staff, and culminated with a performance from The Voice

finalist Moni Tivony.

During the celebrations Martyn Gerrard commented “One of things that have most impressed me is the number of exemployees from the past 50 years who have come from far and wide, including my first secretary who has made the journey down from Cumbria. It is a delight to see so many old friends” Simon Gerrard said “I am proud to have been able to build on the strong foundations laid by my Farther. It is super that we have grown, embracing new unique marketing and innovations to become the name local people can trust and rely on when selling, buying, letting or renting their home”. � 020 8343 4340; martyngerrard.co.uk

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020 8348 5515

crouch.end@castles-estateagents.co.uk

www.castles-estateagents.co.uk

Rathcoole Gardens, N8

£999,999 FREEHOLD

***NEW INSTRUCTION*** A beautifully presented four-bedroom family home with an abundance of charm and character throughout. Ideally positioned equidistant between Crouch End Broadway and Hornsey British Rail station and within walking distance of both Weston Park and Rokesly Schools. Further comprising through-reception, kitchen/diner (onto private rear garden), family bathroom and en-suite.

Avenue Road, N6

£599,999 SHARE OF FREEHOLD

***NEW INSTRUCTION*** A well-proportioned and spacious two-bedroom, first floor conversion set within an imposing semi-detached residence on this much-desired Avenue equidistant between Crouch End Broadway and Highgate.

Further comprising kitchen/reception and four-piece bathroom suite and benefiting from communal landscaped rear garden. The property offers a perfect blend of contemporary and period features.

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THE GROVE CAFÉ ALEXANDRA PARK

IN THEIR OWN

WORDS VERONICA GRAY & LINDA LEITE Of Prickett & Ellis Muswell Hill Photography: Rebecca Noonan

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ecause we both cover Muswell Hill from our separate offices, and because we are working with many of the same buyers and sellers, as you may imagine, we do find it good to talk. The Grove Café in Alexandra Park is the ideal meeting place being just a pleasant half mile parkland walk for each of us – albeit from opposite directions.

We are both ‘Muswell Hillians’ having lived and breathed the rarefied air, raised our families and sent our children to local schools. In a way we are more than estate agents in the normal sense: we are the local experts on all things local, the first port of call for local advice with considerable experience and a data base of recommendations and local contacts at our finger tips.

Linda I manage the Arts & Crafts office at the foot of Muswell Hill, on the corner of Etheldene Avenue and Park Road from where I can see many of my friends and clients pass by. The success of our business is more about people than property. With all the media attention, statistics and press analysis most of us can be, or think we are, property experts. Finding the right property is one thing - actually making a move work is where the skill and

patience is needed. This is where I feel needed and appreciated most – it can be an emotionally stressful process and most people need to get on with their own lives as well. It may not be fashionable to extol the virtues of the estate agent, but if my clients weren’t doing just that I wouldn’t be here getting the recommendations I do.

Veronica I like being in the Art Deco Alexandra Park Road office. I feel a sense of responsibility and ownership for ‘our’ patch and clients - the parking makes it easier for people to drop in, which they do. I have worked in a Broadway office – one of ten, which can make it difficult to offer a genuine service in such a competitive environment. Here I can be myself and thanks to our inter-office network I can access the whole market from my laptop. And anyway all our properties are available from all our offices and one on the Broadway - no one else can offer their clients that coverage! Because I am able to sell properties in neighbouring East Finchley, Crouch End and Highgate there is greater job satisfaction – and provides the excuse to share coffee breaks with other colleagues.

020 8883 9797; prickettandellis.com

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ABSOLUTELY Property

Through the KEYHOLE...

Darwin Court, Gloucester Avenue, NW1£1,150,000

Showcase

Hamish Gilfeather

Manager of John D Wood & Co., Primrose Hill � 020 7586 9060; johndwood.co.uk

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his three bedroom apartment has been comprehensively refurbished to provide a contemporary family living space. Stylish finishes include a Futronix lighting system, Ted Todd solid limed oak flooring and Jacarenda carpets. Located on Gloucester Avenue, the apartment is perfectly located for the eclectic Camden Town and the beautiful Primrose Hill.

