WEST SEPTEMBER 2013

ABSOLUTELY West SEPTEMBER 2013 ÂŁ3.95

ART SPECIAL

URBAN WARRIOR

Inside Acton's West London Art Factory

FEAST YOUR EYES

Gennaro Contaldo on the Trattoria's rustic charm

CANDY CRUSH

Bompas & Parr on getting fruity at Kew Gardens

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CONTENTS

07 EDITOR’S LETTER

CULTURE

CULTURE NOTES

The latest in local art and culture

18 STREET SPIRIT

Inside the West London Art Factory

27 LITTLE RASCALS

Presents for newborns and Scandinavian inspired children’s interiors The great sleep debate

FASHION NOTES

Ronen Chen goes Renaissance and notes on a one-to-watch from Shepherd’s Bush

Outfits and accessories inspired by classic and modern art

Contents.indd 2

Inside an artist couple’s home

Essential foodie news

65 FOOD REVIEW

Amy Broomfield reviews The Dysart Arms

PROPERTY

94 IN THEIR OWN WORDS Robert Barr, Sales Manager, Kerr & Co

120 LIVING THE DREAM This month’s prime properties

CREATIVE MINDS

The culture issue

STREET SPIRIT

Behind the scenes at West London Art Factory

A New Era Fashion's ode to autumn

S T Y L I S H . I N T E L L I G E N T. E L E G A N T. A B S O L U T E LY

COVER: LICKERISH

FOOD & TRAVEL

63 BITE SIZED

Interior inspiration with a Pop Art twist

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WWW.ZEST-MEDIA.COM

33 ART MEETS FASHION

56 VINYL JUNKIES

FASHION • SHOPPING • FOOD & DRINK • WHAT’S ON • CULTURE • INTERIORS • PROPERTY

31

The latest news, trends and local gems

ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE

07/08/2013 16:23

ABSOLUTELY West SEPTEMBER 2013 £3.95

ART SPECIAL

CANDY CRUSH

Feeling fruity with Bompas & Parr

SEPTEMBER 2013

FASHION

HOMES & GARDENS

53 INTERIOR INSPIRATIONS

WEST

29 AN EDUCATION

Aqua Zumba reviewed

WWW.ZEST-MEDIA.COM

KIDS & EDUCATION

49 FITNESS FIRST

SEPTEMBER 2013 £3.95

Bompas & Parr on the fruits of their labour

FASHION • SHOPPING • FOOD & DRINK • WHAT’S ON • CULTURE • INTERIORS • PROPERTY

13

This month’s diary

Spoilt rotten at B London Boutique

ABSOLUTELY Chiswick

SWEET SUCCESS

SEPTEMBER 2013

10 WHAT’S ON

HEALTH & BEAUTY

45 BEAUTY NOTES

CHISWICK

Inside this issue:

September ‘13

URBAN WARRIOR

Inside Acton's West London Art Factory

FEAST YOUR EYES

Gennaro Contaldo on Trattoria's rustic charm

Golden Age Autumn goes glam S T Y L I S H . I N T E L L I G E N T. E L E G A N T. A B S O L U T E LY

Covers With Spine.indd 3

COVER: LICKERISH

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DISCOVERMORE

INSPIRATION

ARTS

FLEXIBLE

SPORT

CHALLENGING ACHIEVEMENT

SPIRITUAL GROWTH

TRADITIONS

REALISED

INTEGRITY

BROAD SELF-BELIEF

CURRICULUM

NURTURING

SUCCESS

HAPPINESS INCLUSIVE INNOVATIVE

STIMULATING

SELF

CAMARADERIE

SOCIAL

TEACHERS

GROWTH

INDIVIDUALITY

THE RIVER

CREATIVITY

DIFFERENT ENERGY

PIONEERING

BALANCE

INQUISITIVE

HUMANITIES MODERN

OUTSTANDING

COMMUNITY

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FUN RESPECT

SCIENCE

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Editor’s

Letter September 2013

I

s a dead shark art? The Stuckists would (of course) argue no, but I have to disagree. Is a piece of art valued on the skill involved in creating it or the concept from which it was born? Or, perhaps more significantly for contemporary artists, the notoriety of the artist? Just because art’s resident bad boy Damien Hirst commissioned someone else entirely to find his tiger shark and build a tank, or glue thousands of diamonds on to a skull, does that make him any less of an artist than someone who’s slaved away on an intricate oil painting for five years? What I love about the subject of art is that there isn’t a right or wrong answer to these questions; just one big (and often very heated) debate. For even if you’re a self-proclaimed art dunce, you will be aware of who Damien Hirst is and the furore that surrounds his name.

And surely that’s something of significance. This month is an art special and we’ve really gone to town with it.

Photographer Leanne Dixon has leant her immense talent to a behind the scenes look at the fantastic West London Art Factory in North Acton. Founder and creative director Jewel Goodby is something of a trailblazer on the street art scene, and I managed to steal five minutes of prolific graffiti artist Inkie’s time to talk about his incredible career and how west London is, in his words, the spiritual home of street art. We also have a chat with the ladies behind DIY creative business I Made it Myself, and artists Keith Haynes and Kim Clayton-Jones take Alice Westgate on a tour of their eclectic Art Deco home on page 52.

I do hope you find some artistic inspiration in this month’s pages and enjoy the issue just as much as I did putting it together. Until next month.

Gemma Billington Editor

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ABSOLUTELY EDITOR CHIEF EDITORIAL ASSISTANT EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS

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TRAVEL EDITOR ADVERTISING MANAGER ART DIRECTOR PRODUCTION MANAGER MID-WEIGHT DESIGNERS

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LEANN RIMES

18 SEPTEMBER

HAMMERSMITH APOLLO

LeAnn Rimes returns fresh from her acclaimed performance at London’s Country to Country Festival to grace the Hammersmith Apollo with her powerful stage presence. Famed for her timeless classic How Do I Live, as well as making her acting debut in the film Coyote Ugly, Rimes is now returning with a UK Tour following the release of her album Spitfire earlier this year. hammersmithapollo.com

What’s On

September Maya Dudok de Wit picks the hottest tickets in town JAMES BLAKE

26 SEPTEMBER SHEPHERD’S BUSH EMPIRE

With a Mercury Prize nominated album and a fully sold out UK tour under his belt, electronic musician and singer-songwriter James Blake has now added extra dates to his touring schedule, with a gig which promises to fi ll out the Shepherd’s Bush Empire. o2shepherdsbushempire.co.uk

ACAVA OPEN STUDIOS

21 – 22 SEPTEMBER ACAVA STUDIOS

Fourteen artist’s studios will be open to the public on the weekend of 21 - 22 September, from 12-6pm. Work will be exhibited and on sale by various printmakers, sculptors, painters and photographers. Th is is an annual event and a rare opportunity to see inside an artist’s workplace. ACAVA, Unit 2-4, 11 Colville Road; W3; openstudiosinfo@gmail.com.

Image - Listening Hill by Orlanda Broom orlandabroomartist.com

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HOT OFF THE PRESS

CHISWICK HOUSE AND GARDENS DOG SHOW

29 SEPTEMBER CHISWICK HOUSE

With over 350 entries and 2,500 visitors, there’ll be plenty of opportunities to parade your pooch in front of the crowds at the 8th annual Chiswick House Dog Show. With new categories added this year such as Naughtiest Dog, the day embraces all that is fun and quirky, promising barbecues, wine bars and a have-a-goagility feature run by The Dog Coach. Hogarth Lane, W4 (Staveley Road entrance); chgt.org.uk ©MARTHA ENGLISH

This month’s page-turners NEVER GO BACK

by Lee Child

DREAM ON DAY

7 SEPTEMBER

THE CROWN & ANCHOR

Masters & Harris was created by Paul and Kim Harris around their passion for books, writing and making a difference. The making a difference part is called Dream On, which aims to provide a platform for people to find and follow their dreams. One way they do this is through Dream On Days, which bring together community and showcases talent and small businesses. The next is on 7 September at the Crown & Anchor from 11am. mastersandharris.com

Former military cop Jack Reacher embarks on an epic journey from South Dakota to the place he calls home; his old unit, the 110mp, Virginia. On his arrival he expects to meet his new commanding officer, Major Susan Turner. Yet, on discovering Turner’s absence, and after receiving two pieces of shocking news, Reacher is faced with the decision to run or fight.

Lee Child makes Reacher question who he is, what he’s done, and the future of his life on the open road. £20, Random House

MADDADDAM

by Margaret Atwood

The man-made waterless Flood pandemic has wiped out most of humanity, and the surviving humans are left to live among the bio-engineered human replacement species, the Crakers. They return to the MaddAddammite Cob house, newly reinforced against humans and the vicious giant Pigoons, whilst Amanda recovers from an attack by the Painballers, who the MaddAddamites are desperately trying to resist.

Snowman, the Crakers’ reluctant prophet, is taken ill and so it is left to Toby to single-handedly preach the Craker theology. Atwood doesn’t fail to impress as she brings the trilogy to a longawaited and dramatic close. £18.99, Bloomsbury

REVENGE WEARS PRADA

By Lauren Weisberger

Out LUDLOW FOOD FESTIVAL of 13 – 15 SEPTEMBER Town LUDLOW This notorious food and drink festival has been going for almost two decades. Set in the historic, picturesque town of Ludlow, overlooked by the castle, over one-hundred and sixty local food and drink producers gather for an indulgent, intoxicating and invigorating weekend. Whether it’s sampling rare breeds of meat, or sipping delicious freshly pressed cider, Ludlow Food Festival is sure to make even the most un-foodie person’s taste buds tingle. foodfestival.co.uk

The devil returns ten years later in the form of high-end magazine editor Miranda Priestly, yet this time journalist Andy Sachs is no longer at her mercy, having established herself as editorin-chief of her own bridal magazine, The Plunge. Life seems perfect as Andy is about to get married to her dream man, yet the discovery of a secret letter on the morning of their wedding day leads Andy to question not only her relationship, but also her entire career, as she is once again forced to confront the demons of her past. £7.99, Harper 11

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Autumn term short courses at Central Saint Martins.

Do something different. Advance your knowledge.

Discover creative London. Let go. Be inspired.

Animation Architecture Business skills Ceramics Creative process Daytimes Digital design Drawing Evenings Fashion Film and video Fine art Graphic design Interior design Jewellery Journalism Online learning Painting Performance Photography Portfolio preparation Printmaking Product design Saturdays Sculpture Textiles Theatre design Weekends Writing

www.arts.ac.uk /csm/shortcourses CENTRAL ST MARTINS.indd 2

03/07/2013 09:41

CAN YOU KEEP A SECRET ?

CARA HORGAN, PHOTO ©JOE DILWORTH

Arts & Culture

Currently undergoing major refurbishment, including the addition of the Reuben Foundation Wing, Lyric Hammersmith has just announced its ambitious new project; Secret Theatre, a season of work from a resident company of twenty artists. Led by Lyric Theatre Artistic Director, Sean Holmes, the project promises a series of innovative, ground-breaking work (with details kept under wraps) from some of the best names in the business. For more info see lyric.co.uk

Culture Clash PRISCILLA JOHNSTON AND THE SUSSEX COTTAGE, 1939

WATER WORLD

Twickenham-based fine art photographer, Elizabeth James, has produced a greeting card design in support of Breast Cancer Care, with 15% of profits going directly to the charity. The striking design, part of the Colour in Motion series which began in 2007, explores the texture and movement of water under different circumstances. £3.50 each, elizabethjamesart.com PHOTO ©DAN TSANTILIS

OUT OF THE SHADOWS

A major retrospective of influential graphic artist MacDonald ‘Max’ Gill will be on display at PM Gallery from 20 September. Known for his detailed book illustrations and pictorial maps, Gill’s work was massively popular in the 1920s and was part of last year’s Mind the Map exhibition. Out of the Shadows: MacDonald Gill will be the first London exhibition to display the full range of Gill’s work, which was mostly salvaged from the remote Sussex cottage he lived in with his second wife, Priscilla. 20 September - 2 November; ealing.gov.uk

BY HOOK OR BY CROOK

It’s undergone a series of retellings since its original 1955 release, and now Ealing Studio’s classic black comedy, The Ladykillers, has been given a stage makeover with Father Ted writer Graham Linehan at the helm. Currently showing at The Vaudeville Theatre until October, the stellar cast, including Ralf Little and Simon Day, bring the story of a bunch of misfit crooks pitted against the sweet, eccentric Mrs Wilberforce to the West End. Don’t miss it. theladykillers.co.uk

BLUE PLAQUE OF THE MONTH - ARTHUR HUGHES, EASTSIDE HOUSE, TW9 Arthur Hughes (1832-1915) was a celebrated painter and illustrator, born and educated in London. He soon became associated with John Everett Millais and the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, inspiring him to study the beauty of nature and elevate its regenerative qualities in his painting. Perhaps his best known work is The Long Engagement, where intense colour and delicate composition come together to create serious and heartfelt art.

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Arts & Culture

PORTOBELLO POP-UP

Acton’s West London Art Factory took over The Muse Gallery in Notting HIll’s Portobello Road for a recent pop-up event entitled Factory Limited. The gallerycum-studio (see our special on page 18) set up shop in the gallery space for over two weeks, showcasing eclectic, contemporary art by the likes of Inkie, Daniel Mernagh and Carrie Reichardt.

Absolutely

Social

SMILES ALL ROUND

White Dental founder Raffaella Gabassi hosted a recent fundraising garden party in aid of the Smiling World Foundation, a charity set up to help and promote oral education and health care for impoverished children in Sierra Leone. The night was a huge success and the foundation has so far managed to raise over £20,000.

BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE

Th is year’s House Festival was relocated to Richmond for the fi rst time ever, taking place at the beautiful Marble Hill House. Celeb guests enjoyed the sun and a stellar line-up including Primal Scream, Bastille and Tom Odell.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY SAM HUSSEIN. GETTY

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Arts & Culture What was it that made you and Laura decide to change career and start I Made It Myself?

Both of us were working in the fast paced and creative world of television and wanted to channel our creativity in a different direction while on maternity leave back in 2009.

We had been looking for short, affordable and contemporary craft workshops, and couldn’t find any in west London, so decided to set up our own in Chiswick. We set up regular Sunday sessions, which are held at the Crown & Anchor in Chiswick, and we also decided to host creative private parties and corporate and members club events in and around London.

found people love to experiment with some fun nail art designs.

I Made it Myself

Tell us a bit more about I Made It Myself?

The aim of I Made It Myself is to offer inspiring, creative workshops, private parties and events. We handpick talented and friendly teachers, source high quality materials and add a few

Founders Laura Wilson & Sangeeta Bhaskar

extras like homemade cake.

The workshops are designed to fit into busy lives, with as little fuss as possible – a manageable two hours, easily accessible venues, no previous experience necessary, and all the materials are provided. The ultimate aim is to teach new skills and offer up a unique and enjoyable experience.

What are your favourite craft workshops?

We love our vintage jewellery making class as we source beautiful pieces, chains and pearls, so everyone comes away with a totally unique piece.

We are also really excited about our new manicure masterclass, which works brilliantly for parties, and we’ve

You both have young kids – how do you juggle a family and a business?

We both have preschool children and are full-time mums, so it’s important to us to get the balance right. We have a couple of mornings to work when the children are in nursery, but the rest of the time we fit it around the kids – it’s not unusual for us be emailing at 6am or 10pm. We alternate working at weekends for our workshops, parties and events, so we still have family time too.

How has your business changed your life?

Running our own business has been a huge learning curve, we’ve made mistakes along the way and it’s been hard work, however it has been incredibly rewarding to grow something from scratch.

What classes do you have lined up?

We have three workshops coming up from now until September; a vintage tea cup candle making workshop, a natural soap making one and a biscuit icing workshop. imadeitmyself.co.uk

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Wall

e h t f f O

Think that street art can only be found in London’s hipster capital Shoreditch?

Acton’s West London Art Factory has proved otherwise.

Gemma Billington takes a look behind the scenes Photography by Leanne Dixon

S

treet art has never been so in vogue. Once a rebellious form of self expression and a symbol of anarchy, it’s now so commonplace and sought after that a dubiously political stencil by graffiti’s poster boy Banksy can sell for over a million pounds. ‘It’s the biggest art movement in the world’, says fellow Bristol-born street artist Inkie.

‘Because of the internet, people all around the world can do graffiti and contact each other. Although some of the stuff that’s classed as art is actually rubbish!’ He adds with a laugh. The son of an architect, gentle giant Inkie, AKA Tom Bingle, was trained to draw at an early age, and started dabbling in graffiti at 13 years old. A prolific and widely respected street artist, and one time head of creative design at gaming giants Sega, Inkie’s early years, like many of his generation, were marred by controversy.

In 1989 he was part of the infamous

Operation Anderson, a major police bust in which 72 graffiti artists in the Bristol, Bath, Cardiff and Exeter areas were arrested.

It’s a testament to street art’s current and enduring revere that Inkie can now lay claim to being the only graffiti artist to have painted in the Houses of Parliament. How times have changed.

When he shows me his petite shared studio space, I’m surprised by the variety of his work; from a copper plate etching to beautiful silver earrings incorporating his trademark Mucha-style Art Deco female. Inkie admits that he has become a bit ‘William Morris’ as of late, dabbling in textiles, fabric, interiors and jewellery. His canvases have a strong

graffiti aesthetic, but, merged with a classic Art Nouveau style and modern fi nishes (some are in bright colours, gold and glitter), he’s created an entirely new and unique style. ‘Sparkle and gold leaf sells,’ he adds, with a grin. The West London Art Factory is a creative hub founded by husband and wife team Jewel and James Goodby just over two years ago. Inkie was one of the fi rst artists to join and in this short space of time the hub has grown tremendously in terms of both size and public interest.

