Abs Putney_Wands Oct 12

ABSOLUTELY Putney & Wandsworth

OCTOBER 2012 £3.95

THE ART OF INTELLIGENCE STYLES AND SHAPES WITH STEPHEN BAYLEY

There is nothing like a Dame THE DEFINING MOMENTS OF VIVIENNE WESTWOOD

Making Waves W ve

BEAUTIFUL MINDS THE ROMANCE OF THE DE MORGAN CENTRE

PLUS ORLA KIELY

TANA RAMSAY MARCUS BARNETT

FIFTY SHADES OF GOLD SW COVERS OCT 12.indd 2

17/09/2012 10:07

FULL PAGE.indd 2 AW16526_absolute_PutneyBridge_spread_1.indd 1-2

07/09/2012 11:49

“I like you a great deal more than the other estate agents I’ve dealt with” Eve Botomley - Clapham

FULL PAGE.indd 3

“A breath of fresh air having estate agents who were courteous and honest” Antonia Field Smith Earlsfield

“We weren’t just a number on a list of clients” Mr & Mrs Wakefield Battersea

07/09/2012 06/09/2012 11:49 16:58

ABSOLUTELY LONDON

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

ABSOLUTELY

DOWNLOAD THE NEW

i PA D A P P T O D AY SEARCH FOR

‘ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES LONDON’

iTUNES, NEWSSTAND OR APP STORE

The Best of Local Luxury

ABSOLUTELY BSOLUTELY BSOLUTEL Chelsea

Fulham

NORTH BY NORTHWEST

NOTTING HILL

CITY & ANGEL

Putney & Wandsworth

KENSINGTON

Battersea & Clapham

T: 020 7704 0588 / F: 020 7900 3020 iPad.3.indd 1

13/09/2012 19:59

CONTENTS October ‘12 ABSOLUTELY Putney & Wandsworth

OCTOBER 2012 £3.95

THE ART OF INTELLIGENCE STYLES AND SHAPES WITH STEPHEN BAYLEY

There is nothing like a Dame

BEAUTIFUL MINDS THE ROMANCE OF

THE DEFINING MOMENTS OF VIVIENNE WESTWOOD

Making Waves W ve

THE DE MORGAN CENTRE

PLUS

ORLA KIELY TANA RAMSAY MARCUS BARNETT

FIFTY SHADES OF GOLD

On the cover SW COVERS OCT 12.indd 2

14/09/2012 19:30

13 BEAUTIFUL MINDS

The romance of the De Morgan Centre

22 MAKING WAVES

Fifty shades of gold

29 THERE IS NOTHING LIKE A DAME

The defining moments of Vivienne Westwood

32 THE ART OF INTELLIGENCE Styles and shapes with Stephen Bayley

07

EDITOR’S LETTER

08

ABSOLUTELY LOVES

Arts & Culture 10 13

WHATS ON

THE DE MORGAN FOUNDATION

Poppy Cross explores art history

38

FASHION NOTES

Autumn SW stles and Tina Lake

BEAUTY FLASH

This month’s best beauty buuys

Food & Travel

29

ICON

34

ALL ABOUT THE GIRL

61

32

STYLE WITH SUBSTANCE

63

UK GETAWAY OF THE MONTH

67

VIVE LE FRANCE

October’s Diary

Style 21

People The life and style of Vivienne Westwood Tana Ramsay

Interview with Stephen Bayley

Interiors 43

DESIGNERS WORLD

47

INTERIOR NOTES

52

INTERVIEW

Orla Kiley’s mood board This month’s stylish finds With Marcus Barnett

60

RESTAURANT REVIEWS

Adam Byatt’s two Clapham restaurants

FOOD NOTES

Food news from Charlie Giles Lucknam Park

Holiday Abroad

Property 82

IN THEIR OWN WORDS

Alex Oppenheim from John D Wood & Co.

100 PROPERTY PORTFOLIO Six of the best

FIND US ONLINE @ WWW.ZEST-MEDIA.COM

CONTENTS.indd 2

14/09/2012 21:42

ABSOLUTELY Putney & Wandsworth EDITORINCHIEF Harriet Compston EDITOR Poppy Cross TRAVEL EDITOR Priscilla Pollara SUBEDITOR Katy Jarratt EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Zoe Lodge CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Charlie Gilkes, Tina Lake, Urszula Przybysz BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Greg Cole GROUP PROPERTY DIRECTOR Alexandra Hunter SOUTH PROPERTY DIRECTOR Paige Harkness SOUTH PROPERTY EXECUTIVE Lucie Pearce HEAD OF DESIGN Ray Searle SENIOR DESIGNER Stewart Hyde MIDWEIGHT DESIGNER Gemma Isteed DESIGNERS Andrew Mavin, Ana Ospina, Jaqui Palmer PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Christine Mann FINANCE DIRECTOR Alexandra Hvid MARKETING MANAGER Leah Day DIRECTOR Greg Hughes MANAGING DIRECTOR Sherif Shaltout For editorial enquiries please email: editorial@zest-media.com For advertising enquiries please call 020 7704 0588 or email: advertising@zest-media.com Subscriptions are available simply by emailing subscriptions@zest-media.com.

You can receive an online subscription for FREE or a postal subscriptions for 6 & 12 months, £15 and £25 respectively (to cover postage and packaging).

Please email us with your preferred option and details.

Published by ZEST MEDIA LONDON 213 WESTBOURNE STUDIOS ACKLAM ROAD W10 5JJ T: 020 7704 0588 F: 020 7900 3020 Zest Media London 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 London Ltd. take no responsibility for omissions or errors. We reserve the right to publish and edit any letters. All rights reserved.

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @ABSOLUTELY_MAGS FACEBOOK ‘ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES’

ABSO FLANNEL BATTERSEA.indd 16

14/09/2012 18:50

Editor’s

Letter

“I LIKE THIS PLACE, I COULD EASILY WASTE TIME IN IT.”

A

(AS YOU LIKE IT – SHAKESPEARE)

bsolutely loves pioneers. This issue is the first of many that features people whose strength of spirit, passion and determination has led them to become the most influential movers and shakers around.

Vivienne Westwood has long been heralded for her bold statements and big ideas. Personally, I will never forget buying my first pair of Pirate Boots and the way I felt when I stepped out in a pair of her sky-high boots, which helped sign and seal my sweet sixteenth in sensational style. Ten years on, they are still my favorite.

Tana Ramsay proves that women can have it all at no expense, combining business, family-life, travel, health and beauty with effortless style.

And as for the men – Marcus Wareing wakes up our appetites with delicious flavors and Marcus Barnett and Tim Gosling lend beautiful aesthetics to both garden and interior designs, creating a better mood for us all to savor.

Our columnists share their expert, local knowledge of food, fashion, fun and beauty and there really is no one better to rely on for the best insider tips in your local London town.

So sit back, relax and enjoy the issue. There’s Absolutely nothing else you have to do. Except, maybe – be inspired.

Poppy Cross Editor Follow us on facebook: absolutelymagazines twitter: absolutely_mags

CONTRIBUTORS:

TINA LAKE

Tina has been involved in the fashion industry for over 18 years, working in capacities that have ranged from founding and managing her own boutiques to Head of Buying for a leading high street retailer. In May 2012, Tina launched the London-Boutiques, representing the best brands from the best boutiques in town.

EDS LETTER.indd 7

CHARLIE GILKES

Charlie Gilkes is a young entrepreneur with a passion for food and drink. Charlie founded The Inception Group (www.inception-group. com), which currently owns and operates a group of bars/clubs and restaurants in SW London (Barts, Maggie’s and Bunga Bunga) and is soon to open 2 new sites in the West End.

14/09/2012 20:25

CARS GALORE

Absol ute ly’s most wante d CHEZ BRUCE

For a taste of heaven, try the cherry, chocolate and pistachio tartlet from this legendary restaurant. It even comes with a Michelin star on top. chezbruce.co.uk

THAI SQUARE, PUTNEY Th is month’s mouth-watering signature dish is not to be m issed - Lobster Pad Pong Gari. Get it before it goes. (£29.99) thaisquare.net

CARS GALORE We love vintage. And vintage cars are certainly no exception. Th is huge collection of wonderful classics has got our pulses racing. chelseacars.com

REAL HERO’S The Keep Calm and Carry on Olympic Edition Poster pays homage to the heroic Great British spirit that helped our soldiers win the war and modern day Olympians win medals. (£3.99) hmv.com

SPICE UP YOUR LIFE CHEZ BRUCE

Be bright, bold and beautiful with Oliver Bonas’ colorful furniture. oliverbonas.com

8

Absolutely Loves.indd 8

14/09/2012 19:01

Absolutely

LOVES

CAKE BOY THAI SQUARE

‘A’-REA CODE

VELVET TUB CHAIR, £385

BUNKA REAL HERO’S

CAKE BOY Th is stunning new cafe will get your mouth watering, especially their champagne afternoon tea. And why not join their bakery class. cake-boy.co.uk

‘A’-REA CODE Wonderful local inspired mosaics make a perfect addition to any home and thesse are a bargain to boot. (£25) huttonsdirect.com

THE SWEET LIFE The Holy Grail of sweetshops for every child and let’s face it – adult. Rainbow-colored and Willie Wonka style sweets are aplenty and there’s even a beautiful vintage tearoom attached, serving similarly ‘ole’ fashioned fare. thesweetlife.co.uk

BUNKA These charismatic cushions from Bunka are truly charming. All are under £20 – who could say no? Not us! bunka.co.uk

THE SWEET LIFE MYKA AND SHANE VOLLEY

MYKA AND SHANE VOLLEY Myka Volley’s fabulous fashion lifestyle blog, Yachtys - exemplifies the height of style and sophistication and she honored us here at Absolutely, recently, by doing a tailor made shoot for Putney and Clapham – featuring beautiful fi nds from Jigsaw (114 Putney High Street) and killer Christian Louboutin Shoes from Dee & Me – (42 Webbs road, Battersea).

Yachtys will be launching their very own line next year too – we’re keeping careful watch.

Yachtys.com

9

Absolutely Loves.indd 9

14/09/2012 19:01

1st

This new temporary exhibition showcases more than 60 beautiful local watercolours featuring historic scenes from across Wandsworth borough, Roehampton, Putney, Battersea and Nine Elms. Admission £4, concession £3, children under six go free. wandsworthmuseum.co.uk

Diary OCTOBER 2012

FREE SCREENING OF ‘OLD BATTERSEA HOUSE’ (1961) THE DEMORGAN FOUNDATION 4 OCTOBER

4TH

FREE SCREENING OF ‘OLD BATTERSEA HOUSE’ (1961)

This short 20-minute documentary is a fascinating foray into the home of Mrs Wilhelmina Stirling, the eccentric occupant of the Grade II-listed, Battersea Old House in Wandsworth – we love to delve into others idiosyncrasies. demorgan.org.uk

RANDALL’S MILL, NINE ELMS C. 1800. © WANDSWORTH MUSEUM

PAINTING WANDSWORTH WANDSWORTH MUSEUM THROUGHOUT OCTOBER

KANJOOS - THE MISER TARA STUDIO 26 SEPTEMBER – 13 OCTOBER

Money well ‘kept’ is the motto of Moliere’s comedy classic – Kanjoos (Hindi for ‘miser’). This new adaption of the tale transports us to modern day India where protagonist, Harjinder Makhi Choos follows traditional Gandhian principles of relentless self-sacrifice, thus preventing him and his family from spending their wealth – of his children. tare-arts.com

INNER PERSONAL POWER

INNER PERSONAL POWER SCHOOL OF AWARENESS 7 OCTOBER

A powerful, fun and lively experiential workshop; which enables you to move beyond the superficial self and unlock your true inner power. This workshop promises that you will see yourself in a new light and reveal hidden inner qualities. If you want to try something different – this one’s for you. schoolofawareness.co.uk

‘DAISY PULLS IT OFF’ PUTNEY ARTS THEATRE UNTIL 22 SEPTEMBER

A rip-roaring tale inspired by Angela

10

What's On.indd 10

14/09/2012 19:51

Absolutely

ARTS & CULTURE

20TH

WILLS ART WAREHOUSE

22ND

Brazil and Enid Blyton about scholarship student Daisy Meredith’s experience at Grangewood school for young ladies.

Surrounded by snobbish attitudes and a multitude of tribulations Daisy’s secret motto ‘Hence hope shines forth’ has never been more aptly applied. putneyartstheatre.org.uk

SUNDAY NIGHT LIVE THE LOST THEATRE 7 OCTOBER

We all love a bit of magic so this 75 minute extravaganza is bound to delight.

Get lost in the top variety and magic acts – hosted by the incomparable Jay Fortune.

Do you believe in magic? losttheatre.co.uk

ONE IF BY LAND, TWO IF BY SEA WILLS ART WAREHOUSE 15 SEPTEMBER - 15 NOVEMBER

Will’s Art Warehouse was founded by Will Ramsay in 1996; the art enthusiast was acutely aware of a lack of galleries providing affordable artwork (all their prints are priced under £4,000), friendly service and diversity (Will wanted his gallery to be ‘The Oddbins of the Art World’). Now a favourite on Richmond Road, their current exhibition features Daniel Ablitt, Emma Brownjohn, Andrew

PHOTOGRAPHY BY RICKLY LEAVER

DAISY PULLS IT OFF

6

th

ARTISTS’ OPEN HOUSE 2012 6 - 7 OCTOBER, 13 - 14 OCTOBER Every year artists in Wandsworth show and sell artwork from their homes and studios as part of the Artists’ Open House weekends.

11am - 6pm each day. wandsworth.gov.uk

Hood, Kathryn Jones, Andrew Roberts and Caroline Yates. The pieces all feature figures in land and seascapes. wills-art.com

AN EVENING WITH DICKENS ROYAL HOSPITAL FOR NEURO DISABILITY 11 OCTOBER

Professional actor John Tallents will honor the support that the much loved author, Charles Dickens has given to the hospital with readings from classics such as; A Tale of Two Cities, Little Dorrit, Our Mutual Friend and The Pickwick Papers.

Canapés and wine will also be on offer in the apt setting of The Victorian Assembly Room for £25. rhn.org.uk

11TH

AN EVENING WITH DICKENS

11

What's On.indd 11

14/09/2012 19:51

bulthaup

Invest in your lifestyle and home, visit the bulthaup specialists at Kitchen Architecture.

“If you‘re looking for a kitchen without compromise then this is the place for you“ The World of Interiors Kitchen Architecture: London | Oxford | Cheshire London showroom. 145–149 Lower Richmond Road. Putney. London SW15 1EZ. T: 0208 785 1960 www.kitchenarchitecture.co.uk for design ideas and case studies Kitchen Architecture, UK‘s award-winning retailer of bulthaup kitchens Winner: Showroom of the Year 2012 for the UK kitchen industry Winner: Master Retailer of the Year 2011 for the UK kitchen industry Winner: Master Retailer of the Year 2010 for the UK kitchen industry

FULL PAGE.indd 1 HP-Bild_210x297_4c_C.indd 1

13/09/2012 16:39 06.09.12 13:09

Absolutely

ART & CULTURE

The

De Morgan Foundation

POPPY CROSS UNCOVERS THE SECRETS THAT LIE WITHIN

T

he De Morgan Foundation was assembled in 1967 at Old Battersea House after former resident, Mrs. Wilhemina Stirling died, leaving her impressive art collections by “two of the rarest spirits of the age”, (19th and 20th Century) ceramicist William De Morgan (her brother-in-law) and Evelyn De Morgan (her sister), to be looked after in trust.

An old friend of William and Evelyn described the pair as “so gifted, so entirely in harmony in their art, who acted and reacted on each others genius.

Their romance is one before which the pen falters”.

It is their “genius” and “romance” in all its glory that I’d like to pay tribute to as we explore The De Morgan Foundation as it is today, and with it, the legacy that lives on.

THE DE MORGAN CENTRE – THEN AND NOW Since 2002 the Foundation’s collection has been housed at the De Morgan

13

De Morgan Centre.indd 13

14/09/2012 19:22

ALL IMAGES: THE DE MORGAN FOUNDATION

Centre in South West London. However, it was a victim of Wandsworth Council’s arts cuts who closed the library it shared with the Foundation in 2009, forcing it to search for a new home for its collection of over 1000 ceramics and 500 paintings and drawings. The Centre has now received a reprieve and after some extensive negotiations it has been reopened to the public for a further 3 years in its West Hill location, alongside the recently opened Wandsworth Museum.

WILLIAM DE MORGAN, (1839-1917), The celebrated ceramist

Often described as the most important ceramicist of the Arts and Crafts Movement, William De Morgan rediscovered the lost art of lustre decoration and the brilliant colours of Islamic pottery, particularly the bright turquoise which features prominently in his work. He was especially inspired

by Isnik work of the 16th century. De Morgan began his artistic career working alongside contemporaries William

Morris and Edward Burne-Jones, before opening his own potter’s studio in Chelsea.

De Morgan was also a stained glass artist, inventor and chemist. After his pottery closed in 1904 he embarked on a career as a novelist and in the final years before his death he published seven novels, all of which enjoyed enormous success and brought their author the financial security which had until then eluded him.

EVELYN DE MORGAN, (1855-1919),

The wise and willful woman

“At the beginning of each year I say ‘I will do something’ and at the end I have done nothing. Art is eternal, but life is short” Evelyn Pickering, aged 17 The sentiments Evelyn etched in her diary at 17, remained true to her throughout her life. She lived it to the full, never missing a moment to stand up for the social and moral issues she believed in. Her personal and artistic philosophies were moulded whilst maturing through the unrest of 1914.

Throughout her career as a painter, she used literary allusion and allegory to express her strongly held views on contemporary spiritual, social and moral issues using

14

De Morgan Centre.indd 14

14/09/2012 19:29

Absolutely

ART & CULTURE

themes rich in colour, allegory and the dominance of the female form.

Evelyn’s artistic influence also stemmed from the time she spent in Italy, particularly in Florence where her artist uncle lived. The influence of Botticelli and his contemporaries is visible in many of her paintings, which display a specific interest in the confinement and limitations of the physical body on earth.

Often this is resolved through death.

WHEN WILLIAM MET EVEYLN

In the mid 1880s Evelyn met the ceramic designer William De Morgan and his family.

Her future mother-in-law, the spiritualist and social activist Sophia Frend De Morgan (1809-1892) became a pivotal influence in spiritualist practices and social reform. In 1887 Evelyn married William De Morgan and in addition to their artistic pursuits they shared a well-documented sense of humour and an idealistic spirit. Their mutual interests included social reform, spiritualism and music. Evelyn provided financial and moral support for her husband’s pottery business, which though successful required much capital.

WILLIAM AND EVELYN – THE COUPLE

Both William and Evelyn De Morgan were highly respected artists in their own rights. They married in 1887 and their unity throughout their lifetime was astounding. In addition to their art, they became involved in many of the leading issues of the day including; prison reform, pacifism and spiritualism. Together, they were also involved with the Suffragette movement. Evelyn was a signatory for the “Declaration in Favour of Women’s Suffrage” in 1889 and William showed his support by serving as Vice President of the “Men’s League for Women’s Suffrage” in 1913. When William died in 1917, far from giving up, Evelyn saw that the last two of William’s novels were completed and published the same year.

The De Morgan Centre is open until 9PM on the first Thursday of every month.

38 West Hill, SW18 demorgan.org.uk 15

De Morgan Centre.indd 15

14/09/2012 19:29

IBSTOCK PLACE SCHOOL Pre-Prep and Prep Schools Open Mornings 9.30am Wednesday 26 September 2012 9.30am Wednesday 14 November 2012

Senior School Open Morning: 9.30am - 12.00noon Saturday 29 September 2012 IBSTOCK PLACE SCHOOL, CLARENCE LANE, LONDON, SW15 5PY Tel: 020 8392 5803 email: registrar@ibstockplaceschool.co.uk www.ibstockplaceschool.co.uk

FULL PAGE.indd 1

14/09/2012 17:33

Absolutely

FAMILY FUN

GOLDEN MOMENTS

The Golden Treasury bookshop provides your little treasures with the best in children’s books, with exclusive signed copies often available. From titles for early years through to teenagers, there’s something for everyone plus a mix of prize-winning cookery and non-fiction titles for adults.

Any book not in stock can be ordered and generally arrives within a few days.

29 Replingham Road, SW18; thegoldentreasury.co.uk

ALL YOU NEED TO KEEP THEM AMUSED

Kids Notes GIDDY UP

From games and piggy banks to costumes and stationery sets, Cath Kidston’s exceptionally cute children’s range is hard to resist. These cowboy-illustrated leather booties are no exception – and put the kid firmly in Kidston. £22, 142 Northcote Road, SW11; cathkidston.co.uk

IT’S A KIND OF MAGIC

Perform are introducing a spell binding term with their dynamic drama, dance and singing workshops.

Local children are invited to don their finest wizard robes, seize their magic wands and enter the weird and wonderful world of Arthurian Legends.

Locations include Battersea, Clapham and Putney among others; perform.org.uk

ANIMAL PLANET

Battersea Park Zoo is a haven for kids and adults, with exciting animal encounters, a play area and a relaxing café. Kids can get up close and personal with giant rabbits, miniature Shetland ponies and create mischief in monkey mayhem. There are also plenty of activities and keepers’ talks during school holidays. Make sure you book guided tours for groups in advance. Battersea Park, SW18; batterseapark. org/info/what-to-do/kids

FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD

‘Why can’t we eat chocolate for breakfast?’, ‘Where do carrots come from and why do they help you see in the dark?’. If these questions sound familiar, Just Yummy is a school where all your hungry caterpillars’ questions are answered. They will learn about different food groups and how they affect our bodies, combining many cultures and significant festivals and traditions. They experiment with different ingredients and cooking methods and learn about health and safety in the kitchen.

