Absolutely Berkshire October 2021

BERKSHIRE

Berkshire OCTOBER 2021 / £3.95

PLUS ANNA PASTERNAK

Righting the wrongs of history •

SPECIAL 38 pages of inspiration and advice

AT THE RACES OCTOBER 2021

Meet Berkshire's horse riding power couple •

TIME TO BLOSSOM

Introducing the new head chef at The Hand and Flowers

It’s a

ABSOLUTELY-BUCKINGHAMSHIRE.CO.UK

WRAP

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The hot new looks to keep the cold at bay this autumn

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01494 677727

Call us now for a no obligation consultation

Affordable, luxury, quality & style...

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Traditional shaker styles designed for modern living

www.kbstudios.co.uk 43-45 Mayflower Way, Beaconsfields, Bucks HP9 1UG KBS.indd 2

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Some furniture is made for the here and now. Some is built to stand the test of time.

At Neptune, we believe that the best can do both.

Good design never grows old.

Neptune Reading, 0118 932 6060 Neptune Chesham, 01494 398472 neptune.com/victoriasdiningroom

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ABSOLUTELY

Contents OCTOBER 2021

46

70 C U LT U R E 10 ABSOLUTELY LOVES

FA S H I O N & B E A U T Y 44 TRENDS

16 ANNA PASTERNAK

46 THE SHOOT

20 BERKS POWER COUPLE

59 CORE STRENGTH

FOOD & DRINK 30 KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL

HOME SPECIAL 69 INTERIORS NOTES

32 TOM DE KEYSER

70 RIBA AWARDS

36 RECIPES

78 KIT KEMP

Why we are feeling green with envy

Prepare for the new season

On historic heroines who deserve recognition

The latest from Fabric in Old Amersham

Meet Tom Marquand and Hollie Doyle

News from the industry

The new head chef at The Hand and Flowers

The latest dishes to rustle up at home

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Tips on how to build muscle

The latest from around the industry

Four stand out local projects

Design advice from the best

A B S O L U T E LYB U C K I N G H A M S H I R E .C O. U K The online guide to inspirational living that helps you stay one step ahead of the crowd and gives you the chance to win exclusive prizes.

O N T H E C OV E R POM Amsterdam's AW21 collection – find it at Fabric, a new boutique for Old Amersham (fabricfashionstore.co.uk)

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Are you full of ideas for transforming your home but not sure where to start?

EDITOR MARK KEBBLE DIGITAL EDITOR LAYLA TURNER EDITORIAL ASSISTANT ELLIE-MAE HAMMOND ART DIRECTOR PAWEL KUBA SENIOR DESIGNERS MIKE ROBERTS SAMANTHA SCOTT

The Essential Home Design Guide will help you enjoy the process of designing your own home step-by-step.

MID-WEIGHT DESIGNER REBECCA NOONAN MAGAZINE MANAGER ABIGAIL GARDNER MEDIA CONSULTANTS STELLA ADAMS ANABELA KOLECI, LOUISE PEARSON

Through a combination of printed guides and online resources, you’ll learn: • The essential preparation and thinking that goes into a design project.

• Expert tips for making the most of your space.

• Professional advice on choosing a colour scheme, adding textures and using patterns.

• There is also advice on making it happen: smarter budgeting, ordering and how to work with the trades.

FINANCIAL DIRECTOR JERRIE KOLECI CREDIT CONTROL MANAGER ALEXANDRA HVID DIRECTORS CRAIG DAVIES, LEAH DAY, JAMES FUSCHILLO NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ALEXANDRA HUNTER MANAGING DIRECTOR SHERIF SHALTOUT

You’ll also get a designer’s toolkit delivered to your door and benefit from 1-2-1 support from Samantha as your project progresses.

ONLY

£

95 For editorial enquiries please email: mark@zest-media.com For advertising enquiries please call 07977 195732 or email: abi@zest-media.com

Studio G06, Wenlock Studios, 50-52 Wharf Road, London N1 7EU; 020 7704 0588 Zest Media Publications Ltd. cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited submissions, manuscripts and photographs. While every care is taken, prices and details are subject to change and Zest Media Publications Ltd. take no responsibility for omissions or errors.

We reserve the right to publish and edit any letters.

All rights reserved.

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For more details check out our Brand Guidelines.

Fo l l ow Us O n Fa c e b o o k @ABSOLUTELYBUCKINGHAMSHIRE T wi t t e r @ABSOLUTELYBUCKS In s t a g ra m @ABSOLUTELYBUCKINGHAMSHIRE We b si t e

For more information visit samanthajohnsondesign.com/ essential-home-design-guide

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Editor’s

LETTER

W

Anna Pasternak

Season Change The new looks for AW21

hat are your views on relationships within a company?

It's tricky one and often not looked upon fondly by HR. I understand why: I remember years back working on a special project for an important client when the two lead commercial heads, who were dating at the time, had a spectacular fallout that almost brought the project down. Never have I worked so hard at being a relationship counsellor.

Of course, it's not always office romances. This month, we feature horse racing's golden couple, Tom Marquand and Hollie Doyle, who announced their engagement at the start of the year to show a competitive streak doesn't have to mean clashing heads. We are also doing a double special this month: we have nearly 40 pages of inspiration inside our home special, plus our Mama supplement looks at a key issue facing our children's futures.

And office romances? They can work: I met my wife working on a magazine in London 17 years ago and we are as strong as ever.

I hope you enjoy the issue.

ABSOLUTELY’S October issue highlights

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Mark Kebble

Why she is determined to right some of history's wrongs

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MARK KEBBLE EDITOR

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Sitting Pretty Embrace all things blue in the home

Racing's Power Couple Meet Tom Marquand and Hollie Doyle

Home Special

Nigh on 40 pages of design tips and inspiration

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Wish LIST 10 things we Absolutely love COMPILED BY

PENDLE HARTE

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SLIPPER S AG E There's no need to sacrifice style over comfort with Daphne, Olivia Morris' signature House Slipper, in sumptuous lime green cotton velvet trimmed with an oversized bow and grosgrain binding. £245 oliviamorrisathome.com

POP ART Nude's Rock and Pop artist collection comprises four Mirage highball glasses with striking painted motifs. £37 for four. nudeglass.com

JEAN GREENIE T WO TO N E Designed by Clara von Zweigbergk for Hay, this wooden chess set in green and black makes a colourful change from the standard monochrome. £39 royaldesign.co.uk

The Anine Bing Ramona Bowie sweatshirt is crafted from 100% organic cotton and features a David Bowie print at the front and Bowie text at the back. Expect lasting comfort as well as a distinct look. £149 farfetch.com

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ABSOLUTELY • LOVES

PRETTY GREEN Scream Pretty's affordable pieces are made in recycled sterling silver and include a new range of lime green opal pieces, including these cute huggies, £45. screampretty.com

GREEN C R AY O N Chinti & Parker has teamed up with Crayola to present a collection that is at once nostalgic and luxurious. It's a rainbow-bright line-up of sweaters, tracksuits, and tees crafted from wool, cashmere, and cotton. chintiandparker.com

LIME LIGHT Original BTC's classic Hector wall light in translucent bone china comes in a cool light green shade in various sizes. From £155 originalbtc.com

PA P I E R V E R T Papier's beautiful stationery comes in a huge variety of colours and patterns. We love the Love in Bloom diaries and planners, from £19.99 papier.com

B OT T L E GREEN A new limited edition fluted bottle of the popular English Pear and Freesia fragrance is Jo Malone London's newest launch.

Fresh and fruity indeed. £120 jomalone.co.uk

EMERALD CITY Aubade's Toi Mon Amour nightie has a chic, glamorous look with its 16mm silk and matching jacquard lace motifs. Elegant, graceful and remarkably comfortable, it is available in a new Émeraude shade. ameliesfollies.co.uk

EDITOR’S PICK

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C U LT U R E

EXUBERANT WILDLIFE JOS HAIGH

Inspired by her childhood colours of Africa, Jos Haigh – who lives in Amersham – swapped a career in science for the love of art. An avid supporter of wildlife conservation, she is passionate about the wonderful wildlife in this world. Painting in vivid saturated colours that accentuate the particular character of an animal, she enjoys the fluidity and merging of colour that can be achieved with watercolours. Read more about her work over the page. joshaigh.com • @joshaigh

ABSOLUTE ATTICUS BY JOS HAIGH

Agenda 14 • Anna Pasternak 16 • Tom Marquand & Hollie Doyle 20 A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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The Agenda

O CTO B E R ' S H OT T E ST H A P P E N I N G S

EV E N T

Halloween at Daniel of Windsor 31 October DANIEL OF WINDSOR Daniel of Windsor will be hosting a spook-tacular Halloween Fancy Dress Competition in their Toy Department.

Every competition entrant will receive a complimentary prize and a Halloweenthemed face painting service will also be offered in-store on Halloween itself. danielstores.co.uk

A RT

Jos Haigh 1 2 -14 NOV E MBE R , W I NDS O R CO NTE MPORARY ART FAIR

As a regular exhibitor at this Fair, you will probably be familiar with the explosion of colours in Jos Haigh’s dazzling paintings. She takes great care in naming the paintings: Blissful Beaux - a pair of serene giraffes; Stylish Eilish (above) – a colourful zebra; Absolute Atticus – yes, you’ve guessed it, a self-assured rhino. Email joshaigh@yahoo. co.uk for a pair of free complimentary tickets to the ever-popular Fair. contemporaryartfairs.co.uk/windsor

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EV E N T

The Gruesome Gardens 25-28 October ASHRIDGE HOUSE Ashridge House presents The Gruesome Gardens this Halloween. Enter through the Haunted Castle and make your way through to the Gruesome Gardens where your trail begins. Will you be able to locate the pirates' treasure chest and make it out of the gardens unscathed to collect your Halloween treat? ashridgehouse.org.uk/thegruesome-gardens/

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CULTURE • WHAT'S ON

MU S I C

The Story of Soul 9 October CORN EXHANGE Get ready as the Corn Exchange in Newbury takes you on a journey of sweet soul music. Join The Love Train, as they give you the best of their love and show you There Ain’t Nobody Who Does It Better.

Celebrate some of the biggest hits of a generation including songs by Aretha Franklin, Earth Wind And Fire, James Brown, Wilson Pickett, Chaka Khan, Tina Turner and more. cornexchangenew.com

T R E AT DAY Where to enjoy Chocolate Week from 14-18 October

GORVETT & STONE This Henley-on-Thames shop is a real firm favourite. All their recipes and products are made using a French chocolate. World renowned for its luxurious quality and high cocoa content, their supplier also trades ethically and builds long term relationships with its producers. Their recipes are also created entirely from scratch. gorvettandstone.com

EV E N T

WEAR IT PINK

This Month’s Must See

22 October The coronavirus pandemic has had a huge impact on Breast Cancer Now’s ability to deliver the progress and support that people affected by breast cancer rely on them for.

People can help to raise money by taking part in their Wear It Pink day this Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

On Friday 22 October, all you need to do is wear pink, raise money, and you can help make life-saving breast cancer research and life-changing care happen. wearitpink.org

SOPHIE'S CHOCOLATES Sophie Webb, owner of Sophie's Chocolates and Cakes in Chesham, started her training by working for top Swiss chocolatiers, Lessiters, and high class patisserie chefs.

She then went on to establish her own business in 1988 creating beautiful wedding cakes and delicious handmade chocolates. sophies-chocolates.com

WA I T R E S S

T

4- 9 OCTOBER • MK THEATRE

reat yourself to a slice of five-star musical pie (The Times) as Lucie Jones stars in the hit musical comedy Waitress. Meet Jenna, a waitress and expert pie-maker who dreams of some happiness in her life. When a hot new doctor arrives in town, life gets complicated.

Jenna overcomes the challenges she faces and finds that laughter, love and friendship can provide the perfect recipe for happiness. atgtickets.com

RUMSEY'S HANDMADE CHOCOLATES

At Rumsey's they believe that handmade chocolate is something special and want to help people experience it, not just eat it. All their chocolates are made by hand in small batches from their chocolateries in the Chilterns. You can see this for yourself when you visit, or even better take part in a chocolate making workshop. rumseys.co.uk

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PIPPA HART

“I am so proud of the last two books I have written.

I feel worthy of being a writer called Pasternak”

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CULTURE • INTERVIEW

Correcting the

HISTORY BOOKS Berkshire local Anna Pasternak, a best-selling author and journalist, is making it her mission to rehabilitate the names of women of the past

By ELLIE-MAE HAMMOND

PIPPA HART

W

riter, member of the famous Pasternak family, regular contributor to national newspapers, and the New York Times best-selling author of Princess in Love and Lara, Anna Pasternak is using her journalistic skills to recover and rehabilitate the tarnished reputations of some of history’s most iconic women, and unveil the truth behind these quintessential faces.

“I am known as a historian and royal biographer, due to the publication of my last two books – Lara: The Untold Love Story That Inspired Doctor Zhivago and The American Duchess: The Real Wallis Simpson,” Pasternak says. “At 26, I wrote the book, Princess in Love, about Princess Diana’s affair with Major James Hewitt. I met Hewitt socially and he asked me to tell the truth of his relationship with Princess Diana in 1984. This was controversial at the time, but Hewitt would never have

spoken out without Diana’s blessing.”

After leaving Oxford University, Pasternak’s publishing career started when she went to work for Quartet Books, a small publishing company in the heart of London, run by the flamboyant figure that is Naim Attallah. “It was gloriously politically incorrect,” she laughs. “We were paid a pittance, but Attallah threw amazing book launches, where all the stars of the media, government, social and literary worlds were present. He wanted us to make contacts to go on and forge interesting careers.

From there, I went to work for Londoner's Diary on the Evening Standard newspaper and then I moved into feature writing.”

Pasternak’s family has quite the story to tell. Fascinated with each individual’s career path, it’s of no surprise to me how her career has been influenced by her family’s history.

“My background has been a huge source of influence in my career. Being the great niece of Boris Pasternak and having the surname Pasternak definitely opened doors when I wanted to get into journalism in my

early 20s, but no surname helps sustain you when you are writing a live page to a tight deadline! In certain ways my surname was a hindrance when I wanted to write more serious books, as understandably, I always felt inferior to Boris who won the Nobel Prize for literature. It has been quite difficult to prove myself as a writer in my own merit, standing in the shadow of such a towering literary great, but now that I am in my 50s, and I am so proud of the last two books that I have written, I feel worthy of being a writer called Pasternak.”