There are now 14 studios in total spread across their section of the surprisingly sleek Perfume Factory complex, just a

‘West London is the spiritual home of graffiti in the UK. I think east London’s a flash in the pan’

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Photography by Leanne Dixon

Arts & Culture

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Arts & Culture stone’s throw from North Acton tube station. Once inside the main entrance, a huge Tank Girl style mural by artist fi n DAC greets you. It’s colourful and edgy yet undeniably beautiful; a perfect indicator for what’s in store. ‘I think because I had Inkie initially, we got a lot of attention.’ admits Jewel, who takes me on a tour, ‘I got to know a lot of people through him.’

An artist in her own right, Jewel is a well travelled and extremely passionate individual. As founder, creative director and a contributing artist toWest London Art Factory, this is clearly more than just a job. Jewel bursts with energy and pride for every artist on board; from the very established ones to a talented young painter who, at the time of my visit, had only been with them for a week. There is a sense of camaraderie in the studios and regular social events involving live art and music guarantees that everyone mucks in.

Jewel also hosts drawing, graffiti and screen printing workshops at the studios.

A keen eye for creativity and innovation, Jewel has amassed an impressive body of talent that isn’t restricted to the street art label. From Carne Griffiths’ intricate illustrations made of ink, graphite and even tea stains, to the cult sci-fi comic art of Junior Tomlin. More significantly, everyone is proud of their west London roots. Early into our conversation, I ask if the west London palette isn’t too conservative for such contemporary, subversive art? ‘As far as I’m concerned I’ll always stay west,’ Inkie says, defiantly. ‘I think east London’s a flash in the pan. The fi rst graffiti was done by Futura 2000 under the Westway when they were touring with The Clash. For me, west London’s the spiritual home of graffiti in the UK.’ And if that doesn’t boost our street cred, I don’t know what will. westlondonartfactory.com; leannedixon.com

Ones to Watch: Artist bios DRB

COSMO SARSON

Artist DRB (an acronym for the colourful moniker Dirty Rotten Bleeder) produces a series of striking matchbox style artworks and miniatures (see above). His art serves as a reminder that a seemingly innocuous item can hold such power and cause mass destruction. The style incorporates political symbols and a sense of irreverence, yet they come across as both fun and cartoonlike too; inspired by traditional Indian matchbox designs and the industry. DRB currently has a solo show based at new pub The Beatrice in Camden.

Cosmo Sarson created a storm of controversy earlier this year after unveiling his eye-popping 28ft breakdancing Jesus mural (again in Bristol; what is it about that city?) Photos of the mural, which was inspired by an event at the Vatican in 2004 where breakdancers performed to an applauding Pope John Paul II, instantly went viral. Sarson’s prints depict gangs of hooded teenagers and riot police; giving them a very topical context (many were inspired by last year’s student riots), but Sarson is already something of an established artist who has exhibited at the Saatchi gallery and even created the world’s fi rst ‘interactive mural’ for the Olympic Arts Trail at last year’s Games.

CARRIE REICHARDT Ceramic artist Carrie Reichardt, whose Chiswick home-cum-studio, The Treatment Rooms, is covered in her signature contemporary mosaics, is something of a trailblazer in the Craftivism movement.

Anarchistic but always with a sense of humour, her popular Mad in England series draws inspiration from William Morris, pop culture and the idea of ‘subversive ceramics’. Carrie was Artist in Residence at Camberwell Art College in 2009 and is currently part of a team of international artists that have been invited to mosaic the Argentinian Government building in Buenos Aires.

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Boutique owner Fiona Sanderson says, “We love their quirky designs which can be worn everyday for instant cool”. Prices start from £73.

Feather & Stitch, 16 King Street, Richmond, TW9 1ND, 020 8332 2717, www.featherandstitch.com

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Centros Unico

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The LightSheer Duet diode laser offers safe, effective and virtually painless treatments suitable for all skin types. Centros Unico follows strict sanitary and hygiene standards and the results speak for themselves. You may never need to shave or wax again!

Discover treatments and promotional offers at centrosunico.com Centros Unico, 8 Oak Road, Ealing Broadway Shopping Centre, W5 3SS. T: 02088408700

Benefit Cosmetics

*Source: The NPD Group. Value and Unit Line sales of the Total Prestige Mascara Makeup segment for 2012 Jan to Dec

Feeling Great

Benefit’s They’re Real! mascara is currently available in a limited edition pack, which includes a free They’re Real! deluxe mini worth £9.50.

They’re Real! lengthens, volumizes, lifts and separates lashes with a long-wearing formula that won’t smudge or dry out. It’s no wonder it’s the UK’s number 1 bestselling mascara*. £19.50; benefitcosmetics.co.uk, 21

FEATURE.indd 39

08/08/2013 20:55

Arch 5 - Kew Bridge

PORCELAIN WOOD

PORCELAIN POLISHED CONCRETE

PORCELAIN STONE

www.kewstone.com T: 0208 940 9393

KEWSTONE.indd 2

08/08/2013 16:49

Sam Bompas, left, and Harry Parr ©Nathan Pask Photography

Arts & Culture

Pineapple Express Gemma Billington talks to Sam Bompas - one half of real-life Willy Wonkas Bompas & Parr – on getting fruity at Kew Gardens

LEAD INTERVIEW.indd 23

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S

am Bompas is definitely a people person. He’s infectiously friendly and charming as soon as he’s put on the phone to me, and is enthusing about an earlier meeting, claiming it to be one of the most exciting he’s ever taken part in. As one half of London’s Willy Wonka-esque foodie innovators, Bompas & Parr, however, I suspect there’s rarely a dull day at the office.

Our conversation is largely centred around their involvement in Kew Gardens’ ongoing IncrEdibles Festival; a grand-scale celebration of the planet’s surprisingly edible plants. The boys (Sam Bompas and architect Harry Parr) were given the task of creating the epicentre of the festival; a giant floating pineapple island entitled the Tutti Frutti Boating Experience.

The duo couldn’t resist the chance to work with Kew, and Bompas is full of praise for the historic gardens and their resources: ‘We asked the head archivist (at Kew) if they had any fruity images’, he says, when we discuss the project, ‘she said we’ve got 200,000, where do you want to start!’ The installation encourages guests to hop on board a traditional rowing boat to travel to the pineapple island, which houses a musical, interactive banana grotto. Bompas tells me that, architecturally speaking, pineapples are a symbol of welcome and can be found integrated in many of London’s famous buildings and landmarks (Lambeth Bridge and even St Paul’s Cathedral, for example).

I ask if they learned anything new from taking part in the festival. ‘Very much so!’

He responds enthusiastically, ‘working on it totally changed our eating habits in the studio. It suddenly became awash with rare and exotic fruits, and every time someone went past an ethnic shop, they’d rummage in to find some rare fruit to try.’

‘Supermarkets today just like to give us one type of everything,’ he continues, ‘there’s a lot to explore and that’s what we want to persuade people to do.’ Though the IncrEdibles Festival is an educational project, a sense of humour and fun, with a touch of irreverence is at the centre of everything the company does.

Bompas & Parr was founded in 2007, primarily through a shared desire for the two friends (who have known each other since the age of 13) to have ‘something to do at the weekend’.

After an initial plan to set up a jelly stall fell through, they got their big break through the Architectural Jelly Banquet in 2008, part of the London Festival of Architecture.

But what exactly is the obsession with the wobbly stuff? ‘There‘s something rather wonderful about jelly.’ Bompas explains, ‘it’s one of the few foods that you can be a bit more playful with and it’s kind of acceptable.

We wanted to take it back to the glory days, when jelly was something the Brits did better than the French. We couldn’t afford the antique copper moulds because they’re very pricey. Harry used his skills as an

‘Jelly is one of the few foods that you can be a bit more playful with and it’s kind of acceptable.’

LEAD INTERVIEW.indd 24

architect to make moulds and it kind of went on an adventure from there.’

The word ‘adventure’ is used frequently in our conversation and it’s obvious that these two are having the time of their lives with their work and have found a very unique gap in the market. Their jelly creations have been the indulgence of shahs, princes, prime ministers and rock stars around the world, but Bompas & Parr haven’t restricted ©RGB Kew

©Kit Neale & Anne Charlotte Ommedal

24

Truvia Voyage of Discovery ©Nathan Pask Photography

24

09/08/2013 10:23

Arts & Culture themselves to the playful medium of jelly alone. Their projects usually incorporate an interactive quality, and have included everything from a special Heinz Beanz musical spoon to a miniature golf course made of cake and a giant chocolate waterfall at Whiteley’s shopping centre. Impossible to pigeonhole, I ask what, in a nutshell, is Bompas & Parr all about? He contemplates his answer for a moment before saying: ‘Food, enchantment and spectacle.’ I confess that I’m slightly taken aback – it’s interesting that he left out any mention of architecture. ‘It always ultimately comes down to food, that’s at the core,’ he explains, ‘architecture is just one of the routes into food that we employ.’

Out of all their weird and wonderful exploits, I’m curious to know what the most memorable Bompas & Parr project has been.

‘For good or bad reasons?’ He replies with a somewhat weary laugh.’ The jelly boating lake (the whimsically named Truvia Voyage of Discovery) on the roof of Selfridges is one of the duo’s most famous works, but was also one of the most challenging. ‘That involved 50 tonnes of water’ Bompas explains, ‘the building couldn’t actually technically support that so we had to work with two separate engineers. The great joy (in this job) is being able to work with people who are total experts in, quite often, an unexpected field.’

With so much on their plate (pun intended), the boys are clearly hard at work, but are having way too much fun for me to offer any sympathies. There’s an intriguing paranormal (and jelly free) project at Ham House planned for later this year, and they’ve just published their first book, Tutti Frutti with Bompas & Parr and Friends. The book is based on a very simple focal point; the fruit salad. A variety of artists, photographers, writers and chefs have used this simple dish as their inspiration and let their imaginations run riot. ‘It’s like a cookbook on steroids,’ Bompas says, ‘recipes and essays and exhibitions... a lot of really weird stuff.’

There are many ways to sample the Bompas & Parr experience without commissioning an ostentatious jelly mould.

The new book is one, and make sure you catch the tail end of the Tutti Frutti Boating Experience, which comes to an end in early September. And perhaps next time you spot your child playing with their food, you should think twice before telling them off…

The Tutti Frutti Boating experience ends 1 September. See kew.org for details; jellymongers.co.uk. Tutti Frutti with Bompas & Parr and Friends, £10, published by Bompas & Parr Editions 25

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FULL PAGE.indd 2

08/08/2013 17:01

Kids & Education

ROLL WITH IT

Taking inspiration from Scandinavian wilderness, luxury British children’s brand Hibou Home has launched this beautiful ‘Into the Wild’ print; a sweet and subtle pattern that’s perfect for children of all ages and tastes. £70 per roll, hibouhome.com

Little Rascals Keeping them entertained

SUITED AND BOOTED

Preparing for a new arrival is an exciting time for any new parent; whether it’s your fi rst or your fi fth child. Petit Bateau have provided an essential for all new mums with their recently launched ‘Tout Petit Bateau’ suitcase, a limited edition case that includes 26 essentials including romper suits, sleepsuits, bibs, hats and blankets. £375, 56/58 Hill Street TW9; petit-bateau.co.uk

TOP 3 BACK TO Robots Backpack, £20; paperchase.co.uk

EASY AS ABC

BABY ON BOARD

Make every new mother feel special with Trotters’ sweet range of baby gifts including their first traditional style baby book. Perfect for immortalising a newborn’s every milestone.

Our Baby Book, £14.99; 84 Turnham Green Terrace, W4; trotters.co.uk

The people behind the eminently practical Totseat have just released this fantastic new Alphabet soup print. The award-winning portable (and more importantly, washable) seats are safe, practical and can be shortened or lengthened to fit any kind of chair; perfect for BBQs or a spot of al fresco dining. £24, available from Little Gear, Horatio House, 77 Fulham Road, W6; totseat.com

Back to School personal organiser, £20; filofax.co.uk

Assorted set of 4 pots, £23; vertbaudet.co.uk

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09/08/2013 10:21

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16/05/2013 11:58

Kids & Education

Sleep School A new academy in London will let its students start later.

Amanda Constance reports on the teen sleep debate

T

eenagers are lazy, right?

Wrong. According to a growing body of research they just have a different body clock from the rest of us and if schools would wake up to this evidence and let teens start their day later, scientists believe they would see great gains in both the health of their students and academic results.

Some schools are taking note. When the UCL Academy in Swiss Cottage, northwest London, starts the new term this September, it will have been a year since it became the first London school to allow teens to ‘sleep in’. When the academy, which is sponsored by University College London, opened in September 2012, its students were allowed to start at 10am and leave at 5.30pm. Headmistress Geraldine Davies argues that the school is already seeing positive results.

‘Youngsters are turning up alert and ready to learn and are focused and engaged in lessons,’ she says. ‘We have no hard data on exam results yet… but the aim is to rigorously review the effects. Pupil and teacher surveys have so far been positive.’

Scientists say there is now biological evidence underpinning the argument that schools should start later. It was in the US in the 1990s that researchers first identified an ‘adolescent time shift’ in the sleep pattern of teenagers and in the

past two decades a number of US schools have adopted later start times.

In the UK, Professor Russell Foster, a professor of circadian neuroscience at Oxford has been at the forefront of work on teenage sleep patterns and their effect on performance at school.

He explains: ‘The biology of human sleep timing changes as we age. As puberty begins, bedtimes and waking times get later. This trend continues until 19.5 years in women and 21 in men. Then it reverses.

At 55 we wake at about the time we woke prior to puberty. On average this is two hours earlier than adolescents. This means that for a teenager, a 7am alarm call is the equivalent of a 5am start for a person in their 50s.’

Prof. Foster observed a UK school in Liverpool where many students were getting just 5 hours sleep a night; unsurprisingly, teachers reported students falling asleep in class. He says a lack of sleep increases stress and is associated with a loss of humour, lack of empathy and low mood.

Indeed, research has shown that blood-glucose regulation was greatly impaired in young men who slept only 4 hours on six consecutive nights, with their insulin levels comparable to the early stages of diabetes.

But it isn’t just a biological problem.

Society isn’t very conducive to a good night’s sleep with more relaxed parental attitudes to bedtimes by parents and

access to TVs, PCs, gaming devices and mobile phones all promoting alertness that doesn’t aid healthy sleep.

Prof Foster has become so persuaded of the need for schools to adjust their start times that, in 2009, he instigated a 10am start for 800 students at Monkseaton High School in North Tyneside, the first British school to do so. After observing the students, Foster says that the outcomes were clear: ‘The Monkseaton experiment shows, frankly, that if you start at 10am, grades go up.’ Dr Paul Kelley, who was then headmaster of Monkseaton, went on to advise the new UCL Academy in northwest London.

There are doubters, however. One issue is a perceived negative impact on after-school activities, particularly competitive sports, although schools in the US have reported that this hasn’t been a problem. But a greater issue here and in Australia is union objections to longer working hours for teachers and support staff.

Later this year, Dr Kelley will publish research he has conducted with Professor Foster on adolescent sleep and he remains convinced that there is an ‘overwhelming case’ for shifting the times of a school day so that their starting times match teenagers’ biology.

It will reduce their sleep deprivation, their learning will improve and, crucially, it will help to protect their physical and mental health,’ Kelley says.

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08/08/2013 20:12

for all your jewellery repairs, remodelling and bespoke needs, call us, to make an appointment with our team of jewellers and designers.

Time honoured, Contemporary Design

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23 Turnham Green Terrace, Chiswick , London, W4 1RG Tel: 020 8742 1178 www.marmaladejewellery.co.uk

The National Association of Goldsmiths

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B1.2.indd 1 ADVERT PLACEMENTS.indd 2

31/05/2013 17:38 PAGE.indd 1 QUARTER

08/08/2013 09:49 08/08/2013 10:38

Fashion & Style PAINTED LADY

These stunning campaign shots are taken from contemporary designer Ronen Chen’s A/W13 collection. The simple, structured and thoroughly modern dresses and separates are juxtaposed with imagery inspired by 17th century art and the Renaissance.

Available at Stuff, 7 The Green, W5; ronenchenstoreuk.com

ONE TO WATCH

Style Notes

At just 23, Shepherd’s Bush-based designer Jemima Janney has an impressive CV. Eschewing a degree in medicine, Janney has designed for Rag & Bone and a swimwear collection for Zoe Jordan which was stocked in Harrods. Her capsule collection of smoking jackets have been snapped up by Carey Mulligan and musician hubby Marcus Mumford. jemimastudios.com

In Vogue:

PRETTY IN PINK ALEXANDER MCQUEEN PLEATED SKULL-PRINT MODAL SCAR £325; ALEXANDERMCQUEEN.COM WARM YELLOW KANKEN MINI £43; ILOVEMYKANKEN.COM

BACK TO NATURE

Thomas Sabo have got us all in a flutter with their beautiful new Glam & Soul collection, once again sported by the lovely Poppy Delevingne. The ethereal feather motif, which the designer describes as ‘nature’s most graceful gift’, is crafted in sterling silver and plated in striking gold and rose gold.Ariel Way, W12; thomassabo.com

5 of the best: Blush-hued accessories MIU MIU MADRAS TWOTONE TEXTURED-LEATHER SHOULDER BAG £695; MIUMIU.COM

CHARLOTTE OLYMPIA FLEUR SHOE £373; CHARLOTTEOLYMPIA.COM PRE CATELAN RING IN PINK GOLD WITH DIAMOND AND PINK QUARTZ £3,300 BY DIOR JOAILLERIE; DIOR.COM

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08/08/2013 20:16

It’s Summer Sale time



Dolly Rock is a unique boutique in the heart

of St.Margarets Village where you'll find exclusive collections set in a relaxed, welcoming and pram friendly environment. 