39 Gore Road, SW20, just-yummy.co.uk 17

Kids Notes.indd 17

14/09/2012 19:53

Untitled-1 1

28/02/2012 17:41

Absolutely

FASHION &BEAUTY

Forever Autumn

The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep.”

Robert Frost

LARGE WOOL COAT, £520; WOOL AND SILK PRINT TOP, £290; COTTON MIX; TROUSERS, £240; LEATHER BELT, £90; LEATHER HIGH HEEL BOOTS, £610

FASHION OPENER.indd 15

STOCKIST PAUL & JOE 134 SLOANE STREET SW1X 020 7824 8844

14/09/2012 18:54

livier s ounge 1 Bellevue Parade Wandsworth Common SW17 7EQ

Open hours: Mon-Sat 9.30 - 6.00 Sunday 12.00 - 5.00

T: 020 8767 7294

www.olivierslounge.co.uk

Olivier's Lounge.2.indd 1

12/09/2012 15:34

Absolutely

FASHION 

Tina’s ‘K

THE BENEFACTOR

NI PICKST’

LK Bennet’s new AW 2012 collection is fronted by British actress, Emily Mortimer.

Get the look with Emily’s favourite pieces, which include the perfectly cut boucle coat and the patent toe ankle boots (£275). Fabulous for fall. Lkbennet.com

WOMAN IN THE KNOW SW STYLE WITH TINA LAKE

Post the euphoria of Team GB’s Olympic success and the rather swift drop in degrees centigrade, fashion à la SW has been an eclectic mix of the traditional and the slightly daring, marked by patriotic colours and more muted summer wear, in contrast to the bright colours sported on the typical south Londoner during summer.

Battersea remains a Chelsea outlet and Putney has a traditional high street of big name shops. However, they have not yet had the Northcote Road phenomena of the small but fashion forward boutique that is unique to Wandsworth, available for both adults and children.

I thought about what we were previewing at London-Boutiques and decided to wander across both Clapham and Wandsworth Commons on an unusually dry Saturday morning, to identify which of the key trends were reigning supreme for yummy mummies and children alike.

Verdict? YM winning trends are clear; chunky knits in autumnal shades of green, purple, ivory and metallic predominate in knits and woven dresses and there’s a degree of summer still hanging in the air with floral prints flowing into A/W styles.

Also noticibly prevelant is the print on print look, a seemingly easy, on-trend style which saves you from buying an entire new season wardrobe.

Knit brand picks for A/W are Acne and Vanessa Bruno, both emphasising classic and contemporary styles and are available at Iris on Northcote Road, which has a great selection of their latest knitwear collections at reasonable prices for premium yarns.

What might be a bit of a splurge (but nonetheless, irresistable and also conveniently available at Iris) are the minime versions of these key season knitwear trends for your little people. And at any rate, who could criticise a bit of superstyled, coordinated motherdaughter fashion?!

Tina is owner and founder of london-boutiques.com

LIA ANGORA JUMPER (TOP), £154, AND ESTHER MOHAIR JUMPER (BOTTOM),£238, BOTH FROM ACNE (ACNESTUDIOS.COM)

Fashion Notes TOLULA ADEYEMI

COVETIQUE.COM

Wandsworth based Covetique, source the best individual fashion sellers of high quality, pre-owned designer fashion from around the world and connect them to local buyers, who can be assured of amazing quality without the luxury price tag. Their ‘personal online wardrobe’ lets women share their personal style and “follow” other women of a similar size and taste. Our style watch is firmly focused on Tolula.

MADELEINE MACEY Temperley London What is your favourite boutique in SW London?

I love the antiques hall on Northcote Road. I loose my sense of time going over the furniture, frames, plant pots and costume jewellery. At the moment, I’m searching for an old chaise to re-upholster.

What is your favourite trend for the SW lady this A/W12 and best places to buy?

Big comfy knits to throw over simple winter floral blouses keeps it on trend and feminine and it’s super easy for the SW lady’s multitasking lifestyle. I would wear them with tight leather trousers to toughen the look up, but that may not be so practical – who said fashion was...? I would look around our excellent charity shops, like ASK at the top of Park Hill and pick up a few cozy winter reads while you are there too. I love stacking up books from our second hand shops. temperley.com

21

Fashion Notes.indd 21

14/09/2012 19:39

Down BOY! This Autumn it’s all about Leather, Luxe and seasonal hues PHOTOGRAPHY: HELEN MCARDLE STYLIST: CHARLIE MOORE

SW FASHION SHOOT OCT 2012.indd 22

14/09/2012 20:14

SILK TOP, £625, BY CLEMENTS RIBEIRO

Swimsuit – Lisa Maree £145 PEWTERLuxe METAL AND Sunglasses – Linda Farrow £127 CRYSTAL RING,£585 £58, BY Shoes – Gianmarco Lorenzi BUTLER & WILSON Bracelet – Azuni £66 BLACK DIAMOND HAND BRACELET, £8,250, BY GAYDAMAK AT KABIRI

SW FASHION SHOOT OCT 2012.indd 23

14/09/2012 20:15

GREY WOOL TUNIC, £135, SILK BLOUSE, £119, AND WOOL TROUSERS, £169, ALL BY THE FOLD GOLD METAL NECKLACE, £99, BY REL-LIFE AT JOHN LEWIS BLUE QUARTZ AND 18 CARAT GOLD PLATED RING, £153, BY AAMAYA BY PRIYANKA GOLD METAL BRACELET, £385, BY STELLA MCCARTNEY AT MATCHES GOLD RING, £295, BY DOMINIC LUCAS AT WOLF & BADGER LARGE LEATHER BAG, £570, BY SOPHIE HULME AT MATCHES SMALLER LEATHER BAG, £750, BY SMYTHSON PATENT LEATHER SHOES, £345, BY JIMMY CHOO

SW FASHION SHOOT OCT 2012.indd 24

14/09/2012 20:15

COTTON SHIRT, £55, BY COS WOOL AND CASHMERE CULOTTES, £630, BY JW ANDERSON AT BROWNS FANTASIE 18 CARAT WHITE GOLD, BLUE SAPPHIRE AND OPAL LAGUNA RING BY WENDY YUE FOR ANNOUSHKA, £12,900 BLUE QUARTZ AND 18 CARAT GOLD PLATED RING, £153, BY AAMAYA BY PRIYANKA WHITE LEATHER AND CHECK WOOL BAG ACROSS BODY, £1,065, BY CHLOE AT NET A PORTER GREY LEATHER SATCHEL, £385, BY TUSTING GOLD METAL CUFF, £700, BY SOPHIA KOKOSALAKI GOLD METAL AND BLACK RESIN CUFF, FROM A SELECTION BY KATE SPADE SATIN SHOES, £440, BY MANOLO BLAHNI

SW FASHION SHOOT OCT 2012.indd 25

14/09/2012 20:15

BROWN WOOL AND LEATHER COAT, £429,

BY MAJE LEATHER TROUSERS, £430, BY WORK CUSTOM AT THE RAW DENIM BAR LEATHER GLOVES, £44.95, BY SERMONETA POP ART LEATHER AND PERSPEX CLUTCH, £415, BY 3.1 PHILLIP LIM AT MATCHES BLACK CROC BAG, £1,270, BY AMELIA POWERS AT 59 STRINGS BROWN AND BLACK LEATHER BAG, £890,

BY TRUSSARDI SUEDE SHOES, £560, BY MANOLO BLAHNIK

SW FASHION SHOOT OCT 2012.indd 26

14/09/2012 20:15

STOCKISTS WWW.59STRINGS.COM WWW.ANNOUSHKA-JEWELLERY.COM WWW.AAMAYABYPRIYANKA.COM WWW.BROWNSFASHION.COM WWW.BUTLERANDWILSON.CO.UK WWW.CLEMENTSRIBEIRO.COM WWW.COSSTORES.COM WWW.EMILIOPUCCI.COM WWW.JIMMYCHOO.COM WWW.JOHNLEWIS.COM) WWW.KABIRI.CO.UK WWW.KATESPADE.COM WWW.NETAPORTER.COM WWW.MAJE.COM WWW.MANOLOBLAHNIK.COM WWW.MATCHESFASHION.COM WWW.MICHAELKORS.COM WWW.SERMONETAGLOVES.COM WWW.SOPHIAKOKOSALAKI.COM WWW.SMYTHSON.COM WWW.THEFOLDLONDON.COM WWW.THERAWDENIMBAR.NET WWW.TRUSSARDI.COM WWW.TUSTING.CO.UK WWW.WOLFANDBADGER.COM

WOOL AND LEATHER DRESS, £1,490, BY MICHAEL KORS BLACK LEATHER GLOVES, £194.95, BY SERMONETA VELVET BELT, £180, BY MCQ AT NET A PORTER BLACK LEATHER BAG, £1,435, BY EMILIO PUCCI

CREDITS MAKE UP ALY HAZELWOOD AT BALCONY JUMP USING GIORGIO ARMANI COSMETICS HAIR SHERIDAN WARD USING BUMBLE & BUMBLE MANICURE LINH NHAM USING ESSIE MODEL LOTTE AT FM

SW FASHION SHOOT OCT 2012.indd 27

14/09/2012 20:15



ABSOLUTELY

F a s h i o nChelsea & Jeweller y 

A unique red carpet catwalk presentation at

The night of 10th October 2012 will see Burlington Arcade play centre stage to a collaboration between celebrated antique jeweller, Susannah Lovis and British womenswear designer, Daniel Blake.

This star-studded event, sponsored by Absolutely magazines, will feature a champagne reception, high-octane catwalk show, prize draw, and lavish goodie bags to top it all off.

There will also be the opportunity to garner one-to-one advice from the designers themselves.

Luxury Goodie bags

Plus a prize draw worth over

£1,200

including

a

Thomas Lyte handbag

sponsors

Ti c k e t s

cost

£20 a n d m a y b e p u r c h a s e d online at

w w w. d a n i e l b l a k e . c o . u k

www.susannahlovis.com

www.danielblake.co.uk

ABSOLUTELY Chelsea

BURLINGTON ADVERT.FINAL.indd 1

23/08/2012 15:22

l S/S’12 Gold Labe

THE LIFE AND STYLE OF

Vivienne

Westwood VIVIENNE WESTWOOD HAS ALWAYS BEEN A FIGURE OF INTENSE FASCINATION, BOTH TO THE FASHION COGNOSCENTI AND TO THE PUBLIC. OUTSPOKEN, CREATIVELY PROLIFIC AND STILL SPORTING THAT INFAMOUS TANGERINE MANE, ZOE LODGE DELVES INTO THE LIFE OF THIS BATTERSEA-BASED LEGEND

29

Vivienne Westwood2.indd 29

14/09/2012 16:10

Sex

‘I GOT THIS REPUTATION FOR BEING A BIT OF A SEX MANIAC AND THINGS LIKE THAT, AND I’M NOT. I LOVE THAT JEAN SHRIMPTON QUOTE: “SEX HAS NEVER BEEN HIGH ON MY LIST OF PRIORITIES”’ VIVIENNE WESTWOOD ON:

VIVIENNE WESTWOOD ON:

Age

‘I’LL TELL YOU ONE THING — MAYBE YOU CAN CALL THIS VAIN OR NOT — BUT I LOOK IN THE MIRROR IN THE MORNING, I PUT MY MAKE-UP ON, AND I THINK ABOUT HOW OLD I’M GETTING, AND THEN I FORGET ABOUT IT AND THAT’S THAT. I’M QUITE HAPPY AND SATISFIED WITH MYSELF. ACTUALLY, I THINK I LOOK MY BEST’ MENSWEAR S/S’13

MENSWEAR A/W’12-13

VIVIENNE WESTWOOD ON:

Men

‘MY MEN HAVE ALWAYS BEEN PEOPLE WHO’VE GIVEN ME INTELLECTUAL STIMULATION. THAT’S WHAT I’VE ALWAYS NEEDED. I GET THAT FROM THIS HUSBAND OF MINE (KRONTHALER), WHO’S MUCH YOUNGER THAN ME BUT, MY GOD, HE’S AN ORIGINAL THINKER. HE’S ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT’

TIMELINE OF WESTWOOD’S LIFE TO DATE 1941 – The legend is born Vivienne Isabel Swire on 8th April 1941 in Glossop, Derbyshire.

1957 – Westwood moves with her family to London, aged 17, and attends Harrow Art School for one term.

1962 – She marries Derek Westwood, aged 21, and becomes a primary school teacher in North London. A year later, she gives birth to her first son, Benjamin Arthur Westwood.

1965 – As one chapter closes another begins; Vivienne’s marriage to Westwood ends and she meets 18-year old Malcolm Edwards (aka.

McLaren).

1967 – They have a son together and name him Joseph Ferdinand Corré.

1971 – Westwood begins designing at a time when London was at the forefront of cultural change. Eventually she gives up teaching to help McLaren open the now infamous boutique at 430 King’s Road. The shop is called ‘Let it Rock’ but they quickly change the name to ‘Too Fast to Live, Too Young To Die.’ 1974 – The couple take inspiration from Bikers, Fetishists and Prostitutes. And in 1974 the shop was re-branded once again to become ‘Sex’, a boutique with the slogan ‘rubberwear for the office’.

1975 – The pairs designs sometimes ruffle feathers which saw them fined for ‘exposing to public view an indecent exhibition’ in ‘75.

1976 – The couple dress the Sex Pistols; rename

the King’s Road store ‘Seditionaries – Clothes for Heroes’, but in ’79 the shop name changes again to ‘World’s End’.

1981 – Westwood collaborates with McLaren to present their first collection, ‘Pirates’. The pair continue to show their controversial collections until their relationship comes to a end in 1983, and they separate.

1983 – The designer presents her first solo collection in the summer of 1983, entitled ‘The Witches’. Showing garments of unusual structure and cuts inspired by a book about voodoo.

1987 – Westwood designs the ‘Statue of Liberty’ corset – the first of its kind to be worn as outerwear – as part of the Harris Tweed A/W 1987-8 collections.

30

Vivienne Westwood2.indd 30

14/09/2012 16:10

VIVIENNE WESTWOOD QUOTATIONS FROM: THE GUARDIAN, INTERVIEW MAGAZINE, BBC.CO.UK AND THE INDEPENDENT

Body VIVIENNE WESTWOOD ON:

GOLD LABEL S/S’12

RED LABEL A/W’12-13

‘FASHION IS ABOUT EVENTUALLY BECOMING NAKED’ GOLD LABEL S/S’12

Punk Fashion VIVIENNE WESTWOOD ON:

‘I WAS MESSIANIC ABOUT PUNK, SEEING IF ONE COULD PUT A SPOKE IN THE SYSTEM IN SOME WAY’

1990 and 1991 – Westwood is awarded Fashion Designer of the Year by the British Fashion Council. This decade sees the designer’s interest shift into Haute Couture and she begins her love affair with British wools, tartans, tweeds and linens.

1992 – Westwood is made Honorary Senior Fellow of the Royal College of Art and her shop opens at 43 Conduit Street, Soho. It is a busy year for the fashion maverick, she is presented an O.B.E at Buckingham Palace by her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, and marries her new beau, Andreas Kronthaler.

1993 – Westwood’s womenswear label divides into two different lines: the ‘Gold Label’

VIVIENNE WESTWOOD ON:

‘FASHION IS VERY IMPORTANT. IT IS LIFEENHANCING AND LIKE EVERYTHING THAT GIVES PLEASURE, IT IS WORTH DOING WELL’

exclusively sells couture, and the pret-â-porter line, better known as the ‘Red Label’.

1998 – Vivienne Westwood launches her first fragrance, Boudoir, with the help of famous nose Martin Gras of Dragoco.

2000 – The Museum of London hosts ‘Vivienne Westwood: the collection of Romilly McAlpine’ and a year later, Westwood is the first designer honoured at the Moët & Chandon Fashion Tribute held at the V&A. 2006 – Westwood becomes a Dame.

2008 – Vivienne Westwood shows her ‘Red

Label’ in London after almost a decade of absence from London Fashion Week. She calls on other British brands that now only show abroad to follow her example.

2011 – To accompany Westwood’s S/S’12 ‘ Red Label’ collection, the designer introduces the Rainforest charity, Cool Earth, and her campaign to save the most vulnerable Rainforest areas by 2020. The designer calls on her friends, celebrities and everyone interested in saving the world to lend their support.

Vivienne Westwood quotations from The Guardian, Interview magazine, BBC.co.uk and The Independent.

31

Vivienne Westwood2.indd 31

14/09/2012 16:11

Style with Substance T STEPHEN BAYLEY TALKS TO KATY JARRATT ABOUT CONCEPTS, CARS AND CONRAN

here are people who answer questions, people who question answers, people who question questions, and – just when you think you cannot get any more conceptual – people like Stephen Bayley. Anyone who calls their office ‘a refined version of nothing,’ definitely deserves the abstraction rosette at the hypothetical gymkhana.

The place is bright, quiet and Soho-chic but, he’s right, there is nothing exceptional about it. ‘I’m not particularly interested in rarity and exclusivity,’ he says as we sit down at a table by a window. ‘It is the ordinary thing done extraordinarily well which fascinates me.’ There we have it, that ‘refined version of nothing’ he was talking about – the nucleus within the cell of the explanation. I’m going to have to pay attention.

Bayley was brought up in suburban Liverpool in what he calls ‘unexceptional circumstances’. He first realised that he had an eye for design when he became interested in his father’s cars. ‘My father used to work in the aircraft industry, so we had nice cars but boring houses. Since then it is cars which have forever represented some sort of romantic design ideal for me; the engines, the motors, things that are functional but put together perfectly.’

He does not have the rags to riches story of many now famous Liverpudlians of that generation, despite attending the same school as John Lennon. ‘I had a comfortable upbringing, but being somewhere like that you can’t help but be aware of how physical circumstances and the environment affects people. It was the looming presence of Liverpool as a built environment; evocative, romantic, joyous, depressing, all at the same time, which made me realise early on what design was before I even knew the word.’

His honesty about being a voyeur of that working class ideal rather than a part of it is striking, and that is maybe why his relationship with his subject has always stayed the same: ‘Obviously, like a lot of people my vectors have evolved to help me escape suburban normality, but I still strongly

32

Stephen Bayley.indd 32

14/09/2012 16:09

believe that design is the most democratic subject of all.’

These days Bayley is your classic polymath. You have probably read him in a broadsheet or in (one of his many) books, spotted his name as a curator, heard him debating, or commenting on trends in modern culture. Either that or you recognise him from the design movement that he and Terence Conran spearheaded back in the 1980s. ‘I think what Terence and I did with the Boilerhouse at the V&A helped make design into the popular subject it is today – and it is what I am professionally most grateful for’, he comments. ‘Now design used in its many contexts is terribly commonplace, but this was not the case back then. Ruefully, Terence and I succeeded far too well getting it into the public eye in the first place.’

His collaboration with Conran secured his name and his reputation.

Bayley was offered the Chair of Design at Salford University when he was just 27. If he had not met Conran, he would have gone on to a life in academics.

He says of his career path: ‘If it were not for a few chance meetings, my life would have been a totally different story. There is still a didactic element in everything I do, but most of all I am ultra proud I have managed to survive.

I quite often look at my own works in despair. Apart from my wife and children there is very little I’ve done that couldn’t be greatly improved.’

Does he not think that’s a little melodramatic? A bit of the tortured artist talking? ‘As soon as you’ve lost the power of criticism, you lose a great deal, no?’ he says.

I don’t have an answer. In fact, I’d never thought about it. That’s me told.

And that’s precisely what he aims to do.

Provoke thought, guide people into what he calls ‘an intellectual workout. Albeit slightly dogmatically,’ he admits.

He and his wife Flo, who is a gentle ballerina-type, live in Vauxhall with their two children. ‘I enjoy south London. It’s been deficient for years when it comes to restaurants. They were the first designed experience, so I am picky and have a peripheral interest in them, not least because my daughter and the Conrans are involved in that industry,’ he says.

‘But thankfully food in the south of the capital is changing. When Flo and I do go

out, we like taking friends from Notting Hill to the superlatively odd Brunswick House Cafe and giving them a shock. It’s a cafe in a salvage yard - the anarchic charm is wonderful.’

books written about ugliness,’ he says. ‘I just wanted to make people think. What is thought to be ugly? There are very few constants. Mark my words, before too long, spittle-flecked conversationalists will say ‘what a thing of wonder Trellick Tower is, and isn’t it a touching monument to bla bla bla?’ All this while the trendy crew is still trying to declare it hideous.’

I ask whether he actually has any opinions on what is ugly and what isn’t, or he just wants to comment in abstractions from the sidelines? ‘The point is it’s not about what I think, I just want to make people think about their choices and to present the arguments for why they should consider something,’ he declares. He takes a sharp intake of breath and starts again: ‘That aside, I am not at all afraid of being forthright.’

What does he think, then, is the ugliest thing in southwest London?

‘Ugh,’ he recoils at the very thought of having to ‘go there’. ‘There is a building on Nine Elms Lane, the other side of the Battersea Dog’s Home, just opposite the prep school called Newton Prep. It is the most shocking, artless, incompetent, cackhanded…’ he rises from his chair for emphasis, ‘…insensitive, hamfisted, appalling situation. Just look at it and the enthusiasm drains from you. How can it be? How is this atrocity allowed?

Students should go down and study this building for its sheer horror.’

He’s on a roll. So it actually physically affects him? ‘Yes, absolutely.