Pasternak’s ambition to rehabilitate the tales of different women throughout history is refreshingly personal. Her second book, The Untold Love Story That Inspired Doctor Zhivago, is an attempt to unmask the history of matters close to home for the Pasternaks. “In my early 20s, I wrote an article for The Spectator magazine on who was the real Lara (the Julie Christie character) in Doctor Zhivago. I went to interview my grandmother, Josephine, who was Boris Pasternak’s sister. (She married a A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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CULTURE • INTERVIEW

A SOURCE FOR STORIES

Pasternak cousin, which is why the surname continued down the female line.) My grandmother was so vociferously opposed to Boris Pasternak’s mistress and muse, Olga Ivinskaya, that I thought something was not right. I spent the next 20 years researching and then writing my book on the real Lara.

“I was the first writer, and member of the Pasternak family, to proclaim Olga as the true heroine,” she continues, “because if it was not for her, not only would Zhivago never have been completed, it would never have been published. My family and historians had played down her role, as they didn’t want to honour Boris’s mistress, but she was critical to his literary and romantic life and deserved to be recognised for that.”

It was after this where Pasternak found her niche. “I was extremely nervous about my book, Lara, being published, fearful that the critics would tear me apart if I got one aspect of the Russian Revolution wrong! To my astonishment the book was critically acclaimed. The critics said that I had rehabilitated a woman whom history had mistreated and I decided then that I would spend the rest of my life doing just that.”

After uncovering the truth about Lara, AT THE BOOK LAUNCH FOR LARA

Pasternak moved onto her next truth reveal. “After Lara, I was waiting for my next woman to rehabilitate. It was while watching The Crown, and the abdication scene – which was completely factually incorrect – that I thought Wallis Simpson needs rehabilitating. When I began my research, I had no idea how much I was going to adore the Duchess of Windsor. I infiltrated the Windsor’s circle of friends still alive and everyone who knew Wallis loved her, but had reservations about the Duke of Windsor – while the world loved the Duke, but hated Wallis. The deeper I got into the story, the more my rage mounted that so much hateful rubbish had become hardened into fact about Wallis. This was a woman systematically abused by powerful men who did not want Edward VII on the throne and used Wallis as the scapegoat to get rid of him. I discovered a warm, loyal, kind, intelligent and fun woman who became the most hated woman in the world.

She had incredible integrity and dignity and that deserves to be recognised.”

As a female journalist myself, what

“My rage mounted that so much hateful rubbish has become hardened into fact”

intrigues me the most about Pasternak’s process is deciding which female figure to uncover the history of next. “It sounds odd, but I deliberately do not seek them out, I let them come to me,” she says. “I wait until I get a strong instinct about a woman, who will come unexpectedly into my orbit. Sometimes I have false starts.

Last year, I got a book deal to write about a member of the royal family and, on further research, decided I did not like her enough to want to spend two years with her and to champion her, so I gave the advance back.

“What I discovered researching Lara and The American Duchess is that so many historians are men, and they write biographies that seek to please whomever they need access to. In the case of Lara, writers wanted access to Boris’s son, who would not recognise Olga. So, they wrote her out of the story. Equally, with Wallis, the Establishment and royal family set the narrative that Wallis was a scheming adventuress, so if biographers wanted access to the Royal Archives or royal sources, it behoved them to follow that line. Women throughout history have often been overlooked because of this and also, if they were strong or dominant, or emotional, they were discredited. We need to know the truth about the complexities of certain women and need to revisit them in the context of whatever period of history they lived through. It gives me such happiness to have begun to change the narrative about Wallis Simpson.”

After a wait of nearly three years, Pasternak has found her next woman to rehabilitate. The identity cannot be revealed yet, but she is royal and has many of the traits both Wallis Simpson and Princess Diana shared. I for one cannot wait to see how Pasternak does this female figure justice. annapasternak.co.uk A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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THEY WON FOUR OF SIX RACES AT LAST YEAR'S QIPCO CHAMPIONS DAY

Get to know…

TOM MARQUAND and HOLLIE DOYLE B R I T I S H R AC I N G ’ S P OW E R C O U P L E

Q It appears 2020 was quite a year for you both. How do you look back on it?

A Hollie: It was a bit of a whirlwind for me. Getting my first Royal Ascot winner was amazing and then riding a double on QIPCO British Champions Day, including my first Group 1 on Glen Shiel, was a really special day. I couldn’t believe it when I was nominated for Sports Personality of the Year and coming third against some of the other athletes was unreal.

Tom: Obviously Hollie getting nominated for Sports Personality of the Year in 2020 was crazy and I was so proud of her. I got my first Classic winner in the St Leger and my first Group 1 winner in Australia (with Addeybb).

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That was such a great experience being out there, particularly while there was no racing in the UK, it felt like everyone around the world was watching.

Q How does it feel to be referred to as racing’s ‘power couple’?

A Tom: I didn’t know we were!

Hollie: We’re probably the only couple that regularly ride against each other in the weighing room, so I’m not sure there’s much competition for that title! We definitely encourage each other and spur each other on, as well as celebrate the wins together.

There isn’t really any added pressure though, because ultimately as jockeys we’re riding our own individual races.

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CULTURE • PROFILE

THE WOODSPEEN IS A LOCAL FAVOURITE

Q Congratulations on your engagement announcement at the start of the year. How do you maintain a healthy relationship given your busy schedules?

A Hollie: The life of a jockey is not your usual 9am to 5pm, it is a lifestyle, but I don’t even think of it as going to work every day, even though some days can be incredibly long.

Tom: We’ve been together such a long time and we know each other so well, it’s pretty easy in that regard.

We’re very rarely at home together for long periods, but we always get away for a few weeks in the winter!

Q Engagement news aside, how has 2021 been for you both so far?

A Hollie: Despite the pandemic it’s been a great year so far. We’re lucky that as elite athletes we’ve been able to race all year and travel abroad when we needed to. And in some of those tougher times we’ve kept our heads down and focused on the riding. Riding Trueshan to win the Group 1 Goodwood Cup in front of some of the first crowds back was special.

HOLLIE ENJOYS MORE SUCCESS

“We travel so much for work, it's great to ride at Ascot and get home in time for dinner” Tom: I’ve had another great year with lots of amazing rides, from another Group 1 win with Addeybb in Australia, to winning the July Cup with Starman here in the UK. It’s great to consistently be getting on some of the very best horses.

Q Are you looking forward to competing at QIPCO British Champions Day in October?

A Tom: QIPCO British Champions Day was such a great meeting for us last year [they took four of the six races between them in 2020] so that might take some beating!

There’s always a great atmosphere at Ascot for Champions Day and it’ll be great to have crowds back at the event this year.

THE QIPCO CHAMPIONS DAY IS ONE FOR ALL HORSE RIDING ENTHUSIASTS

THE PICTURESQUE LAMBOURN

Q Will it be nice to be closer to home?

A Hollie: We have lived near Lambourn

in Berkshire for the last two years. We travel so much for work, it’s great to ride at Ascot and get home in time for dinner! It’s such a special track to ride at, especially with a big crowd in and we’re really well looked after there. It’s nice to both be in the same place at once too – we can be like ships in the night some weeks.

THEY ENJOY THE LOCAL SIGHTS ON BIKE RIDES

Q When you are travelling the world, what do you miss the most about home?

Hollie: When you get back from being away there is nothing better than getting back into my own bed!

Q Can you both pick out a couple of local haunts you love, which can be outdoor spots, landmarks, restaurants etc etc?

A Tom: Our favourite place to go to is The Woodspeen near Newbury. It is a Michelin star restaurant very close to our house and we love going there. We also enjoy cycling when we have the time.

The QIPCO British Champions Day takes place at Ascot on 16 October – see more at britishchampionsseries.com/qipco-britishchampions-day

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CULTURE • DESIGN

Decorex 2021

Five reasons why you can’t miss the acclaimed design show Words E V E H E R B E R T

A The design elite will be in attendance and you can meet them

fter some 43 years of connecting the industry, Decorex has become a firm favourite amongst design lovers across the globe. As Europe’s leading high-end design event, their annual show attracts the most influential industry names each year – and 2021’s edition will be no different.

The event organisers are gearing up for a grand celebration at Olympia London from 10-13 October, which will be shortly followed by Decorex Virtual from 16-18 November. After nearly two years without events or trade exhibitions, this is your long-awaited opportunity to get that vital boost of creativity, source new products and connect with your peers.

Still not convinced? We’ve whittled down five reasons why you simply can’t miss this year’s edition.

Sharing their wisdom on important topics, hear from the sharpest minds in design such as Suzy Hoodless, Jay Blades, Alexandria Dauley and Lee Broom.

1. LATEST PRODUCT RELEASES

5. WORLD CLASS ARTISANS

Decorex presents the latest design collections, so find new suppliers and everything you need for your next project.

What marks Decorex out from other design shows? The quality of their exhibitors; see the bespoke craftsmanship behind their products first-hand.

Join the design community from 1013 October at Olympia London for a supreme celebration of design. With face-to-face interaction having been limited lately, many of us are eager to mingle – as safely as possible – and share inspiration in a well curated setting.

Decorex is the perfect meeting place.

2. OPPORTUNITIES TO SOCIALISE Spend four days catching up with your peers; the design elite will be in attendance and there’s plenty of opportunity to meet them.

3. TOTAL IMMERSION IN DESIGN Immerse yourself in their amazing features: enjoy the breath-taking entranceway design, circus-themed bar created by Sara Cosgrove, Liberty. Café area and hundreds of design stands.

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4. INSIGHTS FROM EXPERTS

DECOREX For more information about attending, purchasing your ticket and Covid safety measures that have been put in place for 2021, visit their website at decorex.com

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Poggenpohl Marlow 75 High St | Marlow SL7 1AB phone 01628 326 061 marlow@poggenpohl.com www.marlow.poggenpohl.com

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CULTURE • EVENT

Back with a BANG

Wrap up warm and bring the family: Beaconsfield’s fireworks extravaganza returns B y M I C H E L L E B E N AT O

A

fter the disappointment of last year’s cancellation due to Covid, the countdown is on for the return of Beaconsfield’s biggest and best-loved event, Beaconsfield Big Bang, Little Bang Fireworks and Bonfire, on Saturday 6 November.

Beaconsfield Cricket Club is delighted to be hosting the legendary, mustattend event for the 40th year, bringing together families and friends from around Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and beyond.

Ongoing disruption to public events means fewer displays in the region this year, but organisers at the club say planning is advanced and the event will go ahead unless government restrictions dictate otherwise.

Says Club Chairman, Graham Daniel: “The Cricket Club Fireworks Display is a much-anticipated event in Beaconsfield’s social calendar and we take great pride in delivering a fantastic night for families from the town itself and from the surrounding villages. It’s been a tough year and a half for everyone and we are looking forward to bringing the community back together for a memorable evening of fun and fireworks.”

This year sees the return of the ‘Little Bang’, a shorter, quieter, earlier display for very young children that won’t interfere with bedtime. Gates open at 5pm, with the bonfire lit at 5.30pm, so there will be plenty of time to enjoy the on-stage entertainment, funfair and stalls before the firework display at 5.45pm.

For older children and adults, the main display will be another stunning bespoke musical arrangement from the award-winning pyrotechnic team at Titanium, the company responsible for some of Britain’s top displays, including Edinburgh’s Hogmanay and London’s New Year’s Eve celebrations. This follows the lighting of a giant bonfire at 7.15pm.

As well as two spectacular firework displays and two bonfires, the evening’s attractions will include the very popular funfair, penalty shoot-out with Wycombe Wanderers’ mascot, Badger, live music, and some fantastic food and drink stalls. Full details will be released shortly, with tickets

expected to go on sale from mid October.

Due to an anticipated increase in demand following the cancellation of other displays in the area, early booking is recommended.

Beaconsfield Cricket Club is a notfor-profit organisation. With the help of sponsors, including Bovingdons Sales and Lettings, all proceeds from the event are used to support sport, health and schools in the local community.

B E AC O N S F I E L D B I G B A N G For further information about the event and details of how to purchase tickets, visit beaconsfieldcc.com

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A sense of ADVENTURE Whether taking part in the Aqua Olympics or feeling like a superhero, Camp Beaumont’s many activities and expert leadership will give your child an experience they will never forget

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ith half-term just around the corner, and the dilemma of childcare approaching, Camp Beaumont, the UK’s most experienced day camp provider, is on hand to provide your child with a fun-filled adventure at over 21 locations, including The Holt School, St John’s Beaumont School, St George’s School, and Leighton Park School.

Their award-winning multi-activity programme will ensure your child learns new skills, makes new friends and enjoys an exhilarating and confidence boosting half-term break. From archery and tennis to yoga, each unforgettable experience will enhance their wellbeing and revitalise them for their return to school.

With over 40 activities each week, not only can your child sharpen up their social skills, but they can pursue new interests, develop new talents and unleash their creative side. Activities range from Aqua Olympics to Movie Maker to Superhero Academy, and each activity programme is

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CULTURE • PARTNERSHIP

CAMP BEAUMONT OFFERS A HOST OF ACTIVITIES

tailored by age group, including a nurserystyle Playtime Programme for 3-4-year-olds, a unique Magic Programme for 5-7-yearolds, a thrilling Active Programme for 8-11-year-olds and an exclusive club style Teens Programme for 12-16-year-olds.

Each day is structured around six key learning outcomes including challenge yourself, get outdoors, get connected, get active, relax and unwind, and express yourself, so each child is challenged, and given ample opportunities to hone important life skills such as leadership, teamwork, and resilience. Parents are able to notice the undeniable impact Camp Beaumont’s camps have, with 61% saying their children appeared more confident after attending camp.

One parent whose child attended Camp Beaumont this summer says: “It was the first time that my 4-year-old attended summer camp. I was a little worried as to whether he would enjoy it or not, but to my surprise, he had an amazing time! The team is amazing and so welcoming and made my son feel very comfortable. The activities are different every day and also very fun.

I would highly recommend this camp.”

And another says: “I booked my daughter into Camp Beaumont for two days and she really enjoyed it. There were lots of activities for her to take part in. They also had extra activities like baking and football.

The team and activity leaders were very friendly and I was happy knowing that my child was in a safe environment.”