Reception The spacious and sophisticated reception room has quadruple casement windows overlooking the communal gardens, with plenty of space for entertaining.

Kitchen Semi open plan to the dining area and reception room, this stylish kitchen boasts Corian work surfaces and Miele microwave and oven.

Communal garden Residents also benefit from use of the lovely communal garden, an ideal outdoor space for both children and adults.

Situated on the leafy Abbey Road is this newly refurbished two bedroom apartment, ideally located for the amenities of St John’s Wood and the Tube station.

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stunning open plan reception and dining space with dark wood flooring is finished to a high standard with a separate fully fitted kitchen equipped with integrated appliances.

Both spacious bedrooms have generous built in wardrobes with access to two modern bathrooms with floor to ceiling granite surfaces.

Catering for the conveniences of modern day life this property also has electric underfloor heating to the bathrooms and kitchen.

Details

Abbey Road, NW8

£975 Per Week Contact

Benham & Reeves Residential Lettings, Hampstead, 020 7435 9681; brlets.co.uk

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The e f i L l u f i t u a e B at King’s Cross

er No. 8 the Gashold g through to for in es ld ic ui B Pr . ll nd the Plimso ndon beyo A view from anal and Lo C t’s en eg , the R ,650,000. urban park start from £1 oom homes three-bedr

homes d e ta il e d ly te la u c a o n o f im m u rp ri s e A co ll e c ti u re a n d s s a le p f fu ll o tacular with spec ts n e m rt a ital; room ap nd the cap three-bed t’s Canal a Exquisite n e g ped e a R sc e ss th d a land views acro nies aroun o lc ation; a c b ifi d c n ces a gent spe lli te in with terra d n red a gym ; a conside e, private courtyard g concierg in rm ftop a o h c ro a usual alongside and an un s, m o . ro n ’ a ts m n sing Betje and reside ry for brow conservato

PLIMSOLLKINGSCROSS.CO.UK ENQUIRIES@LIVINGATKINGSCROSS.CO.UK OR CALL 020 3691 3969

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10:53 12/06/2014 13:37

ABSOLUTELY Property

Ask

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

1. Oliver McHugh

ANDREW FLINT � 020 7354 3000 / colmancoyle.com

From Colman Coyle gives his expert advice on all your legal property questions

Managing Director of Oliver’s Estate Agents � 020 7284 1222; oliverstown.com

2. Nigel Ellis

Director of Prickett & Ellis � 020 8883 9797; prickettandellis.com

1. How is the rental market demographic changing in North London?

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verall North London has been exposed to the global property market and it shares the same central London trends. Unless paid well above the national average wage people don’t move to Hampstead or Primrose Hill, either to buy or to rent. By selling new developments to investors the rents have inevitably gone up and have been taken either by well-paid City professionals or temporary residents from abroad. French families have moved to Kentish Town and Primrose Hill to be close to the French School (CFBL) in NW5, and it’s the lack of large dwellings in Camden (15% houses) that limits this trend. Most Camden dwellings (85%) are still flats suitable to couples or single occupancy. Camden or specifically, Kentish Town has been a particularly popular location for the development of student housing. The borough is home to the largest student population in London. It may seem tempting for many small business owners, creatives, public sector workers and middle-class professionals who make the social fabric of the area to sell to investors and move away. However, such a unique and desirable part of London is likely to entice its residents to stay.

2. Do I have to pay Capital Gains Tax when selling my house?

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here is no capital gains tax payable on the profit from the sale of your own home. But beware, there are exceptions. HMRC actually call this Private Residence Relief and defi ne a Private Residence as a property that has been your only home, or main residence and one used as such but for nothing else. Nevertheless even if you didn’t live in your home for all the time you owned it you may still be entitled to full relief. For example you may have carried out building works and not moved in immediately, or if you do move in but still own your previous home that has a problem selling you could get relief on both, or you may have had to work far away or overseas.