I am not exactly limp-wristed but it makes me ill, especially when I had to take my kids to school opposite.’ he says. ‘I just want to be able to knock it down or argue with the person who created it. There should be an aesthetic peace force – I’d be its chief commissioner – to destroy hideous things and correct errors of judgement and taste.’

It strikes me that I would love to be so finely tuned. How great to feel physically sick at the sight of a badly-designed building, or – upon coming across a well-designed mundane object – have to place a steadying hand on the nearest wall to mitigate the waves of intellectual orgasm. He has done well, then, not to die from horror. ‘Daily life is torment,’ he says, ‘I need everything to be the best it can be every day and that’s hard.

But, as Joan Didion says when she gets out her best china, ‘every day is all we got.’’’

“I STILL STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT DESIGN IS THE MOST DEMOCRATIC SUBJECT OF ALL”

He has intimidating intelligence and confidence reinforced by an encyclopaedic knowledge of everything. Not just facts, but whole quotes, books, artworks, histories and cultural movements. All this on top of being a keen observer and pre-occupied with the appearance of everything makes him a force to be reckoned with. ‘I care very much about the way I look too,’ he says. ‘I despise the ageing process and I’m constantly dieting, exercising, you know, faddish things. The image of the self is the ultimate design, so of course I care about it. Life’s a pitch - that’s a book of mine, by the way. People who do not care about how they look, you will find, actually care about very little.’

His new book – Ugly: The aesthetics of everything published this October – is a cultural commentary on the nature of beauty and ugliness. ‘There have hardly been any

33

Stephen Bayley.indd 33

14/09/2012 16:09

34

Tana Ramsay.indd 34

14/09/2012 20:30

All about the girl POPPY CROSS TALKS TO TANA RAMSAY ABOUT HOW WOMEN CAN DO IT ALL

T

ana Ramsay has to be Wandsworth’s busiest woman.

She is wife to celebrity chef husband Gordon Ramsay and mother to their four children (Matilda, Megan, Jack and Holly), has three successful cookbooks to her name, has presented ‘Market Kitchen’, run the London Marathon, named celebrity mum of the year in 2010 - appeared on Dancing On Ice and last year opened her very own salon, All About The Girl for the busy modern woman in London. Phewph!

We think she knows what she’s talking about! She even made time to catch up with me whilst away on holiday with her family in America.

How does she do it? I’m on a mission to find out.

Wednesday 29th July, 5PM: Tana Ramsay is currently on holiday spending some well earned quality time with her family before her children go back to school. I feel slightly guilty for interrupting this rare and special time but as soon as we get talking– her passion for AATG, which she calls “my baby”, pours through.

Tana’s background didn’t begin in beauty although she tells me she was always interested in it. After studying for her Montessori Early Childhood Qualification at St Nicholas Training College in London, Tana worked as a Teacher at Caterpillar Montessori Nursery

in Chiswick, spending all the money she earned on beauty treatments. She continued teaching until she had her first child but far from slowing down – she sped up! Tana started food writing from home and when her children matured and required less of her time, Tana made a beeline for beauty.

So what prompted her to set up AATG? Having lived in Wandsworth for 11 years, Tana felt that there was a gap in the local market for, “the one-stop shop.” She describes the ladies who live in and around Northcote Road as “busy, savvy women and

beauty brand – Guinot. The Guinot Hydradermie Facial dubbed as “the star of beauty treatments” lasts 1 hour 15 minutes and is customized to your skin using the hydradermie machine, which rehydrates, regenerates and deep cleanses the skin giving a “radiant and glowing” complexion.

However, for clients who don’t have time for a facial, Tana tells me that the treatment she couldn’t do without although “it sounds mundane,” is a manicure. “I’m constantly working with my hands and if you have chipped nails you just don’t feel good. If time is on your side then a blow dry or a facial is always nice but if nothing else – get your nails done.”

And what about outside of the salon? What is Tana Ramsay’s day-to-day beauty regime? How does she always manage to look so good? “I cleanse, tone and moisturize and always, always wear factor 50 sun cream on my face – even when it’s grey and miserable outside.” Since Tana’s main concern is the pigmentation marks on her face she is always careful about protecting her skin. On top of the sun cream she will apply some tinted moisturizer, put on some mascara and maybe apply some lip gloss and “that’s pretty much it.”

This all sounds fairly low maintainence – but what does Tana do for special occasions? “I suffer from pigmentation issues so a real treat for me would be to get a course of 5 facials before a big event.” I

‘WHEN HER CHILDREN MATURED AND REQUIRED LESS OF HER TIME, TANA MADE A B-LINE FOR BEAUTY’ I wanted to offer a full range of treatments that fit into their hectic lives and allow them to feel good about themselves.”

AATG offers cutting-edge beauty treatments, like the Leighton Denny nail treatments (the leading nail expert in the UK), which Tana explains is important because “you need to supply demand” (she sounds very businesslike and savvy herself – a trait she shares with her husband).

One of the latest treatments the salon is due to launch comes from the coveted

35

Tana Ramsay.indd 35

14/09/2012 21:31

find it hard to believe that the “big event” Tana has in mind is her 40th birthday – only a few years away.

Experience has also taught Tana the treatments or, to be more precise – “looks” she will forever steer clear of and remembers a time (rather reluctantly!) when she had her hair cut to a fringe and labels it “an absolute disaster! I have naturally wavy hair and so it ended horribly and I had to straighten it every single day and of course it always went wavy and looked completely ridiculous!”

There was also the time when she and a friend went to get a Saint Tropez Spray tan the day before running the London Marathon but when it got to mile 22 – she wondered why her friend was staring at her with what she described as mild concern, only to realize it was because half her tan was streaming off her face!

“Never again!” she exclaims.

All treatments on offer at AATG are non surgical but I’m curious to know Tana’s thoughts on cosmetic surgery nonetheless. Would she consider it? “Never say never” she replies, “but preventative treatments are what I’m aiming for. I think I’d be scared to look in the mirror if I had surgery and not recognize the person staring back at me.” Tana also adds that she doesn’t want her children to be obsessed with beauty and weight and believes she should have as “normal approach” as possible. Does this include Botox, I ask – knowing that it’s no secret that Gordon has had it. “No – it’s the same answer I give to surgery. I want to be as natural as possible but I’m not naïve – I know things may change but at the moment, it’s a no.”

What about Gordon – is he partial to the odd non-surgical treatment at AATG? Tana laughs, “I think the idea of going into a place called ‘All About The Girl’ terrifies Gordon – he wouldn’t be seen dead in there!” Fair point, I agree - the name is totally opposed to Gordon’s fiery, macho temperament but I imagine it’s a different story for her three daughters. “Oh yes, they would be in here every day if they could! Particularly my second eldest.”

Tana always looks flawless but she knows that beauty is more than just skin deep and stresses the importance of combining beauty regimes and treatments

with leading a healthy lifestyle, which is especially important to her because she wants to “set an example” to her children.

She’s an advocate of eating healthily and exercising regularly and it’s surprising to learn that despite being married to Gordon, she is the one who does most of the cooking.

To save time, Tana normally orders her food from Ocado (Waitrose’s online system that delivers directly to your door) and prepares food for the week by cooking dishes like casseroles on weekends which can easily be whipped up during the week.

For fresh, local produce Tana loves going to Mowing’s Butchers on Clapham Common and Motcombs on Nightingale Lane for fresh fish. “If we eat out, the kids love Pizza Express and if Gordon and I want something a bit special, Chez Bruce is our favorite.”

‘DESPITE BEING MARRIED TO GORDON – SHE IS THE ONE WHO DOES MOST OF THE COOKING’ Tana’s toned physique is also the result of regular exercise. She runs 3 times a week and is a fan of the Tracey Anderson Technique which she does twice a week – all before she doing the school run in the morning. After that, Tana heads down to AATG and is there every day (except Sunday) from 8.45AM until 7PM. On Saturday, she may “sneak off” to watch her son play football but other than that – it’s all hands on deck. She’s completely involved in every aspect of the business and carries out as many of the treatments as she’s able to (without being a fully - qualified beautician), like the Zen Tan. Throughout my conversation with Tana, I’ve been struck by her sharp business mind. She is proof that women can have it all and should be rest assured that she is a wonderful example to her children, not to mention the rest of us.

36

Tana Ramsay.indd 36

14/09/2012 20:30

Sporting Feet stocks great quality footwear for all major sports

New Balance 624 Velcro

Mizuno Timaru Junior

Asics Netburner 14

Asics 1170 junior

new Richmond shop!

Adidas Absolado

Free footscanning and gait testing available

9 King Street, Richmond, TW9 1ND Tel: 020 8948 6059

3 Lacy Road, Putney, SW15 1NH Tel: 020 8780 0558

sporti g feet sports shoes for sporty people

www.sporting-feet.com

ADVERT PLACEMENTS.indd 1

the

house o yoga SW LONDON'S NEW HOT YOGA STUDIO HAS OPENED ITS DOORS IN PUTNEY.

The House of Yoga has opened its new state of the art Hot Power Vinyasa Yoga studio on Upper Richmond Road, just off Putney High street. From the moment you walk into the studio reception you instantly feel calm and collected in the friendly environment, away from the stresses of the city.

The yoga studio is spacious and light and feels serene even though the yoga itself is challenging. The studio also boasts changing rooms and wet rooms, perfect for the early morning corporate yogi or if you plan to go out with friends post-

T: 07793 541602

info@thehouseofyoga.co.uk www.thehouseofyoga.co.uk

THE HOUSE OF YOGA.HALF.indd 1

class. "Our style of yoga is accessible to everyone" says founder and studio owner Jason Pooley, and adds that during a Hot Yoga session you can easily burn up to 600 calories in a 90 minute class.

Their philosophy is - simply roll out your mat, focus on your breath and enjoy the class. The House of Yoga have classes to suit everyone, whether it is your first time or you are more experienced.

Why not try their 14 day unlimited Yoga intro offer for only ÂŁ20.

Are you up for the challenge?

228 Upper Richmond Rd Putney, London SW15 6TG

12/09/2012 14:26 14/09/2012 18:08

Absolutely

JO MALONE LONDON BLACKBERRY AND BAY COLOGNE, £76 FOR 100ML; JOMALONE.CO.UK

HEALTH & BEAUTY

BETE NOIR PURE COLOUR NAIL LACQUER

CHUBBY STICK

Absolutely loves this intense, vibrant and gothic shade. £14.50; esteelauder.co.uk

This sheer violet hue is ideal for those who want a subtle way to embrace A/W colours. £16; clinique.co.uk

ROUGE COCO SHINE LIPSTICK IN CHIC

Autumn Hues

THE ELEPHANT PALETTE

Inspired by A/W trends, Chantecaille have created this eye palette fusing colours from the catwalk and the Kenyan grasslands. £74; uk.spacenk.com

Chanel’s sheer hydrating lipstick delivers colour and moisture to lips. £48; chanel.com

WHEN THE LEAVES TURN GOLDEN, OUR MAKE UP PALETTE FOLLOWS SUIT. WE ARE IN LOVE WITH THIS SEASONS RICH COLOURS BURBERRY EYES SHEER EYESHADOW

Inspired by English countryside, the new Burberry shadows are directional and luxurious. We love the Mulberry shade. £22.50; uk.burberry.com

LONGWEAR MASCARA

A lengthening, longlasting mascara at last – hurrah! £18; bobbibrown.co.uk

CAFÉ ROSE

The perfect autumnal scent. £135; selfridges.com 38

Beauty Products - Winter Skin Creams_v3.indd 38

14/09/2012 13:49

HHC Green Apr2012 rhp_Hogarth mini-brochure 1 11/09/2012 12:37 Page 1

THE

HOGARTH AND YOU

THE PERSONAL TOUCH THE RESULTS YOU WANT

Whether you want to get in shape, play sport, socialise or relax, our professional and friendly team are on hand to welcome you with a warm smile, as well as inspire, guide and motivate you. ele

bratin g

e

Ho

19

Th

81

C

ga

r th

H e alt h C l u b

Es

t.

www.thehogarth.co.uk tel.020 8994 0500

THE HOGARTH HEALTH CLUB AIREDALE AVENUE CHISWICK LONDON W4 2NW FULL PAGE.indd 1

11/09/2012 14:04

Absolutely Absolutely

HEALTH & HEALTH & BEAUTY BEAUTY

EDITORS

Pick

LOUISE PARKER PERSONAL TRAINING

It’s all about fat burning here – and, at that, very hardcore fat burning. Using a programme called The Intensive, which Louise developed, it’s a rigorous overhaul of diet, fitness and lifestyle where habits are tackled, food plans instigated and workouts whipped into place. In addition, the service is excellent: there’s a 20-strong team of mobile trainers plus Louise checks in weekly with clients. The result? Body-changing and dress-sizedropping in only six weeks. Amazing. louiseparkerpersonaltraining.com

Beauty Notes PURPOSE PINK

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, so help make a difference with celebrated florist, Timothy Dunn’s specially created Blue Rose Limited Edition Pink Candle from which all profits go straight to Breast Cancer Awareness. The scent is fresh and floral with a heedy combination of rosewater, dewy violets, sugared raspberry, rich-red Moroccan rose, sensual musks, orange flower, cedar and fresh green tea. £42;

timothydunnlondon.com

FEMALE ARTWORK

SMOOTH DESIGN

label.m Professional haircare (used backstage at London Fashion Week for 17 years) are joining forces with British designer Giles Deacon. Giles has taken inspiration for this range from the exotic street style he has witnessed while sketching on his iPad at airports across the globe. Available mid-October, from £12; toniandguy.com

Roland Mouret, the fashion designer and master of turning the female silhouette into a work of art, has created Final Finish Body Serum in collaboration with Aromatherapy Associates. The exotic serum acts like a veil on the skin and is all we want to wear this autumn. £45; aromatherapy associates.com

COMPLETELY COCONUTS The Eighth Wonder of the Universe has to be coconuts. Whether drunk, eaten, or applied cosmetically, the health and beauty benefits of coconuts are endless and have been celebrated for centuries. To keep hydrated and energised, Vita Coco, (Holland and Barrett, £1.49) acts as my ‘caffeine’ and favorite daily drink. The protein rich, creamy, coconut flavored Bounce Balls (Whole Foods, £1.69), are my foolproof snack – tasting too delicious to be guilt-free but miraculously they’re healthy! Coconut Oil has plenty of uses too, and is perfect for cooking, baking and frying, as it doesn’t de-nature in high temperatures. Abundant in good fats and Vitamin E, it prevents skin dehydration, aging, boosts radiance and even rescued my skin when I burnt it at Battersea Foodies festival this August!

Coconuts are the perfect ’food’ for your body, skin and hair, leaving you beautiful inside and out.

Urszula Przybysz

40

Beauty Notes.indd 40

14/09/2012 18:27

Absolutely

PROMOTION

Sculpt your body slim in six weeks

T

he intensive personal training programme was devised by celebrity trainer Louise Parker over 12 years ago and has since changed the body shape of hundreds of individuals.

Her experience ranges from helping clients recover from long-term obesity, to taking care of some of the most beautiful bodies in the world.

The unique programme combines six hours a week of her exercise method, alongside a rigorous dietary overhaul, for a six-week period. “Each week we train you in four 90-minute sessions in the comfort of your own home – bringing the gym to you and saving precious time,” says Louise. “Some clients choose to do three 90-minute sessions over an eight-week period and the results are still exceptional.”

The Intensive employs exercise and diet methods that radically shift body fat and totally re-sculpt the body, without compromising metabolism. “It’s so important to teach our clients how to boost their metabolism so that once they have lost the weight they can easily keep it off,” she notes. “So many diets will get the weight off but your metabolism will come to a grinding halt or they are just not sustainable.” The programme’s emphasis on resistance work and an intelligent eating plan ensure the results that clients achieve are long lasting and, most of all, easy to maintain. “No aspect of what we do is extreme,” she explains.

“Every element of the plan is sensible, researched and proven to work. But

LOUISE PARKER AND HER DEDICATED TEAM ARE READY TO BUST YOUR BODY INTO SHAPE FOR SPRING what we do is put it all together to create massive transformations in our clients’ bodies and lifestyles.

“My team are world class and without doubt some of the best in the country.

Most come from a Sports Science background and we have two Olympic athletes amongst us. We all share a friendly, no-nonsense approach and between us we offer an unrivalled service to our clients. I’m hugely proud to have such a talented and committed team behind me.”

YOU SIMPLY CANNOT FAIL - CLIENTS ROUTINELY DROP TWO DRESS SIZES ON THE INTENSIVE Louise Parker believes anyone can have a fantastic body – regardless of age, body type and starting point: “By following my method, you really will be blown away by how you can change your body shape, overall fitness and exceed your own expectations.”

Her programme is suitable for anyone wanting exceptional results, in record time. The Intensive is hugely popular with clients needing to be what she calls ‘red-carpet ready’ – whether that’s for a wedding, new job-role or even the school run. “I love helping post-natal mums,” she explains. “Since I had my daughters

in quick succession, I fully understand the challenges new mothers are faced with, and what has to be done to return you to your former glory.”

Louise Parker designs each programme with one of her team before the programme commences, based on the individual’s requirements and deadlines. A rigid, yet balanced food plan is devised, ensuring optimal results.

Louise personally monitors your diet diary on a daily basis to ensure you are on the right track and that you get all the support and motivation you need to succeed. In six weeks, you will emerge looking better than you thought you ever could. What Louise Parker does isn’t gimmicky, it is instead an intelligent combination of three factors – nutrition, training and lifestyle – delivered in just the right combination. “Providing you have made the decision to change and are willing to let us guide you,” she asserts, “You simply cannot fail – clients routinely drop two dress sizes on the Intensive.”

There are many bespoke programmes available, and following a telephone consultation, Louise will advise a suitable programme and schedule to suit any objective, lifestyle and budget.

Louise asks that new clients commit to a minimum of three hours per week to ensure that they achieve amazing results.

Louise Parker Personal Training, 2 Eaton Gate, SW1W 9BJ 0800 084 2828 info@louiseparkerpersonaltraining.com 41

Doodle Bar_v3.indd 41

14/09/2012 21:23

THE

RUSSELL GALLERY 7 Figurative Artists 20 September - 6 October 12 Lower Richmond Road, Putney, SW15 1JP T: 020 8780 5228 E:russgallery@aol.com Open hours Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 5:30pm.

All images on: www.russell-gallery.com Anthony Morris Venice Reflections 16” x 28” oil

Jane Corsellis Summer Flowers 16” x 12” oil

Jenny Wheatley 11 October - 3 November

Just another day 31x31

RUSSELL-GALLERY.FULL PAGE.indd 1

Morning View, 31" x 31", oil

14/09/2012 16:14

Mood Board THE STYLES AND SHAPES THAT HAVE CREATED A SPLASH FROM ORLA KIELY’S COLLECTIONS. BY POPPY CROSS

THE AUTUMN/WINTER 2012 COLLECTION is

Inspired by James Clavell’s film, “To Sir With Love”, the collection is filled with pinafores worn with pretty pleated collar blouses and printed silk organza dresses. This season’s prints are inspired by the enchanted forest – we are presented with cute foxes, hidden hedgehogs and dragonflies.

I AM INSPIRED by the graphics and textile designers of the 60’s like Lucienne Day, Barbara Brown and Alexander Girard for their bold prints and great use of colour.

OUR MOST ICONIC CREATION is the multi stem shoulder bag which has been featured in the book ‘Fifty Bags that Changed the World’. I designed the stem print which had an instant appe and has evolved to be one of the mos al t recognizable patterns for our brand yet.

I’VE ALWAYS LOVED the style of women from the 50s and 60s. I

don’t think we’ve ever managed to be as feminine as the women then. I love Twiggy for her effortless chic and Audrey Hepburn is very charming in her sense of style and also I love Shelley Duvall’s off beat looks.

he is a fantastic I REALLY LOVE Alfred Hitchcock. I think are always very stylish, director and the women in his films my a real influence to the aesthetics I hope to lend to e Birds, Th by ed inspir was tion collec AW11 designs. Our n. which was our starting point for the prints that seaso

ONE OF MY FAVORITE pastimes is gardening so I was especially honored to have the opportunity to create my own urban retreat at the Chelsea Flower Show. The idea behind the artisan retreat was to create a space where I could relax, think and read.

A home away from home filled with pot plants and vintage gardening books, the perfect place to dream up a beautiful garden.

43

Mood Board.indd 43

14/09/2012 21:35

OUR ANNIVERSARY GIFT TO YOU

NEW COLLECTION OUT NOW

To celebrate our 60th Anniversary, we are giving all our customers a voucher worth 10% of your purchase.

See the New 2013 collection of Urban Danish Design in store or visit www.boconcept.co.uk.

Book your Free Design service now.

BoConcept Notting Hill · 18-24 Westbourne Grove · London · W2 5RH · 020 7792 4111 · notting-hill@boconcept.co.uk (5 min walk from Paddington Station) *See in store or online for details of our anniversary gift to you. Limited period.

BO CONCEPT_SEPT.indd 1 484_UK_1-1Fargo_Ogi_Launch_12_Absolutely.indd 1

14/08/2012 11:27 8/8/12 19:13:25

Absolutely

HOUSE & GARDEN

Stylish creations

Nina Campbell gets our vote this month with her exquisite interiors and beautiful wallpaper

NINACAMPBELL.COM

Interiors Opener.indd 43

14/09/2012 21:37

Thinking of Extending?

