Absolutely Chiswick:West:Richmond May 2018

CHISWICK

ABSOLUTELY Richmond Chiswick West MAY 2018 / £3.95

Sister

ACT THE WOMEN BEHIND AESME FLOWERS

MEET THE MAKERS Best of London Craft Week

MAY 2018

Move it

COLOUR WORKS

IMPROVING WORKWEAR WITH JOANNA DAI

Local artist Raph Thomas

Life in

BLOOM FLORALS IN FOCUS THIS SPRING

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“It’s fine.

The heart wants what the heart wants.

Discover rural homes with sea views using keyword search.

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We’ll shop

online.”

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CEDAR HEIGHTS, PETERSHAM A stunning newly renovated detached residence with breath-taking, unobscured views of Richmond Park. The house has been cleverly designed with modern family living in mind and to give the maximum amount of lateral space. It has been totally refurbished and extended to over 5000 square. There is underfloor heating and quality flooring throughout also landscaping to the front - along with off street parking- and a 65’ southerly aspect mainly lawned garden. EPC = C.

ASKING PRICE

ÂŁ4,750,000

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Chiswick Hammersmith West Kensington Fulham Chelsea

Battersea Clapham Putney Barnes Richmond

Kew Sheen Twickenham Teddington Kingston

featherstoneleigh.co.uk

SUDBROOK GARDENS, PETERSHAM An enviably secluded and substantial five-bedroom detached family home occupying a spacious corner plot, tucked away in one of Petersham’s most desirable locations. Laterally configured over two floors and boasting lots of natural light throughout; scope to extend (subject to obtaining planning consents), gated gravel drive with off street parking for several cars; a wonderful walled garden and swimming pool and a detached coach-house in the grounds. EPC = E.

ASKING PRICE

ÂŁ3,850,000

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DISCOVER THE COLLECTION AT OUR FLAGSHIP STORE - 104-108 CHISWICK HIGH RO D, LONDON W4 1PU OR AT ANY OF OUR 21 GALLERIES NATIONWIDE

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17/01/2018 11:52:19 16/04/2018 17:34

ABSOLUTELY

Contents M AY 2 0 1 8

42 70

110 16

C U LT U R E ABSOLUTELY LOVES

10 things we’re coveting this month

20 AGENDA

Diary dates for May

22

LONDON CRAFT WEEK

Discover the creatives of the capital

FA S H I O N 34 FASHION CONFIDENTIAL This month’s hottest trend updates and brands to know

Athleisure just got luxe

The designer making smart clothes comfy

H E A LT H & B E AU T Y 54 BEAUTY CONFIDENTIAL

News from the industry

66 SCANDI KITCHEN

Summer recipes from Scandinavia

76

INTERIORS INTERIOR INSPIRATIONS News and views from the world of design

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N The online guide to inspirational London living that helps you stay one step ahead of the crowd and gives you the chance to win exclusive prizes.

90 THE NEW CHINTZ

House of Hackney's controversial collection

T R AV E L 106 THE CITY OF SPIRES

Tradition meets innovation in Munich

Chiswick MAY 2018 / £3.95

Sister

ACT

MEET THE MAKERS Best of London Craft Week

THE WOMEN BEHIND AESME FLOWERS

Move it

COLOUR WORKS

IMPROVING WORKWEAR WITH JOANNA DAI

Local artist Raph Thomas

PROPERTY 124 LIVING THE DREAM

The most luxurious London properties

ABSOLUTELY

ON THE COVER

Life in

MALENE ODDERSHEDE BACH SS18 READY-TO-WEAR maleneoddershedebach.com

BLOOM FLORALS IN FOCUS THIS SPRING

ZEST.LONDON

This month’s best beauty buys

FOOD & DRINK 64 KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL

MAY 2018

38 JOANNA DAI

The vitamin C products you need now

CHISWICK

37 GOOD SPORT

57 BRIGHT START

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A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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HELPING NATURE LOOK STYLISH

EDITOR IN CHIEF PENDLE HARTE DIGITAL EDITOR HELEN BROWN

• 18 Years of experience • Turnkey Solutions • Complete Design and build service • Post build maintenance • Offices in London and Cape Town

FASHION & BEAUTY WRITER JOY MONTGOMERY EDITORIAL ASSISTANT GEORGIE RUTHERFORD EDUCATION EDITOR AMANDA CONSTANCE GROUP SALES DIRECTOR CRAIG DAVIES MAGAZINE MANAGER ROLLO DENNISON ACCOUNT MANAGER ANABELA KOLECI ART DIRECTOR PHIL COUZENS

Patrick Anhaeusser

SENIOR DESIGNER PAWEL KUBA

07894 985 775

MID-WEIGHT DESIGNER REBECCA NOONAN

patrick@urbanxteriors.com

DESIGNER CATHERINE PERKINS

www.urbanxteriors.com

PRODUCTION MANAGER CHRIS COUCHMAN MARKETING MANAGER LUCIE PEARCE FINANCIAL DIRECTOR JERRIE KOLECI CREDIT CONTROL MANAGER ALEXANDRA HVID DIRECTOR JAMES FUSCHILLO DIRECTOR ALEXANDRA HUNTER MANAGING DIRECTOR SHERIF SHALTOUT PA TO DIRECTORS EVA LEHOCZKY For editorial enquiries please email: pendle@zest-media.com For advertising enquiries please call 020 3397 8706 or email: craig@zest-media.com

First Floor, 197 City Road, London EC1V 1JN T: 020 7704 0588 F: 020 7900 3020 zest.london Zest Media Publications Ltd. cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited submissions, manuscripts and photographs. While every care is taken, prices and details are subject to change and Zest Media Publications Ltd. take no responsibility for omissions or errors.

We reserve the right to publish and edit any letters.

All rights reserved.

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

a b s o l u t e l y. l o n d o n

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Editor’s

LETTER

W

e're looking at a lot of flowers this month. It's May, which is properly spring, and there's the Chelsea Flower show, so focus is on colour and freshness. Throughout this issue there are bright shades and floral patterns, plus conversations with actual florists, as well as a preview of the flower show itself. Foodwise, we're preparing for the new season with a focus on summer salads, courtesy of our friends at ScandiKitchen, and looking forward to Syon Park's annual Foodies Festival which is set to return this month with a wide array of tempting stalls and interesting newcomers. In fashion, we look at Daiwear's clever new performance workwear, which is designed for the office (not the gym) but feels as comfortable as any yoga outfit. We quiz the woman behind the brand as we covet her stylish key pieces. A large interiors section this month spans chair design, wall storage, floral displays and House of Hackney's chintzy new collection, while we take a philosophical look at home life for families with the School of Life. Travel takes us to Munich and Jamaica in search of interesting things to report, and there's the usual mix of diary dates, local events and property news too.

We hope you enjoy the magazine.

ABSOLUTELY’S favourite floral pieces for spring

1

AESME FLOWERS

PENDLE HARTE EDITOR

The sisters behind Aesme Flowers create some of the most beautiful arrangements with a loose, natural flair. aesme.co.uk

2

DE GOURNAY

De Gournay's beautiful Amazonia print on pink silk is exactly how I picture the backdrop to my dream house. degournay.com

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MAGGIE JONES

In honour of The Chelsea Flower Show (22-26 May 2018), Kensington restaurant Maggie Jones’s is giving its menu a floral makeover by adding edible flowers to each of its dishes. maggie-jones.co.uk

4

5

LENA HOSCHEK

Austrian designer Lena Hoschek's summery collection is inspired by bohemian, gypsy looks and her florals are bright and bold. lenahoschek.com

3

L’ARTISAN PARFUMEUR

Developed by perfumer Anne Flipo for L'Artisan Parfumeur, Champ de Fleurs is a transparent white floral inspired by the first flowers of spring. With grapefruit, pear, lily of the valley, jasmine, cedar, musk and amber.

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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16/04/2018 17:46

Wish LIST 10 things we Absolutely love COMPILED BY

H E L E N B R OW N

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SPORT MEETS ST YLE Danse Lente takes inspiration from gymnastics for a SS18 collection of striking silhouettes and sculptural design. Imagine the clean lines of vaults, rings and pommel horses, robust hardware and the fluidity of the athlete. danselente.com

Drinking in Design

A limited edition whisky from Blue Label and decorated by Tom Dixon for the dapper drinker who enjoys design. £195; selfridges.com

WALL FLOWER

Junique's poster is just what we need to brighten the mood as we wait for summer to show up. Warning: evokes wanderlust. £24.90; juniqe.co.uk

L E AT H E R H E AD Get dressed head-to-phone this season with the new collection from Greenwich. Cases come in a range of pastel hues and promise to protect from every bump and scrape. £129; greenwich.design

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

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ABSOLUTELY • LOVES

Silk Road

Dolce & Gabbana's scarf is decorated with the label's vibrant Maiolica motif and cut from fluid silk-twill. We'll have ours tied around the handles of a tote. £155; net-a-porter.com

SLEEPING BEAUTY

W I NGI N G I T Finlay is a British eyewear brand born with a rebellious spirit. We’ve opted for the winged Willow frames in blue for guaranteed Brti-chic cool. £165; finlayandco.com

Nighttime has never been so chic with the Cotton Sateen PJ set from Laurence Tavernier at Amélie’s Follies. Simple and practical, yet modern and elegant, each design showcases refi ned details and elegant fabrics. £144; ameliesfollies.co.uk

HOME COMFORTS

Muted hues and eclectic embroidery make the Tasseled Salima Cushion a spring sofa staple for delivering a sophisticated splash of colour. £58 each; anthropologie.com

TAS SEL FEVE R Radiant rose gold, stamped sentiment and tassels; the Luxe Bangles from Joma Jewellery are the only bracelets you’ll want to stack this summer. £19.50; jomajewellery.com

Perfect Pastels

Specialising in demi-couture, Roksanda bags are elegant with a touch of effortless modern cool; ideal for adding interest to an otherwise safe spring ensemble. £1,531; farfetch.com

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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THE

LE EATRE AND EI OST LIGHT TH GH , NY PA M TRE CO ORIGINAL THEA

DY BY T A NEW COME STARRING RD NING STANDA OLIVIER & EVE ER AWARD WINN

JANIE DEE

NE DAVIDSON

PRESENT

ORBEN BETTS WITH

RCHER JACKINA OUR) (QUA T HON OKS CHARLASIETENBDERRSO ) (E VE GAUNT GENEV(TIE HE ROYALS) ART PATRICK RYEC (THE CROWN)

NDLE JACKHE STUA DORS) (T

‘Torben Betts is the most exciting theatre writing talent I have come across in many a year’ Alan Ayckbourn

MON 28 MAY – SAT 2 JUNE 2018

0844 871 7651* atgtickets.com/richmond*

originaltheatre.com @MonogamyPlay @originaltheatre * Fees apply. Calls cost up to 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge

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CULTURE

Edward Bawden, Kew Gardens London Transport poster, 1939, © TfL from the London Transport Museum collection, © Estate of Edward Bawden

What’s On 20 • London Craft Week 22 • Chelsea Flower Show 28 A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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The Agenda LO N D O N ’S H OT T E ST H A P P E N I N G S

T H E AT R E

Monogamy 28 May - 2 June RICHMON D THEAT RE

Caroline Mortimer, the nation’s favourite TV cook, has it all. But beneath the immaculate furnishings and studio lighting, Caroline must face the looming collision of living a private life in the public eye. What happens when the cameras turn off? A searing and sharp comedy from one of the UK’s most exciting playwrights, Torben Betts.

Little Green, TW9; atgtickets.com

T H E AT R E

4.48 Psychosis U NTI L 4 MAY • LYR I C H A M MERSMITH

Having picked up the award for Achievement in Opera in 2016 and an Olivier Award nomination in 2017, Philip Venables’ highly acclaimed 4.48 Psychosis returns with its hard-hitting score and emotional narrative. Venables is the first to set music to a play

by Sarah Kane and despite its dark nature, the production brims with humour and warmth.

Lyric Square, W6; lyric.co.uk

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T H E AT R E

The Railway Children 25-27 May ROSE THEATRE KING STON

Following the departure of their father, Bobby, Peter and Phyllis are uprooted to Yorkshire where they fall in love with the railway and entwine themselves in the lives of those connected to it.

E. Nesbit's exciting and heartfelt story is given a fresh adaptation for the stage.

24-26 High Street, Kingston, KT1; rosetheatrekingston.org

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

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CULTURE • TALKING TOPICS

D AY O U T

The Temperate House From 5 May

ROYAL BOTAN IC GARDEN S

5 years and 400 staff members and contractors later, the iconic Temperate House at Kew Gardens throws open its doors to reveal the 10,000 breathtaking, rare and threatened plants that call it home.

The true jewel in Kew’s crown, the Temperate House is the world’s largest Victorian glasshouse and makes a sumptuous setting for a weekend stroll.

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, TW9; kew.org

Around Town EXHIBITION

SISTER BROTHER Until 20 May V&A MUSEUM OF C H ILD H OOD

The roles we are given at an early age within the family group become defining elements of who we are.

Sister Brother shines a light on the impact siblings have on our identity as we grow up. Bringing together a set of portraits by Madeleine Waller, the exhibition aims to explore sibling relationships and how they affect our sense of self.

Cambridge Heath Road, E2; vam.ac.uk/moc DAMIEN FROST, BOURGEOISIE FROM NIGHT FLOWERS

T H E AT R E T H E AT R E

MAYFLY Until 26 May

ORA N G E TRE E TH E ATR E

Ben thinks his family might be better off without him, but his wife Cat has read her stars: “Today a very special person will appear from out of the blue.”

Elsewhere, their daughter Loops is getting ready for a date, it’s her first one and she has everything crossed.

An ethereal family drama, Joe White’s debut play, Mayfly explores rebirth in the aftermath of tragedy.

1 Clarence Street, Richmond, TW9; orangetreetheatre.co,uk

EXHIBITION

LONDON NIGHTS From 11 May

This Month’s Must See

MUSEUM OF LOND ON

STENCILLING WITH NATURE 12 MAY • PETERSHAM N URSERIE S

P

etersham Nurseries and La Serra MK Textile Atelier invite the crafty and the curious to create unique soft furnishings for the home in a unique workshop for London Craft Week. From screen-printing to handpainting, guests will be educated in the art of natural dying before putting their knowledge to the test to create their own apron to take home.

Church Lane, TW10;

As daylight fades, the city’s character changes and a new night persona emerges. Delve into the darkness and explore nocturnal London at this major new photography exhibition at Museum of London.

150 London Wall, EC2Y; museumoflondon.org.uk

EXHIBITION

TEETH From 17 May WELLCOM E COLLEC T ION

From vampires and tooth fairies to barber surgeons and professional dentists, Wellcome Collection’s summer exhibition traces the evolution of the relationship with our teeth and what they say about us with over 150 objects, cartoons, caricatures and more.

183 Euston Road, NW1; wellcomecollection.org

petershamnurseries.com

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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ZETTELER; DAYLESFORD ORGANIC

ZETTELER; LUCIE ELEANOR, ARTIST CHRISTABEL BALFOUR

State of the

ART London’s most creative locations give themselves over to London Craft Week for a celebration of craftsmanship in Britain and beyond

D

esign has one. Fashion has one. And since 2015, craft has had one too. Back for its fourth edition between 9-13 May, London Craft Week sees hundreds of locations around London give themselves over to the discovery and celebration of craftsmanship in every sector of making – from Britain and around the world. It invites the public into previously off-limits corners of the capital to reveal its most creative spaces. This year is its biggest, and most international event yet, bringing the world’s finest makers to London for a dynamic celebration of making in all its forms – from ceramics and fashion to watch-making and letterpress. Whether it’s an intimate hands-on workshop with a craftsman, an afternoon in a West End costume department, or behind-the-scenes introduction to the crafted interiors of an iconic building, there’s something for every field of interest.

London Craft Week was launched in 2015 is the only festival of its kind in the world. With 227 events, 70 exhibitions, 41 workshops, 87 talks and 61 live

22

By HELEN BROWN

demonstrations, there is certainly something to suit all. Over the course of the week, you might learn the intricacies of Swiss horology, British millinery and Danish ceramics; you can blend your own fragrance, print your own book and craft your own tableware.

There is also the opportunity to hear the stories behind crafted works and iconic luxury products direct from their makers. But this still only scratches the surface of what London Craft Week has to offer.

The disciplines represented range from jewellery and leathercraft to printmaking and carpentry, and involve both established makers of global standing – including Tom Dixon, Bill Amberg and Georg Jensen – and emerging talents on the cusp of their careers, such as the ceramic artist and Woman’s Hour Craft prize winner Phoebe Cummings.

With more than 275 taking part in this year’s festival, one of the core aims of London Craft Week is to celebrate and support the community of independent makers in Britain and beyond.

This year’s festivities are sponsored by dunhill and Purdey who have partnered to produce the Home of Craftsmanship: a creative hub and focal point for press and visitors, celebrating the craftsmanship and heritage integral to dunhill. Every room of Bourdon House will be transformed through a fascinating and immersive demonstration of craftsmanship, alongside

ZETTELER;MAUD AND MABEL

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

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EVENT • LONDON CRAFT WEEK ZETTELER; MAUD AND MABEL

“Learn how to blend your own fragrance, print your own book and craft your own tableware”

a series of short films. Purdey is renowned for making the finest-quality shotguns, rifles and shooting equipment and this iconic British company brings the same attention to detail and craftsmanship to their clothing and accessories. For London Craft Week they will be hosting a series of demonstrations in their beautiful Audley House store.

Elsewhere, The AMAZING CHINA exhibition at the Hospital Club promising a fascinating overview of contemporary and traditional techniques and aesthetic philosophy, while Experience Kyoto at Nobu Hotel Shoreditch will shed light on Japan’s wabi-sabi making culture through regional crafts and cuisine. Many of Switzerland’s most revered small watchmaking houses – including Laurent Ferrier, Romain Gauthier, Ludovic Ballouard, De Bethune, Ferdinand Berthoud, Graham, H. Moser & Cie, and Moritz Grossmann – are brought together by William and Sons. And, across its stores in Chelsea, Marylebone and Selfridges, The Conran Shop hosts Global Market, gathering international makers such as Danish furniture designer Carl Hansen & Søn, Japanese ceramic miniaturist Yuta Segawa and Dartmoor lifestyle brand Feldspar, for live craft CUBITTS HORN COLOURS demonstrations and exhibitions of slip-casting, textile painting, cane weaving and more.

All of this, plus a series of meet-the-maker talks and interviews, exclusive exhibitions and one-off events at leading retailers, rare insights to some of the world’s most prestigious luxury brands and fashion houses and Behind-the-scenes access to some of London’s most iconic, off-the-beatentrack and otherwise unexplored locations.

Taking place across the city, some London Craft Week events and experiences are ticketed, most are free to attend and many are held on a drop-in basis. A full list of events can be found on the London Craft Week website. Authenticity is at the heart of London Craft Week and the programme aims to attract a broad audience united in their appreciation of imagination, individuality, passion and skill. It bridges iconic heritage and contemporary brands as well as independent makers and allows them to tell their stories. Each year, with the city as its backdrop, this week-long event shines a spotlight on artists and makers and celebrates a golden age of creative talent.

LO N D O N C R A F T W E E K

ZETTELER; LUCIE ELEANOR, ARTIST CHRISTABEL BALFOUR

9~13 May Various locations londoncraftweek.com

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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CULTURE • THEATRE

ROUND UP

Best in

SHOW

Get the most out of London’s theatre scene with our top stage picks for the month

Peter Pan

MUST SEE

★★★★★

From 17 May REGENT’S PARK OPEN AIR THEATRE

For the wounded soldiers of WWI, imagination is their only escape. Yet as they’re transported to the fantastical lagoons and pirate ships of Never Land, the war they’ve left behind seems ever present. George Llewelyn Davies was one of the children who inspired Peter Pan. Remembering him, and a generation of Lost Boys, this spellbinding rendition is not to be missed.