Dolly Rock Boutique 14 Crown Road, St.Margarets, TW1 3EE020 8892 7003

DOLLY ROCK.indd 2

28/06/2013 10:35

Fashion & Style

A Vermeer Veneer

Effervescence Pearl Stilletto Earrings, £130; linksoflondon.com

Letters to Lichtenstein

You can’t mention pop art without also mentioning Roy Lichtenstein, whose prints have been reproduced over every medium imaginable. This outrageous clutch would fit right into one of Lichtenstein’s paintings, hovering above a beautiful woman. Sophia Webster Embroidered Leather Clutch, £340; brownsfashion.com

Art meets

Fashion Dance with Degas

Make your legs the canvas for one of Degas’ most recognisable paintings. These leggings are an extravagant statement piece, perfect for livening up a black tunic or oversized t-shirt.

Degas Two Dancers Leggings, £45; blackmilkclothing.com

Capturing Kahlo

Frida Kahlo is remembered as a revolutionary female artist whose unabashed self-portraits are utterly unmistakable. Thanks to this kitsch and wonderful necklace, you too can showcase her famous face. Frida Necklace, £75; tattydevine.com

Dandy Warhol

Bold colours, iconic images and sixties glamour. Andy Warhol epitomized them all, so its no wonder his influence has lingered in art and fashion alike and thanks to designer Philip Colbert you can now wear a can of Campbell’s Tomato Soup. therodnikband.com

Show me the Monet

Markus Lupfer Silk Sateen-Paneled Jersey Dress, £294; net-a-porter.com From L - R, The Girl with a Pearl Earring, 1665 by Johannes Vermeer. Me and My Parrots, 1941 by Frida Kahlo.

Water Lilies by Claude Monet. Ohhh... Alright... 1964 by Roy Lichtenstein. All ©the artist

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08/08/2013 20:22

T R O REP Absolutely picks autumn’s top trends straight from the catwalks Photography: Ollie Porter Styling: Charlie Moore

TREND REPORT.indd 34

08/08/2013 20:28

CHUNKY KNIT

Wrap up warm in this season’s ubiquitous chunky woollen sweaters White and black alpaca melange sweater, £475, by Nicole Farhi Beige gold and diamond ring, £3,225 by DK01 at Dover Street Market Black spotty tights, £20, by Falke

TREND REPORT.indd 35

09/08/2013 17:07

THE OVERSIZED COAT

Big, warm and cocooning, when it comes to coats make sure you go supersize Checkerboard wool coat, £560, by Paul & Joe Black. Wool dress worn as a top, £505, by Paul & Joe. Charcoal and white pinstripe wool trousers, £165, by Wood Wood. Black leather and fabric shoes, £179, by BOSS ORANGE. Black velvet socks, £12.50, by Wolford at mytights.com.

Black printed leather folio case, £240, by Tusting. Brushed yellow gold tube ring, £2,460, by DK01 at Dover Street Market

TREND REPORT.indd 36

08/08/2013 20:28

HERITAGE

Houndstooth, pinstripe, check – heritage fabrics add a traditional touch to the season’s ladylike separates. Grey merino and mohair sweater, £330. Flannel check skirt, £705. Black suede belt, £330. Black nappa leather gloves, £435 all by Gucci

TREND REPORT.indd 37

08/08/2013 20:29

LONG GOLD SEQUIN DRESS, ANIMAL MAGIC £950, ATELIER Glamorous and MAYER seductive, leopard print GOLD NECKLACE WITHbeKEY, ruled the runways. Don’t afraid of the £48, MONA MARA bright, colourful takes on the trend for GOLD HOOPED EARRINGS fresh appeal. Silk chiffon shirt, £275, and WITH LONG CHAINS, silk jacket, £330, both by£195, Equipment at NetDIDDI ILSE A-Porter.

Stretch jersey trousers, £470, by Giambattista Valli at Net-A-Porter. Brushed yellow gold ring, £1,285 and beige gold and diamond ring, £3,225, both by DK01 at Dover Street Market. Black leather shoes, £950, by Casedei at Harrods

CREDITS Photography: Ollie Porter at Kayte Ellis Photographic Agency Styling: Charlie Moore Hair: Jennie Roberts at Stella Creative Artists, using Paul Mitchell Make up: Angela Davis Deacon at Sue Allatt Creative, using DHC Model: Nathalie at Storm STOCKISTS DOVERSTREETMARKET.COM FALKE.COM FYODORGOLAN.CO.UK GUCCI.COM HARRODS.COM HUGOBOSS.COM JAEGAR.CO.UK KURTGEIGER.COM MYTIGHTS.COM NETAPORTER.COM NICOLEFAHRI.COM PAULANDJOE.COM THEFOLDLONDON.COM TUSTING.CO.UK WOODWOOD.DK/STORE

TREND REPORT.indd 38

PHOTOGRAPHY: Ollie Porter at Kayte Ellis Photographic Agency STYLING: Charlie Moore HAIR: Jennie Roberts at Stella Creative Artists, using Paul Mitchell MAKE UP: Angela Davis Deacon at Sue Allatt Creative, using DH MODEL: Nathalie at Storm

STOCKISTS DOVERSTREETMARKET.COM FALKE.COM GUCCI.COM HARRODS.COM HUGOBOSS.COM MYTIGHTS.COM NETAPORTER.COM NICOLEFAHRI.COM PAULANDJOE.COM WOODWOOD.DK/STORE

09/08/2013 11:35

FULL PAGE.indd 2

05/08/2013 17:19

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09/08/2013 11:56

For You,

FOREVER ALICE MILNER DISCOVERS THAT DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER WITH DE BEERS’ BESPOKE ENGAGEMENT RING DESIGN

L

egend has it that in the 1400s, the first ever diamond engagement ring was presented to Mary, Duchess of Burgandy, by her suitor the Holy Roman Emperor Maximillian I. Ever since, the diamond engagement ring has been a powerful symbol of romance and majesty.

Traditional romantics believed that the vena amoris (Latin for ‘Vein of Love’) ran directly from the fourth left hand finger straight to the heart. Even today, a ring-encircled fourth finger remains a powerful representation of love and devotion between two people. A timeless treasure, the ring itself should sit proudly and comfortably on your hand. But which shape diamond is the best and how many? Should one have a white, yellow, rose gold or platinum band?

And what size should it be? It’s not an easy choice to make, and a nervous proposer may find themselves swamped with options.

Enter De Beers. In October this year, the exquisite jewellers are set to launch their exceptional For You, Forever bespoke service. This expert in-store service invites a couple or just the man (if he’s feeling brave) to individually craft a De Beers engagement ring, helped by highly-trained Brand Ambassadors, on hand to help select your unique diamonds and their desired setting.

Fascinated by this process, I decided to visit the De Beers store in Westfield, to observe how the special For You, Forever process works from start to finish. ‘Each story begins with a personal consultation,’ I am told. ‘During this, your requirements are established and De Beers shares with you their original drawings and inspirations for your design.’

Whether it’s a classic Round Brilliant, an elegant Emerald or a contemporary Princess Cut, you then select your diamond and setting – it’s catered so you find what is just perfect for you.

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09/08/2013 12:06

‘For You, Forever pieces are a true statement of self – not only in the choice of style but also in the opportunity it affords a client to be very precise about their requirements.’

As I peer into the pristine display cabinets, I’m bedazzled by their stunning portfolio of designs and ask how they source their comprehensive range of diamonds. I discover that each year De Beers inspects over 25,000 diamonds, in their quest to find

the highest quality jewels for their clients. They qualify the rarity of the diamond through their special ‘4 Cs’ criteria which rates the diamond according to its carat, cut, clarity and colour. The selected few are then microscopically branded with the De Beers Marque, which reassures clients that every diamond is ‘natural, untreated, conflict-free and responsibly sourced and crafted.’

For De Beers, the diamond selection is more than just the ‘4Cs’ and a

“Light the heart with unmatched Fire, Life & Brilliance.”

gemmological report; two diamonds can be identical on paper yet one can have true brilliance that the other lacks. Drawing on 125 years of diamond expertise, De Beers hand-select their diamonds to ensure they outshine all others. Their aim is to source diamonds that ‘Light the heart with unmatched Fire, Life and Brilliance.’

Next I am shown their pioneering diamond scanning technology – The De Beers Iris. This further enhances the For You, Forever experience, for the sparkling ‘Fire, Life and Brilliance’ of each diamond can be seen through an iPad in-store tool. Slowing down what the naked eye sees in an instant, The De Beers Iris replicates different light conditions in a series of live, moving images. I can clearly see how the perfection of the diamond’s cut causes all eight facets to illuminate simultaneously and symmetrically.

It’s truly mesmerising.

With what I have viewed today, the De Beers’ promise to ‘honour the light of your love’ makes perfect sense. As I watch a kaleidoscope of sparkling shapes bounce off each diamond, it takes my breath away and I’m even tempted to propose to myself!

Westfield London, The Village, London W12 7GB +44 (0) 20 8746 7001 Debeers.co.uk

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09/08/2013 12:05

Until 3 November 2013

Hampton Court 30 mins from Waterloo

Don’t miss your chance to uncover the truth at Hampton Court Palace.

Unlock the world of the royal bedchamber where secrets, scandal, power, politics and some of the most magnificent Baroque beds await you.

These are beds – but not as you know them.

Find us online

Royal Collection © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

FULL PAGE.indd 2 ACWR_A4_FullPage.indd 1

hrp.org.uk/secrets 08/08/2013 10:15 09:43

Hi there Beautiful!

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THE PARLOU Please allow us to introduce ourselves...

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Romantic and dreamy, or posh and proper - whatever you want, you got it! Add some fab feathers for a twist or keep it simple. Either way, you know you’re gorgeous.

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ADVERT PLACEMENTS.indd 8

08/08/2013 17:57

Health & Beauty

REVIEW Gemma Billington gets pampered at B London Boutique The Eve Lom facial is a slightly misleading name as, in fact, you get the works. Set discreetly in newly opened B London Boutique, a luxury all-year round bikini retailer on Barnes High Street, the place is unashamedly girlie in its interior design. Even my glass of water is served in a tumbler embossed with pink flamingoes. Beauty indulgences on offer include tanning, waxing and Shellac treatments with the idea that, once buffed and body beautiful, you can then splash out on a bikini downstairs and be all set for your summer holiday (or winter Caribbean cruise). My therapist, Kerry, starts by giving my face and upper chest area a thorough cleanse before liberally applying a lush smelling paraffi n wax (no way near as scary as it sounds) to my face to soften the skin. Once stripped away, Kerry begins the ‘extraction’ process, which is a fancy name for (sanitarily) clearing blackheads. A cooling gel is applied afterwards, then a face mask and, whilst it sets, Kerry sets about treating me to not only an amazing shoulder massage, but a hand and foot one too. I leave glowing and feeling utterly relaxed and I still look refreshed the next morning. I’m even inclined to leave my skin make-up free for the whole day. Now how about that Caribbean cruise...

16 Barnes High Street, SW13; blondonboutique.com

A Cut Above

Beauty Notes

At the ripe age of 32, Jamie is also the youngest of the nominees and will now submit eight images that best represent his artistic vision. The results will be announced in November.

Good luck! Jamie Stevens Hair, 9 Russell Gardens, W14; jamiestevenshair.com

Chiswick resident and founder of Pai Skincare, Sarah Brown, answers common beauty queries

Light as a Feather Custom DIY nails have been all the rage this year, but the new Bling it on Feathers range by Nails Inc is possibly the most innovative we’ve seen so far.

The applicable 3D glitter creates a shimmering ‘feather’ effect with dazzling results that steer clear of looking tacky. £20, available at Kingston Bentalls, KT1; nailsinc.com

Hairdresser to the stars, Jamie Stevens, has been nominated for HJ’s prestigious British Hairdresser of the Year award for the second consecutive year.

Ask the Expert

How often should you exfoliate and is it really necessary? Yes! Exfoliation is important for sloughing away dead skin cells to prevent pore blockages and a dull complexion. I recommend exfoliating twice a week, but only with the right exfoliator. Avoid any products containing crushed shells, seeds or sugar as uneven exfoliant ‘grains’ tear skin cells which take a long time to heal and regenerate. You should be aiming for a gentle buff to brighten the skin rather than a vigorous scrub. paiskincare.com 45

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08/08/2013 18:56

Absolutely

PROMOTION

Wellness on the Go Group Wellness Manager for the Hogarth and Park Club, Terry Rodham, gives Absolutely his expert advise on getting fit for life

D

ear readers, The kids have broken up for the school summer holidays, the roads are less busy, the sun has actually decided to shine, so I think it’s fair to say that the holiday season has well and truly arrived!

Travelling and holidays affect people in many different ways and whilst we all love a summer holiday and all the fun and treats that go with it, let’s consider some of the more hidden or rather ignored effects a holiday could conjure. There is no doubt a holiday breeds tons of excitement, with thoughts of sun, sea, surf, fun with the family and kids, fine food and wine, ice cream (the list goes on) and so it should; we all work hard enough don’t we?!

I’m not saying don’t treat yourself at all; quite the opposite. What I am trying to do is raise awareness and encourage you to at least try and keep some sort of healthy balance within your time away.

Wellness on the Go in my mind is about balance – a balance of some kind of activity to some healthy nutrition and relaxation (of body and mind)! I genuinely believe that if you are able to continue with some of your routine healthy habits and lifestyle whilst being away, you are increasing the likelihood of returning to your “normal” everyday habits and lifestyle once the holiday season is over. One of the biggest reasons for people stopping regular exercise is returning from a holiday and or a break/change in their daily habits/ lifestyle.

With that in mind, may I set you a challenge? When you are away on holiday try to go with some kind of activity plan combined with intentions of healthy nutrition. I’m not talking about a gut busting gym session or just eating steamed chicken with raw veg. I’m talking about some kind of activity that you enjoy and is fun – a

daily swim, a game in the pool with the kids, a beach walk/run, tennis, skipping, windsurfing, water skiing, a circuit on the beach or in the gym. Even 15-20 minutes per day, it all adds up and counts. If, of course, you can commit more time then great. You may even find considering a total change of exercise/activity worthwhile. You never know, you may unleash a hidden passion or talent! Personally I love circuit training – lots of different exercises (sometimes I even make things up as I go), short, sharp, intensity on your terms that can generally be done anywhere at anytime with variety.

Nothing new, but body weight and functional exercises are fantastic and often neglected. Squats, lunges, press-ups, pullups, tricep dips, burpees, squat thrusts, crunches are STILL some of the best, with opportunity for progression too. Please be aware that it is important to stay connected to your trainer to discuss and seek advice regarding any possible changes to your exercise plan. If any of you suffer from any injuries, conditions or illness then it is vital you seek advice to determine your suitability prior to embarking on a different/ new routine. I think it’s very fair to say that most people’s diets and therefore nutrition changes whilst being on holiday. Calorific intake often increases and I think the main reason is that we have more free time, more opportunity to eat and drink – that’s what holidays are for aren’t they?

I suspect a large percentage of the increase in calories come in the form of alcohol which adds to the importance of maintaining or additional expenditure levels. The good thing is that generally speaking, people are consuming more fish/seafood which as we all know, is extremely healthy – packed with Omega 3 essential fatty acids/oils and strong association to benefits for your heart

health and nervous system. More fruit is often consumed and again, very good for us.

This time of year is the time for berries! Full of numerous vitamins and anthocyanidins which act as anti-oxidants helping to counteract damaging free radical activity.

I’m not sure I can think of a particular vegetable that is considered “bad” for us or unhealthy so keep up the veg consumption please (in moderation of course).

Both The Hogarth Health Club and The Park Club provide a fantastic service in offering “Wellness on the Go”.

Our Personal Trainers play a crucial role with support and guidance with whatever area of wellness is relevant and important to you wherever you maybe. There are several ways to track, monitor and log activity and to also stay in contact with your Personal Trainer via our Technogym coach application – part of a new technological support system.

You could also stay connected via your very own exercise/activity account by logging on to www.mywellness.com should you choose to. Our members are able to use their free monthly personal training session to a) plan a suitable holiday programme to take with them and b) use when you return to re-visit goals and keep motivated.

And finally: don’t aim for perfection and enjoy the imperfections. Most of all – enjoy your break and keep moving!

My aim for today’s read was to hopefully educate and encourage you to stay healthy whilst being on holiday through combining activity and, at times, a healthy diet and not forgetting the relaxation we need and deserve.