Camp Beaumont has a higher staff to child ratio than any other day camp provider in the UK and their team of highly qualified, enthusiastic Camp Leaders, Activity Instructors and Early Years Staff are able to support children with mindfulness, confidence and communication as well as so much more, giving each child a beneficial experience as well as a fun one.

Their delightful staff are trained by industry leaders In2action who work with the likes of Centre Parcs and Disney, and as a result Camp Beaumont is loved and trusted by parents and children alike. Their ethos to always put children first shines through and the unique team spirit their camps are famous for is not to be missed.

This half-term, parents who book their child onto Camp Beaumont will also have the added benefit of adding on Action

Extras to their child’s experience. These include archery academy, explosive science, swimming lessons, tennis lessons, soccer school, creative workshops as well as starmaker and jungle survival academy.

Camp Beaumont also caters to busy, working parents and offers both early drop-off and late-pick up as handy extended day extras. To avoid your child’s home clothes becoming muddy or worn, you can even purchase Camp Beaumont camp kits, which include camp hoodies, t-shirts, baseball caps, camp rucksacks, water bottles and wristbands by calling 01604 851 0000 or emailing customerservices@campbeaumont.co.uk.

Camp Beaumont’s October half-term camps take place from 18 October-5 November 2021. Childcare vouchers are accepted and all bookings are flexible with their COVID flexible booking promise. If there are any changes to the government guidance you can change the date hassle-free or receive a full refund.

Quote ABSOLUTELY and book by 15 October to save 10%. To book, visit campbeaumont.co.uk or call 01604 851 0000

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R.S. TROUTT & CO FINE ENGLISH BUTCHERS

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FOOD & DRINK

CUT ABOVE THE REST THE BUTCHER'S TAP AND GRILL

Tom Kerridge – the Michelin starred chef and publican – has announced the evolution of The Butcher’s Tap and Grill on Spittal Street, Marlow, into a counter-to-grill pub. Imagine being able to walk into your local butchers, choose a prime cut of meat, watch it being cooked exactly as you like it and then sit down to enjoy it with a locally brewed pint, bold glass of red, or a crisp white wine – well now you can. Turn over the page for more. thebutcherstapandgrill.co.uk

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WHAT TO DRINK

IN THE spirit Gin recommendations for the month

TASTING NOTES

The latest food news and most exciting openings this month

By ELLIE-MAE HAMMOND

By MR HOBBS

Mr Hobbs 150 Gin 70cl 40% ABV  £34 Mr Hobbs 150 is a classic London Dry Gin with quintessential English heritage, which marks the 150-year anniversary of the family owned, British boating institution; Hobbs of Henley. The award-winner is bursting with nine botanicals, making a serious gin that will leave you wanting more.

Rhubarb & Ginger Gin Liqueur 50cl 21.5% ABV  £25 Blended with the very best British rhubarb to produce a perfectly balanced gin liqueur.

Summer fruits and herbs on the nose with well-rounded ginger notes and plenty of rhubarb on the palate. The perfect addition to any drinks cabinet, this is an exceptional base for seasonal cocktails, sparkling or otherwise.

Mr Hobbs Henley Gin 70cl 45% ABV  £36 Harry Hobbs’ old recipe dates back to 1870, and they have based this recipe on five of his original botanicals, one of which is still a family secret – so no telling here – and added lime flower and lemon peel to give it a citrus twist. A bona-fide thirst quencher.

The Mr Hobbs Gin range of products is brought to you by the family pleasure boating business, Hobbs of Henley, who give you the most enjoyable way to “mess about on the river’’. Today they are very proud to share their cherished family tipples with you and raise a glass to their Henley heritage.

mrhobbsgin.co.uk

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Have a butchers T H E B U TC H E R ' S TA P A N D G R I L L

Jamie May, previously head chef of the two-Michelin starred pub The Hand and Flowers, has joined The Butcher’s Tap And Grill, bringing a decade of experience to the new role, and with his flair and creativity the menu has evolved to a counter-togrill pub that is relaxed and welcoming. May has extensive knowledge of cuts and cooking methods and the farm to fork process, showing customers how to truss a joint of beef for roasting, or how to cook each cut of steak and how long to rest it for – it’s world-class expertise at your fingertips. thebutcherstapandgrill.co.uk

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23/09/2021 10:27

FOOD & DRINK • NOTES

INDIAN SUMMER Exploring some of South Asia’s finest

REUBEN'S

Room at the Inn THE BOTTLE & GLASS INN

Featuring take-away and pop-ups across the county, Reuben's was a godsend with its delivery service during the lockdowns. Their menu is brilliant, and a particular favourite is the Murgh Manchurian (baked panko chicken with a hot sweet, sour, chilli sauce). sites.google.com/view/ reubens-cuisine/home

The Bottle & Glass Inn, an award-winning pub and restaurant just outside Henley-on-Thames, opened three gorgeous new rooms in its charming thatched Inn. The Bottle & Glass Inn has been lovingly restored by David Holliday and Alex Sergeant, two former general managers of Fulham’s The Harwood Arms. The duo opened this rural Grade II-listed restaurant and pub following an 18-month long refurbishment in 2017. bottleandglassinn.com

GREAT STEAK PRIME STEAK & GRILL

Their biggest and most ambitious project to date, Prime Beaconsfield boasts a 200 cover restaurant with a private dining room for 30 guests and a beautiful separate bar that can seat 60 people.

The centrepiece is a beautiful curved bar that sits prominently in the middle of the room allowing guests to enjoy the atmosphere while sipping a cocktail or two or enjoying a glass of wine. primesteakandgrill.com

H AW K Y N S Hawkyns offers vibrancy, paying homage to Atul Kochhar’s love of traditional Indian cuisine and exploring innovative and modern British touches, and adding a gourmet excitement to the picturesque town of Old Amersham. The approach to dining at Hawkyns is simple; first-class, friendly and full of flavour. hawkynsrestaurant.co.uk

H A P P Y

B I R T H D AY

Something special THE PINEAPPLE

The Pineapple is a Grade II listed 15th century pub located in Buckinghamshire’s most southerly village, close to the Thames in Dorney. They have their famous extensive Pineapple Sandwich menu, something for everyone on your choice of breads and served with chips, soup or salad. Plus don't miss the new stone-based pizza ovens, where they make all their dough fresh on site daily and offer weekly specials or create your own. thepineappledorney.co.uk

YOUNG'S

M A N G O LO U N G E The Mango Lounge is an Indian restaurant with a difference.

Presented in a contemporary setting and situated in the heart of Windsor, the restaurant overlooks the splendour of the Castle. The menu reflects the rich tapestry of the sub-continent with a wide range of culinary influences drawn from the heights of Maharajas’ palaces to the humble street stalls. mangoloungewindsor.co.uk

September marked Young’s 190th birthday and to celebrate the pub group hosted a series of events, giveaways, and surprises across its Bucks and Berks pubs. Young’s celebrated all things beer, marking the big 190 with burger parties, art classes, and the return of the dray cart and horses. youngs.co.uk

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TALE OF TWO

TOMS

The Hand and Flowers in Marlow has legendary status amongst foodies – and now there is a new head chef in situ with ambitions to make it even better

By MARK KEBBLE

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22/09/2021 01:55

FOOD & DRINK • PROFILE

T

he COVID-19 pandemic has played havoc with the hospitality industry and, on the day of my interview with the new head chef of The Hand and Flowers, it still has its wicked way. Tom De Keyser is held up thanks to getting his second vaccine jab after the person in front of him passed out.

“That’s not really want you want to see,” he sighs when he gets round to calling.

Said collapse, though, is not a metaphor

“If you haven’t got the pressure, you are not going to get better” for how De Keyser’s career in cooking has flourished ever since he decided a career in chemistry and forensic science, which he was studying at Leicester University, wasn’t for him. “I wouldn’t say I discovered my talent,” he says on swapping the lab for the kitchen, “it’s more I discovered my love and passion for it.”

He finished his degree and went home to Essex, where he dabbled in roles to take his cooking to the next level, and soon decided to take things further. “I took the plunge and moved to London,” he recounts, “and went to work at the York & Albany, which is one

of Gordon Ramsay’s places – and I loved it.

It was 19-hour days in the basement kitchen, with a lack of sunlight, but I fell in love with the energy, the camaraderie, the food, simply everything about it. The standard of the food there when I joined was sublime.”

After two and a half years honing his skills under head chef Colin Buchan, it was time for a change. “I wanted to move somewhere that was similar to where I grew up in Essex, a little town with lots of local pubs and nice food,” he says. “I told by brother I was looking and his wife – they are both big foodies – said there was a pub in Marlow that had just won two Michelin stars, and suggested I look there.

I popped my CV over, had a trial a week later and started three weeks after that.”

It was quite a leap to head into a venue with those Michelin stars to its name, as well as working for a chef who was becoming high profile. “It was amazing,” De Keyser says on those early days in the kitchen alongside Tom Kerridge.

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CAMPFIRE GIN

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FOOD & DRINK • PROFILE

does he feel he has changed as a chef since 2012? “I appreciate quality more, I put myself under more pressure, and I look at myself to set an example when leading the team,” he rattles off. “You can teach people how to cook, but we want to be nice people and encouraging, and then your team will want to work hard and cook nice food.”

Describing his style as “ingredient-led”, he is looking forward to maintaining the standards set at The Hand and Flowers.

“Every day there are set parameters to Tom’s food and he’s still here,” he says on Kerridge’s influence. “Every day we look at how we can make things better, how we can refine it, making full use of big flavours. It’s about getting a little bit better every day.”

T H E H A N D A N D F LOW E R S 126 West Street, Marlow, SL7 2BP 01628 482277 thehandandflowers.co.uk

“Every day we look at how we can make things better” “I was lucky enough when I first started that he was on the rota like anyone else.

Having the Michelin stars does add pressure, but pressure is a privilege anyway. If you haven’t got the pressure, you are not going to get better. You end up standing still and going backwards.”

De Keyser’s career did anything but. He was soon promoted to chef de partie before, in 2014, becoming senior sous chef at The Coach (another Tom Kerridge pub also in Marlow). Three years later The Coach won its first Michelin star and De Keyser was promoted to head chef, then in 2018 he won an Acorn Award, which recognises

the rising stars of the hospitality industry after being nominated by his peers. “It was a nice pat on the back personally,” he says about that.

“Everything we do is team-orientated, so every now and then those individual pats on the back are very nice.”

Nearly a decade after first joining, though, De Keyser is back at The Hand and Flowers as head chef. “It’s a massive privilege,” he enthuses. “I never thought I would be coming back here, particularly as head chef, but when Tom spoke to me about it I jumped at the opportunity. I feel very lucky.” How A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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Japan

ST Y LE Fun and simple Japanese recipes to cook at home Wo r d s T I M A N D E R S O N

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FOOD & DRINK • RECIPES

WasabiMarinated Octopus with Okra Serves 2

One of the very first izakaya meals I had in Japan was somewhere in Tokyo, fresh off the boat en route to my tour of duty as an English teacher in Kyushu.

My Japanese language ability has never really been more than rudimentary, but at that point I couldn’t even read most menus. So I ordered basically just the few things I could read – one of which was tako-wasa, written in the simpler hiragana orthography, as opposed to kanji, which is highly complex. I had no idea what tako-wasa was, but I correctly guessed it contained octopus (tako) and wasabi.

It turned out there wasn’t much more to it than that: just raw octopus, chopped up, then marinated in a generous amount of piquant wasabi and other simple seasonings. It’s pretty hard to source octopus that’s fit to serve raw in the UK, so in this recipe, the octopus is cooked.

Raw octopus also has a delightfully slippery-slimy texture, so to replicate that, I include a bit of okra. But if you can get sashimi quality raw octopus, by all means have a go with that. Also, if you can’t get octopus at all, this would be quite good with squid or cuttlefish instead.

INGREDIENTS •2 large or 4 small octopus tentacles, raw or cooked (this is about 300 g (10½ oz) raw or 150–200 g (5–7 oz) cooked) • 4 okra pods • 1 tbsp prepared wasabi • 1 tbsp mirin • 1 tbsp sake •¼ tsp dashi powder (kombu rather than katsuo, if possible) or MSG •½ tsp sugar •2 –3 pinches of salt •½ dried red chilli, finely snipped with scissors, or 1 pinch of red chilli (hot pepper) flakes (optional) •¼ lemon • 1 small handful of chives, chopped

METHOD 1 If your octopus is raw, cook it.

Bring a large pan of water to a high simmer, then lower in the octopus and cook for 45 minutes-1 hour until tender but not soft (it should still be slightly chewy). Drain well, then transfer to a roasting tin and leave to air-dry for 10 minutes or so.

2 Mince two of the okra pods and cut the other two into slices about 5 mm (¼ in) thick. Combine the wasabi, mirin, sake, dashi powder, sugar, salt, minced okra and chilli, if using, stirring well to dissolve the sugar.

3 Place the octopus under a very hot grill (broiler) and cook for a few minutes on each side until lightly charred.

4 Dice the octopus into bite-size chunks and mix with the sauce along with the sliced okra. Enjoy straight away or leave in the fridge to marinate for a few hours, up to two days.

5 Serve at room temperature or cold, garnished with the lemon wedge and chopped chives.

SakeSteamed Clams Serves 2

Just like sashimi, clams steamed in sake boast an enormous deliciousness-to-effort ratio; they are so simple they almost don’t require a recipe, and the resulting broth of clam juice and sake is like an umami supernova. But also like sashimi, they rely on good-quality fresh ingredients; in this case, you need to make sure you get good, fresh clams that are free of grit.

The only way to really guarantee this is to buy them from a trusted fishmonger.

There are only three places where I trust the clams in London. Which is

not to say there aren’t more sources of good clams, it’s just that now that I’ve found three, why would I take a risk on anywhere else? So find yourself a reliable clam guy and hold onto him forever.

Nira, or garlic chives, are an excellent alternative to leeks in this recipe, if you can get them. They are sold at any Asian supermarket, usually under their Chinese name, kow choi.

INGREDIENTS •4 00–500 g (14 oz–1 lb 2 oz) clams • 1 00 ml (3½ fl oz/scant ½ cup) sake •½ leek, cut in half and thinly sliced at an angle, or 2 stalks of nira (garlic chives), cut into 2 cm (¾ in) chunks • 1 garlic clove, minced or finely grated •A few sprigs of flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped

METHOD 1 Wash the clams under running water; if you can see or feel any dirt or grit on them, scrub it off.