Regent’s Park, NW1; openairtheatre.com

By H E L E N B R O W N

Life and Fate ★★★★★

8-20 May T H E ATRE ROYA L H AY MA R K E T

It’s early 1943. Hitler’s Germany and Stalin’s Russia are in a bitter struggle for their very survival. Vasily Grossman’s celebrated novel, Life and Fate, is a sweeping panorama of Soviet Society and an epic tale of a country told through the fate of a single Jewish family, the Shtrum’s.

18 Suffolk Street, SW1Y; trh.co.uk

Faceless

LIFE AND FATE

Until 12 May

Schism

PETER PAN

★★★★★

PARK THEATRE

Inspired by a true court case, Faceless highlights the power of the internet and its far reaching consequences in the 21st century. This insightful play follows the life of Susie, a suburban Chicago teenager who converts online from Christianity to Islam and tries to reach Syria. In the ensuing court case she finds herself portrayed as an enemy of the State and is prosecuted by a young female Muslim lawyer.

Clifton Terrace, N4; parktheatre.co.uk

Chess

★★★★★

From 16 May PA R K TH E ATR E

Schism is the stunning play from disabled playwright, Athena Stevens.

Highlighting the power dynamics between male and female, and disabled and non-disabled, at its heart Schism is a play about two people finding each other. Thoughtprovoking and moving, it asks at which point do dreams and relationships become unrealistic?

Clifton Terrace, N4; parktheatre.co.uk

★★★★★

From 26 April LON D O N CO LI S EUM

In the first West End production of Chess since 1986, Michael Ball stars at Anatoly alongside Alexandra Burke as Svetlana. The much-adored production tells a story of love and political intrigue, set against the background of the Cold War in the late 1970s/early 1980s, when the lives of two chess masters are thrown into turmoil as superpowers attempt to manipulate an international chess championship for political ends.

St Martin’s Lane, WC2N; eno.org

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SCHISM

CHESS

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

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16/04/2018 09:20

Levante. The Maserati of SUVs Levante. The Maserati of SUVs Maserati Levante. Yours. From £598 per month* Plus initial rental.

Maserati Levante. Yours. From £598 per month* H.R. PlusOwen initialMaserati rental.London Melton Court, 25-27 Old Brompton Road, London SW7 3TD 0333 240 1580 hrowen.co.uk/maserati

H.R. Owen Maserati London

Melton Court, 25-27 Old Brompton Road, London SW7 3TD 0333 240 1580 hrowen.co.uk/maserati Official fuel consumption figures for the Maserati Levante Diesel MY18 in mpg (l/100km): Urban 34.4 (8.2), Extra Urban 42.8 (6.6), Combined 39.2 (7.2). CO2 emissions: 189g/km *Personal Contract Hire. Maserati Levante Diesel Estate MY18 V6d 5dr Auto (incl. metallic paint and Sport steering

wheel and gear knob in premium fine grain Nero leather at £840 incl. VAT). Initial rental of £5,980, followed by 47 monthly rentals of £598 incl. VAT & excl. maintenance. Based on 8,000 miles per annum. Excess mileage charges apply. Vehicles must be registered between 01/04/18 and 30/06/18. Subject to status. Guarantees may be required. Ts&Cs Official fuelSL1consumption figures for the Maserati Levante apply.

Leasys, 0WU. We work with a number of creditors including Leasys.Diesel MY18 in mpg (l/100km): Urban 34.4 (8.2), Extra Urban 42.8 (6.6), Combined 39.2 (7.2). CO2 emissions: 189g/km *Personal Contract Hire. Maserati Levante Diesel Estate MY18 V6d 5dr Auto (incl. metallic paint and Sport steering wheel and gear knob in premium fine grain Nero leather at £840 incl. VAT). Initial rental of £5,980, followed by 47 monthly rentals of £598 incl. VAT & excl. maintenance. Based on 8,000 miles per annum. Excess mileage charges apply. Vehicles must be registered between 01/04/18 and 30/06/18. Subject to status. Guarantees may be required. Ts&Cs apply. Leasys, SL1 0WU. We work with a number of creditors including Leasys.

12025 H.R. Owen LDN Levante finance ad 210x280.indd 1

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LIFE in COLOUR

We caught up with artist Raph Thomas to discover what to expect from his new exhibition at Landmark Arts Centre this month

by HELEN BROWN

HELEN BROWN: Tell us about the new technicolour animal series you will be exhibiting at the Landmark Spring Art Fair, what inspired it?

RAPH THOMAS: I’ve always been interested in nature, evolution and beautiful creatures. I used to paint tropical birds because I love their oddness; mostly parrots, penguins and toucans. Two years ago, a client saw my bird paintings at 1of1, 80 High Street, Teddington and asked me to undertake several commissions of her pets.

Out of the blue she asked for a technicolour hippopotamus. It was a great commission and the client was happy for me to print a limited edition of the work which proved unexpectedly popular. Since then I have been experimenting with stripes, patterns and different animals. I paint them as real creatures first and then add the surface design, which I think helps to give them a 3D effect.

HB: What do you hope viewers will take away from your work?

RT: I genuinely hope that my work makes people happy and that when they buy it, they have a piece on their wall that makes them smile whenever they see it.

For each piece I try to make an image that is immediately identifiable, fun and memorable, but also elegant. I paint the type of artwork that I would like on my own walls and despite the colourful overlay, I do not want my work to appear cartoonish.

HB: How significant has local support been to your career so far?

RT: Local support has been the backbone of my artistic career. I first started selling my artwork six years ago in Kingston and Teddington and since then my work has grown in popularity in south west London.

If not for the positive reception my work received where I live, I do not think I would have had the confidence in my own work to take my art to different fairs across Britain.

Over the last two years my work has been shown in art fairs throughout the UK and as a result my paintings are now in collections

“I paint the type of artwork that I would like on my own walls” 26

in the US, China, Africa and Europe, which is really gratifying.

HB: Last month you exhibited at Bentalls Kingston, how did you come to work with them?

RT: Bentalls have long supported local artists and designers in many ways, such as collaborating with local colleges and universities like Kingston College where I studied. I came through 1of1, a gallery in Teddington High Street. 1of1 had worked with Bentalls for 10 years on shows and creative workshops, before collaborating with Bentalls on the Meet the Artisan series. The first show Meet the Makers coincided with renovations in store which gave us a wall of hoardings to use as a pop up exhibition space. The Bentalls team are fantastically supportive and were pleased with how the first show was received. Since then I have participated in three more group shows and also did a solo show for Bentalls 150th anniversary last summer.

HB: You use a mix of media within your work, what’s one of the most surprising you’ve used?

RT: I came across a lot of vintage French blueprints from a tannery several years ago and I like to plaster them onto canvases to use as distinct backgrounds. A lot of them have fantastically intricate diagrams on them. The blue and white often looks good with vibrant coloured animals painted directly on top. I usually like to make a messy crackled background beforehand

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CULTURE • LOCAL EXHIBITION

and then complete the majority of my paintings with acrylic paint. To do this, I use a lot of water when making my backgrounds. Often I will add layers of paint and then intermittently cupfuls of water or highly diluted paint to dry slowly, sometimes over days. This helps drag the paint around to dry in different chaotic and distressed patterns.

HB: What’s your favourite media to work with?

RT: Acrylic is a great durable medium. I tend to paint my psychedelic animals in

their entirety with normal colouration and then wash over the painting with diluted but still reasonably thick bright acrylic paint. I am a big fan of metallic paint and like to incorporate gold into my animal paintings. Golden horns, hooves and stripes along the spine add another dimension to my paintings.

HB: Who are some of the artists who have inspired your career so far?

RT: Henri Rousseau is certainly an influence on me. His jungle paintings are very evocative; his dreamlike depictions of nature struck a chord with me the first time I saw them. Another artist who has inspired my work is Ken Oliver, a member of The London Group. I grew up with some of his work in my parents house and it is very remarkable. He paints incredibly textured, monolithic paintings, many of which contain natural imagery, either animals, seeds or flowers as a central focus. They are heavy pieces where texture is thick and his use of colour is subtle and distressed. I think his way of experimenting with physical media influenced my own approach to painting.

HB: What’s the most satisfying thing about your job?

RT: My work is bright and colourful and quite light in tone so I think that reflects the type of people who are drawn to

it. My customers are usually upbeat and friendly and a joy to talk to. It’s nice being asked to undertake commissions and getting complimentary feedback from clients always feels great. People get very passionate about their animals so it’s gratifying to know they chose my work.

HB: What are some of the highlights of the exhibition? Are there any pieces of work that you are particularly excited for visitors to see?

RT: I have recently completed a painting of my neighbour’s labrador which I am keen to show. I have been wrapped up in painting African animals for a long time and I am looking forward to seeing people’s reactions to my take on more everyday or domestic animals. I also have a pair of new, quite exotic paintings of rhinos and a bear. They are framed in heavy plain gold to create a different aesthetic which I hope will go down well. I’m painting like mad as so many pieces sold at the Bentalls Show. What a great place to be in.

LANDMARK ARTS CENTRE 19-20 May Ferry Road, Teddington, TW11 landmarkartscentre.org raphthomasart.co.uk

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RHS, LINDLEY LIBRARY

RHS/JON ENOCH

FLORAL TRADITION

RHS/LUKE MACGREGOR

The Chelsea Flower Show returns in full glory this May. These are our top tips for floral fanatics

By GEORGIA MCVEIGH RHS/NEIL HEPWORTH

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EVENT • CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW RHS/HANNAH MCKAY

W RHS/JOANNA KOSSAK

ith a reputation almost as prestigious as those who attend it, the Chelsea Flower Show is returning to London on 22 May. A favourite of Royals and celebrities, its 2018 return promises to showcase some of the most aspirational and innovative of recent garden designs, as well as many favourite exhibitors from previous years. With over a century of history behind it – having run in its Chelsea location since 1913 – its longevity is owed to its ability to adapt and change with the times, and many of the installations reflect the issues that face our planet through living displays.

Here are this years highlights:

RHS/LUKE MACGREGOR

G R E AT PAV I L I O N

ne of Chelsea's biggest attractions, the Great Pavilion will exhibit over 85 of the best nurseries in the world and play host to some of the most prestigious florists in the business. There will be interactive plant science displays in the Discovery Area and a Hampshire Carnivorous Plants section to watch as the prey becomes the predator.

Or help celebrate alpine specialist D’arcy & Everest’s 25th anniversary.

O

ARTISAN GARDENS

he Artisan Gardens combine traditional materials and methods with the most innovative recent design approaches, and are dotted throughout Ranelagh Gardens. Always a favourite at the show, it’s possible to observe rustic materials married with stylish, modern twists as a tasteful combination between the contemporary and the classic. The gardens will also showcase artisan products and the highest quality detailing.

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“Many installations reflect the issues facing our planet through bright, living displays”

C H E L S E A AT T W I L I G H T

new feature for 2018, the Chelsea at Twilight event will take place on Friday evening. For the first time, the Chelsea Flower Show will open its doors for an evening event from 8-10PM. It will feature a live band, an artisan food market and wandering artists – but most excitingly, the chance to enjoy the Artisan Gardens by twilight as a farewell to the show for another year. Tickets are limited, so speedy booking is essential.

A

E N V I R O N M E N TA L AWA R E N E S S

he aquatic theme of the Pearlfisher Garden subtly suggests how the natural beauty of the ocean is being irrevocably damaged. Large aquatic tanks surround the central piece – a threedimensional pearl diver, and suspended Tillandsia will hang from the top of the tanks to produce an algae effect. Live fish and coral will feature, as a final reminder of those which are most deeply affected by our damage of the planet; making it the most poignant and evocative exhibition this year.

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RHS/GEORGI MABEE

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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10 July

11 July

the

GIPSY KINGS

ft. NICOLAS REYES & TONNINO BALIARDO

12 July

13 July

14 July

15 July

“London’s hottest picnic concerts” Metro

10 – 15 July 2018

kewthemusic.org Royal Botanic Gardens Raymond Gubbay

Jools Holland & His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra featuring Gilson Lavis

Special guest Marc Almond and guest vocalists Ruby Turner, Louise Marshall and Rosie Mae.

A magical outdoor tale for all the family

Life is suddenly turned upside down and everything becomes curiouser and curiouser…

21 July – 27 August 2018

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EVENT • CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW RHS/GEORGI MABEE

H E A LT H A N D W E L L B E I N G

new place to sit and contemplate life, the inception of the Garden of Health and Wellbeing is a result of research that focuses on the beneficial qualities of plants and trees to general welfare. The garden aims to show that both gardeners and those simply in the presence of flora and fauna can achieve a sense of calm and tranquillity, thus championing the immense power of plants. It’s little wonder that Prince Charles famously takes the time to talk to his plants.

A

S PAC E T O G R OW

he Space to Grow Gardens are a collection of new exhibitions for 2018 that focus on designs for the naturally smaller urban garden. The designs will show how to maximise on the space available, aiming to provide inspiration for London dwellers who are struggling to plant the minimal terrain that comes with an urban townhouse. Great for anyone London-based looking to give new life to their outdoor space.

T

JA R D I N B L A N C

( R AY M O N D B L A N C )

ardin Blanc with Raymond Blanc will be returning to the Chelsea Flower Show with day and evening packages in the food and hospitality area. Package depending, options include exclusive access to the Jardin Blanc area, breakfast, a four-course lunch and Afternoon Tea designed by Raymond Blanc himself, as well as botanically themed cocktails. The evening package offers canapés and a champagne reception, musical entertainment and dinner. A great (and delicious) way to ensure you’re fully fuelled for some serious flower foraging.

J

RHS/GEORGI MABEE

R H S C H E L S E A F LOW E R S H OW RHS/GEORGIE MABEE

will run from 22~26 May rhs.org.uk

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IF YOU DON’T LOOK GOOD | WE DON’T LOOK GOOD

FOR YOUR NEAREST SALON VISIT WWW.SASSOON-SALON.COM

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FASHION

GARDEN OF DELIGHTS BIMBA Y LOLA

Bimba Y Lola is celebrating a summer of love, with a collection inspired by the bohemian spirit of the 1970s. Delivering plenty of frayed denim, natural leather and paintbox brights, this is psychedelic made stylish. bimbaylola.com

Fashion Notes: Cold Shoulder Tops and Bridal Jewellery 34 ¡ Trend: Good Sport 37 A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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FASHION NOTES

Blouses are given the cold shoulder and fashionable brides get bejeweled this May

By J OY M O N TG O M E RY

2

4 OF THE BEST

ONE-SHOULDER B LO U S E S

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4

1. HELLESSY, One-shoulder textured linen and silk-blend top, £885; net-a-porter.com 2. MSGM, One-shoulder broderie-anglaise cotton top, £455; matchesfashion.com 3. SELF-PORTRAIT, Plumetis frill top, £240; self-portrait-studio.com 4. THEORY, Ruza one-shoulder crepe top, £275; net-a-porter.com

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CORNELIA WEBB X N E T-A- P O R T E R

This year, self-taught Stockholmbased jewellery designer Cornelia Webb is returning for a second bridal collaboration with Neta-Porter. Fascinated by human anatomy, Webb sketches all of her designs directly onto her own body rather than paper. The result is undulating, graphic pieces, which add a stylish spin to any bridal ensemble. corneliawebb.com

BEJEWELED B R I D E

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EDITOR’S PICK

16/04/2018 09:39

FASHION • NOTES

COLOUR

A B S O L U T E LY T R I E S . . .

PERSONAL SHOPPING

CONCEPT ST I N E G OYA

Copenhagen-born Stine Goya entered the scene 12 years ago with its art-inspired designs. This season, the brand embraces floaty fabrics, whimsical prints and bold colourways. With the brand now available on Net-a-Porter, there’s no excuse not to get in on the action. stinegoya.com

Fit & Style Studio

EDITOR’S PICK

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B y J OY M O N T G O M M E R Y

Frill

SEEKER G RAB BAG

JOSEPH

It might look unassuming, but Joseph’s Sevres bag quietly claimed the crown of fashion week’s most coveted tote.

Made from Italian leather and featuring a statement buckle, it offers a fresh take on the 2017 bucket bag. Wear now with androgynous separates, and come summer, a linen sun dress; £476 joseph-fashion.com

VAMPIRE’S WIFE

The Vampire’s Wife's ruffled dresses have been spotted at countless fashion parties and worn by everyone from Keira Knightley to Sienna Miller. Chic, flattering, and a little bit retro?

Consider us sold; £1,395 doverstreetmarket.com

Graphic

DESIGN O R W E L L + AU ST E N

We love the graphic, colourblocking appeal of Orwell + Austen’s ‘Love’ cashmere jumper. This statement knit will add a pop of personality to any outfit and come in handy on cool summer evenings. We want one in every colour (navy, baby blue, black, grey and red, if you’re wondering); £219 store.orwellausten.com

he idea of personal shopping has always filled me with dread. I love shopping (I am a fashion writer after all), but my trips tend to be onewoman missions carried out with military precision. I know what I want, what I like and where I want to go.

So when Marks & Spencer invited me to experience their new 'Fit & Style Studio', I was hesitant but also intrigued.

Firstly I'm asked to fill out a short questionnaire, which details everything from sizing to 'my typical day'. The studio itself is spacious and elegantly furnished, and I sip on a glass of Prosecco while my stylist Sara reveals the rails of clothes she has picked out for me. With decades of celebrity styling under her belt, I am impressed by both her professionalism and, most importantly, her taste. So far so good.

We begin with one outfit, and I'm asked which aspects I do and don't like. We use this as a starting point from which to add and take away pieces - swapping a blouse for a T-shirt, a block heel for a brogue. I feel at ease with Sara and welcome her expert opinion. I even enjoy being pushed out of my sartorial comfort zone, trying colours and shapes that I would usually recoil from.

Three hours and many outfits later, I leave with a classic white shirt, on-trend pastel blue blazer and nude patent brogues, all of which slot perfectly into my summer wardrobe. Mission accomplished.

So whether you’re looking for a dress for a special occasion, or simply something to shake up your style, give personal shopping a try. You might just become a convert.

FIT & STYLE STUDIO

Westfield Shopping Centre, Shepherd's Bush, W12; 02082662200 To book an appointment visit marksandspencer.com

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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UPGR ADE TO PERFECTION Take your home entertainment to the next level. Our new webOS Smart TV combines ultra-sharp OLED 4K images and the world’s most powerful TV sound with a built-in audio system for wireless music and radio streaming. BeoVision Eclipse is available in 55 and 65 inches.

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*Visit us in store to learn more about this limited-time offer. Save up to £1,300 when trading in for a BeoVision Eclipse 55” or £1,800 for BeoVision Eclipse 65”. Offer applies to one TV of any brand and is valid till 31 May 2018 subject to availability. BeoVision Eclipse 55”: RRP from £7,495, BeoVision Eclipse 65”: RRP from £10,795. Energy class A. Prices exclude installation and wall bracket/floor stand starting from £795. BeoRemote One included. The oak speaker cover will be available for both TV sizes from April 2018.

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FASHION • TREND ALBUS LUMEN

CALVIN KLEIN

Fishermans Linen Shorts, £118; matchesfashion.com

Chantal Slides, Chambray, £29.99; office.co.uk

ZARA Jogging Trousers With Stripes, £29.99; zara.com

SOLID & STRIPED The Nina Waist-Belt Swimsuit, £155; net-a-porter.com

KENZO ARKET Fishtail Parka, £150; arket.com

Good Sport Pound the pavement in this season’s elevated sportswear.

Athleisure just got luxe

VALENTINO

Embroidered Cotton Sweater, £225; net-a-porter.com

VETEMENTS X TOMMY HILFIGER Striped Socks, £85; matchesfashion.com

GUCCI Grosgrain-Trimmed Pleated Washed-Silk Skirt, £795; net-a-porter.com

B y J OY M O N T G O M E R Y

EDITOR’S PICK

ZARA Backpack With Metal Detail, £19.99; zara.com

CHRISTIAN DIOR

ADIDAS Trefoil T-Shirt by Adidas Originals, £23; topshop.com

NIKE Waffle Racer Shoe, £75; arket.com

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WORK AND PLAY

Absoutely quizzes Joanna Dai, financier turned fashion designer, about making smart clothes that are comfortable too

Could workwear feel like yoga, but wear like a powersuit?