By Terry Rodham; Hogarth Group Wellness Manager For further info, please call The Hogarth Health Club on 020 8994 0500 or The Park Club on 020 8743 4321

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COURTESY OF MAC COSMETICS

Health & Beauty

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1. Mineralize Eye Shadow in Cha-cha-cha , £17; maccosmetics.co.uk 2. Nail Lacquer in Deep Sea, £11; maccosmetics.co.uk 3. Queen Attitude Kohl Kajal, £6.99; bourjois.co.uk 4. Modern Art Matte Glitter polish in Bankside, £12; nailsinc.com 5. False Eye Lashes in Grandeur ,£16.50; illamasqua.com 6. Lipstick CS in Once upon a Time, £11; paul-joe-beaute.com 7. Pure Pigment in Fervent, £16.50; illamasqua.com 8. Lancôme Hypnôse Mascara by Alber Elbaz , £23; harveynichols.com 9. Haute & Naughty Lash, £18; maccosmetics.co.uk

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08/08/2013 19:54

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New Patients Only: Exam, Scale & Polish Have a full dental examination, including x-rays and a scale and polish for just £50 with our special Friday and Saturday offer for new patients. To book any of our amazing offers, please contact the surgery on 0208 747 9933, quoting the reference, ‘Absolutely White.’ Offers are valid until October 31st 2013. Terms and conditions apply, advanced booking required. To find out more about our practice and keep up-to-date with our latest offers, visit www.whitedentalrooms.co.uk

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08/08/2013 18:47

Review

Health & Fitness

Just Add Water Aqua Zumba at Virgin Active The Lowdown

To be frank, there’s something a bit naff (for want of a better word) about aqua fitness. However, if you add a Zumba twist, along with the stunning setting of Chiswick Park’s Virgin Active Health Club, then you’ve got something altogether completely different. Aqua Zumba describes itself as a ‘pool party’ workout. Though its difficult to emulate a Miami pool party in west London, the impressive facilities at Virgin Active more than suffice. The thoroughly modern main pool certainly has the ‘wow’ factor with serene lighting and water so blue and luscious you can’t help but want to dive straight in. The class incorporates Zumba moves along with a warm up, stretching and the use of foam weights. It’s not as intense (read: exhausting) as more traditional Zumba classes I’ve experienced, but, once on dry land, I’m surprised to find I’m famished (it’s barely gone 11AM) and my muscles throb with post workout satisfaction.

The Results

The class served as a reminder of the true nature of Zumba, that, though you look like a class of lunatic women flailing around rather than the bronzed, danceresque beauties in Zumba promos; it doesn’t matter. The whole point of Zumba is that it’s for everyone and, more importantly, it’s a whole lot of fun.

The Details

zumba.com. To locate your nearest Zumba class, visit virginactive.co.uk; 566 Chiswick High Road, W4

Work it

If you’re still sporting baggy grey trackie bottoms and an old t-shirt for your pilates sesh, then get involved with Wellicious’ brand spanking new AW13 collection to spice up your workout wardrobe. Based in west London, Wellicious specialise in stylish yet practical (yes, you can have both) yoga and pilates clothes and accessories. We love. wellicious.com

Fitness First The latest tips and trends

The Fountain of Youth

The liquid in recently launched miracle drink Skinade may be an alarming fluorescent yellow, but the drink, devised by top UK scientists, is loaded with collagen and essential micronutrients to deliver extra elasticity, with the promise of healthier, younger-looking skin. Richmond-based Skinade CEO, Piers Raper calls the product ‘a real innovation’, saying: ‘it works on the skin from the inside out, via direct collagen delivery’. A 3 week trial is so easy to follow (just one bottle a day, no need to detox), and it’s pleasantly drinkable.

Skinade is available through selected salon stockists – see the full list at skinade.co.uk.

Hot and Cold

Deep Heat Muscle Rescue is a new range of lush smelling neck and shoulder cream and relaxing bath soak.

Scented with rosemary and vanilla, the products are perfect for our sedentary lifestyles – relieving common aches and pains.

From £5.49; musclerescue.co.uk 49

FITNESS FIRST.indd 49

08/08/2013 20:31

BATHROOMS PLUS Bathrooms as Individual as You Are

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04/04/2013 15:03

Homes & Garden

All Creatures Great and Small

Creature Comforts

House of Fraser’s exclusive Linea line has come up trumps with their gorgeous autumnal homeware collection.

Knitted blankets, wicker baskets and an array of subtle woodland creatures. Who cares that the nights are getting darker? We can’t wait to snuggle up in front of the fire with this lot. 80 George Street; TW9; houseoffraser.co.uk

INTERIOR OPENER.indd 39

09/08/2013 10:18

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08/08/2013 17:14

Homes & Garden

Top 3

Industrial Lamps Vintage Treasures

We can’t wait to get our hands on the vintage-inspired ‘The Collector’ range from Oliver Bonas. Featuring distressed frames and mirrors, butterfly and bird prints, quirky clocks and wooden suitcase storage boxes, it’s a great take on jumble sale loot. 24 Turnham Green Terrace; oliverbonas.com

1

2 Interior Inspirations

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Absolutely the best trends, local gems and designers Let There be Light

Graham and Green have really gone to town with their new lighting collection, which includes everything from seahorses to owls and teapots. But it’s these stylish letter lights that really spell out our enduring love for them.

Metal Letter Lights from £330; grahamandgreen.co.uk

Take a Pew

1. Giant Industrial Light, £260; oliverhayden.com 2. Anglepoise Duo Table Lamp in Chrome, £110.40; anglepoise.com 3. Vintage German Desk Light, £420; skinflintdesign.co.uk

India Jane bring a touch of colonial glamour to contemporary design. New in store is this antique-style Havana chair in rich leather.

Chesterfield style seating will never go out of fashion, and this piece is a family heirloom in the making. Havana arm chair, £2,250; 36-38 Hill Rise, TW9; indiajane.com

Gate Keepers

With decades of experience plus a partnership built on a unique concept and principles, Simply Electric Gates bring a fresh approach to electric gate installation.

Beautiful bespoke designs, the highest quality materials and fi ne workmanship are backed up by a full range of services – including repairs and maintenance agreements – that ensure commercial and domestic customers alike are always delighted. simplyelectricgates.co.uk 53

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08/08/2013 21:00

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08/08/2013 21:05

Homes & Garden

Vinyl Junkies

Artist couple Keith Haynes and Kim ClaytonJones have put a unique spin on their 1930s Chiswick home whilst keeping true to its Art Deco origins Words: Alice Westgate Photography: Paul Ryan-Goff

C

hiswick has been home to many artists over the years, from Hogarth to Peter Blake, and the community continues to inspire a new generation of creatives. Among its rising stars are Keith Haynes and Kim Clayton-Jones, who juggle jobs in television and interior design with the creation of their own distinctive brand of artwork: Kim makes exquisite pictures from meticulously cut paper, while Keith’s passion is creating iconic pop art from old vinyl records – think heart-shapes cut from seven-inch recordings of classic love songs, or witty royal portraits intricately fashioned from original copies of God Save the Queen by the Sex Pistols. ‘We both seem to specialise in making painstaking things,’ laughs Keith. ‘It is very time-consuming, but incredibly rewarding.’

Decorating their home – a handsome 1930s mansion flat near Turnham Green – has required a similarly immaculate approach, especially as the interior was in a sorry state of repair when they fi rst arrived here in 2005. ‘The previous

owner had lived here for more than 50 years,’ remembers Keith. ‘There were pink shag-pile carpets in every room and the ceilings were stained yellow with nicotine. We stripped everything out and refitted the kitchen and bathroom before we moved in.’

However, they did not have far to look for inspiration when they began to design the rooms. ‘We just knew it had to be decorated in Art Deco style to echo the date of the building,’ says Kim, who has a natural flair for interior design. ‘We felt it needed to be monochrome and graphic.’

The couple also adopted some clever space-defying techniques to make the apartment seem far larger than its modest 80 square metres. Firstly, several rooms have a dual purpose, including the entrance hall, which doubles as a dining room thanks to an extending console table, and the guest bedroom, which is also the couple’s studio.

Next, Kim and Keith used plenty of shiny surfaces to magical effect, reflecting light and space wherever possible, as well as keeping in step with Deco style. This is especially apparent in the drawing 57

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Homes & Garden

room, where mirrored walls over the fireplace appear to double the size of the room. They also chose bold furniture to imply life on a larger scale; the generous cupboards, chests of drawers and tapestry-strewn bed in the master bedroom are a case in point. ‘It might seem crazy to place so many big pieces in such a small space,’ says Kim, ‘but these few substantial pieces have created a real sense of grandeur.’

Finally, the couple chose intense colours and glamorous wallpapers throughout, never flinching from their desire to design every last inch of space.

In the kitchen, for example, three of the four walls are lined with black lacquered kitchen units, while a huge primarycoloured collage by Cornish artist Terry Frost hangs above the table. ‘We designed the room around this picture,’ says Keith. ‘It dominates the space, but still has plenty of room to breathe.’

The same can be said of all the many wonderful pieces of modern art that are on display here, from prints and installations by the likes of Banksy and Tracey Emin. And it appears that their own work is now every bit as sought-after: three of Keith’s pictures depicting The Beatles now grace the newly renovated Apple Apartments at 94 Baker Street.

Equally as impressive, this well groomed and highly sophisticated West London home works just as well today as it did the day it was designed: ‘I am glad to say that the whole space is still spot-on,’ says Kim. ‘Rehanging different artwork is the only change we will make.’

For more info about the work of Keith Haynes and Kim Clayton-Jones, visit art-partnership.co.uk 58

KEITH & KIM_v3.indd 58

08/08/2013 21:05

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14/01/2013 16:14

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01/08/2013 15:13 15:38 31/07/2013

September is a time of planning.

Next year’s bulbs will soon go on sale, so this is a time to plan pots of tulips, borders full of narcissi as well as more unusual bulbs such as scilla and puschkinia, which offer wonderful hues of blue. Th is is also the time to plan to plant allium – allium christophii and ‘Purple Sensation’ for early colour and allium caeruleum and sphaerocephalon for colour in July and early August.

If you are buying bulbs individually always check that the bulbs are fi rm and free of mould and plant them according to the cultivation instructions on the packets. Tulips are much beloved by squirrels, so to maximise your chance of success and plenty of blooms, plant them in pots with a heavy coat of metal chicken wire above – this will deter the squirrels, although they can be persistent! kategouldgardens.com

Gardening Notes

Absolutely the best news and tips from the great outdoors

FAKING IT

VEG POTS

Crunchd, the social networking site for vegetable growers, has just launched a range of window-sill grow pots.

Potfoodle (we see what they did there) is a collection of grow-your-own kits including fresh herbs, edible flowers and chillies. A sweet way of extending your vegetable patch, or perfect for budding green-fingered types who don’t have a lot of outdoor space. £19.99 for 5; crunchd.com

COME TOGETHER

Kim Wilde is fronting this year’s PosturePlast Community Gardener of the Year Awards. Chiswick MP Mary Macleod has got behind the campaign, saying: ‘Community gardens are a fabulous way to promote neighbourhood cohesion and a great way to show off London’s spirit of volunteering.’ Competition ends December 31. To nominate someone you know or yourself, send a name, age, location and 100 words explaining why they deserve to win to: community@ gardener.com

LazyLawn, the UK’s oldest and largest artificial grass suppliers, has recently opened their new Chiswick office. Loved by celebs like Amanda Holden and Alan Titchmarsh, LazyLawn has also been used in Selfridge’s window displays, the new Big Brother garden and can even lay claim to being the first artificial grass brand to be displayed at the iconic Chelsea Flower Show. LazyLawn sales director, Ryan Adam, admits that the brand are, ‘on a mission to help London home owners spend more time enjoying their gardens.’ lazylawn.co.uk

© D. STAUGHTON

Kate’s tip of the month

Homes & Garden

BACK TO REALITY

The Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art at Kew Gardens is currently hosting an exhibition of renowned and influential Scottish painter and musician, Rory McEwan. The Colours of Reality takes a look at the prolific artist’s botanical paintings, etchings and sketchbooks. 11 May – 22 September 2013; kew.org

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08/08/2013 20:49

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10/05/2013 15:53

Food & Travel

Review

Elaine O’Connell gets stuck into The Cabin’s Lobster Festival

THE LOW DOWN

The weather is glorious, spirits are high and I’m off to a festival.

No muddy wellies and dodgy toilets for me, though, I’m taking part in a festival of flavour; The Cabin’s Lobster Festival, which lasts until the end of August.

EAST MEETS WEST

Asian inspired restaurant Wagamama has hit Hammersmith in style, located in the sleek Old Fire Station. Even better news for locals, it’s the first London branch to incorporate Wagamama’s brand new bar concept. The bar will serve specially-tailored cocktails and twists on classics to complement the Japanese-inspired menu.

We recommend the delectable Tommy’s sake margarita, which replaces sickly sweet sugar with Agave nectar. Cheers!

244 Shepherd’s Bush Road W6; wagamama.com

THE FOOD

We’re tempted to stray away from the special Lobster Festival menu – complete with handy ‘how to’ diagrams on correct crustacean cracking etiquette – but only momentarily. The Cabin specialises in hearty, no fuss steaks and seafood and portions are far from dainty. There’s plenty of choice, but to complement the hot day, I go for a chilled lobster salad whilst my partner chooses the lobster roll with avocado, seasoned mayo and a side of fries.

My salad is beautifully fresh with huge chunks of lobster, zingy salsa and fresh, ripe chunks of avocado and mango. My partner’s dish is served in a surprising choice of a sweet brioche roll and, though tempted by a glass of white wine to wash it all down, we choose a fresh banana and strawberry smoothie and vitamin filled fruit juice. Simply delicious.

Bite Sized Absolutely essential food news

VERDICT

I loved the laid-back atmosphere and unashamedly hearty portion sizes at The Cabin; a place that feels like it’s taken pride of place on the High Road for generations, when in fact it’s only a couple of years old. The food is undoubtedly wonderful at any time of the year, but the Lobster Festival is really something to get your teeth (or should that be claws) into.

VIVA LA REVOLUCIÓN

cabinrestaurants.co.uk

STEAK YOUR CLAIM

Calling all carnivores: The Meat Co has been crowned the South African Restaurant of the Year in the UK at the South African Achievers Award 2013. The proof, as they say, is in the pudding (or in this case, steak) so why not test the delectable menu of flame-grilled, fine quality prime cuts at the flagship UK branch in Westfield. themeatco.com

Spanish cuisine has rarely been held in high culinary esteem, but charismatic young chef, Omar Allibhoy, is on a mission to change attitudes for good. Following from the success of his Tapas Revolution restaurants, Omar’s authentic, flavoursome dishes can now be recreated at home through his debut book. Tapas Revolution: 120 Simple Classic Spanish Recipes, £20, Ebury 63

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08/08/2013 20:46

The Oak W12

Lunch from 12pm Tuesday –Sunday Dinner from 6.30pm Monday – Sunday Brunch, Lunch & Dinner from 11am Saturday & Sunday Italian menu, wood fire pizzas & family friendly.

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06/08/2013 09:47

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08/08/2013 11:12

Food & Travel FOOD

REVIEW

Food for Thought Amy Broomfield discovers pub grub of a different class at the Dysart Arms

The Dysart Arms

135 Petersham Road, TW10 thedysartarms.co.uk 020 8940 8005

E

ight years ago, the Dysart Arms was just a pub.

Albeit, a nice one, in a beautiful Arts and Crafts building – an architectural movement led by William Morris – on the edge of Richmond Park. Today, it is a smart, up-class restaurant, transformed since the Taylor family took it over. It still maintains classic pub features like the broad oak bar, a huge selection of wines, and ales available on tap; but there’s not a sticky beer mat in sight. The venue is immaculate. ‘It was a typical pub serving typical pub food,’ says Barny Taylor, Restaurant Manager. ‘But we could see that the building had enormous potential. We scrubbed the tables, added crisp white linen napkins and sparkling glass and cutlery to give diners a sense of quality in a relaxed atmosphere.’ Beyond aesthetic changes, the menu is sophisticated British fare – the kind that might be found in a Michelin-starred restaurant thanks to Roux Scholar Chef Kenneth Culhane. The pub

grows its own produce on a patch of land a mile away, and even has its own forager.

‘He brings us the very best seasonal produce. It’s great, you never know what you’ll get from one day to the next,’ says Taylor. ‘One morning, he might come in with wood ear mushrooms, and then they will appear on the menu that same day.’

It’s a scorching hot afternoon when we visit, and flowers and fresh green vegetables are in full bloom which gives the restaurant a bounty to work with. Along with our starters are a few culinary treats like a small bowl of parsnip soup, with a lime and coconut foam. It’s unlike anything I’ve had before.

The vibrant colour matches the dynamic taste; a creamy textured liquid, punctuated by acidic lime zest and sweetened by coconut; every mouthful delivers a different taste. We also get a portion of homemade Irish soda bread. Is there anything more inviting than bread fresh from the oven?

This loaf is baked with a thick golden brown crust and a soft

cake like texture inside. The accompanying fennel butter gives it a kick. Our starters are thick salmon sashimi upon marinated rice, decorated with flowers, while a plump and sweet scallop is served on a bed of sticky and dense squid ink gnocchi. The mains are artistically assembled; medium rare lamb steaks come with breadcrumbed sweetbread, and a small portion of tongue crowned the dish (perhaps not a cut of meat for everyone) – atop a colourful array of vegetables. Meanwhile the beef is tender and pink in the middle, and comes with sweetened heritage carrots and an excellent miso mustard sauce.

Also recommended is the salt-baked beetroot side dish – a deliciously deep red bowl made with toasted hazelnuts.

As we dine, regulars come and go, and the staff are familiar (but not overly so), seating diners in their favourite spots.

In just one sitting, it’s easy to see why they visit time and time again. I would dine there again for the soup alone, and that was just a starter.

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08/08/2013 20:34

Food & Travel

A Feast of

Friends As Jamie’s Italian off-shoot Trattoria opens in Richmond, Gennaro Contaldo talks food and family with Simon Moore

Photography by Rececca Noonan

W

e’re surrounded by food. It’s not even on plates. We’re talking loaves of artisan bread; we’re talking chorizo and salami hung up and strewn artfully over the bar. It’s a feast for the eyes, fresh and bright and bold. Layers of gloriously tacky retro wallpapers bleed into each other around dinerstyle tables, populated with furniture that genuinely looks cobbled together from houses down the street.