R&M Lines are now oering FREE Serving SW London planning drawings for all extensions To Build, To Serve to get you started info@rmlines.com for over 20 years

Full Refurbishments, Building & Construction, Kitchen & Loft Extensions, Bathrooms, Joinery, Interior Design, Painting & Decorating

info@rmlines.com 020 7978 7840

R&M.FULL PAGE.indd 1

www.rmlines.com

04/09/2012 12:56

Absolutely

HOUSE& GARDEN MELLOW YELLOW

We all want to keep a bit of summer sunshine in our homes as winter blows in – so we love this new Hydrangea range at Laura Ashley, with its florals in a pale yellow shade.

Brighten up and let the sun shine – whatever the weather brings.

218 Putney Bridge Road, SW15, 020 8789 2319; lauraashley.com

Interior Notes IN WITH THE OLD

The home of Shabby Chic, this wonderful haven of freshley renevated furniture spreads out into a tranquil secret garden where a new lazy style of shopping starts. quirkydovetail.co.uk

BAUHAUS OR BULTHAUP?

Bulthaup by Kitchen Architecture has debuted their revolutionary collection of culinary tools.

The collection has been engineered by experts and innovative designers to ensure faultless performance and a stylish aesthetic. Sneak a peak at kitchenarchitecture.co.uk

FLOWER POWER

The Paint House’s unique and eclectic mix of furniture and accessories will make a bold statement in any room. We love this ‘60s look chair. 52 Northcote Road, SW11, 020 7924 5118; thepainthouse.com

COFFEE, CAKE & CLOTHES!

We love Lavish Habit, a fantastic new Boutique Cafe which is full of gorgeous jewellery, boho chic clothing, homewares and a fabulous collection of lovingly re-vamped retro furniture. Pop in and be dazzled by their beautiful choice of goodies.

75 Bedford Hill, SW12, 020 8355 1270 47

Interior News_v2.indd 47

14/09/2012 21:40

Grand designs CLAPHAM RESIDENT TIM GOSLING INVITES US INTO HIS WORLD OF BESPOKE FURNITURE DESIGN

48

Tim Gosling InterviewDPS_v2.indd 48

14/09/2012 14:25

Absolutely

HOUSE & GARDEN

My favourite landmarks in SW London are...

You couldn’t possibly live in SW London without loving Battersea Power Station with its sheer majestic size and the fact that it has remained standing against all the odds. For beauty and proportion, the Trinity Church on Clapham Common is heaven.

I knew I wanted to be a designer when…

At the age of eight I knew I wanted to create and draw.

My style is...

The house that I am lucky enough to live in was built in 1787. In fact, it’s extraordinary to think that when Mozart opened Don Giovanni in Prague they were just finishing my building. This has influenced my styling greatly – using classic design to create a contemporary feel to my work.

I’m inspired by…

I try and see a great deal of theatre, ballet and opera as it really refreshes my mind. I adore living in a city that has so much history and learning about the buildings and the lives that have shaped it.

The thing I love most about my job is…

I am so grateful for the people I work with and the support the design industry gives each other. I also love the way in which working in London is a world platform.

The thing I loathe most about my job is…

I enjoy it so much that it tends to take over my life a bit. I find it difficult to switch off.

My average day consists of...

The wonderful thing about my day is that no one day is the same. Designing bespoke furniture, writing books and sketching architecture means that the dynamics change constantly.

MY TOP FIVE DECORATING TIPS • • • • •

Don’t be afraid of using strong colour on walls. Dark colours don’t make a room look smaller.

How you light each room is critical – it creates the ‘theatre’ in the space.

Decide to either work with the building’s period or play against it. Most of all be acutely aware of its period.

It’s worth buying the best quality furniture you can afford so that it stands the test of time.

Celebrate books within your home – don’t design them out.

Other interior designers I admire in SW London are…

William Yeoward lives in Battersea and I admire his work and shop on the King’s Road enormously. Vivienne Westwood lives opposite me here in Clapham and we always chat as she and her husband cycle up the hill on their way home in the evenings.

What I love most about SW London is …

The sense of peace and wide-open space that the parks and commons give. I love how you can still enjoy a village feel even in a city.

My ultimate goal is…

I have a rather grand ambition to raise the awareness of the entire country to the importance of furniture as part of an interior. Every time we sit on a chair it has a design style or message in terms of the look.

It would be wonderful if we could get back to embracing this as a country again.

I’m most looking forward to…

I’m starting my third book this summer having just completed London’s Secrets which was all about historic buildings in London that I love. My next book is about the dissemination of architecture into furniture and which elements give you the rules that make up Deco, Regency, Arts and Crafts etc. I can’t wait to start drawing and writing! tgosling.com

49

Tim Gosling InterviewDPS_v2.indd 49

14/09/2012 14:25

Want more room to run around?

Want more room to run around?

Want more room to run around?

Want more room to run around?

Want more room to run around?

BASE  LOFT CONVERSIONS

 EXTENSIONS

ENTS  BASEMENTS

 HOME IMPROVEMENTS

If you need more space, we have over 40 years experience in expanding and improving homes across London. For a free, no obligation survey and quotation call us or visit our website:

020 8896 0777 W W W. I N E E D M O R E S PAC E .C O. U K

MORE SPACE.indd 1

13/09/2012 11:38

Absolutely

HOUSE & GARDEN BEAUTIFUL INSIDE AND OUT

Jo Malone London is funding the regeneration of Thrive’s largest London green-fingered project: the Old English Garden in Battersea Park. Thrive is a UK charity whose mission is to harness the therapeutic power of gardening to change the lives of disabled people – and trainee gardeners living with disabilities assist on the team. thrive.org.uk

Garden Notes LIGHTING UP THE GREAT OUTDOORS

HOT FOOT IT

Hunter is rocketing kids’ wellies into new dimensions with their green glow in the dark boots. Perfect for stomping about in puddles on bonfire night and easy peasy for parents to spot. £40; hunter-boot.com

SOLAR PLANET

Brighten autumn nights with this super cool solar-powered topiary ball studded with LED lights. And if that’s not enough, it’s environmentally friendly too. £29; very.co.uk

IT’S A WRAP

The Zoffany Richmond wrapping paper from John Lewis makes any gift look ravishing. Perfect to wrap gardening gifts and anything green. £68 per roll; johnlewis.com

DIG THIS

Make yourself or someone special a member of the Royal Horticulture Society. Benefits include a year of inspirational garden visits, discounted tickets to RHS recommended events, shows and courses plus personal gardening advice. In addition, you will receive a monthly magazine, The Garden – full of top tips and ideas from experts on how to transform a green space. £51; rhs.org.uk 51

Gardening Notes_v2.indd 51

14/09/2012 14:01

The man behind the

Marcus WANDSWORTH -BASED MARCUS BARNETT TELLS POPPY CROSS HOW HIS CAREER & GARDEN GROWS

M

arcus Barnett is a man on the move - in every sense of the word.

After completing RMA Sandhurst in 1991, Barnett served seven years in the Scots Guards where he undertook a series of commands and military appointments.

No one, not even Barnett could have predicted the dramatic 360° turn his career took – leading him to become one of London’s most successful landscape garden designers.

Before I meet Barnett I feel slightly anxious. I’ve managed to persuade him to squeeze me in for a ‘strictly no-longer-than-30-minute’ interview before he jets off to Morocco for a welldeserved holiday with his wife and three children. I arrive early, heaven forbid the consequences of being late. I know enough about Sandhurst to understand that any man who’s passed through its doors is tough as old boots and doesn’t take too kindly to tardiness.

I am greeted at Marcus’ offices by a fresh-faced, friendly Louise – one of

Barnett’s two assistants. She sits me down in an airy room and I wait. Tick-tock, ticktock… I don’t have to wait long. Moments later and bang on time, Barnett arrives.

After the firmest handshake I’ve ever held, I’m surprised to find he has a softer demeanor than I expected. His sudden shift in career was ‘nothing dramatic or impressive’ it just simply ‘dawned on me

IT’S EXCITING TO BE FREE AND ADVENTUROUS WITH MATERIALS, SHAPES, FORMS AND IDEAS that I wanted to build gardens. I actually tried to ignore it but it was never going to be a lifelong career in the military’. In 2003 Barnett enrolled in the Inchbald School of Design, completing the course in 2004. Talent and determination propelled his progress swiftly forward

and in 2005 he exhibited at Chelsea Flower Show, gaining recognition from Savills who subsequently sponsored him in 2006 and 2007. In 2011, he beat six other designers by winning sponsorship from The Times in association with The Royal Botanic Garden and the garden was relocated to Kew following the show.

Today, business for Barnett is busy. He currently has 25 projects on the go – all in different stages. Most of it is based in London although he’s increasingly getting international work. In order to protect the privacy of some of his high profile clients, Marcus is restricted to how much he can share. However, he is able to tell me about a few exciting projects in the pipeline, including a park in central London, a ‘glaringly modern’ villa he’s revamping in the South of France, an ‘obscenely modern’ project in Nigeria and a large-scale landscape based in a prime ‘Type A’ suburb in Taiwan.

From what Barnett describes, one could easily think that his style is the height of modern, but he explains; ‘I’ve definitely got a natural tendency to draw on Traditional/English design. I’d say it

52

Marcus Barnett.indd 52

14/09/2012 14:12

Absolutely

HOUSE & GARDEN

was suitably modern. It will last – it has longevity’. This style seems to be exactly what the majority of Barnett’s clients are after; a ‘hint’ rather than a ‘hit’ of new mixed with old. ‘My ideal projects,’ he says (eyes sparkling), ‘are those where the client isn’t afraid to hold back from the modern style. It’s exciting to be free and adventurous with materials, shapes, forms and ideas’.

So far, I’ve got an idea of Barnett’s past and present but what about his future?

Any more 360°s up his sleeve? He laughs and tells me that he’d ‘like to have a legacy’ but not in a egotistical way. Rather ‘to create something that people can enjoy and that won’t come into its own for 200 years. I want to plant trees and build for the future generation’.

It seems like life’s pretty plain sailing for him. ‘Any downsides?’ I ask – to which he replies, ‘YES! It’s very stressful.

When undertaking personal projects, it’s someone’s home so they can be passionate about it. I can work with them for four years and that’s a long time. There can be rainy months which makes building and planting difficult. There have been some

disasters’. Marcus reassures me that it all ended ‘OK’ and he’s still in touch with the clients.

With so much on it would be understandable if Barnett’s own garden suffered neglect, but far from it! The Times have recently exhibited the stunning results of a two-month redesign of his garden in Wandsworth, where his children were delighted to discover a Wendy House, new trees, a shed, fencing and plants to play amongst.

Does he ever relax? The answer is, thankfully ‘yes’ and although his imminent trip to Morocco will be ‘peppered with work’, he’ll have the opportunity to enjoy another of his great passions – kite surfing. ‘My children don’t kite surf yet – but they will! They don’t have a choice!’

And with that our 30 minutes are up.

I come away with the impression that Marcus Barnett is a man enjoying the freedom of doing what he loves – in terms of work, play and travel. He’s currently most proud of his team, whom he clearly has a great connection with, but I have no doubt that his biggest achievement is still to come.

53

Marcus Barnett.indd 53

14/09/2012 14:09

Over 50 different premium loose-leaf teas from some of the finest plantations around the globe

Learn a skill for

life at leading London cookery school, Leiths Courses range from one day workshops to one year professional courses Contact us to book now www.leiths.com 020 8749 6400

GREEN TEA

OOLONG TEA

BLACK TEA

HERBAL TEA

GLASS TEAWARE

WHITE TEA

w w w. c h i sw i c kt e a . c o m

QUARTER PAGE.indd 1 AbsolutelyMag90x134May2012V1.indd 1

30/05/2012 CHISWICK 12:55 28/05/2012 04:18 pm TEA.2.indd 1

30/08/2012 17:15

The Blok radiator, part of our energy efficient aluminium collection

BISQUE London showroom: 244 Belsize Road, London NW6 4BT

ADVERT PLACEMENTS.indd 1

T: 020 7328 2225

www.bisque.co.uk

14/09/2012 18:12

Absolutely

FOOD& TRAVEL

Easy

The

Gordon Ramsay’s latest cookery book serves up the best dishes with ease GORDON RAMSAY’S ULTIMATE COOKERY COURSE BY GORDON RAMSAY. PHOTOS: ANDERS SCHONNEMANN

55

Recipe v3.indd 55

14/09/2012 14:21

Slow-Cooked Aubergine AS A STARTER

This vegetable stew is such a simple combination of ingredients, but they undergo this amazing transformation during cooking to become more than the sum of their parts. Another dish that just gets better and better the longer you allow the flavours to mingle.

INGREDIENTS - SERVES 4-6

• • • • • • • • •

Olive oil, for frying 2 aubergines, trimmed and cut into 3cm chunks 3 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped 1 red onion, peeled and diced 1 x 400g tin butter beans, drained and rinsed 2 tbsp pomegranate molasses (see page 205) 1 x 400g tin chopped tomatoes Pinch of caster sugar Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

TO SERVE

1 loaf of crusty white bread, e.g. sourdough or pain de campagne.

Small bunch of mint, leaves roughly chopped.

100g feta cheese, crumbled

METHOD

1. Heat a heavy-based casserole dish over a high heat. Add a glug of oil and fry the aubergine for 3–4 minutes until coloured on all sides. Add the garlic and onion and fry for another 5 minutes until the onion is tender.

2. Stir in the butter beans and pomegranate molasses with a generous pinch of salt and grinding of pepper. Add the tomatoes and sugar. Bring to the boil, then lower the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 40–45 minutes until the aubergine is tender and collapsed and the stew reduced and flavoursome. (If you find the mixture is drying out too much, add a couple of tablespoons of water.)

3. To serve, slice the bread and toast on each side until golden. Stir the mint through the aubergine, spoon onto the slices of toast and scatter over the crumbled feta. Serve warm.

HOW TO SALT AUBERGINES

Although it’s not essential to salt aubergine before you fry it, doing so draws out the moisture and makes it absorb less oil. Simply chop or dice the aubergine as required, place in a colander and sprinkle with about 1 teaspoon of salt. Leave for 30 minutes, then rinse well, pat dry on kitchen paper and cook as you wish.

56

Recipe v3.indd 56

14/09/2012 14:21

Absolutely

FOOD& TRAVEL

Indulgent Mini Chocolate Tarts With Peanut Brittle INGREDIENTS - MAKES 10

• Oil, for greasing • 400g plain chocolate, broken up • 8 tbsp double cream • 60g butter, cubed • 2 tbsp caster sugar (optional) For the sweet pastry • 125g butter • 90g caster sugar • 1 egg • 250g plain flour, plus extra for dusting For the peanut brittle • 150g caster sugar • 100g salted peanuts, roughly chopped

METHOD

1. Whiz the butter and sugar until combined. Add the egg and blitz for 30 seconds. Add the flour and process until the dough comes together. Knead lightly on a floured surface, then shape into a flat disc. Wrap in cling film and chill for 30 minutes.

2. Preheat the oven to 190°C/Gas 5. Lightly grease ten 8cm fluted loose-bottomed mini tart tins. Roll out the pastry thinly on a floured work surface and cut out 10 small discs. Line the tins with the pastry, then prick the base with a fork and rest for

20 minutes in the fridge.

3. Bake the rested tart cases in the preheated oven for 12 minutes until golden. Use a knife to trim off the excess pastry, then cool the cases in their tins on a wire rack.

4.Now make the peanut brittle. Line a baking sheet with greaseproof paper. Put the sugar into a dry frying pan over a medium-high heat for 3–4 minutes and allow it to caramelise without stirring. Once the caramel begins to form, swirl it around the pan to ensure it colours evenly. After 2–3 minutes, when it’s beginning to turn light brown, add the peanuts and swirl to coat.

Pour onto the prepared baking sheet, tilting it so that the peanut mixture spreads out thinly and evenly. It should harden almost immediately. Set aside for about 10 minutes to cool.

5. Meanwhile, make the chocolate ganache. Put the chocolate, cream, butter and sugar into a heatproof bowl and place over a pan of gently boiling water for 7–8 minutes, stirring to combine once melted.

6. Spoon the ganache mix into the cooled tart cases and top with broken shards of peanut brittle. Chill for 20 minutes, then serve. © Gordon Ramsay 2012. Recipe extracted from Gordon Ramsay’s Ultimate Cookery Course by Gordon Ramsay, out now published by Hodder & Stoughton, £25. The accompanying series starts on Channel 4 in September 57

Recipe v3.indd 57

14/09/2012 14:22

“...Why no t going fo r a sustai nabl

e home?”

Bespoke luxury design for your natural home Showroom: 311 Kings Road, SW3 5EP Tel. 0203 417 0193 info@welchome.co.uk

WELCHOME.indd 1

Design Loft: Old Imperial Laundry 69-71 Warriner Gardens SW11 4XW

28/08/2012 15:18

Absolutely

FOOD & TRAVEL

In the kitchen with...

Hélène

Darroze THE TWO MICHELIN STAR CHEF ON COOKING FOR ELTON JOHN’S WINTER BALL AT BATTERSEA POWER STATION

How would you sum up Hélène Darroze at the Connaught to people?

I cook what I am and I am what I cook.

The basis of everything is the product and my concern every day is to find the best possible product I can get. The star on the plate is not the chef, it’s the ingredient.

I cook simply, not too many flavours and, of course, everything comes from inside me.

How do you go about creating a dish?

The most important thing for me is finding the best produce. You have some beautiful produce in the UK such as Scottish scallops, beef and strawberries.

Describe your cooking style I can’t cook something I don’t like or don’t believe in. But actually my cooking methods are very traditional. You will never see any molecular cuisine on my plates – I respect that type of cooking but it’s not me.

How does your London restaurant vary from your Paris establishment?

They are very similar. My style of cooking is based on the same inspiration and values, but there are different interpretations between London and Paris, although essentially the spirit remains the same.

Have you found it challenging being a female chef in such a male-dominated profession?

I haven’t found it challenging. Of course, it’s a male dominated world but if you just have the behaviour and sensitivity of a woman, that will work. It is important to be sincere about who you are. Never hesitate to say what you think. You will have to work hard, that’s for sure, but it’s like that everywhere

– if you want to succeed you have to work very hard. But after that just be yourself, be true to yourself and don’t be afraid to say when you can’t do something.

Which three ingredients could you not live without?

Espelette pepper, potatoes and chocolate.

How did you feel when you were awarded your second Michelin star for the Connaught?

It was like a dream. It was a really great achievement, and I was very proud and happy for my team. Fifty per cent of the time they work without me so the fact that we achieved this together is a fantastic success.

What has been the most memorable meal of your life?

My most memorable meal was on my 40th birthday at Château de Saran in France where Pascal Tingaud cooked a wonderful dinner. I was surrounded by best friends, it was a beautiful evening.

Please tell us about the Grey Goose Winter Ball in aid of the Elton John AIDS foundation.

It is very important to me to support and help as many charities as possible. We are cooking for 600 people so the food will be simple but the style will be Mediterranean.

Grey Goose is defined by its French origins, how much do you feel like your nationality defines your cooking?

I am deeply influenced by my heritage: I’m the fourth generation to cook and come from a culture where art de vivre cuisine and food is so important. But I am also influenced by my education and my professional life. I spent three years working with Alain Ducasse, and, of course, I am influenced by the Mediterranean way of cooking.

Future Plans?

I will be opening a new restaurant in Moscow at the end of October.

Grey Goose Winter Ball to benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation takes place on Saturday 10 November. Tickets available from the Foundation (ejaf.com) and 100% of the sale of the tickets will be donated to the charity.

59

Helen Darroze_v2.indd 59

14/09/2012 14:01

Absolutely

FOOD & TRAVEL

Restaurant reviews HARRIET COMPSTON SAMPLES THE SUCCESSES OF ADAM BYATT’S TWO RESTAURANTS IN CLAPHAM

BISTRO UNION FOOD: Comfort food and good old British classics are the name of the game here. And Adam Byatt pulls it off with aplomb. ‘Snacks’ kick off the culinary affair with offerings such as pigs cheek (smoky and tender with fresh pickles), or sustainably sourced smoked mackerel with horseradish cream.

The starters followed and triumphed in the form of an allotment box – a masterstroke in delicious simplicity sporting baby vegetables in a wooden box with mustard mayonnaise. The excellence continued, with a beautifully cooked steak accompanied by chips, mushroom ketchup and smoked tomatoes (exquisitely cooked in the smoking oven upstairs). For the less carnivorous, there’s the paper-baked sea bass with fennel salad which boasts a subtle, effective addition of shrimps and a seasonal shot of samphire. A delicious rice pudding finished off the meal and ticked all the sweet boxes, as did the chocolate custard - angel delight for grown ups – a spoonful of perfection.

DRINK: There’s a sharp wine list featuring both, British newcomers, and the classics, plus a colorful selection of cocktails to boot. Following recommendations from the waitress, we plumped for a smoky Waipara wine from New Zealand and a creamy macon which complemented the dishes excellently.

LOOK: Retro chic meets ‘80s schoolroom.

Zinc tables, exercise book menu and school chairs fill the room, while simple crockery makes one feel just at home.

VIBE: Relaxed and informal – perfect for a quick bite or family meal. There’s even a children’s menu including ‘Mac ‘n’ Cheese’ and cottage pie, served up between 123pm and 6-7.30pm.

THE VERDICT: The ideal place to unwind, chill out and eat well, whilst lapping up the atmosphere.

FIND IT: 40 Abbeville Road, SW4, 020 7042 6400; bistrounion.co.uk

TRINITY FOOD: With spades of awards under its belt, Trinity has soared its way to the top – and putting Adam Byatt back on the map, after his move to the West End failed to come up trumps.

‘Familiar, seasonal and delicious’ is how Trinity describe their food and indeed it is just that. The five-course, or seven-course, tasting menu promises a taste extravaganza.