Interview PENDLE HARTE

PENDLE HARTE What inspired you leave the world of finance for fashion?

JOANNA DAI I was always creative and entrepreneurial when I was young – between my grade school art recognitions and always running for student government so that I could plan events for my fellow classmates. I was analytical at the same time, so spending the first eight years out of college in finance was exhilarating. I’ve acquired a business mindset from banking which has been invaluable. As I looked ahead, I felt I was ready to be more creative and entrepreneurial again. I wanted to create something more tangible, something

38

the consumer would appreciate, and to build a brand where there was no roadmap, just a vision for positive impact.

PH Your collection is all about being comfortable. How does it work? Is it about the fabrics or the cuts? How is it possible to be both tailored and comfortable?

JD I grew up in Southern California where getting dressed was relaxed and easy.

I swam and played water polo all year round where it was just your suit and towel. I’m still active with a long-distance running in breathable sportswear. So clothes never constricted my movement until

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FASHION • Q&A

my professional life, when I was working more than 12 hours a day. When I saw the athleisure trend take off and become a lifestyle, I asked myself if workwear could feel like yoga, but wear like a powersuit.

My hypothesis was more about the fabrics and making them tailored. Our first cuts are quite classic and tailored with modern, minimal details. As we’re combining elegant tailoring with innovative fabrics that have quite a bit of stretch, we’re constantly testing the finishings and details to achieve the clean and high-end look while withstanding the stretch-enabled movements.

PH How does feeling uncomfortable affect your performance?

JD What you wear represents you and how you want to be perceived. It impacts how you feel. So clothes can have a transformative power on your mindset and your confidence. I’ve been through days where scratchy tag,s stiff linings, skirts that keeps riding up or constrictive waistbands have been really disctracting, especially at the moments when I needed my laser focus the most. I want to optimise women’s performance and confidence, not create distractions for them with shortcomings in their clothes.

PH What fabrics are you using?

JD Our technical fabrics are sourced from premium, environmentally friendly Italian mills. We look for performance functions such as four-way stretch, breathability, wrinkle resistance, anti-pilling, machine washable, eco-certified, and no bagging out after wear (the list goes on). For seven out of eight styles in our capsule collection, we’re using a microfibre jersey that’s double bonded, meaning two breathable single layers which are joined together for extra

structure, making it comfortable yet great for tailoring. We also love silk, a natural fibre that has a luxe hand feel, temperature control, and drapes beautifully.

PH How old are your customers and who are they?

JD Our customers generally range from 30 to 65+, which is amazing because it shows that comfort is universal. From urban professionals to countryside entrepreneurs, the common thread is busy women seeking comfort that looks smart.

PH With no background in fashion, how did you learn the basics?

JD Over the course of five months, I took fashion design and womenswear patternmaking at London College of Fashion, and interned with luxury British womenswear designer Emilia Wickstead, whom I knew and admired from making my wedding dress. The combination of these experiences – aka my crash course in fashion – gave me the foundation to venture off on my own.

PH Which designers do you admire?

JD From the archives, Christian Dior for his waist-defining silhouettes which were revolutionary at the time and fundamental classics today. In the modern day, the designers I admire the most are also

powerhouse businesswomen on a mission to support other women, give back socially and/or change the world environmentally: Tory Burch, Stella McCartney, Diane von Furstenburg, Maria Grazia Chiuri.

PH Do you miss the world of finance?

JD I definitely miss aspects of it. I still love numbers and being technical, and these days I’m not the technical expert in almost any aspect of my day-to-day, except for the Dai brand, products and values. I miss the fast-paced environment with constant news flow and always having a point of view that impacted the direction of market transactions. I miss the amenities of a city office building such as a reception, IT on call, cleaners and maintenance. Our last studio did not even supply toilet paper, which always makes me laugh, but I’m building something that women are enthusiastically responding to and that’s what matters.

PH What’s next for Daiwear?

JD We’re expanding our range, introducing new colours and using a few new lighterweight fabrics for our spring/summer collection. We’ll have more styles and silhouettes for trousers, tops, dresses and skirts. And size UK 16, which we’ve had a lot of women ask for. daiwear.com A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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17/04/2018 09:14

OLIVIA BED LUXURY VELVET PLUS - LUSTROUS BLOSSOM

A STUNNING NEW SHOWROOM NEAR YOU

S

weetpea & Willow has long been a premier destination for those seeking to immerse themselves in the world of luxury interiors, and with their newly refurbished West London showroom, there’s even more beauty to behold.

or try out a beautiful upholstered bed or two, and if you need any advice, then their superb team are always on hand to assist. Even if it’s just to pour you a thirst quenching G+T, or make you a delicious barista style coffee at the fabulous new bar.

Upon entering their doors, you’ll be transported to a world of exquisite handmade furniture and luxury home accessories. Each of their stunning room sets are distinct from the last, taking you from the opulence of a dreamy Parisian bedroom, to a bold and dramatic living area which exudes pure colonial chic.

As well as luxury sofas and beds, the showroom is filled to the brim with absolutely everything you need to help make your house a home. With plenty of beautiful accessories which are ready to take away today.

Feel free to relax on a sumptuously soft sofa

Why not pop in to the showroom to see it for yourselves? Quote ABSOLUTELY10 in store to receive 10% off your purchase*.

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PRETTY COOL Embrace your feminine side with summer orals, bright embroidery and playful textiles anthropologie.com

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DISTINCTIVE STYLE

ABSOLUTELY • PROMOTION

Watches, diamonds and gems: these jewellers are a cut above the rest

M I C H A E L P L AT T

R E B E C CA BY D U M AU R I E R

Why not mark a special time or memorable occasion with a remarkable gift? Michael Platt, Goldsmith and Jewellers in Wimbledon Village will work to your requirements and budget to make an exceptional and bespoke piece of jewellery just for you, with a complimentary design consultation for new jewellery or remodelling dated or inherited jewellery. 1 Church Rd, Wimbledon, London SW19 5DW020 8947 4772 michaelplatt.co.uk

If you’re really in the mood for something fresh and sparkly, the Rebecca by Du Maurier will definitely do the trick. The lovely white lizard strap offsets the Rebecca’s twelve diamonds, rose gold and mother-of-pearl perfectly. Try it on at The Pommier in Covent Garden and see the full choice of lovely strap colours while you’re there. Alternatively, see the full collection at dumaurierwatches.com

LOV E F I N E D I A M O N D S

D U M AU R I E R WATC H E S

When it’s time to shine look no further than Love Fine Diamonds, located in Hatton Garden. Their team of experts and master jewellers will help you select fine jewellery to treasure forever.

Whether it's a celebratory event to rival the royals or a more laid-back intimate occasion, they'll find you a fit whatever your budget. lovefinediamonds.co.uk

Known for their stunning Swiss-made watches, Du Maurier have recently launched a capsule collection of desirable jewellery. The Sylvia Collection, featuring gorgeous aqua chalcedony and citrine in a gold setting are versatile enough to add the perfect finishing touch to everyday outfits or some sparkle to a Little Black Dress. See the full collection at dumaurierwatches.com

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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AVAILABLE NATIONWIDE IN WAITROSE, MAJESTIC, 31DOVER.COM AND UK DUTY FREE

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FASHION • JEWELLERY

Chain Gang Link up with this season’s heavy metal jewellery trend

GIVENCHY

DINOSAUR DESIGNS

TIFFANY & CO.

Double-Chain Choker, £570 matchesfashion.com

Louise Olsen Liquid Chain Gold-Plated Earrings, £305 net-a-porter.com

Link 18-Karat Gold Bracelet, £5,800 tiffany.co.uk

CHLOÉ

JENNIFER FISHER

ISABEL MARANT

Drop Hoop Earrings, £230 matchesfashion.com

Chain Link Silver-Plated Cuff, £318 theoutnet.com

Africa Multi-Linked Earrings, £130 matchesfashion.com

OSCAR DE LA RENTA

LAURA LOMBARDI

VANDA JACINTHO

Entangled Chain Necklace, £498 farfetch.com

Interlock Gold-Tone Earrings, £135 net-a-porter.com

Chunky Chain-Link Necklace, £520 matchesfashion.com

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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LIKE &

WIN!

Like Dr Bela’s Facebook page and win a Zein Obagi Daily Skincare Kit. On-going prize draw is at the end of each month.

Dr Bela would like to build his Facebook page as a primary channel of communication, so encourages his patients to LIKE it for useful information on skin care, facial aesthetic procedures and interesting news from and about the industry.

A Zein Obagi Daily Skincare Program (worth £130) will be randomly drawn and awarded among those who sign up by the end of the previous month. The first draw will be held at the end of March for those who liked the page in February and are active at the time of the draw.

DR BELA’S MAIN SERVICES: •Facial aesthetic treatments (such as Fillers and Wrinkle injections) •Mole clinic •General dermatology consultations •Weight loss clinic •Thread vein removal •Art-Vampire project facebook.com/DrBela.clinic Appointments: 0203 903 1321

For more information on all our procedures and latest promotions please contact us on:

0203 930 1321 / www.DrBela.clinic We are located within the Hogarth Club; Airedale Ave, Chiswick, W4 2NW Earlier likes and re-likes are excluded. You don’t need to be a patient of doctor Bela to be eligible, but you should be able to pick up the prize should you win

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Located within The Hogarth Club

19/02/2018 16:21

HEALTH & BEAUTY

SWING LOW CHANEL Largerfeld muse and teen it-girl, Lily-Rose Depp, is fronting Chanel’s latest beauty campaign, Rouge Coco Lip Blush. With a silky gel formula that melts onto lips and cheekbones, these little tubes of colour are perfect for offering your complexion a natural flush. Healthylooking skin here we come. chanel.com

Beauty Notes: Sea Salt Scrubs and Water-Fresh Formulas 52 ¡ Trend: Vitamin C 55 A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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BEAUTY NOTES

From sea salt scrubs to water-fresh formulas, it's all about embracing the Big Blue this May

By J OY M O N TG O M E RY

WASH Out R I T UA L S

Inspired by an ancient Balinese ceremony, The Ritual of Banyu honours the powerful healing properties of water, with every item in the eight-piece collection infused with purifying sea salt and revitalising kelp minerals. rituals.com

TOUCHE ÉCLAT

YSL Touche Éclat Radiant Touch Highlighting Pen, £25.50; boots.com

IT COSMETICS

Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer In Medium, £23.50; qvcuk.com

5 OF THE BEST UNDER EYE CONCEALERS

NARS

Radiant Creamy Concealer, £24; feelunique.com

BOBBI BROWN

Creamy Concealer Kit, £26; bobbibrown.co.uk

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TARTE

Shape Tape Contour Concealer With Quickie Blending Sponge, £28.02; qvcuk.com

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HEALTH & BEAUTY • NOTES

SCANDI SKIN

SALON REVIEW

BJORK & BERRIES

We’re always on the lookout for products that have style and substance, and Swedish botanical brand Bjork & Berries, delivers both.

Combining centuries-old Swedish beauty traditions with modern-day technology, this eco-conscious skincare brand prides itself on using as few ingredients as possible. bjorkandberries.com

Fraxel Laser at Bodyvie Richmond

EDITOR’S PICK

M

By HANNAH HOPKINS

HERE COMES THE SUN MEDIK8

RIDE THE WAVE DIOR

Dior’s Cool Wave collection is guaranteed to freshen up your makeup game this summer. From cobalt blue eye shadow palettes to vibrant coral lipsticks, the edit packs plenty of personality. Wall flowers need not apply. dior.com

SPF is essential for maintaining a youthful complexion, yet finding a formula that doesn't clog the skin can be tricky. Enter Medik8. Boasting broadspectrum UVA and UVB protection, anti-pollution technology and SPF 30, this complexion-loving wformula will both shield skin and combat signs of photoageing. wmedik8.com

Cool Runnings CREME DE LA MER

La Mer has always been our go-to for rich antiageing formulas, however their latest release, Moisturising Cool Gel Cream, is a godsend for combination skin. Refreshing and light, this water-fresh formula packs hydration without the heaviness. An essential for summer holidays. cremedelamer.co.uk

ost of us wish we could slow down the effects of ageing, or tackle some of the signs that are already there, but the idea of surgery is a bit too scary, or not necessary. That’s where Fraxel Laser comes in. Fraxel is perfect for people who don’t want to make massive changes to their appearance or have the extended downtime that comes with surgery.

At Bodyvie in Richmond, Fraxel is one of the most popular treatments. It can tackle fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, pigmentation, sun damage, and scarring.

When I visit, it’s to treat a small scar on my arm that has bothered me for years.

An anesthetic is applied and the Fraxel hand piece is passed eight times in quick succession back and forth over the area.

Light from the machine penetrates deep into the skin, stimulating collagen and resurfacing the top layer and producing smoother, newer-looking skin. I’m warned that it can be a bit painful, but I barely feel a thing, and the treatment is complete within a couple of minutes.

With no down time post-treatment and minimal aftercare, I was in and out within an hour. A course of three treatments is recommended, but I’m already seeing changes after two. My scar is much less raised and red. What’s not to like?

From £75 per treatment.

Packages are available.

BODYVIE

133-135 Kew Road, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 2PN bodyvie.com

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A WARM

Welcome

Dresses - Handbag - Jewellery - Shoes - Gifts 60 Hill Rise, Richmond TW10 6UB WWW.RAWLUXE.CO.UK

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Issey Miyake SS18

HEALTH & BEAUTY • TREND

LIXIRSKIN Vitamin C Paste, £32; cultbeauty.com

DR. DENNIS GROSS SKINCARE C+ Collagen Brighten & Firm Eye Cream, £69; spacenk.com

SUNDAY RILEY C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum, £70; spacenk.com

EDITOR’S PICK

NATURA BISSÉ C+C Vitamin Scrub, £58; net-a-porter.com

THE ORDINARY Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%, £4.90; theordinary.com

BRIGHT START

SKINCEUTICALS C E Ferulic, £135; skinceuticals.co.uk

EMMA HARDIE SKINCARE Moisture Boost Vitamin C Cream, £46; feelunique.com

Brightening, anti-ageing and pollution-fighting; vitamin C is your skin's secret weapon B y J OY M O N T G O M E R Y

ALPHA-H

YOUTH CORRIDOR

Supersize Vitamin C Serum, £55.02; qvcuk.com

Ultimate Antioxidant C Boost Serum, £140; net-porter.com

MZ SKIN Brighten & Perfect 10% Vitamin C Corrective Serum, £245; harveynichols.com

THE HERO PROJECT PERRICONE MD Vitamin C Ester Serum, £80; allbeauty.com

Vit C-30 Ultra Brightening Serum, £35; qvcuk.com

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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HEALTH & BEAUTY • SCENT

PERFUME

SUMMERY SCENTS

With trees in full leaf and gardens bursting with blossoms, May is a month full of colour and promise B y M I C H A E L D O N OVA N

P

erfume’s ability to reflect the very best in nature never ceases to inspire me and so, at this most effusive juncture in the calendar, it would be appropriate to unveil some of the most exciting and enthusiastic summery scents that stimulate the soul and the senses.

One of my favourites is ‘Agua di Colonia Concentrada’ from Alvarez Gomez, a family perfumery in Madrid. The formula dates back to 1912 and is perhaps the ultimate Spanish cologne, full of juicy lemons, lavender, rosemary and thyme. It reminds me of childhood holidays and can still lift my spirits in seconds.

The truly gifted David Seth Moltz at D.S. & Durga also has a joyful olfactory hymn in ‘Italian Citrus’.

Chinotto and blood oranges with green mandarine and cold-pressed lemons dance across this scent. It is expansive and sparkling with a really interesting and rather serene drydown of copaida balsam and incense.

It has its heart in the grand tradition of soft Mediterranean colognes but its head in an altogether more spiritual place. Heavenly.

James Heeley is a British talent and a lovely guy whose rather epic ‘ Note de Yuzu’ is perhaps the most potent infusion of sunshine ever bottled. Here, sharp and effervescent yuzu is teamed with sea salt and a vivid white musk to become the olfactory equivalent of a double espresso.

Heliotrope is one of my favourite flowers and smells like almonds but slightly sweeter and creamier.

‘Heliotrope’ from the legendary French fragrance house of Molinard is perhaps the finest rendering as it layers the flowers over the top

“Scents that stimulate the soul” and heart of the scent. The clever inclusion of neroli adds a little zing and the classic triumvirate of rose, iris and jasmine provides the fragrance’s unyielding good taste.

This is an intoxicating perfume and one application is never enough. Addictive.

Finally to figs and coconuts, two tropical temptresses that never fail to mesmerise the mind and seduce the senses. The fact that they are gourmand notes probably plays a role in the attraction however it is the mellow, unhurried ease of these notes that I find bewitching.

Two outstanding candidates are ‘Gorse’ from Laboratory Perfumes and ‘Figue en Fleur’ from Andree Putman. The former is a scent based on the prickly bushes that occupy scrubland across Europe, brought to Britain by the Romans and, unusually for us, a plant the flowers almost all year round. Its flowers actually smell like coconuts and here they are combined with fresh green and citrus over the lemony spice of cardamom. Creamy and dreamy.

From Paris, ‘Figue en Fleur’ utilises the aromatic leaves for the fig tree, which has an almost vanilla green scent, and adds the ethereal beauty of almonds and tonka over the spiced sweetness of sandalwood.

It is Provence in May, windows down, driving through the green undulating hills before the summer sun has baked them brown. Effortless chic.

These are the scents of endless summers; shimmering and incandescent - Enjoy!

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Consultations and treatment take place in the superb new HCA facility which has been refurbished to bring a wide variety of medical specialties to West London.

H A R L EY S T R E E T C O M E S T O C H I S W I C K After twenty-five years in Harley Street and now in Crescent Place in South Kensington, The Aesthetic Surgeons are now offering consultations and non-surgical treatments at the new HCA facility at Bond House in Chiswick High Road. Norman Waterhouse is the founding surgeon of The Aesthetic Surgeons and has twenty-five years of experience in aesthetic and cosmetic surgery.

The Aesthetic Surgeons carry out a full range of procedures including FACELIFT RHINOPLASTY AESTHETIC BREAST SURGERY

BREAST AUGMENTATION BREAST REDUCTION MASTOPEXY/BREAST LIFT

ABDOMINOPLASTY LIPOSUCTION LABIAPLASTY

and many others In addition anti-wrinkle injections and dermal filler treatment is provided as well as removal of a wide variety of skin lesions.

For consultations and information please contact Karen Burns at info@theaestheticsurgeons.com 020 7636 4073 OR enquiries.chiswick@hcahealthcare.co.uk

www.theaestheticsurgeons.com

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HEALTH & BEAUTY • ACTIVE

FITNESS

Running WILD Get tails wagging with these top pieces for working out with you four-legged friend

NOTES

By H E L E N B R O W N

NIKE Nike Swift Running Trousers, £89.95; nike.com

MUNGO & MAUD Storm Dog Coat, from £135; mungoandmaud.com

BOGG Doggy Bag Dispenser, £16; amazon.co.uk

HURTTA Padded Active Dog Harness, from £29.99; fetch.co.uk

PERFECT FIT

LULU LEMON Speed Sock, £18; lululemon.co.uk

EZYDOG Road Runner Lead, £36.75; fetch.co.uk ORVIS Soggy Doggy Drying Towel, £20; orvis.co.uk

MUNGO & MAUD Goody Bag, £28.95; mungoandmaud.com

NIKE Nike Zonal Aeroshield Running Jacket, £129.95; nike.com

VIVO Primus Trail Swimrun Shoes, £110; vivobarefoot.com

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EXPERT TIPS FOR BUYING A SPORTS BRA

ports bras have recently become somewhat of a fashion accessory but they still play an essential role in providing comfort and protecting health during your fitness routine. A sports bra that fits incorrectly can ruin a workout and affect your health. We spoke to Hagen Schumacher, expert consultant cosmetic surgeon at MyAesthetics for the five things you need to consider before buying one.