Check that all the clams’ shells are closed and intact; discard any that are broken or that are open and don’t close when you tap them.

2 Place the sake, leeks or nira and garlic in a frying pan (skillet) and bring to the boil, then tip in the clams and place a lid on the pan.

3 Steam for about 4 minutes until all the clams have opened up. Remove the lid then add the parsley and toss it through, cooking for another minute or so. Remove from the heat and discard any clams that have not opened.

4 Serve piping hot, and make sure you have some rice or bread on hand to soak up the juice.

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FOOD & DRINK • RECIPES

METHOD

ProsciuttoWrapped Crab and avocado sushi roll Serves 2

Top-tier sushi is not really achievable for home cooks, nor even for most professional cooks. But Japan is full of sushi found at more accessible settings and price points, from convenience stores to kaiten-zushi (conveyor belt sushi) shops, as well as home kitchens. This is not the stuff Jiro dreams of – but it’s still pretty tasty. What’s more, I don’t think it can be reasonably be denigrated as ‘inauthentic’. While sushi containing odd ingredients like cream cheese or chilli sauce is generally considered the domain of Americanised Japanese food, in Japan they can get a bit silly with sushi, too. I recall one kaiten-zushi place I went to in Tokyo that served gyoza nigiri – literally an

overturned gyoza on top of a little pillow of rice. Other places serve things like pork cutlet sushi and Korean barbecue sushi. Kura Sushi, one of Japan’s most popular sushi chains, sells sushi topped with cheese tempura. Cheese tempura!

Global discourse on sushi is so focused on elite chefs that it’s easy to lose sight of this more plebeian and arguably more fun side of sushi. Are spicy tuna rolls or nigiri topped with tiny cheeseburgers going to win any Michelin stars? Probably not.

But they will make loads of people happy.

Hopefully this particular ‘B-grade’ maki will as well – basically a California roll, but with salty Italian ham in place of the usual nori.

1 Cook the rice according to the instructions below. While the rice is cooking, stir together the vinegar, sugar and salt until the sugar and salt dissolve. Once the rice is cooked, spread it out in a large bowl or tray and sprinkle over the seasoned vinegar.

2 Mix the vinegar through the rice using a rice paddle or spatula with slicing and turning motions. Let the rice cool to room temperature before making the rolls.

3 If you have a sushi mat, wrap it in cling film (plastic wrap). If not, you don’t need to get one – just wrap some sturdy card or a few sheets of paper together in a few layers of cling film; this will be an adequate makeshift rolling mat. Lay three slices of ham down on the mat or paper, slightly overlapping so they form a solid layer of ham.

Wet your hands, then gently spread and press half of the rice out in an even layer on the ham, leaving a gap of about 1 cm (½ in) uncovered along the far edge of the ham (you will use this to seal the roll).

4 Lay the crab meat out in a tidy row along the near side of the ham, about 1 cm (½ in) from the edge, then top with the avocado and lettuce. Use the paper or mat to curl up the edge of the ham, tucking in the fillings with your fingertips and tightening the roll as you go with gentle pressure.

5 When you’ve rolled to the far edge of the ham, squeeze the roll together to seal. Transfer to a cutting board and slice with a sharp, wet knife. Repeat with the remaining ingredients and serve with ponzu or soy sauce and wasabi.

INGREDIENTS • 150 g (5 oz/¾ cups) rice • 1½ tbsp vinegar • ½ tbsp sugar • ¼ tsp salt • 6 slices prosciutto or similar cured ham • 50 g (2 oz) crab meat • ¼ ripe avocado, cut into long slices about 3 mm (⅛ in) thick • 2 leaves little gem lettuce, halved lengthways • Ponzu or wasabi and soy sauce, to serve

Extract taken from our Home Izakaya by chef and MasterChef champion Tim Anderson, published on 14 October by Hardie Grant

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FOOD & DRINK • DRINKS

DRINKS CABINET What to drink this month

By PENDLE HARTE

SPOTLIGHT

IN THE PINK PA L E F OX Pink Prosecco is rapidly gaining in popularity around the world, with Kylie Minogue recently adding a rosé prosecco to her wine range.

The new Pale Fox vintage Prosecco Rose contains a blend of white Glera and red Pinot Noir grapes that work harmoniously to create a structured, complex sparkling wine reminiscent of red berries, pomegranate and white flowers.

£29.95; palefoxprosecco.com

MIRROR IMAGE H AC H A Hacha's award-winning Mirror Margarita looks like a glass of water, but is in fact a stunning Margarita with the perfect balance of sweet and sour notes. And now you can buy it by the bottle for delivery.

£35; hachabar.com

GIN O'CLOCK B E R K S H I R E B OTA N I CA L S An Artisan spirits collection based around the stunning 9,000 acre Yattendon Estate in West Berkshire, Berkshire Botanical's philosophy is to create enduring, sustainable botanical spirits and liqueurs using the inspiration of botanicals growing on the Estate in the heart of Yattendon. We are big fans of their Honey & Orange Blossom Gin.

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Drink to success

Puddingstone Distillery

By MARK KEBBLE

T

his autumn sees the launch of Puddingstone Distillery’s new bottle design for its multi award winning Campfire Gin range. The refreshed design retains the simplicity and strong identity of the original Campfire bottle, but the distillery has increased the volume from 50cl to 70cl. This latest development forms part of their growth strategy and bid to further improve their green credentials as they look to celebrate the company’s fifth anniversary later this year.

Founded in 2016 by husband and wife team Ben and Kate Marston, the Campfire Gin range has received international recognition and multiple accolades since it first entered the market. Despite the obvious challenges of the past 18 months, 2021 has been an incredible year for the brand. In recent months Puddingstone Distillery’s products have received an impressive eight International Spirits Awards and the ultimate accolade of ‘Distillery of the Year’ from The Gin Guide. Moving forward the core Campfire Gin range will use the Italian glassmaker Vetroelite’s 70cl Chiara bottle which is made from 40% recycled glass. The newly redesigned labels are made from 30% recycled fibre and the stoppers are made from recycled cork with wood, both from FSC certified suppliers. The Distillery has also removed all plastic from its online delivery process in its bid to go green. The new increased capacity bottle design is now available across the Campfire Gin range including: Campfire London Dry, Campfire Old Tom, Campfire Cask Aged and Campfire Navy Strength. puddingstonedistillery.com

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FA S H I O N

FLOWER POWER PUMA X LIBERTY

Using bold visuals and bright colors, the Puma x Liberty collaboration plays on the enduring heritage of both brands, bringing them together to create a unified story. Using the famous Liberty floral prints in a wild garden theme, the collection brings a very fresh and feminine look to Puma silhouettes. puma.com

Trend 44 • The Shoot 46 • Jewellery 51 A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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OYUNA Earth cashmere sweater, £365 oyuna.com

SEASON CHANGE The nights may be drawing in and temperatures dropping, but on the plus side it’s time for a whole new wardrobe B y L AY L A T U R N E R

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FASHION • TREND

STONE & MASON Baileys Lennox, £235, stone-and-mason.com

ALESSANDRA RICH Crystal Button Dress, 4 Day Rental, £114, alessandrarich.com

FOREVER NEW Check blazer, £38, forevernewclothing.com

A

s the nights grow shorter, we bid farewell to our summer wardrobes and welcome transitional pieces. The new season brings with it a darker colour palette, as well as an emphasis on textures and prints. Harrods have partnered with MY WARDROBE HQ just in time for party season, offering covered wardrobe musthaves on a rental basis – favourites include the silhouette hugging Crystal Button dress

by Alessandra Rich as well as The Attico Zebra Wrap mini dress. Blazers remain a key element of winter dressing, with the Forever New Olivia check blazer set to be a firm favourite for formal wear.

ALESSANDRA RICH FOREVER NEW Indigo wide leg trouser, £24.75, forevernewclothing.com

Puff Sleeve Mini, 4 Day Rental, £92, alessandrarich.com

REINEREN THE ATTICO Zebra Wrap Mini Dress, 4 Day Rental, £61, theattico.com

Textured leather panel houndstooth reversible jacket, £593, reineren.com

EDITOR’S PICK

STONE & MASON Dravite Stamford, £425, stone-and-mason.com

EACH X EVERY Balm boot, £230, eachxevery.com

REINEREN AW21 dress, £POA, reineren.com

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D E C A D E o f D E C A D E N C E POM Amsterdam is celebrating its tenth anniversary, and their latest collection at Fabric in Amersham will set you up for the new season FA B R I C FA S H I O N S TO R E .C O. U K

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FASHION • JEWELLERY

Mother of Pearl

The natural beauty of the jewellery world that stands the test of time

By ELLIE-MAE HAMMOND

ALIGHIERI

BUDREVICH FINE JEWELLERY STUDIO

ALIGHIERI

La Calliope choker, £250, alighieri.co.uk

Pear drops, £3,050, budrevich.co.uk

The Cascading Affair earring, £390, alighieri.co.uk

COEUR DE LION Necklace freshwater pearls & chunky chain 4-in-1 white-silver, £349, coeur.uk

LEBRUSAN STUDIO

JESSIE THOMAS

Marie Pearl ring, £POA, lebrusanstudio.com

Precious stone earrings with detachable pearls, £3,250, jessiethomasjewellery.com

VAXA

CHLO BO

OLIVIA AND PEARL

Falla earring, £POA, vaxajewellery.com

Confetti Falls necklace, £229, chlobo.co.uk

Keshi choker necklace, £225, oliviaandpearl.com

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

W RA P P E D I N COT TO N WO O L SOPWELL HOUSE

Everybody needs a haven. Somewhere you know you can escape to that will always feel like a sanctuary. Cottonmill spa membership at Sopwell House caters for every side of you. Whether you’re feeling mindful or mindless, dynamic or restful. From yoga classes to PT sessions, relaxing in the gardens or lunch with friends to massage treatments, it's all available here. cottonmillspa.co.uk

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

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Whether you’re looking to lose weight or control your Type 2 Diabetes Our 800 calorie a day, low sugar weight loss plans feature recipes created by our Executive Chef to ensure you lose weight quickly and still feel satisfied.

All the fresh ingredients needed for your breakfast, brunch/lunch and dinner on every day of your plan.

All ingredients measured out – no shopping, no wastage and no over-eating.

Clear and simple recipe cards and instructions to plan and cook your meals.

For help and advice Call 01494 972 384 | email hello@therealfooddiet.co.uk visit www.therealfooddiet.co.uk

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Established in 1998, Independent Living has been supplying top-grade mobility equipment to clients across Buckinghamshire and Berkshire for more than two decades.

The friendly fully trained professional staff guide you through the maze of products available to make your life easier.

Scooters, wheelchairs, walking aids, rise and recline chairs as well as smaller everyday products can be tried at the shop and/or demonstrated in your own home.

■ Independent Living Consultants. 10 Cross Court, Plomer Green Avenue, Downley, High Wycombe HP13 5UW ■ 01494 443 933 ■ info@independentliv.co.uk ■ independentlivingconsultants.co.uk

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HEALTH & BEAUTY • NOTES

BEAUTY NOTES

The latest in luxury makeup and skincare

By ELLIE-MAE HAMMOND

FOCUS

FOREVER

Amber

EDITOR’S PICK

Kayali Invite Only Amber, the new fragrance designed by Mona Kattan, is sensual and addictive.

Described as seduction in a bottle, this irresistible scent envelops amber resin and Madagascan vanilla mixed with black cherry, honey de provence and tobacco leaf. £98, hudabeauty.com

Soul soother THE MIND HUB

The Mind Hub was set up in 2010 and offers a range of mental health and wellbeing courses in both a virtual and in person setting. They offer courses across a wide range of topics including: the MHFA First Aider qualifications, Introduction to Mindfulness, Building Resilience and more. They also support organisations to build a wellbeing strategy.

Discover more at themindhub.co.uk

H E A D M A ST E R S

With the AW21 catwalks in full swing, we asked Headmasters’ creative director, Andrew Barton, about the hair style trends complementing them. “The bob takes centre stage as one of the must-have cuts this season. From sweeping side lengths to full straight cut, the fringe the biggest hair story this season. And big glamorous blow drys and curls are back for the party season.”

Marianne Gautier, of Tria Woman, on taking a break

H

M O N A K AT TA N

THREE FORM

AND BREATHE ow can we become the best version of our self?

We may strive to be fit and healthy, to keep our bodies fit and to feel good about the way we look, which improves confidence levels and has a positive impact on self-esteem.

Looking to the food we eat and how active we are will help to achieve this as we know the benefits of a healthy diet to give us energy and nourish our bodies; while taking regular exercise will tone and build muscle, which keeps our bodies strong and fit and our minds alert.

All good so far - but what happens if we are still feeling low after all this effort? Often we see this as a failure, deciding we need to train harder or eat less calories, which creates an increased burden on the body, which can lead to feeling depleted or even illness.

So how can we achieve our goals and maintain equilibrium? What we need is to regain balance to allow the body to repair and function optimally, sometimes this means changing the type of food we eat or how we exercise, often it means learning ways to relax and rest properly and developing an understanding of what we need and how to apply it. Sometimes, by putting on the brakes and listening to our body, we are able to move forward in a way that meets our needs. Learning the holistic approach to becoming the best version of our self is a journey that Tria Woman are ready to join you on.

TRIA WOMAN

The Stables, Penn Street, Amersham, Bucks, HP7 0PP, 07792 972943 marianne@triawoman.com triawoman.com

50% off colour sale from 2-30 October, headmasters.com A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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HEALTH & BEAUTY • TREND AESOP Hair calming shampoo 500m, £33, aesop.com

THICK TAILS Root stimulating daily serum, £17.99, uk.thicktails.com

KRISTIN ESS Beach wave spray, £12, kristinesshair.com

FOAMIE Shampoo bar with argan oil for frizzy hair, £7, lookfantastic.com

MADARA Repair and dry rescue mask, £22.25, lookfantastic.com

EDITOR’S PICK

CHANEL Hair mist, £48, chanel.com

KAYALI Hair mist déjà vu white flower, £34, hudabeauty.com

ROOTS TO SUCCESS

FOAMIE Dry shampoo brunette, £6, lookfantastic.com

Absolutely’s round up of our favourite haircare products this month

AESOP Hair sage & cedar scalp treatment 25ml, £25, aesop.com

By ELLIE MAE-HAMMOND

THICK TAILS Exfoliating scalp scrub, £19.99, uk.thicktails.com

KRISTIN ESS Curl Defining cream, £12, kristinesshair.com

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Transform your smile with Invisalign® Invisible Braces

Straighten your teeth the modern way, by using a series of almost completely invisible removable aligners, custom-made to fit perfectly around your teeth.