Fresh fennel seed bread with a light goats butter kicked off the sumptuous affair, paving the way for the creamy pea soup that swiftly followed. Then it was on to the meat and fish: the scallop ceviche, chamomile pickle and charred cucumber showcased a huge amount of skill with its complex flavours. The cod was fresh and light and accompanied by cockles, grilled cauliflower, capers and raisins. The smoked beef fillet was equally top notch with London braised cheeks and sorrell, plus an exquisite garlic reduction. To finish, we indulged in a chocolate yoghurt cremosa, peanut butter mousse and salt caramel – and proved nothing short of phenomenal.

DRINK: Impressive. For the tasting menus, there’s the option of matched wines or matched juices. We loved the Alamos Torrontes, Mendoza 2010 paired with the scallops and the G5 juice happily married with the pea soup.

LOOK: Subtle, yet sophisticated. The dining room is light and airy sporting a cream and chocolate colour scheme.

VIBE: Elegant, refined and relaxed. A brilliant place for dinner, drinks and celebrations!

THE VERDICT: Go, go, go! Clapham Old Town has captured a gem.

FIND IT: 4 The Polygon, SW4, 020 7622 1199; trinityrestaurant.co.uk

60

Restaurants.indd 60

14/09/2012 21:19

Absolutely

MAN ABOUT TOWN:

Charlie Gilkes

Charlie owns and runs a group of bars/ clubs/restaurants in SW London: inception-group.com There aren’t many nicer ways to spend a Saturday morning in Southwest London than visiting a buzzy London market in full swing and Northcote Road is a particularly good one (that’s if you’re up to the challenge of navigating past the endless pram pushers in Nappy Valley). I made my way there to be greeted by the wonderful array of food stalls and tried hard to ignore the colourful, mile- high pile of cupcakes, sweet smelling breads of every shape and size and cries of ‘Three plums for a pound’ – a tough challenge.

First things first, I grabbed a delicious frothy coffee from Brew Café to ensure I was alert and avoided any pram collisions, before being lured into Dove & Son butchers, by the charcoal sizzling meat smell of their BBQ outside. I know people who travel from out of London to buy meat from this unique butchers and thanked my lucky stars I didn’t have to, as I filled my bag with steaks and chops for my own BBQ that evening.

There’s also plenty else to enjoy, with art and photography stalls and endless shops selling a whole heap of things you don’t really need but will happily enjoy buying.

Having successfully rescued my girlfriend from Whistles (laden with goodies) we stopped at the buzzy family run Italian: Buona Sera for a quick, delicious and very reasonably priced bowl of pasta on our way home.

FOOD& TRAVEL WE’LL BE JAMMING

Yann Roberts and Ashley Letchford, owners and founders of one of London’s favourite gastro pub groups, The Jam Tree, are bringing a more food-orientated feel to their new Clapham Old Town venue. Site specialities include Pan Fried John Dory with Potato Terrine, Sea Beets, Pressed Pork Belly, and Cucumber Salsa & Lobster Sauce. They are also cooking up a rather fearsome looking but nonetheless delicious Voodoo Doughnut; fi lled with strawberry jam and dipped in chocolate with custard. If ordering for colleagues, better to stick to The Jam Tree classic, Eton Mess. thejamtree.com

Food Notes

VA VA VOOM

Tipple of the month

If you want to impress your friends when they come over for drinks or dinner then why not whip them up a cocktail rather than offering the usual beer or wine. The secret is that it might look impressive but it can be incredibly simple.

Here’s a great one to try at home: French Martini (tastes a bit like raspberry jam) INGREDIENTS • 35ml Vodka (I prefer Grey Goose) • 15ml Chambord Raspberry Liquor • 50ml Pineapple Juice • Fresh raspberries EQUIPMENT • A cocktail shaker • A strainer • A Martini glass – Mix the vodka, pineapple juice and chambord in your cocktail shaker (ingredients given for 1 martini) – Shake with plenty of ice in your cocktail shaker – Strain your drink carefully – Pour in to a Martini Glass (if it has been shaken properly it should produce a nice white foam on the top) – Garnish with a raspberry on top of the foam.

Bunga Bunga, Battersea based Italian bar, pizzeria and karaoke, invites you and your wheels to give them some va va voom at the launch of their new Scooter Tuesdays. Drivers of Italian scooters or motorbikes can park their vehicle outside Bunga Bunga on any Tuesday evening and be rewarded with a small pizza on the house. They will also become the proud owner of an aptly themed Scooter Tuesdays key ring which ensures the safe keeping of their precious two-wheeler for many Tuesdays to come.

37 Battersea Bridge Road SW11 , 020 7095 0360; bungabunga-london.com,

COOK

COOK’s delicious frozen ready-meals are every busy yummy mummy’s best kept secret. Their delicious dishes taste deceptively homemade: Hearty Fisherman’s Pie, Bramley Apple & Blackberry Crumble. COOK Clapham now delivers straight to your doorstep.

All that’s left to do is pop the dishes in the oven and open the door to guests without the fluster and flour in the hair. 37 Abbeville Road SW4, 020 8675 5369; cookfood.net

61

Food Notes.indd 61

14/09/2012 13:59

Absolutely

PROMOTION

White

magic

ALICE MILNER BELIEVES THERE’S NO BUSINESS LIKE SNOW BUSINESS

W

hizz off to the Alps in style with Powder Byrne – an award winning family ski company in Putney, that prides itself on designing tailormade holidays, based on the specific needs and requirements of each individual client. Operating from hand picked Alpine hotels and apartments in Switzerland, Austria and Italy, experts in delivering luxury family ski holidays.

Expert Powder Bryne ski instructors give your kids the ideal start on the slopes with their six different, bespoke ski programmes that cater for all ages (toddlers to teens) and levels of skiers. They even shuttle budding young skiers right to the lifts as they eagerly anticipate their first downhill or freestyle session with their expert instructors.

For the very young, there’s an exclusive pb crèche for those between 4 months - three years old. Their fully qualified and enthusiastic staff will take charge of your little ones at the beginning of the day – kit them out in their salopettes & boots, organise sleigh rides, treasure hunts and snow-themed creative play.

While the kids are in safe hands, adults can take to the slopes with their own superb guides who run ski programmes for seasoned pros and first timers. On your return, tired but happy little tots are bought back to you at your hotel. New friends made in the kids’ small, close-knit teaching groups can be seen again back at the hotel for supper & dvd evenings. Powder Byrne’s dedicated staff deliver this all seamlessly, from the moment you

make your first enquiry, to when you arrive back home with an ecstatic family begging to go again!

Ski with Powder Byrne this January, staying at The Belvedere in Grindelwald, from £1,600 per adult on hb basis, including flights, local transfer and full Powder Byrne service. See website for full details and videos of aged specific programmes or call to speak to one of the team.

Powder Byrne International, 250 Upper Richmond Road London SW15 020 8246 5300 powderbyrne.com

62

Powder Byrne Advertorial.indd 62

14/09/2012 14:13

Absolutely

FOOD & TRAVEL

THE HOTEL

A hop away from Bath, this stunning country pile ticks all the right boxes: there’s an award-winning spa, a Michelinstarred restaurant, an equestrian centre and even a whopping 500 acres.

Approached by a mile-long avenue lined with 400 lime and beech trees, the whole place is a clever mix of tradition meets contemporary. Days are filled with horse-riding, croquet on the lawn and Monopoly in the library – in between relaxing beside log fires, enjoying the scrumptious food in the two restaurants and indulging in the luxury spa.

Lucknam Park

UK TRAVEL THE SPA

THE BEDROOM

Walking into one of the 13 suites and 29 bedrooms is like jumping into the pages of a Jane Austen novel. Antiques and traditional country furniture fi ll the richly-decorated rooms which look out onto stunning country views. It’s all about making one feel at home here, and the hotel achieves it with aplomb.

THE BATHROOMS

A shimmering vision of marble which features a massive bathtub that sinks into a marble frame. Endless white fluff y towels fi ll the room, while French superbrand Anne Semonin provides the all-important beautifying goodies.

PRICE TAG

Room rates start from £330 per night inclusive of full English Breakfast and use of the spa facilities. Cookery School Courses cost from £175 per person including breakfast, lunch and refreshments and will run daily from Monday to Friday, 01225 742777, lucknampark.co.uk

GET THERE

An hour and a half train journey from Paddington to Chippenham, followed by a 15 minute minute taxi ride.

Surrounded by a walled garden and reached by a stroll through a pretty courtyard, this super cool spa boasts all the bells and whistles. Flop onto one of the lovely loungers before taking your pick from the 20-metre indoor pool, indoor and outdoor hydrotherapy pools, five thermal cabins, salt water plunge pool or “experience showers”. In addition, there are nine rooms which feature the gorgeous treatments of Anne Semonin and anti-aging specialists Carita. Ask for the signature top-to-toe treatment – a wonderful stressrelieving all-body massage using Tahitian black sand and aromatic oils. Amazing!

THE RESTAURANTS

Lucknam Park is a foodie heaven.

There are two restaurants to choose from headed up by executive chef Hywel Jones. For the height of indulgence, plump for Michelin-starred The Park – a gastronomic adventure boasting a seven-course gourmet menu.

Or sample The Brasserie’s lighter dishes. Traditional Afternoon Tea is unmissable and served in the drawing room. This Autumn, Lucknam Park is launching a cookery school. Under the guidance of Hywel Jones, a variety of courses, from Indian Street Food to Cooking at Home, will be offered for all those keen to hone their cookery skills. Chef Hrishikesh Desai will act as the other course instructor.

63

Travel UK.indd 63

14/09/2012 14:20

Hunter Gatherer THREE OF THE BEST PLACES TO ENJOY THE TRUFFLE HUNTING SEASON

64

Travel round-up.indd 64

14/09/2012 14:25

Absolutely

FOOD& TRAVEL

HOTEL CRILLON LE BRAVE, FRANCE

The romantic among us go weak at the knees at the mere thought of travelling by train, so it is with unbridled enthusiasm that we look upon Eurostar’s direct summer service from London to Avignon.

Forget airport queues and luggage restrictions, in just over six hours you can be winding your way past vineyards, poppy fields and olive groves to the hilltop village of Crillon le Brave. And this Medieval cluster of yellow-ochre buildings is home to the five-star Hotel Crillon le Brave. Made up from seven restored houses joined together by original cobbled alleyways and Romanesque arches, Crillon is like a village within a village. Rustic yet luxurious, the 32 bedrooms have cottagey décor with exposed beams, tile flooring, full-length windows and distressed wooden furniture. Despite the panoramic views of picture-perfect Provence afforded by its terraces, their truffle hunting season (autumn and spring) is Crillon’s main draw.

Join truffle expert, Eric Jaumard, into the forest with his reliable and trusty dog, where he talks through the techniques which have been keeping this unique and old-fashioned pastime alive in this delectable corner of France. There are some fantastic truffle and wine weekends that are worth looking out for, too: they cater for a morning of hunting, a wine-tasting visit to the world-famous winery of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, before a dinner whose menu is peppered with truffle – literally – on every course.

Prices range from €250 to €510 per room, per night; suites go from €360 to €780 per room, per night (+ 3349 065 6161; crillonlebrave. com). Eurostar has a direct service from London to Avignon with prices starting from £109 return (eurostar.com, 08432 186 186) 65

Travel round-up.indd 65

14/09/2012 14:26

Absolutely

FOOD& TRAVEL

KEMPINSKI PORTOROZ, SLOVENIA

PALAZZO SENECA, ITALY

Prices start from €195, (+386 5692 7000; kempinski.com/en/portoroz)

Prices start from £111. +39 0743 817 434; palazzoseneca.com

The Slovenian and Croatian truffle scene is often overlooked in favour of the one found in Italy and France – but that shouldn’t be the case. On the peninsula of Istria, which sits just across the water from the Italian city of Venice and shared by both Slovenia and Croatia, locals boast three sorts of black truffles, as well as the coveted ‘white truffle’, often known to be the most valuable in the world. The epicentre of the buried Istrian treasure’s terrain is the hilltop Croatian town of Buzet, but there are worthwhile visits to the nearby truffle-rich Motovun forest, too (it depends on which guide you follow, for hunters each own different plots of land and guard them passionately). The Kempsinki Portoroz, situated on the Slovene stretch of Istria, which offers fabulous views over the Adriatic Sea and the Istrian countryside, is the place to turn for the complete experience. The luxurious Portoroz, situated in Slovenia, should be your first port of call when booking visits to local truffle sites, tours with local professional hunters and lessons on how to pick and what to look for. There are plenty of packages available, plus the chance to combine them with other local activities: private jet tours over the Slovene mountains, visits to the asparagus festival in April, the Dekani olive festival in June and the salt, wine and olive festival in Piran come October. Don’t miss Istria in November, however, for that’s when Buzet’s much-loved annual Truffle Festival – a trade show where hunters, gatherers and truffle enthusiasts descend to heap praise on the highly-prized rich and earthy flavour these gems produce – takes place.

Italy is the most famous truffle-bearing of all the countries that are fortunate to be rich in ‘Black Diamonds’. But it is in the central Italian region of Umbria, and specifically the truffle-capital Norcia, where one ought to focus their attention come truffle-hunting season.

The impressive Palazzo Seneca, located within a 16th-century Umbrian palace and situated at the heart of Sibillini National Park, is the place to stay.

For at the time of the year that the globally-revered and highly-valuable subterranean mushroom is ready for its picking, this family-run, white-washed hotel have a perfect and irresistible offer for you. Take the Truffle Package and you will be treated to a guided tour with a trifulau, a professional truffle hunter (and his dog), who guides and tutors newcomers to this endlessly-fascinating, age-old practice by demonstrating all the techniques he and his helpers follow in the unearthing of this precious foodstuff.

And if that’s not enough, there is also a truffle-focused cooking class with Head Chef Flavio Faedi to follow that, as well as the appearance of this particular and rare speciality within both the Granaro del Monte restaurant and the exquisite Vespasia. Choose from an incredible selection of seasonal specialities, including local farmers’ poached eggs with black truffle sauce, risotto with black truffle sauce and fresh ‘giuncata’ cheese and Gnocchi made from Castelluccio potatoes stuffed with black truffles. You get the message. It’s a truffle heaven – and absolutely divine.

66

Travel round-up.indd 66

14/09/2012 14:26

Absolutely

FOOD& TRAVEL

Vive laFrance

A

KATY JARRATT BIDS FAREWELL TO THE BAD OLD DAYS OF SCHOOL FRENCH EXCHANGE TRIPS AND GOES IN PURSUIT OF THE ‘REAL’ FRANCE – VIA LASHINGS OF TARTE TROPEZIENNE, NATURALLY

nyone who’s ever been on a school French exchange will know that one normally comes away having absorbed very little culture. That’s not because it isn’t there, but if you’re anything like me, you ‘re too busy crying down the phone to your parents, dodging the snails at dinner and flaunting your french vocabulary – which only stretches to ‘s’il vous plaît ’ and ‘fromage frais’.

So after accepting what was labelled a ‘gastronomic tour’ of France, across three regions, I was bracing myself for a

revisit of the old clichés. What I didn’t know before this trip was that I had previously been looking for the ‘real’ France in all the wrong places.

First stop was Deauville, which is to Paris what The Hamptons are to New York. Known well to the French but not so well to the English, this is a seaside town boasting a rich history in north-eastern Normandy. Houses in the town are painted in pastel shades and adorned with decorative quoins, turrets and delicate wooden balconettes.

Its claims to fame are numerous: Coco Chanel established her first luxury boutique here in the early 1900s.

Deauville also holds an annual film festival in

September, to which stars of stage and screen flock and can be found sipping chocolat chaud in its handsome pâtisseries.

Off the beaten track, a few miles away from the town centre, lies the extraordinary Les Manoirs de Tourgévilles – a four-star hotel situated in the middle of the countryside. This neo-Norman manor house was originally built as a film set by Claude Lelouch, but the film was abandoned and the structure converted by hotel group, Groupe Floirat.

The landscape around Les Manoirs is all rustic idyll. The apple orchards and green pastures strewn with horses and rickety wooden farm machinery are truly Chaucer-esque. Inside, it is like a royal hunting lodge.

67

Travel Feature.indd 67

14/09/2012 14:18

Rooms span three floors and the sitting room that sprawls the length of one of its cloisters always welcomes guests with a crackling fire. The resident restaurant, Le 1899, headed up by Executive Chef Emmanuel Andrieu, prepares traditional Normandy fare (starting, always, with the delightful Croquettes de Fromages Normands), giving a sense of old France ‘preserved’.

A short flight later, and I was in Saint Jeande-Luz, a picturesque place in the Basque region. It is an old town which has suffered at the hand of its fair share of drama, having hosted a royal wedding – Louis XIV’s first marriage to 22-year old Maria-Theresa of Spain in 1660 – and the evacuation of the Polish

army during World War Two. In season, the fishing port accommodates the yachts and second homes of the European sailing elite.

The architecture is varied: 16th-century

towers and hyper-fashionable shops selling sailing gear at exorbitant prices.

Up on the cliff, Hotel La Reserve overlooks St Jean-de-Luz and its turquoise baytrapped sea. The view from one of the comfortable terraced rooms is of coastal paths, trendy shops and restaurants where you go to see and be seen. If Deauville hosts French aristocracy, then St Jean-de-Luz hosts the daredevils and trendsetters of French society. The Ilura restaurant at La Reserve embodies this daringness. Head chef is 20-something Fabrice Idiart, who has been given the freedom to manage a kitchen which combines his creativity and a true knowledge of Basque cuisine (confit de

If Deauville hosts French aristocracy, then St Jean-de-Luz hosts the daredevils and trendsetters of French society churches and houses which have remained standing through batterings and beatings by war and sea, sit alongside 1960s hotel blocks reminiscent of English seaside towns. Characteristic squares are lined with coiffed trees, quaint clock

68

Travel Feature.indd 68

14/09/2012 14:18

Absolutely

FOOD& TRAVEL

OPENING PAGE: ST TROPEZ HARBOUR; THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE: THE RESTAURANT AT BYBLOS; THE POOL AT LA RESERVE; THE POOL AT BYBLOS

situated within the hotel, has racks of variety and a delicious ten-course tasting menu. Comfort food arrives in the form of ‘bio boiled egg’ one minute, and experimental food, ‘octopus rock’, the next. Just as I thought I’d had my gastronomic fill for the night, the Tarte Tropezienne appeared. This speciality of the region is a custard cream cake made in heaven, which, when paired with a sharp raspberry sorbet turned me into what Martin Amis would call ‘a gurgling wizard of calorific excess’.

That is the charm of this quaint port made famous by its annual influx of celebrity and billionaire visitors; when one thinks all eyes should be fixed on the marina, St Tropez’s real delight is on one’s plate.

And so it was throughout my travels through these three corners of France; over my umpteenth serving of Tarte Tropezienne, I realised just how splendidly

gourmand this country really is. There are secret recipes and long histories behind everything the French eat.

My old perception of France had been changed through menus alone. Suffice to say, I didn’t need to call my parents once.

For further information about Groupe Floirat visit groupe-floirat.com A Manor Room at Les Manoirs de Tourgéville, Deauville (+33 2 31 14 48 68; lesmanoirstourgeville.com) from €152 per room per night; Standard rooms at La Réserve, St Jean de Luz (+33 5 59 51 32 00; hotel-lareserve.com) cost from €95 per room per night; Byblos, St Tropez (+33 4 94 56 68 00; byblos.com) offers classic rooms from €424 per room per night.

All the above prices are based on a room only basis, with two adults sharing a room.

canard, grilled sea bass à la biscayenne, fraises gariguettes de bayonne, and so on). His repertoire is full of unexpected combinations (beef carpaccio and anchovy – anyone?) but they work.

Next stop was St. Tropez and through the gates of exclusive five star Hotel Byblos. Away from the competing yachts at the water’s edge, this is undoubtedly where the beautiful people go. Possibly one of only a few places in the world which can be ‘name-dropped’ without explanation – indeed, Rolling Stone Mick Jagger hosted his legendary raucous reception for his wedding to Bianca here.

The interior of Byblos reflects the tiny but endlessly idiosyncratic St Tropezienne alleys which wrap around the property. No two rooms are the same here: some spread over mezzanines, while others come to life as two vast apartments attached at the hip.

Vincent Maillard’s Le Spoon, 69

Travel Feature.indd 69

14/09/2012 14:18

Less carbon, more cash Great news! The Government’s long-term commitment to incentivising uptake of Solar Power means that Solar PV is here to stay. With equipment costs now as low as they are ever likely to be, there has never been a better time to get your system installed.

• • • • •

Cut your electricity bill Guarantee yourself an index-linked, tax-free income for 20 years Earn a return on investment of 10% or more Protect yourself from rising energy costs Help the environment by reducing your CO2 emissions

• Systems fully installed from only £3,995 inc.VAT It all starts with our Free Survey. We provide an objective, no-nonsense assessment of your property’s potential together with a no-obligation quotation.

We say, put your money on the house and let your roof do the work.

Book your Free Survey now Call: 0330 555 6667 or email us: enquiry@treadlighter.co.uk Low & Renewable Energy Specialists

Survey | Design | Install Unit 1 St George’s Court, 131 Putney Bridge Road London SW15 2PA

www.treadlighter.co.uk

Property ABSOLUTELY October 2012

Salcott Road, sw11 ÂŁ1,425,000 Freehold

This absolutely stunning family house measures approximately 2,220 sq ft with accommodation arranged over four floors. The house has been completely re-furbished and was more or less re-built in the process. The re-development has resulted in a beautifully finished, high specification and energy efficient home with a tremendous sense of light and space.