S

ARE YOU BEING MEASURED AND FITTED CORRECTLY?

Any kind of exercise, particularly high-impact fitness like HIIT or running, places tension on the supporting muscles of your breasts, so it’s important to have a professional fitting. Get measured around the smallest part of your lower bust, where the band sits and then the fullest part of your bust.

Go up or down a letter for each inch of difference and you’ve found your cup size.

HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN YOU’VE FOUND THE RIGHT FIT?

The band of your sports bra should sit firmly around your chest at an even level and the shoulder straps should provide support without leaving marks. You should be able to set the hooks on the loosest setting when you first begin wearing your bra, so you can tighten it as it begins to naturally lose elasticity. When it comes to augmented breasts, it’s important to invest in a supportive sports bra rather than one with a compression fit. Compression bras may squeeze implants unnecessarily, but a supportive sports bra will take the burden off the connective tissues, keeping the breasts in position.

WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOUR SPORTS BRA?

Tell-tale signs your sports bra is the wrong fit: • The band rides up the back, or you’re using the tightest hook • The straps dig into your skin • There’s spillage when you bend over

SELECT YOUR SPORTS BRA BY ACTIVITY

Low-support bras are best for lowimpact activities like walking and yoga, medium-support is suitable for brisk walking and cycling and high-support is designed for sports like running and aerobics.

Compression style bras do not have cups and are usually worn by pulling them over your head.

They compress the breasts against the body to limit movement.

Encapsulation designs have individual cups. There are now sports bras offering a combination of compression and encapsulation.

They offer the most sturdy support for women of any breast size.

KNOW WHEN IT IS TIME TO UPGRADE

Just like all bras, sports bras stretch over time. It is recommended that you replace it every four to six months, depending on the frequency of wear and quality of care. myaesthetics.uk

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London’S BIGGEST CELEBRATION OF FOOD, DRINK & WELLBEING

london syon park

BANK HOLIDAY

26, 27, 28 MAY

top tv chefs

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FOOD & DRINK

PERFECT SETTING KAHLER DESIGN Created in collaboration with Anders Arhøj, Kähler's Unico bowl is decorated with a heavy and colourful glaze, which creates an exciting contrast against the delicate ceramics. kahlerdesign.com

FOOD NOTES 64 • RECIPES - SCANDIKITCHEN SUMMER

66 • EATING

OUT 70

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WHAT TO DRINK

GRAPE news Wine recommendations for the month

TASTING NOTES

London’s food news and delicious things to see you through April

By MIRIAM CAREY

By BERRY BROS. & RUDD

2014 Etna Rosso, Feudo di Mezzo, Graci, Sicily, Italy £42.75 Created predominantly from Nerello Mascalese with a small proportion of the darker, more brooding, Nerello Cappuccio grape, this is a bold red with seductive ripe, smoky berry fruit flavours and complex finish.

2015 Arbois Chardonnay, Les Bruyeres, Tissot £37 From south-facing vines – the oldest planted in 1938 – which are farmed biodynamically, this superb Chardonnay is rich, buttery and voluminous on the palate, with a subtle spicy, savoury character towards the finish.

NV Berry Bros. & Rudd Grand Cru Champagne, Mailly £28.50 This classic blend of 75 percent Pinot Noir and 25 percent Chardonnay showcases all the hallmarks of Grand Cru Champagne with flower aromas on the nose and an elegant palate of lemon grass, gingerbread and honeysuckle.

BERRY BROS. & RUDD Berry Bros. & Rudd is Britain's oldest wine and spirit merchant, having traded from the same shop since 1698. Today the company also has offices in Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong, a Wine School and an exclusive fine wine and dining venue in St James's.

bbr.com

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Food for Thought T H E B R I T I S H L I B R A RY

Unleash your inner gourmet and intellectual hunger as Food Season kicks off at the British Library. Whether its tackling tastes or understanding traditions, food writers, Michelin starred chefs, campaigners and creators are on hand to walk you through the culinary universe with talks, workshops, demos and more.

96 Euston Road, NW1; bl.uk

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FOOD & DRINK• NOTES Our pick of the best

V EGA N R E STAU R A N T S

MILDRED’S

Mildred’s has earned its stripes with a menu packed with Asian and Middle Eastern dishes. Highlights include gyoza dumplings with a mirin and soy sauce, as well as creative desserts like Persian lemon, almond, pistachio and polenta cake. Even the wine, coffee and milk are organic.

Various locations; mildreds.co.uk

THE POTION ROOM

FLOWER POWER THE IVY CAFÉ , RICHMOND

To celebrate the Isabella Plantation’s azalea season at Richmond Park, The Ivy Café has boosted its drinks menu with two bespoke floral cocktails.

Created with Kew Organic Gin, both are beautifully fresh and fragrant and can be sipped while admiring a new and Insta-friendly floral installation.

9-11 Hill Street, TW9; theivycaferichmond.com

CUTTER & SQUIDGE

Following the hugely popular Genie’s Cave Afternoon Tea, Cutter & Squidge have conjured up their latest immersive experience, The Potion Room. Join them in adding a dash of magic to sweet treats and tea under the watchful eye of a virtuoso Potion Master.

Guests will concoct their own edible and drinkable potions, before devouring an all-natural afternoon tea.

20 Brewer Street, W1; potionroomlondon.com

WULF AND LAMB

With help from Franco Casolin, formerly of famous veggie Vanilla Blacks, Wulf and Lamb brings creative vegan cuisine to Sloane Square. This minimalist cafe boasts a terrific line up of vegan dishes including the Open Burrito and the mac ‘n’ cashew cheese. Don't leave without picking up a guilt-free treat.

243 Pavilion Road, SW1; wulfandlamb.com

BY CHLOE.

By Chloe. has been making headlines as the new vegan hotspot for fast food. Here you'll find British classics with a twist like fish and chips with crispy tofu. It comes as no surprise that this place has been rammed since day one and is a serious hit with non-vegans too.

34-43 Russell Street, WC2B; eatbychloe.com

HIGH FRYING OT H E R S I D E F R I E D

“Dirty done proper” is the mantra of Other Side Fried who are bringing their buttermilk fried chicken burgers to the eagerly awaiting crowds at Feast Canteen. Signature dishes include the Buffalo Burger and the Honey Butter; each come loaded with tantalising toppings and are available with drool-worthy sides.

Kings Mall, King Street, W6; othersidefried.com

FARMACY

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Farmacy is the sort of venue that wouldn’t look out of place in California. Here you can indulge in nutritional dishes that are satisfying and guilt-free. The Mezze Feast is a sharing platter of dreams and the signature Farmacy Burger is a triumph for the tastebuds.

74 Westbourne Grove, W2; farmacylondon.com

FLYING THE NEST BLUEBIRD CAFÉ

Chelsea landmark and culinary hot-spot for the well-heeled, Bluebird Café has set up sticks in White City. Expect a modern European menu with hero dishes like Nduja crusted yellow fin tuna and spiced king prawns with yoghurt.

2 Television Centre, 101 Wood Lane, W12; bluebirdcafe.co.uk

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Curried Cauliflower & Rye Grain Salad Serves 4 as a side dish

T

his salad is so delicious and a perfect platform for the humble cauliflower.

Our good friend Kobi Ruzicka came up with this a few years back. We didn’t put it on the café menu for a while and then, one day, we found his notes and, well, it was a bit like discovering your favourite toy that you thought you’d lost. Kobi left London and now runs his own restaurant in Hobart – you should look him up if you ever go to Tasmania. Use whatever grain you like, at the café, we use boiled whole rye grain. Cooked spelt or pearl barley also work well – anything with a good, firm bite.

INGREDIENTS • 1 medium head of cauliflower • glug of olive oil • 1–2 teaspoon(s) mild curry powder • 1⁄2 bunch fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped • 1 bunch spring onions • 75 g feta cheese • a good handful of plump raisins • 100–150 g cooked grains such as rye grain, pearl barley or spelt • squeeze of fresh lemon juice • glug of good rapeseed or olive oil • salt and freshly ground black pepper

METHOD 1

SUMMER Salads

Bronte Aurell’s new book ScandiKitchen Summer brings a nordic focus to summer food. Here are some of her favourite salads words BRONTE AURELL p h o t o g r a p h y P E T E R CA S S I DY

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Preheat the oven to 160°C Gas 3.

2 Cut the cauliflower into bite-sized florets. Put the florets in a bowl and toss together with the olive oil, curry powder and salt and pepper to taste. Spread out on a baking tray and roast for about 10 minutes – the cauliflower should be more on the firm side than soft.

3 Meanwhile, place the parsley in a large salad serving bowl. Remove the outer layer from the spring onions and finely slice both the green and white bits at an angle and add to the bowl. Lightly crumble the feta into the same bowl with your fingers and set aside.

4 When the cauliflower slightly cooled, add to the bowl along with the raisins and cooked grains. Stir, then add oil, a squeeze of lemon juice and season to taste.

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FOOD & DRINK • RECIPES

Black Rice & Salmon Salad Serves 4 individual portions or 6–7 as a side dish

B

lack rice lends itself well to being used cold in salads.

It is known sometimes as ‘forbidden rice’, and sometimes as ‘black venus rice’. It has a hard husk and a great bite to it – and, of course, a wonderful dark colour.

INGREDIENTS • 200 g uncooked black rice • 1 cucumber • 1 green apple • 1 shallot, finely chopped • squeeze of lemon juice • 1 bunch of fresh dill, chopped • 2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley • 1 tablespoon freshly chopped mint (optional) • 150 g/51⁄2 oz. hot-smoked salmon

Dressing • 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar • 4 tablespoons good quality olive or rapeseed oil • 1 tablespoon honey • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice (plus extra as needed) • salt and freshly ground black • pepper

Raw Courgette Salad

with Västerbotten Cheese Serves 2–3

A

t the café we love using uncooked courgettes in different types of salads; this one in particular looks really pretty on the plate. We use Västerbotten cheese at the café, but you can also substitute with pecorino or any similar aged cheese. It’s the saltiness of the cheese that really lifts the raw courgette – and with the dressing as well as the nuts, it makes for a really lovely side dish.

INGREDIENTS • 50 g flaked/slivered almonds • 2 medium-sized courgettes • 1 small bunch of rocket (or other strongflavoured salad leaves of your choice) • 50 g Västerbotten cheese, shaved (or use a good pecorino instead)

Fo r t h e d r e s s i n g • 3 tablespoons olive oil • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice • 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar • 1⁄4 teaspoon Dijon mustard • 1 teaspoon sugar • salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 Rinse the black rice a few times, then bring to the boil in a large pan of water. Cook until al dente following the packet instructions. (It can take about 30 minutes to cook).

METHOD 1 Lightly toast the almonds over a gentle heat in a dry frying pan/skillet and set aside.

2 Shave the courgettes into thin strips lengthways. You can use a mandoline for this, or a flat metal cheese plane also works well. You want long, thin flat strips.

3 Place the courgette/zucchini strips in a big bowl, then add the leaves and mix gently. Add the cheese and fold in.

4 Combine the dressing ingredients in a small bowl, whisk well and season to taste. This salad doesn’t need much dressing, so don’t pour it all on at once – taste as you go along.

5 Scatter the toasted almonds on top of the salad and serve at once.

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FOOD & DRINK • RECIPES Dressing • 3 generous tablespoons good quality mayonnaise • 3 tablespoons buttermilk • 1 tablespoon icing sugar • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard • 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar (only if needed) • 1⁄2 teaspoon celery salt • 1 teaspoon grated fresh horseradish or horseradish sauce • salt and freshly ground black pepper

To s e r v e 3 spring onions, sliced 50 g toasted, chopped walnuts 30–35 g pumpkin seeds 1 Place the shredded white and red cabbage in a large bowl. Finely slice the red onion into half rounds, and then grate (or julienne, if you can be bothered) the carrots and add both to the bowl.

In another bowl, mix together the water, white wine vinegar, icing sugar and salt. Pour over the cabbage, then cover the bowl and shake well. Leave for at least one hour, ideally two – shake it once in a while.

2

3 Press the cabbage free of excess vinegar liquid and leave in a sieve until excess vinegar has drained. The cabbage will now be softer and the onion appear almost a little cooked.

Make sure the vinegar is well pressed out or the end result will be too acidic.

2 Once cooked, rinse well to remove the excess colour. Set aside for a moment and leave to cool.

Slice the cucumber lengthways, then scrape out the seeds and chop into 1/2 cm pieces. Chop the apple into similarly sized small pieces.

3

Add the cucumber, apple and shallot to a serving bowl with a squeeze of lemon juice to keep the apple fresh. Add the cooked and cooled black rice, dill, parsley and mint (if using). Flake in the salmon pieces and mix gently to combine.

4

5 Whisk together the dressing ingredients in a small bowl and season to taste. Pour the dressing over the salad and stir. Do adjust the seasoning once you have done this – it may need more lemon juice or even a squeeze of lime (this depends on the saltiness of the fish and the sweetness of the apple you have used).

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My Summer Slaw Serves 4–6 as a side dish

I

love coleslaw, I really do, but I detest the gloopy factorymade rubbish that seems to have become standard fare in supermarkets all over. If you ask me, the secret to a good slaw is lightly pickling the cabbage base before adding a punchy, flavourful dressing.

4 Mix together the ingredients for the dressing. Mix the dressing with the slaw and taste – it should be a bit tangy. If not, add a teaspoon extra of vinegar (this depends how much of the pickle juice was pressed out – it is easier to add a bit than remove if too much).

Just before serving, fold in the spring onion and toasted chopped walnuts. Sprinkle over the pumpkin seeds for extra crunch. This coleslaw is extra delicious on days two and three – when it will be pink (if you have used red cabbage).

5

INGREDIENTS • 300 g shredded white and red cabbage • 1 red onion • 2 large (or 3 smaller) carrots • 100 ml plus 1 tablespoon water • 100 ml plus 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar • 3 generous tablespoons icing sugar • 1⁄2 teaspoon salt

R E C I P E S TA K E N F R O M

SCANDIKITCHEN SUMMER

by Bronte Aurell (Ryland, Peters & Small, £16.99)

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FOOD & DRINK • REVIEW

ABSOLUTELY eats out…

“The creamy oysters look spectacular with lemon slices and shallot dressing”

Rick Stein Barnes A slice of laid-back Cornwall beach life in Barnes

FOOD No-fuss seafood done very well

B y MIRIAM CAREY

H

oused in a former stable block on the bank of the River Thames, Rick Stein’s Barnes seafood restaurant is strangely full for a Wednesday lunchtime; Saturdays must see people clamoring for tables. We take our seats, order a glass of rosé and watch the rowers on the river paddle by.

The menu contains Stein’s most iconic dishes such as Dover sole à la meunière, Indonesian seafood curry and salt and pepper prawns.

There is also a fairly extensive

DECOR steak offering for those who don’t fancy something from the sea, although why they’d come here is a mystery.

In terms of drinks, the wine list seems unending and the cocktail menu has been created by the award-winning bartender, Mr Lyan. I imagine that the campari fizz, appleflower bellini and ceylon negroni are ideal coolers on a day much warmer than today.

In the mood for shellfish (and in the right place) I order the Brownsea Island and Gweek oyster selection while my dining partner orders the scallops with truffle butter, wild mushrooms, croutons

Open and airy with unmatched views

PRICE Two courses for £20 or three for £25

VERDICT A must for those looking for a pleasant seafood-centric feast

and chives. The presentation on these decadent dishes does not disappoint. The creamy oysters look spectacular served with lemon slices and shallot dressing and the scallops are an artistic trio in their beautiful shells.

We order the John Dorey Italiano and the chargrilled fillet of sea bass from the main menu. The strong Mediterranean flavours of anchovies, capers, sun blush tomato and olive oil are a good match for the sweet white flesh of the John Dorey. Whereas the tomato and vanilla vinaigrette is a beautifully subtle compliment to the fresh, grilled sea bass.

With produce of this quality and freshness, the skill of the chef is in working to enhance the flavours, rather than overpowering them.

Rick Stein certainly succeeds in this. So often when a restaurant becomes a chain, the quality in food or service can drop. This is not the case at Rick Stein’s first London restaurant, bringing a slice of laid back Cornwall life to the capital. ● RICK STEIN BARNES Tideway Yard, 125 Mortlake High Street, SW14 rickstein.com A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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FOOD & DRINK • EVENT

FOODIES Festival Hungry Londoners, amateur chefs and budding bakers; brace yourself for Foodies Festival 2018

By GEORGIE RUTHERFORD

T “Watch and learn from the pros who will be cooking up a storm in the Chef’s Kitchen”

he UK’s biggest celebration of food and drink is back for another year. Foodie’s Festival returns to the glorious grounds of Syon Park on the 26-28 May with another fantastic bank holiday line up of live music. This year will also mark the launch of a brand new Musicians Against Homelessness music stage that will be raising money for UK-wide homelessness charity, Crisis.

The festival will feature performances from muchloved headliner Toploader and English pop rock band The Hoosiers, as well debuting talented new bands and solo artists.

Alongside this, guests can watch and learn from the pros who will be cooking up a storm in the Chef’s Kitchen. The star studded line up includes Saturday Kitchen host Matt Tebbutt, Great British Bake Off winner Sophie Faldo and MasterChef winner Saliha MahmoodAhmed, to name just a few.

If you’re feeling inspired, get hands on at one of the many workshops, or if you’re feeling competitive enter into the daily Foodies bake off competition in the mouthwatering Chocolate, Cake and Desserts village.

Why not bring the whole family along to this gastronomic Glastonbury as it boasts special classes at the Kid’s Cookery School as well as games, bouncy castles and craft sessions.

If reading this has made your taste-buds tingle and your mouth start to water, then grab your tickets to Foodies - there’s no better place to be this summer.

F O O D I E S F E ST I VA L Syon Park London – 26, 27, 28 May Bank Holiday • Live Music: Sat 26th May – The Hoosiers Sun 2th May - Toploader • Tickets are on sale now at foodiesfestival.com and 0844 9951111 Children aged 12 and under go free on early bird tickets to all Foodies Festivals when accompanied by an adult.

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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40 Years experience “A level of service I believe goes above and beyond.

Thank you Roger!” Louise, W4 • Fully qualified installation professionals • Project managed - design conception to completion • CAD (Computer Aided Design) • A proud member of the KBSA

OSBORNE INTERIORS.APR.indd 1

Call us on: 0208 742 2236 or visit our showroom: 20 Fauconberg Road, Chiswick, London W4 3JY

www.osborne-interiors.co.uk

18/09/2017 16:14

INTERIORS

ELECTRIC DREAMS

SECRET LINEN STORE Secret Linen Store's collaboration with colour expert Sophie Robinson has resulted in this Dazzling Blue bedding set, which is setting a new standard for bright bedrooms . secretlinenstore.com

Aesme Florists 78 • Iconic chairs 84 • The new chintz 88 A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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INTERIORS NOTES

Ideas, designs and styles for your home

By PENDLE HARTE

Sit Soft

ZOFFANY

Bespoke sofa London colloborates with Zoffany on the launch of their new Muse Collection. The furnishings were launched at SLEEP London with the Bespoke Sofa London upholstered in Zoffany's Conway Velvets fabric. zoffany.com

SEASON YOUR SCENT ALESSI

Alessi has launched its ďŹ rst home fragrance selection, designed by Marcel Wanders. Called The Five Seasons, the collection is a love song to nature and available as diffusers, scented candles and room sprays. alessi.com

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INTERIORS • NOTES O

F AV UR

OR

ITE

K PIN ES C PIE NEWGATE Echo - Number Three Wall Clock; £85 black-by-design.co.uk

ECLECTIC INTERIOR A NEW TRIBE

DYNAMIC TWIST

A New Tribe brings together a curated selection of objects from across the globe - Including Milo Made's ceramic planter with geometric shapes. anewtribe.co.uk

PINCH Elan: £POA pinchdesign.com

EDITOR’S PICK

MUUTO

Copenhagen-based brand Muuto is the latest addition to Heal's Designer Collections. The stacked storage systems illustrate the evolving influence of Scandinavian design and innovation.