From minor tooth movements to complex smile transformations, Invisalign braces can provide you with the perfect smile. You can even brush, floss and eat as normal.

At our friendly and 5* rated clinic, you will benefit from the extensive experience of our principal dentist, Dr Chi-Yuen Wong.

EXCLUSIVE ‘on the day’ offer that could save you over £1,500*

Invisalign Discovery Day

SATURDAY 23RD OCTOBER Join us between 8am - 5pm where you’ll be able to meet our expert team to discuss the benefits of Invisalign invisible braces.

SAVE £800*on invisible braces plus: FREE Teeth Whitening (worth £320)

FREE 12 months aftercare (worth £200)

FREE iTero 3D Scan - see how your new smile will look!

FREE Removable Retainers (worth £250)

FREE Initial 30 minute assessment to discuss options

FREE refreshments available on the day

“I began my Invisalign treatment with Dr Wong 2 years ago, have recently completed it and can’t recommend him enough. The whole process was great and I’m beyond pleased with the result. I can smile confidently for the first time. Thank you!” – Laura

10 Crown Row | Bracknell | Berks | RG12 0TH 01344 482 882 | 07765 333 768 pc@crownwooddental.co.uk www.crownwooddental.co.uk

*Terms and conditions apply.

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“You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn how to surf” J O N K ABAT- Z I N N

With 1 in 4 people in the UK likely to experience mental ill health during their lifetime, it has never been more important to start the conversation around mental wellbeing. The Mind Hub is a Mindfulness and Wellbeing Specialist that works with businesses and individuals from London and the South-East across a range of different topics including: • Mental Health First Aid England courses • Introduction to Mindfulness • Winter Wellbeing • Managing Stress • Building Resilience

To find out more about what we do:

email: tricia@themindhub.co.uk call: 07776 132083 visit: themindhub.co.uk

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HEALTH & BEAUTY • FOCUS

FREE WEIGHTS ARE A GOOD EXERCISE OPTION

a mother's change in hormone levels.

While for some women diastasis recti does resolve naturally, age at the time of becoming pregnant, as well as muscle tone prior to pregnancy, does have an impact on how well the body recovers.

THE PLANK IS ONE MOVE TO STRENGTHEN THE CORE

S O LI D TO THE CORE

How to offset the loss of muscle tone as we get older

I

By DR SELENA LANGDON

n my practice, function is as important as form when it comes to the body.

As we age many subtle changes occur which, over time, can lead to quite dramatic differences. My patients often focus on the changes they can see, and understandably so as these are the most obvious. What is sometimes overlooked though, and which many of us are unaware of, is that muscle mass decreases by as much as eight per cent per decade after the age of 30.

Loss of muscle tone, called muscle atrophy, can lead to general muscle weakness, which reduces mobility. Of particular importance is core strength, needed for everyday acts like sitting, standing, or tying your shoes. A weak core can also affect your back causing pain, and for which some opt for pain medication instead of addressing the underlying cause.

PREVENTING FALLRELATED INJURIES Core strength is important for day-to-day movement, but also helps your balance and general stability. While muscle tone begins to decline from 30, the rate of decline accelerates at around 60. For those that are not sufficiently active the decline in muscle tone can contribute to your risk of fallrelated injuries. A strong core is therefore not only important for general wellbeing, but will help to prevent injuries such as bruises, sprains, hip fractures, or head trauma.

POST-PREGNANCY ISSUES

Around two thirds of women postpartum will suffer from some degree of diastasis recti, which is a separation of the abdominal muscles. This is completely natural and occurs during the gestational period of pregnancy and in response to

BUILDING YOUR CORE

When it comes to muscle atrophy it is best to undertake regular exercise, in particular those that are weight bearing, such as with free weights, which will help to maintain muscle tone while also increasing bone density. If you have not been in the habit of exercising, then it is advisable to first check with your doctor.

CLINIC-BASED SOLUTIONS

For my patients looking to regain muscle tone and target particular muscle groups, I offer Emsculpt. This device is designed specifically to build muscles fast and is used in injury recovery or alongside a programme of regular exercise. The technology is made by BTL, who have been making physiotherapy machines since 1996. In one 30-minute session the Emsculpt causes the muscles to contract as many as 20,000 times, meaning the intensity of the workout is hard to replicate naturally. Emsculpt targets the abs to help core strength as well as buttocks, calves, thighs, and arms.

Emsculpt is delivered over a course of six sessions and the treatment is ideal for those looking to kick-start their fitness or for those who are wanting to address issues of core instability or diastasis recti.

BERKSHIRE AESTHETIC S Dr Selena Langdon is an aesthetics doctor and founder of Berkshire Aesthetics – see more at berkshireaesthetics.com

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HEALTH & BEAUTY • FITNESS

FITNESS

TOP

PICKS WINTER IMMUNIT Y BOOSTING CAPSULES

NOTES

By FELICITY CARTER

P U R E S P O R T M I N D & B O DY MUSHROOM BLEND Chaga, Reishi, Shiitake, Maitake, Lion’s Mane & Cordyceps – all featured in this blend – have all been shown to have immune balancing effects and antioxidants, which fight free radicals in the body. £29.99

I N N E R M O S T R E C OV E R CAPSULES These contain Maca, which reduces physical and mental stress on the body, Magnesium, which supports muscle function, Ubiquinone CoQ10, which supports the mitochondria (energy producing powerhouses) of our bodies, and Vitamin D. £18.95

T HE EYES H AV E I T Why you can blink and not miss out on vital wellbeing tips

I N N E R M O S T D E T OX BOOSTER This is a supergreens powder that contains ten of the most highly-regarded health boosting ingredients in an easy to use powder.

In particular, antioxidants in Matcha Green Tea helps to improve the skin. It can be added to water or a hot drink/smoothie. £24.95

S

ince the pandemic, the number of people working from home has dramatically increased, and alongside this, so has the length of screen time we are all getting – and we are also less likely to have the appropriate work from home set up to properly protect our eyes from the digital devices we use so often. Therefore, we are more prone to experience common eye conditions such as eye strain and eye fatigue.

This month, Absolutely London

has taken inspiration from Chatty Dobson, yoga teacher and owner of FLEX Chelsea, who holds sessions to combat these issues that may now be the new normal. Eye yoga is simply a series of stretches for the muscles in your eye structure.

Similar to regular yoga, each time you practice the muscles involved will become both stronger and find more length.

“Start by setting yourself up comfortably, sitting still with a straight spine – sitting in a chair’s fine if you’re uncomfortable on the

floor,” Dobson starts. “To stretch, relax the muscles of the face.

Wiggle out the jaw and eyebrows to help soften them. Gently close your eyes. Keeping the eyes closed, look all the way up and count to four, slowly look all the way down, count to four. Repeat three times.

“To strengthen, blink as fast as you can ten times, then sit with your eyes closed for a slow count of five. Repeat five times. Sit for a while longer at the end to see what sensations you may notice.” flexchelsea.com A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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Are you wearing the right running shoe?

Gait Analysis Service A specialised shoe fitting service to improve comfort and increase performance, available at Daniel of Windsor Everyone’s walking style, running style and feet are different. Whether you are just starting out or have an ultra-marathon under your belt, our in-store gait analysis service can help you find the perfect shoe.

Running, walking or an everyday gym trainer - we have got you covered.

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How is the analysis done?

1. Answer a few simple questions.

2. Walk over our pressure pad sensor a few times, in socks or barefoot.

3. And you are done!

No need to run in-store and the process takes under 10 minutes.

Then our fully trained Gait Analysis staff

will give you a report detailing your feet force scan, cushioning needs, stability needs and more. We then cross reference requirements with our shoe inventory to help you find the perfect shoes.

Available at

Daniel of Windsor 121-125 Peascod St, Windsor SL4 1DP 01753 801000 www.daniels.co.uk

22/09/2021 14:47

HEALTH & BEAUTY • FOCUS LOOK AFTER YOUR HEART

TAKE TIME TO RELAX

to height ratio. For men, this number should be between 18.5 and 25.

BLOOD PRESSURE

To t he B E A T A man’s heart is his most important tool

By KAREN CHESTER

W

hy do men treat their bodies as tools to do a job?

Health is not always essential or something they pay much attention to until poor health gets in the way of their ability to go to work, have sex or do something else important to them.

While the global impact of COVID-19 is devastating, coronary heart disease is responsible for around 63,000 deaths in the UK each year, an average of 170 people each day, or one death around every eight minutes. Why can’t men make their heart health a top priority? Today, our lives are more sedentary: we sit in the car or on public transport, many of us sit at a desk at work, we come home and sit down for dinner or to watch Netflix.

Would you like a healthy heart? Here’s a six-point guide on how to look after yourself:

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY The heart is the most important muscle we have. Exercise is key to keeping muscles strong; after regular physical activity, it becomes more robust and more efficient, which in turn helps by pumping fresh active blood around the body.

A CLEAN, HEALTHY DIET Poor diet is the second highest risk factor for developing heart disease. By focusing on proper nutrition, men can help ensure their heart remains healthy and strong. In most cases, this will include a diet that consists primarily of fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains.

BODY WEIGHT Extra body weight places stress on the body’s internal organs and structures, including the heart. You can use the NHS calculator tool to calculate your BMI, and this is key to determining the ideal weight range of an individual based on their weight

High blood pressure is damaging to your blood vessels and is one of the key indicators that an individual may be at risk for heart disease. Blood pressure readings consist of two separate numbers. The top number (systolic) measures the amount of pressure in the arteries as the heart muscle contracts. The bottom number (diastolic) measures pressure in between heartbeats.

Ideally, systolic pressure should be below 120 and diastolic below 80.

CHOLESTEROL There are two types of cholesterol. Bad cholesterol (LDL) contributes to heart disease by helping plaque form within artery walls. Good cholesterol (HDL) helps keep this in check by locating LDL and carrying it out of the arteries and back to the liver. However, when there is an imbalance between these two types, LDL cholesterol can remain unchecked and develop fatty build-ups, which can create blockages in your arteries and can increase your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.

STRESS When people are under stress, they tend to make less healthy lifestyle choices. This can mean overeating, making unhealthy diet choices, or becoming less physically active. Finding ways to manage stress effectively is key to maintaining an overall healthy lifestyle.

BROOKSIDE AESTHETIC S Karen Chester is the founder of Brookside Aesthetics. Find out more by calling 01245 363889 or visiting brookside-aesthethics.com

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COLOUR WATCH AUTUMN TRENDS

Sludgy shades and varied textures make up the new looks for autumn. Mix bright colours with natural materials and some fluffy comforts for a contemporary and comfortable look.

inside this section: SANDRA ROTHWELL p67 R I B A AWA R D S p7 0 KIT KEMP p78 KITCHEN KIT p83 B L U E I N S P I R AT I O N p 8 9 M A R K TAY L O R p 9 3 K AT E WAT S O N - S M Y T H p 9 4

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H O M E | TREND

HUB OF THE

HOME How to choose your perfect kitchen

KYLIE HOOD

By S A N D R A R OT H W E L L

A

new kitchen is a solid investment for your home and since it’s often a multi-functional space, it’s well worth investing the time to get the design right.

If you have the space, an island can add so much personal and often financial value

There are six basic types of kitchen layouts: one wall, galley, L-shaped, U-shaped, peninsula, and island. But before you remodel, consider which one will best fit the size of your floor area, the number of members in your household and the number of appliances and their size. Also consider the ‘working triangle’ – sufficient space and flow between the cooker, fridge and sink.

ISLAND

If you have the space, an island can add so much personal and often financial value to your home. I love an L-shaped island, with split level worktops and space for bar stools.

If you don’t have the space, a peninsula is a great alternative and will allow extra worktop space and a seating area.

CABINET DOORS

The style and finish of cabinet doors will affect the overall look and budget. Painted Shaker style doors can add a timeless appeal, while wood veneers and metallic finishes can look stunning.

SEATING

Every kitchen benefits from a few bar stools and a countertop to sit at in my view and this is a great opportunity to add a quirky touch or inject some colour. Dining chairs too can be cool and inexpensive. Leather or faux leather is a great option for sticky fingers!

DARREN CHUNG

LAYOUT

LIGHTING

As well as task lighting, which needs to light the areas you will be working in, pendant lighting is a great way to add colour and style to the room. Pendants over the dining area and island look stunning. I love Rothschild and Bickers for their colourful lights.

COLOUR SCHEME

After years of neutral colours, stronger kitchen colours are creating an impact.

Gorgeous deep blues and greens are very popular and can create a strong contrast with worktops and door furniture. I like to add a feature such as a colourful wallpaper in a booth, or an antique mirror splashback to create a great design detail.

All photos courtesy of Rothschild & Bickers. For kitchen advice and design concepts, get in touch on 01628 487 600 or email enquiries@sandrarothwellinteriors. co.uk A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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H O M E | NEWS Compiled by

PENDLE HARTE

I N T H E N E WS U P DAT E S F R O M T H E I N D U S T R Y

BENCH MARK

DANISH DESIGN

PENNY MORRISON

H AY

Penny Morrison's new core collection of furniture includes the stylish Suzani bench, upholstered in an exquisite antique blue and cream suzani fabric and finished with turned bobble legs. £3,000 pennymorrison.com

Designed with maximum comfort and minimum details, Hay's Mags sofa combines strong aesthetics with timelessness to create a classic.

Solid construction means that it's built to last. £2,693 hay.dk

SPIN ME ROUND LIGNE ROSET

The Moa swivel armchair is designed by Keiji Takeuchi taking inspiration from the Japanese home with its lines and flow. Its minimal beauty and technical sophistication makes it a forever piece. ligne-roset.com

SO FT FOCU S EVIE & SKYE Evie and Skye's uplifting designs are underpinned by the glamour of eras past. The unique designs complement one another, encouraging the cushions to be mixed, matched and layered. evieandskye.com

PATTERN CUT O T T O L I N E WA L L PA P E R S Ottoline's trademark is playful use of colour and composition. These unique and contemporary patterns are inspired by a love of nature, as well as an appreciation of historic styles, cultures and art forms. ottoline.co.uk

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KH House

F O U R

SIGHT Taking a closer look at the Berkshire and Buckinghamshire projects that wowed the Royal Institute of British Architects

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T

he Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has been celebrating outstanding work for over 180 years. Their awards and prizes are regarded internationally as a mark of excellence.