This could be somewhat confusing for those of us used to the slick, modern interiors of the usual Jamie’s Italian locations. Not to worry. The inimitable Gennaro Contaldo knows all about the rich tradition of Italian trattorias.

Many moons ago he mentored Jamie Oliver in the culinary delights of Italy.

Now Jamie returns the favour with every new restaurant; Gennaro selects the menu, trains the staff, and in Trattoria’s case, fi nds an eccentric sort of ethos to tie it all together: ‘Trattoria

is a family business. I went to Italy, couple of months ago. So I went to see what a trattoria looks like. Papa says, “Hello! Welcome to my trattoria! Let me show you the kitchen!” and you know what? There was his mama. Mama was washing up and cooking. There’s the daughter, she’s helping. There’s the son-in-law, he’s the chef. And I look around, next to the panettone, there’s a big fat baby!’

Trattoria is authentic Italian dining at its core; it’s about simple, honest and insanely delicious food. Gennaro puts it better, really: ‘Italian food is about love and passion, Simon. Love and passion.’ Taking the over-arching concept of good, affordable cuisine from Jamie’s Italian and heading in a more rustic direction, Trattoria is a celebration of seasonal food.

‘Italy,’ Gennaro explains, ‘is about taste...history...terrain. It’s about waiting for that food.’

We start talking about his English food favourites. Turns out he has some issues with the way the British keep

“Trattoria is authentic Italian dining at its core. It’s about simple, honest and insanely delicious food”

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Food & Travel their fruit and vegetables.

‘English strawberries are the greatest in the world. But why do you put strawberries in the fridge? And tomatoes!’ He points to me. ‘Do you put tomatoes in the fridge? Why? Just tell me why. In Italy they hang up for months! And basil! Who puts basil in the fridge?

They don’t like it, they go arghh!”

Conversation turns to mushrooms and truffles, one of the reasons Gennaro first moved to England.

I admit I’ve never had truffles. ‘You never had truffles?’

He asks, aghast, ‘Come on, we fix that.’ And so we head for the kitchen, Gennaro greeting all and bustling about with fatherly friendliness, whether it’s staff beaming with obvious pride at getting to work here, or customers plunging into delicious platters.

A white box appears. A truffle emerges from within. Oil is drizzled. Pasta is presented. And now something like magic occurs, as Gennaro slices and tosses and conjures up a truffle pasta dish before our very eyes. He cooks as if it’s as natural as breathing, effortlessly bringing three simple ingredients together with flair and finesse. He puts it down in front of me, and twists up the first forkful. It tastes earthy and creamy and gorgeously rich in ways I couldn’t have imagined. Wow, I think. Then I

realise I just said that out loud.

Very loud.

Gennaro is delighted. This kind of reaction is exactly why he loves cooking.

‘What you said just now – “wow!”

– Nothing in the world beats that.’

Now a wealth of antipasti beckons: focaccia, caponata, parma ham and salami, chilli jam on pecorino cheese.

Then there’s Gennaro’s signature pickled aubergine slices, almost meatlike in texture, coming to life on my tastebuds.

Somehow, we find room for chocolate ripple ice cream.

Chunky cookies are crumbled on top and a sizeable brownie is submerged beneath, just waiting to surface and inflict instant death by chocolate.

My brain shuts down at this point.

Only one command remains: EAT IT ALL. NOW. Gennaro only has a dishful of ice cream; he has an awards ceremony to get ready for and a black tie to find. He has but one thing to tell me as he walks out the door and taps on the other side of the window at us: ‘Love and passion, Simon! Love and passion!’

Love for your family, passion for the food you share with them. Love and passion. That’s the secret to great Italian food.

It’s no secret anymore.

“He cooks as if it’s as natural as breathing, effortlessly bringing three simple ingredients together with finesse ”

Trattoria Richmond, 12-13 King Street, TW9; jamieoliver.com

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Restaurant Michael Nadra 6-8 Elliott Road, Chiswick, London W4 1PE Tel. 0208 742 0766 michaelnadra@restaurant-michaelnadra.co.uk www.restaurant-michaelnadra.co.uk Restaurant Michael Nadra 6-8 Elliott Road, Chiswick, London W4 1PE Tel. 0208 742 0766 michaelnadra@restaurant-michaelnadra.co.uk www.restaurant-michaelnadra.co.uk

• Acres of private fenced fields • Constant supervision • Heated indoor areas • Swimming pools • Agility course • Socialisation

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Liscensed & Insured

11/12/2012 19:43

Delicious Deluxe 6 Course tasting menu Come and try our 6 course tasting Dinner £49 Open for lunch week, Lunch 2 Course Prixall Fixe £19.50 Delicious Deluxeprix 6 Course tasting menu 2 course, fixe £19.50 New Year's Eve 8 Course Tasting Menu Lunch 2 Course Prix Fixe bar £19.50 New Restaurant, Martini and Open for lunch and dinner everyday garden now open in Primrose New Year's Eve 8 Course Tasting Hill Menu Open for lunch and dinner everyday

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07/08/2013 15:27

Food & Travel

THE HOTEL

Lying discreetly on Piccadilly is the family-run London hotel, The Athenaeum. Famed for its exterior living wall – a vertical garden designed to mirror the wondrous Green Park across the road – it plays host to the world’s largest single collection of Urticaceae. Situated but minutes from the luxury retail Mecca that is Bond Street, inside you’ll find a bevy of helpful staff only too willing to help you with those heavy shopping bags.

THE ATHENAEUM LONDON THE RESTAURANT

On the ground floor lies the hotel’s scrumptious restaurant. Quality ingredients and presentation are buzzwords here. Triple cooked chunky chips are a must (regardless of what you order) though the Tiger Prawn Caesar Salad makes for a nutritious, yet filling healthy option. The wine list is extensive, and if you happen to have a birthday during your stay, a mini cake with candles will find its way to your table upon request. Best of all, the restaurant is situated next to the slick Whisky Bar, which serves up a choice of 270 whiskies and numerous cocktails, should you feel like a nightcap to help you digest.

THE PENTHOUSE SUITE

If you’re visiting a hotel that overlooks a park, you simply must have a room with a view. And at The Athenaeum, there is one room with the view – the Penthouse Suite. Including three double bedrooms, two bathrooms and six plasma screen TVs this is the crème de la crème.

Decorated in stylish whites, creams and beige (designed by Martin Hulbert of Fox Linton Associates), you can practically do laps in the bathtubs and will find you get lost in the enormous, cloud-like beds. With coffee machines, fridges (full of goodies), freezers, a mini bar, daily newspapers, not to mention the outside balcony boasting one of the best views of the city, to stay in the Penthouse Suite is to be spoiled rotten.

THE SPA

After an exhausting day’s shopping, those muscles most certainly deserve a rewarding spa treatment. The hour-long deep tissue muscle massage is the one to go for, using a combination of Essential Oils to release stress and muscle tension.

Otherwise try the Aroma Stone Therapy, which targets key energy points, or the Moroccan Rose Ritual REN Bespoke Facial, which includes a scrub (not at all painful like it sounds) and heavenly massage. The hotel also plays host to a fully equipped gym for a spot of exercise, and hot tubs and a steam room to relax in afterwards.

THE DAMAGE

The Rooftop Suite is £1,900 per night excl. VAT & breakfast. 116 Piccadilly, W1, 020 7499 3464; athenaeumhotel.com

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The Wellness WONDERLAND Sea, sand and complete rejuvenation – Katie Jones sets her sights on the spectacular spas of Gran Canaria

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Food & Travel

T

wo hundred and thirty six. This is, I believe, the exact number of times that I pulled an incredulous face on being presented with yet another stunning view on my recent trip to Gran Canaria. It is, incidentally, also the amount in kilometres of beautifully diverse coastline the island boasts, 60 of which is made up of picturesque beaches.

Far from kowtowing to Western tastes and losing all vestiges of culture, the southern coast of Gran Canaria is breathtaking.

Brighter and warmer than its northern sister, it provides the perfect setting for some seriously idyllic relaxation. This relaxation had been organised for me by Gran Canaria Spa, Wellness and Health – a cooperative between the island’s tourism board and the medical and tourist sectors. Having cherry-picked the most spectacular spas for my visit, it was four days of floating in infinity pools, breezing around in snuggly robes and dining al fresco in the sunshine.

As soon as the plane touched down on the island and I saw those instantly recognisable wafting waves of heat, I knew I was in for a treat – the weather in London had been temperamental to say the least. We hopped in a car and were whisked off to Playa de Amadores and the Gloria Palace Royal Hotel & Spa, our place of residence for the trip and the site inspiring many of my gasps of delight.

As you sweep into the reception of this hotel, built into the rock above a man-made beach,

you are greeted by magnificent floor to ceiling windows running the entire length of the lounge, with views over the crystal blue sea waiting enticingly below, lapping at the sand. We had a similar setup in our bedroom, which allows guests to wake up not only to the sight and sound of the waves, but also to the sandy dunes which sit no more than one hundred paces away. There’s even a glass elevator from the rooftop poolside that drops you neatly at the entrance to the hotel so that you can get to the beach even quicker.

The sea for Canarians is not just for swimming, but rather total wellbeing; thalassotherapy harnesses the oceans power to relax and revive the body. During our visits to such havens that employed this type of therapy, I breathed in tangy sea air, floated in dense salty pools and received back and shoulder massages from water jets shooting seawater.

The Corallium Spa at the Lopesan Costa Meloneras Resort provided the trip’s most memorable thalassotherapy experience. After gawking at the outrageously sumptuous entranceway to this palatial hotel – we’re talking chandeliers the size of jeeps and fountains of dancing water – we were ushered into the spa and given soft, fluffy robes and slippers to snuggle up in. Here, the spa circuit adventure begins in the mysteriously named ‘womb room’. Through a carpeted arch we heard tantalisingly soft music and saw undulating pale lights.

After stepping over the threshold into this scarlet-hued room we dozed on water beds feeling somewhat like the empresses of old – Cleopatra surely had her own private relaxation chamber, right?!

THE GLORIA PALACE ROYAL HOTEL & SPA

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Food & Travel THE SHERATON SALOBRE GOLF & SPA RESORT

“Within a day I managed to completely unwind in breathtaking surroundings” This massage’s origins are rooted in the Far East and uses small And the marvels continued, so much so that even Alice would cotton bags of carefully prepared medicinal herbs heated to 120° have been tempted to swap her adventures in Wonderland with Pantai oil. These bags heat the skin in a deep tissue massage for what was to come. Every time I opened a door and passed – the swift sensation of the skin being burned on contact into a new room, I was greeted by a different experience with the bags causes the body to refresh its skin cells or sensation. The series of rooms are designed revealing healthy, supple new skin. Far from to eliminate toxins and invigorate the painful, it left my skin positively glowing. cardiovascular and immunological systems However, for a more traditional Mud and I fi nished the cycle on cloud nine.

Wrap and Massage, head to the Gloria The spa uses natural water at different Palace Amadores Thalasso and Hotel. temperatures as part of the relaxation Deeply relaxing, once you get used treatment – we loved the dense to the slightly fi shy aroma of the flotation pool at 35°, which is so salty mud you are covered in, a blissful that you hover on top of the milky slumber awaits, before you water in the man-made grotto, emerge from your cocoon, rinse completely weightless. There are also off the mud and trot off to enjoy a steam baths at 45°, and temperatures soothing massage. even soar to 90 degrees in the sauna.

My experience of Gran Canaria Through these watery treatments, was so far removed from my we were transported from Egypt to the expectations that I couldn’t help but Arabian world, from the Tropics to the be amazed. I might not have envisaged North Pole, and then on to the Himalayas – the island as a destination for luxury and all under one roof.

THE LOPESAN COSTA MELONERAS RESORT relaxation, but within a day I managed This isn’t where indulgence stops in Gran to completely unwind in breath-taking Canaria, if you are after a treatment that involves surroundings. Like Alice, I found my wonderland and I just a good old-fashion lie down, I can recommend definitely didn’t want to leave... taking a trip to the trendy Seaside Palm Beach Design Hotel in Masapalomas. Super stylish with a decadent bar, it’s reminiscent Gran Canaria Wellness Association: Room price starts from: of the infamous Studio 54. It was here, hidden away in the grounds £100 per room. Spa Breaks starts from: £120pp, +928 77 64 04; of the hotel (you walk under arbors of greenery and flowers to grancanariawellness.com arrive at the spa) that I had the Pantai Luar treatment.

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05/09/2012 14:05

08/08/2013 18:49

SEPTEMBER 2013

ABSOLUTELY

PROPERTY

Hillcrest Road, W5 Arguably one of Ealing’s finest residencies, enjoying an elevated position looking onto Hanger Hill Park. Set within its own extensive grounds and offering excellent family accommodation. This is a unique opportunity for a prospective purchaser to stamp their own mark on this period style Manor home.

OIRO ÂŁ3,500,000 Winkworth, Ealing 020 8896 0123; ealing@winkworth.co.uk

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06/08/2013 05/08/2013 10:12 16:19

You may know us from walking your dog in the park, local charity events or simply recognise a familiar face; we walk the same streets and eat in the same restaurants you do.

Of course, it’s also quite possible that you – or someone you know – has bought, sold or let a property through us. We’ve been around for years and our success is built on the fact that people who use us once, tend to use us again.

And tell their friends.

Because most of our agents live in the areas in which they work, they really understand what matters to buyers and sellers there.

Many agents will claim to know more about where you live than anyone else. But we understand it’s because people know us, that time and again we sell and let properties more quickly and more profitably than anyone else.

Tanya McFeely Tanya brings a genuine charm and generous spirit to all her business dealings. But don’t be deceived – she’s a tough cookie – and that sweet exterior belies a skilled – and dare we say it – somewhat hard-nosed negotiator with a great track record for selling Brook Green’s finest properties.

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Chelsea: 020 7589 6677 Kensington: 020 7795 4288 Notting Hill: 020 7221 4805 Ladbroke Grove: 020 7221 0330 Brook Green: 020 7603 5181 Or to see the latest on the central London property market visit: bectivelesliemarsh.co.uk

06/08/2013 05/08/2013 10:13 16:20

Chelsea 020 7589 6677

Kensington 020 7795 4288

Notting Hill 020 7221 4805

Ladbroke Grove 020 7221 0330

Brook Green 020 7603 5181

bectivelesliemarsh.co.uk

Bolingbroke Road

Gunterstone Road

A broad end of terrace late Victorian family house (284 sq m/3,057 sq ft approx.).

This stunning newly refurbished end of terrace enjoys a corner position thus benefitting from three aspects. 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, reception room, kitchen/dining room, media room, utility, two roof terraces, decked garden.

A fully re-modelled Victorian family house (295 sq m/3,175 sq ft approx.) of imposing stature. 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (1 en suite), shower room, walk in wardrobe, 2 reception rooms, kitchen/dining room, study, utility room, cloakroom, vaults storage, eaves storage, garden.

Freehold £3,250,000

Freehold £2,950,000

Brook Green W14

Brook Green office tm@bectivelesliemarsh.co.uk

West Kensington W14

Brook Green office 020 7603 5181 tm@bectivelesliemarsh.co.uk

EPC Rating E 020 7603 5181

First Avenue

Blythe Road

An outstanding and beautifully decorated Edwardian family home (206 sq m/2,217 sq ft approx.) situated in this very quiet and pretty tree lined street surrounded by a wealth of local amenities. 6 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, kitchen, dining room, double reception, cloakroom.

A large and spacious flat (86 sq m/926 sq ft approx.) in the heart of Brook Green.

The property is arranged over two floors and will make a great investment or home. Shepherds Bush Road is within close proximity as is Brook Green.

3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, reception room, kitchen, dining room, loft storage.

Brook Green W14

Acton W3

Freehold £1,225,000 Brook Green office tm@bectivelesliemarsh.co.uk

EPC Rating D Freehold £680,000 Brook Green office 020 7603 5181 tm@bectivelesliemarsh.co.uk

EPC Rating D 020 7603 5181

Refreshingly different estate agents

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06/08/2013 05/08/2013 10:13 16:25

Sinclair Road

Netherwood Road

Thisraisedgroundfloorflat(60sqm/646sqftapprox.)iswellpresentedwithgood sizedrooms.Alovelyandbrightflat,soldwithashareofthefreehold.Thisspacious propertyhasbeenrecentlyrefurbishedandimprovedthroughout.2bedrooms, ensuiteshowerroom,bathroom,receptionroom,kitchen,loftstorage.

An extensively refurbished garden flat (71 sq m/764 sq ft approx.) converted from a Victorian terraced house in the heart of Brook Green. Netherwood road is conveniently located for both local shops and restaurants. 2 bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen, open plan reception/conservatory, storage room.

Brook Green W14

Leasehold £620,000 Brook Green office th@bectivelesliemarsh.co.uk

Brook Green W14

EPC Rating D Share of Freehold £590,000 Brook Green office 020 7603 5181 th@bectivelesliemarsh.co.uk

EPC Rating C 020 7603 5181

Sinclair Road

Blythe Road

Abrightmodernsecondfloorflat(64sqm/689sqftapprox.)convertedfroma Victorianterracedhouse. Thisisabrightsecondfloorflatcompletewithhigh ceilingsandlargewindows,withgoodproportionsthroughout.2bedrooms, bathroom,receptionroom,kitchen.

Anextremelybrighttwobedroom,thirdfloorflat(54.25sqm/584sqftapprox.) intheheartofBrookGreen.ThisupperfloorflatislocatedonBlytheRoad,just offBrookGreenitselfandenjoyinganarrayoflocalamenities.2bedrooms, bathroom,receptionroom,kitchen.