Modules are versatile yet stylish, and their functionality fits any storage need. muuto.com

BOBBY RABBIT Felt Storage bag; £65 bobbyrabbit.co.uk

PAPIER Danielle Kroll Notebook of Palms; £12.99 papier.com

HAY Moroccan Vase; from £39 hay.dk

MADE Frame; £599 made.com

MAKE A WISH THE CONRAN SHOP

Carl Hansen & Son has launched a unique, specially treated edition of Hans J. Wegner's wooden Wishbone Chair in celebration of his 104th birthday. conranshop.co.uk A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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MARBLEHILL FIREPLACES THE MOST IMPRESSIVE & EXTENSIVE SELECTION OF FIREPLACES IN THE UK

WITH OVER 7 DIFFERENT SHOW AREAS AND MORE THAN 55 MANTELS ON DISPLAY WITH 14 ACTUALLY UNDER FIRE, MARBLE HILL IS ONE OF THE LEADING LONDON SHOWROOMS FOR ALL YOUR FIREPLACE NEEDS. WE ARE CONSTANTLY STRIVING TO SHOWCASE INNOVATIVE AND NEW DESIGNS.

70-72 Richmond Road, Twickenham TW1 3BE

Tel: 020 8892 1488 info@marblehill.co.uk www.marblehill.co.uk

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INTERIORS • DESIGN

Pin

1

PINORAMA H AY. D K

Pinorama is a flexible wall module that helps you organise your everyday life by providing a functional, stylish and versatile storage solution. The perforated metal features a cork backing and offers a wide range of accessories designed to fit onto the metal grid. From £29

ups

1

Absolutely’s favourite wall storage pieces

2

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WIRE MESH NOTICEBOARD B LOCKDESIG N .CO.U K

With its clean lines and minimalist style, this noticeboard's grid design makes it perfect for keeping desk accessories in one place or for making a creative mood board. Hang it in either landscape or portrait position and it's decorative as well as functional. £55

3

PATTERNED PEGBOARD KREISDESIGN.COM

Kreis have updated the practical pegboard concept with the Peg-it-all pegboards that are made from heavyduty birch plywood and feature sturdy holes and pegs along with shelves and pegs of different types all of which slot into the main board giving an endless range of storage options. From £95

4

PEGBOARD B LOCKDESIG N .CO.U K

3

Add a pop of pastel colour to your office, home or studio with Block's Pegboard, a unique and modern way to organise your home or work life.It also acts as the perfect design moodboard in your workspace All Pegboards are supplied with a range of coloured wooden pegs in a mid-century palette.

From £65

5

UTEN.SILO

VITRA .COM

4

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Dorothee Becker designed the practical Uten.Silo organiser in 1969.

The wall-mounted organiser helps keep odds and ends tidy in homes, offices and workshops. Uten.Silo is equipped with clips, hooks and containers of various shapes and sizes, providing practical storage space for all kinds of everyday objects and making it easier to find things. From £235 A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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THE

enchanted FLORIST

From a Victorian railway arch in Shepherd’s Bush, Aesme Flower Studio creates exquisite arrangements using British garden flowers grown on a farm in Hampshire. Absolutely meets Alex Nutting

By NANCY ALSOP

N

ew York is much vaunted as a place that fosters dreams. Few, though, can have been launched into the world quite so fully formed as Alex Nutting’s, and after so brief a spell in that insomniac of a city – its famous sobriquet proving, for her at least, entirely apt. Restless from an uninspiring office job, in 2014 she boarded a plane on a whim to take up a fortnight’s internship at Saipua, a florist in Brooklyn that was busy shaking off all the prescribed rules of formal floristry.

Four years later, she and her sister Jess have together taken up residence in an old railway arch in Shepherd’s Bush, scrubbed up after a decade’s dereliction, as the cavernous studio of their own florist, Aesme. It is where they prepare for their myriad glamorous events and perennial round of (always stylish, probably thanks to them) weddings; it is where they hold their beguilingly titled workshops, such as Fruitful August and French Rococco; and it’s where some 22,000 Instagram disciples follow their every cascading arrangement and perfect posy, doubtless sighing at the beauty, almost as a reflex. Aesme’s trajectory has been a rocketing success, but, as Alex explains, none of it has been the result of the meticulous planning one is always told is requisite for starting a business.

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I N T E R I O R S | FLORISTRY

“When I went to New York, I’d been interested in flower arranging as a hobby, and in a naïve way, I probably thought, ‘oooh, maybe this is something I could do.’ So I did this training with Sarah Ryhanen who is the founder of Saipua, and it threw me into an amazing world. I’d only ever bought flowers in the traditional sense in shops – I had no idea there were studios doing these extraordinary things. Sarah has a farm west of Albany where all her flowers come from – it really opened my eyes to what things could be.”

Fired up from her Brooklyn sojourn, Alex and her sister Jess, who was similarly stuck in an unrewarding job, met for coffee. By the time they drained the contents of their cups, they’d hatched a plan to start a business, and with that crucial milestone dispatched, Alex enrolled in the only traditional floristry training available in the UK. Promptly she realised that she loathed everything about it. “It was so tight and formal!” she says, groaning at the memory of its stiff and stifling cornucopia of rules. “It was flowers by numbers and it went against every reason I’d wanted to pursue it in the first place. It totally suffocated the idea of floristry as an artistic medium, so I left after this first level.”

Happily, the sisters remained committed – perhaps more so – despite the shaky start, resolving instead to look to the source for their education: Mother Nature herself, and more specifically, those gardens whose aesthetics they admired, where nature had been harnessed where strictly necessary, but otherwise permitted the crucial freedom so conspicuously lacking in her training. “We spent six months travelling the country, going to Sissinghurst and Great Dixter and Charleston, and taking notes of all these plants we wanted to grow, having no idea if we could.

Those ran parallel just happened to run parallel with the realisation that we’d have to grow our own plants if we wanted to do this properly.”

Aesme started out in Oxford, where the sisters began incrementally doing friends’ – and then friends’ of friends – weddings. All the while they were busy experimentally planting a patch of garden at Jess’s boyfriend’s family farm in Hampshire, where serendipitously an allotment sized patch of bramble had just come available. “That first year we got loads of sweetpeas, and we were astonished at the difference between using these and using imported flowers. It was a transformative realisation.”

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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Bordered by Kew Gardens and the River Thames, Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club is located in the heart of Richmond. The Clubhouse, with its panoramic views, is an ideal venue for business meetings and special celebrations in our three private function rooms.

For more information please contact recp@rmsgc.co.uk or call 020 8940 1894

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I N T E R I O R S | FLORISTRY

“We don’t place more importance on, say, a rose, than on a gorgeous weed or a vine or a root”

Since then, the garden has expanded, along with the whole Aesme operation (so named as a twist on a character, Esme, in a French novel they both love). The speed with which the sisters have gathered momentum, considering that four years ago both were total neophytes, is astonishing, but is doubtless rooted in their reverence for nature – a respect that isn’t always at the heart of floristry. “We wanted to keep everything connected to the garden,” explains Alex, ruminatively. “We wanted it to be evocative and deeper than just buying pretty things from the flower market, which seemed somehow shallow.

The idea is to connect floristry to horticulture, and to collect ingredients without hierarchy. We don’t place more importance on, say, a rose, than on a gorgeous weed or a vine or a root. It somehow also connects us back to our childhoods, on-off between the city and Wiltshire – our memories are all of the sound of bumble bees, of heat, and long summers full of sensory joys. Oh, and we read ALL of Constance Spry!” The result is astonishingly beautiful; modern yet dripping with romance, that oft-overused word ‘timeless’, and above all, exquisitely painterly.

Quite how radical such commitment to the seasonal and, where possible, the home-grown, is can only really be appreciated when you consider the normal modern parameters of flower selling. Some 90 per cent of consumer-bought bouquets, bunches and blooms hail from Holland’s industrial-sized flower auctions. Alex and Jess have been to see for themselves. “I don’t want to be too damning, because in some ways the Dutch industry is extraordinary – you have these monolithic airport-sized markets of flowers catering to millions. The flowers are imported from across the globe to Holland, auctioned and then brought to Britain. But it has had an affect, insofar as it has killed off the British flower industry, and only now are we seeing a few small scale growers, though it’s hard because there’s not enough land.”

The quality too, inevitably suffers when flowers travel long distances. “You have to consider why we buy flowers,” says Alex thoughtfully. “At its heart, they are as tokens of nature, of what’s going on outside. But for your flowers from the supermarket to last ten days on your table, they have to be refrigerated and covered in chemicals.

They’re toxic really.” She remains optimistic, nonetheless.

Marks and Spencer and Waitrose are, she says, trying to buy more British flowers, while there are good farms in Lincolnshire that can supply in volume.

For her part, along with Jess, Alex has created a pocket in Shepherd’s Bush – via Hampshire – which changes with every nuanced shift in season and is so abundant with garden flowers trailing enticingly that it works a spell of enchantment on all who enter. Not, she says, that it isn’t serious work. “It’s not at all glamorous!” she laughs. “It’s really bloody hard work, bleaching buckets and working insane hours. It’s physical and messy and exhausting. But when we’re in the garden in the sunshine, amongst the wild crazy hedgerows, knowing we’re bring some of that back to the city, suddenly it’s all worth it.” aesme.co.uk

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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CULMAX.indd 1 Absolutely magazine-Maxlight-May 2018.indd 1

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INTERIORS • PRODUCTS MARIMEKKO Helmikka cushion cover, £29.50marimekko.com

ORLA KIELY Linear Stem tomato roman blind, from £68.45 englishblinds.co.uk

ANABEL JAMES Auricula jug, £29.95 annabeljames.co.uk

DE GOURNAY Amazonia wallpaper, £POA degournay.com

THE CONTEMPORARY HOME Teal flower wall plate, £10 tch.net

MIND THE GAP

MARIMEKKO

Tulipa wallpaper, £150 vivalagoon.com

Mynsteri teapot, £75 marimekko.com

IN FULL FLOWER CASADECO Romantic Garden wallpaper, £157.20 per mural selectwallpaper.co.uk

Absolutely’s ultimate floral edit

By P E A R L B OY D

JOHN DERIAN FOR DESIGNERS GUILD The Rose Tuberose, £85 per metre deisgnersguild.com

HEINRICH LOFFELHARDT Porcelain coffee set, £120 nataliawillmott.co.uk

EDITOR’S PICK

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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CHAIR

£16.95; phaidon.com

Phaidon’s new book Chair: 500 Designs That Matter is a dictionary of chair design.

Here are some key pieces

WOOD CHAIR, 1988

MARK NEWSON (1963–)

The W Wood Chair was designed

by Mark Newson for an exhibition in Sydney of chairs made from Australian wood.

Newson's approach to design is not simply to tinker with existing typologies, but to take a lateral look at them and imagine the perfect version.

MIES CHAIR, 1969 ARCHIZOOM ASSOCIATI POLTRONOVA (1969 TO PRESENT)

•

In the 1960s and 1970s, Italy was a melting pot of radical design thinking.

Perhaps most influential in this creative climate was Archizoom, a design studio founded in Florence in 1966. In designing the 1969 Mies chair, Archizoom set out to both honour and critique the larger-thanlife legacy of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, who had passed away that year.

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INTERIORS • DESIGN

HEART CONE CHAIR, 1959 VERNER PANTON (1926-98) VITRA (1960S TO PRESENT)

• During his creative peak in the late

1950s, Verner Panton fused Scandinavian Modernism with a futuristic Pop Art aesthetic, focusing especially on stark geometric forms that set him apart from his Danish peers. The idiosyncratic take on the classic wingback chair derives from Panton's original Cone Chair that arrived a year before and takes its name from the distinctive heart-shaped silhouette of its large, projecting wings.

PEACOCK CHAIR , 1947 HANS WEGNER (1914-2007)

The Peacock Chair was first shown as part of the Living Room for a Yong Family at the 1947 Cabinetmakers' Exhibition in Copenhagen. Wegner launched several spindle-back chairs inspired by the English Windsor chair, often with a unique feature, such as the distinctive back slats that give the Peacock Chair its name.

STITCH CHAIR, 2008 ADAM GOODRUM (1972–) CAPPELLINI (2008 TO PRESENT)

• With his award-winning Stitch Chair,

Australian industrial designer Adam Goodrum was looking to create a folding chair unlike any other – one that could fold completely flat. Made entirely from laser-cut aluminium, with a polished lacquer finish, the Stitch Chair has multiple hinges which allow it to fold and reduce to a mere 15mm thick. It is a fresh take on the folding chair, both fun and practical.

DE LA WARR PAVILION CHAIR, 2006 BARBER & OSGERBY

• When Edward Barber and Jay

Osgerby were commissioned to design a chair for the renovated De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill-on-Sea, they created an innovative aluminium chair that respects the history of the modernist landmark, its rear skid leg referencing the crisp lines of the architecture and its colour a nod to the building's original wooden chairs.

CAFE MUSEUM CHAIR , 1898 ADOLF LOOS (1870-1933) J&J KOHN (1898)

Designed in 1898 for a Viennese coffee house, the Cafe Museum Chair refined a model first developed

by German-Austrian cabinetmaker Michael Thonet in the mid-nineteenth century. Bentwood furniture was light, durable and affordable –practical qualities which make it a perfect choice for commercial spaces.

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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FROM THE SAME TEAM THAT BROUGHT YOU THE AWARD-WINNING THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE

Iolanthe photo: kayyoungphotography.com

By W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan

Gloriously fresh and inventive

Entirely enchanting

A comic pleasure ... Irresistible

The Independent

Time Out - BEST OF THE YEAR 2010

The Guardian - Critic’s Choice

Richmond Theatre

Tue 15 – Sat 19 May 2018 Tue – Sat eves 7:30pm, Wed & Sat mat 2:30pm

0844 871 7651* (fees apply) ATGTICKETS.COM/Richmond* (fees apply) *Calls cost up to 7p per minute, plus your phone company’s access charge.

www.rdww.co.uk

R D WW

A Regan De Wynter Williams Production

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INTERIORS • DESIGN

The Legacy Danish ceramics company: Kähler

“Today, they reinterpret the best from their artistic ceramic heritage ”

T

he story of Kähler begins in 1839, when the Holstein potter Herman J. Kähler opened a small ceramics workshop in the city of Næstved. However, it was not until his son, Herman A. Kähler, took over the workshop in 1875 that the ceramics adventure gathered speed.

With production of international art ceramics, the groundwork was laid for one of the greatest successes in Danish ceramics history. With handicraft experience passed down from generation to generation and great insight into the versatile moulding potential of clay, Kähler has now been at the cutting edge of Danish ceramic art for more than one hundred years.

Since its foundation in 1839, Kähler has been showing its works of art at exhibitions and museums all over the world, and the vision is to restore Kähler as an

internationally acclaimed ceramic workshop with a strong artistic inheritance.

Today, they take the best from their artistic ceramic heritage and interpret it in a contemporary light. The results are promising new ceramics with broad appeal in a timeless idiom, yet individually interpreted.

One hundred years ago, highly respected artists such as Thorvald Bindesbøll, Svend Hammershøj and Kai Nielsen explored ceramics at Kähler. Today, Louise Campbell, Bjørn Poulsen and Jeanette List Amstrup carry on the tradition, with the ambition of bringing art to the people.

Kähler Design’s Hammershøi Teapot won in the Household/Tableware category of the 2017 iF Design Awards, elected by a 63-member jury made up of independent experts from all over the world. The teapot has a modern idiom, decorative brassplated handle and a built-in strainer that controls the pouring speed and filters out the tealeaves. It is a beautiful and functional designer product created in accordance with historical principles of design and tea-brewing. Kähler’s Hammershøi range is designed by Hans-Christian Bauer who draws his inspiration from the original works by Svend Hammershøi for the Kähler workshop in the early 20th century.

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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Cheap as

CHINTZ

How House of Hackney is reviving the dreaded chintz

By GEORGIA MCVEIGH

90

A

s the brand once described as “Colefax & Fowler on acid”, it’s safe to expect a whacky and controversial new range from House of Hackney.

And it doesn’t disappoint, the SS18 collection is breathing fresh life into classic chintz patterns. Bold prints, fantastic florals and a smattering of foliage are the direction of this range; House of Hackney have taken the classic British country house interior and turned it into a kaleidoscopic visionary assault.

Bad connotations surround the word “chintz”. The 1980s turned the luxurious patterns that first took root in Britain in the 17th century into something old fashioned and, looking back, ugly. But House of Hackney’s approach to the classic design is anything but. For a start, it adds the

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INTERIORS • FOCUS

splashes of colour that have so long been absent from the washed out autumnal browns associated with retirement homes.

High-octane palettes of lime, chartreuse, fuchsia pink, ochre yellow and azure blue are played off against lilac greys, rich carob-brown and tobacco, putting it into a colour-filled league of its own. Birds feature heavily, too, and the ornithological designs provide yet more opportunity to experiment with colour ranges.

The driving force behind the company, husband and wife team Javvy M Royle and Frieda Gormley conceived the basis for House of Hackney from around their kitchen table, and started with a shared passion for the designs of textile designer, poet, novelist and social activist William Morris. Royle and Gormley’s designs echo the intricate, almost psychedelic patterns found in Morris’ work, using this as a springboard to explore their own revival of the classically uncluttered chintz designs.

It works on themes: there’s the

“A sensory assault bringing the exotic into the everyday” perennial favourite “Artemis”, reworked into a brilliant azure for the new season to create a bold and bright take on the psychedelic floral originally inspired by pioneering fashion designer Diana Vreeland. Then there’s “Aurora”, adding a touch of the exotic with its pink and intricately detailed florals and birds; “Sebra” with its iconic tiger – the list goes on. Each of these themes includes touches of different cultures, the oriental, the exotic, the tribal, bringing them together under the umbrella term of “chintz”, which was originally associated with the

English country house but is now revived by House of Hackney to represent so much more.

While wallpapers remain the nucleus of its designs, House of Hackney has also incorporated a range of furniture to complement and enhance. It boasts complementing wallpapers in British linen and velvet, curtains, lighting and cushions; plus a new porcelain Cockatoo lampstand to continue with the avian direction.

If this wasn’t enough, the ethos behind the company remains outstanding. Its quirky designs are all made in England, and the whole collection is crafted with principles of local, fair employment and low waste production in mind. House of Hackney’s sensory assault is hard to ignore, successfully bringing the exotic into the everyday. If their reworking and resurrection of chintz is anything to go by, it means we have a lot to look forward to from them in the future. houseofhackne y.com A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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CURTAIN CALL

INSPIRED INTERIORS

Our redesigned and extended showroom is now open, incorporating a large Luxaflex design studio showing the latest motorised blinds, nestled alongside nearly new curtains and a huge choice of fabrics to be made to measure as curtains and blinds

Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-5.30pm • Sat 10am-6pm Evenings by appointment 52 Friars Stile Road, Richmond, Surrey TW10 6NQ 020 8332 6250 • curtaincall@blueyonder.co.uk

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TERENCE CONRAN DESIGNED ASTER SOFA

GRACE 4'6" OTTOMAN

MILAN DOLLY

DUNLOPILLO

Dunlopillo Royal Sovereign, Orchid and Millennium mattresses have been awarded Which? Best Buy for 2017 & 2018.

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WWW.DANIELSTORES.CO.UK

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INTERIORS • STYLE

MY ST YLE Bridie Hall, decorative artist and co-founder of Pentreath & Hall pentreath-hall.com BRIDIE HALL

MY FAVOURITE BUILDING… is the Rustic Temple in the Walled Garden of Houghton Hall designed by Julian and Isabel Bannerman

Colour is at the very heart of everything Bridie produces. Formerly a specialist painter of interiors, she has continued to keep up the practice through her homeware range.