There are time limits applicable however so for peace of mind seek professional advice - particularly if you didn’t live in your home for a period before the sale completed and you apply for ‘fi nal period relief’.

The Chancellor announced last year that from 2014 to 2015 this period will be reduced from three years to eighteen months.

Q

I am looking to buy a flat and I would like to know if I should anticipate any problems if I take my two cats with me.

Th is will very much depend on the terms of your lease. The vast majority of leases will contain a list of regulations and often these regulations will include a regulation that concerns pets. Occasionally, I have seen leases that have been very prohibitive and have said that no pets can be kept at the property whatsoever. However, this is unusual and it is more common to see either a regulation that requires the freeholder’s consent for pets to be kept at the property or a more generally worded provision that states that pets are allowed but if they become a nuisance, the freeholder has the discretion to ask the lessee to remove them. Even in the absence of a specific regulation, most leases will contain a covenant that states that lessees cannot do anything in a premises likely to cause nuisance or annoyance to either the freeholder or other lessees in the building. Therefore, if somebody has a dog, for example, that is constantly barking at all hours of the day, the lessees could ask the freeholder to take enforcement action against the offending lessee. My advice is that you let your solicitor know at an early stage that you do have pets and that you want to make sure that there won’t be a problem in keeping them at the flat. The lease can then be checked and if necessary, the consent applied for. However, you should note that consent is usually given on the basis that it can be revoked if the pets cause a nuisance.

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Ask the experts 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

N10

Average asking price £956,837 Average asking rents £1,625 pcm Average property value £722,948

Data provided by

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Estate Agents Since 1988

Sales Lettings Property Management

Hampstead, NW3

Freehold | OIEO £2,900,000 | Sole Agent Hampstead Sales: 020 7431 1020 Hampstead@oliverstown.com Glorious views over Hampstead Ponds evoke an almost rural ambiance to this contemporary house in sought-after South Hill Park. Its layout is flexible but overall could provide 5 bedrooms, 2 reception rooms, kitchen, and 2 bathrooms. What’s more there is a private garden plus a communal one with access to the Ponds, 2 balconies and off street parking. EPC: F

Kentish Town, NW5

Freehold | OIEO £1,300,000 I Sole Agent

Kentish Town Sales: 020 7284 1222 kentishtown@oliverstown.com A thoughtfully redecorated and hugely extended five bedroom semi-detached family home with patio garden and off street parking in the upand-coming area surrounding Lady Margaret Road. Set over two floors the house has a spacious through reception, second reception/ playroom, dining area opening onto the kitchen, five bedrooms, a family bathroom and a cloakroom.Approx. 1623 Sq. Ft. /151 sq.m EPC: D

Regent’s Park, NW1

Leasehold I OIEO £1,050,000 I Sole Agent Primrose Hill Sales: 020 7722 5054 primrosehill@oliverstown.com This super maisonette, arranged over the lower & raised ground floors of a midterraced period property in the Bartholomew Estate Conservation Area, comprises 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, cloakroom and a reception opening to a kitchen/dining area.

To the rear of the property are a pretty patio garden and an outside patio room. A lovely property with loads of character and period features. EPC: D

info@oliverstown.com | oliverstown.com Hampstead, 5 Pond St, NW3 2PN, +44(0)20 7431 1020 | Primose Hill, 47a Chalcot Rd, NW1 8LS, +44(0)20 7722 5054 |Kentish Town, 189 Kentish Town Rd, NW5 2JU, +44(0)20 7284 1222

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Offices throughout London

Greville Mews, NW6

Asking Price - £1,200,000

Situated on a peaceful mews street in a vibrant area, this five bedroomed, four bathroom detached house is arranged over three floors offers fantastic contemporary interiors and private garden to the rear. Locted moments from the vibrant Kilburn High Street and its fantastic transport links. EPC = C

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

Darwin Court, Gloucester Avenue, NW1

£999,950

A bright and spacious two bedroom modern apartment on first floor of the renowned Darwin Court. The block is a well-managed private block quietly and conveniently located within moments of Primrose Hill and Regents Park. This apartment has an added bonus of a private garage.