Some 13 projects have been awarded RIBA South Awards, and here we find out why four across Berkshire and Buckinghamshire really caught the eye and impressed the judging panel.

KH House is a residential project by Delvendahl Martin Architects involving the extension of an existing Grade II listed farmhouse in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The RIBA jury report had this to say about the project: “From the moment you arrive at KH House, the quality of what lies within is evident. Gracefully adjoining the Grade II listed building, the new element holds off the old with an elegant, glazed connection and delicate concrete details that immediately evidence a thoughtful lightness of touch.

“The traditionally constructed flint spine wall references the listed building and is beautifully crafted. The flintwork is expressed internally through the linking passageway between old and new, imbuing the physical connection with tactility. This is a plasterboard-free extension that is both sensory and beautiful. Whilst the primary entrance remains through the listed building, the flint spine wall and immaculately conceived concrete steps pique interest and encourage entrance through the pavilion instead.

“Upon entering, the eye immediately goes up to the roof whose curved oak beams are a triumph. Locally crafted using French oak (as English oak would not have offered deep enough section sizes), the inspiration is taken from the adjacent 15th century barn interior. The gnarled oak beams and trusses

TIM CROCKER

H O M E | DESIGN

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TIM CROCKER

are organic in shape, crafted with functional beauty. The asymmetric sloping roof, lined in oak, achieves an almost spiritual quality that feels timeless yet contemporary. Externally, the roof is lined in copper and the architects have painstakingly considered every detail. The narrowing of the roof at the gable ends which house sculptural copper water chutes (emptying into the pond) is a beautiful touch that many would not have had the skill, ingenuity, or dedication to achieve.

“Internally, the room is one long volume with a kitchen that reads as a joinery insertion. The roofline is unbroken, allowing the volume to be read in its entirety. The building opens to the southern garden and river view, with three-metre high glazed doors set behind deep pre-cast concrete fin walls supporting the roof. Once opened, the connection to the landscape is reinforced further. The building delicately hovers above the lake below.”

THE 'FLOATING' KH HOUSE

MK Gallery

Up for a RIBA Regional Award, Regional Project Architect of the Year and Regional Award Short List, the work of 6a Architects certainly is worthy of all the praise that has come its way for the MK Gallery project.

As the jury report highlights, this was no easy task. “This is a challenging project that has been beautifully crafted. A high level of research, interrogation, collaboration and consultation from an enthusiastic team has delivered a building and facility that remains true to the ethos of the original

new galleries are clad in reflective materials which are either solid or perforated, so that they appear light or disappear.

“Reinterpreting the original collaborators’ ideas, brought through to this latest design – colours, fonts, materials, and street furniture, to the extent of finding an original ‘pointing finger’ gate and incorporating it into the street landscaping – brings out the authenticity of the project. It’s another level of project team commitment to designing a building for now and the future.”

“A high level of research has delivered a building that remains true to the original ethos” INSIDE MK GALLERY

JOHAN DEHLIN

MK GALLERY'S EXTERIOR

masterplan and aesthetic.

“Existing interior spaces have been opened up and reconfigured to provide a better user experience and flexibility while passing through to other facilities, including the new performance space. The reworking of the original gallery spaces, with a new window to the plaza and combined with the new galleries, provides an enfilade connection through all the galleries to the Milton Keynes parkland beyond.

The use of two colour palettes, extracted from the original MK concepts, provides clear wayfinding whilst also reinforcing the original idea of the muted picturesque against the vibrant cosmopolitan. This idea also features in the use of colour and materials on the building externally. The

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The Narula House

NARULA HOUSE

as the interior details which enhance the architecture beautifully. The living space is completely glazed to the south with a deep overhang to prevent excessive solar gain.

The parti is an extruded raised volume in counterpoint to the flat landscape. This is without a doubt a beautiful house and worthy of a RIBA Award.”

JAMES MORRIS

Located on the banks of the river Loddon, a tributary of the Thames near Wargrave in Berkshire, this was a project taken on

by John Pardey Architects. “Narula sits on a stunning plot on a bend in the River Thames,” says the jury report. “Accessed from a long private road, the plot sits in flood zone 3b and floods periodically up to 1.2m. As a reminder of this, a dinghy is on show in the undercroft of the house.

“The external steel staircase appears both elegant and durable; somewhat akin to embarking a ship. The crafted front door opens into the long corridor space which creates dramatic tension. The house is an elevated box, eroded between the living and sleeping wings to create a partly covered courtyard space. This is a welcome move, given that physical connection to the garden below is difficult and allows the client to be in the landscape and enjoy the stunning setting.

“The long form is an elegant parti, with open plan living, dining and cooking to the eastern end, and all the sleeping accommodation and bathrooms to the western end. The influence of the client is clear in the morning terrace and view as well

“The client should be commended for working with the architect to reimagine the existing house” Samarkand

SAMARKAND

JOAKIM BOREN

Napier Clarke Architects completed this project in Great Missenden back in 2019.

“This is a well-considered reordering and updating of a mid-century detached house which had been previously extended, but which did not function as a sustainable or contemporary living environment,” states the jury report. “The client should be commended for working with the architect on choosing the option of reimagining the existing house and making it their home, rather than knocking it down and starting again (and saving the VAT cost). The context of the village is a typical mix of

houses from different periods and styles, and now it has this as a contemporary addition which sits comfortably in its plot.

“A number of simple external changes – including brick cleaning and repointing, overcladding, dropping windowsill levels and relocating the entrance to the new glazed link between the original house and its previous extension – have significantly updated the aesthetics of the building. Internally, the arrangement of open plan spaces flows through and around the ground floor, while sliding walls allow the occupants to close off areas when desired.

The first floor has used the glazed link to separate the principal parents’ bedroom accommodation and the children's or guest areas. The feeling of openness is characterised by the successful use of a limited selection of materials that run throughout the design, cleanly detailed and executed.”

See more at architecture.com A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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MAKING A CONNEC TI O N

There’s no place in your home sweet home for poor broadband

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H O M E | PARTNERSHIP

Future proofed for generations to come Swish’s network is currently able to expand to speeds of 10,000Mbps, with the ability to upgrade even further so it’s always ahead of true demands.

Where can I find information on the progress of the network installation?

Say hello to 4k streaming, hardcore gaming, crystal clear video calls and smart home living

H

ome is where the heart is, but if your broadband connection doesn’t have the heart to serve up all of your needs, there’s really no place for it in your home. Go beyond today’s broadband and bring Full Fibre into the heart of your home with Swish.

As part of a £250 million-pound investment to create a state-of-the-art 10,000Mbps Full Fibre network, Swish Fibre are currently building their network across towns in the Home Counties, to help you work, surf and play with confidence.

Unless you’re one of the lucky few UK households, chances are you have a fibreto-the-cabinet broadband (FTTC). This means the final stage of the journey to your home is being made by the traditional copper telephone wire. Think of copper like a leaky bucket, where it quickly loses speed over the distance to your home.

Swish Fibre doesn’t stop at bringing you blistering performance that’s way beyond today’s average speeds. Like their Full Fibre network, they’ve thrown away the rule book and redesigned a range of services that put you first and firmly in control.

Speed united Unlike traditional broadband services, Swish Fibre delivers an upload speed that matches the eye-watering download speed of your chosen package.

Make every millisecond count. Make poor video calls, slow file uploads and gaming lag a thing of the past. With split-second response rates, Swish always delivers when it matters most.

Endless possibilities Say hello to 4K streaming, hardcore gaming, crystal clear video calls and smart home living, all across multiple devices at the same time – day and night.

For more information on where Swish is installing fibre, visit swishfibre.com/ locations. These will include build plans, an evolving bank of frequently-asked-questions and opportunities to speak with the Swish team. They are committed to providing regular updates here to keep you informed of progress.

The good news is, you can now pre-order or order Swish Fibre in Marlow, Gerrards Cross, Princes Risborough, Beaconsfield, Bourne End and Wooburn Green. But if you feel like you’re missing out, well fear not. Swish Fibre is making its way around Berkshire and Buckinghamshire and Full Fibre will soon be available in Flackwell Heath, Ascot and Sunningdale.

What is involved with installing Swish Fibre networks?

Like all utility companies, their network installation involves digging trenches.

However, Swish Fibre use a variety of trenching methods in order to minimise traffic disruption and time spent in your area. At the same time, their engineers will install street cabinets for their high speed fibre connections.

If you live in one of these areas, you can register your interest online to hear more information about what Full Fibre can do for you and to find out when your home is ready to be connected, plus you can also pre-order online or visit them at the Swish Fibre hub in Marlow. Once your property is ready for service, one of their expert installations team will be in touch to schedule in a suitable time for you to get connected.

SW I S H F I B R E Visit 6, 6a Market Square, Marlow, SL7 1DA 0800 0489415 swishfibre.com

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A FAMILY BUSINESS SINCE 1977 MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO COME AND VISIT OUR LARGE SHOWROOM!

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H O M E | PARTNERSHIP

Perfect ® Pirouette

Just like a balletic movement, Pirouette® Shades from Luxaflex® combine grace and beauty with technical performance

evening light linger for longer in the dining room. Not only do these shades diffuse light for day-to-day convenience and comfort, they also protect your furniture and flooring; Pirouette® Shades block up to 81% of harmful UV rays with the vanes open, and 99% with vanes closed, extending the life of your furnishings.

VERSATILE VANES Luxaflex® Pirouette® Shades feature unique soft fabric ‘floating’ vanes attached to a sheer backing which give complete control over your home’s natural light. As well as raising or lowering the shade, you can also choose to have the vanes fully open, contoured, or closed for the perfect level of light and privacy. This unique design offers multiple looks and can create a host of moods, with undulating vanes and luxurious weaves combined in one stylish blind.

The design offers multiple looks and can create a host of moods, with undulating vanes and luxurious weaves combined in one blind

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FLOATING FABRIC Unlike other window coverings, the unique design of Pirouette® Shades means they appear to float without visible cords or tapes, diffusing harsh sunlight while still allowing clear view-through, with a discreet level of privacy.

With airy sheers or room-darkening fabrics, sophisticated silk effects or luxurious linen, and a choice of timeless neutrals or bright statement tones, there’s a Pirouette® that’s perfect for you.

HERE COMES THE SUN Exclusive Luxaflex® fabrics gently filter and disperse natural light to suit you and your home, allowing you to cut out afternoon glare in the home office or let the

SAFET Y AND ST YLE At Luxaflex® they know the importance of innovation in every detail. From their UltraGlide® retractable cord to their PowerView® smart home automation, they combine technology and creativity to put child safety first. Speak to your local trusted Luxaflex® retailer to see their innovations in action.

MADE-TO-MEASURE Knowledgeable Luxaflex retailers are marked out by their skill and experience in custom-creating bespoke window treatments. Contact your local specialist to discuss your ideas and gain helpful advice on everything from design to installation.

LUX A F L E X Find your local showroom or request your free brochure online. luxaflex.co.uk

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Charlotte Street Hotel drawing room featuring a chairs in EDIT’s Harlequin fabric

EDIT’s ‘Vanessa Bloom’ fabric, named after Vanessa Bell

BOHO

DESIGN Get the look: how to create a Bloomsbury-inspired interior

By KIT KEMP

I

t’s no secret that I have long been inspired by the work and creativity of the Bloomsbury Group, a set of artists and intellectuals including Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant who lived and worked in Bloomsbury during the early 20th century. The group believed in creativity, innovation and beauty, but it is their sense of fun and freedom that I am most drawn to. Charlotte Street Hotel sits in the heart of Bloomsbury and the interiors for the hotel make specific reference to the Bloomsbury Group. There is much to learn from this fascinating group of artists – here are some ideas for how to create a Bloomsbury interior of your own.

When creating your own Bloomsburyinspired interior, there is no better way to seek inspiration than by visiting the Charleston farmhouse near Lewes, in East Sussex, where the group’s interior style can be most distinctly seen. Vanessa Bell, with artists Duncan Grant and Roger Fry, wanted art to be democratic and thought that furniture, ceramics and textiles should be given as much attention as fine art. So

here they filled the home they shared with beautiful things and painted every surface.

Another place from which to draw Bloomsbury inspiration is Monk’s House, also in East Sussex, where the spirit of not only Virginia Woolf, who lived here with her husband Leonard, but also of the Bloomsbury Group and the many artists, writers and thinkers who visited, fills the rooms.

The Bloomsbury Group truly loved colour.

Their interiors and paintings were a riot of dusky blues, artichoke greens, damask rose, burnt orange and aubergine. It is a totally unique colour palette that can be both moody and uplifting. Annie Sloan, the chalk paint specialist, has collaborated with the Charleston Trust to create a unique range of paint colours inspired by these distinctive hues. In the Drawing Room and Library at Charlotte Street Hotel, the curtains have been made up in Duncan Grant’s ‘Queen Mary’ fabric, which was intended for use in the First Class Lounge aboard the RMS Queen Mary ocean liner in 1935.

This is available from Charleston’s shop.

Sydney-based fabric house EDIT offers a A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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HOME • DESIGN

Charlotte Street Hotel

selection of incredibly colourful and vibrant fabrics which take the Bloomsbury aesthetic into the 21st century. I have used EDIT’s ‘Harlequin’ fabric on occasional chairs at Charlotte Street Hotel in both the Library, positioned below a painting by Roger Fry, and the Drawing Room.

I have also used EDIT’s ‘Vanessa Bloom’ – named after Vanessa Bell – on a comfortable fireside armchair in the Drawing Room. This fabric evokes the spirit of the Bloomsbury Group with its rich, painterly forest green, pink and blue florals.

A great way to update a room is to paint the furniture in it. The Bloomsbury Group loved breathing new, colourful and witty life into everyday items by painting them with decorative motifs and geometric patterns. At Charlotte Street Hotel, there is a small desk that was hand-painted by The Omega Workshop, over which hang paintings by Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell.