MY FAVOURITE PIECES FROM THE CURRENT COLLECTION… are The End of Day Confetti Turned Lamps. The strengthened glass columns are painted by me, then assembled with unfinished brass top and bottom plates. Over time the brass will develop a mellow patina.

MY FAVOURITE DESIGNER… is Italian Architect Gio Ponti, especially his painted ceramics.

P

entreath & Hall is one of the most unusual and exciting shops in London, in a quiet street of beautiful early Georgian houses in Bloomsbury. Catching a glimpse of the traditionally painted, glossy black shop front and painted glass sign is enough to tempt many passersby, where they discover an Aladdin’s cave of antiques, new homewares, and Pentreath & Hall’s growing range of exclusive decorative items. Ben is an architectural and interior designer. Bridie is a decorative artist and maker. They are creating a new British tradition that respects the past in the shop that they have run together since 2008.

MY FAVOURITE HOLIDAY DESTINATION… is La Gazelle D’or, Morocco, Taroudant

MY STYLE ICON… is artist Maurizio Cattelan

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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DISCOVERMORE

Embracing an innovative, modern approach whilst keeping traditional values at its core, Kew House School takes an exciting stance on 21st century education. With state-of-the-art facilities, a broad curriculum and excellent pastoral care, Kew House is a place where you would want to be – a place of learning and discovery, laughter and friendship.

Open Days Wed 2nd May th November 1stat /79:15am (9.30am/ 9.30am) Mon 25th June at 9:15am

th st November (7.00pm/ 9.30am) Fri 29th June15 at /21 9:15am

November 29th (9.30am)

Please book your place online.

Currently recruiting into the Sixth Form with a new Sixth Form Centre opening in 2017.

T: 0208 742 2038 E: info@kewhouseschool.com W: www.kewhouseschool.com An independent co-educational senior school for students aged 11-18 in West London

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@kewhouseschool

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KIDS & EDUCATION

STREETS AHEAD

MARC JACOBS Daring designs with cool credentials defines Marc Jacobs' SS18 for tots.

Think skater chic with an 80s vibe. childrensalon.com

Small Talk 97 · Education: How the rules of the playing field help revision

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RAVENSCOURT PARK

preparatory school

An Independent School for Boys and Girls aged 4-11 Quality of Pupils’ Achievement and Learning - “Excellent” Quality of Teaching - “Excellent”

Quality of Extra-curricular Provision - “Excellent” Quality of Pastoral Care - “Excellent”

Quality of Links with Parents - “Excellent”

Quality of Pupils’ Personal Development – “Excellent” ‘’The curriculum is excellent for all ages and abilities, and is expertly matched to meet the needs of the range of pupils in the school.’’

Independent Schools Inspectorate Report - March 2016

Open Mornings Open Mornings

9.15am Tuesday 14th November 3rd May at 9.15am 14th June at 9.15am 9.15am Thursday 18th January 2018 9.15am Thursday 1st February 2018

To register your attendance at one of our open mornings, To register your attendance at one of our open mornings, please phone 020 846 9153 or mail secretary@rpps.co.uk please phone 0208 846 9153 or mail secretary@rpps.co.uk

Ravenscourt Park Prep School 16 Ravenscourt Avenue, London W6 0SL

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KEW GREEN preparatory school

An Independent School for Boys and Girls aged 4-11 Quality of Pupils’ Achievement and Learning - “Excellent” Quality of Teaching - “Excellent”

Quality of Extra-curricular Provision - “Excellent” Quality of Pastoral Care - “Excellent”

Quality of Links with Parents - “Excellent”

Quality of Pupils’ Personal Development – “Excellent” “Pupils of all ages benefit from a rich and exciting curriculum.”

Independent Schools Inspectorate Report - July 2015

Open Morning Open Mornings

9.15am Wednesday, 15th 9.15am Wednesday 9thNovember May 9.15am Wednesday, 17th January 9.15am Wednesday 13th June2018 9.15am Wednesday, 7th February 2018

To register your attendance at one of our open mornings, To register your attendance at one of our open mornings, please phone 020 8948 5999 or mail secretary@kgps.co.uk please phone 020 8948 5999 or mail secretary@kgps.co.uk

Kew Green Preparatory School

Layton House, Ferry Lane, Kew Green, Richmond TW9 3AF

www.kgps.co.uk KGPS.indd 1

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16/04/2018 17:41

KIDS & EDUCATION • NOTES B RA N D F O CU S

Father and son

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C

SMALL TALK Design-led furniture, fun with numbers and fashion made easy

MINI STYLING

EDITOR’S PICK

M U D DY C R E AT U R E S

Muddy Creatures takes the effort out of shopping for kids by delivering a box of handpicked and hard-to-source brands (tailored to your kids’ style, needs and age) direct to your door. You only pay for what you keep.

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hildren’s furniture and toys” is how Uuio defines itself online – a spare, straightforward description that both reflects the German brand’s minimalist ethos and belies the beguiling nature of its products.

Design is at the heart of the Uuio project, which began with an effort to reimagine the humble high chair. The result, which forms one part of the broader Uuio SIB furniture concept, is a modern masterpiece combining a classic form with high-end materials and functional simplicity.

The remainder of the collection is just as enticing – from Uuio TRE, an arboreal spin on building blocks hewn from solid oak, to Uuio ONN, a multicoloured wool rug made in Germany from completely natural fibres. But our current favourite is Uuio VII, a child’s bed crafted from oak and featuring a softly angular design and fun yellow struts under the mattress. The effect is one of playful dynamism, albeit a dynamism of the most stylish sort. Available in two sizes, it’s soon to be reworked as a daybed – which we’re sure we’ll be seeing all over Pinterest and Instagram before the summer is out... shop.uuio.de

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5 WILD NUMBERS

Clarks Originals has launched its first-ever collection for tiny feet. The Mini Me Icons features three of the classics perfectly recreated in a series of muted colours in kids’ sizes 5-2.5. From £45; clarks.co.uk

We love Bella Gomez’s new board book, which uses clever paper engineering to help young ones learn to count from one to five – all in the company of some very fetching wild animals. £9.99; foyles.com A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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HEAD

S PA C E Is creating a beautiful setting enough to guarantee a harmonious and happy home life with a family? Probably not.

Absolutely seeks some assistance from the School of Life

Illustration PHIL COUZENS Wo r d s P E N D L E H A R T E

I

mages of beautiful family homes can be seen everywhere. Small children are artfully stumbling down stairs, their hair cutely dishevelled. Breakfast tables feature stylishly mismatched crockery, the crumby remains of a meal scattered elegantly. Sofas have cushions intact. A single pair of shoes is neatly arranged in a hallway. Throws are casually tossed across flawlessly made beds. Swathes of well-ordered space is shot from all angles. If a visitor from another planet were to flick through the pages of a magazine, they’d think humans lived in flawless spaces with decorative objects tastefully displayed on shelves in groups of three.

But here are some of the things you never see on Instagram. The total kitchen devastation caused by children baking cakes.

Abandoned towels on the floor. Messy piles of dog-eared leaflets. Shelves of tatty books arranged with no regard for size or colour. Yesterday’s coffee cups. Discarded shoes, especially muddy ones, or lone ones. Unfinished craft projects too big for the cupboard. The detritus of family life requires endless clearing up, throwing away, sorting out, and that is, ultimately, what home means.

The key to a happy home life, according to the School of Life, can’t be found in a new rug or in matching towels or even in a loft conversion.

Happiness comes through emotional intelligence, nurtured through ideas and discussion, and it is entirely immune to the colour of your walls. The reality of family life comprises arguments, sulking, irrational behaviour, door slammingand general

emotional volatility – is this what we’re trying to tame with our storage solutions and our careful lighting?

If home is a state of mind, how can we achieve the serene yet characterful home life implied by all the heavily styled images?

The School of Life, Alain de Botton’s centre for the pursuit of emotional intelligence, has a few tools to offer. Many of them are simply conversation starters – but they’re very well thought out (not to mentioned elegantly packaged, so they also work as decorative objects for shelves). We start with 100 Questions: Family Edition, which is a simple box of cards, each featuring a leading question that can apply to all ages. It’s designed to be an improvement on this familiar exchange: “How was school today darling?” “Fine.” “Did anything interesting happen?” “No.” “What did you have for lunch?” “I can’t remember. Stop asking me things.” Instead, here are ‘100 carefully composed questions designed to get you into imaginative, thought-provoking conversations between children and adults’, neatly packaged ‘for families who enjoy lively discussions and meaningful conversations,’ it says.

It’s pitched to be revealing, rather than exposing, and to appeal to all ages.

In my household, everyone is keen to play. First question: ‘If you had to join someone else’s family, whose would you choose?’ Ouch. This could easily lead to one of our oft-revisited rows which begins with the recrimination: “Stella’s mother would never put spinach in macaroni cheese. I wish I lived with her.”

But happily the ensuing conversation is remarkably civilised, leading seamlessly into the following cards: What’s the best thing about your family? And the

“WHAT ARE WE TRYING TO TAME WITH OUR STYLISH STORAGE SOLUTIONS?”

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KIDS & EDUCATION • FAMILY LIFE

worst? Again, getting quite close to the bone but without actually bruising anything or slamming any doors. Answers to ‘The best way to get me to do something I don’t want to do is…’ are predictable, involving money and chocolate, while more widereaching questions reveal heartfelt convictions about plastic in the oceans and global consumption and waste. Soon we’re in an intense and wide-reaching discussion spanning capital punishment, the value of learning maths, artificial intelligence, the existence of God and whether parenting should be strict. Each of us learns something new about each family member, whether it’s the smell they most associate with school or their best ever dream. Further questions include: ‘What makes you feel lonely?’ ‘How strict will you be as a parent?’ ‘What would be the best job in the world?’ ‘Describe your ideal school day’, and the devastating: ‘Do you think your parents and siblings spend too much time on phones/computers?’

While we’re shopping at the School of Life – and on the subject of time spent on phones – we’re distracted by a stylish glass sand timer with enough yellow sand to mark out 15 minutes. This is another row-abater. When our youngest refuses to address her homework, we instate a 15-minute rule. Screen time can come in 15-minute increments. So can question time. And quiet time. And tidying up time. Soon we're almost living to a timetable. This doesn’t work for everything: 15 minutes is long for toothbrushing, showering and the naughty step.

Needless to say, the curvy timer looks nice on a shelf too.

Ultimately, creating a lovely space for your family to inhabit is important, but it needs to be filled with what the Germans might call ‘lebensinhalt’ – literally, life content. (The School of Life also has a whole set of cards on the subject of German untranslatable words, but that’s another conversation).

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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Hawkesdown House School

For Boys & Girls aged 3 to 11 years

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EDUCATION • FOCUS

KING’S WIMBLEDON PUPILS AIMING HIGH

CHANCE A educational expert says the rules of the playing field can help with successful revision

By TIM WILBUR

F

or some 20 years, I spent my time at the chalk-face preparing literally thousands of youngsters for GCSEs and A-Levels. From the early 1980s onwards, I began to deliver homilies on revision technique. Interestingly, these were drawn more from my experience coaching school sport to the very highest level than teaching itself. I have long believed in the crucial connection between the playing field and the classroom.

My favourite sporting adage was that to be good, one needed

physical ability, high levels of relevant skill and the correct temperament. To be better than good, one needed to have these three facets perfectly balanced.

If this is transferred to revision, the skill in question is the revision process, and in modern parlance, the other two might constitute ‘well-being’. The truth remains, however, that to revise successfully requires far more than cramming knowledge for the fateful day.

It requires a lifestyle and commitment.

Most good revision guides will suggest a variety of ways for

Break your day down into three sessions of 90 minutes

A Sporting

knowing and understanding the material; two very different concepts. The strategy is to balance the competing demands on an individual’s time in the period before a major exam. The vital interests to be balanced are: Revision, Relaxation and Rest – the three Rs. The good news for those revising is that the process is limited and achievable. There is absolutely no way the average student can concentrate for more than the five teaching hours that constitute a normal day. I would suggest further that this should be broken down into three sessions of 90 minutes, with a 10 minute break mid-way.

However, as stated this is only a third of the story. The concept of ‘healthy body, healthy mind’ has, as always, a lot to recommend it.

Thus, the relaxation component does not mean one should be supine; that is the ‘R’ for rest.

Physical activity of any sort, even a brisk 10-minute walk, will suffice to increase stimulation. There is also no reason for an adolescent to compromise on a much-needed eight-plus hours of sleep. In fact, if the candidate plans their revision well, every other aspect of their normal life should find room for itself. There is room to find time to eat healthily, meet up with friends, visit the dreaded internet, etc. If the person can ‘balance’ they can succeed. The other good news is that successful revision does not have to be a seven day a week endeavour; plan days off.

It goes without saying that the process needs to start early. If the student has all the materials necessary for revision, the process can be narrowed to six weeks.

At the end of my examination coaching spiel, I liked to ruin the moment by asking the immortal question ‘Is that not how you live your life anyway?’ The quality and quantity of the derisory scowls used to tell me whether I had hit the nail

TIM WILBUR is Director of School Consultancy at Gabbitas Education

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MUSICAL YOUTH Reporting from the Gardener Schools Group’s recent inaugural orchestra day

The benefits of spending a whole day on music are immense

By CARL HOWES

W

hether you were pounding the drums for Ravel’s Bolero or leading the violins during Beethoven’s 5th, doing your very best was at the centre of the collaboration of our three schools.

Youngsters of seven played confidently and happily alongside students studying music at A-Level. This was a day to remember and reminded us what we are all about.

There are some pieces of music that are instantly recognisable from the first couple of bars, and the opening four notes of Beethoven’s iconic Fifth Symphony certainly qualifies for this category. This

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was one of the pieces chosen for the inaugural orchestra day for the three schools of the Gardener Schools Group, comprising Kew Green Preparatory School, Ravenscourt Park Preparatory School and Kew House School. Each school orchestra had rehearsed their repertoire separately over the course of the spring term and the three schools met on Monday 5 March at Kew House School to join together under the direction of Mr James Blair MBE, a renowned conductor and the artistic director and leader of The Young Musicians’ Symphony Orchestra. This was the first opportunity for children from the three schools to collaborate on a project, and pupils, parents and teachers alike were very excited about the potential that the day offered.

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EDUCATION • PROMOTION

The benefits of spending a whole day focusing on music are immense.

It reinforces the values of persistence and perseverance which is key to the Growth Mindset approach that we embrace within our schools of always striving to improve, responding positively to expert coaching and feedback. Rather than attempting to fit a rehearsal into the usual 45 minutes before school on a Friday morning, we were able to take the time to concentrate on individual sections of the music and work on them to improve significantly the quality of performance. Add to that the wealth of research that shows the improved language abilities, increased emotional resilience, empathy, attention span and self-confidence that a music education brings, and devoting a full day to music is time very well spent.

The full day’s workshop also provided the children with the opportunity to collaborate with others that they hadn’t met before, across a much wider age range than they would normally encounter: our youngest performer was seven years old and our oldest pupil was 16, enabling the older pupils to act as role models and as a source of inspiration to the younger ones. In addition

to the teamwork skills that are developed by playing in an ensemble, there were also plenty of opportunities to make new friends over a game of table football or table tennis between rehearsals.

We were privileged to have James Blair’s expert coaching and direction during the day. Joining together three orchestras that had only ever rehearsed separately to play together as one is no mean feat and there was plenty of work to be done. James quickly identified the areas that needed the most work and he was able to communicate to all levels of musical ability what we should be listening for. His calm, patient and methodical approach paid off and it was impressive to witness the progress that the orchestra made.

Following a delicious cream tea in the new Sixth Form Centre at Kew House School, the day culminated in a special concert for parents, grandparents and other invited guests. In addition to the performance of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, the combined orchestras played The Brudenell Waltz by David Bellwood which enabled the pupils to choose from a selection of variations to

the original melody, ensuring that each performance was unique. Each school orchestra also contributed a piece they had rehearsed on their own: Kew Green played Beethoven’s Ode to Joy, Ravenscourt Park performed Ravel’s Bolero and Kew House School chose Symphony No. 1 in G major by Joseph Bologne. These were intertwined with some outstanding solo performances. The variety of instruments was impressive – the orchestra included two harpists, a bassoonist and a double bassist as well as a full complement of strings, brass and woodwind – and so was the level of musicianship shown by the children.

It was a real treat for the audience and a tremendous experience for the performers.

As the children were leaving with their parents with the melodies from the concert still fresh in their heads, it was typical of the dedication of the respective Heads of Music from the three schools that a conversation had already begun about what the next joint venture might be!

CA R L H OW E S Headmaster Ravenscourt Park Preparatory School

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FLORENCE ·

CHICAGO ·

COPENHAGEN ·

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TRAVEL

OLD MEETS NEW MUNICH

From Mediterranean street cafes to Mitteleuropa beer halls, highbrow art, high-tech industry and traditional charm, we discover it all in the unofficial southern capital of Germany

Traditional meets innovative in Munich

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Caribbean Dream 110 A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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MUNICH OLD TOWN

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TRAVEL • WANDERLUST

THE CITY OF DREAMING SPIRES Tradition meets innovation in an action-packed city break to Munich

By J OY M O N TG O M E RY

E

verything in Munich comes back to beer. After all, the city’s name derives from the Old German term munichen, meaning ‘by the monks’, which refers to the beerbrewing Benedictine fathers who ran the monastery that later become the Old Town. Fast-forward to the present day and every summer sees seven million lederhosen-clad revellers swarm to the city for the iconic beer festival, Oktoberfest.

The monks would be proud.

This time-honoured love for ‘liquid bread’ is one of many examples of old meeting new in Munich. The contrast between past and present, tradition and innovation is a continual theme. We make it our mission to discover both sides of this vibrant city.

HOME COMFORT S

W

e’re staying at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, conveniently located down a quiet street in the heart of Munich’s Old Town. Built in 1880, the site originally housed a grand ballroom before becoming a hotel in 1990. Ten years later, it was taken over by the Mandarin Oriental Group, and in 2015 received an extensive refurbishment, unveiling a new entrance area, bar, restaurant and lobby lounge.

The hotel expertly combines traditional Bavarian elegance with the high-end luxury of a contemporary fivestar establishment. The lobby boasts a sweeping staircase, wrapped around a dramatically lit central column, while to the left, a plush lounge area presents the perfect setting for a cosy afternoon tea, with elegant furnishings and a

seasonal art exhibition. Our room, meanwhile, features cherry wood furnishings, parquet floor, Oriental rug and panoramic views over the city’s rooftops, it is opulent yet homely, modern without trying too hard. It also provides the perfect base from which to explore the city sights.

T R ADIT IONAL C H AR M

S

teeped in history, the winding, cobbled streets of Munich tell a story at every turn. The best way to bring these narratives to life is to join a walking tour, and we link up with Veloso Tours and local guide Sabina. We start out at the Hofbräuhaus, one of Munich’s most famed beer halls. Located seconds from the hotel, this local establishment dates back to the 16th century and is a must for soaking up some Bavarian charm. Picture soaring vaulted ceilings painted with elaborate murals, thigh-slapping live music and long wooden tables groaning with brimming steins and caveman-sized joints of meat.

With over 80% of the buildings destroyed during World War II, the city is made up of an incredible melting pot of architectural styles. We take a short walk from the beer hall to the Marienplatz, the city’s main square since 1158, which still houses the city council and Mayor’s office. The impressive Neo-Gothic New Town Hall dominates the landscape, tall spires piercing the grayscale skies, while to the east is the whitewashed exterior of the Old Town Hall.