Property Front Cover.indd 71

020 7228 5111

www.ramptonbaseley.com

14/09/2012 18:28

KERSLEY STREET, SW11 An end-of-terrace Victorian house beautifully and recently decorated throughout. Approx. 2,690 sq ft.

6 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, shower room, reception room, open-plan kitchen/dining area, playroom/family room, storage cupboard, utility room, roof terrace, garden.

Freehold Guide Price £2,400,000

OVERSTRAND MANSIONS, SW11 A most charming flat on the ground floor of this popular Victorian mansion block opposite Battersea Park. Approx. 1,425 sq ft.

3 bedrooms, en suite bathroom, shower room, double reception room, garden.

Freehold Share Guide Price £1,295,000

BATTERSEA 020 7228 0174 bat.sales@johndwood.co.uk

Absolutely SW Oct12.indd 1

www.johndwood.co.uk

10/09/2012 14:41

7/8 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room, study/bedroom, conservatory, garden, cellar, cloakroom.

D

R GEN E FO IONS AT R

Situated on the highly desirable Heaver Estate, a substantial family house, now in need of some cosmetic modernisation, providing a wonderful balance of bedroom accommodation and reception space, as well as potential to extend subject to the necessary consents. Approx. 3,692 sq ft.

TRUSTE

DRAKEFIELD ROAD, SW17

140 Years of Property

18

72 - 2 012

Freehold Guide Price ÂŁ1,750,000

WANDSWORTH 020 8871 3033 wandsworth@johndwood.co.uk

Absolutely SW Oct12.indd 2

www.johndwood.co.uk

10/09/2012 14:45

THE VILLAGE, SW11

WARRINER GARDENS, SW11

An immaculately presented and recently refurbished family house in a gated development, close to Clapham Junction. Approx. 2,600 sq ft.

A spectacular family house in a gated development close to Battersea Park, with two reception rooms overlooking a sunken courtyard garden, a master suite with private roof terrace and off-street parking.

4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (1 en suite), 3 reception rooms, roof terrace, off-street parking.

5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2 reception rooms.

Unfurnished £1,350 per week

Unfurnished £1,275 per week

OCTAVIA STREET, SW11

BURNS ROAD, SW11

A well presented and spacious family house,close to Battersea Square, featuring a double reception room with hard wood floors, conservatory, and a fully-fitted kitchen leading to a west facing patio garden.

A superb contemporary flat on the top floor of a secure gated Victorian school conversion with a porter. Offering a generous master bedroom with a walk-in wardrobe and en suite bathroom.

4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms (2 en suite), 2 reception rooms, garden.

2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (1 en suite), reception room, roof terrace.

Unfurnished £795 per week

Unfurnished £650 per week

BATTERSEA 020 7223 8848 bat.lets@johndwood.co.uk

Absolutely SW Oct12.indd 3

www.johndwood.co.uk

10/09/2012 14:47

SPENCER ROAD, SW18 A spectacular detached family house superbly located close to the transport and shopping amenities of Clapham Junction and St John’s Hill.

5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms (1 en suite), 2 receptions, study, office/playroom, separate coach house.

Unfurnished £2,500 per week

WESTOVER ROAD, SW18

ST ANTHONY’S COURT, SW12

A spacious and modern family house situated on a desirable tree-lined residential road near Wandsworth Town train station.

A newly refurbished and modernised apartment with private parking, close to Clapham South and Wandsworth Common stations.

5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, double reception room.

2 bedrooms, bathroom, reception room.

Unfurnished £800 per week

Unfurnished £395 per week

WANDSWORTH 020 8871 3033 wandsworth@johndwood.co.uk

Absolutely SW Oct12.indd 4

www.johndwood.co.uk

10/09/2012 14:49

DevereuxCommon Road Clapham West Side

£1,750,000 £1,650,000 Freehold Freehold

Measuring in excess of 2,900 sq ft, thishouse stunning family light and spacious living over three This absolutely stunning five bedroom boasts onehouse of theboasts best interiors that we have seenaccommodation in recent years.arranged This beautiful property floors.

Thecompletely property is refurbished presented inboth excellent order retains lots ofto itsaoriginal features. the ground The floor quality there isofa the has been insidedecorative and out by theand current owners particularly highOn specification. reception and roomfittings towards the in front the building, an open plan dining room andto beautiful to theyou rear.

Thethrough kitchen materials used thisofproperty are exceptional and the attention detail iskitchen/breakfast evident from theroom moment step has front beendoor. extended into the side return and the extra space lends itself very well to a childrens play area and ground floor cloakroom. the

room(master) room •room Ground floorfurther w/c • En suite bath/shower room Family Six bedrooms • Five bedrooms • Enplan suitereception/dining bath/shower room • En suite shower • Two bathrooms (one family, one•en suite) • Open • Kitchen/breakfast bath/shower facing garden Cellar/utility room bathroom • Open plan kitchen/dining room room • Family room • Ground floor w/c •• Landscaped garden • Cellar/utility • Underfloor heating throughout • Family • South-West

RAMPTON BASLEY.indd 2

12/09/2012 14:17

Devereux Road Road Devereux

£1,650,000 £1,650,000 Freehold Freehold

This absolutely absolutely stunning stunning five five bedroom bedroom house house boasts boasts one one of of the the best best interiors interiors that that we seen in in recent recent years. years. This Thisbeautiful beautifulproperty property This we have have seen has been outout by by thethe current owners to a to particularly high specification.

The quality of the of the has been completely completelyrefurbished refurbishedboth bothinside insideand and current owners a particularly high specification.

The quality the attention to detail is evident from the the moment you you step step through the materials and and fittings fittings used usedininthis thisproperty propertyare areexceptional exceptionaland and the attention to detail is evident from moment through frontfront door.door.

The property measures just shy of 2,250 sq ft and benefits from an extremely spacious open-plan ground floor. the

(master) shower room further bathrooms kitchen/dining Ensuite suitebath/shower bath/showerroom room (master)• En • Ensuite suite shower room • Two further bathrooms (one plan family, one en suite) •• Five bedrooms ••En • Two • Open room • Ground floor w/c • Landscaped garden throughout room • Open plan kitchen/dining room • Family room • Ground floor w/c • Landscaped garden •heating Cellar/utility • Underfloor heating throughout • Family • Cellar/utility • Underfloor

RAMPTON BASLEY.indd 3

12/09/2012 14:18

Devereux Road Bennerley Road

£1,395,000 £1,650,000 Freehold Freehold

This absolutely beautifullystunning presented, bedroom Victorian town located on athat sought afterseen residential road between the commons.

This fivesix bedroom house boasts onehouse of the is best interiors we have in recent years.

This beautiful property The been property has beenrefurbished extended into side and return ground floor and into loft on thehigh thirdspecification. floor, providing anquality ideal layout has completely boththe inside outonbythe the current owners to athe particularly The of the both for everyday family living andproperty entertaining.

The doubleand reception room on ground floor boasts two feature you fireplaces, built in materials and fittings used in this are exceptional the attention to the detail is evident from the moment step through unitsfront flanking the door.the chimney breast and a stripped oak floor.

reception room • Kitchen/breakfast room (underfloor heating) w/c • shower room one Six bedrooms • Five bedrooms • En suite bath/shower room (master) • En suite shower room • Two further floor bathrooms (one family, en suite) • Double • Ground • Family suite bath/shower heating) facing garden South facing• garden bathroom • Open plan kitchen/dining room •room Family(underfloor room • Ground floor w/c • Landscaped garden •• Cellar/utility Underfloor heating throughout • En • South-West

RAMPTON BASLEY.indd 4

12/09/2012 14:18

Devereux Road Road Chatham

£1,000,000 £1,650,000 Freehold Freehold

A beautifully refurbished early Victorian house on one ofof the roads between commons.

This Victorian house, builtproperty in 1862, This absolutely stunning five bedroom house boasts one theoldest best interiors that wethe have seen in recent years. This beautiful has recently been extended and redecorated current a very high The ground floor has The a large reception has been completely refurbished both inside by andthe out by theowners currenttoowners to a standard. particularly high specification. quality of the room, leading on to a used fully extended kitchenare and family room, on totoadetail beautifully landscaped south facing garden. materials and fittings in this property exceptional andwith theviews attention is evident from the34ft moment you step through Thefront ground floor also benefits from coat storage under the stairs and a downstairs loo. the door.

Double reception room •(master) Eat in kitchen suite shower Familybathrooms bathroom •(one Shower room Cellar Five bedrooms • Fivedouble bedrooms • En •suite bath/shower • En suite room •room Two •further family, one•en suite) • Enshower Open plan kitchen/dining room • Family room • Ground floor w/c • Landscaped garden • Cellar/utility • Underfloor heating throughout •• Garden • Unfurnished

RAMPTON BASLEY.indd 5

12/09/2012 14:18

Winsham Grove

• Two double bedrooms • Bathroom • Cloakroom • Reception room • Eat in kitchen • Loft storage • Unfurnished

£550 per week Bennerley Road

£550 per week

• Bright reception room • Kitchen/breakfast room • Two double bedrooms • Bathroom • En suite shower room • Garden • Excellent location • Unfurnished

Devereux Road

£1,650,000 Freehold

This absolutely stunning five bedroom house boasts one of the best interiors that we have seen in recent years. This beautiful property has been completely refurbished both inside and out by the current owners to a particularly high specification. The quality of the materials and fittings used in this property are exceptional and per the attention detail is evident from the moment you step through £650 £515 week toKeswick Salcott Road Road the front door.

per week

• bedrooms • En suite • bath/shower room (master) • En suite shower room • • Two further bathrooms• (one family, one en suite) • Five double bedrooms • Stunning shower room • Garden En suite shower room • Bathroom • Communal gardens • Twoplan • Open kitchen/dining room • Family room • Ground floor w/c • Landscaped• garden • Cellar/utility • Underfloor heating throughout Bright reception room

Modern kitchen

• Excellent location • Furnished

RAMPTON BASLEY.indd 6

Three double bedrooms

Open plan kitchen/reception room

• Decked terrace • Part furnished

12/09/2012 14:18

Lavender Sweep

• Five double bedrooms • Double reception room • Kitchen/breakfast room • Bathroom • Shower room • En suite shower room • Patio garden • Cellar • Unfurnished

£975 per week Wroughton Road

£1,050 per week

• Five double bedrooms • Double reception room • Kitchen/breakfast room • Wet room • Bathroom • En suite shower room • Garden • Cellar • Unfurnished

Devereux Road

£1,650,000 Freehold

This absolutely stunning five bedroom house boasts one of the best interiors that we have seen in recent years. This beautiful property has been completely refurbished both inside and out by the current owners to a particularly high specification. The quality of the materials and fittings used in this property are exceptional and per the attention detail is evident from the moment you step through £1,100 week toAmner £1,100 Elms Crescent Road the front door.

per week

• bedrooms • En suite • bath/shower room (master) • En suite shower room • • Two further bathrooms • (one family, one en suite) • Five kitchen • En suite shower room • Family bathroom Kitchen/dining/reception room • Family bathroom • Eat in • Open plan kitchen/dining room • Family room • Ground floor w/c • Landscaped• garden • Cellar/utility • Underfloor heating throughout Five double bedrooms

Double reception room

• Shower room • Cellar • Garden • Unfurnished

RAMPTON BASLEY.indd 7

Five double bedrooms

Reception room

• Shower room • En suite shower room • Cellar • South West facing garden • Unfurnished

12/09/2012 14:19

82

Property In Their Own Words.indd 82

14/09/2012 18:43

Absolutely

PROPERTY

ALEX OPPENHEIM, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF JOHN D WOOD & CO. IN BATTERSEA PHOTOGRAPHY: RICHARD CLARK

I

Property In Their Own Words.indd 83

have just returned from Coober Pedy, which is eight hundred and fifty kilometres north of Adelaide and in the middle of the south Australian outback. The population there is just under two thousand people and is best known for being the Opal mining capital of the world. Unusually many of the locals live in subterranean accommodation due to the extreme heat.

Now you might be asking if the sun got to my head and what on earth this has got to do with Battersea. Well whilst I was pondering my departure from Coober Pedy and being an inquisitive fellow, I decided to find out a little bit about the local property market. Interestingly, property prices there have never been higher and the same is true for rental yields. This is because the mining corporations need to house miners and their families.

Now, not for a moment am I suggesting that we arm ourselves with shovels and head into Battersea Park and start digging or perhaps panning for gold in the lake in a bid to boost property prices and rental yields. But no matter where you are and what you are doing the simple economic theory of supply and demand applies the world over.

I have been working for John D Wood & Co. in Battersea for some eight years as is a testament to my predecessors, I am only the fourth manager in the office’s thirty one year history. Since joining there has been a marked transformation in the area and property prices in the Victorian mansion blocks around the park have more than doubled. In addition, this year we sold a period flat for one thousand

pounds a square foot which historically has been the holy grail of price points.

What has been so interesting to witness is the rapid rate of recovery in the market from the dark days of the recession and the credit crunch.

In 2011, the market climbed some seventeen per cent and we are currently reporting new highs.

Battersea is a true residential neighbourhood with the lungs of Battersea Park at its centre and the River Thames and the UK’s busiest train station as two of its borders. It is a thriving area and one which is due to see dramatic change with the regeneration of the Nine Elms area and the much loved Grande Dame of Battersea, the power station.

Architecturally there is great choice with fine Victorian mansion blocks along Prince of Wales Drive, grand three/four storey houses on Albert Bridge Road, charming Victorian terraces, the occasional converted school, plentiful flats in Victorian conversions as well as modern riverside apartments.

I recently found out that when the Victorian mansion blocks were first proposed that there was a huge outcry from Londoners. In fact there was one letter in The Times from a particularly concerned gentleman who said, “there is a real possibility that one could meet one’s servants on the stairs in a mansion block.” What would he have thought if he had met his local estate agent!

John D Wood & Co. 501 Battersea Park Road, SW11 020 7228 0174 aoppenheim@johndwood.co.uk

‘‘

‘‘

In their own words

83

14/09/2012 18:44

Completely at home in London Whether you want to buy, sell, let or rent, we’re completely at home in south west London and best placed to help you.

Visit kfh.co.uk or your local KFH branch Balham Battersea Battersea Park

FULL PAGE.indd 1

Clapham Earlsfield Kingston

Putney Southfields West Putney

14/09/2012 14:48

Warren Drive, Kingswood, KT20 £2,500,000 Freehold Kingston 020 8939 8191 Email ski@kfh.co.uk

10.12 KFH Absolutely Clapham Balham.indd 2

A magnificent seven bedroom detached house in the sought after private Warren Estate. This property is arranged over three floors and set within approximately three quarters of an acre.

• • • • • • • •

Seven bedrooms Six bathrooms Four reception rooms Three dressing rooms Secure gated house Double garage and parking In excess of 5,500 sq ft Nearby Kingswood station

04/09/2012 09:31

Park Hill, Clapham, SW4 Prices from ÂŁ419,950 A luxury development of two bedroom new apartments in an attractive building, situated in a sought after location in Clapham.

The development offers a variety of highly specified apartments, with fully integrated kitchens and floor coverings. Leasehold.

Land and New Homes 020 8222 7200 Email newhomes@kfh.co.uk

Merton Road, Southfields, SW18 Prices from ÂŁ275,000 A stunning new development of one and two bedroom luxury apartments situated in south west London. Incorporating the latest technology and with great eco credentials, The Edge offers buyers a superb opportunity to buy a stunning new home. Lift to all floors and parking available. Leasehold.

Land and New Homes 020 8222 7200 Email newhomes@kfh.co.uk

Computer generated image

Library images

10.12 KFH Absolutely Clapham Balham.indd 3

04/09/2012 09:32

Sutherland Grove, Southfields, SW18 £1,350,000 An exceptional semi detached family home, which has been meticulously refurbished throughout to the highest standard. The property offers four bedrooms, a beautiful kitchen extension, two bathrooms, study, landscaped gardens and ample off street parking. Freehold.

Southfields 020 8871 9655 Email ssf@kfh.co.uk

Mandalay Road, Clapham, SW4 £625,000 A stunning newly refurbished two double bedroom top floor maisonette with private roof terrace. This property is located on a quiet tree lined road in the heart of Abbeville Village moments from the wide open spaces of Clapham Common. Leasehold.

Clapham 020 8675 8436 Email scs@kfh.co.uk

Littleton Street, Earlsfield, SW18 £925,000 An absolutely stunning fully extended house on one of Earlsfield’s premier roads close to Earlsfield mainline station. The 1,818 sq ft of accommodation comprises four double bedrooms and two bathrooms. Freehold.

Earlsfield 020 8944 6464 Email sea@kfh.co.uk

10.12 KFH Absolutely Clapham Balham.indd 4

04/09/2012 09:33

Old Devonshire Road, Balham, SW12 £3,200 pcm A spacious four bedroom Victorian house with private garden and generous living and entertaining space. The property has four large double bedrooms and has an off street parking space. Available 20 October.

Furnished.

Balham 020 8675 3639 Email lbc@kfh.co.uk

Petworth Street, Battersea, SW11 £4,116 pcm Stunning five bedroom, two bathroom family house located on this quiet residential road within close proximity of Battersea Park. The property has a double volume reception room, large bright family eat in kitchen that opens up onto a pretty patio garden, and cellar. Available 18 October.

Battersea 020 7228 8688 Email lbp@kfh.co.uk

Limes Gardens, Southfields, SW18 £1,400 pcm A stylish two bedroom first floor apartment in a quiet residential development in Southfields comprising modern fitted kitchen, stunning bathroom, spacious reception room and private balcony. Ideal for a couple or professionals. Unfurnished.

Earlsfield 020 8875 2980 Email lea@kfh.co.uk

10.12 KFH Absolutely Clapham Balham.indd 5

04/09/2012 09:33

WIMBLEDON VILLAGE

SW19

Ten stunning three to six bedroom high specification luxury houses, situated behind a magnificent gated entrance Located moments away from superb schools, shops and restaurants whilst also benefiting from excellent transport links. Central London is easily accessible via the A3 and Waterloo is just 17 minutes from Wimbledon Station.

Prices from ÂŁ2.45 to ÂŁ4+ million

Marketing Suite, Edge Hill, Wimbledon Village, London SW19 4RB Marketing Suite and Show Home open Thursday to Monday, 10am - 5.30pm

T 020 8879 0222 W www.londonsquare.co.uk E wimbledonvillage@londonsquare.co.uk Distances are approximate, sourced from maps.google.co.uk. Details and prices are correct at time of going to press

FULL PAGE.indd 2 210572 Absolute Putney and Wandsworth v3.indd 1

14/09/2012 17:01 11:20 13/09/2012

JACKSONS GET BEHIND THEIR LOCAL SPORTS CLUBS

Property Notes NEWS, VIEWS AND RUBGY SHOES FOLLOW THE LEADER WITH DOUGLAS & GORDON AND IRONSIDES RUGBY Douglas & Gordon is supporting Ironsides Rugby and we’d like to follow their lead. Ironsides Rugby is an ambitious, friendly rugby club, renowned for its hard rugby. Located in Earlsfield, just 7 miles from the centre of London, the club now has one of the largest combined (mini, youth and senior) memberships in London.

Douglas & Gordon Managing Director, Ivor Dickinson exclaims, “With five offices in the area this is a fantastic opportunity for us to do something constructive for the local community. Come on you Ironsides!”

Contact the Ironsides Rugby Club, Burntwood Lane, Earlsfield, SW17 0AW 020 8874 9913, ironsidesrugby.com. douglasandgordon.com

ADD IT TO YOUR DIARY

INVESTORS EVENING hosted by John D Wood In response to increased demand from clients for properties suitable for ‘buy-to-let’, John D Wood & Co. is hosting an Investors Evening at Sandown Racecourse on 10th October. The event starts at 6.30pm with welcome drinks followed by talks on identifying the most suitable buy-to-let properties, how to go about financing your purchase, and the technical aspects of letting and managing the properties. There will be a question and answer session and then a chance to speak with staff from John D Wood & Co.’s sales and lettings offices, as well as independent mortgage advisors.

2012 has been a phenomenal year for sport in this country and Jacksons Estate agents is proud to sponsor a number of local sporting initiatives. With the Olympic and Paralympic teams flying the flag, not only for physical achievement but also mental perseverance and humility, we hope that the legacy of these games will inspire all generations to take part in sport on a regular basis. A sporting club makes exercise fun and social activities also provide motivation, which is why Jacksons have sought to sponsor a number of local sporting clubs looking to recruit new members.

Interested in joining a new cricket club or learning about the game? Contact The Sinjun Grammarians Cricket Club, 07904 070007; Trinity Road, Wandsworth Common, SW7 7HW. If you want to take up bowls or play with other members of all ages, contact Heathfield Bowls Club, 020 8874 8312; 17 Sandgate Lane, Wandsworth Common, SW18 3JP. And for your pick of football teams spanning all ages, Wandle Wanderers Football Club has a number of teams to join - from young boys to adults, 07525 910 343; Pitches King Georges Park (Burr Road) Wandsworth, SW18 4SQ. Jacksons would like to wish all of these teams the best of luck for their upcoming seasons and all the very best for the remainder of 2012. jacksonsestateagents.com

Nik Madan, Director of Lettings at John D Wood & Co. comments: “With interest rates low and the stock market and other investments performing poorly we are seeing a rise in enquiries from applicants looking to put their money into the stable returns offered by ‘Buy to Let’”.

The event is aimed at both seasoned investors as well as first time landlords. Anyone is welcome to attend. Please RSVP to reserve a place by emailing Natasha Chamberlain (buytolet@johndwood.co.uk) johndwood.co.uk

90

Property Notes.indd 90

14/09/2012 18:47

Absolutely

PROPERTY ABSOLUTELY INSIDER …

With George Franks from Douglas & Gordon There is a picture on the wall in my office. It says; Another Month Ends. All targets met. All systems working. Staff eager and enthusiastic. All customers satisfied. Pigs fed and ready to fly!