The Omega Workshop was founded by Roger Fry in Bloomsbury’s Fitzroy Square in 1913, with the aim of selling furniture, fabrics

“A great way to update a room is to paint the furniture in it” and household accessories designed and made by the Bloomsbury Group’s unconventional group of artists. They had an eclectic set of influences, where Cubist design would sit next to Italian frescoes and neoclassical pieces rest against English Arts & Crafts designs. In the same way, be inspired in your own home by mixing different styles and eras, displaying things you find both useful and beautiful, but most importantly things that you really love. In the Library at Charlotte Street Hotel, Vanessa Bell’s painted panels set the Bloomsbury mood, teamed here with a wing chair covered in a modern Bloomsbury-inspired fabric.

Extract taken from Design Secrets

by Kit Kemp, £25, Hardie Grant kitkemp.com

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H O M E • KITCHEN KIT

C O O K A L O N G ESSENTIALS FOR A WELLEQUIPPED KITCHEN

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IN THE MIX KITCHENAID

The iconic stand mixer is an invaulable addition to any kitchen, and the new Dried Rose shade is certainly one to covet. £499 kitchenaid.co.uk

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T I N P OT

FA L C O N E N A M E LWA R E

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Enamelware is versatile: put it in the oven or on the hob, serve salads, bakes and pies in style and take the unbreakable plates on picnics. We love the red and white. falconenamelware.com

3

SW I TC H U P IKETTLE

Waiting for the kettle to boil is so 2020. With the smart iKettle, you can switch it on from upstairs or even from the end of the road, using your phone. Why wait? £99 smarter.am

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FINE FIZZ AARKE

Aarke's stylish carbonators look good in any kitchen, and make an environmentally friendly alternative to buying endless plastic bottles of San Pellegrino. £179 aarke.com

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G R AT E N E W S MICROPLA NE

The new bowl grater easily and efficiently grates vegetables, fruit and cheese directly into a bowl. Genius. Beware, though: it's very sharp. £19.95 johnlewis.com A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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H O M E | PARTNERSHIP

BURNING BRIGHT

Discover wood burning stoves, gas and electric fires, outdoor grills and fire pits, all at Marlow Stoves

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our local expert with a personal touch. Marlow Stoves is a family-run business with a genuine passion for what they do – bringing their customer’s dreams to life, creating warm and welcoming environments inside and out. They have built their business on honesty and integrity, always offering clear and knowledgeable advice to ensure you choose the right solution for your requirements.

Marlow Stoves have a full-service offer including consultation, property survey, full installation and after sales service

support. Partnered with some of the best manufacturers in the UK and Europe, their HETAS and Gas Safe qualified engineers supply and fit traditional freestanding stoves, contemporary inset f ires, fireplaces and hearths. They offer a truly bespoke service to meet your personal requirements.

The friendly team have years of experience in not only fitting stoves, but listening to their client’s vision and

They offer a truly bespoke service

providing complete interior and exterior design solutions that bring dreams to life.

They can offer advice and a wide range of choice for every aspect of your fire related projects and will happily work with your builder or architect to ensure there are no unexpected surprises.

Their work isn’t done once your stove is installed. They pride themselves on their ongoing aftercare, from yearly sweeping services, sourcing the best logs, or simply being on hand to answer any questions you may have.

If you are looking to start your journey towards a warmer home, get in touch with them today.

MARLOW STOVES Unit U, The Rose Business Estate, Marlow Bottom, SL7 3ND 01628 290142 info@marlowsstoves.co.uk marlowstoves.co.uk

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H O M E | TREND LUST HOME Under The Banana tree wallpaper in hot pink , £40 lusthome.com

LUST HOME Ogata Kuren wallpaper in mint green, £42 lusthome.com

DOWSING AND REYNOLDS Byobu standard wallpaper, £175 dowsingandreynolds.com

DIVINE SAVAGES Blooming Marvellous Belle Blue wallpaper, £140 divinesavages.com

TATIE LOU Soltar ink wallpaper, £130 tatielou.co.uk

ROLL UP

The new wallpapers are bold and maximalist

FIONA HOWARD Wild Wiggle wallpaper in lemon, £69 fionahoward.com

OLENKA DESIGN Velina tropical wallpaper, £129 olenkadesign.co.uk

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

LEIGH BAGLEY Treig blue wallpaper, £200 leighbagley.com

SIAN ZENG Mountains classic wallpaper grey pink, £76 sianzeng.com

ABIGAIL EDWARDS Bird wallpaper in shadow, £89 abigailedwards.com

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

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Warming your home inside and out

Warming your home is our passion. We supply and install an amazing range of wood, gas and electric stoves designed for inside and outdoors. In partnership with David Henry Designs we have the capability to build anything from a media wall to a garden room. We are here to bring your vision to life • ECO 2022 Stoves • Media walls • Fireplace remodelling • Bespoke Fire Surrounds • Bespoke Hearths • 3D Design Service

Call now for a free consultation

Marlow Stoves 01628 290 142 info@marlowsstoves.co.uk marlowstoves.co.uk

David Henry Designs

07876 450155 or 07920 112248 enquiry@davidhenrydesigns.co.uk davidhenrydesigns.co.uk

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ANTON STUDIO DESIGNS

HOME • TREND

Six Carmargue goblets, £51.50 notjustjugs.com

LOAF Candle pot, £8 loaf.com

FRAMED ART ERCOL

Cuttlefish Blue by Seba, £252 mindtheg.com

Forli armchair, £1,555 ercol.com

NIKKI CARR Gold-leaf kingfisher print, from £220 nikkicarr.co.uk

HAY Bonbon shade, £649 wearemaven.co.uk

MINDTHEGAP

EDITOR’S PICK

Chinese Garden wallpaper, £175 mindtheg.com

OKA Large Zabiya decorative vase blue, £40 oka.com

DANIEL OF WINDSOR

ERCOL Marlia armchair, £950 ercol.com

ALMOST BLUE

Papyrus Woods & Jasmine scented candle, £60 danielstores.co.uk

Cool colours for the season

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

DANETTI

ABODE LIVING Ray plates, £26.50 abodeliving.co.uk

Geo Blue textured sideboard, £649 danetti.com

ARTISAN HOMEWARE Casserole dish, £65 artisanhomeware.co.uk

COX & COX Embroidered ikat cushion,£60 coxandcox.co.uk

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SHADE WORK 10 of the best... lamps and lights COMPILED BY PENDLE HARTE

GREEN LIGHT

Formed from a continuous chain of curved arches that form a single element, Hay’s Arcs Shade creates a spatial volume that plays with light and shape. £195 twentytwentyone.com

MOON SHADOW

David Hunt Lighting’s Lunar Collection includes this four light multi arm pendant with antique brass hardware and a beautifully hand-finished smoke blue body. £720 davidhuntlighting. co.uk

IN THE ROUND

Ligne Roset’s Azabu is a ball-shaped light in mouthblown Murano glass which diffuses warm, evenly-coloured light. Put it on a table or just on the floor. £531 heals.com

OFF THE WALL

Davey’s Well glass wall light is an industrial style screw type well glass light, suited for both indoor and outdoor use, and particularly fine in a bathroom. £305 thewalllightingcompany.co.uk

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H O M E | TOP TEN

LOLLY POP

Broste Copenhagen’s Lolly ceiling pendant in white opal glass is stylish in a pared back, Scandi way. £389 brostecopenhagen.com

BEST CHINA

LOW LIGHT

Pebble is a new statement pendant hand-crafted in Stoke on Trent from bone china. Combining centuries-old manufacturing techniques with the latest in technology, this is an intricate and intriguing piece. £1,499 originabtc.com

Pooky’s dinky Wilma lamp is perfect for bringing character to a little alcove, a book-case, or the end of a shelf. £74 pooky.com

GLOBE TROTTER

This playful statement piece makes a perfect bedside lamp or can be used to create warm accent lighting in living rooms or hallways. danielstores.co.uk

SET THE MOOD

A perfectly integrated lighting control system allows you to optimise the control of both natural and artificial light to create the perfect ambience from the push of a button. cinergy.ltd

FRINGE BENEFIT

Beauvamp is an independent, British lighting brand specialising in traditional, hand-stitched silk lampshades combining traditional sewing techniques with vintage-inspired design and contemporary style. From £355 beauvamp.com

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

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Create a home you’ll love INTERIOR DESIGN • BESPOKE PIECES • PERSONAL SHOPPING

GIORGETTI

Berkshire interior designer, curating pieces by renowned and prestigious designers and working with talented master craftsmen to create unique and beautiful homes.

Full interior design service and room-by-room design with Roomology.

For more information call 01628 487 600 or visit www.sandrarothwellinteriors.com

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H O M E | DESIGN

The beauty of bespoke Why that room of your dreams could become reality thanks to Mark Taylor Design

M

ark Taylor Design is a British manufacturer of bespoke furniture, specialist joinery, c a bi net r y a nd interior design.

Working on the belief that (almost) anything is possible, craftsmanship, attention to detail and superlative service are central tenets of the business.

Mark and his highly experienced team offer clients individual solutions, both fitted and freestanding, for kitchens, studies, bathrooms, bedrooms, bars, architectural joinery, corporate projects and exclusive furniture pieces, as well as offering a complete interior design service. Their knowledge of textiles, materials, colour, sustainability and trends provide a wealth of choice and inspiration to clients.

Bespoke allows you to unleash your imagination “We provide the complete package from space management and design, through the production process to final installation,” Mark says. “Our expanded offering includes lighting expertise, security services, sound systems, exterior styling, extensions and much more. Whether you are planning a new kitchen, building a new house or renovating your existing home, we are able to offer a complete design service to find the perfect solution for you.”

There is nothing quite like the beauty of bespoke. Having something created to your specifications is arguably the epitome of modern luxury. Bespoke most commonly used to refer to hand-made suits and shoes.

But the concept has become much more sought after within the world of interiors and design – with bespoke kitchens leading the way. And it’s not too hard to understand why. Bespoke means not having to

compromise, and getting exactly what you want, how and when you want it. It also allows you to unleash your imagination and embrace your creativity. The end result is a room that is crafted, in every way, to embrace your lifestyle and personal taste.

As well as bespoke kitchens, Mark Taylor Design has also developed a concept kitchen range, MeThD, that gives clients the freedom to curate their unique kitchen without the bespoke price tag. MeThD consists of four beautiful custom kitchen ranges, all of which are available with a number of bespoke adaptations and in standard or special paint colours. MeThD combines the quality, beauty and aftercare of bespoke with the affordability, speed of production and ease of installation of a custom range.

Working from its design studio and offices in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, supported by workshops in Wiltshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire, Mark Taylor Design takes on projects nationwide.

M A R K TAY LO R D E S I G N For further information, contact Mark Taylor Design on 01628 486707, email mtd@marktaylordesign.co.uk or visit marktaylordesign.co.uk

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H O M E | PROFILE

Are you mad about your house?

Kate Watson-Smyth has launched a course in making your space work for you Words P E N D L E H A R T E

W

alking into Kate WatsonSmyth’s north London house, I’m immediately struck by how familiar it looks. Not because I’ve been here before, but because – along with more than a quarter of a million other followers – I’m used to seeing bits of it on Instagram. This much-photographed house is a living example of how to achieve successful design, and now Watson-Smyth, a journalist and blogger who has become a serious design mover, is launching an online course to help the rest of us realise our interiors dreams. As the woman behind the UK’s number one interiors blog, Mad About The House, she’s used to being asked for advice and it’s her honest and relatable tone – as well as her great eye – that makes her such an authority.

The big thing about Kate is that she’s not snooty or dogmatic, and her mission is to demystify the process of decorating your house the way you want it. And because deciding on the way you want it is almost half the battle, that’s what she focuses on with this course, which is mostly about finding your own interior design style. Note ‘your own’ – she’s not advocating recreating her own style (though I’d wager that many of her followers are quite

It’s about choosing the colours that you love and then matching the mood of them to the room you need A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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If there’s a dirty great white radiator in the middle of it, what are you thinking? It is not a feature keen to do exactly that) because her core belief is that living somewhere you love has an enormously positive impact on your overall happiness and wellbeing. But what really makes her so engaging is her warmth and humour.

You imagine that even shopping for radiator valves could be fun with her. Sitting in her kitchen (well-designed with a practical layout, intriguingly muted paint colours and fabulous storage, naturally) over coffee, not only do I learn a lot about decorating houses, but I’m also enjoying being entertained.

The course launch’s timing really couldn’t be better, with the idea of wellbeing at home becoming more relevant than ever over the past 18 months. “I think a lot of people have now realised the link between your surroundings and your mental health,” Watson-Smyth tells me. “In the past, a lot of people would move into a house, slap a colour on the wall, think ‘that’s quite nice’, and then go to work and not see it again in daylight until they were on holiday.

Being forced to spend time indoors has led people to think,

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‘well actually I hate this room’ and then start to analyse why they hate it. So that’s led to an interest in working out what colours you like and what you use your rooms for. And that’s where my courses and books come in.”

For Watson-Smyth, the starting point is to ask six basic questions, just as she was taught as a trainee journalist.

It’s all about the who, what, why, when, where and how.

“It’s about knowing what questions to ask. It’s fine if you like teal blue (though that’s not a colour for me) but you can’t look at a colour in isolation and think, ‘I love it; I’m going to paint it all over my living room’. You have to think, how does that colour make you feel? And if it makes you feel energised, buzzy and ready to start the day, then maybe that’s not the colour for the bedroom. Maybe it’s more the colour for the kitchen. It’s about choosing the colours that you love and then matching the mood of them to the room you need.” And it’s not just colours – it’s important to consider carefully what the purpose of each room actually is. This is something that people often get

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H O M E | PROFILE

wrong, she says. “They don’t think who’s using a room, so it ends up not fit for purpose. Typically, someone might put a beautiful buttoned upright sofa in the sitting room, that nobody wants to sit on because it’s uncomfortable.

Then they add an extension on the back of the house and put a squashy sofa in the kitchen, with a telly in there – and from then on nobody ever uses the sitting room again.

You have to know what, why and who.”

The course is essentially five hours of video material broken down into manageable 15 minute lessons explaining where to start and all the questions you should ask. “It’s not about being didactic and saying this is how it’s done, it’s saying, if you follow this process you will know how you want to do it – you’ll have learnt how to do it yourself,” says Watson-Smyth. It’s illustrated with a walk-through of her own very lovely and well-considered house (pictured here) with honest reference to mistakes she has made and things she has changed or would do differently.