When it comes to museums in Munich, you are spoilt for choice. A quick 15 minutes from Marienplatz, is the unmissable Residenz Schatzkammer, one of Europe’s most magnificent treasuries. Housing the contents of the Palatinate treasury from Heidelberg, Düsseldorf and Mannheim, magpies will love exploring the jewelA B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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OAK AGED PARQUET

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TRAVEL • WANDERLUST

CHINA MOON ROOFTOP

encrusted corridors, glinting with all manner of fantastical treasures. Keep an eye out for the travelling set owned

by Empress Marie Louise of France, which contains cleverly disguised secret compartments and more than 120 items, including a dinner service for two, sewing implements, screwdriver and dentist’s instruments.

A day of exploration would not be complete without a traditional Bavarian feast, and Spatenhaus an der Oper hits the spot nicely. With breath-taking views of the Residenz, the restaurant offers plenty of local allure with its panelled ceiling and waiters clad in traditional dress. For the authentic experience, make sure to order the roasted pork knuckle or Bavarian duck, both served with a sumptuous cabbage salad and traditional potato dumplings.

CONTEMPORARY COOL

T

he Maximilianstrasse, Munich’s answer to the Champs-Élysées, is a moment from the ancient grandeur of the Residenz, and offers an impressive array of designer fashion: Chanel, Valentino, Dior, Bulgari, you name it.

MANDARIN ORIENTAL

BAR 31

Construction of Mystery’ exhibition, which runs until 10 June. Boasting never-beforeseen acquisitions from across the globe, the show primarily follows Klee’s Bauhaus years and his path as a ‘thinking artist’.

Klee’s detailed, small-scale works offer glimpses into his whimsical worlds, where understanding and feeling, construction and intuition are held in perfect balance. It’s a thought-provoking and beautifully curated collection.

For contemporary dining in Munich, you can’t do better than the Mandarin Oriental’s in-house restaurant Matsuhisa.

From internationally celebrated chef Nobuyuki (Nobu) Matsuhisa, the restaurant serves innovative JapanesePeruvian fusion cuisine, with particular emphasis on seafood. Highlights include yellowtail jalapeno, made with tender yellowtail sashimi and topped with garlic purée, and the black cod miso, featuring Alaskan black cod marinated in sweet soy paste and garnished with Hajikami. The deceptively simple spinach salad with dry miso is another winner, delivering a punch with decadent flavours of Parmesan and truffle oil.

As our final evening draws to a close, we enjoy a moment of calm on the Mandarin Oriental’s China Moon roof

“Magpies will love exploring the jewelencrusted corridors, glinting with all manner of fantastical treasures” It reveals a different side to the city. Woven between the towering churches and historic beer halls, modern Munich exists as a buzzing hub, where young people enjoy all the mod cons of a cosmopolitan city.

To get a taste of local living, away from the crowds of the city centre, explore the streets around the universities Schellingstrasse, Türkenstrasse and Theresienstrasse. Think of it as your go-to for stylish fashion boutiques, independent coffee shops and happening bars. Quirky concept store Kauf Dich Glücklich is great for unique finds, while hidden gem Café Vorhölzer is essential for Sunday brunch with a view. As the night draws in, head to James T. Hunt for plenty of buzzy atmosphere and delicious cocktails.

Modern Munich isn’t just about hipster cafes, however. Located a 20 minutes walk from the Old Town, Pinakothek der Moderne is a veritable cathedral of contemporary art, with a central, lightflooded space encircling a soaring, celestial dome. We’re here to see the new ‘Paul Klee:

terrace which during the summer months plays host to a restaurant, open-air pool and stunning 360-degree views of the skyline.

Up above the spires and bustling streets, the city unfurls beneath us. We spot the iconic twin domes of Munich Cathedral, proudly visible due to city law that forbids anyone from building above it. Fittingly perhaps, the Mandarin Oriental is the highest rooftop in the Old Town and the only one with an unobstructed 360 degree view. Together they represent the two sides to Munich - the old and the new - both framed against the snow-capped Alpine horizon.

M A N DA R I N O R I E N TA L Rates for Mandarin Oriental, Munich start from EUR 525 per room per night (approx. GBP 470) For more information or to make a booking, please call +49 89 290 980 or visit mandarinoriental.com/munich

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“White and powder blue interiors blend seamlessly with an unmatched view of sky, sea and tropical palms”

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TRAVEL • WANDERLUST

Caribbean

DREAM We’re soaking up the sun at the romantic and relaxing, Jamaica Inn W o r d s T A M A R VA N D E R H O E K

F

SINCE 1950, JAMAICA INN HAS RANKED AMONG THE TOP LUXURY HOTELS IN THE CARIBBEAN THE PRIVATE JAMAICA BEACH RESORT IS NEVER CROWDED

rom the moment you arrive at the Jamaican Inn, the rest of the world feels far away. The open-plan reception alone is enough to oust all thought of the nine-to-five with white and powder blue interiors blending seamlessly with an unmatched view of sky, sea and tropical palms blowing in the breeze. “Welcome.” We are greeted by the friendly staff - their hospitality as warm as the Jamaican climate, and take a sip of the hotel’s signature Planters Punch cocktail.

And relax - we've arrived in paradise.

Despite its Ocho Rios location - bang smack in the cruise capital of Jamaica, with 2,000 passengers stopping off each day - there is not a crowd in site at the privately owned Jamaica Inn. The hotel has a conservative 47 rooms which are spread throughout two buildings and seven cottages. This, coupled with a private beach that stretches across the length of the resort means there is no morning rush to reserve a seaside lounger. The accommodation is equally as spectacular as the landscape; each suite is tastefully styled without TVs, radios or clocks to intrude on rest. But if you really must take a peak at emails, there is no need to worry about expensive roaming charges with complimentary Wifi within reach of every room. Not compromising on personal outdoor space, the suites also come with a balcony or verandah, complete with a full-size sofa and breakfast table to take in the panoramic views.

Established in 1958, Jamaica Inn is celebrating its diamond jubilee this year and is steeped in history. It quickly became the jet-set destination of the 50s and 60s, where Hollywood aristocracy would party with British nobility.

It comes as no surprise then that silver screen siren Marilyn Monroe and Winston Churchill chose this as their place to retreat. Both stayed in the original premier offering of the White Suite, a large room situated on its own private peninsula, where breathtaking vistas of the Caribbean Sea can be seen from anywhere within the 2,000 square feet of living space. By the reception A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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ALL ALLASPECTS ASPECTSOF OFHOME HOMEREFURBISHMENT REFURBISHMENT KITCHEN, KITCHEN,BATHROOMS BATHROOMS&&BEDROOMS BEDROOMS Renovating RenovatingInteriors InteriorsSince Since1985 1985 www.bellainteriors.co.uk www.bellainteriors.co.uk T 020 T 020 8332 8332 9898 9898 / F/ 020 F 020 8332 8332 9777 9777 / E/ sales@bellainteriors.co.uk E sales@bellainteriors.co.uk / 137 / 137 Kew Kew Road Road Richmond.

Richmond.

Surrey Surrey TW9 TW9 2PN. 2PN.

JANUARY SALE – SEE IN STORE FOR DETAILS

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TRAVEL • WANDERLUST STAFF ARE ALWAYS ON HAND EITHER AT THE BAR OR HAMMOCK-SIDE

ROOMS ARE SPACIOUS, IMPECCABLE AND TASTEFUL

The beach is patrolled by the resident black labrador Shadow IV - the fourth incarnation for the Jamaica Inn and just as popular with the guests as her predecessors.

Along with the domesticated pet resident, Jamaica Inn’s seaside plays host to a variety of marine and land wildlife, including birds, fish and most famously, sea turtles. Known to nest on its shore throughout the year, the beach at Jamaica Inn forms part of a group of protected shoreline in Jamaica, where conservation efforts ensure turtle hatchlings make it safely from the nest to the sea.

Whether on the private beach or at another location, guests are invited to learn more about sea turtles and help the newborns by washing the tiny turtles, before placing them to a bucket where they are collectively released and scamper their way to the ocean. Truly a once-in-a-lifetime moment

“There is nothing quite like drinking and dining during sunset at the open-air restaurant” EACH SUITE FEATURE A PRIVATE FURNISHED BALCONY OR VERANDAH

a framed picture of a relaxed Mr Churchill is found alongside images of the glamorous Marilyn. She stayed here with her thenhusband, acclaimed playwright Arthur Miller and both are pictured enjoying the company of friends while dining at the resort.

Speaking of dinner, there is nothing quite like drinking and dining during sunset at the open-air restaurant, where guests can choose from a variety of traditional Jamaican dishes and international cuisine, fit for all taste buds. A nod to a bygone era and its rich past, the Jamaica Inn maintains

its sense of sophistication by employing an evening dress code; men must wear collared shirts and ladies are encouraged to dress-up. As the sun falls, a live band descends upon the patio, playing everything from reggae to requests, keeping guests entertained from starter to main, dessert and beyond.

In the morning, many guests return to the restaurant for breakfast. However there is the option to have it delivered to your door-step so as to feast on the terrace by the sea in total privacy. During the day, it’s easy to forget there is more to do at Jamaica Inn than lounging on a hammock or swimming in the sea. A range of activities are on offer including complimentary paddle boarding and snorkel excursions via the resort boat.

at a bucket-list-must destination. From the nostalgic touches to the impeccable service and the incredibly luscious setting, there really is something rather special about the Jamaica Inn. With such a variety on offer, both within and beyond its powder blue walls, there is a reason the Jamaica Inn has generations of returning clientele. Don’t be surprised if you book your next stay before you leave.

JA M A I CA I N N Rooms from $399 (approx. £281) per night jamaicainn.com

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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ART FAIR 19 & 20 May

10am - 5pm, Admission £4, Concessions £3, Under 16s & LAC members FREE LandmarkArts

Landmark Arts Centre

landmarkartfairs

Ferry Road, Teddington, TW11 9NN, 020 8977 7558, www.landmarkartscentre.org

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27/03/2018 21:53 16/04/2018 11:04 HC.indd 1 1879-Absolutely-magazines-90mmx134mm-AW.indd 1

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CREATORS OF THE WORLD’S MOST DESIRABLE FIREPLACES Our OUTDOOR GAS BURNERS are available in numerous sizes with a large glamorous flame for all of your outdoor heating needs.

CVO Fire | Unit 4 Beaumont Square Newton Aycliffe | County Durham | DL5 6XN 01325 301020 | sales@cvo.co.uk www.cvo.co.uk Image supplied by www.danielshea.co.uk CVO.indd 1

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PROPERTY Living the Dream

BROOK GREEN W6

ÂŁ4,200,000 FH

124

Marsh & Parsons

136

substantial early Victorian 5/6 bedroom terraced house situated on the south side of Brook Green. The ground floor boasts a generous reception room to the front, while the first floor is dedicated to a master suite overlooking Brook Green, with dressing room and an en suite shower room. This is a fabulous big boned house that oozes charm and a feeling of width and space.

A

FINLAY BREWER Brook Green 020 7371 4171 finlaybrewer.co.uk

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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Now at home Make your next prop move a success.

We are delighted to announce the opening of our sales and lettings branch in Acton.

Supported by our established local branches in Ealing, Hammersmith, Brook Green and Chiswick, and our wider network of 60 offices across London, our experienced team will make your next property move a success.

We have been at the forefront of the London property market for over 40 years, with a reputation for delivering exceptional levels of service and results to our customers.

For a free sales or lettings valuation, contact us today.

kfh.co.uk/acton

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in Acton.

p erty

Find us at: 145 High Street Acton W3 6LP

Jon Clews Sales Manager 020 8031 5090 jclews@kfh.co.uk

Our services Sales and Lettings Land and New Homes Block and Estate Management

Tammy Bailey Lettings Manager 020 8031 5209 tbailey@kfh.co.uk

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Property Solicitors Chartered Surveyors Financial Services

16/04/2018 05/04/2018 12:30 13:45

SALES SALES

5 -7 Tur n h a m G re e n Te rra ce, C h isw ic k , Lon don , W4 1R G Te l 0 2 0 8 7 4 7 8 8 0 0 · Fa x 020 8995 7275 E-m a i l i n fo @wh i t m a n a n dco.com · We bsite w w w. w h i t m a n a n dco. co m

FAIRLAWN AVENUE, W4 GROVE, W4 KARA LODGE, NEWTON

£465,000 GUIDE: £1,500,000

LETTINGS

Arguably one of light, the finest II listed triple conversion flatsflat to be marketed in recent yearsof situated in oneand of Bedford premier roads.

The apartment An amazingly wellGrade presented aspect with the added benefit a balcony privatePark’s garden.

Three bedrooms, luxurycomprises; bathroom, Two/three double bedrooms, Bathroom and Cloakroom, 23’ Dual aspect reception room, entrance hall, Kitchen, Boiler room,with Study,side Private 50’ rear 14' reception room, fully integrated kitchen, gas fired central heating, share in Large the freehold, balcony andLarder, private garden access.

Ideally garden and extensive Host of original entrance.

Ideally situatedand in this prestigious residential road offering close proximity to situated within closecommunal proximitygardens, of Chiswick Park tubefeatures, station Private and the extensive shopping restaurant facilities on Chiswick High Road.

Turnham Green Tube Station and the extensive facilities on Chiswick High Road. No chain.

LINDENCOTTAGE, GARDENS, W4N6 LAMB W4 PLEYDELL AVENUE,

£330 PER WEEK £1.600,000 £2,250,000

A newly decorated lowerredeveloped ground floor gardensemi flat detached with private west facing garden. double bedroom with wardrobes, reception room with An exceptional, completely Edwardian family home on this soughtLarge after residential street close to Stamford Brook Station and Chiswick woodRoad. floors, withapproach shower to over, fitted kitchen, garden.

The spared’ flat is on one ofSONOS Chiswick's best located roads,rooms, moments theair shops, High The bathroom current owners the refurbishment was ‘no expense including music systems to principle Lutronfrom lighting, restaurants cafés on the High Road and 5bespoke minutes from Turnham Green station. The property is available earlygardens.

September, furnished. conditioning, multi zone under floor heating, cabinetry throughout and professionally landscaped front and rear The house comprises; master bedroom with ensuite bathroom, four further double bedrooms (one ensuite), family bathroom, entrance hall, reception room, fully extended kitchen/family room, utility room, cloakroom, large landscaped west facing garden. No Chain. EPC - D

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SALES LETTINGS POINT WHARF LANE, ALYWN AVENUE, W4TW8

£350 PER WEEK GUIDE: £3,000,000

An outstanding and unique opportunity to own thissecond newly developed extended of theafter art home in the development. heart of ChiswickBoasting that has been meticulously Beautifully presented two double bedroom floor flat and in this highlystate sought riverside a stunning open plan refurbished to the highest Withbalcony a stunning basement extension, floorLarge extensions, loft conversion garden in addition to the work kitchen reception room,standard. a river side and a master ensuite ground bedroom. open double plan reception room,and fully fittedstudio kitchen with granite original housewardrobes there is in excess of 3400 sqft of sumptuous accommodation.

No expense has been spared in the rebuilding of the house with every detail given full tops, fitted and riverside views.

Underground parking space included. consideration by our discerning client and his highly skilled team. EPC - C

QUEENCOTTAGE, ANNES LAMB W4 W4W4 OXFORD ROADGROVE, SOUTH,

£430 PER WEEK £1.600,000 £1,325,000

large, light and presented double on this in the heartinof Bedford Park,residential just minutes AAwell presented fourbeautifully bedroom semi detachedtwo period familybedroom house withflat private southhighly facing desirable garden androad off street parking this sought after street.from Turnham Greenwith underground station. floorbedrooms, position Luxury ensures beautiful26’ views from the reception and bedrooms.

Master bedroom ensuite, Three furtherTop double bathroom, Through reception room, 22’ Fully integrated kitchen/breakfast room, Utility room, Cloakroom, Conservatory, 70’ South facing garden, Garden studio, Off street parking. Ideally situated in this popular residential area offering close proximity to all amenities. EPC - E

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CHISWICK LANE, CHISWICK A highly desirable five bedroom Edwardian family house with offstreet parking and a wealth of original features including cornicing, tiling to the entrance hall and stained glass windows. EPC = D

5

5

2

ASKING PRICE

£3,000,000 CHISWICK 020 8994 6567

STRAND ON THE GREEN, CHISWICK A matchless and exquisite five bedroom wide detached double fronted Georgian house, in part dating back as far as 1697. The property has been sensitively extended and altered over time. EPC = F

5

3

2

ASKING PRICE

£3,495,000 CHISWICK 020 8994 6567

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Chiswick Hammersmith West Kensington Fulham Chelsea

Battersea Clapham Putney Barnes Richmond

Kew Sheen Twickenham Teddington Kingston

featherstoneleigh.co.uk

CHISWICK GATE, CHISWICK An exciting new Berkeley Homes development of desirable townhouses in a beautiful garden square, close to Chiswick House and Gardens. Secure underground parking, concierge and gym.

3

3

2

PRICES FROM

£1,957,000 CHISWICK 020 8994 6567

CHISWICK QUAY, CHISWICK An opportunity to purchase a rare to market south-east facing architect designed marina property by Chiswick Bridge in a unique and prestigious location ideal for marina living and easy access to the river Thames. EPC = C

4

2

2

ASKING PRICE

£1,425,000 CHISWICK 020 8994 6567

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Queen Anne’s Grove, W4

£1,650 per week South Parade, W4

£2,200 per week

A Grade II Listed house with five bedrooms and over 2,100 sq. ft of A detached five bedroom home in the heart of Bedford Park. living space. The property has two reception rooms, a kitchen, two The property is over 2,500 sq. ft and has three bathrooms, garden, modern bathrooms and a private garden. garage and secure off-street parking, energy rating d.

020 8742 4100 chiswicklettings@fletcherestates.com

Ranelagh Gardens, W4

020 8742 4100 chiswicklettings@fletcherestates.com

£1,038 per week Grove Park Road, W4

A six double bedroom semi-detached house which has recently been renovated. There are three bathrooms, a large reception room, a terrace and a west facing garden, energy rating d.

020 8742 4100 chiswicklettings@fletcherestates.com

£1,195 per week

A refurbished four/five bedroom home located in the desirable Grove Park. The property further benefits from three bathrooms, a private garden and off-street parking, energy rating e.

020 8742 4100 chiswicklettings@fletcherestates.com

Tenants fees apply: £180 per tenancy towards administration, £60 reference fee per tenant and £144 for a professional check in (All inc of VAT).

fletcherestates.com

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Grove Park Gardens, W4 A semi-detached Edwardian family home with six bedrooms. The house has been newly refurbished with a large reception room, an extended kitchen/dining area, four bathrooms, a south facing garden and off-street parking for three cars.

Cornwall Grove, W4 Set over three floors, a four bedroom home located by Chiswick High Road. The property has a generous double reception with kitchen/diner leading out to a rear courtyard garden. There are two bathrooms and a cellar, energy rating e.

ÂŁ2,600,000 020 8987 3000 chiswicksales@fletcherestates.com

ÂŁ1,399,950

020 8987 3000 chiswicksales@fletcherestates.com

fletcherestates.com

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LIVING THE

DREAM The most luxuriously appointed properties on the market

1

CHISWICK LANE W4, ÂŁ1,999,950

A

substantial and well presented six double bedroom semi-detached Edwardian home with five bath/shower rooms.

In addition to this, the master bedroom has an en suite, along with a large dressing room and a balcony. On the ground floor there are two large reception rooms and an extended kitchen/ dining room. There is also a utility room, a downstairs WC and off street parking.

DEXTERS Chiswick, 020 8987 3000 fletcherestates.com

WINGATE ROAD

W 6 , ÂŁ2,4 5 0,000

T

his fabulous semi-detached five bedroom family house with garden oozes style and offers flexible living. Wingate Road is a very pretty, tree-lined and sought after residential street which runs between Wellesley Avenue and Goldhawk Road with the house situated on the east side towards its southern end. There is also a variety of local shops and restaurants close by.