EPC TBC

Camden Office 020 7482 8920Camden@edmundcude.com Acton  Balham  Bloomsbury  Battersea  Camden  Clapham  Dulwich  Fulham  Hammersmith  Islington  West Hampstead

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Regents Canalside, Camden Road, NW1

£1,050,000 Leasehold

A spectacular two double bedroom apartment located in the heart of Camden Town and overlooking the peaceful Regent Canal. This larger than average property features two bedrooms, master with en-suite bathroom, separate family bathroom, large open plan kitchen living area and a balcony over the canal. As an added bonus there is a communal roof terrace garden and court yard. The apartment is perfectly located for the vast array of shops, bars, and restaurants. EPC TBC Camden Office 020 7482 8920Camden@edmundcude.com

Camden High Street, NW1

Price Range of £525,000 - £950,000

A rare opportunity to acquire one of the six apartments which have a contemporary one or two double bedroom apartments set on the third floor of this newly refurbished block ideally located opposite Camden Town tube station. These stylish properties all features high ceilings, modern shower room and kitchen. Ideally situated in the heart of Camden Town next to great transport links and local amenities. These property is offered on a chain free basis with a lease in excess of 200 years. There is also an option to purchase all six. Please call 020 7482 8920 to enquire. EPC = C Camden Office 020 7482 8920Camden@edmundcude.com Acton  Balham  Bloomsbury  Battersea  Camden  Clapham  Dulwich  Fulham  Hammersmith  Islington  West Hampstead

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www.martyngerrard.co.uk

FORTISMERE AVENUE, N10 £1,725,000 FREEHOLD

A four bedroom Edwardian home located in the Muswell Hill Conservation area.

• 4 Bedrooms • 2 Reception

THE OWNERS LOVE...

• Loft room with planning to convert

“Being in the heart of Muswell Hill, a short walk from all the areas amenities” “The abundance of Arts & Crafts period features throughout the house” “The beautiful, mature, secluded rear garden which is not overlooked at the back”

• Kitchen diner

WE’VE NOTICED...

The house sits between Fortismere Secondary and Tetherdown Primary schools.

East Finchley and Highgate underground stations are easily accessible as well as a number of local bus routes.

• Entrance hall • Bathroom, shower room and separate WC • Utility room • Eaves storage space and cellar • EPC Rating: F

Muswell Hill office • T: 020 8444 3388 • E: N10@martyngerrard.co.uk • 300/302 Muswell Hill Broadway, Muswell Hill, London, N10 2QR

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www.martyngerrard.co.uk

RINGWOOD AVENUE, N2 £1,899,950 FREEHOLD

A five bedroom family home on the Ringwood Estate.

• 5 Bedrooms

THE OWNERS LOVE...

• 3 Bathrooms

“The garden with three patios - it’s more like an extension of nature than a domestic setting - (it used to be part of Coldfall Woods in the 30’s)” “The kitchen - so much so, we only seem to live in that one room. It’s also been featured in a global TV commercial for children’s charity; Plan International” “The setting - it’s quiet, you wouldn’t believe you’re in London, and the neighbours are great too”

• 4 WC’s

• 2 Reception rooms

• Fitted kitchen • Office room • Large driveway • Private garden

WE’VE NOTICED...

The amazing views from the back bedrooms.

The property has a large patio area & loft which could be converted STPP.

• EPC Rating: E

East Finchley office • T: 020 8883 0077 • E: N2@martyngerrard.co.uk • 66/68 High Road, East Finchley, London, N2 9PN

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