Brook Green W14

Share of Freehold £555,000 Brook Green office th@bectivelesliemarsh.co.uk

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Brook Green W14

EPC Rating C Leasehold £450,000 Brook Green office 020 7603 5181 th@bectivelesliemarsh.co.uk

EPC Rating D 020 7603 5181

06/08/2013 01/07/2013 10:13 17:26

Chelsea 020 7589 6677

Kensington 020 7795 4288

Notting Hill 020 7221 4805

Ladbroke Grove 020 7221 0330

Brook Green 020 7603 5181

bectivelesliemarsh.co.uk

Hammersmith Grove

Netherwood Road

A unique opportunity to rent an impressive house that has been interior designed, the property benefits from a larger than average garden and wonderful balcony. 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms (2 en suite), 2 reception rooms, kitchen, dressing room, laundry room, utility room, balcony, garden.

Anexceptionallywellpresented,veryspaciousmaisonettesetoverthreefloors hasbecomeavailabletorentonthispopularresidentialstreetinBrookGreen.The propertybenefitsfromamplelivingspaceandalovelyreargarden.4bedrooms,3 bathrooms(1ensuite),doublereceptionroom,kitchen,deckedbalcony,garden.

Brackenbury Village W14

Unfurnished £1,750 per week Brook Green office bj@bectivelesliemarsh.co.uk

Brook Green W14

EPC Rating E Unfurnished £1,400 per week Brook Green office 020 7603 5181 bj@bectivelesliemarsh.co.uk

EPC Rating D 020 7603 5181

Frithville Gardens

Sinclair Gardens

A fantastic, double fronted period property on a very quiet street right next to Hammersmith Park with the huge added benefit of private off street parking and a lovely patio garden. 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms (2 en suite), 2 reception rooms, kitchen, cloakroom, garden.

A unique property which offers over 150 sq m of lateral living space that is presented in superb condition. Sinclair Gardens is ideally located a short walk from the Central Line at Shepherds Bush. 3 bedrooms, bathroom, shower room (en suite), reception room, kitchen, balcony.

Shepherds Bush W12

Unfurnished £975 per week Brook Green office bj@bectivelesliemarsh.co.uk

Brook Green W14

EPC Rating E Unfurnished £700 per week Brook Green office 020 7603 5181 bj@bectivelesliemarsh.co.uk

EPC Rating D 020 7603 5181

Refreshingly different estate agents

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06/08/2013 01/07/2013 10:14 17:26

Hofland Road

Addison Park Mansions

Acharmingcottagewithlotsoflivingspaceandprivategardenhasbecomeavailable torent.Thehouseisneutrallydecoratedthroughoutandhastheaddedbenefitofa conservatorybreakfastroomleadingontoaprivategarden.2bedrooms,bathroom, receptionroom,kitchen,conservatorystylediningroom,garden.

AbrightandspaciousapartmentlocatedinthissmallmansionblockinBrookGreen.

TheapartmentisideallysituatedwithinclosewalkingdistanceoftheCentrallineand theWestfieldShoppingCentre.Thepropertybenefitsfromlotsofnaturallight,wood flooringandperiodfeatures.2bedrooms,bathroom,receptionroom,kitchen.

Brook Green W14

Unfurnished £475 per week Brook Green office bj@bectivelesliemarsh.co.uk

Brook Green W14

EPC Rating E Furnished/Unfurnished £400 per week EPC Rating D Brook Green office 020 7603 5181 bj@bectivelesliemarsh.co.uk

020 7603 5181

Addison Gardens

Woodstock Grove

A bright and spacious one bedroom apartment situated on the second floor of this period conversion ideally located on a very popular road in Brook Green.

This great flat is just a short walk from the Central Line at Shepherds Bush.

Bedroom, shower room, reception room, kitchen, balcony.

Abeautifullypresentedandwelllaidoutsecondfloorflatinexcellentconditionina wellmaintainedperiodbuildingonaquiet,leafystreetintheheartofBrookGreen.

FieldingRoadisjustashortwalkfromShepherdsBushundergroundstationorthe overgroundatKensingtonOlympia.2bedroom,bathroom,receptionroom,kitchen.

Brook Green W14

Furnished £360 per week Brook Green office bj@bectivelesliemarsh.co.uk

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Shepherds Bush W12

EPC Rating D Furnished/Unfurnished £320 per week Brook Green office 020 7603 5181 bj@bectivelesliemarsh.co.uk

EPC Rating D 020 7603 5181

06/08/2013 01/07/2013 10:14 17:26

CHISWICK MALL, W4 A period house built and designed in 1889 by the renowned ship builder Lord Thornycroft.

Located in a desirable position. Offering a wonderful opportunity to restore this property into a magnificent family home. Approx. 2,227 sq ft. Energy Rating: F. 4 bedrooms, bathroom, shower room, 2 receptions, kitchen/dining room, study, garage, terrace, garden.

Freehold Guide Price ÂŁ2,500,000

CHISWICK 020 8995 9394 chiswick@johndwood.co.uk

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www.johndwood.co.uk

06/08/2013 05/08/2013 10:25 16:48

5/6 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2 reception rooms, kitchen/dining room, cloakroom, garden, off-street parking.

D

R GEN E FO

IONS AT R

A superb Grade II Listed, Victorian semi-detached family house located in the highly desirable Bedford Park Conservation Area with planning permission for a two storey double garage. Approx. 2,614 sq ft.

TRUSTE

THE AVENUE, W4

141 Years of Property

18

72 - 2013

Freehold Guide Price ÂŁ2,750,000

CHISWICK 020 8995 9394 chiswick@johndwood.co.uk

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www.johndwood.co.uk

06/08/2013 05/08/2013 10:26 16:48

Completely at home in Brook Green If you’re thinking of selling or buying visit us today.

KFH Brook Green 134 Shepherd’s Bush Road London W6 7PB Tel 020 3542 2020 Email sbg@kfh.co.uk

Our services Sales and Lettings Property Management Conveyancing Block Management Chartered Surveyors

xx KFH Chiswick & 2West SBG b&w page.indd 1 FULL PAGE.indd

04/06/2013 06/08/2013 09:31 10:37

Keith Grove, Shepherd’s Bush, W12 £1,000,000 Freehold Hammersmith 020 8563 9633 Email shm@kfh.co.uk

09.13 KFH Chiswick3 & West.indd 2 FULL PAGE.indd

A stylish four bedroom Victorian house that beautifully blends period features with superb contemporary design.

• • • • • • • • •

Arranged over four floors Fireplaces and sash windows Bespoke kitchen Contemporary bathrooms Basement/laundry South facing garden Quiet location Near Shepherd’s Bush tube EPC rating D

01/08/2013 06/08/2013 15:03 10:38

Sterndale Road, Brook Green, W14 Guide price £2,850,000 Freehold

An extraordinary family home offering unique features, the potential to update and modernise throughout, large stained glass conservatory to the rear, balcony, top floor roof terrace with fantastic views and a garage. Located along a sought after road in Brook Green.

• • • • • • •

Five double bedrooms Large double reception Beautiful eat in kitchen Stunning conservatory Modernisation required Private garage Highly sought after road

Brook Green 020 3542 2020 Email sbg@kfh.co.uk

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01/08/2013 06/08/2013 15:04 10:38

Eastbourne Road, Chiswick, W4 £1,750,000 Freehold Chiswick 020 8742 8686 Email sck@kfh.co.uk

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Imposing double fronted detached family home benefitting from a private landscaped 80ft west facing garden and off street parking.

Located moments from Chiswick House Grounds in Grove Park.

• • • • • • • • •

Four double bedrooms Reception room Dining room Kitchen/breakfast room Additional large study Bathroom and en suite Downstairs WC Approximately 2,220 sq ft EPC rating E

06/08/2013 15:04 10:38 01/08/2013

Drayton Grove, Ealing, W13 £1,250 pcm Beautiful and modern one double bedroom flat offering bright and spacious accommodation finished to a high standard throughout. This property is located on a sought after quiet residential road, within walking distance of Ealing Broadway tube station. Furnished. EPC rating D. Ealing 020 8579 6279 Email lel@kfh.co.uk

Coverdale Road, Shepherd’s Bush, W12 £5,850 pcm A stunning five bedroom family house situated in Shepherd’s Bush. This property boasts two reception rooms, modern bathrooms, roof terrace and private garden. Located close to Shepherd’s Bush underground station. Furnished or part furnished. EPC rating E. Hammersmith 020 8563 9889 Email lhm@kfh.co.uk

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01/08/2013 10:39 15:05 06/08/2013

SOVEREIGN COURT LONDON W6

COMING SOON, REGISTER YOUR INTEREST NOW Located in the centre of Hammersmith just 150 metres from two underground stations, Sovereign Court brings hotel style living with concierge service and a residents’ fitness suite to W6.

Sovereign Court will offer one, two and three bedroom apartments and Penthouses, with retail space and gardens designed by renowned Landscape Architects Randle Siddeley, to complement the adjacent established residential area and blend in seamlessly with Hammersmith town centre.

For further information and to register your interest visit www.sovereign-court.com or call 0800 056 3789 Computer generated image is indicative only and subject to change

FULL PAGE.indd 2 SGW_SC_Absolutely_Chiswick_297x210_Sep13.indd 1

Proud to be a member of the Berkeley Group of companies

08/08/2013 07/08/2013 09:39 17:04

Sacrifice never tasted sweeter.

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ABSOLUTELY Property

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IN THEIR OWN

WORDS ROBERT BARR

Sales Manager: Kerr & Co Photography: Rebecca Noonan

M

y father had a career in the army so my early years were spent hopping from one European country to the next. My education consisted of boarding school in England (where I learnt the primitive art of self-sufficiency and survival) followed by a degree in Geography. My first job as a party organiser could be extremely stressful, especially during the Christmas period. Installing a minimum of three events a day – having to attend them in turn – and then breaking them down and prepping for the next day left me in a state of nervous exhaustion! My brother-in-law got me an interview at Leslie Marsh estate agents and I joined them in 1995. I spent the next six years working my way up to Senior Sales Negotiator. In 2001, I secured a position with Kerr & Co (then Wilmotts)... and the rest, as they say, is history!

Kerr & Co is such a great place to work as it is borne out by the staff – we have all been here ages!

As a single, independent office agency, clients trust our impartiality and genuine willingness to secure them the best deal. We all live here, so we have our finger on the pulse of the area. Many of our clients have been with us almost as long as I have!

I fell in love with the area so I moved here in 2007. My two daughters are both at Brackenbury Primary School – a school whose events we regularly sponsor. I think it is very important that the business is a part of the community and not

one that is merely feeding off it. We sponsor the cricket team, the rugby club and many other annual fairs and events. Due to the fact that we live here, it seems only natural to be involved. Kerr & Co are currently celebrating their 20th anniversary, it’s been quite amazing to watch the change in the area over the years.

It started with the development of Westfield, followed by major catalysts of change such as the Princess Victoria and Ginger Pig. Serious wealth is now attracted to the area as significant developments accelerate socio-economic changes. It now has a friendly, relaxed atmosphere typified by my favourite haunts – the Humming Bird cafe for long, lazy breakfasts, the newly renovated Bush Hall and Dining Rooms and the Princess Victoria, which has a wine list that is second to none! It is the perfect location in which to live – central London is readily accessible – but if you do want to get away, the main arterial routes are only a short drive away. For me my longevity in the area and the relationships I have built within the local community have really enhanced the quality of service I pride myself on offering.

After travelling the world with the army, I feel so at home here now that I can see my family and I remaining here for many years to come.

� 020 8743 1166; kerrandco.co.uk

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020 8749 7719

ASKEW ROAD

113 ASKEW ROAD W12

LOCAL

.

INDEPENDENT

.

I N V O LV E D

EAST CHURCHFIELD ROAD W3 6 BEDROOMS  RECEPTION ROOM  KITCHEN / DINING / FAMILY ROOM LIBRARY / STUDY  2 EN-SUITE BATHROOMS  EN-SUITE SHOWER ROOM  2 BATHROOMS 39 FT FRONT GARDEN  63 FT REAR GARDEN  DOUBLE OFF STREET PARKING

GUIDE £2.75M FREEHOLD

www.finlaybrewer.co.uk

Finlay Brewer_Sept.indd 2

06/08/2013 11:54

BROOK GREEN

118 SHEPHERDS BUSH ROAD W6

LOCAL

.

020 7371 4171

INDEPENDENT

.

I N V O LV E D

GREENSIDE ROAD W12 FOUR BEDROOM FAMILY HOUSE  2 FLOORS OF LIVING SPACE DOUBLE RECEPTION  EAT-IN KITCHEN 2 BATHROOMS  GARDEN  EPC RATING D 57

£975 PW / £4,225 PCM

www.finlaybrewer.co.uk

Finlay Brewer_Sept.indd 3

06/08/2013 11:54

ABSOLUTELY Property

Safe As

Houses JAMES LESLIE

, W4 HATFIE LD ROAD e cottage offers

This two bedroom, terracion hav ing been good sized accommodat oughout. well decorated thr

Branch Manager 020 8994 4111 faronsutaria.co.uk jleslie@faronsutaria.co.uk

1990 price £139,950. 0k 13 £70 Estimated price for 20

J

ames Leslie looks through 30 years of property details, showing the outstanding price increases since opening their office on Turnham Green Terrace in the 1980’s. Highlighting what a sound investment bricks and mortar can be.

HAZ L

This lovely E DE N E ROAD W in excellent 3 bed family house is 4 co offered large living ndit ion throughout, boa space and a st ing prett y garden .

1990 Estimated price £169,950. price for 20 13 £925k

BE RRYM EDE

This ver y well cared for ROAD, W4 offers the potential to exttwo bedroom house end into a subject to planning. lof t space 1990 price £210,0 Estimated price for 20 00.

13 £800k

2 OAD, W1 r double PE RCoYldRhouse w it h fourd en.

n freeh patio ga A Victoriaoms and a prett y bedro 0. e £170,00 1990 pricce for 2013 £1.15M d pri Estimate

98

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07/08/2013 15:10

THE BOARDWALK

Computer generated images

L AU N CH IN G S O O N I N T W 8 Riverside 1, 2 & 3 Bedroom Apartments Prices from £325,000

REGISTER TODAY WWW.THEBOARDWALKTW8.COM SCAN ME

BRINGING YOU CLOSER TO RIVERSIDE LIVING FULL PAGE.indd 2 Chiswick 297x210.indd 1 MKT00038 Absolute

06/08/2013 02/08/2013 14:04 09:46

faronsutaria.co.uk

SALES & LETTINGS

PERCY ROAD, W12 A lovely split-level flat benefitting from a spacious reception room, a modern open-plan kitchen, newly fitted boiler and windows, demised loft space and solid wood flooring. Located close to the amenities of Shepherds Bush, Ravenscourt Park and Stamford Brook. Energy Rating: E. 2 double bedrooms, bathroom, reception room. £550,000 Leasehold 020 8419 1273 shepbush@faronsutaria.co.uk

SALES • LETTINGS • AUCTIONS • PROPERTY FINANCE • SURVEYS • CONVEYANCING

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OUR SERVICE WILL MOVE YOU 06/08/2013 05/08/2013 14:39 16:48

faronsutaria.co.uk

SALES & LETTINGS

HAMMERSMITH GROVE, W6 A superb maisonette with a substantial roof terrace, stylishly decorated throughout and ready to move in. Close to the amenities of Hammersmith and Shepherds Bush. Energy Rating: C. 3 double bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, reception room, playroom/study. £1,285,000 Freehold 020 8419 1273 shepbush@faronsutaria.co.uk

SALES • LETTINGS • AUCTIONS • PROPERTY FINANCE • SURVEYS • CONVEYANCING

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OUR SERVICE WILL MOVE YOU 06/08/2013 05/08/2013 14:39 16:48

faronsutaria.co.uk

SALES & LETTINGS

BAILEY MEWS, W4 A charming modern family home located in the heart of Strand on the Green Village, 0.7 miles from both Chiswick mainline station and Gunnersbury Underground and mainline station.

Energy Rating: D. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, reception room, garden. £835,000 Freehold 020 8419 1263 chiswick@faronsutaria.co.uk

SALES • LETTINGS • AUCTIONS • PROPERTY FINANCE • SURVEYS • CONVEYANCING

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faronsutaria.co.uk

SALES & LETTINGS

BRAID COURT, W4 This lovely modern house with off-street parking and double glazing throughout is located on a residential road just 0.2 miles from Chiswick mainline station (approx. 30 minutes into Waterloo).

Energy Rating: D. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 reception rooms, garden. £875,000 Freehold Share 020 8419 1263 chiswick@faronsutaria.co.uk

SALES • LETTINGS • AUCTIONS • PROPERTY FINANCE • SURVEYS • CONVEYANCING

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OUR SERVICE WILL MOVE YOU 06/08/2013 05/08/2013 14:40 16:48

FO R SALE

SHORT ROAD W4 £ 6 5 0 , 0 0 0 FREEHOLD • • • • •

Period Cottage 2 double bedrooms 2 reception rooms Conservatory kitchen opening to garden Delightful 48’ SE facing walled garden

PHILLIP WOOLLER_SEPT.indd 2

• • • • •

Bright vaulted landing Good storage Cul de sac close to Chiswick Grounds 897 sq ft / 83 sq m approx.