Watson-Smyth and her husband moved into the house more than ten years ago, with their two small sons (now teenagers) and they converted it from two flats back A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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INSPIRE H HO OM ME E || PROFILE

into a single dwelling, and learnt a lot along the way. Is it finished? A house is never really finished, of course, but “all the rooms are in the right places now.” By this she means the kitchen and bathrooms. “If you get your plumbing rooms in the right place then your approach to bedrooms can be fairly fluid,” she says. The family have all swapped bedrooms a lot as their needs have changed, which is something that many of us don’t think about doing, she points out. “Parents of small children tend to take the master bedroom, because it’s called ‘the master bedroom’. For us, the boys shared the master bedroom when they were little because they had the biggest toys and they could fit them all in there.

As they got older, the toys got smaller and they moved into their own rooms. Sometimes the solution is just to move the rooms around.” Now she and her husband do have the master bedroom, where they have devised an ingenious half-wall to partition a dressing room area.

For bedrooms, one piece of advice she has is to look at hotels. “They’re often ahead of the curve – look at the industrial style a few years ago, when every pizza joint in town had distressed furniture and tin tile ceilings.

Hotels have to get a lot of functions into a small space: a desk, a chair, a place to watch tv, some sort of bathroom, a double bed, everything has to be highly functional in a small space. If you want to build an en suite you can, for example, make the wall ¾ height and put a pane of glass on top so you are borrowing light – hotels do that a lot and there’s no reason why you can’t in your own home.”

The major game-changer for interiors in the past decade or so has been Instagram, which Watson-Smyth loves.

“Instagram has been hugely important for interiors, and democratised it. Magazines remain influential and

inspirational, but only certain types of houses get featured, while Instagram has allowed everybody to put their houses up. If you live in a one-bedroom flat you’ll be able to find inspiration on Instagram from someone who’s done their one-bed flat beautifully. Magazines are frustrating – they might credit everything except, say, the coffee table – and to find out about it all you can really do is to write to the editor, but they never reply, while on Instagram you can interact. People are doing whole tutorials on how to paint your UPVC windows and everything. It’s made us all more design literate. If you wanted to see what someone’s house

I’m a huge fan of sliding doors. I can’t believe that nobody talks about doors looked like in Japan 30 years ago, you’d have had to go to Tokyo, but now you can see how people live and use space instantly.” There’s a chapter in the course on navigating social media, because it’s easy to become overwhelmed with so much inspiration out there. If you have 300 pins on your kitchen board, you’re not going to know what to do.

I have to ask about her bugbears. What mistakes are we all making? Of course there are several. “Hanging pictures too high is one. And the rug island with the coffee table boat – I can’t bear that. Another thing: you have got to paint your radiators to match your walls. I’m not even going to discuss it. If you have gone to all the bother of testing 47 different paints to find the right colour and there’s a dirty great white radiator in the middle of it, then what are you thinking? It is not a feature.”

And then there are doors. Another chapter of the course is dedicated to doors, which makes total sense when she talks me through all the different ones in her house. “The standard door can take up a lot of space,” she explains.

So on the landing there is one that’s cut in half and folds backwards to save space, while the door to her en suite is cut in half and hinged on either side, again saving space.

“Plus I’m a huge fan of sliding doors. I can’t believe that nobody talks about doors.”

Another interesting element of the course focuses on relationships. Or, more accurately, on persuading one’s husband to agree to things like pink walls and gold grout.

Not that Watson-Smyth managed to get gold grout past her own husband. “We have developed something over the years called the marital veto. It’s only been used about three times – last time was when we were doing the loft six years ago and I wanted gold grout in the bathroom.

He just said no. I cried on Instagram for a bit but now I hate to think that he might have been right.” Still, there’s bound to be an Instagram tutorial for painting your grout, and as she keeps saying, you can change the colours of everything as long as you get the layout right. And then you could be mad about your house too. @mad_about_the_house Kate Watson-Smyth’s course, How To Be Mad About Your House, costs £127 at createacademy.com A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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SPECI A L ISSUE

absolutely-mama.co.uk

In this section:

Language learning

Starting them young •

LO U N G E LOVER With their classic look, Eberjey’s Gisele pyjamas borrow their style from the boys, but are cut from super-soft jersey and tailored for a more feminine silhouette.

Feeling comfortable while looking good has never been so easy. selfridges.com

Baby wearing

A new range of slings •

Life without plastic

It’s easy if you try

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FANTASTIC

PLASTIC

It’s the ‘big baddie’ for many children and adults, but is it time we reappraised plastic’s value and educated ourselves in ways to use it more wisely?

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MAMA • SUSTAINABILITY

P

lastic has had a terrible press in recent times, and for many children and families it has become the ‘no-no’ substance. Little wonder, as we consider the damage caused to our oceans by microplastics and the mountains of waste created by single-use plastic. The problem is that every action has a reaction – so totally abandoning one material in favour of another can have unintended consequences.

So before we banish all plastic in favour of bamboo, wood or whatever, consider this: the right plastic used in the right settings is durable, lightweight, easy to clean and economical to maintain. This is, of course, why it is so popular for children’s toys and hardwearing objects such as furniture. In fact, it’s very easy to see why it is so prevalent in children’s lives.

A lot of plastic we use is also recyclable.

What we need to do – and teach our children about – is start to use plastic more wisely, making it last and finding smart reuses so it isn’t wasted. These are all principles of the ‘circular economy’, which encourages us to reuse, recycle and also design these elements in at point of manufacture.

BRITISH RECYCLED PLASTICS’ PLANTERS AND BENCH (ABOVE)

WE SHOULD BE VIEWING PLASTIC AS A RESOURCE AND LOOKING AT HOW WE CAN KEEP IT IN THE CLEAN RECYCLING LOOP Giving plastic a new lease of life is something that exercises Yorkshire company British Recycled Plastic. Managing director, Jason Elliott, says we need to consider it as a resource. “Recycled plastic is inherently tough. It is chemically inert, so will never leach any toxic chemicals and will never rot, split or splinter so has a long lifespan. We should be viewing plastic as a resource and looking at how we can keep it in the clean recycling loop.”

He doesn’t underestimate the scale of the problem we currently face, but believes that schools and young people have a key part to play in turning things around. “The average secondary school produces 22kg of waste per pupil each academic year. The figure for primary schools is even higher at 45kg per pupil!”

To that end, British Recycled Plastic has launched ‘Your story is our story’, an initiative to get schools engaged with plastic pollution. The campaign asks schools to share their plastic recycling projects so that it can publicise them via its website and social media.

The company specialises in recycled plastic furniture – much of it destined for schools, colleges and universities, as well as public spaces. Recently, it has showcased two schoolfocused projects in order to show that plastic is not always the bad guy. Its ‘Buddy Bench’ was an initiative to help children returning to school to strike up a conversation. The benches are made entirely of recycled plastic and, with their distinctive rainbow colours, strike a cheery note in the playground.

Another recent initiative was to help a school with a pollution problem. British Recycled Plastic created and installed recycled plastic planters along the roadside in front of the main entrance to Goose Green School in East Dulwich. These ‘smog shields’ were part of a raft of measures to improve air quality. The custom-made designs (all recycled materials) were designed to fit neatly between railing and road, with enough depth to block fumes and provide a decent growing environment for the plants that were also put in place to absorb pollution from

cars. And the result was that air pollution was reduced by around half at Goose Green School. Recycled plastic planters may make a great smog shield, but have many other uses in schools and public settings – inert, sturdy and a perfect medium for grow-yourown vegetables or colourful bedding plants.

Elliott believes schools and young people have a key role to play in raising awareness generally – also encouraging better recycling among their communities (and lobbying their local authorities to raise their game by improving our inadequate recycling facilities).

He says: “Recycling education programmes have the potential to significantly increase knowledge, promote positive attitudes and increase recycling behaviours in pupils, and we’re keen to hear from schools that are doing their bit to help the planet”.

Thinking local is a start, and if children can start to see even plastic – the ‘big baddie’ of waste – as a valuable global resource, they can start to think smart about conserving all materials. What is certain is that we need the next generation on board with this – and so does our planet.

4 WAYS to recycle toys

1

Pass them on via Freecycle or informal sites such as nextdoor.co.uk

2

Give them to charity – try toys4life.co.uk and thetoyproject.co.uk

3

Set up a swap meet so that everyone gives a toy and gets a new one.

4

Organise a school toy sale, with proceeds going to a local environmental project.

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mama PROMOTION

“It allows for parents to spend precious time with their children while learning”

S M A L L T A L K Through a range of innovative programmes, Pepe and Tete brings the Spanish language to life

P

epe and Tete is a Spanish language experience business that offers learning for all ages and levels. The journey to create Pepe and Tete started in Pilar de la Horadada, Spain where their founder is from and worked as a tennis coach for nine years.

This period strengthened her passion for all sports as well as heavily influencing Pepe and Tete’s approach to learning.

The approach is founded on two principles; first is that learning is all about curiosity and they take every day as an opportunity to discover something new.

Second is that conversation is the best way to learn a language. So, whether it’s practicing with native speakers or roleplays, their tutors place strong emphasis on social skills as a way of mastering a language across all ages and levels.

Specifically, for children, they have developed a learning model that combines interactive learning and real-life interactions. They use Pepito, a fun and

engaging character that brings to life various aspects of Spanish culture such as family, food and hobbies. An example is this year, for children aged 5-10, they ran a series of art camps that explored famous Spanish artists such as Picasso, Miró and Gaudi.

For adults, they have developed a dedicated one-year programme called Spanish Año. The programme is based on an English family looking to relocate to Spain and thus puts strong emphasis on conversation and practice as a way of mastering the language. They have also SANDRA AVILES, THE FOUNDER OF PEPE AND TETE

BE CONFIDENT IN SPEAKING SPANISH WHEN HOLIDAYING

created a unique programme that allows for parents to spend precious time with their children while learning together.

They recognize that time and flexibility are a challenge especially for families or professionals. Therefore, as online learning becomes the norm, they are constantly looking at ways to innovate new learning options such as maternity and sabbatical programmes, both centered around the student’s availability.

Learning a language does not stop at just being able to speak and listen, but also includes cultural immersion, meeting new people and of course sampling the food. Their full immersions programmes offer the perfect setting to practice and experience the Mediterranean lifestyle in the south of Spain.

So, no matter your learning needs, they would be delighted to bring Spain to you via a journey of fun, new friendships and adventure. If you would like to find out more about the programmes, please get in touch on team@pepeandtete.com. pepeandtete.com A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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Carry on BabyBjörn’s classic baby carrier comes in a variety of styles and colours

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Wo r d s E V E H E R B E R T

andy beaches, cherry blossoms and timeless spots inspired BabyBjörn to create a new range of colours for the iconic baby carrier. The perfect pink, the anything-butboring grey beige, and leopard print launched last month and the multi award-winning Baby Carrier Mini, Baby Carrier Move and Baby Carrier One Air are now available in new colours including the highly coveted and celebrity favourite anthracite leopard print.

Baby Carrier Mini is a small, easy-to-use baby carrier that mum or dad can quickly

“The carrier can

be used in four different positions as your baby grows” put on for frequent short babywearing sessions. It’s perfect for the first months when the baby needs a lot of closeness around the clock. It’s easy to unfasten the entire front section of the baby carrier to lift out a sleeping baby. The soft fabrics gently hug the baby’s back, legs and hips, and provide good support. Through the fabric, a parent can check the baby’s position and the natural C curve of the baby’s back with their hands.

Designed to fit the needs of a newborn baby up to 15 months, the simple design of the Baby Carrier Move makes it easy to put on, even in the middle of the night, and the luxurious, tactile fabrics are gentle on your newborn’s delicate skin. You can feel your baby is being carried in a natural position, with their back in a gentle c-curve. From 12 months, the carrier can also be used outward facing so you and your baby can explore the world together.

The Baby Carrier One Air offers hours of comfy carrying from newborn all the way up to three years, the carrier can be used in four different positions to grow as your baby does, for perfect carrying ergonomics, use either parent facing, outward facing or for back carrying. The cool air mesh fabric makes sure neither parent or baby gets too hot too. babybjorn.co.uk

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PROPERTY

Amerden Lane SL6

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merden Bank is a Victorian home of considerable charm and character, featuring five bedrooms and three bathrooms, and on a pleasant reach of the Thames just below Bray Lock. Formerly the home of Dame Margot Fonteyn (the UK's Prima Ballerina) and husband Roberto de Aris (politician), the well-proportioned accommodation makes it ideal for family life.

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PROPERTY • FOCUS

WHO SHOULD MAKE A WILL?

WHERE THERE’S A

WILL

How B P Collins respond to the statement: I don't need to make a Will yet...

By LUCY WOOD

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W

e hear this a lot. And we understand.

You don’t like the thought of writing a Will.

Maybe you’re not keen on facing your own mortality or you believe that all of your assets will just automatically go to the people you love the most after you pass away. But spending a bit of time thinking about who would take care of your children after you’re gone, or if you wish to give some of your assets to people outside your immediate family, could help to avoid feuds in the future, intestacy rules applying and possible court involvement, which could be costly, lengthy and its final decision may be completely different to what you would’ve liked.

It’s well known that if you own a property and have children you should make a Will.

But there are many more circumstances where it is useful to have one.

• Are you married or in a civil partnership?

• Are you co-habiting with your partner?

• Have you bought a house with friends?

• Do you own substantial assets?

• Are you getting divorced?

• Have family relationships changed?

• Do you have children from a previous relationship?

• Is there anyone who is financially dependent on you?

If you’re ticking any of these boxes, maybe it’s time to make a Will.

SHOULD I DO IT MYSELF OR USE A QUALIFIED SOLICITOR? It is tempting to choose a DIY or online Will, which may cost less than £30 and only take 30 minutes to complete. But if this sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If mistakes are made or if the strict witnessing rules are not followed correctly, the document could be invalid.

Problems can also arise if your circumstances change, as many DIY Wills cannot accommodate this and some handwritten notes on the original Will to highlight your new decisions will not suffice.

B P Collins can help ensure all obligations are met, plus confirm you have thought of everything, so the Will is comprehensive and watertight. Involving an experienced wills, trusts and probate solicitor is particularly advisable if you have a sizeable estate as they can advise on tax efficient options and trust provisions to protect your assets.

B P COLLINS B P Collins has a team of wills, trusts and probate lawyers that can help you write or review your Will and provide bespoke advice. The team are also members of the Law Society’s Wills and Inheritance Quality Scheme (WIQS). For more email lucy.wood@bpcollins.co.uk or call 01753 278650

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