It was given to me by my late mother and over the last 14 years it has been my ambition to actually fulfil all the above points. I can normally achieve three out of four on a regular basis. The month is going to end whether I like it or not. Targets are hit more often than not, because of our amazing IT department the systems are fab, my property tracker is a unique example of that. D&G staff are always eager and amazingly enthusiastic. So it’s the last one that seems to evade me. Invariably, it’s the all customers’ satisfied line that’s the tricky one. At Douglas and Gordon we pride ourselves on our customer service, and I genuinely believe we are very good at it, probably opening a barn door to criticism here, but like the carrot in front of the donkey, however good we are as agents will we ever reach everyone’s expectations?

Sorry Mum, for now those pigs are grounded... douglasandgordon.com

Up your street SPENCER ROAD, WANDSWORTH, SW18 TO LET FOR £2,500 PER WEEK

Absolutely

SW11

MARK HUTTON, MANAGER AT DOUGLAS AND GORDON BATTERSEA PARK Best restaurant Being somewhat partial to a good steak, I highly rate Santa Maria Del Sur on the Queenstown Road. Be sure to book in advance.

Most stylish shop Not that I frequent this shop too often but “Find” on Battersea Park Rd is hugely popular with the fairer sex.

Finest cocktail It has to be Bunga-Bunga; it has a great atmosphere and offers a wonderful variety of drinks. The Martini Royale Bianco is delicious.

This spectacular detached five-bedroom house on tree-lined Spencer Road is close to the transport and shopping amenities of Clapham Junction and St John’s Hill. The property, along with remainder of the houses along the road, were originally designed and built for The Great Exhibition of 1851, as a showcase of the local builders and architects talents. As a result, this property retains a wealth of period features, which have been lovingly maintained by the current owners and is presented in an immaculate condition.

The house is situated on a corner plot with a walled garden and off-street parking. The house has a free flowing, opened up ground floor, centred around the staircase. The floor has been dived into a beautiful kitchen/breakfast room, formal dining/family area and a drawing room and also houses a WC and entrance hall. The first floor comprises the master bedroom, two further bedrooms and two bathrooms, whilst the second floor contains two more bedrooms, a shower room, a family/games room and a study. In the garden is a detached studio building extending to 286 sq ft, ideal for a home office, gym or studio.

John D Wood & Co., 020 8871 3033, johndwood.co.uk

Best kept secret Le Quecum Bar on Battersea High Street is a brilliant music bar, where you can see the greatest swing jazz musicians in the world.

Lost hour If I’m ever lucky enough to have some spare time, taking my dog for a walk in Battersea Park is always first on my agenda.

Most fabulous property With breath-taking views across Battersea Park and Battersea Power Station, Queenstown Road, SW8.

Four bedroom flat, £3,250,000.

020 7720 8077, douglasandgordon.com 91

Property Notes.indd 91

14/09/2012 18:49

p r e m i e r

showcasing the finest

Exceptional home prime location

p r e m i e r

Kenilworth Avenue SW19 Located in a prime location between Wimbledon Park and Wimbledon Town centre this home is immaculately presented and has been lovingly looked after by the current owner.

The house has four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a stunning kitchen and lots of entertaining space. This home is ideal for a family or those with young children looking to move to an area that has ideal schooling and facilities.

Price ÂŁ1,395,000 Freehold WIMBLEDON 020 3195 9111

FULL PAGE.indd 2 AW16526_absolute_PutneyBridge_spread_2.indd 1-2

07/09/2012 11:51

www.jacksonsestateagents.com

Balham 020 8675 6565

Putney Opening 2012

Wandsworth 020 8875 8899

Battersea 020 7924 2255

Streatham 020 8677 9900

Wandsworth Common 020 8672 9077

Earlsfield 020 8971 7070

Tooting 020 8767 0522

Wimbledon 020 3195 9111

A plethora of

p r e m i e r

Victorian Features Honeybrook Road SW12 A very large and charming home that is located very near to Clapham South tube station on a beautiful road. The house is deceptively large and stands at over 2’300 square feet, making it an ideal family home or for someone looking for a property with size and original features.

Price ÂŁ1,129,000 Freehold

BALHAM 020 8675 6565

FULL PAGE.indd 3

07/09/2012 06/09/2012 11:52 16:58

p r e m i e r

showcasing the finest

Extraordinary Condition Close to Bellevue Road

p r e m i e r

Tunley Road SW17 A genuinely rare opportunity to purchase a home that combines a prime location, original Victorian architecture and features, a modern fully refurbished interior, masses of entertaining space, six large bedrooms, sumptuous kitchen and bathrooms and a large garden. Such properties are rare to the market and a joy to behold.

Price ÂŁ1,125,000 Freehold WANDSWORTH COMMON 020 8672 9077

FULL PAGE.indd 2 AW16526_absolute_PutneyBridge_spreads_3.indd 1-2

07/09/2012 11:53

www.jacksonsestateagents.com

Balham 020 8675 6565

Putney Opening 2012

Wandsworth 020 8875 8899

Battersea 020 7924 2255

Streatham 020 8677 9900

Wandsworth Common 020 8672 9077

Earlsfield 020 8971 7070

Tooting 020 8767 0522

Wimbledon 020 3195 9111

Stunning Property

p r e m i e r

Fabulous Accommodation Wontner Road SW17 Properties such as this rarely come to the rental market, to get a home with the size and condition that this property can offer is extremely difficult. This property has been used in lifestyle magazines due to its truly beautiful features, with five bedrooms and three bathrooms, it is ideal for a family.

Price ÂŁ1,100 per week WANDSWORTH COMMON 020 8672 9077

FULL PAGE.indd 3

07/09/2012 06/09/2012 11:53 16:57

Absolutely

PROPERTY

Luxury Lettings ASHNESS ROAD, CLAPHAM, SW11

WHAT

Th is elegant family home offers that wonderful combination of period features mixed with modern decor. The layout is comprised of a double reception, eat-in kitchen, and south-facing garden on the ground floor, with four double bedrooms, a study area and two family bathrooms on the upper floors.

WHERE

Th is superb house is situated on one of the quietest roads between the commons

and due to its location, will be of great interest to families wishing to be close to Belleville and Honeywell School.

There are plenty of shops and restaurants which are perfect to while away an afternoon in nearby Northcote Road. The transport links from Clapham Junction are outstanding.

WHY

Aside from the desirable situation and beautiful decor, the large south-facing roof terrace off the study is the ideal

place to lap up the last few hours of the summer sun.

DETAILS

ÂŁ835 per week

CONTACT

Marsh and Parsons Battersea Office 118 Northcote Road, SW11 020 7228 9292 marshandparsons.co.uk

96

Property Luxury Lettings.indd 96

14/09/2012 18:39

Putney OfďŹ ce Sales. 020 8454 7617 putney@hamptons-int.com

Clarendon Drive, SW15

Guide Price ÂŁ2,500,000 Freehold

A spectacular five bedroom family home which has been modernised to a high standard.

The property benefits from off-street parking and is close to the amenities of Putney.

5 bedrooms 3 bathrooms Semi-detached house Garden Private parking

The right buyers and tenants delivered fast since 1869.

For more information go to www.hamptons.co.uk

HAMPTONS.2.indd 2

04/09/2012 16:40

SO

LD

Hamptons Balham Sales. 020 8618 2013 balham@hamptons-int.com

Nottingham Road, Wandsworth Common SW17 £1,125,000

Englewood Road, Balham SW12 £1,595,000

A beautifully presented Victorian family house in a contemporary style and situated just moments away from Bellevue Road and Wandsworth Common.

A stunning five bedroom family home that has been extended and refurbished to a very high standard.

Fernlea Road, Balham SW12 £425,000

Liberty Mews, Balham SW12 £370,000

A recently refurbished two double bedroom upper flat with a modern integrated kitchen, contemporary bathroom, basement storage and a large private garden.

A delightful and spacious garden flat with off street parking in a modern mews development, close to Clapham South underground station.

Arnulls Road, SW16 £923 pw (Unfurnished)

Alderbrook Road, Nightingale Triangle SW12 £515 pw (Furnished)

A unique and spacious four bedroom, four bathroom detached house with a breathtaking exterior and large secluded mature gardens.

Recently converted and immaculately presented spacious two bedroom two bathroom apartment perfect for a couple or sharers.

Sales . Lettings . Land . New Homes . International . Property Finance . Auctions . Sales Lettings . Land . New Homes International . Property Finance . Auctions . Sales . Lettings Land . New Homes . International . Property Finance . Auctions Sales . Lettings . Land

FULL PAGE.indd 1

07/09/2012 12:31

Balham.

Our new home sweet home.

Hamptons Balham.

Your local, International agent.

Opens September 2012.

To find out how our unique blend of over 140 years’ property expertise and forward-looking approach could benefit you, contact us today.

Join us at our launch celebration Saturday 22nd September 10.30am - 2.30pm.

Plenty of fun for all with locally sourced food and drink, live music and a Bertie & Boo party for the children.

11-13 Bedford Hill, Balham, London, SW12 9ET.

Sales . Lettings . Land . New Homes . International . Property Finance . Auctions . Sales Lettings . Land . New Homes International . Property Finance . Auctions . Sales . Lettings Land . New Homes . International . Property Finance . Auctions Sales . Lettings . Land

FULL PAGE.indd 1

07/09/2012 12:32

Living the

dream

HERONDALE AVENUE, SW17

A most spectacular seven-bedroom family home which has been extended and renovated to exacting standards.

This extra wide family home has been fully developed and now extends to approx. 5,200 sqft. Interior designed throughout this house offers buyers oceans of space and a huge garden. £3,950,000, Marsh and Parsons, 020 7228 9292

ABSOLUTELY’S PRIME PROPERTIES

HOWARDS LANE, SW15

An exceptionally attractive and very well presented double fronted Victorian semidetached house with a superb 57’ x 32’ south-facing garden in prime west Putney. The lateral footprint creates particularly ample reception space and the house flows beautifully towards the very private and lawned rear garden. £1,695,000, Warren Estates, 020 8780 1100

100

Property Portfolio.indd 100

14/09/2012 18:56

Absolutely

PROPERTY

MULTON ROAD, SW18

This stunning five-bedroom house is one of the best on the market; with over 2,500 sqft of space that has been decorated to a superb standard, a south west-facing garden and off-street parking, this property is enough to make any visitor jealous.

Price on Application Sullivan Thomas 020 8767 7711

WALSINGHAM PLACE, SW4

A wonderful four storey modern townhouse in a quiet private road just off Clapham Common. The house has a large kitchen breakfast room on the ground floor with access to a good size rear garden and a large reception room with a balcony on the first floor. There is one master bedroom with an ensuite shower room and four further bedrooms. The house also benefits from a garage and off street parking to the front. £895 per week, Palace Gate Lettings, 020 7978 4404

HENDHAM ROAD, SW17

Extremely stylish and beautifully presented, this three storey semi-detached family house has excellent entertaining and living space, including an impressive extended kitchen/dining room, four double bedrooms and a stunning south facing 100ft garden. £1,225,000, Trindle Rymer Irens, 020 8767 2222

ST JAMES’S DRIVE, SW17

This substantial and imposing doublefronted detached family house extends over 3,600 sq ft and has a wide and secluded south west-facing rear garden.

Well maintained throughout with scope to add value through additional development. The light and spacious property has 6 bedrooms, a study/store room and 3 bathrooms (one en-suite).

The ground floor offers 3 generously proportioned reception rooms, an elegant entrance hall, good size kitchen/breakfast room and large utility room.

In addition there is wide and secluded south west facing rear garden. £1,975,000 Jacksons, 020 8675 6565 101

Property Portfolio.indd 101

14/09/2012 18:56

Are you searching for a property?

If so l et us take the s tress and s train awa y and assis t you.

Property Search and Acquisition Newman Property Acquisitions is an independent

have an unrivalled level of professional knowledge

buying and search agency based in London,

of the London market. We find and secure a wide

specialising in property search for both

range of property, from luxury apartments, to flats

local and overseas buyers/investors. With an

and family homes, buy-to-let investments, land and

extensive track record and proven success we

renovation projects.

for a no obligation discussion please contact: info@NPAproperty.com or call us on: 0207-504-1315 / Also for more about us, please visit our website: www.NPAproperty.com

Newman Property.C&A.FINAL.indd 1

21/08/2012 11:03

Absolutely

PROPERTY ALISTER SHAW ON THE BENEFITS OF RIVER PROPERTIES

Vs

Riverside AUSTIN THOROGOOD ON THE BENEFITS OF GARDEN PROPERTIES

Waterside properties have become more popular with both local and international buyers. Coming over any one of the London bridges, the developments which dominate the south bank of the Thames are immediately impressive. Not only does each of those homes benefit from spectacular views of the river, you also have the mod cons that often come along with a new build; comfort air conditioning, concierge, gym and private parking. To return home to spectacular views down the River Thames makes for a relaxing evening, whether returning home from work, or after enjoying the many sites of London that are easily accessible from Putney and Wandsworth. There is of course the added benefit for some apartments of having prime position to enjoy the annual OxfordCambridge boat race with unrivalled views.

Case Study: Putney Wharf Tower, SW15 £1.25m Leasehold Hamptons Putney, 020 8780 0077

Garden

Whether it’s a place for a beer and a barbecue, or a football pitch for the kids, everyone likes a patch of space to call their own and making the most of yours will greatly assist when you sell.

Today you’ll find that contemporary landscaping, built-in seating and artificial grass has transformed many of the town gardens found Between the Commons and in the lovely streets around Northcote Road into year-round stylish outdoor spaces. Houses with large gardens are few and far between but always command a premium. The better sides of Montholme Road, Winsham Grove and Blenkarne Road are prime examples where the rarity value really kicks in.

These days, perhaps sadly, gardens also attract buyers who simply want to build on them - adding increasingly valuable square footage in their place.

Case Study: Wandsworth House, SW11 £3m Freehold John Thorogood, 020 7228 7474 103

Property Versus.indd 103

14/09/2012 18:53

Absolutely

PROPERTY

Prime purchase SUTHERLAND GROVE, SOUTHFIELDS, SW18

WHAT

This stunning semi-detached family home is situated in close walking distance of Southfields station, making commuting around town easy. With a vast double reception room and four bedrooms, there is ample space to relax. The house also benefits from having off-street parking, a separate utility room and two bathrooms.

WHERE

Handily located close to both King George’s Park and Wimbledon Park (complete with its lake and athletics track), this home is ideal for any active family.

Furthermore, with an abundance of bars, restaurants and shops just a stone’s throw away, weekends are easily lost in this wellserved neighbourhood.

WHY

This sensational house has been meticulously refurbished to the highest standard throughout, including a magnificent bespoke handmade kitchen extension leading out to the landscaped rear garden which is perfect for entertaining.

DETAILS

£1,350,000  Freehold

CONTACT

Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward Southfields Office 020 8871 9655 251 Wimbledon Park Road, SW19 kfh.co.uk

104

Property Prime Purchase.indd 104

14/09/2012 18:28

FULL PAGE.indd 1

13/09/2012 10:09

Howard’s Lane £1,695,000 An exceptionally attractive and very well presented double fronted Victorian semidetached house with a superb 57’ x 32’ south facing garden in prime West Putney.

The lateral footprint creates particularly ample reception space and the house flows beautifully towards the very private and lawned rear garden, which benefits from a wide separate side access that runs to Coalecroft Road.

Entrance hallway • Large double reception room with access to garden • Lower ground floor spacious kitchen/family room with access to garden • Master bedroom with en suite bathroom • Family bathroom • Shower

Double fronted freehold victorian house • semidetached • two generous reception rooms • modern room • Five further double bedrooms • Studykitchen/dining room • large study • 57’ x 32’ south • Utility room • Cloakroom • 75’ east facing facing lawned garden • side access to Coalecroft Road • cellar • four double bedrooms • south facing balcony garden • Off street parking • Convenient central overlooking garden • family bathroom with separate putney location • Off street parking shower • en-suite shower • utlity cupboard • woodframed double glazed sash windows • loft storage

Burstock Road

£2,600,000

Coalecroft Road £999,950 An exceptionally attractive three bedroom early Victorian cottage on this highly desirable residential road in prime West Putney. The property is very well presented and enjoys a private west facing garden. There is a large side return which, if desired, affords the purchaser an opportunity to extend the kitchen breakfast room across the full width of the house (subject to the necessary consents).

Howard’s Lane

£1,695,000

Double fronted freehold victorian house • Semi-detached • Two generous reception rooms • Modern kitchen / dining room • Large study • 57’ x 2’ south facing lawned garden • Side access to coalecroft road •

Freehold victorian cottage • prime west Putney location • reception room with french doors to L-shaped garden • dining room • kitchen breakfast room (underfloor heating) • country style kitchen with butler sink • 21’ Cellar • Four double bedrooms • South facing west facing garden • utility cellar with plumbing for balcony overlooking garden • Family bathroom washer/drier, additional fridge/freezer • scope for with separate shower • En-suite shower • Utlityconsents) • further extension (subject to the necessary cupboard •three Wood-framed glazed bedrooms • double bathroom (under sash floor heating) • loft • many original features • purpose built wine windows • storage Loft storage storage • built-in wadrobes and cuboards

Tel: 020 8780 1100 sales@warrenputney.co.uk

194 Upper Richmond Road SW15 2SH / 139 Lower Richmond Road SW15 1EZ

194 Upper Richmond Road SW15 2SH 139 Lower Richmond Road SW15 1EZ

WARREN.FINAL.2.indd 2

warrenputney.co.uk

12/09/2012 14:23

T: 020 8780 1100

warrenputney.co.uk

Howard’s Lane £1,695,000 An exceptionally attractive and very well presented double fronted Victorian semidetached house with a superb 57’ x 32’ south facing garden in prime West Putney.

The lateral footprint creates particularly ample reception space and the house flows beautifully towards the very private and lawned rear garden, which benefits from a wide separate side access that runs to Coalecroft Road.

-

ey.

uns

Dyer Lane

n

£690,000

Double reception room • Kitchen/breakfast room • Downstairs cloakroom • Utility room • Three double bedrooms • Family bathroom • 46’ rear garden • Scope to expand and extend subject to the necessary consents

oad ony

-

kitchen/dining room • room large study • 57’ x 32’ south Three bedrooms • Reception room • Dining • Family lawnedviews garden • side access to Coalecroft Road bathroom • Separate wc •facing Splendid • Porterage • Acres • cellar • four double bedrooms • south facing balcony of communal gardens • 24 hour security • Off street parking • In overlooking garden • family bathroom with separate need of modernisation throughout *Loft storage shower • en-suite shower •room utlity cupboard • woodframed double glazed sash windows • loft storage

Coalecroft Road £999,950

m

An exceptionally attractive three bedroom early Victorian cottage on this highly desirable residential road in prime West Putney. The property is very well presented and enjoys a private west facing garden. There is a large side return which, if desired, affords the purchaser an opportunity to extend the kitchen breakfast room across the full width of the house (subject to the necessary consents).

n n ast

tion den

Erpingham Road

’

£7,500pcm

Spectacular semi detached period house • Drawing room • Kitchen/dining/family room • Orangery • Six bedrooms • Three bathrooms • Private garden • Guest wc • Utility room • Cellar • Off-street parking • Easy access to high street

s) • oft e

00 uk

uk

Double fronted freehold victorian house • semiGlenalmond House £575,000 detached • two generous reception rooms • modern

Freehold victorian cottage • prime west Putney location • reception room with french doors to L-shaped garden • dining room • kitchen breakfast room (underfloor heating) • country style kitchen with butler sink • 21’ Refurbished mansion apartment • Beautifully Double west facing garden •presented utility cellar •with plumbing for washer/drier, additional fridge/freezer • scope for reception• Three double bedrooms • Modern fitted kitchen • Luxury further to the •necessary bathroom • Underfloor heating in extension bathroom(subject and kitchen Cat 6 consents) • bedrooms gardens • bathroom (under heating) • loft cabling • Off street parking three • Landscaped • 24 hourfloor security storage • many original features • purpose built wine storage • built-in wadrobes and cuboards

Magdalene House

£2,500 pcm

Tel: 020 8780 Tel: 020 8780 1100 / sales@warrenputney.co.uk / warrenputney.co.uk

194 Upper Richmond Road SW15 2SH 139 Lower Richmond Road SW15 1EZ

WARREN.FINAL.2.indd 3

xx

1100 sales@warrenputney.co.uk

warrenputney.co.uk 12/09/2012 14:23

Local know-how. Better results.

Balham

Chelsea

Hammersmith

Mayfair

Barnes

Clapham

Holland Park

North Kensington

Battersea

Earls Court

Kensington

Notting Hill

Brook Green

Fulham

Little Venice

Pimlico & Westminster

Chelsham Road SW4 ÂŁ1,250,000 This grand Victorian house boasts a double reception room with high ceilings, a stylish open plan kitchen with French doors leading out to a mature south facing garden extending over 47ft, complete with a substantial patio and large outbuilding at the rear. The bedroom accommodation comprises six double bedrooms, a study/single bedroom and two family bathrooms. The house benefits from a large loft space, utility room in the cellar and off street parking. Freehold. Sole Agents.