EPC - D

06/08/2013 11:50

TO LE T

BINDEN ROAD W12 £ 9 5 0 PW / £ 4116 PCM • • • • •

Wendell Park Semi detached family house 4 double bedrooms Bathroom and shower room Cloakroom Reception room

PHILLIP WOOLLER_SEPT.indd 3

• • • • •

Wonderful open kitchen/family space Large SW facing garden Good basement storage 1722 sq ft / 160 sq m approx.

EPC - F

06/08/2013 11:51

SALES

5-7 Turnham G reen Terrace, Chiswick, London, W4 1RG Tel 020 8747 8800 • Fax 020 8995 7275 E mail info@whitmanandco.com • Website www.whitmanandco.com

SUTTON COURT ROAD, W4

Guide Price 1,500,000

SALES

An impressive four bedroom semi-detached corner period house offering enormous scope for improvement and ideally located close to all amenities.

Four bedrooms, Large loft, Bathroom, Separate WC, Large entrance hall, Three reception rooms, Kitchen, Host of original features, Private 35’ garden, Garage and off street parking. Situated within close proximity of Chiswick High Road, tube and bus transport links and vehicular access in and out of town. No chain.

BARROWGATE ROAD, W4

£1,700,000

A substantial five bedroom semi detached house ideally located on this prestigious tree lined residential road offering close proximity to Turnham Green Tube and the extensive High Road facilities. Master bedroom with luxury ensuite bathroom, Four further bedrooms, Family bathroom, Large entrance hall, Formal front reception room, Fully fitted kitchen/ breakfast room, Second reception room, Summer room, Cloakroom, Large south facing landscaped garden, Double garage.

Ideally situated within close proximity of all amenities.

WHITMAN SEPT.indd 2

06/08/2013 15:34

SALES BARROWGATE ROAD, W4

£1,650,000

SALES

An impressive five bedroom semi detached period house ideally located on this prestigious residential road with the added benefit of off street parking. Five bedrooms, Two bathrooms, Double reception room with dividing doors, 29’ Fully integrated kitchen/breakfast room, Cloakroom, Cellar, 70’ Landscaped garden, Off street parking. Situated within close proximity of tube, bus and rail facilities and Chiswick High Road. No chain.

CHISWICK LANE, W4

£650,000

A unique opportunity to purchase this freehold residential and commercial unit occupying a prominent corner location close to all amenities. 2 Bedroom maisonette; Large loft, Fitted kitchen, Bathroom, Separate WC, Private front door and entrance, Ground floor and basement shop unit; Office, Scullery and cloakroom. Freehold.

Potential to convert the commercial to residential, subject to planning permission. Ideally situated on the corner of Wilton Avenue and Chiswick Lane.

WHITMAN SEPT.indd 3

06/08/2013 15:33

ABSOLUTELY Property

Property News New collection of apartments launch at Dickens Yard � 020 8568 1100 • dickens-yard.co.uk

L

eading property developer St George is meeting demand for highspecification new homes in Ealing with the release of a further collection of apartments at popular west London scheme, Dickens Yard. With architectural design by John Thompson and Partners, the new phase of the development on New Broadway is the next chapter in the success story of how St George has created a vibrant new residential quarter in Ealing. This is a major catalyst for regeneration in the area alongside the forthcoming Crossrail services.

Dickens Yard will provide 700 new and luxurious homes, all finished with the finest materials and appliances.

The development will offer buyers the choice of one, two and three bedroom apartments as well as exclusive penthouses.

Amenities for residents at the Dickens Apartments comprise of a 24 hour concierge service and private spa with gymnasium, swimming pool, sauna, steam room and treatment room. Dickens Yard is situated Just a few miles from London’s bustling West End, however, Ealing has its own charming appeal and is ideally located for some of the best shopping London has to offer as well as trendy bars, restaurants, parks and a booming art scene. A recent report by agents Jones Lang LaSalle has found that property prices in Ealing will increase as a result of the enhanced transport network by 32% over the next five years. Ian Dobie, Managing Director of St George, comments: “The Dickens Apartments will provide exceptional West London living of the highest standards, taking advantage of an excellent location with good transport links, providing a new benchmark for luxury living in Ealing.”

New Sales Manager appointed Tanya McFeely Sales Manager at Bective Leslie Marsh, Brook Green branch � 020 7603 5181 • bectivelesliemarsh.co.uk

T

anya McFeely has been appointed as the new Sales Manager of Bective Leslie Marsh’s Brook Green office.

Located on Blythe Road, Tanya has been with the company for over four years proving her commitment to the brand and her strong focus on customer service. With eight years of property experience, Tanya has made exceptional progress over the course of her career and we wish her the very best of luck in her new management role. Tanya comments “The sales market in Brook Green continues to soar with high demand and low supply resulting in prices increasing on a monthly and sometimes even weekly basis. Following a record breaking 2012 for Bective Leslie Marsh, our clients are reaping the benefits of these market conditions and are often walking away with a great deal more than the original asking price. With the ever increasing numbers of buyers coming from Notting Hill, Kensington and Chelsea, the Brook Green market is highly competitive and fast paced.”

A buoyant summer rentals market Becky Contractor

Associate Director at Featherstone Leigh Richmond branch � 020 8940 2332 • featherstoneleigh.co.uk

I

t’s been a busy few months here in the Richmond Lettings office, with properties letting quickly, and, in many cases, achieving rents that have exceeded landlord’s expectations. With an easy commute into central London, close proximity to excellent schools and beautiful surroundings, properties both for sale and to let in Richmond are rarely on the market for long. Family properties, in particular, continue to be a magnet for corporate rentals, which at this time of year tend to be in extremely high demand. Due to the popularity of the area, we are always looking for more stock, as properties tend to be let almost as soon as they come onto the market. Recently, we had a property to let on Marchmont Road, which was snapped up on the first day of viewings, for over the asking price.

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5 minutes With...

ABSOLUTELY Property

Fun day for all the family

Derek Fletcher

Ben Williams

Associate Director of John D Wood & Co. Turnham Green branch 1. Why did you choose to work in Chiswick?

I didn’t! I was sent here in 1982 by my first employer, Sturgis & Sons from their Sloane Street office, but soon came to realise Chiswick was where I wanted to both work and live and have been here ever since!

2. What is your company ethos and how do you translate that into giving the best customer service? I have always believed in putting the customer first - this is a people business and we shoulder a huge responsibility in dealing with people when they are often making one of the most important financial decisions in their lives.

We believe in providing sound expert advice based on our local experience for the benefit of both our client and buyer.

Sales Manager at Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward’s Brook Green branch

� 020 3542 2020 • kfh.co.uk

F

4. What do you predict for the property market for 2013/14? It is difficult to envisage any real change during the next 12 months. Supply remains a key issue in the Chiswick residential market and prices remain robust as a result of a shortage of property. As long as people continue to view property as a ‘safe haven’, or ‘hedge,’ prices will continue to rise.

inlay Brewer are delighted to be sponsoring the annual Brook Green Day again. Taking place on Saturday 14 September, this is a great family day for everyone who lives in and around Brook Green. Finlay Brewer will be running the ever popular ‘Mega Slide’ alongside other fairground fun including a carousel, sumo suits and swing boats. For those of a less active nature there will be drink and food a plenty and don’t forget to make sure your pooch is ready for the hotly contested dog show. Simon Gresswell, director of Finlay Brewer, says “This is a hugely enjoyable and amusing day for the young, the young at heart, their friends and their dogs. We are pleased to be able to be a part of this event and look forward to seeing many of you there”. For more information visit friendsofbrookgreen.org

� 020 8995 9394 • johndwood.co.uk

� 020 7371 4171• finlaybrewer.co.uk

3. What properties are you most excited about having on your books? All of them! We are lucky to cover the full spectrum of Chiswick properties, from £175,000 studio flats up to £6 million Grade II Listed houses in the Bedford Park conservation area, and ‘old’ Chiswick down on the River at Chiswick Mall.

Ronan McKenna

Sales Manager at Orchards of London Acton branch � 020 8997 0076 • orchardsoflondon.com

W

D

espite this usually being a quieter time of year, we’ve seen no decrease in demand. Buyer registrations remaining high and when combined with a lack of available stock, competition is fierce. Correctly priced properties are receiving multiple bids within days of going to market - a beautiful garden flat which we’re currently selling saw 30 viewings on the first weekend and subsequently went under offer. Prices are well in excess of 2007 peak levels and look set to climb further over the next few weeks as we enter the busy Autumn market.

Help Hamptons raise money for Cancer Research

Please mind the gap

ith developments of the Crossrail firmly in place we are always mindful of what our clients will benefit from and what will have them running for the hills.

This of course begs the question, can you ever be too close to a railway line? Naturally, the answer to this question depends on the individuals or couples buying/letting the property. We have sold some extremely high value properties that are very close to railways and, when speaking to clients post move, the overwhelming majority of them said that with the enhancement of double

Correct pricing results in multiple bids

glazing and fencing around the perimeters of the property, the noise when living near the tracks was much less noticeable.

They would be hard pushed to even know that they lived in such close proximity to a station! Families and Professional clients tend to be polar opposites when finding a suitable location and once the patter of tiny feet is on the horizon the desire to be quite so conveniently located to the tube is replace with catchment areas for good schools.

Luckily in London however, one great thing is guaranteed; you will never be too far from a train or bus station.

A

s part of our ongoing commitment to supporting Cancer Research, the Hamptons Chiswick team are proud to announce that we have set up a Donation Station to raise money for this incredibly worthy charity. We have a large Donation Box situated in our office so please come and drop off your pre loved clothes, accessories, shoes, books, quality homewear, CDs and DVDs; we will take the lot. These items will then be distributed to one of the local charity stores for sale. This is a highly worthy cause; so please pop in today and pick up your free donation bag. � 020 8987 8443 • hamptons.co.uk

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S wor n &C o C H I S W I C K

Chiswick, W4 As the character of Turnham Green Terrace continues to be transformed, Sworn & Co, established 135 years ago, stands proudly at 194 Chiswick High Road, opposite to the boutiques and cafes of Devonshire Road. With a reputation for

providing honest advice ,they are proud that long term clients are happy to recommend them based on their continued success, honesty, experience and integrity, and above all on the ease of communication.

194 Chiswick High Roadď źChiswickď źLondon W4 1PD sworn&co.sept.indd 2

06/08/2013 12:22

&

Sale, Letting, Survey Valuation of properties in Chiswick

Chiswick, W4 £POA An outstanding five bedroom family home in the heart of Chiswick,

just off of the High Road with its

cafes, bistros and shops. In need of

refurbishment but offering scope to

extend, this outstanding property has accommodation offer four levels,

including a cellar. The property is offered for sale with no onward chain and boasts a larger than average rear garden.

Chiswick, W4 £750 per week An outstanding, recently refurbished

four bedroom ground floor apartment in this prestigious mansion block.

The property also boasts a large

living room with high ceilings and large windows, kitchen, bathroom

and shower room. Available in mid

to late September, unfurnished, this

beautiful apartment benefits from an

onsite manager and stunning gardens.

sales@swornandco.com 0 2 0 8 9 9 5 3 0 7 6  w w w. s w o r n a n d c o . c o m sworn&co.sept.indd 3

06/08/2013 12:23

Kerr Absolutely DPS Aug 2013_Kerr Westside Ad templates 05/08/2013 10:44 Page 1

75 Goldhawk Road, Shepherd's Bush, London W12 8EH

sales@kerrandco.com

www.kerrandco.com This two bedroom flat offers light and well presented accommodation. Consisting of two bedrooms, a reception room, a stylish bathroom and modern eat in kitchen leading onto a private rear patio which also leads onto a massive communal rear garden. The property is well presented throughout and has the added benefit of a share in the freehold.

Mark Mansions, W12 £475,000

Share of

FH

A very large upper maisonette set on the first and second floors of this Grand Victorian building. The property benefits from its own front door and comprises of two bedrooms, a study, bathroom and kitchen, along with high ceilings throughout. The maisonette would benefit from having some refurbishment and has scope to be reconfigured.

Along with offering in excess of 1020 sq ft of accommodation, this is a perfect opportunity to reconfigure the property to your own taste and style. There is the possibility to extend to the rear subject to the granting of planning permission.

Loftus Road, W12 £599,950

Share of

FH

✆ 020 8743 1166 FULL PAGE.indd 2

06/08/2013 12:43

www.kerrandco.com

A light and spacious two double bedroom maisonette set over the first and second floors of this converted Victorian building. The property comprises of large reception room, kitchen, two bedrooms, south facing balcony, bathroom and large storage area in the eaves. The maisonette is very well presented and offers over 900 sq ft of accommodation.

There is scope to increase the floor space by creating a front mansard subject to the usual consents.

Goldhawk Road, W12 £550,000

Share of

FH

A stylish and naturally light and spacious two double bedroom flat on the top floor of this recently converted Victorian building. The accommodation comprises a large open plan reception room/kitchen with French doors leading on to the private roof terrace, two double bedrooms with built in wardrobes and a well appointed bathroom. The flat is beautifully presented throughout and is certainly not to be missed.

Goldhawk Road, W6 £549,950

LH

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ABSOLUTELY Property

Luxurious Lettings

Lettings Advice As a new Landlord how do I decide how much rent and deposit to take?

I

t is advisable to instruct a reputable agent with an affiliation such as ARLA or NAEA when letting your property. They will be able to advise the market value based on comparable properties that have been recently let in the local area, together with professional advice regarding contracts. There are three levels of service offered; Introduction Service, Rent Collection and Full Management. An agent will be able to guide you through the process, and provide information about what each level of service entails.

It is advisable to take a 6 week deposit against dilapidations, which then has to be registered with the TDS under one of the approved government schemes. Should the Landlord and Tenant disagree on deductions at the end of the term, it can then be referred for arbitration.

It is therefore recommended that an independent inventory clerk is instructed to compile a full report to confirm the property particulars.

Conchita Prophet

�

A stunning five bedroom home situated in the heart of Chiswick.

T

his simply superb Victorian family home nestles in one of Chiswick’s premier roads, just a stone’s throw from the bustling and effervescent high road, with its immense variety of shops and restaurants. With the corporate market firmly in mind, this five bedroom accommodation retains much of its period detail with an abundance of light and stylish living space that is perfect for family living and entertaining. The Shaker

style kitchen has been carefully planned and is superbly presented and has been equipped to a very high standard with all expected appliances.

Over three floors there are en-suite bathrooms, a study, a large well tended garden and easy access to the usual transport facilities that Chiswick is renowned for. Open spaces are aplenty here with the classical elegance of Chiswick House moments away and the Thames providing a wealth of recreational opportunities.

Director of Sinton Andrews � 020 8579 9153 • sintonhomes.com

Details

Hadley Gardens, W4 £1,550 Per Week

Contact

Fitz-gibbon’s Chiswick office 020 8995 3335, fitzgibbon.co.uk

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the corporate letting company

Richmond An exceptional one bedroom conversion flat located between the town centre and Richmond village. Finished and furnished to a very high standard, the flat is both modern, yet characterful and has very good storage.

£1650pcm Furnished

Teddington A wonderful family home within walking distance of Teddington high street and station. Refurbished to a very high standard this lovely home has four double bedrooms, three living rooms and three bathrooms.

£3750pcm Unfurnished

East Twickenham A character home located very close to Richmond Bridge. With the emphasis on excellent living space, this period house has three reception rooms, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, an eat in kitchen and parking.

3950pcm Unfurnished

020 8948 0444www.thecorporatelettingcompany.com62 Sheen Road, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 IUF

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AWA R D

WINNING

Airedale Avenue, Chiswick W4

£1,900 per week

A stunning six bedroom house boasting three reception rooms and a unique and spacious lower ground floor, ideally situated on a sought after road in Chiswick. Airedale Avenue is located within walking distance of Chiswick High Road and Turnham Green tube station is nearby.

7 Station Parade, Ealing Common, London, W5 3LD Tel: 020 8992 4242 sales@orchardsoflondon.com

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THE ORCHARDS OF LONDON DIFFERENCE

Abinger Road, Chiswick W4

£1,999,995

A wonderful five bedroom family home boasting a beautiful garden and original period features situated in Bedford Park. It features two reception rooms, fully fitted kitchen, separate dining room and conservatory with French doors leading out to a private garden. Transport links include Turnham Green and Chiswick Park stations.

Chiswick Quay, Chiswick W4

£1,153 per week

A stunning three bedroom townhouse situated in a beautiful riverside location boasting a wonderful riverside patio garden and a truly spectacular roof terrace with Jacuzzi and incredible river views. Chiswick Rail station is within easy reach.

www.orchardsoflondon.com Tel: 020 8995 9797 171 Chiswick High Road, Chiswick, London, W4 2DR

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AWA R D

WINNING

St. Matthews Road, Ealing W5

£1,100,000

A four double bedroom end of terrace family home boasting three bathrooms and plenty of character. Ideally located in a popular area of Ealing, the property benefits from fantastic views of Ealing Common.

Granville Gardens, Ealing W5

£1,038 per week

A five bedroom family home with a private garden located in a popular area of Ealing. Granville Gardens is a short walk from Ealing Common tube station as well as an excellent selection of shops and cafes along the Uxbridge Road.

7 Station Parade, Ealing Common, London, W5 3LD Tel: 020 8992 4242 sales@orchardsoflondon.com

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THE ORCHARDS OF LONDON DIFFERENCE

Birch Grove, Acton W3

£1,545,000

A five bedroom house ideally located on a desirable road in the heart of Ealing and benefitting from a private garden.

Birch Grove is situated within walking distance of a great range of amenities along the Uxbridge Road and Ealing Common station is within walking distance.