FINLAY BREWER Brook Green, 0207 371 417 finlaybrewer.co.uk 1

124

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

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PROPERTY • NEW TO THE MARKET

WAVENDON AVENUE W 4 , £ 3 , 2 5 0,0 0 0

W 1 2 , £ 1 , 2 5 0,0 0 0

P

A

WHITMAN & CO

PHILIP WOOLER

Chiswick, 020 8747 8800 whitmanandco.com

Askew Road, 020 8811 2929 philipwooller.com

ut simply, this meticulously renovated home on one of Chiswick's most prestigious streets is the definition of superluxe. From its lavish master suite with dressing room, freestanding bath and wet room, to the full basement extension complete with guest rooms and sauna, the property offers the perfect balance for entertaining and family living.

PRINCES GARDENS

ST ELMO ROAD

completely charming stucco fronted semi detached Victorian villa with lovely all round proportions. It boasts a spacious front bedroom, generous kitchen and peaceful garden. Located quietly and surrounded by similar attractive villas, the southern end of St Elmo Road is particularly sought-after and runs west off the upper end of Askew Road.

W 5, £ 1 ,1 6 5 ,0 0 0 F H

A

rare opportunity to acquire an impressive hall adjoining semidetached bay fronted family home in one of Pitshanger Village’s premier roads. This period property offers two reception rooms, fitted kitchen and modern shower room on the ground floor and four bedrooms with family bathroom on the first floor.

Features include a lovely westfacing rear garden.

THIS METICULOUSLY RENOVATED HOME ON ONE OF CHISWICK'S MOST PRESTIGIOUS STREETS IS THE DEFINITION OF SUPER-LUXE.

JOHN MARTIN ESTATES

Ealing, 020 8998 3333 johnmartinestates.com

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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www.finlaybrewer.co.uk BROOK GREEN SHEPHERDS BUSH BROOK ACTON GREEN SHEPHERDS BUSH ACTON

138 SHEPHERDS BUSH ROAD W6 7PB 113 ASKEW ROAD W12 9AS 138 SHEPHERDS BUSH ROAD W6 7PB 27 CHURCHFIELD ROAD W3 6BD 113 ASKEW ROAD W12 9AS 27 CHURCHFIELD ROAD W3 6BD

www.finlaybrewer.co.uk www.finlaybrewer.co.uk

SEDGEFORD ROAD W12 GUIDE £1.325M FREEHOLD UPPER MALL W6 • 4 DOUBLE BEDROOMS £1,500PW / £6,500PCM • DOUBLE RECEPTION UPPER MALL W6 • LARGE L SHAPED KITCHEN/BREAKFAST ROOM •£1,500PW HOME •WONDERFUL BATHROOMFAMILY / £6,500PCM • •• •• ••

BEDROOMS •4 DOUBLE UTILITY ROOM MASTER SUITEFAMILY WITH MEZZANINE STUDY AREA WONDERFUL HOME 2 LIVING SPACE 4 FLOORS DOUBLE OF BEDROOMS 2 BATHROOMS & 2 SHOWER ROOMS MASTER SUITE WITH MEZZANINE STUDY AREA

• 2 FLOORS OF LIVING SPACE • 2 BATHROOMS & 2 SHOWER ROOMS

FRITHVILLE GARDENS W12 GUIDE £825,000 SHARE OF FREEHOLD HAARLEM ROAD W14 • 3 DOUBLE BEDROOMS £625PW / KITCHEN/DINING/RECEPTION £2,708PCM • OPEN PLAN HAARLEM ROAD W14 • 2 BATHROOMS •£625PW BEDROOM FLAT •2 DOUBLE DECKED ROOF TERRACE / £2,708PCM • •• •• ••

RECEPTION CONTEMPORARY KITCHEN/BREAKFAST ROOM 2 DOUBLE BEDROOM FLAT MASTER WITH EN SUITE BATHROOM & DRESSING AREA RECEPTION SHOWER ROOM KITCHEN/BREAKFAST ROOM CONTEMPORARY

ASKEW ROAD 020 8749 7719 LETTINGS 020 7371 4071

• • •• •• ••

• GUEST CLOAKROOM • 50’8 WEST FACING GARDEN LETTINGS 020 • OFF STREET PARKING •2 COURTYARD EPC RATING DGARDENS 65 EASY ACCESS TO HAMMERSMITH & CHISWICK UNFURNISHED 2 COURTYARD GARDENS EPC 57 HAMMERSMITH & CHISWICK EASYRATING ACCESSDTO AVAILABLE NOW UNFURNISHED

7371 4071

• EPC RATING D 57 • AVAILABLE NOW

ASKEW ROAD 020 8749 7719 LETTINGS 020 7371 4071

• • •• •• ••

• UNDER EAVES STORAGE • EPC RATING D 62 LETTINGS 020 7371 • SHARE OF FREEHOLD BALCONY UNFURNISHED WALKING DISTANCE TO HAMMERSMITH BROADWAY BALCONY EPC RATING C 79 UNFURNISHED AVAILABLE NOW WALKING DISTANCE TO HAMMERSMITH BROADWAY

4071

LOCAL . INDEPENDENT . INVOLVED

• MASTER WITH EN SUITE BATHROOM & DRESSING AREA • SHOWER ROOM

• EPC RATING C 79

L O C A L . I N D E P E N D• EAVAILABLE N T NOW . INVOLVED

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HAARLEM ROAD W14 GUIDE £1.095M SHARE OF FREEHOLD • • • •

2 DOUBLE BEDROOMS MASTER BEDROOM WITH EN SUITE DRESSING/BATHROOM LARGE RECEPTION KITCHEN/BREAKFAST ROOM

BROOK GREEN 020 7371 4171

• • • •

HAMMERSMITH GROVE W6 GUIDE £825,000 LEASEHOLD • • • •

2 DOUBLE BEDROOMS SPACIOUS RECEPTION KITCHEN BATHROOM

SHOWER ROOM DIRECT ACCESS TO THE COMMUNAL GARDENS EPC RATING D 55 SHARE OF FREEHOLD

BROOK GREEN 020 7371 4171

• • • •

CONSERVATORY 57’ REAR GARDEN EPC RATING C 70 LEASEHOLD APX 111 YEARS

LOCAL . INDEPENDENT . INVOLVED

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www.finlaybrewer.co.uk BROOK GREEN SHEPHERDS BUSH BROOK ACTON GREEN SHEPHERDS BUSH ACTON

138 SHEPHERDS BUSH ROAD W6 7PB 113 ASKEW ROAD W12 9AS 138 SHEPHERDS BUSH ROAD W6 7PB 27 CHURCHFIELD ROAD W3 6BD 113 ASKEW ROAD W12 9AS 27 CHURCHFIELD ROAD W3 6BD

www.finlaybrewer.co.uk www.finlaybrewer.co.uk

MASBRO ROAD W14 £1,500PW / £6,500PCM UPPER MALL W6 • 5 BEDROOMS / £6,500PCM •£1,500PW BRIGHT RECEPTION UPPER MALL W6 • OPEN PLAN KITCHEN ••£1,500PW WONDERFUL FAMILY HOME EN SUITE BATHROOM & 3 SHOWER ROOMS / £6,500PCM •• •• •• ••

4 DOUBLE BEDROOMS NEW LOWER GROUND FLOOR WITH HIGH CEILINGS MASTER SUITEFAMILY WITH MEZZANINE STUDY AREA WONDERFUL HOME 2 LIVING SPACE 4 FLOORS DOUBLE OF BEDROOMS 2 BATHROOMS & 2 SHOWER ROOMS MASTER SUITE WITH MEZZANINE STUDY AREA

• 2 FLOORS OF LIVING SPACE • 2 BATHROOMS & 2 SHOWER ROOMS

BOLINGBROKE ROAD W14 £1,300PW / £5,633PCM HAARLEM ROAD W14 • 5 BEDROOMS / £2,708PCM •£625PW SPACIOUS DOUBLE RECEPTION HAARLEM ROAD W14 • STYLISH KITCHEN ••£625PW 2 BEDROOM FLAT 2 DOUBLE FAMILY BATHROOMS / £2,708PCM •• •• •• ••

RECEPTION UTILITY ROOM CONTEMPORARY KITCHEN/BREAKFAST ROOM 2 DOUBLE BEDROOM FLAT MASTER WITH EN SUITE BATHROOM & DRESSING AREA RECEPTION SHOWER ROOM KITCHEN/BREAKFAST ROOM CONTEMPORARY

LETTINGS 020 7371 4071 LETTINGS 020 7371 4071 • • • •• • •• •• ••

PRIVATE GARDEN UNFURNISHED LETTINGS 020 EPC RATING D 67 2 COURTYARD GARDENS AVAILABLE NOW EASY ACCESS TO HAMMERSMITH & CHISWICK UNFURNISHED 2 COURTYARD GARDENS EPC 57 HAMMERSMITH & CHISWICK EASYRATING ACCESSDTO AVAILABLE NOW UNFURNISHED

7371 4071

• EPC RATING D 57 • AVAILABLE NOW

LETTINGS 020 7371 4071 LETTINGS 020 7371 4071 • • • •• •• •• •• ••

PRETTY PRIVATE GARDEN CLOSE TO TRANSPORT LINKS AT LETTINGS SHEPHERDS BUSH 020 7371 UNFURNISHED BALCONY EPC RATING D 67 UNFURNISHED AVAILABLE NOW WALKING DISTANCE TO HAMMERSMITH BROADWAY BALCONY EPC RATING C 79 UNFURNISHED AVAILABLE NOW WALKING DISTANCE TO HAMMERSMITH BROADWAY

4071

LOCAL . INDEPENDENT . INVOLVED

• MASTER WITH EN SUITE BATHROOM & DRESSING AREA • SHOWER ROOM

• EPC RATING C 79

L O C A L . I N D E P E N D• EAVAILABLE N T NOW . INVOLVED

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SINCLAIR ROAD W14 £480PW / £2,080PCM • • • • •

2 BEDROOMS SPACIOUS RECEPTION WITH WOOD FLOORING NEW KITCHEN CONTEMPORARY BATHROOM GOOD STORAGE THROUGHOUT

LETTINGS 020 7371 4071

• • • •

AYNHOE ROAD W14 £430PW / £1,863PCM • • • • •

2 BEDROOMS SPACIOUS RECEPTION WITH SEPARATE STUDY/DINING ROOM NEW KITCHEN MODERN BATHROOM BASEMENT STORAGE

CLOSE TO THE TRANSPORT LINKS AT SHEPHERDS BUSH UNFURNISHED EPC RATING D 65 AVAILABLE NOW

LETTINGS 020 7371 4071

• • • •

WELL LOCATED FOR THE AMENITIES OF BROOK GREEN FURNISHED/PART FURNISHED EPC RATING D 64 AVAILABLE BEGINNING JUNE

LOCAL . INDEPENDENT . INVOLVED

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FO R SALE

ASHCHURCH TERR ACE W12 £ 2,10 0 ,0 0 0 FREEHOLD • • • • •

A well designed and finished family house 4 double bedrooms 2 bathrooms ( 1 en suite to master bed) Further shower room en suite Cloakroom

14 5 ASKE W ROAD, W12 9AU

PHILLIP WOOLLER.indd 1

• • • • •

•

Reception room Superb kitchen / dining space onto garden Good quality built-in storage and wardrobes Generous professionally designed NW facing garden 1948 sq ft / 181 sq m approx. EPC - E

0 2 0 8 8 11 2 9 2 9

•

WWW.PHILIPWOOLLER .COM

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FO R SALE

DORDRECHT ROAD W3 £ 1,075 ,0 0 0 FREEHOLD • • • • •

An extended terraced house with a modern interior 4 bedrooms Bathroom & Shower room en suite Double reception room Kitchen open plan

14 5 ASKE W ROAD, W12 9AU

PHILLIP WOOLLER.indd 2

•

• • • • •

Utility area and good storage West facing garden Garden office / studio - fully wired and heated Separate access to studio at rear 1883 sq ft / 175 sq m approx. EPC - C

0 2 0 8 8 11 2 9 2 9

•

WWW.PHILIPWOOLLER .COM

11/04/2018 10:53

LIMITED EDITION LIVING AT THE TOWNHOUSES 500 CHISWICK HIGH ROAD 500 Chiswick High Road is the ideal location for enjoying Chiswick’s charm, within a few minutes’ walk of the lively High Road and the restaurants, cafés and boutiques that make this area so sought after.

With just five of these luxurious four bedroom townhouses available, each with their own unique personality, this truly is limited edition living.

• Stunning four bedroom townhouse extending over four storeys • Situated directly on Chiswick High Road • A short walk to two Zone 3 stations • Featuring a private garden as well as a secluded courtyard • Set within a gated development with landscaped grounds

PRICES FROM £2,600,000 FOR MORE DETAILS OR TO ARRANGE A VIEWING, PLEASE CALL

0203 733 0840

Show home photography of 500 Chiswick High Road. Images are indicative only. Details are correct at time of going to print.

Sales & Marketing Suite Open Daily 500 Chiswick High Road, Chiswick, London W4 5RG

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500CHISWICKHIGHROAD.CO.UK

06/04/2018 12:41

DISCOVER a truly exceptional place to live Exclusive residences from ÂŁ4,450,000 Experience the luxurious standard of living at this unique gated collection of 4 and 6 bedroom residences, located on the very edge of Richmond Park. Just four of these properties now remain, the three restored houses within the original Grade II Listed Georgian mansion, with a range of period features and luxury contemporary refinements; and a new build residence sympathetically designed to respond to its historic setting.

Viewing by appointment only.

Call us now on 0333 666 4141 or email AncasterGate@londonsquare.co.uk

Selling agents Interior photography is of The Apsley show home and is indicative only.

The exterior photography has been enhanced and is also indicative only.

Details are correct at time of going to press. April 2018.

WWW.ANCASTERGATE.LONDON

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London’s New Country Retreat.

The Birchwood comprises six meticulously appointed three and four-bedroom lateral apartments offering bespoke wall to wall luxury. Conceived by award-winning design house, Fusion Residential, The Birchwood pushes the boundaries in terms of exquisite finish, attention to detail, high specification and classical styling with on-site private concierge service, gated underground parking, individual cold stores and expansive open air west facing terraces Each apartment boasts large arrival hall, 3 bedrooms, kitchen/breakfast room, living and dining room, pantry, boot room, laundry room and additional guest powder room. The Penthouse Apartment comprises the entire top floor, stunning “skyhall” and a 360 degree panorama with views towards The Shard and beyond.

Welcome to Ealing’s most desirable new address.

PRICED FROM £2,125,000 To register your interest please call: +44

(0) 208 579 5242

gardinerhomes.co.uk

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To celebrate opening in Chiswick, * we’ll sell your home for FREE.

% Selling and letting property in London for over 160 years. *Get in touch at marshandparsons.co.uk/zero-percent or call 020 8115 2872 for further information and T&Cs. M&P.indd 1

16/04/2018 10:02

PASTURES NEW Marsh & Parsons open a sixth west London office in the heart of W4

W

e are pleased to announce the opening of our new office in Chiswick, located in a fantastic position on Turnham Green Terrace, in the heart of W4. The office is our sixth in west London (and our 30th Londonwide) and, as we operate an open-network register at Marsh & Parsons, property owners in Chiswick benefit from a huge number of buyers and tenants who are already registered and actively looking for a property.

Chiswick is an area we have coveted for some time. David Hill, Sales Manager in

Chiswick, says, “Opening our newest office in Chiswick made perfect sense. Marsh & Parsons is already a well-recognised and reputable name in the area, due to the success of our surrounding offices.

Also, Chiswick’s wonderful heritage and community feel are synonymous with our values and brand.”

To celebrate opening, we’re offering local homeowners in Chiswick a 0% fee on the sale of their property* - just think of it as a ‘welcome to the neighbourhood’ gift, from us, to you.

SALES

The sales department is managed by David Hill, a Marsh & Parsons veteran who has successfully launched and established

several of our offices. He has lived in numerous parts of Chiswick, including the Glebe Estate and Bedford Park for over 15 years, and is now settled in Chiswick Park, where he enjoys an enviably short commute to work.

David is a passionate Chiswickian through-and-through and has played for the local rugby team for more than 10 years. We asked David why Chiswick is his favourite part of London and, besides the restaurants and bars, he cites Chiswick’s famous village feel. This, it seems, is true with many residents and, according to David, a large portion of the area’s buyers and sellers are also loyal locals looking to either up- or down-size.

Unlike many areas of London, Chiswick remains relatively unchanged over the years. The major difference? The trend of smaller living and new-build developments has brought a modern architectural twist to a traditional area. This, David says, has made period properties extremely sought-after with families and young professionals alike.

LETTINGS

In addition to our connected, open network of 30 London offices, Chiswick landlords will benefit from access to thousands of Corporate tenants via our Corporate and Relocation Services department; the largest of its kind in London. With many international businesses operating out of Chiswick Park, the area continues to grow in popularity with young professionals.

The Chiswick lettings team is led by Kate McArdle, whose charm and dedicated attitude make her the perfect woman for the job.

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

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PROPERTY • NEW TO THE MARKET

The office is now in full swing; David and Kate are busy valuing properties across Chiswick and are out and about getting to know the residents.

We’d love to meet you at our Open Day on the 28th April, where attendees can claim their free Marsh & Parsons goodie bag, have their faces painted (no matter how old you are!) or enjoy an ice cream, on the house. Come along to our office on 34-38 Turnham Green Terrace between 11am and 3pm for a chat, or to join in the celebration.

If you’re considering selling or letting your Chiswick property, please get in touch to arrange your complimentary, noobligation sales or lettings valuation.

"Opening our newest office in Chiswick made perfect sense. Chiswick’s wonderful heritage and community feel are synonymous with our values and brand."

"To see what we are up to with the latest news and properties, follow us on instagram with: marshandparsons" DAVID HILL & KATE MCARDLE MARSH & PARSONS 020 8994 2556 Turnham, Green Terrace, Chiswick, London W4 1QP marshandparsons.co.uk/branches/chiswick

For more information on our properties, visit marshandparsons.co.uk *T&Cs apply, visit our website for more details

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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www.johnmartinestates.com

EALING W5

ÂŁ2,000 PCM (*fees apply)

A superbly refurbished ground floor apartment in this imposing detached house situated close to Ealing Broadway and its transport facilities. The property offers two good sized bedrooms, the master with en-suite shower room, modern bathroom, large reception room, impressive kitchen/diner and spacious entrance hallway. The property benefits from polished wood flooring, gas fired central heating, split level rear garden with patio area and off street parking. Offered unfurnished. Available immediately. Energy Performance Certificate D

82 Pitshanger Lane, Ealing W5 1QX jmesales@johnmartinestates.com JOHN MARTIN.indd 1

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19/03/2018 11:34

“PITSHANGER’S COMMUNITY ESTATE AGENT”

EALING W5

£795,000 FREEHOLD

A charming Edwardian style square bay fronted family home situated in the heart of award winning Pitshanger Village offering spacious living accommodation throughout. To the ground floor are two bright and airy reception rooms and a well-arranged fitted kitchen. There are three good sized bedrooms and a family bathroom to the first floor. Other benefits include gas fired central heating, new double glazed sash windows, an array of period style features and a beautiful 50’ rear garden. The property would be ideal to extend both at the rear and into the loft space subject to the usual planning consents. Energy Performance Certificate D

*In addition to rent, tenants pay deposit (usually six weeks’ rent per property) and administration fee of £120 (inc VAT) per tenant plus check out fee (determined by size of property) at end of tenancy.

Any guarantor required pays administration fee of £60 (inc VAT). No renewal fees are payable.

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T: 020 8998 3333 16/04/2018 11:12

luxury

AFFORDABLE

Schmidt Kitchens made to measure to the millimetre Truly customisable designs and finishes Made to measure without the bespoke price tag

Come in store to discover our May offers Call now for more details 020 3714 6000 Or Visit – 323 King Street, Hammersmith, W6 9NH design@schmidt-hammersmith.co.uk www.homedesign.schmidt Opening hours are 10am to 6pm Monday to Saturday Sunday by appointment only

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