CLAPHAM: 020 7501 3666 sales.clp@marshandparsons.co.uk

Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/marshandparsons

Join us on Facebook: facebook/marshandparsons.co.uk

Visit our YouTube channel: youtube.com/user/marshandparsons

SALES

See all of our properties online: marshandparsons.co.uk

Gayville Road SW11 £1,235,000

Dornton Road SW12 £1,250,000

This beautiful family home offers great living space comprising a large kitchen, a south facing garden, reception room, five double bedrooms and two bathrooms. Located within easy walking distance of Northcote Road. Freehold. Sole Agents.

This wide, semi detached Victorian house comprises a large family kitchen, leading to a conservatory and out to a 40ft garden. The property also boasts two reception rooms, a utility room, five double bedrooms and three bathrooms. Freehold. Sole Agents.

BATTERSEA: 020 7228 9292 sales.bat@marshandparsons.co.uk

BALHAM: 020 8673 4377 sales.bal@marshandparsons.co.uk

Englewood Road SW12 £1,250,000

Edithna Street SW9 £685,000

This recently refurbished Victorian house boasts a grand double reception room, an open plan kitchen, a south facing garden, six double bedrooms, two family bathrooms and a study. The property also benefits from off street parking. Freehold. Sole Agents.

This superb house comprises two reception rooms, a utility room, a spacious kitchen/dining room with direct access to a private garden benefiting from side access, a master bedroom with built-in storage, two further double bedrooms and a family bathroom. Freehold. Joint Sole Agent.

BALHAM: 020 8673 4377 sales.bal@marshandparsons.co.uk

CLAPHAM: 020 7501 3666 sales.clp@marshandparsons.co.uk

Local know-how. Better results.

Balham

Chelsea

Hammersmith

Mayfair

Barnes

Clapham

Holland Park

North Kensington

Battersea

Earls Court

Kensington

Notting Hill

Brook Green

Fulham

Little Venice

Pimlico & Westminster

Anchor Mews SW12 £875 per week This fantastic house is set within a beautiful, cobbled, gated mews moments from Clapham South underground and Clapham Common. Presented in excellent order throughout, the property comprises an open plan kitchen/reception room arranged over the ground floor. The top two floors boast a master bedroom with dressing room and en suite bathroom, three further double bedrooms, a family bathroom and a laundry room. The property further benefits from a garage with secure parking.

BALHAM: 020 8673 4377 lets.bal@marshandparsons.co.uk

Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/marshandparsons

Join us on Facebook: facebook/marshandparsons.co.uk

Visit our YouTube channel: youtube.com/user/marshandparsons

LETTINGS

See all of our properties online: marshandparsons.co.uk

Ashness Road SW11 £885 per week

Lynette Avenue SW4 £495 per week

This wonderful house is situated on one of the quietest roads between the commons and comprises a double reception room, an eat-in kitchen, four double bedrooms, a study area and two family bathrooms. The property also benefits from a south facing garden and a roof terrace.

This stunning Victorian property is located in the heart of Abbeville Village.

The apartment comprises a large open plan kitchen/reception room with varnished wooden floors and a bay window, two double bedrooms, a separate study, contemporary bathroom and a private decked garden.

BATTERSEA: 020 7228 9292 lets.bat@marshandparsons.co.uk

BALHAM: 020 8673 4377 lets.bal@marshandparsons.co.uk

Salford Road SW2 £450 per week

Kenwyn Road SW4 £450 per week

This beautifully presented property offers exceptional living space including an open plan kitchen/reception room, a master bedroom with excellent fitted storage and a further second double bedroom leading to a fantastic private rear garden.

This immaculately presented garden flat is situated on a quiet road close to the amenities of Clapham High Street. The property comprises a reception room, a modern bathroom, an eat-in kitchen leading out to a large patio garden, two double bedrooms with built-in storage and a bathroom.

BALHAM: 020 8673 4377 lets.bal@marshandparsons.co.uk

CLAPHAM: 020 7501 3666 lets.clp@marshandparsons.co.uk

Absolutely

PROPERTY

Moving In NOTHING’S BETTER THAN THE INSIDE SCOOP. LOCAL AGENTS GIVE THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS...

YOU NEVER KNEW THIS ABOUT

LOCAL HANGOUT

LOCAL STREET

PLACES TO ENTERTAIN THE KIDS

INTERIOR INSPIRATION

TIME OUT FOR MUM

Sophie Poland, John D Wood & Co., 501 Battersea Park Road, SW11; johndwood.co.uk 020 7228 0174 A little known fact about Battersea Power Station is that, during WW11, RAF pilots used the plumes of white smoke from the iconic chimneys to guide them through the fog. The Luftwaffe didn’t miss this neat little navigational trick either, hence it emerged from the blitz unscathed.

James Weston, John D Wood & Co., 324 Trinity Road, SW18; johndwood.co.uk 020 8871 3033 Wandsworth is one of the best places for kids. There’s a huge amount of green space with organised sports at the weekends, “Ruggerbeez” being one of the better known, as well as football. There’s also a pond and lots of paths through the woods for children to play and explore in.

Patrick Rampton, Rampton Baseley, 131 Northcote Road, SW11; ramptonbaseley.com 020 7228 5111 My favourite is Numero Uno actually and I challenge anyone, even a veggie, not to find something on the menu that they like. It’s fresh, authentic and tasty and that’s just the service! The food is out of this world and everyone and everything is just so jolly and easygoing. It’s just like Italy.

Danny Hardy, Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward, 108 Northcote Road, SW11; kfh.co.uk 020 7228 2666 For professional interior inspiration to revamp your home, Suzie Watson Designs, The Uncommon Touch and Brissi are great. To browse collectors’ items of furniture, pay a visit to Breamar Antiques and Carey B Antiques, as well as the Northcote Road Antiques Market.

Charlie Mitchell, Douglas & Gordon, 190 Upper Richmond Road; SW15 douglasandgordon.com 020 8788 3000 Winthorpe Road is a leafy stretch of impressive Victorian villas, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Putney High Street. The arches opposite are used to house local businesses’ workshops and studios – a tradition going back many decades.

Christopher Cady, Jacksons, 115 Balham High Road, SW12; jacksonsestateagents.com 020 8675 6565 My female friends and colleagues in Balham assure me that Bikram yoga has to be the ultimate way for Mum to wind down. “Hot Bikram Yoga” has a beautiful studio in the heart of Balham.

Failing that a trip to Harrisons for a cold glass of wine will surely hit the spot.

112

Property Moving In.indd 112

14/09/2012 18:33

Specialists in the sale and letting of prime property Between the Commons and the surrounding areas

Olympian Service, Gold Medal Performance LD SO

LD SO

LD SO

LD SO

Roseneath Road

Broxash Road

Manchuria Road

Muncaster Road

£1.495m

£1.3m

£1.4m

£1.25m

LD

LD

LD

LD

SO

SO

SO

SO

Alfriston Road

Thurleigh Avenue

Broomwood Road

Broomwood Road

£1.325m

£1.1m

£1.795m

£1.425m

LD

LD

SO

SO

LD

LD

SO

SO

Bramfield Road

West Side

Hendrick Avenue

Endlesham Road

£1.175m

£1.65m

£2.675m

£2.35m

LD

LD

LD

LD

SO

SO

SO

SO

Chestnut Grove

Gayville Road

Hillier Road

West Side

£1.075m

£1.25m

£1.825m

£2.35m

www.john-thorogood.co.uk | T. 020 7228 7474 | E. sales@john-thorogood.co.uk FULL PAGE.indd JTH384.

Absolutely210.12.indd 1

11/09/2012 14:14 11/9/12 7:56:52 PM

Specialists in the sale and letting of prime property Between the Commons and the surrounding areas

Hilier Road Between The Commoms SW11

FOR SALE

£1,500,000 | Freehold Only a handful or two of these substantial extra-wide Victorian houses exist.

Rarer still is this one – unextended and with a gloriously sunny 30’ SWfacing garden. With a huge potential floor area (c. 3000 sq ft) thanks to a vast unconverted basement, loft and side return, it’s a clear step up from the typical Victorian terrace. Positioned close to fashionable Northcote Road, excellent schools and about half a mile from Clapham South tube.

Kelmscott Road Between The Commoms SW11

• Entrance Hall • Extra-Wide Double Reception • Kitchen / Breakfast Room • Large Basement • 30’ SW-Facing Garden • 5 Bedrooms • Bath/Shower Room/WC

FOR SALE

• Cloakroom/WC • Large Unconverted Loft • London Borough of Wandsworth • Residents’ Parking • 2243 SQ.FT/ 208.7 SQ.MT

EXCLUSIVE ONLINE HD VIDEO AVAILABLE

£1,350,000 | Freehold This beautifully refurbished five double bedroom Victorian house with landscaped south-facing garden is in prime territory - directly off fashionable Northcote Road and very close to both sought-after state schools, Belleville and Honeywell. It has been extended into the side return and large loft to create a first-class contemporary family home Between the Commons.

• Entrance Hall • Double Reception Room • Kitchen/Breakfast Room • Side Extension • Cellar • Cloakroom/WC • 5 Double Bedrooms

• Family Bathroom/WC • Shower Room/WC • 23’ South-Facing Garden • London Borough of Wandsworth • Residents’ Parking • 1970 SQ.FT / 183 SQ.M (inc. storage)

www.john-thorogood.co.uk FULL PAGE.indd 2

11/09/2012 14:12

FOR SALE

Rusham Road Wandsworth Common SW12 £2,995,000 | Freehold A unique opportunity to acquire a newly-built, magnificent, detached family house with gated off-street parking, in this exclusive location Between the Commons. This substantial property (4005 SQ.FT / 372 SQ.M) has been meticulously designed with a replica Victorian frontage and contains state-of-the-art technology, exacting contemporary finishes and a superb layout suited to stylish 21st Century living.

• Entrance Hall • Front Reception • Large L-shaped Rear Reception • Cinema Room/Reception 3 • 26’ x 22’ Kitchen/Breakfast Room • Utility Room • Cloakroom / WC • Mechanical Plant Room • Electrical Room • Office/Wine Store

• Bike Store • Paved Rear Patio • Garden (44’ x 27’) • Master Bedroom • En-Suite Bath/Wet Room • Dressing Room • 4 Further Double Bedrooms • 3 Further Bath/Wet Rooms (2 En Suite) • 4005 SQ.FT / 372 SQ.M (inc. store rooms)

EXCLUSIVE ONLINE HD VIDEO AVAILABLE

140 Northcote Road, SW11 | T. 020 7228 7474 | E. sales@john-thorogood.co.uk FULL PAGE.indd 3

11/09/2012 14:12

Specialists in the sale and letting of prime property Between the Commons and the surrounding areas

Kelmscott Road Between The Commoms SW11

FOR SALE

EXCLUSIVE ONLINE HD VIDEO AVAILABLE

£1,595,000 | Freehold With its full “front-to-back” basement, loft conversion and sunny kitchen extension, this superbly located five/six bed, three bath Victorian house now offers an enviable 2300 square feet and a lovely south-facing garden. Situated in prime territory between Northcote Road and Wandsworth Common, half a mile from Clapham Junction and in the likely catchment area for highly sought-after state primary schools, Honeywell and Belleville and the new Bolingbroke Academy.

Broomwood Road Between The Commons SW11 £650,000 | Share of Freehold This outstanding loft apartment has been innovatively renovated and extended. Its huge floor area offers wonderfully light, contemporary living spaces with electrically-operated glass atrium and doors to a high-level sunny terrace. Just off fashionable Northcote Road, close to good train / tube links to The City / West End.

• Entrance Hall • Double Reception Room • Kitchen/Breakfast Room • Side Return Extension • South-facing Garden • 26’ Double Family Room • Utility Room

• 5 Double Bedrooms • Studio/Bedroom 6 • Bathroom/WC • 2 Shower Room/WCs • London Borough of Wandsworth • Residents’ Parking • 2300 SQ.FT / 213.6 SQ.M + Storage

FOR SALE EXCLUSIVE ONLINE HD VIDEO AVAILABLE • Communal Entrance Hall • Superb Open-Plan Reception / Kitchen With Glass Atrium • South-Facing Roof Terrace • Shared Garden With Bike Shed • Master Bedroom • Bathroom / WC

• 2 Further Double Bedrooms • Shower Room / WC • London Borough of Wandsworth • Responsible for 30% of outgoings • 1241 SQ.FT / 115.2 SQ.M

www.john-thorogood.co.uk FULL PAGE.indd 2

11/09/2012 14:13

FOR SALE

Hillier Road Between The Commons SW11 £1,725,000 | Freehold A family home fit for the 21st Century, this stylish interior-designed 5-bedroom Victorian house has been refurbished to an exacting standard from top to bottom. Extended into loft and side return, it boasts acres of living space, while the excavated basement provides an invaluable family room or fifth bedroom and separate utility room. Situated close to Honeywell School, Northcote Road and Clapham South tube.

• Entrance Hall • Double Reception Room • ‘Wraparound’ Extended Kitchen / Family Room • Family Room / Playroom / 5th Bedroom • Utility Room • Downstairs WC • Steam Room • 27’ SW-Facing Garden • Master Bedroom

• En Suite Bath/Shower Room • 3 Further Double Bedrooms • 2 Family Bath/Shower Rooms • Basement Storage Area • London Borough of Wandsworth • Residents’ Parking • 2457 SQ.FT/ 228.2 SQ.MT

EXCLUSIVE ONLINE HD VIDEO AVAILABLE

140 Northcote Road, SW11 | T. 020 7228 7474 | E. sales@john-thorogood.co.uk FULL PAGE.indd 3

11/09/2012 14:13

Three is the magic number If you are looking to buy or sell in South Kensington D&G now have three offices with the opening of our new Harrington Road office.

ÂŁ1,850,000 Freehold Rodenhurst Road SW4 This stunning house is situated in a prime position on this sought-after road and presented to an extremely high standard.

4 double bedrooms, En-suite bathroom, 2 further bathrooms, Dressing room, Double reception room, Kitchen/dining room, Utility room, 73 ft garden with side access, Off-street parking for 2/3 cars.

Clapham South Sales 020 8675 4400 clapsthsales@dng.co.uk

DOUGLAS SALES.3.indd 1

12/09/2012 11:14

Text dng to 84840 for details of properties near you now.

North Chelsea Fulham Hammersmith & Shepherd’s Bush

Kensington Kensington Gate South Kensington Notting Hill Pimlico & Westminster

South Balham Battersea Battersea Park

Clapham Southside East Putney West Putney Southfields & Earlsfield

www.douglasandgordon.com

ÂŁ1,700,000 Share of Freehold Ouseley Road, SW12 Set in a fantastic area of Balham on a quiet street is this stunning family home.

Offering a fantastic mix of living and entertaining space the current owners have refurbished it to a very high standard without losing any of the Victorian charm.

5 double bedrooms, Family bathroom, En-suite bathroom/separate shower, En-suite shower room, Double reception room, Kitchen/ breakfast room, Utility room, Summer house/office, Garden, Under floor heating, Close to local amenities.

Balham Sales 020 8673 0191 balhamsales@dng.co.uk

DOUGLAS SALES.3.indd 2

12/09/2012 11:14

0 8:4 5 1 9:0 0

Set your alarm We would like to welcome you into our offices from 8.45am to 7pm, Monday to Friday and 9.30am to 3pm on Saturdays. That’s over 56 hours of undivided D&G attention a week. Intense.

£1,425,000 Freehold Marney Road SW11

£1,380,000 Freehold Clarendon Drive SW15

This stunning double-fronted four double bedroom house is stylishly presented throughout.

This well-presented and delightful semi-detached family house is located on this smart residential road.

4 double bedrooms, 3 bathrooms (2 en-suite), Double reception room, Kitchen/dining room, Study, Playroom, Cloakroom, Garden.

4 bedrooms, Bathroom, 2 shower rooms (1 en-suite), 2 reception rooms, Kitchen/breakfast room, Conservatory, Utility room, Cellar, South-facing garden.

Battersea Sales 020 7924 2000 battsales@dng.co.uk

West Putney Sales 020 8785 6666 wputneysales@dng.co.uk

£1,250,000 Freehold Cromford Road SW18

£1,250,000 Freehold Elms Crescent SW4

A fabulous five bedroom architecturally designed house, which has been beautifully refurbished in a contemporary style.

A superb family home which boasts off-street parking and a 55ft south-facing garden.

5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, Reception room, Kitchen/dining room, Cinema room, Garden.

5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, Double reception room, Kitchen/breakfast room, Cellar, Garden, Parking.

East Putney Sales 020 8788 3000 putneysales@dng.co.uk

Clapham South Sales 020 8675 4400 clapsthsales@dng.co.uk

DOUGLAS SALES.3.indd 3

12/09/2012 11:15

Text dng to 84840 for details of properties near you now.

North Chelsea Fulham Hammersmith & Shepherd’s Bush

Kensington Kensington Gate South Kensington Notting Hill Pimlico & Westminster

South Balham Battersea Battersea Park

Clapham Southside East Putney West Putney Southfields & Earlsfield

www.douglasandgordon.com

£1,250,000 Share of Freehold Prince of Wales Drive SW11

£1,100,000 Freehold Kyrle Road SW11

An exciting opportunity to purchase this very well presented and larger than average ground floor flat, on Prince of Wales Drive.

This natural four bedroom Victorian house is located on the prime road “Between the Commons”.

3 bedrooms, Bathroom, Shower room, Reception room, Kitchen, Dining Room, Utility room, Garden, Not Demised, Directly opposite Battersea Park.

4 double bedrooms, Bathroom, Double reception room, Kitchen/ breakfast room, Kitchenette, Loft, Cellar, South-facing garden.

Battersea Park Sales 020 7720 8077 battpksales@dng.co.uk

Battersea Sales 020 7924 2000 battsales@dng.co.uk

£995,000 Freehold Skeena Hill SW18

£459,950 Leasehold Battersea Bridge Road SW11

An attractive four bedroom semi-detached family home now requiring some updating.

A beautifully presented two bedroom flat in this excellent location moments from Battersea Bridge.

4 bedrooms, Bathroom, Cloakroom, Reception room, Dining room, Kitchen/ breakfast room, 73ft garden, Front garden, Garage, Off-street parking.

2 double bedrooms, Bathroom, Reception room, Kitchen/breakfast room.

Southfields Sales 020 8874 8822 sthfldssales@dng.co.uk

Battersea Park Sales 020 7720 8077 battpksales@dng.co.uk

DOUGLAS SALES.3.indd 4

12/09/2012 11:15

New website It’s time to refresh your browsers for major changes to douglasandgordon.com with many new features and improved navigation.

£1,500 per week Unfurnished Abbotstone Road SW15

£1,300 per week Unfurnished Gorst Road SW11

A stunning double-fronted house in the heart of West Putney which provides contemporary and stylish accommodation throughout.

A stunning family home ideally located just off Wandsworth Common.

4 double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, Double reception room, Kitchen, Private garden, Available immediately.

5 double bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, Double reception room, Kitchen/ breakfast room, Family room/playroom, Garden, Utility room, Cloakroom.

Putney Lettings 020 8788 3333 putneylets@dng.co.uk

Battersea Lettings 020 7924 2002 battlets@dng.co.uk

£1,100 per week Unfurnished Elms Crescent SW4

£923 per week Unfurnished Combemartin Road SW18

A stunning five bedroom family home which has been extensively refurbished throughout located near Abbeville Village.

A stunning five bedroom detached house conveniently located for the amenities of Southfields.

5 double bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, Double reception room, Kitchen/ breakfast room, Cellar, Garden, Off-street parking.

5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, Cloakroom, Reception room, Kitchen/ family room, Study/playroom, Off-street parking.

Clapham South Lettings 020 8675 0888 clapsthlets@dng.co.uk

Southfields Lettings 020 8874 8844 sthfldslets@dng.co.uk

D&G LETTINGS.2.indd 1

12/09/2012 11:12

Text dng to 84840 for details of properties near you now.

North Chelsea Fulham Hammersmith & Shepherd’s Bush

Kensington Kensington Gate South Kensington Notting Hill Pimlico & Westminster

South Balham Battersea Battersea Park

Clapham Southside East Putney West Putney Southfields & Earlsfield

www.douglasandgordon.com

£850 per week Unfurnished Roseneath Road SW11

£675 per week Unfurnished Cathles Road SW12

A beautifully presented family home ideally located for local schools and the open spaces of Clapham Common.

A wonderful three bedroom family home presented to a high standard throughout located near to Clapham South.

4 double bedrooms, Single bedroom/study, 2 bathrooms, Double reception room, Kitchen/breakfast room, Garden.

3 double bedrooms, Bathroom, Double reception room, Kitchen/breakfast room, Cellar, Garden.

Battersea Lettings 020 7924 2002 battlets@dng.co.uk

Clapham South Lettings 020 8675 0888 clapsthlets@dng.co.uk

£475 per week Unfurnished Eversleigh Road SW11

£445 per week Furnished/Part-furnished Albert Palace Mansions SW11

A lovely cottage on the Shaftesbury Estate. The property offers two double bedrooms serviced by a modern bathroom.

A fantastically spacious ground floor two bedroom mansion flat in superb condition.

2 double bedrooms, Bathroom, Reception room, Kitchen, Garden.

2 double bedrooms, Bathroom, Kitchen, Dining room, Reception room, Close to Battersea Park.

Battersea Park Lettings 020 7498 5243 battpklets@dng.co.uk

Battersea Park Lettings 020 7498 5243 battpklets@dng.co.uk

D&G LETTINGS.2.indd 2

12/09/2012 11:12

Ed Mead Superbike Racer and Sales Director Qualified racer Ed will never cut corners but thinks nothing of taking them at great speed on his Ducati superbike. Our people are what make us great and Ed is brave and committed.

douglasandgordon.com Extraordinary people

6501_D&G_Archant & Absolutely (October).indd 3

14/08/2012 09:38