Rosemont Road, Acton W3

£900 per week

A stunning five bedroom new build home boasting a wealth of modern features including an integrated home entertainment system. The nearest stations are Ealing Common, Acton Town and West Acton and motorists are only minutes from the A40/M40.

82 High Street, Acton, London, W3 6QX Tel: 020 8997 0076 sales@orchardsoflondon.com

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ABSOLUTELY Property

Living the Dream � The most luxuriously appointed properties on the market.

Hammersmith Grove, W6

T

his beautifully presented home offers fabulous space for entertaining, including a sensational open plan reception area that sweeps through the whole of the ground floor, through a double height conservatory and onto the stunning landscaped garden. The formal first floor reception space is complimented by a vaulted media room that overlooks the westerly aspect conservatory. Generous bedroom accommodation includes a master bedroom suite complete with dressing room, shower room and bathroom. There is a guest suite with shower room, an additional double bedroom suite with bath, and two further double bedrooms served by a family bathroom.

£4,750,000 � 020 7605 7760, marshandparsons.co.uk

Cardross Street, W6

Dickens Yard, W5

C

P

£975,000

£1,750,000

� 0208 811 2929, philipwooller.co.uk

� 020 8280 9600, northfields.co.uk

ardross Street is at the centre of a network of beautiful and relatively unchanged village streets, just to the east of Ravenscourt Park, originally built for Victorian workers. It’s a friendly terrace with a sense of heritage and with many a street party centred around its local pub, The Andover Arms, at the bottom of the road. This is a typical two bedroom home with an extended ground floor, and a larger than average garden.

Freehold, guide price

enthouse living at Dickens Yard offers floor to ceiling glazing, maximising natural light with spectacular use of space.

Open-plan living and dining areas flow out to roof gardens, wraparound terraces and sun rooms, all designed and landscaped to create a secret oasis. The interiors have been carefully designed to offer indulgent luxury space and the bespoke kitchens which include Miele appliances have been designed for low-maintenance living and with entertaining in mind.

Leasehold

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ABSOLUTELY Property

T

Vicarage Road, KT1

his deceptively spacious family home has been finished to a very high standard throughout and offers very flexible accommodation.

The property benefits from tremendous living space and boasts a large reception room leading on to rear garden, a huge family room and splendid kitchen/diner.

On the first floor is the master bedroom with en suite bathroom and a second large double bedroom with built-in wardrobes. Two further double bedrooms are situated on the top floor, one with an en suite, and a family bathroom.

Courtfield Gardens, W13

T

£4,500 pcm � 020 8948 0444, thecorporatelettingcompany.com

T

The Boardwalk, TW8

T

his outstanding six bedroom detached house offers stunning living space throughout, including a master bedroom with en suite bathroom and dressing room, front and rear gardens and off-street parking. Arranged over three storeys, the property also offers two gorgeous reception rooms, both with bay fronted windows and a luxurious dining room leading on to the rear garden.

hese one, two, and three bedroom apartments are perfectly situated alongside the River Thames, with most homes providing views over the river to Kew Gardens. The development is perfect for those seeking the affluent West London lifestyle with its close proximity to the ever-fashionable Chiswick, Kew and Richmond. Prices for a one bed apartment start from £325,000.

£1,850,000

£325,000

� 020 8799 4550, foxtons.co.uk

� 0208 357 4800, theboardwalktw8.com

Freehold

Leasehold

Sterndale Road, W14

A

n extraordinary family home offering unique features and unbelievable potential to update and modernise throughout. Located along one of Brook Green’s most sought after roads. This property boasts additional features that other family homes in the area simply cannot; a private garage, large stained glass conservatory to the rear offering unique entertaining space along with a balcony and top floor roof terrace with fantastic views.

£2,850,000 Freehold

� 020 3282 1552, kfh.co.uk

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Bedford Park 020 8994 5432

Chiswick 020 8995 2345

Ealing 020 8579 5050

Hammersmith 020 8748 4256

Holland Park 020 7221 5455

West Kensington 020 7603 1384

King Street, W6 A fantastic development of eight properties comprising: one studio, five one bedroom apartments and two, two bedroom apartments, conveniently located for all local amenties.

T

EN

EW PM O

NEL

EV

D

•

8 Apartments

•

Stylishly presented

•

High Specification

•

Superb location

A fantastic and rare opportunity to purchase an apartment within this extremely well located development comprising: one studio, five one bedroom and two, two bedroom apartments. These properties would suit a multitude of purchasers looking to buy in an affluent area or invest in property with amazing capital growth. They have been designed with great thought and style as well as being finished to exacting standards.

King Street, W6£285,000 - £550,000

Hammersmith office: 172 King Street, W6 0QU

www.barnardmarcus.co.uk

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SOLD

W4

SOLD

W14

SOLD

W4

SOLD

W5 SOLD

Barnard Marcus is one of West London’s leading estate agents.

National coverage and excellent local knowledge makes us the experts in selling your home. Contact us today for a free market appraisal.

SOLD

W4

SOLD

W12

W13 SOLD

W4

www.barnardmarcus.co.uk

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Ramillies Road, W4

£1,200,000 Freehold

A well presented and proportioned semi detached house in this particularly quiet residential road on the edge of Bedford Park and within easy reach of the Chiswick High Road, Turnham Green tube station (District Line Zone 2) and Turnham Green Terrace.

• Popular and quiet residential road • Boarders of Bedford Park • Well proportioned accommodation

• Excellent condition throughout • Extensive wardrobes and storage • Delightful west facing garden space

• Four bedrooms • Double reception room • Freehold

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Jessops Wharf, Tallow Road TW8

£695,000 Leasehold

An exceptional three bedroom split level apartment with fabulous West facing views set within this secure modern development on Brentford Lock.

• Lifestyle living • Secure modern development • 1500 sq ft duplex apartment

• Three bedrooms • Two bathrooms • 24’4 open plan reception room

• Fabulous west facing views • Secure underground parking • No upward chain

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Offices throughout London

Perryn Road, W3

£1,175,000

This wonderful detached double fronted Goldsmiths built house is located on one of Acton’s premier roads. This amazing family house boasts three large reception rooms, downstairs WC, utility room, spacious kitchen & breakfast room with doors leading onto a beautiful mature garden and off street parking for several cars and also a garage. There are four double bedrooms one en-suite bathroom and a large family bathroom. This large detached home makes family living a joy with added potential to extend. EPC = C Acton Office 0208 993 6767 acton@bushells.com

Myrtle Road, W3

£575,000 Freehold

This pretty cottage is in the heart of Poets Corner which has room to extend subject to planning permission. The property includes two reception rooms, fully fitted kitchen leading onto a sunny mature west facing garden upstairs there are two double bedrooms and a family bathroom. Myrtle Road is a popular residential road close by to Acton Central, Acton Main Line and Acton Town Tube Station and all the amenities of Churchfield Road. EPC = D Acton Office 0208 993 6767 acton@bushells.com

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

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bushells.com

Percy Road, W12

£600,000 Share of freehold

This superb well-located flat benefits from a wealth of natural light. This larger than average two bedroom split level property compromises of fantastic storage, two bathrooms and a superb airy balcony. Located off the desirable Askew Road and great transport links. Offered chain free. EPC = C

Hammersmith Office  0208 563 0123 hammersmith@bushells.com

PART OF THE EDMUND CUDE GROUP

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

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ABSOLUTELY Property

MOVING in Nothing’s better than the inside scoop. Local agents give their recommendations...

Local Street

Devonshire Road is my favourite street in Chiswick, simply because of all the interesting shops. From Pet shops to Sushi bars there is something for everyone.

Mani Sheibni Sale s Manager of Featherstone Leigh

Kids

When my kids were younger they really enjoyed the one o’clock club in Marble Hill Park, it is located in the fabulous grounds of the park and it’s a wonderful meeting place.

Susan Fitz-Gibbon Director of Fitz-Gibb on Re sidential

Local Hangout

For so many Chiswick residents the independent coffee shop, Beehive, is an absolute must.

Filled with character and friendly staff, it’s enough to brighten anyone’s day.

Joseph Murphy

Sale s Director of Orchards

020 8994 6567 - featherstoneleigh.co.uk

020 8892 8921 - fitzgibbon.co.uk

020 8995 9797 - orchardsoflondon.com

Interior Inspiration

Fact

Time Out

Sometimes you just need something to brighten up your weekend or earn some brownie points at home, that’s when I pop into Flower Haven on Haven Green for an eye catching bouquet.

Gary Sinton Director of Sinton Andrews

020 8566 1990 - sintonhomes.com

The name “Chiswick” is of Old English origin, meaning “Cheese Farm”, and originates from the meadows and farms that are thought to have supported an annual cheese fair.

Jason Godfray

Branch Manager of Barnard Marcus

020 8995 2345 - barnardmarcus.co.uk

At West London Osteopaths Polly Benge, a former professional ballet dancer, offers classes privately or for small groups and specialises in injury rehab. She is brilliant, so you’ll be in safe hands!

PhilipWooller Director of Philip Wooller

020 8811 2929 - philipwooller.com

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Cheated size

The beauty is we are more than qualified douglasandgordon.com/valuations

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06/08/2013 17:36 15:19 31/07/2013

74: 11 00:00 years

MONTHS

WATER RESISTANT 50m

£2,495,000 Freehold Bath Road W4

Only 75 years left on your lease?

If you are considering selling a long lease is essential.

Call our Leasehold Enfranchisement Dept on 020 7591 8746

This six bedroom Grade II listed semi-detached house extends to in excess of 2,500 sq.ft.

6 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2 reception rooms, Kitchen, 40ft garden, Off-street parking, EPC: E.

£2,150,000 Freehold Dorville Crescent W6

A beautifully proportioned five bedroom house just a stone’s throw from Ravenscourt Park.

5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, Reception room, Kitchen, Cellar, Garden, EPC: E.

D&G.indd 2

Hammersmith & Shepherd’s Bush Sales Office 020 8563 7100 hammsales@dng.co.uk

Hammersmith & Shepherd’s Bush Sales Office 020 8563 7100 hammsales@dng.co.uk

06/08/2013 15:13

douglasandgordon.com

£1,850,000 Freehold Wingate Road W6

A beautiful five bedroom house on one of the most sought-after streets in Hammersmith.

5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, Reception room, Kitchen, 52ft West-facing garden, EPC: E.

£425,000 Share of Freehold Redmore Road W6

A light and bright one bedroom garden flat offering scope to extend and improve.

Bedroom, Bathroom, Reception room, Kitchen, Garden, No onward chain, EPC: D.

D&G.indd 3

Hammersmith & Shepherd’s Bush Sales Office 020 8563 7100 hammsales@dng.co.uk

Hammersmith & Shepherd’s Bush Sales Office 020 8563 7100 hammsales@dng.co.uk

06/08/2013 15:13

A little birdie told us...

Follow D&G’s @ed_mead and @GeorgeFranks on twitter for up to the moment market comments from two of the country’s leading property experts. You’d be a twit not to.

£800 per week Unfurnished Godolphin Road W12

£750 per week Unfurnished Furber Street W6

A very spacious family house ideally located close to the transport amenities of Shepherds Bush and the Westfield Shopping Centre.

A fantastic neutrally decorated three bedroom family house, ideally located close to Ravenscourt Park.

4/5 double bedrooms, 3 bathrooms (1 en-suite), Double reception room, Eat-in kitchen, Conservatory/dining room, Garden, EPC: E.

3 double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (1 en-suite), Reception room, Kitchen/dining room, Cloakroom, Patio garden, EPC: E.

Hammersmith & Shepherds Bush Lettings 020 8563 4422 hammlets@dng.co.uk

Hammersmith & Shepherds Bush Lettings 020 8563 4422 hammlets@dng.co.uk

£725 per week Unfurnished Nasmyth Street W6

£685 per week Unfurnished Iffley Road W6

A charming, well-proportioned house with a lovely patio garden, located in the heart of Brackenbury Village.

A well-presented four bedroom house ideally situated for the local amenities of Hammersmith Broadway and King Street.

3 bedrooms, Bathroom, Double reception room, Kitchen, 2 cloakrooms, Garden, EPC: D.

3/4 bedrooms, Bathroom, Shower room, 1/2 reception room(s), Kitchen/breakfast room, Utility area, Garden, EPC: E.

Hammersmith & Shepherds Bush Lettings 020 8563 4422 hammlets@dng.co.uk

Hammersmith & Shepherds Bush Lettings 020 8563 4422 hammlets@dng.co.uk

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douglasandgordon.com

£675 per week Unfurnished Ethelden Road W12

£665 per week Unfurnished Carthew Road W6

A fabulous family house which has been finished to a very high standard throughout.

A spacious and beautifully presented house situated in Brackenbury Village close to Ravenscourt Park.

3 double bedrooms, Bathroom, Reception room, Eat-in kitchen, Utility room, Cloakroom, Patio garden. EPC: D.

3 double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (1 en-suite), Double reception room, Kitchen/breakfast room, Garden, EPC: C.

Hammersmith & Shepherds Bush Lettings 020 8563 4422 hammlets@dng.co.uk

Hammersmith & Shepherds Bush Lettings 020 8563 4422 hammlets@dng.co.uk

£425 per week Furnished Bradmore Park Road W6

£330 per week Furnished Brackenbury Road W6

A light and bright split-level flat, close to Hammersmith and Ravenscourt Park underground stations and the Park itself.

A large, first floor one bedroom flat which benefits from lovely high ceilings and natural light.

2 double bedrooms, Bathroom, Kitchen/reception room, EPC: D.

Double bedroom, Bathroom, Reception room, Kitchen, EPC: C.

Hammersmith & Shepherds Bush Lettings 020 8563 4422 hammlets@dng.co.uk

Hammersmith & Shepherds Bush Lettings 020 8563 4422 hammlets@dng.co.uk

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ABSOLUTELY Property

Prime Purchase � An impressive six double bedroom, three reception detached house located in a prime Ealing location.

T

his stunning property offers lateral living and provides an abundance of space in which to relax and entertain. The ground floor, which includes a sitting room, drawing room, kitchen/family room, utility room and a brand new ‘Alno’ bespoke kitchen, also boasts many luxurious features that include tessellated flooring, oak flooring and original fire places. The first floor consists of the master bedroom with a front aspect and dedicated ‘his and hers’ built-in dressing room and an en-suite bedroom, with ‘his and hers’ vanity unit, large walk in shower and oversized bath. There are also two further double en-suite bedrooms with fitted wardrobes. On the second floor of the house are three further double bedrooms with fitted wardrobes and a bathroom that boasts a double width glass shower cubicle and bath. The outside area has parking for 3-4 vehicles, a newly landscaped garden and a limestone patio, which spans the full width of the garden.

Details

Woodville Road, W5 £2,750,000 Freehold

Contact

Hamptons International Ealing Branch, 020 8970 7900; hamptons.co.uk

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RETREAT ROAD

RICHMOND

TW9 1NN

A striking new build family home in a delightful secluded location just off Richmond Green and close to the River Thames.

Space for entertaining on a grand scale and accommodation both welcoming and comfortable. Meticulous attention to detail throughout with the highest quality of fittings including a bespoke kitchen by Mowlem and Co. High ceilings and generous room dimensions give an immense feeling of space and light.

FIVE BEDROOMS

FIVE BATHROOMS

UTILITY ROOM

THREE/FOUR RECEPTIONS

LANDSCAPED GARDEN

SUITE/GYM

OFF STREET PARKING

CINEMA ROOM

EPC - B

Freehold - Guide Price ÂŁ4,150,000 Vendors sole agent

t: 020 8940 1575 richmond.sales@featherstoneleigh.co.uk

featherstoneleigh.co.uk FSL1637 Featherstone Leigh BADEN A4 AD HOMES.indd Absolutely.indd2 1 FEATHERSTONE LEIGH RICHMOND NEW

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FSL1

featherstoneleigh.co.uk

Sutton Lane North, Chiswick

ÂŁ1,000,000 A bright and spacious four bedroom period family house retaining many original features including high ceilings, ornate fireplace surrounds and oak flooring throughout. EPC = D.

t: 020 8994 6567

Chiswick

Fulham

Clapham

Richmond

Twickenham

Hammersmith

Chelsea

Putney

Kew

Teddington

West Kensington

Battersea

Barnes

Sheen

Kingston

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Whitehall Gardens, Chiswick

£945,000 A beautiful Victorian family home, with lots of natural daylight and high ceilings. Arranged over three levels in an enviable location in Grove Park.

EPC = D.

t: 020 8994 6567

Strauss Road, Chiswick

£895,000 An immaculate terrace three bedroom family house, arranged over three floors, located off The Avenue north of Turnham Green Terrace. EPC = E.

t: 020 8994 6567

It’s our area...

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Hammersmith Grove W6 £4,750,000 A beautifully presented villa set back from the road, with an exceptional westerly aspect garden. This imposing low build house offers fabulous space for entertaining, including a sensational open plan reception area that sweeps through the whole of the ground oor, through a double height conservatory and out to a stunning garden with summer house. The generous bedroom accommodation includes a stunning master suite, two further guest suites, two double bedrooms and a family bathroom. Freehold. EPC=E PRIME SALES: 020 7313 2891 PrimeSales@marshandparsons.co.uk

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LETTINGS Our 184 negotiators have perfected the right balance in their approach, so you enjoy the experience and get the results you want.

On average we achieve

Thanks so much for all your extraordinarily hard work on our behalf. You have transformed our lives, and been delightful in the process!

A HAPPY BUYER

OF THE ASKING PRICE

Local know-how. Better results.

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absolutely west Sept 2013 v2_Layout 1 02/08/2013 17:38 Page 1

the ultimate family Club for health, sports & relaxation

call 020 8740 4599

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